After bouncing around across the seas for the past five seasons, former New York Islander F David Ullström signs with Arizona and returns to North America.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the New York Islanders offseason began earlier than both the team and the fans would’ve liked.
After failing to make the postseason for the second-straight season, Isles land has been quiet minus a ‘very strong’ possibility that Lou Lamoriello joins the organization. News is scarce but if you try hard enough, you can find some.
OFFICIAL: #Coyotes Sign Ullstrom to One-Year, Two-Way Contract https://t.co/jj30EuRt5O
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) May 15, 2018
With a one-year, two-way deal with the Arizona Coyotes, former New York Islanders forward, David Ullström, is returning to North America after leaving for the KHL in 2013.
Ullström was the Isles’ fourth-round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and was a part of the organization for three seasons. For the 2010-11 season, the Sweden native left his SHL team, HV71, to play for the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In his first season in North America, Ullström put up solid numbers with 17 goals and 41 points in 67 games.
The next season he split time between the Sound Tigers and the big club. Ullström played 40 games in the AHL, with 24 goals and 30 points to show for it. In 29 games with the Isles, he had four goals and eight points.
For the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season, Ullström would once again split time between the NHL and AHL. At the AHL level, Ullström played in 33 games, picking up nine goals and 26 points over that span. Playing just under half the season with the Isles (there were only 41 games because of the lockout), he had two goals and five points.
Although they only lasted six games, the Islanders did make the playoffs that season, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins despite a valiant effort. Ullström appeared in three of those games, registering an assist.
After that season, Ullström left for the KHL where he would bounce around for four seasons until re-joining HV71 at the end of the 2016-17 season. Last season he was an alternate captain for HV71, playing with Isles prospect Linus Söderström, and had six goals and 30 points in 37 games.
Now 29 years old he has made the transition back to North America via a one-year, two-way deal with Arizona.
“David is a big, strong center who is an excellent skater,” said Coyotes GM John Chayka in the press release. “He has previous NHL experience and will provide us with additional depth at the center position.”
While he’ll most likely have the opportunity to make the big club out of training camp, it is safe to assume he will at least start the season in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners.
