Essentially the most intriguing little bit of the Islanders’ flurry of roster strikes forward of Saturday afternoon’s recreation wasn’t who they referred to as up however who they didn’t.
After Zdeno Chara was placed on IR retroactive to the Feb. 26 recreation in opposition to the Kings, the Isles went with Parker Wotherspoon, because the defenseman was pulled up from AHL Bridgeport. Wotherspoon, a fourth-round decide in 2015, has 15 factors in 44 video games for Bridgeport this season and has been enjoying effectively of late.
What he’s not is Robin Salo, the left-shot defenseman who would usually be assumed to get the decision.
“He’s been our greatest defenseman down in Bridgeport constantly for some time,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz mentioned of Wotherspoon. “There’s guys which are extra, I’ll say, have a greater title model that you'd know, however on the identical time, you must consider gamers, who’s enjoying the very best down in Bridgeport.”
That will be a not-so-thinly-veiled reference to Salo.
Earlier within the yr, when Ryan Pulock was on IR, the 23-year outdated Finn had an 18-game stint on Lengthy Island during which he tallied 4 factors and, after a tough begin, acquitted himself effectively. Since returning to the AHL, he has 4 factors in 10 video games, although it’s onerous to guage his play from a pure stats.
For these watching each evening — a minimum of those with a say within the determination — Salo hasn’t executed sufficient.
“That will be a greater query for [management in Bridgeport] proper now than me proper right here, however he hasn’t performed in addition to he’s wanted to play,” Trotz mentioned when requested instantly about Salo. “He ought to have an effect being the very best defenseman down there. And he hasn’t been.”
There may be additionally, Trotz talked about, an organizational precedent value setting that a participant with pedigree and title recognition shouldn’t get a call-up if not deserving of 1.
For the Islanders, although, Salo is a key piece of their future and one which — relying on what they do on the commerce deadline — they may very well be reliant on sooner quite than later.
Chara’s harm clouds that image additional, as he’s somebody who may very well be moved if wholesome. It's notable, although, that with out him, the Islanders have struggled of their defensive zone.
Previous to Chara being listed on IR, Trotz had described him as day-to-day with a lower-body harm.
“With Chara you get two components. A, you get that bodily presence and the flexibility to cease performs,” Trotz mentioned. “Particularly down low round your internet, he’s acquired all that. He’s acquired a number of chunk to him as everyone knows and his capability to defend, that’s what he does.”
The Islanders are lacking him, maybe greater than anticipated. And if Salo isn’t seen as the primary alternative on their blue line, that provides extra intrigue to the following few weeks.
Anders Lee was designated to the non-roster record for private causes with the Islanders calling up Otto Koivula in a corresponding transfer.
Mat Barzal (decrease physique) missed his fourth straight recreation on Saturday.
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