Roster Decisions for Islanders Affected by Injury
At least for now, the Islanders face roster challenges that seem to be decided for them.
Cal Richie, a promising 20-year-old player, announced on Friday that he will miss a week or two due to a lower body injury sustained in the preseason finale against the Flyers.
With the NHL roster deadline approaching and the Islanders set to kick off their season in Pittsburgh on Thursday, Richie’s situation complicates things for the team. He has spent the last three weeks making a strong case for a spot in the lineup.
Despite having a solid training camp, it may still be unlikely for him to secure a place among the first 23 players due to the current lineup congestion.
The Islanders have four center players: Bo Horvat, Mat Barzal, J.G. Pageau, and Casey Cizikas. It’s worth noting that both Barzal and Cizikas played on the wings last season. However, the team seems committed to starting the season with Barzal in the center position, which could further push Cizikas out, possibly affecting another player like Max Tsyplakov.
Coach Patrick Roy mentioned a preference for playing Richie at center during training camp, but he also acknowledged that Richie could fit in on the wings. However, during the preseason, Richie was exclusively used in the middle, prompting Roy to shift players like Cizikas around.
While the Islanders haven’t ruled out the possibility of using Richie as a forward, it’s hard to see how that would benefit his development compared to gaining experience at the AHL level.
Additionally, the team might have to make room for other forwards like Kyle McLean or Mark Gatcom if Richie were to join the roster. Since Richie can be sent to AHL Bridgeport without complications, he seems to qualify as an exemption.
Roy hinted that they might consider carrying eight defensemen, creating opportunities for other players like Isaiah George. In fact, it looks like the team will prioritize playing time over having additional players sit on the bench.
The likelihood of sending George to Bridgeport to start the season suggests their 23-man roster is largely settled, albeit with Richie’s injury leaving the door open for changes.
Complicating matters further is Pierre Engvall’s anticipated return from hip surgery. Engvall has been skating but has yet to rejoin practice, which might add to the team’s challenges.
Richie, who has an NHL contract with the Ontario League’s Oshawa, has never played in the AHL. He briefly secured a job with Colorado last season but only appeared in seven games before moving back to juniors. If he starts at Bridgeport, it may not be long before he’s back pushing for an NHL spot after recovering from his injury.
Overall, Richie appears to be a strong candidate for an early call-up from Bridgeport, provided his recovery stays on track. His health issues have temporarily alleviated a tough decision for coach Matthew Dersch.
However, this is likely just a short-term fix.
Additionally, Jonathan Drouin missed practice on Friday due to illness.
The Islanders plan to bond as a team over the weekend, taking a trip to the Hamptons and practicing on Sunday in East Long Island before returning home.
