It was almost a year ago that an unruffled Kyle McLean was intended to be a temporary call, and won a permanent place on the fourth line of the islanders.
It's still too early to say if MARC GATCOMB, a non -draft player, is on the same road. But in three games to his NHL career, he gives a good impression.
“First of all, it's a nice surprise,” Patrick Roy said after Thursday's practice. “But he had a really good camp, so we were excited to see how he responded, and he was doing a really wonderful job. It was worthwhile to play him. ”
Therefore, at least on Friday's night game with Flyers, the fourth line is Gatcomb's job.
A 25 -year -old native in Warburn, Massachusetts, has previously taken Ice on average 8:57, but his speed and physicality have popped out. Also, there was a lack of mistakes, but it did not hurt.
“I think [physicality’s] Most of my proud games are trying to be proud, “Gatocom told the post. “The hit can lead to a job or time in the O-zone, and may get out of the D zone. I think it helped the last couple game. Please continue to build it.”
It is unknown what the islanders do in the roster when Max TSYPLAKOV returns from the suspension on Saturday or Hudson Fascging returns from the upper body injury, but GATCOMB has caused a problem here.
McLean and Pierre Envar, the fourth line, played a blue jacket that the islanders rarely saw from the bottom trio throughout the season, and a kind of hard charge and up ice games on Monday.
Maybe it's a fleeting, but the islanders are not in a position to make production.
“I feel like my game is progressing slowly,” Gatocom said. “Slowly and more comfortable. Speed, get used to the strength of everyone there. I learn something new every day and try to get better as I go.”
Noah Dobson is a week with an injury to the right leg that did not require surgery, according to the islanders.
Scott Mayfield is expected to play with Alexander Romanov with Alexander Romanov in the absence of Dobson, and Dennis Chorusky and Isaiah George have formed the third pair.
Fasching (upper body) was a complete contact participant in practice, but Roy could not say if it would be activated before Friday.
Anyway, Roy said that it is planning to maintain the same forward line as the islanders on Monday night.
