Adam Boqvist became the third addition to the Islanders' blue line in the past nine days.
The New York Islanders claimed defenseman Adam Boqvist off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Friday afternoon.
Boqvist, 24, was signed by the Panthers on July 9, 2024, as a free agent to a one-year deal worth $775,000. He has two goals and four assists for six points in 18 games with the Panthers this season.
Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2018 NHL Draft (No. 8), he later headlined the package the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired in the blockbuster trade for Seth Jones on July 23, 2021.
During his time with the Blue Jackets, he registered 17 goals and 39 assists for 56 points in 220 games. He ranked third among Columbus defensemen in goals percentage (49.26%) and second in expected goals percentage (50.31%), trailing only Zach Werenski.
As well, Boqvist ranked first in goals per 60 minutes (0.43) and second in primary assists per 60 minutes (.50).
However, over his three seasons with the Blue Jackets, he appeared in only 60% of the team's regular-season games despite his strong play before ultimately getting untendered as a restricted free agent.
Comparing his career in Columbus to the 2024-25 Islanders, he would rank second in goals per 60 minutes, trailing only Dennis Cholowski, and second in primary assists per 60 minutes, trailing only Ryan Pulock (min. 50 TOI).
No doubt about it, Boqvist is capable of driving offense. He can quarterback possession, carry the puck down the ice, and find open teammates. However, there is a reason he was placed on waivers.
With Boqvist on the ice this season, the Panthers forfeited 3.4 goals per 60 minutes (GA/60). During his time with the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks, this number never dropped below 3.18.
This season, Isaiah George leads the Islanders with the highest GA/60 at 2.52, nearly one goal less per 60 minutes than Boqvist.
Among all NHL defensemen, Boqvist ranks in the 23.4th percentile in this category.
To improve defensively, he must strengthen his play on the puck and reduce turnovers.
Fortunately for the Islanders, Boqvist's talent is undeniable, and at just 24 years old, he has time to develop.
For a team that entered the season lacking offensive defensemen, the additions of DeAngelo, Perunovich, and now Boqvist have reshaped that narrative.
Now, it falls on head coach Patrick Roy to develop Boqvist into a more complete defenseman.
Whether he lines up alongside Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, or another partner remains to be seen, but if he can learn Roy's system, the Islanders may have found a hidden gem.
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