Across the Sound: Kowalsky Analysis

In this exclusive interview with The Hockey News, Bridgeport Islanders head coach Rick Kowalsky gives us an update on a handful of New York Islanders prospects.

The Bridgeport Islanders went through a transition this summer.

After 10 years behind the Bridgeport bench, Brent Thompson joined the Anaheim Ducks NHL coaching staff this summer. The Islanders elevated second-year assistant coach Rick Kowalsky, who had previous AHL and ECHL head coaching experience and even NHL assistant coach experience. 

Things haven't been smooth sailing through the first 12 games of Bridgeport's seasons, playing to a 4-7-1-0 record. 

The Hockey News spoke exclusively with Kowalsky to gather his assessment of his team and players this season.

Bridgeport's team defense has been strong, but the team hasn't put the puck in the net enough, averaging two goals per game. 

"Overall, we have better team speed and are playing faster. Just struggled to score, and the power play has been a big issue," Kowalsky said. "So far this season, it's just the lack of capitalizing on opportunities and offensive production."

This is also an issue with the NHL squad, who is averaging 2.44 goals per game, despite a power play that finally seems to have figured something out. 

Kowalsky believes the goal-scoring talent is there.

"We have some guys that are maybe squeezing their stick a little bit. We've tried as a coaching staff to instill some creativity, but there's a certain limitation on teaching and coaching offense," Kowalsky said. "At the end of the day, you have to have the players that make the plays."

Bridgeport has not scored enough while on the man-advantage. 

"The powerplay has had some opportunities to turn games around and hasn't been able to do that."

Returning to a head coaching role after being an assistant for many years has brought Kowalsky some challenges. 

"I think that's been the biggest adjustment, getting back into running a bench and looking at line matchups," Kowalsky said. "That comes back pretty quick."

Even with the team being extremely young, Kowalsky is encouraged by the newer players' motivation.

“They're anxious to learn and come to work every day," Kowalsky said. "With a young group, there's going to be pains, but for the most part, these guys have all bought in, and I think our goals against have been a good indication that they're committed to what we've asked them to do defensively. We just got to start putting the puck in the net."

Kowalsky provided a status report on a handful of his prospects. 

In his second year in the AHL, Ruslan Iskhakov is currently leading Bridgeport in points to start the season, with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 12 games. 

While Iskhakov has always been a creative player, there were certain areas of his game he needed to focus on if he was ever going to reach the NHL as an undersized forward (5'8). 

"He's on the right path. This year, his play off the puck and his transition to defense have been a lot better," Kowalsky said. "Still, an area where he can continue to grow."

Iskhakov has made a significant impact in the little time he has spent in the AHL.

"Last year, he got off to a really good start because nobody really knew who he was," Kowalsky said. "The difference this year is he's certainly our top offensive-skilled forward, and he's not catching anybody by surprise."

That recognition only makes the game harder on the ice. The toughness is helping mold Iskhakov into the type of player he needs to be at the next level. 

"He's getting keyed on every game, and I think he's done a really good job," Kowalsky said. "He has the ability to make plays and make things happen one-on-one.

"He's willing to go to the hard areas in the corner and along the walls, which certainly is something he's gonna have to do if he gets a chance to play in the NHL."

The 20-year-old Matthew Maggio is in his first full professional season and is turning heads.  

"He's a worker. He knows where to go in the offensive zone," Kowalsky said. "He's able to find those quiet areas in the slot and scored some big goals for us.

"I think he's a gamer that way. You can tell he has that knack to elevate his game when the game is on the line."

Maggio needs professional experience under his belt to get more accustomed to the speed and maturity of professional hockey. 

"For him, it's just a physical and mental overall maturity," Kowalsky said. "I think he's learning a little more detail in systems, but he works, has good speed, and can shoot the puck. Another guy that's not afraid to go into the hard areas."

There is a significant transition from junior to professional hockey. Development takes time, and Maggio has started the season strong, as there is more to learn than just producing offensively.

"It's just the maturity thing for him and understanding that he's playing against men now," Kowalsky said. "That'll come as he gets older and stronger. Then just playing a little more give-and-go, knowing that there's not as much time and space as there was in juniors."

Maggio has five points (three goals, two assists) in 12 games.

William Dufour looked like a new player at Islanders' training camp. His skating was exponentially better than it was a season ago, but it's been a tough sophomore season for the 21-year-old. 

"He had a really good camp, and then he has kind of been snake bitten a bit down here. I think when goal scorers struggle to score, they kind of go the other way sometimes."

Dufour has just one goal and two assists in nine games and has been scratched for Bridgeport's last three games.

"His game has gone a little more perimeter. It's not for lack of chances," Kowalsky said. "I think he just has to simplify, use his size and skating, and work to look at scoring some rebounds, some tips, and getting around the net a little more. So that's been the biggest issue for him."

Dufour mentioned he wanted to improve his B and C games when The Hockey News spoke to him two weeks ago. 

Kowalsky agrees that is a huge area where Dufour needs to improve to reach his potential. 

"Being able to sustain the intensity shift in-shift out, period in-period out, and game in-game out," Kowalsky said. "That's the next step on the ladder for him at the end to give himself a chance to be a regular in the NHL."

Robin Salo has had an interesting past two years, spending time both in the NHL and AHL. He won a starting job with the Islanders a season ago, but after an up and down six games back to Bridgeport he went.

He did get another call-up in the first half of the season but struggled mightily. 

"Last year, he was up with the Islanders a lot and didn't play and kind of lost his way," Kowalsky said. "I felt when he came back to us last year, he didn't really know what type of game he needed to play. This year, he's just focused on playing defense and being a good puck mover.”

Salo had played professional hockey in Sweden before coming to North America for the 2021-22 season.

"Two years ago, he came in and was kind of our number one power play guy. We didn't really have a power play guy, and he did a pretty good job," Kowalsky says. "He ended up getting called up and had good numbers, was in and out of the lineup. Then when he came back, he struggled.

"Maybe he didn't respect the American League enough. I'm sure he'll tell you that."

While focusing on his strengths and getting consistent minutes, Salo has been playing great hockey. 

"He's really done a good job defending down low and being hard to play against. His natural ability is to move pucks and see the ice," Kowalsky said. "He's done a really good job, and then he's been good on our power play on the second unit.

"For what he brings, he's got a willingness to shoot the puck, and he's good on breakouts, but I think I think he's just in a good headspace right now. He knows he's just got to focus on being a good puck-moving defenseman. If the offense comes, the offense comes. He's got enough time up there that he sure feels very confident that he can play in the NHL."

Salo has four points (two goals, two assists) in 12 games. 

In the past few games, Samuel Asselin has proven to be a valuable signing for Bridgeport. 

"Sammy, we knew from Providence. He came in again, had a really good camp, and has kind of emerged from a scoring standpoint as one of our top guys right now," Kowalsky said. "He's good around the net, he's got good hands and awareness in tight spaces and under pressure."

A slow start did not stop him from eventually making a big impact offensively and earning the trust of the coaching staff. 

"He got off to a bit of a slow start, but you know I rewarded him with giving him top minutes and power play time, and he's done a good job and been consistent," Kowalsky said. "Probably one of our most consistent forwards over the last 10-14 days."

While only 25, Asselin is one of the many AHL veterans in Bridgeport who mix well with the large group of younger players. "It's a key part of having a good veteran group with so many young players to teach them the ins and outs on the ice and off the ice."

Asselin has six points (four goals, two assists) in 12 games. 

Kowalsky is satisfied with Bridgeport's defensive effort but needs to see more offense from his team going forward. 

"Put the puck in the net. We've kind of set a bar for how we need to play," Kowalsky said. "Again, as a staff, we're happy with how we've played defensively. I think it's just making sure we don't sacrifice the defense for offense.

"We got to work hard to score, and if we have to win games 2-1 and 3-2, there needs to be a buy-in until the puck starts going in. I think it's going to. I just think it's important that these guys don't get too frustrated and understand that if we have to win close games, it's certainly a good way to win hockey games."

The Bridgeport Islanders are coming off of a hard-fought 6-4 loss to the Syracuse Crunch on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Kowalsky will continue to push his Bridgeport team throughout this season, staying sound defensively and improving offensively.