{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/Kso92L46.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Islanders Select Cole Eiserman", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/Kso92L46-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Kso92L46.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Kso92L46.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Kso92L46-KyKUfvSA.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 561648, "filesize": 1895565, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Kso92L46-rVxHCS6o.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 268, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 763408, "filesize": 2576505, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Kso92L46-XtftnkI5.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 114568, "filesize": 386668 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Kso92L46-8wczJJH0.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 358, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 1014045, "filesize": 3422405, "framerate": 60 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If anything, the New York Islanders will be subtracting from their roster rather than adding before opening night, given their salary cap situation." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "But there's a certain position that the Islanders lack, depth-wise, one they might want to address before the start of training camp in a few weeks, and that's their blue line." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Islanders have their six starting defenseman — Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Mike Reilly, and Scott Mayfield, with Samuel Bolduc entering camp as the front-runner to land the seventh defenseman gig. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "However, Bolduc is a left-side defenseman, so if any right-side defensemen go down, Grant Hutton is the likely call-up from Bridgeport — for now. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Aidan Fulp, 24, is the only other right-handed defenseman on the AHL roster at this moment in time. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It would make sense for the Islanders to bring in a right-side defenseman on a professional tryout (PTO)." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If things work out, that player would wait away in Bridgeport as an insurance policy. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Calen Addison would be a solid PTO option for the Islanders. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The 24-year-old, who was drafted second overall (No. 53) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018, has four NHL seasons under his belt. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "He started the 2023-24 season with the Minnesota Wild but was dealt to the San Jose Sharks for forward Adam Raska and San Jose’s 2026 fifth-round pick." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In 72 games — 12 with Minnesota and 60 with San Jose — the Manitoba native had a goal with 16 assists, playing 17:21 minutes per game. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "He added 79 blocks with 45 hits to go along with that stat line, scoring one goal with 11 assists with the Sharks. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "One of those assists came as a secondary helper on Islanders newcomer Anthony Duclair's 11th goal of the season. " } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MDI2OTMyMjk2MTMyMjA4/usatsi_22011263.jpg" }, "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "This isn't a player high on many teams' radar, hence the lack of an NHL contract with the 2024-25 season right around the corner." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The 5'11, 172-pound blueliner plays a similar game to Dennis Cholowski. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "He's a strong puck transitioner but lacks the defensive play to earn more minutes. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "PTOs last up to 25 games, but the Islanders would likely sign him to a two-way deal, waiving him after training camp ended so that he could report to Bridgeport for the start of the season. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In theory, he could beat out Bolduc for the extra defenseman job, but Bolduc isn't waiver-exempt, so there's risk there. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Although the Islanders are hopeful that their backend can be healthier in 2024-25 — a need if they want to have a more consistent regular season — staying healthy has been a tough ask. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Last season, Mayfield missed 41 games due to a broken ankle, powering through for half a season after suffering the injury in game one of the regular season. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Pelech suffered a concussion after taking a cheap shot from Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "After blocking a shot off the ankle, Pulock missed two months with a lower-body injury. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sebastian Aho, now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, suffered a shoulder injury. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Romanov only missed one game but found himself in a face shield for the second straight season. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Dobson was the lone healthy defender, but fatigue seemed to play a part later in the season. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "When everyone was hurt, Dobson wore extra hats, played on the penalty kill unit, and, at times, played his off-side. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The injuries and a lack of NHL-ready options in the minors led to the waiver pick-up of Mike Reilly — he signed back on a one-year deal — and the trade for Robert Bortuzzo, who has just signed a one-year deal with the Utah Hockey Club. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "With Bolduc, Dennis Cholowski, Isaiah George, Calle Odelius, Marshall Warren, and Travis Mitchell, the left side is well taken care of if injuries arise. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The right side is the issue, and Addison is a low-risk move that fills a need." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "TOP STORIES ", "level": 2 } } ] }

Defenseman Calen Addison Is A Smart PTO Option For Islanders