Matthew Maggio Chat on Hockey Night in New York New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/casey-cizikas-new-york-islanders-pierre-engvall-simon-holmstrom-patrick-roy-brock-nelson] prospect Calle Odelius [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/new-york-islanders-william-dufour-matthew-maggio-arnaud-durandeau-calle-odelius-eetu-liukas] has had a tough season in Europe. The 19-year-old, who the organization drafted in the second round (No. 65) at the 2022 NHL Draft, has been limited to just 10 games (four assists) this season after suffering a broken ankle in late November with Djugardens IF, which is part of HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-highest league in Sweden. Odelius came stateside for his surgery and rehab, taking in a handful of Islanders games at UBS Arena during that time. Now back in Sweden, the six-foot-1, 185-pound mobile defenseman is gearing up for a return to action in less than two weeks, just in time for the playoffs. Djurgarden IF is sitting pretty in the fourth of five playoff spots, 11 points from being out of the playoff picture with four games to go in the regular season. At first, there was a chance Odelius was going to stay in North America following his first rookie camp this past summer, but the Islanders ultimately believed another year of development in Europe was the way to go. Now, in the final year of his contract with Djurgaden IF, Islanders fans are likely to see him take the ice for Bridgeport soon. "When his season is over in Sweden, [the plan is for him to come to North America]," his agent Pete Wallen told The Hockey News on Wednesday evening. "That could be any time in April." The question is, will he get here in time to get some AHL games under his belt before Bridgeport's season ends on Apr. 20? [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5MgCw7gyCQ[/embed] Bridgeport will not be qualifying for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, currently sitting in the basement of the Atlantic Division with a 16-29-6-1 record, which will limit how many games Odelius plays in before time runs out. Due to being younger than 19 and not playing in the NHL after signing his entry-level contract in the summer of 2022, the Islanders got an extra year of control (ELC Slide). Odelius will become a restricted free agent following the 2025-26 season. Could he be skating on the Islanders' blue line by then? TOP STORIES
