{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/f130vINY.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "The Park Chat With Goring & Trottier", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/f130vINY-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/f130vINY.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/f130vINY.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f130vINY-KyKUfvSA.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 419863, "filesize": 19313708, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f130vINY-rVxHCS6o.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 634957, "filesize": 29208046, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f130vINY-Ok2KDRCK.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1913512, "filesize": 88021585, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f130vINY-XtftnkI5.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113571, "filesize": 5224300 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f130vINY-73J2wuh8.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 4294887, "filesize": 197564839, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f130vINY-8wczJJH0.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 697987, "filesize": 32107402, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f130vINY-bYs8wplI.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 1237426, "filesize": 56921606, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Some may say that Robert Bortuzzo did his job after the New York Islanders acquired the veteran defenseman from the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 8." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "For the cost of a seventh-round pick at the 2024 NHL Draft, the Islanders got a stable player to help fill the hole Ryan Pulock left behind." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In 11 games with the Islanders, Bortuzzo served as a valuable asset, with 17 blocks helping to stabilize struggling rookie Samuel Bolduc." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "But then Bortuzzo's season got put on pause after suffering a lower-body injury against the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 2." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Islanders placed Bortuzzo and his $950,000 salary-cap hit on long-term injured reserve on Feb. 4 to help create enough cap space and a roster spot for Pulock's activation. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Then, it was radio silence until Bortuzzo joined the Islanders for practice on Feb. 9." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "He skated with the group in each practice before missing the last few skates before Sunday's 2024 NHL Stadium Series." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "But, with how the Islanders' penalty kill has struggled and Scott Mayfield's struggles this season, could Bortuzzo getting back provide an answer to their woes?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "With Bortuzzo back in the mix, he becomes another option for Roy, but it creates a crowded blue line, with Bolduc and Sebastian Aho already extras. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If Bortuzzo were to be activated out of LTIR, the Islanders would be over the cap by $637,458 and also would need to create a roster spot. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Islanders would have to waive or move Aho ($825,000), Bolduc ($800,000), or forward Oliver Wahlstrom ($874,125) to create that spot. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Either one of those moves would create enough cap space for Bortuzzo. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "But it would be shocking to see the Islanders move Wahlstrom because that would leave them with just 12 forwards and no cap space to recall another. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Some teams could just wait for roster expansion following the March 8 NHL Trade Deadline. But the Islanders don't have the cap space to do that, which is why Bortuzzo being ready means a tough decision is incoming. " } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "TOP STORIES", "level": 2 } } ] }

Islanders Roster Glut When Bortuzzo Returns; Trade Coming?