New York Signs D Kevin Cuczman

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/11/2014 07:45:00 PM | | | | |
Islanders website: Reports the club has signed Lake Superior State University standout Kevin Czuczman to a two-year, entry-level deal.

“It’s been a life-long dream,” Czuczman said after signing his first professional contract. “I’ve devoted my life to the game and it’s nice for it to finally pay off.”
“My comfort with New York was the key to me signing there,” Czuczman said. “The culture that is starting to develop and the opportunity to be a part of something special with a new wave of players coming up is something that’s too good to pass up on.


“He’s matured a bit physically and he’s played a lot of hockey. We are extremely excited to work with him and have him as a part of the organization.” Doug Weight
“It’s definitely going in the right direction and I want to be a part of it,” he added.


NYIFC Comments:
Given the defenders here already signed for next season, the four who need to be signed by June 1st with Ness, Mayfield, Pedan, Finley in Bridgeport, not including signed Reinhart, Pullock, this move strikes me as odd to go with the Jack Hillen plan.


This player stepping  in immediately means someone out of Hamonic, deHaan, Strait, Hickey, Donovan, Visnovsky takes a seat with Carkner/Martinek already sitting for extra long periods of time.


Does a defender move up into a forwards spot or do seven dress?

I do not think this can be the last move.

The lack of forwards remaining in Bridgeport (Alan Quine, Johan Sundstrom, John Persson, Justin Johnson) with Kabanov in Russia, Petrov's folly, Taylor Cammarata, and Victor Crus Rydberg, with the two players acquired at the trade deadline are the remaining forwards with ties to the organization.