If the New York Islanders are going to be sellers by Monday, a trade likely has to come from the defense or goaltending unless players come back in return who can play forward.
Brian Rolston was placed on waivers Saturday. David Ullstrom was recalled.
If Rolston clears (which he did a year ago/also on re-entry waivers) he could remain with the club, report to Bridgeport or retire. Either way Rolston counts against the Isles cap unless claimed.
Tim Wallace claimed by Tampa, Rolston on waivers, plus Bailey's injury
extends the depth at forward down to virtually nothing in the
organization in terms of scoring because of injury/suspension.
As written many times, Rolston was a good gamble for Trent Hunter (who was placed on waivers a week ago and currently playing for Manchester AHL), Rolston had a productive second half with the Devils a year ago with twenty nine points from Jan 9th to the end of the season.
The Isles statistically got the version of Rolston from the first half of 2010-11, who we specifically singled out as a player you do not claim.
For some reason it never clicked here between injuries and other things in games for Rolston, it seemed he needed to play left wing more, which did Blake Comeau no favors.
Lines:
Ullstrom-Cizikas-Niederreiter as a line
with Pandolfo returning to his natural RW side, LW Martin and C Reasoner
make sense in terms of position, but all that's up to the coach.
Moving Forward/What's Next?
Plenty of twitter updates on Friday's game, no point looking back. Two points were needed and now they must repeat what they did earlier winning in Ottawa, Washington and Philadelphia.
Having written this New York is officially now on a four game road trip with no healthy forwards or defenders to scratch unless Rolston went with them or Bailey can play.
Of course, a seventh defender could be recalled, the one area Bridgeport will have some depth at in the near future.
There is no game Monday at the trade deadline.
