Today, our
New York Islanders re-signed two of their RFA's. Josh Ho-Sang signed a one-year, two-way ($874K NHL, $70K AHL) deal while Michael Dal Colle agreed to terms ($770K AAV) on a one-way, two-year contract.
Ho-Sang, 23,
has all the talent in the world and something to prove since being selected by the
Islanders in the 1st round, 28th overall selection in 2014. After
missing day 2 of Barry Trotz's first camp as the Isles Head Coach, Ho-Sang was
sent to Bridgeport (for personal reasons) where he had 8 and 35 for 43 points
in 56 games with the Sound Tigers last season and 292 points over his 256 game AHL
career. Per release, his 35 assists were third-most on the team, and he had a
goal and an assist in five AHL playoff games. Ho-Sang had two points with the
Isles last season during his 10-game call-up (Eberle injury) and 24 points (7
& 17) in 53 NHL career games with New York.
Arthur
Staple's recent article had a quote from Ken Strong of the Toronto Marlboros
where he Ho-Sang played minor-midget AAA. "(Josh) probably had more
individual skill than McDavid," Strong said. "Seeing the ice, playing
with his linemates — that's maybe what set him back, in my opinion. McDavid had
the ability even then to make his linemates better. Josh didn't quite get
that. But just incredible skill." Strong added "He's a great, great
person and someone I'd want on my team," Strong said. "It's almost
like he's a little lackadaisical in his game — you've got to fight for it more!
I don't know what it is. You know there's more there, but trying to get to it
is really frustrating."
This season
is gift wrapped for Ho-Sang. Especially after what the Islanders did last
season under Barry Trotz. He will have an opportunity to work with his
linemates and help make the team better. He can use his high-level talent to propel
him into a big payday next summer if he listens, plays the game, practices hard
and becomes a professional in an organization that could be poised to break out. It's probably his last shot with New
York, especially with a GM like Lamoriello.
Michael Dal
Colle also agreed to terms today. Dal Colle's contract is a two-year deal with New York. Per
release, "Dal Colle, 23, recorded his first NHL points this past season,
finishing the year with three goals and four assists in 28 regular-season
games." The 6'2, 198-pound wing has struggled his first few years in
Bridgeport, probably flying below the expectations set by many when the
Isles selected him 5th overall in 2014. Last season, he found his stride
with the Sound Tigers, averaging a point-per-game with 34 (18 & 16) in 34
games, good enough to put him at the 2019 AHL All-Star with teammate, Sebastian
Aho.
Dal Colle
has scored 99 points (40 goals, 59 assists) in 172 career AHL games with
Bridgeport and a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial
Tournament and played for Canada-Ontario at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey
Challenge. He's got skills and the Islander's think he's ready to showcase them.
Michael Dal
Colle certainly looked comfortable to me last season after being called up by the Islanders. In
28 games, Dal Colle scored 3 & 4 for 7 points with a +3 rating. Dal Colle now uses his size, knows where to be, and plays well with his
linemates as an NHL player. With more experience and two more years of seasoning, he has an
opportunity to prove he belongs on this team as they propel themselves into the Belmont era.
We heard Lou
Lamoriello say all his RFA's were on board to re-sign, so fans are waiting for
news on Anthony Beauvillier. We're also waiting for more roster news through
camp and before the start of the 2019-20 season, but we just might find
ourselves waiting longer than we'd like.
Isles Notes:
Mikhail
Prokhorov sells Nets and Barclays Center to Joseph Tsai, keeps Nassau Coliseum via @Newsday
No comments:
Post a Comment