Among the many many issues the Islanders must take a tough have a look at this offseason, right here’s one which’s flown a little bit underneath the radar: the state of their AHL group.
The Bridgeport Islanders nonetheless have but to complete their season formally, however with two video games to go, they went into Friday holding an abysmal 15-48-4-3 document, not solely in final place within the Atlantic Division, however 30 factors behind seventh-place Hartford.
It’s the second straight season by which Bridgeport has completed final within the AHL and the third straight season by which it has missed the AHL playoffs, regardless of six of eight groups making it within the Atlantic Division.
Its 4-28-1-3 document at house additionally marked the fewest house wins in AHL historical past, with an astonishing minus-70 purpose differential on house ice, per the AHL’s Patrick Wiliams.
Profitable isn’t all the time a prime precedence within the AHL, however the Islanders haven’t developed many prospects in recent times, both.
Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb each caught on the fourth line after being known as up, however in any other case, prospects have largely stalled out within the AHL.
It’s additionally raised eyebrows that Bridgeport has repeatedly made younger gamers wholesome scratches, enjoying veterans who’ve little probability of constructing the NHL as a substitute.
Isles GM Lou Lamoriello mentioned in February that the AHL group’s document didn’t concern him.
“We ask the coach to put players in situations they can come up and play here,” Lamoriello mentioned. “In all equity, goaltending has performed a serious concern in Bridgeport. … The one factor you are concerned about is you need folks in a successful perspective, atmosphere, however they perceive what’s happening and the way it’s.
“I think when you see a Gatcomb coming in, you understand what the roles are of those people and what you do is you get some people put in situations they’re not used to. I’d like to see people who’ve never killed penalties who might be prospects kill them in the minors. I think that helps in every possible way.”
The AHL decreased Bridgeport ahead Adam Beckman’s suspension from 10 video games to eight. Beckman was suspended for bodily abuse of an official.
