Amongst the positives from the Islanders 0-2-0 trip to Ontario was the NHL debut of Samuel Bolduc, the fifth player this season to succeed in such a milestone for the Islands.
Moreover, the 2019 second-round pick performed well in losses to the Maple Leafs and Senators, averaging 16:18 ice time and playing mostly solid and flawless hockey. It’s unclear if Bolduc will remain in the squad when the Islanders play two home games against the Red Wings and Golden Knights from Friday – it’ll likely rely on the health of Noah Dobson, who missed each Canada games with an undisclosed problem – but the way forward for the 22- The summer looks brilliant, considering the successful episode to date.
“He looks composed and we feel he is,” coach Lane Lambert said after Bolduc made his debut in Toronto. “He’s a big guy. I liked the way he played.”
After falling off the map after a difficult 2021-22 season, Bolduc bounced back in style with eight goals and 18 assists at AHL Bridgeport, earning the AHL All-Star nod and jumping into the mix on the organization depth chart for the left-back. Once Dobson recovers, the Islanders might be pleased to see the top six unscathed again for the first time since early December – Adam Pelech has returned from an alleged concussion in Toronto – but Parker Wotherspoon and Bolduc, two reflections at pre-camp, each performed well. All right.
“It’s still my first game so I even have a lot to learn,” Bolduc told reporters after the game in Toronto. “The more experience I get, the higher for me.”
Between Bolduc, Wotherspoon, Simon Holmstrom, Aatu Raty and William Dufour – five NHL rookies this season in the UK – the farm system, which has long been near the bottom of the league, has shown that it has something in store.
It could repay in the end.
“I feel that was a brilliant spot for each of the players who got here in,” general manager Lou Lamoriello said on Wednesday. “They did their part, irrespective of what was asked of them. And sometimes that they had to go in situations that perhaps weren’t the best for them. … And I feel each of them handled each situation in a different way the way we’d have liked, and in addition gives us a clue that they will not be removed from being a significant think about our lineup.”
Anders Lee is one point away from reaching 400 points in his profession. Dobson and Scott Mayfield are one point away from reaching 100 points of their careers.