The Islanders have a hole worth watching in the bottom six, and it’s the kind of spot where a smart, low-cost swing can pay off. That’s why Justin Robidas should be on Matthew Darche’s radar if the Hurricanes put him on waivers.
Robidas just signed a one-year, two-way deal with Carolina, but his path to the roster looks shaky. He spent most of last season in the AHL and made the most of it with the Chicago Wolves, piling up 23 goals and 37 assists for 60 points in 58 games.
That was good for second on the team in goals, assists and points. He kept it rolling in the playoffs, too, scoring seven goals and adding 10 assists for 17 points in 21 games during the Wolves’ run to the Calder Cup Finals.
What makes him interesting is the way he creates offense. He’s been praised for his speed throughout his pro career, and that skating is a big part of why he was able to produce so well last season.
He also brings a strong hockey IQ, with the ability to read what a defender is about to do and find soft spots in coverage. His undersized frame has kept him from projecting as a top-six forward, but it hasn’t stopped him from looking like a legitimate bottom-six option.
The issue for Carolina is roster space. Robidas could make a case for himself with a strong camp and preseason, but the more likely outcome is that he ends up back in the AHL.
If that happens, the Hurricanes would need to expose him on waivers, and that’s where the Islanders could step in. He’d fit on the bottom six, likely on the fourth line, with the hope that his AHL production carries over to the NHL.
At the very least, he’d give them a useful 13th forward.
For the Islanders, it’s the kind of move that makes sense because the risk is so small. Robidas is only 23, so there’s still room for him to develop.
Giving him NHL minutes could help sharpen his game and turn him into a dependable contributor down the lineup. And if it doesn’t click, the Islanders could send him to the AHL or move on from him with almost no damage to the cap.
For that price, it’s a shot worth taking.
There’s no guarantee Robidas even reaches waivers. But if he does, the Islanders should be ready to pounce.
In Other News...
Islanders Fans Just Got An Intriguing Glimpse Of Their Future Scoring Core
Cole Eiserman and Victor Eklund offered Islanders fans a small but intriguing preview at Rookie Camp, where the two recent first-round forward picks spent time together on a line. It was a natural continuation of a partnership that already showed some chemistry with Bridgeport in the American Hockey League, where they combined for 19 points in 21 games and gave a glimpse of how their games can fit.
Eiserman came away sounding encouraged by the chance to skate with Eklund again, pointing to the wingers speed and his feel for the game. For an Islanders organization trying to build out more punch up front, seeing two of its youngest forward prospects already looking comfortable together is the kind of development that tends to stick in the back of your mind. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Look A Lot More Dangerous Than Islanders Fans Wanted
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The list of additions is long enough to matter, and it starts to look even more dangerous when you sort out where those pieces fit once camp opens. Among the more notable names are Marcus Pettersson, Joonas Korpisalo and Eeli Tolvanen, while top prospect Cole Beaudoin also came back as the centerpiece in the Vincent Trocheck trade, giving the Rangers another reason to feel better about their depth as the real test of the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Prospects Arrive At Rookie Camp Looking Much More NHL Ready
Victor Eklund and Daniil Prokhorov arrived at Islanders rookie camp looking like prospects who spent the summer with a clear purpose. Both young forwards added size before their first professional season in North America, a sign they understand whats ahead as they move toward the grind of the AHL or, eventually, the NHL. Eklund came in at 175 pounds, while Prokhorov has bulked up enough to help himself better handle the physical pace that awaits.
For the Islanders, that kind of offseason progress is exactly the sort of early checkpoint worth watching with prospects. Prokhorov now sits at 234 pounds after gaining 15 this summer, and Eklund said he has been working hard all summer and is excited to show what he has improved. Camp will give both players their first chance to show whether the added strength translates once the skating, contact and tempo start to ramp up. [Read more 🡒]