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New York Islanders 2016-17 Player Grade: Shane Prince

Dec 1, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Islanders center Shane Prince (11) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals in the third period at Verizon Center. The Islanders won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Islanders center Shane Prince (11) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals in the third period at Verizon Center. The Islanders won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Islanders trade deadline acquisition from 2016 looked to be the perfect depth player for the Isles. But now with a heavy stream of youth coming out of the gates, Prince might just be expendable.

The New York Islanders made a single move at the 2016 trade deadline. They acquired Shane Prince from the Ottawa Senators and a seventh round pick for their own third round in that year’s Entry Draft.

His most important contributions came in the playoffs that year. When his two goals would help the Isles win game one of their second-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

We knew that Prince wasn’t going to magically turn into some sort of top six winger, but the hope was that he could add some timely depth scoring for the Isles. And he was doing just that.

New York Islanders

Fast forward to this season and you might be surprised to know that Prince actually had a career year with 18 points in 50 games. Still good depth scoring.

That’s considering Prince was injured for most of the month of March with a leg injury, a portion of February with an upper-body injury. And was a healthy scratch for a portion of the time he was healthy.

So even when fit he was expendable. Which doesn’t bode well for next season. When all the young kids will be pushing and deserving of a roster spot.

Anthony Beauvillier already has a roster spot locked you’d imagine. The same goes for Joshua Ho-Sang after his 21 game try-out last year.

Then there’s newly crowned WHL playoffs MVP and WHL Champion Mathew Barzal. He earned a roster spot out of camp last season. It would be hard to imagine him not getting one again this season. That’s a lot of competition for a guy like Shane Prince who’s already on the margin of the team.

Next: Josh Ho-Sang 2016-17 Player Grade

Shane Prince played well when in the lineup. But that’s the issue. He isn’t more than a marginal player. His 18 points were good, but that still wasn’t enough to keep him from being scratched. At this point in the Isles need players that are going to make an impact not just fill a spot.

Final Grade: C

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