New York Islanders: 10 Step Plan To Fix The Franchise

Step 9: Stop Trying to Change Josh Ho-Sang And Let Him be the 3rd Line RW

If you follow me, or the site in general, you know what we think of Josh Ho-Sang. The man is a lightning rod. He brought life back to a dead Islanders team in his short time with them in 2016-2017.

In 43 career games in the NHL Ho-Sang has 22 points (6 goals, 16 assists). If he kept up that pace over a full season he would be a 42 point per season player. I will gladly take that kind of production from Josh Ho-Sang on the third line.

Imagine having a player with this kind of skillset on your third line:

For some unfortunate reason this year the Islanders banished Josh Ho-Sang to the hell that is Bridgeport Connecticut to work on “stuff”. Josh Ho-Sang will never be an elite defender. He’s a skilled forward who can make plays with his speed and puck skills.

Let him be just that!

A third line of Bellows – Bozak – Ho-Sang gives me goosebumps. Plus when you take into consideration that they would combine for a $6.5 million cap hit it makes paying Bozak almost $5 million much easier to swallow.

That’s why getting a player like Bozak on a short-term deal is key. Ho-Sang becomes an RFA after next year and Bellows the following. If you need to trade Bozak after two years to make room for Bellows you can, or if you can fit them all under the cap even better. It just provides some needed flexibility.