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New York Islanders Three Players Fighting For Roster Spot

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders handles bench duties against the Philadelphia Flyers during a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders handles bench duties against the Philadelphia Flyers during a preseason game at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – JUNE 24: Kieffer Bellows poses for a portrait after being selected 19th overall by the New York Islanders in round one during the 2016 NHL Draft on June 24, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes/Getty Images) /

Kieffer Bellows

Current odds: 40%
Kieffer Bellows’ odds were much lower at the start of camp. I was actually decided at the opening of camp that Bellows couldn’t make the Islanders team in 2018-19. That’s changed

Sure the two goals he’s scored were on the power-play and not at 5on5. But when did that become a knock on a player? A goal is a goal is it not?

Not only is Bellows scoring goals, but he’s put up another assist and is 100 percent engaged in every single shift. He’s been a driving force offensively for the Islanders. You can tell that he wants to make the NHL this season and not play in the AHL.

How Does He Make It?
Keep doing what he’s doing. Not only scoring but showing up every shift. If he can do that, then GM Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz should have no issue putting him on the team.

With Andrew Ladd still out with muscle tightness, Kieffer Bellow’s chances of making the team this season grows. Muscle tightness won’t keep Ladd out of the roster for the entire season, but it could give the Isles a chance to give him his NHL debut now.

How He Misses Out?
If his intensity dries up. He doesn’t need to score every night. But he needs to show up everynight. He needs to be – here comes a Lou and Barry buzz word – accountable. If he drops off even once, his chances of making the roster drop significantly.

At the moment he’s making noise and forcing the team to keep him around, he can’t let up. Not for a second.

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