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New York Islanders Sign Luca Sbisa to One Year Deal

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Luca Sbisa #74 of the New York Islanders skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Barclays Center on September 18, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Flyers defeated the Islanders 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Luca Sbisa #74 of the New York Islanders skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Barclays Center on September 18, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Flyers defeated the Islanders 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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In a move that creates a ton of questions, the New York Islanders have signed Luca Sbisa to a one-year deal.

Brought in on a PTO, Luca Sbisa was a long-shot to make the New York Islanders 2018-19 roster. Until September 24th when Sbisa made it passed the second set of cuts and was then subsequently signed to a single year deal.

Going into the 2018-19 season, the New York Islanders only had six defensemen signed to a roster spot. NHL teams usually carry seven defensemen, we knew there would be competition for a spot going into camp and that one would eventually be named.

With ten days left to the starts of the NHL regular seasons, the Islanders have seemingly decided who will take that seventh defensemen spot by giving Luca Sbisa a single year contract.

Not Moving the Needle Forward

Sbisa fits what Lou has been doing to the roster since he was hired in May. Bringing in veteran NHLers who can be accountable and responsible. But who offer little else.

Leo Komarov, Valtteri Filppula, Matt Martin, Tom Kuhnhackl. And now Luca Sbisa.

Luca Sbisa was selected by the Vegas Golden Knight at the 2017 NHL expansion draft from the Vancouver Canucks. Sbisa spent three years with the Canucks putting up 32 points in 199 games with 108 giveaways and 45.5 percent Corsi-for.

Last season Sbisa played 30 games for the Vegas Golden Knights put up 14 points, was a 43.8 percent Corsi-for and 16 giveaways in that time. During the playoffs, Sbisa played 12 games for the Knights scoring four points and registering 12 giveaways.

I’m mentioning giveaways on purpose. We routinely criticised Josh Ho-Sang for his giveaway numbers. Sbisa doesn’t seem like a positive addition to this hockey club. Sbisa doesn’t move the needle forward for the Islanders.

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There’s a reason to not be enthused about bringing in the 28-year-old. But he’s here now. And I hope he can be successful in his time with the New York Islanders.

I understand trusting in NHL veterans, but perhaps this might be too much trust. Or maybe we all, myself included, need to rethink what our expectations are for this season.

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