New York Islanders Three Questions Surrounding Josh Ho-Sang

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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 29: Josh Ho-Sang #26 of the New York Islanders celebrates a goal by teammate Mathew Barzal #13 against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Shots

Question: Will he shoot the puck?

Josh Ho-Sang isn’t a shoot-first player. He’s a pure playmaker. He’s looking to create time and space for teammates to put the puck int he back of the net. That’s Josh Ho-Sang’s game. But in the NHL you can’t just be a pass-first guy. When the opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to take it.

Back in December 2018, Barry Trotz spoke about breaking out of that type-cast. About the need to shoot more and not simply rely on getting helpers.

So has Josh Ho-Sang done enough at the AHL to prove he’s going to shoot it more? Not really.

In 56 games with the Sound Tigers, Ho-Sang registered 59 shots on goal. That’s up slightly from the 51 he registered last season. But eight more shots doesn’t convey he’s got the message.

In that ten-game sample from last season, he registered ten shots on goal. Exactly a shot per game. Over the course of his NHL career, he’s registered 50 shots in 53 games. Just under one per game. Again, that doesn’t exactly say: “I’m gonna shoot it more, boss.”

Should that be a huge problem? No. But Barry Trotz is right when he said that goalie, and defenders, will know you’re a pass-first player and come to expect it. Predictability and the NHL don’t mix.

Answer: Don’t expect Josh Ho-Sang to shoot the puck more often. That could be a knock against him when deciding whether it’s the NHL or AHL in 2019-2020.