New York Islanders 2019 Training Camp Will Be A Gauntlet

Forwards

The forward ranks are where we’ll see the most competition in the Islanders training camp. The Islanders have a spot to fill on the right side of their top-six. Jordan Eberle and  Cal Clutterbuck are their only recognized right-wingers.

It seems like a spot tailor-made for Josh Ho-Sang. Except we don’t actually know how the Islanders feel about Josh Ho-Sang. Will they give him every opportunity to make the NHL this season?

The explosive Ho-Sang should be the perfect addition for the Islanders offensive line, but has he shown them that he can play defense? Josh Ho-Sang is going to have to show the Islanders that he can play offense and keep his defensive commitments.

But that’s not it. Michael Dal Colle is also fighting for a roster spot. The Islanders like his game better than they do Ho-Sang, but Dal Colle hasn’t shown the same offensive flair. If he makes the roster he’s destined for a bottom-six role.

And the Islanders bottom six is already loaded on the wing with Anthony Beauvillier, Matt Martin, Andrew Ladd (if healthy), Tom Kuhnhackl, and Leo Komarov. That’s a possible seven players (including Dal Colle) for four spots.

Dal Colle is going to have to put on a show to prove that he deserves a regular spot on this roster.

With that being said, the same goes for guys like Tom Kuhnhackl and Tanner Fritz. Both might have NHL deals, but that doesn’t guarantee them an NHL roster spot. They’ll also have to put on a show for Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz.