Islanders: Bridgeport Coaching Change Needed

The New York Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, have been struggling their whole season. With their all-star break this weekend, it’s a perfect time to make a coaching change.

The American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the New York Islanders are currently in last place in their division. Not only are they last in their division, but they’re also last in their conference.

In their division, the Sound Tigers are six points behind the team in front of them (Lehigh Valley Phantoms) and 20 points behind the first-place Hartford Wolf Pack, with both teams having a game in hand.

In their conference, Bridgeport is three points behind the team in front of them, the Binghamton Devils. This doesn’t seem too bad until you realize that Binghamton has three games in hand.

If this doesn’t show just how much the Sound Tigers need to move on from coach Brent Thompson, and it’s more than just the standings that help paint this picture.

Not Playing New York Islanders Hockey

Not only are the Sound Tigers playing terrible hockey, but they’re also not playing New York Islanders hockey. Meaning, they’re defense and goaltending is pretty much nonexistent – their goal differential is -42.

This is hurting the development of the Islanders prospects and their chances of staying up with the big club as they’re failing to learn the defensive game that coach Barry Trotz wants to see from his players.

Here are the stats of a few of the New York Islanders top prospects currently playing for Bridgeport.

Kieffer Bellows, LW

As of right now, Bellows leads the Sound Tigers in points (22) and goals (15), however, he also has the worst plus/minus on the team at -19. Though not at the same level, these stats are similar to those of Alex Ovechkin before Trotz took over the coaching duties of the Washington Capitals.

Sebastian Aho, D

Aho is second in points (21) on the team, which is very impressive considering he’s a defenseman. However, he is also tied for the worst plus/minus among Bridgeport’s forward with Travis St. Denis at -13.

I know that he’s currently up with the New York Islanders but I figured I would list him because of how big his impact was with the Sound Tigers.

Oliver Wahlstrom, F

Through 25 games in the AHL this season Wahlstrom has scored 12 points but also has the second-worst plus/minus on Bridgeport at -15.

Jakub Skarek, G

Since being called up from the ECHL earlier this season, Skarek has struggled in most of his 15 games. He is sporting an unimpressive 3.21 goals against average and .889 save percentage.

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

Brent Thompson is not helping the New York Islanders prospects develop nor is he leading a successful team. He needs to be replaced – the sooner, the better.