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Adam Boqvist shines on power play for the NY Islanders in latest opportunity

Mar 29, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA;Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) passed the puck as New York Islanders defenseman Adam Boqvist (34) defends during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Mar 29, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA;Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) passed the puck as New York Islanders defenseman Adam Boqvist (34) defends during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

When you are placed on waivers and claimed by another team, all you are hoping for is a fresh start and an opportunity, no matter the circumstances. Defenseman Adam Boqvist has gotten that with the New York Islanders and is making the most of it, with Saturday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Lighning being the most recent example.

After being a healthy scratch in Wednesday night's 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, Boqvist was inserted back in the lineup in place of defenseman Mike Reilly as head coach Patrick Roy was looking for a boost on the power-play and hoped that Boqvist's versatility and offensive acumen could help the struggling unit. Boqvist was previously asked to step in as a forward, once playing center and most recently wing, when Hudson Fasching missed a game due to illness. All Boqvist did was pick up two assists in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

While the Islanders lost to Tampa Bay 5-3 and dropped their fourth straight, the power play with him serving as the quarterback was better. The Islanders had five shots during their two power-play opportunities, including Ryan Pulock's 90mph+ blast that got the Isles on the board and sparked a third-period comeback that fell short. “He [Boqvist] was moving so well, skating so well, and I think he helped the power play,” Roy said.

The defenseman recorded four shot attempts (two on goal, two blocked), two blocked shots, and an assist in 19:48 of ice time, including 2:15 with the man advantage. “Obviously, we know where we are in the power-play standings,” Boqvist told the New York Post. “I think creating momentum on the power play for the team is huge. And this last 10 games or whatever it is, we gotta get that momentum for the team to make that push.

Drafted 8th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017, Boqvist has always had the talent. He has bounced around through the early years of his career, with the Islanders being his fourth team since 2021 (Columbus and Florida being the other two). As a restricted free agent, he's an interesting player for this team moving forward, given GM Lou Lamoriello's statements about getting younger and with Reilly an upcoming free agent. There's likely a spot for Boqvist and his versatility on this team next season and perhaps beyond.