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Adam Boqvist steps in to winger role and contributes two assists for NY Islanders

Mar 24, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro (15) skates with the puck against New York Islanders defenseman Adam Boqvist (34) during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mar 24, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro (15) skates with the puck against New York Islanders defenseman Adam Boqvist (34) during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Adam Boqvist is getting the hang of this winger thing.

When New York Islanders forward Hudson Fasching was ruled out for Monday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with an illness, head coach Patrick Roy decided against drawing Matt Martin back into the lineup but instead asked Boqvist, a defenseman, to step into the role of winger for the second time this season. That move proved wise as Boqvist collected two assists and held his own, playing 15:27 TOI over 17 shifts in the 4-3 shootout loss.

Roy elected to play Boqvist for the first time since Mar. 11 on the wing over Martin because of his versatility. As a puck-moving defenseman, Boqvist contributed to the power-play, where he logged 2 minutes and 33 seconds and picked up an assist on Anders Lee's go-ahead goal in the second period's final minute.

According to HockeyStatCards, Boqvist was the highest-ranking Islander on the night. The metric blends together data for individual offense, defense, and special teams to produce an overall adjusted GameScore, and the 24-year-old received the highest grade. Since being claimed by the Islanders off waivers from the Florida Panthers in January, he has two goals and five assists in 13 games. “I thought he did well,” Roy said after the game in the NY Post. “It’s not easy for a guy — 10-minute practice, that’s all he had. I guess he did really well.”

The 8th pick overall in 2018 by Columbus, Boqvist has fallen short of lofty expectations to this point of his career, but as a restricted free agent, he is a player the Islanders have control over heading into next season, giving them options and depth on the back-end and as proven, even the forward group as well if absolutely necessary. He's at a point in his career where he's willing to contribute anywhere essential at any time for an opportunity, and he has shown that by playing three positions this season: center (on Mar. 9), winger last night, and his natural position of defense.

We'll see where and if he plays on Wednesday night versus Vancouver.

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