Islanders make round of camp cuts

The New York Islanders made a round of camp cuts on Friday. The team announced that Alex Jefferies, Joey Larson, Matt Maggio, Cam Thiesing, and Henrik Tikkanen have been sent down to the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders.

The move is hardly unexpected despite the players’ strong showing in camp. Maggio and Jefferies had a good night against the New York Rangers in Wednesday’s comeback win.

The aforementioned players were long shots to make the team out of camp. While they could all have a decent shot at earning some playing time in the NHL, now is not the time. The club has several veteran players and talented youngsters in the depth chart ahead of them.

Still, one has to think that players like Maggio and Jefferies could get a look at some point this season. The Islanders need to have as many young, talented players in the pipeline. So, it’s best for their development to head down to Bridgeport, where they will surely earn consistent playing time.

It’s tough to see such gritty players get cut at this point. But then again, fans can rest assured they haven’t seen the last of these names. The roster turnover in Long Island will inevitably force the team to go with younger talent. And that’s where guys like Matt Maggio and Alex Jefferies could get their shot.

Islanders place four players on waivers

The Isles also made another round of roster cuts, sending four players to waivers on Friday. As The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported, Liam Foudy, Julien Gauthier, Cole McWard, and Travis Mitchell hit the waiver wire.

In all likelihood, all four will clear. Once they do, the Isles can assign the quartet to Bridgeport.

The move is essentially an administrative duty as part of the roster cuts on Friday. So, fans shouldn’t read too much into the moves.

Of course, there’s always the chance that a team could claim any one of Foudy, Gauthier, McWard, or Mitchell. Nevertheless, the intense action on Friday’s waiver moves doesn’t reflect significant names changing teams.

It’s worth keeping in mind that injuries heading into the beginning of the season could force some clubs to pluck players from the waiver wire. The Islanders have been successful in claiming useful assets off waivers.

So, there’s always the chance for a surprise at this time of the season.