NY Islanders have claimed defenseman Adam Boqvist off of waivers from the Florida Panthers

GM Lamoriello adds another D-man, replacing Isaiah George after struggling rookie spends most of last game on the bench, returned to Bridgeport.

New York Rangers v Florida Panthers
New York Rangers v Florida Panthers | Joel Auerbach/GettyImages

Islanders have signed another young, highly skilled defenseman, leaving an extra d-man on the roster


This afternoon, the NY Islanders have added another piece to their defensive corps by signing Adam Boqvist, a former Chicago Blackhawks first round pick (8yh overall in 2018) off of waivers from the Florida Panthers. Chris Johnston of TSN reports that he was signed to a one-year contract, with a cap hit of $775,000 for the season. The 24-year-old has played 227 NHL games over six seasons with the Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers. He has scored 91 points, 25 goals and 66 assists, for the three different NHL clubs he's played for over six seasons. Boqvist has appeared in 18 games for the Panthers this season, scoring two goals and adding four assists for six points. He has not played an NHL game since January 6th of this year. The New York Islanders posted on X, that Isaiah George has been sent to the Bridgeport Islanders on loan following the newest signing.

Isaiah George, Sean Couturier
Philadelphia Flyers v New York Islanders | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Isaiah George returned to Bridgeport on loan by the Isles following signing of Boqvist

The NY Islanders have sent 20-year-old rookie defenseman to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders after struggling the last several weeks. The signing of Boqvist comes after the young defenseman played only 4:03 in the win against the Philadelphia Flyers. George has been playing with a lack of confidence as of late, not showing the potential he exuded when first arriving to the Islanders. He had been guilty of far too many unforced errors, especially in the defensive zone, had have resulted with high-chance scoring opportunities for the opposition. Hopefully, playing in the AHL after facing NHL caliber talent will help to ensure that he develops properly and can be part of the Isles future. To Georges' defense, he was put in an awkward situation following the excessive number of injuries the Islanders have faced this season. Now, he will return to a Bridgeport team that allowed nine goals to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Flyers AHL affiliate), a franchise record.

Lou Lamoriello
2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft, Rounds 2-7 | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

GM Lou Lamoriello has been hard at work making sure team has the right assets to make not only a playoff push, but perhaps a long run towards the Cup

Islanders GM Lamoriello has pulled some nifty tricks from his sleeves as of late, acquiring three defensemen to shore up their battered unit. So far, the signings of Tony DeAngelo and Scott Perunovich have fit nicely, with DeAngelo getting first pairing minutes playing along side of Alex Romanov. Their defensive play has been excellent and both have contributed to the score sheet during a string of games that has the Islanders playing their best hockey of the season. The team is currently on a six game win-streak and have won nine of the last 11 games.

Could Boqvist be what the Islanders Power Play needs?

The signing of Adam Boqvist could find him on the Islanders no.1 power play unit, as he has found success on the man-advantage. Over his career of 227 NHL games, Boqvist has scored four PP goals and contributed 28 assists for 32 PPPs. The 6 foot, 191 lb. defenseman from Falun, Sweden is reported to be a smooth skater, with above average offensive skill. The Isles will see what they have to work with defensively, but they have had success rotating five defensemen nightly. Boqvist may see more time on the man-up than defensive zone faceoffs, but with the state of the Islanders power play this season, that may be all the team asks of him.

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