NY Islanders place Julien Gauthier on waivers

After appearing in just one game this season, the NY Islanders have placed Julien Gauthier on waivers today.

Gauthier slotted in on the wing alongside Kyle MacLean and Casey Cizikas, taking Oliver Wahlstrom's spot.

"We want everybody touching the ice, and I think it's good timing for him to go in," Head Coach Patrick Roy said. "We feel like it's time for him to play again."

Julien Guthier placed on waivers

Now, just a day later, Gauthier will be headed back to Bridgeport unless another team claims him.

While being demoted so quickly isn't how Gauthier saw the start of his season going, the demotion likely isn't due to his play.

Anthony Duclair suffered what looked like a groin injury in the third period last night and didn't return. It appears the Islanders will call someone up from Bridgeport, requiring the additional cap and making Gauthier the sacrificial lamb.

Initial thoughts are that Pierre Engvall would be the one recalled, but waiving Gauthier gives the Islanders just over $1M in cap space - not enough to fit Engvall's $3.5M. Liam Foudy made it to the final cut at training camp and has four assists through four games in Bridgeport this season, making him a potential candidate as someone who can fill in playing top-six minutes.

The plus side to this is that the injury to Duclair doesn't seem to be long-term. If the injury were serious he'd have been placed on LTIR, making his $3.5M cap hit available to the Islanders.

Gauthier was waived in January of last year, scoring seven goals and adding three assists in 17 games with the Bridgeport Islanders.

It's a tough break for Gauthier after he beat out Engvall for a roster spot, as he'll need to battle to earn another call-up.