NY Islanders waive two players and trim down roster before preseason game

The New York Islanders have begun trimming their training camp roster, placing two players on waivers and assigning 12 others to the Hamilton Hammers ahead of their second preseason game.

Defenseman Ethan Bear and goaltender Henrik Tikkanen were placed on waivers Monday. If they clear, both can be assigned to Hamilton, the Islanders' AHL affiliate.

The moves came before the Islanders face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. The Isles are expected to use more NHL regulars after dressing a lineup made up largely of prospects and AHL players in its preseason opener against New Jersey.

Bear, 29, has not played in the NHL since appearing in 24 games for the Washington Capitals during the 2023-24 season. The right-shot defenseman has spent the past two seasons in the AHL and provided organizational depth entering camp.

Tikkanen faced an even more crowded path to the NHL roster. Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov are expected to begin the season as the Islanders' primary goaltenders, while veteran Vitek Vanecek was signed during the offseason as additional insurance.

The Islanders also assigned forwards Cameron Berg, Cam Thiesing, Joey Larson, Jesse Nurmi and Gleb Veremyev to Hamilton. Defensemen Hunter Drew, Ryan Healey, Luke Rowe, Brandon Scanlon, Calle Odelius and Jesse Pulkkinen were also sent down, along with goaltender Ryan Fanti.

Larson and Veremyev were among those who appeared in the Islanders' preseason opener, along with Bear. The cuts begin to bring greater clarity to the remaining roster battles as coach Pete DeBoer prepares for his first full season with the Islanders.

More decisions are coming.

The Islanders must have their regular-season roster compliant by Sept. 28, leaving the remaining preseason games as the final opportunity for several players still in camp to make their case.

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