Former NY Islanders F Matt Moulson set to debut as a different type of wingman

Matt Moulson made a living (and a whole lot of money) being John Tavares' winger over five seasons and 304 games as a member of the New York Islanders from 2009-2013. On Wednesday night, the three-time 30-goal-scorer returns to Long Island and is set to work alongside defenseman turned broadcaster Thomas Hickey as an MSG analyst for the game versus the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I’m a first-time rookie; hopefully ‘Hicks’ can take me under his wing,” said Moulson in a report from Neil Best in Newsday. The gig will be Moulson's first TV work of any kind, and he'll be able to share his thoughts on his former teammate Cal Clutterbuck's 1,00th game.

According to Best, the thought of Moulson's newest challenge came from VP of Communications Kimber Auerbach, who felt that Moulson's personality would be a strong fit. In addition to Wednesday night's game, he's expected to contribute to four or five more telecasts after Jan. 1st.

Moulson started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Kings and made his NHL debut during the 2007-08 season. After 29 games with LA, the Islanders signed him as a free agent in July 2009 and neither side could've imagined the amount of scoring production that followed.

Playing with Tavares and P.A. Parenteau, Moulson scored 30 goals in his first season on Long Island, which was the first of three consecutive 30-goal campaigns. A pending UFA during the 2013-14 season, GM Garth Snow traded him and a first-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres for Thomas Vanek. The Sabres moved him to the deadline to the Minnesota Wild, only for him to ink a five-year contract with Buffalo that summer.

He finished his unlikely career with 175 goals in 650 games. Tomorrow we'll find out if he can once again surprise himself and Islanders fans, but this time off the ice.