NY Islanders defenseman Robin Salo to return to SHL according to Swedish report

After not getting much of an opportunity with the NY Islanders, 2017 second-round pick, Robin Salo, is returning to Sweden according to a report by Expressen.se

According to the report, Salo has agreed to a two-year deal with Malmö of the SHL.

Selected by the Islanders in 2017, Salo made his North American debut during the 2021-22 season, playing 21 games with the Islanders and 40 with the Bridgeport Islanders in the AHL. He averaged 16:41, scoring a goal and adding four assists. The following season, Salo was part of the opening night roster, having the best performance of his short career in the second game of the season, scoring two goals with a +4 rating against the Anaheim Ducks. With his ice time slipping to below 10 minutes on many nights during December, Salo was demoted, playing his last NHL game on December 22, 2022.

Salo spent all of last season in Bridgeport, finishing with 24 points (5 G, 19 A) in 68 games. Even with the Islanders' flurry of injuries to their defensive corps, Salo still never received the call to make his NHL return.

A Group of 6 UFA this season, it appears the Finnish-born defenseman will continue his career in Sweden rather than fight for an NHL spot.

Salo played with Örebro HK of the SHL for 12 games in 2021-22, and 51 games in 2022-23. In his one full season, the 6'1" defenseman registered 6 goals while adding 24 assists.

A left-handed shot, it appears there is little room for Salo to be a part of the Islanders roster, Adam Pelech is locked up long-term, Alexander Romanov looks to be a staple on the blue line for the next decade, and Mike Reilly proved himself worthy of a new contract this off-season after being claimed off waivers.

Being a former second-round pick, the Islanders certainly had higher hopes for Salo than what transpired. At 25 years old, there's still a chance he will return to the NHL in the future.