New York Islanders Waive Josh Ho-Sang
Josh Ho-Sang finds himself in familiar territory- the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Is it time for him to move on from the New York Islanders?
In the NHL, nothing is ever to be taken for granted, as a demotion to the AHL could happen at any time. With a new NHL season on the horizon, any remaining training camp rosters are being trimmed down as final roster cuts are made. Among the unfortunate souls sent down a level this year was surprisingly Josh Ho-Sang of the New York Islanders.
The Islanders announced they waived Ho-Sang early Monday morning. Ho-Sang was a late first-round draft pick by the Islanders, who received the pick via trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning, who themselves received the pick from the New York Rangers in the Martin St. Louis trade, by then-general manager Garth Snow. Ho-Sang re-signed as a restricted free agent on a one year deal last month.
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One thing Ho-Sang surely never lacked is confidence. In fact, he declared that he would be the best player from the 2014 draft in a three-year timetable. Now almost five years later he’s destined to begin another season at the minor league level. In 53 career NHL games, he’s posted 24 points.
Some call the move surprising, while others say it might be time for the organization to move on from the 23-year-old. On the waiver wire, the other 29 NHL teams will have a chance to claim him before he packs his bags and heads to Bridgeport. The Islanders organization has already put in a lot of time and resources to bank on Ho-Sang’s potential, but at this point it might be best for the young player to seek out greener pastures.
Brian Wagner, from Eye On the Isles, had an interesting take on Ho-Sang’s past with the Islanders.
At this point I’m ready to cut bait. The Isles management clearly has either not tried to trade him or has not received any credible offers for him, but yet are also just as frustrated as anyone. So why keep belaboring the point?
Trading for the player is one thing, but it’s hard to imagine a team wouldn’t take a chance when all they have to pick up is his roughly $874,000 cap hit. The islanders might lament losing what was once considered a top prospect, but Lou Lamoriello is running the Islanders a lot different from his predecessor.
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While Garth Snow might have made Ho-Sang his pet project, Lamoriello lacks the emotional attachment and would be more willing to cut Ho-Sang lose. In a season where the Islanders expectations are running high after a surprise playoff appearance, if Ho-Sang can’t contribute, he won’t be on the island much longer.