Islanders Place Bellows on Waivers and Flyers Pick Him Up

This off-season, the New York Islanders had a few decisions to make with some young restricted free agents. Despite a disappointing season, many younger players had a chance to grow at the NHL level.

Noah Dobson took the biggest step forward, but Kieffer Bellows was able to get some consistent playing time due to Covid and injuries.

Bellows improved his defensive play and proved to then-head coach, Barry Trotz, that he was worthy of ice time. His biggest successful stint came under current coach Lane Lambert’s interim basis at the helm while Trotz attended to family matters.

With Lambert at the helm, many experts thought that Bellows would benefit the most among the other crop of young skaters.

The Islanders placed Kieffer Bellows on waivers.

The Islanders and Bellows came to a one-year agreement over the summer. This looked to be a “prove it” contract for the former first-round draft choice.

Among the extra forwards fighting for a starting position this season was tough guy, Ross Johnston, Aatu Raty, and Oliver Wahlstrom. Nikita Soshnikov was brought on late to compete for a spot as well.

Despite having some average performances early in the pre-season, Bellows played much better in his final appearance before opening night.

Veteran Cal Clutterbuck ended up on the injured list prior to the opener and that opened a spot for Bellows and Soshnikov to make their season debuts. It’s important to note that Wahlstrom was a healthy scratch.

During the opening night battle against the Florida Panthers, Bellows recorded only 10 shifts for a total of 7:16 time on the ice.

After that, Bellows was a healthy scratch for the remaining games before Wednesday. In the afternoon, the Islanders announced that they had placed Bellows on waivers.

Having been a top draft pick and played well in World Junior Championships and AHL, surely a team would take a chance on this young talent. Not to mention his contract is very affordable and short term.

Indeed, someone was interested as the division rival, Philadelphia Flyers snatched up Bellows the next day

Although Bellows never panned out with the Islanders, he showed some strong positives and needs this change of scenery. He will certainly be playing with a chip on his shoulder when he sees the orange and blue.

It will not have much effect on the Islanders, but it is another development failure for a top draft prospect.

Trotz and Lambert never really gave Bellows a fair shot, and it is odd that they signed him in the summer before deciding to place him on waivers after only one appearance.

Time will tell if the Islanders made the right decision but if they did not, it could haunt them now that he will remain in the division.