ullstrom ain't going anywhere the way he is playing
Stercrazy said:
Love the kid and thoroughly believe he's part of the answer in the future. He could easily stick around this season, especially if injuries start playing a bigger role up front.
Of course, the Islanders obviously aren't making decisions based solely on hockey capability and acumen at the moment. They're also giving out ice time to several guys for a number of reasons that aren't necessarily "To give the team the best possible chance of winning."
Look no further than the title of this thread.
Now, based on contracts (like, who'd have to go through waivers upon being sent down), I don't think Ullstrom is so much of a difference at this point from McDonald and Aucoin that he wouldn't be a guy - together with Cizikas - to get sent down ASAP when Bailey and Joensuu come off the IR since he would not need to go through waivers. That fact alone could have him on the farm by the end of next month.
In addition, when he has a bad period (the 1st was positionally brutal for him last night), gotta think it'll weigh heavier on his shoulders from the decision-makers' point of view than when such a period happens to a Reasoner, Aucoin or McDonald - who aren't necessarily answers in the future.
BPort:
Between our own kids and the new waiver wire guys (should the majority make it down there without being claimed), that club could have a serious shot at a long playoff run. This can only be of great benefit to all of our kids. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Snow looks to start packing that team when and if the Isles float out of playoff contention.
Just imagine that team heading into the playoffs as follows:
G:Nilsson-Poulin
D:
Donovan-Strait
Wishart-Hickey
Finley-Ness
Landry-Hill
(Hamonic???)
F:
Ullstrom-Nelson-Niederreiter
Kabanov-Aucoin-McDonald
Persson-Cizikas-Sundstrom
DeFazio-Riley-Gallant
Costello-Combs-Backman
Halmo
Or something like that...
