Did Islanders Lead On Anatolii Golyshev with Promises During Time in North America

The decision not to play Anatolii Golyshev during his brief time with the New York Islanders perplexed those that followed the team. After the Isles waived him and he returned to Russia, the skilled forward spoke out for the first time following his stint in North America, and he wasn’t painting a too flattering picture of how New York handled his situation.

In an interview with Sports-Express, Golyshev expressed regret over coming to North America and said that he was fed promises.

“I will say that if I knew that everything would end this way, I would not go (there),” Golyshev said, according to a google translated version of the Sports-Express story. “I was constantly fed with promises. And yet, in reality, everything was not at all what I was told. For example, in Bridgeport, for some reason I was not a first-line player, but was in the third or fourth (line). I had very little time. My time on ice was very low. I didn’t understand a little why such an attitude, because the Islanders continued to insist that I was the first person they would call from the farm club.”

Anatolii Golyshev was waived on Wednesday by the Islanders. He did not play in any games in the NHL during the Islanders COVID outbreak, despite a strong start in AHL Bridgeport.

Golyshev scored five goals and seven points in 15 games with the Bridgeport Islanders. His work ethic had been praised by both coaching staffs in the media as well.

It was part of what made the situation with the Islanders organization so confusing to Goyshev. When asked if Golyshev knew when the issues began, he said was unsure.

“Everything was great in the training camp,” Golyshev said. “I was constantly praised, the quality of the game was noted. Yes, and I felt great. But before the start of the season they sent (me) to the AHL. At the same time, they again assured me that I was at Bridgeport for a very short time, literally for a couple of matches, and then they would immediately raise me. We must, they say, work, be patient. I believed (them).”

And when the Islanders did call up Golyshev he did not play. According to the Russian forward, he was expecting to make his NHL debut against the New York Rangers on Thanksgiving Eve.

Everything appeared to be fine until he arrived at the arena that night.

“While I was preparing myself for (the) game, I looked at the table with the roster for the game. My name was not there,” Golyshev said, according to a translated version of the story by @vorkywh24 on Twitter. “I thought it was a mistake because my jersey was in the locker room. So I asked Ilya Sorokin what was going on. He was more surprised than myself. Our coach came into the locker room and told me that I am missing tonight’s game.”

Golyshev was told by Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello that the decision was ultimately the coach’s and that the organization did want to see him in the NHL still. When the Islanders called up another player after that, Golyshev said, that is when everything became clear.

Now headed back to Russia, Anatolii Golyshev will play for Avtomobilist of the KHL and try to get his career back on a track he is happy with. As for understanding what exactly happened with the Islanders, that remained a mystery.

“I worked honestly. I didn’t have any problems with discipline, I did my best in training,” he said. “Showed (myself) well in the exhibition match with Philadelphia, was supposed to play in another meeting against the Devils, but it did not take place due to problems with electricity in the arena. I say sincerely – I have nothing to reproach myself for. And it’s a shame that they never gave me a chance.”