Report: Erik Gustafsson Headed to Islanders Camp on PTO

The New York Islanders will give Erik Gustafsson a chance to wow them during training camp, according to a report from Chris Johnston.

There has been no official word from the Islanders, who have remained somewhat secretive with most of their offseason moves this year. The Islanders open training camp in about a week and there are still questions about who will take Nick Leddy’s spot on the blue line.

Could Gustafsson be an answer? The 29-year-old defenseman comes with a lot of questions of his own following a couple of down years. Defensively Gustafsson can be a bit of a liability and he has struggled in his own end in the past.

What might have drawn the Islanders’ interest is the offensive potential that he does have and his ability to move the puck. Both are traits that Nick Leddy possessed during his time on Long Island.

Gustafsson would also give the Islanders a left-handed defenseman that they’ve been seeking since Leddy’s departure as well.

Erik Gustafsson is two seasons removed from a 17 goal, 60 point season in 2018-19 with Chicago. He has played for four teams since then in the past two seasons and did appear in 16 playoff games for Montreal last season.