Two Players for the Islanders to Target with PTOs

It’s no secret the Islanders have no cap space. At this juncture, the Islanders lineup is likely set. However, the team could use some insurance on the backend, where the depth is Samuel Bolduc, the current seventh defenseman, and then a host of underwhelming Bridgeport players and first-year AHL rookies.

This could be tricky with a lack of cap space. Yet, there is one path the Islanders could venture down to add depth, at least for training camp, if nothing else: a Professional Tryout, otherwise known as a PTO. All a PTO does is essentially invite a player to training camp to fight for a contract.

The tricky part for the Islanders will be the salary cap. Most players who sign PTOs want a legitimate shot at a roster spot, and just based on pure numbers, it looks to be a struggle to get one if you’re not under contract with the Islanders already.

There’s also the aspect of former Islanders veterans who may return on PTOs but not necessarily play in any games until the requisite cap space is earned. Matt Martin just hosted his annual hockey camp for kids and indicated to media sources that he wants to stay on the Island and fight for his place on the roster by any means necessary.

Robert Bortuzzo showed he still had game left, but nobody’s heard from him or his camp. With the Islanders’ need for organizational depth at defense, a reunion isn’t as unlikely as one might think.

Martin and Bortuzzo would add to the roster’s continuity but may not be the most creative additions for camp. To that end, this article will investigate two players to target with a PTO from outside the organization this year or last.

Option 1: Calen Addison

Calen Addison had an up-and-down season. The 24-year-old started the season with the Minnesota Wild and helped run their top power-play unit. He notched five assists in their first 12 games, but after the Wild had some players return from injury and Brock Faber’s arrival, he was shipped to San Jose.

Addison then had some shaky moments with the Sharks. Back in December, he played for the Sharks when they came back and stunned the Islanders after trailing by three in the third period. What Islanders fans may not remember is Addison being benched for the entire comeback due to his role in creating the Sharks’ deficit.

Addison’s upside is a top-four puck mover, but his inconsistencies and mental mistakes leave teams wanting. The Sharks didn’t qualify him for some of those reasons. At 24, he’s entering a critical stage of his career. He’s been traded twice (once as a prospect after being a Pittsburgh Penguin second-round pick), and now he’s still unsigned in late August.

He would have to earn a contract with the Islanders and maybe start the year in Bridgeport. But with his talent, it’s a reclamation project that’s worth a hard look for the Islanders.

Option 2: James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk, 35, is a proven NHL veteran with a goal-scoring punch. He’s far from the player he once was, but he can still score some goals. He’s 35 and provided 11 goals and 38 points in 71 games with the Bruins.

It’s worth noting that they used him in a variety of roles. He played on all four lines, starting in the top-six before settling into the Bruins’ bottom six, helping provide veteran leadership and depth offense to a team with depth that struggled to score at times. During the playoffs he added in a goal and four assists while playing very limited minutes for the Bruins.

If van Riemsdyk is ok starting again with a PTO and fighting his way to the Islanders lineup, he could be a strong veteran presence for this team. Max Pacioretty is worth mentioning here, but Elliotte Friedman reports indicate he has more solid offers waiting for him elsewhere.