Bolduc No Longer Going to AHL All-Star Game, Likely Reason Why

On Saturday afternoon, the Bridgeport Islanders announced that defenseman Samuel Bolduc would be unavailable to participate in the AHL All-Star Game in his hometown of Laval, Quebec. The 22-year-old defenseman was having a breakout season in the AHL, with eight goals and 18 assists, after injuries and COVID-19 derailed his first two.

Due to Samuel Bolduc’s success in the AHL and the New York Islanders dealing with an injury to defenseman Noah Dobson, Bolduc was recalled from Bridgeport and made his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 23.

Bolduc stayed up with the Islanders and finished out the stretch before the All-Star break, averaging 14:32 minutes per game.

Through four games, Bolduc recorded four shots on 11 attempts, with two blocks and eight hits.

Analysis of Samuel Bolduc Through First 2 NHL Games

When the break commenced, the Islanders announced that they had returned forwards Simon Holmstrom, Aatu Räty, and Bolduc back to Bridgeport.

Simon Holmstrom remains down in Bridgeport, while Räty was shipped to the Vancouver Canucks, along with Anthony Beauvillier and a 2023 conditional first-round selection for Bo Horvat back on Monday.

Despite saving a couple of dollars, Bolduc would have been eligible to play in the AHL All-Star Game since he was no longer on an NHL roster.

But plans have changed, and Bolduc is no longer going.

The New York Islanders, who face the Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia on Monday night, likely will hit the practice ice on Sunday morning at Northwell Ice Center. At some point before the practice, Bolduc will likely be recalled.

When the break commenced, the Islanders were dealing with one injury on the backend. Dobson had missed the final four games before the break with a lower-body injury, but had not been placed on Injury Reserve.

This announcement today hints that Dobson may still be dealing with an injury, as his status for Monday is to be determined.