Isaiah George throughout Islanders coaching camp on the crew’s observe facility in East Meadow on Friday.
Credit score: Peter Frutkoff
The probability stays that Isaiah George, not eligible to play within the AHL at 19 years previous, might be returned to his junior crew this season reasonably than remaining with the Islanders. Nonetheless, the protection prospect’s spectacular displaying in coaching camp has at the least led to questions on his instant future.
George, a fourth-round choose in 2022 who had seven objectives and 15 assists in 54 video games final season for London (OHL), labored with top-pair defenseman Ryan Pulock for a 3rd straight day on Saturday at Northwell Well being Ice Heart in East Meadow. Noah Dobson, the twelfth general choose in 2018, was the final Islanders defenseman to leap immediately from juniors to the NHL.
“The similarities are they each transfer the puck rather well,” coach Lane Lambert stated. “On daily basis I watch Isaiah play, there’s just a bit bit extra that you simply like about his sport. You possibly can evaluate that to Noah as effectively. We had the identical feeling with him.”
Lambert didn’t decide to dressing George for a preseason sport, however it wouldn’t be shocking to see him within the preseason opener towards the Rangers on Tuesday night time at Madison Sq. Backyard or towards the Flyers on Wednesday night time at UBS Area.
George stated throughout growth camp that his expectation was to be returned to London, however he knew how helpful coaching camp can be.
“I believe simply extra expertise, extra alternatives to increase my sport and work on my weaknesses and simply proceed to construct, mainly,” he stated.
Working with Pulock must be a giant enhance for his studying curve.
“There’s an actual worth to him, as a youthful participant, to have the ability to talk and discuss with a veteran participant,” Lambert stated. “There’s an enormous worth to seeing how totally different guys play with totally different gamers and NHL gamers.”
First spherical of cuts?
Lambert wouldn’t give a timetable on when the primary cuts to the 66-player coaching camp roster might be made. However it could be logical for some gamers to be reassigned after the back-to-back video games that begin the six-game preseason schedule.
“After these two video games, we’re going to re-evaluate,” Lambert stated. “Then we’ll have a greater thought of what we’re going to do.”
Isles information
Heart Jean-Gabriel Pageau returned after lacking Friday’s observe due to sickness . . . Proper wing Kyle Palmieri, who has been skating on his personal, missed his third straight day of camp for undisclosed causes. Lambert had no replace on when he may be capable of begin skating together with his teammates . . . The Islanders might be off on Sunday earlier than resuming observe on Monday.
