The Battle For Last Roster Spot

Jon Sim vs. Jeremy Reich

The New York Islanders made the decision not to add any new faces at forward this season. At least not any “big name” guys. But what Isles GM Garth Snow did do, as he did last year, is add players to their AHL affiliate (Bridgeport Sound Tigers) that can come in and fill any gaps when the inevitable injury bug hits.

There are 11 forward spots that a filled and spoken for on the roster – including the first overall pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, John Tavares. That leaves one forward position up for grabs and trust me, there will be a battle for that last spot. Let’s have a look at who the contenders are for that last spot:

Jon Sim (LW) – Sim had a difficult season last year (To say the least). When he was signed to a 3-year deal in 2006-2007, his first season as an Islander ended within the first two games as he went down with a severe knee injury. He returned last year and struggled immensely. In the 49 games Sim played, he managed only nine goals and six assists for 15 points. Later in the season when the Islanders were clearly out of the playoff race, Sim was a healthy scratch several games in a row before clearing wavers and being sent down to the Sound Tigers. While he was with the AHL affiliate, he was said to be their best forward by Bridgeport coach Jack Capuano. Alas, Sim returns for his final contract year to fight for a roster spot that he at one time had a claim to.

Jeremy Reich (LW/RW) – Reich is mostly known as an AHL pugilist, but he spent 58 games with the Boston Bruins during the 2007-2008 season and accumulated 78 PIM. Looking beyond his tough guy reputation, Reich showed some decent scoring touch and hockey sense as he potted 21 goals and added 13 assists for the Providence Bruins last season. Reich spent his first exhibition game this season punching the faces of the Vancouver Canucks during the Hockeyville game in Terrace, BC.

Jesse Joensuu (C/LW) - The 6′ 4″ second rounder appeared in seven games for the Isles last season and proved he had a knack for being in front of the net. In those seven games, Joensuu had one goal and two assists for three points. He also appeared in 71 games for the Sound Tigers, racking up 20 goals and 39 points. While he may never be a huge point-getter in the NHL, Joensuu has good speed for a big man and has the intangibles to do the little things right.

Sleeper Pick –

Matt Moulson (LW) - Moulson has spent the past three season in the Los Angeles Kings system and has had some success. In 2007-2008 he spent 22 games with the big club and scored five goals in those contests. He returned the following year for only seven games to pot one goal. While his NHL opportunities were few, Moulson was one of the better forwards for the Manchester Monarchs(AHL). In his 208 games as a Monarch, Moulson posted 78 goals and 168 points over the coarse of three seasons.

The roster spot is open to players I haven’t mentioned, of course, but these are my educated guesses. While we may not know who will win the battle for the Islanders final roster spot, we do know one thing – Hockey is back!