Across The Sound: Latest On Bridgeport's Moves
Here's some clarity on the latest Bridgeport moves.
Happy Mother’s Day to all those amazing moms out there!
While all the focus has been on the New York Islanders president and general manager search, the Bridgeport Islanders have done some things.
Let’s catch you up.
The following players were released from their amateur tryouts (ATO) on April 20: F Cameron Berg, F Max Dorrington, F Ross Mitton, and G T.J. Semptimphelter.
However, there’s a caveat to this.
When an AHL season ends, everyone who is on an ATO is automatically released. You cannot start a season on an ATO.
It was reported that all these players will return in the fall. I can’t confirm that, as they all need contracts.
Berg, who played three games with Bridgeport with two goals, must be signed to his entry-level deal by Aug. 15.
Drafted in the fourth round (No. 125) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Berg played four years of college hockey, the first two seasons at the University of Nebraska before playing at the University of North Dakota his junior and senior seasons.
The other three went undrafted.
Dorrington, undrafted, had one assist in seven games after joining the team following a five-year collegiate career.
Mitton, a Long Island native out of Copiague Harbor, had a goal in his only game with Bridgeport. He played four years at Colgate College before doing his fifth year at the University of Maine.
Semptimphelter only started one game for Bridgeport, stopping 18 of 22 (.818 SV%). He played his freshman season at North Eastern, his sophomore and junior seasons at Arizona State before playing his senior year at the University of North Dakota with Berg.
I believe AHL teams, especially the Islanders, should sign as many collegiate free agents as possible. You never know.
I can also confirm that goaltender Jakub Skarek (2018, Rd. 3) has signed with Liga’s HIFK for the 2025-26 season. Skarek had a 3.52 GAA with a .884 SV% in 22 appearances for Bridgeport this past season. He was a pending Group 6 UFA.
Forward Fredrik Karlstrom, who signed a one-year deal last summer, signed a four-year deal with Sweden’s Linkoping HC. Karlstrom had 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 30 games.
D Alieksi Malinen (2021, Rd. 6) has retired. He needed to be signed by June 1.
Assistant coaches Matt McDonald and Pascal Rhéaume did not have their contracts renewed. They had been assistants in Bridgeport since Rick Kowalsky was elevated from assistant coach to head coach ahead of the 2023-24 season.
We’ll see what happens with Kowalsky since he was a Lou Lamoriello hire.
We are expecting more changes to come to Bridgeport before the start of the 2025-26 season.
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Send Little Chris and Rick Kowalsky packing. Let new GM hire the best possible candidates that’s up to the challenge of turning it around up in Bridgeport. I’m looking for a shift in culture. NCAA FA is the way to go absolutely. They may not be NHL prospects, but they will make the team more competitive. Plus they get to play a few years professionally Win Win. Let Engvall play all 72 Games down there and that should get him on a plane back to Europe lol. Honestly the situation is being blown clean at the right time. Bridgeport is going to be home to a lot of prospects the next few years. Not necessarily the 1st 2nd round picks but the later round ones and FA. I think hiring Lou son was nepotism, and poor judgement on Lou’s part. Is the kid that hard up on finding a job on his own. To say he imploded Bridgeport is an understatement. Holland has a son that he carries around with him too. It’s not kosher and glad Holland is out of the running to me it was too close to Lou 2.0. At 70 years old he isn’t your man.
Just split balling here. I would offer Mitch Marner a 13X7 Deal not because he is going to produce 90 points. He could but he is more likely to get 70ish plus points on the Island. At that point production a lot of people would think it’s a ridiculous signing and contract. Marner gives you what Horvat does he can play in ALL situations PK PP (Boy would both Special Team improve exponentially). There is only one way UP lol. Is Mitch going to see a dip in point production on the island of course he has No Papi !However his versatility and ability to play a 200ft game balances that out. Look if he comes to the Island it means he is leaving 13 million on the table by not resigning with Leafs. Mitch is NOT going to resign with Toronto NOT after management asked him to waive his NTC to get moved to Carolina for Mikko at trade deadline lol ! I mean what idiot would ask him that. So you look around the league and say where is the best fit. The Islanders actually have some attractive things to offer to him.
1. The North Shore of Long Island and his familiarity with it.
2. Martin Families relationship with Marner’s
3. Excellent Locker Room very different from Leafs dynamics
4. New GM Starting Coach a HOFer
5. The Island is not a Red Hot Spotlight. You and your family can live a normal lifestyle
6 Great Ownership and facilities UBS and Practice Facilities
7 A chance to raise the level of the franchise from No playoffs to contender
8 Prospect Pool Eiserman Ritchie Nelson Schaffer 2 #1 picks next year.
9 Play with a Horvat and Holmstrom
10. Horvat Barzel Holmstrom Sorokin Dobson Romanov Pelech Pulock Tsyplakov JG There are nuts and bolts are there to build off.
Sure he could snub us, but I think this time the fit for him and Islanders is very very Good. He gets the 13 million and peace to enjoy it. All money ain’t good money! I think he comes to Island.