No NHL Trade Deadline news from the Islanders today, but now that the dust has settled we can focus on the rest of the season and recap several roster moves made official today:
Andrey Pedan Signs
This was expected ever since Pedan's Guelph squad was knocked out of the OHL playoffs, and Arthur Staple of Newsday reported it yesterday, but the official signing was announced today. It's a standard three-year ELC that begins in 2013-14 (money not disclosed yet). He joins AHL Bridgeport wearing #19 on an amateur tryout (ATO) for the rest of the season.
Drafted 63rd overall in 2011, Pedan's a very physical defender who also showed offensive ability as his role increased in the OHL. With the physicality comes one concern: A propensity to take penalties. If he can rein that in and fine-tune the defensive requirements of the pro game, he could be a promising, nasty defenseman that will make fans grin at memories of Darius Kasparaitis.
Jesse Joensuu, Activated at Last
With the trade deadline arriving, the 23-man roster limit is no more. So the Isles finally activated Joensuu, who missed most of this season with groin/sports hernia issue that predated the end of the lockout. He'd been skating with the team for most of March, so he should be ready to go. Coach Jack Capuano said he might even play tomorrow in Washington.
David Ullstrom Assigned to Bridgeport
Also activated is Ullström, who was on IR for several weeks with a groin injury. He's assigned to Bridgeport, where he can get some playing time and work himself back into shape.
That's a move that makes good rehab sense: With the removal of the roster limit and the addition of Anders Lee and Joensuu, the Isles suddenly find themselves with multiple forwards and defensemen to scratch on any given night. Meanwhile, Ullström and Pedan can hopefully help Bridgeport's fast-fading playoff hopes.
One More for Bridgeport? Mayfield Ponders...
Finally, Arthur Staple of Newsday hears that Scott Mayfield is mulling whether to leave Denver of the NCAA and turn pro.