Eric Boulton Placed on Waivers: Chapter 36 of a saga

Throughout his New York Islanders career, Eric Boulton has been no stranger to injured reserve, and that’s where he began the 2016-17 season.

Now he’s in new territory: waivers.

Tucked as a final sentence amid the injury updates on Ryan Pulock (broken foot, out four-six weeks) and Nick Leddy (hoping to play Sunday after missing Friday’s 3-2 win over the Coyotes) was that little nugget.

The difference now, as opposed to the many times the seldom-played forward and locker room talisman has hit IR over the past four seasons (54 games played over that time) , is that this time he signed a two-way contract over the summer.

That makes it a little easier, or rather cap-friendly, to assign him to AHL Bridgeport when he clears waivers.

And though it doesn’t otherwise change the Islanders’ current 23-man roster crunch with three goalies and two 19-year-old NHL-or-juniors forwards creating an unusual crowd, it potentially clears things up for Boulton coming off IR. Between Pulock and Leddy, the Isles are already handling blueline injuries, an inevitable fact of life that will demand some flexibility once they actually travel beyond the Metro.