New York Islanders Claim Defenseman Before Maple Leafs Can Make a Move
The Maple Leafs missed out on adding some much needed defensive depth on Friday as they lost out on Adam Boqvist as the blueliner was claimed off waivers.
It hasn't been the Maple Leafs' lucky day on Friday. Not only did they lose out on adding some firepower to their forward depth as free agent Brandon Saad decided to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights, but they missed out on adding blueline help.
It was announced on Friday that the New York Islanders have claimed defenseman Adam Boqvist off waivers after Florida placed him there on Thursday.
In a corresponding move, the Islanders have reassigned Isaiah George back to the Bridgeport Islanders.
This season, Boqvist has two goals and four assists in 18 games and was a former 8th overall pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2018.
For the Islanders, George has one goal and four assists in 33 games, and scored his first career goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this season.
Adam Boqvist The Latest Puck Moving Defenseman Acquired By New York Islanders
For all of his criticisms, Lou Lamoriello hasn't been an NHL executive for so long without making some pretty savvy moves and the claiming of Boqvist adds to a list of playmaking defensemen over the past year and a half.
It's a bit surprising to see Boqvist's fall from grace, as he was the main piece in the package that sent Seth Jones from Columbus to Chicago and in his three seasons there he scored 17 goals and 39 assists in 133 games.
He's not a strong defender however, though the Islanders do have Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech on the backend to help with that.
The brother of NHLer Jesper Boqvist, both brothers were able to play together with the Panthers a bit this season, much like the Nylander brothers in Toronto.
New York certainly made a splash and added a young defenseman with a lot of promise, and the Maple Leafs miss out yet again on a potential impact player.
