Islanders place former first-round pick on waivers

The Islanders have positioned winger Julien Gauthier on waivers for task to AHL Bridgeport, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Friday.

Gauthier, 26, is and not using a level in his final six video games. He was a wholesome scratch within the Islanders’ final sport earlier than the All-Star break, a 3-2 time beyond regulation loss to the Panthers on Saturday.

The 2016 first-round choose signed a two-year, $1.575M take care of the Islanders final July after reaching unrestricted free company for the primary time in his profession. 

After ending final season in a Senators jersey on account of a February 2023 commerce from the Rangers, Gauthier didn’t obtain a qualifying provide after scoring three targets and including two assists in 17 video games with Ottawa.

A bottom-six energy winger with good measurement at 6-foot-4 and over 220 kilos, Gauthier made the Islanders’ roster out of camp after failing to take action with the Rangers final season. He’s been a wholesome scratch on a number of events this season, together with 3 times for the reason that starting of January.

In 27 video games on the season, he’s posted 5 targets and 9 factors whereas averaging 10:10 per sport. His possession metrics have been the worst on the workforce in his restricted position, posting a 36 p.c Corsi share at even energy. 

Given he’s underneath contract till 2025 and isn’t on an expiring deal, and his $800K wage subsequent season is greater than his $787.5K cap hit, the chance of a waiver declare seems low.