Islanders add Adam Boqvist in search for blue line answers
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TAMPA, Fla. — Another day, another new defenseman.

The Islanders have recently made some changes to their defensive roster by claiming Adam Boqvist off waivers from the Panthers. Boqvist becomes the third new defenseman to join the team in the past week, providing additional depth to their blue line.

The decision to claim Boqvist was influenced by the struggles of rookie Isaiah George, who was benched in the second half of a recent game against the Flyers. George, who had played 18 games with the Panthers this season, was showing signs of hitting a rough patch, leading to his replacement by Boqvist.

As George was sent down to accommodate Boqvist, it was clear that the rookie was facing challenges in his performance. Despite making a positive impression since his call-up in November, George had found himself benched in consecutive games and was having difficulties in executing plays on the ice.

“Trying to learn each day,” George told The Post before Thursday’s 3-0 win over the Flyers. “There’s gonna be ups and downs. Just stay positive and keep working.”

Dennis Cholowski has been a healthy scratch in five of the last six games, but it appears that there is a path open for him to seize some playing time, with the Islanders having sent down another lefty in George.

Boqvist, who last played on Jan. 6, is right-handed. He has recorded two goals and four assists this season.

The Islanders did not practice Friday, so it’s unclear how coach Patrick Roy will choose to set his defensive pairs.

Boqvist has never been an everyday player for a team, with his career-high in games played being 52 with the 2021-22 Blue Jackets. That is in part due to injuries, which contributed to his tenure with Columbus ending in a buyout.

Like the other defensemen the Islanders have brought in over the last week, Boqvist’s toolset is primarily seen as offensive and puck-moving. He was the eighth overall pick in 2018.


Marc Gatcomb said after Thursday’s win that he would most likely give the puck from his first NHL goal to his parents.

“It’s awesome,” Gatcomb said. “It’s definitely something you dream about your whole life. It’s a special night I’ll never forget. Great play by Kyle [MacLean] there. I know Max [Tsyplakov] found him to send us both in. Great look, lot of happiness, lot of excitement.”

The Islanders have not won a regular-season game in Tampa since Dec. 9, 2019.

If they do so Saturday, it will mark their first seven-game winning streak in four seasons, per team statistician Eric Hornick.

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