Islanders Waive Ross Johnston

Photo: Matt Slocum

This afternoon, the Islanders placed veteran enforcer Ross Johnston on waivers.

It was a move that had been foreshadowed for quite some time but finally came true a few hours shy of the roster compliance date and time. Johnston has appeared in 134 NHL games across seven seasons with the Islanders. He has tallied 9 goals, 15 assists, and 283 penalty minutes over that stretch.

Related Story: Has The Islanders Team Speed Improved?

It is a different game than it used to be, and Ross had no role in this fast-paced version of hockey we see today. Due to the lack of roster space, the 29-year-old forward was placed on waivers and will be assigned to Bridgeport if he clears, which he is expected to. Johnston makes $1.1 million against the cap, but this transaction does not make the Islanders cap compliant right away. However, their roster size is now correct.

Simon Holmstrom is expected to be sent down to Bridgeport in a paper transaction before being recalled back to the Islanders. Holmstrom has beaten out Johnston for the last roster spot on the big club. A decision that simply needed to happen by Islanders management as a need for more skill and speed was determined to be necessary over grit.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Gavin McKenna skating

Gavin McKenna Reportedly Committing to Penn State University

The projected first overall draft selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft is reportedly taking his talents to the NCAA. After weeks of speculation on where Gavin McKenna would play in the 2025-26 season, the reports started heating up that he’d be playing in the NCAA. Today, Cam Robinson, alongside others, reported the news that […]

Read More

Mason Shaw Re-Signs in Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed forward Mason Shaw to a one-year, two-way contract worth an average annual value in the NHL of $775,000. Shaw is coming off his first season in the Winnipeg Jets organization, playing for the Manitoba Moose and posting a team-leading 37 points (17G, 20A) in 72 games. The Moose’s alternate captain […]

Read More
St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Three Springfield Thunderbirds

St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Three Springfield Thunderbirds

St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Three Springfield Thunderbirds

Read More