“I’m Going Through Changes” by Charles Bradley is the theme song that best represents the Bridgeport Islanders’ summer.
From revamping their brand to their personnel, let’s dive into just how different Bridgeport will look in 2024-25.
The news broke on Thursday that Bridgeport was adopting “The Fisherman” logo full-time. This is the one the New York Islanders donned from 1995-1997 before wearing it as an alternate during the 2022-23 campaign.
Bridgeport did have its own version of the Fisherman jersey, but like their NHL club, it wasn’t their go-to kit as they wore a big “B” on their jersey since the 2021-22 season when they changed from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to the Bridgeport Islanders.
Greg Vasil / Bridgeport Islanders
Even though there’s a large majority of the fan base who hates…hates anything to do with “The Fisherman”, the new generation of Islanders’ fans can’t get enough of it, which was evident when you walked around UBS Arena and all you saw was their Fisherman alternates.
This permanent change in Bridgeport will likely increase fan attendance, especially from kids, which is important.
Let’s go to the roster.
Losing prospects is never good for any NHL club, but if players who leave weren’t on a path to help the Islanders at the NHL level, is it as bad as it looks?
DEPARTURES
The Islanders have had three prospects head overseas this summer already.
The biggest name of the bunch is Ruslan Iskhakov, their second-round pick in 2018. He was a back-to-back AHL All-Star and got two games in the NHL, one coming in the playoffs.
However, despite popular belief, which is sometimes wrong, he had no real spot on the NHL team and elected to go home and play in the KHL.
Yes, Iskhakov has one of the craziest sets of mits you will probably see and a knack for putting on a show. However, his game was missing a lot of pieces, especially away from the puck, and it’s clear the Islanders agreed.
He was tendered a qualifying offer, but playing time is the most important thing to Iskhakov, and he’ll get that chance with CSKA Moscow.
The Islanders do own his rights until he’s 27 (about to enter his age-24 season).
The other two to leave the organization are 25-year-old Otto Koivula, a former fourth-round pick in 2016 who struggled to stay healthy and become anything more than a bottom-six forward and 25-year-old defenseman Robin Salo, their second-round pick in 2017, who never took advantage of his NHL time before becoming an afterthought.
Related: Report: Islanders Prospect Robin Salo Heading Back To SHL
Both will play in the SHL in 2024-25, with Koivula playing for the Växjö Lakers and Salo for Malmö.
Other departures from Bridgeport include forwards Karson Kuhlman and Reece Newkirk, Tanner Fritz and Jackson Cates, who left during the 2023-24 campaign, and defenseman Vincent Sevigny.
Goaltender Jakub Skarek is still part of the organization, signing a two-year extension last summer, but don’t be shocked if he’s gone before the start of the season.
Veteran goalie Ken Appleby, who was recalled to the NHL when Semyon Varlamov got hurt in 2023-24, has joined the Charlotte Checkers (Florida Panthers AHL affiliate).
Here are the new faces that will be donning the new Bridgeport swagger this season.
ARRIVALS
On NHL deals, the organization added centermen Fredrik Karlstrom (Dallas Stars), Marc Gatcomb (Vancouver Canucks), and Liam Foudy (Nashville Predators).
Related: Understanding Why Islanders Gave Fredrik Karlström A One-Way Deal
The Bridgeport Islanders also signed forward Justin Gill, the Islanders’ fifth-round pick in 2023, and defenseman Wyatt Newpower after he spent time with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Islanders came to terms with former Ottawa Senators netminder Marcus Hogberg, who had been playing in Europe, a veteran presence to serve as the club’s third-string netminder.
Related: Islanders Sign Former NHL Goalie Marcus Hogberg To Two-Year Deal, Diving Into The Why
Other newcomers are defenseman Calle Odelius (second-round pick in 2022) out of Sweden and Isaiah George (fourth-round pick in 2022), who turned pro after winning the Memorial Cup with the London Knights.
RETURNEES
Forward Tyce Thompson, who was acquired for Arnaud Durandeau early in the 2023-24 season via a deal with the New Jersey Devils, and Brian Pinho are back, while defenseman Dennis Cholowksi was tendered a qualifying offer and is likely to accept.
Alex Jeffries, a Hobey Baker finalist with Merrimack, joined Bridgeport on an ATO following the conclusion of his college career and is expected to officially sign his entry-level contract soon as he gears up for his first full professional season.
Long-Island native Marshall Warren, who joined Bridgeport as a free agent before the end of the 2023-24 season, will be back.
POTENTIAL 2024-25 LINEUP
Julien Gauthier–Liam Foudy–Alex Jefferies
Justin Gill–Fredrik Karlstrom–Matthew Maggio
Tyce Thompson–Brian Pinho–William Dufour
Eetu Liukas–Cole Bardreau–Marc Gatcomb
Extra: Sam Asselin–Daylan Kuefler–Adam Thiesing
Calle Odelius–Grant Hutton
Travis Mitchell–Aidan Fulp
Isaiah George–Marshall Warren
Extra: Seth Helgeson–Wyatt Newpower
Marcus Hogberg
Henrik Tikkanen
FUTURE BRIGDEPORTEES
Although these players about to be mentioned won’t be playing for Bridgeport this upcoming season, it’s important to note that the Islanders had a fantastic 2024 NHL Draft, restocking a “barren” prospect pool.
In the first two rounds, the Islanders drafted three players, including two Boston University forwards, goal-scorer Cole Eiserman and two-way centerman Kamil Bednarik.
Related: NHL’s 2024 First Overall Pick Macklin Celebrini Shares Thoughts On Islanders’ Cole Eiserman
Both will be freshmen for head coach Jay Pandolfo this fall.
The Islanders also drafted mobile yet huge defenseman Jesse Pulkkinen, who will likely come over from Europe for the 2024-25 season.
We aren’t sure about the status of the two goalies the club drafted, Dmitri Gamzin and Marcus Gidlof, but their final pick, Xavier Veilleux, has one more year of juniors before he will join Harvard for the 2025-26 season.
Danny Nelson, the Islanders’ second-round pick in 2023, just finished up his first season at Notre Dame, Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri’s Alma Mater.
Quinn Finley, the Islanders’ third-round pick in 2023, just finished up his freshman season at the University of Wisconsin.
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