IBO Boxing Honesty and Integrity
There has been a lot of drama involving the Islanders and the once highly-touted prospect, Joshua Ho-Sang.
Currently, the 25-year-old has been loaned overseas to play with Linkoping HC in Sweden. Before that, he played five games with Orebro, another team in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Ho-Sang scored his first goal with Linkoping on Thursday, showing off quick wrists from the bottom of the circle.
Josh Ho-Sang’s first SHL goal is a snip. pic.twitter.com/vEuisTHVT8
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) February 25, 2021
The bottom line with the former 2014 first-round pick is that he ultimately wants to return to North America and play in the NHL. That may not be with the Islanders. Isles assistant g.m. Chris Lamoriello did say last month everything is open-ended when it comes to Ho-Sang’s standing in the organization. But if a reunion were to occur, it would be beneficial to both sides, even if Ho-Sang isn’t with the varsity on Long Island.
He’d definitely be be an upgrade for club’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
The Sound Tigers’ struggles to score this season have showed that the organization lacks scoring depth, a problem that Ho-Sang arguably could fix. At this moment, defenseman Samuel Bolduc is the Sound Tigers’ top scorer with five points (two goals and three assists) through the club’s first six games. On top of that, there isn’t a single player on the Bridgeport roster with more than two goals so far this season. The lack of offense could be clearly seen in Bridgeport’s disappointing 2-4-0 record to this point.
The addition of Ho-Sang could bring a true playmaker onto the ice and in-turn, stretch the roster’s depth, potentially leading to more offense.
In the NHL, Ho-Sang has played in 53 games to total 24 points on seven goals and 17 assists. They aren’t eye-popping numbers by any means, but the Ontario native has picked up 120 points in 172 games with Bridgeport from 2016-2020 and he has displayed tremendous play-making ability throughout his time with the organization that made him such a highly-regarded prospect.
Once Linkoping’s season is over, Ho-Sang will be able to return to the Islanders organization. If that is is the case, he can help provide the much needed scoring depth that isn’t currently present.
It isn’t guaranteed that the Islanders will want Ho-Sang to join them or Bridgeport. But if he is able to return to form with Linkoping, then it is definitely a conversation worth having for both sides.
Follow Ben on Twitter at @BenMandell55