New York Islanders: Making sense of the Josh Ho-Sang demotion

The New York Islanders have sent Josh Ho-Sang back down to Bridgeport and the AHL to make room on the roster. The news is more surprising because of the timing of it, not the logic of it.

The New York Islanders have been on a role since Joshua Ho-Sang made his season debut against the Red Wings on December 15.

The Islanders are currently in the middle of a six game winning streak, and have only lost one time since Ho-Sang played 12:24 second on that December night.

However, to make room for Valtteri Filppula, the Islanders have loaned Ho-Sang back to Bridgeport, continuing what feels like the never-ending saga with this guy.

Usually, not all news is worth writing about, but this news is right now.

Ho-Sang only has two points on the season, and they did not even come in the games when he played the most minutes.

Ho-Sang has one goal and just one assist, but still a positive rating.

The production is might not be there, but that is okay. Ho-Sang has great ice vision and clearly helps bolster the lines by being there and allowing creativity.

He is making fewer mistakes this season and, quite frankly, does not deserve the demotion once again.

However, that is only because of the timing of it. It might be just a mere coincidence that Mathew Barzal and Robin Lehner have each been named a star of the week the last two weeks respectively, but it could also be in part of Ho-Sang.

Either way, I do not want to find out if this hot streak the team, and its significant players are on is because of Ho-Sang or not.

The Isles should not mess up what is not broken, but at least they are consistent.

All season, all pre-season, all offseason, the Islanders front office, Lou Lamoriello, Barry Trotz, whoever has been all-in on the veterans.

It is why Kieffer Bellows is still down. It is why Ho-Sang only came up due in large part to injury problems.

The Islanders want to see what they have in these veterans before they want to see what they have in a player like Ho-Sang.

They have seen enough too, the Islanders win more hockey games with Ho-Sang, but clearly it is not part of their bigger vision.

The Islanders seem to trust these veterans more and think they are the best for the job.

The timing of that philosophy stings a whole lot right now because of how hot the team is, but clearly the focus remains on the long-term future.

Plus, Ho-Sang is still going to get the first-nod the second there is the need for another forward on the roster.

This might last two days, it might last two weeks, either way, he will likely see minutes again.

This, of course, is barring any kind of trade or some thing ridiculous, but if all stays on course, we will likely only see Ho-Sang again based on a need for him.

It is the same logic that has me scared because I do not want to see Devon Toews go either.

But, it is what is. Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello have each had decades of success in this league, and still have yet to prove us wrong, no matter how crazy a decision might seem.

Ho-Sang is a great player, I was ready to give up on him, but clearly this team has an extra spark when he is up.

Perhaps that plays a role in the roller coaster in his career. The Islanders might need him in their back pockets to provide a spark down the road this season, who knows.

Plus with Michael Dal Colle still on the roster as this article goes live, he is still on the team. He has played in fewer games, but could be the part of a trick up the Isles sleeves like trade bait or something.

The Islanders are rolling right now, if that suddenly stops, then clearly it was about Ho-Sang’s departure.

But, I think the Isles are taking this run with confidence, but still an eye on the future and seeing what they have in their vets.

Something has got to give with this team and with Ho-Sang. He has a right to be upset about getting called back down this time.

This time, he has proved himself and deserves to stay. Fans and Isles bloggers alike have the right to question the decision and the timing of it.

But, at this point, it should not be surprising. Ho-Sang never really felt like he was part of the plans this year to begin with, for whatever reason.

The cream always rises to the top. Ho-Sang will be back, or he will help this team in some way, shape, or form, in the near and far future.

Either way, keep being patient with him and with this now crazy plan the Islanders seem to have.