Isles' Kieffer Bellows claimed off waivers by Flyers
Islanders left wing Kieffer Bellows skates by after Winnipeg scored in the first period at UBS Arena on Friday, March 11, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
RALEIGH, N.C. — Kieffer Bellows’ next NHL opportunity, if it comes, will be with the Flyers.
Philadelphia claimed the former first-round pick off waivers from the Islanders on Thursday. Bellows played only 68 games with the Islanders after being selected 19th overall in 2016.
Bellows logged a game-low 7:16 of ice time on opening night when the Islanders lost to the Florida Panthers, 3-1, at UBS Arena, then was a healthy scratch in the six subsequent contests.
The Islanders did not announce a corresponding roster move on Thursday — they did not practice or conduct media availability — but likely will add a seventh defenseman for Friday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
Bellows re-signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Islanders in the offseason as a restricted free agent. He had 11 goals and 14 assists during parts of four seasons. The left-shooting forward set career highs last season with six goals, 13 assists and 45 games played.
Bellows’ deletion leaves the Islanders with approximately $3.7 million in salary-cap space under the $82.5 million ceiling. President and general manager Lou Lamoriello likely tried to trade Bellows but found no takers before losing him for no compensation.
When Bellows remained a healthy scratch, coach Lane Lambert was asked repeatedly if there were concerns about his game. He consistently replied with a brief “no” but offered no further explanations. However, fellow extra forwards Nikita Soshnikov and Ross Johnston got one-game trials in the Islanders’ lineup ahead of Bellows, which said a lot about his standing within the organization.
Oliver Wahlstrom, injured during the preseason, replaced Bellows in the lineup for the second game of the season.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
More Islanders
