The "Gilldozer" arrives
Apparently that's Trevor Gillies nickname down in Bridgeport, so that should give you an idea of what the Islanders expect him to bring to the lineup tonight.
The Islanders agreed to terms with the 30 year-old (tomorrow is his 31st birthday) enforcer yesterday, a two-way contract for the remainder or the season.
Gillies is 13th in the AHl with 123 penalty minutes in 18 games for the Sound Tigers. And he's he not just big (6-3, 220) and tough (Youtube his fight against Jeremy Yablonski), he can skate.
Earlier this week, Scott Gordon expressed the team's need for toughness, and what do you know, Gillies is up with the team for what promises to be a physical game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Remember the last time the Isles paid a visit to the Wachovia Center?
Chris Pronger welcomed rookie John Tavares to Broad Street with a broken front tooth after a monster hit, and both Sean Bergenheim (rib) and Tim Jackman (hip) left with injuries.
We'll see if Gillies' presence in the lineup sets a different tone....
Pretty cool practice day for the Islanders, who are practicing in the rustic Class of 1923 rink at University of Penn.
Gillies is skating on a line with Josh Bailey and John Tavares, although lines are jumbled because Kyle Okposo, Doug Weight, Mark Streit, Andy Sutton, and Rick DiPietro are off today and receiving treatment.