The Islanders made their first round of cuts in training camp this morning as 2016 first-rounder Kieffer Bellows, 2016 seventh-rounder David Quenneville and 2017 sixth-rounder Arnaud Durandeau all were returned to their respective clubs.
Bellows did get a nice parting gift as he agreed to a three-year, entry level deal. The 19th overall pick in 2016 will begin his first year with Portland in the Western Hockey League after leaving Boston University. The son of former NHLer Brian Bellows had seven goals and seven assists in 34 games last year in his freshman season.
The reason for the change was quite simple. "Play more games,… Bellows told NHL.com in July. “I think just the 72 games in the [WHL] regular season is the biggest thing. I can’t thank [Boston University coach David] Quinn enough and all the guys on the team. I had an unbelievable first year at Boston University, but I just felt it was best for me to go and play more games.…
The Islanders now have 49 players left in camp and will likely make additional cuts following tonight's game in Bridgeport against the Rangers.