Islanders want an enforcer — however past simply dropping gloves

CHICAGO — You may formally say the Islanders might use an enforcer after Matthew Schaefer was but once more focused by an opposing participant Sunday.

Too many groups have been taking liberties with the rookie celebrity. Schaefer was fortunate to keep away from harm when Blue Jackets winger Mason Marchment caught his knee out and tripped him Sunday, and it’s pure to imagine Marchment would have thought twice if the Islanders had somebody who might make him reply for it.

Besides you realize who didn’t assume twice in responding to Marchment by whacking him together with his stick instantly after the play? That might be Mat Barzal, who final dropped gloves as a member of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds on March 29, 2016, and who responded regardless of one of many league’s famous enforcers, Mathieu Olivier, being on the Columbus bench on the time.

The Islanders want to guard Schaefer in any respect prices, and bringing in somebody who constantly can struggle — 4 Islanders have dropped gloves this yr, however none of Tony DeAngelo, Anders Lee, Scott Mayfield or Kyle MacLean accomplish that regularly — could assist with that.