Robin Salo is not a fan of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Last week, he made some comments in an interview with Yle Sporten that the front office should take seriously.

“To be completely honest, Bridgeport is not a great place to live in,” Salo said. “It’s probably a bit of a den. I would probably much rather live on Long Island. But there’s nothing I can do about it. Now I play for Bridgeport and then I have to make the best of the situation.”

Salo is the most NHL-ready prospect the New York Islanders have. At age 23 he has put up four points (1-3—4) in 18 games for the Islanders. After failing to make the team out of training camp, the Islanders called him up early in the season. Ryan Pulock was hurt and a large portion of the team had contracted COVID-19. Salo played extremely well in relief and seemed ready to make the jump full to the NHL. However, the Islanders demoted him back to Bridgeport after Pulock returned to the lineup.

In 25 AHL games, Salo has two goals and 12 points. He’s also a -6.

But Salo clearly isn’t happy. Back in 2014, Washington-based CQ-Press ranked Bridgeport the ninth-most dangerous city in the United States. As early as 2019, 24/7 Wall Street ranked the city among the 50-worst cities to live in the U.S. That ranking evaluated crime rates, poverty levels and the job market, according to CT Post.

Salo clearly feels ready to play for the Islanders, and the fact that he isn’t in a year the team likely won’t make the playoffs must be frustrating.

Salo is capable of being an NHL regular who is productive not only on at even strength, but the power-play. Hopefully, Salo can use this to motivate him and force the organization to promote him back to the NHL. Until then, Salo is stuck in Bridgeport. 

John Smark