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Despite Injection of Defensive Help, Bridgeport Still Floundering

Despite Injection of Defensive Help, Bridgeport Still Floundering
Joey McAuliffe Editorials

One of the main sources of the Bridgeport Islanders’ misery in 2024-25 stems from their revolving door of a defensive corps. That metaphor carries a double meaning. On one hand, Bridgeport’s defensive unit mixes players with various abilities and skill sets. They’ve fielded thirteen different defensemen this year; each one missed at least three games. Only three defenders have logged more than 40 games this year. This churn, in turn, shapes the second side of the metaphor.

Bridgeport’s defense exudes incompetence. They surrendered the most goals in the AHL by a 16-goal margin, and their penalty kill ranks as the second-worst in the league. The film shows Bridgeport defenders consistently demonstrating what not to do in one’s defensive zone: reckless turnovers, weak physical play, lack of communication, and lack of focus. Writer Mike Fink documented these issues in late October, and the problems persist.

However, that was supposed to change after the All-Star break, as the organization worked towards getting healthier. Dennis Cholowski, Isaiah George, and Wyatt Newpower recently returned to Bridgeport’s lineup. On opening night, George and Newpower started the season in Bridgeport’s defensive core. They left a void during their absences, and the organization hoped their returns would shore up Bridgeport’s porous defense.

Nope.

Since the All-Star Break, Bridgeport posted a 2-4-1-1 record, allowing more than three goals in five of eight games. Three of those losses came by margins of four goals or more. Sure, goaltenders like Henrik Tikkanen and Hunter Miska deserve some blame, but the defense constantly leaves them stranded in vulnerable positions.

That’s not to say the reinforcements haven’t helped. George, in particular, has delivered an incredible performance for Bridgeport. He produced eight points in 13 games this season and sits at “only” -4 in plus/minus. This team, however, fails so profoundly that even a solid prospect like George can’t rescue them.

Seth Helgeson, who appeared in only seven games, holds the team’s sole non-negative plus/minus. Three players carry plus/minus ratings of -10 or worse, and one (Calle Odelius) plummeted to -30. Among the worst 15 defensemen in the AHL by plus/minus, three are Bridgeport Islanders: Sam Bolduc, Travis Mitchell, and Odelius. Conveniently, they’re the three with the most games played.

This clearly reflects a systemic issue. Bridgeport has performed terribly all season. Discussing their failures grows exhausting. They’ve found every imaginable way to lose with every player imaginable. At what point does management declare:

“Maybe the system doesn’t work.”

Despite flashes of promise from George and Odelius, the collective performance continues to disappoint. These struggles highlight deep-rooted problems within the organization’s culture and strategy. The Islanders seem destined for disaster, no matter who wears the jersey. The question no longer revolves around “missing pieces” but rather rearranging the entire puzzle.

Featured image courtesy of the Bridgeport Islanders

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