Veteran turns PTO training camp invite into NHL contract

Veteran NHL defenseman Luca Sbisa has signed a one year contract with the New York Islanders worth $1.5 million. Sbisa had been skating with the team on a professional tryout (PTO) contract.

The #Isles have inked Luca Sbisa.

$1.5M

The 28 year old blue liner played just 30 games for the Vegas Golden Knights last season, scoring two goals and 14 points during the regular season. Sbisa was attending Isles training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract and evidently he outperformed youngsters like first round pick Noah Dobson, as well as Devan Toews and Sebastian Aho (No… not THAT one). 

While Islanders fans may not be in favor of seeing a veteran earn a spot over some young up and comers, it’s again worth noting that Sbisa is just 28 years old. … which seems hard to believe since he’s been in the NHL for 10 seasons nows. The former top prospect was picked 19th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and he burst onto the scene during the 2008-09 season. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks as part of a package deal for Hall of Famer Chris Pronger at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. After five seasons in the Ducks organization, Sbisa was on the move yet again, this time to the Vancouver Canucks along with Nick Bonino in exchange for forward Ryan Kesler. After three middling seasons with the Canucks, Sbisa was picked up by the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, but he struggled to get into the team’s lineup with any regularity during their inaugural season. 

In fact, most Vegas fans may remember Sbisa most from his giveaway in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final… a gaffe that essentially sealed a Cup victory for the Washington Capitals. To set the stage, Game 5, a must win for the Golden Knights, was tied 3-3 with just eight minutes to go before Sbisa completely whiffed on an easy play behind the net…

The result is history:

Ouch…

Here’s hoping Sbisa can turn his luck around on Long Island… or is it Brooklyn? Where are the Isles playing again?