New York Islanders Place Forward Brian Rolston on Waivers

According to Arthur Staple of Newsday, the New York Islanders have placed Brian Rolston on waivers. It is highly unlikely that anyone will want to claim Rolston. Rolston is owed $5.62 million this season and it is doubtful any team is willing to spend that kind of money on a player who has produced very little this season.

The move comes just days after the Islanders placed forward Tim Wallace on waivers. Wallace was claimed by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Rolston has been abysmal with the Islanders this season. He has just four goals and five assists in 49 games. He has seen time on all types of lines, including scoring lines, defensive lines and the power play. Rolston was the Islanders' biggest free-agent acquisition last offseason. While that doesn't say much, the Islanders were certainly hoping to get a lot more production out of the winger.

One has to wonder what this will mean for the team. For one thing, Nino Niederreiter may finally get a chance to play on some more productive lines, including a scoring line, alongside a player like Michael Grabner or Kyle Okposo. It is also just as certain that Niederreiter may just stick where he is.

With both Wallace and Rolston out of the picture, it remains in question who the Islanders plan to bring up to take their spots. For the time being, it has been Casey Cizikas, who started at center in place of Josh Bailey against the New York Rangers on Friday.

This was a smart move by Islanders GM Garth Snow. If Rolston is claimed by another team, it will free up some money that the Islanders can spend elsewhere. The purpose may be to free up a roster spot because the Islanders have someone in mind to take his place. It is highly unlike that this will be Snow's last move before the trade deadline. The NHL trade deadline is on Monday, February 27.