When it comes to assessing Kieffer Bellows and his long-term future with the Islanders, it’s imperative to look past his being a first-round pick, or coming from a strong NHL pedigree, or having obvious goal-scoring skills.
The Islanders, whenever they resume their uphill battle to get back into playoff contention, must ask themselves a simple question about the 23-year-old wing: Does he make their lineup better?
The last-place Islanders (8-12-6) are next scheduled to play at Buffalo on Monday night as the NHL hopes to restart its season without the leaguewide COVID-19 outbreak affecting it further. A 4-3 shootout loss to Vegas at UBS Arena on Sunday left them with a 3-2-4 mark in December.