Hudson Fasching knows the routine. He’s used to shuttling between the AHL and the NHL.
The 27-year-old journeyman was expected to make his Islanders’ debut in Friday night’s game against the Predators at UBS Arena after he and fellow AHL stalwart Cole Bardreau were recalled from the team’s affiliate in Bridgeport on Thursday. The Islanders’ forward depth has been depleted with Kyle Palmieri (upper body) on injured reserve and Cal Clutterbuck and Josh Bailey both listed as day-to-day with upper-body issues.
The 6-3, 204-pound Fasching, who signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Islanders worth $750,000 in the NHL and $200,000 in the AHL as an unrestricted free agent, played 16 games for the Coyotes the previous two seasons while spending the bulk of his time in that organization in the AHL with Tucson.
“It means a lot,” Fasching said of this call-up. “To be part of a new organization, to have this opportunity, it means everything. It’s what we work for in this sport, to try to get called to the highest level and to try and perform at that level.”
Fasching, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, played collegiately for Minnesota. He has seven goals and four assists in 18 games for Bridgeport. He described himself as a power forward who plays a simple, north-south game.
He was a fourth-round pick of the Kings in 2013 and made his NHL debut in 2016 with the Sabres. Fasching entered Friday with one goal and two assists in 38 NHL games.
He practiced on Thursday in Palmieri’s usual spot on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s line with Zach Parise.
“I think they’re just looking for somebody who is a steady call-up guy, can come in and perform right away,” Fasching said. “I think I’ve been able to prove that, my track record with Arizona, I’ve been able to hop right into the lineup and be effective and be trustworthy right off the bat. So that’s something I’m trying to stay true to.
“They want low maintenance, for lack of a better word. I think that’s something I can do. I can step right in. I’ve had enough call-up experience. I’ve done this a few times, up and down quite a bit with Arizona last year.”
That’s what coach Lane Lambert wants.
“He’s played in the league,” Lambert said. “He’s a big body. He’s having a good season down [in Bridgeport]. He’s a very responsible guy. He’s a smart, intelligent player.”
Bardreau is much more of a known commodity to the Islanders’ coaching staff.
The 29-year-old from Fairport, New York, played his only 10 NHL games for the Islanders in 2019-20, notching his lone NHL goal on a penalty shot. He joined the organization that season after five seasons in the Flyers’ organization coming out of Cornell.
“It wasn’t the prettiest shot,” Bardreau said of the winner in a 4-1 victory over the Senators at Barclays Center on Nov. 5, 2019. “It’s one I won’t forget.”
Bardreau has five goals and four assists in 19 games for Bridgeport this season.
“When you get to be my age, you think your opportunity might be gone,” Bardreau said. “You’re not going to get another look at it. So I’m just trying to stay in the moment.”
“He’s an energy guy,” Lambert said of the 6-foot, 186-pound Bardreau. “He skates well. He’s got speed. He’s physical. He can kill penalties. So he’s a pretty reliable player.”
Neither are likely to provide much offensive production at the NHL level.
Which is why Fasching knows the routine.
Once Palmieri, Bailey and Clutterbuck are healthy, they go back in the lineup.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
