Kyle MacLean is at an interesting crossroads at New York Islanders Training Camp. He is a great role model for young players and those in Bridgeport, a concrete example that hard work and perseverance can make you go from the AHL to the NHL. At the same time, he is still a young player in a veteran team and is determined to soak up everything he can to improve his game. He enjoys taking what he learns and paying it forward.
“The young guys in Bridgeport, obviously I'm here to help and give advice if they need it,” MacLean said. “But I still take pointers and tips from all the older guys who have been around a lot longer than me. I will learn something from one of those [veteran] guys and I will show it to someone else. That's how it goes, it passes.”
After playing parts of four seasons with Bridgeport (2020-24), MacLean graduated to the NHL last season, working for Long Island and staying for the second half of the season. MacLean's Isles season almost certainly extends to the arrival of head coach Patrick Roy. Off the bat, the skillset of the 6'1,” 194 lbs. the center caught the attention of Roy, who highlighted the flexibility and character he saw in MacLean.
“I love his 200m, I really do,” said Roy. “Since he has been here, he has the speed we want, he has that sound. He plays very well defensively and is able to bring offense to our team, whether it's a forecheck or going to the net.”
MacLean entered training camp with momentum for his first 32 NHL games, his first five playoff games — in which he scored in his first game — and a three-year extension in the offseason. Feeling good about making that deal, the 25-year-old has one main goal.
“I just want to improve on last year's experience,” MacLean said.
MacLean was fit for the Islanders' 4-2 preseason win over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. The Livingston, New Jersey native played 15:47 — including a short 1:24 — and had an assist. Even though it was a preseason game, Roy felt confident on MacLean's line against New Jersey's talented veterans.
“That line looked really good,” said Roy. “[MacLean] again [Maxim] Tysplakov again [Julien] Gauthier, they were really good, when they opposed Nico Hischier's line, I was really comfortable with that, I trusted them. As a coach, that's the feeling you want to have.”
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