Season Preview: Trevor Gillies

Trevor Gillies

Position: LW

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 236 lbs
Birthdate: January 30, 1979 (Age 32)
Birthplace: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent, 2010

2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats: 39 GP - 2 G - 0 A - 2 P - 165 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: 13th Forward

Last year: Gillies joined the Islanders organization for hs first full year with the team last year. He appeared in 39 games, scoring twice including one against the rival New York Rangers. Gillies season, however, was overshadowed by dangerous hits on Eric Tangradi and Cal Clutterbuck that netted him 19 suspended Ganesh for the season. As you would expect, Gillies spent much of the game on the bench but always fought when called upon.

Expectations: Gillies accepted a new one year contract from the Islanders over the summer, in which he will play the same role as he did last year. It's more likely, however, he spends some of the year at Bridgeport unless the Isles face a lot of early injuries. Even if e is sent down, there is certainly reason to believe he will be called up to face divisional rivals and other physical opponents. Don't expect much on the scoresheet or on the ice, as Gillies true value is in the locker room.

Projections: GP 43 - 0 G - 1 A - 144 PIM

Thoughts:

CH: As many know, I was not much of a fan of bringing Gillies back this season. I personally feel the role of the goon is redundant, especially with guys like Matt Martin and Micheal Haley who can both play and throw down whenever. However, we don't interact with the players on a daily basis so it's certainly very possible that Gillies has way more influence in the room as a "big brother" type. It's always easy to overlook that. Either way, training camp will give a much better indication of how Jack Capuano sees the rosier going forward. We will see where Gillies fits in that plan.

AT: Considering he will be the 13th forward, I had no problem re-signing Gillies, as long as the other players on the team were okay with it and so was management. Clearly he's still a fan favorite as well (as we could both easily tell you from last night) so in the end there really wasn't too much harm bringing back Gillies. Will he have a target on his back from the refs? Probably. Yet, I doubt he sees more than 30-40 games in the NHL, if that. There's not really much to expect out of Gillies this season except for a fist in the face of Eric Godard.