The Emergence of "King" Frederick IV

Is it me? Or does the Isles defensive corps look like a M*A*S*H unit now? What was once LOOKED like a strong defensive unit (ok, so Marc-Andre Bergeron isn't the best defensive player in the world, but he sure can shoot the puck as we've seen lately!) with Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek as the top unit is now relegated to having "King" Frederick Meyer IV as their "#1" defenseman!

Guess what?

That's not exactly a bad thing right now.

Freddy Meyer has had quite the wild ride this season. He began this season as a member of the New York Islanders, unsure of his status on the team with the emergence of Aaron Johnson and the invitation of Bryan Berard to training camp. With the signing of Berard, Meyer was voted off the Island and picked up by Phoenix, to which he was put on waivers after 4 games, cleared waivers and sent to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. Meyer was then put on re-entry waivers by the 'Yotes, and with a fateful injury to Aaron Johnson, was immediately plucked back up by our Isles.

You'd think he'd get some playing time, right?

Nope.

King Freddy, the team player he was, proceeded to sit out the next 20 or so games, and for some, you might have well forgotten he was on this team!

And then with one fateful hit in Ottawa on Jason Spezza, he was immediately thrust in the forefront of the Isles defense.

With the absense of Brendan Witt, Freddy Meyer has stepped up in a huge way to fill the defensive void. Who would've thought that a quite suitable substitution for Martinek - Witt would be Gervais - Meyer??? I sure didn't...

Tonight, the man who Freddy Meyer was brought into replace when went down with an injury, Aaron Johnson returns to the lineup. And with the possible loss of Chris Campoli tonight, the Isles defensive line-up is in bare-bones form of: (probable)

Gervais - Meyer
Sutton - Berard
Bergeron - Johnson

How's that for a back line!

I'll see you in a few hours for the Isles and Flyers!