McWard was reassigned to AHL Bridgeport on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

McWard played three games for the Islanders and was unable to hit the scoresheet. McWard was a healthy scratch in the Islanders' last six games. The Islanders recalled Isaiah George in a corresponding move.

McWard was summoned from AHL Bridgeport on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The Islanders were down to six healthy defensemen, hence the recall of McWard. McWard led all Bridgeport defensemen with five goals and 16 points in 29 AHL games before his recall. He will line up on the third pairing, alongside Scott Mayfield, on Saturday against Toronto.

McWard scored twice in AHL Bridgeport's 4-3 win overtime win over Belleville on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

McWard had three assists during a nine-game goal drought that ended with his performance Sunday. He's done fine in his first year in the Islanders' organization, racking up five goals, 15 points and a plus-7 rating over 23 AHL appearances. McWard is not likely to be a call-up candidate this year, as the Islanders have turned more frequently to Travis Mitchell and Marshall Warren when in need of a blueliner for the big club.

McWard scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Bridgeport's 5-4 shootout loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

McWard has three multi-point efforts over his last six games. The defenseman is up to three goals, seven helpers, 19 shots on net and a plus-10 rating over 13 appearances this season, his first with Bridgeport. He was limited to 26 points in 67 regular-season outings for AHL Abbotsford last year, but it appears he's taken a step forward offensively in his third professional campaign.

McWard scored a goal and added an assist in AHL Bridgeport's 3-2 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McWard is up to four points through eight outings for Bridgeport this season. He has no obvious path to the NHL barring multiple injuries for the big club, where the Islanders are carrying seven blueliners. In addition to the 24-year-old McWard, the Islanders could call on Isaiah George or Marshall Warren, the latter of whom just had a week-long stint in the NHL before returning to the minors Friday.

McWard was waived by the Islanders on Friday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McWard last appeared in an NHL game back in 2023-24 when he was with the Canucks. In the minors last year, the 24-year-old blueliner put up decent numbers -- six goals and 20 helpers in 67 regular-season games -- but it wasn't enough to earn him a call-up. Expect more of the same for McWard this year, as he figures to continue plying his trade in the AHL.

McWard signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders, the team announced Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After spending the first three seasons in the Canucks organization, McWard has chosen the Islanders as his second team. In the 2024-25 regular season, he posted a career-high 26 points in 67 games played with AHL Abbotsford. He will likely start his time in the Islanders organization at the AHL level with Bridgeport in 2025-26.

McWard will not be given a qualifying offer by the Cancucks, the team announced Monday.

EDGE Analysis

McWard failed to break into Vancouver's lineup last season, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the club didn't want to retain his services heading into 2025-26. In his six NHL contests during his career, the 24-year-old blueliner generated just one point to go with seven shots and five hits.

McWard was assigned to AHL Abbotsford on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McWard was called up by the Canucks on Thursday, but he didn't appear in any games and will head back to the minors a day later. Even if he rejoins Vancouver at some point later this year, it seems unlikely that he'll play a significant role.

McWard was recalled by the Canucks on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

McWard was sent to the minors ahead of the regular season, and he's logged a goal and six points over 21 appearances at AHL Abbotsford to begin the year. He's made just six appearances in the NHL over the last two seasons, but he'll be available to provide additional depth after Filip Hronek (lower body) was placed on long-term injured reserve Thursday.