It all finally came to a head just a couple of days ago when Ho-Sang asked the Islanders to trade him right after they waived him and sent him down to their minor league team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
After being drafted in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Ho-Sang was sent down to the OHL where he was traded from the Windsor Spitfires to the Niagara Ice Dogs. He played in 49 games for the Ice Dogs and accumulated 62 points during the regular season campaign, while adding another 16 points in just 11 games during the playoffs.
It was after that season when things start to get a little rocky for the Toronto native.
He was to attend the Islanders training camp at the start of the 2015-2016, but on the very first day, slept in and was sent back down to Niagara as punishment for his tardiness.
Even though he tried to brush the issue off, it was obvious he was frustrated with the decision.
That season for the Ice Dogs, Ho-Sang led the team in scoring and helped them reach the OHL finals where they eventually were beat by the London Knights.
Skip ahead to the 2016 Islanders training camp and Ho-Sang is eager to prove he can make the big club. Faced with questions right off the bat about weather or not he had an alarm set, he laughed off the jokes by saying he had multiple alarms set for the morning.
Having a fairly good camp, Ho-Sang was eventually sent down to the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he would spend the majority of the season.
Since then, Ho-Sang has made 53 NHL appearances, tallying a total of 24 points (7G-17A), and while trying to make an impression, never really was able to carve out a spot on the Islanders roster.
Finally after seasons of frustration, and being cut from the Islanders roster, Ho-Sang cracked.
On Sept 30 he was placed on waivers to be sent down the the AHL and that was the last straw for the 23 year old. He (through his agent) told the Islanders that he would like to be traded from the team.
Once the Islanders received this request, President of Hockey Operations and GM, Lou Lamoriello told Ho-Sang to not bother reporting to Bridgeport Sound until told otherwise. If a trade can be made, it will be completed, but if one isn't able to be completed, that is it. He is then to report and then he is just there.
Strong words from the GM who has a well known reputation for being a little more strict/hard on his players than most.
It appears that Ho-Sang has finally pushed a little too far in Lamoriello's eyes. To be told that he will just "be there" if no trade is found is a strong statement.
As of right now, there has been no further information or update about a possible trade, or any interested teams. Although teams could have snagged Ho-Sang as he passed through waivers, he still remains a tradeable asset. If bundled with another player or not, the Islanders will be looking for a fair return. They won't just give away a disgruntled playmaker like Ho-Sang.
There are a few teams that could use a player with his skill and playmaking ability, but the question will be weather or not they want to take a chance on someone with such skill but a seemingly disgruntled past.
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