Observations:

August 2016 – Ness was resigned to a two-year two-way contract by the Capitals in July and is likely to spend the entire deal with the Hershey Bears. Ness and TJ Brennan have a lot in common, they are both skilled offensive defensemen that cannot get out of the AHL. At 26, Ness will likely remain an AHLer, which is not a bad thing, but if you were somehow holding out hope and had him in an extremely deep keeper league you should be 100% good to drop him now. There could be an outside shot of him landing an NHL gig in the 2017-2018 season, either playing for the Las Vegas expansion team or possibly getting a look on the Capitals, if they move out some defensemen, stranger things have happened. Pat Quinn

Nov 2015 – Ness, who signed a two-way contract with the Capitals in July, has played in all 10 games for the Hershey Bears. Regarded as an offense first defenseman he has had a slower start to the season as he only has three points, all assists. At 25 he is likely not destined anymore for the NHL, definitely not with the loaded Capitals blue line and many of their prospects ahead of him. So if you are still holding on to him, drop him for someone else. Pat Quinn

May 2015 – The question with Ness remains, when will he get a legit NHL shot? He is still quite small for a defenseman, registering at 5’10 and 170 lbs, but has not been given much of an opportunity to play in the NHL. He did get 20 games in 2013-2014 for a struggling Islanders team and did not look very good, but that year was a mess for the Isles. This year was his best professional season where he captained the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, however they did not make the playoffs as their most skilled players were in the NHL. Ness had 45 points in 74 games for the Sound Tigers, while surprisingly adding 62 penalty minutes. Hopefully he gets a shot soon as he is currently 25 and will not be given much opportunity in the future for a NHL spot. Pat Quinn

January 2014 – The Sound Tigers will get their captain back as the Islanders have sent Ness to the AHL club in exchange for Matt Donovan. Ness had three points in 20 games for the big club, unfortunately he was closing in on the teams worst plus/minus. Ness was a horrid minus-13 on the Islanders blueline. Brad Wilson

November 2013 – The Islanders defense is in need of healthy bodies and there is no time like the present for Ness to show he belongs on the big stage. He does posses some offensive upside. It won't take long to find out if Ness is able to take advantage of the situation. Brad Wilson

October 2013 – Aaron Ness rejoined the Sound Tigers for another campaign when the Isles submitted their 23-man roster without him on it. The Islanders are very deep at defense and Ness will continue his battle to rise to the NHL on a talented Bridgeport team. Brad Wilson

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April 2013 – Ness made his debut with the Islanders in February last season. He appeared in nine games with the Isle in his first pro season after being recalled from AHL Bridgeport. Averaging just under 17 minutes with no points and 2 penalty minutes during his stint with the big club. Ness was the second leading scorer among defensemen for Bridgeport. Ness is regarded as an intelligent offensive defenseman who has quick hands and great speed. Sam Friedman

Fantasy Outlook: D+

Already having experience with the big club is important but Ness has yet to be called up to the Islanders this season. His offensive skill makes him a hot commodity but his lack of size and strength hurt his chances at NHL success. The Islanders have a multitude of young prospects and it will be tough for Ness to find a place on the Islanders roster in the future.

Footage:

Aaron Ness scores for the Sound Tigers

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Aaron Ness’s Statistics

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