2014-15 KoC New York Islanders Season Preview

The New York Islanders announced today their 23-man roster as they enter the 2014-15 season. The lineup includes 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies. 

 

Projected Forward lines for Friday:  Conacher-Tavares-Okposo, Grabovski-Nelson-Strome, Bailey-Nielsen-Kulemin, Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck.

Extra forwards are McDonald and Boulton.

Projected defensive pairings: Leddy-Boychuk, Hickey-Hamonic, Strait-Reinhart, w/Donovan extra.

Halak will be in goal with Johnson backing up.

 

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This season should be a throwback to the days when the Isles were a threat to win every night.  I'm not saying a new dynasty, but I am saying a 90-95 pt. team that has the potential to make the playoffs and in the running for much more.  As long as they stay healthy, continue to score goals and improve on defense and in goal as we expect, who knows how far they can go.  Strome and Reinhart have made the opening night roster and that’s a good thing.  Both are talent players who the Islanders need to take the next step in their pro careers.  Strome had a strong showing while filling in for an injured Tavares last season and he needs to continue that progress.  Reinhart had good efforts in camp, but saw what playing at the NHL level will take.

 

Garth Snow made some nice signings on day 1 of free agency, and then scored again later on day 2.  The team has been upgraded in several areas and the competition that comes with more available talent should push everyone to give their strongest effort to play up to expectations, especially the coaching staff.  The blown third period leads and November losing streaks need to stop.  And when the team plays well enough to gain a comfortable lead, they need to be disciplined enough to keep it.  With Visnovsky, Pulock, Grabner and de Haan injured, the roster wont stay the way it is, but should still do well.

Conacher had a great camp.  He showed strong skating and a good hockey sense.  Because of that, he will start on the 1st line with Tavares and Okposo.  JT wants to return with a vengeance after his season ending injury with Team Canada.  I think he will do just that.  He had 66 pts. in 59 games last season while Okposo had a break out year with 69 pts. in 71 games.  Per islanders.nhl.com, “It’s pretty special,” Conacher said. “I just have to try to take advantage of this opportunity. I don’t want to get away from playing my game, but at the same time I want to make sure those guys are comfortable playing with me on a line.”

 

The 2nd line should be very interesting to watch.  Grabovski was a huge signing by Snow this summer.  His offensive potential could see him reach the 50 pt. mark like he tallied while playing in Toronto.  Nelson had a great first year as an NHL player with 26 pts. in 72 games.  He was big in big moments and showed he has the talent to stay on the top two lines.

The 3rd line could be a big line for the Isles this year.  Bailey needs to have a year like K.O. did last season and needs to gain confidence.  Bailey had 38 pts in 77 games.  I don't know if will ever be as good as the Isles had hoped, but with the depth at forward, playing with Nielsen and Kulemin should help.  What else can you say about Nielsen that hasn't been said?  With a career best 58 pts. in 80 games, Nielsen is clutch on both sides of the puck and has really made a difference in shootouts for New York.  Kulemin is talented beyond his numbers.  He is a strong line mate that helps the skilled players he plays with succeed.

We have all seen what Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck can do to change momentum in a game.  Whether its playing with an edge, fighting or scoring a big goal, the 4th line have been a high energy line for the Islanders and should do more of the same this season.

McDonald and Boulton are the extra forwards out of camp.  Both are heart and soul guys who are well liked in the locker room.  They should be used in specific situations and against specific opponents early in the season, but will have to perform to remain with the Islanders.  Especially with the talent in Bridgeport.  They impressed Capuano enough to edge Anders Lee out of a roster spot.

Defense was a huge weakness for the Islanders along with goaltending.  Snow addressed those concerns in a big way. 


While anchors like Hamonic & Hickey played well for the Islanders all year, de Haan was recalled by from Bridgeport & seemed to help stabilize a waffling Isles defense.  The additions of Boychuk & Leddy will be huge for guys like Pulock & Reinhart.  Strait can be effective, but will start to feel the pressure from the improved Islanders depth a defense.  Donovan is an extra defensemen on the roster and has impressed the coaches enough to earn a spot on the team again this year.  He has a lot of skill and has looked strong at times, but needs to raise his game and minimize his mistakes to stay on the team.  I think he is capable of doing just that.

Nabokov & Nilsson are gone.  They goalie carousel is gone.  Snow added Halak and Johnson in the off season to give the Islanders a strong goaltending tandem that is as strong as any in the league.  As a starter in his prime, Halak will benefit from a new training regiment that should reduce the chance of injury and benefit from a stronger defense in front of him.  Halak is a top ten goaltender and has the potential to reach even higher levels wit this team.  Johnson has gotten better with each season he has been in the league.  Last year with Boston, Johnson was a big reason for their success.  As a back up to Halak, Johnson should still get a chance to come up big for his new team as well.  He also offers a strong contingency for the Isles should Halak go down to injury.

Per islanders.nhl.com, Capuano spoke about the "Battle Level," required to stay on this team:  “You're here for a reason, but you have to sustain it,” Capuano said. “We'll see what he can do Friday night. He's going to get an opportunity and we've practiced that line all week, and to me, I think that's what we'll go with to start. If we have to make tweaks, we'll make tweaks."

 

The Isles have sent Anders Lee and Ryan Pulock to Bridgeport.  While I don’t agree with this move, it will give Lee a chance to play top minutes with Bridgeport.  He will no doubt be a first call up when necessary and may never go back down.  Per Arthur Staple, "Capuano on Lee: 'That's a tough one. He's had a pretty good camp. Anders is going to be an Islander for a long time... It's a numbers game."  Lighthousehockey had a great quote from Anders Lee: "I know I can play at this level; I feel like I did the best I could with the opportunity I had last year," he said. "Everything I do is to try and help this team win. That won't change, whether I'm here or [in Bridgeport]."  My hunch is that Anders Lee will be an Islander by Thanksgiving as long as he keeps that kind of positive outlook  and continues to work hard.

Your New York Islanders are the talk of the NHL and have been picked anywhere from 5th to last in their conference, and are currently ranked 13th in the power ranking.  What can not be argued is how much better they are this season than last, at least on paper.  They could very well finish 3 or 4th in the east.  I know I said it last year as well, but who knew!  Anyway, I think this team has the potential to shock a lot of people, especially those on teams around the NHL who don't respect that potential.  Because pretty soon, that potential could turn into results.  Then what will all the detractors say?

 

An amazing story of an amazing human being. You are an inspiration Travis. I'm a big fan.

 

Isles Notes:

Matt Carkner (upper body) & Lubomir Visnovsky (upper body) have been placed on IR.

 

Michael Grabner's had surgery for sports hernia, Out indefinitely.

Islanders' sale from Charles Wang to Ledecky, Malkin finalized.

 

Rick DiPietro interviewed Garth Snow on ESPN Radio. 

 

Per Christian Arnold, "Bettman on Barclays Isles: "There aren’t a whole lot of changes they can make… I’m OK with that.”

 

Per Stan Fischler, "More on what's a dynasty: no team ever will match the Islanders feat of 19 straight playoff series wins. Not even these Kings; not close."

Former Islanders Matt Moulson (Buff) & Mark Streit (Phi) have been named as alternate captains of the perspective teams.

 

Sound Tigers Notes:

Aaron Ness named captain of the Sound Tigers.

 

Stockton Thunder Notes:

6'7" defenseman, Loic Leduc was loaned to the Thunder from the Islanders.

 

NHL Notes:

 

Per Hockey Rumors & Trades, "Commissionaire Gary Bettman is expected the renewal of the World Cup of Hockey tomorrow at his state of the league address. The International tournament, that would be played under NHL rules, will played during the offseason to ensure that every country can put the best team possible on the ice."  Ha Ha.  Commissionaire.

Per Steve LePlore, "NBC will produce their own draft coverage for the first time ever. Will combine NBC and TSN hockey talent."