What we
know:
Last season,
Our Isles surprised the hockey world by finishing 5th in the NHL (4th in the
east) with a 48-27-7 record for 103 points, taking an NHL worst defense to best
overall (league-best 196 overall, 100 goals off prior season's total) under new
head coach, Barry Trotz and swept Pittsburgh in the first round of the NHL
playoffs. Fans wanted a top forward to add to the mix. This summer, the Isles went for
Panarin, who ultimately chose the Rangers (7 years at $81.5M). Per Andrew
Gross, "Asked Lou whether he was confident in Isles scoring potential,
particularly among top six Fs: "I'm one who doesn't worry about scoring.
All I worry about is goal differential. If we score two goals every night and
give up one, I'm not worried about scoring."
What we look
like:
Our 2019-20
New York Islanders announced their 23-man roster. As expected, they will carry
14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. The Islanders open the
season on Friday, Oct. 4 at NYCB Live, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial
Coliseum against the Washington Capitals.
Forwards:
Josh Bailey, Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Derick Brassard, Casey
Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck, Michael Dal Colle, Jordan Eberle, Ross Johnston, Leo
Komarov, Tom Kuhnhackl, Anders Lee, Matt Martin & Brock Nelson.
Defensemen:
Johnny Boychuk, Noah Dobson, Nick Leddy, Scott Mayfield, Adam Pelech, Ryan
Pulock & Devon Toews.
Goaltenders:
Thomas Greiss & Semyon Varlamov
What we
expect:
Lamoriello
didn't add much sizzle this summer but put faith in the core. He re-signed unrestricted free agents Anders Lee (& years at $49M), Brock Nelson
(6 years at $36M) and Jordan Eberle (5 years at $27.5M). Fans expect big things from these three this season. Eberle has been on fire in the preseason, while
Lee looks ready to block goaltenders and generate chances. "I think he
likes the group we have," Nelson said. "The chemistry we had last
year. It's a testament to the guys we have and that everybody believes in each
other."
Barzal had less scoring (13 fewer points) in 2018-19 but vastly improved his overall game and was a significant asset for New York. This season, Trotz has him taking time on the PK to generate some shorthanded chances. The rest of
the guys need to keep the pedal down too. Bailey was great last year and
should only improve as his linemates get better. Beauvillier wants to start the
season well and make an impact to improve his future with the Islanders. Dal Colle earned his spot and looks to continue
improving while Johnston & Kuhnhackl have added depth and shown to be ready
when called upon. Brassard (1 year, $1.2M) replaces Filppula (Detroit) and has all
the motivation in the world to make an impact that started with a strong preseason. Komarov was as advertised with his leadership qualities and the character.
Casey
Cizikas, "We had our expectations last year, and we knew what type of
group we have, now, the whole world knows what type of group we have. Going
into this season, we're just going to try to replicate that and outwork
teams." Cory Wright wrote, "The Isles were 35-16-6 when its 'Identity
Line' consisting of Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck played
together and are 13-11-1 when one or more missed a game."
Defensively,
the gauntlet has been thrown again. Mayfield, Pelech, Puloch, and Toews will
need to continue their evolution and answer all challenges on defense and special teams. No opponents will be surprised this season. The rest of the NHL will be
looking to question their legitimacy. What about the new guy? Per Andrew Gross,
"Isles rookie D Noah Dobson says he's not taking it for granted that he's
made final roster even with veteran Thomas Hickey placed on waivers.
"Being here today, being on the ice today is definitely a good sign,
hopefully, I get the opportunity to be on the final roster." An opportunity
has been granted.
Per Cory Wright, "Trotz on Dobson: "The vision for
him is pretty clear in terms of what we think of him... Through training camp,
he's given us no reason to think he can't handle the workload."
Goaltending
will be a bit of a question mark, at least to start. Greiss has proven to be a
workhorse and gives the Isles a chance to win every night. The loss of Lehner
has to be mentioned. He and Greiss made a good tandem. The best tandem in the
NHL actually. They won the Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed last
season. Per Cory Wright, "Robin Lehner (6) and Thomas Greiss (5) combined
for an Islander record 11 shutouts throughout the regular season. The 11
shutouts led the NHL in 2018-19."
"Robin
Lehner set an Islanders single-season record with a .930 save percentage this
season. Lehner, who is a finalist for both the Vezina Trophy and the Bill
Masterton Memorial Trophy, went 25-13-5 with a 2.13 GAA, .930 SV% and recorded
six shutouts. Lehner set career highs in wins and shutouts." Lehner signed
a 1 year, $5M deal with Chicago after unsuccessful negotiations with Lou
Lamoriello.
Goalie
Semyon Varlamov signed a 4 year, $20M deal. At 31, the Isles brass feels
Varlomov can contribute and even take control in net. He has been an excellent
goaltender in recent years and will probably benefit from the direction of
Mitch Korn and Pierro Greco just as Lehner did. "[Varlamov has] been
working with our goaltending department, and they've been giving him some
things to work on to get his game to the level that he needs to [to start the
season]," head coach Barry Trotz said recently. "Hopefully, as we go
along here, he'll settle in."
Some
interesting storylines from camp were centered around a few guys that didn't
make it but remain in the system. Ho-Sang, Fritz and Hickey have all cleared
waivers. Per Andrew Gross, Barry Trotz on Josh Ho-Sang being placed on waivers:
"I think it was his best camp, the reason being he was consistent. His
attention to detail was much better. He's made strides. Every time he gets an
opportunity at camp or regular season, he's closer and closer." Trotz on
Ho-Sang and Hickey: "I'm disappointed for them but I'm happy for us. They
are very much in the mix for us still."
UPDATE: 10/3, Per
Arthur Staple, “Lamoriello: Ho-Sang's rep asked for a trade, so we told him not
to report for a few days while we worked on that. Didn't want to disrupt
Bridgeport's prep for their season starting this weekend. If there's no trade
to be found, Ho-Sang will report to BPT. "Once he goes to Bridgeport, he's
there." Even though you know you're being fair and honest with a player,
sometimes they don't see it that way. So we take a step back and see what's out
there. "Then you can look somebody in the eye and say, it is what it
is." Added that Ho-Sang has done nothing wrong.”
I understand Ho-Sang’s frustration, but he wasn’t claimed on waivers. I don’t think there’s a trade partner out there at this time.
I understand Ho-Sang’s frustration, but he wasn’t claimed on waivers. I don’t think there’s a trade partner out there at this time.
Look for
Wahlstrom and Jobst to be super motivated to look for a call-up. They were
reliable in camp and showed some threat level around the net.
It should be
an exciting start to the season. Lamoriello has his playbook, and Trotz has the
reigns with a new look power play under coach, Jim Hiller. The guys have their
next challenge ahead of them and should hit the ice skating hard. There is
always a possibility they may find a trade or two available to improve if the
player fits into the plan.
Can't wait
until Friday.
Isles Notes:
A reminder
Islanders fans can listen to every game on ESPN Radio streaming platforms, as
well as broadcast 59 live games on ESPN 1050 and seven games on ESPN 98.7. As
part of the agreement, the broadcasts will remain available on the NHL and New
York Islanders mobile apps and website, as well as WRHU (Hofstra Radio 88.7)
and 103.9 Long Island News. Fans can visit the Islander's official website
(https://www.nhl.com/islanders) for information on what station each game will
be on.
Some of the
last players sent to AHL Bridgeport were Aho, Bellows, Durandeau, Eansor,
Hitchcock, Hutton, Jobst, Koivula, Kubiak, MacLean, Schilkey & Stevens.
Per Micahel
Fornabaio, "Sound Tigers announce that team president Michael Picker, a
longtime Islanders executive, will retire next month."
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