2019 KoC New York Islanders Season Preview

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.

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."