Noah Pedrazzoli rounds out the Metropolitan Division off-season roundup with a focus on the New York Islanders
Depending on who you listen to within the New York Islanders fanbase, one might consider them to be embroiled in a civil war around President of Hockey Operations (and general manager), Lou Lamoriello.
A portion of fans cite an inability to do enough to improve the team. While others consider Lamoriello’s steady, calculating hand the correct approach to building a winner.
Whatever side of the fence you may find yourself, complaints of rolling out the same old and declining roster should be on the downslope considering the recent acquisitions and changes that could propel this team over its usual demons in the Metropolitan Division (such as the Carolina Hurricanes).
Upgrades
The acquisition of Maxim Tsyplakov, the most sought-after European free agent pursued by about twelve NHL teams, is a middle–six forward that acts as another Swiss army knife on this roster. Tsyplakov is a player who can pass the puck, throw hits, and score goals as he potted over 30 goals in the KHL this past season.
Tsyplakov #Isles pic.twitter.com/CiafDa4pq8
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) September 12, 2024
How will Maxim Tsyplakov’s game translate to the NHL?
And while we aren’t likely to see him this coming season, the addition of Cole Eiserman during the 2024 NHL Draft at pick No. 20, brings a projected star goal scorer that has raised the Islanders prospect pool out of the league’s basement.
Re-signing waiver-claimed defenseman Mike Reilly to a reasonable $1.25m contract, will keep the puck-mover in the fold on the blueline.
And the addition of journeyman Anthony Duclair, a speedy forward who may have been tied to the Islanders around the trade deadline, will fit like a glove with Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal in what could become one of the fastest lines in the league. Duclair, who also has a close relationship with Islanders’ bench boss Patrick Roy from his days in the QMJHL, is a welcome sight for a first line in need of another threat to the opposing defense.
“The Islanders are in much better shape than most hockey fans believe.”
Needs and Losses
With a highly anticipated training camp led by Patrick Roy on the horizon, the Islanders are still missing a piece to compete with their rivals at the top of the division. That puzzle piece is a top-six forward who can provide that overwhelming speed or cannon shot to fit on the second line with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
Th re-signing of forward Oliver Wahlstrom, may force the Islanders to get creative to clear salary. Currently, they are above the NHL cap by about one million dollars with Tsyplakov factored into the equation. There was a time when third-line center JG Pageau, as well as Wahlstrom, were speculated to be available to make room, but nothing has developed on that front.
And one player some fans have hoped would be a “Future Islander” is Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets, which is a topic that has been explored since before the free-agency period. It is without a doubt that the acquisition of this star forward could not only cement the Islanders’ claim to a top-three position in the Metro, but maybe even propel them to the very top.
But with training camp around the corner, is it too late to dream of Ehlers? Or any moves at all for that matter?
Islanders Division Outlook: 2nd-3rd Place
Regardless, the Islanders are in much better shape than most hockey fans believe. They’ll have a full year of legendary Patrick Roy accompanied by fresh new assistant coaches Benoit Desrosiers and Devils Stanley Cup winner Tommy Albelin.
They will need a bounce-back year from Vezina finalist Ilya Sorokin as well as continued production from Barzal and Horvat, especially with the newly signed Duclair.
Noah Dobson will and should continue to blossom into a Norris Trophy candidate with Alexander Romanov developing into a reliable two-way defenseman that the Islanders have needed on their blue line.
The Islanders could be primed to take on the top of the division, but do they have enough? We’ll find out soon.
Catch the latest episode of HNiNY as the boys spoke to Brian Compton of nhl.com about the summer & training camp
Hockey Night in New York will be back to cover the New York Islanders all season long with hosts Sean Cuthbert and Stefen Rosner live from Floored Media in Rockville Centre Sundays at 8PM ET! Training camp coverage incoming Sunday 9/15!