The low season is in full swing and all the massive strikes are within the rearview mirror. The New York Islanders will largely return to an analogous roster to what they’d final yr. They re-signed their unrestricted free brokers (UFA) and prolonged Ilya Sorokin however didn’t purchase any gamers in free company or in a commerce.
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With a group made up of many veterans and lots of key gamers taking part in very important roles, the Islanders can’t afford to see gamers regress. If a number of step again, the Islanders can each miss the playoffs and end close to the underside of the Japanese Convention this season. The one participant, specifically, they cannot afford to downgrade is arguably their Most worthy, the one between the pipes.
Ilya Sorokin
Ilya Sorokin had a season worthy of the Vézina Trophy final yr. With a save share (SV%) of 0.924 and a goals-against common (GAA) of two.34 on 1,838 photographs, he completed second within the Vezina vote and single-handedly carried the Islanders. His lightning performances, which included six shutouts, propelled the group to the playoffs, incomes them a wildcard spot within the Japanese Convention.
The Islanders have not made any strikes within the offseason, which simply suggests they will not be aggressive this season, particularly because the core is older and getting old out of competitors. Nevertheless, Sorokin’s presence in web provides the Islanders an opportunity to win each night time and makes them a playoff-caliber group.
With the Islanders relying on Sorokin to propel them to the playoffs, a down yr is that rather more expensive. He would not should be a Vezina finalist once more, however a tricky season will put the Islanders close to the underside of the Japanese Convention. Sure, the group has a dependable substitute in veteran Semyon Varlamov, who signed a four-year contract this summer season, however at 35 he can solely play a minimal function in aim. Sorokin not solely wants to start out nearly all of video games, however proceed to play at a excessive stage to maintain the group aggressive.
Brock Nelson
Brock Nelson has been the Islanders’ finest skater in latest seasons and his elite sport was lastly acknowledged final yr when he was chosen for the All-Star Sport. He led the group in targets and assists with 36 and 39 respectively and over the previous two years he has scored 73 targets.
Since turning 30, he has performed his finest hockey, a reversal of the traditional development the place gamers regress as soon as they attain that age. For Nelson, not solely has he honed all of his scoring abilities, however he is turn into a middle who can influence the sport in quite a lot of methods. He can slash his opponents swiftly or with a methodical assault within the offensive zone. He finds open skaters with fast passes, however may also discover the again of the online with a fast shot. His versatility made him one of many highlights of the primary spherical as he scored two targets and three assists in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes, who defeated the Islanders in six video games.
Nelson has performed at a excessive stage in recent times, however the Islanders have grown accustomed to his manufacturing. If he steps again, at 32, the entire offense might crumble. He makes the skaters round him higher and centering a line within the prime six, he typically carries the offense. The previous two seasons have been a nice shock, with Nelson eclipsing the 30-goal mark yearly, however now the Islanders are relying on him to have an analogous season in 2023-24.
Anders Lee
This can be the season the place age catches up with Anders Lee. He’s 33 years previous and has taken a beating in recent times. Midway by the 2020-21 season, he tore his ACL and missed the second half of the season. He returned in the beginning of the 2021-22 season however it took him a number of months to regain type. Moreover, Lee’s fashion of play, preventing for free pucks and ending scoring alternatives near the online, pressured him to take further hits and a extra bodily report.
Lee has been one of many Islanders’ main scorers and should proceed to seek out the again of the online this season. He has scored 20 or extra targets in every of the final two seasons and in six of the final seven. Nevertheless, a retirement on his half might depart the Islanders with no finisher of their ahead unit. He’s the skater who can discover the again of the online in soiled areas and with no participant like him of their prime six, the assault can crumble.
Different Islanders Who Cannot Afford Regression
Mathew Barzal is getting back from harm and is about to make a giant leap ahead this season, together with taking part in alongside Bo Horvat. He is the group’s finest skater and most dynamic playmaker, proving he has the power to turn into an elite participant. The issue is, if Barzal would not, he’ll depart the Islanders offense one step behind.
The defensive unit has been integral to the Islanders’ success over the previous few years and it should proceed to play properly to maintain the group aggressive. A fall by any skater on protection might undo the season and a disappointing marketing campaign from Scott Mayfield can be of specific concern given he signed a seven-year contract this offseason.
The Islanders have a roster constructed on depth that helped them attain the Stanley Cup semi-finals in 2020 and 2021. Their depth provides them an edge each night time, however to compete for the Cup they’re going to want all of the roster to construct up and so they cannot afford to have disappointing seasons from any of their gamers.
