I think Islanders are the dark horse of the East this season.

[Rehabguy]

Well, I'm not sure the islanders are being written off, but like others have said, the competition to make the playoffs is strong.

Who will be the team thar they overtake to make the playoffs this year?

Well if you look at the latter part of that list

Rangers
Florida
Boston
Penguins
Caps
————
Devils
Ottawa
Columbus

From the Rangers to the Caps, these all teams that the Islanders cut through like swiss cheese in the last few years including the last one (the bad one) in the playoffs/and or regular season. The Isles have not trouble handling Eastern teams and if age is a factor, why would the Isles have any trouble with Boston, Penguins, Caps when those teams are so old now. It always seems like people think its only the Isles who are aging but for every other team time has stood still.

The Rangers and Florida can now give the Isles a run for their money, but everyone else is easy pickings.

 

[Rehabguy]

Smug teams that think they can beat the Islanders with their youth and fancy moves need to watch Rob Roy. This is how I see the Islanders as a team. Big and strong with just enough skill to do heavy damage. They might be not be pretty but they are tough nails and they'll find a way to get the job done when it counts.

 

[My3Sons]

One of the established teams has to fall off a bit to allow any team that finished outside the playoffs to move into a playoff spot. At some point, the wheels have to start falling off the wagon for BOS, PIT, and/or WAS but it hasn't happened yet. If one or two of those teams finally takes a step or two back there is no reason that the NYI won't have a shot at that spot. One or two of the young teams could get it together this season as well though so it won't be easy.

 

[Tusks Up]

The threads related to the Islanders seem to prove it though. Apparently they’re already going to sell off everyone and take other teams leftovers to go into full rebuild because last season had way too many things go wrong yet is the future vs the fact it was a fluke.

The Islanders have been a mirage since the moment they hired Trotz

Their roster has never been good enough for an ECF appearance and that was clearly propped up by a top coach forcing a system.

Once the players stopped playing to said system, their roster blemishes became more prevalent

The Islanders are at best the sixth most skilled team in the Metro. At best.

 

[Rehabguy]

One of the established teams has to fall off a bit to allow any team that finished outside the playoffs to move into a playoff spot. At some point, the wheels have to start falling off the wagon for BOS, PIT, and/or WAS but it hasn't happened yet. If one or two of those teams finally takes a step or two back there is no reason that the NYI won't have a shot at that spot. One or two of the young teams could get it together this season as well though so it won't be easy.

It kind of already did because the Isles beat those teams (Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington) in fact swept those teams in the playoffs the last time they played more than a half a season as a team. The Isles have improved in the following ways:

Sorokin should be the full time starting goaltender this year.

They improved their defense with Romanov.

They got rid of their two oldest players in Chara and Greene.

Just like any team if all comes together they can pull it off. They are younger again compared to previous season. If they play Bellows, Wahlstrom, and maybe bring up Raty this is a team to be reckoned with.

The Isles came close to winning the Cup 2 seasons ago. All they had to do was beat Tampa in game 7 Eastern Conference Final. One illegal goal determined that playoff and they were not playing with their Captain and one of teams pivotal scorers- Anders Lee, they didn't have Wahlstrom, they didn't have Parise, and Trotz inexplicably did not play Sorokin who was I think 4-1 that playoff season.

This is make or break time for the Isles. I believe an unleashed Barzal can lead any team when a game is on the line. He is incredible when he is allowed to do what he does best and doesn't second guess himself. This guy is at least an 80-90 point player. He was told for 3 years to forget about that and just learn to play defense. You combine his skill with Sorokin's skill and then throw a solid team on all 4 lines- you have a contender folks.

 

[saintunspecified]

The islanders play 2001 era clutch and grab hockey. They excel at dump ins and chip outs. You beat them by out scoring them, which means you need to score about 2 goals to win.

They don't clutch and grab, because they play a disciplined soft zone. That's an ignorant or lazy comment. There's a reason NYI generally don't take a lot of penalties despite being consistently out-possessed. They play very disciplined, very patient zone coverage in the D zone. It is slow hockey, but it's not physical (except for netfront stuff all teams do) & definitely not clutchy + grabby.

Really keen insight tho that the way to beat them is to outscore them.

To the thread - not to this silly post:

NYI are a bubble team because they have real strengths (goaltending, top-4 D), and some real weaknesses (wingers, particularly with respect to their speed + creativity + the 4th line is no longer an asset). I feel pretty confident that NYI will end up in the 88-97 point range - better than last year, but not enough to be top-3 in the division. They are not a dark horse, they simply are what they are. IMO NYI will make the playoffs if they get what they need from Barzal, and (to a lesser extent) Beauvillier. If they do not, imo NYI needs to consider dealing them (and others forwards if possible) to rebuild the forward unit. I think most posters on NYI's board (despite arguing vociferously over inane details & semantics) see things this way. This is not imo a difficult team to evaluate. The only enigma imo is Barzal, who underperformed last year.

 

[bert]

This isn’t gonna go well on here. HF loathes the Islanders.

Yeah its going to be a tough look for alot of posters. They arent analytics darlings so many of the most vocal poster will push back. I agree with OP they're very likely going to have a bounce back season and should be a playoff team. However the east is so competitive its going to be a tough road.

 

[Rehabguy]

This team has incredible physicality but it was not on full display under Trotz. I think Lou understands and look who he brings in- Romanov. Re-signs Martin. Re-signs Johnston. Retains Clutterbuck. The team needs to grind and wear down their opponents. They have the players to do this all across the line-up. It's the character of the team that will decide this team's fate not fancy shmancy playing.

 

[McJedi]

They don't clutch and grab, because they play a disciplined soft zone. That's an ignorant or lazy comment. There's a reason NYI generally don't take a lot of penalties despite being consistently out-possessed. They play very disciplined, very patient zone coverage in the D zone. It is slow hockey, but it's not physical (except for netfront stuff all teams do) & definitely not clutchy + grabby.

Really keen insight tho that the way to beat them is to outscore them.

To the thread - not to this silly post:

NYI are a bubble team because they have real strengths (goaltending, top-4 D), and some real weaknesses (wingers, particularly with respect to their speed + creativity + the 4th line is no longer an asset). I feel pretty confident that NYI will end up in the 88-97 point range - better than last year, but not enough to be top-3 in the division. They are not a dark horse, they simply are what they are. IMO NYI will make the playoffs if they get what they need from Barzal, and (to a lesser extent) Beauvillier. If they do not, imo NYI needs to consider dealing them (and others forwards if possible) to rebuild the forward unit. I think most posters on NYI's board (despite arguing vociferously over inane details & semantics) see things this way. This is not imo a difficult team to evaluate. The only enigma imo is Barzal, who underperformed last year.

I have a bad taste in my mouth from your last playoff run, which was substantially aided by refs swallowing their whistles and letting the Islanders get away with defensive murder. So much illegal stick work uncalled in the form of cross checking, slashing and obstruction. The flagrant uncalled cross check that broke Kuch’s ribs was the most defining 2021 play of that entire NHL playoffs. The NHL literally had to address their lack of enforcement of NHL rules after both the Islanders and Habs advanced as far as they did in very very very large part due to the allowance of dubious defensive play.

Those games were boring and awful to watch as a neutral fan.

Islanders have a good top 4 and goalie. Agreed. They have some natural scorers but a lack of set up guys. Depth is no longer a strength. The team is slow and getting a little long in the tooth. And you lost your excellent coach.

I’d be stunned if you make the playoffs. You did next to nothing in the off-season other than overpay for Romanov. You can’t dump expensive players like Bailey for cap space and didn’t add Kadri, a creative do it yourself player you needed.

I’d lay good money the NYI pick between 6-12th overall with their own natural selection at the 2023 draft, which assumes you don’t win the lottery and the two really bad teams do.

 

[saintunspecified]

I have a bad taste in my mouth from your last playoff run, which was substantially aided by refs swallowing their whistles and letting the Islanders get away with defensive murder. So much illegal stick work uncalled in the form of cross checking, slashing and obstruction. The flagrant uncalled cross check that broke Kuch’s ribs was the most defining 2021 play of that entire NHL playoffs. The NHL literally had to address their lack of enforcement of NHL rules after both the Islanders and Habs advanced as far as they did in very very very large part due to the allowance of dubious defensive play.

Yeah, that one (Mayfield) play made an impression, and apparently that shoves any detail or nuance out the door. (NYI also just think 'Kuch' is short for Kup-check.)

NYI don't play obstruction hockey. Not like, say, the Penguins who employ accident-on purpose moving picks as a key offensive strategy. Would love it if the league cut down.

 

[Connor McConnor]

I can see it happening. They got the Vezina calibre goalie that can carry them all year like the Rangers last year.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Smug teams that think they can beat the Islanders with their youth and fancy moves need to watch Rob Roy. This is how I see the Islanders as a team. Big and strong with just enough skill to do heavy damage. They might be not be pretty but they are tough nails and they'll find a way to get the job done when it counts.

Problem is they have to get to when it counts and they've yet to show that ability over 82, where cream and sample size rises.

 

[Pyrophorus]

It will come down to what can Lambert do with the team.

 

[Drive 4 Five]

The Islanders entered last season on the heels of two deep conference finals runs. The team played a lot more hockey than its divisional peers during those 2 years, and played later into the summer than typical in advance of last season. In the first "normal" season back they were rewarded with a 13-game road trip, had to acclimate to a new home arena, and were one of the first teams smacked with COVID (and were forced to ice an AHL roster for a period of time). Admittedly, they never put it together after all that dust settled, but I view last year as a mulligan. They are returning a team largely similar to their Conference Finals runs, but with more rest coming into October than they have had in years. I admit the team isn't built like a regular season stat machine (a la the Maple Leafs), and I don't think they are a lock for playoffs, but I do know this team is built for the postseason, if they can just get there. If they do get in, come April this team is the last team anybody in the East wants to see on the other end of the ice.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

In the first "normal" season back they were rewarded with a 13-game road trip,

In fairness, they brought this on themselves by refusing to play any games at the Coliseum. They knew the arena wouldn't be done in time but insisted on all 41 home games being played at UBS.

A lot of other factors, what with Covid issues (I think Ottawa was the other team that was screwed early on),etc but the roadtrip really can be blamed on the owners (and maybe Lou?).

Regardless, that D and Goaltending should keep us in the playoff hunt.

 

[My3Sons]

It kind of already did because the Isles beat those teams (Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington) in fact swept those teams in the playoffs the last time they played more than a half a season as a team. The Isles have improved in the following ways:

Sorokin should be the full time starting goaltender this year.

They improved their defense with Romanov.

They got rid of their two oldest players in Chara and Greene.

Just like any team if all comes together they can pull it off. They are younger again compared to previous season. If they play Bellows, Wahlstrom, and maybe bring up Raty this is a team to be reckoned with.

The Isles came close to winning the Cup 2 seasons ago. All they had to do was beat Tampa in game 7 Eastern Conference Final. One illegal goal determined that playoff and they were not playing with their Captain and one of teams pivotal scorers- Anders Lee, they didn't have Wahlstrom, they didn't have Parise, and Trotz inexplicably did not play Sorokin who was I think 4-1 that playoff season.

This is make or break time for the Isles. I believe an unleased Barzal can lead any team when a game is on the line. He is incredible when he is allowed to do what he does best and doesn't second guess himself. This guy is at least an 80-90 point player. He was told for 3 years to forget about that and just learn to play defense. You combine his skill with Sorokin's skill and then throw a solid team on all 4 lines- you have a contender folks.

The NYI winning BOS or WAS or PIT is only meaningful if the other bottom of the standings teams can beat them as well. The way to open a playoff spot in the east is to collectively beat up on one of the older teams enough that they throw in the towel and cruise to a below NHL 500 finish. At that point I'll give the NYI the inside track for another season over the younger teams but I won't count out a DET, OTT, or NJ actually turning the corner this year and becoming the team their young players hope to be. If advanced stats are to be believed, NJ might be the closest to righting the ship (I love my cliche metaphors). Allegedly if they had gotten league average goaltending last season they would have finished above NHL 500. We will see if that was a mirage or not but OTT also looks to be improved this season with the addition of Giroux and DeBrincat. I'm not sure about DET yet. They may need to add a bit more before they have enough depth to compete.

 

[Guttersniped]

Well if you look at the latter part of that list

Rangers
Florida
Boston
Penguins
Caps
————
Devils
Ottawa
Columbus

From the Rangers to the Caps, these all teams that the Islanders cut through like swiss cheese in the last few years including the last one (the bad one) in the playoffs/and or regular season. The Isles have not trouble handling Eastern teams and if age is a factor, why would the Isles have any trouble with Boston, Penguins, Caps when those teams are so old now. It always seems like people think its only the Isles who are aging but for every other team time has stood still.

The Rangers and Florida can now give the Isles a run for their money, but everyone else is easy pickings.

Those teams are old and the Isles aren’t?

For instance, the 2018-19 Islanders got 34 goals from the Identity Line. Pretty sure that’s not happening again.

The team might squeeze a few more goals out, I think they will, but there isn’t going to be a dramatic shift in production.

Since when have the Islanders been dominating the Canes for instance?

It’s one thing to be optimistic about a bouce back season, it’s weird to do this much dick swinging after missing the playoffs. The team didn’t look good at the end of the year either so it wasn’t just the rough start.

Great goaltending counts for a lot these days though, talent at the position is stretched pretty thin.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Not even close.

 

[McJedi]

Yeah, that one (Mayfield) play made an impression, and apparently that shoves any detail or nuance out the door. (NYI also just think 'Kuch' is short for Kup-check.)

NYI don't play obstruction hockey. Not like, say, the Penguins who employ accident-on purpose moving picks as a key offensive strategy. Would love it if the league cut down.

It wasn’t until the Avs learned obstruction that they advanced in the playoffs this season. The if “it’s ok for you to do, it’s ok for us to do” strategy. Tampa did it every time the Avs forechecked. Once the Avs returned the favor, Tampa could never get into their cycle. Byram, Toews and Makar were breakout machines with all the extra time and space to work with.

And it wasn’t just Mayfield in those playoffs. The entire NYI team was very aggressively using their sticks to defend. It’s easy to play defense if you can cross check guys off the puck. Those were very tainted playoffs in general. It was reminiscent of the clutch and grab era. Left a very bad taste in a lot of NHL mouths.

I’d like to see the NYI play well in an era where refs are now calling stick infractions more closely than a bit before…. Before I can envision the Islanders being a playoff contender.

 

[PaulD]

Islanders will make play offs.
Caps won't

Not even close.

But I think they will finish ahead of the Caps

 

[Stickpucker]

When did Ray Whitney play for the Pens?

 

[saintunspecified]

Islanders will make play offs.
Caps won't


But I think they will finish ahead of the Caps

I think there's just so much more uncertainty in the east this year. Tampa is still great, but they're weaker. Florida's playoff collapse and coach turnover makes them feel like an enigma. Boston is going to be hampered by injuries to two of their best players for a while. Washington has Ovechkin, Carlson, Wilson, Kuznetsov, and basically the whole rest of the teams are UFAs next year. I feel like they could finish literally anywhere in the standings. I don't know whether Florida will come back to the pack, or shoot off, and win the President's. I don't know whether NJ's goaltending will improve enough. I could see the Flyers anywhere from the WC to the bottom of the league. And CBJ's roster is imo unusual. I don't know what to expect.

Relative to the context of uncertainty, I feel *more* confident about what to expect from NYI, both good and bad. WRT the metro, I feel like CAR, NYR, PIT, and NYI are the teams I understand, and NYI are the weakest of those 4. I feel like NYR's Troucek acquisition, and PIT's Petry acquisition improved both teams in the short term.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I have a bad taste in my mouth from your last playoff run, which was substantially aided by refs swallowing their whistles and letting the Islanders get away with defensive murder. So much illegal stick work uncalled in the form of cross checking, slashing and obstruction. The flagrant uncalled cross check that broke Kuch’s ribs was the most defining 2021 play of that entire NHL playoffs. The NHL literally had to address their lack of enforcement of NHL rules after both the Islanders and Habs advanced as far as they did in very very very large part due to the allowance of dubious defensive play.

Those games were boring and awful to watch as a neutral fan.

Islanders have a good top 4 and goalie. Agreed. They have some natural scorers but a lack of set up guys. Depth is no longer a strength. The team is slow and getting a little long in the tooth. And you lost your excellent coach.

I’d be stunned if you make the playoffs. You did next to nothing in the off-season other than overpay for Romanov. You can’t dump expensive players like Bailey for cap space and didn’t add Kadri, a creative do it yourself player you needed.

I’d lay good money the NYI pick between 6-12th overall with their own natural selection at the 2023 draft, which assumes you don’t win the lottery and the two really bad teams do.

There's no way they keep that pick, it's going to be traded for a middle-6er or a #4-6 D again.

 

[chethejet]

Islanders are simply not very talented and the grind of 82 games having to grind it every game to win takes some toll. Even if playing disciplined and getting some leeway on questionable physical play, aplayoff series that they have limited scoring and trying to win games 2-1 are just not realistic. Pens with a better goalie at that time win the series. Plus not sure what they are with out Trotz and what he wanted as to the style of play.

 

[John Price]

They played better after a horrific start mainly due to not playing at home for months. That said lambert is an unknown.

Trotz successor in dc was disappointing and we don't know how lambert will do.