Will the New York Islanders improve upon their second round exit in 2016-17?
Despite a fourth place finish in the Metropolitan Division in 2015-16, the New York Islanders had a successful season. They only finished one point off their 2014-15 record and they managed to upset the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs. Though they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, the Islanders made the second round for the first time since 1993.
The Islanders made some big changes this offseason as they looked to improve. While the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t improve, they didn’t have much room to do so anyway. The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers have improved. Did the Islanders do enough to stay afloat in a competitive Metropolitan Division?
Offseason Review
Here’s a quick review of what the Islanders have done this offseason.
Key Additions: F Andrew Ladd (Blackhawks), F Jason Chimera (Capitals), F P.A. Parenteau (Maple Leafs), D Dennis Seidenberg (Bruins)
Key Losses: F Kyle Okposo (Sabres), C Frans Nielsen (Red Wings), F Matt Martin (Maple Leafs), D Brian Strait (Jets)
Retained: F Shane Prince, C Alan Quine, D Scott Mayfield, G Jean-Francois Berube, C Casey Cizikas
The Islanders couldn’t afford to keep Kyle Okposo, so they signed an aging Andrew Ladd. Ladd is still a good player (25 goals and 46 points last season), but he’s turning 31 years old in December. Okposo is making less than $1 million more per season than Ladd, so it probably would have been better to keep Okposo. Ladd was probably the best replacement for Okposo in free agency.
The Islanders also signed Jason Chimera. He will likely replace Matt Martin on their fourth line. Chimera is an upgrade over Martin, but he’s 37 years old. In 2015-16, Chimera had 40 points while playing for the Capitals. He’s still a fast player who can be effective, but the Islanders should have gone with a younger option.
P.A. Parenteau is a familiar face who could be a great bargain. While he’s 33 years old, it’s worth noting that he had 120 points in two seasons with the New York Islanders earlier in his career. He has good chemistry with captain John Tavares.
Expect Shane Prince to be a top nine wing for the Islanders. They took a flyer on him at the 2015-16 trade deadline and the Islanders like him quite a bit. Casey Cizikas could see an increase in his role after getting a five-year extension. It’ll be interesting to see how the Islanders’ goaltending situation plays out. They have three NHL caliber goalies in their system in Jaroslav Halak, Thomas Greiss, and Berube.
Player Spotlight: John Tavares
Before John Tavares, the New York Islanders were still feeling the damage done by Mike Milbury’s reign as general manager. The Islanders got lucky by winning the 2009 NHL Draft Lottery, earning them the right to draft Tavares. He has 471 points in his first 510 games and he’ll turn 26 on September 20.
The Islanders’ Stanley Cup hopes rely on Tavares. He is an elite player by virtually any metric that you use. His defense is questionable but his impact on offense is outstanding. Tavares has led the Islanders in points in each full season. He has been their captain since the 2013-14 season. With him as their captain, the Islanders have made consecutive playoff appearances.
Tavares is incredibly valuable because he also has a dirt cheap contract. The Islanders have not been able to take advantage of that. However, this offseason, they did spend quite a bit of money. So perhaps the Islanders are starting to realize what they will have to do to keep Tavares around.
It would be nothing short of a colossal embarrassment for the Islanders to not win a Stanley Cup despite having a cheap elite player like Tavares. The clock is ticking. They have two years left.
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2016-17 Outlook
It’s debatable if the Islanders saw improvement this offseason or not. Okposo is a better player than Ladd. However, Chimera is better than Martin and Parenteau could be a diamond in the rough. It’s safe to say that the Islanders have improved, but are they ready to contend with the Capitals, Penguins, and Rangers?
The New York Islanders don’t have the defensive depth of the Capitals or Penguins. Travis Hamonic is a great defenseman, but the Capitals have no fewer than two. Meanwhile, the Penguins have at least two great defensemen as well. The Islanders certainly don’t have the forward depth of the Capitals, Rangers, or Penguins. It’s not even close.
However, the Islanders could have an advantage in net if Thomas Greiss repeats last season. If he can grab the starting job, Greiss could be a dark horse Vezina Trophy candidate going into the season. Jaroslav Halak looked strong during the World Cup of Hockey, which is quite encouraging. The Islanders’ season will rely on Tavares, Hamonic, and their goaltending. But it will also rely on their younger players continuing to take steps forward.
They should make the playoffs in 2016-17. If they don’t, huge changes could be coming and one of them might be the departure of Tavares after 2018.