Fansided

Projecting every NHL team’s chances of hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019

By Griffin Youngs

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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26. New York Islanders

The Islanders were ready to make a huge jump next year in order to get back to the playoffs after missing for two consecutive seasons, but then a bombshell hit. John Tavares, their superstar for the last several seasons, left during free agency for nothing to join the Toronto Maple Leafs, and now they have to deal with the aftermath.

Last season, the Islanders finished 22nd in the NHL with 80 points, and with no significant improvements to their holes and no more Tavares, things could get very ugly this season.

Why they could win

The New York Islanders are not completely devoid of talent with the departure of John Tavares in the offseason. Matthew Barzal, the winner of last season’s Calder Trophy, is ready to step in as the team’s No. 1 center to follow up his incredible 85-point rookie season. Josh Ho-Sang is also ready to join the team full time.

New York also revamped their coaching staff and brought in Barry Trotz and his staff, who just won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals the season prior. He’ll bring that culture of winning to the Islanders locker room, and inspire confidence into a deflated team.

John Tavares leaving likely also unites the team in a way, and a strong bond can carry a team a long way. Some unnamed players were understandably upset at Tavares’s departure, and the entire Islanders fan base has marked him as a traitor. If they can find a way into the postseason, their iron will makes them a threat.

Why they won’t win

The departure of John Tavares obviously is a large factor, but even with him they were long shots at actually hoisting the Stanley Cup next June. Tavares staying was just status quo, and they still had a lot of work to do. Now he’s gone, and all the holes they had to fill are even more prevalent along with some new issues they’ve created for themselves.

The Islanders had one of the worst defenses and goaltending duos in recent history last season by allowing 296 goals, and they did nothing much to stem the bleeding. The defense is the exact same squad except without Calvin De Haan, and no improvements made. In net, they upgraded from Jaroslav Halak to Robin Lehner, which is actually a solid upgrade but that won’t be enough.

On offense, everything but the top line looks rough. To fill the holes on the bottom six, the Islanders overpaid for Leo Komarov, Valteri Filppula, Tom Kuhnhackel and Ross Johnston to make everything worse.

Conclusion

The Islanders underachieved last year with the expectations on, but now there are no expectations and for a reason. This could be an ugly season for New York, and Barry Trotz will have his hands full without the talent he had in Washington. They’ll likely be competing with the Rangers for last the Metropolitan.

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