Following the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining each team’s position ahead of the 2022-23 regular season, which begins Oct. 7. Today, the New York Islanders:
2021-22 season: 37-35-10, fifth in the Metropolitan Division; did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs
arrival key
Alexander RomanovD: The 22-year-old, who was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens on July 7 for a first-round pick (No. 13) in the 2022 NHL Draft (forward Frank Nazar), had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 79 games last season. Romanov also led the Canadiens in blocked shots (144) and short time on the ice (203:26), and his 227 hits ranked sixth in the NHL at his position.
Video: SEA@MTL: Romanov hits a short side high
key outputs
Zdeno Chara, D. Chara, who is an unrestricted free agent, will decide on his future in September, his agent told The Boston Globe on June 25. Chara had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 72 games last season, the first since he rejoined the Islanders. ; he played for them his first four seasons in the NHL (1997-2001). The 45-year-old holds the record for the most games played by a defenseman in NHL history (1,680). … Andy Greene, D. Greene, who is also from UFA, had 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 69 games last season. … Barry Trotz, coach: Trotz was fired May 9 after New York failed to make the playoffs for the first time in his four seasons. He was replaced seven days later by Lane Lambert, who was promoted from associate coach. Trotz is third in NHL history in wins (914) and second in games coached (1,812), behind Scotty Bowman (2,141), and won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
on the cusp
Robin Salo, D: The 23-year-old, who was selected in the second round (No. 46) of the 2017 NHL Draft, could be in line for more time on the ice after scoring five points (one goal, four assists) in 21 games. as a rookie last season. Salo also had 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 40 games for Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. … Aatu Raty, F: The 19-year-old scored 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) in 41 games last season for Jukurit in Liiga, Finland’s top professional league. Raty, a second-round pick (No. 52) in the 2021 NHL Draft, also had one assist in six games for Karpat before being traded to Jukurit. … William Dufour, F. The 20-year-old, selected in the fifth round (No. 152) of the 2020 NHL Draft, agreed to a three-year contract as a rookie on April 21 after leading the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in goals (56 ). and was second in points (116). Dufour was also named the Memorial Cup Most Valuable Player after scoring seven goals to help Saint John win the championship. … Simon Holmstrom, F. The 21-year-old, who was selected in the first round (23rd) of the 2019 NHL Draft, was tied for second in assists (31) and third in points (43) in 68 games with Bridgeport. last season.
what they still need
A scorer to play wide with center Matthew Barzal and breathe life into an offense that averaged 2.79 goals per game last season, tied with the Buffalo Sabers for 22nd in the NHL. The Islanders also need more speed on defense, which Salo could provide if he plays full time.
Video: NYI@NYR: Barzal beats Shesterkin for his 300th point
they said it
“We had a chance to get a 22-year-old top-four defenseman. Tremendous character, tremendous competitiveness. We played enough against him to feel that way, to know him and recognize what he brought. And he’s growing. He’s got a lot [of room] growing up. He has a lot in him potentially to improve.” — general manager Lou Lamoriello on Alexander Romanov
fantasy focus
Barzal has fantasy comeback appeal after the coaching change. He had a career-high 85 points in the NHL as a rookie in 2017-18, but in the four seasons with Trotz he never had more than 62. Oliver Wahlstrom he is fourth on the Islanders in goals per 60 minutes (0.80, minimum 10 games) in the past two seasons and led them in shots on goal by 60 last season (10.7, minimum 41 games). He has great fantasy potential if he earns a place in a line with Barzal after playing in the back row for much of last season. –Pete Jensen
Video: CBJ@NYI: Wahlstrom doubles the lead :11 later in the race
projected alignment
anders lee — brock nelson — anthony beauvillier
joseph bailey — Mateo Barzal — Kyle Palmieri
zach paris — Jean-Gabriel Pageau –Oliver Wahlstrom
matthew martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov, Noah Dobson
Robin Salo- scott mayfield
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov