Conference: Eastern
Division: Metropolitan
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Offseason
Additions: Alex Romanov, Dennis Cholowski, Hudson Fasching
Subtractions: Zdeno Chara, Andy Greene, Austin Czarnik
Perhaps the most stagnant team during the offseason, the Islanders seemed to fail in all attempts to improve the roster. There was long-rumored Nazem Kadri interest, but he opted for Calgary instead. That left Romanov as the only acquisition of note, who comes in to replace the retired Chara and Greene.
Injury Report
Probable For Opener: -None-
Questionable For Opener: -None-
Out To Begin Season: -None-
Out For Season: -None-
The New York Islanders expect to be fully healthy come the start of the season.
Projected Lineup
(league ranks in parentheses)
Forwards (21st)
Anders Lee - Mathew Barzal - Anthony Beauvillier
Josh Bailey - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri
Zach Parise - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Defense (20th)
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Alex Romanov - Noah Dobson
Sebastian Aho - Scott Mayfield
Goalies (5th)
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
The Islanders are returning essentially the same lineup that rendered a minus-six goal differential last season. In order to improve upon that mark, they'll need to find more goal scoring from players like Wahlstrom and Palmieri to support the Barzal-Lee combination.
Sorokin caught fire last season, and should be a stud in net again this year. Assuming backup Varlamov is not traded at any point this season, the Isles will house one of the NHL's best duos in between the pipes.
Dynamic Players
Snipers: -None-
Playmakers: -None-
Volume Shooters: Oliver Wahlstrom
Play-Drivers: -None-
Shutdown Defenders: Cal Clutterbuck | Matt Martin
Shot Blockers: Noah Dobson | Ryan Pulock | Alex Romanov
Hitters: Cal Clutterbuck | Matt Martin
Enforcers: Matt Martin
Penalty Drawers: Oliver Wahlstrom | Casey Cizikas
PP Specialists: -None-
PK Specialists: -None-
Faceoff Specialists: Jean-Gabriel Pageau | Casey Cizikas
Fantasy Impact
Studs: Ilya Sorokin
Duds: Kyle Palmieri, Anthony Beauvillier
Sleepers: Noah Dobson
Other Roster Worthy: Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson
It's tough to advocate to snag any Islander in your fantasy drafts besides Sorokin, as the Isles project to be a low-event team once again this season. Palmieri and Beauvillier are bigger names than producers with their current usage, and Lee, Barzal, and Nelson are simply back-end of the roster additions.
Noah Dobson is the one intriguing player here, as he assumed the primary powerplay duty last season and seemed to get more comfortable and effective as the season progressed. This season could be a further extension of his breakout play.
2022-2023 PuckLuck Projections | | | | | | | | |
PLAYER | POS | G | A | PTS | W | GA | SV | SO |
Ilya Sorokin | G | | | | 27 | 121 | 1377 | 4 |
Anders Lee | F | 30 | 28 | 58 | | | | |
Mathew Barzal | F | 21 | 46 | 67 | | | | |
Brock Nelson | F | 27 | 29 | 56 | | | | |
Noah Dobson | D | 8 | 35 | 43 | | | | |
Kyle Palmieri | F | 19 | 21 | 40 | | | | |
Anthony Beauvillier | F | 20 | 30 | 50 | | | | |
Betting Impact
PuckLuck Projection: 91 points
Floor: 77 points Ceiling: 103 points
Projection Data Confidence: 77%
(League Average: 70%)
PuckLuck Odds:
Stanley Cup: +2000
President's Trophy: +2500
Conference: +1500
Division: +1000
DraftKings Sportsbook Lines:
Stanley Cup: +4000
President's Trophy: +7000
Conference: +1800
Division: +800
Like the majority of the Eastern Conference teams that missed the playoffs, the odds of leapfrogging last year's contenders are slim. There is room for positive regression for the Islanders, however, after a slow start and strong finish last season.
Due to their lack of scoring and strong goaltending, the Islanders are an obvious under bet in the beginning stages of the season. It's tough to recommend a fade to the over, although if we see an early stumble with the goaltending or improved shot attempt numbers then we'll be ready to pivot.
Season Outlook
Division Projection: 5th
Conference Projection: 9th
League Projection: 19th
Playoffs? In the hunt
First team out of the playoffs is where we currently project the Islanders, as they simply didn't do enough in the offseason to convince us (and the model) that they are serious contenders this season.
Sorokin's rise to an elite NHL goalie should keep them in the hunt, but, pending an in-season upgrade, the Isles should remain on the outside looking in.
Will the New York Islanders make the playoffs?
Yes
No
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