Armed with one of the deadliest snipers in the league and a roster loaded with offensive potential, the New York Islanders will begin a new era in Brooklyn with high hopes.
The Islanders will hit the ice this year with virtually the same group that led them to a 101-point season in 2013-14 — their best campaign in decades.
The challenge for the Islanders now is translating regular-season success into post-season wins, something the team hasn’t been able to do since they last made it out of the first round way back in 1993.
Fortunately for the long-suffering fans, the present and future hasn’t looked this bright in a long time.
Head coach: Jack Capuano
GM: Garth Snow
Team payroll: $62.8 million against $71.4 million salary cap
Last season record: 47-28-7 (101 points, 3rd in Metropolitan)
Goals for: 245 (4th in NHL)
Goals against: 224 (23rd in NHL)
PP: 18.7 per cent (16th in NHL)
PK: 78 per cent (26th in NHL)
Corsi for per 60: 61.3 (2nd in NHL)
Key acquisitions: Thomas Greiss, Steve Bernier, Marek Zidlicky, Ben Holmstrom,
Key departures: Lubomir Visnovsky, Michal Neuvirth, Griffin Reinhart, Michael GRabner, Kevin Poulin
Rookies to Watch :
Ryan Pulock: He will have a good chance to crack the Islanders’ opening night roster after being one of the final cuts a year ago. The hard-shooting defenceman made the most of his time in the AHL, finishing fourth among all defencemen with 17 goals — 13 of them on the power play — to go with 12 assists in 54 games. The 20-year-old Dauphin, Man., native would slot in nicely on the team’s third pair and on the second power play unit.
Highlight of 2014-15:
The 2014-15 season marked the end of an era for the Islanders and for one of the NHL’s oldest cathedrals, the 43-year-old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The season was a good farewell tour for the Islanders on Long Island, with the team enjoying its most successful campaign since the dynasty days of the early ’80s. Despite losing to the Capitals in the first round, the Islanders went out as winners on home ice after taking Game 6 in the final game at the Coliseum.
But if we’re talking in-game highlights, it’s hard to beat this spectacular OT winner by John Tavares.
Pre-season letter grades
FORWARDS
The New York Islanders already have one of the best forward groups in the league, and it’s only going to get better. Led by Hart Trophy finalist John Tavares, the Islanders can roll three balanced scoring lines and have the most physical fourth line in the league. The Islanders were one of the most potent offences a year ago, finishing fourth in goals scored (245), second in shots per game (33.8) and second in Corsi for per 60 (61.3). When you factor in the continued growth of youngsters Ryan Strome, Anders Lee and Brock Nelson, the Islanders could reach new heights in 2015-16. GRADE: A+
DEFENCE
The additions of Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk proved to be massive for the Islanders, and they will be counted on to lead the charge again this season. The pair found instant chemistry and accounted for 19 goals and 72 points in their first year on the Island while finishing as one of the better pairs at driving possession. Boychuck and Leddy also brought more balance to the group as a whole, with Travis Hamonic dropping from 25 minutes a night in 2013-14 to a more reasonable 21:47 last season. Pulock could also make an immediate impact with Lubomir Visnovsky out of the picture, as he brings more offensive upside than depth defenders Calvin de Haan, Thomas Hickey and Brian Strait GRADE: B-
GOALTENDING
After years of question marks in the crease the Islanders finally received some stability last season with Jaroslav Halak between the pipes — the 30-year-old turned in the best season by an Islanders goalie since Rick DiPietro’s last good NHL season in 2006-07. Even though Halak’s numbers last season were slightly worse than his career averages, it was more than enough for one of the NHL’s best offences. Swapping backup Chad Johnson with Thomas Greiss in the off-season was an upgrade, albeit slightly. GRADE: B-
The Islanders will have a successful season if… Boychuck and Leddy can repeat what they did last season. Both players are coming off career years and were instrumental in turning the Islanders from playoff outsider to legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. It’s reasonable to expect a similar performance from both defencemen. Boychuck’s uptick in production can be linked to his power play time, something he didn’t receive much of during his tenure in Boston. Leddy also thrived as a go-to guy in New York after being used sparingly in his final years in Chicago, and he’s only 24.
The Islanders will have a disappointing season if… They miss the playoffs. At this point in their development there’s no going back for the Islanders, who are finally reaping the rewards from all those lost seasons. Despite all the talent they have up front, the Islanders finished only five points clear of the ninth-place Boston Bruins last year, and it’s not going to be any easier this season. Missing the playoffs wouldn’t be detrimental to the long-term prospects of the team, but it would be a missed opportunity given the wide-open state of the Eastern Conference.