Several NHL teams made headlines with significant roster changes this summer, particularly in the Metropolitan Division. But the New York Islanders are going to have a very similar look when they begin their 2015-16 season on Oct. 9 against the Chicago Blackhawks. It's a testament to the belief general manager Garth Snow has in the young core led by captain John Tavares, who will turn 25 during training camp. Including Tavares, the Islanders could potentially have more than 10 players drafted by Snow since he began rebuilding them in 2008. And after a 101-point season that saw the Islanders fall two goals short of advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, several young players are expected to build off 2014-15. Sparked by the acquisitions of defensemen Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk one week before the season began, the Islanders were on the verge of having home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs but stumbled down the stretch and finished third in the division. Defenseman Travis Hamonic sustained a torn MCL in the second-to-last game of the regular season, and the Islanders went on to lose a physical seven-game series against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders haven't reached the second round of the playoffs since their fluke series win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1993, a hex Snow realizes must end this season. The Islanders will begin a new chapter in their history this season; after 43 years at Nassau Coliseum, they are moving to Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Aside from a new backup goaltender (Thomas Greiss) and potentially a rookie or two (defenseman Ryan Pulock, left wing Michael Dal Colle), it will be the same group heading about 30 miles west. The players are perfectly OK with that.
They'll be led by Tavares, a Hart Trophy finalist for the second time in his career after having 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games. Many in the organization believe their captain has the capability of scoring 100 points this season, but they're just as awed by how he handles himself off the ice.
After 43 years of playing their home games at Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders begin a new era at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. There will be an adjustment process for the players as they get accustomed to their new surroundings, but the hope is it will be a smooth transition. Given how tough the Metropolitan Division is expected to be, the Islanders and their fans are going to have to create a raucous environment quickly. New York opens the season at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 9.
The Hart Trophy finalist, who had career highs in goals (38) and points (86), had several different linemates last season and produced regardless of who was on his line. But some consistency could lead to even bigger numbers. Anders Lee, who scored 25 goals as a rookie last season, is an option, as is Ryan Strome (50 points in 81 games). Brock Nelson could be shifted to left wing, allowing Mikhail Grabovski to play center on the second or third line. Josh Bailey. and Kyle Okposo are obvious candidates. But a wild card is left wing Michael Dal Colle, the Islanders' first-round pick (No. 5) at the 2014 NHL Draft. He had 42 goals and 51 assists in 56 games for Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League in 2014-15. Islanders general manager Garth Snow said he is not opposed to at least giving Dal Colle a nine-game audition at the start of the season, depending on how he performs in September.
Jaroslav Halak was a major upgrade for the Islanders in goal; he went 38-17-4 with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in his first season with the Islanders. But New York allowed 224 goals, fourth most in the Eastern Conference. One of the few changes on the roster will be Halak's backup. Thomas Greiss, who had a 2.59 GAA in 20 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, signed a two-year contract with the Islanders on July 1.
A two-time finalist for the Hart Trophy (2013, 2015), Tavares is an elite player in the NHL. One of his many attributes is his ability to get the most out of the players around him. Tavares turns 25 on Sept. 20.
The Islanders entered last season with some playoff experience (2013 against the Pittsburgh Penguins), but a few more players got a taste after a seven-game series loss to the Washington Capitals. Key young players such as Ryan Strome, Anders Lee and Brock Nelson gained valuable experience and now have a better idea of what it takes to succeed in the League.
The Islanders traded defenseman Griffin Reinhart, the fourth player selected at the 2012 NHL Draft, to the Edmonton Oilers in June, but that doesn't mean there is a shortage of young players on the blue line. Ryan Pulock, the Islanders' first-round pick (No. 15) in 2013, could be ready to make the jump from the American Hockey League. Pulock, 20, had 17 goals in 54 games for Bridgeport and has a slap shot that has been clocked at more than 100 miles per hour.
Salary-cap space is a luxury, and the Islanders should have roughly $5 million in room if Pulock makes the roster as expected and they agree to terms with Nelson, a restricted free agent. It could provide general manager Garth Snow with the ability to add another key player at the NHL Trade Deadline, if he deems it necessary.
The Islanders entered the 2015 NHL Draft without a first-round pick after trading it to the Buffalo Sabres for forward Thomas Vanek in October 2013.
But Islanders general manager Garth Snow was determined to get back into the first round, and was able to do so when he traded defense prospect Griffin Reinhart to the Edmonton Oilers for the 16th and 33rd selections. Snow drafted center Mathew Barzal at No. 16, then traded No. 33 and No. 72 to the Tampa Bay Lightning for another first-round pick, which was used to select forward Anthony Beauvillier at No. 28. Many of Snow's picks have reached the NHL since he began rebuilding the roster in 2008.
Ryan Pulock, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 15), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Bridgeport, AHL: 54 GP, 17-12-29
Pulock (6-foot-2, 214 pounds) practiced with the Islanders during their Eastern Conference First Round series loss against the Washington Capitals in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he has not made his NHL debut. His first professional season had a setback when he sustained an upper-body injury, but he did score 17 goals in 54 games for Bridgeport in the American Hockey League. Should the 20-year-old make the Islanders out of training camp, he can provide their power play with a slap shot from the point that has been clocked at more than 100 miles per hour.
Michael Dal Colle, LW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 5), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Oshawa, OHL: 56 GP, 42-51-93
Dal Colle (6-foot-3, 194) is coming off a Memorial Cup championship with Oshawa in the Ontario Hockey League, and the 19-year-old is now determined to prove he can play in the League. The Islanders are open to at least giving Dal Colle a nine-game audition at the start of the season, but given their depth, Dal Colle knows he needs to have an outstanding training camp.
Mathew Barzal, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 16), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Seattle, WHL: 44 GP, 12-45-57
Many scouts believe Barzal could have been a top-10 selection had he not sustained a broken kneecap last November. Barzal (6-foot, 178) missed 28 games, but his 57 points were second on Seattle despite missing more than a third of its games. The 18-year-old had four goals and eight points in six games during the Western Hockey League playoffs.
Joshua Ho-Sang, F
How acquired: 1st round (No. 28), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Niagara, OHL: 49 GP, 14-48-62; Windsor, OHL: 11 GP, 3-16-19
Ho-Sang (6-foot, 173) was traded from Windsor to Niagara last November but continued to produce and nearly averaged an assist per game. He dazzled fans at the Islanders' Blue & White scrimmage at Barclays Center last month and gave them an idea of what he's capable of should he continue to develop.
Anthony Beauvillier, LW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 28), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Shawinigan, QMJHL: 67 GP, 42-52-94
Beauvillier (5-foot-11, 172) is projected to be a solid two-way forward who can play in all situations. The 18-year-old has plenty of offensive upside; he led Shawinigan in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in scoring by 30 points.
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