The offseason is almost over, and the New York Islanders’ roster is similar to those of recent seasons, although general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello made some adjustments, notably signing a free agent for the first time in a while.
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The Islanders look capable of making the playoffs, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. That will make the rest of the offseason and the start of 2024-25 interesting for Lamoriello as they hope to return to the playoffs for a third straight campaign.
Where is the Depth Scoring Coming From?
The Islanders have a top-heavy roster in terms of offense. Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Brock Nelson carry the top six, while Noah Dobson is the anchor from the point. Their depth, meanwhile, doesn’t generate much offense, with only six skaters scoring 15 goals or more and only six skaters distributing over 20 assists last season.
How will things be different this season? Sure, the Islanders’ roster used to be led by depth, but in recent seasons, age has turned that strength into a liability.
The Islanders added Maxim Tsyplakov, who will be a wild card upfront (his ceiling makes him a top-six threat, but his floor is never finding a role at the NHL level). Maybe Kyle MacLean will start creating more scoring chances on the fourth line to add a spark. There are a few prospects, notably Matthew Maggio and William Dufour, who, if they are ready, can make an impact. The bottom line is that the scoring depth or lack thereof must be addressed, or the third and fourth lines will again cost the team wins.
What is Duclair’s Role in the Offense?
Lamoriello made a big move by signing Anthony Duclair, a veteran in the league who has established himself as a passer and a scorer at only 28 years old. Duclair changes the dynamics as a top-six winger, but what will he provide in terms of offense?
The assumption is that he’ll play on the top line alongside Barzal and Horvat. However, Duclair must match the versatility of his linemates and, more importantly, produce at a high level alongside them. At first glance, he must be a passer for Horvat and take advantage of Barzal’s playmaking ability, but the truth is that both skaters can win in multiple ways, and he must do the same.
There’s also the slight possibility that Duclair plays on the Nelson line for at least a few games. That will also change his role, as he’ll try to facilitate the Islanders’ leading goal scorer in recent…
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