New York Islanders & Detroit Red Wings Have Added Depth in Unique Ways to Become Contenders – The Hockey Writers – New York Islanders

The New York Islanders played the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 25 for the third and final time this season. The game wrapped up the season series with the Red Wings winning 4-2 to sweep the three-game set and these matchups could ultimately make the difference for two borderline playoff teams.

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The games showed the value of depth with lower-line forward and middle-pairing defensemen stepping up and taking over. It’s what will decide if either the Islanders or the Red Wings will get into the playoffs. Both Islanders general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman have their teams set up to be in the playoff conversation this season and the small details will get them into the playoffs in the end.

Lamoriello’s Youth Movement Compared to Yzerman’s

Isaiah George is a pleasant surprise and a big plus for the Islanders. Since his call-up from the American Hockey League (AHL), he’s established himself as a second-pair defenseman and often plays alongside Noah Dobson on the top pair. He assisted Kyle Palmieri’s goal in the latest game and is gaining confidence with each game.

The problem for Lamoriello is that it’s just George. Yes, Kyle MacLean is a reliable forechecking forward while Simon Holmstrom has become a reliable middle-six forward at 23 years old. However, the Islanders don’t have a youth movement that can carry them and make them a great team. Instead, it’s still the veterans leading the way.

Yzerman, on the other hand, added depth through the pipeline. Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are the young star players leading the Red Wings but they also have a handful of young skaters who have rounded out the roster. Simon Edvinsson is playing his first full season with the team and is one of their best defensemen while Marco Kasper, Michael Rasmussen, and Jonatan Berggren — three skaters 25 or younger — are playing the bottom six lines.

Last season, the Red Wings came up just short of a playoff spot with the team falling apart late in the campaign. They remain on the outside of the playoff picture looking in this season but the youth movement gives them an advantage, especially over older teams like the Islanders.

Lamoriello & Yzerman Have Veteran Depth Stepping Up

One of the few reasons the Islanders…