2011/2012 NHL Team Preview: New York Islanders
Maybe the New York Islanders’ switch back to their totally badass, retro jerseys the last couple of seasons was an omen. The beautiful sweaters hearken back to a better time, an era when the Islanders churned out Hall-of-Famers. They were relevant then.
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While the 2011-12 Isles are in no way ready to emerge as a dynasty, they could build on last season’s strong second half and actually contend for a playoff berth. Shock and awe!
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Stanley Cup odds: +6500
Make no mistake: the New York Islanders actually have a few things to be excited about this season. John Tavares’ development as an effective offensive center continued last year. The 2009 No. 1 overall pick jumped from 24 to 29 goals and from 54 to 67 points. After the All-Star break, he had 31 points and was a plus-five in 33 games. He hasn’t come anywhere near his ceiling yet. Tavares’ raw physical skills may look ordinary but he has good hands and amazing offensive instincts. The puck just finds his stick in the right places.
The Isles had been waiting for another offensive player to step up and join Tavares as the key to the future; more than one guy threw his name into the hat last season. No one impressed more than Michael Grabner. The Vancouver castoff exploded for 34 goals in his first full NHL season; he scored 19 goals over his final 31 games. He’s possibly the fastest hockey player on Earth and, like Tavares, is just scratching the surface of his potential. He looks like the next Marian Gaborik.
And what’s with Matt Moulson? Everyone thought his 30-goal campaign two seasons ago was a fluke. Then he backed it up with 31 more goals last season.
See a trend? I’m not saying the Isles are an elite offensive team but they’ve developed a few legitimately dangerous snipers. P.A. Parenteau, Blake Comeau, Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo all have the ability to make the next leap. [ad-4437448]
The Isles’ Achilles heel last season was defense; they were 27th in the league with 3.2 goals allowed per game. It seems there’s nowhere to go but up this year. Milan Jurcina adds some beastly size to a so-so group led by Mark Streit, one of the league’s most underrated offensive defensemen. Now that goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has agreed to report to the team, New York doesn’t have to worry nearly as much about Rick DiPietro’s next injury. And believe me, there will be one this season.
The Isles still have a long way to go but their future finally looks promising. All their high-impact offensive players are young; Ryan Strome, this year’s first-round pick, will eventually boost that group even more. Jurcina and Nabokov could help the team improve slightly on “D.”
I don’t expect the Isles to beat out other bubble teams like Toronto, Montreal and Carolina for the eighth and final playoff spot this season.
But I expect them to come very close. Last year, they won 30 games and tallied 73 points.
I think 35 wins and 80-plus points are within reach this season.
Prediction: 4th, Atlantic Division
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