Breaking down the New York Islanders ahead of NHL Free Agency.
Pending free agents
Unrestricted: 10 | Restricted: 8 | See full list
[teamleaders league=”nhl” team=”nyi” season=”2013″]
Islanders overview
Even by Islanders standards, 2013-14 was a tough season. What made last year’s sad showing more traumatic than previous stink bombs was the fact there was actually some hope around the team when the year began. New York played the Pittsburgh Penguins hard during a six-game, first-round loss in 2013 — something many took as a sign the Isles were on the rise. But things came completely apart last season, due both to mismanagement and misfortune. The team’s real undoing was continuing to ride Evgeni Nabokov as a No. 1 goalie past his best-before date. Only two teams — the Panthers and Oilers — surrendered more goals per game than the Long Island boys last year. To that end, general manager Garth Snow finally moved to shore up the crease by acquiring free-agent-to-be Jaroslav Halak and inking him to a four-year deal before he hit the market. The bad luck New York experienced came in the form of a knee injury sustained by superstar John Tavares at the Olympics. Tavares missed the rest of the already-lost season, but will return as the face and enduring source of hope for this franchise.
Next year marks the Isles’ final season on Long Island before they move to Brooklyn, so surely they’re hoping to give the Nassau County Coliseum faithful a warm send-off. They’re also likely optimistic that potential free agents are intrigued by playing in the sparkling Barclays Center 15 months from now.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
| Click player positions to see depth chart | ||
Areas to address
Where to begin? Snow’s decision to move winger Matt Moulson as part of a package for Thomas Vanek early last season completely blew up in his face when the team clunked out and he was forced to deal Vanek for much less than he gave up to get him. Now, without Moulson or Vanek, the team lacks scoring on the flanks.
Acquiring Halak certainly does something to settle the goaltending situation, though it’s not like the team just nabbed late-1990s Dominik Hasek. The 29-year-old has never played 60 games in a season and — one tremendous playoff run aside — has always operated more as a 1A than a stud starter. Snow should examine bringing in somebody to push for crease time if he doesn’t think Anders Nilsson is up to the task yet.
Of course, life for the goalies would be a lot easier if the Isles improved their lackluster blueline. The club acquired veteran Dan Boyle from the San Jose Sharks in the hopes he might be wooed into staying rather than testing the UFA market. Regardless, New York needs to target a d-man or two who can log steady minutes and help keep the puck off opponents’ sticks.
Possible signing targets
Anton Stralman (D): Strong possession numbers and this move would have the added benefit of weakening the Rangers defence corps.
Nikita Nikitin (D): Big blueliner came on nicely with the Columbus Blue Jackets last year. | UPDATE: Nikitin re-signs with Oilers
Ray Emery (G): Could be trusted to play 20-25 games, while pushing Halak just the right amount.
Matt Moulson (LW): Kiss and make up? Moulson was a great fit with Tavares and if he doesn’t hold a grudge against the franchise, a return to the Island makes sense.
