Metropolitan Division 2014-15 Preview: New York Islanders

2014-15 NHL Metropolitan Division preview: A thin defense corps will likely doom the New York Islanders to also-ran status.

Eli Bernstein | Oct 1, 2014

Metropolitan Division 2014-15 Preview: New York Islanders /

COACH:

Jack

2013-14 RECORD: 34-37-11, 79 points (eighth in Metropolitan, missed playoffs)

VITAL SIGNS: 2.6 goals per game (17th), 3.2 goals-against per game (28th); 17.8 power play pct. (17th); 78.1 penalty kill pct. (29th); shootout record: 9-6 (7th)

NOTABLE ARRIVALS: G JaroslavHalak, G Chad Johnson, C Mikhail Grabovski, RW Nikolai Kulemin, F Cory Conacher, D Johnny Boychuk, D Nick Leddy

NOTABLE DEPARTURES: G EvgeniNabokov, D RadekMartinek

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

Forwards

Brock Nelson — John Tavares — Kyle Okposo
Michael Grabner — Mikhail Grabovski — Nikolai Kulemin
Josh Bailey — Frans Nielsen — Ryan Strome
Matt Martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck
Cory Conacher

Defensemen

Travis Hamonic — Johnny Boychuk
Nick Leddy — Calvin de Haan
Lubomir Visnovsky — Thomas Hickey
Brian Strait, Matt Carkner

Goalies

Jaroslav Halak
Chad Johnson

Best case scenarios for Eastern Conference teams

was bolstered significantly by the training camp acquisition of Johnny Boychuk from Boston and Nick Leddy from Chicago, adding experience (both players have won the Stanley Cup) and an element of menace (Boychuk). As a result, the Isles have a good

• UPDATE: Isles acquire blueliners Boychuk and Leddy

PLAYER TO WATCH: Kyle Okposo

There was some grumbling in hockey circles when Okposo was left off the U.S. Olympic team last winter, and with good reason. He put up almost a point per game (69 in 71) for the Isles last year, and his wrecking-ball, don’t-back-down mentality is the perfect complement to Tavares’ skill on the Islanders’ top line. A step up this season could make him a top-15 scorer in the league.

PREDICTION: 80 points (seventh in Metropolitan)

Published Oct 1, 2014

ELI BERNSTEIN