New York Islanders 2014-15 Season Preview

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Jan 21, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) warms up before facing the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

2013-14 RECAP

After making the playoffs in the lockout shortened 2013 season, the Islanders took a step back in 2013-14. Losing their captain and best player, John Tavares, to an injury sustained during the Olympics certainly didn’t help, but by the Olympic break the club was already more than 10 points out of a playoff spot. They ended up 14th in the 16 team Eastern Conference, 14 points shy of a playoff berth.

Jan 4, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals forward Mikhail Grabovski (84) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Capitals 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

CHANGES

IN – Mikhail Grabovski, Nikolai Kulemin, Cory Conacher, T.J. Brennan, Jaroslav Halak

OUT- Radek Martinek, Evgeni Nabokov

The former Maple Leafs duo of Grabovski and Kulemin are reunited on Long Island and they should be an upgrade as a decent second line or very good third line. Brennan was the AHL’s best defenseman but didn’t get a shot with the Maple Leafs despite his solid play.

Apr 4, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

3 BIG QUESTIONS

1. Is Halak the answer? – The Islanders haven’t had a true #1 in their prime since….Billy Smith? Halak is 29 and has the ability to be a true backstop that can play 65 games of quality hockey and keep the Isles competitive.

2. What can the Grabovski-Kulemin combo bring? – The Islanders reunited the pair of former Maple Leafs in hopes that they could provide secondary scoring. Kulemin is 3 years removed from a 30 goal season, but has just 23 goals in 188 games since the end of 2011.

3. Is This Ryan Strome‘s breakout year? – After netting 4 points in his first 15 game mid-season stint, Strome went back to the AHL and then was called back up for the final month and a half, where he scored 14 points in 22 games. The former 5th overall pick will be in his 2nd full pro season and he could be a good fit as a second line centre or even playing the wing with Kulemin and Grabovski if that is how Jack Capuano wants to use him to load up the top 6.

February 3, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Krystofer Barch (22) and New York Islanders defenseman Matt Carkner (7) fight during the second period of an NHL game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

PREDICTION