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.