As the days pass, the silence surrounding the New York Islanders and their managerial situation leads to more questions than answers. Stefen Rosner continues answering a few questions a night, in more detail, than previous mailbags.

Day 14 of silence. Day three of our LLLLong Wait mini New York Islanders mailbag series. 

Without further ado...

Is there any chance we see a change in leadership this off-season? Maybe taking the C from Lee, giving it to either Barzal/Horvat/Nelson/Pulock, and taking the A’s from Bailey and Clutterbuck. (@Kjisles7)

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee was honest during his season-ending interview about the way he played in the playoffs. 

"I felt that I had my opportunities to score in the series, and I wasn't able to put in the net. And so, that's a tough pill to swallow, and that's something that I have to sit on for a little bit here," Lee said. "I can't, can't change that. That part isn't enjoyable. It's feeling like you came up short and feeling like you didn't have a big moment for the team."

Regardless of on-ice production, Anders Lee has been the Islanders' captain since 2018. Barry Trotz told us a story that when he first arrived, he called all of his new players, asking who they thought should be captain after the departure of John Tavares.

Every player on that roster chose Lee.

I spoke to Lee this year, earlier in the season, about leading through rough patches, and he made it clear that he may wear the "C," but there's leadership from everyone in the room.

I do think his having to answer questions, over Zoom, in what was a lost season back in 2021-22 took a lot out of him. Not only was he coming back from a torn ACL, and dealing with the struggles that come with that, but he spoke so often, answering so many tough questions.

This year, there were a lot of tough patches, and I don't think he spoke as often, but that doesn't make him a bad captain.

That's not to say that leadership may have been lacking this season, especially with how flat the Islanders came out in monumental games. 

Maybe there is something to a new voice as the "C", but fans have to remember that leadership letters aren't a fan vote.

There's a reason why players wear the letters, and it's from the players in that room.

I cannot see anyone in that room thinking Lee shouldn't wear the "C". Even for the people complaining that Josh Bailey wore an "A", that's the team's decision, and he didn't get it because people felt bad about him being on Long Island for so long.

When Bailey was a healthy scratch, and Clutterbuck was out of the lineup, Brock Nelson wore the "A". One would think that he gets the next available one. 

Mathew Barzal has matured exponentially since making his NHL debut, and I think he, too, deserves a letter. Bo Horvat was a captain with the Vancouver Canucks after Henrik Sedin left, so could he get a letter?

Both have eight-year contracts that kick in this upcoming season. 

Who is the most intriguing player coming to training camp in the fall? (@sab31nyi)

If you had asked me this question last summer, I would have told you, William Dufour, given the records he broke and the awards he received his final year in juniors.

Going from the QMJHL to professional hockey is a mighty jump, and training camp was the first time where we could see how he faired against NHL staples.

That's why my most intriguing player coming into camp is Matthew Maggio, who the Islanders selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. 

Maggio, who showed well last summer against NHL talent -- sniping Ilya Sorokin from the high slot during a scrimmage as a sure highlight -- he did not head to Bridgeport, with the organization thinking it was best for him to go back to juniors for one more season, as captain of the Windsor Spitfires.

In his final year, he popped off, with 54 goals and 57 assists in 66 games. The year prior, in 66 games, Maggio scored 38.

After his season ended, Maggio signed an amateur tryout with Bridgeport, with two assists in three games. 

He recently signed his three-year entry-level contract. He's fast. He has a strong shot, and what stood out to me during development camp was his strong hockey IQ, knowing where the puck has to go, as well as where to be. 

I'm not saying that Maggio makes the team out of camp, but he looked strong in his small sample size of pro hockey in the AHL and could be closer than some people think.

Could you see Ruslan Iskhakov get playing time with the big club this year? (@Thahn531)

In 2022-23, the Islanders had six players make their NHL debut. The 22-year-old, first-year AHLer Ruslan Ishkhakov was not one of those players.

He has speed, something the Islanders lack. He's got hands and knows where the net is, scoring 17 goals with 34 assists in 69 games with Bridgeport.

He got off to a rapid start, being named AHL's Player of the Month for October, potting four goals and 10 assists in 10 games. He was named to the All-Star team. 

So why didn't he get a chance?

We saw Iskhkaov at development camp and training camp, and although he has the skills, he stands at five-foot-nine, weighing 165 pounds.

That's not to say smaller players can't have success, but we saw him get hit a few times, and due to an injury during Islanders scrimmage at UBS Arena before preseason started, he did not play a single preseason game.

I do think it's important for the Islanders to see what Iskhakov has and if he can be a factor. As mentioned, the Islanders need speed badly, and if he can stay healthy, and recover from hits, he could certainly be a weapon.

He just needs a chance, and I think if he gets off to a strong start in Bridgeport again, he will make his NHL debut at some point in 2023-24.