Deep Dive into Islanders 'Running It Back' Decision

Although the Islanders need another top-six winger and puck-moving defenseman to be true Stanley Cup contenders, this belief that the Islanders will be the same team from 2022-23 because they are just "running things back" isn't an accurate statement.

As we sit here on July 5, the New York Islanders have made no additions to their roster.

On Day 1 of free agency, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello did exactly what he said he would do, bringing back his unrestricted free agents. 

However, with names flying off the boards on day 1 of free agency and a lack of salary cap space, any upgrade for New York would have to come via trade. 

"We've signed, certainly, the free agents with the dollars that we had available, and now to get better as everyone tries to do. It'll be a hockey trade."

Per Sportsnet's Jeff Marek, the Islanders are one of two teams still battling to bring Alex DeBrincat in.

As we discussed on Hockey Night in New York on Sunday, DeBrincat's case is a complicated one. 

READ MORE: Here's The Latest On The DeBrincat Situation

Although the Islanders need another top-six winger and puck-moving defenseman to be true Stanley Cup contenders, this belief that the Islanders will be the same team from 2022-23 because they are just "running things back" isn't an accurate statement.

Let's dive into the three reasons the Islanders should be better in 2023-24. 

The Islanders newest duo played just six games together in the 2022-23 regular season before Mathew Barzal fell victim to a lower-body injury that had him sidelined for 23 games.

Bo Horvat struggled in Barzal's absence, with just four goals and eight assists. 

Barzal did return for the playoffs but didn't seem 100 percent healthy, impacting Horvat's ability to be as successful.

Let's focus on the six regular season games the duo got together before the Barzal injury. 

In those six games, Barzal had two goals and six assists, while Horvat had three goals and an assist.

Barzal earned the primary assist on all three of Horvat's goals, as the two seemed to have some strong chemistry in just a short amount of time. 

There's no reason these two shouldn't be dominating at five-on-five, regardless of who is playing on the left-wing position come the season opener. But if the Islanders will be a better team this upcoming season, these two need to shine on the power play as well, which they did in their short stint together. 

The Islanders' power play was the third-worst in the NHL, operating at just 15.8 percent, but in those first six games with Horvat, the power play went 6-for-17, a 34.29 percent success rate. 

He and Barzal were on the ice for five of the six power-play goals, as Hovat had a goal and an assist, while Barzal had a goal and two assists. 

Albeit no changes to the coaching staff just yet, with John MacLean still the power-play coach at this point in time, it's going to be about the players on the ice getting things done with the man advantage. 

When Barzal went down with an injury, Lamoriello brought in Pierre Engvall, a 26-year-old speedster who was stuck playing a depth role on a deep Toronto Maple Leafs team.

Although his first few games with New York were anything but pretty, as Engvall watched from the bench a tad too often, Lambert finally found a suitable spot for him in the lineup, and that was alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.

After playing alongside one another for an entire game in Anaheim on March 15, Engvall and this line went on a rampage. 

This newly assembled line became the backbone of the Islanders' offense for the rest of the season, paving the way to a playoff berth.

Per MoneyPuck.com, in 143:50 minutes as a line, they outscored their opponents 15-4.

The closest line that matched their goal production was the threesome of Anders Lee, Nelson, and Anthony Beauvillier, who scored 20 goals in 309:24 minutes.

Over the final 13 games of the season, dating back to the game in Anaheim, the Islanders owned a Corsi For of 59.74 when Engvall was on the ice, which was a team-high over that span.

The newcomer was also on the ice for 115 shots, the most for an Islanders forward, and 18 goals, which led the entire New York squad, per NaturalStatrick.com.

When the regular season ended, Engvall had five goals under his belt for New York with four assists in 18 games, averaging 15:16 minutes.

Albeit just one goal in six playoff games, Engvall's line was by far their best, outscoring their opponents 5-2. 

The Islanders saw Engvall's importance, so the two sides agreed on a seven-year deal worth $3 million to keep him on Long Island. 

If Engvall and his linemates can continue where they left off, on top of a healthy Barzal and a more comfortable Horvat, the Islanders' top six will be a force for the first time in quite some time. 

After the Islanders acquired 22-year-old defenseman Alexander Romanov at the 2022 NHL Draft for the 13th overall pick, he struggled early in his Islanders tenure.

From tough steps at the blue line to turnovers in his own zone, Romanov didn't provide the support that 22-year-old Noah Dobson needed.

From the start of the season until the All-Star Break (52 games), Romanov was second on New York with 40 giveaways (.77 per game) but also led the backend with 182 hits (3.5 per) via NaturalStatrick.com.

He was on the ice for 33 goals against, the second most on the team, and when on the ice, the Islanders allowed the most scoring chances against, at 470.

But something clicked for Romanov following the All-Star break, alongside Scott Mayfield, not Dobson. 

In the final 30 games of the season, Romanov gave the puck away just eight times at five-on-five, just 0.27 times per game. The hitting continued, leading the backend with 62 over that span, and he was on the ice for just 13 goals, the fewest amongst the defense core.

Not only did Romanov provide some more offense, setting a career-high with 22 points, but his gap control and decision-making were also night and day. He quickly showed why he was had a for a top-13 pick and also why Lamoriello believed he could fit the system in place. 

Unfortunately for Romanov, he suffered a shoulder injury in Game 77 of the season and failed to return to the lineup until Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

He wasn't as effective in his return and eventually opted for surgery shortly after the Carolina Hurricanes sent the Islanders packing after six games.

Romanov will be ready for training camp, and it wouldn't be a shock if he were back with Dobson to start the season. And if Romanov plays the way he did in the second half, that should make a world of difference for a confidence-riddled Dobson. 

Health will be the most important part of the Islanders equation in 2023-24, as it is in every season. The 2022-23 was a nightmarish one for head injuries, as Adam Pelech, the Islanders' proven glue, missed 21 games due to a concussion, while Palmieri suffered two head injuries in a rather short span, forcing him out of the lineup for 27 games. 

The hope would be that the Islanders don't suffer that same fate again, but we know there will be injuries. The Islanders have to hope that the injuries are minor and that the injury bug avoids key contributors.

Regarding the roster and other players who should be more comfortable this upcoming season, look no further than Oliver Wahlstrom, who finally showed an ability to play a 200-foot game for the first time in his career.

His season ended prematurely due to a knee injury, but he was on pace for career highs across the board. 

Simon Holmstrom. In his rookie season, Holmstrom showed off the defensive play in his 50 games, but offense was rather hard to come by. He also suffered what appeared to be a serious injury but missed just six games. 

If Zach Parise decides to hang up the skates, his position could be Holmstrom's to lose.

Defenseman Samuel Bolduc got 19 NHL games under his belt, including two playoff games due to Romanov's absence. 

He looked much stronger in his first stint with New York, showing off a strong first pass from the defensive zone and a willingness to get pucks on goal. In his second stint, confidence seemed to be lacking as he was too slow with his decision-making and was severely out-matched in the postseason. 

Bolduc should take steps forward if he earns a starting job this upcoming season or serves as the club's seventh defenseman. 

Let's finish with Hudson Fasching, as the 27-year-old earned himself his first NHL extension, agreeing two a two-year deal worth $1.15 million. 

Fasching will serve as a bottom-six player and won't be relied upon for his offense but will be for his energy, grit, and determination. 

The journeyman has had to grind for years, and to have financial stability and a home, we could certainly see his confidence rise to another level whether he's playing on a shutdown line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau or the Islanders' fourth line alongside Casey Cizikas. 

There's reasons for Islanders fans to be optimistic heading into 2023-24 despite a lack of change. As mentioned, that doesn't mean the Islanders are a finished project and will be marching their way to a Stanley Cup parade. 

But there's no reason they shouldn't be better in 2023-24. 

You can listen and watch Stefen Rosner talk New York Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert.