When it comes to finding words for the New York Islanders defense heading toward training camp, the best pair to describe it are — experienced and expectant.
When it comes to finding words for the New York Islanders defense heading toward training camp, the best pair to describe it are — experienced and expectant.
When it comes to finding words for the New York Islanders defense heading toward training camp, the best pair to describe it are — experienced and expectant.
The experience is obvious, led by Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Alex Romanov, and Scott Mayfield.
The expectations aspect starts with Noah Dobson, of whom some critics say that the sky is the limit in terms of potential. The actual delivery will be another story. (See me in spring for the answer.)
Ditto for Romanov, who really came on strong in the second half of the last NHL marathon. We're hoping that we'll see a lot of that and a little of his early-season uncertainty.
Mayfield's new contract underlines a point made by management.
The high command has faith in his overall ability behind the blue line and over the center red line. The St. Louis, Missouri product still has some detractors but more supporters, including Lou Lamoriello.
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After Dobson, Romanov, and Mayfield, there's a ton of hope based both on snapshot performances and more involved experiences. Samuel Bolduc, Sebastian Aho, and Robin Salo will step up, but only time will tell how effective they can be -- long-term -- under intense game conditions.
If nothing else, what we've learned over the past few years is that one D-man -- among the crowd -- has emerged as the bastion of the blue line.
Pelech has come of age. And how do we know this?
Simple. When he's out with injury, the defense corps simply is not the same; not as strong nor as confident. Adam is the man whether he's fronting Ilya Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov.
Blue line success, therefore, depends in large part on Pelech staying healthy long-term.
When it comes to the multi-faced Dobson, his rebound ability will be closely watched.
I wouldn't call his 2022-23 season a bummer, but I sure expected more from a stick handler who has the tools to spearhead attacks and counterattacks from his own zone.
Pulock is another interesting case in that there always seems to be more in his arsenal than what we're seeing -- and getting. When it's on, his shot is from Hades and has enormous power-play potential. What's needed is more consistency, both defensively and on the attack.
It was not that long ago that the back line was fortified with a couple of ancients named Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene, but those nights seem long ago.
Youth now is being served by newly-contracted Bolduc, Aho -- plus-9 last season -- and Salo. No question, Aho has proven himself -- but up to a point -- and now must do it again as he goes into a contract year.
Salo remains a work in progress. He only played 11 games last season but emerged with a plus-1 and a lot of hope. The bigness (6-4, 220) of Bolduc has turned him into a hitting threat. Also, he came off 17 regular season games -- two goals, one assist -- with an impressive plus-5.
Let's not forget -- at least at the moment -- that the general staff appears to favor Bolduc, but that easily could change based on training camp performances.
Coach Lane Lambert will be looking over this defensive unit to once and for all pluck a power-play quarterback. The leader of the brigade, Pelech, is in place, plus there's a talent to spare.
How much talent is an equation yet to be determined.