Professor Fischler Offers His 2022-2023 Islanders Forwards Report Cards

Pencils down. Professor Stan Fischler grades the 2022-23 New York Islanders forward group.

I have a right to grade hockey players for a few reasons.

1. I've been watching the ice game for more than a half-century.

2. I was a professor at Fordham University, Columbia University, and Queens College.

3. The New York Islanders, in particular, were in my telescope all season.

The following grades are merely one man's opinion; no more and no less. 

They are here to promote healthy discussion, whether you disagree or not. It's called healthy debate. See what you think.

Defense and Goalie Report Cards due tomorrow!

Note: A=Excellent; B=Very Good; C=Good Enough; D=Could Be Better.

GRADES:

Mathew Barzal: B- Mat was en route to a strong season -- meshing neatly with newly acquired Bo Horvat -- until injury deleted him until the playoffs. His return for the postseason was valiant, but the rust remained.

Anders Lee: C+ We wanted more from the captain, whose 28 goals were impressive on one hand. On the other, there was too much inconsistency, and the leadership issue seemed a bit too challenging.

Bo Horvat. B- His arrival was hailed as a savior, and he did, in fact, play well during Barzal's absence. No question Bo worked hard and seemed to lose confidence when snakebitten. We needed more in the playoffs but did not get it, which hurt, big-time.

Brock Nelson: A- The big guy was the club's most dependable sharpshooter. His goals were most important at key moments, and he gave coach Lane Lambert 100%. He ranks among the NHL's most underrated forwards.

Kyle Palmieri: B+ You had to love the vet who was breezin' along with the breeze until injured. When in the lineup, he significantly boosted the team and proved most dependable in the playoffs.

Pierre Engvall: B When the ex-Leaf arrived, little was known about his value. We soon came to appreciate his speed and the manner in which he appreciated the opportunity given him. His sneaky shot produced some key goals.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau: C+ He was dependable on face-offs and neutralizing the best lines thrown at the Isles. Anchoring the third line, he found chemistry with Zach Parise and Hudson Fasching.

Zach Parise: A- Lambert couldn't ask for anything more out of this non-stop hustler and lamplighter who scored more than anyone had predicted. As one scout noted: "He did everything at both ends of the ice; night in and night out."

Matt Martin: B- You could call Matty "The Poor Man's Parise." He gives all he's got, and it showed with a career-high in points while tough to play against.

Occasionally, he loses his cool at the wrong time, as happened in the playoffs.

Casey Cizikas: B Of the Identity Line trio, Double C was the most productive and durable. This mini-workhorse missed only one game and doubled on backchecking and an occasional big goal.

Cal Clutterbuck: C Constant solid hard checking has taken its toll over the years with the result that injuries keep happening. When Cal is healthy, he'll even come up with a big goal, as proven by Game Six at UBS.

Hudson Fasching: B+ Considering that the only "Hudson" we had known was a river, this gift from Bridgeport turned into the most opportune gem at the most opportune time. Given ice time, he made the most of it. goal-wise and otherwise.

Simon Holmstrom: C- His future as a big-leaguer is ahead, but the young right winger showed flashes in a relatively short audition. We'd hoped for more of an offensive bent, but that should come next year. He's still growing as a player.

Josh Bailey: D The once reliable, productive, and much-admired vet appears to have reached the end of the line as an Islander. He regressed as the season unfolded and -- not surprisingly -- was scratched for all six playoff games. Sad!