The New York Islanders have turned their season around as of late, truly buying into Patrick Roy's system and structure. Rookie Kyle MacLean has allowed for Roy to run the lines he want, changing the season's outlook.
The New York Islanders have turned their season around as of late, truly buying into Patrick Roy's system and structure. Rookie Kyle MacLean has allowed for Roy to run the lines he want, changing the season's outlook.
The New York Islanders have turned their season around as of late, truly buying into Patrick Roy's system and structure.
The Islanders, who stood pat at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, have a lineup that is firing on all cylinders, currently riding a five-game winning streak since Roy altered the lines on Feb. 26.
They've outscored their opponents 24-10 over that span.
Roy decided to try Brock Nelson on the top line in their 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 24 and was intrigued by how he played alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal in that third period.
It's a move that he kept when the Islanders went into Dallas, a 3-2 overtime win, which kickstarted this winning streak.
Roy was able to move Nelson to the wing, elevate Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the second line, and Casey Cizikas to the third line for one reason, and that's due to the play of 24-year-old center Kyle MacLean.
After showcasing well in his first stint with the club, filling in for an injured Cizikas -- playing in the final game before Lane Lambert was relieved, and then another five games under Roy -- MacLean found himself back in the minors.
"I think he has a future with us. No doubt in my mind," Roy said when MacLean got sent down on Jan. 6. "I mean, it'll be up to the organization to decide when he's ready or not. But I think he does have a future with our team.
"He played really well. I felt like he was very reliable. I mean, he played really well defensively. I guess there's no better feeling than leaving with a goal in your back pocket. I think it brings a lot of confidence to your game, and I'm sure he's going to Bridgeport with other good things in his mind."
MacLean had a goal in those first six games and stood out for being in the right position in all three zones, getting in on the forecheck, and making the right plays at the right time:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTZBGazUqUs[/embed]
"He's done a solid job [filling the Cizikas role]," Cal Clutterbuck told The Hockey News. "He's a really good, really good player. I think the lesson for a lot of young kids out there is if you're not going to be the Mat Barzals of the world, you want to play the game properly and hard, and you'll find a place for sure."
The Islanders did recall MacLean for their game against the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 22 after Cizikas was hurt yet again. But when Cizikas returned just a game later, the thought was that MacLean was headed back to Bridgeport.
Instead, he not only stayed with the club, but stayed in the lineup, which allowed Roy to make the lineup changes he wanted.
Without MacLean showing to be a trustworthy center, Roy likely can't move Nelson to the top line unless a trade was made.
THN asked Lamoriello during his post-trade-deadline media session how much of a role MacLean played in his decisions.
"There's no question it had an impact because what we are seeing is the team come together and play to the capabilities that we thought they could and would on a consistent basis," Lamoriello said. "But we still have a ways to go. We've had a lot to climb to get to where we are at.
"We have everything in our own hands right now is what you want. And the key is not to look back and to continue to build and grow and get the lines going on a consistent basis each and every night, as well as the defense and certainly goaltender. It's a team game. And we're built for sort of the team approach. Everybody has to be doing what their job is."
In 12 career games, MacLean has three goals, three blocks, and 21 hits, averaging 9:13 TOI.
"I just think he's so solid," Islanders captain Anders Lee told THN. "To play at this level, you got to be solid in a lot of areas. But I think for him as a centerman and coming up and filling the depth role, I think he does that extremely well, because he works hard.
"He's very smart with his positioning on the ice. He can win draws and kill penalties, kind of a jack of all trades, in the sense of what you need for someone that's going to come in and fill some shoes. And on top of that, he's shown his scoring touch and ability to make plays, so he's just a really well-rounded player who has stepped in and hasn't missed a beat or needed a step or time or anything."
MacLean, who went undrafted, signed his first NHL contract this summer, a one-year deal worth $800,000 after three years in Bridgeport. He was a standout during training camp, and his work ethic earned him the NHL opportunity.
"It's impressive. But the guys that can do it, do it," Lee said. "So I think the proof is in the pudding right there. Kyle's a guy that can play in this league and should be in this league. And there's a reason why he's seen his time and his role continue to grow."
In five games since being recalled, MacLean has two goals, his latest one giving the Islanders a 4-2 lead against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night in a 7-2 win:
If MacLean didn't prove to be an NHL option, the Islanders may have had to acquire a centerman at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. But because he's been so strong, assets could be saved.
THN caught up with MacLean to discuss getting sent down and how different his second stint has been.
"It's been a little different. I think that the first time, a lot of things are new to you, and it's a new experience," MacLean said. "And the second time, you feel a bit more comfortable. You've been through it a little bit, so yeah, more comfortable in the locker room and then on the ice as well, just the whole lifestyle of it, too.
"You're accustomed to it a little bit more. But yeah, definitely good to have that first experience. The second time, I'm using that knowledge."
Getting set down is never easy, especially the morning after scoring your first career NHL goal. But the mindset was all positive for MacLean.
"My mindset was the same as ever. You just keep working," MacLean said. "I went down and just tried to work and play my game. Nothing much changed, and I'm happy I got the chance to be back up."
Matt Martin and Clutterbuck are not the same players they once were, but as Roy says, the line may get stuck in its own zone often, but it rarely allows much.
MacLean has enjoyed his time with the two fourth-line staples.
"It's been awesome," MacLean said. "They have been around and know exactly what to do out there to be effective. And they communicate that to me well, as well. We know what we have to do, and it's been a pleasure playing with them."
MacLean has been the Hudson Fasching of the 2023-24 season, bursting onto the season and forcing his way into the lineup.
If the Islanders are able to make the playoffs the way they are currently constructed, Maclean's ability to become an NHL option in a quick amount of time will have played a vital role.
Because McLean was on the NHL roster by 3 PM on Friday, he must remain with the Islanders for the rest of the season.
While it's forced now, he certainly deserved it and is excited to still be here.
"It's pretty cool," MacLean said. "Really happy to be here and just enjoying the ride. I can't say I knew honestly how it worked. But I did get a text from my agent that that's what he thought would happen."