Islanders Mailbag: Buckle Up For Training Camp

Stefen Rosner

Sep 20, 2023, 23:26

Stefen Rosner

Sep 20, 2023, 23:26

Ahead of the start of New York Islanders training camp, Stefen Rosner answers your questions and comments.

The New York Islanders hit the ice Thursday for the start of training camp. There will be three groups going, and we will provide you with the rosters as soon as we get them.

I'm here to answer your questions and comments ahead of the unofficial start of the 2023-24 season.

Let's drop the puck and get to some questions, eh?

What kids have a realistic chance of pushing for a spot on day one? @MikeObs029

Heading into the summer, I would have told you that not a single prospect has a chance of cracking the Islanders' opening night lineup. However, with the injury to Alexander Romanov (upper body) and the unknown of if or when Zach Parise will be returning, there are certainly openings.

That being said, the Islanders acquired depth this summer on top of bringing back their own, so it still will be tough for a prospect to crack the roster.

Outside of defenseman Samuel Bolduc, who played 19 NHL games for New York, and forward Simon Holmstrom, who played 50, one would think the holes in the NHL lineup will be taken by players who already have a good amount of NHL experience, like a Julien Gauthier or a Sebastian Aho.

If you anonymously polled every GM in the NHL, do you think they judge Pelech and Pulock to be near all-star great first pair or just solid players? @GoodOrtho_com

This is a rather interesting question. I think the Islanders are well aware of how elite the pairing can be when they are on top of their game. In the NHL today, a league based on speed and skill, defensive metric players like Adam Pelech go under the radar. While the two were a dynamic duo during the Islanders' long bubble runs, injuries to Pulock and Pelech haven't allowed the pairing to be as effective over the last few minutes.

It's expected that the two will be a pairing this season, and if they can stay healthy and find a way to get back to that shutdown style, they will dictate the conversation. But, as of now, they are just really strong players that bring consistent play night after night.

It's why they are both signed long-term.

How close exactly is Dufour? Out of the Isles prospects, he’s expected to make the biggest impact, but when can the team expect him to be effective on NHL ice? @johnfiorino97

While I am not an NHL scout (I did take a course on NHL scouting), we have seen the growth we needed to see from William Dufour this summer. His skating is exponentially better, and his newfound first stride allows him to explode forward, with the puck on the stick. He's physically mature enough to play in the NHL, standing at six-foot-two and weighing 215 pounds. If he's not the first call-up this season (likely Arnaud Durandeau, in my eyes), he's certainly in the top three.

Who do you think will be on their 3rd line to start the season? Seems like there are at least 4-5 guys competing for the 2 wing spots next to Pageau, @DM_8080

You are correct. Lane Lambert does have options from Hudson Fasching, Simon Holmstrom, Julien Gauthier, and prospects like William Dufour, Matthew Maggio, Ruslan Iskhakov, etc.

I'll go with Hudson Fasching on Jean-Gabriel Pageau's left wing because I spoke to him this summer, and he's more than comfortable playing his off-wing.

Also, if Fasching comes into training camp with the same energy that made him a staple in the Islanders' lineup since he was recalled in late November, he will earn playing time. Speaking with Bridgeport head coach Rick Kowalsky about Holmstrom, he said that his issue was hitting the net last year, and I think we saw that at the NHL level.

The Islanders need him to be more of an offensive threat when in the lineup, and I think, after getting a taste of NHL action, him starting in Bridgeport (waiver exempt) may be ultra beneficial and allow him to focus on that offense.

Julien Gauthier is an interesting one, as he brings raw speed but has struggled to finish over his NHL career. If anything, he makes sense to be the extra forward on the roster, as he can play anywhere in the lineup. He's also on a one-way deal.

Given the issues with the power play last season, how short is Lambert’s leash? @DemarojJoseph

General manager Lou Lamoriello made it clear when he decided to bring back power-play coach John MacLean that he saw the power-play problems as more than one-dimensional. I think the move put the onus on the players.

Lambert shared at the golf outing that he will oversee the special team units more, but I don't think if the power play fails, Lambert is out of a job.

Which team do you think is the biggest competition for the Isles when it comes to securing a playoff spot this season? @breanna_ebisch

Great question, as the Eastern Conference is going to be rather challenging. I think the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ottawa Senators will be in the fight for one of the wild card spots, and as we saw last season, one overtime loss could be the difference maker.

Which contract from the offseason will end up hurting the team more in the future than being a positive one? @richard_t447

There was more to this question, citing that Scott Mayfield's contract (3.5x7) would come back to bite the organization. While it certainly can, like any contract, you have to remember that the salary cap will rise, and it's projected to increase exponentially.

That also means that the contract of Mayfield and Pierre Engvall (3x7) becomes movable assets.

I'm a big proponent of locking up goaltenders, and Ilya Sorokin at $8.25 million over eight years is likely a steal. We know how goaltenders, especially flexible ones, can struggle toward the end of their careers.

But looking at Lamoriello's signings, I don't think any contract he made will "hurt."

If anything, it's previous contracts that could become detrimental.

Who should be the new alternate captain since Bailey left? @SamEllis202

I've been pretty consistent with the chatter about captains and alternate captains because that decision stems from situations that the media doesn't get to be a part of.

Who is making speeches at intermissions? Who is hyping the team up before the opening puck drop? Who is someone young players can come to, to talk about anything?

We don't have that answer, but I can say that Brock Nelson donned the "A" when Josh Bailey was out of the lineup. So, he's likely the one that gets the "A" full-time.

Who replaces Parise on the PK? @markw147

With Pageau and Casey Cizikas back, the two penalty-kill leaders in terms of minutes played, I think we will see Bo Horvat and Brock Nelson used a bit more. I do believe Fasching can be a strong penalty killer as well.

What is your top 10 player ranking of the rookie camp? @batt_marzal

1. D, Isaiah George

2. F, William Dufour

3. F, Matthew Maggio

4. F, Ruslan Iskhakov

5. D, Calle Odelius

6. G, Tristan Lennox

7. F, Eetu Liukas

8. D, Travis Mitchell

9. F, Blade Jenkins

10. F, Kyle MacLean

What would you say are the opening night lines? @RyanJackNYY

Anders Lee -- Bo Horvat -- Mathew Barzal

Pierre Engvall -- Brock Nelson -- Kyle Palmieri

Hudson Fasching -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Oliver Wahlstrom

Matt Martin -- Casey Cizikas -- Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech -- Ryan Pulock

Alexander Romanov -- Noah Dobson

Sebastian Aho -- Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov

Islanders Mailbag: Buckle Up For Training Camp