All signs are pointing to Simon Holmstrom starting the season on the New York Islanders top line. Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News caught up with the young forward to discuss his new role, hitting the net, and more.

All signs are pointing to Simon Holmstrom starting the season on the New York Islanders top line.

The 22-year-old forward played 50 NHL games in 2022-23, showcasing strong defensive play but lacked the offensive output with just six goals and three assists, playing primarily on the Islanders' third line. 

The lack of offense didn't come from a lack of chances.

Per NaturalStatrick.com, Holmstrom had 57 individual scoring chances at 5-on-5 this past season, 17 of which were high danger.

Holmstrom's weakness was hitting the net, something that's plagued him throughout his career.

The former first-round pick recorded 39 shots on goal in 50 games, an average of .78 shots per game. But more often than not, when Holmstrom earned a prime scoring chance, the puck didn't find its way on net, missing the twine 20 times -- 17 wide -- with 22 shots blocked.

Playing on more of a shutdown defensive line last season, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Zach Parise, the offensive holes of Holmstrom's game weren't the be-all and end-all.

Up top with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, the Islanders want Holmstrom to continue to just play his game, creating offense from strong defensive play while helping to lead breakouts and find open ice.

But because of who he's playing with, Holmstrom needs to provide some offense if he wants to stick that high in the lineup.

Although he did not have much offensive success in his rookie year, Holmstrom did show that he has offensive capabilities:

When we sat down with Holmstrom last March, he discussed his offensive struggles. 

"All the points and offense have taken a little too long for me," Holmstrom told The Hockey News. "I think that's because that's where I feel like I'm most comfortable, and that's where my strongest game is. And I think the last two, three games, it's been a little step up for that as well, but I'm just trying to get better every single day.

"And I know I got way more to give as well."

After Thursday's practice, which showcased Holmstrom on his natural right wing as Barzal made the move to Horvat's left, we caught up with the young forward on what he's doing to fix his offensive issues heading into the 2023-24 season and more. 

Holmstrom has been Islanders property since 2019, but this was the first training camp where he made the roster.

Lambert's trust in him in that role has Holmstrom's confidence level as high as ever. 

"It's a good confidence boost," Holmstrom told The Hockey News. "I'm just going to go out there and play my game and do my best."

Playing with two talented forwards has been a highlight, as well. 

"It's been unbelievable. I mean, they are two of the best players in this league and unreal people as well," Holmstrom said. "So it's just great experience."

Barzal and Holmstrom swapped positions at Thursday's practice, as each player was now on their off-wing. 

This move will allow for both players to be more of a weapon when entering the offensive zone. 

"I feel like there's just more options coming into the offensive zone," Holmstrom said. "More attacking abilities and easier to get a shot off as well. From the breakout standpoint, it's easier to have your forehand on the wall."

But the biggest weapon for Holmstrom being on the right is his ability to cut to the slot and use his long reach to create a shooting lane.

"It's a good option, and it's a good threat to cut in, cut through the middle and get a shot off," Holmstrom said. "I think it's way easier on that side, as well."

On the left, Holmstrom would need to cut to the slot on his backhand, which isn't ideal, and that was the same issue for Barzal, a right-hander, lining up at right wing. 

Holmstrom knows he needs to find a way to hit the net more consistently this season, especially playing with two elite forwards. 

Here's his game plan. 

"Just stay focused all the time and focus on every single shot," Holmstrom said. "And not aim for the top corner. Just try to get it on net and create rebounds if it doesn't go in."

Holmstrom hinted there that maybe he was trying to be too fine last season regarding puck placement. 

"I think when you are used to putting up some points and all that, you get in your own head as well, and you're trying to do too much all the time," Holmstrom said. "So, I think that's one thing as well. You want to go out there and not think about it."

With Barzal the playmaker that he is and Bo Horvat the finisher, Holmstrom's shots don't always have to be snipes. 

If he can get them on net at a higher rate, that will create rebound chances either for himself or for Horvat. Chaos in front of goal is always a need, whether the ensuing shot goes in or not, as it tires the defense and opposing netminder.

Watching Holmstrom since his debut, there's been a handful of times where he will take the puck to the slot and, using his long reach, hold and hold as he drifted from the slot to inside the left circle.

Was he looking for a pass option by pulling a defenseman or two? 

Was he trying to create more of a lane to snipe a goaltender short side or go against the grain?

"I mean, there's always different options," Holmstrom said. "One way is to find a pass. I think that's one of my strongest skills, and then you also got to cut back and try to get the defense pushed down pretty deeply and then find some space, and, like you said, you can also have that short-angle shot."

As a player cuts across the slot, especially if it's on his forehand, goaltenders need to continuously move with the puck. It gets more interesting for goaltenders the lower in the slot the player moves as the netminder has to focus on respecting the shot while also keeping in the back of their mind that the puck could find itself coming back the other way to a teammate for a prime chance.

Sometimes, the forward gets the goaltender to over-commit to the shot, allowing for a few things: wide-open frames after a pass or a chance at a wraparound. 

We've seen Islanders forward Brock Nelson delay and wrap the puck around a handful of times over his tenure, with Horvat wrapping the puck in during preseason play after a strong feed from Holmstrom. 

We asked Holmstrom if wraparounds were something that's in his arsenal.

"I have barely ever scored a wraparound," Holmstrom chuckled. "But that's also a very good option."

Because Holmstrom has the luxury of starting on the Islanders' top line, he controls how long he stays there.

Yes, the defensive play is essential. Yes, his ability to keep pace with the Islanders' dynamic duo is one of the primary reasons Holmstrom's been given the opportunity. 

But you have to produce at the NHL level, especially in a top-six role on a team that hasn't been able to be ultra-consistent offensively. 

Many fans lost their marbles when they saw Holmstrom skating up top after his 2022-23 struggles. 

He has a chance to silence those haters starting on Saturday when the Islanders host the Buffalo Sabres at 7:30 PM to kick off their 2023-24 season.