Islanders Select Cole Eiserman As the NHL enters the dog days of the offseason, most of the marquee free-agent signings are in the books. The remaining free agents are depth pieces, with the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] adding some depth of their own following their July 1 signing of Anthony Duclair [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/anthony-duclair-patrick-roy-new-york-islanders-juniors-free-agency-nhl]. Looking at the Islanders’ depth chart, they are in a far different position than where they were last year. Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin haven't been brought back yet, but if things stay the same, some familiar faces are likely to take those spots in the starting lineup. The primary difference on the fourth line will come from someone who didn't start last season on the NHL roster: Kyle MacLean [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/kyle-maclean-new-york-islanders-2023-24-contract-extension-lamoriello-roy]. After earning praise from head coach Patrick Roy for his two-way play, he was offered and signed a three-year extension this offseason. The other piece to consider, though, is that the acquisitions of Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/maxim-tsyplakov-new-york-islanders-free-agent-contract-entry-level-signing-bonus]--signed as a European free agent--will lead to some line jumbling. While not much has changed regarding fresh faces, the perk of these moves is that they should lead to more stable lines. For example, there should be no reason that Casey Cizikas is playing wing on the top line or that Fasching plays as a wing on the second line. Even for a player like Pierre Engvall--started last season as the second line left winger--his game clearly fits more as a bottom-six forward, so that's where he should be. Anders Lee, who got shifts on the top two lines, as he's done in previous seasons, embraced a third-line role last season, with Simon Holmstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-simon-holmstrom-patrick-roy-2024-25-one-year-deal] ultimately getting demoted from a middle-six forward to an extra. As a result, the Islanders could run a bottom six of Jean-Gabriel Pageau between Lee and Engvall, with Cizikas, Holmstrom, and MacLean on the fourth line. Depending on how Roy runs his fourth line, Fasching may be a better suitor for that role than Holmstrom. Although Holmstrom and Fasching are expected to be on the NHL roster, the Islanders still have ample depth options that could vy for an NHL spot or be at the top of the list if a call-up is needed. And the competition is much different than it was a year ago. Last season, the Islanders began with the following depth forwards, not including rookies in the organization: Fasching, Holmstrom, Oliver Wahlstrom, Julien Gauthier, Arnaud Durandeau, Ruslan Iskahkov, Karson Kuhlman, MacLean, Otto Koivula and Brian Pinho. Iskhakov and Koivula have left the organization to go overseas. Early in the 2023-24 season, Durandeau was dealt to the New Jersey Devils for Tyce Thompson. Gauthier, who won a job on the NHL roster, was optioned to the minors shortly after Roy's arrival so that Roy could get a "good look" at Wahlstrom. Wahlstrom, who didn't show much, will have a salary arbitration hearing on Aug. 1 but will likely get dealt with before that date. Kuhlman is an unrestricted free agent, while Pinho re-signed. So, with some turnover, who do the Islanders have as options? If Clutterbuck isn't back, the biggest question will be who fills the right side of the fourth line. Gauthier and Fasching are named to watch as they enter the final years of their respective contracts. Gauthier can bring an element of speed to the fourth line, and he impressed at times in a 27-game sample with five goals and four assists for nine points. While Fasching may not have had as offensively strong a year as his first campaign on Long Island, notching four goals and 10 assists for 14 points, he's also known for his two-way play, matching the line's identity. Holmstrom could take the fourth-line spot as he plays better being on his off-wing, but if he's going to play down there, he has to increase his battle level. The Islanders revamped Bridgeport this summer while also adding more competition for training camp. Fredrik Karlstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/erik-karlson-new-york-islanders-bridgeport-islanders-center-depth], Thompson (assuming he signed his qualifying offer), and Liam Foudy [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-liam-foudy-tyce-thompson-bridgeport-islanders] are names that come to mind here, all of which provide different levels of experience. Karlstrom and Thompson each have minimal NHL experience, but Foudy has his share of NHL experience. In 102 career games, he has seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points, with his speed being his major asset. Thompson struggled on the scoring front with Bridgeport, but Karlstrom was no slouch on offense with the Texas Stars. For Dallas’ top farm team, he scored 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points in the AHL. With Foudy’s speed and ample amount of NHL games, he’s likely the first man up, but Karlstrom and Thompson are names to watch for. As a result, the Islanders will certainly have some interesting decisions to make on their depth chart this season. The Islanders currently have $50,000 in available cap space with a 22-man roster, so unless that number goes up to at least $775,000, there's no room for anyone else. If anyone named above is going to crack the NHL roster, that means someone has to come off it. If none of the new depth signings make the NHL roster, that means more veterans for Bridgeport's lineup. Having vets is invaluable for the younger prospects, not only just to learn from, as their development doesn't get rushed. If there's an injury, the Islanders can recall one of their signings, allowing prospects to take their time and not deviate from their development plans. For example, when William Dufour made his NHL debut a few years ago, he played limited minutes in a game against the Boston Bruins, which was a mistake. He was clearly not ready, and if the Islanders had stronger depth, Dufour would not have been recalled. Even last season, despite Iskhakov earning a call-up for the final game of the regular season, which didn't count for playoff purposes, was he the right player for the Islanders to use in Game 4 of the first-round series? Yes, they won the game to stave off elimination, but had a player like Foudy been on the expanded roster, would he have been called upon instead? The Islanders do have a few youngsters they are hoping to take that next step in Matthew Maggio (entering year 2), Alex Jeffries (entering year 1), and William Dufour (entering year 3), as all three could be potential call-ups in the near future--but not yet. With some longtime faces out in Bridgeport and the big club, new names are in with Duclair and Tysplakov, which will shake up the roster. As Lee potentially takes on a lesser role and Holmstrom adjusts to life on the fourth line, they’ll all likely headline the depth with a good mix of names behind them. With this in mind, the battles for the final roster spots will be interesting to watch come training camp time. TOP STORIES
