2017-18 record: 35-37-10 (80 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA
The New York Islanders were an enigma last year, as they ranked in the top third of the league in offense while finishing dead last in defense. The results were long-reaching, as Lou Lamoriello was brought in as General Manager, effectively ending the Garth Snow Error. In the process, Doug Weight was fired and Lamoriello was able to convince Barry Trotz to leave the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals to become the Islanders head coach. The regime change didn't end there, as John Tavares left for Toronto and some of Lamoriello's fingerprints from Toronto are now with the Islanders. Where the Islanders go from here is anyone's guess.
A player like Tavares leaving should be a deathblow for any franchise. However, he wasn't even the team's leading scorer, as rookie Matt Barzal had the honors. Still, Tavares' production will be difficult to replace, especially since the forwards brought in were Leo Komarov, Matt Martin, and Valtteri Filppula, not exactly net burners. What the trio should bring is a better defensive presence up front. Barzal, along with Anthony Beauvillier and Anders Lee should spearhead the offense. Defensively, the Islanders were flat out terrible. Nick Leddy was a microcosm of the team's fortunes, both offensively and defensively, as he was a solid contributor on offense, but had one of the worst +/- in the league. The Islanders have to get better here, and Trotz should be helpful in that regard, as he has preached defensive responsibility in his time with Nashville and Washington. Goaltending wasn't any better, and now, Jaroslav Halak is gone. Thomas Greiss regressed badly, and will be splitting time with another inconsistent goaltender in Robin Lehner.
Prediction: 5th in the Metropolitan Division
The Islanders will likely take a step back offensively, but they should be better defensively, if only for the fact that they have nowhere to go but up. With the sweeping changes from the top down, it's uncertain what the new look Islanders will do, but there should be more stability and at least, a known direction.
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