2014-15 record: 47-28-7 (101 points)
Lost to Washington in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: John Tavares
For most of the season, it looked like the New York Islanders would win the Metropolitan Division. However, entering the playoffs, their special teams, namely the power play, betrayed them as they went down to Washington in seven games in the opening round. Pretty much the same cast returns from last season, and with only the New York Rangers likely to take a small step back, making the playoffs will be tough in a Metropolitan Division fraught with six potential playoff contenders.
Depth up front is not a concern. However, finding consistent linemates for John Tavares is, as the left wing was a revolving door. The right side is just as uncertain, as Kyle Okposo could very well be on the move as he enters the final year of his contract. He's also still recovering from an eye injury that cost him a quarter of the season. There are many good players up front, which made one-time 30 goal scorer Michael Grabner expendable. It's simply finding the right chemistry for the top three lines, though Nikolay Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski are comfortable enough to constitute two-thirds of a line and Frans Nielsen is a Selke Trophy candidate year in and year out. Defensively, things really fell into place with pre-season trades for both Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy, both of whom signed extensions during the season. The unit as a whole is better than the 23rd ranking they have, though the Isles would love for either Scott Mayfield or Ryan Pulock to eventually make at least the third pairing. Depth is not a concern here, either, which allowed them to move Griffin Reinhart for draft picks. In goal, things get a little dicey, particularly if Jaroslav Halak goes down for any period of time. Last year, he was exactly the goalie the Isles needed. However, he wore down as the season progressed and the cavalcade of backups (Kevin Poulin, Michal Neuvirth, and Chad Johnson) were not very good. This year, it's Thomas Greiss' turn, and if he falters, well, there may not be much of a choice but to put recent acquisition Christopher Gibson in.
Prediction: 4th in the Metropolitan Division
The Islanders return much of the same lineup, which is a good news, bad news kind of deal. The good news is that the Isles are talented enough and deep enough to make a good run in the playoffs. The bad news is that until they improve their special teams, particularly their power play, that run may be shortened.
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