Islanders 4 Persistent Questions Following Offseason Action – Hockey Writers – New York Islanders

The offseason is coming to an end, and the New York Islanders roster is the same as in recent seasons, although general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello has made some changes, especially signing a free agent for the first time.

Related: 4 Islanders Who Can't Move Back in 2024-25

The Islanders look capable of making the playoffs, but there are still many unanswered questions. That will make the rest of the season and the start of 2024-25 a sweet one for Lamoriello as they hope to return to the playoffs for a third straight campaign.

Where Does Deep Hitting Come From?

The Islanders have a very heavy roster on offense. Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Brock Nelson round out the top six, while Noah Dobson is the anchor from the point. Their depth, on the other hand, doesn't cause much offense, with only six players scoring 15 or more goals and only six players dishing out more than 20 assists last season.

How will things be different this season? Sure, the Islanders' roster was led by depth, but in recent seasons, age has turned that strength into a liability.

The Islanders added Maxim Tsyplakov, who will be a wild card up front (his ceiling makes him a top-six threat, but his floor has never found a role at the NHL level). Maybe Kyle MacLean will start creating some scoring opportunities on the fourth line to add some spark. There are a few prospects, especially Matthew Maggio and William Dufour, who, when ready, could make an impact. The bottom line is that the scoring depth or lack thereof must be addressed, or the third and fourth lines will once again cost the team a win.

What is Duclair's Role in the Case?

Lamoriello made a big move by signing Anthony Duclair, a league veteran who has established himself as a passer and scorer at just 28 years old. Duclair is dynamic as a top-six winger, but what will he provide on offense?

The thought is that he will play on the top line alongside Barzal and Horvat. However, Duclair must adapt to the dynamics of his teammates and, more importantly, produce at a high level around them. At first glance, he should be the one to pass Horvat and take advantage of Barzal's playmaking ability, but the reality is that both skaters can win in many ways, and he should do the same.

There is also a slight chance that Duclair will play on Nelson's line for at least a few games. That will also change his role, as he will try to help the Islanders' leading scorer in recent seasons while also providing scoring opportunities for Kyle Palmieri on the other end. Duclair's first season with the Islanders will be worth watching, and will dictate how he is used throughout the season.

Will Sorokin and Varlamov Always Be a Tandem?

This question comes after the end of last season. The Islanders relied on Ilya Sorokin during the campaign, as his struggles began to hurt the team. Then they rolled with Semyon Varlamov for a playoff spot, but unlike most NHL teams, the Islanders aren't starting to fall apart. Instead, they went with the hot hand, which was Varlamov, at the end of the season.

The Islanders have the same goalie this season. With Sorokin looking to bounce back and Varlamov hoping to play at a higher level, it's unclear whether the two will part ways or whether one will be more trusted than the other. Sorokin is capable of being a primary starter, but as last season showed, he needs a backup to keep him fresh throughout the season and playoffs.

This is where having Patrick Roy as head coach helps. He is not a goalkeeper coach, but he knows the position from a high level. He knew that Sorokin couldn't lead the Islanders to the playoffs last season, which is why he started Varlamov on the floor. This season, you will learn exactly who should start and how often.

The next question is what happens if these two can't hold together. Specifically, what happens if Varlamov misses time due to injury like he did last season? Sorokin will be the primary starter, but with back-to-backs and tough moves in the system, the Islanders will need a backup. That's where the American Hockey League (AHL) comes into play, and based on how the Bridgeport Islanders goaltenders played last season, good luck.

Is Mayfield the answer to the Third Pair?

The Islanders are betting on a bounce-back season from Scott Mayfield. He signed a seven-year contract through the 2023 season but struggled with injuries and struggled throughout last season, forcing him out in the second half. If Mayfield can't return to form, the Islanders should look elsewhere for third-pairing options.

Sebastian Aho and Robin Salo are no longer on the roster, but the Islanders have options going forward. Samuel Bolduc was signed with this role in mind, and Dennis Cholowski is an AHL veteran who is likely to be called up. Even if it's reinforced, the management is taking a big risk by relying on Mayfield to complete the defense with Mike Reilly, and the hope is that he can still do that, even if his long-term vision with the team is not promising.

Some Unanswered Postseason Questions

There are big picture questions that Lamoriello will have to answer sometime in 2024-25. The first is if the Islanders can make a splash and add a versatile skater to the top six. If they can do that, the next question is whether this program is ready to compete for the Stanley Cup.

So far, the answer is no. The Islanders are ready to make the playoffs, but not by much. That said, a big trade that adds elite talent could change that. It's up to Lamoriello to pull the trigger, and he'll have to if the Islanders are to become a contender again.

The other side of the coin is if the Islanders aren't good and what a recycled tool would look like. Lamoriello is not hot and rare, if ever it was sold last time. However, if the offer is on the table for Nelson, Palmieri, or Alexander Romanov, he should consider it. Selling any of them — all of which will enter the season on expiring deals — could give the team some much-needed youth to help it retool the fleet.

Do you have any lingering questions about the Islanders? Let us know in the comment section below.