Team:
22-23: 44-31-7, makes playoffs and lose R2--> Barzal team MVP with 22-61-83 in 80GP
23-24: 49-27-6, 2nd in metro and make SCF--> Wahlstrom wins co team MVP with 45-30-75 in 82, Sorokin goes 35-14-5 with a 38.2 GSAx
24-25: 49-28-5, 2nd in metro again and contend for cup but lose in conference finals --> Dobson team MVP as he finishes 3rd in Norris with 14-59-73 in 81GP
- Lou retires following 23-24, hire a good, young GM
- Lambert impresses, remains HC through all of this
Signed Contracts:
Wahlstrom: 22-23 season goes 28-35-63 in 75, finishing final 20 games going 12-10-22 in 20 while playing with Barzal to make Islanders eager to sign long term
Salo: Follows 23-24 season as a strong 3LD, Islanders get cheap deal before he becomes UFA following this deal
Bellows: Another year of fighting for a spot, going 13-14-27 in 61 so he signs a one year deal again as his only choice
Iskhakov: Makes debut in 23-24 going 1-3-4 in 19 games, gets two year, one way deal yet makes 3C in first full year as Islanders traded Pageau season prior and beating Backlund early on
Skarek: Struggled as backup year prior so they made trade, poised to become full time back up now
Tarasenko: Signs as free agent after going 34-44-78 in 80GP--> Edited down to 5 years, still think NYI have to overpay for him to make sure he does not sign elsewhere. Cap also rises so keep that in mind. Could also see a 7 year, 6.25 mil AAV which is similar total but over more years
Sorokin: Goes 35-14-5 in 2023-24 with a 38.2 GSAx and winning Vezina, signs for team friendly deal but with the term he wants and stays in NYI. Signs extension before draft so Islander fans do no stress
Holmstrom: Plays full 23-24 in NHL and goes 9-13-22 in 76 as a PK and two way guy, moves out Palmieri in 2023 offseason as he proves worthy of NHL times after going 29-40-69 in 72 AHL games in 22-23
Dufour: Struggles in AHL in 22-23, has solid 23-24 and then starts 24-25 going 13-20-33 in 24 AHL games, gets called up and plays on back to backs and injuries
Odelius: Plays Salo role of 21-22 but in 24-25, plays for injuries and maintenance; pushes Salo out of lineup near end of 24-25 and becomes full timer in 25-26 and beyond
ZAR: Regular 4th liners, plays solid 4th line with defense, PK and speed
Compher: Struggles in 23-24, forced into PTO in 24-25 but plays 60+ games with Islanders
Backlund: Signed for 3C but loses job to Ishkanov in preseason and start of 24-25 season
Jensen: Solid 3RD who we sign later on in the 2023 offseason
Boyd: Depth role, gets sent down once Dufour comes up
This is all a bit optimistic but I think that we will surprise again. Not worried about this past weekend because we arent giving up a lot of high danger chances. We just need better discipline and to feel some urgency to not be like last year.