Everytime I see the Islanders roster, I get confused as to how they are good. Then I see the top 4 (which are all #2 or #3 D on most teams) and Sorokin. The top 6 on this team is not impressive, but not bad either. Reminds me a lot of the Predators in the late 2000s and early 2010s

Good defensively best goalie in the league. There’s no one that fears you offensively on their team, but they have a very effective system.

Barzal and Nelson are elite offensively, the issue is they have too much dead weight on the wings

Why would the Sabres do that

I 100% agree, the top 4 may very well be the most balanced and best overall in the league, and Sorokin is easily top 5 if not top 3 goalie.

But man, Barzal ain't elite. Don't get me wrong, he is fantastic, but he had me really worried about what to expect on a Larkin deal. Barzal is maybe slightly better than Larkin offensively, but defensively Larkin is elite, not to mention a true C vs Barzal who plays a lot of wing.

These aren't knocks against anyone on the Islanders, but when the best player really isn't as good as Larkin, though close, I still am surprised this team competes. It is a testament to the top 4 and goalie, but man that makes for some boring hockey if you are an Islanders fan.

Barzal is elite and very good defensively

For comparison

The problem with these stats is how skewed they are. Larkin has made due with much, much less. Outside of Seider, Detroit hasn't had a good D to help him. Literally has to carry the puck 200 feet. Barzal is going to look better defensively because he plays or played in a Trotz system. Larkin had a Blashill system, which included sticking Adam Erne with Larkin for prolonged periods. I've seen various sites with different metrics showing Larkin as a top 10C in the league too.

Again, not knocking Barzal, or trying to get into a comparison argument as they are both kind of similar. My point is, how the heck can the Islanders compete when the forward corps is pretty average and the best player is comparable to a guy noted as a low 1C. It is amazing that 4 D and a goalie can do that...at the same time, it is also why the Islanders are fighting for a playoff spot.

the isles are terrible defensively this season. This is from this year. Larkin's linemates have been much better than Barzal despite playing with worse D.

The islanders are where they are because of Barzal and the best goaltender in the world. Pretty much sums it up. Sorokin should be a hart finalist.

But somehow sorokin won’t even the vezina because Ullmark plays on the best team in NHL history and scored a goal

I just hope to God that Isles draft a RHD with there second round pick we are desperate for RHD.

For the prospect pool yeah - isles are desperate for a RD for their NHL roster for at least the next 2 years