The New York Islanders will see some fresh faces in the NHL next season, some returning and likely one newcomer. Here’s how a healthy mix of youth and veteran talent will help New York take the next step in 2017-2018.

The pipeline will finally see some alleviation next season after practically bursting at the seams for what’s felt like decades.

Of course, this is in reference to Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock, who despite initially cracking the NHL roster both finished the year in their respective minor-league clubs. Additionally, next year will be Anthony Beauvillier and Adam Pelech‘s sophomore seasons in the NHL, and Ryan Strome will enter the final year of a “show me” deal reluctantly given to him just before the training camp deadline.

With the Islanders likely to lose one of Strome, Pulock or Calvin deHaan, General Manager Garth Snow will likely have to deal someone before then. 

Speaking of trades, with right-handed defenseman Travis Hamonic sidelined for a huge chunk of the season, it might be time for Snow to part ways with the right-handed defenseman.

Notes

The ever-evolving saga in the New York Islanders arena woes continues to be muddled in smoke and mirrors, as nothing solid has been produced.

The Islanders have been brought up in numerous trade-rumblings involving forwards Matt Duchene and Jordan Eberle, as documented by Justin Weiss. A trade is very likely to come to fruition with the expansion draft looming over the NHL and George McPhee open to listening to deals.

John Tavares Contract Update

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that John Tavares and Pat Brisson are comfortable with the direction the Islanders are heading in. In an audio interview on TSN, Dreger said:

“They’re now babying Tavares and Brisson is more comfortable with what’s going on with the New York Islanders, and they’re willing to wait. I suspect that’s good news for the Islanders, it doesn’t mean that a contract extension is imminent, but it also doesn’t mean that the New York Islanders should also be looking at their trade options because they don’t think he’ll sign long-term.”

Dreger went on to say that a trade involving either Duchene or Eberle makes sense since the Isles have 4 defensemen they want to protect, but cannot due to expansion draft restrictions. He also said that either deHaan or Hamonic are on their way out and that the Isles want a top-six forward in return.

So, there’s that. Tavares is willing to wait out a bit longer to finalize a long-term extension with the team and there’s no reason, as of right now, to think he’s headed elsewhere.

Unfortunately, it’s just a waiting game for the next fifteen days until the expansion draft.