Team: 2022-23 New York Islanders

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 9, 2021

Published: Dec. 10, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The reality is our season is very likely already over, it’s a real shame, silly me though we had a shot at winning the cup before the year started. I still think we can win with our core, though. We definitely have had some bad injury/COVID luck, but that isn’t an excuse for how bad we’ve been. Here’s what I’d do this offseason to give us the best chance to be a real cup contender next season.

Draft

If the season were to end, and we went off of point percentage, the islanders would have the 7th overall pick, so let’s stick with that. With this pick, the islanders select Joakim Kemell, who is a goal scorer at heart. Exactly what the islanders need. He won’t be ready this year, but very well could be ready for the 2023-2024 season. He gives the islanders the best prospect they’ve had in possibly the past decade.

The Worst Fourth Line in Hockey

Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin are at this point two of the worst players in the NHL. Don’t resign Clutterbuck and bury Martin, it’s time to move on from this line. Everyone talks about the energy they create but they only create it for the other team. Cizikas is still a great 4C, so definitely keep him around, but it’s time to get him some competent wingers. First, we have an in-house option, Richard Panik, for the time he’s been up with the islanders this year, he’s been solid. I think he’d be a great fit on the fourth line. On the other wing, I love seeing ZAR, an extremely effective defensive forward. This fourth line would be a huge improvement.

Bye bye Bailey

Josh Bailey is not a top 6 forward. He’s best fit as a third line winger. I think he should be traded this offseason to a team in need of a playmaking winger. If Dallas loses Radulov, they could fit the bill.

Lindholm

Hampus Lindholm just feels like a great fit on the New York Islanders. He’s a great two way dman, and would fit perfectly on a pair with Noah Dobson. Lindholm would instantly make our dcore a top unit in the league.

Take a gamble

Kailer Yamamoto has tons of potential, but he’s had a pretty abysmal year so far. Edmonton needs a goalie, and with Sorokin looking like a bonafide starter, I think a Varlamov-Yamamoto deal could be interesting.

Jarnkrok

Jarnkrok is a guy that I think would fit great on the islanders. He’s had a down year, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he could have a resurgence on the islanders 3rd line. A Jarnkrok-Pageau-Palmieri line could be very good.

Holtby

Holtby has done well behind trotz defenses, and brings that cup experience Trotz has a boner for, so I like the fit.

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