The New York Islanders need to face reality as they still have an aging core going into the 2023-24 season.
2022-23
Record: 42-31-9 (93 pts) – 4th in Metropolitan (Wild Card 1)
Playoffs: Lost to Carolina in First Round
Key Losses
Josh Bailey (F – CHI), Zach Parise (F – UFA/Retired?)
Key Additions
Julien Gauthier (F)
2023-24 Preview
The New York Islanders had a solid performance during the 2022-23 season, finishing with a record of 42-31-9 (93 points), placing them 4th in the Metropolitan Division (Wild Card 1).
In the playoffs, however, the Islanders faced a tough challenge and were ultimately eliminated in the First Round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
An Aging Core
The Islanders under Lou Lamoriello have gone through virtually zero changes over the last few years, and that’s not expected tp change either. Outside of the additions of Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall at the trade deadline last season, and defenseman Alexander Romanov via trade at the 2022 draft, the Isles are essentially the same team. Kyle Palmieri is on his last legs, and has been for a while now, and the so-called “Identity Line” of Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck is laughable at best.
One saving grace for the Islanders is that they do have a young defensive core and a solid goaltender in Ilya Sorokin. However, offensively, the Islanders are truly a one line team. And with a more defense first approach to their game, they have stymied young offensive players from their true potential.
Overdue for a Wakeup Call
The Islanders, and the Florida Panthers as well, should be thankful that both the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins had subpar seasons last year. It allowed both the Islanders and the Panthers into the playoffs when they really shouldn’t have.
Also, for the Islanders, they need to accept that Mathew Barzal is going to forever be the one dimensional player that he has always been.
This will be an interesting season for the Islanders, but let’s be honest. They need to face reality, and get a new set of eyes on this team.
Read our other 2023-24 Team Previews: ANA, ARI, BOS, BUF, CAL, CAR, CHI, COL, CLB, DAL, DET, EDM, FLA, LA, MIN, MON, NAS, NJ
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