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New York Islanders Roundtable: What Rookie Makes the Team?

Sep 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (2) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period during a preseason hockey game at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (2) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period during a preseason hockey game at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) ad Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) fight to control the puck during the third period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) ad Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) fight to control the puck during the third period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Farrell Hirsch

What rookie makes the roster full time in 2016-17?   By Calder Trophy rules, Ryan Pulock still counts as a rookie, right? He hasn’t played 25 NHL games. If I’m allowed to answer the question that way, then not only will Pulock me the most “sure thing” among the rookies to make the team, he is also the best bet to excel in his spot.  

Of course, I don’t see his role exactly the way most Islander fans do. I keep reading the term “power play quarterback”. He won’t ever be that.  He doesn’t have the skating or the vision to run an elite power play.  He is best suited to that “other defenseman” role. He’s not the guy who carries it up ice, or stretches defenses with surprising passes. Pulock is a howitzer ready to fire.  

But he’s a big, wide-bodied, able defender…. with a big shot. I think his best NHL comparable is… maybe… Jason Garrison? Not sexy to Isles supporters thinking “Potvin”, but very valuable.

Berube, Barzal, Ho-Sang?

The next most likely “rookie to make the team” is JF Berube. I know. It’s another cop-out answer because he spent almost the entire season on the roster. But technically, he’s a rookie. And goalies get hurt.  

Now we get to what I think the question was getting at; which young forward rookie will make the team? 

I think Barzal is most likely to make it out of camp. More likely that DalColle or HoSang.  But I don’t think that will happen.  And if it did I would predict it follows the usual pattern of Capuano losing faith (short term) in the young guy, and him losing his spot in the lineup by February or March.  

I think he will go back to Seattle.  Which leaves Mike and Josh. Dal Colle has the size, the better pedigree as a goal scorer, and the salt of the earth reputation the Isles covet. Ho-Sang has a vastly superior skating ability, and the advantage of playing in a position of relative scarcity. I think Ho-Sang is more likely to have earned a regular role by the end of this season.

 

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