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New York Islanders: Five Key Factors to Meet Expectation in 2016-17

Sep 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Malte Stromwall (84) and New York Islanders defenseman David Quenneville (49) come together 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 Rangers right wing Malte Stromwall (84) and New York Islanders defenseman David Quenneville (49) come together 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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Apr 4, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) and left wing Matt Martin (17) help right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) off the ice after an injury during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) and left wing Matt Martin (17) help right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) off the ice after an injury during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The 4th Line

What was once dubbed the best fourth line in hockey is no more. Longtime Islanders Matt Martin left for the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency.

His departure will likely dramatically change what the Islanders fourth line is going to be deployed for. Martin represents the biggest hitter in the league. Not in terms of the viciousness of his hits, but just in terms of volumes.  Over the last three seasons, Martin lead the league in hits by a healthy margin.

We still have Cal Clutterbuck who isn’t shy to lay the body. But losing Martin and then bringing in Jason Chimera changes the dynamic of the line.

Chimera is a deceptively speedy winger with a scoring mentality. I say deceptive, not because players don’t recognize his speed. It’s because Chimera is 37. He shouldn’t be speedy anymore.

And therein lays the risk for the fourth line. Jason Chimera is at an age where his productive and physical assets might just vanish at any point.

Last season Chimera scored 40 points, a great haul for anyone on a fourth line. But Chimera’s been up-and-down with production over the last few years. And 2016-17 is on schedule for a down year.

It’s not that Chimera isn’t a physical player, but he isn’t Matt Martin. Producing less that 20 points would be disappointing. Martin produced 19 points in 2015-16 and still lead the league in hits.

Next: Islanders 2016-17 Season Preview

All of these factors need to perform next season if the Islanders are at the very least make the first hurdle: making the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, anything can happen, but secondary scoring throughout the lineup, a competent powerplay, and smart coaching should take the Islanders to where they want to be in 2016-17.

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