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New York Islanders Roundtable: Over/Under 100 points

Mar 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) scores past New York Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube (30) during the shootout at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) scores past New York Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube (30) during the shootout at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Canada centre John Tavares (20) skates against Team Europe in the third period during game two of the World Cup of Hockey final at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Canada centre John Tavares (20) skates against Team Europe in the third period during game two of the World Cup of Hockey final at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt O’Leary

Many will claim that the Islanders took a step back due to the players they lost. I’m not one of those people. Personally, I think Andrew Ladd’s point production will be very similar to Kyle Okposo’s. The age difference might become a factor later in the contract, but for the first few years they will be very similar production-wise. Plus Ladd adds more veteran experience as someone who has went on deep playoff runs.

Jason Chimera is an upgrade over Matt Martin. I loved what Matty brought to this team on and off the ice but the production isn’t even close. Chimera is a much faster player and he can score, as he showed last year putting up 40 points.

Losing Frans Nielsen is the one that hurts the most. Ultimately I think it will be a combination of Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier that replace the workload Nielsen left behind.

You could argue all day long if they actually improved, but they are at least as good as they were last year. They finished at exactly 100 points last year and I’m expecting them to finish over 100 points again this year.

Ultimately when you have a player like John Tavares, a solid defensive core, and the goalie tandem that the Islanders do they should be a lock for 100+ points.

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