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New York Islanders: A Year In Review

Dec 31, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Islanders fans reacts at the glass when New York Islanders player Andrew Ladd throws a puck prior to the game between the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Islanders at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Islanders fans reacts at the glass when New York Islanders player Andrew Ladd throws a puck prior to the game between the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Islanders at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing PA Parenteau (11) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing PA Parenteau (11) celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

October by Billy Lewis

Oh, October, a month of new beginnings and great anticipation. The Islanders were coming off of their first playoff series win in 23 years, and fans were anxious to see how they would build off of it.

One of October’s biggest storylines was the roster turnover. The Isles said goodbye to Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, and Matt Martin. During the off-season, they signed Andrew Ladd, Jason Chimera, and brought back PA Parenteau. Many assumed the first line would be Ladd-Tavares-Parenteau, but the Islanders surprisingly waived Parenteau on October 10.

The Islanders wanted to go a little younger by keeping Anthony Beauvillier and Matthew Barzal on the roster. They also made the curious decision of keeping three goaltenders.

The World Cup of Hockey in September may have been a detriment for the Islanders. John Tavares and Canada would win the gold, but the problem was the practice time Tavares missed.

Tavares and Ladd weren’t able to develop the chemistry we would have liked to see. Ladd got off to a slow start and was soon off of Tavares’s wing.

One of the best highlights from October came in the home opener. The Isles hosted the Ducks and Josh Bailey won the game in overtime. The Islanders got their first win of the year and Bailey had himself a highlight reel goal.

The Isles ended October hosting Matt Martin and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Islanders had a nice tribute video for Martin and won the game 5-1. The Islanders ended October 4-5-0 and we were beginning to see they had more questions than answers.

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