New York Islanders Pros Cons For Next Coach

5 of 6

Feb 15, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Josh Bailey (12) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with teammates center Brock Nelson (29) and center Ryan Strome (18) during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: Squad Full of Middle Six Forwards

Outside of John Tavares, the Islanders don’t have top level talent. Just look at that top line right now. Tavares is flanked by Josh Bailey and Anders Lee. Fine players but top line players they aren’t.

Go further down the lineup and it doesn’t get any better. The likes of Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome, Nikolai Kulemin, Cal Clutterbuck and so on aren’t top line players.

Which is why the Islanders have been linked with just about any top level forward rumored to be available via trade this season including Matt Duchene, Jordan Eberle, and James van Reimsdyk.

Sure there’s something to be said about having scoring depth in the organization. Most of those players named can contribute somewhere between 40-50 points on an average season.

But there’s also something to be said about having more than a single player that can hit or come close to a point-per-game pace.

A coach looking at the Islanders has to see that as a weakness.