New York Islanders Unsolicited Offseason Advice

For the New York Islanders, clean-out is done, a coach has been hired, and the boys are scattering for a long summer that should include some extra little tidbits.

It’s going to be a telling offseason for the New York Islanders. Short of the obvious to-do list which includes an actual place to play and re-signing the face and foundation of the franchise, there are a few small items to consider.

Nelson

We’re going to start with Brock Nelson, a name oft-spoken with bewilderment and irritation for how frustrating he can be. I don’t have enough fingers or toes to count how many people talk about Nelson’s super-awesome wrist shot but have little use for him outside of those 20 red-light moments a season.

I’m pretty sure there isn’t a person who can put their finger on what exactly it is when it comes to Nelson. Is it the coasting, the seeming laziness, the complete lack of heart?

Whatever it is, short of him landing in Vegas, a pilgrimage is in order for Nelson. Mecca, Tibet, or to the grand old Wizard of Oz – whatever works.

New York Islanders

Beauvillier

It wasn’t a tear’em up rookie season for Anthony Beauvillier number-wise. The flashes of brilliance, though, offer some light at the end of a continually dark Islanders tunnel. What we need from our Beau is simple: find, befriend or be adopted by Patrice Bergeron.

We’re talking creating our own little French Miyagi connection here. Absorb greatness and for the love of everything hockey, osmose the face-off mojo. Desperate times, Beau, desperate times.

Ho-Sang

Just a short sampling of games has all kinds of people talking about Joshua Ho-Sang. I’m probably in a minority of people who thinks he needed time in Bridgeport. Once he got NHL ice, though, he made the most of it and proved he can run with the big boys. He exhibited his skill, played smart, and said all the right things.

It could be coaching; it could be maturity. Whatever it is, Ho-Sang needs to remember it. Take it through the summer and use it to insure his place on the Islanders roster in the Fall, because seriously without the management overhaul the team really needed, there are no guarantees.

I’d like to say bulking up might be wise since he gets tossed around a little, but I can’t really argue with what’s working for him.

Leddy

Nick Leddy quietly had his best offensive season. He tallied 11 goals and 46 points in 81 games. Once his poisonous partnership with Travis Hamonic ended, he pulled himself out of a horrific first half.

The Islanders defense on a whole was shaky all season but when paired with Adam Pelech or Johnny Boychuk (mostly Boychuk), Leddy flourished and just looked more comfortable doing Leddy things.

The Islanders need Leddy things.

Next: Four Games that Sunk the Isles Season

So for this offseason he should stick with Da Beauty and mostly just continue cultivating the forest on his face and his transformation into Yukon Cornelius. Then we can all be transported out of the much-maligned Barclays Center and to the Island of Misfits, because really, what’s more apropos for this team and its fanbase.