New York Islanders Roster Comparison To 2015-2016 Playoff Team

The New York Islanders roster looks much different since their last playoff run during the 2015-2016 season, but are they better is the question.

I often see on Twitter the question being raised are the New York Islanders better off than they were the last time they made the playoffs. So, it got me thinking, and I want to compare and contrast the Isles roster then to the projected opening day lineup this year to see the differences.

First up we’ll look at the opening day lineup of the 2015-2016 season to see how the team started.

There were two “regulars” out of the lineup on opening night at the inaugural Barclays Center game. Jaroslav Halak, who was battling an injury, and Thomas Hickey were not featured in the lineup.

Halak eventually became the regular starter again before getting hurt and then Hickey was pretty regular as well playing in 62 games that year.

Before we talk about this roster I want to also show the lineup for the clinching Game 6 of the Florida Panthers series and then we’ll analyze the lines and players from there.

Anders Lee, Ryan Strome, Mikhail Grabovski and Brian Strait all found their way out of the lineup by injury or poor play at this point. Now let’s take a look at the projected lineup for the Islanders and go position by position and discuss advantages and disadvantages.

Projected 2017-2018 Lineup

Lee – Tavares – Eberle

Ladd – Nelson – Ho-Sang

Beauvillier – Barzal – Bailey

Chimera – Cizikas – Clutterbuck

Leddy – Boychuk

de Haan – Pulock

Hickey – Seidenberg