New York Islanders Daily: Extent Of Roster Improvement

The New York Islanders improved their roster for 2017-2018 but is the extent that it’s improved enough for a playoff berth?

Yesterday, Cody Benjamin took a look at the New York Islanders to preview their upcoming season. He talked about a lot, such as who was added, what hindered the Islanders last year and why they are tricky to predict.

The main point he had that stood out was the extent of the Islanders improvement. Sure, they have an improved roster but is it enough to make a deep playoff run?

He, like many, came to the conclusion that the Islanders aren’t going to be a team you expect to make a far playoff run. They have some nice pieces, but in an uber competitive Metropolitan Division, it’s unlikely this team makes it very far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs if they make it all.

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It’s not anything earth shattering from Mr. Benjamin, but he is right. Arguably the biggest thing missing is a second line center. The never-ending rumors hinting at Matt Duchene should be example enough of how big of a deal it would be for the Isles.

For the third year in a row, Garth Snow will rely heavily on youth. This time, it’s the expected emergence of Josh Ho-Sang, Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal. Not too long ago it was Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson who were supposed to be the Islanders bright future.

This isn’t meant as a knock on any of the three prospects listed above. Heck, I think all three have a real solid chance of being very productive NHL players, it’s just another year of unknowns and hoping that youth pans out. It’s very unpredictable, which is why Cody Benjamin, myself, and others have struggled with trying to predict how this team is going to perform come October.

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