New York Islanders 2018-19 NHL Trophy Candidates

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Head coach Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Barry Trotz – Jack Adams

The New York Islanders are tied with the Arizona Coyotes with 80/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup in 2018-19. That’s how bleak the situation looks from the outside. The Islanders have little to no chance to make the playoffs, let alone the Stanley Cup.

There are three factors playing into the Islanders low expectations when it comes to the postseason: (1) star power (or the lack thereof), (2) defense, and (3) goaltending.

None of which improved in the offseason. The defense is the same as last year, and the goaltending situation, while full of potential, is really just a hope a prayer.

If they Islanders somehow defied the odds like the Vegas Golden Knights did in 2017-18, then Barry Trotz is going to take a ton of credit for it.

Trotz is going to have to totally revamp the way the New York Islanders play defense and undo everything Doug Weight tough them over the last two seasons. He’ll also have to minimize the chances his own goalies see, while also maximizing the output from his talented forward core.

Hopefully, Barry Trotz is right when he told Arthur Staple (subscription required) that scoring goals is the hard part, but defending is easy.

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If Barry Trotz can somehow manage all of that and find a way to get the New York Islanders into the playoffs he deserves the Jack Adams in 2018-19. Which would be his second in four seasons.