New York Islanders Free Agency and Trade Predictions

4 of 4

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: The New York Islanders celebrate their victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on April 10, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 4-3 in overtime.(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Lines

Nugent-Hopkins – Barzal – Skinner

Lee – Nelson – Bailey

Beauvillier – Cizikas – Dal Colle

Martin – Komarov – Clutterbuck

Toews – Pulock

Pelech – Mayfield

Hickey – Boychuk

Lehner

Greiss

Scratches: Ross Johnston, Sebastian Aho, Steve Bernier

LTIR: Andrew Ladd

Just looking at the lineup I know that I’m going to get some hate for putting Casey Cizkas on the third line. Honestly, looking at what he did production-wise, he can handle a bigger role in 2019, and I think he’d be a perfect third line center who should pop in close to 35 points playing with guys with a little more talent than Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck.

Andrew Ladd goes to LTIR in this scenario. Pretty much anything keeping him off the ice should benefit the Islanders. He was only healthy for 26 games last season.

The Islanders top six looks much improved too with the addition of Jeff Skinner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. If the Islanders are heading into 2019-2020 with a roster like this they should be in fine shape.

Next. Devon Toews Player Grade For 2018-2019

If Dal Colle struggles, Josh Ho-Sang, Keiffer Bellows, or Oliver Wahlstrom will be waiting in the AHL to get the call. June should be an interesting month, it’s time to start looking at 2019-2020 already.