New York Islanders 2019 Training Camp Will Be A Gauntlet

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UNIONDALE, NY – JULY 13: Long Island native Stephen Alonge #64 of the New York Islanders helps lead stretching exercises at the prospects evaluation camp at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on July 13, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

This year’s training camp is going to be exciting. There’s competition in every single position for the New York Islanders.

We’re about a month away from the New York Islanders opening their training camp. Every year it’s a competition for players to impress the GM and coach. They want to show the bosses that they should feature predominantly in their plans for the upcoming season.

We typically know who the important players are. Mathew Barzal is going to be the first-line center. Ryan Pulock is going to be the team’s number defender. And Semyon Varlamov is going to be the start in nets. But that’s only three of the 20 game day roster spots taken.

Who makes up the remaining 17 spots is a fairly competitive affair.

And this year, the New York Islanders training camp is shaping up to be as competitive as ever. Across all three positions – forward, defense, and goaltending – players will be fighting for a roster spot at either the NHL or AHL level.

Training camp this season is going to be a gauntlet. Every single player is going to have to put on a show for Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz.

A competitive roster is a good roster. Players at the top end are constantly being pushed by the threat of those below them to take their spots. Training camp should be amazing.

Here are some of the roster fights I’ll be looking forward to this year.