Eyes On Isles
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New York Islanders: Michael Dal Colle all but locks up starting role

By Matt O'Leary

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 29: Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-0.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 29: Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 29, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 4-0.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders forward, Michael Dal Colle all but locked up the starting job for the Isles with his performance last night over the Rangers.

Michael Dal Colle is boring yet efficient. That’s exactly what the New York Islanders are looking for on the third line to go with Derick Brassard and Leo Komarov for the 2019-2020 season.

When looking at the third line candidates, it pretty much came down to Michael Dal Colle, Josh Ho-Sang and Oliver Wahlstrom. Reading the tea leaves it’s pretty obvious to know who the Isles are going to favor.

Only one of those guys played for the Islanders last night and that’s Michael Dal Colle. Not only did he play but he also scored a goal as well.

This goal was 99 percent Nick Leddy and one percent Michael Dal Colle and I think even MDC would admit that. From Dal Colle’s standpoint, it was essentially the most boring way for a goal to be scored.

Now, don’t confuse boring with bad, that isn’t always the case. Michael Dal Colle is the perfect kind of boring that the Islanders are looking for on the third line.

He’s not going to have any terrible turnovers, he’s not going to be out of position defensively, he’s going to use his body, skate methodically up and down the rink and put himself in a position to score a goal due to one of his teammates making a play around him.

In 28 games last year, he had seven points (3 goals, 4 assists). On an 82 game pace that’s a 21 point pace. If Dal Colle gives you 12 goals and 25 points I think the Isles sign up for that as a large chunk of Islander fans would bash their head into the keyboard with the likes of Oliver Wahlstrom and Josh Ho-Sang turning into dust in the AHL.

Oliver Wahlstrom and Josh Ho-Sang have a higher upside, but they are also riskier. Playing Dal Colle in that spot is like betting the Patriots money line every week. It’s safe, you’ll get a little bit in return for your wager but you’re not going for a home run.

Those two are a bigger risk, they might make more defensive mistakes and turn the puck over but there’s also more of a chance for offensive upside. It all depends on if you’re willing to live with those mistakes. Barry Trotz is not.

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Expect Dal Colle – Brassard – Komorov to be penciled in on that third line on Friday night. It won’t be pretty but it’ll be functional.

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