Islanders three options Barry Trotz can use to ‘rattle’ the lineup

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 18: Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders attends the 2019 NHL Awards Nominee Media Availability at the Encore Las Vegas on June 18, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Barry Trotz indicated the New York Islanders will have to shake rattle the roster before their date with the Arizona Coyotes. Here are three options for Barry.

After being shutout for the second straight game, New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz told MSG’s Shannon Hogan that he would rattle the lineup.

It certainly needs to be rattled. But how?

Before I get too far here, the best option for the New York Islanders to ‘rattle’ the roster is to bring in a new player and send one out. The players seem too comfortable, and there’s nothing that can rattle a group more than showing them their stay with the Isles can be temporary.

Unfortunately, Lou doesn’t strike as a GM who’s going to bring in a player just rattle things up.

So, barring a trade, how does Barry Trotz ‘rattle’ the roster as they head to Arizona to play the third leg of their three-game Western road trip?

Here are three options that Barry Trotz could use in order to get something out of his roster, and maybe get back to winning hockey.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 06: Kieffer Bellows #20 of the New York Islanders celebrates his first NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings at 10:22 of the second period at the Barclays Center on February 06, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Bellows to the Top Line

Since making his start in the NHL rookie Kieffer Bellows has been a positive spark to the Islanders lineup. The 2016 first-round pick already has three points in his first five games at the NHL level. But even when he isn’t scoring, he’s giving the Islanders something to work with.

Against the Nashville Predators, Bellows gave the Islanders their best opportunities to score a goal by drawing the only two power plays they’d get on the night.

Bellows, when on the ice, has shown that he belongs at the NHL level. He’s not yet a difference-maker at the NHL level, but in a short cameo so far he’s shown he can impact the roster positively.

So why not try him in a position where he could have a larger impact on proceedings? Why not play him up on the top line with Barzal?

If the goal is to rattle the roster, moving a rookie up to the top line in place of the team captain and former 40-goal scorer would certainly be the move.

And it’s not as if Barry Trotz isn’t capable of such a move. Just a few months ago he placed Ross Johnston on the top line to get the team going. Ross Johnston might not be a rookie, but putting him on the top line proves a point: if you aren’t going to take the opportunity presented to you I’ll give it to someone else.

Proposed lineup:

Bellows-Barzal-Eberle
Lee-Nelson-Bailey
Beauvillier-Brassard-Dal Colle
Martin-Bardreau-Komarov

It’s a bold move, and one I’m not sure Barry Trotz is willing to make. But, if the goal is to ruffle some feathers putting Kieffer Bellows on the top line will have the desired effect.

TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 29: Josh Ho-Sang #26 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) /

Ho-Sang Up

He’s not a goal scorer. So bringing up Josh Ho-Sang isn’t a direct fix for what is plaguing the New York Islanders at the moment. But Josh Ho-Sang’s playmaking abilities could be the shot of creativity that the Islanders need right now.

Does he deserve a call-up? Not really. He just started playing again after sitting out for months after requesting a trade. With eight points in 12 games, he’s been his usual productive self. Ho-Sang’s issue was never production it was his ability to play a team game.

But man bringing up Josh Ho-Sang from the AHL would undoubtedly rattle the lineup.

A move like this certainly has it’s drawbacks. Like how does the group respond to bringing in a guy that didn’t want to be there? Does it motivate them more or less?

But after two games with back-to-back shutouts where guys are playing, as Barry Trotz said “regular season hockey” and not playoff hockey, you’re looking for any reaction.

Proposed lineup:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Ho-Sang
Bellows-Brassard-Dal Colle
Martin-Bardreau-Komarov

Bonus to calling up Josh Ho-Sang, you get to put him in the shop window in the leadup to the trade deadline. How motivated would Josh Ho-Sang be to showcase his skills to the other 30 NHL teams out there? Very motivated. He’d be very motivated to put himself in the shop window. To the benefit of the Islanders.

I put Ho-Sang with Nelson because of how the two played a few years back. They can clearly play together and with the way Nelson is playing over the last two seasons, perhaps their partnership can be even more fruitful than it was in 2017-18.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders leaves the ice following a loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at the Barclays Center on December 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Barry Shuffle

I like this one the least, but this is probably the likeliest option for Barry Trotz based on his previous history. If artificial intelligence was programed to study Barry Trotz lineup selection after a bad loss this is probably what it would come up with.

Proposed lineup:

Lee-Barzal-Dal Colle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Brassard
Bellows-Komarov-Bailey
Martin-Bardreau-Johnston

Right away, Martin and Johnston in the same lineup isn’t ideal. But it’s what Barry has to work with. If Kuhnhackl was playing well he’d be in Johnston’s spot here.

Brassard has only been effective when placed on Nelson’s win with Beauvillier on the other side. He doesn’t deserve being bumped up to the second line, but if the Islanders are going to get more out of Brassard this is the move to make.

Having Michael Dal Colle isn’t an ideal situation either, at least not on paper, but Barry Trotz has done something similar before. In fact, he’s done it twice just this season. Tom Kuhnhackkl and Ross Johnston both got time on the top line with Barzal.

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For all his flaws, Michael Dal Colle is a better offensive player than both Johnston and Kuhnhackl. Trotz also likes his play away from the puck.

This lineup has its flaws but it certainly rattles things up a bit.

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