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

By Michel Anderson

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Barry Trotz, the head coach of the New York Islanders handles the bench against the Nashville Predators at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on December 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Predators defeated the Islanders 8-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Barry Trotz, the head coach of the New York Islanders handles the bench against the Nashville Predators at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on December 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Predators defeated the Islanders 8-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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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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