Islanders were ranked fairly by NHL in recent Super 16

Being ranked ninth overall by NHL.com is actually a fair ranking for the New York Islanders considering what they’ve done this offseason.

The NHL has released its top 16 teams in the league and the New York Islanders ranked ninth overall. And that’s up from 14th overall some three months ago.

I get why there are questions from Islanders fans. The Isles just went to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in decades. And this team is largely intact from that run to the Stanley Cup so why such a low ranking by the NHL?

It’s Fair

This is a ranking of the top 16 teams based on how their roster looks for 20-21 based on a points system from 13 NHL.com writers. This is an offseason ranking.

Four of the 13 writers had the Islanders listed in their top six while two didn’t have the Islanders listed at all. Consider that while the Isles did make that run to the Eastern Conference Finals they also finished eleventh in points percentage this season.

To me, that ninth overall ranking is fair considering what the Islanders have done so far this offseason.

What They’ve Done

Here’s what the Islanders have done this offseason:

• Thomas Greiss left as a UFA
• Ilya Sorokin steps in
• Devon Toews was traded
• Depth signings were made:
  • Sebastian Aho (LD)
  • Grant Hutton (RD)
  • Austin Czarnik (F)
  • Mitch Vande Sompel (LD)
  • Parker Wotherspoon (LD)
  • A.J. Greer (LW)

  I know we want to say the Islanders are a good team, and they are, but they didn’t add anything to push them into a top-five position over other teams. And look, the Isles moved up five spots from June 4 when they were ranked 14th. So while the Islanders lost quality on paper with Devon Toews getting traded for two second-round picks they still moved up in the eyes of those 13 writers.

  This is a fair ranking for the New York Islanders who can certainly punch above this ranking in 2020-21 with the roster they have.

  Ilya Sorokin should be a solid goalie between the pipes. And while he doesn’t score goals, the Islanders are surely going to find more goals in their game this season. Anders Lee will not shoot at 7.14% on the power play this season.

  Ninth overall is a fair ranking for the New York Islanders.