Islanders: Three forward lineups for Barry Trotz to try

Second: Some Sort of Hybrid

Trotz isn’t about to let three rookies play. We know this much about Trotz. Rookies need to be brought up slowly in order to build their confidence. The Stanley Cup-winning coach doesn’t like mistakes on the ice and rookies make mistakes.

So how about a bit of both? Something the fanbase and coaching staff can meet eye-to-eye on, perhaps?

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Bellows-Nelson-Bailey
Dal Colle-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

If it feels like Ross Johnston is constantly being singled out it’s because he is. It’s no fault of his own. Johnston plays the game a certain way. Lamoriello knows that, Trotz knows that, Ross knows that, we all know that. With Matt Martin already on the roster, there’s no room for Ross unless Martin sits. And unless Martin is injured, he won’t sit.

In Johnston’s place is Oliver Wahlstrom who gives the team the possibility for some of that offensive pop they’re looking for. Barry can keep him to a defense-first deployment with 50+% of his starts coming in the defensive zone.

Dal Colle returns to provide his stable no non-sense game. Say what you will about Dal Colle, but he’s certainly not going to take a late penalty for driving someone into the boards. Bellows stays on the second line to continue building on what he’s done so far this season.

Win-win, no?

Chances Barry opts for this lineup: 5/10