Islanders: Three internal lineup options after Anders Lee injury

1 of 3

Jan 16, 2020; Uniondale, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (18) celebrates with the Islanders bench after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee is out of the lineup indefinitely, so how will the Islanders line up without him?

With Anders Lee out indefinitely according to the New York Islanders, the team will have some interesting decisions to make with the lineup. Ideally, they get someone in via trade to replace Lee immediately, but Lou operates on his own timeline and won’t be rushed into anything.

A replacement for Lee is going to have to come internally, at least for the time being. So here’s a look at how the lines might be re-arranged with the Isles captain and top-line LW out.

Beau Next to Barzal

Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle
Dal Colle-Nelson-Bailey
Czarnik-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

This is how I’d line up the team on Saturday against the Devils. Beauvillier and Barzal have chemistry together and have played well on the same line in the past.

That top line of Beau-Barzal-Eberle has played a total of 10:09 at 5on5 this season already and they carry a 69.99% CF, 82.75 xGF%, 91.08 SCF%, and 100 HDCF%. That’s at 5on5 as well as score and venue adjusted. That trio is #effective when on the ice together.

(Stats from NaturalStatTrick.)

The rest of the lineup shakes up as you’d expect it to. With Lee gone the left-wing depth chart basically shifts up by one except for the fourth line, which is untouchable. Dal Colle has played well enough to retain his spot in the lineup (even if he isn’t scoring).

I’d give the third line left wing spot to Czarnik here. The Islanders don’t trust Bellows so he’s out of the equation, and Leo just doesn’t give the team anything on the ice unless Brad Marchand is playing so Czarnik makes sense. Although I’m sure they still go with Leo.

New York Islanders Michael Dal Colle (28) (Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports) /

Michael Dal Colle to the top line

Before you get upset, know that I’m not just pulling this one out of nowhere. According to NaturalStatTrick’s post-game report from Thursday, after Lee left the game in the first period, Michael Dal Colle took a few reps with Barzal and Eberle. The three played 2:33 of 5on5 time on Thursday. Here’s how that could look:

Dal Colle-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Komarov-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

The second line remained virtually untouched yesterday and the fourth line remained intact all night long. The trio of Beau-Nelson-Bailey played 7:10 at 5on5 while the fourth line was on the ice for 12:10 of 5on5 time. So Barry will likely opt to keep that up for the sake of consistency.

Michael Dal Colle on the top line would be an interesting move, he isn’t putting up points, but he’s played well enough to stay in the lineup. He’s a big guy who could be a good net-front player. But it would be one heck of a leap to think he could replace what Anders Lee gives the Islanders.

Barry tried it so it wouldn’t surprise me if he does so again.

Leo slots into the third line LW role next to Pageau and Wahlstrom because while I may have given the role to Czarnik earlier, Leo is certainly the next man up off the taxi squad for the Isles and not Czarnik.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 30: Oliver Wahlstrom #26 of the New York Islanders looks on during a time out in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on January 30, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Oliver Wahlstrom gets a bump

If anyone has needed a bump in ice time it’s Oliver Wahlstrom. The Islanders rookie has been in top form since he made his debut on the season. But he’s only averaging 11:13 of ice time a night. He deserves a bump up the lineup.

Not to the top line though, but at least to a more offensive unit:

Bailey-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Wahlstrom
Dal Colle-Pageau-Czarnik
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

There’s a lot of continuity in this lineup and enough change to both keep things ticking but also take advantage of the “next man up” mentality.

With Lee down, there’s a spot in the top six open. There has been no player more deserving of a top-six position than Oliver Wahlstrom. He’s completely bought into what Trotz is teaching and is giving the team some depth offense with nine points in 20 games while playing a good defensive game made obvious by a team-leading 72.33 GF% at 5on5.

Some may not agree with Bailey on the top line and that’s perfectly fine, I agree that he hasn’t been excellent this year. But it keeps a left-right balance on the wing. If you don’t like it move Beau up and Bailey down.

I’ve made the third line Dal Colle-Pageau-Czarnik. I think Czarnik could be an effective forward down the wing with Pageau. He’s an effective forechecker with a ton of speed and an eye for goal. He doesn’t have the same talent level as Wahlstrom, but his work rate is at the same level if not higher. I think the two could complement each other well.

Home / Editorials