Islanders: 3 roster spots open for competition and who’s in the running

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 18: Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders makes a pass against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 18, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 2-1. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

What three positions are currently open for competition on the New York Islanders roster? And who’s in the running for one of those spots?

The offseason has just begun, but like every year, the immediate thought is on how the New York Islanders roster will look next year. It’s the singular thought that will consume fans all offseason long.

It’s with that thought in mind that I put together this piece. It’s not a look at the entire roster for next year like Arthur Staple did for The Athletic (subscription required) just recently. I thought I’d focus on the spots that will be open for competition next season.

As it stands right now, there are three spots open for competition when training camp opens in September. So what are those spots and who are some of the internal candidates open for those positions?

Of course, based on how the Seattle expansion draft goes and how free agency shapes up the Islanders might have another spot or two to fill. But I’m assuming a few things here:

Nick Leddy is selected by Seattle and Lou finds a replacement in the UFA market.
Isles retain the services of all three main RFAs (Beauvillier, Pelech, Sorokin) and a few secondary RFAs.
Casey Cizikas also stays.

Samuel Bolduc poses after being selected 57th overall by the New York Islanders. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

Left Defense

Why There’s Competition?

As I said, I’m assuming that the Islanders will lose Nick Leddy in the Seattle expansion draft. You might have a different player in mind (maybe Jordan Eberle). But I’m thinking Leddy’s 40 point potential from the blueline, impact on the power play, and tradeable contract at the deadline (should things not go well for Seattle), make Leddy the perfect candidate to select.

But it’s not his position that I’m trying to fill. I assume might look to free agency to pick up a top-four puck mover. Maybe Mike Reilly?

Instead, I think the open spot is Andy Greene’s. I don’t believe the Islanders bring the 38-year-old back. Which opens a spot at training camp.

Here’s how I think the defense stacks up:

Pelech-Pulock
UFA acquisition-Dobson
open spot-Mayfield

So who are the hopefuls for that open spot on the third pair?

Who’s in the Running?

Samuel Bolduc
Robin Salo
Sebastian Aho
Thomas Hickey

There are three prospects on the list here. Which could already sway the Islanders decision. They might not want a still young Noah Dobson and a prospect on the same d-core. Meaning, Lou and Barry might just opt to get Thomas Hickey (who still has a year left on his deal) some skating time.

But, Hickey has been surpassed by a few rookies already. Devon Toews and Noah Dobson have all earned spots over Hickey recently, it’s possible a third one takes a roster spot over the veteran.

While Salo is older and has more pro experience than Samuel Bolduc, I think it’s quite likely the Isles give Bolduc a spot out of camp after his first impressive (albeit short) pro season over the Finnish defender, even if Salo is a more offensive-minded player that could carry the puck forward better than Bolduc.

Kieffer Bellows #20 of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Third Line Winger

Why There’s Competition?

We know that Jean-Gabriel Pageau will center the third line. Pageau is easily the best third-line center in the game and could be a good second-line center on most teams in the NHL. But who will sit on his wing?

With how Oliver Wahlstrom played last year it’s likely he fits up in the top six to be that extra goal support the Islanders have been looking for for years now.

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauviller-Nelson-Wahlstrom
open spot-Pageau-Bailey
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

I can easily see Wahlstrom on that top line and Eberle playing on the second line with Nelson and Beauvillier. But, either way, that leaves a spot on Pegeau’s left.

Who’s in the Running?

There’s a pretty big range here. From players that are offense first to guys who are defense first and some that are somewhere in between.

Just because the Islanders brought Anatolii Golyshev over from Russia doesn’t guarantee him a spot. I remember falling for that narrative when the Isles signed Jan Kovar a few years back. Kovar is playing in the Swiss league (and doing well with 108 points in 102 games since 19-20).

Kieffer Bellows has the best offensive upside to all four names I have here, but he’s been in Trotz’s dog house for a little while now. He’ll need to prove he’s learned his lesson through training camp.

Lou and Trotz love Leo Komarov so don’t count him out to take this spot. At this point, Dal Colle is still in the running but he’s easily a 13th forward on this roster in my opinion.

I don’t think there will be a decision on this spot through training camp, this spot could easily rotate all year long.

Ilya Sorokin #30 of the New York Islanders. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Starting Goalie

Why There’s Competition?

I don’t think the Islanders move either of their two goalies. Unless they can find a great trade package for Varlamov and that new destination isn’t part of his 16-team no-trade list. Both Varly and Sorokin will be with the Isles in 2021-22.

But with how Ilya Sorokin played last season, he’ll certainly challenge Varlamov for the starter role.

2021-22 Stats

Semyon Varlamov: 19-11-4 // 2.04 GAA // 0.929 SV% // 7 SO
Ilya Sorokin: 13-6-3 // 2.17GAA // 0.918SV% // 3 SO

Looking at those numbers you’d think that Varlamov will be the start in 21-22, but if there’s anything we know about Trotz since he’s joined the Islanders it’s that he likes to run a 50/50 split with his goalies. Here’s the breakdown of starts since 18-19 under Trotz:

18-19: Lehner 52% // Greiss 48%
19-20: Varlamov 57% // Greiss 43%
20-21: Varlamov: 63% // Sorokin 38%

The only outlier here is that Sorokin was a rookie last year and thus unproven at the NHL level. I know you might look at Greiss’s 43% in 19-20, but he wasn’t having a good year and the season was unexpectedly cut short at 68 games.

Both Sorokin and Varlamov will compete to be the team’s number one in 21-22, there’s no doubt. And maybe neither get it. Right?

Again, Barry has alternated goalies ever since he’s been on the Island. Why would he change that now? It’s important to remember that this should be the first full season in three years having two 1A goalies is a huge bonus. So while they will compete in camp I think all they’ll actually compete for is who starts on opening night.

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