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

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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.

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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.

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