Eyes On Isles
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Islanders comparing playoff forward lines vs today

By Michel Anderson

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: The New York Islanders celebrate an empty net goal by Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum on June 09, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Bruins 6-2 to move on to the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JUNE 09: The New York Islanders celebrate an empty net goal by Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum on June 09, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Bruins 6-2 to move on to the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders were one of only two teams to do “nothing” on the opening day of free agency. The Isles and the St Louis Blues were the only “inactive” teams.

I say “nothing” and “inactive” because the Islanders didn’t make an official signing. But if we know anything about Lou Lamoriello it’s that he’ll announce signings when he’s good and ready. We didn’t find out about the Matt Martin and Andy Greene signings till much later.

But, for just a second, let’s assume the Islanders keep all of their players (RFAs and UFAs) and bring in Zach Parise. What does the forward roster look like compared to the roster that lost to Tampa in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals?

Comparing New York Islanders forward from Game 7 to now

I’m only looking at the forward group now because it seems like it might be complete while we know there’s a big gap to fill on the blue line.

I’m also assuming that everyone is healthy. Players coming back from injuries are important “acquisitions”. Think of them as free agent signings or trades that didn’t require the Isles to give anything up.

So, here’s the Islanders forward lines from Game 7 against Tampa:

Komarov-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Palmieri-Pageau-Zajac
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Remember, this forward group was essentially two goals away from going to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Now, Anders Lee and his monster-quads will be back and healthy as will Oliver Wahlstrom. I’m assuming Beau (RFA), as well as Palmieri and Cizikas (UFAs), are back. And it seems that Zach Parise is also signed.

So, with all of that, this is what the Islanders lineup looks like:

Lee-Barzal-Palmieri
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Parise-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Doens’t that look like a better roster? Just on paper? Anders Lee up top with Mathew Barzal and Kyle Palmieri is a huge upgrade to having Leo Komarov up there. Perhaps Palmieri isn’t an upgrade over Eberle, but it’s at least a 1:1 swap so there’s nothing lost there.

Parise is an upgrade over Komarov on the third line. Now, of course, Leo perhaps has more “intangibles” over Parise, but Parise brings more tangibles. Like goals.

Now things can change of course, but as things stand today and as we understand them, this is a much-improved roster offensively. There’s no question.

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