Islanders 5 bold predictions for 2021-22 season

Islanders Win Metropolitan Division

I know, this might not sound too bold, but when you think about it, who’s actually going to have the Islanders winning the Metropolitan Division? I doubt the line will be long if populated at all.

Most predictions will surely have the Islanders in one of the three playoffs spots in the Metro, but sitting at the top of the division? Again, I doubt it. Even with the roster moves the Isles have made this season there’s very little hope that the Isles will be seen as the top team in what has been consistently the strongest division in the league.

But when you think of the Isles in 2021-22, did they get better than they were last season? That’s certainly going to be the justification from a number of people. Because, rightfully so, on paper, it doesn’t seem like the Islanders “got better”.

They added Kyle Palmieri who’s coming off a down year, they brought in 37-year-old winger Zach Parise who, is also coming off a down year, and technically their second pair lefty is going to be 39 this year. So I can see how some might think the Isles didn’t “get better”.

But let’s be honest here:

• Even in a down year, Parise is better than the combination of Komarov, Dal Colle, Johnston, and Bellows who were all tossed around as the third-line left wing last year.
• Kyle Palmieri won’t shoot at a near historically low 9.5% shooting percentage.
• Greene won’t be the team’s second pair guy when the season actually begins.

The Islanders are better even if just marginally better. Which, when you think about it, is all the New York Islanders needed to do this offseason, just get a bit better.

Assuming they stay healthy, the Isles can absolutely win the division this year.