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Islanders: Can Anatolii Golyshev make the NHL roster?

By Michel Anderson

Russia's Anatoly Golyshev vies for the puck with Sweden's Malte Stromwall during the Beijer Hockey Games match between Sweden and Russia at the Ericson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on February 08, 2020. (Photo by Erik SIMANDER / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by ERIK SIMANDER/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia's Anatoly Golyshev vies for the puck with Sweden's Malte Stromwall during the Beijer Hockey Games match between Sweden and Russia at the Ericson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on February 08, 2020. (Photo by Erik SIMANDER / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by ERIK SIMANDER/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images) /
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A few players have stood out at training camp for the New York Islanders. Robin Salo looks like the puck-mover we know him to be, Zdeno Chara is an absolute brick wall and pillar on the back end, and Anders Lee looks to be 100% healthy again.

But Analtolii Golyshev is standing out while paying alongside Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal. And while Golyshev won’t be a fixture on that top line the fact that he can stand out with the Isles two best players is something to be happy about.

Can he work himself into a role on the team this year?

Anatolii Golyshev has impressed at New York Islanders camp

And look, while Golyshev was an established player in the KHL it wasn’t clear he’d have a strong camp or even have a part to play within the Islanders organization.

When looking at NHLe, a method used to translate production at one level to the NHL, he’s actually regressed over the last three straight seasons with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg:

Golyshev NHLe over last 4 Years

  • 2017-18: 49.06 NHL points
  • 2018-19: 46.89 NHL points (-2.17)
  • 2019-20: 41.65 NHL points (-5.24)
  • 2020-21: 32.25 NHL points (-9.40)

Golyshev has been regressing for years now. But from day one, Barry Trotz has put Golyshev out there with the Isles top duo to see the Russian forwards offensive abilities and if he could hold up. And, according to Barry Trotz (subscription required), he has:

"“We put him there [Barzal and Lee] to see if he can play in that role,” Trotz said. “Today he did nothing to say that he couldn’t.”"

His role still isn’t assured by this display. I’d assume that top-line RW role goes to Kyle Palmieri, but it’s nice to know that Golyshev (who couldn’t play during the return to play or get to North America in time for the AHL season) has something to give the Isles.

So can he work his way onto the team? Yeah, he certainly could. The 12 forwards might be set, but can he be one of the guys to take one of the two extra spots on the scratchpad and get in the team every now and then? Absolutely.

It’s early of course, but things are developing well towards that end.

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