3 NY Islanders players who underperformed through the first two months of 2024-25

You look at players like Anders Lee and the start to the season he’s had, and it tells you that not everyone on the NY Islanders has been the problem. Still, 11 wins, 12 regulation losses, and seven bonus points aren’t what fans had in mind for what is still a veteran hockey team. 

In fact, they’re one of the NHL’s more experienced units, so it might leave more than a few of us wondering what exactly is going wrong here. Well, we can point out a couple of players whose performances just haven’t been to par lately, and it could lead us closer to finding an answer. 

If the following three players improve, then the Isles could be giving hot teams like the LA Kings more trouble. So, let’s check out who’s not playing to par and why that’s been the case over the past couple of months.

Noah Dobson

Last season was Noah Dobson’s breakout year, but the 2024-25 campaign was supposed to see him take over. Unfortunately, it’s been a step back for the blueliner who finished in the Top 10 last season for the Norris, as he’s accumulated just two goals and 15 points through 30 contests, with a 2.2 shooting percentage. 

That’s quite the drop-off, considering Dobson enjoyed a 70-point, 10-goal outing in 2023-24, and those came off back-to-back seasons when he scored 13 goals. He also hasn’t been as physical this season, nor has he gotten in front of as many pucks, so all signs point to this one being a down year for the young blueliner.

Brock Nelson

If there was one player I was sure would be a shoo-in for a successful campaign in 2024-25, it was Brock Nelson, but that’s not always been the case. Nelson could be on pace to hit 30-plus goals again with a good game or two in the near future, but 18 points so far through 30 games has been depressing to watch, if you want me to put it frankly. 

Nelson’s shooting percentage may be an adequate 11.5 percent, but it’s lower than what he’s used to. Overall, the Isles are having a tough time putting pucks into the net, and Nelson is one player they should be leaning on, but trouble has without a doubt found him as well. 

What’s more interesting is that he’s averaging even more ice time so far through 30 games at 19:11, which should translate into more opportunities, but that’s been far from the case. 

Bo Horvat

Bo Horvat was another player on the Isles I was sure would be in for a good year, but he, too, hasn’t been playing his best hockey. So far, he’s got 21 points, seven goals, and a measly 8.3 shooting percentage, putting him on pace for a career-low in the latter stat line.

Horvat, who’s also good at keeping the puck away from opponents, already has 34 giveaways this season. He “secured” a career-high in that category last year with 44, so if he keeps playing this way, Horvat could more than double that number come April. 

Not a good look for the seasoned veteran who finished with a sound 33 goals last season. Right now, he might finish with between 21 and 22, a far cry from what the Isles need from him.