Islanders can’t afford to be content with their current forward group

The New York Islanders seem like they’re essentially done making waves this offseason. That’s fair, especially since the free-agent well has pretty much dried up. But they can’t afford to call it a day.

The remaining UFAs out there are a collection of players who are either holding out for a team to meet their demands or are hoping that one particular team will make up its mind.

Then, there’s the trade market. Unless someone is psychic and can read NHL GMs’ minds, there’s no real way of predicting anything.

The Islanders, like every other team out there, could use another top-six center, a scoring winger, and perhaps a couple of other bottom-six grinders who could kill penalties and eat up crucial minutes in between top-six shifts.

Brayden Schenn figures to start the season as the second-line center. But it would be fantastic if the Isles could find someone like, say, Pavel Zacha, who could take on the second-line role. Moving Schenn to the wing might be a bit more productive for the team overall.

As for the bottom six, having Ondrej Palat and especially Anthony Duclair isn’t all that attractive. If they can return to their old selves, they should play higher up in the lineup. Beyond that, the issue is that Duclair and Palat aren’t the typical grinders that can help with defensive duties in tight-checking games up front.

Yes, the Isles sorely need another Cal Clutterbuck or even Matt Martin to keep other teams honest. Unless Duclair can add some much-needed depth scoring, the Isles will be looking to see if there are some bottom-six guys out there who can make a difference.

Upgrades should be consistent effort

The best teams in the NHL are always looking to upgrade. Even when it seems like they’re done adding, such clubs consistently look for opportunities to make their teams better.

That’s where the Islanders need to be. Yes, the lineup looks good. But it isn’t the best in the NHL. And that’s precisely why the Isles need to keep their eyes peeled for any potential piece that might become available.

Kirill Marchenko is a good example. He had sort of slid under the radar earlier this summer, only to resurface at this point.

I’m not saying that the Islanders are going after Marchenko. But what I’m saying is that there might be a deal out there somewhere we haven’t seen. When such opportunities pop up, the Islanders need to be ready.

Could Islanders realistically do anything more this summer?

There’s always the possibility of a late-summer blockbuster. For instance, the Winnipeg Jets may believe that keeping Connor Hellebuyck is untenable for their organization. So, they decide to pull the trigger and make the deal happen.

Short of something like that, there might be some minor deals out there. Perhaps a team or two decides they won’t sign an impending UFA and begin to move him now before the start of training camp.

Even if there isn’t out there that really tickles the Islanders’ fancy, Mathieu Darche has to be thinking that he’s not done.

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