Islanders could become gold standard for retooling teams

The New York Islanders could become the new template for retooling teams.

Before getting into the specifics of that claim, let’s just clarify the difference between a retool and a rebuild.

A rebuild is patently clear. The organization strips the team down as far as possible. That situation may entail jettisoning just about anybody who could fetch a prospect or a draft pick, shed contracts, and try to bring in as much young talent as possible.

That’s a process that can take a decade or more.

A retool, in contrast, is a much different process. A retool involves moving some pieces out, most notably UFAs, and bringing in pieces that could serve to restock a potentially depleted pipeline.

The biggest difference is time. A retool involves a quick turnaround, usually one or two seasons.

That’s what the Islanders managed to pull off this season. After a sour season last year, the club miraculously landed the top overall pick, leading to the remarkable turnaround we’ve seen this season.

That situation, of course, is no fluke. The organization hit one out of the park by hiring Mathieu Darche. The club also had a good coach in Patrick Roy. There was a solid core in place with an elite goaltender in place.

Adding Matthew Schaefer turned out to be the catalyst for an amazing turnaround. The hype and excitement that Schaefer brought to the team allowed everyone to rally. In the end, the optimism has translated into a tremendous season.

That’s the blueprint that the Islanders have laid out for every team looking to retool on the fly.

Islanders’ success depended on first-overall pick

It’s tough to imagine the Islanders having this remarkable turnaround without Schaefer. Had the Islanders picked, say, sixth or seventh in last year’s NHL Draft, it would be tough to envision the Isles turning things around the way they have.

If anything, that first-rounder might not have even played this season. As a result, the Isles might have never gotten that bump they did from Schaefer.

That’s why you see teams actively tanking this season. Clubs like the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers are all looking for a chance to land as high a draft pick as possible this season. They know that if they can pull off what the Islanders did last season, they could whittle down their turnaround time by years.

The Islanders, especially if they can make a prolonged playoff run this season, will become the gold standard for just about every team looking to translate a quick retool into another competitive window.