Players that need a "bounce back" season, Casey's unique roll & can you lose your job to injury?

Anthony Duclair needs to prove he's still a serviceable NHL player

Ask any NY Islanders fan who they believed to have had an "off year" in the 2024-25 season, and the names Scott Mayfield and Anthony Duclair will top just about every list. The criticism of Anthony Duclair, especially by Head Coach Patrick Roy, was well documented and resulted in Duclair eventually taking a leave of absence from the club in April of last season. His 11 points (7g/4a) and -15 in 44 games were well below his .50+ points/game over his 11 seasons in the NHL. He is one season removed from a 24-goal season during the 2023-24 season, slated as the third line left wing to start the year. Anything less than a 15-goal/40-point season will be a bust for the well-traveled winger (nine clubs in 11 seasons). Since point-production was a major issue last season, the Isles' bottom-six need to add scoring to help improve the NHL's fifth-worst offense if they want to have a chance at the playoffs this season.

The paradox of Scotty Mayfield's 2024/25 season

NY Islanders defenseman Scotty Mayfield, 30, began year one of a seven-year contract extension off with a fizzle. While Mayfield led the Islanders with a team-leading +18 and added nine points in 66 games for the Isles, he looked apprehensive, a step behind, and soft in front of the net. Hopefully, going into camp this season, being paired with the first overall NHL pick in Matthew Schaeffer will add a spark to the 10-year veteran's play. Mayfield has all the tools to be a good, third-pair shutdown defenseman. Maybe playing with barely 18-year-old Schaeffer will inject some jump into those old bones.

Grizzled vet Casey Cizikas will be a big influence on the next-gen NY Isles

Starting his 15th NHL season and without his previous linemates Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck flanking him on the wings, Cizikas will have the opportunity for his work ethic and class to shine. He will no doubt be a huge influence on the likes of Cal Ritchie, Marc Gatcomb, and Max Shabanov through camp and beyond. This chance at the end of his career to create positive chemistry with the new-look Islanders' 4th line has the potential to cement a solid bottom-six line for years to come. The life-long Isle will need to play a major role if the Islanders are to have success this season.

Pierre Engvall post-season hip surgery will affect opening day roster

Following post-season surgery, the timeline for the return of left winger Pierre Engvall will be after the start of the regular season. The winger had his ups and downs, literally last season, being sent to AHL affiliate Bridgeport due to his inconsistent play to start the season. Scoring only 15 points (8g/7a) in 62 games, he potentially will be spending some time watching from the stands as rookies Max Shabanov and possibly Cal Ritchie will have the opportunity to make the team out of camp until Engvall is deemed healthy for play. Ritchie seems to be the obvious choice, but a player with more NHL experience, like the speedy Julian Gauthier, may get the nod. Regardless, Engvall will have to earn his spot on the team, as his point production last season was subpar and not good enough to be an every-game player. The competition for minutes will only make the Islanders better.