Fansided

4 NY Islanders skaters ranked in top 125

By Michael Stahurski |
Seattle Kraken v New York Islanders
Seattle Kraken v New York Islanders / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages
2 of 2
Next

When it comes to NHL rankings among major media outlets across the United States and Canada, the NY Islanders are used to being disregarded from the list as many of the organization's top players don't get the recognition they deserve.

This time around, four Islanders were recognized among the top 125 skaters in the NHL, ranked by Dom Luszczyszyn, Sean Gentille, and Shayna Goldman of The Athletic. The rankings were broken down into tiers, led by, of course, Connor McDavid, as the league's best player.

Mat Barzal

Heading down the list to Tier 3, the "All-Star" tier, you find the first Islander in Mat Barzal. Barzy ranks in the 3C category, with 18 players rated above him in this tier. While Barzal has fallen off statistically since his rookie campaign, the former Calder Trophy winner oozes skill from his pores. With a potential move to the wing this season, Barzal may unlock that next level of offensive talent we've been waiting to see.

“I just can’t believe he doesn’t get more out of his skill set. That player, to me, is confusing,” one coach said. “Those guys need to find a way no matter who they’re with. If you’re a true (No. 1) center in your prime, you should be able to.”

With a switch to the wing, Barzal would be playing alongside Bo Horvat, whose defensive capabilities free up Barzal from the demands of his defensive responsibilities. While the organization has been searching for a winger for Barzal, it appears Barzal may be the winger himself.

“If you want to make the case for guys not having help, it just has to be him. He plays with absolutely nothing in a nothing system,” one analyst said. “He is a pure playmaker and I think that’s where he gets hurt by not playing with better guys.”

Adam Pelech

Below Barzal in Tier 4, you'll find the other three Islanders in the "Top Line" tier, with the first being Adam Pelech.

Since becoming a regular in the Islanders' lineup, Pelech has been a stalwart on the blue line. He's the first defenseman on the ice when the team is protecting a league, typically finding him against the opposition's top line.

“I do think if I needed a pure shutdown guy, it’d be Pelech for me,” one analyst said. Pelech does it all on the defensive end. He's strong, heady, and is a sneaky good skater. He'll eat minutes every night and seems to have a never-ending engine.

Holding Pelech back from being held in higher regard is his contribution on the offensive end. He's not much of a point producer but did finish with a career-high points-per-game last season at .34, totaling six goals and 15 assists.

Bo Horvat

Bo Horvat was set to be the league's biggest prize at the trade deadline and again once free agency began. Lou Lamoriello claimed that prize, acquiring Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks well before deadline day, setting off a trading frenzy throughout the league. Horvat never made it to free agency as he was inked to an 8-year deal before even playing a game with the Isles.

Heading into this year as the Isles first-line center, Horvat hopes to reincarnate some of that magic he had last season while playing in Vancouver. His 31 goals as captain of the Canucks were among the league's best before being traded, but he failed to bring that same prowess to Long Island.

With 36 games under his belt with his new teammates and set to enter his first Islanders training camp, Horvat may be better adapted and ready to return to the form he was in with Vancouver.

Brock Nelson

One of the more underrated players in the league, Brock Nelson has caught the attention of his opponents and the national media over the last two seasons. Setting a career-high in goals in 2021-22 with 37, Nelson followed that up with a 36-goal campaign this past season, adding 39 helpers for a career-best 75 points.

Though he's been the Islanders' leading goal scorer the last two seasons, Nelson is the jack of all trades, capable of playing in any situation. Though the power play struggled all season, Nelson remains a critical piece to the Isles' success on the man advantage as he can change the team's fortunes with his deadly shot. Not only crucial at even strength and the power play, but he's also among the team's best penalty killers.

“I don’t know that he needs to move up, but I was happy to see him get some credit here,” one exec said. “He’s a good, good player and hard to play against.”

Nelson's success is critical to the Islanders' success, as he and Horvat make for one of the league's top 1-2 punches down the middle when they're both clicking.

Next
Home / NY Islanders News

Schedule