Expect few surprises with the New York Islanders defensive core at training camp this fall

Looking at the New York Islanders blue line heading into training camp

The top six blue line spots are set in stone

Now, we can assume that the top six are set. We know that top pairing will be Alexander Romanov and Noah Dobson. Barring an injury, Patrick Roy should roll with this pairing as the number one choice.

Then, Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech look set for the second, shutdown pairing. Both blueliners spent last season on the IR, missing roughly 25 games apiece. If that’s the case again this season, the New York Islanders’ blue line could face serious disruption.

The bottom pairing figures to be Scott Mayfield and Mike Reilly. It’s worth pointing out that Mayfield should be healthy this upcoming season. Last year, Mayfield got injured on the first game of the season, and then played nearly 40 games on a broken ankle.

But with a healthy Mayfield and a productive Reilly, the third pairing should provide some useful depth and solid defensive play.

As you can see, there are no surprises with this group. Perhaps Roy may decide to move Mayfield and Reilly up as the second pairing, or even switch things up by having Pelech play with Reilly or Pulock with Mayfield.

But beyond an experiment such as that, Islanders fans shouldn’t expect few surprises at training camp this fall.

The battle for the seventh defenseman spot

The only roster battle I can foresee this fall is the seventh defenseman slot. Samuel Bolduc seems to have an edge on this roster spot. Last year, the club was forced to deploy Roberto Bortuzzo amid injuries. However, Bortuzzo is gone, meaning the seventh defenseman spot is Bolduc’s to lose.

But if there anyone else beyond Bolduc who could win that seventh blue line spot?

As it stands, the New York Islanders are relatively thin as far as defense prospects go. Jesse Pulkkinen looks promising, but he’s not going to make the team at this point. If anything, it would be pointless to have Pulkkinen sit in the press box most of the year.

So, that leaves two potentially serviceable seventh defenseman options. First, Dennis Cholowski should be the first man up. The isles brought Cholowski back on a one-year deal at league minimum. He didn’t see any NHL action last year. So, it’s a safe bet he’ll start the year at Bridgeport. But if injuries become an issue, Cholowski should get a call-up.

Second, Grant Hutton could get a longer stay at the NHL level if need be. He’s 29 and entering the final year of a three-year deal. As such, the Isles will want to get a look at what he’s got to offer this season. He’ll play most of the year in Bridgeport, but could see some action this season, if only to give some of the regulars a break.

Overall, the Isles’ blue line looks somewhat thin. Perhaps Lou Lamoriello may consider bringing a veteran in on a PTO just to create some healthy competition for the seventh roster spot. As it stands, there shouldn’t be any surprises heading into camp.

Could the New York Islanders bring in a veteran blue liner on a PTO?

Given the lack of open spots on the blue line, the Isles may consider scraping the bottom of the free-agent barrel to bring in a veteran blueliner on a PTO. Doing so would most likely mean creating some competition for the seventh defenseman spot.

In my estimation, it would be fine to push Bolduc to earn the seventh d-man spot. He’s young and has potential to crack to top six. If Bolduc has a great year, he could make Reilly expendable.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The Islanders may consider a veteran looking for one last shot at the NHL. For example, Tyson Barrie signed a PTO with the Calgary Flames. A younger defenseman, Travis Dermott, got a shot with the Edmonton Oilers.

So, why not consider someone like Nikita Zaitsev or Marco Scandella? Such veteran defenseman could provide depth, especially if an unfortunate injury hits the club. The most that such a player could cost at this point is $1 million against the cap.

But if the Isles wanted an even cheaper contract, someone like Tony DeAngelo might sign for league minimum on a one-year, show-me deal.

Ultimately, the New York Islanders must be better prepared this season. Last year, the club got caught flatfooted by injuries on the blue line. Lamoriello cannot let that happen this year. That is why having a solid veteran blueliner behind Bolduc will be crucial to ensuring the Isles have enough healthy bodies to weather a potential storm on defense.

Adding a veteran rearguard will go a long way toward ensuring the club has enough depth options, even if creativity is needed to fit everyone under the cap.