NY Islanders 2023-24 Player Report Card: Hudson Fasching Struggles in 2nd Season with Isles

After earning a spot in the NY Islanders lineup last season, Hudson Fasching signed a 2-year deal with the organization, appearing as if he had finally found his niche in the NHL at 27 years old. Things didn't come as easy this season for the Fasching, as he failed to earn as much ice time as he'd hoped.

*Read our previously Published player report cards: Sebastian Aho | Mat Barzal | Samuel Bolduc | Casey Cizikas | Cal Clutterbuck | Noah Dobson | Pierre Engvall

Out of training camp, Fasching was slated to play on the third-line wing alongside JG Pageau and Anders Lee, but struggled to maintain that position and soon found himself in and out of the lineup.

He found most of his success playing on the fourth line last season, filling in most of the time for Cal Clutterbuck. This season the Islanders had difficulties finding a permanent position for Fasching, bouncing him up and down the lineup, struggling to find chemistry with his linemates.

Fasching played in 45 games this season, scoring only four goals and adding 10 assists. Known for his timely goals last season where he finished with 10, his presence on the ice wasn't as noticeable this season.

Too frequently were the Islanders forced to play Fasching in a top 6 role, a place he hasn't looked too comfortable being in. With Clutterbuck and Matt Martin's future with the team still in limbo, a place alongside either Casey Cizikas or Kyle MacLean on the fourth line may be opening up, with Fasching one of the leading candidates for the job. With the team needing to re-sign some of its own, including MacLean, and already pushed near the salary cap ceiling, the Islanders will want to keep that line's AAV as low as possible, with Fasching coming in at $775k.

While it wasn't the ideal second season with the Islanders, dealing with injuries and inconsistency, there's a hope Fasching can find that same mojo from back in 2022/23.

Final Grade: C