NY Islanders Plus/Minus for 2023-24: Julien Gauthier presented with a major opportunity

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While there has been roster turnover across the NHL since the beginning of free agency, the NY Islanders have, for the most part, stood pat, willing to run it back once again with the heart of the roster intact. One of the only new names seeing ice time is Julien Gauthier.

Agreeing to a two-year contract worth $1.575M on July 5, Gauthier joins the Isles after spending last season with the NY Rangers and the Ottawa Senators. Acquired by Ottawa at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Tyler Motte to the Rangers, Gauthier is now committed to Long Island for the next two seasons.

#Isles Transactions: The New York Islanders have signed forward Julien Gauthier to a two-year contract and forwards Karson Kuhlman and Brian Pinho to one-year, two-way contracts.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) July 5, 2023

Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes 21st overall in 2016, Gauthier has yet to live up to his expectations as a first-round pick. Gauthier has played the majority of his career with the Rangers, appearing in 131 games over four seasons. During that time, production was significantly limited, scoring just 11 goals and adding 15 assists, playing mostly bottom six minutes.

Though his time in Ottawa was limited, Gauthier seemed to be finding his groove just as the season ended, scoring three times and adding two assists.

While he isn't expected to become a game breaker with the Islanders, Gauthier adds an element of speed that the Islanders ahve been missing. At 6'5" and 230 lbs, Gauthier can fly along the ice. Set to turn 26 a day after opening night, Gauthier still has time to turn his career around and become an everyday NHLer.

PLUS

Depending on how his preseason and training camp look, there's a possibility Gauthier can find himself in the lineup come opening night. As Zach Parise still mulls retirement, there could be an open slot along the wing of the third line.

Despite who he may be competing against for ice time, Gauthier will have the advantage in the skating department. His lack of production in his career, especially last season, hasn't been for lack of opportunities, created largely because of his skating.

Last season against the Dallas Stars, Gauthier split two defensemen on an alley-oop style pass before waiting out the onrushing goalie before burying the puck from a difficult angle.

In another instance against the Isles, Gauthier turned on the after-burners to beat Robin Salo down the wing before putting on a silky move to beat Ilya Sorokin.

If he can make good on his opportunities, Gauthier can become a compelling force on the Isles' third line. He should have every opportunity to excel with the Islanders, but the work rate and effort need to be there every night.

MINUS

Consistency has been a constant struggle for Gauthier since his rookie season. He's put in outstanding effort for a few games in a row before disappearing later on.

The physical talent is there, it just comes down to making the most of his opportunities. His time with the Rangers has been a great example of this. It seemed as if every few weeks, he was being called up from Hartford and inserted into the lineup. Like the goals against the Isles and Dallas, he showed why he should be earning ice time. But that seems to be it. There hasn't been much positive talk about him aside from those moments.

The Rangers fan base seemed constantly frustrated with Gauthier as they could see the potential. Now that he's locked in with the Isles for the next two seasons, he'll have what may be his final opportunity to make good on his NHL career. Lane Lambert will love his speed and effort but needs to see results to make sense of inserting him into the lineup.

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