Recapping Islanders Preseason Predictions vs Reality in 2021-2022 Season

The New York Islanders finished their season with a 37-34-10 record for 84 points missing the playoffs. It was definitely disappointing considering what the expectations were in the preseason for this team.

Speaking of preseason predictions, let's go through and see how I did for my predictions on this 2021-2022 season.

Forwards

Mathew Barzal

Prediction: 70 points (24 goals, 46 assists)

Actual: 59 points (15 goals, 44 assists)

Brock Nelson

Prediction: 57 points (26 goals, 31 assists)

Actual: 59 points (37 goals, 22 assists)

Anders Lee

Prediction: 54 points (30 goals, 24 assists)

Actual: 46 points (28 goals, 18 assists)

Josh Bailey

Prediction: 52 points (12 goals, 40 assists)

Actual: 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists)

JG Pageau

Prediction: 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists)

Actual: 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists)

Zach Parise

Prediction: 37 points (18 goals, 19 assists)

Actual: 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists)

Anthony Beauvillier

Prediction: 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists)

Actual: 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists)

Kyle Palmieri

Prediction: 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists)

Actual: 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists)

Oliver Wahlstrom

Prediction: 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists)

Actual: 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists)

Casey Cizikas

Prediction: 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists)

Actual: 16 points (10 goals, 16 assists)

When looking at the forwards almost everyone underwhelmed. The exceptions here are Brock Nelson and Zach Parise for doing everything they were asked. Anders Lee and JG Pageau were very clearly still injured at the start of the season with Mathew Barzal underwhelming with just 59 points.

Additionally, the likes of Anthony Beauvillier, Kyle Palmieri, Josh Bailey and Oliver Wahlstrom significantly disappointing this year. The Islanders need more out of all of these four guys going into next year.

Defense

Noah Dobson

Prediction: 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists)

Actual: 51 points (13 goals, 38 assists)

Adam Pelech

Prediction: 24 points (6 goals, 18 assists)

Actual: 28 points (3 goals, 25 assists)

Ryan Pulock

Prediction: 36 points (10 goals, 26 assists)

Actual: 21 points (5 goals, 16 assists)

Zdeno Chara

Prediction: 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists)

Actual: 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists)

Andy Greene

Prediction: 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists)

Actual: 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists)

I was fairly close with Chara nd Greene, unfortunately the veterans are part of the issue why the Islanders missed out on the playoffs this year. Noah Dobson absolutely crushed it taking a massive step forward with injuries and COVID playing a factor for Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock this season.

Goalies

Ilya Sorokin

Prediction: .920 sv% 2.43 GAA

Actual: .925 sv% 2.40 GAA

Semyon Varlamov

Prediction: .921 sv% 2.37 GAA

Actual: .912 sv% 2.88 GAA

Ilya Sorokin was absolutely awesome this year with Semyon Varlamov taking a step back. Ilya Sorokin proved that he is the future in net for this team while Varlamov clearly struggled at points throughout the year. I'm unsure if he comes back to the Islanders next year, but if they were to trade him I would imagine that at the draft would be the time to do it.

Editor's Note: This is it for me, my last article for Eyes on Isles. It's been an absolute blast over the last six (6!) years. I am thankful for all the readers and listeners of our show and I'm confident that my good friend, Mitch Anderson will continue this site with glowing success. You can find me on Twitter (@MattOLearyNY) and I hope to see you guys at UBS...Let's Go Islanders!