Simon Holmstrom is heading into his most important season with the NY Islanders

There are few players on this NY Islanders roster with as much to lose and as much to gain as Simon Holmstrom. The Swede signed a one-year extension with the Islanders this off-season and will be entering his third year as a full-time NHLer.

Holmstrom bounced around the lineup last season in every way possible. After an impressive training camp, he was given the first crack at playing on the wing alongside Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat but was quickly reduced to a role further down the lineup. He saw ice time on all four lines but ultimately found a home alongside JG Pageau on the third line.

Along with playing on that third line together, Holmstrom and Pageau were paired on the Islanders penalty killing unit, finding themselves with a 2-on-1 opportunity seemingly every game. Holmstrom finished the season with five short-handed goals, the second most in the league, and two assists.

Holmstrom has proven he can be a valuable part of this roster, but in what role? The additions of Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov fill two roster spots that could have otherwise belonged to Holmstrom, and it appears now he'll be in a position battle to claim a spot on the Islanders' new-look fourth line.