The off-season activities for the New York Islanders have seemingly concluded, marking a phase of anticipation until training camp arrives. During this period, the team will be faced with crucial roster decisions, a task made even more challenging by the stark reality of having no cap space to work with. This financial constraint casts a shadow of uncertainty over whether the team has actually improved despite its recent moves.
The Islanders have undeniably bolstered their offensive lineup, but when it comes to defense, they are poised to return with the exact same configuration as last season. This continuity is not entirely surprising, given that key defenders Scott Mayfield, Adam Pelech, and Ryan Pulock are under contract through the end of the decade. Meanwhile, Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, and Samuel Bolduc are all approaching contract years, each ending with restricted free agency status, whereas Mike Reilly will once again be an unrestricted free agent next July.
#### Continuity and Future Prospects
The Islanders, constrained by existing contracts, have opted to maintain their defensive core, a unit that has been a staple since Barry Trotz assumed coaching duties. The seasoned trio of Mayfield, Pelech, and Pulock have consistently occupied top-four roles, providing a backbone for the defense. The younger talents, Dobson and Romanov, represent the future of the Islanders’ defense, with Bolduc also expected to rise through the ranks and secure a permanent spot beyond his current status as the seventh defenseman.
Mayfield’s return is a significant point of focus, particularly after an injury-plagued season that saw him sidelined for half the regular season and the entirety of the postseason. Even when he did play, he was visibly hindered, seemingly operating at reduced capacity. The hope is that after undergoing surgery and a summer dedicated to recovery and strength-building, Mayfield will bounce back and perform at his best.
Pelech and Pulock, although demonstrating periods of strong play last season, also struggled with injuries that impacted their consistency and effectiveness. These health issues were particularly detrimental to the Islanders’ penalty kill, exacerbated by Mayfield’s absence.
Romanov had a solid year, logging more minutes on average than at any other point in his career. However, his future with the Islanders hangs in the balance. A standout season could secure him a lucrative contract, but a lackluster performance might lead the Islanders to reconsider their financial commitment, especially given their cap constraints. This scenario is reminiscent of how the team handled Devon Toews, who was traded partly due to cap concerns and performance issues during the bubble playoffs.
Dobson stands out as the Islanders’ premier defenseman, showing potential that could have placed him among the Norris Trophy finalists if not for a late-season slump and injury. Reilly and Bolduc’s returns add mobility and offensive capability to a defense that, outside of Dobson, lacks offensive prowess.
#### Underlying Issues: Health, Cap, and Depth
A critical issue for the Islanders lies beneath the surface: their health, cap space, and depth. Should any defenseman sustain an injury, Bolduc is the immediate replacement. Beyond him, the Islanders’ options are thin, limited to calling up Dennis Cholowski or Grant Hutton from Bridgeport. These call-ups would necessitate either an emergency basis or the utilization of long-term injured reserve (LTIR) due to the team’s $0 cap space.
This precarious financial situation has forced other teams to play shorthanded in recent years, and the Islanders could face a similar fate. It’s not a sustainable or strategic approach. The simple solution would be to sign additional players, but without cap space, this is impossible. The Islanders might resort to professional tryout contracts (PTOs) or paying a premium for players to stay ready in Bridgeport until needed. However, as days pass, viable options dwindle, with players like Oliver Kylington, previously identified as a fit, signing elsewhere (in his case, Colorado).
This glaring issue, as of August 6, remains largely unaddressed. The Islanders have no contingency plan for handling even minor injuries that might occur as early as November. While nothing is finalized, this is a critical issue that demands attention.
In the best-case scenario, the Islanders could navigate the season with minimal injuries, keeping their defensive core intact. However, banking on perfect health is unrealistic and leaves the team vulnerable. The Islanders’ lack of depth and financial flexibility could quickly become a significant obstacle, highlighting the need for a more robust and proactive approach to managing their roster.
