As we approach the end of July, Islanders’ training camp is slowly and yes I mean slowly closing in on us all. I have been told that the Islanders and Jets continue to have some discussion and have been doing so since the draft. I have been told that the Isles do have interest in Evander Kane, however the discussions have been aimed towards a Winnipeg blueliner.
With the way this roster is currently constructed it is truly impossible to try to figure out line combinations for opening night. There are simply too many players on the roster right now and until a move is made or camp is open, it would be nothing more that speculation to try and project line pairings. With that being said I thought we could look at the candidates of players who could vie for top line minutes this season alongside John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
Let’s start by making the case for Josh Bailey. In the words of Sheldon Cooper, “BAZINGA.” I just wanted to see if you were all paying attention. Ok let’s get serious. Let’s make the case for Brock Nelson to play on the first line.
Nelson has a nice blend of size, strength and skill and at this point has to be considered as the leading candidate to win this job. Nelson can win battles in the corner, has good vision and puck awareness and possesses a nice set of hands and has shown the ability to finish around the net. I believe the experience for Nelson at the World Championships was an invaluable one and at times he was the best player on the ice for team USA. We also have seen Nelson play with the big boys last season and he did not look out of place.
A strong case can also be made for Anders Lee. He is a little rougher around the edges and his game isn’t as polished as Nelson’s but Lee has size and hands and he knows how to use both. The type of goals Lee has scored at all levels of hockey simply translate to success. He is not afraid of the dirty areas and knows how to score gritty, dirty goals.
Ryan Strome can also be considered for top line minutes. With a log jam at center, I do believe that Strome will be given the chance to win a roster spot at wing and honestly I’d be shocked if he wasn’t on the Islanders’ roster on opening night. Strome has off the charts hockey IQ and he oozes skill and talent. Playing on the top line he could be a great distributor for Okposo and Tavares and he has the hands to finish as well. Strome does not have the size or body that Lee and Nelson possess. I do think that a potential power forward is who the Islanders envision playing with Tavares and Okposo. However, with Strome’s skill set he cannot be written off.
Obviously when training camp hits all the roster questions will come into focus more clearly. I do believe that the internal options for first line minutes are very strong. Tavares has elevated the games of Matt Moulson, P.A. Parenteau and Brad Boyes. Why wouldn’t he be successful with one of these three talented rookies? My guy tells me the Brock Nelson will win this job, but with the talent that these three kids possess it is impossible to overlook any of them. For more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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