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Every article, I try to include a poll question for readers to vote on, then review the results from the week’s polls every weekend. I’m a day late, but here are the poll results and my thoughts on how they turned out.
QUESTION: How much more confident do you feel in New York's defense with Adam Pelech returning?
(Votes: 102)
Much more confident: 73% Somewhat more confident: 18% No different: 10%
Getting a top-pairing defenseman back is a pretty huge win for the Islanders. Andy Greene is a decent short-term replacement but we saw how big of a hole Pelech’s absence leaves in the lineup when he was injured this year.
QUESTION: Who do you think is the biggest addition to the Islanders' forward group (since last year)?
(Votes: 151)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau: 80% An improved Anthony Beauvillier: 19% Derrick Brassard: 1%
I have to agree here. Pageau gives the Islanders quite a bit more depth down the middle and goes quite a ways in strengthening the third line. He’s capable of adding offense without sacrificing defensive reliability and his addition was a big one for the Islanders.
QUESTION: When it comes to New York's situation in net for the playoffs, how do you feel?
(Votes: 134)
Less confident than last year: 43% More confident than last year: 31% No different: 27%
It was pretty surprising to me to see 31 per cent of readers saying they’re more confident in New York’s goaltending this year than they were last season. Semyon Varlamov has been quite good for the Islanders but Robin Lehner was a Vezina finalist last year and was key for the team’s success.
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OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM JULY
Current Islanders lineup vs. last year’s playoff lineup: Defense/Goalies Current Islanders lineup vs. last year’s playoff lineup: Forwards SHORT READ: Islanders’ future home gets a name Previewing New York's playoff lineup: Defense/Goalies Reviewing this week's polls (July 18): Islanders Edition Previewing New York's playoff lineup: Forwards Sorokin signing with Islanders means Greiss is unlikely to return Islanders sign Ilya Sorokin (twice) SHORT READ: Islanders release training camp roster Update on the Ilya Sorokin situation Reviewing this week's polls (July 4): Islanders Edition Flat salary cap creates another hurdle for the Islanders