As the dust has settled from the first days of Free Agency, the Islanders found themselves in an unusual position. A position that in past years they would never be in. The team was actually active on July 1st. That being said the team did lose long time forwards Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo and Matt Martin. These three forwards have been replaced by Andrew Ladd, Jason Chimera and P.A. Parenteau. So the biggest question right now is, how good is this roster?
I think the best answer I can give right now is, incomplete. This team looks good and should compete next season but there is still a move to be made. Islander General Manager Garth Snow has to find a first line winger to play alongside John Tavares or a second line center to replace Frans Nielsen. This roster needs one more injection of talent in the top six.
Last season I said that this team was too easy to play against. They played a soft style of hockey at times that was very easy to defend. A majority of this roster simply would not pay the price and drive the net are work hard enough in the corners. We also question if their were enough leaders in that locker room.
I believe that Snow fixed many of these issues with his signings this past weekend. Andrew Ladd adds leadership, size and skill to the top six forwards and his willingness to work will create time and space for John Tavares. You also cannot discount his role as a captain and the two Stanley Cups he has won.
Jason Chimera brings more size and toughness who will not tolerate anyone taking liberties with the Isles skilled players. Despite his age, he can still flat out skate, kill penalties and will score around a dozen goals.
Finally P.A. Parenteau brings a familiarity with this club where he had success. We all know what type of player he is and Parenteau brings in versatility as he can play anywhere in the lineup and his skill will help which ever center he is paired with. Let’s take out his year in Montreal. In two seasons in Colorado, Parenteau had 76 points in 103 games. Last year in Toronto, he scored 20 goals and added 21 assists in 77 games. If he can come close to replicating these numbers in Brooklyn, this team will have some much needed secondary scoring.
While I like all that Snow did over the weekend, these can’t be the only moves. Snow has to find one more talented player who can either play with John Tavares or support him centering the second line. Taylor Hall could have been that player and that could prove to be a huge miss for Garth Snow if he doesn’t find someone for this roster.
This organization has high end prospects at every position. Snow has the tools to make a deal work. He has the draft picks. He has the prospects. He even has the likes of Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson. It is now up to the G.M. to find the right deal to put this roster of the top.
This team is good right now. They are set in goal. They are deep on the blue line and their forwards appear to be improved. It is now time to be aggressive and bring in that piece to put this roster over the top. Garth Snow has never been a big player on July 1st. He was this season. Snow has never made a deal this important. It is now time for Snow buck the trend and get this roster an impact forward. It has to happen. Snow’s job and the success of the upcoming season may depend on it. This team is good. Let’s hope Snow see that one more move can make them great.