Recently I took a look at possible roster projections for the Islanders’ offense. Today we a take a look at the Islanders’ projected defense. This is where it has all gone wrong for the Islanders this season and is by far the hardest to project. We will give it a try though and look at what the Islanders defense may look like for next year.
First let’s see who is a lock for next season's roster. Calvin deHaan and Travis Hamonic will clearly have large roles on this team next season and their continued progression will be key to an all-around improvement of the team. I would expect Lubomir Visnovsky will be back next season but with his age and health issues I do not want to assume that. This is where the Islanders must find a way to trade for or sign a reliable steady dman who can play top four minutes. I’m aware that they do not grow on trees but the acquisition of a dmen is in high priority for next year. I’d also be willing to part with a forward if it meant they could upgrade that blue line.
The bottom pairing is more of a question mark. Matt Donovan needs a serious look the remainder of this season to see where he fits in this organization. He has shown some good flashes especially when paired with Calvin deHaan. If he is can prove he can stick I would be ok with Donovan, Thomas Hickey and Brian Strait as the team’s fifth, sixth and seventh defenseman for now. They could be placeholders until one of the kids pushes them out; which hopefully will happen next year.
Griffin Reinhart, Ryan Pulock, Scotty Mayfield, Adam Pelech and Ville Pokka will all hope to make an impression and push for a roster spot. In a perfect world Reinhart will be able to make this team after possibly 20-25 games in Bridgeport; similar to how Travis Hamonic made the Islanders’ roster a few years back. Andrey Pedan will also be in the mix but with him missing almost all of this season I think he will need time in Bridgeport next year. Scotty Mayfield is also really close and might get a look this year. If Reinhart and or Mayfield could log some valuable minutes and push out the likes of Strait and Hickey this defense will look a lot better. The Islanders don’t need to go from dead last to top five in defense it just needs to go from dead last to like 15 or 16th in the league. With the Islanders offense; a C Plus to B minus defense would make this team so much better.
A change of coaching philosophy and a new defensive system is also imperative to the success of this team next year. This is why the organization has to bring in a new voice and a new system to improve this defense. Of the current Islanders’ dmen I would not bring back Matt Carkner. I would either buy him out or bury his contract in the AHL. I also think the team will move on from Aaron Ness.
Obviously this team also needs a massive upgrade in goal and quite honestly I can’t really project that as they need to aggressively pursue a goalie that is a clear number one and quite possibly a backup as well. That would also go a long way into fixing the issues paralyzing this team currently. It sounds like a mess but in theory this team needs to add one or two reliable NHL dmen, hope one of the rookies can win a job and Islanders' General Manager Garth Snow MUST find some answers in goal. If this happens I think with some health up front this team would be significantly better.
Finally I need the help and support of the Hockey Buzz family. I had mentioned before that I would be running and online auction. Well this hockey only auction is up and running. I am raising money to help my friend Lisa Berlinski who will be running in the 2014 Boston Marathon in support of the Boston Bruins Foundation. There are auction items from such hockey legends as Mike Bossy, Martin Brodeur, Guy Lefleur and much more. Please follow this link below to bid on some amazing hockey prizes or make a donation to this great cause. I appreciate the support of the hockey community and I really need your help for this great cause.
http://www.32auctions.com/berlinski