New York Islanders 2021-22 Season Preview

After advancing to the third round of the playoffs in each of the past two years, the New York Islanders have lofty expectations for the 2021-22 season.
Largely returning the same forward group that came within a game of the Stanley Cup Final, the Islanders are counting on their depth and a committee approach to key their offense once again.
This forward group will feel very familiar, save for the departure of Jordan Eberle, who was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion Draft and the arrival of Zach Parise, who inked a one-year deal as a free agent.

Continuity was key for the group, who returned pending UFAs Casey Cizikas and Kyle Palmieri, RFA Anthony Beauvillier and the return of captain Anders Lee from an ACL injury.
That was also a key for the defensive group, which has firmly established themselves as one of the consistently top d-corps in the NHL will look to continue its stingy play and 'pain-to-play-against' reputation.
Last season, the Islanders finished with the second lowest goals against average of 2.23 (only behind Vegas 2.83).
The offseason saw the departure of Nick Leddy, who was dealt to Detroit in a trade, but welcomed the return of former Islander and future Hockey Hall of Famer, Zdeno Chara, who signed a one-year contract in the offseason. Restricted free agent Adam Pelech inked an eight-year extension.
With the season opening on Thursday night in Raleigh, NewYorkIslanders.com takes a look at the Islanders forwards, blueline and goaltenders.

FORWARDS
Josh Bailey
The longest-tenured Islander is back, as Josh Bailey suits up for his 14th season with club.
Bailey is coming off a quietly productive 2020-21 season, where he finished second on the team with 35 points (8G, 27A) in 54 regular-season games and tied for second with 13 points (6G, 7A) in 19 playoff games. Bailey is averaging 0.72 points-per-game since the start of the 2016-17 season and brings his playmaking and high hockey IQ to an effective line with Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier.
The 32-year-old can also become just the fourth Islanders player to reach 1,000 games with the franchise this season. Bailey is 81 games shy of the milestone and has only missed two games in the past three seasons.
Mathew Barzal
Mathew Barzal has led the Islanders in scoring in each of the past four seasons, most recently recording 45 points (17G, 28A) in 55 games last year. Barzal also led the team with 14 points (6G, 8A) in 19 playoff games during the Islanders run to Game 7 of the semifinals.
The 24-year-old center has looked like his dynamic self, racking up a team-high tying five points in the preseason. Always a threat on the ice, Barzal spent a majority of the preseason centering Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri and should thrive with a pair of goal scorers on his wings.
Anthony Beauvillier
Fresh off a three-year contract extension, Anthony Beauvillier is gearing up for his sixth season with the Islanders. Beauvillier has scored 15-or-more goals in each of the past four seasons and tied for second on the Islanders with 13 points in last year's playoffs, including a dramatic OT winner in Game 6 vs the Tampa Bay Lightning.
When he's hot, he's hot, finishing the 2020-21 season on a seven-game point streak, while also recording a separate, six-game point streak in the postseason. The energetic winger also had a quality preseason, tying Barzal with a team-high five points.
Casey Cizikas
Casey Cizikas' return to the Islanders wasn't guaranteed at the end of last season as his contract was expiring, but both team and player are happy to have the heart-and-soul center back on a new six-year contract. Cizikas was second on the Islanders with a 53.2 FOW% in the regular season and led the team with a 61.2 FOW% in the playoffs, making him one of Trotz's go-to options in the faceoff dot. Cizikas and linemate Cal Clutterbuck also make up the Islanders go-to penalty killing forwards, while Matt Martin completes the fabled identity line.
Cal Clutterbuck
Cal Clutterbuck is entering his 15th NHL season and ninth with the Islanders. He plays a physically demanding style and paced the Islanders with 191 hits last season, while also serving as one of the team's go-to penalty killers. A well-respected veteran, Clutterbuck provides leadership on and off the ice for the Islanders.
Ross Johnston
After only appearing 12 of 56 games last season, Ross Johnston looks poised to start the season with Cizikas and Clutterbuck in Matt Martin's absence. Johnston earned the opportunity with a strong preseason, netting a pretty deflection against the New York Rangers on Sept. 26 and playing responsibility and physically in five exhibition games. He gives the Islanders some more size to go with Trotz's coaching style.
Leo Komarov
It's hard to put Uncle Leo in a box for the Islanders, given how versatile he was for Trotz last season. Komarov played up and down the lineup last season, skating alongside Barzal for stretches after Anders Lee's season-ending injury. Komarov is well-liked in the Islanders room and the multi-lingual speaker served as a mentor for 2021 Finnish draft pick Aatu Raty and Russian forward Anatolii Golyshev during camp.

Anders Lee
The Islanders' captain is healthy and raring to go after recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last March. Lee looked good in his two preseason games, netting four points (3G, 1A) including a pair of goals in his office around the net. Lee, who Trotz called a "beast" during the preseason will look to rekindle the chemistry he's had with Barzal and establish more with another feisty, to-the-net winger in Palmieri. Regardless, the Islanders will be happy to have their captain and one of the league's premier net-front players back in the fold for 2021-22.
Matt Martin - IR
A recovery from offseason ankle surgery has kept Matt Martin out of the lineup during the preseason, but when he returns, the Islanders know what they're getting out of the veteran winger. Martin will be a physical presence - second on the team with 181 hits last season - one third of the identity line, a quality teammate and fan favorite. Martin, who currently has 614 games for the Islanders on his resume, could also move into the top-10 in games played for the franchise this season
Brock Nelson
Brock Nelson led the Islanders with 18 goals during the 56-game regular season and his seven playoff tallies tied for the team lead. He easily would have recorded his sixth 20-goal season if not for the abbreviated campaign and has only missed two games in the past seven seasons. Nelson has continued to do a little bit of everything for the Islanders; the only player to average over two minutes on the power play and one on the penalty kill for the team last season. Trotz's second-most-used forward should see plenty of work and a big role again this season.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Like Nelson, Pageau is a swiss-army knife for Trotz, playing in all situations, taking the most faceoffs (833), protecting leads late in games and providing energy and offense for the Isles. Pageau had 28 points (14G, 14A) in 54 games last season and 13 points (3G, 10A) in the playoffs, where he suffered - and played through - a hand injury. He formed some nice chemistry with rookie Oliver Wahlstrom last season and seems to have found a new partnership on his left side in Zach Parise. Wherever, whenever and with whoever Pageau is needed, he'll be there for the Islanders.
Kyle Palmieri
Kyle Palmieri liked enough of what he saw on Long Island last year that the winger re-upped for another four years with organization. Palmieri proved his worth by tying for the team lead with seven playoff goals and will get the first crack at filling Jordan Eberle's role alongside Barzal and Lee. The Smithtown, NY native has scored 25-or-more goals in four of the past six seasons and brings some edge along with his pop.
Zach Parise
Zach Parise is the lone new face among the forward group, but carries a familiar surname to the Islanders as the son of J.P. Parise. Bought out by Minnesota over the summer, the wily vet is motivated to win and felt the Islanders were his best place to do so. Parise fits in as a heady 37-year-old who can add some experience and some depth to an already deep and mature Islanders team, while also potentially helping the power play. Parise spent a bulk of the preseason forming a partnership with Pageau and Oliver Wahlstrom.
Oliver Wahlstrom
Oliver Wahlstrom made an impression in his first full season in the NHL, netting 12 goals and 21 points in 44 games. Wahlstrom is a shoot-first player with a heavy shot who bolstered the Islanders power play last season, as the rookie paced all forwards with 10 power-play points. Wahlstrom's playoff run was cut short due to an injury, but another year will hopefully see the 2018 first-round pick take another step and give the Islanders an offensive threat further down the lineup.

DEFENSEMEN:

Sebastian Aho
Sebastian Aho had a strong showing at this year's training camp. Aho spent last season on the taxi squad and made three appearances in the regular season, where he tallied a goal and an assist.
Due to the circumstances of the last two seasons of condensed play, Aho has been with the Islanders for the majority of it, but often skating as an extra.
The 25-year-old Swede has totaled six points (2G, 4A) throughout 25-career NHL games, with 22 of those games occurring in the 2017-18 season.
Zdeno Chara
The offseason addition of Zdeno Chara provides a wealth of invaluable experience - 1,608 regular-season games to be exact - and leadership to the Islanders' blueline.
The former Boston Bruins' captain and Stanley Cup champion (2011) returns to the very place where he first began his NHL career, after being drafted by the Islanders in 1996.
Chara's 23-year NHL career is older than 21-year-old Noah Dobson, whom Chara has been paired with for the majority of training camp and the preseason, and his impact is expected to be made on and off the ice.
Last season, Chara was a member of the Washington Capitals' blueline where he still averaged 18:19 of ice time per night, played 55-of-56 regular-season-games and produced 10 points (2G, 8A) in that span.
Noah Dobson
Dobson enters his third season with the Islanders and what will be his first full 82-game campaign, after back-to-back condensed seasons. Despite enduring a bout with COVID-19 last season, which kept him out of the lineup for 10 regular-season games, the lengthy blueliner continued to make strides in his two-way game and take on more responsibility.
Last season, Dobson produced 14 points (3G, 11A) - including five on the power play - and averaged 16:24 TOI/GP during the regular season. Dobson upped his game during the Islanders run to the semifinals, as he led the Islanders' d-core in scoring with seven points (seven assists) in that span.
Since breaking into the league as a 19-year-old, Dobson has had the opportunity to learn an abundance from some savvy veterans like Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuk, Andy Greene and now, Chara.
Andy Greene
Since becoming a member of the Islanders - via a trade with New Jersey - in February of 2020, Greene has been a seamless fit to the Islanders' backend. The 38-year-old defenseman enters his 16th season in the NHL and first full 82-game slate on Long Island.
Last season, Greene didn't miss a beat as the disciplined d-man tallied five points (1G, 4A) in 55 regular-season games. He averaged 17:35 TOI/GP, and ranked third among the Islanders with 99 blocked shots. Greene has also become a regular on the Islanders' penalty-kill, where he logged a total of 96:43 shorthanded minutes during the regular season.
The versatile left-shot - who can play on either side - only suited up in one preseason game ahead of the 2021-22 season, as a result of one game against New Jersey getting cancelled unexpectedly. However, following that sole game he did play in on Oct. 9 against the New York Rangers, Trotz noted that he was, 'as composed as anybody.'
Greene and Scott Mayfield have been a regular pairing throughout the duration of training camp and in the Islanders most recent preseason contest.
Scott Mayfield
Scott Mayfield continues to impress with every season as he's evolved his game to become a sturdy shutdown defenseman, who plays with some nasty bite, but also has upticked his offensive production in the last few seasons.
Mayfield - who stands 6-foot-5, 220-pounds - registered 15 points (2G, 13A) through all 56 games last year. He led the Islanders in time on the penalty kill both in a nightly average (2:18) and the season total (128:37). Mayfield is all-in when it comes to sacrificing anything and everything in the midst of game action as he led the team in with 108 blocked shots, which ranked 10th in the NHL.
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he produced six points (2G, 4A), including the Game 6 equalizer that eventually led to an iconic overtime victory and forced a Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the semifinal.

Adam Pelech
Fresh off inking an eight-year extension to stay on Long Island over the offseason, Adam Pelech enters his seventh season with the club. Pelech has flourished as a shutdown defenseman for the Islanders, a regular on the penalty kill and evolved the offensive side to his game; i.e. his coast-to-coast shorthanded slap shot against Washington last season.
The 27-year-old totaled 14 points (4G, 10A) last season and was healthy for the entirety of the 56-game slate. He ranked third in total time on ice with a nightly average of 21:03, and ranked second in penalty kill ice time with a total of 125:04. Pelech also ranked second in takeaways (behind Mathew Barzal's 28) with 25.
During the postseason, Pelech compiled five points (1G, 4A) throughout all 19 games of the ECF run.
Pelech has continued to be paired with his mainstay partner Ryan Pulock throughout training camp and preseason.
Ryan Pulock
Last season featured uncharacteristically low offensive production for Pulock, who boasts a lethal long-range one-timer, as the d-man totaled just two goals (17 points) through 56 games. But despite the goal-scoring low, Pulock took strides to round out his two-way game. Pulock has been a regular on the Islanders' power play and led the Islanders in time on ice with a nightly average of 22:26, ranked second with 106 blocked shots and used his sturdy size to throw the most hits among the Islanders' blueline with 97.
In the postseason, the 27-year-old doubled his regular-season scoring production as he tallied four goals (six points) in 19 games.
This season presents plenty of opportunity to get that regular-season scoring touch back and will especially be needed with the offseason departure of Nick Leddy.

GOALTENDERS:
Cory Schneider
Schneider returns to the Islanders for a second season and first full campaign with the team.
Last year, the veteran goaltender spent the season on the Islanders' taxi squad and did not play a regular-season game, despite occasionally serving as the team's backup.
With Semyon Varlamov beginning the year on IR, Schneider will be the other half of the Islanders' goalie tandem - with Ilya Sorokin - to start the season. Schneider played in his first full game for the Islanders in the preseason where he posted a 24-save shutout in the Islanders' 3-0 win over Philadelphia on Oct. 5.
In his last season with New Jersey - during the 2019-20 season - the left-catch netminder posted a record of 3-6-2, a 3.53 GAA and a .887 SV%.
Ilya Sorokin
With a three-year extension in the books, Sorokin is back for his second season on Long Island and in the NHL.
Last year, Sorokin made a splash. The 26-year-old Russian made the transition to North American hockey appear seamless as he handled a sizable workload of the regular season alongside his fellow countryman in Varlamov.
Sorokin secured a 13-6-3 record through 22 regular-season games, a 2.17 GAA, a .918 SV% and three shutouts. In the postseason, he embraced the high stakes and big stage firmly. After Varlamov was unable to go in Game 1 of Round 1 against Pittsburgh, Sorokin put on a clinic in the crease. Sorokin backstopped the team to the four wins of six games it took to eliminate the Penguins from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In total, he posted a 4-1-0 record, a 2.71 GAA and a .922 SV% during the Islanders' run to Game 7 of the semis.
With Varlamov out to start the season, Trotz noted that Sorokin is his "number one" at the moment.
Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov is entering his third season with the Islanders and coming off a strong performance last year where he helped backstop the Islanders to the semifinals.
The 33-year-old posted a 19-11-4 record, a .929 SV% and established new career bests with his 2.04 GAA and seven shutouts (tied for most in the NHL with former Colorado Avalanche netminder Philipp Grubauer).
Ahead of training camp and preseason, Varlamov has been tending to a 'nagging' injury, per Trotz, who noted the severity of the injury is nothing extreme, but with playing an 82-game on deck they would prefer to take a cautious approach and give the veteran goalie time to rest and rehab now as opposed to later in the year during the playoff hunt.
"He's progressing, he's doing fine," Trotz said via Zoom on Oct. 11. "He's been skating for a little bit here. He'll be joining our group fairly soon, I would think."