Puck Prose
Fansided

NHL Predictions: Metropolitan Division 5 Bold Projections

By Ryan Ritchie

Feb 2, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
May 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) and New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) and New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) stand for the national anthem before the first period of game four of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) and New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) and New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) stand for the national anthem before the first period of game four of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Islanders Take a Step Back in 2016-17

GM Garth Snow essentially replaced Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin with free agents Andrew Ladd, P.A. Parenteau, and Jason Chimera. Some fans loved the moves, proclaiming P.A. the signing of the summer. How quickly things change.

All NHL
All NHL /

All NHL

On Monday, Parenteau was waived. He could still start the year in Brooklyn, but it looks as though the Isles are beginning to make room for the kids. The hope was that P.A. Parenteau could rekindle some magic with John Tavares, but the pair saw very little time together in the preseason.

Now, it’s not that we don’t believe in the rookies. Truth be told, we’ve been praising the likes of Michael Dal Colle, Anthony Beauvillier, Josh Ho-Sang, Mathew Barzal, and Ryan Pulock for a while now.

Because of the rookie infusion, though, it could be a bumpy season for the Islanders. This tends to happen with first-year players as they transition to the NHL game – it had to happen sooner or later. Asking these kids to replace not only the production, but the presence of departed veterans Okposo, Nielsen, and Martin is a tall order.

Of course, the Isles could surprise us and build off an impressive 100-point season, unfortunately, we don’t see it. Instead, we expect things to start to come together in the next two to three years when all of these impact prospects are making bigger contributions.

On a bit of a side note, keep an eye on the progress on Ryan Pulock. He’s a highly touted defender still trying to find his way at the NHL level. Pulock joins a list that likely includes Calvin de Haan and Thomas Hickey for those who could be left exposed in next June’s expansion draft. If Pulock finally has a breakout season, does Las Vegas target the Isles prized prospect, or turn to someone more proven with a bit of extra age and experience?

Home/Metropolitan