Upcoming 2018 New York Islanders Season

The Islanders Offseason has been interesting to say the Least....But I already Wrote a Blog Covering that in a Quick Recap and not much Feeling in it...Look back to see.

Changes to the Islanders Coaching and Front office Staff:

So much so that Isles fans, Including myself are more than excited about this upcoming season. With Barry Trotz, Lane Lambert, John Gruden (Not to be Confused with Raiders Head Coach, Jon Gruden) behind the Bench, Scott Gomez Returning for a 2nd Season and Piero Greco on the Coaching Staff and Lou and Chris Lamorillo, Steve Pellegrini, David Conte, Jacques Lemaire and Mitch Korn in the Front Office, Many including myself are indeed excited about this upcoming Season!

Prediction for this Season:

Do I think this years team will Win the Cup, Make it to the Cup, Win the President's Trophy or Win the Division Title? Realistically, No.

Do I think the Islanders will be a Bottom 10 or even Bottom 5 Team? Realistically, No.

However, I do think that this team will be a Pretty Good Team. I Realistically think that this team will Surprise A LOT of people and will be Fighting for a Wild Card spot. Now does that mean they will make it? Personally, I don't think so, but If that's the case, I think they fight until the Very last day and are denied on the Final game of the season....But if they do make the Playoffs, I don't think they make it past the First Round. 

Realistically, I think this Team will put up between 80-90 Points this season. Again, a lot of surprises this year, especially with A lot of Young guns looking to make the Roster.

Players/Signings:

One of the Young Guns I want to see this season with the Islanders is One Josh Ho-Sang. Hopefully his act is together and he's able to play in the NHL Full-Time and everyday and not in a Press Box or going back and forth from the AHL to the NHL and to the NHL back to the AHL. On defense, I'm excited to see Ryan Pulock again and Young Gun, Devon Toews! We were suppose to get a Glimpse of him last season, but an Injury took him out for a majority if not the Entire Season. 

Jan Kovar, who is in the KHL Last year is now with the Islanders and it will be interesting to see where he'll slot in.

Some Veterans were brought in as well....Some I don't like the Moves but they were made regardless of one fan thinks.

Valtteri Filppula was signed to help out the 3rd Line Center Position to a 1 Year Deal. 

Leo Komarov was brought in for the Teams Penalty Kill to a 4 Year Deal with a 7 Year Modified No Trade Clause. 

Tom Kuhnhackl was brought in from Pittsburgh as a Depth Piece.

Matt Martin was Acquired in a trade with Toronto to go back on the 4th Line. 

And

Robin Lehner is with the Team now and Looking to have a Great year on a 1 Year "Show Me" Deal.

Reaction to Signings:

Fillpula's deal I like, He was someone I was hoping the team would sign in the Offseason. A Gritty 3rd Line Center that will help out that line and an experienced one too.

Lehner, I like. Not necessecarily an Upgrade over Jaro Halak who signed a 2 year deal with Boston, But Lehner is a Young Goaltender who despite playing with Buffalo the last few years, put some Good Numbers up. 

Jan Kovar was a Signing I liked and He Provides some Depth at the Center Position and hopefully he'll see the ice most of the time.

The Komarov Contract I don't like at all! 4 Years and a 7 team no trade list? It begs the Question, What has Komarov done to deserve that? I get that he was brought in to assist on the Penalty kill which was a Disaster last year when Kulemin went down (Now in the KHL), But 4 years? 

Along with the Komarov Deal, Favorite Matt Martin was brought back via Trade. I wouldn't have an Issue with Martin or Komarov if one or the other wasn't acquired or signed. If Martin were acquired and Komarov wasn't signed, I would have no Issue with that. If Komarov were signed and Martin wasn't acquired, I'd have no issue with that either. Remember, Komarov Replaced Martin on the Leafs 4th line last year! This is a Deal and trade I wasn't in favor of.

Tom Kuhnhackl's signing I'm indifferent on. He provides Depth for the 4th line and has 2 Cups to his name. 

Appearances and Jersey Changes:

There are some changes to the Islanders....One is that Young Guns like Anthony Beauvillier, Josh Ho-Sang, Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, Thomas Hickey and Jan Kovar will Not be wearing the Numbers they wore last year. As Part of "Lou's Rules" Most players will Not wear High Numbers.

Anthony Beauvillier went from #72 to #18, Josh Ho-Sang went from the Controversial #66 to #26, Adam Pelech now wears #3 after wearing #50 last year, Scott Mayfield simply reversed his #42 to #24, Thomas Hickey decided to change his Jersey from #14 to #4, Tom Kuhnhackl went from #34 to #14 and Jan Kovar wore #43 in the KHL will now wear #10. 

Veterans such as Johnny Boychuk #55, Valtteri Filppula #51, Leo Komarov #47, Robin Lehner #40 and Casey Cizikas #53 will be able to to keep the Jersey Numbers they wore Last season.  

This Rule I'm not fond of at all, Why mess with a Player's Jersey number? It could have some significant meaning to it and they are forced to get rid of it because the high Numbers are "Too Flashy and Stand-out-ish."

Another one of changes is another one of "Lou's Rules" and that is No Facial hair or long hair is allowed. This means that During the Regular Season, Players, Coaches and I believe Front office staff can NOT have Facial Hair or long hair at all. 

Unlike the New York Yankees where a very light 5:00 Shadow and Mustaches are allowed, Lamoriello doesn't allow any facial Hair or Long Hair.  

I don't think this Rule applies for the Post Season though. Lamoriello does allow Playoff Beards and Long hair in the Playoffs. It is a Hockey tradition to grow out Beards and hair during the Playoffs. This rule I don't have much of an Issue with.

My only exception is that Players Should be able to have Facial hair, but they Must Keep it Neat and Trimmed during the Regular Season! No Brent Burns or Joe Thornton like Beards unless you're in the Playoffs. 

That Basically Covers everything. See you in the Next Blog!

LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!