It was clear after the Islanders were eliminated from the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs that third line center Valterri Filppula would not return to the team.  What wasn’t clear was who would replace him.

The Islanders were 22nd in NHL GF/GP last season, the second lowest among playoff teams.  Dallas was the other team, finishing seven spots below New York.  This offseason, Dallas signed Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski, two players that can surely improve on their measly offensive production.
After the Islanders decided to mostly stand pat during free agency (granted, Lou Lamiorello may have reached out to forwards, and the RFA market is still unsettled), it seemed like they would be building from within, hoping that young players would take a step forward and already proven forwards like Barzal and Lee would see outputs closer to what they achieved two seasons ago.
Barzal scored 85 points in his rookie season and Lee had 40 goals playing on a line with John Tavares.  Although we may not see those numbers again, scoring more than they did in 2019-2020 would certainly cement the Islanders’ place as a competitor in the Metropolitan Division.

When the Islanders signed Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle to contracts earlier this month, it seemed like that would be the case.  Neither player is waiver eligible anymore, and both are likely to make the team out of camp.  The question was, and still remains, where on the team will they play?
The top six for opening night will likely look something like this:
Lee  –  Barzal  –  Eberle
Beauvillier  –  Nelson  –  Bailey
There are eleven signed players that need to fill out the remaining six spots.  They are: Michael Dal Colle, Josh Ho-Sang, Derick Brassard, Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck (injury), Leo Komarov, Andrew Ladd (injury), Tom Khunhackl, Tanner Fritz, and Ross Johnston.  Brassard emerges as one of the best from that crowded list of names.
While many have, especially before the team signed Brassard, suggested that Casey Cizikas be elevated to 3rd line center, having him on the fourth line has always been a luxury for the Isles.  That luxury was one management wasn’t willing to give up on.  That’s why they brought in Brassard.
Brassard has proven in his career that he will produce more with increased offensive zone start percentage.  In his most productive years with the Rangers, he scored 60 and 58 points.  Those years, his oZS% was 54.9 and 58.8 percent, respectively (14-15 and 15-16).  Even when his point production fell the following year in Ottawa, his CF% (corsi) rose to 53.9%.

Will Derick Brassard put up the numbers that he did while he was in his prime?  Probably not.  But that’s not why the Islanders signed him.  Brassard was brought in to be an experienced third line center who will likely be flanked by Michael Dal Colle and Josh Ho-Sang.  Both young wingers have offensive upside, and adding Brassard can make an effective trio.
The best players are the ones who make those around them better, and Brassard has been able to do that with Rick Nash in the past, and can hopefully boost some of the Islanders budding gems as well.

It also allows the Islanders’ valuable fourth line to stay mostly in-tact (barring injuries).
It adds competition for the few available spots remaining.  Brian Compton reported that Cal Clutterbuck and Andrew Ladd, who both sustained injuries last season, are skating and will participate in training camp in some capacity.  Both are candidates to beat out Dal Colle and Ho-Sang for roster spots, should they be healthy.
Brassard is excited at his opportunity in New York. “I’m just looking forward to bouncing back this year,’’ he said. “I think that’s a really good fit for me, playing there with the Islanders. They play four lines, in your face, and use every one. I’m just looking forward to having a big role on the team to help them go back in the Stanley Cup playoffs.’’
There are benefits and drawbacks to every signing, and both exist in this one.  Some critics note that a younger player like Tanner Fritz or Otto Kiovula could have taken Brassard’s spot.  The younger players could, arguably, have a higher ceiling than Brassard.  Still, competition is usually a good thing, and it’ll push the Isles’ prospects to be even better at training camp.

Regardless, fans should be thankful that the price tag wasn’t one such drawback.  Not to mention, Lou hit big time on a similar contract just over a year ago, just sayin’.

 
 
 
Stats courtesy of hockey-reference.com
quotes courtesy of newsday.com