The 2020-21 NHL season has begun, and something many hockey fans are forgetting is how close we are to the Seattle Kraken expansion draft. The Kraken will begin play next season, the 2021-22 season. Many teams have to decide who to protect from the expansion draft, and it is often a very difficult process. The Islanders will most likely have to depart with a fan-favorite player or make a trade to protect their core. Some players are on the cusp of being protected in the expansion draft, and have a lot to prove this season. Here are some players who have a lot to prove to be protected by the New York Islanders.

Anders Lee

This is an unpopular opinion, but the Islanders should consider leaving their captain Anders Lee unprotected if he doesn’t perform well this season. Yes, he is the leader of the team, but his contract is a burden to the salary cap. Lee is due $7 million each season for six more years. Lou Lamoriello gave Lee this contract to prevent him from leaving like the previous captain, John Tavares. Anders has had his production slip since the 2017-18 season where he was on Tavares’ wing, now he is unable to keep up with the speed of Mathew Barzal as an older power forward.

Jordan Eberle

Eberle has four more seasons left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.5 million. He improved tremendously and put up more points in 2019-20 in fewer games than 2018-19. Jordan has found a home on the first line with Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal, but with the Islanders having so many assets Eberle may be the odd man out to be unprotected for the expansion draft. Proving that he can continue to be consistent offensively is important for his chances to remain safe in his spot on the Island.

Nick Leddy

Nick Leddy has had his name centered around trade rumors for a few years now. Ever since the Islanders acquired him from Chicago in 2014 he has been a steady defender for the team. Leddy has had improved his play ever since Barry Trotz took over as Islanders head coach, and is still capable to stay on the team. Nick Leddy is still only 29 years old and has a cap hit of $5.5 million, but for only two more years. His next contract will most likely be his last big pay-day. The Islanders have a lot of young defensemen so it will be interesting to see if Leddy can play well enough to be protected in the expansion draft.

Scott Mayfield

The Islanders are loaded on the back end. Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech are the top pair, and there is almost no chance they are left unprotected. Devon Toews was traded away to relieve cap, so it’s between Mayfield and Leddy for the last chance to be protected unless there is a trade. Greene is an older player who will be a UFA at season’s end, and the rest of the defenders are too young and not eligible for the draft. Mayfield brings great physicality and defensive skill to the game but overall is a well-balanced defender. He is on an affordable contract for the next three seasons, on a $1.45 million AAV.

Casey Cizikas

This is a tough one. The glue of the Islanders’ fourth line for the last several years has been Casey Cizikas. He was able to bring tons of passion and energy, score goals, and kill penalties fantastically. Unfortunately, the past two seasons have been filled with injuries for Casey, and he has missed a decent amount of time. With Cizikas set to become a free agent at season’s end, and Otto Koivula fighting for a roster spot, It may be an unfortunate end for an incredible Islanders career for Casey Cizikas.

Josh Bailey

The longest-tenured Islander has had a career filled with highs and lows. This could be the inevitable end to Bailey’s long Islanders career. He has four more seasons left on his contract with a $5 million cap hit. If the Isles choose to leave Bailey unprotected, he would be a great candidate for the Kraken as a great playmaker and leader in the locker room. With Josh at 31 years old, the Islanders may want to get younger and move either Kieffer Bellows or Oliver Wahlstrom into Bailey’s second line spot. Coach Trotz has said in the past that Bailey has been shuffled around the lines a lot. Bailey needs to stay consistent with point totals this year and continue his two-way game. As a member of the Islanders for the past 12 years, Josh Bailey being unprotected may upset many fans, but it may be in the best interest of the franchise.

With the expansion draft on the horizon, the Islanders need to pay attention to the play of the team’s core leaders in case they choose not to make a trade, allowing for protection for more players.

John Smark