When the Islanders released their official list of players they chose to protect for the upcoming expansion draft, fans were shocked. The Isles protected bottom-six forwards but left top-six forwards unprotected. Islanders fans are now questioning General Manager Lou Lamoriello’s logic behind leaving such key players available in the draft. Let’s take a look at the forwards he protected.

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Mathew Barzal

It was obvious that Mathew Barzal was going to be one of the seven protected forwards. He is one of the best goal scorers on the team. He scored the second most goals in both the regular season (17) and playoffs (six). When playing on the top-line alongside Anders Lee, they generate tons of scoring opportunities.

Barzal also led the team in points with 45 in the regular season and 14 in the playoffs. He was tied for the best plus/minus rating for the regular season earning a +15 rating.

Anthony Beauvillier

Anthony Beauvillier is another player that was obviously going to be protected in the expansion draft. He is one of the team’s top goal scorers, scoring 15 goals in the regular season and five in the playoffs. Beauvillier also registered 13 points in the playoffs, the second most on the team. Along with Barzal, Beauvillier also finished the regular season with a +15 rating.

Beauvillier is also on the Islanders B Line which was arguably the Islanders’ best and most consistent line during the playoffs.

Cal Clutterbuck

Seeing Cal Clutterbuck as one of the seven protected forwards surprised everyone, not just Islanders fans. Many Isles fans assumed that Josh Bailey or Jordan Eberle would be protected because they are top-six forwards.

While Clutterbuck did lead the team in the regular season with 191 hits, he does not generate much offense. He only scored four goals in both the regular season and the playoffs. Clutterbuck also had the worst plus/minus rating from the regular season with a -5. However, in the playoffs, he had a +5.

Some people may argue that Clutterbuck is an important player to keep around because of his role in the identity line. But the fourth line was inconsistent during the 2020-21 season. During the playoffs, they looked great. However, during the regular season, they looked very slow, and they were barely generating scoring opportunities.

Anders Lee

There was no doubt amongst Islanders fans that Anders Lee would be protected from the expansion draft. Prior to his injury, he was leading the team in goals and would have likely finished the season as the best goal scorer on the team.

Even though Lee couldn’t be on the ice with the rest of the guys, he still made it a priority to be involved with the team. He would show up to practices and was a huge presence in the locker room.

Matt Martin

Matt Martin was another player that fans were not expecting to be protected. Just like Clutterbuck, Martin plays a physical game but doesn’t generate much offense. He finished the regular season with only six goals and the playoffs with one goal. Martin also only recorded two points in the playoffs, the second least on the team.

His physical style of play is his greatest asset. Martin had the second most hits on the team with 181.

Brock Nelson

There was no question whether Brock Nelson would be protected or not. He scored the most goals during both the regular season (18) and the playoffs (seven). Nelson also scored seven power-play goals during the regular season. He was also strong in the faceoff circle.

Nelson was one of the best players during the playoffs this year. He had the best shooting percentage on the team with 20%.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Even though Jean-Gabriel Pageau is a bottom six forward, nearly all fans were expecting him to be protected. Pageau is a great all-around player. He plays great offense and defense, he’s also physical, smart, fast, and adaptable.

Pageau was one of the top goal scorers during the regular season scoring 14 goals, five of which were power-play goals. He also had the best shooting percentage amongst all starting players during the regular season with 17.3%. Pageau also recorded 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists) during the playoffs.

Pageau is also very dominant in the faceoff circle. He had a 56.66 faceoff percentage in the regular season and 54.78 in the playoffs.

Did Lou Lamoriello Make the Right Move?

Leaving star players like Josh Bailey and Jordan Eberle available is very risky. Especially when they are being left unprotected over two fourth liners.

Some fans are speculating that Lamoriello did this so that the Islanders could make a deal with the Seattle Kraken and make a trade after the expansion draft. As of now, it looks like Eberle will be selected, perhaps in a greater move that will lead to the Islanders adding a top forward.

Maisy Healy

I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five.  Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.