With the Islanders’ regular season coming up around the corner, let’s take a look at some of the team’s possible breakout candidates.

Oliver Wahlstrom

In Wahlstrom’s rookie season, he lit the lamp 12 times and recorded nine assists for 21 total points. Wahlstrom only played in 44 games last season. With his rookie season in the books, fans have high expectations for the youngster this upcoming season. Some believe he deserves top-line minutes. With the loss of Jordan Eberle, that top-line right-wing spot is up for grabs and Wahlstrom is a possibility to fill that role.

The 21-year-old stud has a lot to prove this season as he can be a difference-maker for the Islanders. His wicked shot is one to look out for – he is a sniper, especially on the power-play.

Regardless of his line, whether he continues to play with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and newcomer Zach Parise on the third line or with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee on the first line, he can still show the hockey world the type of player he is. Wahlstrom has breakout potential and can be one of the biggest x-factors for the blue and orange.

Zach Parise

The 37-year old veteran signed a one-year contract with the Islanders in September. Parise wasn’t at his best last season with the Minnesota Wild. He scored seven times and had 11 assists for 18 points in 45 games played. The season prior, he scored 25 goals and had 21 assists for 46 points in 69 games.

Parise can still be an effective forward. He will likely play alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and either Oliver Wahlstrom or Kyle Palmieri on the third line. Parise, who is heading into his 17th NHL season, will be playing with his third team, as he recently spent nine years with the Wild before signing on the Island. It is a new start for Parise.

Although Zach Parise has already established himself as a top-forward in the NHL, he is now way older and is coming off an 18-point season. Therefore, I think Parise had an off-year last season and will breakout team this season.

Ilya Sorokin

Sorokin is the future of the Islanders. Last season, he posted a 13-6-3 record with a 2.17 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. Those are phenomenal stats for any NHL goaltender, let alone a rookie. In the playoffs, Sorokin started in five games. He won four of the five.

Ilya Sorokin started in 21 games last season, and this season, that number should nearly double. Last year, Sorokin proved he can play in the NHL, but this season, he has to prove that he is a starter. It is Sorokin’s breakout year. With his rookie season under his belt and some playoff experience, he can now take the next steps in his NHL career and evolve into one of the top goaltenders in the NHL.

Goaltending plays a huge role in a team’s success, and Sorokin will play a big role for the Islanders this season.

Ilya Sorokin could emerge as the Islanders’ starter and is one of the team’s breakout candidates this year. (Photo courtesy of Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports).

Jacob

Writer for Drive4Five covering the New York Islanders.