There’s no denying that general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Barry Trotz have done some great things for the New York Islanders. The team made it to the third round of the NHL playoffs the past two seasons, something the Isles have not done since the early ‘80s. 

But, this year, the Isles are not performing anywhere near the level they were at last year. In 26 games, the team has gone 8-12-6, putting them at 29th place in the NHL. Some of the team’s shortcomings are due to uncontrollable factors such as injuries to top players and a COVID-19 outbreak. However, Lamoriello and Trotz are also partly to blame for the team’s disappointing season. 

Overuse of Veterans

Both Lamoriello and Trotz love to have NHL veterans on the Islanders’ roster to provide leadership and mentor the younger players. But the Isles are giving too many lineup spots to underproducing veterans. Forwards Josh Bailey, Zach Parise and Kyle Palmieri only have three goals combined. They also all have a negative plus/minus rating, totaling a combined -18. 

44-year-old Zdeno Chara is also struggling. He is arguably one of the worst players in hockey due to his inability to protect his own zone. He also spends too much time in the penalty box. With 57 penalty minutes, Chara has the most in the NHL. 

Even if these players have a strong locker room presence, they have gotten a free pass for their struggles this season. Yet, Trotz makes the decision each night to play all of them, and give them lots of minutes, as well.

Misuse of Younger Guys

While underproducing veterans rack up ice time every game, the younger players are robbed of the playing time they deserve. Oliver Wahlstrom has been one of the best players on the Islanders this year, especially on the power-play. But he barely gets any ice time, averaging 13:09 a night. Kieffer Bellows is also suffering from a lack of ice time despite earning five points in 12 games — for reference, Parise has six points in 26 games.

In a post-game conference on Dec. 19, Trotz spoke about Bellows’ lack of ice time and how he decides who gets to play more minutes.

“There’s certain things with some players, you have a little bit of, a lot more street equity and you’ll stay with those guys a little bit,” Trotz said. “As a veteran player you get a little bit more rope than a younger guy.”

Trotz needs to start putting all of his players on an even playing field regardless of age and veteran status. It can be argued that the best forward and defenseman on the Islanders this year are Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson, the two youngest guys on the team. Meanwhile, the Isles’ worst players this season are all over the age of 30.

Lack of a Goal-Scorer

The Islanders have had three games end in a shootout this year and not only did they lose in each of them, but none of the team’s shooters scored. This problem symbolizes something that has plagued the Islanders for years: they need a goal-scorer.

Usually, the Islanders will wait until the NHL Trade Deadline, which is March 21, 2022 at 3 p.m. EST this season, to make a move. Lamoriello waited until the Trade Deadline when acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the 2019-20 season and Palmieri and Travis Zajac in the 2020-21 season.

However, the Isles can’t afford to wait until March if they want any chance of making the playoffs. This team has already dug themselves into a big hole and acquiring a goal-scorer could help them climb their way out much faster. Islanders’ scouts were spotted watching the game between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 28, showing they are doing their due diligence.

Vancouver’s Success

The Canucks were also off to a rough start this season so owner Francesco Aquilini decided to clear out the front office and coaching staff on Dec. 6. Aquilini wanted a team that competes for championships and felt that new leadership could help take them there. Since hiring Jim Rutherford as team president and interim general manager and Bruce Boudreau as head coach, the Canucks have gone 6-0.

Making a change can help shake up a team’s culture. Lamoriello and Trotz are both very successful, but at the end of the season, if things do not improve, a change might not be out of the question.

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.