The New York Islanders have been rotating players in and out of the lineup for weeks, sometimes because of positive COVID-19 tests, sometimes because of injuries and sometimes just to try new combinations. The lineup changes have provided new perspectives on a few players. And two have stood out: Kieffer Bellows and Austin Czarnik.

The Islanders drafted Bellows 19th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. Facing adversity along the way, he went through college hockey, the WHL and AHL for the next four years before finally earning an eight-game trial in 2020. He tallied two goals and an assist in those eight games, potentially earning more games the following season.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Bellows spent most of the 2020-21 shortened season as a scratch or on the taxi squad. He played 14 games, mostly towards the beginning of the season, failing to earn an everyday role with just three points. 

Bellows turned 23-years-old during the summer, and his lack of progression had become very concerning. Barry Trotz didn’t quite give Bellows the green light to start the season this year. Bellows had to earn his time and got some help with the team’s COVID-19 outbreak. As of Jan. 2, Bellows has already played as many games as he did the entirety of last season. This time, Bellows has three goals and five assists — good for eight points in 14 games.

Finally, Bellows has proven that he can be an all-around player who is effective in all areas of the ice.  His goal-scoring abilities were always there, but now it is all coming together.

Austin Czarnik had a different route to arrive on the Islanders. Czarnik went undrafted and played four years at the University of Miami (Ohio) before signing with the Boston Bruins. In 2017, Czarnik played his rookie season, suiting up in 49 games and putting up 13 points as a solid depth piece. The next year, however, Czarnik played in just 10 NHL games.

In 2018, Czarnik signed with the Calgary Flames, where he played a career-high 54 games in 2018-19 and scored 19 points. But once again, Czarnik wasn’t used nearly as much in his second year, playing mainly in the AHL with just eight NHL games. Last year, Czarnik signed with the Islanders and played four games, mainly being used on the taxi squad. 

In just eight games so far this year, though, Czarnik has looked exceptional. He has four points and is showing the youthful energy at all areas on the ice that we haven’t been seeing from most of the roster. His +/- is third on the team, trailing only Noah Dobson and Adam Pelech. Czarnik is forcing turnovers, moving the puck well and seemingly always in the right position. 

As of late, Bellows and Czarnik have been two of the best forwards on the Islanders. Brock Nelson, Oliver Wahlstrom, and Kyle Palmieri, all of whom were not in the lineup in the Islanders’ most recent game against the Edmonton Oilers, will likely return to the lineup soon. However, Czarnik and Bellows should stay in the lineup — because they deserve to.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others