The Islanders Need to Add Offense in the Offseason
The New York Islanders’ lack of offense is the primary reason why their season has been as poor as it is, and they need to address that this offseason.
The Islanders undoubtedly have talent pulsing throughout the forward core. Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee all come to mind. However, a potent, purely offensive player will help bring this team back to the playoffs.
The Islanders rank 23th in goals per game this season with 2.78. They’re 28th in shots per game with 29.1. Their powerplay is not as bad as one would think. They’re successful on 20.2% of attempts, placing them at 20th in the NHL, just below league average.
These abysmal stats should make sense to most fans. The Islanders don’t boast a flashy offense. Still, through a season mired with injury and disappointment, they still have a fantastic defense. The Islanders rank 5th in the NHL in goals allowed per game with 2.65.
Claude Giroux pickpockets the defender and sets up Jonathan Huberdeau who cranks home the wrister for his franchise-record 97th point of the season! #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/q1W0S4oQqD
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 3, 2022
Claude Giroux and Filip Forsberg, who will be free agents this summer, would look great in blue and orange. Acquiring one of these all-stars would ascend the Islanders’ offense to new heights. Giroux’s (18-31–49) and Forsberg’s (38-29–67) offensive output would add a new dynamic to the entire team.
Reilly Smith and Alexander Radulov are perhaps more realistic players to target. Smith, one of the original players the Vegas Golden Knights got in their expansion draft, is quietly putting up a solid season. 16 goals, 22 assists for 38 points in 56 games is nothing to scoff at. The Golden Knights will not be able to bring him back for the 2022-23 season due to cap restraints. Smith will add a scoring punch to the Isles’ middle six. He is not the superstar that Filip Forsberg is, but still a strong scoring forward with the potential for 60 plus-point seasons.
Alexander Radulov, the riskier and likely cheaper of the two options, seems more up general manager Lou Lamoriello’s alley. The aging forward is not producing like his former self. 4 goals and 17 points for 21 points in 61 games is a disappointing stat line considering Radulov’s production from seasons past. In fairness, the Dallas Stars are a team that struggles to score, similar to the Islanders. Revitalizing Radulov’s career is risky, especially if his next contract is upwards of $3 million per year. However, Lamoriello likes to take chances on veteran forwards. Look at Zach Parise from last offseason.
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The New York Islanders must add offensive depth this offseason to bolster their roster. Expecting the Isles to bring in a star like Claude Giroux is undoubtedly wishful thinking; yet, a tier below in terms of skill is needed. Giving one of Smith or Radulov a fresh start could prove fruitful. The metropolitan division is filled with juggernauts and the Islanders will need more than what they have to compete next season.
