New York Islanders | 2017-18 SEASON PREVIEW
Here we go! I finally got to manage my team through a summer and really put my own stamp on it, and I feel like I've done a fine job transforming the Islanders into a team that should be a contender for sure.
The Lineup
Alexander Ovechkin (78) - Travis Zajac (75) - James Neal (73)
Jussi Jokinen (71) - Martin Hanzal (74) - Jason Pominville (70)
Scott Hartnell (69) - Mark Letestu (73) - Riley Nash (66)
Jimmy Vesey (66) - Derek Ryan (67) - Adam Cracknell (64)
Mark Giordano (75) - Alex Goligoski (73)
Duncan Keith (75) - Nick Holden (71)
Marco Scandella (66) - Dennis Wideman (66)
David Schlemko (64) - Chris Wideman (63)
Craig Anderson (78)
Chad Johnson (71)
We took some calculated risks this summer on some players who'd had down years in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin underachieved last year, as did James Neal and Scott Hartnell, and they'd all seen their ratings drop somewhat as a result. While they all played well in the pre-season, we acquired these players with the hopes that they'd improve in the NHL this year.
We'd never even have imagined that after the first two weeks of the season, Ovechkin and Neal would be 1-2 in NHL goal-scoring. Or that Scott Hartnell would already have three goals in five games. We're very excited now not jus for this season, but for next.
On the defense, we feel that we have as good a top-4 as anyone in the CPHL. Having Giordano and Keith on separate pairings in the top-4 makes our offensive-defensive attack almost unparalleled, especially when a guy like Alex Goligoski is in there.
It's obvious that we'd like to improve our right side, as our depth is fairly thin. If you're interested in Chris/Dennis Wideman or David Schlemko plus a pick for a high-60s RW, let me know.
The Picks
This is where it gets a little bit messy. I owe a lot of draft picks, but I'm also owed a number myself. Here they all are.
2018
Picks coming in
VAN owes NYI a top-85 pick
SJ owes NYI a 3rd, unless Radim Vrbata scores 50+ points in 2017-18, in which case SJ owes NYI a 2nd
DAL owes NYI a top-25 pick
DAL owes NYI a 3rd, unless Adam Larsson plays 70+ games in 2017-18, which case DAL owes NYI a 2nd
SJ owes NYI a 3rd, unless Paul Stastny outscores Martin Hanzal in 2017-18, in which case SJ owes NYI a 2nd
EDM owes NYI a 2018 3rd or 2019 3rd (NYI picks between two) if Radim Vrbata scores 50+ points in 2017-18; if he doesn't, NYI gets 2019 4th
Picks going out
NYI owes CAR a 2nd no worse than TOR's pick
NYI owes MIN a top-44 pick
NYI owes WAS a top-28 pick
NYI owes MTL a top-40 pick
NYI owes PHI a 2nd
As you can see, we're betting a lot on Radim Vrbata, here, but we think we can pull it off.
Well, what do you think? Do we make some noise in the playoffs this year?
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"This has been TheScorpion's shtick for years. All these hot takes, clickbait nonsense just to feed his social media algorithms." –Tuco
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