New York Islanders: 3 storylines to watch this season
theScore's NHL editors take a look at three storylines to watch for each NHL team heading into the regular season.
John Tavares, Hart Trophy candidate
After recording 28 goals and 19 assists in 48 games and helping the Islanders qualify for the playoffs back in 2013, Tavares was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player.
While the team took a step back last season, Tavares himself catapulted up the ranks of the League's elite, registering 24 goals and 42 assists in 59 games (prior to a season-ending injury suffered in Sochi), good for fourth among all players with a 1.12 point per game average.
There's no question that the first overall pick in the 2009 Draft is one of the premiere players in the game, and certainly serves as the face of the soon-to-be Brooklyn Islanders. If, as expected, the club moves back into playoff contention, Tavares could very well add his first piece of NHL hardware to the mantle.
Improved team defense
Key to that resurgence will be the team's improved defensive play, boosted by a number of factors.
For three years running, the Islanders have posted a sub.-900 team save percentage, with marks of .901, .901 and .900 in three respective seasons prior to that. General manager Garth Snow attempted to rectify that issue by bringing Jaroslav Halak and his .918 career save percentage into the mix.
The squad in front of Halak should be better as well, especially in light of Snow's ability to add through the subtraction of heavy minute man Andrew MacDonald and his woeful even strength Corsi rating of 44.58 percent.
A hopefully healthy Lubomir Visnovsky (53.9) and more playing time for the likes of Calvin de Haan (52.2) and Matt Donovan (53.7) should compliment the steady presence of Travis Hamonic (50.1) and help keep the puck away from Halak.
Add to that the potential addition of Brock Nelson to the top line, a possession-friendly (and reunited) duo in Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin, a line built around Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen, and a reliable backup in Chad Johnson, and the Islanders should significantly reduce their goals against this season.
Are the kids alright?
The Islanders boast a wealth of 25-and-under talent up front (including Tavares), some of whom can greatly impact the team's chances with big performances this season.
Central to that is 2011 fifth overall pick Ryan Strome, who's expected to make the full-time leap to the NHL after splitting last season between AHL Bridgeport and Long Island. Strome recorded 13 goals and 36 assists in 37 games with the Sound Tigers, and a respectable if unspectacular seven goals and 11 assists in 37 games with the big club. This season is as good a time as any for Strome to take the next step.
2010 30th overall pick Nelson could get a shot to thrive alongside Tavares and Kyle Okposo, improving on his 14-goal rookie season in the process, while Anders Lee burst on to the scene with nine goals in 22 games to give the offense an added boost.
Most recent draft picks like forwards Michael Dal Colle and Josh Ho-Sang and defenseman Griffin Reinhart may be a bit further off, but youth could be served in a big way for the Islanders sooner than later.