The Islanders are about to get a lot healthier up front, and that’s where the real headache begins.
Mathew Barzal is expected back from his nagging knee injury this week, Matias Maccelli already returned in Los Angeles and picked up an assist in his first game back, and Cal Ritchie is now in the fourth week of his four- to six-week timeline and progressing. Jean-Gabriel Pageau is day-to-day, though Pete DeBoer isn’t concerned about his long-term status. Once that group is fully available, the Islanders will have to sort out who stays in the lineup and who gets squeezed out.
That decision gets tricky fast because several forwards are already fighting for their spots. Kyle MacLean has gone pointless in eight games and has just two shots on goal.
Mitchell Chaffee, skating on his line, has one goal and one assist in 10 games since joining the blue and orange. Both players got their chances because of the injuries to Maccelli and Ritchie, so their roles are suddenly in question again.
Maccelli’s own case is interesting too. Before getting hurt in the Isles’ win in Toronto on Oct. 17, he had two goals and four assists in eight games. But as the newest piece in the mix, he’ll need to get back to that level if he wants to stick once everyone is healthy.
Victor Eklund doesn’t appear to be going anywhere after a slow start that gave way to more ice time and better production. Casey Cizikas is another name to watch. He’s the Islanders’ longest-tenured forward and has done his job well in limited minutes, but on a team that badly needs goals, he could be the odd man out.
Emil Heineman is also in the conversation. He’s shooting 7.4% after a 22-goal season a year ago, and while Pete DeBoer values his speed and penalty-killing work, only a couple of goals while spending stretches on a line with Bo Horvat is underwhelming this deep into the season.
Then there’s Anthony Duclair, who has gone from Patrick Roy’s punching bag a season ago to one of the more productive scorers early this year. He has four goals on 22 shots, but the defensive side of his game has been rough. His minus-8 rating is the worst among Islanders forwards, and that could send him back to the press box.
Barzal is expected to return Tuesday, Nov. 17, when the Columbus Blue Jackets come to UBS Arena. Ritchie should be back not long after that, and once those two are in, the Islanders will have some tough calls to make. The first player out, at least based on the current picture, looks like Duclair.
In Other News...
Brayden Schenn Is Making The Islanders Trade Debate A Lot Harder
Brayden Schenn has quickly become one of the more interesting stories around the Islanders since arriving, and not just because of the production. He has 16 points in 18 games, including a recent goal and two assists against the Kings, which is the kind of immediate impact that can make any trade look better in a hurry. For a team that paid a steep price to get him, that kind of start naturally changes the conversation.
It has also gone beyond the box score. Schenn has been spending time with rookie Victor Eklund after practice, helping him along as the young forward continues to develop, which adds another layer to his value in the room. Still, the trade that brought Schenn to Long Island included significant assets, including a first-round pick, and that remains a sore spot for some fans even as his play keeps making the debate harder to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders May Have Found The Offensive Spark They Desperately Needed
The Islanders finally got the kind of night they have been chasing, snapping a four-game winless streak with a 5-2 victory over the Kings. Brayden Schenn was at the center of it, finishing with two goals and an assist in his first three-point game since March 28, while also stretching his point streak to four games and giving New York a much-needed push from the top of the lineup.
Victor Eklund added another layer to the win, scoring his seventh goal of the season and continuing to pace Eastern Conference rookies. His four-game goal streak is a rare run in franchise history, and it came at a time when the Islanders badly needed someone to keep the offense moving. If this is the start of something more sustainable, it could change the tone around a team that has been looking for a spark. [Read more 🡒]
Pierre Engvall Is Forcing His Way Into The Islanders Conversation
Pierre Engvall has been making a case for himself in Hamilton, where his early AHL production has stood out at a time when the Islanders have been searching for more punch up front. With New York struggling offensively to start the NHL season, especially on the power play, any forward showing real finish and some versatility is going to draw attention.
Engvalls ability to contribute in different roles gives the Islanders a potential option for their bottom six if they decide to look his way. Even so, his name may be only part of the broader conversation, since the club could still be in the market for additional scoring help through trades. [Read more 🡒]