The Islanders may not have made many splashy additions this offseason, but ESPN’s new top 100 NHL players list makes one thing clear: this roster still has real star power.
New York landed four players on the list, a total that stacks up well against the rest of the league. Only the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars had more, with six apiece. At the other end of the spectrum, the Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks were left off entirely.
Leading the way for the Islanders is defenseman Matthew Schafer, and his placement isn’t a shock. After a historic rookie season, he’s already being treated like one of the game’s top-tier talents.
ESPN slotted him at No. 16, a huge rise from not being ranked at all a year ago before his first professional season. Only three defensemen are ahead of him: Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild.
Ilya Sorokin was next for New York, and his jump was just as eye-catching. The goalie checked in at No. 27, up from No. 66 last year, thanks to the kind of reliability that matters over a long season. ESPN pointed to his five straight seasons of 50+ starts and a .906 save percentage.
Bo Horvat also made the cut at No. 85, climbing from No. 100 in last year’s rankings. Now the 16th captain in franchise history, he continues to bring value on and off the ice.
Rounding out the Islanders’ group is Mathew Barzal, who landed at No. 91 after ranking No. 71 a year ago. He has been sidelined by a knee injury so far, and the Islanders are hoping he gets back to full strength without the nagging issues that bothered him last season.
In Other News...
Islanders Already Face A Romanov Concern They Couldn't Afford
Alexander Romanovs night ended early Tuesday against the Rangers, and for an Islanders team already trying to steady its blue line, that is the kind of development it could not have welcomed. Romanov exited with an apparent injury and was not back on the ice for the final stretch of the game, leaving New York to finish without one of its more important defensemen.
Pete DeBoer said Romanov is still being evaluated, which leaves the Islanders in wait-and-see mode for now. If the injury lingers, it would add another layer of difficulty to a defensive group that can ill afford to lose a regular presence for any length of time. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders' Rangers Loss Exposed A Problem Fans Were Dreading
Semyon Varlamovs return was one of the few encouraging developments in a rough night for the Islanders, even if it came in a loss to the Rangers that underscored how much work still remains. The veteran goalie was back in the crease after knee surgeries, stepping into a charged rivalry game and facing a steady Rangers attack that kept New York under pressure from the opening shift.
Alexis Lafrenire led the way for the Rangers with a big night, while Oliver Bjorkstrand added two goals and Mika Zibanejad piled up three assists as the visitors pulled away and stretched their winning streak to four. For the Islanders, the result was less about the score line than the reminder that simply getting Varlamov back is only one piece of a much larger problem they still have to solve. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Suddenly Have A Blue Line Concern After Rivalry Loss
The Islanders left their rivalry loss with more than just a setback in the standings, because two regulars came out banged up and the blue line suddenly looks a little thinner. Simon Holmstrom was forced out after taking a hit to the face, and while the concern is a broken nose, the early expectation is that he will keep playing and stay in his third-line role.
Alexander Romanovs exit is the more pressing issue for the back end. The defenseman left with a leg injury, and coach Pete DeBoer did not offer a postgame update, leaving the Islanders to sort through what it could mean for the defensive rotation if Romanov needs time. [Read more 🡒]