Holy cow, it’s September, and hockey season is right around the corner! Training camps are just a few weeks out, but there are already some serious questions hanging over teams in the league, especially for clubs like the Islanders. Can they even make the playoffs this year? And will their summer moves,or lack thereof,actually move the needle on the Darche rebuild?
The Darche Rebuild Question Marks
Sportsnet has the Islanders ranked #10 on their list of teams most likely to make the playoffs after missing last year. That’s optimistic, for sure. But when you look at the financials, you gotta wonder. The team rolled into free agency this past summer with only $6.18 million in cap space, made no notable signings, and then lost Carson Soucy and former captain Anders Lee. Now, Soucy as a “loss” is a curious talking point when there’s so much more to dig into, but it highlights the lack of big moves. This squad has to deliver if they want to prove that ranking is even remotely realistic.
Player Focus & League Trends
Speaking of players, Mat Barzal apparently had a chill offseason, hitting up some travel, doing some charity work, and even attending a Beauvillier wedding. Good for him, man. Meanwhile, prospect Malte Gustafsson is sticking around in Sweden to focus on his season with HV71 instead of coming over for prospect or training camps. They’re calling it the “Victor Eklund Plan,” not the “Nino Plan,” so I guess Islanders fans shouldn’t freak out. But it’s another reminder of what isn’t happening on home ice. Across the league, the Devils just sent a 1st and 2nd-round pick from next summer to Nashville for Luke Evangelista. That’s a bold move! Plus, there’s a useful reminder floating around that the average save percentage has continued to drop, hitting .896 from its .915 peak back in 2015-16. So, adjust those endless goalie debates accordingly, folks.
Also, Tyler Seguin is back on the ice for the Stars after an ACL injury limited him to just 27 games last season. That’s big news for Dallas. And in Edmonton, Sportsnet says Tristan Jarry is the one player who has to deliver for the Pacific team. “That’s not good,” they say. Yikes.
With training camps just weeks away, the clock is ticking for these teams. For the Islanders, it’s all about proving that #10 ranking isn’t just wishful thinking. They need to find a way to get it done with the roster they have. What kind of season are we gonna see, hockey fans? This is just the beginning.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lighthouse Hockey.
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