Complete Guide to the 2015 Offseason for the New York Islanders

Tom Urtz Jr.Apr 28, 2015

The New York Islanders' 2014-15 season ended sooner than many would have wanted it to, and in many ways, it can be a teachable moment for a very young group. What the Islanders achieved in 2014-15 will not be forgotten, but once again, the team showed that it isn't ready to be a contender.

The warning signs became evident as the team slumped dramatically after the All-Star break, and an 11-shot performance in Game 7 against the Washington Capitals was the final nail in the coffin.

Next season will be the Islanders' first at the Barclays Center, and the franchise will have the opportunity to start building a new legacy separate from Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith and Al Arbour.

John Tavares is the right player for the franchise, and he has the potential to captain the team to its first Stanley Cup since the 1980s. Despite the success the Islanders had this season, there is a lot of work to do. Here's a complete offseason guide for the New York Islanders.

Season Recap

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Top Performers

The Isles' captain John Tavares led by example this season, and he finished No. 4 in the NHL with 38 goals and No. 2 overall in points with 86. Ryan Strome broke out for the Islanders this season, and he finished third in team scoring with 50 points while playing 15:24 a night.

Anders Lee also turned heads with his play this season by recording 25 goals and 41 points. Lee was curiously scratched during a pivotal Game 7, and his offense could have been a huge asset. On defense, the tandem of Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy was masterful for New York.

The duo spent the entire season together and combined for 72 points, including 19 goals. The Islanders wisely re-signed the two, and they have the potential to be significant contributors for years to come.

Last but not least is Jaroslav Halak. The Isles netminder set a franchise record with 38 wins. He was a big reason why New York made the playoffs, and he deserved a better fate.

Biggest Disappointments

Cory Conacher had tremendous success with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Islanders were hoping he'd have similar success for them. Conacher was a major flop and was limited to three points in 15 games.

On the injury front, it was disappointing that Mikhail Grabovski was limited to 51 games, and Kyle Okposo only appeared in 60. The situation wasn't ideal, but in a way, it created a window for some other players on the roster to prove themselves.

Final Analysis

The Islanders were the toast of the town for the early part of the season, but they couldn't keep it up after their season hit the midpoint. The Islanders were 32-16-1 heading into the All-Star break, and they posted a 15-12-6 record over the final 33 games of the season.

A stronger end to the season could have given the Islanders a better first-round matchup, and there's a chance they would still be playing at this point.

Biggest Storylines to Follow

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Will Jack Capuano be fired?

Although the Islanders made it to the first round of the playoffs, an early exit is a major strike against Jack Capuano. His inability to make correct adjustments cost the Islanders, and two prime examples include not playing Anders Lee in Game 7, and not pulling the goalie during the Islanders' final power play of the game.

If you Google "fire Jack Capuano," you will find a number of articles ranging in date that suggest he should be fired for a number of reasons. With Todd McLellan, Dan Bylsma and potentially Mike Babcock available for hire, the Islanders have no excuse to not look for an upgrade.

Will Garth Snow get a buddy for John Tavares?

John Tavares is an elite NHL forward who has been forced to do a lot of heavy lifting on his own. Kyle Okposo appeared to be a perfect fit for the future Hart Trophy winner, but injuries have kept him out of the lineup during the last two seasons.

The Islanders have a number of talented kids on the roster—in Bridgeport and playing in the CHL—but they need someone who can help shoulder the load. Tavares already does enough on his own, but could you imagine what he could do with a linemate with similar talent?

How will the move to Brooklyn impact the franchise?

For the longest time, free agents didn't want to come to Long Island because of the aging Nassau Coliseum and a less-than-optimal training facility. The Islanders didn't completely get the message, and they even traded for a few players such as Christian Ehrhoff and Dan Boyle in an attempt to iron out a deal before the start of conventional free agency.

Going forward, the Islanders are heading to a world-class arena—although it isn't designed for hockey—and the team can sell free agents on the appeal of playing in New York City and living in the suburbs of Westchester, Rockland or Orange County.

This summer should be an interesting one when it comes to how Snow attacks free agency, because there are definitely some areas the team can get better in.

Notable Players Hitting Free Agency

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Lubomir Visnovsky: The Islanders' veteran defender reluctantly joined the franchise a few years ago, and he is still a valuable contributor when healthy.

Tyler Kennedy: The Islanders added him to be a secondary contributor for a playoff run, and he wasn't much of a factor.

Michal Neuvirth: The Islanders acquired him to back up Jaroslav Halak from the Buffalo Sabres in a deal involving Chad Johnson before the trade deadline. He could be brought back if the price is right.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Top Free-Agent Targets

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The Islanders will have about $14.3 million in cap space this summer, and they could spend it in a number of ways. There aren't a ton of top players out there, but here are two who could be targeted.

Antoine Vermette

The current Chicago Blackhawk is a decent option the Islanders could pick up if they are looking for a veteran two-way player with the ability to play multiple positions.

Winning faceoffs and killing penalties were two weaknesses of the Islanders, and Vermette could help in both categories. He shouldn't command a mega salary, and he could slot in on the Islanders' second or third line.

Christian Ehrhoff

The Islanders wanted to sign Ehrhoff in the past, and they may try to nab him this summer. He is a skilled puck mover, and he could potentially replace Lubomir Visnovsky. He had a tough year in Pittsburgh, but he is due for a rebound.

Best Option in the NHL Draft

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The New York Islanders dealt away a number of their early draft picks in efforts to build up the roster. At the 2015 draft, the Islanders' first pick will be in the third round at No. 72 overall.

There is no way to project whom the Islanders will take that late into the draft, and you can assume Garth Snow will select the best positional player available.

Players Who Should Be Put on the Trading Block

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The only player the Islanders should consider dealing is Michael Grabner. The speedy right winger was once a very valuable player for the Islanders, but he has become replaceable as an asset.

Grabner tallied 34 goals and 52 points in 2010-11, and he finished with eight goals and 13 points in 34 games this season. Ryan Strome and Josh Bailey leapfrogged him on the depth chart, and he isn't guaranteed a roster spot for next season. Grabner still has value as a top-nine scoring winger, but it isn't with the Islanders.

The Islanders could dangle him for a draft pick, because many of their picks for the 2015 draft were traded away.

Top Trade Targets

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Patrick Sharp

The one player the Islanders should and could realistically trade for this offseason is Patrick Sharp.

The Islanders don't want to mortgage any part of their future, and adding elite players in their prime is expensive. By no means is Sharp in his prime, but he still has a lot of good years left in him.

Sharp is 33 and turns 34 in December. As a right-handed shot, he would be a perfect linemate for John Tavares.

More importantly, he is a veteran with a Stanley Cup on his resume, and that is something the Islanders lack up front. While the idea of adding Sharp seems nice, how realistic would it be to add him?

The Islanders have a number of young assets they can part with, and the Chicago Blackhawks need to cut some payroll. The number of teams who can absorb Sharp's salary and pay a fair price is relatively small, and this situation would be similar to how the Islanders acquired Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy.

If the Islanders are willing to play fair with the Blackhawks, there is a solid chance that Sharp could end up in New York next season. It may seem like a dream, but it is a situation that should be monitored this offseason.

Prospects Most Likely to Debut in 2015-16

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Griffin Reinhart

The Islanders' top defensive prospect appeared in eight games this season, but he is likely to be a mainstay next season.

The 6'3", 216-pound defender has a nice pedigree, and he had a successful junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings. This season, he tallied 22 points in 59 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Ryan Pulock

The Islanders have a number of skilled prospects on defense, and Ryan Pulock is another player who should make his debut in 2015-16.

The 6'1", 213-pound defender made a name for himself with the Brandon Wheat Kings, and he certainly projects to be a solid top-four all-around defender. Pulock spent the 2014-15 season in the AHL and tallied 29 points in 54 games.