Offseason Fantasy Quick Hits: Metropolitan Division – New York Islanders

It’s already been a pretty wild off season in the NHL with lots of big names changing teams. As we are in the dog days of summer, we might as well get prepped for the 2016-17 season and discuss the fantasy impacts of all these moves. I introduce to you Offseason Fantasy Quick Hits. I will be discussing the fantasy impact of all major moves made by all NHL teams over the course of the summer. Part four of the series previews the New York Islanders for this upcoming season.

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NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Got: P.A. Parenteau, Andrew Ladd, Jason Chimera

Lost: Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, Matt Martin

I’ve never been a big fan of Andrew Ladd in fantasy. He’s one of those guys that does way more in real life than he will for you in fantasy hockey. Just because he will be on John Tavares’ wing this year, it doesn’t instantly make him a much better player. Ladd will play in all situations this upcoming year, however I still expect his floor around 50 points and his ceiling around 60. He will probably be ranked higher than he should, therefore I would stay away from him in most drafts unless you are looking for a safe pick when you are drafting. I’m a fantasy GM who always goes for home run swings and therefore will not be drafting Ladd in any leagues.

P.A. Parenteau may also figure to play on Tavares’ other wing. P.A. is no stranger to JT – he enjoyed his best career year 5 years back as Tavares’ wing man. I’d definitely spend a late round pick on him as 55-60 points isn’t completely out of the question. Even though he is more likely to post 45-50 points, he could return some value as a late round gamble.

The loss of Nielsen and Okposo really eliminates depth from the Islander’s second line. However, this opens up opportunities for guys like Josh Bailey, Ryan Strome, Anders Lee, and Brock Nelson. I’d expect modest bumps to last year’s totals for each of them. Of this group, Anders Lee has the most potential to break out and put up a huge year but I wouldn’t bet the house on it. It wouldn’t shock me if he broke out and potted 35 this year though. Strome would be my 2nd choice. He could score 20 goals and 60 points if he ever managed to get all his talent together and stick as the right winger on the Tavares line.

John Tavares

It goes without saying, but John Tavares is still a first round pick. He’ll probably be drafted somewhere in the 5-10 range.

Jaroslav Halak is a solid goaltender but faces stiff competition from backup Thomas Greiss. He still should see the majority of starts for the Isles. I would draft Greiss as a handcuff if I drafted Halak, depending on how deep the benches go in your league. Halak is a slightly above average goalie relative to his fantasy peers.

A lot of people expect big things from young d-man Ryan Pulock, however I’m not sure I’m one of them. I wouldn’t draft him in fantasy but think he can eventually be a useful real life defenseman.

I’m not really big on any of the Islander’s defenseman for fantasy purposes. If I had to pick one, its obviously Nick Leddy. He put up 40 last year however I wouldn’t expect much more for this year. I’d say 35-40 points is probably where he will finish again. He’s fine as a late round pick, even though I’d probably look elsewhere at a defenseman with a higher offensive ceiling.

The Islanders have tons of high-end skill prospects, all of which have value in keeper leagues. In one year leagues, I still think we need to wait before Michael Dal Colle, Josh Ho-Sang, Matthew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, or Kieffer Bellows make any sort of fantasy impact.

The Isles have two amazing stashes in Russia. Keep an eye on these guys, just not neccessarily for next year:

Goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who put up a 0.953 SV% last year in the KHL. He isn’t crossing the pond this year but looks to be one of the top goaltending prospects available.

Forward Anatoly Golyshev was drafted as a 21 year old in the most recent NHL draft as a 4th round pick of the Isles. Led his team with 25 goals and 44 points last year in the KHL while playing on an extremely poor team. I don’t think he crosses the pond this year, but when he does he could be another late round jackpot type pick similar to Artemi Panarin last year.

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Your comments and questions are welcome below and I will try to answer as soon as I can. Feel free to send all your fantasy hockey related questions to akiberg@gmail.com!

Thanks for reading!!!