New York Islanders: Predicting The Isles Top 5 Point Leaders In 2016-17
The New York Islanders head into 2016-2017 with some new faces and some returning faces. Who will be the leaders in points for them this year?
The New York Islanders relied heavily on youth in 2015-2016. It backfired as their youth either stagnated or regressed last year.
There was a ton of expectations for Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee as they came off of great 2014-2015 seasons. Garth Snow didn’t do a thing in free agency and he rolled with an almost identical lineup last year as he did in 2014-2015.
It backfired for the Islanders. They still had their first playoff series win in 23 years, but it was a roller coaster of a season t say the least.
Ryan Strome spent a portion of the year in Bridgeport after a great rookie season of 50 points. He ended up with just 28 on the season. He clearly regressed.
Anders Lee was no where near his 25 goals from 2014-2015. His assists rose keeping his point total somewhat close to the one he established as a rookie, but he dropped to 15 goals.
As for Brock Nelson he had 26 goals which was a career high for him. Although he was mostly absent in the second half of the season.
This year the Islanders added Andrew Ladd and P.A. Parenteau to the mix as Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo left. We will take a look at who I expect to be the Islanders top 5 point leaders in 2016-2017.
Mar 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center Ryan Strome (18) during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Number 5: Ryan Strome
Ryan Strome was expected to continue at his 2014-2015 pace. He significantly under performed in 2015-2016. His 28 points and trip to Bridgeport costed him come playoff time. Strome played in 8 of 11 playoff games.
This year the big expectations return as he got a 2-year “show me” contract. He will have to earn his next contract but he has a bit of a safety net with his two year deal. It worked out for both sides.
Strome is expected to move back to his natural position of center which should help him revert back to form.
Expecting 50 points might be high for him but it is certainly okay to expect at least 35 points from him. If he’s under 35 I would consider it a disappointing year.
Strome should be paired with Anders Lee who he worked well with in 2014-2015.
Final Prediction: 38 points
Mar 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (15) pursues the puck in the Tampa Bay Lightning zone in the first period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Number 4: P.A. Parenteau
Hello old friend! Oh yes, remember 2010 and 2011 when Parenteau put up 53 and 67 points playing with John Tavares. That’s going to happen again this year. Well, maybe not the 50 plus points.
After leaving the Islanders P.A. wasn’t the player he was with John Tavares (*cough like Matt Moulson cough*). Although last year with Toronto he put up a solid 40 point season.
At this stage in his career and with the Islanders expectations he isn’t really a top line winger. He would be a great secondary scorer on the second line but having him be the Isles number one RW is a tad concerning.
Nonetheless he is merely a placeholder for Josh Ho-Sang, he isn’t in the long term plans and that’s okay. He can hold down the fort just fine until Ho-Sang is ready to jump in there, likely next year.
I think if you gave me a stick and some skates I could even find a way to come up with some points playing alongside John Tavares in the NHL, even if it is by accident. That said Parenteau should be able to be around 40 points again in his sleep just based off of Tavares’ talent.
Final Prediction: 42 points
Apr 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) looks on during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Number 3: Brock Nelson
On paper it looked like Brock Nelson had a good year in 2015-2016. The only issue is if you watched Nelson from start to finish, he went to sleep in the second half and when it mattered most.
He finished with 40 points (26 goals and 14 assists). The issue with him is finding some sort of consistency.
Goals can come at random times, but there just seemed to be a lack of effort there at times. For instance in the Tampa Bay series, on the Game 3 OT winner from Brian Boyle you could clearly see Brock Nelson just cruising around.
He isn’t the best defensive player but understand it’s the lack of effort shown from him at times that can make you crazy.
Despite this he is coming off back to back season of 40 points, and like Garth Snow is I am expecting him to develop a little bit more.
Final Prediction: 48 points
Apr 9, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Number 2: Andrew Ladd
Andrew Ladd was brought in to replace the production of Kyle Okposo. Okposo was great for the Islanders but they decided to go a different route. They decided to go with playoff experience and winning pedigree despite a slight age difference.
Ladd is coming off a season with 42 points. Playing alongside John Tavares should increase his numbers.
Ladd is a very smart player and I’m excited to see what he can do alongside Tavares. I’m expecting that both players elevate each others game.
The one issue is time, the Islanders top line has spent very little time together so the chemistry won’t be there initially. Expect a slow start but they should be able to pick it up rather quickly. Hopefully Capuano sticks it out and doesn’t shuffle up the lines, then building chemistry would be near impossible.
Overall I think Okposo and Ladd will put up similar numbers this year and you can’t question Ladd’s experience and intangibles.
Final Prediction: 58 points
Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Number 1: John Tavares
In a “down year” for John Tavares he put up 70 points which is still quite good. This year I expect even more.
The issue from 2015-2016 was that Tavares had no consistency when it came to his lines. Even at the elite status that Tavares is, it can’t help not knowing who is going to be playing alongside you each night.
This year everyone knows it will be Ladd and Parenteau. That shouldn’t change much this year, unless someone is really struggling. Knowing that Tavares will have the same linemates makes me think Tavares will have a better year than what he did last year.
Ladd and Tavares will elevate each others games. This might finally be the year that Tavares eclipses the 40 goal mark.
The offense goes as Tavares goes and a 40 goal season is pretty impressive. He showed last year that he is able to carry the team and I expect the Islanders to hop on his back and let him do it. He, and the Islanders, will have a successful year.
Final Prediction: 85 points
More from Eyes On Isles
This article originally appeared on 
