Bo Horvat as Mathew Barzal's Mentor & 2024 Predictions
Plus, once the roster is healthy, who plays and who sits, and what is Robin Salo's future with the team?
Welcome to the THW New York Islanders Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Islanders writers.
In today’s edition, we have an article on which players stay and go when the roster is fully healthy, how Bo Horvat has replaced John Tavares and Mathew Barzal’s mentor, and make predictions about the Islanders’ 2024. Finally, why is Robin Salo’s future complicated on Long Island?
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Now, on to the good stuff…
Which Islanders Stay & Go When the Roster is Healthy?
January 2, 2024 by Michael Ostrower
The 2022-23 NHL season for the New York Islanders was true to the low-scoring, boring style of hockey they are known for. The team finished with the fifth fewest goals against in the league (217) and 11th fewest goals scored, the second-lowest out of teams who qualified for the playoffs. This season, that brand of hockey has been flipped, with the team sitting in the middle of the NHL in both of these categories.
This change in offense can be attributed to multiple factors, such as Mathew Barzal being in full health, Bo Horvat getting more accustomed to being an Islander, or even the team just getting more puck luck. According to MoneyPuck, the Islanders had 258.48 expected goals for last season, despite finding the net just 242 times. This season, the team currently sits at 109.46 expected goals, and well, they have 109 goals. This change can be attributed to the team now having more shooting talent but is more likely a result of being less unlucky.
Bo Horvat Has Replaced John Tavares as Mathew Barzal’s Mentor
January 1, 2024 by Michael Ostrower
As the team finishes up the first half of the season in a couple of weeks, the fanbase can finally be confident that the boring, low-scoring hockey that the team has been known for since Tavares’ departure is finally gone. The addition of Horvat has cemented the top six as one of this roster’s strengths, creating a ripple effect that has benefited everyone in the forward core. While no fan is going to try to convince you that Horvat’s presence has done as much for the franchise as Tavares did, the similarities between the two are strong, with both taking the offensive burden off of Barzal’s shoulders while simultaneously boosting his production.
3 Bold New York Islanders Predictions for 2024
December 30, 2023 by Michael Ostrower
The 2024 calendar year was filled with ups and downs for the New York Islanders. The year started with a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken on New Year’s Day and is ending with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on New Year’s Eve. Between these two games, the Islanders have gone through quite a lot. At the 2023 Trade Deadline, General Manager Lou Lamoriello made a big splash, landing Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat on January 30th. However, two weeks later, the Islanders lost star forward Mat Barzal for the season in their February 18th matchup against the Boston Bruins.
Despite Barzal’s injury, the team finished the season 4th in the Metropolitan Division and earned the first wild card spot in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, their run fell short, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. Heading into the offseason without a first-round pick and minimal cap space, the Islanders made no significant moves to the roster. The only relevant move was sending Josh Bailey to the Chicago Blackhawks. Besides this, the Islanders’ only other roster move was adding Julien Gauthier to the roster.
Robin Salo Has a Complicated Future with the Islanders
December 28, 2023 by Mike Fink
One of the few bright spots for the Bridgeport Islanders this season has been defenseman Robin Salo. He’s a reliable defenseman, and with four goals and six assists, he’s one of the best playmakers on the team from the point. He scored the overtime-winning goal on Dec. 16 against the Charlotte Checkers, and his goal in the third period put the Islanders within striking distance in the Dec. 27, 5-4 loss to the Providence Bruins.
Salo has been one of the best skaters on the American Hockey League (AHL) team, but at 25 years old, he’s no longer a promising young prospect. He’s in the prime of his career, and the New York Islanders must decide on his future. He’s capable of starting at the NHL level, yet he hasn’t been called up this season.
The question is why the Islanders, who gave him the nod last season for 11 games, have passed on him this season? Moreover, what happens next for Salo?