 |
| The Islanders magical season ended abruptly with a 4-0 loss against TB |
The Islanders' season was cut short on Sunday after losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 4-0. The series came a conclusion with Tampa Bay winning 4 games to 1. New York finishes a season where it made an awkward, yet successful, move to Brooklyn, and winning their first playoff series since 1993.
There is no shame to losing to last year's Stanley Cup finalist, so the team should hang their heads high after all they have done this season. However, they know that changes are due in order to make that extra push forward to become a top seeded team. Here is how the entire series played out:
Game 1: Islanders W vs. Lightning 5-3
Game 2: Islanders L vs. Lightning 1-4
Game 3: Islanders L vs. Lightning 5-4
Game 4: Islanders L vs. Lightning 2-1
Game 5: Islanders L vs. Lightning 4-0
As for the foreseeable future, the organization will be changing it's ownership. The group led by Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin will take full control of operations in July, leaving former owner Charles Wang in a minority status. The team is in an awkward relationship right now with GM Garth Snow, whose contract is set to expire in the summer, but it is expected that he will oversee the upcoming draft. In addition to that, he will handle defenseman Travis Hamonic, who had requested to be traded to a team that is closer to his home in Western Canada.
 |
| Okposo has been with NY since 2006, but may find a new home next year |
Snow will also address three key upcoming free agents, with the first being Kyle Okposo. The 28 year old has been a constant on the Islanders first line and productive along the way. However, he did not provide much during the playoffs, scoring just two goals in 11 games. This may make it difficult for Okposo to get his asking price, which is reportedly $6 million per season, more than double of his recent $2.8 million salary.
The next is Frans Nielsen, who has been regarded as one of the top defensive forwards in the league. Although he is now 32 years old, there is still some value here. In fact, many expect him to receive a salary increase next year. Nielsen had been with the Islanders since 2002, notching 119 goals in 606 games during the process.
The final key free agent is Matt Martin, who led the league in hits for the fifth consecutive season, and has been an important part of what many consider the best fourth line in the league. The consensus on Martin is that it would be foolish to overspend for him, however, so perhaps Snow lets him walk to a team that is willing to negotiate his terms.
New York is expected to re-sign forwards Casey Cizikas, Shane Prince, Ryan Strome, and Alan Quine, along with goalie J-F Berube and defenseman Scott Mayfield.
With Hamonic, who was mentioned earlier, he requested a trade earlier in the season, but coach Jack Capuano said that there is a possibility that he returns to the Islanders next year. Snow has held a firm asking price for the 25 year old defenseman, but it is possible the team eventually settles on a forward that can complement Tavares.
As for the lower levels, there is some youth that is on the way. Unfortunately, Ryan Strome had an inconsistent year, but showed glimpses of talent. Some say that his ceiling is a top six forward in the league, but he may be at least a few more years away from fulfilling that potential. Former first rounders Matthew Barzal, Anthony Beauviller, and Michael Dal Colle had productive junior seasons and will ideally battle for roster spots next year.
The roster and organization remain a work in progress, but this past season was a huge step in the right direction. Garth Snow now has many difficult decisions to make, as he will likely have to part ways with a few fan favorites in order to ensure the team's long-term success.
No comments:
Post a Comment