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Islanders News: What’s the Offseason Plan

By Nick Ziegler

May 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss (1) and defenseman Nick Leddy (2) hug after they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss (1) and defenseman Nick Leddy (2) hug after they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Recent New York Islanders news has been about what the team’s plan is for the offseason after their loss in the second round of the playoffs.

It was a very successful 2015-16 season for the New York Islanders, as they were able to total 100 points in the regular season, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Related Story: Who were the 10 best Islanders of the 14-15 season?

Garth Snow has done a good job in recent years setting the Islanders up for success, but he is still focused on getting this team to the next level.

“I obviously have the same mentality going into this offseason in the 10 years I’ve been here,” Snow said on a conference call Thursday to Arthur Staple of Newsday.com. “We’re looking to take the next step. We’re coming off another 100-point season, but for us, it’s not good enough. We’re looking to get better like every team in the league.”

The Islanders do have three unrestricted free agents that have been a big part of their team in recent years. Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin are all unrestricted free agents, and finding a way to keep all three will be the goal for Snow this offseason.

“That’s the challenge for us,” Snow said to Staple. “We need to devise a way to keep all three. Whether that can happen, I can’t answer that right now. We want to maintain the positive strides we’ve made in the recent past and take that step to the next level.”

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Even though the Islanders were successful, there are still issues that need to be addressed. Finding a stable line-mate for John Tavares will be important as his line was mixed and match far too much this season. Snow wasn’t very open about what the Islanders’ plan would be leading up to the NHL Draft and free agency, as he doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned.

“Whether a winger for John (Tavares), the addition of a goalie, upgrading our defense, we leave no stone unturned to improve our club,” Snow said to Staple. “I’m not going to get into specific positions, those opportunities will unfold here, especially leading up to the draft.”

Next: Does Frans Nielsen want to return?

It will be very interesting to see how the Islanders attack this offseason, but at least they got some good news recently when Travis Hamonic withdrew his trade request. The new ownership that takes control on July 1st isn’t expected to have any impact on the offseason, as we’ll look to see if the Islanders can continue to grow.

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