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New York Islanders Center Ryan Strome A Hinge Player

By Kenneth Teape

Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center Ryan Strome (18) work out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center Ryan Strome (18) work out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Islanders’ center Ryan Strome ends up on Craig Custance’s hinge player’s list at ESPN.

The New York Islanders wrapped up their preseason over the weekend with a loss at the Washington Capitals. They will get their regular season underway Thursday on the road against the rival New York Islanders.

Last season the Islanders were ousted from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. They will be looking to improve upon that in 2016-17, as they hope that some of their young players can take that next step.

The Islanders will be counting on those younger players, as they lost some key veterans in free agency. Frans Nielsen signed a six-year, $31.5 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Kyle Okposo signed a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Matt Martin signed a four-year, $10 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Those were three main components from the Islanders team gone from last season. All three played in at least 79 games, with Okposo and Nielsen finishing second and third respectively in points.

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The Islanders did what they could to replace them with other free agents. They landed Andrew Ladd with a seven-year, $38.5 million contract and also signed P.A. Parenteau to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million.

While those veterans should help, the Islanders will need a team effort to replace what they lost in free agency. Their young players elevated to new roles will have to step in and produce, otherwise, the Islanders could take a step back this season.

One of those players the Islanders will be counting on is Ryan Strome. The Islanders and Strome agreed to a two-year deal worth $5 million this offseason. The Islanders are hoping that Strome can return to the production that he had during his first full season with the team.

In the 2014-15 season, Strome scored 17 goals with 33 assists, registering a +23. He was a budding contributor for the Islanders at the tender age of 21 and looked like a cornerstone piece.

But, he took a major step back last season. In 71 games, Strome managed only eight goals and 21 assists, registering a -9. The Islanders are hoping that was a blip on the radar and that he returns to being a positive player.

That is precisely why Strome ended up on Craig Custance’s hinge player list. Over at ESPN, Custance picks out players that could alter the success of a fringe playoff team, as he calls hinge players. These hinge players could push a team into the postseason or be the reason they miss out. Strome was the player he highlighted on the Islanders, and here is what he had to say.

"Losing Frans Nielsen is a real blow for the Islanders, but having a player like Strome, who can shift back to the middle this season, definitely takes the sting away.Strome saw his numbers drop considerably last season from 50 points in his first full campaign with the Islanders down to 28. He was a minus-9.If he emerges this season as a bona fide second-line center, that would completely justify the decision not to overpay to keep an aging Nielsen on a long-term contract that may not look so great in the second half of the deal.Like Lindholm, now is the time for Strome to justify the Islanders’ investment in him at the top of the 2011 draft, especially considering centers like Mark Scheifele and Sean Couturier were taken right behind him."

Stepping into the role being vacated by Nielsen is some big shoes to fill. As mentioned earlier, Nielsen finished third on the team with 52 points, scoring 20 goals with 32 assists in 81 games. He was +1 on the season, also finishing with 92 blocked shots and a 50.1 faceoff percentage at even strength.

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Those are numbers that Strome can reach, as he showed during his rookie year that he can produce some points. The Islanders are hoping that he can do it again as they are counting on Strome to be their second-line center this upcoming season after playing left wing last season.

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