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New York Islanders: Reaction to Offseason Re-Grades

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 11, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (2) is congratulated by left wing Andrew Ladd (16) and left wing Josh Bailey (12) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (2) is congratulated by left wing Andrew Ladd (16) and left wing Josh Bailey (12) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Craig Custance of ESPN.com recently re-graded the offseasons of all NHL teams. What grade did the New York Islanders receive as the season comes to an end?

This past offseason for the New York Islanders was an important time. The team had just advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Despite the success in the 2015-16 season, the Islanders blew up the core of their team. They decided to let Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin all leave in free agency.

From a scoring standpoint, Okposo and Nielsen were the Islanders’ best options behind John Tavares. Seeing them both leave created a huge scoring void for the Islanders. To replace them, the Islanders signed Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera most notably.

In July, Custance gave the Islanders the grade of a C-. After the season, the grade for the Islanders remains the same. Here’s what he had to say about the re-grade.

"The contract for Andrew Ladd was called excessive. With 29 points in 75 games, and six years remaining on that deal for a player who is 31 years old, that’s a fair assessment. Frans Nielsen was missed greatly by this team. In an important season, with John Tavares contract extension talks looming, the Islanders took a step back, and it started in the offseason."

It is a bit surprising to see the re-grade of the Islanders’ offseason remain the same. The Islanders took a big step back this season, and Ladd didn’t perform up to the expectations of his contract.

With the season nearly over, the Islanders likely won’t make the playoffs this season after making it the previous two seasons. While players like Anders Lee did step up in an expanded role, the Islanders disappointed overall.

Next: Who are the 5 Best Draft Picks in Last Decade

With an uncertain future in Brooklyn, the Islanders need to be productive on the ice. If they aren’t, it could cost them their captain when he becomes a free agent.

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