New York Islanders 2017-2018 Season Preview and Predictions

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Joshua Ho-Sang (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Overall Preview

I would not consider what the Isles did a rebuild.

They fully intend on competing this season.

The team may not have made the biggest splash in free agency, but they did just enough to revamp their roster.

The team acquired Jordan Eberle to bulk up the Tavares line.

Not to mention the Isles have the Flames’ first round pick as part of the Hamonic trade 🙂

But that shouldn’t be the sole focus of the teams motives.

The team is going to be stacked with young talent.

Aside from the established goal tending position, youth is the key.

F Josh Ho-Sang, F Anthony Beauviller, F Matthew Barzal, D Ryan Pulock, D Calvin de Haan, amongst others will make up the core of the team.

Isles fans should be thrilled because Coach Weight made it clear that he will play the rookies over the veterans if they step up.

That means one thing: no player on the team can’t afford lapses in effort and production.

That too, means one thing: more overall production.

The Isles will not look too much different in 2017-2018. They just tweaked some things they had to fix and got a little younger.

Doug Weight will have the team playing better, wont tolerate as many penalties, and have the team in full effort from whistle to whistle.

The goaltending situation should be fine. Veteran goalies Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak netminding around a younger team is probably for the best.