New York Islanders: 5 Most Important Players for the 2018-19 Season

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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 25: Josh Ho-Sang #66 of the New York Islanders skates against the New Jersey Devils in the second period during a preseason game at the Barclays Center on September 25, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders are heading into the 2018-19 season with a new motto: Prove People Wrong. With that in mind, Barry Trotz wants to see what his team has got.

For the Islanders, this offseason has been, what many would call, a rollercoaster.

It all started when Scott Malkin and crew hired Lou Lamoriello as the General Manager and President of Hockey Operations.

Lou then turned around and abandoned twelve years of misery, firing Garth Snow and Doug Weight.

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He completed his reign of swooping changes by hiring reigning Stanley Cup Champion Barry Trotz to be the bench boss; however, not everything was fun and games.

Jaroslav Halak, who vaulted himself into the conversation as a top-five goalie in Islanders history, inked a deal with the Boston Bruins.

Calvin de Haan, one of the most important players for the Islanders during his tenure, signed a four-year contract with an intra-division rival in the Carolina Hurricanes.

Finally, John Tavares took his talents to his hometown, abandoning the Isles to head to the Toronto Maple Leafs, so, what did the Isles do to combat this?

It’s hard to explain.

However, entering into the picture is Leo Komarov, Valtteri Filppula, Matt Martin, Jan Kovar, Tom Kuhnhackl, and, of course, Robin Lehner.

Lou, Trotz, and partial “Goon Squad 2.0” definitely have something to prove. So, here are five players on the team with the most importance this season.

5. Joshua Ho-Sang

Well, we meet again. For the fifth straight season, Ho-Sang took part in rookie and prospect camp, along with his 2014 first-round draft partner, Michael Dal Colle.

Dal Colle has much more to prove, but according to the new coach, Barry Trotz, he believes that Ho-Sang could be a vital member of the Islanders forward core this season.

Between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, he has scored six goals and 22 points in 43 games.

This season, I expect that there are two different outcomes for Ho-Sang. One of which is him successfully making the team out of camp and producing as an NHL forward.

However, the other option is not as bright.

The second option is that he stays in the continuous limbo he has been in for years. Option one is that he continues to stay in Bridgeport, and the second option is that he is sent to a team that has an open spot for him.

There is no doubting Josh Ho-Sang’s potential. There is, however, doubting his role on Barry Trotz’s team for now. His progression is important.

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