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

By Scott Fingeroth

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)
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) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 15: Mathew Barzal #13 skates against the Washington Capitals at the Barclays Center on March 15, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 7-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 15: Mathew Barzal #13 skates against the Washington Capitals at the Barclays Center on March 15, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 7-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Anders Lee

Anders Lee has been a scoring machine the past two seasons. After putting up 34 goals and 52 points in 81 games in 2016-17, he only followed it up with an even better season by knocking in 40 goals and 62 points during a full season this past season.

With his linemate John Tavares leaving this offseason, he will most likely be playing with wonderkid Mathew Barzal as well as his right winger last season in Jordan Eberle.

The expectations continue to be there for Lee as he will most likely continue to be the net-front presence on the first power play unit as well as a primary option to be the one shooting the puck.

As a pending unrestricted free agent after this season, Lee is somebody who will need a big-money contract this offseason, and hopefully, he can continue to prove that he is worth it.

1. Mathew Barzal

No surprise here, Mathew Barzal is definitely the most important player on the New York Islanders going into next season.

The reigning Calder Trophy winner as the NHL’s rookie of the year put together an outstanding rookie campaign, scoring 22 goals and 85 points in 82 games last season.

The expectations for Barzal next season are extremely high. Without Tavares, Barzal will be sliding in as the first-line center with the wingers probably being Anders Lee and a familiar face in Jordan Eberle, who he was with on the second line last season.

Many believe that he will also become more of a leader in the locker room to the point where ahead of the 2019-20 season, he could be deserving of at least an “A” on his sweater.

Next. Three Things to expect from the Isles this year. dark

Barzal is expected to be the leading point scorer and a force to be reckoned with in the NHL next season.

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