Better Late than Never...

Playoffs? You kidding me...Playoffs? I just hoped we could win a game!

The Islanders article appears later than expected this year…sort of like how long they have been competitive for a playoff spot in the extremely tight TUFHL Eastern Conference.  Currently sitting in 10^th place and 4 points out of the post-season, they have games in hand on both Washington and Ottawa as the end of the regular season draws near.  It will be close and anyone of 7 teams could grab the last 4 playoff spots – and a couple other teams are not out of it but will need a serious run and some help to get successfully across the finish line.  For reference, the Islanders 91 points would have them in 2^nd place in either the Central or Pacific Division and firmly in a playoff spot.  Even Boston, eliminated in the East, would likely be a playoff team in the West and only further clearly shows the strength of Conference imbalance that currently exists within the TUFHL.  The only saving grace of missing the playoffs is having a higher draft pick in a year being touted of one of the strongest on record.

It was not supposed to play out this way.

When GM Thornton took over the Islander team, two things were clear:  first, the team needed a serious influx of talent at forward and second, the bones of a young foundation to build off of were there.  GM Thornton also surmised that not many trades would likely be available as the “attractive” pieces on the Islander roster would be key components to the rebuild and the quality of what was or would be offered back would further set the team back in this rebuild process.  The team had some aging defencemen on the back end who could help a team at the deadline, however, the general interest was not there and many of the teams that could have used the help were the teams whom the Islanders were competing against to get into the playoffs – where with the sim, any team can catch lightning in a bottle (not speaking about your team Randy)

Patience would be the key and it would likely take a few years to see the fruits of the efforts.  GM Thornton stated, “the winning record in year 2 is a complete surprise but hopefully indicative of the correct path that we are on and only a sign of things to come.”

In regards to those core pieces, GM Thornton realizes it really starts in the nets.  “Sororkin’s 32 wins, 2.26 GAA and 7 shutouts speak for themselves.  He took the team on his back all season…and when he needed a break, Greissy came in and did more than admirable – he led the league in save percentage while putting up a winning record himself.”  Although Greiss will be a UFA this year, GM Thornton will think long and hard at bringing him back for one more season.  The Islander’s goalie pipeline is thin and definitely an area where GM Thornton needs to improve the depth.

On the backend, the top pairing of Shea Theodore and Noah Dobson is really as competitive a top pairing as can be found on any team both this season and moving forwards.  The 26 year old Theodore and 22 year old Dobson will likely anchor the blue line for the Islanders for years to come.  Thornton took offers for Theodore this past season with the hopes of possibly finding an equivalent forward but nothing even scratched the surface of something that would be considered and the alternative of keeping the all-time Islander leading scorer was a happy consolation.  Nick Leddy will return for another season and anchor the 2^nd pairing and will be likely paired with Marcus Pettersson who has made huge strides this year.  Sebastian Aho will likely move to a full time role on the 3^rd pairing and the last D spot will be up for grabs.  When asked about this last spot, Thornton stated, “we will look at some of the departing UFAs to see if it worthwhile to bring one back or whether or not there is another UFA that peaks or interest or whether or not guys like Alexeyev or Salo are ready to step into a more full-time role.  We are fortunate to have lots of options.”  Lukas Cormier is the shining star defencemen on the Islander prospect list and the team is excited about his progress in his first professional AHL season.

Forward has and remains the Achilles heel of the Islanders roster.  Mikeael Granlund, the team’s top prize free agent signing last summer has come in as advertised and led the team in scoring this past year.  With Val Nuchushkin coming into his own and hopefully drastically improving next season, Lucas Raymond avoiding the TUFHL sophomore slump and Kaapo Kakko finally living up to his draft pedigree, there are some promising pieces there.  GM Thornton will continue to prioritize his pro-team forward depth this off-season.  “We have guys playing in roles and in positions in the lineup that they are clearly not rated to play.  When we can finally get them into their preferred roles, our team will be in a better position to compete.  It is my job to accomplish this.”  Kotkaniemi, Chytyl, Sheary, Vesey and Bellows fit the aforementioned dilemma and hopefully can settle into a more apropos line combination.  The team is very high on Wahlstrom for a future top 6 role and Jenik and Mysak for bottom 6 roles. 

On the prospect list, the future is very bright.  Wyatt Johnson and Logan Stankoven appear destined for stardom.  Lucas Edmonds, Sean Farrell, Jakub Brabenec, Ruslan Iskhakov and Isaac Howard are all blue-chip prospects with high upside who have had good seasons in their respective leagues.  Hunter Haight, Emil Heinemen, Zion Nybeck, Pontus Andreasson and Matthew Seminoff are prospects that have also performed well in their respective leagues and have a legitimate chance to contribute.  Only time will tell if these selections by GM Thornton will pan out but things at current seem promising.

The Islanders have all 7 rounds of picks this year and need these to keep replenishing the prospect cupboards.  The 2^nd year GM has also assured the fan base that they will be again aggressive in free agency with the hopes of finding another key piece or two to help fill some very important voids in the 2023 – 2024 roster.

When GM Thornton was directly asked whether or not he is concerned with the fan base growing restless with his long-term plan and acceptance of possibly missing the playoffs this year and perhaps even next year, he responded, “you have to look around the TUFHL and see that some teams are powerhouses and set up for immediate success and that is not currently us…so we ask them to be patient with this, to trust the process, and remember, it is truly better to be late than never.”

That’s it from the Island.  Stay classy TUFHL.