"The New York Islanders have proven one key thing this season: Injuries don't have to be a death sentence for a team. The Isles have lost several key players this season at various points in the year. As it stands, the Isles have Alexander Romanov, Kyle Palmieri, and Bo Horvat out of the lineup. Those four should be enough to send the team packing for the season. But unlike other clubs, the Islanders have shown their resilience. They've stayed in the playoff hunt and have actually thrived."
"Much of it has to do with the overall construction of this team. GM Mathieu Darche prioritized depth over the summer. Emil Heineman and Maxim Shabanov have been pleasant additions up front. Tony DeAngelo proved he wasn't a flash in the pan last season, with David Rittich providing solid backup goaltending. Then, there's the biggest factor of all. The Islanders have had young players step up and become key pieces for the team."
"The most evident player is Matthew Schaefer. I must admit I didn't want Schaefer playing in the NHL at 17, going on 18 years old. But he has proven me wrong, and everyone else who doubted him wrong. Schaefer looks like the real deal and has morphed into an elite top-pairing defenseman in about two months or so. If there was one team that didn't need to trade for Quinn Hughes, it was the Islanders."
The Islanders have lost key players, including Alexander Romanov, Kyle Palmieri, and Bo Horvat, yet have remained in the playoff race and thrived. GM Mathieu Darche prioritized depth during the offseason, and additions like Emil Heineman, Maxim Shabanov, Tony DeAngelo, and backup goaltender David Rittich have contributed. Young players have become significant contributors, most notably Matthew Schaefer, who developed into a top-pairing defenseman within months. Calum Ritchie and Travis Mitchell have also stepped up, reducing the need for trades. The organization should avoid panic buying and surrendering draft picks or high-end prospects for veteran help.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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