NHL News

Devils vs. the Metro: Islanders Make Subtle Upgrades; Lineup Projection

The Islanders reel in Anthony Duclair and KHL-import Maxim Tsyplakov for their first full season under head coach Patrick Roy.

Published

9 months ago

July 24, 2024

James Nichols

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes (86) fights for control of the puck with New York Islanders' Mathew Barzal (13) and Noah Dobson (8) during the overtime period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) // Photo couresty of NYI Hockey Now

New Jersey Devils fans know the ways of New York Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello all too well. The Islanders have been stuck in this middling position for the last couple of years after their extended playoff runs under the tutelage of former head coach Barry Trotz. Due to a handful of lengthy and pricey contracts, the Devils’ division rival has struggled to make significant adds due to salary cap constraints which would certainly help put them back in the contending conversation.

However, this summer was a little different. Whereas before the Islanders solely focused on retaining their own assets they valued so much, the Isles were able to also add this summer — even if it was just a couple of subtle moves. Despite the Devils’ disappointing season in 2023-24, they actually faired well against the Islanders, collecting six points with a 3-1-0 record in four games. Yet, it was the Islanders who prevailed by seasons end, advancing to the postseason.

As far as 2024-25, where do the Islanders stand?

2023-24 record: 39-27-16, 94 points, third place in the Metropolitan Division. Eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games during the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

**This is the next in a NJHN series comparing the New Jersey Devils to their Metro Division rivals to further projections and understanding of the coming Devils season. See previous parts — New York Rangers — Carolina Hurricanes — Philadelphia Flyers

Islanders Key Arrivals

The Islanders weren’t the most active team in the offseason, but they were certainly one of the earliest. Rumors were that one of the KHL’s emerging stars was seeking an NHL contract following a breakout performance in Russia. In typical Lou Lamoriello fashion, the Islanders weren’t even mentioned as a suitor for the potential KHL import with teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs or rival New York Rangers being mentioned.

Yet, Maxim Tsyplakov inked a one-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders.

Tsyplakov (25) is a large winger at 6-foot-3, 190 lbs who has a knack for putting the puck in the back of the net. In his breakout year during the 2023-24 KHL season, the young Russian winger potted 31 goals and 47 points in 65 games. The Islanders are betting on Tsyplakov to be able to replicate his goal-scoring — with the hope it’s in a top-six position — on North American ice on a cheap entry-level contract.

Tsyplakov is known as a big, physical winger who plays a heavy game and — obviously — knows how to score.

Fast forward to free agency, and the Isles reeled in speedy, goal-scoring winger, Anthony Duclair, signing him to a four-year contract on July 1st. Duclair is expected to line up alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal on the first line, finally giving the Islanders a credible top trio their fans have long coveted.

Between the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023-24, Duclair scored 24 goals and 42 points in 73 games. Of his 24 goals, 16 of them were scored with the Sharks as Duclair overcame the obstacle of skating with the NHL’s lowest performing team. Duclair later potted eight goals in 17 games with the Lightning. It’s worth noting that Duclair is only two seasons removed from a 31-goal campaign with the Florida Panthers. Of his 31 goals, 12 were scored on the power-play, an area of weakness for the Islanders.

Islanders Key Departures

Whereas the Devils brought on veterans in the offseason such as Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, the Islanders let go of a few of theirs. Long-time Isles forwards, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck were left unsigned to head to free agency. Each of them remains on the open market as of July 24th.

Although he’s been battered and bruised in previous years, Clutterbuck completed his first 82-game season in 2023-24 despite the belief the 36-year-old couldn’t continue to skate on a nightly basis. He scored seven goals and 19 assists, and was fifth in the NHL with 273 registered hits. As for Martin, he scored four goals and eight points in 57 games, although still threw 151 hits.

On the blueline, Sebastian Aho walked in free agency to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Aho is a former Islanders draft pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, selected in the fifth round 139th overall who registered two goals and nine points in 58 games last season. Aho always showed flashes of potential as a puck moving defenseman in the NHL. However, was never quite able to reach his peak with the Islanders.

Prospect Pipeline

The Islanders didn’t quite have that standout prospect in their farm system until the 2024 NHL Draft when they selected Cole Eiserman. Yet, he’s not expected to make the leap to the NHL just yet.

The Islanders have a few young players who are perhaps on the cusp of breaking into the NHL. Ruslan Iskhakov was certainly a candidate before, however, the small-framed winger opted to sign a deal to play a game in the KHL next season instead. Up front, the Islanders could see wingers William Dufour or Matthew Maggio receive promotions in 2024-25. Following a breakout 2021-22 in the QMJHL, Dufour — who boasts a large, 6-foot-2, 216 lb frame — has seemingly found his footing in the AHL. He scored 21 goals and 48 points in 69 games as a rookie in the American Hockey League two seaons ago. His sophomore campaign was a bit of a step backward, scoring 15 goals and 25 points in 55 games.

Foot-speed has always been a bit of a concern for Dufour, but the power forward has seemingly increased his agility following each offseason since turning pro.

Maggio is cut from a bit of a different cloth. The 21-year-old forward’s frame is smaller at 5-foot-11, 183 lbs — yet accomplished almost as much as Dufour in his CHL career. Maggio’s goal-scoring touch didn’t quite translate to the AHL at the boisterous rate he scored in his time with the Windsor Spitfires, but he still scored a respectable 16 goals and 27 points in 61 games in his first professional season.

Needs

If the Islanders want to further solidify their lineup, it would be in their best interest to remain in the top-six forward market. Duclair was an excellent start, but Tsyplakov isn’t a sure things and if it doesn’t work out for the young, Russian winger, they’re going to need reinforcements.

With Clutterbuck and Martin unlikely to return next season, the Islanders also lost a lot of physicality. Another bottom-six forward and/or defenseman who is physical on the cheap should be of interest.

However, perhaps the Islanders’ biggest need is cap space. Currently, Puckpedia shows they’re working with a slim, $50,000 in cap space.

Quotable

The Islanders were fortunate to retrieve Duclair this offseason, however, they might be even more fortunate to have secured Patrick Roy as their head coach. After coaching him in juniors, Roy was a big reason why Duclair is back in the Metropolitan Division today.

“When a coach calls you and tells you that he wants you on his team, it’s hard to say no,” Duclair said. “Especially someone I have a tremendous amount of respect for. … I don’t think it will be any different from junior to now. I don’t think he’s changed and that’s in a good way.”