Stat Hockey’s New York Islanders 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the New York Islanders 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Anders Lee – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal

Kyle Palmieri – Brock Nelson – Oliver Wahlstrom

Pierre Engvall – J.G. Pageau – Simon Holmstrom

Matt Martin – Casey Cizikas – Cal Clutterbuck

S- Hudson Fasching, Ross Johnston

D

Adam Pelech – Ryan Puloch

Alexander Romanov – Noah Dobson

Samuel Bolduc – Scott Mayfield

S- Sebastian Aho

G

Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov

Forwards

The Islanders are going into this season with almost an identical lineup to last season. This time around they get Horvat from the start of the season though. It took him some time to settle in after being traded before the deadline in 2022-23. While it will be tough for him to hit a point-per-game on the defensively-minded Islanders, he will boost the lineup at both ends of the ice. Barzal is still searching for the offensive success he had in his rookie season, and this might be the closest year he gets to that. On the wing I think Lee holds the spot. He can score and he has chemistry with Barzal.

The second line is going to be led by the best forward on the team last season, Nelson. To help him out should be another veteran in Palmieri. When healthy, he can still produce offensively. I think the team finally takes a chance and gives Wahlstrom the opportunity he deserves now that Zach Parise is out of the picture. Wahlstrom will be able to succeed in a top-six role.

Engvall is a pretty valuable middle-six winger. If things don’t work out right away with Wahlstrom in the top-six, Engvall can move up and play the wing on the second line. Pageau, as he continues to do, will center the third line. He is very strong in his own end and maybe with some more help, and even chip in more offensively this season. On their wing I have hope that another young forward can earn an opportunity. Holmstrom is at the point where he should be utilized more in the NHL. His rookie season was last year, but he also split time between the NHL and AHL. In a third line role, he could have a decent impact.

The fourth line will likely be the same again. This has been the same fourth line for so many years, but is now becoming less effective as each of the players get older. Martin, Cizikas, and Clutterbuck are all just hanging on, the wingers more so than Cizikas. Fasching and Johnston are pushing for spots, so I could see them get into the lineup at points to change things up and look to the future.

Defense

The defense will be almost identical to last season, except Bolduc appeared late in the season and could very well steal Aho’s spot in the lineup. Developing in the NHL alongside Mayfield in a sheltered role could be very beneficial for Bolduc, who looks to be a piece of the future. I think Aho does get in a fair bit of games this season though.

The top pairing will be the regular shutdown duo of Pulock and Pelech. Equally underrated and effective in shutting down opponents. Neither are exactly in a position to put up over 30 points with the defensive style and Dobson handling that responsibility.

Related: Stat Hockey’s New Jersey Devils 2023-24 Line Projections

Speaking of Dobson, he is set to take another step forward and will be counted on for a large deal of the offense coming from the back-end. Romanov is solely focused on defending and playing physically, so they will once again be a solid pairing.

Goaltending

Goaltending will be one of the best in the NHL once again for the Islanders. Sorokin is arguably the best goalie in the league behind a great defensive team. Unless something goes very wrong, he will finish top-five in Vezina Trophy voting once again. While Varlamov might be past his prime, he is still very good. His starts are limited, but will provide great goaltending when he is called upon.