(Image Source: EA Sports)
Coming into the 2018/19 season, having suffered the loss of John Tavares without return in the summer, as well as many other high-profile players leaving over the last few seasons, the New York Islanders weren’t expected to do much more than scrap for lottery odds. But, quite remarkably, the New York Islanders topped the Metropolitan Division at the 48-game mark. In NHL 19, however, the team isn’t very well equipped and not ready to contend in the playoffs yet.
Mathew Barzal, Center, 85 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 21Role: PlaymakerHeight: 183cmWeight: 86kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 92 Deking, Passing, Puck Control
Last season, playing the same number of games as Tavares, Mathew Barzal topped the Islanders’ scoring charts with 85 points to his former captain’s 84 points. This season, Barzal has taken on the mantle as the team’s star player, scoring 44 points in 48 games. In the game, while his faceoff skill of 77 isn’t very serviceable at center, his five-star puck skills and 90s in acceleration, speed, and agility make him a potent weapon.
Nick Leddy, Defenseman, 84 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 27Role: Two-WayHeight: 183cmWeight: 92kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 95 Discipline. 90 Puck Control. 89 Deking, Passing, Stick Checking, Acceleration, Speed
Nick Leddy has seen the formerly very deep defensive corps around him move away, leaving the 27-year-old as the top defenseman in the lines. Not one for scoring many points, Leddy’s focus is on being consistent in defense while eating up around 21 minutes per game. In NHL 19, his accuracy ratings of 80 and 81 bring down his potency at the blueline, while his 89 passing and 90 puck control make him a good playmaker.
Robin Lehner, Goaltender, 83 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 27Role: HybridHeight: 193cmWeight: 111kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 90 Speed. 89 Agility. 88 Vision
Robin Lehner is a huge presence in net but fell on hard times in Buffalo. People raised eyebrows when the Islanders put their faith in him to tandem with Thomas Greiss, but the gamble has paid off. Lehner is a changed player, with his 50-50 role helping him to hold a league-leading 2.02 goals against average and .930 save percentage through 24 stars. NHL 19, along with many others, didn’t see this coming, with Lehner given a very meek overall rating that reflects his days with the Buffalo Sabres.
From the Day 1, September 13 update, this is how the New York Islanders’ first lines start. On face value, these are very weak starting lines in the NHL. While the forward set boasts plenty of speed and flair, it’ll be hard to cover for the lapses of the weak defense and goaltender in each game.
NHL 19 New York Islanders Roster
Anders Lee (84) – Mathew Barzal (85) – Jordan Eberle (85)Nick Leddy (84) – Johnny Boychuk (82)Robin Lehner (83)
| Name | Overall Rating | Position/Role | Height | Age | Shoots | Best Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Eberle | 85 | Right Wing Sniper | 180cm | 28 | Right | 93 Deking. 92 Agility. 90 Hand-Eye, Passing, Puck Control, Offensive Awareness, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Accuracy |
| Josh Bailey | 85 | Two-Way Left Wing | 185cm | 28 | Left | 90 Discipline. 88 Deking, Passing, Puck Control, Stick Checking, Offensive Awareness, Acceleration, Agility, Speed |
| Ander Lee | 84 | Left Wing Power Forward | 191cm | 28 | Left | 90 Hand-Eye, Balance, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Accuracy, Wrist Shot Power, Strength |
| Ryan Pulock | 82 | Two-Way Defenseman | 188cm | 23 | Right | 90 Discipline, Wrist Shot Power, Slap Shot Power |
| Thomas Hickey | 82 | Two-Way Defenseman | 183cm | 29 | Left | 87 Defensive Awareness, Shot Blocking, Stick Checking, Acceleration, Agility, Speed |
| Johnny Boychuk | 82 | Defensive Defenseman | 188cm | 34 | Right | 89 Balance, Strength. 88 Body Checking, Wrist Shot Power, Slap Shot Power, Stick Checking, Shot Blocking |
| Brock Nelson | 80 | Right Wing Power Forward | 191cm | 26 | Left | 87 Strength, Balance 86 Acceleration, Speed, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power |
| Luca Sbisa | 80 | Defensive Defenseman | 188cm | 28 | Left | 88 Balance, Strength, Body Checking, Aggressiveness |
| Andrew Ladd | 80 | Left Wing Power Forward | 191cm | 32 | Left | 88 Aggressiveness, Body Checking, Strength |
| Valtteri Filppula | 80 | Two-Way Center | 183cm | 34 | Left | 88 Discipline. 87 Stick Checking. 86 Defensive Awareness, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power |
| Anthony Beauvillier | 80 | Two-Way Center | 180cm | 21 | Left | 87 Acceleration, Speed, Agility |
| Casey Cizikas | 79 | Two-Way Center | 180cm | 27 | Left | 90 Discipline. 87 Acceleration, Speed |
| Cal Clutterbuck | 79 | Right Wing Grinder | 180cm | 30 | Right | 90 Aggressiveness, Body Checking. 87 Strength, Balance |
| Josh Ho-Sang | 78 | Right Wing Playmaker | 183cm | 22 | Right | 89 Agility. 88 Speed, Acceleration |
| Adam Pelech | 78 | Defensive Defenseman | 191cm | 24 | Left | 87 Aggressiveness, Balance, Strength, Body Checking |
| Tom Kuhnhackl | 78 | Two-Way Right Wing | 188cm | 26 | Left | 87 Strength, Balance. 86 Slap Shot Power. |
| Matt Martin | 77 | Left Wing Grinder | 191cm | 29 | Left | 93 Body Checking, Aggressiveness. 89 Strength, Balance |
| Scott Mayfield | 76 | Defensive Defenseman | 193cm | 25 | Right | 89 Strength. 88 Aggressiveness. 87 Body Checking, Balance, Shot Blocking |
| Sebastian Aho | 76 | Offensive Defenseman | 178cm | 22 | Left | 90 Discipline. 88 Deking. 87 Acceleration, Agility, Speed, Slap Shot Power |
| Thomas Greiss | 81 | Hybrid Goaltender | 185cm | 32 | Left | 88 Agility. 87 Endurance, Speed |
Michael Dal Colle, Left Wing, 71 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 22Role: SniperHeight: 191cmWeight: 90kgShoots: LeftPotential: Top 9 med
From the 2014 draft, both Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle were pegged as future stars of the franchise, both being taken in the first round. But, Ho-Sang’s behavioral issues and Dal Colle’s lack of speed has led to them having little more than cameo appearances in the NHL so far. But, in NHL 19, they both boast very playable skills. Dal Colle’s 191cm, 90kg frame and fair 85 rating across the speed stats make him a viable option early on.
There isn’t a great deal of exciting prospects swimming around the Islanders’ pool, but there are a few standouts. Noah Dobson, Kieffer Bellows, and Linus Soderstrom can all develop into decent NHLers for the New York Islanders over the first couple of seasons, if given a chance.
NHL 19 New York Islanders Top Prospects
| Name | Overall Rating | Position/Role | Height | Age | Shoots | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blade Jenkins | 58 | Two-Way Center | 185cm | 18 | Left | Bottom 6 med |
| Noah Dobson | 69 | Two-Way Defenseman | 188cm | 18 | Right | Top 4 med |
| Arnaud Durandeau | 60 | Two-Way Left Wing | 180cm | 19 | Left | AHL Top 6 high |
| Robin Salo | 62 | Two-Way Defenseman | 183cm | 19 | Left | Top 6 med |
| Otto Koivula | 62 | Left Wing Power Forward | 193cm | 20 | Left | Top 9 med |
| David Quenneville | 63 | Offensive Defenseman | 173cm | 20 | Right | Top 6 med |
| Kieffer Bellows | 68 | Left Wing Power Forward | 183cm | 20 | Left | Top 6 med |
| Mitchell Vande Sompel | 67 | Offensive Defenseman | 178cm | 21 | Left | Top 6 med |
| Parker Wotherspoon | 69 | Two-Way Defenseman | 183cm | 21 | Left | Top 6 med |
| Linus Soderstrom | 71 | Hybrid Goaltender | 193cm | 22 | Left | Starter med |
| Jakub Skarek | 62 | Butterfly Goaltender | 191cm | 18 | Left | AHL Starter high |