NHL 19: New York Islanders Player Ratings, Roster & Top Prospects


(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

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Age: 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

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Age: 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

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Age: 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
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Michael Dal Colle, Left Wing, 71 OVR

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Age: 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
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