Kelly: Sixth in the Metro. That's where the Islanders sit right now. But is that the whole story? Or are we about to see a team that's a lot better than the standings suggest? Stick around because we're breaking down the power rankings and what it really means.
Gary: I think it's a story that's still being written. The roster's got some serious talent, but there are questions. Where do they actually rank? We'll get to it.
Kelly: Welcome back to Beatline, the Islanders daily podcast. I'm Kelly, and as always, I've got my guy Gary here. We're your daily dose of Isles talk, and today we're diving deep into the power rankings.
Gary: Let's get into it. Three things today: first, where the Islanders stand in the division. Second, the strengths and question marks. And third, a realistic season outlook. Plus, we check on some of our bold predictions from earlier this week.
Kelly: And if you're new here, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss a single episode. We're coming at you every day, all offseason long.
Kelly: Alright, Gary, let's get into it. The Islanders are sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Now, that sounds like a middle-of-the-pack team, but you've been saying all along that the standings don't tell the whole story. What's your take?
Gary: Well, sixth in the Metro right now is based on last season's finish, and it's August. But look at the roster turnover. They added some serious pieces. I think they're better than that. The question is, can they leapfrog a couple of teams?
Kelly: Let's talk about who's ahead of them. Obviously, you've got the Rangers, Hurricanes, Devils, Capitals, and Penguins. Do you see the Isles jumping any of those teams?
Gary: I think they can definitely jump the Penguins. Pittsburgh is aging, and the Isles have better goaltending. The Devils are young and dangerous, but they're still figuring things out. I'd say the Isles are in that second tier with Washington and Pittsburgh, but they have the potential to move up.
Kelly: And don't forget, we made a bold prediction a couple days ago that they finish top three in the Metro. You sticking with that?
Gary: I'm tempering that a bit after seeing the full schedule. But I still believe they're a top-five team in the division. The top three is going to be tough with Carolina and New Jersey, but it's not out of the question.
Kelly: What about the teams below them? The Flyers, Blue Jackets, and Sabres are all in the mix. Do you think the Isles are clearly better than that group?
Gary: Yes, I do. They have a better goaltending tandem with Sorokin and Varlamov, and their defense is deeper. The Flyers are rebuilding, Columbus is still young, and Buffalo always has question marks. The Isles should be comfortably ahead of those three.
Kelly: So realistic floor and ceiling. What's the range for this team?
Gary: I'd say the floor is sixth, and the ceiling is third. A lot depends on health and how the new guys click. But I think they're a playoff team, and that's what matters.
Kelly: Alright, we're going to take a quick break, but when we come back, we're breaking down the biggest strengths and the biggest question marks. Stick with us.
Kelly: Welcome back. Now let's talk about the biggest strengths of this Islanders team. Gary, you've been high on the blue line. Give me the good stuff.
Gary: The defense is the backbone. You've got Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Alexander Romanov, and they added Tony DeAngelo and Adam Boqvist. That's a solid top six, and they can move the puck well. Plus, you have Sorokin in net, and he's a top-five goalie in the league.
Kelly: And up front, the center depth is ridiculous. Bo Horvat, Barzal, Pageau, and now Calum Ritchie is pushing for a spot. That's a lot of options down the middle.
Gary: Exactly. And that's a strength, but it's also a question mark. You have too many centers, and someone's going to have to move to the wing or get traded. But it's a good problem to have.
Kelly: Let's talk about the wing situation. They've got Duclair, Palat, and now Matias Maccelli is looking to crack the top six. I made a prediction that Maccelli earns that spot. You agree?
Gary: I think he's got a real shot. He's got skill and playmaking ability. But the wing depth is a question mark. They need consistent scoring from the wings, and that's not a guarantee.
Kelly: What about the goaltending? Sorokin and Varlamov are both back. That's a strength, right?
Gary: It's a strength, but there's a competition. Varlamov is aging, and Vitek Vanecek is waiting in the wings. I made a prediction that they trade Varlamov before the season starts. I'm sticking with that.
Kelly: So the biggest question mark is the forward group. Can they score enough? They were middle of the pack last year, and they need more firepower.
Gary: That's the million-dollar question. Barzal is a star, but he needs to stay healthy. And they need secondary scoring from guys like Palmieri and Holmstrom. If they get that, they're dangerous.
Kelly: And on the power play, they've got to improve. That's been a weakness for years.
Gary: Right. The power play has been a liability. They need to get more shots through and create more traffic. With DeAngelo on the point, that should help. He's a power-play specialist.
Kelly: Alright, so strengths: defense, goaltending, center depth. Question marks: wing scoring, power play, and the goaltending logjam. Fair?
Gary: Fair. And I'd add that the penalty kill should be strong again. They've got good structure and reliable guys like Cizikas and Pageau.
Kelly: Great stuff. We'll take one more quick break, and then we'll give you our season outlook and win projection. Don't go anywhere.
Kelly: Alright, we're back. Let's talk about the season outlook. Gary, what's your realistic win total for this team?
Gary: I'm going to say 95 to 100 points. That should be good for a wild-card spot, maybe third in the Metro if things break right. The division is tough, but they're solid.
Kelly: That's a big range. What's the key to hitting the high end?
Gary: Health. Barzal has to play 75-plus games. And they need Sorokin to be a Vezina candidate. If those two things happen, they could win the division. But that's a big if.
Kelly: Let's check on those bold predictions we made on Friday. I said they'd finish top three in the Metro. You said Barzal would have a career-high in points. Still confident?
Gary: I'm still confident on Barzal. He's entering his prime, and he's got better linemates. I'll say 90 points. That would be a career high. But the top three in the Metro is going to be tough. I'm not as sure about that one.
Kelly: I'm sticking with it. They've got the pieces, and I think they surprise some people. They're going to be a tough out in the playoffs.
Gary: Playoffs, yes. But a deep run? That depends on the goaltending and the power play. If those are clicking, they could make some noise.
Kelly: And don't forget about the rookies. Calum Ritchie and Victor Eklund are pushing for spots. If they make the team, they add energy and skill.
Gary: Ritchie is the one I'm watching. He's got size and skill. If he makes the opening night roster, that's a good sign for the future. But he's only 20, so they need to be patient.
Kelly: Alright, so realistic outlook: they're a playoff team, but they need to improve on the power play and get consistent scoring from the wings. Sound about right?
Gary: That's the story. They're a solid team, but they need to take the next step. If everything goes right, they could be a top-three team in the Metro. If not, they're still in the mix for a wild card.
Kelly: To wrap it up: the Islanders are ranked sixth in the Metro, but we think they're better than that. Key strengths: defense, goaltending, and center depth. Key question marks: wing scoring and the power play. Realistic outlook: 95-100 points and a playoff spot.
Gary: And remember, we made some bold predictions earlier this week. We'll be checking on those as the season goes on.
Kelly: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us. Share it with a fellow Islanders fan. And as always, let's go Islanders!
Gary: See you tomorrow.