Four Bold Predictions For the 2024-25 New York Islanders

The 2024-25 NHL season is officially here. The New York Islanders start tonight at 7:30 against the Utah Hockey Club in UBS Arena. Utah enters after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 in front of a raucous crowd in the Delta Center on Tuesday night.

Ahead of puck drop tonight, it’s time for me to give 5 predictions for the upcoming season for the New York Islanders.

1- Mat Barzal Sets a Career High in Goals, Points

Mat Barzal enters this season after a career-high 23-goal performance to go with an 80-point campaign, the highest mark since his rookie year.

Fast-forward one year, and he’s got Anthony Duclair plopped next to him and Bo Horvat. The three of them have shown unbelievable chemistry throughout the preseason, and the time to deliver is now.

Fueled by the new linemates and improved powerplay, Barzal scores 25+ goals and adds in 65+ assists, topping the 90-point mark for the first time.

2- The Islanders Finish Ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes For the First Time Since 2018-19

The Carolina Hurricanes spent this past summer patching the holes after Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei, Brett Presce, et al. departed. Veterans like Jack Roslovic and Shayne Gostisbehere entered to plug holes.

Just looking at their lines, the Hurricanes have a significantly worse roster on paper. As good as Coach Rod Brind’Amour may be, there might not be enough for him to salvage a top-two placement in the division for yet another season.

In their first full season under Patrick Roy, the Islanders will have their best regular season since 2018-19. Career performances from Barzal and Duclair, coupled with the emergence of Maxim Tsyplakov, the Islanders seem poised to take a step forward.

Add the fact that the Islanders played around a 100-point pace under Roy, and the pieces come together.

3- Brock Nelson Makes the US Team for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off

This might be the longest shot on the list, but it makes sense when you dig into it. Bill Guerin famously told American skaters interested in making the team to “not blow off the World’s Championship.”

Nelson might seem to rank behind players like Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson, but Nelson has consistently gone to the tournament and did exactly that in 2024. Heck, he joined even after the Islanders got kicked out of the playoffs.

Thompson and Larkin didn’t play, though both cited injuries as the reason why. Larkin was initially named to the roster, but backed out.

Nelson has scored 30 goals in three straight seasons and has had above 70 points for two straight. He’s also got a strong reputation for defensive responsibility, including extensive P.K. work. Nelson has also played the wing and shown he can succeed there.

Even if he’s there as a spare, Nelson’s scoring prowess and versatility throughout the lineup will make him too hard for Guerin and Team USA Brass to say no to.

4- Oliver Wahlstrom and Simon Holmstrom Set Career-Highs in Goals

Oliver Wahlstrom made the Islanders’ roster after a very strong training camp and a positive attitude. His shot is Roy’s favorite attribute. He’s set himself up to be the finisher on Casey Cizikas and Kyle MacLean’s line. Add his chances on the power play, where Roy has given him reps. This could be easily achievable for Wahlstrom.

His previous high is 13, which he set back in 2021-22. Following his worst career shooting performance in 2023-24, Wahlstrom is due for some positive regression. Add in his first healthy summer since before his ACL tear, and you’ve got a path to 15 goals in a bottom-six role.

For Simon Holmstrom, it’s all about continuing to build. Holmstrom entered camp as confident as he’d ever been. He got looks with Nelson and Kyle Palmieri before sliding down to complete a line with Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. That trio has looked mighty strong on the forecheck throughout camp.

Again, similar to Wahlstrom, another year to grow and build is the key here. Holmstrom also has received looks on the power play throughout the preseason while utilizing his shot more off the rush.
Last year, Holmstrom set the bar with 15. Perhaps 20 is more reachable than anyone thinks.