2024-25 Projected Roster: What Will the Forwards Look Like?

It’s July 23. The Islanders roster is presumptively set. Oliver Wahlstrom is still an RFA with an arbitration hearing just a week away, but the roster is set. Whether Wahlstrom stays or goes is still to be determined, but that has no bearing on who begins the season in the blue and orange lineup.

In the last three seasons, the Islanders have won 37 games in 21-22, 42 in 22-23, and 39 this past season. For three consecutive seasons, it’s been a .500 team with hot and cold streaks. They’ve also had three different coaches at the end of each season. In the playoffs, the record is a lousy 3-8.

The team’s offensive makeup has not had a substantial makeover in some time; rather, it has been a slow transition from the old to the new. The biggest addition previously was the acquisition of Bo Horvat. Subtractions included Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier.

Why could this group be the best it’s been in some time? Well, Mat Barzal has improved each year and had his best offensive output since his rookie season this year. Anthony Duclair is the best winger the Islanders have signed or traded for since Kyle Palmieri arrived in 2021.

Forwards

The Islanders have 13 signed forwards and one RFA on their roster. For this exercise, let’s assume Wahlstrom stays put. Looking forward, one can figure the lines will end up looking something like this in October.

Duclair-Horvat-Barzal

Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri

Engvall-Pageau-Holmstrom

Lee-Cizikas-MacLean

Fasching/Wahlstrom

Breakdown

That’s a solid depth chart. It’s likely the best forward group the Islanders have had in some time. There are obvious question marks all over it, though. Maxim Tsyplakov has never played a game in North America, yet it seems he’s set to take over on Brock Nelson’s left wing. If training camp rolls around and he doesn’t click there, maybe the season starts with Anders Lee on line two. If that’s the case, I wonder if the Islanders stand down from declaring him an immediate NHL player.

Tsyplakov is waiver-exempt. He’s the only forward on the roster without protection. Hudson Fasching could likely get waived and pass through, but maybe the Islanders don’t want to chance it. Plus, sending Tsyplakov down would see him immediately play on Bridgeport’s top line if he’d report. Sending Tsyplakov down opens up the cap space to roll the dice with Wahlstrom again.

The first and third lines can be etched in stone. I have a hard time seeing those not making it to day one. Duclair was brought in specifically because he knows Patrick Roy’s system, skates fast, and can score goals. He’s a slam dunk for the Islanders’ first line. We also know Nelson and Palmieri won’t be broken up, especially not after both tucked over 30 goals apiece last season. Who appears on the left side, however, is up for debate.

The third line, as mentioned above, is a lock. Engvall fits perfectly with Pageau and Holmstrom’s speed and forechecking abilities. They also have another thing going for them—speed—a lot of it. The three of them will be tough to score against, with all three having strong defensive analytics. They have all shown incredible breakout speed, creating many odd-man rushes throughout last season. It could end up being the biggest key for this Islanders team- a true shutdown line with speed and some scoring touch.

The fourth line will likely feature some combination of Casey Cizikas, Kyle MacLean, and Hudson Fasching. Lee may also be forced down to this line based on overall fit. He is a gritty, hard-nosed player who goes to the dirty areas to make plays. That could fit very well with the speedy Cizikas. This line ultimately will be filled out by whoever isn’t in the top nine. Engvall could even slip down here if Tsyplakov and Lee take up spots on lines two and three.

Conclusions and could the Islanders still add?

The Islanders’ overall depth is notable. This didn’t even discuss Liam Foudy, the speedy former first-round pick that the Islanders signed to a two-way deal. Nor did it address potential breakout candidates like William Dufour. The strength of the group up top will take people by surprise.

I wonder if the Islanders also bring in anyone on a PTO to add some pressure to the group. Jakub Vrana, for example, can score goals in bunches but has really struggled recently. Maybe he gets a PTO, and stokes the fire in other players to raise their level.

Max Pacioretty is also available, but with the Islanders having all of $50k in space, it is unlikely someone like Pacioretty would take a PTO without a clear path to a roster spot, but crazier things have happened.

Nevertheless, the forward group is deep. The best plan forward is likely to sign someone like Vrana to a PTO, especially in the event that Tsyplakov isn’t ready. It’s always good to have a backup plan.