New York Islanders Roundup: What’s Gone On in Second Half So Far

If you thought the first half of the 2021-22 season for the New York Islanders was wacky and unpredictable, the second half of the season has carried over the same storyline.

Since the return from the All-Star break, there’s been a lot that has gone down.

Austin Czarnik Claimed By Seattle

On Feb 7, the New York Islanders placed forward Austin Czarnik on waivers. Czarnik was the man to have for any team needing a hard-working depth forward, who makes under league minimum, and the Seattle Kraken decided to make the claim.

The 29-year old forward had two goals and three assists in 11 games with the Islanders this season, but he was the odd-man-out with the Islanders back to full health.

Czarnik had played well enough to remain in the Islanders starting lineup, but at 29, it was not part of their future plans, and the move was made.

“I’m a fan of Austin’s.” head coach Barry Trotz said. He’s a fantastic young man who I have a lot of appreciation for.”

In three games with Seattle, Czarnik has an assist. His role should be more prevalent with them, as they will be sellers at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline and will have openings in their lineups.

Kyle Palmieri Non-Rostered, Then Scratched

A few hours after Austin Czarnik was placed on waivers, the New York Islanders announced that forward Kyle Palmieri had been placed on the Non-roster. Palmieri and his wife welcomed a child, a life event more important than hockey.

Kyle Palmieri had missed 10 games this season due to a lower-body injury and had been back for the Islanders last four games before the All-Star break. Although no points, he seemed to be getting more involved in the offense in each passing game.

He would be unavailable for the Islanders first game out of the break against the Vancouver Canucks, a 6-3 win but rejoined the Islanders on Friday, Jan 11, before their contest with the Edmonton Oilers.

Because of his absence and Islanders head coach Barry Trotz needing to get certain guys going, he shuffled his lines in ways no one could have predicted. And because of how those lines played, Trotz elected to stick with them for three straight games.

Palmieri had no choice but to watch from above.

“We haven’t done a lot of scoring. Kyle has one goal as well,” Trotz said prior to the Feb. 12 contest against the Calgary Flames this past Saturday. “So right now I’m probably going to stay with the same lineup.”

And Trotz did.

Now we wait to see if he goes with the same lineup for a fourth straight contest. My guess, no.

Trotz Tries New Lines, Sticks With Them

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz changed up his lines in the Islanders first game back following the break against the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 9.

Fourth-line winger Cal Clutterbuck was placed alongside Mathew Barzal on the top line. Ross Johnston skates alongside Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey on the second line. The third line of Zach Parise, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Oliver Wahlstrom remained intact, while Anthony Beauvillier skated alongside Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin on the fourth line.

Quickly in the first game, these lines were rolling. A five-goal first period, with three coming in a span of 31 seconds, gave the Islanders the offense they needed to take that game 6-3.

Given the offensive explosion, Trotz elected to stay with these lines when the Islanders faced the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 11.

Despite a 3-1 loss, the Islanders offense generated plenty of chances to score but were stoned by Edmonton netminder Mike Smith, as they could not finish off any of the high-danger chances they created.

Again, the chances were there, and Trotz kept the same lineup for the second leg of the back-to-back against the red-hot Calgary Flames on Feb. 12.

The Islanders offense did not have many grade-A scoring chances on Calgary netminder Jacob Markstrom. Trotz was disappointed with the effort in the third period of the 5-2 loss, in which he moved some players around.

There was only one change to the lineup at Monday’s practice ahead of the Islanders’ contest with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Anthony Beauviller was back skating in his normal role on the second line, with Ross Johnston skating on the fourth line.

Kyle Palmieri rotated in on the fourth line, as he was an extra at practice. We should know more about his game status after Tuesday’s morning skate.

Semyon Varlamov Placed In COVID-19 Protocol, Cory Schneider Recalled

After leading the New York Islanders out for warmups against the Calgary Flames on Saturday, it was a shock when Ilya Sorokin was in between the pipes for puck drop.

The Islanders announced that Semyon Varlamov had been placed in COVID-19 protocol during the first period. He felt fine and was only tested due to the regulations regarding cross-border travel.

Following the game, Trotz said that they were still waiting for Varlamov’s second test results.

“It has happened to us all year, it’s nothing different,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau said regarding COVID-19. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate to have that news right before a puck drop. I mean, he (Varlamov) was feeling fine. That’s a good thing.”

On Monday, the Islanders recalled goaltender Cory Schneider from the AHL on an emergency basis, which answered the question about Varlamov’s test results.

Schneider was on the ice for Monday’s practice and will serve as the backup to Ilya Sorokin in Varlamov’s absence.