Because the Islanders’ lineup picks come into focus, here is what’s clear in regards to the frontcourt forward of Oct. 10:
- Anthony Duclair, Beau Horvath and Matthew Barzal will make up the highest line on opening evening.
- Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri will make up two-thirds of the second line.
- Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pago will probably make up two-thirds of the third line.
- Casey Sizikas and Kyle McLean will probably make up two-thirds of the fourth line.
- And putting Simon Holmstrom would be the first domino to fall in figuring out the place everybody else will land.
The latter of these is the one shock, however few would have predicted 10 days in the past that the Islanders would sculpt their lineup round Holmstrom, not like Maxim Tsyplakov — who got here into camp as an virtually full unknown.
Effectively, it was Holmstrom who acquired the primary shot at finishing the second line, whereas Tsyplakov had but to follow or play a preseason recreation with a variety of NHL gamers heading into Friday’s recreation towards the Devils at UBS Area.
Holmstrom was moved to the third line with Pageau and Lee as he skated within the group with out a recreation Friday morning, swapping spots with Pierre Engvall.
It is unlikely this would be the final configuration Patrick Roy tries, nevertheless it’s nonetheless telling that Holmström – who has appeared like a bottom-six participant for a lot of his time within the league to date – seems to have a top-six spot on the desk. if he can seize her.
Since being known as up in November 2022, Holmstrom has impressed along with his defensive consciousness and has been pissed off by his lack of aggression with the puck on his stick.
The Islanders requested him to shoot extra, hoping his confidence would match his capability over time.
“He is a bit of extra assured in his decision-making, and that sort of frees you as much as do issues and play quicker,” Kyle Palmieri instructed The Publish on Friday. “I feel he does a great job of stepping into the tip zones. I feel he had a couple of alternatives final evening in a good recreation. As a participant, he is a giant physique, he is acquired a very large attain. With guys which have a protracted attain, typically they battle in tight ends, he has good fingers and sees the ice properly.
“The largest factor I’ve observed is that he is enjoying quicker, making these choices quicker. I feel that is progress in a younger participant’s recreation and adjusting to totally different spots within the lineup is typically attempting and doing — not doing an excessive amount of, however overanalyzing some issues. I feel he is settling in and getting a bit of extra comfy making choices.”
There isn’t any trigger for alarm if Holmstrom begins the season on the third and even fourth line.
However the Islanders are searching for somebody to seize a spot within the high six.
Engvall has skated rather a lot with Nelson and Palmieri; everybody is aware of what the trio can do collectively for good or dangerous.
This presents a handy possibility – maybe for Holmström in addition to for everybody else.
“We’re enjoying now [Holmstrom] on the precise facet [with Pageau and Lee]I feel that is his pure place,” Roy mentioned. “Since he was little, he performed minor hockey and rising up, he was out on the wing. So I feel that may assist him in his breakouts. I feel that may assist him get into the sport and see the opposite facet of the ice higher.”
Nonetheless, the Islanders are able the place the danger is smart – Engvall did lose his spot on the second line a yr in the past because of inconsistent play – if anybody can pressure them to take action.
Proper now, Holmström nonetheless seems just like the participant greatest fitted to that.
“I feel he is a assured participant — I feel he is acquired to belief these instincts a bit of bit extra and he is completed that extra this yr,” Palmieri mentioned. “He’s nonetheless younger. I feel he’ll proceed to enhance. The expansion curve, in and of itself, is totally different for each man, however he is a man that I see persevering with to enhance and be an affect participant on our staff.
