WINNIPEG, Manitoba — What’s occurred over the previous couple weeks has modified the paradigm for the Islanders, not simply within the standings however fairly probably on the commerce deadline a month from now.
The precise time frames for Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield to return aren’t identified, however Dobson and Pulock — whose time frames are longer — are anticipated to start skating in the course of the 4 Nations break, with Mayfield having been described as each day heading into the two-week layoff.
Whether or not the upcoming logjam on the proper aspect of the protection involves a head earlier than March 7 isn’t clear.
The trio the Islanders have introduced in — Tony DeAngelo, Scott Perunovich and Adam Boqvist — are going to drive some uncomfortable questions sooner or later, although.
If simply one of many three injured gamers returns, the Islanders can take care of that by shifting Boqvist to the left, the place he lined up for his debut at Tampa Bay on the evening Mayfield obtained damage.
But when and when all three get again, effectively, there are solely 23 roster spots. One thing has to present.
It’s not assured to final, however the Islanders are successful video games proper now with this lineup.
“They’re simply shifting the puck very effectively,” coach Patrick Roy stated earlier than Friday evening’s match towards the Jets. “They get away. They’re expert guys. They simply transfer the puck out. They be part of the frenzy effectively. [They are] excellent skaters. It’s arduous to say in any other case.”
Roy didn’t imply it in a pointed method, however these had been all facets the Islanders lacked of their protection corps earlier than mid-January.
They’re seeing proper now how worthwhile it may be to have puck movers all throughout their blue line.
A selection will have to be made quickly.
Transferring both Pulock or Mayfield — two profession Islanders, each beneath long-term contracts with full no-trade clauses — would drop a bomb into the dressing room.
There was hypothesis about Mayfield throughout his contract 12 months in 2022-23, and there was periodic hypothesis about Pulock — a Manitoba native typically related to Winnipeg — however that’s all it’s ever been.
Transferring Dobson, 25 and at a relative nadir in his worth coming off harm amid a disappointing season, would quantity to the Islanders saying they don’t consider he’s well worth the kind of long-term dedication — possible between $8 million and $10 million per 12 months with the cap spiking — he’s set to command over the summer time.
Given his lack of no-trade safety and that he would possible be one of many Islanders’ extra worthwhile commerce belongings even with the struggles this 12 months, it’s all of a sudden a query that wants asking.
DeAngelo, Perunovich and Boqvist are all short-term commitments in the mean time — none are beneath contract after this season, although Perunovich and Boqvist are each restricted free brokers.
All of them determine to be retainable at a low value this summer time.
With the cap set to spike, the Islanders aren’t precisely going through a crunch, but when they need to go on a spending spree, saving some cash on the again finish is one option to facilitate that.
It’s a champagne drawback, and relying on the timelines for Dobson and Pulock, it won’t be one thing the Islanders must take care of till after the commerce deadline.
That might, clearly, change the equation.
However all three new guys, and DeAngelo particularly, have performed effectively sufficient to date to earn roles past being mere harm fill-ins.
“It provides one other ingredient,” captain Anders Lee stated. “There’s passing lanes that open up that they create. They’ve accomplished an ideal job on the blue line of holding the road and creating lanes to shoot and maintaining the puck alive.
“As forwards, once you’re down there, whether or not I’m in entrance of the online or guys are off to the aspect, they’re seeing the choice they usually’re utilizing them. It permits for extra zone time, permits for extra alternative on the internet. They’re seeing the ice so effectively and doing an ideal job of enjoying our sport and our system with their sport as effectively.”