The New York Islanders introduced Monday morning that ahead Anthony Duclair will probably be out long-term with a lower-body harm. The 29-year-old left within the third interval of Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Montreal Canadiens. He wanted assist getting off the ice and didn’t return to the sport. With the ahead’s absence anticipated for a number of months, what can the group do to fill his void?
Fixing the First Line’s Void
Duclair was a member of the primary line alongside Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat, and the trio had nice success of their 5 video games collectively. They possessed a 64.6 anticipated (xG%) and 66.7 objectives proportion (G%) in almost 60 minutes, probably the most in both class on the group, in accordance with MoneyPuck. Individually, Duclair had two objectives and an help. Whereas no one can substitute the pace and scoring expertise he offered, there are methods to fill the outlet.
Simon Holmstrom changed Duclair on the primary line within the Islanders’ first-morning skate following the harm. Holmstrom, 23, has simply two assists in 5 video games this season however is an above-average skater with an underrated shot and hockey IQ. He has but to make a significant offensive impression on the NHL stage, however his youth and potential supply hope that he can step up. Within the worst-case situation, he contributes stable two-way play or strikes again to the third line, whereas the very best case sees him scoring at a tempo of 20-plus objectives per season in Duclair’s absence.
Another choice to switch Duclair is to reunite Horvat and Barzal with Anders Lee. In almost 500 minutes collectively final season, the trio had a 57.7 xG%, 57.1 G%, and outshot opponents 614 to 526. Lee struggled to maintain tempo as a result of his slower pace, however he began the 2024-25 season with renewed vitality and might be a candidate for the highest line till Duclair returns.
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Maxim Tsyplakov is the third candidate to take Duclair’s spot on the primary line. The 26-year-old rookie has a aim and two assists in 5 video games and has garnered reward from head coach Patrick Roy given his work ethic, physicality, and two-way talents. Whereas he has made errors within the defensive zone, he has the boldness of the teaching employees, evident in his 17:42 common ice time. Although he’s unlikely to hitch the highest line in opposition to the Detroit Crimson Wings tonight (Oct. 22), he stays a powerful candidate to step in later if the road struggles to discover a resolution.
Hashing Out the Backside Six
With Duclair’s absence prone to be crammed internally by somebody from the center six, the remainder of the lineup will want changes. The present third line options Lee and Holmstrom on the wings with Jean-Gabriel Pageau down the center. Whereas Pageau’s spot is safe, Lee or Holmstrom will probably be promoted to the highest six, opening a brand new competitors for the third-line wing place.
Casey Cizikas was positioned on the third line throughout Monday’s apply, however he’s unlikely to be the long-term resolution. The 33-year-old doesn’t present the offensive upside essential to advantage the position, and whereas he’s a former-20 aim scorer, his early season struggles motive he’s unlikely to have the profession resurrection needed for the promotion.
Oliver Wahlstrom had a tough begin to the season on the fourth line, largely as a result of he was requested to play a method of hockey that doesn’t make the most of his strengths. Although he’s a below-average skater, like Lee, he has a powerful shot and scoring skill. If Holmstrom will get promoted to the primary line, a mixture of Lee, Pageau, and Wahlstrom might make sense. Whereas the 2 wingers will not be the quickest, they provide above-average scoring potential as soon as they set up themselves within the offensive zone, including upside to part of the lineup that has struggled to provide in current seasons.
The least probably however most enjoyable choice to fill the hole on the third line is to advertise a younger ahead from the Bridgeport Islanders. Rookie Alex Jefferies has three objectives and two assists in 4 video games to start the season, and Matthew Maggio is as much as three assists in his 4 video games. Every winger affords totally different a definite ability set, giving administration choices for the position.
Pierre Engvall additionally makes quite a lot of sense to hitch the third line, particularly if Holmstrom is the one to earn the first-line place. Within the 4 regular-season video games Lee, Pageau, and Engvall performed collectively final season, that they had a 60.7 xG%. Collectively once more within the playoffs, that they had a 68.3 xG%, the best of any playoff line mixture on the Islanders. Though they solely performed eight video games collectively—a really small pattern dimension—the outcomes have been promising, which might immediate Roy to reunite the trio in an effort to stabilize the shuffled lineup.
Though common supervisor Lou Lamoriello has confirmed {that a} participant will probably be promoted from Bridgeport, the unnamed participant stays a thriller. There may be hypothesis that Hudson Fasching will get the call-up, however he’s anticipated to take over Julian Gauthier’s not too long ago vacated position because the twelfth or thirteenth ahead, moderately than fill Duclair’s spot. With varied choices accessible to Lamoriello, followers can solely speculate about how the lineup will form up till an official announcement is made.
