For the last 14 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

This year, due to Dobber’s battle with cancer, he recruited Cam Robinson (of Frozen Pool Forensics fame) to pinch hit. The 15th annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey.

Enjoy!

Gone – Travis Hamonic, Ryan Strome, Jean-Francois Berube, Mikhail Grabovski, Jesse Graham, Matthew Finn, Carter Verhaeghe, Jake Bischoff

Incoming – Jordan Eberle, Kristers Gudlevskis, Kane Lafranchise

Impact of changes – We should probably talk about the Islanders’ three-headed goaltending monster that has finally concluded, but I guess the Strome – Eberle deal may take priority. In Eberle, the Islanders obtain a player who has paced at, or scored above, 20 goals in each of his seven NHL seasons. Somehow parlaying Strome – who has never played at a 20-goal pace, into such a productive player seems like grand larceny. The contractual elements played a clear role in Edmonton making the move, but on paper, it appears New York wins this deal and improves their forward core with the incoming, former 76-point scorer. Many assume that Eberle and captain, John Tavares will link up on the top line as they did so many years ago at the World Junior Championships, but the trio of Tavares, Anders Lee, and Josh Bailey played terrifically during the last half of 2016-17 and it may be difficult for now-official, head coach, Doug Weight to split them up. Eberle should see time on the first unit power play, but unless he finds himself next to Tavares in all situations, temper your expectations.

Ready for full-time – Josh Ho-Sang has had some tumultuous periods in his early career. Maturity comes to people at different stages and it appeared he may have overslept the alarm before finally waking up. However, last season as a first-year pro, Ho-Sang looked very comfortable, scoring 10 goals and 36 points in 50 AHL contests and then displaying his speed and creativity in 21 games with the Islanders, scoring four goals and adding six assists. The 28^th overall selection from 2014 loves to carry the puck as illustrated by his 98 percent (!) carry-in rate at the AHL level. Needless to say, the former OHL All-Star doesn’t like to dump and chase. Ho-Sang should have every opportunity to snag a top nine right-wing spot out of camp and is a contender for the Calder Trophy if he can pry enough prime ice out of the coaching staff. Read more on Ho-Sang here.

Ryan Pulock has been biding his time for long enough. The 15^th overall selection from 2013 seemed like a good bet to breakout in 2016-17 and finally stick with the big club, before breaking his ankle in the first game of the season and not seeing another minute of NHL action afterwards. He did however go back to the AHL and rip it up to the tune of 15 goals and 46 points in just 55 games. The hard-shooting rearguard will see time on the team’s second power play unit with an eye towards Nick Leddy’s spot on the top squad. Read more on Pulock here.

The team’s top prospect, Mathew Barzal cracked the Islanders lineup out of camp a season ago but was deemed not quite ready after two regular season games. The speedy and distributing pivot went back to the WHL and shone brightly, scoring 10 goals and 79 points in just 41 games. He was named a First-Team All Star and WHL Playoffs MVP to go along with a WJC silver medal. The 20-year-old has the skills to instantly step into the lineup and take a middle-six centre role while bringing the full offensive package. Keep an eye on his deployment, but this is another Islander capable of making a charge for the top rookie honour. Read more on Barzal here.

Fantasy Outlook – As mentioned, the top line from last season that centers around franchise pivot John Tavares made good on their second half with JT producing 49 points in the 55 games, Lee recording 46 in the final 59, and Bailey contributing 43 in the back 60 games. The infusion of Eberle offers a nice addition to the team’s top six and man-advantage units so there should be some goals to be had in 2017-18. Nick Leddy remains an unheralded fantasy contributor, improving his point totals in each of the last four seasons culminating in a very quiet 46 points last season – good for 14^th most by any blue liner. At age 26, expect him to replicate a mid-40’s output once again. In goal, Thomas Greiss wrestled the starting gig away from Jaroslav Halak last season, but faltered down the stretch. That leaves us expecting a timeshare in net, thus diminishing each net minder’s value. The prospect pipeline has a good number of future fantasy contributors – even a couple could-be stud goaltenders so the future isn’t as bleak as the team’s quest to find a forever arena and lock down their superstar captain for the next eight years.

Fantasy Grade: B+ (Last year: B+)

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