For the last 19 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 20th annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer/fall. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what I take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Enjoy!

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Gone – Austin Czarnik, Michael Dal Colle, (likely Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene as well).

Incoming – Alexander Romanov.

Impact Of Changes – So not much has changed on Long Island, and while the Isles were in about every free agent rumor out there, the only change to speak of would be the club bringing in Alexander Romanov from the Habs on a draft day trade. Romanov is a solid young defender that can do a bit of everything on the ice and will likely be slated on the second defence pairing with Noah Dobson. If there's chemistry between the two players that will likely be an excellent pair to go along with a solid defensive top four for New York.

Also worth mentioning that Barry Trotz will not behind the bench this season for the Islanders after being fired following the end of last season, former assistant coach Lane Lambert will take his spot as head coach.

Ready For Full Time – There's going to be teams that bring up a player or two that could immediately make a splash that will have fantasy owners checking their waiver wire to see availability. The Isles will probably not be one of these teams. If there's a player to keep an eye on though it's 19-year-old centre Aatu Raty. Raty may have fallen in last year's draft, but he excelled last season playing in Liiga with 40 points in 40 games and most recently looked great in World Juniors for Team Finland with 10 points in 7 games. If he continues to develop, he'll be a good two-way centre but for now it would be surprising if he makes the Islanders out of camp this season. For those in dynasty and keeper leagues he's someone to keep an eye out for in later rounds of your draft.

Fantasy Outlook – The Isles are a tough team to predict out, this is a team that had a multitude of COVID concerns last season following a brutal road stretch to start the 2021-'22 campaign. Top of your draft board for this club as far as forwards are concerned should be either Brock Nelson or Mathew Barzal, both of which you can anticipate being available in the middle of most drafts. Both players finished last season with 59 points each and could make excellent depth players for any fantasy roster. While we're still waiting to "see it" from Barzal he hasn't scored more than 20 goals in a season since 2017-'18 but is still a skilled passer who should land around the 40-assist mark.  

One name to note as a potential sleeper is Oliver Wahlstrom, who should produce much more than the 13 goals he had last season. If new head coach Lane Lambert gives him first line minutes his average time on ice will not only increase from 12 to around 18, but his offensive production will also vastly improve.

On the blue line there's one name you need to know and that's Noah Dobson. He seemed to gain the coaching staff's trust following the club's COVID absence in early January, quarterbacking the Isles top power play unit and playing around 22 minutes a night. The forecast for him could very well be 45-50 points along with bringing an excellent physical game as well with Dobson giving fantasy owners the added value of hits and blocked shots as well.

For a fantasy grade…is ho-hum the right way to put it? The Islanders will have a few players that are taken in your fantasy draft and likely a couple players to keep on your watch list. Middle of the road seems right for them.

Fantasy Grade – C (Last year was a C+)