Will the islanders turn to a younger defense work? – The Hockey Writers New York Islanders Latest News, Analysis and more

The New York Islanders were led for years by a major defense. The same group, with Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock on the top pair, fed their success earlier in the decade when they had deep play-off runs and let them win low scoring games. A big defense was a basis of islanders.

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Now their defense is older and after the decline. Last season the group was full of injuries and a step behind the ice when the islanders allowed 3.13 goals per match. The group that was great in the decade is now a weakness, and the islanders have to go further, maybe not this season, but at least at the start of the following season.

Pelech, Pulock and Mayfield all take key grilles

Pelech, Pulock and Scott Mayfield are three veterans who went from the core building blocks to the trio that weighs the unit. Last season they were not the top couple of skaters, and ahead, they are second-pair options. The question is how the New general director (GM), Mathieu Darche, will they continue?

Pelech is the only defender Darche can exchange if he wants to follow that path. He has left for a contract with an average annual value of $ 5.75 million (AAV) and a clause without 16 teams without movement. It is a difficult contract to go further and will not reduce a major return in an exchange (unless the islanders keep the salary), who speaks volumes to the difficulty of moving on from the other defenders.

Pulock’s contract has five years and a full no-trade clause. Just like Pelech, its decline and recent injury history have reduced its value. So the islanders will probably look to phase him in a depth that starts with this season. Instead of playing 21 minutes or more ice age, he starts playing 19 or less while he stays as a mentor for the younger players.

Then there is Mayfield, who still has five years in his deal for an AAV of $ 3 million, making it a viable buyout candidate. Mayfield stepped up last season as a depth shadow and also fitted in the role, but it is unlikely that he will continue to play like this. So, there is a good chance that Darche will continue before the contract is over.

The islanders must find a way out of all three of these deals and eventually replaced by younger skaters. The question is whether they have the defenders who are able to perform and replace it? At first glance it seems that they do it, but diving deeper, there are some problems with the defensive prospects in the long term.

Where is the youth movement?

Alexander Romanov is the anchor of unity, and with Noah Dobson tradedHe is the only one they will build for the future. Romanov is not a scoring defender and the islanders miss one on their way to the season. That said, at 25 and in his prime, he can close opponents and be the leader of unity.

There is also Matthew Schaefer, the Top choice in the recent design And the wildcard for both the defense and the team completely. In the long term, he becomes a non -toutseman and possibly the star player who makes a difference every night. However, it is unlikely that the 18-year-old this season will have that impact, even if he is on the NHL selection during the opening evening.

Then there is Isaiah George, who is 21 and is still developing. He showed flash last season and is now expected to become a fixed value for defense. The question is whether he can be a top four man or not. He is talented, but what is his ceiling? The same question applies to Kashawn Aitcheson, who selected Darche With the 17th Pick everywhere In the design of 2025. Aitcheson, just like Schaefer, is a prospect but also not as an elitental talent (certainly not at the same level as Schaefer).

In the end this leaves the islanders this season in a rough place for defense and the season afterwards. They can stick to Pelech, Pulock and Mayfield, but they need at least a temporary designation to prevent the unity from falling apart.

Darche’s options in the meantime

Tony Deangelo and Adam Boqvist will be the temporary indications for next season. There is a chance that the 25-year-old Boqvist will be a fixture in the long term, although he is round and has to prove that he belongs. They give Darche time. However, he must sign defenders for short -term agreements for the next low season.

It is not ideal to merge the defense every season. The reality is that it is what the islanders have to do until they find replacements for Pelech, Pulalock and Mayfield. Darche will have to make signing sessions that reflect the addition of Mike Reilly from two seasons back, where they connect a defender for the season.

This is also the reason why Darche should continue to use to set up the position. Yes, the islanders have Schaefer to build around, and they selected Aitcheson to concentrate on adding reinforcement to the unit. That said, the prospects for the long -term defense are not great, because the lack of a strong or third pair can put them back.