For as much as things change in the National Hockey League, the majority of things stay the same for the New York Islanders.
Following an offseason that was focused on retaining their foundational pieces — Lou Lamoriello re-signed Scott Mayfield, Semyon Varlamov, and Pierre Engvall while extending Ilya Sorokin on an eight-year deal — the Islanders inch toward their 2023-24 season opener (Saturday vs. Buffalo Sabres, UBS Arena) following a first-round playoff exit with a roster that looks very much the same from last year. The only key difference is that veteran winger Zach Parise, who didn’t attend training camp, continues to mull over retirement while the Islanders keep the door open for him should the 39-year-old want to return.
The formula for their success remains the same. New York has one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL with a top-10 defensive unit manning the ramparts in front of Sorokin and Varlamov. It all comes down to what kind of offensive contributions await this season with an onus on an unproven power play and the two top lines that should make some noise over a full season together.
2023-24 Islanders preview: Offense
1st Line: Simon Holmstrom – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal
Barzal begins his first full season as a right-winger after spending much of the first six seasons of his NHL career as the organization’s first-line center, making room for Horvat as he begins his first full year with the Islanders after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in January.
The duo played just seven games together in the regular season before Barzal went down with an injury and this preseason has seen the two be inseparable.
“It’s good. We’re ready,” Barzal said. “It’s really good, so we’re excited to get going.”
But the left wing of that first line remains a sizable question mark. Simon Holmstrom, who scored just three goals in 50 games during his rookie year last season, appears to be the favorite to slot…
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