5 Bold Predictions for the Islanders 2022-23 Season

The New York Islanders missed the playoffs last season. The team has a good defense and great goalkeeping. They play in the toughest division in NHL. Some players need to have breakout years to surprise fans and experts. For the team to become Stanley Cup contenders, the roster as a whole has to look improved.

Last season, the Islanders' offense was the weak link of the team. Brock Nelson had a career year, scoring 37 goals and Anders Lee put together a strong bounce-back season after missing the second half of 2020-21 season. Mathew Barzal took a step back with only 15 goals. This season the top six will stand out with three skaters scoring 25 goals or more. Nelson, Lee and Barzaal are poised to eclipse the 25-goal threshold.

Oliver Wahlstrom is one of the Islanders' X-factors. He scored only 12 goals and nine assists last season. His minimal ice time and lack of playing time led to Barry Trotz's firing. WHLH is hoping to play more in the top six this season and score 20 goals for the first time in his career.

Anthony Beauvillier is having a make-or-break season with the Islanders. Beauvilleer scored the Game 6 game-winning goal of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinal. He failed to find a role in the offense last season. If he plays on the same line as Barzal or Nelson, he can become a top-line forward.

Ilya Sorokin is expected to win the Vezina Trophy this season. He is the starter for the Islanders and is one of the most athletic and talented goalkeepers in the NHL. Igor Shesterkin won the award last season and he is considered the best young goaltender in NHL at the moment. Semyon Varlamov is still capable of being a starting goaltender at NHL level and the team will rotate their two goalies. The team can't afford to overwork Sorokin, but fewer starts will hurt his chances of winning.

The Islanders' offense has been a weak link for years. The team scored only 2.79 goals per game last season. Lambert needs to improve the team's offense to be a Stanley Cup-caliber team. However, the defensive unit looks to do its part and finish the season as one of the best. The only unit that the Islanders are looking for a big leap is the forward unit. They need to score more goals. If they do that, they will be one the top half of NHL in both goals for and goals against.

Alexander Romanov was acquired by the Islanders during the NHL Entry Draft. The team was on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 but came up short. Islanders fans hope for the team to reach the playoffs and win the Cup. Aatu Raty and Robin Salo are the prospects who could boost the squad. They are unlikely to be on opening night roster but could play a big role in the season.