Looking ahead for the Islanders: Don't rock the boat

As each NHL team is eliminated from the postseason, we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, three keys to its offseason, impact prospects for 2019-20 and a way-too-early prediction for what next season will hold.

What went wrong

Let's be clear: This New York Islanders season was not a failure. In many ways, it was a season to be celebrated. Transforming from a team that surrendered the most goals in the NHL (296) to the team with the fewest goals allowed (196), and without making any significant personnel additions to the blue line? That's sensational. Losing the captain and leading goal scorer and replacing him with a bunch of fourth-liners, then seeing the team increase its standings point total by 26? Expectations blown away. Signing a veteran goalie as a stopgap and seeing him get nominated for the Vezina Trophy? And in a platoon? Where the duo combined to win the Jennings Trophy?

There was a lot to like about the 2018-19 Islanders, and coach Barry Trotz and GM Lou Lamoriello (both industry veterans in their first year with the team) will get due credit. When everyone thought the Islanders couldn't sustain it, they did, exceeding 100 points and sweeping the Sidney Crosby-led Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.

And then it all unraveled. You can rationalize that the Islanders ran into a freight train in the second round, and that's partially true. The Carolina Hurricanes are brewing something special this postseason. But in the second-round series, during which the Islanders fell flat, many of their flaws were exposed. Mistakes added up.

Their defense was adequate, but they simply could not muster enough goals. A team of high-character, bottom-nine (and defense-minded) guys can take you only so far. In today's NHL, you need at least one supremely talented superstar who can take over a game, and the Islanders had nobody like that on the roster.

Keys to the offseason

To re-sign or not to re-sign. The Islanders have three top-six forwards hitting unrestricted free agency this summer. Anders Lee is the captain, and he's unquestionably going to come back, though he'll get a raise from his current $3.75 million annual cap hit. Trickier is Jordan Eberle (currently making $6 million) and Brock Nelson ($4.25 million).

Lamoriello has a reputation as a frugal man, and the big issue with Eberle -- who is talented, though didn't have his most productive season at age 28 -- will be the term. Nelson is coming of a career season (25 goals, 53 points) and was often the Islanders' top forward. He'll command a raise being that he is essentially the team's No. 1 center, and the team should not hesitate. While most of us figured Valtteri Filppula, 34, was washed up, he was actually quite effective for Trotz. Don't be surprised if he comes back on another one-year deal.

Cement the goaltending. Raise your hand if you predicted Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner would win the Jennings Trophy this season for the fewest goals allowed. Didn't think so. The Islanders' goaltending tandem was terrific, and it would behoove New York to keep the pair together for 2019-20 -- even though top prospect Ilya Sorokin could come over from Russia. Greiss has one year left on his contract, and if Sorokin does make the NHL roster, Greiss might be traded. Lehner, who quickly became a fan favorite for his vulnerability in opening up about past issues, as well as accessibility with fans, will command a raise from the $1.5 million he's making. A wild card here would be if Lamoriello wants to swing for the fences and go after unrestricted free agent Sergei Bobrovsky.

Dabble in free agency? Lamoriello keeps things close to his vest, so it's too soon to know what his plans are this offseason, in terms of retaining players or making a big splash in free agency. Even if the Islanders take care of some of their own free agents, they should have enough cap space to add one of the better blueliners available. The Islanders have also been a dark-horse candidate for Artemi Panarin. Perhaps the team will try to add a high-end forward (which they could use as Mathew Barzal still matures into the face of the franchise role). Matt Duchene could also be an option.

Impact prospects for 2019-20

Note that Josh Ho-Sang crossed the 50-career NHL games threshold, and Michael Dal Colle went over 26 games this season, so they've graduated from prospect status. But, with one of the best 2018 draft classes in the league, the cupboard is far from bare.

Noah Dobson, D, age 19: The Isles have plenty of defenseman, but if I were them, I'd want to make some room for Dobson right away. There's no need to rush defensemen, but the maturity, poise and increased offensive production the right-handed shooting defenseman has shown this season has to be enticing. He has 23 points in 15 QMJHL playoff games thus far. He might give the Isles no choice but to make room for him next season.

Sebastian Aho, D, age 23: Aho, no not the one on the Hurricanes, remains intriguing as a prospect after another productive campaign in the AHL. His per-game rate of production dipped a bit this season, but otherwise he has looked fine as a solid puck-mover with good mobility. The issue at this point is that most of New York's best left-handed shooting defensemen are under contract, not leaving much room. Aho might have to be patient as a potential call-up as opposed to a regular contributor, especially if Dobson edges his way into the lineup on the other side.

Realistic expectation for 2019-20

If a similar roster returns (likely) the Islanders should once again push for a playoff spot. The structure is in place for this team to do well, no matter the personnel, and the buy-in to the Trotz system is certainly there.