NHL Preview 2019-20: New York Islanders

This year again, I will twin-post with my Collectibles Blog and write about a player who is related to my Preview post here. Today, it's young forward Anthony Beauvillier.

GM: Lou Lamoriello (since 2018). 9/10
Coach: Barry Trotz (since 2018). 10/10

2018-19 record: 48-27-7, 103 points, 2nd in the Metropolitan Division, 4th in the Eastern Conference. Eliminated in Round 2 of the playoffs.

Departures: Robin Lehner (G), Dennis Seidenberg (D), Luca Sbisa (D), Valtteri Filppula (C).

Arrivals: Semyon Varlamov (G), Jared Coreau (G).

Top forwards: Mathew Barzal (65-70 points), Anders Lee (60-65 points), Jordan Eberle (50-60 points), Beauvillier (50-55 points), Joshua Ho-Sang (40-45 points), Josh Bailey (40-45 points), Brock Nelson (40-45 points), Casey Cizikas (15-20 goals, 30-35 points), Andrew Ladd (10 goals and 25 points).

Must-improve forward: Ladd even got some AHL time last season, where he had 5 points in 2 games to show he wasn't washed-up. He needs to regain his composure in the NHL and show he can at least be a third-liner and a leader.

Top defensemen: Nick Leddy (45-50 points), Johnny Boychuk (30-35 points), Thomas Hickey (30 points), Adam Pelech (15-25 points), Ryan Pulock (20-25 points).

Goalies: Varlamov (85/100), Thomas Greiss (80/100).

Top rookies: Kieffer Bellows (19, RW, 2016 first-round draft pick), Sebastian Aho - not that one - (23, D), Noah Dobson (19, D, two straight Memorial Cups), Otto Koivula (21, C), Oliver Wahlstrom (19, D).

Analysis:
Barry Trotz is the best coach in the NHL. He rallied his team behind the departure of star and captain John Tavares to lead them to second place in their division and, even more impressively, from the last-place team defensively to first overall.

We'll see with Varlamov in net if his system was most responsible for Lehner's rise as a Vezina runner-up or if Lehner also had a say. I expect a slight drop-off - not because Varlamov's not able to bring it, but because now opposing teams will better know what to expect of this team and will be better prepared; I still expect the Isles to finish around 5th overall defensively.

They're lucky to play in the Metropolitan Division, because the top teams got slightly worse and there are no longer any bad teams in there - just no perfect ones. It'll be dog-eat-dog all season in the Metro, and I'm confident that when all is said and done, the Isles will be among the last teams standing.

Prediction: 2nd in the Metropolitan Division.