Yes, we are just 24 hours since the Islanders ended their season. But, by popular demand, let’s take a look at our (very early) edition of Keep ‘Em Or Can ‘Em. Feel free to vote on each poll, as it’ll allow other fans to see what you think.
Offense
John Tavares is the key piece. Not going anywhere. KEEP HIM
Kyle Okposo is riding shotgun to JT. Not going anywhere either. KEEP HIM
Josh Bailey has come to be on the first line. I’d like to see the Islanders snag a first line winger, dropping Bailey to control the second line. KEEP HIM
Brock Nelson scored 20 goals this season and should get a nice deal this summer as an RFA. KEEP HIM
Frans Nielsen heads into the final year of his contract. He’s 31 years old and for less than $3 million a year he’s a no brainer. KEEP HIM
Ryan Strome had a fantastic season, finishing with 50 points, third on the team behind Tavares and Okposo. He’s staying. KEEP HIM
Nikolay Kulemin is better than many thought he would be. He played all 82 games and is on the roster though 2018-19. KEEP HIM
Mikhail Grabovski had his injuries, and that hurt his stock. He’s staying though, also signed through 2018-19. KEEP HIM
Colin McDonald is at the end of the line. The last guy into the lineup night in and night out. If you can get him real cheap, do it. Otherwise, don’t. CAN HIM
Anders Lee is going to get a nice contract as an RFA. If you’re the Isles, you have to retain him. KEEP HIM
Michael Grabner is the odd man out for the Isles. Can’t see him staying. CAN HIM
Cal Clutterbuck has been all that the isles had hoped for: a gritty power forward. He’s signed for two more seasons. KEEP HIM
Tyler Kennedy was a good add at the trade deadline. Keep him only if you can get him for a low price tag. KEEP HIM
Matt Martin is the enforcer. He’s staying. KEEP HIM
Casey Cizikas is another gritty young defenseman, and has one year left on his deal. KEEP HIM
Eric Boulton is 38 and a UFA. I don’t see him coming back. CAN HIM
Defense/Goalie
Johnny Boychuk is the future. Without him, the defense is nothing. KEEP HIM
The same could be said for Nick Leddy He’s staying too. KEEP HIM
Calvin De Haan Has been good, but not great. I’d keep him for now, but he’s a good trade chip if need be. KEEP HIM
Travis Hamonic is locked up through 2020-21. Not much debate here. KEEP HIM
Thomas Hickey is a restricted free agent. I’d wait on him to see the price, but am not impressed by his -12 stat line. CAN HIM
Lubomir Visnovsky is 38 years old and is an unrestricted free agent. Let him go and bring the kids up from Bridgeport. CAN HIM
Brian Strait is still signed for another year, but he didn’t have a good season. I’ll give him credit for stepping up during the playoffs a bit, but his roster spot can be better used on someone else. CAN HIM
Jaroslav Halak is the goalie that the Isles needed. No debate here. KEEP HIM
Michal Neuvirth was a good acquisition at the trade deadline. If they can sign him this Summer as a UFA, they’ll solve the goalie situation. KEEP HIM
Coaches/Management
Jack Capuano gets the boot from me. This team needs a veteran coach to lead them to the promised land. CAN HIM
Doug Weight led the power play group that went 0-for-14 in the first round of the playoffs. If Capuano is gone, so is Weight. CAN HIM
Garth Snow turned heads when he acquired the two headed monster that is Boychuk/Leddy. Although the majority of people say he needs to leave, I’m going to keep him based on the last 365 days. KEEP HIM
**It’d be unfair to judge the likes of Mayfield and Reinhart since we saw such little time
Finally, I’d like to know everyone’s opinion on Barclays Center. How have your plans changed?
Brett Malamud is an English Rhetoric Major at Binghamton University. He is the co-founder of dabuzzza.com. His favorite athletes are Derek Jeter and Todd Bertuzzi. You can follow him on twitter at @brettnyy
Dabuzzza 