New York Islanders fantasy preview for 2017-18

Pete Jensen / NHL.com Senior Fantasy Editor

FORWARDS

John Tavares, C -- He has declined in points over the past two seasons (70 in 2015-16, 66 last season) after exceeding 80 in each of his prior two full seasons. He fell short of his average draft position (11.7; finished 33rd in Yahoo) last season, but thrived after the Islanders' coaching change (34 points in 35 games) before missing the final five games with a hand injury (surgery in May). New York acquired right wing Jordan Eberle on June 22, an upgrade that can help Tavares rejoin the top 10 in his contract year.

Jordan Eberle, RW -- New York needed a forward of Eberle's caliber, not only for Tavares and the top line but also to improve an underachieving power play (14.9 percent; 28th in NHL). Eberle, 27, had 51 points, 14 PPP and 208 SOG last season despite playing on a line separate from Connor McDavid and on the Edmonton Oilers' second power-play unit. A return to 70 points (NHL career-high 76 in 2011-12) is not out of the question for Eberle.

Anders Lee, LW -- He's coming off NHL career highs in goals (34) and points (52) playing alongside Tavares and right wing Josh Bailey. Lee, 27, is in line for some goal-scoring regression after a high shooting percentage (17.8), but should also benefit from the addition of Eberle with his best PPP total yet. If you miss out on Eberle, shift the focus to Lee (63rd in Yahoo last season) for exposure to Tavares in most situations.

Joshua Ho-Sang, C/RW -- Depending on Ho-Sang's even-strength linemates and whether he locks down a first power-play role, he could emerge as a Calder Trophy candidate. He showed chemistry late last season with Anthony Beauvillier and could also mesh well with playmaking center prospect Mathew Barzal on the second line. Ho-Sang had 10 points (four goals, six assists) and two PPP in 21 games last season and is an explosive skater who will be featured in Doug Weight's system.

Mathew Barzal, C -- The Islanders' No. 2 center spot is open, so Barzal can play top-six minutes if he sticks in the NHL. Barzal, 20, scored 278 points in 202 games over four seasons with Seattle of the Western Hockey League, capping it off with 25 points in 16 WHL playoff games to lead Seattle to a championship (won postseason MVP). He's a high-upside choice in the final rounds of your draft.

DEFENSEMEN

Nick Leddy -- He finished with NHL career highs in goals (11) and points (46) and SOG (137). His PPP total was disappointing (15) considering he played the entire season on the first unit, but should get a boost in that category with Eberle and the influx of young offensive talent. Leddy could be a bargain in later rounds and finish among the top 20 defenseman rankings.

Ryan Pulock -- He's likely to earn a full-time NHL role and could potentially see first-unit power-play action with Tavares, Eberle, Lee and either Leddy or another forward. Pulock had 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) and 141 SOG in 55 games with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League last season. He was also productive for the Islanders in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs (three points, two PPP in six games).

GOALTENDING

Jaroslav Halak -- After a slow start and surprising AHL assignment, Halak kept the Islanders' playoff hopes alive until the final weekend of the season. He was recalled March 23 and went 6-1-0 with a .949 SV% and one shutout. They missed the postseason by one point, but Halak built momentum for his contract year. He's a fringe top 20 goalie who could finish higher if he runs away with the starting job.

Thomas Greiss -- He won more than half his games (NHL career-high 26 wins, three shutouts in 51 games), but his peripherals took a hit when he was the full-time starter during Halak's demotion. From Dec. 30 to March 23, Greiss played the second-most games (33) behind Cam Talbot (34), going 17-11-5 with a 2.75 goals-against average and .911 SV%. This could be the NHL's best time-share tandem if the Islanders defense stays healthy and they return to the playoffs, so Halak and Greiss are worth drafting together in the 10th round or later.

Others to consider: Josh Bailey (LW/RW), Andrew Ladd (LW), Johnny Boychuk (D), Anthony Beauvillier (C/LW), Brock Nelson (C)

Islanders set for a good fantasy season in 2016-17?

The New York Islanders had a season to remember in 2015-16. They swept their city rivers the new York Rangers, and they made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 1992-93 season.

Their season came to an end when they lost that second round series to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Looking at them in terms of fantasy, it looks like John Tavares is the team's best bet.

Tavares had a down season by his standards with 70 points (33 goals, 37 assists), including 19 power-play points, but that doesn't make him any less valuable in fantasy. In 2014-15, Tavares had a career-high 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists), finishing second in the League (one behind Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars) and was a Hart Trophy nominee for the second time in his career. Tavares has had at least 24 goals in each of his seven NHL seasons and hasn't had fewer than 54 points during a full season. He has stayed healthy, playing a full season four times and missing four games or fewer two other times.

Although his linemates continue to be a revolving door, several things are clear: Tavares will be the Islanders top-line center and should score between 30-35 goals with upwards of 75 points, and likely will score more than the seven power-play goals he had last season, which tied his career low. He may not be worth drafting in the top five forwards, but is a virtual lock to go among the top 10 at his position.

But in terms of undervalue, the newcomer on the team, Andrew Ladd seems like a good fantasy fit. Ladd had 25 goals last season with the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks, and has scored at least 23 in each of the past five full NHL seasons. In 2014-15, he had a career-high 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) with 72 penalty minutes, and was plus-9 with 19 power-play points, six game-winning goals and 224 shots on goal, proving his worth in category coverage across the board.

Let's take a look at their goalies.

Thomas Greiss outperformed Jaroslav Halak and is the better fantasy option, although coach Jack Capuano often rotates his goalies even if one is playing well. Greiss had NHL career highs in starts (38), wins (23) and save percentage (.925; ranked third in the League), and had a 2.36 GAA.

In 25 of his 41 appearances, Greiss, 29, allowed two goals or fewer, and only allowed more than three goals three times, compared to Halak, who appeared in 36 games, allowing two or fewer goals 21 times and four or more six times.

Halak, 31, is coming off an injury-plagued season, going 18-13-4 with a 2.30 GAA and .919 save percentage, one season after setting the Islanders single-season record with 38 wins.

If brave enough to pick him, Islanders' Nick Leddy a wise defensive choice for Tuesday

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Nick Leddy( Anthony Gruppuso/USA TODAY Sports)

Nick Leddy does not have that many goals this season by any means (he only has four), but along with those four goals and an impressive 25 assists, he does make up for those poor stats on the defensive side of things.

Leddy has nine blocked shots and two hits in his past five games, so he may be able to help you in the blocked shots category of earning points.

Leddy's only problem is that for him being a defenseman, his amount of hits in the past five games is lover than most defensemen in the league. His plus-minus rating on the season in 60 games is -10, which is not the best, but also not the worst we've seen.

John Tavares is expensive, but good for your Thursday lineup

"The Neutral Zone" Fantasy Hockey Report

John Tavares

It's no surprise whatsoever that the New York Islanders have been winning, because John Tavares has been playing exceptionally well.

Tavares has at least a point in eight of his last ten games, and has four goals and seven assists for eleven points in his last ten games.

Tavares will look to add to his three-game point streak against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

Nielsen a good value center for Monday

"The Neutral Zone" Fantasy Hockey Report

Frans Nielsen

Frans Nielsen is one of the New York Islanders' top forwards.

Right now, Nielsen is on a two-game point streak, but before that, Nielsen was on a four-game point drought.

Nielsen may not be able to help you in penalty minutes, however, as he only had 10 this season.

Nielsen has 14 goals and 16 assists in 46 games on the season, making him a wise choice if you want a non-expensive, high-value center on your lineup.