My thoughts: A one year deal keeps Holmstrom on the NHL roster and at this point this is where he belongs. I would’ve preferred him playing in Bridgeport last year but he had a decent first, full season on the Island. The question now is this: Where is he playing? With the arrivals of Duclair and Tsyplakov taking up the top two left-wing spots; Anders Lee getting a possible 3rd line role with Pageau and Engvall while the fourth line has MacLean and Cizikas as probable locks, it means that Simon may be battling Oliver Wahlstrom and Hudson Fasching for that last spot on the right side. I think Fasching may get that last spot as he’s more suited to play that fourth line role and I’m beginning to see a pattern of development involving three younger Islanders who may have to wait to get an opportunity to play.
The Islanders are also over the cap as of this writing so unless there are injuries before/during camp, you should all expect a move at some point. Holmstrom did have 15 goals last season, but his five-on-five play still needs work and his shooting attempts must go up. Does he put the Islanders at a disadvantage when he’s in the lineup? No, but if he wants to be a regular he must evolve into becoming an impact player for this hockey club.
