At long last, Islanders forward Simon Holmström appears ready to push for a top-six role. Head coach Patrick Roy thinks so, at least, he told The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner.
Holmström, the Isles’ 2019 first-round pick, has established himself as a full-time NHLer over the past two seasons. But he’s been used almost exclusively as a bottom-six option at even strength with some fringe penalty-killing usage as well.
He began to flash some extended offensive upside last season, recording 15 goals and 25 points in 75 games. Those aren’t top-six totals on a playoff team, nor was Holmström ever drafted to be a true game-breaker on the scoresheet, but he’s showing the “compete level” necessary to flash his puck skills more often and fit better in a complementary role alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, Roy said.
More from the Metropolitan Division:
- Expect Matt Martin’s professional tryout with the Isles to last past when opening night rosters are due on Oct. 7, Rosner and The Hockey News’ Kai Russell write. Players can remain with a team’s practice group, just not game action, on PTOs up until the trade deadline. The Bruins took advantage of this tactic last season, keeping Danton Heinen around on his PTO for almost a month into the season before they created the cap space necessary to sign him to a contract. The Islanders, which currently have exactly $0 in cap space with an open roster spot (PuckPedia), may need to do the same if they want to bring the 35-year-old back for his 14th season on Long Island.
- Early line rushes in camp suggest Flyers Calder Trophy candidate Matvei Michkov will start his first NHL season in a second-line role at right wing alongside Tyson Foerster and Morgan Frost, The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz writes. Meanwhile, Noah Cates may fall victim to the press box early on in the season after finishing ninth in Calder voting and 15th in Selke Trophy voting just two seasons ago. The 25-year-old has had a continually diminishing impact as the Flyers have built out the rest of their forward corps, seeing his ATOI drop from 17:46 in his rookie season to 13:48 last season.
- Seth Jarvis’ pathway to the NHL offers hope for Hurricanes winger Bradly Nadeau and his chances of cracking the opening night roster, opines Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer. Both first-round picks, Jarvis cracked Carolina’s roster as a 19-year-old in his second season after being drafted, skipping the AHL and landing a full-time role in the NHL directly out of juniors. Nadeau has faced older competition, recording 46 points in 37 NCAA games last season for the University of Maine before signing his entry-level contract and making his NHL debut in Carolina’s final game of the regular season.
There are actually few similarities between the situations of Nadeau and Jarvis (3 years ago).
Due to the delayed start of the WHL season, Jarvis was allowed 9 games (7g/4a +8) with the AHL Chicago Wolves in his post-draft year. He then rejoined the Portland Winterhawks for their shortened season. The following season, Jarvis impressed in training camp and seemed to be destined for 9 games with the Hurricanes before being relegated to WHL Portland. Because of the NHL/CHL agreement, he was not eligible to be sent to AHL Chicago. When Neiderteiter was hurt, Jarvis contributed immediately so Rod Brind’Amour and the Front Office (aka, The Committee) had little choice but to keep him with the Canes after his audition period expired.
Nadeau never played in the CHL, so he was not prevented from playing for NCAA Maine before signing his ELC after his freshman season. He is eligible to be assigned to AHL Chicago. And he is waiver exempt, so he can be promoted to Carolina and returned to Chicago without concern of another NHL team claiming him.
Nadeau may very well impress in camp and earn a slot in the NHL. But if he does not earn a regular slot where his skills are utilized, he will more likely be sent to play every game in Chicago than being a healthy scratch or playing ~10 minutes/game on the 4th line for Carolina.
I hope he does grab the opportunity, like Jarvis did, because that would lessen the sting of Guentzel and Teravainen moving on.