Andy Graziano, SNY.TV Twitter

Brian Erni and I begin our annual season review, taking a look back at the 2016-17 Islanders and analyzing each player's performance in a season that saw the team miss the playoffs by one point.

We will be offering two reviews per week that will take us right through the beginning of training camp in September. Of course, there are a couple of things to sort out prior, such as free agency and potential trades that could alter the look of this franchise going forward.

The Islanders have acquired RW Jordan Eberle from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for C Ryan Strome, the Isles announced Thursday.

"I'm super excited to be a part of the Islanders organization," Eberle said, according to James Duthie of TSN. "Also grateful for the chance the Oilers gave me coming into the NHL."

Eberle, who said he's relieved the trade is done, called John Tavares a "generational player" and said he was looking forward to playing with him.

The Islanders begin the season on October 6 against the Blue Jackets in Columbus, followed by their home opener the next night.

View the full schedule here.

Mark those calendars! ��✔️



See you October 7th at Barclays Center. �� #IsItOctoberYet https://t.co/k9SF98SuQG pic.twitter.com/853zAwZxaa

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The Islanders traded forward Mikhail Grabovski, defenseman Jake Bischoff, a 2017 first-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick to have the Las Vegas Golden Knights select goaltender J-F Berube. 

Grabovski, who had 44 points in his first two seasons in New York, has not suited up in a game for the Islanders since March 2016 after he suffered a concussion. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. 

Bischoff, a seventh-round pick in 2012, had three points in six games with the AHL's Sound Tigers last season after finishing his time at the University of Minnesota. 

Islanders owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin are looking to sell a 15 percent stake in the team, according to the NY Post's Josh Kosman.

They have not had any luck in selling the stake, with the team valued at $500 million, as potential buyers are skeptical. The pitch is telling potential buyers they are looking to diversify.

As of now, the Islanders may need to find a new home following the 2018-19 season, as they have a mutual out-clause with Barclays Center, and the venue doesn't want to keep the team as tenants.

Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is the 2017 recipient of the NHL's Foundation Player Award, which is presented to a player "who applies the core values of (ice) hockey-commitment, perseverance and teamwork-to enrich the lives of people in his community"

The New York Islanders are reportedly likely to lose forward Mikhail Grabovski to the Las Vegas Golden Knights as part of expansion draft trades, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.

The Islanders only put three forwards -- John Tavares, Anders Lee and Andrew Ladd -- on the protected list, as Jason Chimera, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck were among the 25 players they made available.

New York will reportedly send its first-round pick to Vegas in order to prevent the Golden Knights from taking one of their forwards. There will be a third component to the deal, according to Staple, however it is not yet known what it would be.

Yesterday, the NHL created a little drama when they announced, at 9:58 a.m., that protected lists for each team for the upcoming Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft, set for 10 a.m., would be pushed back 30 minutes to 10:30 a.m.

The head scratching move, for which no reason was ever officially given, started the wave of social media activity that would not slow for all of Father's Day.

There was plenty of venom spewed towards Islanders general manager, Garth Snow, when the lists were finally made available to the public as New York was the only team in the entire league to protect five defenseman and only three forwards, two of whom were automatic, captain John Tavares and winger Andrew Ladd.

The Islanders will give up a first round pick in order to keep the Las Vegas Golden Knights from taking one of New York's forwards in the NHL expansion draft, according to a report from Darren Dreger of TSN.

Forwards Jason Chimera, Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck, Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome are among the 25 players the Islanders have made available for the Golden Knights, who must pick one player from each team and take a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies in the expansion draft.

John Tavares, Anders Lee, and Andrew Ladd were the only three forwards the Islanders decided to protect in the expansion draft.

John Tavares, Anders Lee and Andrew Ladd are the only three forwards the New York Islanders will protect in the NHL expansion draft.

Forwards Jason Chimera, Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Brock Nelson are among the 25 players the Islanders have made available for the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who must pick one player from each team and take a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies in the expansion draft.

The Islanders will also protect goalie Thomas Greiss and defensemen Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic, Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock.

Las Vegas will submit its draft selections by 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

The Islanders are near the top of the list of teams interested in trading for Edmonton's RW Jordan Eberle, according to a report from NHL insider Darren Dreger. 

There are six or seven teams that have interest in acquiring Eberle, according to Dreger, with the Islanders and the Avalanche seeming to be the frontrunners.

"What's the return? Does Edmonton get a winger back, like a third line player and a smaller deal so they can absorb the cap relief in moving Eberle's contract out?" asked Dreger on TSN1260. "Or can they be patient and finally (Islanders GM) Garth Snow goes, 'OK, I need that player just to keep John Tavares happy and keep him in the mix here long-term, so I'm willing to give up on Travis Hamonic.' I think there's a bit of gamesmanship that is happening in this process."

The Islanders will begin their 2017-2018 preseason schedule with a game at NYCB Live, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, against the Philadelphia Flyers, the team announced Thursday morning.

The game will take place on Sunday, September 17 at 1pm.

The preseason opener will mark the first time the Islanders have played in its former home since the end of the 2014-2015 season.

The Islanders are hiring another former teammate of head coach Doug Weight in Kelly Buchberger, per Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson.

Neither team has confirmed the report, but according to Matheson, local sources are saying they have known for weeks that Buchberger was joining Weight's staff. 

Buchberger served as head of player personnel for the Oilers last season. He was also an assistant coach for the team for six years. 

With the Stanley Cup Final in the rear view mirror, all of the soon-to-be 31 NHL teams are prepping for an Expansion and Entry Draft frenzy, and Darren Dreger thinks the Islanders are a team to watch.

Dreger said on Tuesday on Montreal's TSN 690 that the Islanders are one of the most intriguing clubs leading up to the two drafts, and GM Garth Snow does have a preference on what defense man he'd like to hold onto. 

Brian Erni, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive Posts

This probably doesn't come as much of a surprise. De Haan had a splendid year last year, and Hamonic had a down one, so it's better to sell high on Calvin than low on Travis. Plus, Hamonic is an alternate captain and one of the most vocal leaders in the dressing room. I'm sure the Isles would love to hang onto both if they could. I just don't see how they will...

The Islanders do not have interest in signing F Ilya Kovalchuk, reports Arthur Staple of Newsday.

Kovalchuk wants to return to the NHL next season, and the Devils have given him and his agent permission to seek a deal with other teams, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN.

New Jersey still holds the forward's rights as Kovalchuk left the NHL in the middle of his contract with the Devils.

The Islanders have signed F Steve Bernier to a two-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contract, the team announced Friday.

Bernier, 32, had 16 goals and 10 assists in 33 games with Bridgerport of the AHL last season.

In 633 career games with the Islanders, Devils, Panthers, Canucks, Sabres, and Sharks, Bernier has 105 goals and 125 assists. 

Newly hired Islanders assistant coach Scott Gomez knows his first foray into coaching won't be easy and that he has a lot to learn.

Gomez recently spoke to Yahoo's Sean Leahy and told the Puck Daddy writer that it's his responsibility to learn every position on the ice so that he can be a complete coach.

"You've got to know every position or what the hell's the point?" said Gomez, whose deal with the Islanders is for two years. "What happens if I have to answer a defensive question? Believe it or not I've had coaches, you ask them a question, 'Oh, I don't know.' 'What do you mean I don't know? You're the coach.' 'Oh, I'm the offensive coach.' That never made sense to me."

Gomez also said that that part of his philosophy is to treat every player the same, whether he's the captain or a fourth liner.

Reports have indicated that the Islanders are in the market for a top-six forward, and blue line mainstay Travis Hamonic could be a player New York deals to make it happen. Will the Isles trade a core piece away to improve up front? SNY's Brian Erni and Andy Graziano discuss...

Brian Erni, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive Posts

There have been some murmurs that the Islanders are getting ready to deal a defensemen to procure a top-six forward, and one name that has popped up is Travis Hamonic. Should the Isles trade Hamonic, under team control for another three seasons, to make that forward upgrade?

Islanders legend Mike Bossy penned a letter to his 14-year-old self in the latest edition of The Players' Tribune.

The 60-year-old Bossy tells his 14-year-old self about the current state of the NHL, the need to savor the experience of being a player, his relationship with legendary coach Al Arbour, and more.

"For whatever reason, some people will resent you for being a goal scorer," Bossy writes. "Other teams are going to target you, big time. You'll get jumped from behind. Sucker punched. Completely knocked out by blindside hits. (In the future, there's a serious injury called a concussion. You don't know what this is yet, but unfortunately you're going to have quite a few.)

Read Bossy's full letter at The Players' Tribune

John Tavares is now more willing to wait on an extension with the Islanders, according to Darren Dreger of TSN.

Tavares and his agent, Pat Brisson, feel more comfortable with the general direction of the Islanders, from their new home to what their plans are to build the team into a contender.

Dreger went on to add that a large factor on Tavares' future with the Islanders depends on what pieces GM Garth Snow is able to add in the near future. With New York unable to protect all four of their young defenders from the expansion draft, Dreger believes either Calvin de Haan or Travis Hamonic will be traded. If the Islanders can acquire a top-six forward for one of those players, that could go a long way in helping convince Tavares to sign a long-term extension.

Justine Ward visits Islanders goaltending coach Mike Dunham to discuss the Islanders' offseason plan of attack.

In the latest installment of JRSportBrief on SNY.tv, JR debates the merits of New York City as the toughest town to play for athletes. 

The Islanders could trade Travis Hamonic in exchange for Jordan Eberle of the Edmonton Oilers or Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche, according to Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger of TSN.

The NHL Draft kicks off on June 23 at 7 p.m., and the Islanders currently hold the 15th pick? What should they do with it? SNY's Brian Erni and Andy Graziano discuss...

Brian Erni, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive Posts

The Isles hold the 15th pick in what experts say is a very shallow draft. So, Andy, what strategy should the Isles take? Explore a trade up? Trade down or trade the pick away? Or just stand pat?

Doug Weight knows how pivotal this offseason is for his club, and it all starts with John Tavares.

Weight joined Sirius XM NHL Network Radio earlier this week and shared his thoughts of Tavares' contract situation. The Islanders captain can sign an extension with New York as early as July 1.

"Yeah, we've already signed him. It's the drawer. No, just kidding," joked Weight. "Listen, it's a situation that a lot of players have the opportunity to walk through. John loves it here. He is an unbelievable hockey player and leader for us. It's real important, and we're doing everything we can to show him [we appreciate him]. John wants to win Cups. He wants to have a chance to win multiple Stanley Cups. That's what he wants. That's what's in his heart. That's what drives him. That's what makes him great. He wants to be a Hall of Fame player.

We've come to the last version of our offseason look at what players might help get the New York Islanders over the hump and not only back in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but further than they have since 1993. 

We decided to go the trade route as the free agent market looks barren and with tons of money coming off the books next season, including the albatross contracts of Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin, general manager Garth Snow could be in prime position to pluck a restricted free agent or pending unrestricted free agent next year, off the hands of a troubled colleague looking to save some money on his own ledger.  

The 1982-83 New York Islanders were ranked the seventh-best NHL team in history, according to NHL.com.

As a promotion for this year's Stanley Cup Final, NHL.com asked fans to vote on 96 Stanley Cup champions to see what team was the greatest of all-time. Though the Isles won four straight championships from 1980-1983, it was their team in 1983 that was deemed seventh of all-time.

The Islanders finished 42-26-12 that season, and didn't look to be favorites to win the cup. They scored 83 fewer goals than the season before and finished tied sixth in points with 96 for the year. However, their experience from the previous three seasons proved vital in their quest for a fourth straight title.

The Islanders won't play four games at Nassau Coliseum despite a 2013 agreement between the developer and Nassau county, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Newsday's Robert Brodsky and Jim Baumbach.

Nassau County's lease with Bruce Ratner reportedly called for four regular season games and two preseason games at the Coliseum over the next 10 years, according to Newsday, though the NHL has not discussed approving said games, according to the report.

While the Islanders moved to Barclays Center two years ago, there have been reports indicating that Barclays Center operators are trying to get the Islanders to return to the Coliseum.

However, the organization and the arena reportedly negotiating a temporary agreement that would not force the Islanders out of the arena after two years.

The Islanders have hired Scott Gomez as an assistant coach, the team announced Tuesday.

Gomez, 37, retired in 2016 after a 17-year career in the NHL that included stints with the Devils, Rangers, Canadiens, Sharks, Panthers, Blues, and Senators.

He had 181 goals and 575 assists during his career, and was part of Stanley Cup Championship teams with the Devils in 2000 and 2003.

Andy Graziano, SNY.TV Twitter:

We've been spending the early part of our summer at Islanders Point Blank taking a look around the league and playing armchair general manger, analyzing potential trade targets for Garth Snow as he looks to get his club back to the playoffs.

In part one and part two, we stressed that this is in no way indicative of what 'will' happen, only our opinion of who could be available and able to help provide the kind of help captain John Tavares needs to get the organization to the next level.

The Islanders will need to add a top-six forward and other forwards to add depth and improve ahead of next season, argues Scott Cullen of TSN in an edition of "Off-Season Game Plan."

Cullen predicts the team will acquire Islanders will acquire Teddy Purcell, Gabriel Dumont, and Michael Hutchinson, but added that the team's top concern this off-season must be to keep John Tavares, who has just one more year remaining on his contract.

The Islanders won their final six games of the season, but narrowly missed out on a playoff spot.

Islanders new head coach Doug Weight admitted he took on too much last season and is ready for new help, according to the NY Post. 

Weight, who took over as interim head coach following the firing of Jack Capuano on Jan. 17, didn't think the atmosphere of the bench on game nights as things didn't feel right. It was during a game on a road trip that he realized he couldn't take on the task of being head coach of an NHL team alone. 

"I didn't watch the entire game, I kind of watched clips," Weight said. "I didn't go out all night and not go to practice in the morning. My point was, I changed it a little bit, and I did it a little easier because I wanted to make sure I was doing the [individual meetings] as well as I could. 

Islanders defenseman Dennis Seidenberg was named Best Defenseman of the 2017 IIHF World Championships by the Tournament Directorate on Monday. 

Playing for host nation Germany, Seidenberg notched a goal and seven assists in eight games. He also served as assistant captain for Germany. 

The Detroit Red Wings could have interest in trading for D Calvin de Haan, according to Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet.

Friedman went on to say the Islanders are worried about losing de Haan in next month's expansion draft to the Vegas Golden Knights.

New York might choose to trade de Haan, who has played well during the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, rather than lose him in the expansion draft and get nothing in return.

The Islanders have named Luke Richardson an assistant coach on Doug Weight's staff.

Richardson's last NHL coaching experience was as an assistant for the Ottawa Senators from 2009 to 2012. He spent four seasons as the head coach of the AHL Binghamton Senators from 2012-16

"Luke brings a tireless work ethic and outstanding character to our organization," Weight said in a release from the team. "He'll have his hands on every aspect of the team, including our systems, skill development, and team culture. Luke's coaching experience, including four years running an organization as Head Coach in Binghamton, make him an excellent addition to our staff."

Don't check your calendar. Yes, it's 2017 and we're talking about Ilya Kovalchuk. The 34-year-old is eyeing a return to the NHL, and he reportedly has a desire to play in the New York market. Could the Islanders be a fit? SNY's Brian Erni and Andy Graziano discuss…

Brian Erni, SNY.tv

Elliotte Friedman said this week that the Islanders could make sense as a destination for Ilya Kovalchuk. What do you think, Andy? Any chance the Isles can land the former 50-goal scorer?

Islanders prospect Matt Barzal and the Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Regina Pats 4-3 in Game 6 in overtime to give the franchise its first WHL title in its 40-year history.

Barzal, who scored seven goals and 18 assists in 16 games in the postseason, was named the WHL playoff MVP.

With the WHL title, the Thunderbirds will join the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs, and the OHL's Erie Otters and Windsor Spitfires, in the four-team Memorial Cup tournament.

Last week, we began a four-part series taking a look at players that general manager Garth Snow might take a look at this offseason in the hopes of reshaping his roster ahead of the 2017-18 season. Today, we move on to part two

With the free agent market looking sub-par, trades might be the only option for Snow to try and get the right pieces that will lead the Islanders back to the playoffs, after missing this previous season by one point. While players get their injuries treated, some even surgically, general managers focus on the upcoming expansion draft and there should be no shortage of action leading up to this year's entry draft in Chicago on Friday, June 23.

To reiterate, this is all purely speculative and just my opinion on some players who, I believe, could help the Islanders get to the next level. The trade market is extremely fluid and almost impossible to predict until any deal actually is completed and submitted to the league office. Still, it's always fun to discuss.

The NHL will expand for the 2017-18 season, as the Vegas Golden Knights enter the league for their inaugural season. At the June 21 Expansion Draft, Golden Knights GM and former Islanders vice president George McPhee will start to assemble his club. So how will the Isles protect their players, and who will they lose? SNY's Brian Erni and Andy Graziano discuss…

Brian Erni, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive Posts

The expansion draft is just over a month away, and - when it comes to protecting a roster - the Islanders are one of the most intriguing teams in the league. So, Andy, what do you think Garth Snow does in preparation of the Golden Knights making their selections?

The Islanders have agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal with G Linus Soderstrom, the team announced Thursday.

Soderstrom, 20, led HV71 to the 2017 Swedish Hockey League Championship, posting a 2.11 GAA and .922 save percentage while going 12-4.

Andy Graziano, SNY.tv

When Howie Rose decided to shock Islanders nation and announce his retirement from broadcasting hockey in May of 2016, everyone wondered who would be the next up to take over the microphone and perform the difficult task of painting the action on the ice for an entire fanbase of rabid, loyal fans watching on their television sets.

Rumors swirled of candidates interviewing with MSG networks for the job. When 32-year old Brendan Burke was announced as the successor, many simply showed a confused expression and uttered the words, "who"? Everyone, however, would learn real quick who Burke was and come to admire and appreciate his smooth style as the Islanders pushed through a topsy-turvy 2016-17 season. National networks even paid attention, as Burke was selected to work the Western conference playoffs in San Jose and Anaheim as part of NBCSN's coverage.

New York Islanders forward John Tavares is expected to be fully ready for next season after he reportedly underwent hand surgery in April, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.

Tavares' right hand is scheduled to be out of a cast next week after he underwent surgery a week after the Islanders' season ended, Staple reports. Tavares reportedly had an issue that lingered throughout the season.

Once his hand is removed from the cast, he is expected to continue his offseason training regimen, according to Staple.

The 26-year-old Tavares scored 28 goals and recorded 38 assists in 77 games for the Islanders last season. He is eligible to sign a contract extension with the team on July 1.

The offseason is always ripe with plenty of speculation and tension. Long suffering fanbases put their trust in management to identify the steps needed to be taken to get their teams to the next level. 

For the New York Islanders, this spring and summer looks to be even more vital, as in addition to looking at roster improvements, the cloud of a future home and contract status of their captain and most important player hangs over the head of the organization. What they do on all fronts will no doubt alter the look of this team for the foreseeable future.

Islanders goalie prospect Ilya Sorokin has been selected to play for the Russian Men's National Team in the IIHF World Hockey Championship that takes place May 5-21. 

The 21-year-old played on the Russian team last year, winning a bronze medal.

Sorokin was the Islanders' third-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. He had a 1.61 goals against average, including five shutouts, and a .929 save percentage with CSKA Moscow this season.

The Worcester Railers will be the New York Islanders' new ECHL affiliate, the organization announced Friday.

The Railers, who will play at the DCU Center, join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as the Islanders' primary minor league affiliates.

"The proximity of having our ECHL team within driving distance from Bridgeport and the Islanders is a definite benefit," Islanders GM Garth Snow said in a press release.

This summer stands to be one full of franchise-defining issues for the Islanders. In a series of roundtables, SNY's Brian Erni and Andy Graziano will discuss these topics. The guys have taken on Garth Snow's potential fate, and the chances of building a new arena at Belmont Park. In the final installment, it's the chances of signing captain John Tavares to an extension…

Brian Erni, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive Posts

The Islanders have begun to prep their pitch for an extension to John Tavares. So Andy, what do you think is the linchpin to getting this thing done this summer?

The Islanders are preparing their extension pitch for team captain John Tavares, reports Elliotte Friedman. 

Tavares, 26, is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Isles on July 1.

He is about to enter the sixth and final season of the $33 million deal he signed prior to the 2012-13 season. 

Brian Erni, SNY.TV Twitter | Archive Posts

As playoff hockey roars on into the second round, the Islanders faithful are back in that somewhat familiar position of waiting around for the NHL Draft. And with the lottery set to take place this Saturday night, the Isles know to a virtual certainty the ping pong balls hold no surprises for them.

The Islanders have the worst chance of moving up and grabbing the number one pick in the draft -- a 0.9 percent chance, to be exact. So while the Avalanche (18 percent), Canucks (12.1 percent), and Golden Knights and Coyotes (10.3 percent) wait around with bated breath for the right to draft Nolan Patrick, the Islanders know that they'll likely be picking 15^th, saddled with the distinction of being the first team on the outside of the postseason looking in.

That doesn't mean much, though. In fact, the Isles' sprint to the finish that fell just short of the playoffs meant far more than any delusions of NHL lottery grandeur...

The Islanders have re-signed D Dennis Seidenberg to a one-year deal, the team announced Monday.

Seidenberg, 35, had five goals and 17 assists in 73 games played for the Isles this past season after signing a one-year deal during the offseason.

He had spent the last seven seasons with the Bruins, accumulating 23 goals and 94 assists in 401 games. He had two years remaining on his contract with Boston but the team bought out the rest of his deal in July.