The Islanders’ last couple forward spots will likely come down to a battle between MacLean, Gatcomb, Calum Ritchie and Pierre Engvall.
A year ago, Max Tsyplakov started the season on the second line and Casey Cizikas often featured on the third line. This time around, the Islanders have enough depth that the two have been pushed down to the fourth line at the opening of training camp.
While that is a welcome development, it also means that the scramble for roster spots has become ever more tight. Tuesday’s preseason game at the Devils, a 6-2 loss in which the Islanders rolled out a roster light on NHLers and got whacked by a New Jersey roster featuring most of the top Devils players, came with real stakes for the likes of Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb, who are fighting to stay on the 23-man roster. “Preseason are preseason, who cares about the win and losses,” coach Patrick Roy said. “Yeah you want to win every game you’re playing in, but at the same time, I think it’s more important for us to see those guys and maybe some guys made our decision easier tonight.” Unless injuries force the plan to change, the Islanders’ last couple forward spots will likely come down to a battle between MacLean, Gatcomb, Calum Ritchie and Pierre Engvall, who could miss the start of the season depending on his recovery from hip surgery.BetMGM promo code NYPDM1500: Net up to $1,500 on NHL preseason actionOn defense, Isaiah George and Ethan Bear — both of whom featured Tuesday as well — are trying to displace Adam Boqvist as the seventh defenseman, but that looks like more of an uphill climb. “It’s no secret that it’s competitive fighting for a spot,” MacLean said. “I don’t think it’s different . I think every year you’re hungry, you want to show something. This year, no secret, just got to worry about myself, bring my game, work hard and stay hungry.” It is different, though, insofar as a year ago, MacLean came into camp as the likely fourth line center and easily hung onto the job.Even when he struggled badly, with the Islanders’ fourth line regularly getting caved in and MacLean putting up some of the worst advanced metrics on the team, he stayed in the lineup, in part because the Islanders never had the depth to take him out.MacLean said he spent more time on the ice than usual this summer, staying on Long Island and taking advantage of access to the team’s facility. Calum Ritche , who had a goal and an assist, battles Simon Nemec for the puck during the Islanders’ preseason loss to the Devils.He wants to find more consistency after last season, when he had long stretches of ineffectiveness. “Kyle will always be Kyle,” coach Patrick Roy said. “He comes in, he works hard, this is his identity. What I’ve seen is exactly what I expect from him.” Still, MacLean needs to show out in camp to have a chance of starting the season in the lineup, and could even be at risk of going down to Bridgeport. Ritchie, one of the organization’s top prospects and the main piece the Islanders got back in the Brock Nelson trade, could displace him too. While none of the Islanders skaters played a particularly great game Tuesday, Ritchie picked up a goal and assist, both on the power play, and had the best night of the group centering a line with Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman.The good news for MacLean, and for that matter, Gatcomb, is that if Ritchie is not in the lineup every night, it could make more sense for the Islanders to start him in the AHL, where he can play top-line minutes and gain professional experience. And, at least right now, there is not an obvious spot for Ritchie in a 12-man forward group that appears to be set as long as the Islanders continue with Mat Barzal at center. That does not mean MacLean can rest on his laurels. Even if he starts the year in Bridgeport, Ritchie would likely be the first call-up, and it would not be a surprise if he stays on Long Island for good once he gets there.
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