Islanders add Eberle to increase scoring, improve power play

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is taking a look at where each team stands. Today, the New York Islanders:
The New York Islanders took a step back last season, failing to qualify for the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs after back-to-back 100-point seasons, and in 2016 winning a postseason series for the first time in 23 years.

A 17-17-8 start led to the firing of coach Jack Capuano on Jan. 17. He was replaced by Doug Weight, who guided the Islanders to a 24-12-4 record over the final 40 games, and they finished one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference. Weight, who also is New York's assistant general manager, opted to return as coach April 12.
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The attention this offseason primarily has been focused on center John Tavares, who has one year remaining on his contract. Tavares has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1, but the sides have yet to reach an agreement.
Here is what the Islanders look like today:

Key arrival

Jordan Eberle, F: The Islanders upgraded their top line with the acquisition of Eberle in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers for forward Ryan Strome on June 22. Eberle, who has had chemistry with Tavares playing for Canada at international tournaments, is a five-time 20-goal scorer, including last season, when he had 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games.

Key departures

Travis Hamonic, D:Hamonic was traded to the Calgary Flames on June 24 for a first-round and a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, and a second-round pick in 2019 or 2020. Hamonic was a top-four defenseman for the Islanders and averaged 20:27 of ice time per game last season. … Ryan Strome, F: The No. 5 pick of the 2011 NHL Draft showed a lot of promise when he had 50 points (17 goals, 33 assists) in 81 games in 2014-15, but he wasn't able to return to that level. He had 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 69 games last season, and perhaps the change of scenery in Edmonton will benefit him. … J-F Berube, G: He was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft and then agreed to a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks as an unrestricted free agent July 1. He played 21 games in two seasons for the Islanders.

On the cusp

Ryan Pulock, D: The No. 15 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft is primed for a top-four role in the NHL after Hamonic was traded to the Flames. Pulock, 22, had 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) in 55 games for Bridgeport of the American Hockey League last season. He had two goals and two assists in 16 games for the Islanders the past two seasons. … Mathew Barzal, C: His training camp will go a long way in determining whether the 20-year-old starts the season with New York or Bridgeport. The No. 16 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Barzal helped Seattle to the Western Hockey League championship last season with 79 points (10 goals, 69 assists) in 41 games. He played two games with the Islanders last season before being returned to Seattle. … Devon Toews, D: A fourth-round pick (No. 108) in the 2014 NHL Draft, Toews was an AHL all-star last season and had 45 points (five goals, 40 assists) in 76 games for Bridgeport. He'll likely start the season in the AHL, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the 23-year-old play in the NHL at some point. He is not related to Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews.

What they still need

Two-way center who can win faceoffs. New York finished 26th in the NHL last season in faceoff winning percentage (47.7 percent). Only Tavares won more than half of his faceoffs (50.6 percent) among Islanders centers who took more than 250 draws.

Pete Jensen's fantasy focus

Eberle is a big upgrade for Tavares' line and the Islanders' first power-play unit, but they also could benefit from utilizing Pulock with the man-advantage. Pulock had five power-play goals for Bridgeport last season, and two of this three points in six games for the Islanders during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs came on the power play. If given a full-time roster spot and used on the power play, Pulock could be a fantasy steal similar to Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski last season.

Projected lineup

Anders Lee -- John Tavares -- Jordan Eberle
Andrew Ladd -- Brock Nelson -- Joshua Ho-Sang
Jason Chimera -- Anthony Beauvillier -- Josh Bailey
Nikolay Kulemin -- Casey Cizikas -- Cal Clutterbuck
Nick Leddy -- Johnny Boychuk
Calvin de Haan -- Ryan Pulock
Thomas Hickey -- Adam Pelech
Thomas Greiss
Jaroslav Halak