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The organization did bring in key veterans in Zach Parise and Zdeno Chara this offseason, and kept most of the core intact that has appeared in back-to-back conference/Stanley Cup semifinals, but Lee is seen as biggest acquisition — funny to use that term — for them going into 2021-22.

There’s another part of Chara’s repertoire that the Islanders could benefit from: his ability to play special teams.

The NHL announced its National TV schedule yesterday and the Isles are scheduled to have 12, yes TWELVE, appearances for the country to see during the 2021-22 season.Â
The Islanders’ star center has garnered respect from pundits and fans alike, and on Sunday during NHL Network’s NHL Top Players countdown, it was revealed where he slots in among the elite for the 2021-22 season.
During that time, the team struggled to keep up their winning ways they had established just prior to the veteran forward’s arrival with back-to-back postseason appearances in 2014-15 and 2015-16. But there was something still there, which Ladd pointed out during his appearance on the Dropping The Gloves Podcast yesterday with John Scott. It was that the club had the right personnel in place to have the success they’ve earned the last three years.

It’s no secret the Isles’ offense has been questioned for the lack thereof despite how much team success they’ve had over the past three years.

In each the three years prior, his time in the sin bin has gone up. History tells us that’s not something you want from your best player, let alone the forward who is the driver on offense. So, this trend needs to change.Â

That first statement from the Cizikas though, “die an Islander”, was what really stuck out the most from all the days’ festivities.