5 Bold Predictions for the New York Islanders in 2014-15
![New York Islanders 2014-15 Season](/nhl/files/2014/10/1-New-York-Islanders-2014-15-Season.jpg)
An exciting offseason has spawned plenty of optimism around the New York Islanders this season. Here are five bold predictions for the team in 2014-15.
5. Kyle Okposo Gets All-Star Recognition
![Kyle Okposo](/nhl/files/2014/10/2-Kyle-Okposo-copy.jpg)
5. Kyle Okposo Gets All-Star Recognition
![Kyle Okposo](/nhl/files/2014/10/2-Kyle-Okposo.jpg)
Kyle Okposo hasn't gotten the attention he deserves for several seasons running and is often unfairly overshadowed by John Tavares. 2014-15 will be the year Okposo finally leaps into the public eye as a participant in the NHL All-Star Game.
4. Jaroslav Halak Stays Healthy, Wins 35+ Games
![Jaroslav Halak](/nhl/files/2014/10/3-Jaroslav-Halak-copy.jpg)
4. Jaroslav Halak Stays Healthy, Wins 35+ Games
![Jaroslav Halak](/nhl/files/2014/10/3-Jaroslav-Halak.jpg)
Jaroslav Halak has had trouble staying healthy for most of his career. He's the only truly capable NHL goaltender that the Islanders have, so he's certain to have a heavy workload. This is the year he staves off the injury bug. Crooked numbers will follow.
3. Nick Leddy Breaks Out
![Nick Leddy](/nhl/files/2014/10/4-Nick-Leddy-copy.jpg)
3. Nick Leddy Breaks Out
![Nick Leddy](/nhl/files/2014/10/4-Nick-Leddy.jpg)
Nick Leddy played some of the league's most sheltered minutes as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. He'll have more ice time and more opportunities with the Islanders; 45-50 points is foreseeable for the smooth-skating defenseman.
2. John Tavares Reaches the 100-Point Plateau
![John Tavares](/nhl/files/2014/10/5-John-Tavares-copy.jpg)
2. John Tavares Reaches the 100-Point Plateau
![John Tavares](/nhl/files/2014/10/5-John-Tavares.jpg)
As the league has seen a return to the scoring numbers of the dead puck era, 100 points is essentially unattainable for all but the league's most dominant stars. Tavares will join their ranks this season.
1. Islanders Finish Second in Metropolitan Divison
![New York Islanders](/nhl/files/2014/10/6-New-York-Islanders-Playoffs-copy.jpg)
1. Islanders Finish Second in Metropolitan Divison
![New York Islanders](/nhl/files/2014/10/6-New-York-Islanders-Playoffs.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the only team in the Metropolitan Division demonstrably superior to New York. A second-place finish and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs could very well be in the cards for the Islanders.
Sean Sarcu is a Chicago Blackhawks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google.
![Share On Facebook](/nhl/wp-content/themes/rant-2017/library/images/facebook-white.png)
![StumbleUpon](/nhl/wp-content/themes/rant-2017/library/images/stumble-badge.png)