PHILADELPHIA — Mike Riley had to relearn everything on the fly not once, but twice last season.
After spending training camp and the first few months of the season with the Panthers, Riley was picked up by the Islanders on waivers and had to be cleared in Lane Lambert's system.
Two months later, when Lambert was fired, Riley, like everyone else, had to join Patrick Roy's program in the midst of a playoff chase.
Although he earned a spot in the lineup this year and re-signed with the Islanders, the biggest thing Riley had to worry about was missing several practices due to illness.
Not so bad by comparison.
“I'm glad I got to come out for a little bit and get to know the guys,” Riley said Thursday before making his preseason debut in the Islanders' 2-0 exhibition loss to the Flyers. “The coaching has changed and a new system was introduced last year, but it's something you learn on the fly, so it's more secure.” [this year]the same way. It's nice to come back when I was there for a few months last year and be able to settle down and build chemistry again. ”
Considering the circumstances in which he arrived, it's safe to say Riley was one of the Islanders' most impactful players last season.
When the Islanders acquired him from waivers, they were missing two of their six defensemen and the third, Scott Mayfield, was playing with an injury.
Riley helped stabilize the back end and had one of the best seasons of his career, scoring 24 points and playing serviceable defense on the third pair.
As a result, he signed a one-year return deal with the Islanders, with Riley and a healthy Mayfield planning to start the season as a third pair.
In fact, a big part of the reason Mayfield was in the lineup for his third appearance in Thursday's preseason game was to get the two of them together for a few minutes.
“It was very good,” Mayfield said Wednesday. “He's a great player, he reminds me of other players.” [I] I was playing with We complement each other well. ”
Mayfield's defense-first play should, in theory, work well with Riley, who likes to jump into the rush.
The two played together 16 times last season, while Mayfield was dealing with a broken ankle that ultimately required surgery. No problem this time, both are healthy.
“Obviously, we're a little different players,” Riley said. “I think we can combine that well with his ability to move the puck and get it up the ice and obviously he’s known for his long stick and he has a lot of range. Obviously he’s big and strong so that’s a good thing for us. I think we can build some chemistry.”
Unless the Islanders deal with a plethora of injuries like the ones that set back their blue line last season, having Riley and Mayfield as a third pairing will be a powerful addition to the back end that shows just how deep they are. It's an indicator.
Mayfield logged minutes and head-to-head performance as a top-pairer two seasons ago, but head coach Patrick Roy has talked multiple times about how strong Riley played in the first-round loss to the Hurricanes. are.
“He moved the puck well. He was able to get himself out of trouble and that's what I expect from him and that's what he's done,” Roy said. said Thursday. “And I watched his defensive play and thought that was something. The breakout, the way he skates, the speed he brings, that's something we can do, especially when trying to retrieve the puck. I think that’s what we need from him.”
