The islanders signed Anthony Duclair last summer as a missing piece of their top line, assuming his speed will complete a dynamic trio with Matt Barzal and Bo Horvatto.
To say it's upside down would make things too modest.
On Monday, Duclair, who missed out earlier this year with a left knee injury after Balzal had already been out for a long time after surgery last month, was a healthy scratch against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, blowing the islanders 4-0.
That happened on the third-term bench in Saturday's victory over predators, and later coach Patrick Roy, who had Duclair in junior hockey and was committed to signing with the islanders, said he had hoped more from him.
The islanders are patient with Duclair after returning from their injuries and understand that he pushed him back, not 100%.
But their patience appears to be running out.
“I think it's a mix of both [injury and other factors]Roy said when asked if Duclair's recent struggle could be traced back to his injury. “The fact that he missed a lot of games, conditioning, I think it's good that he practices and skates. We need him down the road, everyone needs.
“I think I told you guys, we weren't 100% satisfied with him. Now he needs to practice hard and get ready when he plays.”
It's not clear whether this is a one-game scratch to try to shake up Duclair or if it's trying to extend it longer.
However, the islanders who went with 11 forwards and seven defenders against the Rangers also scratched Pierre Enval, and Scott Mayfield returned to the lineup, but now there is no shortage of options in the lineup.
Combined with the blue line (almost) healthy thanks to the defensive shopping that caused the injury in late January, 11 and 7 are viable options for the island.
And as long as Engvall, who had a decent stint in the fourth line before this scratch, stays on the right side of Roy, the forward group also has options.
Mayfield, Max Tseplakov, and the current Duclair (all players whose names are pended in the opening night lineup) have recently been in the press box.
The shape of the roster could change between the current and the Friday trade deadline, but anyone could sit up until then.
Roy declined to say whether the islanders are planning to start Ilya Sorokin on their second consecutive night with Winnipeg on Tuesday.
