Ondrej Palat’s Resurgence with the Islanders

It’s no secret that Ondrej Palat faced difficulties when he joined the Islanders on Long Island last season. At 35 years old, many might have expected this season to bring similar challenges for the player who had seemed to slow down during his time with the New Jersey Devils.

However, the Islanders’ recent win over the Maple Leafs was, well, quite telling. This was an impressive showcase of his capabilities, suggesting that expectations may need to be reconsidered.

In the 4-1 victory, Palat arguably delivered one of his best performances yet as an Islander, even if he didn’t end up on the scoresheet. Throughout the game, the team maintained offensive pressure whenever he was on the ice. During his time, he demonstrated strong play in both breaking out the puck and defending, with the Islanders out-attempting the Leafs by a staggering 19-1 during his 13:01 of ice time, according to Natural Stat Trick.

“He’s been great all year,” noted coach Pete DeBoer. “I think he’s returned with something to prove. From the get-go in training camp, he has shown commitment and a desire for more. I might need to find a way to give him even more time on the ice because he’s been that good.”

More ice time might soon be necessary. Typically stationed on the Islanders’ fourth line for six of their first eight games, Palat is likely to move up if Calum Ritchie or Matias Maccelli end up sidelined due to injuries sustained recently.

While he might not be the solution to the Islanders’ scoring woes, his defensive skills and forechecking ability definitely add value to the team’s performance.

“We always believed he still had game left in him,” Kyle Palmieri remarked. “He came into camp with a clear mindset, ready to give it his all. It’s truly great to see.”

Palmieri, who was recovering from an injury when Palat joined the team last season, noticed at the start of this camp that Palat seemed to be in “great shape.” Palat attributes this to some adjustments in his offseason training, although he’s somewhat private about the specifics.

“I know the kind of impact he can have on the ice. I watched him closely during his time in Tampa and New Jersey,” Palmieri added. “He’s a player you always notice when he’s playing. The positive impact he’s having this year is something I hope continues for our team.”