The New York Islanders' 2014-15 season ended sooner than many would have wanted it to, and in many ways, it can be a teachable moment for a very young group. What the Islanders achieved in 2014-15 will not be forgotten, but once again, the team showed that it isn't ready to be a contender.
The warning signs became evident as the team slumped dramatically after the All-Star break, and an 11-shot performance in Game 7 against the Washington Capitals was the final nail in the coffin.
Next season will be the Islanders' first at the Barclays Center, and the franchise will have the opportunity to start building a new legacy separate from Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith and Al Arbour.