While all the excitement and drama of the summer for the New York Islanders may be over, the roster drama is just beginning.

The forward group is extremely clogged, setting up an extremely intriguing training camp. Those same forwards also dominate the talking points thus far in the summer. That discussion leaves out the defensive battles that’ll take place in late September.

Put simply, there are seven roster spots, and eight guys eligible. We know exactly who four of the seven will be, but let’s break it down further.

Tier One: The Locks

Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Alexander Romanov, Tony DeAngelo

These are the top four for the Islanders on opening night. Adam Pelech will be paired with Ryan Pulock, while Alexander Romanov will be lined up with Tony DeAngelo.

These two pairs were used the most with each other last season, and there’s no reason to think that things will be changed off the jump. Romanov and DeAngelo, at their best, controlled possession and were able to generate offense. At worst, they found themselves getting caved in a bit, but it sure seemed like that was fatigue-based. Romanov played a ridiculous amount of minutes during injuries to Pelech and others, while DeAngelo came fresh from Russia.

Pelech had arguably the best second half of the season of any Islander. His on-ice impacts dramatically improved, and he found success with anyone he was partnered with throughout constant switches. As for Pulock, a mid-season upper-body injury derailed his season a bit, as he played through it down the stretch, which did limit his overall effectiveness.

All four of these players have played plenty of NHL hockey by now. It’s an experienced top four, and its effectiveness will almost entirely depend on health.

Tier Two: Matthew Schaefer

Matthew Schaefer

Schaefer deserves a tier all of his own. The 17-year-old defenseman unquestionably is NHL-ready. The biggest questions surround his physicality, as he needs to fill out a big, something he said is his biggest goal from development camp until training camp.

His skating would only be rivaled by Mathew Barzal. He would be able to run a power play unit, whether it’s the second unit or if he can supplant DeAngelo, an expert PP QB.

The only question remains if the Islanders want to bring him into the NHL immediately. Most likely, he will be. There’s no world where he doesn’t even get the nine-game trial. But if the Islanders don’t love what they see through nine games, they could send him back to Erie.

The smart money has him remaining with the Islanders for the entire season.

Tier Three: The Bubble

Scott Mayfield, Adam Boqvist, Isaiah George

Here’s where Patrick Roy and his coaching staff will have their hands full. Assuming the first five spots are taken up, it leaves the Islanders with one lineup spot and one extra roster spot to use.

Scott Mayfield seems set to return to the Islanders, and he makes a lot of sense to pair with a rookie Schaefer. Not only are Mayfield’s underlying numbers significantly better than most give him credit for, but he won’t allow any liberties to be taken with his partner. While an injury and some late-season healthy scratches cast doubt on his future, the reality is he always made sense to return, especially with his style fitting well with Schaefer’s.

Just remember that Mayfield’s best times with the Islanders came with elite skaters in Nick Leddy and Devon Toews, and all should make perfect sense.

Adam Boqvist arrived off waivers last February and fit like a glove into Roy’s system. The smooth-skating, offensively gifted Boqvist generated offense every time he touched the ice. Moreover, he even played a couple of games at forward.

While Boqvist has a lot more to give, he might be stuck starting as the seventh defenseman.

Isaiah George might be an unfortunate victim of circumstance. While he looked excellent at development camp, and the odds point to him being NHL-ready, it sure seems like George will be starting in Bridgeport. George, 21, also remains waiver exempt, unlike Boqvist. That alone might be the separator, along with the organization wanting him to play consistent games.

George will be the first defensive call-up if an injury strikes.

Projected Depth Chart & Opening-Night Pairs:

Alexander Romanov – Tony DeAngelo

Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock

Matthew Schaefer – Scott Mayfield

E- Adam Boqvist