Now, that's out of the way, expect another piece in the coming days on the Hockey Blog in Canada. Back to the regularly scheduled 2010-2011 NHL season preview.
2009-2010 record: 34-37-11 (79 points)
Did not qualify for the playoffs
Captain: Doug Weight
Alternate captains: Mark Streit, Kyle Okposo
3 players to watch: The future of the Islanders is squarely on the shoulders of the young players, and no one carries that burden more than John Tavares. He was off to a fast start last year, but only managed two goals in a 34 game stretch. He still led the team in points, and will be counted on to improve the numbers, as well as be the face of the franchise. Coming out of nowhere to lead the team in goals was fellow rookie Matt Moulson. 30 goals from a far less heralded rookie, he will be asked to replicate those numbers. Being on the same line as Tavares and Kyle Okposo will help. The blue line needed another guy to occupy minutes, and this offseason, they acquired one in James Wisniewski. Health has been a main issue, as well as overagressiveness (he was suspended for a few games last season), but when things are right, he can be a 20 minute a night defenseman and even provide 30 points a season like he did last year.
Things to look for: The Islanders are still a young team with a lot of potential, and that doesn't figure to change soon. Already with Okposo, Tavares, Moulson, and Josh Bailey on the Islanders squad, they will take long looks at defensemen this season in Calvin DeHaan and Travis Hamonic. Building from within with veteran leadership is the team's theme here, as also in the mix is Doug Weight (locker room presence), Wisniewski (minutes eating D-man), and Trent Hunter (Charlie Hustle). Toughness shouldn't be an issue here, as they have Trevor Gillies and penalty minutes leader Zenon Konopka on board. Like any young team, depth is an issue, but it isn't detrimental. The biggest question mark is in goal, specifically, Rick DiPietro. If he can play 40 games this season, then consider it a miracle. If he isn't healthy, then the Islanders will have to go back to Dwayne Rolosson. After that, it's pretty much a crap shoot, as the talent behind them is largely unproven.
Prediction: 14th in the East
Song: After Forever-Monolith of Doubt
From the team's ability to be competitive again to the situation surrounding the team's ability to get a new (or at least renovated) arena, there is much doubt surrounding the Islanders. Last season, they almost went through it and proved people wrong. Can they do it again?
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