NHL Season Preview: New York Islanders

New York Islanders




Last Seasons standings: record- 36-40-6 for 78 points. The I slanders finished in the Atlantic Division, 10th in the Eastern Conference last season, well out of the playoffs.

In: Garth Snow (new GM); Mike Sillinger F (prev team: Nashville Predators); Brendan Witt D (prev team: Nashville Predators); Andy Hilbert F (prev team: Pittsburgh Penguins); Joel Bouchard D; Tom Poti (prev team: NY Rangers); Chris Simon D (prev team: Calgary Flames); Wade Dubielewicz G; Rick Berry D (prev team: Nashville Predators); Aaron Asham F; Mike York F; Sean Hill D (prev team: Florida Panthers); Ted Nolan HC; Viktor Kozlov F (prev. team NJ Devils); Rick Dipietro G

Out: Neil Smith GM; Eric Godard F (new team: Calgary Flames); Wyatt Smith F (new team: Minnesota Wild)

Season Outlook: Poor. The NY Islanders head into the season led by a coach who hasn't coached an NHL game in 8 years and a rookie GM who hasn't had a day of experience in the position. In fact, Snow was a back-up goalie for the Islanders last year. On the ice, their defensive coore consistent of three journeymen d-men who are very inconsistent and three d-men who are very much trying to find their way around the league still. In goal, Rick Depietro must be prepared to stand on hid head if this team expects to go anywhere this year. Up front, they have highly overpaid baby Alexei Yashin, exciting sophomore Jeff Tambellini, 2 very reliable centres in Sillinger and York, and 3 decent wingers in Miroslav Satan, Shawn Bates and Jason Blake. The Isles are going to be hard pressed to defend and score.

Season Prediction: The Islanders will once again finish on the outside looking in, likely in the basement of their division and the Eastern Conference.

Note from yesterday's preview: I forgot to mention that Tom Poti has also left town to go from Broadway to Long Island