30 teams in 30 days: New York Islanders
Finished: 15th eastern conference
Leading scorers: Mark Streit 56, Kyle Okposo 39, Doug Weight 38, Frans Neilsen 33
Who did they add?: Dwayne Roloson, Martin Biron
Who did they lose?: Yann Danis
Overview: John Tavares. I never knew that there could be two words that could save a franchise, but here they are. The Islanders, a team who has been consistently dreadful is years past look to finally be back on the right track. It all starts with drafting John Tavares. This gives them a prolific scorer, who is quite capable of putting up at least double the 30 points that their leading forward, Kyle Okposo, put up last year. Okposo should be playing alongside Tavares, along with Josh Bailey. Sean Bergenheim, Jeff Tambellini and Frans Neilsen are also capable of putting up points as the second line. The Islanders have an Ok shutdown crew, led by Doug Weight. The Long Island defense has some potential, but they are pretty old an immobile. The blue line leader is Mark Streit, who was the catalyst of the offense and the defense last season, finishing with 56 points, a team high, and +5, which was second on the Islanders to only Dean McAmmond (who played more than half the season in Ottawa). Behind him is Brendan Witt, Andy Sutton, Jack Hillen, Freddy Meyer and Bruno Gervais. This group has the ability to be solid, but have not yet shown this, but they will need to be if the Islanders are to have any success. If the defense should falter, there is always the Islanders three-headed goaltending monster: Dipironoson. Or, Rick Dipietro, Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson. All are established starters in the NHL and if they can stay healthy, should be brick walls in between the pipes. The Islanders are on the right track, and i’m going to base my prediction on the Pittsburgh Penguins first season with Sidney Crosby. They were terrible, then got Malkin, then got good. The Islanders won’t be as bad this year, but they will still miss the playoffs. Wait a few years, and they will be elite.
Winners or losers?: Winners, but for one thing - another offensive threat. John Tavares might not be enough, for now.
