By Michael McEnaney
So, what exactly do we have here? With the 2009-2010 season starting Oct. 3, what can we cay about the Islanders?
While the pre-season record means little, the club’s time in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has provided at least a peek at what we can expect this season. Though the team had to travel approximately 1,700 miles southeast to land back on Long Island, there is truly only one direction this club can head after last season’s 26-win campaign – and that would be north.
Among several intriguing story lines that developed over the last few weeks the one that’s a bit troubling is the fact the injury bug, that cost this club dearly last season (over 500 man games), is flying around again as five key forwards have been out most the preseason with an assortment of bumps and bruises – newly-named team captain Doug Weight (groin strain), Trent Hunter (ankle), Sean Bergenheim (groin strain), Fran Nielsen (knee) and Kyle Okposo (mild concussion).
Thankfully only Nielsen’s injury appears to be serious as an arthroscopic procedure will shelve the young center til around Halloween. The organization has it’s fingers crossed that all this isn’t a harbinger of things to come.
The good news is coach Scott Gordon appears to have a bit more depth this season in the event injuries do become an issue but this is definitely a club that can ill afford to lose any key pieces as the season rolls along
Biscuit in the Basket
One of the lowest scoring teams in the league last year, the Isles should have a bit more pop up front this season…though no one will be reminded of the ’84 Oilers.
While it’s unrealistic to expect a big year from first round pick John Tavares, the 19-year old does look solid with the puck and showed some flashes during the preseason. Though not a speed demon, the kid has a deceptive power burst while carrying the puck that is catching defensemen flat-footed. The dazzling, between the legs move around a Devil defensemen on a fake drop pass in a 4-2 loss this week is the kind of thing that will allow Islander fans the chance to dream about better days, but expect Tavares to be brought along slowly.
Gordon was put in a tough position during camp as with so few veterans up front the second-year head coach had little room to add additional youngsters. As a result, you can expect essentially the same cast of forwards from last year’s team. Rapid development from a few will determine if the team sinks or swims offensively.
The pressure to produce will definitely be on several of the forwards early – particularly veteran Trent Hunter. After a 25-goal rookie year back in 2003-04, Hunter’s production has fallen off dramatically with 26 total goals the last two seasons combined. A breakout year from him is a must.
Another forward the team is getting impatient with is Sean Bergenheim as the young Fin is entering his fifth NHL season. Besting his career high of 15 goals from last season is essential but staying healthy has been a struggle for the 25-year old. The club has been drooling over his speed for years but the finishing touch they assumed came with it hasn’t been in evidence to date.
Speaking of staying healthy, the Isles need at least 65 games out of veteran center Doug Weight, particularly to help with Tavares’ transition to the big time. Weight showed early last season there’s still some spring in his step and he’ll be counted on heavily again this year.
Other forwards who looked good in camp included Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau. The pair played on a line together and both looked like they’ve added some bulk and were much stronger on the puck. Bailey in particular looked far more confident and looked like he wanted the puck more. It appears Gordon has finally gotten through to Comeau as the solidly built winger has added a more physical element to his game – something that should keep him the line-up more frequently.
Once Kyle Okposo is cleared to play again, the team can expect him to build on his impressive rookie year giving the club a legit offensive threat from the right side. Okposo’s willingness to play in traffic is a quality more forwards on the roster need to adopt.
Veterans Richard Park and Jon Sim will both provide additional leadership as well as their usual aggressive forecheck. As long as neither one is asked to become a first or second line sniper, both should settle into valuable roles as penalty killers and solid two-way contributors.
The waiting continues on 2003 first rounder Jeff Tambellini as the 25-year old still looks smaller than his listed 5-11, 186 pounds and continues to search for the scoring touch he seems to forget to bring with him from the minors whenever he’s called up.
The sizeable Tim Jackman and Joel Rechlicz should both make the team as fourth-liners with their size and the ability to mix it up from time to time. Snarl is something this club is sorely lacking up front.
Lots of questions marks but certainly a more encouraging and exciting group of forwards than what the team broke camp with a year ago. Still, don’t expect the goals to flow and they need to get more physical before any real progress is evident.
The Defense Rests
Other than 2005 second round pick Dustin Kohn, none of the other prospects on defense really stood out in camp. Kohn’s solid play and crisp passing would appear to have opened a door for the kid and he was certainly given a long look by the coaching staff playing in most of the preseason games. This year’s other first rounder, Calvin de Haan, certainly didn’t embarrass himself either but another year in juniors is likely for the 18-year old who needs to pack on few pounds to his 6 foot, 170 pound frame.
One area Gordon has to be concerned with is this clubs’ inability to clear away rebounds from in front of the net – a problem that plagued the team last season. It has been rearing it’s ugly head again throughout the preseason. For a D that isn’t overly physical, the need for a legit crease-clearing blueliner remains a priority.
The Isles need a healthy season from Radek Martinek as his puck moving ability would be a big help for an offense that will undoubtedly struggle at times. The revelation that was Mark Streit last season should only get better as the 31-year old seems to have taken his game to new heights. Brendan Witt will be asked to log a ton of minutes and fingers are crossed his battle scared body will hold up.
After this there’s some concerns. Bruno Gervais had his moments last season but the jury is still out on how solid he can be night in and night out. Veterans Freddy Myer and Andy Sutton are both prone to frustrating lapses and will be pressed for playing time from Jack Hillen. The organization seems very high on Hillen, who played his college hockey at Colorado College, but hasn’t exactly distinguished himself in the 40+ NHL games he’s played thus far. The guess here is he’ll get a much closer look this season.
In Goal
Thinking back to last season, it’s hard to believe the Islanders were able to squeeze out a 26-win season with Joey MacDonald and Yan Danis in nets. The fact Garth Snow was able to sign both Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron was his shining moment as a GM as you could now argue that the goaltending situation on Long Island is as solid as it’s been since the Cup years.
The continued mystery surrounding the future of Rick DiPietro hasn’t cleared much – other than to say it appears likely he’ll play again this season…at some point. How effective he’ll be after multiple surgeries and a long stretch of inactivity is an even bigger mystery.
The drafting of European goalies with the two picks after Tavares and de Haan in this year’s draft certainly indicates the organization has their doubts as well.
Despite that dark cloud, Roloson and Biron should combine for a formidable tandem that should keep the Isles in most games and both can also steal a few points here and there.
Season Outlook
Improvement over last season’s dismal showing appears a lock – just how much might be difficult to measure. Gordon’s fast-paced, aggressive forecheck system – that resembled a Chinese fire drill at times last season – should look a bit more polished this year.
Management is building the team the right way but you can’t always rely on draft picks alone. The addition of a veteran winger who can score or center who can dish would help their fortunes immensely. Whether Snow can pull that off remains to be seen.
A 30+ win season is certainly attainable – asking for much more would be a stretch. Like the Chicago Blackhawks, who built a Cup contender patiently through solid drafting, clever trades and a free agent signing or two, the Isles are taking the same path. The first part of that equation is going as planned but Snow will need to sharpen his skills in the other two areas before this franchise entertains any thoughts of competing for a Cup.
Ice Chips:
- The Isles won’t get their first shot at Dion Phaneuf and the Calgary Flames til March 25th at the Coliseum. By then the Okposo incident will be a distant memory. While Snow and Gordon were insistent that Phaneuf left his feet to make the hit, looking at the replay, he didn’t’ – but you could make a better case for the fact he led with his elbow to side of Okposo’s head.
- Rangers visit the Coliseum on October 28th with Smithtown’s Chris Higgins and North Bellmore’s Matt Gilroy…ugh.
- If Gordon and Snow have the Islanders as well prepared for the home opener on October 3rd as Charles Wang and Scott Rechler were for this past Tuesday’s zoning hearing on Wang’s Lighthouse Project, the Penguins should win by two touchdowns.
How strange are Islanders fans? The team gets a crowd of over 10,000 to watch John Tavares get drafted on a video screen at the Coliseum back in June but only 4,000 show up to actually watch him play for the first time this week. Huh?
