NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Mark Streit, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Montreal Canadiens)
Doug Weight, C (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Anaheim Ducks)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Shawn Bates, C (Buyout)
Bryan Berard, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Rob Davison, D (Signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks)
Wade Dubielewicz, G (Signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League)
Ruslan Fedotenko, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
Aaron Johnson, D (Signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks)
Miroslav Satan, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
Josef Vasicek, C (Signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League)
2007-08 Season Finish: 5th Atlantic Division, 13th Eastern Conference, 79 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Did Not Make Playoffs
2008-09 Prediction: 5th Atlantic Division, 13th Eastern Conference
After barely making the playoffs in 2006 and missing them in 2007, the Islanders are in the midst of rebuilding their team with youth. The Islanders, who have struggled to ice a quality team over the past 15 years, will likely finish near the bottom of the league for the 2008-09 season. Even though the Islanders will probably not be a competitive team next season, they still have some decent players on their team. On offense, Mike Comrie is likely their strongest asset. He brings plenty of offensive depth and skill to a rebuilding Islanders team. Bill Guerin provides the Islanders with lots of leadership, veteran depth, and goal-scoring talent, while veteran Doug Weight brings lots of offensive depth and skill to the team's forward lines. Trent Hunter brings the Islanders plenty of goal-scoring experience, while veterans Mike Sillinger and Richard Park provide lots of veteran depth to the team. Sean Bergenheim, Andy Hilbert, and Jon Sim give the Islanders decent offensive depth with their toughness and two-way play. Last season's newcomers Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Blake Comeau could likely see roster spots on the Islanders' top forward lines with their offensive talent and potential, especially Okposo, who is projected to be a physical, scoring forward. The Islanders have plenty of young, offensive talent who will look to secure roster spots on the 4th line, or possibly better, at training camp, including Sean Bentivoglio, Jeremy Colliton, Ben Walter, and Jesse Joensuu. While the Islanders are in rebuild mode and are doing so through their prospects, the addition of a few scoring forwards would be very beneficial to the team, especially if they have any hopes of making the playoffs.
The Islanders' defense got a bit stronger over the summer with the acquisition of Mark Streit via free agency. Streit brings the Islanders' defense lots of offensive skill and depth. Brendan Witt and Andy Sutton provide the team's blueline with lots of toughness and gritty play. Radek Martinek, Freddy Meyer, Chris Campoli, and Bruno Gervais all bring the Islanders lots of defensive depth and experience, which should be vital to their penalty kill. Prospects Jack Hillen and Brett Skinner will look to challenge these four players for roster spots on the blueline at training camp. While Streit gives the Islanders much needed talent on defense, the addition of another offensive defenseman or two could really improve the team defensively and on the power play.
Rick DiPietro returns once again as the Islanders' starting goaltender for the 2008-09 season. A talented player with excellent skills, DiPietro is a solid goalie who will be a mainstay in the Islanders' net for years to come, especially with his current 15 year contract. The backup goaltender for the Islanders next season will likely be Yann Danis, signed as a free agent over the summer for depth. However, Joey MacDonald or Peter Mannino could win the backup role at training camp with solid goaltending skills.
STRENGTHS
- Plenty of good offensive prospects.
- Solid starting goaltender in Rick DiPietro.
WEAKNESSES
- Need more offensively skilled veteran forwards.
- Need more offense on defense.
- Lack an experienced backup goaltender.
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