It was a rainy day on Long Island last Saturday. Fans poured into the old Coliseum hoping for a big victory to force a game 7. There was a few high moments during the game with the Isles taking a few leads only to lose in overtime on a Brooks Orpik goal. Even tho the home team lost you wouldn't be able to tell that by the cheers for the Islanders during the traditional post game handshake. I was very upset about the defeat but I could see a much bigger picture, the Islanders were back, for the first time in a very long time they were competitive. People at the work place that pay no attention to hockey at all were asking about the Islanders, kids in schools were walking the halls with Islander jerseys something you don't see on Long Island. Something was happening that was getting people excited and that was the rebirth of a franchise that has had many, many, and many dark times the past 20 years.
There is a great core of players that the fans can look forward to see grow together. There are few holes to fill during the off-season. One concern is the goalie position as we saw Nabakov struggle at times in the postseason. With Kevin Poulin and Anders Nilsson I do not see them trading for a goalie and I cringe when I hear Roberto Luongo brought up, there is no way Garth Snow would move some prospects to take a chance on a goalie who has series struggles in the playoffs. I would like to see Nabakov resign and I think he will. He took the team far this season by giving them a chance to win every night, there is nothing else you can ask from your goalie. I do expect Rick Dipietro's Islander career over as he will be amnestied, I don't think anyone has missed him the past two months.
I like the situation when it comes to the Islander's defense. Andy Macdonald proved that he can play big minutes, Lubomir Visnovsky was a plus 12 during the 35 games he played during the season and restriced free-agent Travis Hamonic brings a strong physical presence and no doubt in my mind he will be back next year. Thomas Hickey and Brian Strait would make a good number 5 and 6 dman, with Matt Carkner also under contract for next year. I really don't want Mark Streit back next year, he wants too much money and will be 36. I would say if the price is right but I don't see that happening and might be better off trading for a dman or signing a younger guy for cheaper like Ian White or Ryan Whitney. You also have to remember the Islanders have younger prospects that maybe ready next year such as Griffin Reinhart, Calvin de Haan and even Matt Donovan.
The offense on the other hand really doesn't need much but teams are always looking to get better. The Islanders offense went toe to toe with a stack Pittsburgh Penguins team and need to continue the same thing next season. Hart Trophy finalist John Tavares has done a great job leading the team and he will be the next Captain of this team. Matt Moulson proved his career is no fluke as he continued to not only score goals again but get 29 assist in 47 games. Michael Grabner still has great speed and had a great rebound season after struggling the year before. We all saw Kyle Okposo play to his potential in the playoffs, if he plays like that during an 82 game season he can be dangerous and score over 30 goals easy. Matt Martin will continue to check everyone on the opposite team even if it means going onto the opponents bench and I also can't forget guys like Colin Mcdonald, David Ullstrom and Casey Cizikas who will still be around next year. The only guys unsigned are Josh Bailey who should return, Brad Boyes who may come back if the price is right but he can be replaced considering whoever replaces him will get to play with Tavares. Aucoin, Boulton and Joensuu are all up in the air and Marty Reasoner won't be back even if he wants to play for free, the Islander's couldn't trade him for a bag of pucks.
It is going to be an interesting offseason considering the run the team made this year and the time coming for the move to the Barclay Center I expect some names to consider playing for the Islanders. The team is a few pieces away from being a serious contender even though I think they had a legitimate chance of knocking off the Penguins and advancing to the next round. Garth Snow might even want to test the trade market and deal for a big name like a Thomas Vanek or even a top 1 or 2 dman. It would be really nice to see the team actually sign guys that will play and not overpay some bum who would only score 1 goal in 2 seasons (Marty Reasoner).
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