As I continue my run-through of all 30 NHL teams, division by division, I come to the team I think will have many struggles throughout the course of the 2008-09 season: the New York Islanders. The Islanders barely made it into the playoffs in 2006-07 and made a small run for the postseason again until last year. The Isles then collapsed during the final quarter of games last season. Islanders then-coach Ted Nolan led the Islanders to the 3rd worst record in the Eastern Conference.
General Manager Garth Snow saw the final record and made big move to shake up the franchise in Long Island after their season ended in April. He dismissed coach Ted Nolan and replaced him with Scot Gordon, who won the AHL Coach Of The Year Award. Many people think that Gordon is a great person to guide a group of younger players, much like the Islanders. Nolan continued to give key ice time to veterans late last season.
Things for the Islanders took a sharp turn when goaltender Rick DiPietro strained his hip at the All-Star Game, and then re-injured it again in mid-March, resulting in cutting his season short and a requirement for surgery. DiPietro, before that, missed more time to be with his family when his grandmother passed away.
The team also lost four key defensemen to injuries for long stretches, as well as defensive-minded center Mike Sillinger.
Even though highly regarded forward Kyle Okposo will gain experience with his teammates as they go forward into the upcoming season, the Islanders might be hard-pressed to compete to compete for a playoff spot this season.
GOALIES:
Rick DiPietro is one of the top netminders in the League, only when healthy. Rick DiPietro is no stranger to injuries. Since March 2007, he’s had surgery on both hips, and his left knee. He’s also missed time with a concussion. Before the All-Star break, he was 19-71-6 with a 2.59 GAA and two shutouts, earning him his first All-Star bid.
After he strained his hip during the skills contest, DiPietro was certainly never the same, he had season-ending surgery March 19.
Islanders fans hope that DiPietro’s workload would reduce to keep him healthy. Last season, DiPietro played 63 of 73 games, including 33 of the first 35 before missing three with a knee injury, and 26 of 28 when he came back.
Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis will compete for the backup spot this year behind DiPietro. MacDonald won 16 games for Bridgeport , the Islanders’ American Hockey League club. Danis was a free agent signed away from the Montreal Canadiens. As of right now, It’s looking like MacDonald will get the backup spot because of his one-way contract.
DEFENSE:
Injuries killed the Islanders last year on defense. Radek Martinek was the only Islanders defenseman to play in at least 65 games.
Garth Snow formed a strong physical group, but he had trouble forming a skill player on the defensive side. Snow partially took care of this problem by signing former Montreal Canadien Mark Streit to add some jump and lead the way against power plays. Streit didn’t arrive in the NHL until his late 20’s, but his numbers improved in three seasons he spent with the Canadiens, capping off career-bests of 13 goals and 62 points, third among the league’s defensemen.
After missing the final 35 games of the season
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3 months ago
Nice article. NYI should grab Krog off waivers, sign Glen Murray and Kyle McLaren. Easy.
from 3 months ago
Jason Krog and his 5 career goals, the answer to their prayers...
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