NHL Predictions: New York Islanders Award Winners 2011-12

The New York Islanders have showed that they can build a good team. they have young talented players that have been developing well. Along with some veteran players, this team has the right mix to compete in the upcoming years.

It's hard to tell each season what you will get from this team. Players like Matt Moulson and Michael Grabner went from possible minor league players to each scoring 30 goals in a season. John Tavares, the first pick from 2009, has been showing improvement and could be on the verge of breaking out.

Many players have the talent to lead this team in something. So with that said, let's take a look at who will get the 2011-12 team awards for the Islanders.

Top Scorer: John Tavares

I think this award is an easy one to give out. John Tavares should be the leading scorer on this team. He led last year with a total of 67 points. He will only improve and could be close to around 80 points if the whole team continues to improve around him.

Tavares has yet to crack the 30 goal mark but looks to be a future 30 goal scorer. Next year we should see what Tavares will be in the future.

Top Defenseman: Mark Streit

The Islanders seemed lost at times last year and a big reason for that was the early exit of Mark Streit. Striet was injured before the season started and the Islanders blue line suffered from it. Streit is great on the power play but also plays well in the defensive end.

Streit has a great shot and can score goals from the blue line, something the Islanders didn't do last year.

Underrated Player: Frans Nielsen

Frans Nielsen is one of the most underrated players in hockey. He does everything well. Play defense, plays well offensively, plays well in the shootout. Nielsen can do it all.

Nielsen was sixth on the Islanders in scoring with 13 goals and finishing with 44 points. Also Nielsen had a +13 rating on a team where their plus/minus was -22 for the entire season. Frans Nielsen also lead the entire NHL with seven  shorthanded goals, one ahead of teammate Michael Grabner. Nielsen really is a very underrated player and will continue to be in the 2011-12 season.

Biggest Surprise: Rick DiPietro

I know a lot of fans of the Islanders are tired of DiPietro, but if the team wants to get into the playoffs, it might bank on DiPietro playing a full season.

Rick DiPietro has been injured for about three years now. Knee and hip injuries have made him start in limited games over the years.

But when DiPietro is healthy, he can be very effective. DiPietro has the most NHL experience.

out of all the current Islander goalies. Starting a rookie goalie could send the Islanders back another year from the players. I think DiPietro will surprise a lot of people this year. I think his injuries are behind him and getting a goalie back that is ready to prove everybody that they were about him would be great.

This is a risky pick but I think it is the best one. DiPietro will see playing time this year and will be given the chance. All he needs to do is prove he can stay healthy.

Comeback Player: Josh Bailey

It was really a lost season for Bailey last year. He was sent down during the season to try and find his game. He came back up and showed he could play at a better level. The islanders rushed Bailey to the NHL too early and his development has been slow.

Bailey still has the potential to be a very good player for the Islanders. He still has skill and still has time to improve his game. No one can give up hope on his because he is still young. next year could be his breakout season and if it is, it would be a major comeback for him. Look for Bailey to be one of the more hard working players on the team next season.

Unsung Hero: Blake Comeau

Islander fans know about Blake Comeau. But he is overshadowed by guys like Tavares, Moulson, Grabner and Okposo. He sometimes doesn't get enough credit.

Comeau plays the game right He plays with a type of toughness that is nice to see. Comeau rarely gets caught in bad spots. He plays well both on the offensive and defensive sides of the puck which is nice to see.

Comeau last year finished fifth in scoring on the islanders.He had a career high with 24 goals and 46 points. He is capable of producing more which a lot of people don't realize. He should still put up good numbers like he did last on a consistent basis. He scored a lot of big goals last year for the Islanders that have gone unnoticed.

The big year last year by Michael Grabner, the improvement of John Tavares and the big year from Matt Moulson overshadowed Comeau. But there is no doubt that Blake Comeau is a very important past of this team.

Breakout Player: Kyle Okposo

Kyle Okposo was injured last season and only played a few games. His best season was in 2009-10 he scored 19 goals and had 52 points.

I really think Okposo is a future 25 goal scorer. He has the tools to be a great all around player. He showed that he can play physical, play well in the defensive end of the game and in the offensive end of the game.

I think this is the year where we will get a good idea of what these young players will become and I think Okposo will be the real deal. He should break out for his first 20 season and should easily crack the 60 point mark.

Plus/Minus Leader: Michael Grabner

Michael Grabner was tied in plus/minus rating with Frans Nielsen last year with a plus-13 rating. The Rookie of the Year candidate had a huge year for the Islanders.

Grabner makes everyone around him better. When he's on the ice, his speed allows him to get behind the defense and make things happen around the net. He does all the little things well to put the puck in the net.

The Islanders last year were a combined minus-22. So as you can see, being a plus-13 on this team is huge. With everyone else improving their game, Grabner could see his plus/minus go even higher then last year.