New York Islanders Season Preview: Breaking Down the Roster and Predicting Lines

The upcoming NHL season for the New York Islanders seems to be an exciting one for the team. The team is built with a mix of young, talented players and skilled veterans. Certainly seems like a mix for a playoff team, doesn't it? The Isles have players like John Tavares, Michael Grabner, Kyle Okposo and Matt Moulson, whose jobs and positions are pretty much locked in. But there are some veterans and rookies trying to make the team.

As we look at the roster right now, you'll see a lot of inexperience. Many players aren't even four years into their career. You'll also see a rookie or two on the team. It should be interesting to see how things work out in the coming weeks.

Here's how I think the roster will look on opening night:

Forwards

• John Tavares
• Josh Bailey
• Blake Comeau
• Michael Grabner
• Frans Nielsen
• Kyle Okposo
• P.A. Parenteau
• Marty Reasoner
• Brian Rolston
• Matt Moulson
• Nino Niederreiter
• Michael Haley
• Trevor Gillies
• Matt Martin

Defensemen

• Mark Streit
• Travis Hamonic
• Andrew MacDonald
• Mike Mottau
• Mark Eaton
• Milan Jurcina

Goalies

• Rick DiPietro
• Al Montoya
• Evgeni Nabokov

As you can see, there's a lot of the same names from last season. The two additions the Islanders made this offseason are forwards Brian Rolston and Marty Reasoner. This gives the Islanders two veteran players with skill that will most likely take the place of Doug Weight. Another player who should start the season here is Nino Niederreiter. The Islanders' top prospect, who was taken fifth overall in 2010, has a lot of talent that is just waiting to be shown. He should fit in nicely with the rest of the team.

Guys like John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Matt Moulson are looking to lead the team into the playoffs. They will probably see the most playing time out of all the forwards. P.A. Parenteau and Michael Grabner both had career years in 2010 and will look to continue their success.

Two players who I think need to step up this season are Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau. These two are being pushed the most by the upcoming talent in the Isles' prospect pool. If they want to be part of the future of this team, they better start producing solid numbers.

An interesting battle will be between Michael Haley, Matt Martin and Trevor Gillies. All three want to have the "enforcer" tag next to their name and get playing time. The winner of this battle will probably be limited to fourth line minutes, but it will be interesting to see who will make the opening night lineup.

All in all, I expect this offense to be one of the better ones in the league. Look for major improvements throughout the season for almost everyone.

On the defensive side, I think we will see the same guys from last season. But one big addition is the return of Mark Streit, who had his season end early and missed the entire 2010-11 year. Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald are the two young guys here. They look to improve on their game and try to get experience. Mike Mottau, Milan Jurcina and Mark Eaton were all brought in last season to try to help out the struggling defense. The biggest thing for these three is health. All three were hurt at one time last season, and the last thing the Islanders want is the same this season, putting pressure on the young guys in the minors.

In all, I think the defense needs to step up big time. With the question mark at the goalie position, it will be very important for this unit to perform well. Health and continued development will be the keys for success for the defense this season.

Then there's the question mark in goal. Who will play there for the Isles? No one seems to know that answer.

Let's start with Rick DiPietro. The often-injured goalie looks to rebound from years of injuries to return to the goalie he once was. His biggest thing is health. When he's healthy and on his game, he's tough to beat. He'll need to work extra hard to have an impact on the team.

Al Montoya played very well for the team last season. He was one of the main reasons why the Islanders went on a great run in the second half of the season.  The thing he needs to do is be ready. He can't just think the starting job is his because of DiPietro's injuries. He needs to show that he can have yet another good year.

Finally we come to Evgeni Nabokov. His addition to the team gives the Isles a decent goalie with a good history in the NHL. He'll push both Montoya and DiPietro this year. The main thing with him is playing well. He needs to get back into form after a disappointing time in the KHL last year. He'll hope to bounce back this season

Line Combinations

Forward Line 1: Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau

Forward Line 2: Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo

Forward Line 3: Comeau-Bailey-Niederreiter

Forward Line 4: Haley-Reasoner-Rolston

Defense Line 1: Streit-Hamonic

Defensive Line 2: Jurcina-MacDonald

Defensive Line 3: Eaton-Mottau

#1 Goalie: Rick DiPietro

#2 Goalie: Al Montoya

#3 Goalie: Evgeni Nabokov

Scratches: Gillies and Martin

I think the Islanders will stay with the successful line of Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau. They play well together, and all can produce good offensive numbers.

The second line may be the best, in my opinion. Nielsen will center Grabner and Okposo. With Nielsen's play-making skills, we should see both Grabner and Okposo have good numbers this season.

The third line includes Blake Comeau, Josh Bailey and rookie Nino Niederreiter. Having Comeau and Bailey pushing each other on the same line could be big. Add Niderreiter to the mix with his offensive ability and physical play, and you have yourself a very good third line.

The fourth line sees Michael Haley winning the battle between him, Gillies and Martin. Along with him are newcomers Marty Reasoner and Brian Rolston. This line should see decent production.

The first defensive pairing of Streit and Hamonic seems great. They are the two offensive defensemen that can put up good numbers.

Jurcina and MacDonald should be interesting to watch. MacDonald should have some veteran help from Jurcina which could only make him better.

Finally, we have Eaton and Mottau on the final defensive pairing. Both were injured last year and need to stay healthy.

 As for goaltending, the Isles will most likely start with DiPietro in net. If he's healthy, he will play. This is due in large part to his contract. I can't see the Isles benching him to start the year. Montoya should be the first one to be called upon if DiPietro goes down with injury. He has shown himself to be a solid starter, so he should be a solid backup. As for Nabakov, I can't see him making a huge impact. I don't think training camp will go well for him. The only reason the Isles will keep him is to have some insurance if DiPietro gets hurt.

Conclusion

The Islanders should have a solid team this year. Their offense has the potential to be one of the better ones in the league. Some small additions may go a long way for this team.

The defense needs to step up big time this year. Staying healthy and making a big impact should be their goal.

But in the end, the fate of the team could rest on who is between the pipes. Can DiPietro stay healthy? Can Montoya have a repeat season? Can Nabokov come back into form? Many questions, but little answers.

I have big expectations for this team. This is the first time in a while that Isles fans are excited about the team. I think they could be playoff bound this season. If they stay healthy, they will contend until the last game of the season.