B&O Season Preview

Is Anyone Out There? ~ B&O Season Preview

I hope all of you B&O’ers out there had a great summer and I hope you are looking forward to the upcoming Islander season. B&O has been inactive for quite some time and that’s mostly my fault as I was studying all summer to take the New York Bar Exam. But now that’s behind me and we can concentrate on Islanders hockey from here on out.

What is there to be excited about this season?

Plenty. That’s if you truly buy into Garth Snow’s long term plan. According to Snow, this year marks the beginning of the future of hockey on Long Island. For the first time in a long time on Long Island, the General Manager chose not to disperse every draft pick and prospect for a quick fix, but instead decided to accumulate as many draft picks and as much young talent as possible. And we will all get a first taste of that decision this season.

Who is there to be excited about this season?

Jeff Tambellini and Frans Nielson are almost guaranteed roster spots at this point, with each of them agreeing to a one-way contract with the Isles. While Tambellini undoubtedly felt buried by Ted Nolan and his veteran-favoring ways, Tambellini will finally get the chance once and for all to prove that he belongs in the NHL. If he falters this season, I think we will have to concede that Tambellini is just a bust. Nielson on the other hand has never really had a chance to fully play in the NHL. I don’t see him has a top 2 line center, so it seems he will probably be relegated to 4th line duty this season. His future is probably as Mike Sillinger’s replacement after Silly can finally admit to himself that it’s over.

Then there’s Kyle Okposo who stood out in his brief NHL debut last season. If given ample ice time and power play time, Okposo should net at least 20-30 goals, simply because anyone with his skills is bound to put up points with enough ice time. His poise with the puck last season and his hockey intelligence will make or break the Isles’ upcoming season.

Marc Streit will hopefully be a much better version of MAB on the blue line. There is definitely something cool about an offensive-defenseman with a big shot that can light the lamp at anytime. The Isles have one of the best defensive crews in the East. Campoli and Gervais will both be one year older, while Witt, Sutton, and Martinek should all be back healthy. Then remember the kind of year Freddy Meyer IV had and add the debut of Jack Hillen and I think it’s safe to say I am very comfortable with our top 8 defenseman. I don’t think there are many teams out there who can say that.

Can the Isles’ aging vets really compete at this level?

The jury is still out on Weight and Guerin. Guerin was mildly productive last season, and maybe a reunion with Weight will spark each of their games. Sillinger killed the Isles last season, but maybe that has more to do with how Nolan used him. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why a coach would try to take an old aging checking center and give him more power play time than players with actual skills. Other than that, this team isn’t nearly as old as it was in past years. Expect a healthy Comrie and DP as well this season.

What is there to be worried about this season?

The same two words that haunted us last season: goal scoring. Where on earth are the Isles going to replace the production of last year’s…oh wait the Isles had no offensive production last season. The Isles have not one proven NHL goal scorer, which is an interesting way to head into a season. Every team needs one player that it can turn to in order to score a big goal or make a big play. The Isles are really banking that Okposo is going to be that player. From what I’ve seen so far, Okposo is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer, so it looks like Tambellini will have a full chance to be that go-to guy this season.

What can we expect out of Rick DiPietro?

Another big season, hopefully one that is injury free. Remember, DP started in the all-star game last winter, which is a testament to how good he was in the first half of last season. DP will be another year older and wiser, and as long as Coach Gordon gives him enough rest, DP should have another fine year. He is the backbone of this franchise and the biggest leader in the locker room, a job I don’t even think dare I say Roberto Luongo could handle.

Where will the Isles be at the trading deadline?

Hopefully somewhere near the playoff picture. Don’t expect them to be anywhere near the top 4, but if the Isles are floating around the 8 spot for a majority of the season, then I think we will all be content. Obviously a playoff berth would be even sweeter. And if the Isles are in the mix, don’t expect Snow to send away any picks for a proven goal scorer—he has made it clear it’s a youth movement from here on out.

Do the Isles have a chance to make the playoffs?

Clearly all of the NHL “experts” do not think so. But those so called experts wrote the Isles off each of the past two seasons as well. Two seasons ago, the Isles did in fact make the playoffs, while last season the Isles held onto the 7th spot at the all-star game, and were in the playoff race for most of the season. The talent level from teams 6-10 does not vary that much, so that at least gives the Isles a shot. A good one? Maybe not, but I think Gordon will keep this team competitive this season.

What about Josh Bailey?

I hope the Isles give him a chance this season, but only if he will get serious ice time and a chance to learn at the NHL level. It’s hard to make an 18 year old kid your first line center, but if the Isles are really starving for offense they might have to turn to Bailey for help. And from everything I’ve heard and read about him, he is up for the challenge.