With so many experts picking the Isles to finish near the bottom I am confused as to why. This is a team that improved by 18 points from the previous year and missed the playoffs by only 9 points this past season and has now improved the biggest weakness from last year; defense. With the signing of Wisniewski, Eaton and Jurcina the Isles added two bona fide NHL top 4 defense and added depth that was desperately needed. When looking at the Isles roster I see what looks to me like a playoff team. Here is my run down on what I expect from the current roster.
Goalies:
Rick DiPietro- Everything that I hear coming out if Islander camp is positive. He is always in amazing shape, I can see him platooning with Roloson to start the season and if the knee/hip can hold up I think he can return to form that made him an all-star.
Dwayne Roloson- If he does platoon with DiPietro I think it may help an aging goalie. He is strong physically and mentally and will perform admirably in any situation.
Nathan Lawson- I see him coming up if either DiPietro or Roloson get hurt, he is a solid young goalie and I think he would get the nod with Koskinen coming off of season ending surgery, and would really benefit from playing full time in the A.
Defense:
Mark Eaton- Solid defense and sporadically jumping up in the play. Would be happy if he plays well enough to be a plus player.
Bruno Gervais- I don't think things bode well for Mr. Gervais, he will have a hard time staying in an Isles jersey this year. I see him clearing waivers soon after training camp and spending his year in Bridgeport unless there are a couple injuries on the big squad.
Jack Hillen- Solid D, good offense and surprisingly great skater. Quietly becoming a strong top 6 D man.
Milan Jurcina- 7th defenseman. Lots of healthy scratches, see him play if injuries abound or looking for more size against goon filled teams.
Andrew MacDonald- Another quietly solid D man. Moves puck well and makes smart decisions.
Radek Martinek- If he can stay healthy he is one of the best defensive defenseman you can find. Really helps the penalty kill.
Mark Streit- Think the addition of the Wiz will do nothing but help Streit. He might be a little more confident in taking risks with the big man backing him up. Watch his point numbers increase from last year.
James Wisniewski- I think Isles fans will love what they see from the Wiz. Big guy, huge minute eater who knows how to use his size.
Forwards:
Josh Bailey- I think he will slowly continue to progress but I wouldn't expect big numbers from him.
Blake Comeau- I think his late season surge wasn't a fluke. He has the skills and a great heavy shot. If he can build his confidence and consistency he will be an above average player. Just fear him becoming a frustratingly streaky player.
Trevor Gilles- I know he is a fan favorite, but I haven't seen a ton of impressive skills from him. Think the signing of Konopka might limit his role on the team and may be a ticket to Bridgeport.
Trent Hunter- Has had a problem regaining the goal scoring he started out with early in his career, but has continued to be a force on the team for being a good leader and defensively sound. Would be a huge bonus if he could net more than 20 goals, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Zenon Konopka- He will fight and be a fan favorite. Also is a monster in the face off circle which makes him more valuable than your run of the mill enforcer. Can take important defensive zone draws.
Matt Martin- Will get every opportunity to make the team and may force Gilles out of the lineup, I haven't seen enough of him to really give a good overview, but most of what I have heard has been positive.
Matt Moulson- Will crack 30 goals again. Has great hands and finds himself in the right spot all the time.
Frans Nielson- Best defensive forward the Isles have had in a long time. Would be a lot more Selke trophy talk is he was in a major market.
Kyle Okposo- I see him bouncing back and putting up a much higher goal total this year. Great leadership, wouldn't be surprised to see him wear the “C” after Weight retires.
P.A. Parenteau- Has great skills as he showed in the AHL last year. Could be this year's Moulson. If his skating can catch up to his hands he could be a big threat, especially if he is on a line with someone who draws more of the opposing defensemen's attention.
Rob Schremp- Breakout year for Schremp this year. Gordon's system was tailor made for Schremp, and a full year in the system will do wonders. I wouldn't be surprised to see him crack the 30 goal mark, especially if he can get on the #1 power play unit.
Jon Sim- Bridgeport for the whole season, barring a slew of injuries.
John Tavares- Would be amazing to see him have a Stamkos like year, who he often gets compared to, but that would be a log shot. Had amazing moments last year which looked like snapshots of the future of his career, but I don't see him exploding offensively this year. I see him improving slowly for the next few years and expect to see him in the 30-35 goal range.
Doug Weight- I think Weight is of much more importance than his on ice play. He is steady leadership, can be a calming force on the power play and is an ideal model of responsibility for the youth of the team. If he can pass on even half of his level of personal responsibility and willingness to sacrifice for his team to the youth of the Islanders you will see them grow leaps and bounds in a short period of time.
Overall I think the additions made along with the natural growth of the young players equal a team that can finish in the 6th-8th place in the east and put up a fight in the playoffs. They have dedication in spades and that can go along way in the NHL.
Updated 5:40: The reason for Manny Legace and Joel Martin is because Poulin and Lawson have some "soreness" and the Isles don't want to push it. Martin was apparently heading to Bridgeport to camp anyway, and Legace won't attend Isles camp till Tuesday, so Joel Martin will fill in tomorrow. Also, Kyle Okposo is suffering a shoulder injury, but it's minor to Streits. 
Day 3 Notes
Last night, the Isles played the Bruins in a rookie game (By the way, loved those new away white jerseys). The final score was 5-2 Bruins. El Nino, as they call him, tipped in a goal, as well as Rob Figren netting a goal. Nino got in his first fight, but wasn't too happy with himself after it.
