The NHL Entry Draft in June was the symbolic turning point for the Islanders. No longer was Mike Milbury guiding a club run by outlaw ownership. He was backed by a wealth of corporate dollars, and he drafted a flashy 18-year-old goalie and traded for an expensive veteran backup – and then traded for a bunch of other guys who would help the Islanders actually graduate into the NHL this season.
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Wed., Sept. 27
The Islanders will be one of the most improved teams in the NHL and will be better in every area.
Last year they scored 194 goals, second-worst in the East. The Islanders need two things: More offense and improved defense. They have accomplished that with their personnel additions. Garry Galley, Kevin Haller and Roman Hamrlik improve their defense, and they will be better offensively with Mark Parrish. The Isles will be better in goal with John Vanbiesbrouck, regardless of what No. 1 pick Rick DiPietro does.
The Islanders will not be a pushover this season for the first time in ages. |
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In absentia, owner Charles Wang granted his approval. In person, his partner Sanjay Kumar told the press that this hockey thing, he would soon get a strong handle on. But while they might be active sports fans, the two of them are strict dollars and non-cents men at heart. So, when they looked at the recent graphs and charts of NHL futures, the conclusion was obvious:
Rampant free-agent growth can hurt franchise financial health.
So, Group II restricted free agents Zdeno Chara and Brad Isbister soon found out what that meant.
Directed by Wang on how to handle their indelicate situations, both players were told that if they don't accept the minimum 10-percent raise, they would be summarily dismissed from the team. It got ugly, and was resolved only when that 37-year-old backup goalie from Philly, John Vanbiesbrouck – no doubt worried about his own health working behind this team – brokered a peace treaty with the owners. The lockout on the two players ended, but the 10 percent raise remained. As it will next year, too, Milbury promised.
For now, the owners allowed Milbury to sign people like Kevin Haller and Garry Galley, and actually pony up enough promises to make draft-day acquisition Roman Hamrlik want to sign on. Together with Chara and Kenny Jonsson, it means the Isles should have a competent defense to put in front of Vanbiesbrouck, the starter since teen sensation Rick DiPietro tending to an injured groin will likely start the season with their IHL affiliate.
The Isles also have a semblance of two respectable lines, with acquisitions like Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish filling some holes. But next year, both will be restricted free agents, which means one thing: A 10-percent improvement for a team already offering little in return.
How's that for a corporate-growth philosophy?
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Bottom Line on the Islanders
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Defense
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Overall talent
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SEASON OUTLOOK: Um ... Last in the division but only second or third-worst in the conference won't be all that bad. Expect the Islanders to be improved enough to win back some fans, though enough wins for a playoff spot is out of the question. The team's key players have to stay healthy, and the club would be best served to make DiPietro's apprenticeship in the IHL a short one. |
Rob Parent covers the NHL for the Delaware County (Pa.) Times. His NHL East column appears every week on ESPN.com.
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AUDIO VIDEO
 Mark Parrish says there is excitement in Islander camp this season.
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