Re: Women's DIII 2009-2010 Fan Opinion Poll
Grasp on to the little things as they come with the Isles...because who knows when good will strike again
As much as I hate the Islanders, (coming from a Rangers fan) they have certainly made some significant strides in the past few seasons with draft picks and FA signings.
I think the average NHL fan that doesnt watch the Islanders a lot doesnt see the improvements they have made. They play a very physical brand of hockey and really make you work for your goals. Certainly a blue collar type team and if you don't have a superstar on your team that can take over games, they match-up with you quite well.
Tavares is going to be a stud. Once he grows a little bit more and fills out he's going to be a very good player in this league. I think right now you can move him off the puck and be physical with him and he won't be that effective but give him another year or two and he's going to be putting up 60-70+ points a season.
Okposo, Bailey, Moulson...all solid players that will only continue to get better.
Where you guys really did well was getting Mark Streit for a very reasonable contract. Streit is one of the most underrated D-men in the NHL and will be a great #1 d-man for you for the duration of his contract. He can play two-way hockey and quarterback the PP, a very rare find that can do all three of those things.
Also, I think the Roloson signing was a good one. I've never been sold on DiPietro and I almost feel sorry for you guys having to pay him all that money and never get any results. Roloson fits into the Isles system well and if the team around him doesnt keep collapsing late in games like they have been doing the Isles will continue to improve.
Playoff team? Maybe not quite yet especially with how strong the Atlantic division is. Philly, Pitt, NJ, and NYR should all be playoff teams. However, in the next two or three years? Certainly could be right there competing for the last few playoff spots. Unfortunately, It may be in Kansas City and not on Long Island...
