30 for 30 in 30 - New York Islanders

**As of time of writing**

TJ Molland: I still don't know what to think about the New York Islanders. Their future looks very bright, but right now their team looks awful. They could potentially dress 6 players who are either on entry level contracts, or on their first year out of an entry level contract. Although I will say I am a huge fan of some of their prospects. Niederreiter, Hamonic, De Haan, Kabanov, Strome, all good young talents that, although maybe not yet, will be productive NHL players. The playoffs are possible... a year or two away not feasible til they make some front office changes though. The Islanders have not finished last in the Atlantic under Garth Snow once....ONCE.....his first year as GM. And since then they haven't had a 40 win season. I get rebuilding doesn't happen overnight, but when you are 6 years in and people are still laughing at you, you better hope something goes right for you this season. So Bik, are you going to defend another non-playoff bound team?

Bik Nizzar: Yes! The New York Islanders! I’ve been waiting on this team. Not because I’m excited to break down their team, but I wanna know what the Over/Under is for Wang (Charles Wang) jokes. I’ll set it at 9.5 (he wishes) – damn, already at 1.... You’re right though. This team is definitely suffering from a crisis of leadership. As much as Wang likes Snow, (haha I don’t think that fits but it’s still funny) he just doesn’t strike me as a guy who is fully capable of building a team. 


Now admittedly he’s put together some nice pieces but it all feels a bit disjointed. You have the 1 line of Moulson – Tavares – Parenteau which should be good for years to come, but Kyle Okposo still hasn’t really become what they expected when they drafted him 7^th overall 6 YEARS AGO. He scored 24 last year but was up and down (Goals per month from Oct-Apr: 0, 2, 4, 6, 1, 8, and 3). Frans Nielsen is nice but I think he fits in better as a 3^rdline center, so that leaves Josh Bailey in an awkward spot (who showed SOME promise last year but still feels like he was rushed into this role by Isles management and coaching staff). I don’t think Bailey can be that #2 Center. Thankfully they have Ryan Strome coming up, but even he feels 2 years away from being a major impact. I like what Brock Nelson might be able to bring, but again... still a bit off from his top level. 


Their defense is shaping up, led by Mark Streit. But again, here’s the issue – when their prospects hopefully emerge, (Hamonic leading the charge there followed by Calvin De Haan) Streit’s contract expires in 2013. Is he gonna stay to lead the blue-line? Oh and btw – haven’t even gotten to goaltending.... Goodness me what a mess.

TJ Molland: Hahaha that's how these things start. We take the teams that are a mess and rip them apart, then slowly get into teams we have nothing to talk about. Want to just say Parenteau is an UFA who may garner some attention from teams looking to get a little deeper on wing. I say it's very likely he stays on Long Island but that is still up in the air.

I'd like to talk Islanders goaltending but I am afraid the mention of Rick DiPietros name mi....oh yup he just pulled his groin. It's a good thing they signed Nabokov because that at least gives them one legit goalie to leave hung out to dry. (Also is there a goalie in their system that they DIDN'T use last year?) If DiPietro is unable to go at the beginning of the season a backup goalie should be a priority on the free agent wire. Anders Nilsson played well in his few appearances for the team and could be a viable option for backup. He may even steal the number one job.

With only 3 defenseman from last year still under contract for this year, defense has to be the big focus in the off season. Much like we touched on with the Oilers, some veteran presence will be needed. But unless it's a Ryan Suter I don't see them wanting to commit long term to anyone.

Bik Nizzar: This is gonna be strange but I kiiiiinda like it for them - Jason Arnott might have a role with this team. He could play that 2^nd line or 4^th line depending on the type of production they get out of him, but more so for his leadership capabilities. Help give their forwards an identity as well. The bottom 6 really isn’t filled out and he’d provide good grit and determination, all while showing the young players what it takes to carve yourself a solid career. The D crop of free agents is pretty weak I think outside of Suter and Carle. Wideman will be attractive to some teams, and if he wants to take the highest offer rather than best situation – with NYI’s cap room (nearly 30 million available – and that INCLUDES the 2.2 Cap Hit for the Alexei Yashin buyout– yes... THAT Alexei Yashin) they could make a ridiculous offer. After that, it’s really just a pick n’ choose scenario, and hope you hit something decent. Shane O’Brien, Matt Gilroy, Matt Hunwick are all potential candidates but it would still wind up being a hodgepodge defense. It’s also remarkable to think that this team has this much cap room considering how poorly they’ve spent their money. I wonder what could happen if Wang boned up (haha – 2) more cash to get the elite free agents and bring this SHOULD BE PROUD franchise, back to greatness.

You said it to begin the thread, the problems with this team stem from the top and with Garth Snow running the team, not necessarily into the ground, but in circles this team will continually be in that bottom 5-9 range. There’s a reason the Hockey Hall of Fame calls it the “Builders” category – and Garth Snow isn’t building much on the Island.

TJ Molland: They still have to pay Yashin for 4 more years too! I was sooooo hoping they would sign Yashin to play for them again just to watch the hilarity that ensued. We will have to wait and see how close to the cap ceiling (or floor) the Islanders want to be to figure out how the summer free agency will go for them. There isn't a lot of talent up for grabs so they might as well just piece together what they can to compete and hope the young talent shines. Oh and something something small something Wang something (3?).

Bik Nizzar: If they do let go of Garth Snow, they need to bring in Kevin Connolly (E from Entourage), as their next GM. Really bring this team into the limelight. Especially if they consider a move to Brooklyn to join the Nets of the NBA