First-round picks: No. 2
2000-01 ecord: 21-51-7-3, 52 points (30th overall)
What they need
For starters, the club needs a top-flight scorer. Only expansion Minnesota scored fewer goals than the Isles' 185 last season. In addition, the team needs depth on defense -- the Islanders ranked 27th, allowing 268 goals.
In the system
Last year's top pick overall, netminder Rick DiPietro, struggled with the Islanders last season, posting a record of 3-15-1 with a 3.49 goals-against average and a save percentage of .878. Center Tim Connolly (5th overall in '99), playing in his second NHL season, scored just 10 goals and 31 assists for 41 points in 82 games.
Tyler Pratt (8th overall in 1999) made the jump from junior to the NHL last season, but the left wing also struggled with just four goals and 14 assists in 78 games.
The Islanders are encouraged by the development of left wing Raffi Torres (5th overall in 2000), who scored 70 points (33 goals, 37 assists) with Brampton of the Ontario League. On defense, the Isles are still banking on Branislav Mezei (10th overall in '99) and Arto Tukio (fourth round, 101st overall in 2000) to make an impact sooner rather than later. Mezei appeared in 42 games with the Islanders last season, notching a goal and four assists. Tukio spent last season playing in Finland.
Recent draft history
The Islanders are banking on the talents of DiPietro to lead New York out of the darkness of the NHL basement. But the netminder is only 19, so more growing pains are in store on Long Island. Connolly has not shown as of yet that he can produce much in the way of offense at this level. The club is hoping Torres can make an impact next season.
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