After struggling through 20-win seasons, numerous injuries and a constant coaching shuffle, the New York Islanders may bring some much-needed joy back to the normally deserted Nassau Coliseum next season. In an effort to improve the league's second worst offense, GM Mike Milbury acquired centers Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca to bolster the Isles' scoring. With new coach Peter Laviolette behind the bench, the new-look Islanders could vault themselves out of the Atlantic Division cellar next year.

Here are your thoughts on the Islanders' outlook for 2001-02:

Isles taking new path for next season
There is no doubt about it -- the Isles had a rough season. So what? It's over with. Let's start off fresh. Mike Milbury has proven that much by acquiring Michael Peca, Alexei Yashin, Garth Snow, etc. Milbury is taking a different road now -- no more rebuilding! This plan may work, it may not. Everyone seems to be jumping the gun by already giving the Islanders a playoff berth, but they have to earn it just like ever other team. Yes, their chances have significantly improved, but I wouldn't be surprised if this approach doesn't work. Furthermore, I wouldn't be surprised if Milbury is on two strikes. The next boo-boo might cost him his job!

John
Cedar Knolls, N.J.

Louis
New York

Milbury drives team into ground
Over the past eight years the Islanders have lost/traded every player on the team, changed every coach, and even changed ownership. The only one who needs to go now is GM Mike Milbury. This and only this will be the first step in the rebuilding a once great team. The players have the skills and the coaches have the experience -- but no one has been given the job security to allow the team to gel. The Islanders will finish dead last in NHL with Milbury at the wheel once again.

Sean
Charlotte, N.C.

Several helpful hints for success
Well, it seems as if all is going according to plan for the Isles. And it's about time! Now that Mike Milbury seems to be on a roll, there are two things left for him to do to complete his masterpiece: Get Darius Kasparaitis from Pittsburgh and send Rick DiPietro down to Bridgeport (AHL) to start the season. Kasparaitis is a great defenseman who is adored by all Islander fans still to this day. This would be a great hockey move as well as a great PR move to get him for say, Eric Cairns. Finally, with Garth Snow and Dusan Salficky on board, the only place for DiPietro is in the minors to continue his development. I think he's terrific and he did very well when he came up last year, but he will come along much faster playing all the time in the AHL rather than backing up Snow and being limited to 20-30 games in the NHL.

Peter
New York

Aggressive market moves paid off
Mike Milbury did an excellent job in trading for Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca. By moving early with the many free agents available, he warded off the possibility for "settling for leftovers," which might be the case with the rival Rangers. The Isles probably need another defenseman, and their success this coming season may hinge on the goaltending, but they will be much improved.

David
Livingston, N.J.

Armen
Riga, Latvia

Isles should send DiPietro down for development
The Islanders should be far and away the most improved team in the NHL next year, as long as all of their restricted free agents are signed and in camp on time. Goal is a question, but it's possible that Dusan Salficky, who they signed to a one-year contract, could win the starting job. Regardless, the Isles are playoff contenders, not Stanley Cup contenders. It's time to let Rick DiPietro develop normally and not ruin another goalie or trade them away. He'll be great ... in time. The holes in the 5 and 6 defensive slot (if there really are any) will be filled with either a trade for Darius Kasparaitis or by prospects like Branislav Mezei and Radek Martinek.

Mitch
Dix Hills, N.Y.

Veteran pickups sorely needed for Isles
Hey, look at the bright side -- they couldn't get any worse. It is nice to see that the ownership is committing itself to putting a winning team on the ice. There is no doubt that the Isles have a lot of young talent from all of their top five draft picks and trades. Now with some proven veterans on the team, they will make a serious run at the playoffs next season. Islander fans are faithful and they will return, as long as management continues to show that they want a winner back on Long Island.

Market moves gain respect for Isles
My feelings of optimism with the addition of Roman Hamrlik, Kevin Haller, Oleg Kvasha, Mark Parrish and Rick DiPietro quickly faded as the 2000-01 season progressed. The team was playing uninspired hockey, and it became difficult to watch sometimes. As we approach the 2001-02 season, my excitement has been hard to contain. The offseason acquisitions of Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca have actually brought some respectability back to the franchise. The Isles will move forward this season. Peca will provide the leadership they have sorely lacked the past few seasons, and Yashin will take the role of the potent goal scorer we lost with the trade of Ziggy Palffy. These two ingredients alone will be enough to make a major improvement from the Islanders of last season. My only fear is our goaltending situation. Mike Milbury took a major risk when he traded Roberto Luongo and drafted DiPietro.