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So they open the season by opening eyes with a 9-0-1-1 record. Then they barely tread at .500 for the remainder of the regular season and succumb in seven games to Toronto in the first round of the playoffs. This qualifies as the Islanders' great season of redemption? If so, 2002-03 might be a return to the abyss for their no-longer-few and faithful fans.
While it remains to be seen whether this "Islander rebirth" wasn't just a one-year wonder, Michael Peca's knee surgery and a summer slowdown in Mike Milbury's market might conspire to turn a happy year into a bittersweet memory.
One and suddenly done: Peca's first season on the Island was memorable. He regained the toughness and natural leadership instincts that he flashed in Buffalo, and balanced it with solid scoring numbers. Then Darcy Tucker low-bridged him in the playoffs and Peca's knee went pop. There are some worried voices on the Island that say he could be out until the holiday shopping season, though official prognostications are much more optimistic. We ask you ... does this sound like cheery news?
Yashin yearning: Even as Alexei Yashin boggled opposing defensemen all season, Milbury was baffled as to why none of Yashin's teammates seemed to fit comfortably with him. The search went through the locker room ranks and spilled onto the trading market, but Milbury and Laviolette never found their man. As a result, Yashin wasn't all that effective in the playoffs, as any Ottawa fan could have predicted.
On the defensive: Chris Osgood had a fabulous first season as an Islander, affording management the opportunity to give goalie of the future Rick DiPietro another year in the minors (and a Calder Cup appearance). Now, DiPietro is ready to assume a permanent backup role to Osgood. Truthfully, can any Islander goalie feel comfortable behind a thin defense that lacks physical strength? Beyond occasionally offensive-minded Adrian Aucoin, Kenny Jonsson and Roman Hamrlik, there isn't much back there.
Preseason schedule
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DATE
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OPPONENT
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TIME (ET)
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Tue., Sept. 24
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at Philadelphia
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7 p.m.
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Sat., Sept. 28
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at Boston
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1 p.m.
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Tue., Oct. 1
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New Jersey
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11 a.m.
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Wed., Oct. 2
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Philadelphia
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7 p.m.
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Sat., Oct. 5
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at New Jersey
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7:30 p.m.
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