2005 NEW YORK ISLANDERS PREVIEW

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2005-06 New York Islanders preview

(MySportsbook.com) - Like many clubs, the New York Islanders saw the winds of change sweep through Nassau Coliseum.

Out the door are Michael Peca, Roman Hamrlik, Adrian Aucoin, Kenny Jonsson and Dave Scatchard. In the door are Alexei Zhitnik, Mike York and Miroslav Satan.

The one key holdover is Alexei Yashin, who will now more than ever be looked upon as "the man" on Long Island. The Russian centerman has put up decent numbers in his three seasons with the team, but not anywhere near what he was able to do during his days in Ottawa. More importantly, he's not paying enough dividends on the contract he was given after being acquired at the 2001 Entry Draft.

The presence of a legitimate sniper like Satan could bring Yashin's play up to an acceptable level. This team should be able to score some goals, but there is somewhat of a concern on defense.

Isles general manager Mike Milbury did a terrific job building a blueline corps anchored by the foursome of Aucoin, Hamrlik, Jonsson and Janne Niinimaa. With the first three now wearing other teams' sweaters, Niinimaa is the lone holdover. He has never been looked upon as an anchor, but he may be now. Newcomers Zhitnik and Brad Lukowich will help pick up the slack, but the defense will surely be a question mark in the early going.

The Islanders have been a playoff team for three consecutive seasons, but there may be a step back taken in 05-06 as they adjust to this salary cap world we now live in.

FORWARDS - Yashin was a franchise-type centerman with Ottawa during the 1990s, and has remained a star with the Isles. Without Peca in the fold, he will be looked at as the leader and he will need to produce and make that 10- year, $87.5 million contract he signed in '01 somewhat worth the team's time. Even with the salary rollback of the new CBA, his piece of the team's salary cap pie is way too much for what he gives back.

As stated earlier, Satan is the one guy who could inject some electricity into Yashin's heart. He has been one of the NHL's most consistent producers over the past six seasons, tallying 194 in that time. That number ranks him ninth in the league over that span, and it primarily came on a Sabres team that had few other options on the attack.

York returns to New York, where he began his career with the Rangers in 1999. His biggest problem has been health, but if he stays away from injuries he should be a consistent 20-goal, 30-40 assist guy. He was acquired in the deal that sent Peca to Edmonton. While Peca will be missed for his leadership and defensive abilities, York might give the team more from an offensive standpoint.

An x-factor for the club might be youngster Trent Hunter, who impressed as a rookie with 25 goals and 26 assists, earning a nomination for the Calder Trophy. With Satan now in the mix on the right side, ice time might not be as plentiful for the 25-year-old, so it will be imperative for him to take advantage of every minute.

Mark Parrish and Shawn Bates, former linemates of the departed Peca, will help provide scoring depth, while the diminutive Jason Blake hopes to continue being a pest and record his third straight 20-goal season. Oleg Kvasha, a 6-5, 230-pound enigma, hopes to build on the career-high 15 goals and 36 assists he registered in 03-04.

DEFENSE - Niinimaa bounced back from a couple down years with nine goals and 19 assists in 82 games during the 03-04 season. He was also a plus-12, marking the sixth time in eight seasons he has been in the black. Niinimaa's biggest challenge will be stepping up to be an anchor-type blueliner, something that he hasn't been asked to do with Philadelphia, Edmonton or the Isles.

Zhitnik comes to town after serving as the base if Buffalo's defensive unit for a decade. He brings a physical edge with him and can quarterback the power play. It will be imperative for Zhitnik to replace some of those qualities that are lacking with Aucoin and Hamrlik out of the picture.

Lukowich will be a solid guy to log minutes on the second or third pairing. He isn't as flashy as the above duo, but he has twice posted plus-minus ratings in the high 20s, including +29 for the Stanley Cup-champion Lightning in 03-04.

Brent Sopel and Radek Martinek are likely to be in the blueline fold as well. Sopel is an offensive threat, as he posted 10 goals and 32 assists in 80 games for the Canucks in 03-04.

GOALTENDING - Expect Rick DiPietro to receive every opportunity to succeed in the coming year. The former first-overall pick had a very solid first season as a starter in 03-04, going 23-18-5 with a 2.36 goals-against average. He's only 24, so he's entering that age period where goaltenders normally begin hitting their stride.

Just in case DiPietro falls back, Garth Snow was re-signed to serve as his backup. Snow, 36, remains capable of stepping in for spot starts. He went 14-15-5 with a 2.80 GAA and .899 save percentage in 29 appearances (34 starts) during the last NHL season. The most interesting thing for Snow might be how he fares with the league's new restrictions on goaltending equipment, as he has long sported those high shoulder pads.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - The Islanders did the best they could maneuvering the salary cap, attempting to replace the players lost. However, the defensive losses of Aucoin, Jonsson and Hamrlik may be too much to overcome, and the offseason changes put a heck of a lot of pressure on Yashin's shoulders. And considering how he has handled pressure in the past, that isn't exactly a comforting thought.

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