NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Reporters always try, but it is almost impossible to know the personality of a hockey team, or figure out how it relates to the results on the ice.
But the “bad chemistry” reports from Long Island are overwhelming. We are told that last season’s team was hopelessly fractured, with players nursing petty jealousies over contracts and ice time. Only contempt for the coach unified them, as they scorned his tactics and sulked over assigned roles. If even half the stories are true, the Islanders did well just to make the playoffs.
Steve Stirling says this year will be different. All new coaches say that, but Stirling has the raw materials to make it work. Many teams would take Mike Peca, Alexei Yashin and Dave Scatchard at center, even with Yashin playing at half-speed. The defense ought to be as mobile and sound as any in the East. Too bad the wingers all look like a third-liners, but they always get goals from someone.
The big issue is goaltending. Rick Dipietro is supposedly the messiah, but he’s just turned 22. The veteran option is Garth Snow, who all but defines the role of career back-up.
Stirling says his Islanders will gamble less and rely on the ever-popular defensive “system.” You know, stay patient, choke off the neutral zone, create scoring chances off turnovers, blah, blah, blah. It might work, if their heads are screwed on straight. "I think everyone has to be worried about themselves and not everyone else," forward Jason Blake told New York Newsday.
In other words, the Islanders' locker room has to stop sounding like junior high school with more money.
Trouble: With mediocre line mates like Oleg Kvasha and Mariusz Czerkawski, it is hard to get the most out of Yashin or Peca.
On the Spot: Yashin enters the third season of a 10-year, $90-million contract. It’s not his fault (What was he supposed to do? Turn it down?), but such deals come with expectations. As long as he fails to reach 80-90 points, Yashin is the Long Island whipping boy.
The Forecast: Could the Islanders make an inspired run to the top four in the East? Absolutely. Could they bumble their way out of the playoffs? Absolutely.
The Call: 8th the Eastern Conference.
Who's in:
Right winger Mariusz Czerkawski (free agent from Montreal)
Head coach Steve Stirling
Assistant coach Jeff Jackson
Assistant coach Curt Fraser
Who’s Out:
Defenseman Ray Schultz (free agent to Nashville)
Center Randy Robitaille (free agent to Atlanta Thrashers)
Right winger Steve Webb (unsigned free agent)
2002-03 Regular Season Numbers:
Payroll:
$41,690,935, 14th overall
(Hockey News, November 15/02. Bonuses not included.)
- Record: 35-34-11-2 for 83 points.
- At home: 18-18-5-0.
- On the road: 17-16-6-2.
- Finish: 16th overall, 8th in the Eastern Conference, 3rd in Atlantic Division.
- Goals for: 224 (2.73 per game), tied for 11th overall.
- Goals against: 231 (2.81 per game), tied for 21st overall.
- Goal differential: Minus-7, 16th overall.
- Power play: 15.4 percent, 17th overall.
- Penalty kill: 83.5 percent, 14th overall.
Goaltending:
- Garth Snow, 43-16-17-5, 2.31 GAA, .918 SV PCT, 1 SO.
- Chris Osgood, 37-17-14-4, 2.92 GAA, .894 SV PCT, 2 SO.
- Rick Dipietro, 10-2-5-2, 2.97 GAA, .894 SV PCT, 0 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Center Alexei Yashin, 81-26-39-65.
- Power play points: Alexei Yashin, 81-14-15-29.
- Game-winning goals: Alexei Yashin, 7.
- Ice time: Defenseman Adrian Aucoin, 29:00 per game.
- Plus/minus: Defenseman Roman Hamrlik , plus-21.
2002-03 Playoff Numbers:
- Round One: Lost to Ottawa 4-1.
Goaltending:
- Garth Snow, 5-1-4, 2.36 GAA, .910 SV PCT, 1 SO.
- Rick Dipietro, 1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV PCT, 0 SO. (15:03 played)
Leaders:
- Scoring: Center Alexei Yashin, 5-2-2-4.
- Power play points: Alexei Yashin, 5-0-2-2.
Defenseman Adrian Aucoin, 5-0-2-2. - Game-winning goals: Center Dave Scatchard, 1.
- Ice time: Defenseman Adrian Aucoin, 31:43 per game.
- Plus/minus: Eight tied at minus-4.
