New York younger in 08-09? I do not see it

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/11/2008 05:24:00 PM |
For all the things I have been reading about the Islanders getting younger next season or those who claim they are rebuilding I'm having a hard time seeing it in terms of 2008-09.

I can do the mix any way I like here and write Fedotenko will be replaced by Tambellini and Satan could be replaced by Okposo, but with Weight and Sim re-entering the mix for next season for Vasieck with room for maybe one player out of Colliton, Nielsen, Walter making it on the fourth line (unless a trade goes down) right now this forward group will be about the same collective age entering next season with Comeau on the club from day one.

On defense, Davison is gone with Berard and Johnson likely to follow. Mark Streit in his thirties was added. Only young defenders on the backline are Gervais and Campoli and both will be twenty four when the season starts.

If anything a few of the clubs in the division will feature younger lineups and be competitive with Pittsburgh heading the list with Crosby, Malkin and Staal.

A year from now we may see a lot more kids enter the mix for our team and sure there are a lot of good prospects in the system and Bridgeport with Hillen and Kohn but in terms of this coming season I think it's time to recognize this will still for the most part be an older club with an avgerage age close to thirty.

Of course it all comes down to can they score enough and skate well enough to compete.