Picture coming into focus for New York

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/03/2008 10:51:00 AM |

















Anything can still happen with signings/trades but so far it's easy to look ahead at the roster as it stands right now and see the changes for what they are if they go to camp with this group.

Ruslan Fedotenko's production will be replaced by Jon Sim.

Tambellini, Comeau, Bergenheim will have to be a year better and produce more for that side to give them enough production for that plan to work in 08-09, the player on the fourth line will not get a lot of opportunity.

Miroslav Satan's spot will be taken by Kyle Okposo and it should be given many in his draft class are in the NHL. To sign another right winger means Guerin, Hunter or whoever plays fourth line from a big group of players/prospect already would have to go.

Bill Guerin's not going anywhere at this time, they just signed Weight to help him, Trent Hunter signed a five year contract.

Josef Vasick for better or worse will be replaced by Doug Weight which could mean less production than what we saw a year ago which was not enough. Sure a Colliton, Nielsen, Walter could step up or Sillinger may not be able to continue but that's what it looks like down the middle with Mike Comrie and where Richard Park is used.

It will be interesting to hear from Ted Nolan about the changes made to the roster and what his plan will be to find them icetime.

Hard to not see an Andy Hilbert on the outside looking in at this point whether he is signed or not.

Bottom line if the prospects improve and produce more this could work next season if the veterans produce better than a year ago. It should not be unrealistic to expect more goals from Trent Hunter/Mike Comrie. Sillinger, Guerin, Weight are the wildcards here that have to give this team production.

On the backline Mark Streit will have to produce and take a regular shift. Campoli will have to be a year better on offense with Gervais. If everyone is healthy there will be a tough choice to be made as to who dresses.

Overall this team is not going to stay healthy for eight two games that's not the history of most of these players, everyone is going to get a chance, seems just a question of when.