Since I got a few e-mails and Miriam asked a question the other day about Bruno, I thought it would be fitting to interview him when I was covering the game on Friday. This should be up on NYSportsDay soon as well.

BTW, Expect a Ruslan Fedotenko interview in the next few days too.

With four players vying for the last defense spot on the team, the Islanders have a tough decision to make before the regular season begins this week, but Bruno Gervais is looking to make that decision an easy one.

The youngest of a group that consists of Bryan Berard, Freddy Meyer and Aaron Johnson, all of whom are fighting the same job, Gervais knows his chances of making the team improve with each offensive opportunity he’s able to foil. Known for his solid defensive ability and superior skating skills, Gervais earned significant playing time down the stretch for the Isles last season, but now finds himself in quite a predicament.

Looking for more offensive scoring out of their defense, the Isles invited the former Calder trophy winner Berard to camp and forced Gervais to play for his job. At only 22, Gervais could benefit from more seasoning with the Isles minor league affiliate in Bridgeport, but his heart is set on staying with the big club.

“I know I can play here,” he said. “I had a great playoff last year and I want to take it from there. I want to be in a position to play as much as possible and I think I’ve shown that so far this training camp.”

Gervais’ name didn’t show up often on the score sheet last season, as he totaled just six points in 51 games, with most of his contributions going unnoticed by the untrained eye. However, after scoring a goal and adding an assist in five games against the Buffalo Sabres during the playoffs, fans began to take notice of the smooth-skating defenseman.

The Isles however, have been aware of his talents for quite some time.

Beating out a slew of talented, young defenseman to make the team last season out of camp, Gervais knows how much work goes into getting one’s name on a roster card.

After almost making the team in 2003 as a sixth round draft pick, Gervais knows how crucial it is to his development to make the team this year and is going for broke this preseason.

“I’ve always been known as a good skater, but I worked even harder this off-season to get even better,” he said. “Right now, I’m at the point where I’ll do whatever I have to do in order to make this team and be a part of their success.”

Despite his penchant for making the smart play on defense, Gervais was known more for his offensive abilities in the minors and knows he could fill the team’s need for a point man on the powerplay if given an opportunity.

“Growing up, I was always on the powerplay,” said Gervais, who scored 22 goals in the QMJHL in 2003. “I scored a couple goals a few years ago on the powerplay with the team and I think I would do well there if I got a shot.”

Despite those sentiments, Gervais understands that his job may depend on how well he plays defense.

“Offense is a bonus,” said Gervais. “Getting a chance to join the rush is great, but my game starts in the defensive end. I think once the coaching staff is comfortable with me and trusts me on defense, those opportunities will come. That’s why I’ve always been so defensive-minded.

“I know I’ll get my chance though.”

Miriam Asks:

“Speaking of Bruno, do you think he’ll be staying or is there a good chance that Berard will squeak in and send Bruno back to Bridgeport?”

That is a tough question, Miriam.

In my opinion, the Isles defense needs to do one of two things for them to be successful this season and both of them have to do with Gervais in some way or another.

One is let Campoli or Martinek play the power play and let the use the offensive skills they have and stick with them. Both of these guys are very talented offensively and because of injury or issues with playing time, never got the chance to really develop into the 30-point d-man the team needed to compliment Marc-Andre Bergeron and Tom Poti. I don’t know how you feel Miriam, but I was spoiled with guys like Kenny Jonsson, Adrian Aucoin and Roman Hamrlik for a few years and I like having a few talented offensive d-men available.

If they give these guys a shot, they can produce offensively and in that case, I’d say let’s keep Gervais on the big club because then you’d have a need for a solid defensive D-man and I think that’s the role Gervais can fill.

However, if they don’t feel comfortable with either one of them, I’d say they’d have to give Berard a shot, which would be option two. Gervais has a two-way contract and Berard is obviously making his case to join the team. If you ask me, Berard’s presence on the power play could be huge for this team, granted he also plays the defense he played a few years ago with the Rangers.

If he shows any glimpse of being a completely one-way player, then you have to throw Bruno in there. The kid’s too good of a skater and has too much promise to languish in the minors again this season.

With that being said, I can’t shake the possibility of seeing Berard come back strong and score 45 points and score a dozen goals. The Isles need offense from the blue line and if he’s healthy, Berard will have a solid season and will make Bergeron that much more dangerous.

We saw last year that Bergeron’s shot gets him into as much trouble as it helps the team, as several times he’s lost his footing a cost the team opportunities and given the opposition short handed chances. With Berard there, the defense will have to watch the both of them and will give Bergeron some more room to take his shot and more of a chance to get back on defense.

But I still haven’t answered your question yet.

Will I think Bruno will stay?

If Berard is healthy and playing the way he’s supposed to, then I don’t think so. However, at this point in camp Berard hasn’t established himself yet and Gervais was wearing the A a few games ago.

Not a good sign for Berard if you ask me.

And like I said, someone needs to step up and provide some offense or Bruno may find himself a leader in Bridgeport, waiting for a phone call.

Anyone that missed that game the other night against the Rangers missed an absolute classic. Not only because the Isles squeaked out a 5-4 win, but because of all the fights. I swear, I haven’t seen that many fights in an Islanders game since we had Mick Vukota and Rich Pilon on the team.

However, my biggest enjoyment of that game by far was seeing the DP vs. Montoya fight. While it would have been even better if it was Lundquist in there, any Islander fan had to feel even better about having DP in net after that. Sticking up for Simon who basically got jumped like he picked a fight with the wrong person on Flatbush Ave., DP did the right thing there.

My only question to the Rangers is, why not let Hollweg right his own battles? Even in the preseason, I’m sure that these two were thinking about going at it considering all the bad blood. So why not let it happen? Why step in like that? All I know is I would have been pissed if one of my teammates jumped into one of my fights, especially if it was with someone I had a history with.

Anyway, talking hockey with my buddy Eric Faynberg the other day, who should be launching a Rangers blog in the next few days called BleedingBoadwayBlue.com [nice name right? Glad I came up with it!] and he said that he thinks the Isles are going to come in last place this season, basically due to how much better the teams around them have gotten. That is unless Mike Comrie can have a career season. Strangely enough, I agree, but not with the last place prediction.

If Comrie scores 75 points and Guerin can chip in another 35 goal season, with youngsters like Jeff Tambellini and Sean Bergenheim chipping in 20-goal seasons, the Isles will be just fine. Guys like Hunter and Sillinger are going to be consistent, but their offense will simply not be enough. The big names we signed this season [if we can really call them that] aren’t enough. Seeing the way Comrie has played so far this preseason, I think he knows it’s time for him to take his career to the next level.

As far as Guerin and the youngsters go, I think they’ll be fine too. They just have to get enough playing time and work hard on both ends of the ice. Ted Nolan is a veteran coach who likes veteran players, so look for Guerin to get a ton of ice time regardless, but if these kids do what they have to do on the ice, they’ll reap the benefits. Look at how much ice time Bruno Gervais got in the playoffs last year when he was playing sound defensively. If these kids can play responsibly in their own zone and score in bunches, I think they’ll be with the team all season.

Miro Satan is also in the last year of his contract as well, so I think that guy may sneak under the radar after a mediocre 27 goal season.

Add in all of that and a ton of heart and grit and I think this Isles team still has a chance to make the playoffs this season, they just have to stay focused and play as a team. Dropping the gloves in support of one another is a good way to start that.

Pierre Turgeon, Ray Ferraro and Glenn Healy.

Despite having dozens of their cards in dust-filled boxes in their attics, those names don’t mean much to the average hockey fan anymore. 15 years ago however, there was no one more important to hockey fans in Long Island.

Influential players on the last team in the organization that made it past the first round of the playoffs, the 1992-93 Isles were a team that defied the odds and took down the two-time reigning Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the Patrick Division finals. Playing six of the seven games in the series without Turgeon, their leading scorer, the Islanders were the Cinderella story of the NHL and proved that a team of misfits could take down a league juggernaut.

“Whatever situation that team was in, they always found a way to bounce back,” said former Islanders play-by-play announcer Jiggs McDonald, who covered the team for over a decade, including three of their four Stanley Cups and the magical ‘93 season. “I don’t think I could even pick a favorite player from that team, there were so many good guys.”

While it seemed to many fans that the team came out of nowhere, the formation of the 1993 team was a work in progress that took former Isles General Manager Bill Torrey almost four years to complete.

Slowly trading away and releasing key members of their successful teams of the 80’s like Brent Sutter, Clark Gillies, Bryan Trottier, Pat Lafontaine and Kelly Hrudey for talented-yet inconsistent players like Steve Thomas, Benoit Hogue, Ray Ferraro, Healy and Turgeon, the Islanders put together a hard-working team that had something to prove. Add in an already Hall of Fame coach in Al Arbour and a group of gritty young players like Travis Green, Marty McInnis, Brad Dalgarno and Vladimir Malakov and the Isles were as solid as team’s come back then.

However, Torrey would eventually leave the team after new ownership took over. Former Ranger Don Maloney would take over as GM for the 92-93 season and didn’t have to make any moves to fortify the team’s lineup.

After going 40-35-7 with 87 points during the regular season, powered by three 30-goal scorers, including Thomas, Derek King, Hogue and a 58-goal season from Turgeon, the Torrey-built Isles faced off against the heavily favored Washington Capitals, who ended the season in second place in the Patrick Division with 93 points.

Armed with a high-scoring blue line that consisted of Kevin Hatcher, Al Iafrate and Sylvain Cote and an accomplished goaltender in Don Beaupre, the Capitals were predicted to take the series in five games by many of the local media outlets. However, the tough Capitals team was muzzled by Healy, who gave up 22 goals in the six-game series that saw three go into overtime.

With Healy keeping the Islanders alive with several breathtaking saves in overtime and Beaupre eventually playing his way to the bench, the Capitals were forced to bring in backup Rich Tabaracci, who didn’t fare much better. Giving up overtime goals to New York-native Brian Mullen and Ferraro in games two and three, Tabaracci was mediocre at best, while Washington looked nothing like the dominant team they were most of the season.

“Healy was the glue that kept that team together in the playoffs,” said McDonald. “He made so many great saves. He kept them alive and charged. Without him playing the way he did, I don’t think they would have advanced.”

Defeating the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs in six games, the Islanders were forced to do so without Turgeon, who separated his shoulder after a vicious cheap-shot from behind after scoring a goal late in the game six by Capitals assistant captain and emotional leader Dale Hunter.

Hunter, who scored seven goals in the series, slammed the 175-pound Turgeon into the Nassau Coliseum boards shoulder first after he stripped the puck from him and scored. Even though he remains a hated figure in Islanders history, Arbour recognized his tenacity and love for the game.

“I asked Al Arbour who he would pick if the league would let him replace Turgeon with one player from any other team,” said McDonald. “He looked me right in the eyes and said two words: ‘Dale Hunter.’ I think he definitely recognized the fact that Hunter had the heart of a lion and would have done anything to win.”

Suspended for a then record 21 games because of the hit, the Islanders were forced to deal with the absence of Turgeon against league heavyweight Pittsburgh.

Taking on the Penguins without their best player, the Islanders needed someone to step up and Ray Ferraro quickly became that man. Injured most of the 92-93 season, but leading the team in goals the year before, the two-time former 40-goal scorer heated up and rallied his team together, scoring 13 goals in only 18 playoff games.

While Ferraro played an influential role in the team’s success against Pittsburgh, several other players also stepped up and aided the cause for New York.

Becoming the first player in NHL playoff history to score two shorthanded goals on the same minor penalty in game four, Tom Fitzgerald almost single-handedly pushed the Isles ahead of the Pens in a 6-5 victory. Fitzgerald’s play, combined with the stellar defense of the rookie Green, who was consistently matched with the opposition’s top center during the regular season, proved pivotal against the Penguins potent offense.

The tough as nails play of Darius Kasparaitis, Mick Vukota, Rich Pilon and Dalgarno also played a crucial part in the team’s success, as Pittsburgh’s top players like Jaromir Jagr and Kevin Stevens left game seven with injuries resulting from crushing hits.

However, Pittsburgh’s experience in the postseason and the clutch play of goaltender Tom Barrasso seemed like it could have been enough to take them to the conference finals. As a matter of fact, many media outlets couldn’t see the Isles producing offensively without Turgeon. Predicted again to lose in five games, the Isles got the series to the seventh game in time for their star to return, but it was obvious he wasn’t at 100 percent.

“Pierre was the face of the team,” said McDonald. “The new ownership made a commitment to him and he took advantage of it. He kept that team in so many games during that season and without him, things looked like they would be over very quickly. He was just an extremely talented player and not having him in the lineup those first six games made things much tougher for them.”

Nevertheless, the Islanders would take the game into overtime after coughing up a late 3-1 lead, where Ferraro would continue to work his magic.

Grabbing a misplaced pass that hit off Penguins defenseman Ulf Samuelsson’s left skate, Isles forward David Volek fed Ferraro a long cross-ice pass and skated viciously up the left side of the ice, suddenly creating a two-on-one opportunity. Drawing Barrasso to the right side, Ferraro slid the puck underneath Kjell Samuelsson’s stick, allowing Volek to fire home a one-timer and give the Islanders their first Patrick Division championship since the glory days of the ‘80s.

While the team wouldn’t be able to continue their winning ways against Montreal in the next series, losing in five games, taking down the two-time defending champions still remains a hallmark in the team’s history.

“That was the best year I have ever experienced as an Islanders fan,” said Islanders Booster Club President Claire Harding. “I couldn’t believe it. I wish I could feel that excitement again one day.”

After two cups of coffee with the Islanders the past two seasons, forward Jeff Tambellini isn’t in the mood for another one this season.

His objective in 2008: make the team and stay there.

After a solid training camp last season, Tambellini managed to find himself on the Isles opening night roster, but was quickly shipped back to Bridgeport when Andy Hilbert established himself on a line with Mike Sillinger and Trent Hunter. Leading the Isles minor league affiliate in points last year, Tambellini has proved he can score consistently in the AHL and looks ready to be a regular in the NHL.

The only question is, can he stay on the Island for the whole season this year?

Playing on a line with sniper Miroslav Satan and the newly acquired Josef Vasicek for most of training camp, Tambellini sees good things in his future.

“Miro is an elite player in this league and Vasicek is kind of like [former Islander Viktor] Kozlov, a big center,” Tambellini said on the team’s official website. “My goal is to get these guys the puck as much as I can, get open and get in on the forecheck and really use my speed.”

Scoring nine points in 23 games last season, Tambellini showed the poise and determination that is needed for a player his size to thrive in the NHL.  At five-foot-eleven, 192 pounds, the former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings knows what his role will be this season and is setting lofty expectations for himself, should he gets adequate playing time.

“With the loss of Blakey [former Islander Jason Blake, who signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason], that’s a role I’m going to look to get into,” he said on the team’s official website. “I want to be a player who can jump into that small, speed role and bring that to our club.”

There’s a few big differences between Blake and Tambellini however.

Scoring over 20 goals over the past four seasons, Blake took his time developing into a first line player after being looked at as a fourth line pest during the early stages of his career, while the Islanders lethargic offense this season calls for Tambellini to develop much quicker than Blake did. Tambellini may also have a problem cracking the lineup because of Isles coach Ted Nolan’s insistence to play established players on the Island and let the youngsters develop in the AHL.

The only reason why Tambellini even got a chance with the team last season was because of injuries to Alexei Yashin, Shawn Bates and the suspension of Chris Simon. If not for that, the speedy winger may have been in Bridgeport all season.

In order for Tambellini to set himself apart from the crowd of talented youngsters vying to make the team this season, he’ll have to make Nolan and the Islanders have no doubt in their minds about his ability to play in the NHL.

Otherwise, he’ll be at Starbucks, sampling a white chocolate mocha on his way back to Bridgeport, again.

Another preview of a NYSportsDay piece, once the season gets in full swing, I’ll be back to my daily rants guys, I promise.

For years, Islander fans have cried for the team to sign grittier and tougher players. Since Ted Nolan became head coach last season, it seems like they’ve been slowly getting their wish.

After mid-season injuries to Alexei Yashin, Radek Martinek and the late season suspension of Chris Simon, the Islanders were forced to call up and sign NHL journeymen like Eric Boguniecki, Deron Quint and Todd Simpson down the stretch, with limited and no success.

Now with Nolan taking a much more active role in player acquisitions, it’s obvious the Isles as a whole have gotten a whole lot tougher.

Picking up former Minnesota State stalwart Tim Jackman on July 5, the Islanders have added a player that can fill a role similar to the departed Arron Asham, but with the potential to do even more. Never getting a real opportunity to prove himself at the NHL level, the 6’4 Jackman has bounced around several organizations over the past five years and desperately needs a place to find his game. Drafted in the second round in the 2001 draft, the right wing has the size and capable offensive skills to be a solid two-way player, if given the chance.

Signed the very next day on July 6, the 6’4, 240-pound Kip Brennan has 210 penalty minutes in 57 NHL games over the past six years, with only one goal and an assist during that time. Getting a look this training camp, it’s obvious that the heavy-fisted left wing will be called upon during those tough games with division rivals like the Rangers and Flyers, but will otherwise be gooning his way through the AHL, playing for the Isles minor league affiliate, Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

While the Islanders depth chart at the forward position got some added muscle, the Isles also got some added scoring touch this past week.

Trading former first-round pick Petteri Nokalainen to the Bruins for 23-year old center Ben Walter, the Isles may just gotten the lower-line offense they so desperately need. Leading the Bruins AHL affiliate in Providence in scoring last season with 24 goals and 67 points in 73 games, Walter will challenge for the third and fourth line center spots with Richard Park and Shawn Bates.

However, despite his knack for providing consistent offense in the AHL, the Isles love Walter’s grit and worth ethic as well.

“Our staff loves his two-way play, work ethic and knack for scoring big goals,” said Isles GM Garth Snow on the team’s official website. “Ben is a young player who will battle for a position in training camp and gives us excellent depth at an important position.”

They may not be comparable to some of the depth pickups of other teams, but the signings of Jackman and Brennan have given the Islanders the size and grit they lacked last season, while the acquisition of Walter gives them more offense. The jury is out however on how much these players can actually help the team get past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

This should be up on NYSportsday.com in the next few days, thought I’d give you guys a sneak peak.

After failing to find a suitor during the big free agent push of the summer, former Islander Bryan Berard has found his way back to New York, accepting an offer to training camp this season. Fighting for the team’s last defenseman spot with the likes of Freddy Meyer and Bruno Gervais, Berard is looking to regain his early-career form that once had him amongst the most promising young d-men in the game.

“You can never have enough skill in your organization. Bryan Berard still has tremendous upside as a defenseman and a power play point man,” said Islanders GM Garth Snow on the team’s official website. “We’re happy to give him this opportunity.”

If Berard can somehow manage to stay healthy, he could provide the team with an entirely new dynamic on offense, especially on the powerplay. Combined with the aggressive offensive ability and 95 mph slapshot of Marc-Andre Bergeron, the Isles could have one of the potent offensive duos on the blue line in the league. However, that is if his back doesn’t act up and his eye, which took eight surgeries to repair after a horrible injury in 1999, doesn’t hold him back from being as effective as many know he can be.

It’s hard to argue that Berard still can’t be a force offensively when he’s healthy, scoring 83 points in his last 113 games. The only problem is, he hasn’t played in more than 60 games in the past three seasons and hasn’t had an opportunity to show why he won the Calder trophy in 1997 as the leagues top rookie. Eager for a chance to prove himself after missing most of last season with plethora of injuries, Berard understands that his play this season could determine the path the remainder of his career will follow.

“I’m coming off a tough season when I was injured and I know I have a lot to prove,” said Berard on the team’s official website. “The Islanders offered me this opportunity and I’m going to re-pay them by making the most of it. I’m healthy and I’m determined to show Ted Nolan and the team that I can help the Islanders have a great season.”

With the loss of Tom Poti and Sean Hill to free agency and the injury of Radek Martinek that may keep him out longer than expected, the Islanders needed someone to come in and put some points on the board while providing veteran leadership and they feel Berard is their guy. While he may not be Scott Hannan or Danny Markov, the two defensemen the Isles were gunning for this offseason, they still feel he can provide the team with what they’re looking for.

“Bryan is definitely worthy of a long look from us,” said Islanders coach Ted Nolan on the team’s official website. “You’re always looking for depth on defense, and Bryan is a defenseman with excellent skating ability and someone who can run a power play. Gerard Gallant spoke highly of him, our staff likes his competitiveness and I know our fans understand how talented Bryan is. I’m looking forward to him showing us what he can do.”

BTW, if you guys have the time, check out this video on YouTube I found today. It brought back some great memories from last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Va9OUsylw