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