Today’s the big day, the only question is, what do we expect?

I think it’s obvious that this year’s team will have a ton of grit and passion, but in all honesty, I am worried that the team will have some problems scoring goals.

What makes me think this way you ask?

Andy Hilbert on the second line, that’s what.

The guy would be a great fourth liner and someone like Jeff Tambellini or Sean Bergenheim would be a great fit in there with Josef Vasicek and Miro Satan, so why throw a defensive forward in on your second line?

I don’t know because simply put, it doesn’t make sense to me that way.

Looking at the Isles forward lines on paper, it feels like they have a first line, two third lines and one fourth. To me, it feels like either someone has to step up or Ted Nolan has something up his sleeve.

Then it hit me.

Hilbert is a lunch paler and both Vasicek and Satan have had problems maintaining solid work ethics on the ice. Ted Nolan has got to be trying to use Hilbert’s energizer bunny qualities as a way of keeping these talented, yet inconsistent players on their toes. Either that or he doesn’t believe Tambellini is ready to stay here on a permanent basis.

Will it work? I have no idea, but I sure hope so.

If that wasn’t enough, I’m also worried about the offensive ability of our defense. Resigning Radek Martinek today to a three-year contract, the Isles defense should be ok offensively if Marc-Andre Bergeron and Martinek stay healthy and get opportunities on special teams, but what’s the deal with Bryan Berard? Is he on the team or what? Last thing I heard, he was practicing with the team, but a agreement on a contract hasn’t been met yet.

Like I’ve said earlier in posts this summer, having a healthy Berard in the Isles lineup can mean big things for the Isles powerplay and their overall success this season. Considering how well they played at even strength last season, any help they can get at special teams will be a huge help.

Aside from all of that, I’m really anxious to see Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko and Mike Comrie together on the top line. We know what to expect from Guerin, but I really hope that “Tank” and Comrie step up and turn into the players people thought they’d be at this point in their careers.

The Islanders success this season might just depend on it.

Posted under Pregame Musings