Now after discussing the forwards, it’s time to talk about the defensemen.

Freddy Meyer- no goals, three assists. While his play last season was mediocre and he was the odd-man out earlier in the season, Meyer has been unusually solid in the defensive end and has recaptured the physical play he exhibited during his rookie season with the Flyers. With more playing time, he should get even better.

Rating- B-. Scoring 26 points in his rookie season, Meyer [alongside the rest of the Islanders defense] needs to start getting some more points. However, his physical play and instincts in defensive end have been solid so far and are the key to his staying in the lineup.

Bryan Berard- two goals, six assists, eight points. In limited play, Berard has done a decent job on the powerplay, but it’s obvious he isn’t the same player he was a few years ago in Chicago. Nonetheless, his physical play has been pretty solid this season and his defensive play hasn’t been nearly as questionable as many thought it would be. If Freddy Meyer wasn’t playing so dependably and Marc-Andre Bergeron would stop scoring, Berard could finally get some more ice-time.

Rating- C- - If he hit the net a little bit more on the powerplay, he’d be in the lineup a lot more. And while his defensive play hasn’t been horrible, the Islanders can’t afford to have two question marks on the blue line.

Chris Campoli- Four goals, 14 assists, 18 points. Despite having season-ending shoulder surgery last week, Campoli should be happy with the way his season went. Early on, he was the most productive Islander in both ends of the ice and proved that his physical play last season was no fluke. After the first 25 games or so though, he hit a few bumps in the road, but no one really knows how long he was playing with an injured shoulder.

Rating- B+- Since we don’t know how long Campoli was nursing that shoulder injury it’s impossible to know how well he could have played down the stretch. However, by watching him through the first 25 games this season, it’s obvious he’s ready to play big time minutes in the future.

Bruno Gervais- no goals, 13 assists. When Radek Martinek got injured, Isles fans trembled with fear. However, Gervais played quite solid in his absence and proved that he’s capable of playing 25 minutes a game if the Islanders need him to. His offensive game still needs a tune-up, but his play in the defensive end has kept the Isles in more than a few games this year.

Rating- B – He’s been an offensive defensemen at every other level, but has turned into a dependable defensive one at the NHL level. If he could get himself to the 25- 30 point mark in the near future, he’d be the one of the best two-way defensemen the Isles have. Right now though, he’s going to have to focus on playing solid in his own zone, as that’s the reason why he’s got so much playing time in the first place.

Marc-Andre Bergeron- eight goals, nine assists, 17 points. One look at this guy’s numbers and its obvious this guy was born to play on the powerplay. Unfortunately for him, most of the game is played at even-strength, where he has struggled mightily at times. His play has been more responsible as of late, but he must continue to make strides in the defensive end before taking his game to the next level.

Rating- C+- 17 points in 35 games is pretty solid for a defenseman in this league, but his -7 rating tells the bigger story.

Andy Sutton- one goal, six assists- Just like Brendan Witt and Sean Hill last season, Sutton took his sweet time getting accustomed to playing on the Island, but over the past month or so, he’s stepped up his physical play and has started to become the intimidating presence the Isles wanted when they signed him.

Rating- B- - His offensive numbers are way down from his days in Atlanta and he took his time turning up the physical intensity. Hopefully the past month is only a small sample of what he can do on the ice. If not, the fans in Atlanta who drank a celebratory glass of wine when he left may opt to have another.

Radek Martinek- no goals, 10 assists, 10 points. Martinek was arguably the Islanders best defenseman at both ends of the ice last season before a nasty leg injury ended his season. This season, it remains to be seen if he’ll ever be the same offensive player he was last year, when he had 17 points in 43 games and was a +19. However, with Witt, Martinek has been solid on the defensive end and have helped shut down some of the best players in the league.

Rating- B – If he could get some more time on the powerplay, his underrated shot and solid offensive instincts could give the Isles powerplay a different look. His defensive game hasn’t been the same since he came back a few games ago, but if the All-Star break was good for him, he should rebound and have a solid second half.

Brendan Witt- two goals, four assists, six points. All season, Witt has been the glue that has kept the Islanders defense together. He takes the body, blocks shots and sticks up for his teammates every chance he gets. Not a flashy player by any means, it’s hard for the casually fan to see how dependable he is; however, anyone who doesn’t see Witt as an integral part of this team is insane.

Rating- A – If the Islanders don’t make the playoff this season, it’s not going to be because Witt didn’t play his heart out. It’s not his job to score goals and sadly, that’s where the team needs the most help now.