After the past few days, I’ve gotten a maelstrom of e-mails, instant messages over AIM, X-Box Live and more than a few comments on the site about what direction the team is going after the departure of Ted Nolan.

Well, if the recent signings are any indication, at least two youngsters will have a big opportunity to make a name for themselves in this upcoming season.

I wrote about Sean Bergenheim a week ago and stressed that he not only needed a real opportunity, unlike the one that had him playing ten minutes a game for the majority of the season last year, and of course, a long-term contract. Giving him a one-way, two-year contract to prove himself is definitely a step in the right direction for this club and I predict that if he gets a few more minutes a game, you’ll stat to see the development of a legitimate NHL pest, minus the Jack Nicholson-esque stare, a-la “The Shining” of Darcy Tucker [thank you Howie Rose] and metrosexuality of Sean Avery.

With more playing time and some consistency, the guy will also blossom into a 20-goal scorer.

I bet my Starbury’s on it.

Islanders GM Garth Snow seems pretty happy they locked him up as well.

“We’re very happy to have Sean locked up for two years,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow on the team’s official website. “He’s another young player who we’re excited to see at training camp and competing.”

At 1.75 million over two seasons, Bergenheim is also extremely cost-effective. Overall, it’s a great deal for both Bergie and the Islanders.

If you thought Bergenheim’s deal was cost-effective, getting Jeff Tambellini for only 1.125 million over two-years is a steal. However unlike Bergenheim who proved himself a valued commodity last season, Tambellini has everything to prove. A first round pick in 2003, time is running out for the 24-year-old, who has consistently proven himself at the AHL level, but only has four goals and 17 points in 79 NHL games.

In other news, Jeremy Colliton and Ben Walter also signed two-way contracts and should be the first forwards called up if an injury arises. Walter had 66 points in 68 games for Bridgeport, but wasn’t the same player on Long Island, mainly because of a lack of ice-time. Colliton on the other hand, proved that he could be an effective fourth line center in limited duty and may be fighting for a job in training camp.

Despite signing four of their brightest prospects, the Islanders may lose the services of both Frans Nielsen and Bruno Gervais, who both rejected qualifying offers.

Nielsen showed some promise in his two stints with the Islanders over the past two seasons, but like a host of other youngsters, was never really given an opportunity. Gervais on the other hand, despite solid skating ability and solid defensive ability, has yet to develop into the solid two-way defenseman the Islanders expected him to be.

However despite all of this, these are two youngsters the Islanders should sign. Working with Kyle Okposo in Bridgeport, Nielsen can be a dependable third line center at his point in his career and Gervais, at 23, still has time to develop. As good a skater as he is, it’s a fair assumption to make that he still has yet to stop developing.