Despite a promising start, the Islanders faltered down the stretch. After a 3-10-1 March record, the team found themselves without an NHL playoff ticket, ending with a 5th place finish in the Atlantic Division. Injuries plagued coach Ted Nolan in the later part of the season (most notably goalie Rick DePietro), which created playing opportunities for up-and-coming stars like Kyle Okposo and Blake Comeau. Bill Guerin posted the solid numbers you’d expect from the veteran. As the Islanders retool for next season (likely in favor of youth), the team’s also planning for a possible future renovation of the Nassau Coliseum – one of the NHL’s oldest and smallest venues – into a more modern facility that is part of the hotly anticipated Lighthouse Project. With a long-term vision firmly in place, Long Island may still be a few more years from Stanley Cup contention, but we expect the Islanders to field a more exciting, fun-to-watch team next season.

Knocked out of the 2006-07 playoffs in the first round the New York Islanders are starting the 2007-08 season with high hopes for improvement. Though they lost Ryan Smyth, Jason Blake and Richard Zednik in the off season, they added seasoned veterans Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Ruslan Fedotenk and Jon Sim, which should boost the team enough for a real run at the playoffs. Get your tickets to Nassau Coliseum and root for the Islanders this season as they claw their way back to the top!