Volume 67, Issue 3

Isles and Devils Gear Up for Season

by Danny Groner

The 2001-02 season was a step in the right direction for the New York Islanders.  The Isles, who had not reached the post-season since 1994, were, arguably, the surprise team of the Eastern Conference last season.  Despite a Game Seven loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, the team performed well beyond all expectations.

What propelled the Isles to success last season was the play of young stars Shawn Bates, Brad Isbister and Oleg Kvasha.  They will need to step up their games even further this year to compensate for the absence of captain Michael Peca for the first two months.  Peca was injured during last year’s playoffs and will be out until December.

Peca and Alexei Yashin were last off-season’s key signings.  They provided the Isles with a combined 135 points, but most importantly with veteran leadership.  The Islanders made few changes to their roster during this off-season, a sign that management is content with its players.

In the always open and unpredictable Eastern Conference, it is anyone’s guess who the dominant force will be this season.  It will take strong team play for the Isles to succeed this season and even stronger play if they have their eyes set on reestablishing their conference dominance that characterized the early 1980s.

The New Jersey Devils were treated to an early exit from the playoffs last season courtesy of the Eastern Conference Champion Carolina Hurricanes.  After some major off-season moves, the team is geared up with a new game plan for the 2002-03 season. 

The Devils have always relied to some degree on All-Star goalie Martin Brodeur to carry them;  however, this year, Brodeur might have more than just the weight of his pads to deal with few proven goal scorers filling out the roster.

The team began unloading its top players last season when they traded center Jason Arnott to the Dallas Stars for Joe Nieuwendyk.  Recently, they traded Arnott’s former linemate, Petr Sykora as well.  In addition, veteran star Bobby Holik was signed away by the hated New York Rangers.

With departed offensive stars, it is clear that coach Pat Burns is more defensive-minded this season.  The defense should be up to the task, though.  Veteran Scott Stevens captains one of the strongest defensive teams in the league. 

If Brodeur and the defense can provide solid play and leadership and the offense can somehow find a way to score goals, there is reason to believe that the Devils will rise again.

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