2010-11 New York Islanders Preview: Sticking to a Plan

Filed under: IslandersTo the non-believers, the New York Islanders are using the cover of "rebuilding" as an excuse to not spend much beyond the cap floor while they await a solution to their never-ending arena crisis.

To the true orange-and-blue believers, the Islanders are about halfway through a meticulously crafted, slow and steady rebuild that will result in a contender around the time the current CBA expires in 2012. (All the while, awaiting a solution to their never-ending arena crisis.)

In the big picture, it doesn't matter what side you're on. We're going to find out over the next few years if the Islanders are serious enough about winning when building blocks like John Tavares and Kyle Okposo play beyond their entry level contracts. We will find out if the Islanders are serious about winning when the unrestricted free agency period brings an important piece to the puzzle, not staged stories like this summer of trying to lure Paul Martin and placing a call to Ilya Kovalchuk.

In two years, the Islanders could be an exciting, young force that battles with the league's best for many years. Or they could turn out to once again be -- at best -- merely a hopeful for seventh or eighth in the Eastern Conference.

As for the 2010-11 season, the Islanders and their fans would gladly accept the latter. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Sienna Guillory Sienna Miller Simone Mütherthies Sofía Vergara Soft Cell