With Season Just Over a Week Away, Worries Abound Over State of the Islanders

No one is saying this is going to be an easy year.

With a new coach and a more youthful squad on the ice than that of last year, there is obviously an automatic learning curve to be endured once the hockey begins in earnest. However, Scott Gordon will have his work cut out for him once he realizes he will have less to work with than he thought.

First is Rick DiPietro, still working his way up from knee and hip surgery. Reports say he may see action late in the preseason... or he may not even start the regular season. Whatever the case, the smartest move for him to make would be to bide his time and come back 100 percent healthy, so that he is not found in this very same position next year. Next is Mike Sillinger, who also had surgery over the offseason for his hip injury, but has little chance of being ready for the season, prompting some fans to mull over the thought of him perhaps retiring. Then there's Jeff Tambellini ("upper body"), Sean Bergenheim (back?), Chris Campoli (who the heck knows?), Andy Sutton (perhaps upper body, can't be sure), and now captain Bill Guerin.

One would think this was an epidemic as they look at the list. The bad thing about this is that it's a mix of younger players and seasoned vets, and there doesn't seem to be enough time for everyone to be ready come October 10th. This is surely a huge stroke of bad luck for the team, who will now have to wonder how they will come out of the gate strong with a decimated roster... which, ironically, was how they had re-entered for the offseason.

Time will tell how we shall fare.