The New York Islanders have been a difficult team for their fans to cheer for for a number of years now. Even with the likes of star Rick Nash and John Tavares the Islanders could not crack the playoffs as if there was a brick wall they could not climb.

The 16-17 season is like a beacon of hope right now to fans who are itching to see playoff action.

But to be a beacon of hope, it was going to take more.

GM Chris moved some big names. In the past Rick Nash and Tavares. Lucked out winning the Connor McDavid lottery.

Moving young star Sam Reinhart would have been difficult with his potential. But Sam and Ryan Murray brought back the likes of Ovechkin and Klesla. A trade with Ottawa swapped 2011 1st rounder Christopher Gibson for Marc-Andre Fleury.
Ryan Whitney brought in to add some offence from the back end. Dany Heatley is here in the final year of his contract looking to make a mark and add some more offense. Even Kipper brought in as a UFA to backstop Fleury provides a better presnce in net.

Defensivly not having Hakenpaa and Murray is likely to hurt. Klesla, Grebeshkov and Whitney may prove to be a bit - leaky - so to speak. But with a solid tender in Fleury behind them and the offense of McDavid, Ovie and Heatley in front it may not matter.

Never finishing with more than 69 points in EHEC history. The Islanders have a lot of teams to jump over and those teams are better too!

The \'Canes and Flyers have rebuilt, Penguins and Rangers are always dangerous, Caps, Jackets and Devils have been pretty good too over the years. The only consistent has been the Islanders at or near the bottom.

This might finally be the group to change that.