The 2021-22 edition of the Islanders is starting out strong. Two fights broke out during rookie camp as players tried to stand out to GM Chris and Head Coach Palffy.

GM Chris was asked about this year's team at the opening presser.

"Well we certainly feel we are a deeper team. We did have a few targets we swung at during UFA and you're not always going to be successful but we feel that the players we've brought in, the general improvement since the making the playoffs a few years ago, we are quite happy as a management core."

When asked where he thinks his team will finish this season GM Chris stated that "well I don't have a crystal ball, otherwise I'd make a living out of betting. But I think we've improved, now is it enough to make the playoffs we'll see but I think we're gonna be good."

Coach Palffy was asked about the teams new offensive players and how they'll make a difference.

"Yes they are very good, and we're happy to have them come in. Hemmer and Bouchard are vets up front and they'll help create and finish. We're deeper up front which I like."

GM Chris was asked about the D and how losing Dion has hurt the team.

"Well when we brought Dion in, we knew from the start and I did too that there was a chance we'd resign him if the price was right. Now you can see what he got on the open market and maybe we could have kept him for another season but then we wouldn't have been able to bring in Bouch and Hemmer up front and Ryan on the backend. I think Summers will make up the hits and if Ryan can help on offence a bit we'll be in good shape. There's a good chunk of change freeing up this summer and it's also why I didn't want to hamstring the cap with buyouts going forward. We'll deal with what we've got this year and make some more adjustments next summer as we should. But overall we'll be fine I think.


The Islanders have not made the playoffs since the 2018 Cup where they were eliminated in the first round by the Sens in 5 games.