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Islanders fans had good reason to cheer after John Tavares was picked No. 1 overall by their team in the NHL draft on June 26.

Stanley Cups: 4

2008-'09 record: 26-47-9, 61 points (5th in Atlantic, 15th in East)

2008-'09 playoffs: Did not qualify

General manager: Garth Snow (101-115-30, 4th NHL year, 1st team)

Coach: Scott Gordon (26-47-9, 2nd NHL year, 1st team)

Captain: Doug Weight

Top returning scorer: D Mark Streit (16 goals, 40 assists, 56 points)

Top returning goalie: Rick DiPietro (1-3-0, 3.52, .892)

Key additions: G Dwayne Roloson; G Martin Biron.

Key subtractions: G Peter Mannino; G Yann Danis; D Joe Callahan; G Joey MacDonald; C Shawn Bates; C Andy Hilbert; D Thomas Pock; C Mike Sillinger; LW Dean McAmmond.

Top line: LW Doug Weight, C John Tavares, RW Sean Bergenheim.

Top defensive pairing: Mark Streit, Bruno Gervais.

Goaltending: The key cog in this team, DiPietro was gone five games into the season with a knee injury that ultimately required three separate surgeries. NHL veterans Roloson and Biron were added in the summer as insurance policies against a repeat of these woes, with concern remaining about DiPietro’s condition. Considering he’s previously had both hips surgically repaired in 2007 and 2008, the cause for concern is warranted.

Player to watch: C John Tavares. The OHL’s career goal-scoring leader with 215, he conjures up images of Mike Bossy with his quick release and ability to finish. A competitive sort who wants to be on the ice in key situations and seeks the puck with the game on the line. Not the fastest skater, but displays a stealth knack for showing up in the right place and the right time. Get him the puck in scoring position and it’s a goal.

Icing: On-ice success might become necessary to keep the team on Long Island into the future. Team owner Charles Wang is in a political struggle to get approval to build the "Lighthouse Project," a large development that would include a new arena to replace antiquated Nassau Coliseum. For now, Gordon will make due with a roster loaded with youth and lacking much veteran talent. Roloson and Biron will share goaltending duties in the absence of DiPietro, who has no timetable to return from knee injuries that limited him to five games last season. Look for further development from past first-round picks Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey.

Outlook: They are on their way back, but it’s a long climb from Ground Zero. Expect another long winter on the Island.

Prediction: 65 points (5th in Atlantic, 15th seed in East)

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS Teams listed in predicted order of finish; x-playoff team ATLANTIC x-Penguins x-Flyers x-Devils x-Rangers Islanders Vote: Winner? CENTRAL x-Red Wings x-Blackhawks x-Blue Jackets x-Blues Predators Vote: Winner? NORTHEAST x-Bruins x-Canadiens Sabres Maple Leafs Senators Vote: Winner? NORTHWEST x-Flames x-Canucks Oilers Wild Avalanche Vote: Winner? SOUTHEAST x-Capitals x-Hurricanes Thrashers Panthers Lightning Vote: Winner? PACIFIC x-Sharks x-Ducks Stars Kings Coyotes Vote: Winner?

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