Youth on defense could prove an asset
Photo credit: AP | New York Islanders' Bruno Gervais (8) congratulates teammate Jack Hillen, right, on his goal against the Atlanta Thrashers' during the first period. (November 7, 2009)
No one around the Islanders even wants to think about last season, especially from an injury standpoint.
But this year is already a far cry from last year for Scott Gordon's club, simply because there is an NHL-ready defenseman set to step in and take Radek Martinek's minutes.
"This time last year, Jack Hillen was on his way back to Bridgeport," Gordon said Mondayafter the team's 75-minute practice at IceWorks in Syosset. "He's obviously made huge strides this year."
That the Islanders were counting on Martinek, who's missed 83 games the last three seasons with various injuries, may have been a misstep. But at least the Islanders are not trying to force things with the 23-year-old Hillen, who had only two NHL games under his belt when a string of injuries made him a regular early last season before he was sent down.He finished the year with a goal and five assists at a -9 in 40 games.
"We don't want to talk about last season at all," said Andy Sutton, one of the wounded last year. His healthy presence has been a big factor in the cohesion of the defense.
"We'll miss [Martinek], but we're going to have a healthy season and we'll keep moving forward. Jack had to make a big adjustment last season, but he's getting a lot of encouragement and he's handling things well."
Hillen had an impact in his first game alongside Sutton on Saturday. Both players scored goals in the 6-3 win over the Thrashers. Through 16 games, Isles defensemen have 10 goals, compared with 33 (16 from Mark Streit) through all of last season, when 11 different defensemen suited up.
For now, Gordon will carry six defensemen, with no standouts ready for recall from Bridgeport, whom Gordon scouted on the Isles' day off Sunday. Andrew MacDonald would be the only viable candidate to join the big club, and Gordon's not ready to take playing time away from him in the minors.
So, this is the group the Isles have on defense. Last year, that was a scary proposition. Now it might even be a positive.
Notes & quotes: RW Trent Hunter (torn pectoral) had his first full practice Monday and is still "possible" to play Wednesday in Washington against the Capitals. Streit got the day off, so Kyle Okposo skated as a defenseman in practice to give the team six D-men. G Rick DiPietro practiced briefly with his teammates and will do so again Tuesday, his first back-to-back days of work since knee surgery.
