Isles gain veteran leader in D-man Mark Eaton

When defenseman Mark Eaton signed with the Islanders July 2, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero had some high praise for the 33-year-old veteran.

“Mark was really a quiet leader for us,” said Shero, who was the assistant general manager when Eaton played with Nashville. “He bought in four years ago, and he contributed on and off the ice. He’s a real pro. The Islanders are getting a real great guy."

Eaton was humbled when message was relayed but said he hopes to take on a similar leadership role with his new team.

"Absolutely," Eaton said after a recent informal skate. "I had that role in Pittsburgh a bit and here I'm one of the older guys on the team. I'm not the most vocal, but I come to work every day and I think I lead by example."

Islanders general manager Garth Snow targeted Eaton for the leadership and experience (he won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009) he'd bring to the Islanders' blue-line. Defense was an area Snow made a concerted effort to improve over the summer and Eaton thinks the depth--eight defensemen on one-way contracts-- will be be beneficial to the team.

"Competition is the key," Eaton said. "Everyone gets better."

As for adjusting to his surroundings? Eaton already knows Long Island.

The Delaware native played Apple Core Junior B hockey in Long Beach during his junior and senior years of high school. Eaton said he used to practice with a team back home during the week to stay sharp, then head to LI on Friday and crash on a teammates' couch over the weekend.

Now he's back, albeit without the weekly commute, and he still hears from his old teammates now and then.

"It's really fun. I've kept in touch with a handful of them. One's a cop out here, one's coaching youth hockey. It's neat to see what everyone is doing now."

Eaton also said that his time spent on Long Island prepared him for the fervent fans and the team's strong link to the community.

"It's really neat. Just from playing here back then you get to know how big this team is to Long Island. You know how exciting it is."