In the all-too-often hard-to-decipher world of simulated ice hockey, the New York Islanders are in a third year of attempting to execute a successful franchise reconstruction.
 
After memorizing 26 pages of CBA Rules & Regulations, wading through a forum with over 241,000 posts, competing with 29 other prospect hounds (many of whom are <shudder> Canadian, GM Steve Reisman is once again reserving golf tee times in mid-March.
 
With 8 games to play, the Isles sit in 25th place overall at 23-40-8-3.  As Hurricanes GM Jeff McRae said Tuesday, “If your team had lost 3 of the 4 games they won in the last 10, you’d be 28th.”  Sadly, the Islanders refuse to lie down despite the obvious draft-related benefit.
 
In fact, in a hard-fought game with the Flames last night, the hard-nosed Isles lost the game but the Flames lost the battle.  Before the first horn sounded, three Flames were in the dressing room.  Lupul and Hansen are day-to-day but Gagne will be out for as long as 3 weeks.  His playoff performance could clearly be affected as he shakes off the rust of recovery.
 
Jannik Hansen injured at 04:58 of the 1st Period
Joffrey Lupul injured at 06:40 of the 1st Period
Simon Gagne injured at 07:13 of the 1st Period
 
Meantime, the Isles will be teeing off at Bethpage State Park in the not-too-distant future. 
 
When reminded of that, GM Steve kept up a strong posture when he ran through the list of young talent in the Islanders system.  From Huberdeau to Galchenyuk to Palmieri to Niederreiter up front, Pietrangelo and Muzzin at the points, the Islanders are confident of competing in the post-season by 2016.  “You can bank on it.”  He said.