[ThePundit]

From today's Newsday:

What is Rick DiPietro's condition?

Islanders goaltender has recovered from hip surgery and is extremely fit. DiPietro's loss late last season after two concussions underscored his "most valuable" status, which is one reason the defense has been revised to offer more protection.

Did the Islanders lose too much on the free-agent market?


It depends. Can Bill Guerin approach Jason Blake's 40 goals? Will defenseman Andy Sutton's physical presence offset Tom Poti's offensive skills? Will Josef Vasicek be this year's Viktor Kozlov with a career season? Can Mike Comrie top Alexei Yashin's 50 points and inconsistent effort as top center?

Is Miroslav Satan on the hot seat?
Entering his free-agent season, Satan is similar to Blake in that he has a powerful incentive to produce, and he could be trade bait in February. Satan started slowly last year and lost his power-play role to Blake but played tough despite a foot injury.

Is there room for any kids in the lineup?

Jeff Tambellini will compete with Jonathan Sim on a line with Vasicek and Satan. Sean Bergenheim is in the mix for a fourth-line role, but Sim and Chris Simon also need minutes. Young defensemen Bruno Gervais and Chris Campoli are improving, but vet Bryan Berard might nudge one aside.

Can the Isles repeat last season's playoff berth?

Conventional wisdom says it will be tough in a division in which the Rangers and Philadelphia improved and Pittsburgh has Sidney Crosby. If the Islanders aren't in contention at the trade deadline, they could become sellers, add young talent and spend heavily on free agents in July.

Five Islanders training camp questions -- Newsday.com

Yes- They will compete for a playoff berth! I didn't even know Bryan Berard is back on the team.