Islanders look into the future

Though the future of the New York Islanders in Nassau County is uncertain, the future of the on-ice product appears to be bright.  At the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on June 25, a large gathering of Islanders fans watched their team select Swiss defenseman Nino Niederreiter as the No. 5 overall pick in the draft.
   
The fans were on hand for the Islanders' annual draft party at the Coliseum. Those in attendance were treated to a night of games, activities, demonstrations and visits from some of the players. The crowd was not as large as the 2009 party when  the team selected highly touted prospect John Tavares as the No. 1 overall selection.
   
Tavares appeared at the 2010 party, along with teammates Trevor Gillies and Matt Moulson.
   
Niederreiter last played for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. Neiderreiter was also a key member of Team Switzerland in the World Junior Championships, where he led his team with 10 points in seven games.
   
“Our goal has constantly been to add the best player into our lineup that will help us build our young core into a team that consistently competes for the Stanley Cup,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “Nino was extremely impressive in the World Junior Championships playing for Team Switzerland, using his size to create space.  He is a big power-forward who while add size to our lineup for years to come.”

The Islanders finished in 13th place in the Eastern Conference during the 2009-10 season. They look to play themselves into the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2010-11.
   
Fans like Jeff Byrnes, an East Rockaway resident, are optimistic.
    
"Hopefully with last year's draft and the way they finished this season, I have to believe we are going to be close to the playoffs," Byrnes said.
   
Andrew Alano, a Levittown resident, had similar thoughts.
   
"I think we have a good, young core," he said. "I think they will make the playoffs."