Now - it is time to talk about the rear line folks.  This, remember, is the view of this poster, and no one else.  You may disagree all you like, please make your comments on it (in good taste).

Ok - here we go - in alphabetical order.

Marc Andre Bergeron

He made an immediate impact on this team, with his arrival from Edmonton.  His blistering slap shot reminds many of Fulton Reed - the kid on the Mighty Ducks movies.  He can blast the living crap of a pane of glass, so shatter the twine in the back of the end.  He also broke more sticks than anyone on the team.  He has such a torque on his shot, that the manufactures must love him for the number of pieces of sticks he needs.  He averaged nearly a point a game - and brought the team’s power play from near the bottom of the pack, to nearly the top 10.  He has some defensive liabilities, but in the right situation, he has been a god-send to this team.  Grade:  B

Chris Campoli

The beginning of the season was a tough one for #14.  He really thought he was going to ‘cake walk’ onto the team - from the looks of things.  However, I really believe that he needed some time in the Port to get his head together.  Once he did - and returned back - he was a little slow at the gate.  However, he started to move up by leaps in bounds.  Especially in big games, such as the last Ranger game, and the Buffalo series - he stepped his game up, and proved what kind of an impact he can be on a team.  He needs to keep that level up next year, and things will be fine.  To me - he needs to keep reminiding himself that he was pick number 200 and something, that he has to work hard all the time to stay in the lineup.  I like Chris, and the future is definitely there.  Grade:  C

Bruno Gervais

The defensive ‘flip-flop’ this season.  Last year, Campoli was up and Bruno was down.  This year, the other way around.  He played hard all through camp, and got the chance.  Unfortunately, the injury bug hit him a few times this season.  However, the last games of the season, and in the playoffs, he, along with his former Bridgeport teammate Campoli, played well together, and showed their ability to hang tough with some of the best forwards in the NHL.  Between his happy-go-lucky attitiude and his “Peeza” making skills, he should be a good Islander for a long time to come.  Grade:  C+

Sean Hill

He was definitely an interesting case.  In the beginning of the season, he could not stop taking stupid penalties; grabbing to catrch up to speedy forwards.  Then from about the 40 game point of the season, showed some grit and toughness, and played a more disciplined game.  Then, before game 5 of the playoffs, we found out that he was the first NHL player caught in the substance abuse system for performance enhancing drugs.  What a complete shame.  He should NOT return next season.  If this did not happen, I would have give Hill a B-.  However…. Grade F:

Radek Martinek

To me - the best overall defensemen this season.  What an unfortunate incident in Montreal that he blew his leg out in an unfortunate accident.  He plays the PP, PK and overall better than anyone on this team, with no one even recognizing it.  I hope he is 100% ready in September.  Most said that if we upset Buffalo - we may have saw him in Round 2.  However, 100% all year in 07-08 will help this team more than you can imagine.  Grade:  A-

Freddy Meyer

Nice acquisition from Philly in the Mike York deal.  He wasn’t flashy, not big, and not powerful, but in most cases, was a consistent player.  He can make it a contest for the number 5 or 6 spot, but I really think he would be on the short end of the stick, if all stay healthy.  A broken finger - at the wrong time - ended his season.  Grade:  C

Tom Poti

The former Ranger fit real well with this team.  Can handle all facets of the defensive game, as well as log big minutes (I think he had at least a dozen games of over 30 minutes played).  He had a career mark in assists, and seemed to do quite well when he went to MSG or the Rangers came to Long Island.  I wonder why???  A good Neil Smith acquisition that has fit well.  To me - speed is the only real problem in his game.  He just does not have a lot of it.  I think he should be paired with either Campoli or Gervais, to balance that issue next year.  Grade:  B

Brendan Witt

The tattoo clad warrior, was a welcome need to this team.  He plays hard all the time - agitates profusely, drew dozens of penalties this season, and always seem to give more of a damn about the game than others.  I am glad we have him for two more seasons.  It will be interesting to see him and Avery for 8 games next season.  Maybe he can give Mr. Elisha Cuthbert a brutal smackdown.  Got career highs in points, as well as his 100th in the NHL.  Points are just a bonus for him.  Once he got his early grabbing penalties out of his skin this season, he was the best defensive D-man on the team by far.  Grade:  B

Yes - in some cases, I may have graded a little higher than most.  I grade from my heart, as well as grade on the potential opportunity for improvement next season as well.

Later this week, I will do the first half of the forwards.  This should be fun.  Enjoy round 2 of the playoffs.  Don’t worry Buffalo - get the win tomorrow - and you should be fine going home to clinch.

Hasn’t the first two games of NJ/Ott  been real good?  So has the Anaheim series.  The Det/SJ series is going to be such a physical bomb blast.  It is fun to watch this season.  I usually don’t when my team is eliminated, but for this season, it is an exception.

Duck season starts this week (Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic Baseball League).  I start covering the Ducks this weekend, and will have some articles on them as well on this site.  QUACK QUACK!