Long Island -- Although they combine for over $12 million dollars in cap room, the Islanders will try their best to pretend that Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer will not return this season. Going into free agency, the Islanders sit at about $43 million dollars in payroll (including Niedermayer and Selanne). With a likely chance that neither will return, the Islanders will proceed to build their team as if those two are not returning. The Islanders, a former basement dweller, have now grown to become one of the most exciting young teams in the league. Last season they made the playoffs for the first time under GM James Jones, and this year they will look to continue that success. With enough cap room to do their part in free agency, the Islanders will try and bring a few players in to fill the holes that Niedermayer and Selanne will leave. "Even if we don't get anyone, we're not worried", said coach Mike Keenan in a recent interview from his home in downtown Mogadishu. "The way this organization has been built, there are enough young players to fill any potential void that may need to be filled. Our scouts and management have done a great job over the last few years and shown that patience and good drafting really do pay off."
Things should look a lot clearer over the next few weeks, leading upto opening night in the OTHL!