Training Camp Notes

Let's be honest, this team is either going to fly or stumble based on the development of the kids. Still, you have to understand that many of us have to be worried about the Islanders' centers...or lack thereof. Rookie coach Scott Gordon is probably not going to know until right before the regular season whether or not last year's leading scorer, Mike Comrie, will respond to off-season hip surgery for a torn labrum. Comrie has been reportedly playing on the right wing with rookie center Josh Bailey in an effort to take it slow. Right now, no one knows whether or not Comrie will be 100% for the start of the season. The same could be said for Mike Sillinger, who missed the last 29 games of the season with a similar hip injury and has been skating with new Sound Tigers' assistant coach Matt Bertani and not taking place in the "overspeed" drills the rest of the guys are going through as they're learning Gordon's system.

Comrie, Sillinger, and Doug Weight seem to be the organization's top three pivots--and that has to be considered a best case scenario. Josh Bailey--who we only hear and read great things about--is still unsigned but is playing with the team's established players--centering Comrie and Blake Comeau--and earning praise from both. Here's what each said about the Isles first rounder on the website:

"Josh is a good, young player," said Comrie. "He's smart and sees his teammates well on the ice. You can see why he's had success."

Added Comeau: "Josh has shown a lot of confidence playing with the veterans. He has good puck skills and is stronger than people might think."

Two other Isles rookies have been placed with the veterans during training camp: 2008 second-round draft choice Travis Hamonic and 2006 third-rounder Mark Katic. Both are defensemen.

Again from the Islanders' website: "The younger players we chose to be part of the veteran groups were players who showed through Rookie Camp and in the scrimmage against Boston that they could best handle playing with the veterans," said Assistant GM/Director of Amateur Scouting Ryan Jankowski. "It's a great opportunity for players like Travis, Mark and Josh to experience the NHL pace and compete against players with bigger size and more strength. They'll have to make decisions faster. It's not that the players in the rookie group couldn't handle the pace, there were just only so many spots available. They'll have their opportunity to develop within their group and during the scrimmage against the University of Moncton and then perhaps during an exhibition game."

Rookies vs. University of Moncton: Tonight the Islanders' rookies will take on the University of Moncton. More to come as we get it.