I am relatively new here, and I am sure this has been repeated ad nauseum, however I thought I would share before what shapes up to be an exciting season for the Isles.

A couple weeks before the draft a friend and I made a line-up on what the Islanders may have looked like in 2002 if they had a competent GM and not Mike Milbury.  While I am really excited about the John Tavares era (and I am looking forward to watching him live on Saturday), I can't help but think what may have been. 

Please feel free to correct me if I made any mistakes, but I would also like to hear your thoughts.  And I promise I won't make any comments about the last decade of frustration any further.  Just wanted to get it out of my system.

2002-03 potential line-up

Goal -- Roberto Luongo, Kevin Weekes, Garth Snow

Defense

1.  Zdeno Chara; Kenny Jonsson

2. Bryan McCabe  Eric Brewer

3. Wade Redden Adrian Aucoin

7th: Eric Cairns

Forwards

1: Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, The Polish Prince Czerkawski

2. Olli Jokinen, Todd Bertuzzi, Jason Blake

3. Tim Connolly, Jarko Ruutu (he was in the Linden trade as well), Taylor Pyatt

4. Dave Scratchard, Josh Green, Brad Isibister

Tell me that team wouldn't have made the playoffs and with a couple breaks and a hot Luongo made some noise in the East this decade. Grit, size, skill, good d, top notch goaltending...

We got Heatley as if Mad Mike didn't make the Luongo/Jokinen for garbage trade, he should have selected Heatley or Gaborik.  I am fine with either...though I think Heater is a goof.

I am thinking I may purchase what if sports just to see what this team could have done in 2002.

Curious to think what everyone here thinks, and I promise I will only think of the future from now on...just wow how did Mike keep his job for so long!

I just got home and quickly went through the game thread to see how the first game of the Sox/Jays game went.   

I noticed there was some discussion regarding the performance of Vernon Wells and his contract.  While I think he is due to shake this funk soon, I do agree with Adam's argument that it is fair game to make reference to his pay.  Wells as the offensive leader on the club, needs to perform like the offensive leader and fans have the right to hold him to a higher standard than a Rod Barajas, kevin Millar or Lyle Overbay.

Two real life examples that I am stealing from Bill Simmons.  If you are a notoriously slow starter, isn't there something an elite player can do to change that.  Can any of you at your jobs mail in the first couple weeks of a new year and blame it on a slow start.  Say you are a high school teacher...can you slack off the first couple months to the point your students aren't learning anything, and explain to the principal and parents that you didn't prepare enough in the off season, but you will get better as the year goes on.

Secondly, at work in my department, my direct supervisor makes the most money in the division and right or wrong I hold him to a higher standard to perform to justify the higher salary.

While we can argue that it is the GM's (J.P's) fault for offering a salary that is not conducive with the level of effort that the said player can offer; I see no reason why fan's can't reasonably expect the highest paid player to carry the team (see Doc Halladay).

Regardless, I think Vernon will get out of this and put up a typical .280 20HR 90RBI season that is respectable but still does not justify his salary.

And in reference to the recent negative posts...Jays will win 88-90 assuming the young/inexperienced starters slow down a bit.  However with the competition amongst the starters, I see no reason why a 93 win season is out of the question.