Zenon Konopka

With the New York Islanders heading into another off-season without a playoff berth, the team will look to solidify its young core through the NHL draft, trades, and signings of free agents. (Robert Kowal/Flickr)

While the Isles might not be fortunate enough to land Nail Yakupov in this year's NHL Entry Draft, the team should focus on trying to scout the best defenseman out of this year's draft. Names like Trouba, Dumba, Rielly, Murray, and Reinhart are headlining the list of premier d-men that will be available to the Islanders come draft day in June.
Drafting a young defenseman will probably be the right choice for the Isles, but one can't simply ignore that New York has holes to fill for the 2012-2013 NHL Season. Mike Mottau, Milan Jurcina, Mark Eaton, and Steve Staios tried to do their jobs as veteran rearguards, but it was painfully obvious on certain nights that the Islanders' d-men were simply outmatched. If the Islanders want to stay in contention in a highly competitive Atlantic Division, then General Manager Garth Snow must exhaust all of his resources toward signing or acquiring a top 4 defenseman.

When you ask someone 'who is your favorite player?' you may get responses of such Sidney Crosby, Marian Gaborik, Evgeni Malkin, or even John Tavares on the Islanders front. If you ask my lovely wife the same question....

Zenon Konopka.

It truly boggles my mind how someone that has a great mind for the game and knows her hockey would find such a admiration for a 4th line player that doesn’t exactly do things that chicks dig.. like hit home-runs or score 40 goals.

For reasons unknown, she has a true affinity towards him, so much in fact that she made up a shirt that stated simply 'Bring Konopka Back!' and subsequently wore the shirt on Monday to his first game back on the Island as an Ottawa Senator.

(Photo Credit: Official New York Islanders/Flickr)

The NHL All Star game is basically a chance for the NHL to sell itself to the fans by showcasing top level talent for two nights in a row. Fans are treated to highlight reel moves that you don't get to see in every hockey game as well as having the chance to become better acquainted with their on ice heroes. Several players are mic'ed up and provide commentary throughout the two nights, even while they are in game action, as seen with Montreal comedian/goaltender, Carey Price.

Price has become an excellent goaltender for the Canadiens and wasn't shy about showing off his personality, stopping a puck by facing the glass and using the reflection to help him guage his positioning as well as giving Islanders rep John Tavares a "Tim Tebow" as he came in for one of his shootout moves.

(Photo Credit: Robert Kowal/Flickr)

Brian Rolston, Jay Pandolfo, Marty Reasoner and Steve Staios were added to this Islanders team during the off-season to provide veteran stability throughout the line-up; Rolston was acquired for cap room and an added offensive punch over Trent Hunter, Pandolfo and Reasoner were brought in for defensive support on the bottom line, and Staios added grit and experience to a relatively young defense crew.

Let's take a look at their numbers to see where they stand...