Islanders Find Unlikely Gem in Moulson
The following article featuring former Cornell standout Matt Moulson appeared December 14 on the Sports Illustrated (SI) Web site.
By Michael Farber
The Islanders have made the playoffs four times since 1994. They have missed the playoffs four straight years and five of the past six. New York had the first overall pick in 2000 when GM Mike Milbury took goalie Rick DiPietro and in 2009 when GM Garth Snow drafted John Tavares. There have not been low-hanging draft fruit every year -- other than Tavares, the Islanders have selected no higher than fifth post-lockout (Nino Niederreiter in 2010 and Ryan Strome last June), but they have had two other picks in the first 10 -- Kyle Okposo (seventh in 2006) and Josh Bailey (ninth in 2008).
Maybe the Islanders, who began the week 14th in the Eastern Conference, are moving in the right direction. But in comparison to, say, Minnesota or Florida, it seems like turning around the fortunes of this franchise is more difficult than making a K-turn with a battleship.
"Sometimes (winning) is a slower process," Islanders left winger Matt Moulson says. "Some teams find it quicker. In our case, it's been slow but steady, a matter of really finding the right people that fit together."
Complete article can be accessed via the SI Web site by clicking here.
