The Islanders spent much of the latter part of last season on John Tavares watch, when it became clear that they would be in the running for the top pick in the draft. Well, they got that pick -- and Tavares -- and now they hope that this year doesn't turn into Taylor Hall watch. Hall currently is the consensus No. 1 prospect in 2010, but the Isles, still in the early stages of rebuilding, say they would rather not be in the running for such a high selection. "We're not here to finish 30th," Josh Bailey said of last year's place in the standings at the bottom of the league. "We're here to make the playoffs, and there's more pressure on young guys to perform." Nevertheless, the postseason figures to be an unrealistic goal, as the Islanders begin their season tonight at the Nassau Coliseum against Pittsburgh, last year's... [read full story]
