Hockey Night on Long Island

The New York Islanders returned to the NHL playoffs in 2006-07, but the best is yet to come. "Hockey Night on Long Island" hosts Alex and Steve will chronicle their beloved team's efforts as it strives for a return to its former championship glory.

Despite last season's success, it's been a turbulent time for the Islanders. Owner Charles Wang and General Manager Garth Snow finally bit the bullet and bought out underachieving captain Alexei Yashin's unwieldy contract, taking a salary cap hit in an effort to improve team chemistry. With Yashin gone, someone will need to emerge as a leader on and off the ice.

Ryan Smyth, who was acquired in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline from Edmonton, would seem like a perfect candidate to assume the leadership mantle, but Smyth was determined to test the free agency market, making his time on Long Island painfully brief. Leading goal-scorer Jason Blake, who connected for a career-best 40 goals in 2006-07, will likely have a new home next season as well thanks to repeated squabbles with the front office.

Needless to say, it should be an interesting summer for the Islanders. They'll need to work hard and make all the right decisions just to keep pace with Atlantic Division foes like the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and those dreaded New York Rangers.

No matter what happens, rest assured "Hockey Night on Long Island" will have it covered. Tune in every Saturday at 3 p.m. EST and hear for yourself.