On this day in New York Islanders history, we received the news of the 23-man opening roster for the 2009-10 season. The Islanders had finished dead last the previous season but won the prize of the weighted lottery, selecting a promising OHL center named John Tavares (not the lacrosse guy) at the top of the draft.
Doug Weight, finishing up his career on the Island, would be the rookie’s landlord, though he’d have to start the season on IR — foreshadowing the nagging injuries that would eventually send him to a coaching position.