Insider

Despite his low profile, rookie coach Steve Stirling 53, is not a neophyte-he's been behind a bench for more than 20 years. But he'll have to crack the whip on this bunch, and that's not his strong suit....

G Rick DiPietro will get the first shot at winning the No. I job. He's a gambler who can be a special player....

The Islanders are stacked on D, but they'll miss departed assistant Jacques Laperriere. He did an excellent job helping Adrian Aucoin and Roman Hamrlik become more consistent.