EAST MEADOW, NY -- On Friday, the New York Islanders held their first scrimmage of training camp. At the end of the 60-minute affair, the Blue team came away victorious, beating White 3-2. Prospect Alex Jefferies opened up the scoring, burying a rebound from the low slot early in the first period.

DiPietro, who signed a 15-year deal with the Isles in 2006 and saw his career derailed by a series of injuries — mainly to his knee and hip — can relate to that more directly than most. His advice: Don’t rush it.

Coach Roy said he hopes by getting his players conditioned well, they can avoid the slow starts they've gotten off to in the past two seasons.