There was Mike Comrie skating on the Islanders’ top line with Bill Guerin and Doug Weight during yesterday’s practice in Syosset.
Coach Scott Gordon said the three veterans were just working on the power play together and that he hadn’t even decided if he would use the line tonight when they visit Atlanta [7 p.m., MSG Plus, WJMC (94.3 FM)].
If Gordon does put the trio together, it will not make much of a difference in this lost season on Long Island, but it will at least make it easier for opposing teams to scout all three valuable assets at the same time.
Comrie, who has been shifted around throughout the season, said he liked the idea of skating on the top line with two other veterans.
“I think we bring some experience,” Comrie said. “We’ve got a young group, and I hope we can get some chances and goals for this team.”
Those were in short supply as the Isles staggered to the All-Star break on an eight-game losing streak before winning their most recent game, a 2-1 victory over the Thrashers.
Despite the team’s spot in the standings, none of the players have said that they want to go elsewhere, even if the injuries have made things “brutal.”
“We all still want to win hockey games,” Comrie said. “You try to win games and play as well as you can, no matter where you are.”
If that means Comrie does that paired with Weight and Guerin, that’s fine with him.
“We’ve all scored at this level and been successful at this level,” Comrie said.
Weight will play for the first time since recovering from a lower leg injury that has kept him on injured reserve since Jan. 5. Trent Hunter also was activated, while Sean Bergenheim (side) was placed on injured reserve.
Weight said he is more concerned with getting back on the ice than who his linemates are.
“I just want to play,” he said.
Which is good for Gordon to hear, as he tries to balance his older players with the younger ones the franchise is tied to now.
“When you’re younger, you think you’re gonna be in the playoffs every year,” Gordon said. “As you get older, the clock starts ticking and you want to have that opportunity to win a championship and be in the playoffs, because as time winds down, you’re not gonna get more opportunities, you’re gonna get less.”