FORWARDS

The deepest corps this team has had in seven seasons, so deep that draft picks Jason Pitton and Masi Marjamaki didn't crack the opening-night roster, and that's even before the Islanders send down one or two more. It has gotten bigger (Tim Jackman, Kip Brennan), tougher (ditto), scrappier (Olivier Labelle, Pascal Morency) and deeper in scoring (Jackman, Ben Walter).

DEFENSE

An intriguing balance between strong vets and talented newcomers. The Islanders opted to keep Aaron Johnson in the NHL at the start, depriving the Sound Tigers of their presumptive power-play quarterback. They'll have to find one from among a posse of good, young defensemen who can move the puck. The veterans will be among the team leaders and will help keep both ends of the ice under control.

GOALIES

Joey MacDonald has been one of the best in this league for five years now (except last year, which he spent mostly in the NHL). Mike Morrison, who has NHL experience, jumped into the backup role in training camp. Maxime Ouellet and Mike Mole are waiting in the wings (well, at the E Center in Utah) if needed.

OVERALL

On paper, this is the best Bridgeport team since that inaugural 2001-02 season. Dodge injuries, keep the scoring up, get help from the young defense, avoid soap operas: It has a chance to be just as magical a season as that first one. Even if the magic doesn't strike twice, this team should

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make the playoffs after the franchise has sat out two of the past three postseasons.