The New York Islanders are struggling early, but one player who has been playing very well is defenseman Mark Streit. Streit signed as a free agent with the Islanders this summer, inking a five-year, $20.5 million deal. While other free agent defensemen like Brian Campbell and Jeff Finger may have gotten more attention, Streit may deliver the best value for the money of any of them.

In eight games with New York, Streit has three goals and seven points. He has scored goals in the team's last three games and has provided strong offensive play from the Islanders' injury depleted blue line. Two of his goals have come on the power play and one has come shorthanded.

Streit had a breakout season of sorts a year ago with the Habs. He managed 13 goals and 62 points in 81 games with 34 of those points coming on the power play. On a deep Montreal team, Streit split time between the blue line and playing forward on the fourth line. He averaged 17:31 per game. Some critics from Montreal questioned whether or not Streit could hack it as a full-time defenseman in the NHL. So far with the Islanders, Streit has answered the call. The Islanders have played without as many as four of their top six defensemen this season, so Streit has been called upon to play major minutes. Thus far, he is averaging 26:04 per game and his play has held up well.

"He's played 5-on-5, killed penalties and been on the power play without a lot of drop off in his play," Isles' Coach Scott Gordon said. "It's obviously a good thing to see."

Meanwhile, Streit's new coach has found his defensive play to be a pleasant surprise. "I didn't expect him to be as positionally as good defensively as he has been. The offensive part has been there. Not only has he been able to play on the power play and be effective with the puck, but with his shot, I think we're just starting to see the tip of the iceberg."

The adjustment to Long Island has not been a difficult one for the 30-year-old native of Englisberg, Switzerland.

"It didn't take me a long time to feel comfortable here," Streit said after practice on Wednesday. "There are a lot of great guys here and the organization treats us first class."

As a team, the Islanders have struggled at times to learn Gordon's up-tempo, aggressive forecheck. But it hasn't been a problem for Streit. In fact, Streit feels that the new system plays to his strengths. "It's more offensive and you can join the rush any time you want," he said. "He wants you to skate and be involved in the offense and if we have a good forecheck to pinch. We never did that in Montreal. We hardly pinched and just backed off. I like to skate, I like to move the puck and join the rush. That's exactly what I love to do out there."

Now, Streit will be paired with veteran defenseman Andy Sutton who is returning from a hand injury and will play his first game of the season Thursday night in Philadelphia. The two know each other well as they played on the same Swiss team during the lockout, a team that went to the league finals.

Streit feels Sutton will only compliment his game with his more physical style of play. "I think it's going to be great. I'm really looking forward to playing with him. He plays so well defensively, he covers so much ground and he plays tough."

After eight games, the Islanders are struggling with a 2-6-0 mark, but Streit sees signs of hope. "At the beginning of the season [last year in Montreal], nobody gave us a lot of credit. They thought 'they aren't going to make the playoffs' and then we ended up in first place. That was kind of a surprise. You know what, sometimes it's small things. It's not a huge step but it's a step that we have to take as a team. It's a long season and we shouldn't panic right now. Whatever you did yesterday, you have to do it better today. As a group, when everybody's on the same page, I think we've showed we can put some very good teams in trouble."

The Islanders have struggled early this year, but the play of Mark Streit has been a bright spot. So far, he looks like one of the smartest free agent signings of the past summer.

ISLES NOTES

To make room for Sutton on the roster, the Islanders sent defenseman Jack Hillen down to their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. In six games this season, Hillen was scoreless with six penalty minutes and a minus-three rating.

The Islanders provided no new information about the health of goalie Rick DiPietro. DP did not practice Wednesday and is not expected to accompany the team on their trip to Philadelphia.