[SuperMatt18]

Really it was a 5 year re-build.

From 2001-2007 the Islanders had made the playoffs 4 out of 5 seasons. Not a great success but they were not rebuilding and floundered in mediocrity during those seasons.

They tried to re-tool in 2007-2008 after losing some key free agents and it didn't pan out, but don't think they had really committed to a re-build yet.

In 2008-2009 they then decided to fully commit to a re-build, moved some key veterans away at that trade deadline, and tanked to win the John Tavares sweepstakes.

Since then they worked on building around Tavares and have build a nice young stable of players through the draft and some shrewd pick-ups and made the playoffs last year.

Sadly since 2001 the Flames and Islanders have made the playoffs the same amount of times, 5.