Chimera is 37, but his skating ability makes him look much younger. He scored 20 goals last season, matching his NHL career high, to help the Washington Capitals win the Presidents' Trophy. The left wing signed a two-year contract with the Islanders on July 1 and will be relied upon to provide speed, grit, leadership and offensive production.
"I think I know what works and what doesn't work," Chimera said. "But I also think I've been around a long time, and I can add some stuff in the playoffs. The thing I like about this team is simply we've got four lines that can play simple hockey in the playoffs, and the simpler you are in the playoffs, the better you do. Sometimes, you have all the skill in the world; look at us in Washington, we had all the skill in the world and never got past the second round. We had trouble getting over that hump. Hopefully, I can be one of those guys who comes in here and helps them get over that hump. We've got a lot of moving parts, a lot of good young guys are going to take another step forward this year, and I'm excited to be a part of that, for sure."