Skill Investment: Islanders claim Rob Schremp ... and why not
by Dominik on Sep 29, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
in Roster Manoeuvres in the Dark
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PrintAs broken by TSN's Bob McKenzie's proverbial "sources," the Islanders claimed former Oiler Rob Schremp off waivers. The Isles had first claim in the waiver pecking order; such is the joy of being DEFENDING lottery CHAMPIONS (well okay, last season's 30th-place holders).
Schremp is now an Islander. As a result, tonight's preseason game lineup now includes one more body who won't make the season-opening roster. [Update: Katie Strang has a few Gordon/Snow quotes here and Schremp quote here.]
Rob Schremp
#88 / Center / Edmonton Oilers
5-11
200
Jul 01, 1986
2-way, 1-year at $715k
69GP, 7-35-42, minus-26
Uncertain, partly cloudy
This is a pretty low-risk, no-brainer move. The Islanders need skill for the years to come; if Schremp provides that -- however unlikely -- bully for them. If his well-documented difficulty in sticking in the NHL despite that skill continues to be his problem, it's no real loss at $715,000 in NHL salary (plus the hilariously nominal NHL waiver claim fee).
My own bias: I love that he's skilled but hate that he's known more for circus shootout tricks than for getting it done within the 60 minutes of an NHL game. But he's young, he's a classic "change of scenery" case, and he's one more reason to pay attention to the Islanders and think they might just be building something over the next few years.
I've always maintained that, with the blueprint for a rebuild somewhat standardized in the cap-era NHL, a team needs a few strokes of stumbled-into luck to really make it to the upper tier of the league. If Schremp actually turns into a sustainably useful NHL player, you can bet that would be one such lucky stumble.
What do you think? Begin irrationally lofty projections/relentlessly cutting dismissals of Schremp in comments...
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Hopefully not...
We need to give our own forwards a chance to develop. If we are going to add ANYBODY off the waiver wire, it should be a big strong defender—like former Cat defenseman Jassen Cullimore just cut by the Ducks.
Oh, he’s already here.
I agree our own forwards need to develop, but I don’t see a major risk in bringing Schremp in. Either he finally gets it and things click, or he continues as he was. The only way he’s blocking anyone below him is if he’s suddenly playing better than they are.
A Schremp that finally gets it is a profile that fits what the Islanders are doing; a Schremp that’s same-old, same-old just disappears into the dustbin of low-cost moves.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I thought all we had was a rumor. Have the Isles announced it? If he is on the roster, then someone else isn’t. This is not what Garth said he was going to do. If he was going to do this, then why not go out and get Tanguay? I don’t get it.
Cause Tangauy is older and more expensive? Plus Tangauy would have to want to come to the Isle. Schremp has to know this might be one of his last shots to catch on with a team during the regular season and not just get seasonal camp invites.
Yeah, Tanguay was more expensive and free to choose his own destination. If this works, Schremp will hit his stride and provide the Islanders another option when the team gets good and contract decisions need to be made; if it doesn’t, no loss (I’m assuming they won’t stick with him beyond reason the way they might be prone to stick with a player they drafted or gave up assets for).
I look forward to hearing how Gordon handles him. Plus, Schremp quotes should be fun.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
The reason I’m against De Haan playing any NHL regular season this year is because 9 games is never really enough to tell how someones first year might go in the NHL, and once you keep him past 9 games you can’t send him anywhere.
So on the other hand, this is a former first round pick, whose only played 7 games. Last season he managed 3 Assists in 4 games, and he only played 13 minutes a game.
Take a shot, if he’s horrible send him to the farm and say goodbye at the end of the year. At the very least he should be a good player for Bridgeport.
I am a hockey genius
I called this move in a thread yesterday. If you would like me to predict any other future occurrences, please send gold bullion care of AP77. kthnx.
This is the obvious and correct move. Schremp steps in with more natural talent than virtually all of the Islanders forwards outside of JT, KO, and Bailey.
What’s the possible criticism of this move? He’s “blocking” the development of some other terrible Islanders prospect? I won’t lose any sleep over that tonight.
LOL. Your shipments will be routed through Nigeria, courtesy of a prince I know who still owes me money treasures.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
How do you know that they are terible iof they aren’t given a chance to play at the NHL level? I wouldn’t rate him over Bergy, Hunts, Comeau, Figren, or Joensuu. I would certainly give Figren and Joensuu legitimate shots before this castoff.
Well, you can argue Schremp, still 23, hasn’t been given a chance at the NHL level either. He’s a completely different player than Bergenheim and Hunter, and there’s simply no way we can tell who will make the better NHL player between him and the other mid-level prospects — but we can tell that Schremp has more offensive skill than most of them.
Will he put it together? Doubtful. But if he does, he’ll be a better chip with a higher ceiling than the other questionable Islanders prospects.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
If he can’t crack their lineup and our castoff Nilsson can, what does that tell you about his skill level? Those prospects are always going to be questionable unless and until they are given shots. I can see having another center on the roster until Doug and Frans are mended…but why can’t that be Trevor Smith or DiBenedetto?
bad arguement
And it depends what you are looking for, but Schremp may be able to provide scoring and has more upside than Dibenedetto and Smith.
And what is the worse case scenario, he sucks send him to Bridgeport. I don’t get your argument at all.
My argument is fine...
Scremp is bad for this team. We need to give our guys a shot. If this guy isn’t as good as our castoff, why should we think he will be better than our prospects? A waste of time.
Totally agree with Dominik
BC, your comparisions don’t add up. Schremp is 23, has sick skill and command less than a mil. Tanguay, yes is better, but what is his salary, and would he really want to play here.
I think Schremp does have upside if he could only play defence. He had a shitty year last year, but his other AHL seasons were good…offensively anyway. I think this is brilliant low risk move.
You have to compare Schremp to the other under 25 players that are on the bubble,
Not bad pick up
I think this kid will bring great offense for the badly needed Isles. I not sure what happened in Edmonton, however I believe a change of scenery will do good for Schremp, if I remember correctly he had good numbers in the OHL.
What happened in Edmonton
In short: Poor defensive play, low defensive intensity, not rising to MacTavish’s expectations. He was lights-out in juniors and had one good AHL year. There are also lots and lots of whispers about his head and concept of what he can be in the NHL; but at 23, it doesn’t hurt to see if this can be a transformative wake-up call.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Exactly.
If it doesn’t work out, we can always package Shremp, FMIV, and Sutton at the deadline for Crosby, Malkin. Or maybe Kane, Toews if we want to slum it out.
If it doesn't work out we can't do anything with the guy
but that’s not really what’s important here.
We have depth at center and didn’t pay a hug price for it. In the worst case scenerio, someone ala Neislen, Weight, Tavares, Bailey etc goes down we have another piece to plug in. Even if Schremp plays 20 games it’s still a win win for Snow.
My point is why not use the injuries to Nielsen and Weight as an opportunity to give JT more time at C and to give our own C prospects a shot?
Because the team isn't very good and
The isles can use all the help they can get.
I watched two games of training camp and didn’t see too many guys that really impressed.
Ha, ok.
You’re probably right; the Islanders have never castoff anyone who ended up being any good.
(Luongo, Bertuzzi, Connolly, Jokinen, etc, etc.)
Are you buddies
with Craig MacTavish?
I don’t know why a small move that has some potential is pissing you off.
Low risk move, who cares, worst case scenario Bridgeport adds some scoring. He isn’t blocking anyone of great value.
“our prospects”
I don’t follow … so it’s a loyalty thing? If he makes it and excels, will that upset you? Because if he doesn’t make it, I’m pretty sure the other prospects will still get their shot. Schremp was a first-round pick for a reason, just like many of the Isles’ prospects were mid-round picks for a reason.
The Oilers are a better team. He couldn’t make their squad. None of the Islanders’ bubble prospects could make their squad, either. But Schremp had to go through waivers.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Just to add
The Oilers have too many players with a similar skill set as Schremp. Eberle, who the like a lot more, is one of these players, and I beleive they like his attempted committment to defense. Schremp couldn’t fill the plumber type role, so was deemed expendable
You can teach defense, you can’t teach natural skill that Schremp has. The Islanders have capable “plumber” like players, that won’t be affected by this move. All the pressure is on Schremp to perform.
I can understand if you don’t care about the move, or don’t like Schremp. Don’t understand how this could be percieved as a bad move though. He is still better than the Islander other options to fill out top line scoring. Whether Schremp can do that or not (and I have serious doubts he can) is another story.
I'm not following this line of thinking BC...
So let me get this straight:
It’s not okay for a player who was drafted 25th overall to get picked up on waivers for a measly 715k, which is a low risk venture because he might “block” other bubble forwards for a spot on the NHL squad? If Nilsson was able to flourish in a “change of scenery” to Edmonton, who’s to say the same can’t happen for Schremp. Maybe he just needs playing time. You yourself said that if de Haan were to get his 9 regular season games that it wouldn’t be a long enough period to evaluate him as a player.
Speaking of Calvin and on the flip side, you don’t want to give de Haan, who might be the real deal, his 9 game cup of coffee and something to aspire to during his junior season so we could possibly pick up…Anton Babchuk? I’ll take de Haan for 9 games over that Kvasha wanna-be.
You need to get your ideas straight. If I’m reading right it’s not ok to pick up a “skilled but garbage forward” who might excel on a different team and a new system, but it’s ok to grab a “garbage, project defenseman” who hasn’t proven himself either. Care to explain?
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I was not the one who made the comment about nine games being a long enough time to evaluate De Haan. Actually, since we passed on Babchuk, the idea of giving De Haan a shot this year is interesting. But he probably needs time to develop.
When has Schremp put up the kind of numbers Babchuk did last year? Show me the stats. Nilsson has not “flourished”. Oiler fans complain about his play constantly.
I could see bringing in a big physical forward or defenseman who offers something we lack. I do not see the value of bringing in this guy when we have people we need to develop.
And Babchuk
would be more expensive.
The one game I saw live is not enough to evaluate, and I have seen an 18-year-old 12th round or higher pick excel the year after is draft year (Patrice Bergeron is the only one that comes to mind)…but Dehaan looks like he could be the real thing.
I am on the fence with the 9 game thing. How did it work out for Alex Pietrangelo for St. Louis? Is he expected to make the squad this year?
I don’t think he is going to make it and excel. I do think he is going to take away valuable ice time from players who should be getting it. We have talent on offense that should be given a shot. If he were to bring in a defenseman given that our developing talent on D is still in the system, I would be fine with that.
Fair point
about Schremp not making it. Could be right.
But the Islanders have no (or not much) young talent up front not name John, Josh or Kyle…so give him a shot.
You need to get your ideas straight. If I’m reading right it’s not ok to pick up a "skilled but garbage forward" who might excel on a different team and a new system, but it’s ok to grab a "garbage, project defenseman" who hasn’t proven himself either. Care to explain?
I never said he WOULD excel. I said he might. As far as ice time goes. There will be plenty to go around. That’s why Scott Gordon was brought in to coach, to teach,leran and grow with the younger players.
Bringing in another talent does nothing but bolster the depth chart. If he doens’t pan out at the NHL level then he’ll work under the very same system under Jackie Caps in BP. No harm in that. Hell, Junior Lessard even looked good for a couple of games under Jack.
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don’t see whose valuable ice time he’ll be stealing. They wanted Figren and Joensuu — each two years younger than Schremp — to continue developing in Bridgeport even before they made this waiver claim.
If Schremp gets some power play time at the NHL level, I don’t think he’s hurting anyone. Granted: I’m not expecting much, and I’m hoping that if he doesn’t pan out, they don’t stick with him too long. But he possesses a narrowly elite offensive skill set that others do not. That’s why guys like him get more shots to make it.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
But here’s what you seem to be missing. Lets say he has a poor 20-30 game run.
- then you know for sure that he’s not a NHL player. He has yet to have more then a handful of games during his career. Last season he managed 3 points in 4 games which isn’t bad.
- If he’s definitely a bomb, at the very least given his former AHL stints he can still help out the Soundtigers for this season.
- If he can play Wing too, then whats the harm in playing him instead of a John Sim? We have plenty of players whose career ceiling seems to be 4th or 3rd liner at least. Schremp has a lot of potential and is still young.
Are all three points #1, or…? :)
We have plenty of players whose career ceiling seems to be 4th or 3rd liner at least. Schremp has a lot of potential and is still young.
That’s really the crux of the matter for me: His higher ceiling. Other clubs that see themselves as playoff teams (Edmonton the last few years) can’t afford to test his ceiling at the NHL level when his defensive deficiencies will cost them standings points. The Islanders can.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I still would rather give our C prospects more of a shot…and give JT more time at C. If you are going to bring somebody in, bring somebody who is big and physical.
Stop trying to wave JT’s ice time around in everyone’s face. If he DOESN’T get between 17-20 minutes a game I will be absolutely surprised. He will be given every opportunity to display his skill.
What other center prospects do you speak of? Smith? Thompson?
Trevor is in the same boat as Schremp. It’s put up or shut up time.
Nate is a grinder/fighter/PK guy, so not even the same role as Schremp.
Jesse will get his time on the wing as will Figren. Trust me, there will be enough times this year where players will be injured.
PS: Nielsen is out 4-6 weeks with that torn knee ligament. I watched him hobble off the elevator the other night personally and asked him how he felt. Trust me, you won’t see him until almost December.
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Which Gordon has stated explicitly that he would rather keep JT at his natural center position. Every pre-season game that’s where he’s been.
His ice-time and time-at-center are concurrent values.
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, no way the Isles give Schremp time at center instead of JT. That’s not how to look at this. Look at him as a power play specialist who will be tried in a few spots without disrupting the natural order of JT/Bailey/Okposo.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Because Tavares can onle fill one
and who would you rather fill the other?
Furthermore, there’s nothing that suggests that because the Isles picked this guy up off of waivers that he gets a roster spot by default. It hasn’t been suggested by anyone associated with the team.
They are obviously going to observe him amongst the rest of what they have and the best player from that mix win out. Schremp can spend 70 games in the minors and it’s really no loss.
LOL I have no lofty expectations
Even if say Tanguay were signed there still would be the issue of how well he plays with his new linemates. Reason why Sather’s signings always turn into junk is because he never asks that question before issuing silly contracts.
Schremp is obviously a project player. Even if he was on top of his game I would be asking the same questions. Buy hey!!! If he turns it round the Isles wind up with a nice player/trade chip. As of now they are looking really deep at center.
Who knows, this guy pulls it together this could be Richard Park’s swan song.
The brutal truth is . . .
. . . that outside of their top three prospects on forward (who are all already on the team), the Islanders have practically no top flight offensive talent. Adding to the talent pool is a good thing, particularly for free.
It’s really that simple.
agreed again
This agruement is done. AP77 wins. Case closed.
To make BC happy, hopefully there is another bigger physical guy we can pluck off waivers as well.
Let me qualify a little. I did note that he is 5’11", 200 lbs…so he is bigger than I thought. And I do note that Smith is still on the roster as is Moulson. I would not want him to be taking their spots. If he can fill a role until Frans gets back, fine. I do hope that they will bring in at least one big physical defender who can help keep the front of the net clear.. Cullimore anyone?
If I were you, I wouldn’t be holding my breath for another depth D-man coming in anytime soon. Garth is rather set in his ways with this current corps of defensemen. You won’t see any movement or shake-ups until:
A) One of Witt, Sutton, Martinek, Gervais go down due to injury
or
B) The Trade Deadline looms large and the Isles are sellers and able to deal away either Sutton or Witt for picks/prospects.
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Because of their propensity to injury and because we only have seven on the roster, I would have preferred a move to bring in someone like Cullimore over Schremp.
Why not give someone like Dustin Kohn or Andy Mac their shots on D? Don’t they deserve ice-time over someone with less upside (ala Cullimore)?
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Dustin Kohn
New York Islanders #56 – Defenseman
Born: 1987/02/02 Age: 22
Height: 6-2 Weight: 182
Place of birth: Edmonton, Alta., Canada
Seasons: 0
Drafted by: the New York Islanders in 2005 (2nd round)
Not a big body? He’s the same size as me. I’m a pretty big dude on skates. Ask Dom. LOL
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d like more D depth myself, but like IslesOfficial said, Snow sounds intent on keeping it in house on that front.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Actually, looking at all the other defensive prospects being waived – Matt Lashoff (22) could be a worth while pickup as well.
That would be better
Do you have a link for the waiver wire?
Sadly, there isn’t a single constant source since they can waive them at any time beginning 12 days before the season opener. But TSN.ca has a good on-going list of transactions.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
You see moving Witt as a possibility this year? Can’t imagine anyone taking on his salary with the cap cut coming. Sutton is another matter as they can re-sign his UFA butt at a salary that will fit cap constraints.
Witt is in the last year of his contract. If he is dealt at the deadline his salary is pro-rated for time spent on his new team (less $$$). Someone will take him for a playoff run. He’s the kind of D-man you want in front of your net with 10 ticks to go in a one-goal game with the series on the line.
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
True.
Then I digress and definitely say Sutton will be gone.
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by IslesOfficial on Sep 29, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, Sutton is next up on the UFAs-for-clunkers market, followed by Witt next year (or this year, if there is a sucker bidder).
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Do you consider that Edmonton and the Isles are in two different places
as franchises?
Schremp may or may not be a bum. I think given Edmonton’s position and where they are contention wise they are less patient to test that out.
The Islanders right now are still in audition mode. This is one of those moves where it’s not really bad for either team. I would figure that the addition of Magnus Svensson probably makes this a sensible move for the oilers. They also have a little more depth wise whereas the Isles are still trying to stock up.
I’m OK at this point with using him to fill Frans shoes of we really have no one else who can. We’ll see how he does in the next few months.
As a hole in the depth chart, maybe. But his biggest deficiency (defensive awareness) is Nielsen’s biggest strength.
Man, the Nielsen injury really bums me out. He could be a very useful player.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
THN's take on Schrempman
ASSETS: Is capable of displaying unbelievable skill and finesse. Can score points at will at lower levels and has a flair for the dramatic.
FLAWS: Struggles in the defensive zone whenever he doesn’t have the puck on his blade. His work ethic could stand to be kicked up a notch.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Top six forward.
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