Ten Low Cost FAs Who Might be on Snow's Radar
by WebBard on Jun 14, 2010 2:43 PM EDT
in Roster Manoeuvres in the Dark
66 comments
Our first 30-goal scorer since 06-07 was a ninth-round pick who despite putting up huge numbers in the AHL was unable to get a long term chance in the NHL with his former team. The cornerstone of our Defense is a player whose former team wanted to convert him to a winger. Matt Moulson, Mark Streit, Rob Schremp, Andrew MacDonald and even Dylan Reese have shown that Garth Snow has a penchant for picking up players who can produce in the NHL. If the Islanders are to continue improving from season to season, this is one streak that must continue.
It's well known that one spot the Islanders could use immediate FA help would be on Defense. With the second most cap space in the league (behind the penny-pinching Atlanta Thrashers) it would be tempting to sign two big contract UFA defensemen. But this solution doesn't seem to fit Snow's plan. They will probably try to sign one big contract defenseman, but a few low-cost options will probably be brought in and given a chance to shine. Searching through capgeek.com looking for UFA defensemen who are 26 and under and have limited NHL experience, 10 players stood out.
Although Geoff is an RFA, his stats in the AHL jumped out enough that I believe the Islanders should take a chance on him. Geoff was signed by the Lightning after four years at Michigan Tech. He played ten games for the Norfolk Admirals before a one game call up with the Lightning. The Lightning let him go and the Senators picked him up and sent him to the Binghamton Senators after training camp. In 76 AHL games Geoff was a +27, good enough for 16th in the AHL. That doesn't sound impressive until you realize that no one else in Binghamton managed to break a positive in double digits and second on the team was a +5. Although small, his play last year shows he should have the intelligence and positioning to be a good defenseman. Unfortunately reports out of Ottawa are that the Senators plan to bring him back for next year.
A former first round pick in 2003, Belle has already been traded three times since then. For those who want the Islanders to add another big hitting stay at home dman, this could be your guy. Although he had a good 08-09 campaign with the Hamiliton Bulldogs, the addition of highly touted prospects P.K. Subban and Yannick Weber to the team meant less playing time and a mediocre season this year. He has 11 NHL games, but would probably need some more work in the AHL before making the big team. Just like Rob Schremp last year, there's a reason players get picked in the first round. The talent and potential is there, sometimes it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
After the success with Moulson, why not look to the King's again? Piskula has been an absolutely solid defenseman for the Manchester Monarchs. Yet he hasn't had a shot in the NHL since a five game stint in 06-07. As the Kings D-corp keeps getting deeper and Piskula gets older, it looks more and more likely that he won't get another shot in the NHL with them. The Hockeysfuture.com page on him says it best "For a man who is 6’3/212, he skates remarkably well with deceptive speed and can move the puck quite effectively. His smart, sound defensive zone play and great mobility are two of Piskula’s attributes that have gotten many in the scouting community taking notice."
Another Monarch/King, as noted previously the Kings have a deep young corp and players like Bagnall may be relegated to career AHL status if they can't make the Kings soon. You might look at Bagnall and see just another big defensive dman, but if the Islanders are looking for character players to work in the community Drew would be a good fit. This year he won the "Monarchs Community Service/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award" (Thanks to Jewels). He also uses his size as he managed 113 PIM in 58 games last season.
Some of you might remember our next entry from his 11 game stint with the Islanders in that lost year. A former 3rd rounder in 2002, his career has mostly been in the AHL. In the 11 games he played the normal 10-15 min that Gordon plays someone he's worried about. Last year playing for Lake Erie he had 28 points (25 Assists) in 73 games and a -3. I would think that there was a reason Snow allowed him to be traded, and if he comes back it'll be more as an AHL Depth player then someone with a shot at the NHL. But considering the Islanders played 12 defenseman last year, you never know how far down you might need to reach in the AHL.
In 06-07 Benoit was one of the best defenseman for the Hamiliton Bulldogs. He then proceeded to Europe for two years. His first stop with Tappara Tampere of SM-liiga was a rousing success. He lead the team with a +28 (more then ten better then his closest teammate) and was sixth on the team in scoring. He then played a season with Sodertalje SK of the Swedish Elite League and was near last in +/- on the team. He returned to the US and rebounded last year in Hamiliton. In the AHL playoffs he had a strong showing racking up 14 points in 19 games. Undersized, he's probably the exact opposite of his Hamiliton teammate Belle, but might be more NHL ready.
A former fourth rounder in 2003, Potter has twice lead the WolfPack in +/- while putting up three straight thirty or so point seasons. He's one of the only bigger defensive defenseman on this list who has also shown a scoring touch. He's someone who might be able to make the Isles immediately and have an impact. Especially when given the troubles of last years defense to move the puck out of the zone on the PP. Potter has also managed to work on one of the worst aspects of his game, his penalties. He went from 184 PIM in his first two full seasons in the AHL to just 54 this year.
Another undersized offensive defenseman (although some sites list him at 6'0), Sullivan is a former 9th rounder who spent four years at Boston before starting his career. In the last two years he has been the San Antonio Rampage leader in points on D. This year he was third on the team in points and eighth in the league among defenseman in points. If he's 5'10 or 6'0 it seems like size is always going to be an issue for him, but if the talents there you might as well give him a shot.
After being drafted in the Fourth Round in 2002, Rome bounced around between 3 NHL teams playing 26 games before this season. This season he managed to play in 49 games and put up a -2 before getting hurt, and was considered a serviceable surprise for the Canucks. The long term potential may not be there with Rome, but if he doesn't sign with the Canucks again he wouldn't be a bad pickup. Just realize your not bringing in a game changer, but someone who can eat minutes and play solid defense. All information out of Vancouver though points to him most likely returning.
A Former Seventh Round pick in 2003 the big defenseman has actually done better in his NHL stints then any of his long term AHL appearances. In 31 games for the BlueJackets this year he managed 10 assists and only a -2. Yet last year in 59 games with the Syracuse Crunch (his longest AHL stint to date) he was a -20 for third worst on the team. What is promising is that his NHL stint in Columbus wasn't just a few minutes here and there to goon things up. It was quite common for him to get 15-20 minutes of ice time a night. This also included an average of 2 minutes on ice during shorthanded situations. Florida did trade for him at the deadline, so he might be in their long term plans.
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ROME!!!!!
They need that guy. I’ve been impressed with him everytime I have seen him on the ice. The dude has the ability to lay out an opponent and is responsible enough to handle the breakout pass…but mostly the ability to lay someone out.
He was so much fun to watch when he was laying out the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. Hopefully he can solve his health issues and play most of the season.
Sending the Isles to China was Wang's vision of making Strange Brew 2: Stranger Brew.
Ive had Rome on my NHL 09 AHL team for years…I signed him for 3 more on a 2 way contract.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
If he were healthy
I could easily see him being a 5-6 guy on the Isles squad.
Sending the Isles to China was Wang's vision of making Strange Brew 2: Stranger Brew.
by metalcoconut on Jun 15, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately Rome will return with the Canucks
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
THAT SUCKS!
He would be so good on the Isles. He is made for the Gordon Game. What a shame.
Sending the Isles to China was Wang's vision of making Strange Brew 2: Stranger Brew.
by metalcoconut on Jun 16, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, what a list of fail
Are the Isles even going to get close to the floor? Looks like they need some high cost FAs instead.
they have to resign Moulson
sign a backup goaltender and one or more defensemen. I think they will make it. But they should spend some money to bring in a top four defenseman. And there should be a similar list for forwards to which I would add Enver Lisin.
But they should spend some money to bring in a top four defenseman.
I have to think that’s Snow’s first wish: Spend a good chunk on a guy who can be part of the core (and part of the cap chunk) for the next three-four years, then fill in around that. Otherwise, he’ll be left paying premiums on multiple stopgaps like the summer of Comrie/Fedotenko/Sim/Guerin/Vasicek.
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Pity of it all is that Vasicek was pretty darned good for a stopgap. 14 of his 16 goals were ES, and he was a plus player on a terrible team. (FMIV, of all people, was +6 to lead the team that season.) He’ll only be 30 at the beginning of this year, btw, and he’s 6-5/220, and I believe he can play some wing.
According to hockey-reference.com, he played for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl last season – an excellent excuse for me to type “Lokomotiv Yaroslavl” if nothing else.
Not that I am dying inside hoping GMGS will bring him back, but he wasn’t the mind-boggling waste of time that, say, Oleg Kvasha was.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
Yes he was
I was pretty disappointed to see him go. He was useful, and if he hadn’t gotten hurt he would have had an even more impressive season.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
Thats the team that tried to draft John Tavares LMAO. Yup, JoVas was there along with Richard Zednik.
Nice to see some people speak positively about JoVas- Im not sure why they didnt keep him around, I guess it was because they were hoping Sillinger would still be there.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 16, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
You can’t just had out big name contracts just because you have the cap space to burn. In the long run it can hurt more then it helps.
Snow will sign a big name dman, but I would be surprised if he gave out 2 big contracts to other teams UFAs.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
The Islanders currently have almost 32 Million signed for next season. Next seasons floor is going to be about 41.7 Million.
If they splurge on a dman that could be between 4-5 Million, Sign Moulson for about 2-3 Mill, Backup Goalie (If its not Kosikken) is another Million. Schremp, Bergie and Kohn for another million or so each. And if you get really desperate, you could always call up Witt and carry him as a 7th dman for another 3 million on the cap. You also have Weight, Sim, Park and Jackman as UFAs.
The Islanders should at the very least hit the cap floor.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Doug Weight
USA Today says Doug Weight might be in that equation after all, too. Some negotiations happening, anyway.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
No way that happens this year. It’s just not in his interests, not with that much on the table. If he goes on LTIR, then the cap room is created (while he still gets his payout), but again — if the Isles want that payout to count toward the cap, they can afford to punt.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
Right, I wasn’t saying that’ll happen this year, just that’s it’s virtually inevitable at this point. But you’re right that LTIR is the more likely scenario. In fact, I may go on LTIR myself once I confirm that my non-existent, at-will employment contract has a similar provision.
It’s nice work if you can get it.
Yeah, I think this coming year is the last year finding a way to reach the cap floor is a happy luxury (well, barring a massive increase in league revenues). After this year Okposo and Bailey come due, and then we go back to fretting about how cheap the club will be.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
I don’t see the Isles having to burn money to get to the cap floor. The Yashin charge goes up another 1.5million. They have RFAs to sign that will get raises (Moulson, and Schremp), bunch of spare part UFAs that weren’t that expensive to begin with (Biron, Park, Sim Jackman etc). The big replacement is Sutton at 3.5 mil and weight at 2.2 and poof they are at the cap floor…..
DiPietro’s cap hit, should he retire or be bought out, is 2 Million per years, for twice as long as the remainder of the contract.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
Wrong.
There IS no cap hit if he retires.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 16, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Backup Goalie (If its not Kosikken)
I think its a lot more likely to be Lawson than Koskinen.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 16, 2010 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions
For what it's worth
In Snow’s interview yesterday he said they’ll extend a qualifying offer to Lawson and he thinks he’s capable of coming up “in a pinch.”
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
In a Pinch sounds to me like he’s going to be an Emergency 3rd.
There’s plenty of low budget vets out there for cheap, I’m sure Snow plans on signing one of them just for this season.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
They arent going to have all these goalies and then not play them. Id be surprised if they bring in yet another goalie.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 16, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
The way I see it, “In a pinch” might very well mean “if Rick cant play”
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 16, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Jeez lets hope not.
Optimism, BC- optimism!!!
BTW- Katie the -intern- beatwriter put up something 2 hrs ago in which she says she thinks Lawson might be the backup next season. IDK if she is pulling that out of her butt or if she is just reading my posts on various Isles sites. Perhaps both.
It is believed the Islanders will head into this season with Dwayne Roloson as their starting goaltender. Depending on what happens with regards to Rick DiPietro’s health, Bridgeport goaltender Nathan Lawson may get a chance to back up Roloson.
The Islanders plan on extending a qualifying offer to Lawson at some point this summer.
I also think this was funny:
It’s no secret that the Islanders three-goaltender situation (Dwayne Roloson, Rick DiPietro, and Biron) was less than ideal for all involved. Biron found himself out of the mix once DiPietro returned to health in January, but then re-injected into the starting rotation once DiPietro was sidelined again with knee issues later in the season.
She makes it sound like Rick played for a big chunk of the season!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 16, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
No one will be happier than me if DP is able to at least handle a backup load this season without blowing out his knee again
but I have worked as an insurance adjuster and a risk manager and when someone has four separate insults to the same body part in 1-1/2 years without any trauma to otherwise explain it, you are talking about permanency. This year, as I laid out in my BR article, is his last gasp. They really have to pull the plug if he cannot at least start 15-20 games without messing up his knee.
Insurance adjuster
And I take it if in this job you made a bet comparable to betting on DP’s knee again, you’d be fired. (Or “left to pursue other interests/spend more time with family.”)
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of course the people I handled were factory workers and such
Generally when there is permanency, you give a settlement based upon salary and degree of disability. Then they take the money for their disability AND medical treatment and buy a pickup truck…and then they try to sue for more. Its a lot of fun.
you've got to remember...
…these people are the common clay of the new West. Humble, working folk. You know…. morons.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
impressive
When Katie writes that, you can’t see Wang’s lips moving AT ALL. We’ve gotta get him for the Kiwanis mixer this year.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
The floor
Wow, thankfully for us we are still paying Yashin and DP so we don’t actually need to be near the floor for the actual roster (on the inside I’m crying).
Wow, you really mined the depths! I foolishly assumed Belle was out of hockey now; suddenly I wonder what the former first-rounder’s current story is.
I like the idea of raiding the AHL’s deep teams like LA/Manchester. Plus, Bagnall cries out to be nicknamed The Dam.
Really curious where the NHL money is going to be spent. If they have to spend up to the cap, there will still be room for one or two of these AAA-types for Bridgeport.
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The Kings defense is ridiculously deep. Someone is going to give Piskula or Bagnall a chance to make the NHL next year.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
After talking with Capuano earlier (spoiler alert), he was very aware that he is going to have a young team in Bridgeport next season. In fact he went as far to say that they might be the youngest team in the league next year. With the injury history the Isles have and that Anton Klementyev, Travis Hamonic and Mark Wotton are the only guaranteed players on the blueline, I think you might see one or more of these guys signed to play in Bridgeport.
R.I.P. Hans und Franz... this is the price of professionalism.
by David Hanssen on Jun 14, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
From this list, Piskula or Bagnall (or possibly both) may be the most attractive options of who I would try to sign if I were in charge. Plus, the Islanders could use the Moulson connection to their best advantage.
someone may have already made this point but
Garth should sign Volchenkov / Michalek AND one or two of these guys plus some forwards with potential such as Lisin and a good goalie backup.
heheheheh
BC, you’re more fixed on Enver Lisin than I was on Kovalchuk! ;)
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
I think he's worth a shot
at least give him a camp tryout contract or perhaps a two way deal. Could be another Moulson.
So do I, actually
Meet Enver Lisin
Russia’s famous winger
Meet Enver Lisin
Shake his hand
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
My personal favorite from the list is Kinrade. I mean the kid managed a +27 on a team that only had a handful of players in the Positive for the season.
But yea, Piskula and Bagnall were two of my favorite options, especially since they’ve been playing together already for the last few seasons. If they could get both of them it would be quite a coup.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Yeah that figure for Kinrade stood out big time. That’s quite a feat, however he pulled it off.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
Geoff Kinrade = Dylan Reese 2.0?
R.I.P. Hans und Franz... this is the price of professionalism.
by David Hanssen on Jun 15, 2010 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
forwards
with money to burn(salary floor),i think they should consider a splash. blackhawks won already and have Huge cap issues(huet) so maybe a reade for a patruck Sharp isnt out of the realm of possibility. the other forward out there that should be cheaper than kovi,albeit unlikely to leave is Marleau. although i have my hesitations to giving more than 4-5yrs to a guy that gets lazy at times. #1 target i believe should be Volchenkov
by Lakewood Islander on Jun 14, 2010 4:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Considering the Islanders organization is still a huge question mark, the arena is a mess and the team can’t make money, no “big” name is going to make a splash by lowering his standards to play here.
Unless all they think about is money, and quite frankly, do we want a guy like that?
Consider Mike Komiserak. Born on the island and a FA last summer. Depending on who you talk to, he either didn’t choose the Islanders because he was given one more year in a contract with Toronto, or he wanted nothing to do with a mickey mouse outfit. (The Isles offered more money, but TO offered more years..by One)
If we can’t get a home grown guy to come here, what big name is gonna step up? The Isles continue to play in a 40 year old NVMC and Wang continues to lose money.
“Come to the NY Islanders, We have nice beaches” Go Snow Go
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
There’s probably going to be an issue with anyone we sign.
Streit was offered 2 million more then the Habs were willing to pay
Rollie could only get a 2 year deal from us
Biron was humbled by his free agency ordeal
Moulson was never given a real chance to show what he could do
Weight was in the twilight of his career two years ago.
Not that I mind. I’d rather have a player come in with a chip on his shoulder then just come to us cause we are paying more.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
kids
i live bergie,hope ge doesnt bolt. be nice to see them lock up KO long rerm for cheaper by signing him early
by Lakewood Islander on Jun 14, 2010 4:59 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Skinner
If you were thinking he’d be available, Rumor is he’s on his way to Germany to play for Kolner Haie.
R.I.P. Hans und Franz... this is the price of professionalism.
Damn
Your close attention to the European theater continues to amaze…
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
This one was totally by accident. I looked up his stats on elite prospects and noticed the linked article.
R.I.P. Hans und Franz... this is the price of professionalism.
by David Hanssen on Jun 15, 2010 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
might have been interesting if they'd signed him
and sniper draft prospect Jeff Skinner…and signed Petrov while drafting Kabanov…
Skinner to Skinner to Kirill to Kirill…he shoots, he scores!
nice post
nice research and work digging these guys up.
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
|
82 | 48 | 27 | 7 | 103 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
82 | 47 | 28 | 7 | 101 |
|
Philadelphia
|
82 | 41 | 35 | 6 | 88 |
|
New York Rangers
|
82 | 38 | 33 | 11 | 87 |
|
New York Islanders
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82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
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@
Philadelphia
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Wed 09/29 | 7:00 PM EDT |
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Calgary
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Wed 09/29 | 8:00 PM EDT |
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@
New Jersey
|
Fri 10/01 | 7:00 PM EDT |
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New Jersey
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Sat 10/02 | 7:00 PM EDT |
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Montreal
|
Sat 10/02 | 7:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
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Pittsburgh
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Sun 04/11 | OT - L 5 - 6 |
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@
New Jersey
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Sat 04/10 | L 1 - 7 |
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@
Pittsburgh
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Thu 04/08 | L 3 - 7 |
|
Montreal
|
Tue 04/06 | SO - W 4 - 3 |
|
Ottawa
|
Sat 04/03 | W 4 - 1 |
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