Bridgeport and Prospect Roundup 3/7
by Mark D on Mar 7, 2011 11:38 AM EST
in Islanders in Diapers
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Another tough week for the Sound Tigers. After playing one of the best teams in the AHL, Hershey, just as well as anyone could expect and losing 3-2, they lost the next two games while being outscored 14-3. Against Hershey recent NHL callup Justin DiBenedetto [David Ullstrom, Jon Landry] was named 2nd star of the night as his 3rd period goal tied the game and capped a 2 goal comeback by BP. Rhett Rakhshani [Jesse Joensuu, Rob Hisey] scored the other goal on the night. Joel Martin struggled while facing one of the lowest shot totals of the year, giving up 3 goals on 14 shots. Also of note is Jon Landry, who had 7 points in 10 games while on PTO, had his contract run out and was signed by Worcester following this game.
Against Portland former Islander Mark Parrish came out in force with a 4 assist performance that earned him 3rd star of the night. Until almost the midway point the game was close, but 3 straight Portland goals in 3 minutes opened the flood gates on an 8-3 loss. Mikko Koskinen allowed 8 goals on 27 shots and was pulled for Martin with 10 minutes remaining. Eric Castonguay [Jeremy Colliton], Ullstrom [Colliton, Castonguay], Rakhshani [Colliton, Brett Motherwell] scored for Bridgeport. They closed the week out with a 6-0 loss to Providence in which they were held to just 20 shots. Martin had 29 saves on 35 shots.
On the bright side of things, Rakh has picked things up again. He has 3 goals and 4 points in the last 5 games after coming off an 11 game stretch in which he had 2 assists. After his 3 game 6 goal outburst, Ullstrom has cooled down again with 2 points in the last 5 games. Martin who had a promising beginning with BP while on a tryout deal is now 1-10 with a .873% SV% which is behind Mikko's .878. Mikko's SV% has not been above .900 in a single month since October.
Natural Born Kirills
Kirill Petrov and Yugra were eliminated 4-2 from the KHL Playoffs. On the bright side Petrov had a good series, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points in 6 games, tied for the lead on Yugra. During the regular season he finished 8th in points on Yugra while averaging just south of 13 minutes a game. He also finished the regular season +1 and +2 in the playoffs.
Kirill Kabanov started off slow this week with no points in Lewiston's first 2 games. In the final 2 games he came alive, being named second star of the night against PEI with a 2 goal performance. The next night he notched two assists for Lewiston in their win over PEI the next night. On the season he has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 33 games.
OHL
Calvin De Haan had 2 assists in 4 games with the Generals this week. Tony Dehart had 3 assists in 4 games and was named second star of the night in a loss to Mississauga. De Haan has 3 goals and 36 assists for 39 points in 50 games. Dehart has 3 goals and 23 assists for 26 points in 52 games.
After a strong start to the week (2nd star, 3 assists in 2 games) Casey Cizikas missed the final 2 games of the week with a wrist injury. With Mississauga well in control (10 point lead on 2nd place) they aren't in a rush to bring him back. Cizikas has 29 goals, 35 assists for 64 points in 52 games.
WHL
In 4 games this week for Portland, Nino Niederreiter showed why he is one of the elite young players in the game today. A Hat trick, a third star of the night and 2 first stars, 7 goals and 2 assists for 9 points was his week. Nino has 36 goals and 25 points for 61 points in 49 games, topping his 60 point total from last season. [Game Winning Nino Goal]
The Brandon WheatKings have nearly completed an incredible comeback as they are currently in position to make the playoffs. This week David Toews had a goal and an assist in 3 games. His season total is 18 goals, 23 assists for 41 points in 55 games. Toews contribution to Brandons run can't be underrated as he had 13 points in 11 games and was a +5 for the month of February.
College And Europe
North Dakota won the WCHA regular season last week, but didn't have a let down finishing off the season with two more wins. Jason Gregoire had 5 goals and 3 assists this week including a hat trick to put him over 100 career points with UND. Brock Nelson finished strong too, including his first multi-goal game for a 2 goal 1 assist week. Gregoire finished the year with 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in 30 games. Brock finished the year with 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points in 35 games.
A lot of people have asked about Brock Nelson considering he was a first rounder and hasn't been "tearing things up". But when you look at the end of year stats for UND, Brock finished in the top ten in points for UND. He also played in the most games of all UND freshman (all 3 of them), including more games than fellow Minnesota native (and 1st rounder) Derek Forbort. Hopefully his promising finish to the season is a sign of big things to come.
Can you guess who the CCHA Rookie Of The Month was for February? If you guessed Anders Lee of Notre Dame, you are correct. It wasn't hard considering he was twice named Rookie of the Week twice during the shortest month of the year. For those keeping track, that's his third rookie of the month award.
Matt Donovan had 1 assist this week as Denver split games with St Cloud State. On the year he finished with 7 goals, 19 assists for 26 points in 36 games topping last seasons 20 points.
Aaron Ness went down with an injury during Minnesota's first game and missed the second game. No report on the severity yet, but his being out is critical for Minnesota who lack puck moving defenseman. Ness finished the season with 1 goal, 12 assists for 13 points in 33 games.
Ohio State was bounced from the playoffs with two losses to Lake Superior State. Shane Sims had 1 assist in 2 games. He finished his senior year with 3 goals and 16 assists for 19 points in 37 games.
Corey Trivino had a goal and assist as BU closed out the season splitting games with Northeastern. Trivino finished the year with 8 goals, 17 assists for 25 points in 34 games. That's a ten point improvement on last year.
Blake Kessel had 2 assists in a 4-3 loss to BC. Kessel finished the year with 5 goals, 21 assists for 26 points in 34 games. [Kessel postgame]
Colgate did not play as they prepare for the playoffs.
As Lulea heads into the playoffs, Anders Nilsson solidified his hold on the starters position giving up 1 goal in his final 2 games while facing 56 shots. Nilsson finished the season 4th among all SEL goalies in SV% and 1st in GAA among goalies with more then 10 games. He also finished the season tied for 2nd in shutouts with 6 (along with Fredrik Norrena) just one behind the league leader.[Highlights from Nilsson's 36 save shutout] [Highlights from 1 goal loss]
Clarkson's season and playoffs are over after being knocked out by Havard in two games. Cody Rosen finished the year leading Clarkson in both GAA 1.94 and SV% .940. Cross your fingers that the Blues sign Paul Karpowich before the start of next season. If Rosen was included among the ECAC leader board (no idea why he isn't) he would lead the ECAC in SV% and tied for first in GAA.
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Mark Parrish sighting?!
Wow, he turns up in the darndest places.
…and now with Petrov’s season complete, another summer of speculation can commence.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
That’s the second time (at least that I can remember) that he’s had a mutli point night against the SoundTigers and was named one of the 3 stars of the night.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I was just thinking
I seem to forget he’s still toiling in the A until he pops up with another big night against Bridgeport.
I guess he’s entered the Jon Sim phase of his career.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
Ironically
Sim has a much better AHL career then Parrish, as Sim was a Point Per Game player
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I liked Parrish too
But reality is the father of sad pandas everywhere.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
I like Parish also but,
Parish would score seven goals in four games and then one would be lucky to get one assist from him in the next 12. Very frustrating player to watch at times.
by Russel Ginart on Mar 7, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
And Parrish just turned 34
Boy, talk about a fast descent.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
Steve Summers (Sommers) WFAN
Back around 2000-04 I used to call regularly SS on the WFAN, and he would proceed to give me jabs on the radio regarding Parish. It would go something like this: “Hello, Russel the Icelander fan from Lyndhurst, how are you? how long have you been waiting for another Parish goal, Russel?” Then he would put on a radio replay of a Rags goal, and say “Russel in case you forgot what a goal sounds like, listen to this, Russel” the repleay would be Messier scores!!!! Rangers win at the NVMC!
by Russel Ginart on Mar 7, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Irony being
That the Isles were better then the Rags most of those seasons
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
it's a compliment..
no really, it is, at least at AHL level. Sim was a very good AHL. Sim is a rarity among Isles…he’s actually better in AHL, while numerous Isles are better in NHL for some weird reason.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
But you need to factor AP’s anti-Simitism into the equation. It’s like if you compared anyone to Andy Sutton, it would still give AP a sad.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
lol
I kind of wondered if Snow let Sutton and Meyer go (both indicated they wanted to come back) just for the sake of making changes. Sutton was injury prone, but I think they both were better options than what we ended up signing – softies Mottau and Eaton -who in my view, are not appropiate babysitters/teachers. I’d prefer someone kids will respect more, and I think Sutton brings that. Witt of couse was done in the new NHL.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Extender's remorse
Both of them strike me as the kind of guys a team lets go because, if it blows up in their face (aka injury or decline), they knew the warning signs were there. While another team can sign them and say, “we thought he’d put the injuries behind him, it was worth a cheap risk” etc. Meyer had his history of injuries too, so I wonder if that was a factor.
I don’t mind the Eaton signing and think Mottau was an emergency who, I still suspect, was playing on a bad hip. Although I agree neither are exactly inspiring.
Even though some of Sutton’s season has been poor luck (broken thumb on a fight in game 1), what has happened to him this year fits that profile of concerns perfectly.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
Correct
It’s truly a sad state of affairs when I look back fondly on the time when Sutton was the whipping boy on defense. He looks like Bobby Fucking Orr in comparison to some of the jokers we’ve run out this season.
My dire hatred for Sim died down a lot this season when he was seemingly no longer playing every other shift and on the PP, I must admit.
I really just wanted the excuse to use “anti-Simitism.” I can’t believe I never thought of that until now.
“Sim sucks!”
>>"Oh, look at the anti-Simite we’ve got here…"
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
The only player I’ve heard about them trying to sign away from college is Ness. I’d be surprised if any of the underclassmen leave school.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
just to add...
I know Web is well aware of this as it has been fairly well publicized, Isles wanted Ness out of Minn last year. Apparently his career has not gone anywhere there, and concerns were raised about coaching etc. The Isles brass considered it necessary for his career to leave, but Ness chose to stay. He and Trivino were both high end picks, and I can’t see horsewhisperer Snow givinh up just yet. I hate to think about the “dropping down to draft Bailey debate” had someone drafted Hamonic before us with our third second round pick.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
and of course Okposo left Minn early too, so there has been issues between the Isles and Minn.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I hate to think about the "dropping down to draft Bailey debate" had someone drafted Hamonic before us with our third second round pick.
Ha, to me that’s precisely why you do pick collection deals when you have the opportunity and it doesn’t hurt. Teams as a rule are pretty bad at judging future talent beyond the first round — really beyond the first half of the first round.
It’s just too hard to project. That the Isles picked others before Hamonic probably underlines that. You’re just collecting lottery tickets, hoping one turns into a Weber or at least an NHLer.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
yep
I know, and hindsight is 20/20….but if none of your lottery tickets cash in, the pundits scream – you could have had Wilson, etc., etc. I’d say Bailey’s numbers at this point are comparible to Wilson – and if Snow didn’t do it, we of course wouldn’t have Hamonic. Your point is underlined though by the fact that other rebuilding teams are also doing whatever they can to accumulate draft picks…
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
Oh yeah, I know, it would completely change the pundit/fan screaming.
I just loved the gutsy move at the time because — regardless of how they used them (I had no strong opinion on Bailey vs. Wilson or Hodgson etc. because I don’t watch teenagers — in 2008 they desperately needed to restock. If they were wrong on Bailey and whiffed on all their 2nd-rounders, I’d still only blame them for scouting wrong, not for strategizing wrong.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
good point
Snow has proven he has cajones
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
Al Montoya just called
He said the word is “cojones” LOL
by Russel Ginart on Mar 7, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I always applauded Snow for the Bailey draft.
I like Bailey regardless of whether he is or isn’t the player some might have anticipated he would become. I don’t remember who else (besides Hamonic) was chosen from the picks we got for trading down, but I’m glad to have Bailey and Hamonic in the organization and filling roles that are necessary. Maybe in the next few seasons the kids we passed on surpass Bailey, and if so, “oh well.” It was a smart move regardless of whether other players become better scorers or not.
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
If Dave sees this
Or we have to bug him, I was curious and checked. Right before Hamonic was drafted the Devils drafted a dman whose still in college for Michigan, Brandon Burlon. I wonder how he’s doing.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I wonder if Kessel is a consideration
He’s come along nicely and would have just one year of college left. His brother (obviously much better) left college early.
But one of the nice things about having a share of NCAA picks is that you get to keep their rights for longer before having to decide on a contract. Four years vs. two years, plus once you pull a kid out of college or juniors he counts toward the 50-contract limit.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
wait, I didn’t realize they were related. So we have the younger brother of two great NHL players? Is Snow trying to one up Maloney?
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
We do that all the time
Lindros, Sutter, Potvin, (and other family), tambellini, Bourne.
"Gervais...he looks danger in the fist with his face!" JPinVA
Website: Lighthousehockey.com Twitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Mar 8, 2011 8:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
and Henning’s kid too.
Except for the one time it mattered
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
DavidSweden...
there is a nice piece at NHL.com on Swedish prospect Mika Z rising in rankings…If Isles keep winning, wouldn’t be at all suprised if he is on our draft radar. Projects as a player we lack in organization: with an abundance of left shooting forwards, a big right centre who can do it all offensively, physically, defensively – that and the big right D will be the two hardest acquisitions.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Good to see Nino scoring goals like he supposed too
Hope he will challenge for a roster spot next year
by Meet Me at the Lighthouse on Mar 7, 2011 12:08 PM EST reply actions
awesome week
7 goals, wow. 36 on the season,
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
by Rickfansince76 on Mar 7, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
He will look good on this squad with Landeskog
/rolls out Jump to Conclusions mat as part of weekly “but how does this relate to June’s draft?” frenzy.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
Can't see us drafting another forward this year
I just can’t. If we don’t have a shot at Larsson I think we draft another D or trade the pick for a a top defense prospect or NHL-ready young d-man. Just a feeling.
With all of next years possible Dmen, I still can’t see us adding another to the bunch.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
yea, but
I don’t think our list of D-Men is deep enough. We’ve got some legit prowess and potential at forward (Tavares, KO, Moulson, Grabs? Bails? Nino?) but no real stud D prospects (de Haan being a big question mark in my mind). I see A-Mac and Hammer as a SOLID 3-4 pair, and Streit being older and coming off injury could use an heir apparent.
I just mean in response to
NHL-ready young d-man
If the Isles did draft a d-man, they’d probably give him at least 1 more season of maturing.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
and considering the number of inexperienced D men we already have, can’t see an 18 year old D man on roster next year.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, agreed
Yea I absolutely don’t recommend drafting a D-man and putting him straight into the NHL. I’m speaking long-term. I think we need some more D-talent in the system, not that I’m expecting one of them to step right in.
agreed
I would only add that in addition to stocking the D in the system, we need to address the lack of right shooting centres and right shooting forwards in general.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
Wonder what their philosophy is
They’ve gone with forward every summer here with the first pick, collected a lot of D later on, but then there was that unusual trade up for de Haan. I’d be tempted to say they’d rather get their D later on, but the CDH pick is just an odd one in the pattern, if it’s a “pattern” at all.
And then you have that Jankowski isn’t around, so if anything has changed in their strategy that could be another variable. So yeah, if they’re at #6 or whatever would they trade down? Oh, the intrigue that will flow come June.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
I would surmise
that in their opinion they haven’t had the chance to draft an elite ‘D’ over the last few years. I think they would’ve taken either of the 3 (Doughty, Bogosian, Pietrangelo) from ‘08, but once they were off the board they went with plan B. In ’09 JT was a slam-dunk while they probably felt they had enough extra chips to package up for #12 overall and swing for a good D prospect de Haan, which may or may not pan out. And last year I bet they were dying to draft Gudbranson, and once he was gone they probably weren’t too high on Fowler or Gormley. So they kept stocking up the offense instead.
And hopefully this will be the last time for a while that the June draft is where the most intrigue comes from for Islanders fans.
That all sounds plausible
I wonder how much they weighed Hedman. Totally agree on ’08. And sure hope they wanted Gudbranson last year.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
I have been suspecting same thing. If Isles slip to bottom top 10 in draft, my gut feeling is that Mika Z, the big right Swedish Centre, will certainly be on their radar. Other than Larrson and Hamilton, there are not a lot of D rating high in this draft. But there are guys like Joe Morrow ranked in second round. Plus there is the fact that Snow already publicly claimed that you can get a guy like Luke Schenn’s skillset in later rounds. I think Mika Z has a real shot at moving into top 10.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
Supposedly the whole Snow/Jankowski thing had to do with last years draft.
This is just what I’ve heard/read, but supposedly Janks didn’t want to trade up for the Hawks pick, didn’t want to draft 2 goalies and didn’t want to use a pick on Rosen.
But I think Mikko’s struggles, Poulin’s re-injury, along with Nilsson’s and Brock’s improvment during the season are showing they were good moves.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Bailey pick
I recall hearing that the Isles were targeting the top D men in the 2008 draft and when they fell off the table they traded down to pickup Bailey and picks. Snow didn’t covet Schenn or Filatov and there were rumors the Isles liked Bailey
yep
that is correct. Snow flat out said you can get Schenn’s skill set in later rounds…I call it the big right D syndrome…After the top draft group is gone, the best big right D in the draft moves into the next spot. This happened last year with Gudbranson as well. I wonder if maybe this is an example of GMs getting all emotional and overrating size and physicality…time will tell…Hedman is a big left D, but otherwise same thing after after JT in his draft year.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
JT
Remember in the lead up to taking JT, Burkie was yammering on how Toronto was going to try to trade for the pick, everything would be on the table except Schenn, he was their only untouchable asset.
It is looking like...
Landeskog is nothing but a dream…“the market is correcting itself”. I know I said this a month back, but obviously if the pattern set about 8 weeks ago maintains, as it has thus far, Isles will be drafting 5th, 6th, or 7th. Colorado and Atlanta have been falling out of the sky like a bomb for a long time now. Atlanta has raised there winning percentage slightly, but it is still two or three games less per ten games then Isles. Florida has also been winning @ two or three games per ten less than Isles for the better part of the last two months or more. We’ve now caught Colorado and Florida. If Atlanta and St.Louis can at least pick up a few points here and there to stay ahead of us for the last 15 games, that would help. Something has to change from the current pattern though or we may pass those two teams also. I can’t see Colorado and Florida playing better then us the rest of the way. If that is what happens, we draft no higher than 5th. I can’t see us passing anyone else other than Atlanta and St’Louis. If we did, we’d be drafting 7th.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed.....unfortunately.
Landeskog is moving up the charts. Here’s one latest Mock Draft source, projecting him as the top pick.
http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/
And on NHL network yesterday, one of their analysts had him #2 overall (Nugent-Hopkins #1). Doesn’t look like we’ll be getting him. But maybe it means Larsson “falls” to us.
While I really like how the Isles are playing right now
I’m just ruling nothing out (well, other than the playoffs). Don’t know where they’ll finish — what if they get another 10-game string of crap? — and don’t know how the final draft rankings or lottery will go.
But I tend to turn off draft thoughts until after the lottery. For me it’s like worrying about whether I’ll have good weather on my camping trip three months from now.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
Draft Landeskog
and try to pry away Shea Weber as a restricted free agent.
Is it possible
To bring Petrov over here and play a few games for the Sound Tigers since his KHL season is over?
If we do that
He might not want to return
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
How many rubles do you have?
KHL contracts are funny. I can’t find whether they’ve changed this, but it used to be that you were still on the job through the finals even after your team got eliminated from the playoffs. I think this might have been one of the things Jagr brought up as a needed concession during the KHL’s last round of self-pruning. This isn’t the info I was looking for, but it mentions how Esche couldn’t jump to the Flyers last year because his KHL deal went through April.
In lieu of actual information, please enjoy this phrasing at the KHL site:
The regular season in Kontinental hockey league has ended and many teams starts to prepare teams for the next season. Those teams which didn’t make to playoffs fire players and search for new players, but those 16 teams which will battle for Gagarin Cup extends contracts to team leaders.Fi-re Pet-rov {clap-clap, clap-clap-clap}! Fi-re Pet-rov {clap-clap, clap-clap-clap}!
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
Alternately omitting and inserting articles/prepositions is like an automatic Russian accent
We feel season is going well and teams to make playoffs will be happy at the great time of year.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
by Dominik on Mar 7, 2011 2:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
aside from Nino.......
who is ready for the bigs. IMO Rhett is size challenged, unless we surround him with some big guys and the jury is out on this.
I still think De Haan is, Cizikas probably needs to switch positions so that might take some time in BP, and at this point you have to think that Lee could probably make the jump.
Out of the AHL guys, not too sure. They all could probably use some more time besides Joensuu
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I see Cizikis as a good replacement for Zeke once he's ready
Give Casey a year or two down in the Bridge and he would make an excellent 4th line with some 3rd line upside.
either way
Some of these Centers are going to have to change position, we’ve got a bunch of them. Lee and Nelson are both Centers too.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
If Lee or Nelson pans out,
it may fill the need that many hoped Landeskog would – power left wing forward to play with JT…MMo has played just as well when not with JT, Snow is trying to build three scoring lines, so if one of the two – or even Kabanov – can fill the vaccum, that would really help.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
IMO
1. If Nino makes the team he is in the NHL. I think RSH was waived with a look to the future… and they feel that Nino will be in the NHL.
2. Give (1), there could be four (3 starting and a healthy scratch) other foward positions open to the general public, and they will be fought for by Konopka(UFA), Haley(RFA), Gillies(RFA), Martin(ELC), Joensuu(RFA). Ullstrom (RFA), Dibenedetto(RFA) and Rhett(ELC). I see no problem with Rhett getting a call up due to injury, but I think those four NHL jobs go to Martin, Zeke, Haley and Joensuu/Dibenedetto. No none AHL tested forwards are going to make the club except Nino… because he’s exceptional.
3. The defense will not be improved by calvin deHaan, though he might be improved by a year in Bridgeport. THere WILL NOT be a deenseman used who has not been in the NHL this year before January… barring a serious string of injuries. They might lose Hillen or Gervais, and possibly one other due to a trade… but the list is too deep to think that anybody else would make the team out of camp…
Streit, Amac, Hamonic, Jurcina, Eaton, Mottau, Hillen, Gervais, Wishart, Katic… and don’t forget that Marty will probably be an option deep into July.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
Is it possible DeHaan gets the Nino treatment this year?
Considering he’s gone deep in the past two camps, do you think it’s possible DeHaan could get a 9-game call-up to start the season? Snow has shown in the past that he likes his prospects to get a taste of the NHL if they are near-NHL ready.
I think 9 games will be irrelevant...
… because he’s going to BPT. I don’t see Calvin back in juniors. He will benefit from AHL/Islander coaching… but the NHL roster wasn’t nearly as strong as it will be next year over teh previous two camps. 2 years ago I might have gone deep in camp, Last year he might have been fighting Gervais and Hillen for the 6th spot… next year Hillen and Gervais will be fighting over who getst o sit near the space heater in the press box come December.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
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i tend to agree
Isles already have too many inexperienced kids on D. The best thing for DeHaan and the Isles is for DeHaan to be in the Bridge.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
Oh does that rule apply only to players in juniors/college?
I thought it applied to players who haven’t started their pro careers yet.
9 game rule
is essentially your right to retain the prospects status with the 3 year entry level contract. Web or Dom can probably explain it better. You have to send them back to juniors after the 9 games or lose a year on the 3 year entry.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I know that
But what I’m saying is, since CDH will not be in juniors next year, is that rule nullified then? Will he be starting year 1 of his ELC if he starts in Bridgeport?
I do believe,
if DeHaan were returned to Juniors as an overage, Isles would retain his 3 years, dob’t quote me on that one…but if he is in AHL which is most likely – yes, they lose one year b/c that is pro. Ottawa did just that with Jason Spezza…someone else may be able to say for sure, but without the rule book, I do believe that is how it works…
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
yes, a year in the AHL removes a year from the ELC.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I think Nino has the best chance of any of the prospects – including whomever we draft this year. Nino is probably already top 9 in the organization for forwards.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
I'm beginning to agree...
… and can almost see him in on one side of Nielsen. that “middle six” will probably get shuffled so that Nino will be with the more confident and 3 zone focused Nielsen. He has done a wonderful job in bringing Grabs along and hopefully he can do the same with Nino.
We can debate all summer on how that 9 should look, but the fact that there can be 100 arguments for 100 different combinations means that the team is really GETTING THERE.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
agreed
we already know the centres next year: JT, Frans, Bails. Six top nine wingers: MMo, Grabs and Comeau on left side, KO, Pap on right. I think Nino is the best in the system after that. Only problem again is lack of right shooting forwards when trying to match lines. If you’ve noticed, Isles have all year avoided three left shots on same line.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Two things that are gigantically over-rated by most fans/observers
1. Center/wing. Anyone who can play center passably well can play either wing just fine. If you struggle with that move, you shouldn’t be playing in the NHL. It’s like moving CF to corner OF in baseball. If you can’t do it, you’re an asshole.
2. Whether a player is a RH or LH shot. Basically totally irrelevant. What you want is players who can score, shockingly.
by AP77 on Mar 7, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
agree on point one, disagree on point 2
It matters for shot angle’s, faceoffs, etc. If it wasn’t an issue, we would see three lefties on same line far more often.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
I have to be honest...
This discredits you’re whole point…
If you can’t do it, you’re an asshole.
Some players PREFER the off-wing. I assume because of a focus on the offensive/goalscoring aspects of the position. As we’ve seen all year with Comeau, he likes to wind up in the high slot with his shot, but coming down the LW often leaves him handcuffed into a COZO because he doesn’t have a strong backhand pass or crossover move.
I think most players are better on their natural wing, and can find the off-wing after possession is secured easier than vice-versa. There are plenty of examples of strong off wing players who know how to create that high slot shot one-on-one… Comeau isn’t one of them… but I don’t think that makes him an asshole.
The worst part of it is that it’s a LH dominated sport… so you are basically forcing an off-wing overload.. and if the other side doesn’t “prefer” the off wing… well.. that isn’t exactly the optimum situation.
As far as corner vs centerfield positions… RF… needs the strongest arm… CF needs the best speed and LF needs the a 3-5th spot hitter. Fielding is only slightly varied in that playing corner positions you are more focused on the spin on the ball… and in center field you need to study tendancies and understand the two guys you’re out there with… some guys don’t have those abilities… again… that doesn’t make them assholes.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
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The off-wing is liked by some players, like Nino, b/c they like to cut across from off wing to the centre area – it is the shot angle. Travis Green has said he is not sure if Nino will be able to do that in NHL as effectively in minors. There are more guys today that prefer the off-wing than in the past, but still, the NHL teams have demonstrated that they will still try to mix in a rightie with the two lefties. This is where a right centre really helps. Steve Larmer was one of the best off-wings of his time…he played with a right centre, Dennis Savard. As of now, Isles best right centre in organization is Jeremy Colliton – that demonstrates the weakness of depth in this area. Even the dynasty Isles kept rightie Billy Carroll around – prior to Brent Sutter for last two cups, Carroll was only right centre – I don’t think baseball is a comparison, maybe pitchers but I don’t know about that. If Isles can find that missing top pairing right centre, it will null the fact that we have lefties who like the off wing like Grabner and Nino, and we are short on right forwards. Comeau prefers the right off wing which works too. I don’t think we can underestimate the fact that teams have avoided three lefties on same line for a reason. Lack of right forwards was also cited as a reason for signing Pap. If it wasn’t an issue, those who manage and coach the teams do feel it is.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
I think we're saying the same thing...
What I didn’t realize was teh Grabner perfered teh off wing… he seems to be doing a good job on the LW, though he does tend to play the RW on the PK. I always thought it was better for a forward to play his off wing so he could better defend the more dangerous (inside) off-side defensemen.
I have mentioned that the Islanders have needed a RH center for two years… It’s funny that they have had two this year, but neither has played much center for them.
It’s why I see Colliton staying in the organization, and haley maybe earning a spot with the NHL club out of camp.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
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Keeping a player in your organization solely because he shoots RH/Lh is just about the worst reason imaginable.
Why...
It’s not the ONLY reason.. colliton is a good PK guy and plays at a level that has depth value… but it’s definitely a factor in why he might be retained instead of going in another direction. Him and Haley are the only two RH centers… though I see that Kyle is being used in certain situations to take faceoffs… as the FIRST option.
I remember a few D trades over teh years to fix problems like we have… some teams wind up with 6 LH D and they will target RH ones from another organization… it happens.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
I mean . . . because there is no real reason to prefer one shot over the other? Sure, maybe it’s a sort of last thought luxury to worry about which way your guys shoot — but the Isles have so many other holes to fill that I just can’t see why this would be of any concern.
I don’t see Datysuk-Zetterberg-Holstrom suffering b/c they’re all lefties. It’s just not something you should take into consideration.
It's not even so much the shot
As it is digging the puck out of corners, along the wall, possession, and distribution…all of which is far more difficult on the backhand side.
"Gervais...he looks danger in the fist with his face!" JPinVA
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by Keith Quinn on Mar 8, 2011 8:22 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Haley is a left shot…but yes, I too like the off-wing, i think it is easier to defend, and personally, I think you get more net to shot…maybe it is a personal thing but I like it. On the need for that Big right centre, I think that and the big right D are our top priorities – barring Landeskog – whose would remove one of top three needs. Mika Z fits everything we desire in a big right centre prospect and is continuing to move up the charts. If we keep improving and draft lower, I can see him being on our radar. Colliton kind of reminds me of Billy Carroll in the sense that we need him for lack of right centres, and he is a good face-off man. And damn the 84 Oilers for picking up Carroll just to figure out our game plans.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
So, responses:
1. Obviously, the “asshole” thing was a joke. It’s about as far from “discrediting” any point as you can get.
2. Everything you just said about baseball is nonsense.
3. Sure, some players prefer the off-wing. They should still be able to play on the other side.
I must be an asshole...
FINALLY… somebody here is gonna call me an asshole… or they are going to explain why I just wasted 10 minutes typing complete nonsense?
You’re floor sir… explain?
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
Heh :)
Do we really want to hijack this thread to launch into advanced baseball statistics? Because I would kind of love to do that. Not sure most people would agree though. And I arguably have a bit of work to do.
I don't see why stats have to come into a basic
philosophy on filling out a lineup card… but.. I’ll just take it that you can just call something nonesense… I’ll hold that chip for later.
But before you leave I’d love to know what STAT you could possibly use to back up calling that OUTFIELD strategy “NONSENSE”. I’m sure it would be one of the reasons I don’t even bother talking to baseball fans anymore. The whole OGILVIE world makes me sick…
“Right here Mr. Buttermaker, Kelly has only hit .222 agianst lefties in the rain… it gets even worse as his OBP when the wind is blowing from left to right is under .275 and his OBSP is around .410 in october when he has his motorcycle confiscated”
“Go fuck yourself Ogilvie… Leak, grab a bat”
That scene never made it to the mocie, but it’s in the book.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
Well, without getting too much into it, the key to outfield positioning is the relative range of each outfielder. Meaning best range should play CF. Depending somewhat on the ballpark you play in, LF/RF should end up being basically a wash.
okay...
range, to me, equals speed… and you need somebody who can throw from RF to third base, so the better arm of the two remaining players is your RF… and LF, most of the time, is used to hide a defensively challenged (slowest/weakest arm) so… you’d better be able to hit.
COMPLETE NONSENSE
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
You don't often need a guy to reach third from right
Especially if the man in question has no range (see Guerrero, Vladimir). Get to stuff quickly and you can turn xhb into singles or outs; then just hit the cutoff man regularly and you’ll hold your share of runners.
Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
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not the question...
once you have the guy who can cover the most ground, where do you put the better arm, Left or Right?
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
In a perfect world, both are true
But in this world, a player, himself, is nothing. And there ain’t no world but this one.
/Thin Red Line’d
Seriously, it has a lot to do with players’ individual strengths. Some guys’ strengths are more flexible than others.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
Two areas where Isles have organizational and prospect depth
Left shooting centres/forwards and left shooting, fast pucking moving D.
We lack organizational and prospect depth with right shooting centres/forwards, and big right D.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:26 PM EST reply actions
Hey Lifer, whats your thoughts on Dehart? He seems like a real solid player who is one of those silent types that gets the job done without a lot of fanfare.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Hey Web..
I think I mentioned this, my daughter’s other grandparents live in Oshawa, home of the Generals. Her grandfather is a big generals fan and really likes Dehart. I’d say your assessment is correct. Who knows if he makes the NHL but when you look at draft history, Dehart’s skillset is often drafted in rounds 4 to 7. He is a team player, and will do anything to win – name suits him b/c he is De “heart” for Oshawa. From what I understand, he is a notch below the heavyweights in fighting – so that means he might not be able to beat a goon, but can certainly fight any hockey player. He has really provided protection for DeHaan, and has actually outplayed DeHaan in some games. I think Dehart has a shot at an NHL career, either as a 3rd, physical pairing or a 7th or 8th depth D. Worse case senario, he will help development in the AHL. As we know, not every guy drafted makes the show, but many of these guys are still needed on the farm for the development of guys who will play in the show. DeHart in my view fits this model, but also has a shot. And with his experience with DeHaan, who will most likely be in the Bridge next year, I think signing DeHart is a no brainer.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
I'm sure it's been said already, but
We have DeHaan and DeHart all we need now is DeHead. (:puke:) and I’m starting to think that might be Larsson, although I still think Landeskog is the best choice, if available.
What I loves about all of dis is dat we now have de luxury of allowing some “project” picks to develop properly witout forcing dem to de NHL too early. [/end of “de” useage]
Let Lee play four years in US College hockey and he comes out at 23 years old ready to go, then faaantastic. If not, he won’t need to spend four years in the minors before we see what we have. Let DeHaan play in the Bridge until he’s ready… we don’t need to force him.
There's a mountain of buoyant nostalgia under this team and it's going to erupt like Vesuvius when the Islanders are back in playoff contention.... Count on it.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Mar 7, 2011 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
it has always been a bit of a pet-peave of mine when talking heads use that term, “leave em in minors till their overripe – like Detriot”. Of course that is ideal, and the NHL is littered with examples of kids whose careers were ruined by calling them up to early. But context is so important. I’ve said it before, Detriot did not follow this “overripe” theory in the dog days of their rebuild. Yzerman started as a teenager, among others. Reality is, expansion and rebuilding teams tend to lack the depth needed for such a luxury. It is a sign that the team’s depth is improving that Isles are now starting to have the “overripe” option in some areas. We can literally identify the areas now where Isles need to improve depth. This is why signing guys like Pap was more important than acquiring a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly!
It’s a lot easier to allow overripening when your NHL team is contending for Cups and selling out.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
In my view, anyone counting on deHaan to (a) be a positive force in the NHL next season or (b) even be in the NHL at all is crazy.
He is not ready. He needs minimum one year in the AHL. He has seriously underwhelmed in juniors. I think everyone around here is so high on him because they look at his draft position and say: “OMG, HE IS TEH RULAZ!!!!”
As I’ve said repeatedly, he was a terrible pick at that slot. Definitely one of Snow’s most critical mistakes, if not the worst.
I think your also a bit to low on him
It isn’t like hes doing sooo terrible in juniors. But I agree with the terrible pick part. Maybe Snowy saw something in him thought, like with Moulson and Grabby.
Constantly building for the future.
by pgat28 on Mar 7, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Perhaps
I do tend to really pile it on when I get down on a guy. It’s part of my charm.
I’ve never seen anything about him to get excited about, though, I’ve got to be honest.
Well you did hit the nail on the head
When you said people are just high on him because we drafted him so high.
Constantly building for the future.
not just that
The Isles didn’t just draft him high, they moved up specifically to take him, fearing that he would be unavailable later. (Correctly, as I recall, because Minny was really looking hard at him.) So that adds to the pressure.
He may yet turn out to be a puck-moving, second-pair, first-pp guy, and I wouldn’t cry if that happened.
Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
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I heard it was Buffalo that wanted DeHaan and they were visably upset whe Isles moved up and drafted him right before Buffalo picked Kassian?
Snow is such a difficult poker face to read, but I will always wonder if he was chasin little Ryan Ellis and settled on DeHaan.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
isnt kassian like matt cooke but on D?
or maybe im thinking of someone else
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
No
Kassian is a right shooting right wing, touch as nails, a rare heavyweight fighter who can skate and play with the stars. Kassian would destroy Cooke in a fight, and Kassian is by far a better player than Cooke was at his age. That doesn’t mean Kassian makes it in the show, but he is a very good prospect now in the Sabres system.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
i was thinking of someone else in terms of d
but the matt cooke part i was thinking of the same guy
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
Somebody besides Islander management sees something in him...
he’s been on the last two WJC teams.
And we won’t really know how good he is until he starts playing against men… So… he very well could be a bust. But the Islander scouts have done a pretty good job in the last three full drafts… especially the 2008… so I’m willing to cut them some slack. They also have no reason to rush the kid to the NHL.
No only have they hit with THREE of their own in MacDonald, Hamonic and Katic, they seem to have a very capable young kid with size in Wishart.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
He's 18 now
The primary difficulty with him was his father (so reported by one of his multiple agents) so that source flakyness is no longer his obligate legal guardian/agent/publists
DeHaan
Why would anyone want to rush the guy? We are pretty good on D now:
McDonald, Jurcina, Hillen, Marty, Wishart, Hammer, Eaton.
Pretty solid for 2012, no?
I only see three NHL D on Isles next year (Streit, Amac and Ham) and the last two are still kids with limited experience. Ham may even still have his rookie status. I think D is Isles greatest question mark next season. Juice is injury prone. The rest are depth fill-ins or prospects.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
I forgot Streit. Im pretty happy with this group. Maybe we could add a big crease clearer. But whose out then? Hillen?
I don't think we can get rid of Hillen
After Streit, Hillen is number two on our depth list for fast, mobile left offensive D. The others are all prospects who are entirely unproven at NHL level (although Katic has played a few games). DeHaan, Donovan, Katic, Ness, Hillen has played 160 games. While that is limited experience, take a look at the other options" Wishart has played about 15 games, Katic about 5, Hamonic around 40-50…Hillen has shown flashes, and with depth, he would be better used – matched with his skillset.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Goalies for 2012 and beyond
Anyone wanna speculate where Montoya fits in? He playing too well not to resign.
If Rik’s healthy to start 2012, then who’s his backup?
I think you got it backwards
DP is the back-up, the $1 milion question is who will be our starter!
by Russel Ginart on Mar 7, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Do you mean the 11 - 12 season?
Because if so I think it’ll be Al and DP splitting time.
Constantly building for the future.
if he keeps it up
I think Al gets a one year contract. This would be great for Isles b/c it buys Mikko and Poulin development time. We have to sign Nilsson also this summer or lose him. Sign him and loan him back to his Swedish league team. That is a very good development league.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe, maybe not
The Isles corner the market on young goaltenders and then they can be used in a trade. IMO
by Russel Ginart on Mar 7, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
he was addressing a serious depth problem
We also have to remember, Poulin was a 5th round pick, in part b/c of injury problems when he was a junior. Poulin did not emerge until after Snow drafted Mikko and Nilsson, and there was and still is no guarantee Mikko makes it.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
and I'm still not sure
why they took Mikko at all. Yuck. He’s doing just terribly, and he was waaay off the board. Could’ve drafted Poulin’s nemesis Robin Lehner at that position (who was much higher rated).
I figure they thought he was closer to being ready
I always figured with Sudsie’s high reviews of him and his age, they must’ve hoped Mikko was closer to being ready, so fill in that spot of the pipeline quickly. If he has a decent pro year last year instead of losing it to hip surgery, maybe he steps in this year as the swing guy and/or backup/1A once they deal Roloson.
Going consecutive picks with goalies was odd though. I figure part of taking Nilsson was to have another Nordic goalie who was being incubated over there, since otherwise it’s hard to have multiple goalie prospects without spots to stash them away for playing time.
Lighthouse Hockey: Send us your cold, your poor, your healthy goalies.
we also have to remember..
that draft was prior to the transfer agreement with Sweden. Snow could have left Nilsson over there unsigned longer.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
Quite a few extremely questionable moves by Snow in 2009 following Tavares . . . some decent fliers too though.
think Garth was playing the goalie odds
You just never know, and with injuries on top of the vagaries of predicting young keepers, he just thought grabbing those guys and Poulin would be wisest. If two work out, you can deal one. Heck, Mikko hasn’t looked dreadful in the NHL, just really raw. And I discount his AHL work thus far, pretty heavily – all the defenders and half the forwards he would be playing with there are playing in Uniondale! Looked at that way, he’s actually done passably behind half the Sound Tigers against NHL teams.
I hope he has a full year in BPT to really work on technique instead of just madly scrambling to try to steal games, and getting into poor habits that will hurt him in the NHL.
Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
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Goaltender thoughts
1. RDP is signed through forever… he has shown that he CAN be a top goaltender when he stays in the crease. That never happens, and he is unreliable due to injuries. He is a 1A 15-25 game per year option.
2. Montoya is proving he can handle the NHL everyday. He shold get most of the work in the last 16… maybe 14 games. If he can maintain a 2.5- GAA and a .920 Save% why not tender him for next year and let him prove he can be a number 1. Why not tender him anyway just as insurance.
3. Poulin will probably be rehabbing through December… maybe longer. Whatever starts he gets should be in the AHL.
4. Koskinen seems to be a problme. He looked pretty good when he was on in the NHL… and he’s been a roller-coaster all year in the AHL. Is it injury rehab issues or is it above the shoulder issues. I’m not putting my chips behind him next year…
5. Lawson has shown AAAA skills… but can you hang on him for 25+ games. I don’t see it. His bad ones are literally undefenseable… his good ones are above average… his career depends on what the Islanders do with Nilsson.
6. Anders Nilsson. Do we know enough about him to think that he’ll be in the AHL with Koskinen and Poulin. If he’s the 3rd option in the AHL I think I could be okay with letting Lawson go.
I really think we’d be okay with RDP and Cubano Grande if Poulin and Mikko are both healthy goig into the season. If RDP is a health issue before the season somebody has to make him make a decision…
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
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article in newsday
says hes off crutches and should be all healed up and ready to go for camp
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
probably should have specified that poulin is the one off crutches
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
by Zhora on Mar 7, 2011 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Kabonov
Does anyone know if were more likely to see him come over then Petrov? Because it seems the latter is never going to play for us.
Constantly building for the future.
Petrov has one more year on his KHL contract
by Russel Ginart on Mar 7, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
Seemed like Petrov for next year was a real possibility
even though he’s got another year on his KHL contract, I remember the talks from last summer seemed promising for at least getting out of it a year early (and not in retrospect 2 years early).
I can’t imagine Kabanov ever playing for the Isles. He’s like 358th in QMJHL scoring, behind dozens of 14 year old girls and Z’s Mario Lemieux poster. I think I have 23 goals this season in the QMJHL by default.
Kabanov also has missed half the games this year, was traded early on and from all reports has been an excellent citizen. He’s also working on the defensive side of his game too. I’m still worried about him, but there’s a reason his stats aren’t spectacular.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
yea
Hopefully you’re right. But the fact that he’s been traded, and has missed all these games makes me think it’s still “Kirill being Kirill”.
He missed a few due to injury, a few due to being stuck in London Ontario (along with 2 other teammates) and a sickness. Most of the missed games was from the beginning of the season with Montcon
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Mar 7, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
well Kabanov isn’t signed to a KHL contract, so I’d suspect we’d be more likely to see Kabanov. Even so, I think Petrov is a lot closer to NHL talent then Kabanov though
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Really?
Thought consensus was that Kabanov was a top-5 talent. Never heard anything like that about Petrov.
Never heard anything like that about Petrov.
I take it you didnt follow the build up to the 08 draft so closely, then?
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 7, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Petrov only dropped to third round b/c of the Russian factor. Interesting side note, it was mentioned on Hockey Night in Canada the other day that Toronto’s Kulimen (spelling?) leads all NHL Russian forwards in goal scoring. An unknown outside of Toronto, it kind of tells us how bad many of the Russian offensive players have been playing.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
nope
they included them all, OV has had a bad year goal wise, although his goalscoring has picked up a bit lately. To be honest, I never checked the stats, just heard to commentary.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
I recall there being a big to do about Filatov but not so much about Petrov. ISS had him at #17, seemingly independent of concerns about staying in Russia. That’s high, of course, but Kabanov was kicked around at one point as a potential #1 overall.
I think Petrov
already had the Russian contract prior to his draft…
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
Yes he did. It was stated that, if he didnt, he would have been on par with Nikita.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 7, 2011 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
"Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent".
And Petrov was actually the 2nd-ranked European skater in ‘08 behind Filatov. For the record I hope I’m wrong about Kabanov and he becomes a SUPERSTAR for the Isles, but I’m just not banking on it.
One thing you never heard mentioned about the Kirills and the Islanders...
… is a RUSSIAN CULTURE. Who are their links to the NHL? Is there anybody that would help them make the transition to LI. At least Kabanov is playing in North America. Petrov could wind up being a complete flop without some sort of social network.
I understand that it is New York… he’ll find friends… but do the Islanders REALLY want to develop a russian culture, like ATL did for Kovy… just to have him say goodbye as soon as he scores 30 goals a few times.
I kind of like the team the way it is… and the way it looks without either of them. If either player is attractive to another club I’d stick the for sale sign out front…. We have other needs now that don’t include high maintenece Russian wingers or players that have 5 years of KHL experience but we’re not sure if they could beat out Ullstrom or Rakhshani for a roster spot.
I’d give up on either one of them for a second rounder this year.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
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Anton is Excited
This was in his BP Locker:
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Mar 7, 2011 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Russian culture on LI
You mean like Oleg Kvasha?
Fast strikers, give the defenders difficulty!
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that's what it amounts to..
I know we don’t want to start changing the culture in that room… either one, or both could be nice additions… but if it turns into what it was with either Yashin or Kvasha, then you have to spend months fixing it… I think I’d rather get more darts to throw at defensive help in the draft.
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
Brighton Beach memiors
Get them some nice rental flats and have car service waiting for them. Maybe even build a brooklyn fan base that can show up when the team moves to Queens but Do not, repeat Do not, put them in the Marriot next to the Musoleum.
Sad to say
but I tend to agree with you here…
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 6:30 PM EST up reply actions
I understand that it is New York… he’ll find friends… but do the Islanders REALLY want to develop a russian culture, like ATL did for Kovy…
I honestly dont think its necessary.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 7, 2011 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
Signing Anders Nilsson should be the top priority.
Our goaltending future is between Nilsson and Poulin and I give the advantage to Nilsson. At the age of 20, he could very well be the top goalie in the Swedish Elite League with no history of injury.
If Nino’s stats are calculated for 63 games which is the league average instead of the 49 that he has played, Nino would be 2nd or 3rd in the WHL in goal scoring. He should be with the Isles next year.
We need more losses though, as Landeskog and Larsson are the two guys we should be focusing on for the draft. I don’t see how taking another center (Nugent Hopkins or Couturier) or a smallish defenseman (Murphy) will help us.
Dougie Hamilton is big and can score
He should go around 5.
You mean to tell me shooting the puck from 70 feet out doesn't earn us extra goals?
He is big and can skate. He is good in both zones.
And he’s a much needed right handed D-Man.
You mean to tell me shooting the puck from 70 feet out doesn't earn us extra goals?
I've heard good things about Hamilton
but I haven’t heard that he’s a real difference maker. Obviously none of the guys in the draft are guaranteed to produce, but it seems like Hamilton will be a solid top 4 D man. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just that when you draft in the top 5, you should always be walking away with a game changing top line forward or top pairing defenseman.
by nyislanders93 on Mar 7, 2011 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
Hamilton can fight to, he’s a heavyweight. With his size and everything else, I think he is as close to a sure thing as is available. Even if his offense doesn’t materialize at NHL level, he could still be solid 3rd pairing. Otherwise, he could be anything from 1st, 2nd or 3rd pairing.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 8, 2011 1:13 AM EST up reply actions
I think the differences between him and Larsson are small
Larsson has played at a higher level with older players so he’s more NHL ready but talent wise I don’t see them that far apart. If we are drafting 4-6 I would rather see us ‘settle’ for Hamilton than trade away a bunch of picks to move up a few spots.
You mean to tell me shooting the puck from 70 feet out doesn't earn us extra goals?
And Nino was only days away from being drafted this year rather than last. I don’t think we will have a shot at either Landeskog or Larrson, but Snow better not draft Murphy. We have enough guys in his skillset.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Mar 7, 2011 6:33 PM EST reply actions
Gregoire continues to impress
He’s been slipping under everyone’s radar but he really is solid. He gets to the net has a great shot and has some breakaway speed
You mean to tell me shooting the puck from 70 feet out doesn't earn us extra goals?
he’s not slipping under the radar, he’s easily one of the Isles best College prospects behind Lee. Problem is that he’s not about to leave college early or the Isles try to sign him when he’s about to become a Senior.
"Wonder where Botta will go from here?" "to work for the Ministry of Truth?" ~ Original Rob
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
It just seems like Lee, Cizikas, & Nino get more buzz in general
Not that it isn’t deserved. He’s just really impressed me whenever I’ve watch North Dakota so I’ve decided to lead the Gregoire fan club. Card holding member of the Donovan fan club as well.
You mean to tell me shooting the puck from 70 feet out doesn't earn us extra goals?
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
