Islanders Defense Depth Chart after the 2011 Draft
by Dominik on Jun 28, 2011 12:35 PM EDT
in Roster Manoeuvres in the Dark
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Yesterday we looked at how adding the 2011 draft haul added new blood to the Islanders' forward depth chart. Because of different center/wing variables, that isn't as tidy of a picture (in a "these are the lines in 2015!" kind of way) as what we'll look at today.
What follows is a list of defensemen the Islanders will definitely have in their possession as of July 1, when Jack Hillen, Radek Martinek and Dustin Kohn are presumably set free. You'll note it's not stacked in the traditional way, envisioning pairings, but rather by handedness. Don't misinterpret that as an over-emphasis on lefties or righties; it's just an easy way of noting an often overlooked variable.
| D (lefty) | D (righty) |
| Streit (2012-13) | Hamonic - 2013 RFA |
| MacDonald -2014RFA | Jurcina (2011-12) |
| Eaton (2011-12) | Reese - RFA |
| Wishart - RFA | Klementyev - 2013RFA |
| Mottau (2011-12) | Mayfield - NCAA |
| Katic - 2012 RFA | Kichton - WHL(?) |
| De Haan - 2014 RFA | Russo - NCAA |
| Donovan - 2014 RFA | DeHart - ? |
| Ness - 2014 RFA | |
| Pedan - OHL |
- Years in parentheses are the final seasons before a player becomes a UFA
- Years before "RFA" are the summer in which they'll become an RFA -- unless they're an RFA in 2011
- The rest are the new draftees and the leagues they will play in, plus Tony DeHart, who was drafted as an overager in 2010
The Next Generation: Inching Closer
The thing that stands out is how many contracts will expire next summer: We knew this when they were signed, but Mark Eaton, Mike Mottau and Milan Jurcina (re-signed last winter) truly do stand as veteran bridges to the next generation coming up the pipeline. Not that all of them will necessarily walk next summer, but certainly not all will be back.
In fact, the only non-ELC (entry level contracts) players who are signed beyond next season are Mark Streit and Andrew MacDonald, whom most would call the Islanders' two best defensemen.
Meanwhile, Travis Hamonic's (and Anton Klementyev's) ELC began last year, while the ELCs for Calvin De Haan, Matt Donovan and Aaron Ness trigger this season as they officially begin their pro careers
Behind them you have 2011 draftees Brenden Kichton, who will be entering his age 19 season, Lithuanian(-born) Andrei Pedan of the Guelph Storm, and college-bound classmates Robbie Russo and Scott Mayfield, who begin their NCAA careers in the fall.
You certainly draft for quality, talent and all that. But in terms of assets and when their rights and development curves mature, the Islanders have a nice spread of blueliners throughout the system, and last weekend provided a chance to restock at the lower ends. As the rights to Blake Kessel and Shane Sims (presumably) lapse, new blood enters...
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The Puzzle
This is not going to be easy. We have a lot of defenseman but are lacking a top four to cement the defense. We also have to balance out what to do with Eaton and Mottau. We need to watch CDH development and how Streit handles being back in the game after a year’s absence.
We have a lot of potential defenseman properly cooking but today we still need a PP defenseman to play along Streit and a physical defenseman to take the pressure off of Hamonic.
I like Hamonic on the PP
…but I do admit he is unproven in that spot. Wouldn’t hurt to have another good RH shot so that Okposo, Jurcina, and Comeau don’t need to fill in there. Nielsen (LH) wouldn’t be bad there, but he is zero threat to score from there, so the opponent could overplay Streit…. I honestly think Hamonic will end up with that role by the middle of the season. He’s had difficulty getting shots on net from the point, but if the opponents overplay to Streit’s and JT’s side, he’ll have a little more space. He can certainly unload a slapshot (was it the last game of the season?) and he can shoot for a deflection (see FNF Pens game). Just as importantly, he’s smart with the puck and has some poise…. If I had to choose between two FAs (PP or physical D-man), I’d definitely bring in a physical D.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jun 28, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he took his offensive game up a step at the end of last season
5-21-26 for 62 games is not bad at all (especially for a 20 y/o rookie). All those goals came 2/1/11 and beyond. I think he has the tools to step in on PP right away.
Vote Yes on August 1st.
With Streit back...
…I would be very comfortable with Jurcina on the right point. I think I’d prefer Hamonic on the second unit, as that one won’t have the Streit’s instinct on the left side. Jurcina has a canon… Hamonic is a more accurate shot, but not nearly as scary. Streit can put it on the net, and utilize his offfensive radar… that right point needs to stay high and carry a threatening shot… I vote for Juice. The second unit can be Amac, or Wishart, or CDH with Hamonic.
Of course, all this is predicated on the fact that Streit plays to at least 80% of what he was pre-injury. We’re getting back a 25+min defenseman… that is HUGE.
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
by JPinVA on Jun 28, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I Want Radek Back.
:(
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 28, 2011 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I could live with that but, how much gas does he have left in the tank?
We are all Islanders, even if we are in Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Jun 28, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
We dont have to give him a big deal.
Or a long deal. I just want him to stay. I love the guy.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 28, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
yep.better than eaton or motteau
by Lakewood Islander on Jun 28, 2011 2:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I say re-sign THIS guy!!
We are all Islanders, even if we are in Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Jun 28, 2011 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
We dont have to give him a big deal either..........
Just put him on the point on every PP! Case solved!!
We are all Islanders, even if we are in Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Jun 28, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
What's his cap hit?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
CAP HIT?
Who cares about cap hit; this guy can plain HIT!!!!!
We are all Islanders, even if we are in Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Jun 28, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
if they had ....
cloned him 19-20 years ago, he’d be ready now.
where was wang then, dammit.
by dose on Jun 28, 2011 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
what i'd like to see july 1st...
garth snow signing 2 top 4 defensemen (if they’re available and somewhat affordable). the reason i say 2 is because they need insurance for injuries and the young guys who may not be ready. i know “what if” sounds pessimistic, but there’s always the possibility of someone (dehaan, wishart, katic, etc.) needing another year to develop. depth on the blueline is very important if we want to see this team get to the playoffs.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
I think the issue here, as usual, is who's available and attainable
I’d love for them to beef up and force the kids to “cook” even longer or else force their way into the picture, but who’s realistic? Hannan? Run at Erhoff or Pitkanen?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Not particularly Lithuanian
Pedan would seem to be quite Russian, in fact, and plays for the Russian U18 team. He was born in Lithuania, but that may not mean too much since there were/are many Russians there of course due to the Soviet history. Pedan is also not a Lithuanian name.
Thanks. Yeah, they seem to call him a Russian a lot
But he’s got the birthplace…and Lithuanian flag next to him on elite-prospects! I meant to put “-born” after that name, upon finding no consensus.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Yes, they probably just go by birthplace
According to this (possibly less-than-authoritative) thread, he is only Russian by nationality:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=34144531
Anyway, I’m sure someone will eventually interview him and ask about it.
Interview him
“If the red tanks came over the border today, whose side would you be on?”
Also: Poem, or gun?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jun 28, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Im not English
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 28, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
In soviet russia
Lithuanians are russian
by ghalbart on Jun 28, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
More and more, I think letting Hillen go is.....
…..a very, VERY big mistake, unless CDH has shown unmistakable signs of being ready for the big time…..wonder what we would’ve had to do for BOTH Strome and Hamilton in the first round…..
Here's my D depth chart for players who may be on team in 4 years with possible pairings
Legend
A= First Pairing
B= Second Pairing
C= Third Pairing
D= Depth
Left shooting defencemen currently in the NHL and prospects who may be part of core in 4 years:
A= M. Streit – 5’11 – 202 (smallish puckmover)
B/C= A. MacDonald – 6’1 – 201 – 23
-———————————————————————-
A/B= C. DeHaan – 6’1 – 189 – 20
A/B= M. Donovan 6’0 – 195 – 21 (smallish puckmover, but gritty)
B/C= T. Wishart – 6’4 – 222 – 23
C= A. Pedan – 6’4 – 201 – ??
L/A/LB= M Katic – 5’10 – 195 – 22 (smallish puckmover)
L/A/LB= A. Ness – 5’10 – 170 – 21 (smallish puckmover)
A/B= R. Russo – 5’11 – 186 – ?? (smallish puckmover)
A/B= Brendon Kichton – 5’10 – 175 – ???? (smallish puckmover)
Right shooting defensemen currently in the NHL and prospects who may be part of core in 4 years:
A/B= T. Hamonic – 6’2 – 208 – 20
-——————————————————————
A/B/C= S. Mayfield – 6’4 – 203 – ????
C= T. DeHart – 6’2 – 176 – ?? (*Note: nothing on team site about DeHart?) (physical, fights)
C= A. Klementyev – 6’0 – 195 – 22 (defensive D, solid checker)
L/B/= S. Sims – 6’1 – 195 – 23
-—————————————————————-
Defensive Pairing Depth Chart:
1st Pairing:
Left D: Right D:
A= M. Streit – 5’11 – 202 (smallish puckmover) A/B= T. Hamonic – 6’2 – 208 – 20
A/B= C. DeHaan – 6’1 – 189 – 20 A/B/C= S. Mayfield – 6’4 – 203 – ??
A/B= M. Donovan 6’0 – 195 – 21 (smallish puckmover, but gritty)
L/A/LB= M Katic – 5’10 – 195 – 22 (smallish puckmover)
L/A/LB= A. Ness – 5’10 – 170 – 21 (smallish puckmover)
A/B= R. Russo – 5’11 – 186 – ?? (smallish puckmover)
A/B= Brendon Kichton – 5’10 – 175 – ?? (smallish puckmover)
2nd Pairing:
Left D: Right D:
B/C= A. MacDonald – 6’1 – 201 – 23 A/B= T. Hamonic – 6’2 – 208 – 20
B/C= T. Wishart – 6’4 – 222 – 23 A/B/C= S. Mayfield – 6’4 – 203 – ??
L/B/= S. Sims – 6’1 – 195 – 23
3rd Pairing D:
Left D: Right D:
C= A. Pedan – 6’4 – 201 – ?? A/B/C= S. Mayfield – 6’4 – 203 – ??
C= T. DeHart – 6’2 – 176 – ??
C= A. Klementyev – 6’0 – 195 – 22
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jun 28, 2011 7:00 PM EDT reply actions
What's up with DeHart?
I was assuming he’d play in Bridgeport coming season, would be nice to get that confirmed
R. Russo & Brendon Kichton????
Are they lefties or righties? anyone know? have read lefties
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jun 28, 2011 7:11 PM EDT reply actions
Both are righties
Based on photos, anyway.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Found nice scouting report on Kichton
Kichton is a righty, even though he is listed in several places as a lefty. good to get these things resolved early! Will look further on Russo
http://www.thescoutingreport.org/prospect-spotlight-brendan-kichton/
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jun 28, 2011 7:50 PM EDT reply actions
Well
You guys now have the rights to another D man….
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
This is where things get interesting
Still lots of simmering for the prospects before they can be effective at the NHL level. Depth seems to be the key word after this year’s draft.
by 19 Isle in NJ 22 on Jun 28, 2011 8:42 PM EDT reply actions
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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.
