Pick 'em: Which Islanders goalie carries the load?
by Dominik on Aug 24, 2011 10:15 AM EDT
in This, That & What-Not
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PrintIn February, when Kevin Poulin was shut down for the season, Evgeni Nabokov was feeling uppity and Al Montoya was not yet on the way, I recalled a season where a team used seven goaltenders. But because the New York Islanders are graced by lady luck's sadistic sister, they got to stop at just six goalies last season.
| 2010-11 | GP | Rec | GAA | Sh | Sv% |
| Rick DiPietro | 26 | 8-14-4 | 3.44 | 773 | .886 |
| Al Montoya | 20 | 9-5-5 | 2.39 | 585 | .921 |
| Dwayne Roloson | 20 | 6-13-1 | 2.64 | 629 | .916 |
| Kevin Poulin | 10 | 4-2-1 | 2.44 | 262 | .924 |
| Nathan Lawson | 10 | 1-4-2 | 4.06 | 217 | .893 |
| Mikko Koskinen | 4 | 2-1-0 | 4.33 | 118 | .873 |
| Evgeni Nabokov |
DNP | CBA literacy |
That's still obviously not ideal. Hopefully it's not repeated. They have both potential and quantity going into 2011-12. No sure things -- there are never sure things, but these are even less sure things -- yet enough "this could work"s to at least hope the goaltending will be better than last season's .902 team save percentage.
As discussed over the weekend, each nominee has caveats: DiPietro has the three-year injury odyssey, Montoya has the brief recent history complicated by minor knee surgery over the summer, Poulin is coming off another knee cap dislocation (edit: "Another" as in he had one earlier in his amateur career), ex-All-Star Nabokov is of completely uncertain head and body, and the others are even greener than Poulin.
But any of the first four could conceivably put in a #1's year of work.
So if you had to bet, who carries the load in 2011-12? You can vote for the leader in the poll, but you might also want to explain a deeper breakdown of how things shake out in comments.
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Best chance to win
is either Montoya or Nabokov. Relying too much onDP has gotten this team in trouble every year since 20087.
heheheheheh
It only SEEMS like the contract is 20,087 years, Lee.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
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Montoya
Whether his performance is to the high standards set late last year or not, I have to guess that his play will be the most consistent.
RDP: I just don’t have confidence that he can stay healthy, even if his play starts to return to form
Nabs: I don’t expect that a guy at his age, who struggled in the KHL and clearly doesn’t want to be on the Island can be effective enough to carry the load as a #1.
The Kids: As long as Montoya is at least solid and can consistently keep them in the game, it should allow for the kids to have more opportunity to develop, which is probably the organizational preference if possible
by SchneiderDiricov on Aug 24, 2011 10:34 AM EDT reply actions
+1
Proud to root for the Jets, Mets, and Islanders!!!
Twitter: cmauceri524
by CharlieIsles on Aug 24, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I second this.
I do, however, think Nabs could surprise and play his way into a starting role by December, whether or not it is with the Islanders remains to be seen. Same with DP, though he’s certainly not going anywhere.
I think Cap is a loyal guy
and Big Al did the job at the end of the season and will get the call.
but I hate to be the pestinist…I just think somehow we have to call up Poulin early and he proves to be the real deal.
Nab-block will be gone before opening night
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
by Rickfansince76 on Aug 24, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
awwwwwww
Poulin looks just like a dashing young Ben Affleck, don’t he? Fits right in with the “everything must somehow be connected to New England” meme we got goin’ on ’round here.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
hey now
Hm, tell un Montréalais like Poulin that he reminds you of Boston/New England, and that could be fighting words! Montréalers don’t have a ton of love for Beantown, not surprisingly.
Not to say that I disagree with him as a young Affleck….
by brother_rat on Aug 24, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
he's just researching a role, n'est ce pas?
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Poulin is better looking.
Not that Bens a dog or anything.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 24, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully his career is more Damon
Less Affleck.
I don’t want him to have to ride the reputation of his rookie debut…
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
And sometimes you make Reindeer Games.
by IamJacksSplitSave on Aug 24, 2011 1:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Took him long enough!
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
That pic makes him look more like Casey than Ben
Not that I’ve stared at either, or anything. STOP.
oh look! Squirrel!
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
RDP is not healthy
May never be. He had knee swelling problems last year that took him off the ice.
He has had three years of chronic inflamation that has ablated his ability to play. You do not suddenly become “healthy” from such.
I doubt Poulin will have a long NHL career regardless of ability. You don’t dislocate both your kneecap unless you have structurally screwed up knees in which case it will just keep happening
I agree
and he may never be better than average again. hi sbody is a lot older than his age after all the trauma to it. I would be happy if he stuck around as the back up. He can play fine every 4th game or so, and play a few in a row when needed
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
by Rickfansince76 on Aug 24, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
the truth is this:
if DP is healthy, he will be on the roster (despite how he looks at camp). the cap (salary, not coach :P) makes sure of this. Whether he’s between the pipes or riding the pine, he’ll be there. In the end, it’ll be DP and Montoya. Nabokov will somehow get traded or released (no way he’ll go to Bridgeport). Poulin will be in Bridgeport and called up ICE.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
There isn't a font big enough...
….for the size of that IF. We’d need a billboard that would be visible from the Moon.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
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Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
by mikb on Aug 24, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I voted for Álvaro...
…simply because he showed promise and more importantly great poise to be “the man” backstopping that young somewhat unproven squad last year.
Last season he played pretty amazing behind a defense, which consisted of least reliable players and still managed to win many games and produce more than solid numbers.
Sure, injuries took their toll on defense and relying on Gervais and Reese is not ideal but Montoya stood more the once on his head and might have stolen some games.
Now imagine what he might be capable of doing working the crease behind an undoubtedly improved blue-line.
DiPi’s role will be merely to back-up Montoya. After three long years filled with surgeries and uncertainties and a small sample from last year doesn’t or should I say won’t warrant him the starting job. He has to earn it first. Somehow he has to prove himself.
Sadly he is no longer phoenix rising from the ashes to save this franchise.
The future looks bright for Poulin and Koskinen/Nilsson.
The here-and-now belongs to Álvaro.
Agreed
And extra credit for the diacritics.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
undoubtedly improved blue-line.
Seems reasonable but that’s dangerously close to a community pr*j*ction isn’t it?
Original member of the Mike Weber bandwagon!
To make up for lost time, the Sabres signed six seasons worth of front-loaded cap skirting contracts in one week.
that is no company line I chose :)
I have recently read an interview (I am working on a translation) in a Swiss newspaper with Mark Streit and i do believe that with the addition of Streit and a full season of Hamonic who I firmly believe will keep improving the defense should be better than fine.
Last season both Eaton and Mottau were thurst into roles they could not fulfill. So now they can concentrate more on their defensiv assignements.
Not to mention how importent AMac and Jurcina were/are for our team.
by ISLANdeR#1 on Aug 24, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Look at Ubiquitous flashing the community knowledge and paranoia
Well done.
Remember, just because we didn’t pr*j*ct, doesn’t mean we didn’t still cause the injury.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I voted for Nabokov...because I never get what I want, and what I want is Montoya
Hopefully the powers that be wont read this
you know what will be interesting to watch
The career trajectories of Kevin Poulin and James Reimer
Both were later round picks who spent some time in the ECHL after finishing JRs. Both got their start in the NHL sooner the expected due to injuries/struggles. If Poulin doesn’t get hurt, he’s probably considered the starter going into this season, with DP. But there would be no Nabokov and no Montoya for the Islanders.
Now though Reimer is going into the season as starter, with the eternally struggling Gustavasson as his only backup (as far as I can tell) and has the weight of the world on his shoulders as Toronto Fans appear to believe that he will carry them to the Playoffs. If Reimer struggles at all, how much time does he get? He’s still only 22 or 23 with even limited AHL time. Last season he was a nice surprise.
It’ll definitely be interesting to look at in 2-3 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if Poulin is further along in his career then Reimer by then.
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
This reminds me of John Quick, too
Quick left UMASS Amherst after his junior year and spent time in the ECHL, and the AHL, and a cup of coffee in the NHL his first pro season. His next year he started in the AHL, but quickly became the defacto #1.
hmmmm
Quick. Isn’t he somehow related to someone in the Isles oganization?
"If the bell needs to be answered, we've got the guys to answer it." "If they want to start something, that's fine."- Trevor Gillies
by JW1970 on Aug 24, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's strictly rumor and innuendo
With a side of hearsay.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I think he's Sean Backman's Brother in Law.
by Les Beaver on Aug 24, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How could I forget all this
but some how I still managed to forget the brother-in-law business. I’m sure I will be reminded again, and again, and again, and again, and…
I think st the end the Islanders will have Montoya and Poulin as their one-two combination. I still dont think the Islanders will name a #1 until the halfway mark of the season. Nabokov will either be traded or released at some point during the season. And ick will undoubtedly break again… I pray that it will be the final, career ending time.
I suppose technically they'll never name a #1
I figure Capuano will just keep going to the well with who plays better.
Every day, I tell myself this will happen.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Poulin: "Another kneecap dislocation"??
Is this on top of the one he suffered last year, or was there a dislocation before last year’s injury??
Isles rule, rangers suck... that's just how it is.
Sorry, I should have been clearer on that
Reading it now, I could see where that would cause extra alarm. The answer is what afro said.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
In my dreams I see Montoya starting
and KP backing him up, but we all know DP will be there until he gets hurt.
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Aug 24, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions
Not a problem.
In my “When’s Ricky Lost for The Season” (2011-2012 Edition) pool, I’ve got him at…
When: Training Camp.
Why: Broken wrist.
How: Shaving.
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Aug 24, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
It's going to be Ricky... because we treat our Ricky better then she treats hers...
These comments crawl up from the depths of the deepest Chasm of Saar
Zero Confidence in Rickety, No Much More With Nabby
Beyond Rickety’s health issues are his penchant for wondering out of the net and the effect this has on his team mates. They just do not know what he’s going to do back there and it undermines the confidence of the team on the ice. His health has nothing to do with his lust to roam the ice. And you can she it in the body language of his team mates when he’s out there. I say nail him to the bench in Uniondale, Bridgeport or the Pressbox.
Nabby does not want to be here regardless of what he says in the press now. His play has not been that good within recent years to support a prima dona attitude. I suspect he gets cut during or after training camp, as he has very little trade value and takes away playing time from people that should deserve it… assuming Montoya can play at a decent level.
Montoya is the wild card. All indications are that last year could have been an aberration. We all hope it was not. We all hope he defies the hockey gods and grabs the #1 opportunity in front of him. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Poulin should start the year in BPT as the #1. If he gets his reps in and has no lingering affects from the knee problem last year I think he will be up with the big club by Christmas. He’ll then push Montoya for the #1 spot. Competition is good and this should keep them both sharp. Anyone remember the Chico and Smitty duel?
What are all the indications that Montoya's play last year was an aberration?
Do tell.
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Aug 25, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
He hasn't had enough performance to deviate FROM :>
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
Glove Hand
I actually watched the replay on MSG last Friday (the game that was supposed to be the Penguins beatdown, but instead was changed to the Buffalo match, which was immediately after the Pens game). Mikko started and was chased early, which opened the door for Montoya’s first appearance in an Islander uni. He was better than Mikko, but not very good.
His glove hand sucked. That reminded me of a few instances last year where he couldn’t catch a softball, let alone a puck. Lost within is overall good performance was the shaky glove. That’s what I’m talking about. It would show up periodically during the season, but especially during his first few games. Are we going to get the “Good Al” who played very well last year, or are we going to get butter fingers?
I’m rooting for the “Good Al”.
His first few appearances were rough
But Sudge apparently worked with him and he made some adjustments that helped the rest of the way.
That said, I agree the book is wide open here. He’s given reason to think he will get the job done, and he’s given reason to think there is a Bad Al that he’s ripe to revert to.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I'm sure not goimg to judge him on his first action in an Isles uni
None of us can predict what will happen, but to say all indications point to last season as an aberration, is quite the overstatement.
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Aug 25, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thats like judging your school career based on your first day of 1st grade.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 25, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Which Islanders goalie carries the load?
I voted for Montoya but in all honesty I hope that Cappy is telling it like it is and whichever goalie is playing the best is the one that carries the load.
Here’s hoping that it really is an open competition,and the best man for the job gets it.
Joke?
you are makinhg a joke of course. Remind me – what round was he picked in?
I’m not joking, he is terrible.
And I’m am only partially joking about firing Snow for picking Koskinen in the second round. It was disgraceful.
For fun:
Other choices for goalie at 31st: (the next three selected goaltenders)
Sens savior Robin Lehner (or so they say)
“One more poll vote than Koskinen” Anders Nilsson
“Token Russian guy” Igor Bobkov
Original member of the Mike Weber bandwagon!
To make up for lost time, the Sabres signed six seasons worth of front-loaded cap skirting contracts in one week.
Its generally a bad idea to draft goalies in the first 50 picks or so, but its unfair to compare him to forwards which often break into the NHL much faster.
Original member of the Mike Weber bandwagon!
To make up for lost time, the Sabres signed six seasons worth of front-loaded cap skirting contracts in one week.
Which is exactly why a forward might have been a better pick. Our system already had DiPietro and Poulin, and they could have gotten and did get Nilsson later.
Not that I want to bash Garth Snow because I think he’s done a really good job here with the rebuild and stuff, but I would have probably gone for Morin or Elliott if I had a re-draft.
When trying to argue against drafting goalies, citing Glass Ricky as being in our system isn't the best example.
If anything, The Porcelain One is the reason Garth had to draft goalies.
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Aug 24, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
For a better team:
Don’t draft goalies before the fifth round at the earliest. Or better yet, don’t draft them at all.
Oh PLEASE… I didnt realize your crystal ball was in such high gear, Ms Cleo.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 24, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
To be fair
Central Scouting had him as #2 ranked G in Europe. He couldn’t have been projected to be terrible then.
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
He was also older, and projected to be closer pro-ready at the time
Then he caught Islanders Hip two games into his North American career.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
That stuff's contagious
Kinda like The Itis.
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
Dude, I finally made it to Ryans Strome's first year with big club
On NHL 11, I put him on the 3rd line with Nino and Kabonov and 3 games into his career I use him to block a shot, and he’s out 8 weeks with islander elbow after surgery.
The game is truly realistic.
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Aug 25, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
And maybe he was the second best goalie in Europe who was draft eligible . . . which means maybe he should have been drafted in the six round (optimistically). Fire Garth Snow!!
FREE JAMES BROWN!!
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
Free James Brown?!
Can I get him for Labor Day weekend?! I’m havin’ a BBQ and that’d really impress the neighbors!
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Aug 24, 2011 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone really wanna do a grave robbing for that midget?
He ain’t got no more soul, but he might smell superbad! lol. Where’s he buried anyway?
You may eat crow in the near future with Miko!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Aug 24, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
We should have like a “Nightmare Line” or something. Mikko in net, Bailey up the middle. Eaton/Reese/Mottau on D. But who plays wing?
you're kidding right?
Sim of course, and maybe Joensuu.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 25, 2011 10:52 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
But Sim is gone?
Thinking of people still on the team. Obvi I’d put Hunter and others there if I had a broader pool.
Agh, okay
I figured based off of last year. We’re running out of scapegoats if we can’t even fill one line.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 25, 2011 12:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nightmare wings
If we have to rely overmuch on Mat Martin and Trevor Gillies in a skill-on-skill situation, we’re doomed.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
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Drafting Mikko and Nilsson makes sense to me. There’s no telling how either players career trajectory could have went. But each was a security pick for the other. The chances of both of them flaming out isn’t that great.
And in the end, we still don’t know how much of Mikko’s struggles last year were due to his injuries. He might have fallen down the depth chart but it’s not over.
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
But with Poulin already drafted too? Did we really need to use 2 picks on goalies that draft?
I understand playing the odds, but 2 in 1yr after we drafted one the year before made zero sense to me. Spread it out a little more if you want to draft a 3rd.
you mean Poulin who already blew out his kneecap?
I’d rather have more goalies then less.
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Aug 24, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's easy: You need to draft a periodic flow of goalies
For one, you have no idea how well they’ll pan out. But for two, you need to make basic decisions on them within two years of their draft (four years for college).
Some you can incubate in juniors, some you can incubate in Europe, and some in college. It’s more mitigating/spreading your risk for injuries, development stalls, and the odd burst (Poulin actually fits at least two, if not three of those categories.).
The Isles drafted two goalies in 2006. The one who ended up being more promising was selected 65 picks behind the other. Neither ended up being signed.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Hrudey/Melanson
The longest they went without a goalie drafted was 81-86. They had just drafted these guys in ’79 and ’80.
Even after taking RDP, they drafted goalies in ’01, ’02, ’04.
Even the Devils having Brodeur didn’t stop them from drafting 15 goalies since his debut. Two of those in the 1st round.
Looks like it’s a general practice to routinely draft goalies.
by jonny4gets on Aug 26, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with you there. But the timing was still awkaward imo(2 in 1yrs, 1 that's not highly promoted with the 31st overall pick! You'd think that's a joke if you heard it.)
And my post was mostly just against Web’s poulin argument. Why draft Poulin if you think there are injury concerns in the future, that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
in fairness
Poulin had injury problems and kind of stunk up until his final JR season. We lost Ridderwall and the only two goalies we were looking at at the time were Rollie/Biron (age/mediocrity). Maybe they thought Koskinnen could start right away due to his age and stature.
I’m not happy about the high draft status, but I understand why it happened.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 25, 2011 10:56 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I really think it was there worst draft move under Garth...
even worse than CDH.
Two goalies in the same draft may give you extra darts for a desperate organizatinal need… but if they don’t make a decision with Ricky soon that will be all for naught. If either goaltender makes it to the NHL it might be for another team because RDP sucks up the developmental spot and 9% of their budget. If him and his .878 sav% last another 2-3 years this team may never win… and they’ll watch better tender options go to other teams where they can at least get legit shots to prove themselves.
Brayden McNabb might not have been such a bad choice if they slid past Nilsson… and Nilsson may be the better of the two goalies. But the more likely situation is that you can find a Montoya, or spend some money on a guy who has something to prove like Roloson…
And with this (IMO) being the worst draft decision, and CDH being the second worst, I’d say they had a pretty good run over the past four drafts.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
by JPinVA on Aug 25, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, good point on the Eval period
If they drafted and signed that many goalies, they should make damn sure there is a list of expendables and make that evaluation soon. There is no sense in wasting the picks otherwise.
I know we had to use a ton of them last year, but that’s not the norm…and coincidentally, half the reason we had to use that many is DP to begin with.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 25, 2011 12:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You don’t draft goalies.
They’re the one commodity that you can fairly easily pick up on the FA market. See, e.g., Roloson, Niemi, etc.
For short term fixes, sure
But Niemi’s don’t just shake loose every season. And he’s not even all that good.
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Aug 25, 2011 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
His point is generally correct though, elite goalies are just as likely picked off the streets (if not more so) than from early round picks. For every Luongo and Brodeur there’s a Lundqvist, Hiller or Backstrom.
The goalie market is flooded right now. Not necessarily with a bunch of elite guys (though even those sign for $1.5m in WSH apparently), but with guys at least as good as Niemi, and without the draft cost and effort of developing them.
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by George E. Ays on Aug 25, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Isles can't sign a good goalie until they...
are winning games. And they can’t win games without a good goalie. (Think Vokoun.) That is why I am glad Isles have 3 promising goalie prospects. Look what Colorado gave up for a good goalie.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 25, 2011 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
That was the worst trade all offseason though, by a large margin.
Varlamov isn’t even proven and could have injury issues. Very stupid move by the Avs.
Let's be honest. It's going to be Montoya and DP with DP getting two starts per week
and it will kill this team. It should be Montoya and Nabakov with DP and Poulin splitting reps in the AHL until they prove they are healthy. I have no idea what to do with Koskinen and Nilsson though.
Ideally I’d like Montoya and Poulin with RDP/Kosky/Nilsson in the A and Nabakov gone. But with Poulin’s injury that’s not a great move.
"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington
I wouldn't mind for them to start out with Nabokov and Montoya as 1A and 1B goalies, splitting time until one of them earns full-time duty.
On another note, Yost at Hockeybuzz just did his East predictions and naturally has us 14th. I can’t WAIT for the Islanders to make the playoffs this year, if only to hear everyone’s reactions!
Fixed that for you
On another note, Yost atHockeybuzzEklund’s Second String justdid his East predictionsread an old Scott Burnside column and naturally has us 14th.
All better.
I can’t WAIT for the Islanders to make the playoffs this year, if only to hear everyone’s reactions!
Well, they’re sure as shooting not gonna finish 14th, not in a conference with Winlanta, Florida, and Ottawa. I also think that, in theory, they’ve got a decent chance of passing any or all of the Devils, Leafs, and Hurricanes. That would leave them ninth in the conference, and needing one other club to have a really bad patch or a disappointing season. Montreal? Philly? Buffalo? The Rangers?
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
by mikb on Aug 24, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Wow, that was the worst prediction I've seen
The Rangers in 5th?
The Penguins winning the Atlantic and in 2nd?
The Bruins behind the Penguins and Sabres?
I wouldn’t be surprised if both the Flyers and Candiens miss the playoffs.
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Aug 24, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I hear ya.
The Flyers dumped their two best forwards, didn’t get equal scoring punch back and their D is getting old.
I don’t see the Habs as a playoff team either, unless they had a golden draft or something.
The Ruins behind the Pengirls and Sabres is about as ridiculous a prediction as I have ever seen in any sport. Ever.
Yeah, the (pretty much) same team that just won The Cup can’t beat a Pengirls team that may or may not (Shhh! It’s a Secret!) have Submarine Cindy back by opening night, November, The All Star Break well, someday… and The Ryan Miller Show.
Hey, didn’t we pot 7 against Miller one night back during The Big Run?
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Aug 24, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree
Philly D is slow and generally over rated.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 25, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody else find this whole thing depressing
1. A goalie who is coming off three years of injury
2. A goalie who has now dislocated both knees
3. A goalie who doesn’t want to be on the team
4. A goalie who though he played well last year was the third string in the AHL
5. A goalie from Finland who looked terrible last year
6. A goalie from sweden who is years away
7. A goalie who can’t crack the Clarkson lineup
I think I am going to try and cheer myself up with some recent clippings on the August 1st vote
OT: THN's games to watch
"Human beings make life so interesting. Do you know, that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to invent boredom?" ~ Death
I Love that
15 games on April 7.
Wow.
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Aug 24, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess they really enjoy
when a teams playoff aspirations comes down to the last game of the season, and tried to maximize the possibility of it
"Mario Lemiuex… I used to respect you."- Turgeon1992
"Hello..."
“…My name is Al Montoya. You underestimate my game and my team. Prepare to die.”
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Aug 24, 2011 5:14 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
The question will be solved in training camp & pre-season games when RDP, Nabby or Al either:
a) gets injured
b) gets blown out
after the debacle of last year’s pre-season schedule (when the China trip cancellation had the team scrambling to book games which led to 2 split-squad games), i think Capuano will settle on 2 goalies for the first couple of weeks (and avoid a 3-ring goalie circus).
If Nabokov is ready, i think he’s one of the two goalies with the hope of trading him on a Roloson-like timeline of late Dec/early Jan so Garth can get something in return for tolling the $570k contract. I don’t see him being cut from training camp unless his attitude develops into a locker room problem.
I'm thinking
CapGarth either carries three goalies or they send DiP down to BP until things shake out. I doubt either Monoya or Nabby pass waivers.
But DiP will get games in the first quarter of the season to see if he can hold the job.
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Aug 24, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Opening Night
whatever happens, the team should send a clear message by NOT starting RDP opening night
to do otherwwise would send a bad message
he should earn his spot – and nothing he can do in the preseason can likely be enough unless he stands on his head and then some
the problem with Ricky is his league leading penchant to give up easy goals
something we have no margin for error for anymore
that’s something he can only demonstrate over time
no more roaming – you SUCK at it
and no more goals off of faceoffs cause you weren’t looking
I dont know about that
Opening night is against the Panthers.
Would you rather see Rick play against the Panthers or against teams like the Lightning, Rangers, or Penguins?
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 24, 2011 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
why do you keep defending RDP
in the absence of any evidence to the contrary
I don’t get it
the messaging here is important – this is not RDPs team – the message is important for the players to hear and most importantly for Rick to here and understand very clearly
hear not here
you get what I mean…
its time for this team to completely move on from ALL of its mistakes
if RDP has something to offer, let him show it and not at this year’s team’s expense
my first choice would be for RDP to be the 3rd goalie – we likely will have 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 3 netminders – Gillies, Mottau and RDP should sit most nights and be used only if there’s a reason
if RDP has something to offer, let him show it and not at this year’s team’s expense
And while youre at it, explain exactly how you should suggest THAT be done.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 24, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Could you please explain to me how my suggesting that he should only be used against the weakest possible teams is “defending” him? This should be good.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 24, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I am reminded
of the scene in Citizen Kane where he forces his wife to perform an opera
and he’s the only one clapping at the end
Inadequate.
Please explain how suggesting that a player should be utilized against weaker teams instead of stronger teams is "defending" him. And explain, if NOT playing him against weaker teams, how on Earth one might possibly “let him show that he has something to offer” without it being at the team’s expense.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 24, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
especially if he is only capable of playing against "weaker" teams
then you also agree that he is a lead weight around the neck of this franchise
someone only capable of playing against “weaker” teams to start the season
we need to beat the weaker teams like the Panthers, not have Ricky decide to look the other way during faceoffs, or decide he’s okay to start roaming again
we can’t afford to give up cheap goals against weaker teams – so arguably this is a very bad idea of yours
I still would prefer him to retire
Second best – send him to Bridgeport, and have him prove he still belongs in a place he can no longer do damage
last year he was the worst goalie in the NHL
time to eat his contract
Thats where you play a guy if youre not sure what youre getting from him.
Whether you like it or not, the guy is gonna get some ice time.
And whether I like it or not, you and your ilk will constantly bitch about it- to me nonetheless, as if I have something to fucking do with it. And on top od that, you will make up ridiculous ideas about me “defending” him, and then not backing up your own accusations.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 25, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
my fear and opinion
is that RDP could weigh this team down
I hope I’m wrong – I obviously don’t know for sure, but it’s a big concern
the same way Milbury was relied on for way too long
its fine as long as the team doesn’t just hand him a job he hasn’t earned
if he earns it, that would be cool
but the days of assuming RDP will be good/helpful are long gone
^ reasonable
And give or take, I pretty much agree with this.
I am not assuming anything… I am not assuming Rick should get piles of starts, AND I am not assuming that Rick trying to get to the point where he helps the team is a bad thing.
Ultimately I am just trusting Snow and Cappy… their goal is our goal. And I really do trust them on that.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 28, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Why even have him eat into Poulin or Mikko's time down at Bridgeport?
Make him a coach or a scout or an executive (he went to college, didn’t he?) or all three, whatever it takes to keep him off the damn ice.
I’d take Al to start, Nobby as back up and get Poulin as many starts down at Bridgeport as possible until about mid-season when Nobby has possibly gained the interest of another team and he can be flipped for something useful.
Like a puck bag or some foil for Trev’s hands.
Bring up Poulin once The Nob is gone and carry on from there.
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Aug 24, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
This one is my favorite
Yes please.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 25, 2011 11:04 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
How about
Assistant to the General Manager?
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 25, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Ca-STANZA!
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Aug 26, 2011 3:50 AM EDT up reply actions
crazy
Last season they played him 26 games worth of .886%. If they play him 40 games worth of that, we’ll be drafting Yakupov.
He needs to be GOOD on top of healthy, and I don’t understand why we don’t admit that they do not go hand in hand as it applies to DP.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 25, 2011 11:06 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
But unless you can convince him to retire or have garth take on a another $5mil player, it's impossible to move him this year.
We can’t ahl him because we don’t have the cap flexibility, it’s play him right now or bench him. And whether we/you like it or not, he’s likely getting 25gms barring injuries, possibly more.
I know it may be an “out there” guess, but I think there is still a decent chance of DP starting 40gms and winning the goalie job. As long as he’s healthy(obviously, knock on wood), which I think is a real possibility this year. DP had a 5gm stretch last year of great goaltending, so I think he still has it in him. He just needs to zone-in(mentally/physically), play his game, and stay healthy and I think he’ll be fine.
Yes, bench him
I understand we need the contract, so unless a blockbuster comes through, we’re screwed.
You also have to remember that even that “five game stretch” had him playing every other game…and on top of that, I believe that’s when he got shut down for “swelling”.
Even still, if he raises his sv% a lot to .900, that still sucks pretty bad and puts him in “slightly above average” backup category…meaning no way he should get 40 starts.
Especially if they remove the trapezoid!
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 26, 2011 8:54 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
That money would be better spent on me. I’ll even take $4m — I’m such a bargain! And I won’t complain about watching the game from the press box.
by AP77 on Aug 26, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Even if you bench him, there's the problem of giving him 25gms+ a year or having a 3-headed goalie situation with less forward/defense bench players. A roster spot taken away or giving DP a lot of games.
I’m not advocating it, but it’s just more an more problems you run into. The best thing is to just run him till either he betters himself right now or run him till he breaks again, hopefully to retirement if it happens again. Benching him isn’t going to anything until we have a roster that is $6mil~ over the cap so we have flexibility to ahl him if need be.
what may be a key indicator this season
is if Gillies, Mottau & RDP all sit out almost every game, that would be a good thing
if any of them play 20 or more games, were screwed
I'll give DP the benefit of the doubt for now, he really played rusty(hurt at times) all year.
Mottau wasn’t that bad when he played either. Corsi wise actually has him as an uprgade over jurcina. And a huge upgrade over Katic, whom some people really like around here for reasons I not truly understand.
by OzzyFan on Aug 26, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Do you really think the other options are that much better then DP that we should scrap him from the get go?
Did you even read Dom’s post?:
“As discussed over the weekend, each nominee has caveats: DiPietro has the three-year injury odyssey, Montoya has the brief recent history complicated by minor knee surgery over the summer, Poulin is coming off another knee cap dislocation (edit: “Another” as in he had one earlier in his amateur career), ex-All-Star Nabokov is of completely uncertain head and body, and the others are even greener than Poulin."
I picked DP, because I think he's gonna come back, win the starting job, play 40gms, and have a ~.915 save percentage.
That’s my prediction, and I think it has a 50% chance of happpening(50% chance DP gets injured on and off again, 50% chance DP stays healthy with a minor injury or setback but finds his old form and his groove). The man is a competitor, and how awesome would that story be for our franchise? Franchise goalie goes through 3years of major surgeries and rehab, then comes back to his “all-star” form that he once had and continues his career as an above-average goaltender(till he retires from knee wear at say 35yrs old).
I would like to see Montoya-Nabokov in a 60-40 split......
Unfortunately, DP will be here as long as Garth needs his salary to get close to the cap floor. Just too many injuries to hips and knees to be effective like he once was. Damn the Skills competition!!!
The roof the roof the roof is on fire
The roof the roof the roof is on fire
The roof the roof the roof is on fire
We don't need no water let Nassau County burn
Burn motherf******s burn
Tiny
My vote is for Big Al. Though somewhere deep down I’m rooting for DP. I don’t see that happening though. Of all his injuries and set backs the thing that stood out most to me last year was how small he looked in net. Did anyone else see that or is it in my head?
by Niagara Islander77 on Aug 25, 2011 9:59 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I felt that way
But I felt like the old Osgood mask fed that impression.
Regardless, there just wasn’t a lot to like about his game last season. Especially early on, his movements looked like he was either compensating for discomfort, or carefully trying avoid discomfort, in his knees/hips.
I could grant that some of that is rust, of learning to trust your body again. But none of it was a good sign for his health or his ability to regain his form. This year has to be the telltale test. (I thought last year would be, but, well, yeah … and then facial fractures.)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
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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.
