Islanders Bits: Now Worrying about Calvin de Haan Injury

Why is hammer playing on the 5-6 line? If we are going to have 5 charas then let hammer play top pair.

The bad news is, DiPietro’s vying for another comeback!

Hamonic-Macdonald: This pair will grow together and improve together as long as they can both stay healthy.
Streit-Wishart/UFA: This is their biggest need.
donovan-katic

Jurcina(?), Eaton(?), Reese(?), deHaan.

If they don’t get into the UFA market or make a deal in the next 7 months that #4 spot probably goes to Wishart. If they do you can move Donovan down the depth chart where he can get some more experience in Bridgeport. Wishart should provide more than Gervais did in streit’s first two seasons… and he’s a bigger body and better skater than Staios… he just needs to be stronger, and SMARTER (which is the toughest attribute to improve).

Wishart is 23. He has 3 years (I think) of RFA status left. In the AHL he makes $60K, in the NHL he makes $800K. They have three vets above him that they’d have to pay the same amount regardless of where they play, unless they were picked up on waivers. This, IMHO, is the only reason Ty Wishart is in the AHL right now. If last year was any indication he was certainly better than the recovering Eaton and Mottau, and the social security eligible Staios.
I don’t think the Isles coaching staff needs to be taxed with teaching AAAA level players the basics, but he seemed to perform okay last year in his 20 games. The only thing he’s waiting for is Eaton and Mottau’s contract to expire.
Nino has a cap gap. He serves more of a purpose to reach the cap on a budget, than he does to reach the playoffs. He is taxing the coaching staff. His level of development should not be gained in the NHL, and if they are going to do things the right way, Nino should be in the AHL next year… unless, of course he progresses tremendously in the second half… then all bets are off.
They should have an opportunity to make early decisions on PAP and Nielsen before the deadline. I think both are worthy of contracts between $2-3M for 3 years max. That allows the organization to grow around them, and to re-assess their positions in two years. They are quality NHLers, and contributors to the teams growth… but if they don’t agree to terms by the end of January, they should both be shopped for organizational needs. Even if those are draft picks the Isles could use on draft day to package for a veteran defenseman.
It all comes down to asset management.

but Rolston’s play has improved… but he has already been the wrench in the machine for way too long.
What does an amazing [Rolston] second half get you… 10 goals in 40 games? Whoopee!
What does a terrible second half by Ullstrom and /or Rhett get you… MORE INFORMATION on the organizations’ needs in June(draft) and July(UFA).
This training camp they lost two of their best prospects (for 2011-12) in camp (Katic, Rhett). Ullstrom proved to be due an opportunity last year, but he had some time. Katic and Rhett are late in their development and need opportunities to show if they belong in the NHL. Rhett is at the AAAA stage already, he needs 20 or so games to show that he is going to be a valuable depth forward (Tambellini) or maybe more (Blake) going forward. He has good speed, awareness and hands, but they won’t know for sure until he’s in the bowl with the big fish. That is so much more important than Rolston or Pandolfo “teaching the kids how to win”… that’s just a JOKE.
The biggest plus… if Rolston doesn’t get plucked off of waivers his salary will count against the cap. A press box seat is the safest, but if they could pass him through waivers, boy could he teach those bridgeport kids how to ride a bus.

letting defensemen stew. Lots of those guys come on much later than forwards. Like I said above, it’s highly unlikely they actually think Mike Mottau is better than Wishart. But they may think Wishart will get better, faster playing at BP.

But point taken.

Reinforcing the point above, that CDH should be in the NHL so the isles could see what they had in him. Now they might not be able to (save for that small stretch), pending shoulder diagnosis.

If anything, it may reinforce the concern that he is too injury-prone.

were only a couple of goal short.

is that supposed to be a sacrifice?

Boston – San Jose

if Boston can beat the Rangers that is

was actually him coming off the bench for his usual line change. I haven’t seen it, either. But that’s the explanation.

had NHL experience and success in minors prior to that:

In 6 seasons with Swift Current, the Broncos qualified for the WHL playoffs in all seasons. McLellan himself was named WHL Executive of the Year in 1997 and Coach of the Year in 2000.
In 2001, McLellan and his staff were transferred to the Wild’s new minor league affiliate, the Houston Aeros of the AHL. As coach of the Aeros, McLellan led Houston to the Calder Cup in 2003.
In 2005, Mike Babcock selected McLellan to serve as his assistant with the Detroit Red Wings. In Detroit, McLellan was tasked with handling the Red Wings’ forwards and managing the team’s power play, as well as reporting player performance to head coach Babcock. Under his watch, the Red Wings had the top-ranked power play in the NHL, finishing first in power play efficiency in 2005–06 and third in 2007–08. McLellan would also achieve his first Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2007–08

Capuano’s resume does not read like that prior to becoming Isles interim head coach.

Carlyle: not a neophyte to the NHL

Carlyle played 17 seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and Winnipeg Jets. He appeared in 1055 games and earned 647 points. Won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenceman in 1981. At the conclusion of his playing career in 1993, Carlyle remained with the Jets organization, eventually becoming an assistant coach for the 1995–96 season.
Carlyle spent six seasons (1996–2001 & 2004–2005) as head coach of the Manitoba Moose, earning a career mark of 222–159–52–7 with the franchise. He had the additional duties of General Manager of the Moose from 1996–2000, adding the title of club President for the 2001–2002 season. He helped the Moose to a 47–21–14 record for 108 points in 1998–99, for which he was named the IHL’s General Manager of the Year.
2001–2002 season, Carlyle joined the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach.
2004–2005 head coach of the Manitoba Moose, the Canucks’ AHL affiliate. In 2004–2005, he led the Moose to a 44–26–3–7 record (.613 winning percentage) and an appearance in the Calder Cup Semi-Finals.

Bylsma is the closest to Capuano’s limited and uneventful NHL background.
Capuano’s biggest achievement as a coach may have been coaching the 1998 ECHL All-Star Game. in 08/09 Bridgeport finished 2nd in East and then loss in the 1st round (1-4). Not sure why he inspires so much faith. Resume looks thin.

You're saying Hitchcock wasn't just waiting for Garth's call?