The Hockey News' Boylen: Four GMs given an unnecessarily hard time
Snow has built through the draft, but it remains to be seen what comes from drafting them. We'll probably get a better glimpse starting in this years playoff push in Bridgeport and on the Isles team next year. As far as diamonds in the rough, some of those diamonds are now part of a young core that is going to be here for a while and prosper on the Island.
Don't forget to follow me @Netminder39
Islanders Videos
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Nielsen Signs Four More
From New York Islanders.com
The New York Islanders announced today that Frans Nielsen has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension. Nielsen’s new deal extends through the 2015-16 season.
“We’re thrilled that Frans has committed to the Islanders for the next four years,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. “He has been a key part of our young core for the past six seasons and become one of the better two-way forwards in the league.”That takes care of any and all Nielsen rumors. Nice to see him signed and on board. The Islanders now have Parenteau and the older veterans to work with, but signing Nielsen helps with stabilizing the organization.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Aaron Ness Called Up
Aaron Ness Called Up
This should be an interesting sight to see. I'm not doubting Ness and his speed nor vision, but his size will certainly be a concern. However, he has a booming shot, which may prove useful. We'll find out tomorrow against Philly.
This should be an interesting sight to see. I'm not doubting Ness and his speed nor vision, but his size will certainly be a concern. However, he has a booming shot, which may prove useful. We'll find out tomorrow against Philly.
Nielsen Could Be Odd Man Out, Nabokov to Detroit?
From the Ottawa Sun:
From ESPN on Nabokov to Detroit.
Isles GM Garth Snow has been busy working the phones. He’s fielding offers for G Evgeni Nabokov, along with RW P.A. Parenteau and C Frans Nielsen. Sources say the Isles have held talks with Parenteau and Nielsen, but it’s likely they both won’t be kept. Expect the club to sign Parenteau and move Nielsen.
From ESPN on Nabokov to Detroit.
BURNSIDE: You are right about the Red Wings’ goaltending depth issues. Conklin has played in only 10 games this season and has an .886 save percentage. Even though Howard’s injury doesn’t sound that serious long-term, do you think this hastens the urgency to find a more suitable backup for the Red Wings? It was GM Ken Holland, after all, who tried to nab Nabokov a year ago when the former San Jose mainstay cut short his experience in the Kontinental Hockey League. The New York Islanders grabbed him, however, and Nabokov has been OK with a pretty mediocre Islanders squad. But he’s not the long-term answer there. (Kevin Poulin appears to be the heir apparent with Al Montoya still looking to get a shot at the No. 1 job, too.) So, Nabokov to Detroit does seem a logical move and perhaps even more so with Friday's news.Also around the Internet, Staios, and Eaton are available, but those were gimmes. I've said this before, If the Islanders are still in contention, no one will be traded. But to play along for a moment, this will be a very interesting trade deadline for the Islanders. Would they really trade Neilsen? Personally I see both Parenteau and Neilsen resigned, but if a trade were to occur, I would hope for a player in return and not another pick. The only exceptions would be of the older free agents, including Nabokov.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Rumor: Isles Should Go After Wolski
I see a potential problem for the New York Rangers, something that the Islanders faced in the beginning of this season: Possibly losing a player to the waiver wire. Garth Snow could not trade Blake Comeau for a bag of pucks, no less a draft pick. So they had to put him on waivers, only for him to be picked up by the Calgary Flames, thus losing a third line forward. Granted, Comeau did nothing for the Islanders this year, but neither has anyone else on the third line.
Enter Wojtek Wolski, a player who has not seen a lot of time on a stacked Rangers team due to a groin injury and quite frankly has not developed a role with that team. His contract is big for a 25 year old (4 million per), so the Rangers hope is that he'll clear waivers and spend the rest of the season on the Connecticut Whale AHL team. If the Islanders want to make a push for a playoff spot, then they should pick him off waivers. A few reasons why:
1. Wolski can score. He's put up decent numbers in the NHL and like a few other players the Isles have on this team, he may just need a change of scenery and some real playing time. Plus with a young team, he may be more inspired to pick up his game. The Islanders could use more help in the scoring department then relying on just the first line and power play unit.
2. His salary. Yes it's 4 million, but if the Isles are out of the playoffs by the end of February, Garth Snow has more flexibility in payroll and could possibly move a few more players at the deadline.
3. He'll replace at least Tim Wallace in the lineup, who also has not scored a goal this year. I know most would love to see him replace Rolston, but that's up to the coach.
4. If Wolski does not perform well, the Islanders can release him in the off season. If he does find success on the Island, he would be at least 4 million to resign (probably for 1 year, see Grabner, Parenteau) so the Isles could reach the cap floor easier without getting Scott Gomez in the offseason and/or struggling/failing to make an attempt to get Dustin Penner.
5. It's the waiver wire, why wouldn't the Islanders. We've seen this before haven't we (Grabner)?
6. It would be nice to see the Islanders brass at least make some kind of an attempt to improve the roster this year to show fans that management is trying to improve the team during the season, not just in the summer.
So I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Islanders will take a stab at Wojtek Wolski if/when he goes on the waiver wire by the Rangers.
Enter Wojtek Wolski, a player who has not seen a lot of time on a stacked Rangers team due to a groin injury and quite frankly has not developed a role with that team. His contract is big for a 25 year old (4 million per), so the Rangers hope is that he'll clear waivers and spend the rest of the season on the Connecticut Whale AHL team. If the Islanders want to make a push for a playoff spot, then they should pick him off waivers. A few reasons why:
1. Wolski can score. He's put up decent numbers in the NHL and like a few other players the Isles have on this team, he may just need a change of scenery and some real playing time. Plus with a young team, he may be more inspired to pick up his game. The Islanders could use more help in the scoring department then relying on just the first line and power play unit.
2. His salary. Yes it's 4 million, but if the Isles are out of the playoffs by the end of February, Garth Snow has more flexibility in payroll and could possibly move a few more players at the deadline.
3. He'll replace at least Tim Wallace in the lineup, who also has not scored a goal this year. I know most would love to see him replace Rolston, but that's up to the coach.
4. If Wolski does not perform well, the Islanders can release him in the off season. If he does find success on the Island, he would be at least 4 million to resign (probably for 1 year, see Grabner, Parenteau) so the Isles could reach the cap floor easier without getting Scott Gomez in the offseason and/or struggling/failing to make an attempt to get Dustin Penner.
5. It's the waiver wire, why wouldn't the Islanders. We've seen this before haven't we (Grabner)?
6. It would be nice to see the Islanders brass at least make some kind of an attempt to improve the roster this year to show fans that management is trying to improve the team during the season, not just in the summer.
So I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Islanders will take a stab at Wojtek Wolski if/when he goes on the waiver wire by the Rangers.
Isles To Play In Brooklyn; Tavares Gets Star Of The Month
From New York Islanders.com
The National Hockey League announced today that New York Islanders center John Tavares was named the First Star of the Month for January, 2012.
Tavares, 21, led the league in scoring last month with nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points. He recorded a point in 12-of-13 Islanders games and had a hand in 62.9% of the team’s goals (22 points on 35 goals). Tavares’ month also included four game-winning goals to help his club to a 7-5-1 record.
This is just a taste of things to come Islanders fans. It's only going to get better because Tavares is going to get better. The Islanders are now going to be in the spotlight more often from here on out, and eventually, the free agents will come.
Also from New York Islanders.com
The New York Islanders will play the first-ever NHL game at Barclays Center on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 when they take on the New Jersey Devils at 7:30 p.m. The preseason game will mark the first hockey event at Barclays Center, the new major sports and entertainment venue, which will officially open on September 28 with the first of multiple JAY-Z concerts. The game will also mark the first NHL game to be played in Brooklyn.
“We’re extremely excited to play the first NHL game in the new, state-of-the-art Barclays Center,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. “We already have some of the most passionate fans in the league supporting our young team, and we are looking forward to expanding our base into Brooklyn.”
“We feel Brooklyn is an untapped hockey market that offers the Islanders with an exciting opportunity to grow its fan base,” Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark said. “Barclays Center will also afford current Islander fans with great accessibility, as the Long Island Rail Road and nine subway lines will come directly to the arena at the Atlantic Terminal transit hub.”
I'm personally going to go to this game, just to check out the new arena, however, I'm not going to get too excited about the Islanders playing regular season games there. I found this great article by Stu Hackel that basically shuts the door on the Islanders ever moving to Brooklyn when the Islanders lease is up in 2015. The Islanders are only looking to expand the fan base, and they have Tavares to showcase.
The National Hockey League announced today that New York Islanders center John Tavares was named the First Star of the Month for January, 2012.
Tavares, 21, led the league in scoring last month with nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points. He recorded a point in 12-of-13 Islanders games and had a hand in 62.9% of the team’s goals (22 points on 35 goals). Tavares’ month also included four game-winning goals to help his club to a 7-5-1 record.
This is just a taste of things to come Islanders fans. It's only going to get better because Tavares is going to get better. The Islanders are now going to be in the spotlight more often from here on out, and eventually, the free agents will come.
Also from New York Islanders.com
The New York Islanders will play the first-ever NHL game at Barclays Center on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 when they take on the New Jersey Devils at 7:30 p.m. The preseason game will mark the first hockey event at Barclays Center, the new major sports and entertainment venue, which will officially open on September 28 with the first of multiple JAY-Z concerts. The game will also mark the first NHL game to be played in Brooklyn.
“We’re extremely excited to play the first NHL game in the new, state-of-the-art Barclays Center,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. “We already have some of the most passionate fans in the league supporting our young team, and we are looking forward to expanding our base into Brooklyn.”
“We feel Brooklyn is an untapped hockey market that offers the Islanders with an exciting opportunity to grow its fan base,” Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark said. “Barclays Center will also afford current Islander fans with great accessibility, as the Long Island Rail Road and nine subway lines will come directly to the arena at the Atlantic Terminal transit hub.”
I'm personally going to go to this game, just to check out the new arena, however, I'm not going to get too excited about the Islanders playing regular season games there. I found this great article by Stu Hackel that basically shuts the door on the Islanders ever moving to Brooklyn when the Islanders lease is up in 2015. The Islanders are only looking to expand the fan base, and they have Tavares to showcase.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Rumors 1.29.2012
From a few Canadian outlets an some minor credible sites:
As of now the following players are available to be traded before the deadline:
Parenteau, Nielsen, Staios, Eaton and Nabakov.
Out of these players, Parenteau has been showing up the most as a possible trade bait. We all know that Neilsen's agent is already in talks with Garth Snow on a contract extension, but until it's finalized, he'll be in the rumors. Nabokov has been in the rumor mill all season, so I believe he'll be traded when I see it (probably around the end of February); Eaton and Staios will prob fetch a lower round pick(s) for the Islanders.
The Islanders are, for now, still in a playoff race. So I wouldn't expect a trade just yet. I am however surprised that Parenteau has not resigned to an extension the way he was last year. He should have been resigned, like yesterday, to a decent contract along with Neilsen. Thoughts?
As of now the following players are available to be traded before the deadline:
Parenteau, Nielsen, Staios, Eaton and Nabakov.
Out of these players, Parenteau has been showing up the most as a possible trade bait. We all know that Neilsen's agent is already in talks with Garth Snow on a contract extension, but until it's finalized, he'll be in the rumors. Nabokov has been in the rumor mill all season, so I believe he'll be traded when I see it (probably around the end of February); Eaton and Staios will prob fetch a lower round pick(s) for the Islanders.
The Islanders are, for now, still in a playoff race. So I wouldn't expect a trade just yet. I am however surprised that Parenteau has not resigned to an extension the way he was last year. He should have been resigned, like yesterday, to a decent contract along with Neilsen. Thoughts?
Friday, January 27, 2012
Don't Bring Up The Kids From Bridgeport
I've been reading a few blogs with fans almost ready to call it a season. Personally, if you thought the Islanders were going to be in the playoffs, you were already thinking about the 2012 draft and not the 2011 Islanders. This years squad was predicted by most to hit 10th place, some where in the mid 80's possibly 90 points max. That's not enough for a playoff spot, but close. What most fans aren't seeing this year are the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who have made an impressive run so far this season (just one point behind Connecticut for the division lead and two points out of a playoff berth in their Conference) and if they continue this pace, could really go deep in the AHL playoffs.
Assuming this organization can stay healthy for half a season (asking a lot I know) the Sound Tigers would be able to make the playoffs and by NHL season's end, could bring in Nino Neiderrietter and possibly Kirill Kabanov from his junior team and you have folks, a pretty deep Bridgeport team. Think about it: Ullstrom, Rakhshani, Kirill, Nino, and a healthy Bridgeport team....Sounds good to me. Other than making a playoff run, keeping the kids down could solve the free agency problem that the Islanders seem to encounter every year.
Say Bridgeport does go deep and a few players really stick out in the AHL playoffs, what would you rather have, that player or a "should have retired 3 years ago" player that the Islanders found last summer? That's my point. Look at what happened to Ottawa. After missing the playoffs last year, they brought up the farm from Binghamton after winning the Calder Cup and now Ottawa is in strong position for the playoffs this year. That is what the Islanders are close to doing folks. All those draft picks are starting to mature and improve so the Islanders have something they haven't had in a long time.....depth. But the key is to keep them down, at least for the remainder of this year. If Bridgeport goes deep, let the players battle it out at training camp where those exhibition games would mean a great more to them.
There is a light at the end of this tunnel folks, but you have to watch it come to it's fruition first. It starts with Bridgeport, not the Islanders. But this season you should be watching both. Even if you predicted 85 points for this team and they hit 85, you have reason to be optimistic about next season because of what Bridgeport is doing now. This organization is slowly growing back to what it used to be, what we as fans all come to expect.
Assuming this organization can stay healthy for half a season (asking a lot I know) the Sound Tigers would be able to make the playoffs and by NHL season's end, could bring in Nino Neiderrietter and possibly Kirill Kabanov from his junior team and you have folks, a pretty deep Bridgeport team. Think about it: Ullstrom, Rakhshani, Kirill, Nino, and a healthy Bridgeport team....Sounds good to me. Other than making a playoff run, keeping the kids down could solve the free agency problem that the Islanders seem to encounter every year.
Say Bridgeport does go deep and a few players really stick out in the AHL playoffs, what would you rather have, that player or a "should have retired 3 years ago" player that the Islanders found last summer? That's my point. Look at what happened to Ottawa. After missing the playoffs last year, they brought up the farm from Binghamton after winning the Calder Cup and now Ottawa is in strong position for the playoffs this year. That is what the Islanders are close to doing folks. All those draft picks are starting to mature and improve so the Islanders have something they haven't had in a long time.....depth. But the key is to keep them down, at least for the remainder of this year. If Bridgeport goes deep, let the players battle it out at training camp where those exhibition games would mean a great more to them.
There is a light at the end of this tunnel folks, but you have to watch it come to it's fruition first. It starts with Bridgeport, not the Islanders. But this season you should be watching both. Even if you predicted 85 points for this team and they hit 85, you have reason to be optimistic about next season because of what Bridgeport is doing now. This organization is slowly growing back to what it used to be, what we as fans all come to expect.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Goalie Rumor Mill
Per Katie Strang:
Nabokov was played on Saturday against the Rangers to showcase for a possible trade. According to Strang
Per Joseph Deluca:
Here is the one thing to take out of the goalie trade rumors. It's shouldn't happen any time soon. If Nabokov does get traded, he will be dealt to the Western Conference because if the Isles are in the playoff hunt, they won't risk the chance in playing against him then. What the Islanders should do is play him enough to garner more interest and build up his stock. Would love to see a player with potential come out of this and not a draft pick. More to come with the Islanders as I review the last week of Islanders games.
Nabokov was played on Saturday against the Rangers to showcase for a possible trade. According to Strang
I don't think Nabokov will be traded this early due to DiPietro's health. If during the season Sound Tigers goalie Poulin tears it up this year, then fans could see a possible trade. But why mess with the good chemistry of the team now. It should be noted that some of the teams mentioned will be playing the Islanders fairly soon and right now, it looks like those teams don't need a goaltender.Scouts from Vancouver, Carolina, San Jose, Phoenix and Columbus are listed on the Islanders seating chart for Saturday's game.
Per Joseph Deluca:
If they go yet another half season with an unstable crease, they may look to acquire someone from outside the organization.He does realize that it is early in the season, however I must say, if the goaltenders do stay healthy, there won't be a need to trade any of the during this season, maybe Nabokov later in the season.
Here is the one thing to take out of the goalie trade rumors. It's shouldn't happen any time soon. If Nabokov does get traded, he will be dealt to the Western Conference because if the Isles are in the playoff hunt, they won't risk the chance in playing against him then. What the Islanders should do is play him enough to garner more interest and build up his stock. Would love to see a player with potential come out of this and not a draft pick. More to come with the Islanders as I review the last week of Islanders games.
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Let The Season Begin
Coming down from Pa to watch the game, all I have to say is this: None of us under 40 have seen a young, talented team like this. There is a buzz with the Islanders around the NHL and it's fans. I talk to a lot of fans from different teams and they're saying the same thing, "The Islanders are going to make noise this year." Well, if this teams stays healthy, the noise is going to be loud on Long Island. It starts tonight against Florida. The Islanders must set the tempo first and get the crowd into the game. If the Islanders play smart hockey, this should be over by the second period.
Al Montoya will start in net for the Isles and I must say, looked very good in preseason. With a good defense in front of him, we could see an all-star performance from him. As far as the forwards are concerned, I don't really cares as long as they all contribute as a team. The Isles can run four lines that can score, so they all don't have to do it at once, but that would be cool to see.
As for the fans, this better be sold out with everyone filling up the seats, they should be loud and sending a message to the NHL that the Islanders are back and are not going anywhere. No more playing for the lottery, but for the playoffs, a team to be dealt with for years to come. Hope to see some of you there, I'll be in section 321, so leave a message or comment or just stop by, I'll be wearing my Bossy jersey (Isles are 4-0 when wearing the jersey)!!!
Al Montoya will start in net for the Isles and I must say, looked very good in preseason. With a good defense in front of him, we could see an all-star performance from him. As far as the forwards are concerned, I don't really cares as long as they all contribute as a team. The Isles can run four lines that can score, so they all don't have to do it at once, but that would be cool to see.
As for the fans, this better be sold out with everyone filling up the seats, they should be loud and sending a message to the NHL that the Islanders are back and are not going anywhere. No more playing for the lottery, but for the playoffs, a team to be dealt with for years to come. Hope to see some of you there, I'll be in section 321, so leave a message or comment or just stop by, I'll be wearing my Bossy jersey (Isles are 4-0 when wearing the jersey)!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
