The 2011-12 season was another disappointing one for the ownership, management and loyal fan base of the New York Islanders. After a summer charged with some exciting moves like:
Doug Weight changed his role with the Islanders.
Giving Nino Neiderreiter his shot at a full season on the Island.
Hiring Brent Thompson as the coach of the minor league affiliate, Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Hearing that the organization would try again to reach a new arena deal with Nassau County.
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Lets start with Marty Reasoner. Most thought that Reasoner would be a nice upgrade to Zenon Konopka. Especially since he was coming off the best offensive season of his 12-year NHL career, posting 14 goals and 32 points in 82 games with the Florida Panthers. In 61 games with New York this season, Reasoner was 1 and 5 for 6 points and a –25 rating. He never found his game and often was a liability for the Isles in this bloggers’ opinion.
With signing the 2010 Draft pick, Kirill Kabanov, the Isles have a gifted young player who will no doubt compete for a spot next season with the Isles or at least continue his promising progression in Bridgeport. His development has gone well, but I think he needs to play professional hockey to continue his progress, or he may regress.
Even though Michael Grabner and Kyle Okposo struggled early after strong seasons last year, they were able to find some consistency later in the year. Grabner’s 20 and 12 for 32 pts and –18 rating in 78 games was less than last year’s 34 and 18 for 52 points with a +10 rating for 76 games in 2010-11, but Grabner discovered what he would need to push for if he wanted to remain a top scoring threat in the NHL for seasons to come. Kyle Okposo’s 24 and 21 for 45 with a –15 rating in 79 games this season was a career high in goals for the forward since his call up in 2007. He seems to have made a significant stride as an NHL player during this frustrating season.
Matt Moulson and John Tavares continued where they left off last season. Moulson was rewarded for proving his first two seasons as an Islander were not a fluke, going from 48 to 53 to 69 points (36 and 33) this season in 82 games. He set a career high in goals, assists and points. Line mate and emerging super star, John Tavares was the Isles MVP this year with an impressive 31 and 50 for 81 pts. He has become an impact player and can single handedly make the difference in a game.
Doug Weight is a successful and well-respected player in the NHL. Having him in your organization brings credibility and shows outsiders that you are serious about winning. As an Assistant Coach and Special Advisor to the General Manager, Weight was able to contribute to the Islanders organization off the ice. He was credited for the improvement in the teams PP early on in the season and was acknowledged for his hockey insight. Some speculate he could eventually be named head coach if the opportunity was available.
Blake Comeau was coming off a steady progression of progress from his first action with the Isles in 2006 up to a career high 24 and 22 for 46 in 77 games in 2010-11. Comeau waited prior to the 2011-12 season for a big contract offer. He got a one year deal to prove himself and was waived after only 16 games without a point and a –11 rating. Part of Bailey’s slow start this season was based on his anxiety for a new contract and having Comeau as a line mate in my opinion, but Bailey came on later in the season after some line juggling. He finished the season with 13 and 19 for 32 points in 80 games with a positive outlook on next season. I think he should play on the wing, don’t you?
What can I say about Trevor Gillies that I haven’t already? Resigning him this summer and seeing the fan reaction at the draft party proved that he is home in the Isles organization. I think the team missed his heart and grit with no true heavyweight enforcer this season. I mean no disrespect to Matt Martin or Michael Haley’s contributions to the team in saying this. While players like Trevor Gillies and Michael Haley are needed on the team, I realize that spots are limited. I would hope that these guys aren’t allowed to walk away and are resigned in some capacity. Matt Martin has really stepped up and played a solid season for the Islanders.
After Nino’s 9 game visit last season, we all couldn’t wait to see what he would do as an Islander for a full season. After early injury, several scratches, and a sophomore struggle, Niederreiter had a disappointing season, going 1 and 0 for 1 point in 55 games. I think that he didn’t get enough playing time on an Islander team that struggled for scoring. Time in Bridgeport would have been a better launch to his pro career, but he should reach his loft expectations with a little more luck next season.
Adding Casey Cizikas and Anders Nilsson to Bridgeport this season was a great example of what the team has done right with the rebuild. The fact that both Cizikas and Nilsson were able to contribute when called upon with the Islanders was even better. While Nilsson will most likely be the fulltime starter next season in the AHL, Cizikas has a shot to make the Islanders next season.
When Trent Hunter was dealt for an overpaid Brian Rolston, Steve Staios signed and aging forward, Jay Pandolfo was invited to camp for his penalty-killing specialty, it was done as a stopgap and to add available veteran experience and cap space salary. While Rolston was traded, Staios and Pandolfo did contribute this season, but I think the Isles would be have been better off filling those spots with promising prospects that were ready for a shot to compete for a place on the team.
If you attended the Blue and White scrimmage or followed the Niagra Ice Dogs in the OHL, you are aware of what a player like Ryan Strome could be for the Islanders organization. Despite missing time with injury, Strome went 30 and 38 for 68 pts this season. Known for his hockey sense and scoring touch, Strome will be watched closely in Isles camp this summer.
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are 39-25-3 with 87 points in 73 games played so far this season. With only 3 games remaining, the Sound Tigers have clinched a playoff spot and are in contention for a division title. Head Coach, Brent Thompson has guided the Islanders primary affiliate to a spectacular regular season with a lot more excitement expected for the playoffs. All players called up this season played very well and did not look out of place in the NHL. Credit the coach and his staff for preparing the Islander prospects to compete at a high level and get noticed.
Update: The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are Northeast Division Champions tonight after a 4-1 win vs. the Providence Bruins. It is their first division title since their inaugural season 10 years ago.
Where will the Islanders play after the lease expires in 3 years? Some say Brooklyn, some say in another county, while others speculate the team to be sold to the highest bidder, possibly outside of the New York area. All these scenarios are possible after the Islanders organization were denied yet again in their quest for a new or renovated building in Nassau County on August 1st, last year. This uncertainty is a big obstacle for management in trying to sign sought after free agents, long term.
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Looking back on the 40th anniversary season of the New York Islanders, we all heard the message of “Commitment.” Although there were no successful bids for top free agents yet again, there was a feeling that the playoffs could possibly be within reach of the team in just the fourth year of Garth Snow’s rebuild. That didn’t happen.
Although the Isles were within a few games of 8th spot in the conference several times this season, their inconsistency and lack of focus kept them from taking the next step as a young team. I likened their performance to a “Jekyl and Hyde,” type off identity. There were several games against quality teams that they dictated play and outplayed their opponents, and others that they just looked lost. Their success this season wasn’t just an odd game here or there in which they simply caught another team looking past them. They put together some good efforts as a team and showed what they could do as individuals throughout the season.
The first line of Moulson-Tavares and Parenteau were one of the best first lines in the league. They scored 85 and 132 for 217 points in 2011-12. P.A. Parenteau is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has not been offered a contract according to agent, Allan Walsh. "Now that the New York Islander season is over, we are looking forward to start negotiations with the club. P.A. has made it clear he wants to remain with the Islanders. He has assumed a leadership role with the club, he's proven to be a great fit on one of the top scoring lines in the League and has great affinity for the organization that gave him his opportunity to play regularly in the NHL."
Secondary scoring came together a little more in the second half of the season with some line juggling, but needs to improve for the team to take the next step. As I’ve said al season long, another top forward is necessary to spread out the focus of an opponent for the Islanders. They need threats beyond the first line. Michael Grabner and Nino Niederreiter really need to be better. On the bright side, Frans Nielsen really needs to be recognized as a top two way forward in the league. A Player like David Ullstrom looked so good with his time in the line up. He should make the team with Cizikas next year. Both players should help with offensive talent.
Rhett Rakhshani, Johan Sundstrom, Mitchell Thoret, Justin DiBenedetto, Brock Nelson, and possibly Kirill Kabanov could compete for a spot on the team. All have shown skill and the ability to score goals. With Players like Anders Lee, Brenden Kichton and Scott Mayfield in the future plans, the depth continues to improve. With his hockey career on hold, Isles prospect Corey Trivino's future is an unknown.
Other than the strong play of Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald, a glaring negative was the defensive game and I believe trading Mike Mottau was a step forward for the Isles defense. I am sure you are tired of me saying that a top 4 defensemen should be a priority to sign this summer. Although newly named Captain, Mark Streit took a while to regain his form from missing all of last season; he did rebound somewhat with better play in the second half of the season. It is my opinion that Milan Jurcina, Steve Staios and Mark Eaton should be replaced by Calvin de Haan, Aaron Ness and Matt Donovan. Dylan Reese deserves to be given a serious shot to the team.
Goaltending was scattered throughout the season. Former holdout, Evgeni Nabokov proved to be a solid, calming force in net for a team that struggled with defense. He seems to genuinely like playing for the Islanders and recently signed an extension to play for New York next season. That should mean that Rick DiPietro doesn’t really figure into the Islanders plans for the future. Despite his heart and competitive nature, he is injured far too often and creates instability in goal for the Islanders. The constant uncertainty of if and when he will be back has been a huge disruption to the team. That, and I doubt Nabokov resigned to be a back up.
Al Montoya was very good to start the season, but inactivity and a concussion, compliments of Evander Kane seemed to change Montoya’s effectiveness in the net. The Al Montoya I saw before his injury was not the same that I saw finish the season for the Islanders. I don’t think he will be back. Isles goal prospect, Kevin Poulin has shown me he is ready to make the team. Even before this year’s AHL playoffs, I think Poulin has nothing more to prove in the minors. Backing up Nabokov for a season may get him ready to be the starter for the Islanders beyond next season.
Owner, Charles Wang says his GM and Coach will be back for next season. Garth Snow has made a few mistakes, but overall, I think he has done a good job with the realistic scenario the Islanders are in. The Isles have an owner, who is losing millions, but Snow has drafted a deep talent pool and to me, the success in Bridgeport and the prospects ability to play in the NHL proves that. He has made some bold waiver and free agent signings with Moulson and Grabner. The team needs to grab a top forward and defensemen this summer. Many say it cant or wont happen. They are probably right, which will mean another season of growing pains until the holes are filled in by the maturing prospects mentioned in this article. Lets not grab more bottom feeder veterans to plug those holes in the line up. I say the playoffs are a reasonable goal in two years if big free agent signings aren’t made this summer. I will give my prized possessions to anyone who gives me the phone number of Zach Parise’s agent. I am kidding here, relax.
In the second half of the season, I feel the coaching was a big part of the Islanders failure to evolve as a team. While I praised Coach Capuano at times, I felt the Isles lacked consistency and preparedness to play each and every night. Elements of their game were very good at times (PP and PK) and then awful. Their psyche seemed fragile and their inability to focus in the third period caused them to lose valuable points. I would like to see a coaching change. An established and successful NHL coach would be the best bet. What about Marc Crawford or Guy Carbonneau? Even a successful assistant coach that is ready to take the reigns would be a welcome change. Maybe Mike Haviland of Chicago, Peter Horachek of Nashville or Joe Mullen of Philadlphia. Watching Peter Laviolette and Dan Bylsma coach for someone else still bothers me.
Looking ahead for the Islanders, you must start with another chance to draft a top prospect and possible impact player, as the Islanders will pick 4th in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft this summer. I will talk more about this in the weeks to come.
