Isles Notes For 5/16

Per Chris Botta, “The Isles plan to give an opportunity to one of their prospects on defense to start with the club out of training camp. However, Calvin de Haan, Aaron Ness and Matt Donovan are going to have to show a lot to prove they're NHL-ready. All played well last season in Bridgeport, but need more development time. Of the three, Donovan is the closest to the NHL; de Haan, in part because he has been slowed by injuries, is a year away. All 3 will eventually make the NHL. They just should not be rushed.”

Per Arthur Staple, “Nino Niederreiter missed Switzerland's final game with a high ankle sprain, ending what was a miserable rookie season that began and ended with injuries. John Tavares (4-5-9) and Canada face Slovakia in a QF tomorrow; Kyle Okposo and the U.S. face Finland in another QF. Of Okposo, former Isles coach and U.S. coach Scott Gordon texted: "He's been one of our best players every game and had a backcheck that guys were talking about for a long time after."

Canada defeats Belarus 5-1, finishes 1st in Helsinki pool.  John Tavares w/1 asst.  Team USA shut out Finland 5-0.  Both teams advance in the IIHFWC quarterfinals.

Denmark wraps up the victory over Latvia 2-0.

Chris Botta’s take on the Kabanov to russia rumor, “The plan did not go as Kirill Kabanov hoped. The agent-and-tattoo-compiling Isles prospect knew after a good, not great QHL season, he'd be in the AHL in '12-13 for $75K. Not bad, but he's made zip since the NYI drafted him and could make a half-mill in the KHL. So Kabanov and his father had an agent pursue a deal. Word got out and he had to backtrack with Shawinigan hosting the Memorial Cup and Garth Snow wondering WTF. Kid's a handful, but Snow knew that when he drafted him. Story's not over.”

The New York Islanders’ 2012 Draft Party is scheduled for June 22^nd.  Tickets are free at Ticketmaster or the box office at the NVMC. Doors for the Draft Party open at 5:30 p.m. and the live stream of the NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh begins at 7 p.m.

Festivities, games, merchandise and the chance to watch the Islanders make their selection from the Colisieum floor are just part of the fun to be had.  Matt Moulson, Matt Martin, Nino Niederreiter, Kevin Poulin, Ryan Strome, Casey Cizikas and Calvin de Haan are scheduled to attend.  I have run into Butch Goring and Bobby Nystrom at past Darft Parties, so who knows who you could run into.

NHL

Per Rory Boylen, Avg blocked shots in these playoffs: 15.7. Avg last year was 16.6.

Per Allan Walsh, “NHL sends NHLPA "Notice of Termination" of CBA effective Sept. 15. Also hearing from GM's that NHL teams canceling rookie camps.”