It Takes A Village

As of today, the New York Islanders roster looks like this.

Forwards

#	Name	Height	Weight	Date Of Birth	Age	Birth Place
12	Josh Bailey	6' 1"	190	Oct 2, 1989	22	Bowmanville, ON, CAN
36	Eric Boulton	6' 1"	225	Aug 17, 1976	35	Halifax, NS, CAN
	Brad Boyes	6' 0"	204	Apr 17, 1982	30	Mississauga, ON, CAN
40	Michael Grabner	6' 0"	185	Oct 5, 1987	24	Villach, AUT
17	Matt Martin	6' 3"	210	May 8, 1989	23	Windsor, ON, CAN
26	Matt Moulson	6' 1"	205	Nov 1, 1983	28	North York, ON, CAN
25	Nino Niederreiter	6' 2"	205	Sep 8, 1992	19	Chur, CHE
51	Frans Nielsen	6' 0"	184	Apr 24, 1984	28	Herning, DNK
21	Kyle Okposo "A"	6' 0"	205	Apr 16, 1988	24	St. Paul, MN, USA
16	Marty Reasoner	6' 1"	205	Feb 26, 1977	35	Honeoye Falls, NY, USA
91	John Tavares "A"	6' 0"	206	Sep 20, 1990	21	Mississauga, ON, CAN

Defensemen

#	Name	Height	Weight	Date Of Birth	Age	Birth Place
	Matt Carkner	6' 4"	237	Nov 3, 1980	31	Winchester, ON, CAN
3	Travis Hamonic	6' 2"	203	Aug 16, 1990	21	St. Malo, MB, CAN
47	Andrew MacDonald	6' 1"	196	Sep 7, 1986	25	Judique, NS, CAN
2	Mark Streit "C"	5' 11"	193	Dec 11, 1977	34	Bern, CHE
	Lubomir Visnovsky	5' 10"	197	Aug 11, 1976	35	Topolcany, SVK

Goalies

#	Name	Height	Weight	Date Of Birth	Age	Birth Place
39	Rick DiPietro	6' 1"	190	Sep 19, 1981	30	Winthrop, MA, USA
20	Evgeni Nabokov	6' 0"	200	Jul 25, 1975	36	Kamenogorsk, KAZ

That leaves a slot for a new asset or an opportunity for a prospect to step up on the Forward lines or Defensive core.  No trades or signings are likely before the new CBA details are hashed out and the Isles minor league system may be more than enough to provide an answer for the Islanders needs this season.  

I see players Like Kyle Okposo and Brad Boyes poised for a breakout season.  You can be sure Jesse Joensuu (who has a one way-euro out clause contract this season and isn't even listed yet) will be the most prepared the talented forward has ever been to play for the Isles.  Nino Niederreiter will have a lot to prove as well.  Lets be honest, the whole Organization has a lot to prove to the critics and haters and I think they will take another step towards proving it this season.   

The team has cap space and money to commit for the right free agent or trade, but the future arena uncertainty will be enough to scare away some players.  Although, those same players could find more than a home with a team that is only a few moves away form getting it right, in this blogger’s opinion.  Some other free agents could be courted or appealing veterans be traded for as well.

The Isles prospects are deep here, but are they ready?  Players like Cizikas, Strome, Nelson, Ullstrom, Sundstrom, Theoret and Kabanov will make it tough for coaches to cut them from camp. 

It is possible that the likes of Jamie Benn (Grp 2), Petr Sykora (Grp 3), Kristian Huselius (Grp 3) or Kris Versteeg (Grp 2) could find a place to shine with New York this year?  Guys like this could be signed away, but may not be worth the compensation afforded by the compensation and right to match clause.  A trade could be explored.

Isles “D” prospects like Donovan and Ness got noticed last season and are poised for training camp.  Calvin de Haan is ready to make a play for the big leagues while Kichton and Mayfield are not far behind. 

But maybe a player like Jaroslav Spacek (Grp 3) could fit in nicely on the blue line for the short term.  A player like Mike Green (Grp 2) might be a tall order, but he could use some time on the Island to find his game and regain his elite form as an NHL defensemen around an improving D-core.  He rejected the Caps qualifying offer and may want to play elsewhere, but will he want to come to the Islanders?

The Net is Evgeni Nabokov’s spot to lose despite Rick DiPietro still being listed as a #1.  It is more likely that Kevin Poulin or Anders Nilsson will have an opportunity to fill the back up position.  I know I will enjoy watching the competition.

We know the Isles have improved on paper and the other teams in their division got "weaker."  What will this mean for the upcoming season?  Let's watch the team and find out.

Isles Notes:

The New York Islanders 2012-2013 schedule has been announced and is now available for down load here at the teams website.

The Phoenix Coyotes have inked former ‪Isles tough guy Joel Rechlicz to a one-year, two-way deal.

Former Isles and Bridgeport Goaltender, Steve Valiquette has announced his retirement.

NHL Notes:

The NHL has presented the NHLPA with an initial offer of a new CBA with several changes and amendments of Friday.  Renaud P. Lavoie reports, “NHL proposal to players: 1-reduce players hockey related revenues to 46% from 57 %. 2-10 seasons in NHL before being UFA.”  Also, “3-contracts limits to 5 years 4-no more salary arbitration. 5- entry-level contract 5 years instead of 3.”  Larry Brooks also reported that the NHL’s proposal would eliminate signing bonuses and have equal value for each year of a multi year contract.

Mike Modano, Eddie Olcyck and Lou Lamoriello have been named as 2012 inductees for the USHHOF.