Per Hockeysfuture.com, “Koskinen’s greatest asset is his size, which he uses to seemingly fill the entire net and he covers a lot of space in the butterfly. He is inexperienced in terms of the number of games played and has not had a lot of international experience – excelling in the SM-Liiga where he ordinarily does not see the booming slapshots or accurate snipers more common in North America. Still learning as a goaltender, he must work to improve his quickness and foot speed. Very good at anticipating chances and setting himself to limit scoring opportunities. Quality teammate who has earned the respect of the veteran players in Espoo.”
The New York Islanders drafted Mikko Koskinen in the 2nd round, 31st overall of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. That July, Koskinen signed a three-year, ELC.
After going 1-1 with the Soundtigers in 09-10 and had success in the ECHL after recovering from a hip injury, Koskinen returned to the AHL the following season with Bridgeport in 10-11 going, 12-21-1 with a .892Sv% and 3.49gaa.
That same year, in his brief stint with the Islanders, Koskinen lost to Toronto by the score of 5-3 after Kevin Poulin was hurt in warm-ups (knee). He looked good with back-to-back wins over Montreal via shootout and the epic 9-3 winning brawl in Pittsburgh. When he was returned to Bridgeport, Koskinen suffered a season ending wrist injury. The Soundtigers finished last in the Atlantic Division.
In 11-12, he went 0-2 in Bridgeport and was subsequently sent to KalPa in the Finnish Elite League on loan to get the ice time he would not get with Kevin Poulin and Anders Nilsson in Bridgeport.
In 11-12, he went 0-2 in Bridgeport and was subsequently sent to KalPa in the Finnish Elite League on loan to get the ice time he would not get with Kevin Poulin and Anders Nilsson in Bridgeport.
In my opinion, Mikko Koskinen has to battle his way back into the Isles goaltender rotation where both Poulin and Nilsson have made an impression behind Evgeni Nabokov. The Rick DiPietro factor still looms over the Isles crease and they will no doubt give the former all-star another shot to undo his less than stellar appearances of the recent past.
How well can Koskinen be expected to develop in the SM-Liiga? While he can get the minutes, the quality and skill level of the opposition is much different. He needs to find consistency, use his great size and minimize his negative tendencies like playing too far back into his net. And while time in the AHL is still minor league pro hockey, the system played in Bridgeport is the system he would play with the Islanders and his team mates in Bridgeport are members of the same team organization, which builds chemistry.
So what does that mean for RFA Koskinen?
Update: Koskinen playing well in KHL and Isles still retain his NA rights.
Isles Notes:
Per Dee Karl on 8/25, Yashin and Satan at Iceworks last week. Arthur Staple confirms Yashin there again yesterday.
Per Arthur Staple, “Islanders camp scheduled to open 9/22.”
“Regarding Visnovsky hearing on 9/4, #Isles GM Garth Snow hopes for an expedited ruling prior to 9/15 so team can plan accordingly. Sec. 11.8, part a: "If Player is Traded/claimed on Waivers prior to the NTC/NMC taking effect, the clause does not bind the acquiring Club." Ducks and Isles checked with NHL before going thru with Visnovsky trade and NHL approved it; could factor in grievance outcome.”
Per Randi Marshall, “To clarify, three candidates remain in the Isles coliseum RFQ competition. Baldassano, Blumenfeld and Monti remain. Breslin is out.”
NHL Notes:
Per Adam Proteau, “Eight NHL teams – Phoenix, NYI, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Dallas, St. Louis, Florida & Colorado – remain under the 2012-13 $54.2 million cap floor.”
Per Allan Walsh, “According to Forbes, Revenue at top end of NHL- Leafs at $193M, NYR at $169M and Mtl at $165M. On bottom end, Isles at $63M, Phx at $70M.”
Per Katie Strang, “On CBA, Fehr outlined impact of NHL's 2nd proposal and, although it doesn't include salary rollbacks, would result in significant escrow hike. And w/ regards to the revenue-sharing, the 2 sides aren't so far apart on $$ -- $50m -- but structure/ sourcing still vastly different. Newest proposal's impact on escrow? NHLPA projects it would increase to 15-20%. Bettman defended league's 2nd proposal and said that NHL has made more significant %/$ concessions than PA did in their initial one. Bettman also seemed perplexed at players' sense of entitlement to 57%, pointed to NFL, NBA as cap sports that reduced players' shares.”
Per Darren Dreger, “NHL proposed a 6 year term today. Players Share: 2012/13 - 51.6% 2013/14 - 50.5% 2014/15 - 49.6% 2015/16 - 50% 2016/17 - 50% 2017/18 - 50%. I'm told league proposal reduce financial "ask" tabled in first proposal by $460 million including, by $120 million in Year 1. Proposed Salary Caps: all projected and fixed: 2012/13 - $58M 2013/14 -$60M. 2014/15-$62M. 2015/16-$64.2M. 2016/17 - $67.6M 2017/18 - $71.1M.”
No comments:
Post a Comment