Sunday, January 13, 2013

2013 KoC New York Islanders Season Preview

 

So far, your 2013 New York Islanders look like this per Islanders.nhl.com:


Forwards


#

Name

Height

Weight

Date Of Birth

Age

Birth Place
12
Josh Bailey
6' 1"
190
Oct 2, 1989
23
Bowmanville, ON, CAN
36
Eric Boulton
6' 1"
225
Aug 17, 1976
36
Halifax, NS, CAN
24
Brad Boyes
6' 0"
204
Apr 17, 1982
30
Mississauga, ON, CAN
40
Michael Grabner
6' 0"
185
Oct 5, 1987
25
Villach, AUT
6
Jesse Joensuu
6' 4"
209
Oct 5, 1987
25
Pori, FIN
17
Matt Martin
6' 3"
210
May 8, 1989
23
Windsor, ON, CAN
26
Matt Moulson
6' 1"
205
Nov 1, 1983
29
North York, ON, CAN
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
22
Mississauga, ON, CAN

Defensemen


#

Name

Height

Weight

Date Of Birth

Age

Birth Place
7
Matt Carkner
6' 4"
237
Nov 3, 1980
32
Winchester, ON, CAN
47
Andrew MacDonald
6' 1"
196
Sep 7, 1986
26
Judique, NS, CAN
2
Mark Streit"C"
5' 11"
193
Dec 11, 1977
35
Bern, CHE
11
Lubomir Visnovsky
5' 10"
197
Aug 11, 1976
36
Topolcany, SVK

Goalies


#

Name

Height

Weight

Date Of Birth

Age

Birth Place
39
Rick DiPietro
6' 1"
190
Sep 19, 1981
31
Winthrop, MA, USA
20
Evgeni Nabokov
6' 0"
200
Jul 25, 1975
37
Kamenogorsk, KAZ


 
 

When we look at the Forwards, we see John Tavares and Matt Moulson at the top of the Isles list.  They work great together and compliment each other very well.  JT is turning into a bonafide star-player who may very well be the teams next Captain, if Streit is traded before next season.  He was playing very well overseas during the lockout and will hope to continue scoring goals in bunches in 2013.  Matt Moulson has shown himself to be a reliable and hard working goalscorer with or without JT.  He should get another chance to make a splash this season.  It is well known that after a word from Doug Weight, Brad Boyes accepted the challange to come to Long Island to jumpstart his touch as a goal scorer.  The possibility of working alongside JT and MM was probably the strongest scenario he could find himself in this season.  Management will look for his increased ice time and quality linemates as a chance to rekindle his career scoring flare.
 

Kyle Okposo has been working hard in the offseason to hit the ice in full stride when the NHL returned.  The Isles will look for him to continue his offensive improvements from where left off at the end of last season.  Josh Bailey's time as a wing really gave him a chance to blossom as an offensive threat the Islanders had hoped he would be.  He was far more effective after moving from the center spot.  Michael Grabner and Jesse Joensuu have something to prove this season.  Grabner needs to play like he did in his first season with the Islanders.  A resume that was good enough to bring him to the NHL All-Star game as a rookie.  Jesse Joensuu has offensive ability and the grit that makes him a clutch player when it matters most.  He will need to show that he can do it consistantly to remain in the NHL.  Nino Niederreiter has enjoyed a breakout season in the AHL with Bridgeport thus far and should be ready to commit to the Islanders and grow his game.


With the probable NHL emergence of Ryan Strome, Frans Nielsen can play a more comfortable third line center position and let Strome prove that he is an offensive threat as a second line center.  Strome has been dominant in Juniors and should get a real look to remain on the Island.  Nielsen is another hard worker who excels in shootouts with his growing resume of O.T. kill shots.  I think he is the most under rated defensive forward in the NHL.


Matt Martin has been resigned and is ready to defend his team mates and remain a scoring threat when he is on the ice.  I think he has refined his game and knows when to throw a check or jump into the play.
 

While Marty Reasoner is a veteran presence who has earned respect in the league over his career, he has something to prove here as well.  He has all but lost his scoring touch and hasn't been much of a factor in his tenure with the Isles thus far.  Eric Boulton was a depth move made this summer to bring some toughness back to a team that still misses the pressence of a Trevor Gillies.  He should be a welcome addition and will help spread the workload carried by Matt Martin as the only true enforcer.  Where Martin is a middle weight style physical player, Boulton should bring an element of distration to an opponents game as a heavyweight.


Whether its a later call up to camp or during the season for an injury, the prospects you should watch are Colin McDonald, John Perrson, Johan Sundstrom, David Ullstrom, Kirill Kabanov and Brock Nelson.  The have all been leaders for Bridgeport and shown the ability to score and lead by example.  One of my "unsung" players from the BST is Casey Cizikas.  He has a great spirit and it shows in his game.  He, like Ullstrom can be a clutch scorer, but he is an intimidating player on the ice.  I think he will factor into the Islanders return to glory more than people give him credit for.
 

We know about the Islander organization's focus on their blueline.  It was evident in this years draft where the team selected a defensemen in each round.  While 1st round selection, Griffin Reinhart will be given a close look, he probably isnt polished enough for regular play with the Isles.  Guys of note in the system, but not in Bridgeport are Brenden Kichton and Scott Mayfield, who are solid defensive prospects, but also a few years away.


Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald have been awesome additions to the Isles blue line.  Both guys have risen to the occasion when called upon and carved out a spot for them selves as reliable defensemen.  This season should be no different.  Islanders Captain and power play specialist, Mark Streit will be relied upon again to lead his young, improving team in a tough Atlantic division and difficult Eastern conference.  In the last year of his contract, he will most likely be playing with a purpose.


Bringing Matt Carkner to the Islanders is a depth move at defense.  But Carkner also brings a snarl and a physical pressence the Islanders need to fill this season to go along with Martin and Boulton.  Radek Martinek has been skating with the team at Iceworks.  If he was invited to camp and signs with the Isles, we know he is a very good defensemen.  We also know, he is constantly injured and that was the reason the Islanders let him go.  Martinek may be a low risk, cap filling move that offers a quality, low risk asset on defense.


Although the Islanders made travel arrangements for Lubomir Visnovsky, he failed to show up in NY.  Will he will be on LI for team physicals on Sunday?  Isles decline to comment on Visnovsky matter, but the team and league both expect, he and KHL to honor all NHL contracts.  By the agreement between the NHL and KHL, Visnovsky is obligated to honor his NHL contract.  Will he?  Now, its a matter for the leagues to solve as the only NHL contracted player who remains with his KHL club.


B.D. Gallof concludes, "Once again Visnovksy making his agent Neil Sheehy look very foolish as this will again be escalated between NHL & KHL."  He is purported to be a number 2 defensemen and the spotlight in New York would be an ideal place for him to show his mettle in a shortened season, but rumor has it he doesn't like the east coast.  Its too bad.  I hope he comes to his senses soon and can learn from Evgeni Nabokov that the Island isnt a bad place to play.
 

Matt Donovan and Aaron Ness are good prospects that may be called upon to fill in the bottom of the defensive core.  They can take a page from Travis Hamonic.  Play so well and work so hard, that the coaches cant send them back down.  It is safe to assume that Calvin deHaan was ready to step up and probably make the team until he was injured and declared out for the season in October.


Engeni Nabokov will be steady in the net for the Islanders.  He brings a composed demeanor and knows how to keep his team in the game, giveing them the best chance to win.  He wanted to comeback this season after not wanting to report when he was claimed off waivers last season.  He said he is ready to play and is comfortable here with the Islanders.  Rick DiPeitro is coming back from an injury he sufferd during the lockout playing for SC Riessensee of Germany's 2nd league.  With his numbers and play in a steady decline, DP will have a shot to right the wrongs of his once promising career.  He is a compeditor and loves Long Island.  I will be cheering for him, but not sure he can do it.  Kevin Poulin and Anders Nilsson are on the cusp of being ready, but I still think they need more seasoning.
 

If history has taught us anything, the Islanders wont be that active with trades or free agency to start the season.  There is a possibility that if the right trade comes along due to a team needing to shed salary or the need for them to open a spot on their roster, you could see the Islanders do something for the right player.  Garth Snow is composed and wont make a move just to make one.  And if he does, it wont be for the short term unless it a very good move to make with price and return.  There are many free agents that remain unsigned as of tonight due to the 113 day lockout.


Head Coach Jack Capuano and assistant coaches Doug Weight and Brent Thompson have been chosen to bring preparedness and leadership to the Islanders this season.  I have my reservations about Coach Capuano.  I felt he lost the reins a few times last season and the squad was to inconsistant under his watch.  Assistants Weight and Thompson should provide a good support staff.  Coach Weight's power play was pretty good after he was brought on last season.  His passion and pressence should be even better after being behind the bench last season.  Coach Thompson did a great job during the regular season for the BST in 2011-12, but was swept in the first round of the AHL playoffs by the Ranger's farm team, the Connecticut Whale. He has been praised for his apptitude in teaching young players and helping them become better players.  He should be a good compliment to the current staff.
 
 
 
Training camps open tomorrow.  Game On!
 
 

 
 
Isles Notes:


Per Arthur Staple, Isles will not have physicals until Sunday morning, so camp officially opens on Monday at IceWorks. Tues-Fri at Coliseum.  Training Camp WILL open Sun. with practice at IceWorks. Not likely to be open to public due to lack of parking at rink.

Isles may scrimmage with the BST next week to get some game simulations in before season starts.


Islanders slated to open 2013 season vs. New Jersey Devils att NVMC.  Schedule can be found here.


Per Kevin Schultz, Source tells me that the Islanders are "expecting" the Jan 21 home game to be against Tampa Bay.


Per Arthur Staple, Isles will have Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart at training camp.


Radek Martinek has been skating at Iceworks with the Islanders over the last few days.


Per Arthur Staple, Josh Bailey is out 2-4 weeks after having his knee scoped on Weds. Hurt it playing in Germany.  Jesse Joensuu has a groin issue. Won't be ready for the start of camp.


New Isles #'s are Boulton 36, Boyes 24, Strome 18, Visnovsky 11, Carkner 7, Joensuu 6.


Per Linus Hugosson, Former Isles goaltender, Tommy Salo has been selected to Swedish Hall of Fame (on 1/16). Salo won both Olympic and WC gold.


Per Randi Marshall, HUB Developer Don Monti is unveiling some details about his plans for the Coliseum site. Biotech as the centerpiece.  Plan is for scaled down Coliseum, with about 6000 seats and additional retail, etc. Project should take 6-8 years at $2 bil pricetag.


Per Bob McKenzie, " When MOU is signed and legal to sign players, TOR will sign defenceman Mike Mottau to a contract. Also, reported earlier, Cody Franson."

 

Sound Tigers Notes:


1/12


BST vs. POR

Scratches 5,8,9,10,12,15,16,17,18,40,77.

Poulin vs. Visentin in net tonight. Final scratch is Jordan Hill. Starters: Persson-Nelson-McDonald, Landry-Hamonic.

Stat line on Poulin: 19 GP, 10-7-2, 3.03 GAA, .908 SV%.

Forwards: Persson-Nelson-McDonald, Niederreiter-Sundstrom-Ullstrom, DeFazio-Cizikas-Watkins, Gallant-Campbell-Riley.

Final score - Pirates 6, Sound Tigers 3.


1/11

The Sound Tigers have signed defenseman T.J. Fast to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

BST vs. PRO

Travis Hamonic (out since Dec. 2) and Brock Nelson (out since Dec. 14) both expected to play tonight in Providence.

Scratches 2,4,9,10,12,15,16,17,25,40,77.

Sound Tigers have one to scratch. Likely either Jack Combs or Brett Gallant. Defense pairings Landry-Hamonic, Donovan-Wishart, Ness-McIver.


Former BST Tyler McNeely makes his Providence Bruins debut tonight. Jack Combs final scratch.

Starters: Persson-Nelson-McDonald, Landry-Hamonic. Nilsson in net.


1/10

Per nhlfreeagents.com, Bridgeport Sound Tigers signed (D) Daniel Maggio to Pro Tryout Contract .


1/9

Sound Tigers ink forwards Jack Combs and Chad Costello to AHL deals for remainder of 2012-13 season.


1/8

BST vs. HER

Starters: DeFazio-Watkins-Riley, Landry-Hill, Poulin in net (10-6-2, 2.96 GAA, .911 SV%) .

BST Scratches 3,5,12,15,17,18,29,40,77.

Final, 4-3 Hershey.



NHL Notes:


NHL Lockout: Sept. 15, 2012 - Jan. 12, 2013. Now over. Officially. MOU signed by NHL and NHLPA.

It's business as usual - trades and signings - in the NHL starting at midnight ET.

Per Pierre LeBrun, " NHL schedule will be released tonight. Camps open Sunday."

Per Pierre LeBrun, "Player ratification (CBA) vote: 667 yes, 12 no - 98.2 percent. 679 of 763 players voted (89 percent)"
 
Spectors Hockey, " 667 players voted to accept new NHLCBA, yet folks are focussing on the 12 who voted "No" & the 84 who didn't vote. Who Cares?"



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