Per Katie Strang, Nino Niederreiter's camp has requested a
trade from the New York Islanders.
Arthur Staple has confirmed the report.
Niederreiter was the fifth over all pick in the 2010 NHL
Entry Draft. In 2010-11, he played for the Isles
in a 9 game evaluation and went 1 and 1 for 2 pts and a -8 rating after which, he was returned to Bridgeport for more development. Niederreiter made the Isles in the
2011-12 season, where he played for New York in 55 games and scored 1 goal with
a -29 rating.
This season, the Islanders kept Niederreiter in Bridgeport
to get top line forward minutes and he has responded so far with 19 and 17 for 36 pts in 39 games and has been
selected to represent the Sound Tigers in the 2013 All-Star game this AHL
season.
The Isles have been criticized by some for rushing players like Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo in their development. With Nino, they have opted for giving him time to excel and learn what it means to have the responsibility of being a star player and team leader. Maybe its just a diminished AHL salary getting to his ego.
The Isles have been criticized by some for rushing players like Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo in their development. With Nino, they have opted for giving him time to excel and learn what it means to have the responsibility of being a star player and team leader. Maybe its just a diminished AHL salary getting to his ego.
As I expect and B.D. Gallof has said over and over,
Niederreiter would be one of the first call ups from the BST in the event of an
injury or a roster spot opened on the big club. Islanders GM, Garth Snow has said to Katie Strang, "Yeah,
absolutely. (about the possibility of an NHL call up this season) Nino is one
of our top prospects in the organization. We felt it was best for his
development long-term to play in Bridgeport." Today, the Islanders started a
campaign on twitter for fans to check in with the AHL to vote Niederreiter in
as a starter to the All-Star team.
Arthur Staple adds, Garth
Snow: "All convos with players remain private, but I haven't heard from
Nino himself that he's unhappy."
Obviously, these are the things an Agent can stir up to get his client
into the news. Despite recent positive events, the Islanders have been
an easy target for the news media who enjoy making them the butt of jokes that
focus on the misfortunes and mistakes made by the franchise in recent
years. So a rumor like this by an agent
whose clinent is having a good season in the minors may casue another GM to
make a hasty trade, but not the kind of GM that Snow has shown to be. Snow is patient, holds things close to his
vest and only makes a move if it makes sense for the team.
I think Niederreiter or his agent, should
understand that the Isles are evaluating some fringe assets right now and
seeing who will fit into their team dynamic.
Not inviting a player like Nino to Isles camp is no slight to him. With last season in the rear view mirror,
the Islanders want him to continue his breakout season and allow him to
flourish in the AHL, enjoy the All-Star experience and continue learning how to
be a team leader and professional hockey player.
Niederreiter is a key piece of
the rebuild in managements eyes. Here
is hoping that he gets better counsel, wakes up and starts acting like it.
Update:
1/23
Mike Flannery attended the BSTBC
Snowflake Dinner last night. When he
asked Nino Niederreiter if he requested a trade, he said,"No it was my agent, not me."
Isles Notes:
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