Nino, Bernier, Briere, Kirill & Ullstrom

After Arthur Staple announced that the Isles would hold their annual Blue & Orange scrimmage on 7/11, he also noted that Nino Niederreiter has declined to attend prospect camp this year. He explained that players are required to attend 3x, and after they have participated in 3, they can choose on whether or not to attend after that.  This might not raise any pulses if it didn't follow a rumor put out by Nino's agent that he wanted to be traded from the Islanders.  He is still a solid player and could be a star in the making.  I'd really like to see him make some noise and show his mean streak for New York.

 

The rumor of Jonathan Bernier being sought by the Isles is interesting.  He is a young, talented NHL back up who could have starting goaltender potential if given the right opportunity.  On the Isles, he could get that chance while Poulin and Nilsson had more time in the Isles system to develop.  I think that although he is unproven beyond his 14-9 record over the last two seasons in L.A. with 1 shut out, a .915 Sv% and a 2.12 gaa., he could break out with the Islanders.  But its always about what the Isles would have to give up.  Oh, and how many times has Snow let a move like this leak to the press?  We shall see if it has any merit.
 

 

Daniel Briere was told by the Philadelphia Flyers that he would be bought out.  That would give Briere an opportunity to test the free agent waters in the NHL with 29 other teams.  I wouldn't object if the Isles elected to take a short-term chance on Briere, despite his age and statistical decline.  I still think he can be a dangerous player, especially on a line with John Tavares.

 

 

 

 

Remember this?   "Kirill Petrov - no plans of playing in NHL" and "Snow said - he likes playing in Russia."

Well, aparently, Petrovs' agent said the Islanders wanted Petrov to join the team next year.  He also said that the Isles, "guaranteed" a roster spot for Petrov if he came to the Island after his KHL contract was up in 2014.  To me, it sounds like another ploy by his agent to stir something up.  We all know Garth Snow doesnt like outspoken players, Just ask Brenden Kichton.  In addition, Petrov hasnt even lived up to his billing while playing in the KHL.  He tallied 28 and 21 for 49 pts in 99 games played with Kazan Ak-Bars over the last two seasons.  Who will make it to the NHL first, Kirill Kabanov or Kirill Petrov?

 

 

This morning, Twitter reports came in that Isles forward, David Ullström signed a deal with Lokomotiv Yaroslav of the KHL.  If Ullstrom wants back in the NHL, the Isles will still hold his rights and could resign him much like they did with Jesse Joensuu did last season.  I have always been a fan of Ullstrom, and thought he had 20-25 goal scoring potential in the NHL, but it seems his development has faltered and has not been retained by Management.

Ullstrom is a talented scorer who found the last few seasons of his development marred by injury and setbacks.  It will be a hard fought battle to make it back to the NHL and if its with the Isles, another battle to fight his way back to their roster in a deep prospect pool.

"David Ullstrom‏@d_ullstrom16h

Thank you to the Islanders organisation, teammates and fans for three unforgetable years. We created memories that will remain forever. Thx"

 

 

Isles Notes:

The New York Islanders announce that the Blue & Orange prospect scrimmage will be played on Thurs, July 11 at 7 pm at Coliseum. Tix on sale tomorrow at the teams site.

Per Arthur Staple," Isles have @strome18, @GriffinReinhart, Brock Nelson, @leeberr09, Andrey Pedan and Scott Mayfield for 4-day prospect camp and scrimmage.  Find out more here. 

 

Is the Barclays Center set up for NHL Hockey? 

 

NHL Notes:

The league will experiment with Hybrid Icing in the 2013-14 preseason.  A vote will be held afterwards to see if it was good enough to be put into regular season play and added to the NHL rules.

Per Darren Dreger, "The NHLPA also has significant input into the banning of the spin-o-rama. NHL may not fight if there's too much pushback from PA."

Per Pierre LeBrun, " Further to the new 2 min penalty for fighting with a helmet off; league will scrap the penalty for fighting with a visor on..."

 

Hockey Notes:

 

Per Bob McKenzie, "Hockey Canada simultaneous news conferences tomorrow in TOR and MTL to announce they're sharing both 2015 and 2017 World Jr. Championships.  MTL will host preliminary round and TOR the medal round in 2015. Then it reverses in 2017 with MTL getting medal round and TOR preliminary."