An independent blog on the New York Islanders, the NHL and AHL by a guy from New York.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Islanders Camp, Preseason & Adding Seidenberg


There has been a lot happening since the signing of Ryan Strome, so let’s take a look at some of the recent goings on in & around Islanders’ Country.  We’ve heard about the improved ice surface at the Barclays Center, select Isles games airing on one of WFAN’s 50,000 watt radio stations next season and a renewed enthusiasm between Brett Yormark, the Brooklyn brass and the new Islanders ownership group led by Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin.


Our New York Islanders training camp is in full swing and the team has already played 3 preseason games. They had a 3-0 win (Prince, Ho-Sang, Dal Colle with Berube & Gibson in net) and made things happen against the Flyers on Monday.  But since, have dropped a pair of lackluster split squad games on Tuesday to the same Flyers (4-0 L) with a prospect laydened roster and then to the rival Rangers (5-2 L, Chimera & Leddy) on Tuesday due to a lackluster PP (0/6) and PK (1/3).  Jason Chimera and Andrew Ladd made their Isles debut and some of the young guys have made a little noise on the ice.  Mathew Barzal, Josh Ho-Sang, Michael Dal Colle, Anthony Beauvillier & Ryan Pulock got some looks in big moments for the Islanders so far and have done some good things.  I am particularly impressed with how well Barzal has looked and find it encouraging that Ho-Sang has taken ownership of his mistakes in camp last year and seems to be refocused and making an impression.  Seeing Ryan Strome and Shane Prince move the puck well and drop the gloves this early in preseason is encouraging. Especially since they are two of the guys the team needs to step up in place of the missing Okposo, Nielsen and Martin.  I am anxious to see what D, Scott Mayfield can do with his time in camp and although todays signing of Dennis Seidenberg adds veteran depth to the blue line and it will certainly make winning a job very difficult for the spirited Mayfield.


Earlier today, Darren Dreger mentioned on twitter that Seidenberg (1 and 11 for 12 pts in 61 games last season with Boston) was likely to choose the Islanders ahead of 7 other teams that were vying for his services.  A little later, the Islanders added the veteran D man on a one-way, 1 yr, $1M contract and a little more experience and grit to their back end.  While Seidenberg, 35, has had some difficulties staying healthy over the last few seasons, it a could be a great deal for New York, who may benefit from the Stanley Cup winning familiarity between he and Boychuk from their time with the Bruins.  Seidenberg is currently playing for Team Europe with the Isles goal-tending tandem in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey finals against John Tavares and Team Canada.  He has 224 points in 758 NHL games and has a vast amount of International Olympic, World Championship and World Cup experience on his hockey resume.


Arthur Staple mentioned, “With Seidenberg signing, Isles have 24 one-way contracts (including Grabo). Presuming Pulock sticks, someone has to go before season starts.”  


What's up next for Snow and Company?



Isles Notes:



Mikhail Grabovski (upper body, 3/16/16) has been placed on IR while Steve Bernier, Connor Jones and Patrick Cullity all signed professional tryouts (PTO's) on Monday.



Islanders John Tavares is pitted against Jaroslav Halak (and Thomas Greiss) in the World Cup Finals.  Canada has a 1-0 lead in the best of 3 game series final. Tavares has a goal and 4 assists in 5 games for Canada so far while Halak has a looked very good, stopping 173 out of 190 shots faced with a .947 Sv% in 7 games.


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