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
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)"
