Today was the first real day that your 2014
Islanders took to the ice, executed drills, went through game scenarios and got
some experience playing as a team.
There were a lot of new faces, a few prospects and some players trying
out to be part of the organization as I mentioned yesterday. Per B.D. Gallof, "This will be hottest
camp competition ... And meaningful one since Isles training camps of the
old days." I agree completely.
The full camp roster is here.
Islanders.nhl.com mentioned, "The 62
players (36 forwards, 20 defensemen and six goalies) were split into three
groups (A, B and C) each with four lines, three defensive pairings and two
goalies. The team invited 11 more players to this year’s camp than last years,
increasing the level of competition."
Group A: Dal Colle-Strome-Okposo;
Kulemin-Grabovski-Skille; Persson-Quine-McDonald; Boulton-Halmo-Langkow.
Group A - Defense: Hamonic, Nemec, Ness, Pelech,
Pulock, Reinhart, Visnovsky. The Group A goaltenders are Halak & Trudeau.
Group B: Grabner-Nielsen-Conacher; Nelson-Cizikas-Bailey;
Gallant-Sutter-Stretch; Johnston-Courtnall-Crus Rydberg.
Group B - Defense:
Carkner-Donovan-Graham-Hickey-Pedan-Pokka. Goaltenders are Johnson &
Leggio.
Group C: Lee-Tavares-Ho-Sang;
Martin-Sundstrom-Clutterbuck; Collberg-Mouillierat-Zolnierczyk;
Gillies-Graham-Vaughan.
Group C - Defense: Brennan,
Burroughs, Czuczman, de Haan, Leduc, Mayfield, Strait. In goal are Shane Owen
& Kevin Poulin.
While the three groups are a little weird from a
team perspective, management is probably toying with combinations and trying to
focus on different groups or components separately. As time goes on and the pre season games get closer, we are
likely to see a more accurate team come together as immature prospects and
bubble players are moved to Bridgeport, released or maybe even traded or
waived. The competition will be there
and there are a lot of driven vets and hungry prospects who want to leave it
all on the ice to make this team. As
fans, we can just enjoy the ride.
Reactions from some of my colleagues who were at camp:
Per Tony Stabile: Classic quote from
Grabovski this morning on Isles history "I don't know much, but I
know they have more Cups than Washington."
Per Rich Dias-Rodrigues, "Lubo: four months
of recuperation. Ten doctors to help figure out issues. Using same helmet but
looking to upgrade mouth guard."
John Tavares said of @66jhosang:
"Crafty, really quick, too. Really impressed by his quickness. You can see
why such a talented kid."
Per Daniel Friedman: Reinhart, on whether
a roster spot is now more there for the taking: "I think so. Hopefully
I'll take advantage of the opportunity."
Per Mark Weiner: D-man Matt Donovan
"I'm trying to beat those other guys. I'm going to do everything I can to
make this team."
Per Andy Graziano, "Andrey Pedan covers a
tremendous amount of ground in no time. Incredible."
"Obs from group 2.....Conacher flying,
Grabner looked composed, Nelson confident. Donovan looked clearly more relaxed
and natural."
Per Matt Saidman, "Collberg has serious
speed and solid hands. I hope they dress him in a preseason game so I can see
him in game action."
***
A few observations from reading the reports from
the day have me optimistic, but then again, its easy to gloss over reality and
get swept up in the hope and promise of what the team may bring. However, I do feel this season will be different. The team is as deep as its been for quite
some time.
With a much improved forward pool that includes
decent depth and a new look youth movement, the offense looks poised to take
another step forward. I look forward to
bigger things from Nelson, Strome & Lee while Grabovski and Kulemin are
exciting additions. Knowing Dal Colle,
Ho Sang and even the infamous Collberg have been getting some quality game
conditions with the staff watching on has to make you smile as well.
The defense seems light, but could be a bit of a
surprise with the bottom six coming from some likely and unlikely places. While Hamonic, de Haan, Hickey & a
healthy Visnovsky are a great foundation with guys like a more confident
Donovan and more experienced Czuczman a threat to make the team. Reinhart, Pulock, Pokka, Mayfield and Pedan are
eager to make the jump and will make it interesting to say the least. A trade may come for a defensemen, but the
question would be when?
In goal, fans have the biggest hope for
improvement. Halak and Johnson seem to
offer a stability not experienced since Osgood and Snow were in the net. Halak seems as motivated as he has ever been
and is on the New York stage for the first time is his career, while the
promise of Johnson as a back up means the drop off should be far less than in recent
years. Poulin will get a chance to be
the man on deck with the BST and Leggio will make him work to keep the
job. The goaltender prospect pool has
been restocked as well and will hopefully reveal a few bright spots for the
organization.
Training camp has just begun, but there is
finally a lot of buzz surrounding your New York Islanders and what they could
accomplish with a much deeper team this season. Lets hope the coaching staff will give them the support they need
all season long and the injury bug gets lost on its way to Long Island. Some wins at home and a few less losing
streaks would help as well.
