Vacation in July

Vacation

I am somewhat sorry to say I will be on vacation from Friday, 7/1 until Sunday, 7/10.  Well, sorry that it’s the same time as the free agency period but thrilled about vacation.  I will be checking in from time to time, but will not have Internet access unless I get lucky.

I will check back in as soon as I can.  In the meantime, lets go Islanders.

Joe

Christian Ehrhoff, Round 2 and Free Agency

Update:  Christian Ehrhoff signs with the Buffalo Sabres.  Wow.

@TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie

Now confirmed: Ehrhoff's deal with BUF is 10 years, $40 million, broken down as follows:

Year 1: $8M signing bonus, $2M salary; Year 2: $5M SB, $3M sal. That's $18M in 1st 2 yrs, or $15M before puck drops on 12-13 season.

Year 3: $4M; Year 4: $4M, Year 5: $4M; Year 6: $4M; Year 7: $3M; Year 8; $1M; Year 9: $1M, Year 10: $1M. Modified NTC. Cap hit=$4M/yr. #tsn

The New York Islanders had acquired the rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff for a 2012, 4^th round pick and re-traded them to the Buffalo Sabres today for a 4^th round pick.

Katie Strang of Newsday reports that “the Islanders offered CE significantly more (in $ and term) than Vancouver reportedly offered (5-yr, $23 M) and set a 5 pm deadline; he declined.”  After the Vancouver Canucks defensemen rejected the Canucks initial deal and the Islanders offer, reported to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 million per season, Garth Snow acted quickly.  Snow turned the remaining negotiating rights over to the Sabres, getting compensation of possibly equal value in return in the form of their 4^th round, 2012 selection.  The move was an attempt to get a top rated Defensemen signed before he became an unrestricted UFA on July 1^st.

The great Peter Botte, author of “Fishsticks, the fall and rise of the New York Islanders,” makes a good point.  “Isles currently are at $36.6m in cap payroll, nearly $12m under cap floor. That's today's definition of Imperative.”  Despite several of the top players already off the market, it still leaves the Islanders in a good spot.  They have options to make offers or trades for top players who they think fit the mold in this young, up and coming eastern team.  Or, if there arent any bites, reel it in and continue to develop their young talent.  During this time, they could continue to watch for waiver pick ups of propose a trade or two.

I look forward to the ride over the next few days and continue to gain respect for Snow.  He has demonstrated, especially lately that he is in touch with how to build a modern hockey team in today’s NHL.  Bring on July 1^st.

Also, be sure to read Chris Botta’s take on why Erhoff’s rejection might be a good thing.  http://tinyurl.com/435f8wu

Update:  Dwayne Roloson signed a one-year, $3 million contract Wednesday to stay in Tampa Bay, according to various reports. Roloson would have been an unrestricted free agent Friday.

Islanders aquire rights to Christian Ehrhoff

Update:  @KatieStrangNYI Katie Strang - Talks broke down between #Isles and Christian Ehrhoff; email sent out from #Isles end to other teams.

The New York Islanders acquired the rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff for a 2012 4^th round pick. 

The Vancouver Canucks defensemen had 14 and 36 for 50 points with a +14 rating last season.  In 23 playoff games, Ehrhoff was 2 and 10 for 12 points.  Ehrhoff totaled 28 and 66 for 94 points in 159 games with Vancouver.  The 6’2, 203 pound defenseman was a San Jose Shark’s fourth round draft pick and was chosen 106^th overall and scored 132 points.  Erhoff has represented his native Germany in the past two winter Olympic contests. 

Garth Snow is optimistic that he could hear from Ehrhoff's camp as early as today on his decision to play for Long Island.  Michael Grabner has tweeted the following, @grabs40 Michael Grabner - "For all the people asking- I already talked to Ehrhoff. told him its great on long island,tried my best...rest is up to him people."  Give Garth Snow credit for a great effort here, regardless of the outcome.

Soundtigers get their new Head Coach

The New York Islanders named Brent Thompson Head Coach of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Thompson coached the Alaska Aces in the ECHL for two seasons.  He led the Aces to a league-best 47-22-0-3 record, good enough to win a second Kelly Cup in the history of the team and a John Brophy Award for ECHL Coach of the Year. 

My KoC 2011 Free Agency Wish List

UFA’s …

Update:  Brian Compton - NHL.com - Brooks Laich will not be on the market Friday. Signs 6-year, $27 million extension with Washington.

Brooks Laich - Washington Capitals  82 games 16 goals 32 assists 48 points +14   2,067,000 vs. last years cap

Having heard his name for most of the season as a good fit for the Isles from Brian Compton, I have seen why.  Brooks Laich has toughness, grit and is well respected by teammates.  His age range and character would make him an ideal fit for the Islanders, and will probably just get better from there.

Tyler Kennedy - Pittsburg Penguins  80 games  21 goals  24 assists  45 points  +1  725,000 vs. last years cap

I cant believe Pittsburg passed on a qualifying offer, but it could have something to do with an abundance of big names.  I would imagine talks to sign him will continue until deadline.  I would love the chance to see him play for New York.  Kennedy is most commonly known among the Pittsburg fan base for his high energy play, making big hits and going hard along the boards. scoring unlikely goals have also been a part of his skill set.  A great asset if not priced out of reach.

Joel Ward - Nashville Predators  80 games  10 goals  19 assists 29 points  -1   1.500.000 vs. last years cap

Talk about a great time for a UFA status, how about after a great season and the best post season of your career to get you noticed.  Chris Botta’s choice for a key Isles acquisition, Ward has a pro islander agent and had a famed roller hockey career on Long Island

Ville Leino - Philadelphia Flyers  81 games  19 goals  34 assists  53 points  +14  269,000 vs. last years cap

At 27 years old, Leino is due for a big raise.  He was money for the Flyers in their playoff runs with 7 and14 for 21 points in 19 playoff games. He has the character that management in looking for and the experience to share with some new teammates on Long Island, if the price is right.

Radim Vrbata - Phoenix Coyotes  79 games  19 goals  29 assists  48 points  +5  3,000,000 vs. last years cap

Vrbata has tremendous hands and hockey vision. He plays in a system well and often finds a way to initiate offensive chances. 

Unlikely RFA’s, but …

Steven Stamkos - TB Lightning  82 games  45 goals  46 assists  91 points  +3  3,725,000 vs. last years cap

How great would it be?  I know, unlikely, but Stamkos would make the Islanders an instant playoff team.

Shea Weber - Nashville Predators  82 games  16 goals  32 assists  48 points  +7  4,500,000 vs. last years cap

A tenacious leader who demands what he offers.  Weber’s grit and spirit would complement the Islanders and strengthen a toughening blue line in all the right ways.

2011 Qualifying Offers or not?

Update:  Per Katie Strang, Dustin Kohn was not given a QO by the Islanders as well.

The Islanders sent qualifying offers to 6 players on their roster, but not 7.  The rights to six of their restricted free agents: Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau, Jesse Joensuu , Micheal Haley, Dylan Reese and Ty Wishart will be retained.  The odd man out in this group is Jack Hillen.  Hillen was signed by the Islanders as an undrafted player out of Colorado College in time to play the last few games on the 2007-08 season vs. the Rangers where he recorded an assist. 

At times, Hillen has looked brilliant on the Islander blue line, but with healthy depth, the organization has to make difficult choices.  If an offer is not made to him by Monday, Hillen may find himself entering next weekend as an unrestricted free agent and playing elsewhere next season much like Bruno Gervais.  If that is the case, I wish him luck.

 

With this pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders select ...

1st round, 5^th overall: C  Ryan Strome

At 6-0, 177 pounds, Strome finished last season with 33 and 63 for 106, playing for the Niagara IceDogs, ranking him third in the Ontario Hockey League with an average 1.63 points per game. As written on the Islanders’ website He told Versus after being selected: "I love the colors and I think I'll fit in great there,'' Strome said. "I couldn't be happier right now,” and for good measure, as a real Long Islander, he added, “Vote yes on August 1st.”  He intends to make it a difficult choice for coaches at Islanders camp this fall.

2nd round, 34th overall: D Scott Mayfield

At 6-4, 200 pounds, Mayfield led all Youngstown defensemen in scoring with 7 and 9 for 16 points in 52. He will play at the University of Denver in the fall of 2011.  Playing two seasons in the USHL, Mayfield was a member of the U.S. gold medal winning team at the 2010 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge.  In addition, he was recognized as tournament MVP and made the first all-star team.  His game is that of a solid stay-at-home defenseman

2nd round, 50th overall: C Johan Sundstrom

At 6-2, 200 pounds, Sundstrom was a rookie last season with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League finishing with 1 and 0 for 1 point. He also played for his country at the 2011 Under-20 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, NY.  His style is that of a playmaking center.  A solid player for the 50^th pick.

3rd round, 63rd overall: D Andrei Pedan

At 6-4, 200 pounds, Pedan finished his rookie campaign in the Ontario Hockey League last season with 7 and 9 for 16pts in 52 games, adding eight assists in six games during the 2011 OHL Playoffs.  He is probably one of the best values taken at this seasons entry draft.  He plays a tough physical defensive style.

4th round, 94th overall: D Robbie Russo – 6-0, 190 pounds,

At 6-0, 190 pounds, Russo has played for the United States development team of the USHL for the past two seasons scoring 3 and 23 for 26 points in 58 games. Russo helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the 2010 World Under-17 Challenge. He is known for his vision and is considered a puck-moving defenseman

5th round, 125th overall: LW Johan Persson

At 6-2, 200 pounds, Persson led the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL with 33 goals and was ranked fourth on the team with 61 points during his second season. He also recorded 2 and 3 for 5 points in nine 2011 playoff games for Red Deer Persson is a pure goal scorer.  

5th round, 127th overall: D Brenden Kichton

At 5-10, 175 pounds, Kichton played for the Spokane Chiefs scoring an impressive 23 and 58 for 81 points in 64.  he finished  third on his team in scoring and first amongst defensemen. Kichton added and 10 for 11 points in 17 WHL playoff games.  He is a goal scoring defensemen with hockey smarts.
 
7th round, 184th overall: LW Mitchell Theoret

At 6,1, 210 pounds, Theoret, played for the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL.  He scored 11 and 17 for 28 points in 119 games.  It is speculated that his offensive numbers would have been much better if given more minutes.  A low risk project that the Islanders have had success building in their system.

 

Islanders’ note:  Bruno Gervais was traded to Tampa Bay for future considerations.  He may join former Islanders assistant coach Daniel Lacroix, Nate Thompson, Sean Bergenheim, Marc-André Bergeron and Dwane Roloson.  I wonder how he might do?  Good luck Bruno, but it looks like you landed on the right team.