Isles Notes For 6/11

Per the New York Islanders, Forward Johan Sundstrom has agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with the club.

“Sundstrom, 19, scored 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 49 games during his second season with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League. A native of Gothenburg, SWE, Sundstrom also represented his country at the 2012 World Junior Championships, recording five points (one goal, four assists) with a plus-5 rating in six games to help Sweden capture a gold medal.”

Sundstrom was the Islanders second round selection, 50^th overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft.  He has had strong appearances throughout his play in camp and the blue and white scrimmage.  Sundstrom is an impressive part of the rebuild for New York and should make an impact in Bridgeport this season.

Per Michael Fornabaio, “former Sound Tiger, Orange resident Steve Valiquette signs with Djurgarden in Sweden.”  Valiquette spent time with the Oilers and Rangers after his time with the Islanders organization.

NHL Notes:

Per Chris Botta, “Some NY notes of interest regarding TV ratings for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final: The 2.6/5 overnight is highest for 2012 Cup Final on NBC, but down from Game 5s for 2011 (3.2) and 2010 (4.0). However, it tied 2009 (Det-Pit). The game also beat Fox’s national telecast of Yankees-Mets (2.4). New York did a 4.8, the fourth-best on record in New York market on broadcast for a Game 5 (since 1976). The 8.8 for the L.A. market was the best for a Game 5 broadcast in that market on record since 1976.”  I have to credit NBC sports Network for doing a great job with the playoffs as a whole.  From promotion to coverage, they have really been a great vehicle to showcase the NHL, even if there were a little more cheapshots than I would have liked.

Pierre LeBrun mentions that, “if Kings win tonight. they'll be first team to raise the Cup at home since SoCal pals Anaheim in 2007...If Devils win, hold on to your seats.”

Brent Thompson Voted On The Island

Per Andy Strickland, the New York Islanders will promote Brent Thompson to an assistant coach with the club.  In 2011, his Bridgeport Sound Tigers finished with an impressive 41 and 26 for 1^st in the Northeast division, but were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Rangers top affiliate, Connecticut Whale.

Thompson would join Head Coach, Jack Capuano and Assistant Coach, Doug Weight behind the bench with the Islanders for the 2012-13 NHL campaign.  Thompson is well suited to coach younger players and has an expansive knowledge of players in the ECHL and AHL hockey leagues.  It will be interesting to see how he makes the transition to the NHL coaching ranks.  I like the move and it was probably the plan all along.

Isles Notes For 6/5

Arthur Staple reports that, “F Mikhail Grigorenko on LI today visiting with Isles.  Was 40-45-85 for Quebec of the QMJHL this season.”  Grigorenko suffers from the “Russian Stigma,” of a lazy longshot.  He also may be the sleeper of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.  He has huge upside, strong play making ability and dangerous hands.  His size and hockey sense make him an appealing pick, but not sure if I’d go there at the 4^th position.

Andy Strickland reported that, “The Florida Panthers will likely look to trade Jason Garrison's rights if unable to sign the promising D-man.”  Hmmm.  In 77 games, Garrison was 16 and 17 for 33pts last season.  That’s a 15 point increase from 2010-11 and a 25 point increase from his rookie campaign in 2009-10.  What would the Isles would have to give up?

Chris Botta reported that, “The lone Isles representative at last week's NHL Scouting Combine was the team's scout that covers the OHL and surrounding region, Tim MacLean. (I'm told only Dallas matched NYI with sparse representation). Besides making sure prospects completed the NYI's psych testing, MacLean reminded some of the players that their presence is requested on Long Island. NYI have begun in-person meetings on LI and elsewhere. Murray and Forsberg are among the kids at the top of the list for Snow/Wang visits.”  Islanders Management want to find guys that will fit into their system and their way of doing things.  That’s why they often do things that are, “out of the ordinary” in the NHL landscape.   Lets see what the draft will bring than, shall we?

Per Chris Botta, “The Isles will never say it publicly because this is CW's team, but Rick DiPietro will enter next season as the team's No. 3 goaltender. For the first time since DiPietro's injuries started four years ago, management has learned its lesson. Evgeni Nabokov is the No. 1, with Kevin Poulin (the favorite, with more experience and AHL success) and Anders Nilsson battling for the second spot. The NYI will keep 3. DiPietro's deal will not come off the cap.”  We all know Nabokov has the job to lose as the starter for Long Island, but Poulin will be there and waiting to prove what many fans think they all ready know.  That he is the real deal.  Poulin has shown flashes of brilliance with a string of consistant efforts and solid play.  Do not rule out Nilsson either.  Many scouts say he is better right now and has all the tools to be a projected numer one NHL goaltender.

The Islanders signed RW, Blair Riley to a 1 year, two way deal after a successful ATO campaign last season.  He went 7 and 4 for 11 points in a grinder role with the team.

On June 3^rd, the New York Islanders posted their “deal of the week.”  It was “Free shipping for any customer who lives more than 20 miles from the Coliseum Team Store Burn up that phone line!”  Anyone else think the Isles staying in Nassau County will happen?

John Tavares did not make the finals of the EA Sports cover vote.  Its Claude Giroux vs. Pekka Rinne for EA Sports NHL13.  B.D.Gallof reports, “Pekka Rinne vs Tavares for the NHL 13 cover was closest vote thus far. Less than 1% difference.”

NHL Playoff Notes:

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun notes, “3,705 games later after their entry into the NHL, Kings one win away.”

Eric Hornick mentions, “’42 Maple Leafs only team come back from 0-3 in Finals.”

Rob Simpson posted this yesterday,” Good morning Twitterers. Have a great day and enjoy what could be our last week of hockey for a while.”  Lets hope not.

Other Notes:

Per James Mirtle and the AHL, the “AHL announces CBS Sports Network will televise Games 3 through 7 of the Calder Cup finals in the U.S.”

U.S.A Hockey reported that the U.S. Inline Nat'l Team Falls to Finland, 5-4, in the quarterfinals of the Inline.

Per Dmitry Chesnokov, KHL President confirms the League will play two regular season games in Brooklyn next winter.  According to Medvedev, the short list of KHL teams to play in Brooklyn are: Dynamo, CSKA, Avangard, Salavat Yulaev.

Isles Notes For 5/28 and Remembering

Per New York Islanders, “Kirill Kabanov’s Shawinigan Cataractes won the Memorial Cup Sunday night, beating the London Knights 2-1 in overtime. The win gives Shawinigan its first ever Memorial Cup. The Cataractes won three elimination games in four days to take the championship.”  Kabanov went 1 and 4 for 5pts in 6 games, including a crucial assit in the second period of the championship clinching game. 

The New York Islanders have secured LW, John Persson to an entry level contract.  Persson was the Islanders 125^th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2011 entry draft.  He has gotten noticed for his solid play since then with his efforts on the Red Deer Rebels hockey club.  Persson also made the most of a brief ATO contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL last season going 4 and 4 for 8pts in 12 games for the Islanders top affiliate.

On this day in 1974 – The Islanders choose Clark Gillies in the 1st round and Bryan Trottier in the 2nd round of the NHL Draft.

Please do not forget …

Let us take time to remember what the last Monday in May really means.

Memorial Day is a day of mourning to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. As Americans, the significance of such a day needs to stay with us and be more than just a day off from work or a chance to attend a summer party. Please don’t forget, instead offer a time for contemplation to those who were lost to us. Remember them and what they did so the United States could remain free and vigilant.

KoC's 2012 Stanley Cup Finals Prediction

So the results are in for the Conference Finals…

Eastern Conference Playoffs, Round 3:

NJD in 6 vs NYR – Great battle, well fought, but credit NJ for getting it done.

Western Conference Playoffs, Round 3:

LAK in 5 vs PHX – LA dominated and Jonathan Quick was a machine.  Seemingly unstoppable.

Thoughts …..

This time, I managed a 1 for 2 on who would win and went 0 for 2 on the length of each series (by winner).

The Rangers and Devils series went as expected on the intensity scale at least.  Each team played well, dominated at times and had uncharacteristic lapses in discipline.  The Devils were big on scoring, but also felt the sting of goals against rise higher than any of the four teams competing in the conference finals.  It was something to watch Kovalchuk, Parise and Zajac dominate for a New Jersey team that looked like they were in rapid decline.  Although the Brodeur vs Lundqvist battle was a great to watch, how wild was the start to Chris Kreider’s playoff experience without playing at all in the regular season.  Kreider went 5 and 2 for 7 pts in 17 games and looked awesome doing it.  As much as I despise Dolan’s franchise, give the Rangers credit for showing heart by mounting coming backs throughout the playoffs.  Credit Tortorella and their vets for the character of the team.  The Devils played their game, but had trouble holding on to leads and asked a lot of Brodeur. In the end, the Devils were all over the Ranger net and got the win in O.T. 

Jonathan Quick was awesome.  He leads the NHL playoffs in 3 of 4 categories.  Quick has 12 wins with a .946Sv% and a 1.54 gaa.  The Kings brought scoring with a snarl to a good Phoenix team.  Their only offensive difficulty seems to be on the PP, but their PK is best in the playoffs at 91.2%.  Dustin Brown (7 and 9 for 16 pts/14 games.) leads the playoffs in plus/minus with a +13.  As a matter of fact, only 1 player on their roster is negative and that is Kyle Clifford at only –1.  And Anze Kopitar, he is a dominant weapon in the 2012 playoffs with 6 and 9 for 15 points in only 14 play off games played.  Dustin Penner proved to have a renaissance of sorts as well for LA with 10 points.  The Coyotes showed tons of heart but couldn’t right their game after falling behind.  What they may have done is put any rumors of the franchise leaving Phoenix to rest, take note on Long Island please.

What will happen in the Cup Finals?

The LA Kings will be crowned Stanley Cup Champions in 6 games vs the Devils.

I think the Kings are too well balanced and too strong in net to lose in 7 games vs New Jersey.  No disrespect to Brodeur, but unless the Devils play way over their heads or JQ has a meltdown, its all Kings.  LA is in control of their game, well rested and they know how to bring it.  I cant see an embattled New Jersey team going the distance and able to match intensity over another series after an emotional win vs their division rivals.

Whatever the result, it should be awesome! 

Game On!

Isles Notes for 5/24

The next round of EA NHL13 cover vote will be John Tavares vs. Pekka Rinne.  Show some love for #JT91 here.

Per NHL History Girl, On this date, 5/24 in 1980, Bobby Nystrom scored in OT to beat the Flyers and the Islanders won their first Stanley Cup.

Per Chris Botta, the Islanders are trying to complete their coaching staff at NHL/AHL levels before the draft, to have all in place for prospect camp on LI soon after.  

Per Tom Mascioli, “Kirill Kabanov is having his best game of the Memorial Cup tournament. 1g, 1a so far. He is flying out there, all over the puck.”

Kabanov’s Shawinigan squad defeats Edmonton 6-1 to advance to tomorrow night's semifinal vs. Saint John Sea Dogs. Rematch of last night's 4-1 loss.

Per Andrey Osadchenko, Kirill Kabanov just told me information about him going to Salavat of the KHL for next season is false. He stays put in NA.

NHL Playoff Notes:

Per Eric Hornick, NY market registered 6.47 rating for last night's Devils-Rangers, best rating for the market ever for NHL game on NBCSN.

Per the NHL, The LA Kings are just the second 8th seed to reach the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers also did it in 2006.

Per Ted Starkey, The NHL has never had two bottom 4 seeds play for the Stanley Cup in current format. Could get that this year with NJ win.

Per Chris Botta, like last year, Isles asst coach/GM advisor Doug Weight will be a guest analyst for NHL Network at Cup Final.

Chris Botta, Games 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 of Stanley Cup Final(s) will be on NBC. Games 3 and 4 on NBC Sports Network.

Isles Notes For 5/21

Per New York Islanders, this day in 1981 – The Islanders win their 2nd Stanley Cup defeating the Minnesota North Stars 4 games to 1. Butch Goring wins the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Kirill Kabanov picked up 2 assists in Shawinigan's 6-2 Memorial Cup win last night to even the series at 1-1.

Tom Mascioli adds, “Kabanov not getting any powerplay time for Shawinigan. Don't get that strategy by the Cataractes.”

Going to the 2012 New York Islanders Draft Party?  Have a chance to meet Meet #JT91 @MMoulson @MattyMarts17 @Strome18 @KevinPoulin60 @thelnino25 & @zeeker11 .

Vote for John Tavares and keep him in the hunt to make the cover of EA Sports NHL13! 

NHL Notes:

All three of Mike Smith's post season shutouts have come away from Phoenix.

IIHFWC Notes:

Russia wins the gold, Slovakia gets Silver and the Czech’s win Bronze.