KoC: 2016 Islanders Playoff Preview

Your New York Islanders finished the season with a huge 4-1 win against the Rangers and a pair of loses, 4-3 (OT) to the Sabres and 5-2 to the Flyers.  The Ranger game was at MSG and saw the Isles sweep the Rangers on the season for the first time in franchise history.  Greiss, Prince and Cizikas were named the games’ 3 stars.  Greiss was solid with 36 saves and a .976Sv%.  The Isles home loss in OT to Buffalo saw Scott Mayfield and Alan Quine (3rd star) net their 1st NHL goals, two prospects that have impressed me for quite some time.  The final game of the regular season took place in Brooklyn against Philadelphia without John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, Casey Cizikas, Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk and Thomas Greiss (7 of 9) only played the first period.  Calvin de Haan was named 3rd star of the game.

Head Coach Jack Capuano insisted that the roster decisions were not based on the upcoming playoff scenario, despite the team playing their 5th game in 7 nights.  "We have to do what's best for us," Capuano said. "Nothing would have changed with our hockey club. We have some guys that are dinged up, and we have to do what's best for our team. That wouldn't have changed one thought process of our decision making as a staff. Not at all." A win could have put the Isles ahead of the Rangers for 3^rd in the metro and had them finish 4th in the east to face the Penguins, but the loss cemented the Isles 1st round match-up against the Florida Panthers in the playoffs.  The Isles finished 5^th in the east in the 1^st wild card spot with a 100 pt, 45-27-10 record, going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.  It’s the 2^nd 100+ point season in 2 years for New York.

Anders Lee (4/7) suffered a fractured leg after being hit with a Johnny Boychuk shot in the Rangers game and will be out indefinitely.  April saw the Isles recall G, Christopher Gibson, D, Scott Mayfield, D, Adam Pelech, F, Alan Quine, F, Bracken Kearns and F, Ross Johnston to relieve some of their injury woes in the final few games. Perhaps they will also have a future into the playoffs.  Quine, Kearns and Johnston will go back to the BST for practice this week who need 2 points to clinch an AHL playoff spot.

The injury report looks like this: 3/9 Jaroslav Halak (Groin-Mid April), 3/17 Mikhail Grabovski (concussion symptoms), 3/31 Travis Hamonic (Knee-DtD), 4/4 JF Berube (LBI-DtD), 4/5 Brian Strait (UBI-DtD).  Several other players have been out more recently for short periods and include Matt Martin (UBI), Cal Clutterbuck (Undisclosed), Calvin de Haan (Undisclosed), Casey Cizikas (UBI) and Marek Zidlicky (UBI).  What the injury scenario will mean for this year’s playoffs remains to be seen.  The loss of Travis Hamonic in last season’s playoffs was probably the difference in the series against Washington, but New York needs to focus on the task at hand.  Beating the Florida Panthers with the roster of players’ available going into the 1^st round.

After someone in the organization made a statement that the Florida Panthers “preferred” to play the Islanders over the Rangers, Panthers GM Dale Tallon took exception to Islanders “tanking” against Philly to avoid playing Penguins when they rested some of their top players for game 82. ““Talk is cheap. Action speaks louder than words,’’ Tallon said on the Islanders pulling Greiss after the 1^st period of the game.  Former Islander, Roberto Luongo responded as well, “It doesn't really matter what they did or who they want to play, everybody knows once the puck drops it's going to be a battle and that's the way the playoffs are.''  Should be a good one.

Florida boasts an older, but always dangerous Jaromir Jagr and a tandem of former Islanders goaltenders with Roberto Luong and Al Montoya.  They have a 2-1-0 regular season series edge with a better GPG (11^th/2.78) and GAA (12^th/2.54) on New York.  The Panthers also have a host of promising young players.  Just a few guys named Barkov, Huberdeau, Ekblad, Bjugstad & Trocheck. A solid mix and a dangerous team that cannot be looked past by anyone.  It was hardly an accident that they did so well this year, but it’s important to note that when Jagr scores, Florida wins (31-10-6) but if the 44 year old is occupied by the Isles grit, the Isles could wear him down over a long series.  Much the same for New York, John Tavares has to continue his NHL 1^st star of the week (4 & 5 for 9 pts in 5 games) and lead his team to the coveted second round of the playoffs for the Isles to feel good about the improvements that they have made.  Secondary scoring will need to be there in a depleted line up to give the Isles and a double teamed JT a chance to win.

Islanders goaltending will also be a huge factor.  Thomas Greiss (23-11-4, .935Sv% & 2.36 gaa) has been all his team could ask for, but is riding a career high 41 games in a season and will have to be the work horse in the post season.  Travis Hamonic is questionable at best and If Jaroslav Halak is well enough to play, it will be a huge boost for depth in net.  Berube and Gibson have a combined 8 games experience this season as NHL net minders.

The Islanders will have their work cut out for them against a very dangerous Florida team, but don’t sell them short.  You can be sure that they won’t stop working and have several weapons the Panthers better hope they can contain.  Especially if New York’s special teams get going, as they have the edge with the 13^th ranked PP and 2^nd ranked PK units.  How will their key injuries affect them over the course of a series?

Isles playoff schedule vs the Florida Panthers:

G1: THURSDAY, APRIL 14th – ISLANDERS AT FLORIDA 8:00PM.

G2: FRIDAY, APRIL 15th – ISLANDERS AT FLORIDA 7:30PM. 

G3: SUNDAY, APRIL 17th – FLORIDA AT ISLANDERS 8:00PM.

G4: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20th – FLORIDA AT ISLANDERS 8:00PM.

G5: IF NEC: FRIDAY, APRIL 22ND – AT FLORIDA Time TBD.

G6: IF NEC: SUNDAY, APRIL 24TH – AT ISLANDERS Time TBD.

G7: IF NEC: TUESDAY, APRIL 26TH – AT FLORIDA Time TBD.

Prediction:  Islanders in 7.

Isles Notes:

Erick Hornick, “Neither the Isles nor the Florida Panthers have won a playoff series in two decades, but that will change over the next two weeks as the teams meet in the playoffs for the first time. The Isles last won a playoff series in 1993, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Patrick Division Final. Among the Penguins on that team: Jaromir Jagr.   Florida has won three playoff series in their history, all in 1996, when they advanced to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Colorado.”

The Islanders and Barclays Center have an opt-out clause, but no plans to use it, sources say.

Sound Tigers Notes:

Scott Mayfield has been returned on loan to Bridgeport.

The BST have signed Tanner Fritz to an AHL contract through the 2016-17 season

Refocused Islanders Are Locked In

On Saturday, your New York Islanders had their biggest game of the season so far to that point - home against possible playoff opponent, Pittsburgh.  The stars were seemingly aligned for a strong effort from an Isles team that had been doing mostly good things of late.  Unfortunately, New York came out completely in a funk, giving up a SHG and 2 PP goals enroute to a 5-0 blowout by a surging Pens team in front of their backup goaltender.

Head coach Jack Capuano wasn’t pleased.  "I think that certain guys feel that other guys can pick it up. I don’t think our secondary guys are doing anything to help us win." He specifically called out Josh Bailey, Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson for not doing enough for their team.  Captain, John Tavares had a closed door, team only meeting and probably let the guys know things needed to change.

On Monday, the Islanders followed up with an impressive 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Tavares led the way with 3 points and the rest of the team showed up and skated well to score 3 unanswered goals for New York.  John Tavares, Ryan Pulock and Brock Nelson were awarded the 3 stars of the game.  Unfortunately, the Isles saw Calvin de Haan injured after blocking a shot in the first period, adding to the Isles defensive zone injury woes that include Jaro Halak and Travis Hamonic.

Last night, the Isles drew the NHL leading Washington Capitals and top keeper, Brayden Holtby, who was pushing for an NHL wins record in a season for a goaltender.  To make things even more interesting, Scott Mayfield and goaltender Christopher Gibson (19-11-6 in 42 games for BST) joined the Islanders with Ryan Pulock to offer some back up depth from Bridgeport for what would be his first NHL start.  How’s that for pressure? The fact that Capuano was giving Gibson the start in a game in which New York could clinch a playoff spot didn’t sit well with some fans.  But the team almost never plays a goalie on consecutive nights and Thomas Greiss was probably in Capuano’s plan against the Rangers for Thursday.  Cal Clutterbuck didn’t dress, Eric Boulton did, and Brian Strait (upper-body) was injured in the game, adding even more to the list of Isles injuries.  I think the Isles organization should seriously reevaluate their training program in the off season. I know injuries just happen, but you can’t have guys dropping out like this late in year.

The Islanders came out hard and despite falling behind 3-1 early in the second period, managed to score 2 unanswered goals and the game winner (Hickey) in overtime to shock the Capitals at the Verizon Center for a 4-3 win and a playoff berth.  John Tavares (1 & 2 for 3 pts in the game) traded goals with Ovechkin in the first two periods and Okposo and Lee rallied to tie the game after another Ovechkin and Oshie goal for the 2 goal Caps lead in the third.  Another scary moment occurred when Matt Martin, who has been playing at a higher level lately, skated to the bench with his arm hanging at his side.

In overtime after taking a skate to the face minutes before on the Okposo goal, Thomas Hickey took a perfectly placed feed from John Tavares off a Ryan Strome rebound and sealed the win for the Islanders by beating Holtby high on the glove side.  Hickey now has 13 career goals, 3 of which are O.T. winners.  He is another special player, who was acquired by Snow with a competitive drive consistent with quite a few guys on the roster.  Christopher Gibson (4th Isles goalie to win a game this season) went 29 of 30 with a .906 Sv% in the game and made a few amazing saves in his NHL debut, including a stunner against Kuznetsov in O.T.  What was especially impressive was the young net minder managed to keep his focus after his team went down two goals in a 5 minute span of the second.  Gibson had this to say on the night’s game, "I don't have any words. I'm still on a high from that game...I believed in our team and I knew we were going to come back."

Credit Capuano for calling out the players he did and seemingly having a good read on his team.  I disagreed with blaming some secondary players, but the coach made the right move.  And in a season many have called a struggle, John Tavares has quietly shown he is an elite player once again and has really led his team when the season was on the line to help them reach the playoffs.  The next few weeks should be an exciting time for the team and the fans.

The Islanders are 2 points behind the third place Rangers who they will face on Thursday.  It should be one of the more significant Isles-Ranger games we will get the privilege to see in quite some time.  Keep in mind the Isles lead the season series 3-0 and should ride an emotional wave into MSG to face their rivals.  They are 6 points ahead of the Flyers and could even finish in 2nd place with three games to play.

Isles Notes:

The postseason begins on Wednesday, April 13th.  The Isles clinched a playoff spot for the second straight season and the third time in four seasons.

John Tavares scored to reach the 30-goal mark for 3rd time in his NHL career (also 2014-15, 2011-12).

Adam Pelech has been sent to the BST for conditioning.  This should get him ready for the Islanders in case he is called upon for defensive depth in the playoffs.

My dog Hades made the Isles website on National Puppy Day, coming in at #11.

Sound Tigers Notes:

The BST have recalled Parker Milner from the Missouri Mavericks.

Isles Moving Forward Without Hammer

Your New York Islanders have gone 4-1 since the dismal loss against the Flyers.  And although they have had some very tight wins, they have managed to get by with hard work and trusting in each other.  They have been able to handle changes in momentum and recover in games that they let get away from them. In their latest win, the Islanders beat the Blue Jackets 4-3, ensuring New York’s sweep of Columbus on the season.  

Captain, John Tavares had his 3^rd multi-goal game and scored his 28^th and 29^th of the season, Anders Lee has been scoring in bunches, especially on the PP where he leads the team with 8.  Thomas Hickey and Calvin de Haan have been making valuable contributions defensively.  Thomas Greiss has been steady, especially in the team’s comeback efforts and his 21 wins on the season (21-11-4) are a prime example with an impressive 2.38gaa & .924Sv%.

Travis Hamonic left the game against Columbus after a knee-on-knee hit by Scott Hartnell and Jack Capuano confirmed he would miss the rest of the regular season as a result.  No doubt, this news is causing Isles fans to have a collective shutter. Last season, Hamonic was injured with two games to go and many believe that his absence was probably the main reason New York fell in 7 games to the Capitals. 

Hamonic has 21 points (5 & 16) in 72 games this season and is always a big reason for the Islanders successes on defense.  The Isles are 24-6-6 when Hammer leads in ice time.  He is skating with the team and I would assume the team expects to make the post season even without Hamonic and they want him fully rested for the playoffs.  

The Islanders magic number is now 5 against Detroit and 6 vs Boston to clinch a playoff spot and it isn’t unreasonable to think they could finish 3^rd in the eastern conference.  Even a 2^nd place finish is possible if they were to win their final 6 games of the season.  They have 4 of their last 6 games at home and are 9-1-1 in their last 11 games at the Barclays Center.  Do they have the stuff to finish the push to a playoff spot?

I say yes.  They should finish 3rd in the eastern conference.

Isles Notes:

Adam Pelech began practicing with the team on 3/28.

Islanders Sign Schempp To Entry-Level Contract.

Per Arthur Staple on Twitter, “I don't think Halak will play another game for the Isles.”

Per Randi Marshal, “My first take on today's hard hat tour of the Coliseum the #isles loomed large.”

Per Jim Baumbach, “NHL commish Gary Bettman on 6 NYI games in Nassau-"If anyone is suggesting it's a done deal, they're not aware of all the factors involved."

Are Those Who Wander Lost?

It's hard to watch our New York Islanders flounder at the worst possible time of the season with incomplete efforts in the final games. The excuses are running out and so is the time to correct their mistakes.  They have allowed the 1st goal and only scored 8 goals in their last 6 games.  And the awkward loses aren’t even gathering loser points or helping the Isles keep pace.  The things they are doing well haven’t been enough to compensate for their MIA offensive production.  Even Boychuk and Leddy have failed to score recently.  To make it worse, the surging Rangers, Penguins & Flyers are threatening the Isles fading playoff chances.  You would assume it a necessity to take the next step and salvage the season for Garth Snow and Jack Capuano before the new ownership takes majority control next year.  They remain in the 7th spot (38-24-9 with 85pts) for the eastern conference with a dicey 4-4-2 record over their last 10 games.

The Isles are 1 in 6 since Jaroslav Halak went down.  That is not a discredit to Thomas Greiss who has played very well all season long and has kept his team in many close games. In my opinion, it’s simply what seems to be a component of more inconsistency, injuries and odd lineup changes that are seemingly too much for Coach Capuano and the Isles to compensate for. Even a resurgent Mikhail Grabovski is back on the IR again after possibly being rushed back into the line up to try and regain some sort of offensive spark.  Matt Larkin chimed in on the season’s shortcomings from some of the Isles younger players, “Anders Lee and Ryan Strome have COMBINED for 20 goals. Who knew? Did lack of off-season signings breed complacency instead of confidence?”

Captain John Tavares is aging on the vine much like the Rangers Henrik Lundqvist and if team mediocrity keeps the Isles from taking the next step, JT may look elsewhere when he becomes a free agent for the 2018-19 season.  Tavares has looked as out of sync this season and wasn’t much better than many of his team mates in the recent loss to Philadelphia on Monday.  It marked the 3rd consecutive loss for New York.  Three for the first time in 3 months and the first time the team has been winless in 4 since March of 2015.  The Islanders need to execute their game plan and play much harder than they have been in recent games.  I don’t know if a stop gap solution exists on the current roster, in Bridgeport or is even possible for the season.  But there is confidence in the Isles locker room.  The players believe in each other.  Travis Hamonic, “Last years was last year. This is this season and we've played some really good hockey. We're confident in our group."

My opinion on the coach is well known, but it eventually needs to fall on their Captain.  John Tavares is an elite player, but has struggled in keeping the team sharp on the ice.  Tavares isn’t happy with the team’s efforts, "It's not like we aren't trying. I think we just have to execute better.”  Accountability.  The Isles have 7 of their next 11 games are home where they are 21-9-4.  They are 1-4-2 in their last 7 games and on a dangerous pace to drop out of the playoff picture if some changes aren’t made.  Erick Hornick points out that the Isles also need to finish ahead of Philadelphia, Detroit, the Rangers or Pittsburgh in order to clinch a playoff berth.  Their games at hand have fallen to 1 against the Pens and 2 against the New York Rangers.  Their 4-1 (Okposo) loss to the Flyers put both teams at 71 GP and was a 4 point gain of sorts for Philadelphia with the win.  The loss even snapped a 6-0-1 home point streak.  Things are not well in Isles country at the moment.

The Islanders have games remaining against the Penguins, Rangers and the snowed out make-up game against the Flyers on the final day of their season which could end up being a much larger 2 points than first anticipated.  Or, may not matter at all.  Their magic number is at 19 to clinch a spot while falling behind Pittsburgh by 3 and now only 3 ahead of Philadelphia.  They still hold their own leash, but are we sure how long that will last?  When will roster decisions like playing the erratic Brian Strait over and over again hold Capuano accountable for the questionable coaching decisions?  Will not acquiring a top forward to play with J.T. cost Snow more than just frustration into a vital summer for the Isles organization?  All is not lost just yet.

The Isles will look to play the next biggest game of the season against the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night at home before traveling to Tampa Bay and Carolina on Friday and Saturday.

Isles Notes:

Per Eric Hornick, “Tavares, the only 2009 draftee to score 200 goals, 250 assists and 450 points, is also the first to play 500 games.”

Ryan Pulock scored his 1st NHL goal against the Nashville Predators.

Josh Ho-Sang has 82 points in 66 games with Niagara of the OHL.

Grit, Guts & Promise

Your New York Islanders (38-21-9) currently sit 2nd in the Metro and 3rd in the eastern conference, thanks to a 6-2-2 record in their last 10.  They have 85 pts in 68 games.  The latest stretch included a solid 6-4 effort against the Rangers and gutsy wins against Pittsburgh (2-1) & Florida (3-2).  There were a few stinkers, like a terrible 3-1 loss to the Oilers.

While they have had some lackluster periods, like the most recent game against Pittsburgh, points have been acquired.  Much of these efforts have overcome a troubled PK or an on and off again scoring touch.  These performances are not only built on the backs of guys named Tavares, Okposo, Nielsen or even Halak, they have come from those who continue to make an impression and carve a name for themselves in Brooklyn.  When looking at this year’s team, you have to acknowledge the contributions of the 4th line and the depth in goal.

The line of Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck have gotten the attention of everyone in and around the league, putting opponents on notice.  Since the 14-15 campaign, the trio of Matt Martin (7 & 9 for 16, +1 and leads NHL in hits with 323), Casey Cizikas (7 & 19 for 26 with a +4) and Cal Clutterbuck (13 & 7 for 20, +8 with 4 GWG) have made a huge impact.  Both Martin and Clutterbuck are NHL record holders for 300 hit seasons.  The 4th line has changed the pace in contests for quite a while now and is often tasked with managing the opposition’s top players during the most important parts of the game.  They have brought a gritty and physical game without the stigma of playing dirty.  "If the other team is starting to get any momentum," said Cizikas, "that's when we look at each other and say, ‘This is our time to step up, this is our time to get the guys going and get the momentum on our side.”

Jaro Halak (18-13-4 with a 2.30gaa and a .919Sv%) suffered a “lower body injury” and does not need surgery, but he will miss 6-8 weeks. That will take him out for the rest of the regular season and into the 2nd round of the playoffs should the Isles advance.  That is a big loss for New York who will miss their starters’ presence in the rotation.  What that will mean for the Isles remains to be seen.  I do know is that the Isles have one of the best “back-ups” in the NHL with Greiss and a 3rd rostered goaltender in Berube who has shown flashes of a solid NHL level keeper despite limited NHL experience.

Thomas Greiss has shown something all season long, going 19-7-0 with an impressive 2.25gaa (9th in the league) and an equally solid .928Sv% good enough for 2nd in the NHL behind Brian Elliott at a .929Sv%. He hasn't exactly played a backups’ role for the Isles this season and is as good as the team could have wanted.  He has never been the starter in a scenario like the one in front of him.  With Halak hurt and an AHL experienced goaltender behind him, Greiss should probably get the lion’s share of starts and be relied on as the one to take this team to the next level.  If the Islanders are successful into the 2nd round of the playoffs, it will be a tall order for Halak to replace him even if he is fully recovered from his injury.  Thomas Greiss has the reigns and Isles country is eager to see what he can do.  I am sure he has waited for this chance his whole pro career.

J.F. Berube's burden is yet to be measured and he will only show his true worth as the team fights to solidify their playoff position.  He simply needs to play to improve. That's the reality.  Berube is 1-1-1 with a 2.52gaa & a .924Sv%.  He looked very good in a 2/2 win vs the Wild and very capable in the Isles latest 2-1 S.O. loss to the Pens in which he was named the games’ 2nd star.  “I just tried to play as simple as I could, put my body in front of the puck, be square and be on top of the paint,” Berube said. “Just trying to focus on the little details and I knew I’d get my rhythm as the game went on.”  Berube looked focused and dialed in on the puck despite the loss and kept his team in the game.  That’s all you can ask from a netminder.  His inexperience will factor in, especially in the bigger games to follow, but you have to be encouraged by what you have seen so far.

No passengers.

Isles Notes:

The Isles are in Nashville on Thursday, 3/17 and Dallas on 3/19.  Both 8PM starts.

Brock Nelson had played 202 consecutive regular season games for the Isles prior to his scratch against the Pens on Tuesday.

Per @GregBalloch, “Ilya Sorokin had a .953 save percentage in 28 games this season, and did not win "KHL Goaltender of the Week" a single time.”

Head Coach, Jack Capuano had reached 203 wins as an Isles coach, 2nd only to Al Arbour with 740.

NHL Notes:

NHL, NHLPA expected to go ahead with ‘streamlined’ goaltender equipment.

GMs were given framework for possible expansion draft.

Trading Places: Shane Prince Acquired

As the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline fizzled out, your New York Islanders made a pair of moves that went under the radar to most NHL fans.  It wasn’t Mikkel Boedker as the rumors would lead you to believe or even former Isle, PA Parenteau, for whom Toronto wanted a 2nd round pick.  They did acquire Shane Prince and a 7^th round pick from the Ottawa Senators for the Isles 3^rd round selection in 2016.

The 23 year old forward has 12 points (3 & 9) on the season so far in 42 NHL games.  “In 2014-15, he led the Binghamton Senators in scoring with 65 points (28 goals, 37 assists) in 72 American Hockey League games.”  The native New Yorker from Rochester and former 2^nd round selection (61^st overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, saw top minutes in his AHL career, totaling 148 points (67 & 81) in 206 games and had a successful junior career with the Ottawa 67’s and Kitchener Rangers.

‏@ShanePrince18  made his feelings known on Twitter: “Beyond excited to be a member of the @NYIslanders !! Thanks to Ottawa for everything the last few years.”  Prince may realize that he is on a team that just might have a plan that differs from the underuse he went through with the Sens.  He will wear #11 for the Islanders and should see action against the Vancouver Canucks tonight.  The team is in 3^rd place within the Metro with a 33-20-7 record with 73 pts good for 7^th in the eastern conference.

They also made a minor-league move by trading, F Taylor Beck to COL for F Marc-Andre Cliche.  Cliche was drafted by the New York Rangers, 56^th overall in the 2^nd round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  He has 6 & 13 for 19 points in 38 games with the San Antonio Rampage.  He will wear #26 for the BST.

The trend of over payment at trade deadline and draft has always blown me away. While the Isles are a work in progress, they are certainly not desperate enough to panic and hemorrhage draft picks or assets for rental players with big names who don’t fit their scheme.  The trading of a player like Shane Prince has made the Ottawa fans and members of the blogosphere angry.  When you are a fan of the team that acquires said player, sit back and think on that.  It means the player may have more to offer than goals and assists.

The Isles are big into a player’s statistical numerical rating and many feel Prince is an underused and talented asset to add depth to the NHL level Islanders.  He wasn’t acquired with the intention to enhance the roster in Bridgeport.  B.D. Gallof wrote an informative piece on Prince and after reading it, you are helped to understand the move in a lot of detail.  After taking some time on the deal, I am reminded of the way Garth Snow does things.  Season after season, he shows a methodical persistence to his plan and the team has improved because of it.

Some fans are still angry that this is the Isles line up that the team will have the opportunity to take into the playoffs.  They watch as other teams trade for big name players and make attractive moves that they wanted their team to make.  I get it.  But I have learned that my fandom through the years doesn’t mean I know all the details or the real metrics of a trade.  For better or worse, we get to sit back and watch our talented team sink or swim and go into the first summer of new ownership.  Both Snow and Capuano are sure to be measured on not just their progression up until now, but how the season will finish.   I won’t tell you that I am confident that the team is sure to go far, but I am still looking forward to see what happens.  Call me a homer, but I am not ready to count them out in the first round.  The offense has its moments, the special teams are awesome, the defense is very good and the goaltending is as good as it’s been in a long time. Let’s see how the team goes into to the stretch.  I know there won’t be any shortage of fans ready to grab the pitch forks and torches on the way to Brooklyn.

Isles Notes:

Pulock on playing his first NHL game with the NYI (vs Oilers): "It's a dream as a kid to one day play in the NHL. Today's the day and it's exciting."

Pulock was sent down to the BST as a paper move to be sure he is eligible for the AHL playoffs, but has since been “recalled” by New York.

Thomas Greiss leads the NHL with a .930 Sv%.

KoC: 2016 Isles Trade Deadline Preview

Your New York Islanders are 6-3-1 in their last ten and had some big games, including a 4-1 win against Detroit and a 1-0 win on the road in New Jersey.  But right now, they are on a 6 game road trip that starts in Minnesota tomorrow and ends in Manhattan against their arch rivals on March 3rd.  The Isles sit in Metro’s 3rd spot behind the Rangers by 5 points and their conference standings battle won’t get any easier with the playoffs looming.

With the NHL trade deadline closing in (2/29 at 3 p.m. eastern) and an uncertain salary cap for the 2016-17 season, GM’s should be even more guarded on player trades.  That doesn’t mean teams out of contention or those wanting to shed salary, wouldn’t consider moving a commodity if the price is right.  Especially those who deal in the Canadian dollar.  While they could be sellers to a point, your New York Islanders are in the hunt and will most likely ride out the deadline by keeping Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsend and Travis Hamonic on the roster and take their chances on resigning them in the summer or entertaining trades prior to free agency.  Snow won’t be likely to do much right now and isn’t likely to give up anything substantial unless the right deal could come around with similar returns.  They even let former D FA target, Christian Ehrhoff clear waivers instead of putting in a claim that would have only cost them the remainder of his $1.5M salary.

If a trade is done by the NYI, it would be for an upgrade that fits their plan.  Garth Snow isn’t the kind of GM that goes for a right now, big splash kind of acquisition.  While an aging, pending free agent to be could be a possibility, they would need to fit the scheme and be valuable enough for the Isles to give up only expendable assets.  Secondary prospects would be a more likely commodity, but their return probably won’t bring back a significant haul unless packaged with a few more pieces. And the Isles 1st round draft pick would be available, but only for a can’t-say-no deal in my opinion.

Sure, I’d like to grab P.K. Subban from MTL or guys like Nail Yakapov, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or a Jordan Eberle from the Oil, but their prices will probably be more than the Isles would give up at the deadline.  But I do have a short list of five good players that I could see in the lineup for the Islanders for the right deal.  While these guys are good and valuable players, I wouldn’t say all of them would exactly break the bank, but I would say they are good at particular areas of the game. 

1.  Andrew Ladd, WPG, LW, 6’3, 200#, 30 yrs old

As the current captain of the Winnipeg Jets, Ladd is the kind of player of may help the Isles take that final step in the forward position.  Ladd is deceptively efficient around the net with 40 goals and 95 points in 139 games over the last 2 seasons. Ladd fits the Isles character profile and can boast a 2 time Stanley Cup resume and provide grit, special teams and be rotated throughout the lineup.

2.  Scott Hartnell, CBJ, LW, 6’2, 214#, 33 yrs old

Hartnell is the kind of player you hate unless he is on your team. You might also say with guys like Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck, the Isles don’t need to trade for a player like him.  But he is a gritty player who makes goaltenders miserable with his play in front of the net and is defensively skilled enough to fill in on the PK.  He would add even more depth to a talented Isles squad.  Hartnell has 37 pts (18 & 19) in 57 GP so far this season.

3.  Jiri Hudler, CGY, C, 5’10,183#, 32 yrs old

Jiri Hudler is a small center, a player you can argue that the Isles do not need.  But keep in mind Hudler is a season removed from 76 points in 78 GP and boasts a lot of offensive skill.  He has 33 points in 51 games could add versatility to a talented forward group in Brooklyn.

4.  Brent Seabrook CHI, D, 6’3, 220#, 30 yrs old.

Seabrook is good enough to be a core player, but he is also playing a team with limited cap room and a very deep blue line.  Much like Leddy, Seabrook could possibly be pried loose for less than you might think and would immensely help the Islanders on defense and offensively contribute (37 pts so far) from the back end.  This would be especially true after the departure of Hamonic if he could be financially retained.  He is a steady and reliable defensemen who has a flair for the big goal.

5.  Mark Giordano, CGY, D, 198#, 32 yrs old

With 37 points on the season so far, Giordano has been one of the most reliable blue liners in the NHL over the past few seasons.  Although he is coming off injury, Giordano is a good leader and solid skater and has strong PP and offensive ability.  After a slow start to the season, he has come on in a big way including a streak of 27 points in 27 games at the start of February.

While its more likely that the Islanders hold fast and watch other teams make noise at the deadline, it is possible Snow decides to add a piece or two in Brooklyn.  Sometimes, the right player can make a good team even better and the NYI are starting to come down to the most crucial part of the 2015-16 campaign.  Do the Islanders have a roster Snow and Capuano will choose to ride into the era of the Islanders new majority ownership?

Time will tell.

Isles Notes:

Ryan Pulock has been recalled from loan (Bridgeport).

Hockey Notes:

The KHL is expanding to China.