Islanders Name Mitch Korn Director of Goaltending

One day after naming Piero Greco as their NHL goaltending coach, the New York Islanders announced that 28-year veteran, goalie guru, Mitch Korn will be the team’s Director of Goaltending.

Korn spent the last season as the Director of Goaltending (and goalie coach for 3 years prior) for the Stanley Cup winning Washington Capitals with Barry Trotz for the first time in the team’s franchise history. So, after two consecutive Presidents' Trophies from 2015-16 through 2016-17 and the previously mentioned Stanley Cup, Korn is coming to New York to join a new look management team and coaching staff to help address the Islanders unstable goal tending situation from last season. Under Korn, you would assume that the Isles goalie pipeline is bound to improve.

Per Release, “At the completion of the 2014-15 season, under Korn's coaching, Capitals' goalie Braden Holtby finished with the most saves (1,887), played the most games (73) and finished second in wins (41). The following season, Holtby tied Hall of Fame netminder, Martin Brodeur's NHL record of 48 victories and won the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the National Hockey League.”

Before his recent success with the Caps, Mitch Korn has a litany of success helping to mold some of the NHL’s top goaltenders. Pekka Rinne was named a Vezina finalist 2011 and 2012 when he was a part of the Nashville organization. Korn has worked with two-time Czech Olympian & 2010 World Champion and NHL All-Star, Tomas Vokoun. Prior to his 16 years with the Preds, Korn worked with Hall-of-Fame goaltender and two-time Hart Trophy-winner, Dominik Hasek. Per Release, “While working with Korn, Hasek captured four Vezina Trophies and led the NHL in save percentage five times. At the time, Sabres goaltending tandem of Hasek and Grant Fuhr captured the NHL's Jennings Trophy (lowest team goals-against average) during the 1994-95 season.”

Per Matt Larkin, “Perhaps most intriguing for Korn are the Islanders’ prospects in net. Ilya Sorokin, 22, is widely considered one of the best goaltenders not in the NHL and regularly posts video-game-caliber numbers with the Red Army. He’s still under contract in the KHL through 2019-20 but would have a perfect mentor upon coming to North America if Korn remains with the Islanders by then. Linus Soderstrom, 21, is expected to leave the Swedish League and join AHL Bridgeport this year, meaning Korn can get his hands on the Isles’ other top goaltending prospect right away.”

So what does that mean for the Islanders you ask? Well, as we are all well-aware, nothing is guaranteed. But having a Director of Goaltending like Mitch Korn, a promising goaltending coach like Piero Greco coming off a Calder Cup win and a strong, Stanley Cup winning, defensive head coach like Barry Trotz, the Isles have built a solid management core thanks to the network of Lou Lamoriello. One that has seen major, time-tested and recent successes in all of its major, moving parts. That can translate to getting the best out of a promising, 27-year-old veteran keeper, Robin Lehner who has tons of breakout potential and hope for a promising resurgence for the one time golden-boy, Thomas Greiss. After adding a better defensive scheme into the program and perhaps a trade or two, the Isles should make serious strides from the net out, and hopefully carry over their potent point producer chops from last season despite the Tavares betray… I mean, boyhood dream departure.

With rumors of proven hockey executive and former assistant to Lamoriello, Mark Hunter centering around the Islanders, there may be another piece to the culture shock coming soon.

And to clarify, I still, and will always will hate Dale Hunter. And the Fisherman logo. 

And we need more Korn played loudly at Isles home games.

Islanders Name Calder Cup Winner, Piero Greco, Goalie Coach

The New York Islanders made another change to their coaching staff. Freddy Brathwaite is out and the Isles announced Piero Greco has been named NHL Goaltending Coach for the team.

Per Scott Wheeler, “This is a huge loss for the Leafs organization. Greco put in a ton of time developing Garret Sparks on the ice, and preparing him/establishing his routines off of it.” So Greco follows Lamoriello over from the Toronto organization and brings some recent success in net know-how.

Greco spent the last 4 seasons with Toronto’s AHL Marlies and helped the team win their first Calder Cup Championship in franchise history. It’s important to note that both Garret Sparks (first) and Calvin Pickard (seventh) finished in the top seven for goals against average. Marlies starter, Sparks not only set career numbers for games played (43) and shutouts (six) and finished tops in the AHL for gaa (1.79), Sv% (.936) & 31 wins. Per Rob Taub, “New Isles goalie coach Piero Greco coached Ducks star goalie John Gibson when they were both apart of the Kitchner Rangers of the OHL.”

Per Release, “Prior to working for the Marlies, Greco spent time coaching in the Ontario Hockey League with the Owen Sound Attack (2002-2004), Barrie Colts (2004-2010) and the Kitchener Rangers (2010-2013). The Toronto, Ontario native played professionally for 12 seasons in Europe, making stops in Italy, England and Austria. Greco also played in the ECHL with the Birmingham Bulls.”

Marlies G, Garret Sparks and Coach Piero Greco

Per Andrew Gross, “The Islanders also have had discussions with Mitch Korn, who spent last season as the Capitals’ director of goaltending and who has worked with new Islanders coach Barry Trotz since 1998, both with the Predators and in Washington.

The Bronx-born Korn, 60, was Trotz’s goalie coach both in Nashville and for their first three seasons together with the Capitals before taking an off-ice role in order to cut back on his schedule.

While Trotz and Korn were helping the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup last season, Greco was part of the Marlies’ first Calder Cup championship.”

Some still believe Korn will come over in a management capacity to oversee the Isles goaltending operations soon, but Greco will fill the role as a regular on-ice coach for the team.

Oh, and one more note for the coaching staff. Per Andrew Gross, “Isles confirm assistant coach Scott Gomez will be back with team for 2018-19.” Chris Terreri will also remain as the organization’s goaltending development coach and goalie coach for the Islanders AHL Major League Affiliate, Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Isles Notes:

State: LIRR evaluating how to increase service to Belmont.

Thomas Greiss helps military families through hockey camp at Army base.

To help Fenov’s family and to honor his memory, click here.

Nelson Re-Signs with Islanders, Avoids Arbitration

The New York Islanders announced today that forward Brock Nelson has agreed to terms on a one-year contract and avoided an arbitration date of August 3rd. Per CapFriendly.com, Nelson’s deal is for $4.25M AAV. This is serious point producing money and Nelson has been given a chance to show he deserves a spot on the team moving forward. Nelson was only 1 of 4 Islanders to dress for all 82 games last season and will most likely need to increase his scoring this season to earn another deal.

It also adds Nelson to a list of 7 UFA’s and an RFA going into next summer. Eberle, Lee, Filppula, Kovar, Kuhnhackl & Lehner will all be on the UFA list along with RFA, Beauvillier heading into next summer. Some say this leaves the team with a degree of uncertainty, or maybe it’s the flexibility Lamoreillo wants while he sees the team on the ice this season. Cornerstone players like Lee and Beauvillier could certainly be signed prior to next summer. So could Nelson. It’s also an opportunity to trade others at the deadline if Management doesn’t think they fit into the team’s future plan. Per Eric Hornick, “Beau, HoSang, DalColle are all potential 7/1/19 RFAs.”

Per Release, “Nelson, 26, scored 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists) last season and was one of four Islanders to play in all 82 games. A native of Warroad, MN, Nelson has 188 points (99 goals, 89 assists) in 398 career National Hockey League games, all with the Islanders.”

Nelson was an Isles first round pick, selected 30th overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He earned his stripes with Bridgeport, scoring 53 points in 71 AHL games in 2012-13. His 25 goals (& 27 for 66 points) set a BST rookie record and led the team in points. Nelson represented the United States at 4 IIHF World Championships and a Bronze medal in 2015 to go along with the Bronze he secured in the 2011 WJC in Buffalo.

Per Arthur Staple, “We now show the club with roughly $10.559M in projected cap space, with a tentative 23 man roster (15F/6D/2G).”

Islanders Name John Gruden Assistant Coach

Today The New York Islanders named John Gruden as an Assistant Coach.

Gruden was the Head Coach for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL for the past two years and helped the team win the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions last season.  His Hamilton Bulldogs also finished with the best record in the OHL East at 43-18-4-3. Gruden’s coaching record with Hamilton was 76-45-8-7. During the 2015-16 season, Gruden coached the OHL Flint Firebirds.

Gruden has experience as a player in the AHL, IHL, Europe and NHL ranks as well as an assistant with TEAM USA’s National Team Development Program from 2011 through 2015. Gruden helped lead Team USA to gold-medal finishes at both the 2012 and 2014 U18 Men's World Championships. As a player, Gruden represented his country at the 2003 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship in Helsinki, Tampere and Turku, Finland.

Per Release, “Gruden attended Ferris State University, where he played in 155 games and registered 104 points (40 goals, 64 assists). He became the first NCAA Division I All-American in Ferris State Athletics history in 1993-94. He also was the first player in school history to achieve Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) First-Team honors and finished as the runner-up for the CCHA's Player of the Year Award that same season.”

Per Arthur Staple, “That leaves Scott Gomez and Fred Brathwaite from Doug Weight’s staff last season. Gomez and Lamoriello have a longstanding relationship, so one would believe that there’s a job for Gomez if he wants it. If Mitch Korn comes on as goaltending director, Brathwaite could remain to do the bulk of the on-ice work.

No update on Mark Hunter potentially joining the front office. Chatter around the league has gone remarkably silent on his destination, other than confirming that he does indeed have a new gig lined up and won’t be sitting out much longer.”

Islanders Re-Sign RFA, Ryan Pulock

Islanders Defenseman, Ryan Pulock has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the team.

Per Andrew Gross, “The restricted free-agent defenseman, 23, agreed to a new, two-year deal on Tuesday. Financial terms were not immediately available. Pulock, coming off a three-year, $4.28-million entry-level deal, received a qualifying offer of $874,125 but was not arbitration eligible.”

Pulock got the attention of the organization last season when the blue-chip, call-up defender helped spark the teams struggling power play and added value to their depleted blueline. Pulock had 5 PPG in 68 games with the Isles. He finished the season with 10 & 22 for 32 points and a -4 rating in an offensive first system that left team defense and goalies struggling to maintain control in their own zone. His offensive production was a career high in goals, assists and points and he finished 2nd on the team in scoring for defensemen and first for Isles blueliners in goals.

Pulock played 163 games for the Isles Major-League Affiliate in Bridgeport amassing 39 and 61 for 100 points. Pulock was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team at the completion of the 2014-15 season and was selected to represent the Sound Tigers in the 2015 & 2016 AHL All-Star Classics.

Per Release, “Pulock has played in a total of 84 NHL games and has 36 points (12 goals and 24 assists). In six Stanley Cup playoff games, Pulock has three points (one goal and two assists).

Internationally, Pulock represented Hockey Canada most recently at the 2018 World Championship in Herning/Copenhagen, Denmark. He was a member of the bronze medal winning Team Canada team at the 2012 World Junior Championships, hosted in Edmonton/Calgary.”  

Isles Notes:

Former Isles Assistant Coach, Kelly Buchberger has been named Head Coach of the WHL, Tri-City Americans.

Islanders Add Toews to NHL D-Mix & Re-Sign Burroughs

With a limited and thin free agent market this summer and trade options being explored, the New York Islanders have continued to address their roster needs for next season by looking into their farm system for depth and role-players. That trend continued today with a pair of moves.

One will give solid defensive prospect, Devon Toews his NHL shot and the other will help the organization retain a good depth D-Man on a two-way deal in Bridgeport with an option to play with the big club.

The Islanders announced that RFA defensemen, Devon Toews has agreed to terms on a two-year, NHL one-way contract. Terms were not disclosed. Per Andrew Gross, “Toews was extended a qualifying offer of $874,125 while Burroughs’ qualifying offer was for $715,000.”

Toews has lit it up for the Isles Major-League AHL affiliate, Sound Tigers on defense for two seasons where he scored 13 and 54 in for 67 points in 106 games. Toews made the AHL's All-Rookie team after the 2016-17 campaign, led all rookie defensemen in scoring & finished fourth in the AHL amongst all defensemen in scoring. Last season, Toews represented the Sound Tigers at the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic, winning the fastest skater competition with the quickest time ever recorded at 13.5 seconds.

Toews suffered a season ending injury in 2017-18 that limited his AHL campaign to 30 games (76 games played the season before) with Bridgeport, scoring 22 points and 3 PP goals at a +3 rating. Toews has been one of the top Isles D-Prospects for the last couple of years and was rumored to be an NHL contender this season for New York. A one-way, 2 year deal is pretty serious vote of confodence for a talented player coming off a serious shoulder injury. Many feel, myself included, Toews may be a difference maker and add an offensive punch to the Isles blue line.

Per BST coach, Brent Thompson, “He’s right at that Calvin de Haan level as far as being able to defend, move the puck, good reads, good stick ... He might have more offensive upside than Cal, but very similar players. If he works out as well as Calvin has, they have a hell of a defenseman.”

Per Isles release, “The 24-year-old defenseman, played three seasons with the Quinnipiac University Bobcats. He had a career year, recording seven goals and 23 assists for 30 points in 40 games in his third and final season at Quinnipiac. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound blue-liner posted 67 points (12-55-67) in 108 collegiate games, helping the Bobcats to the National Championship game in 2016.

Selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Toews played for the Surrey Eagles in the British Columbia Hockey League for two seasons before joining the collegiate ranks. The Abbotsford, B.C., native won the BCHL Championship in 2013 and was given the Coastal Conference's Defensive Award as the best defenseman.”

RFA, D, Kyle Burroughs has agreed to terms on a two-year, two-way contract.

Burroughs, 23 has 11 & 48 for 59 points in 186 games with a +9 rating for the Sound Tigers over the last four seasons. Last season, the 6’, 203# Burroughs had a career year with 25 points scoring 6 and 19 in 75 games. While down in the ECHL, he has played 18 games for the former Isles affiliate, Missouri Mavericks where he scored 1 & 6 for seven points.

Per release, “The Vancouver, BC native played five seasons in the WHL with the Regina Pats and the Medicine Hat Tigers. In 250 career games played in the WHL, Burroughs had 120 points (22 goals and 98 assists) and was a +48. He played in 19 playoff games and had six points (one goal and five assists). Burroughs was selected by the Islanders in the seventh round (196th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.”

Isles Notes:

Josh Ho-Sang has clean slate with new Islanders regime.

Brock Nelson’s arbitration hearing is slated for Aug. 3

Per Andrew Gross, “The Islanders have two RFAs still to re-sign. Center Brock Nelson 26, has an arbitration hearing set for Aug. 3 after receiving a qualifying offer of $3.5 million. He had 19 goals and 16 assists last season, his fifth with the Islanders. Defenseman Ryan Pulock, 23, who was not arbitration eligible after compiling 10 goals and 22 assists in 68 games last season as a rookie, received a qualifying offer of $874,125.”

Per Rob McGowan, “It seems like the coaching staff/mgmt may feel that Lee, Barzal, Bailey, Eberle, Beau, & Nelson will provide enough offense w/a tough & physical bottom 6. I’m just not convinced enough offense will come from that group w/o JT, or a player that can at least somewhat fill that void.”

Tavares writes a note to Isles "faithful" with a detailed explanation on why he loves the Leafs. I wrote a note to him as well on July 2nd. I think its just time to move on.

Sound Tigers Notes:

2018-19 Season Schedule.

Islanders Sign Kovar, Extend Johnston & Stock the Farm in Bridgeport

The New York Islanders announced today that forward Jan Kovar has agreed to terms on a one-year, $2M contract.

Kovar was an over, point-per-game player (97 and 189 for 286 pts.) in the KHL for Magnitogorsk Metallurg over 285 games. The 28-year-old forward matched career years with 68 point totals in the 2013-14 (54 games played) and 2014-15 season (60 games played). Kovar also played 236 games in his native Czech Extraliga.for Plzen HC, scoring 60 and 102 for 162 points, with almost a point-a-game pace (51 pts in 52 gp) in the 11-12 & 12-13 seasons.

Per release, “Kovar has represented Czech Republic internationally at five World Championships (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013), scoring 19 points (six goals and 13 assists) in 42 games. In 2008, he played on the World Junior Championship team for Czech Republic and scored over a point per game with eight (one goal and seven assists) in five games.”

Per Eric Hornick, “So newest #Isles Jan Kovar essentially trades places Kulemin; Ex-NYI Viktor Kozlov is part of coach staff of Metallurg, whose previous coaches include Mike Keenan. Kovar is a 4x 20+ goal scorer in KHL (& team's leading pt scorer under Keenan in 14-15); he was 7-28-35 last ssn.”

Sounds like a calculated gamble that could pay big dividends for the team and Kovar gets a year to prove he belongs in the NHL as a top point producer. Rumors have Kovar turning down several other teams to play for Islanders.

The Islanders also came to terms on a four-year, one-way, $1M AAV contract for F Ross Johnston.

The popular Johnston, 24, had 3 & 3 for 6pts in 24 games with the Isles last season after he was brought up from the AHL Sound Tigers to add some much-needed grit to the team. Johnston tallied 3 & 8 for 11 points in 38 games while in Bridgeport last season.

Per release, “Johnston played in the NHL, AHL and ECHL during his first professional season in 2015-16, making his NHL debut on April 10 against the Philadelphia Flyers. In 141 career AHL games with the Sound Tigers, Johnston has 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) and collected 327 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 13 ECHL regular-season games and five playoff games with the Missouri Mavericks during the 2015-16 season.”

From Part 1 of my season in review, I mentioned, “Enforcer and energy player call up, Ross Johnston may have secured a serious look for himself in camp this summer. Johnston made a physical impact from day 1 and even added a touch of offensive flair with 6 points in 24 games. Johnston answered the lack of toughness for the team this season and racked up 62 pims.” Looks like his character got him a long term, 4-year-deal with New York. Another surprise, but one thing is for sure, the Islanders will be tough to play against.

The organization made some big moves on the farm today as well.

Per Michael Fornabaio, “Huge free-agency splash for the Sound Tigers, who announce they've signed LW Chris Bourque and G Jeremy Smith, re-signing C's Ben Holmstrom and Connor Jones and LW Ryan Bourque.”

Per Alan Fuehring, “The #SoundTigers inked 5 players today, including former Olympian @cbourque17: 3x Calder Cup winner, 6x #AHLAllStar, 2x #AHL scoring champion, @TheAHL's active scoring leader, plus a regular season & post-season MVP.”

KnightofCups.net  will now bring you to KoC on Blogspot. Thanks again for the support.

Isles Notes:

Per Andrew Gross, “Believe goalie guru Mitch Korn is close to re-joining Barry Trotz with #Isles, no announcements as of yet.”

Lou Lamoriello excited about Islanders’ future home at Belmont Park

NHL Notes:

Luke Richardson joins Montreal Candiens as Assistant Coach.

The Edmonton #Oilers have re-signed forward Ryan Strome to a 2-year deal worth $6.2 million.