The 2011-2012 season begins tomorrow. For my New York Islanders, the season starts Saturday at home vs. the Florida Panthers. The Isles trimmed down to 23 players today sending Frischmon and Reese to Bridgeport and Kabanov to his team in the QMJHL with Niederreiter, Gillies, (Colliton, Rakhshani) with Jurcina (and Katic) on the IR. DiPietro and Montoya performed the best during preseason action with Nabokov struggling to find consistency. Those factors in mind, the Isles picture could look like this based on preseason match-ups.
Forwards
Matt Moulson-John Tavares-PA Parenteau
Michaels Grabner-Frans Nielsen-Kyle Okposo
Matt Martin-Josh Bailey- Brian Rolston
Jay Pandolfo-Marty Reasoner-Blake Comeau
Defensemen
Mark Streit-Steve Staios
Andrew MacDonald-Travis Hamonic
Mark Eaton-Mike Mottau
Goaltenders
Rick DiPietro, Al Montoya
** With Ryan Strome, Milan Jurcina and Evgeni Nabokov in the luxury box **
Forwards:
12 Josh Bailey
Bailey has a lot of potential, but also has a lot to prove. He has struggled with consistency and needs to find his game. He has a new contract, but needs to make an impact soon.
57 Blake Comeau
Comeau has been improving each season and has really been an impact player at times. He has an opportunity to prove he is worth the spot long term, but he too needs to impress this season.
14 Trevor Gillies
A physical force and a true Islander. If Gillies stays clean, he will be around a while. He is a great team guy and really can take opposing players out of their comfort zone just by lurking on the ice. Gillies is the meaning of heart.
40 Michael Grabner
A Snow miracle grab, expectations are high, but Grabner is relishing the chance to build on his Calder nomination from last season. With his speed and work ethic, there is no reason why he can’t improve even more as the Islanders improve as a team.
17 Matt Martin
As a gritty player who can make smart plays, Martin can intimidate as well. Like Gillies, Martin needs to play smartly this season and pick the right time to step up and he will be another asset in the Islander fist.
26 Matt Moulson
Another gem Garth Snow can take credit for, Moulson has developed into a bonafide sniper in the Islander system. Partnered with JT, Moulson can continue his growth and will be around for a while on Long Island.
25 Nino Niederreiter
I can’t wait to see Niederreiter use his size and skill to gain confidence in the NHL. With a little experience, he will be deadly around the net. I am curious to see what he can do with JT and Moulson on the first line, should he get the chance.
51 Frans Nielsen
The best two-way forward in the league? Some would argue he is. Frans has been quietly gaining an elite status in the NHL as a complete player on both sides of the puck who happens to be “money” in the shootout. Underrated, but not for long.
21 Kyle Okposo "A"
An Islander to the core and a born leader, Okposo has led by example since he got to the organization. To the casual fan, Okie seems humble, but confident in what he wants for himself and his team, and I believe he will help lead them there.
29 Jay Pandolfo
At 36, Pandolfo brings the experience of two Stanley Cups and an expert ability on the PK. He will provide leadership and bring a positive work ethic to a young team on the rise.
15 PA Parenteau
Coming off a career year, Parenteau also has a lot to prove. He needs to show last year was a building block and not just a snap shot. He shows a goal scorer’s touch and enhances the top line. Can he do the same this year?
16 Marty Reasoner
A talented and savy player, Reasoner can add to the team leadership with his vast experience and toughness as a checking centerman.
11 Brian Rolston "A"
As a team-mate of Jay Pandolfo, Rolston brings the same winning edge and experience of a veteran. He will allow the Isles to change the look of their power play and PK while keeping an up tempo threat for a SHG.
8 Ryan Strome
Draft notes and Blue and White video highlights aside, we are excited about getting a look at Strome. He will most likely get his nine games and could stick around if he can play his game, even if he watches from afar at first.
91 John Tavares "A"
What else needs to be said about the first overall pick that he hasn’t already proven to be true. JT can continue to develop and has made a commitment to help the Isles build a winner. Expect more of an offensive impact and another step for Tavares towards the NHL elite.
Defensemen:
4 Mark Eaton
Solid while he played, Eaton had some injury issues last year that limited his contributions. If healthy, he should be able to fill a steady role for the Isles on defense.
3 Travis Hamonic
Can he top last year? Hamonic captured the excitement of Isles fans everywhere when he went from call up to defensive asset. Look for him to improve even more and solidify the Isles second D-pairing with A-Mac.
27 Milan Jurcina
Jurcina played well enough to get a contract extension last year. What was not expected was the amount of time he would spend injured. He will need to stay healthy to contribute in the way the team expects him too.
47 Andrew MacDonald
A great defensive story, MacDonald turned from a mid-round pick to a candidate for Alternate Captain. Expect A-Mac to continue his development and be relied upon to take on more and more responsibilities for the Isles defense.
10 Mike Mottau
Also hampered by the injury bug, Mottau is a steady defensive influence the Islanders need to step up and fill this year. Will he be able to bounce back?
44 Steve Staios "A"
Often referred to as “clutch defender,” Staios could provide leadership and experience for a blue line that needs to answer its critics.
2 Mark Streit "C"
The Captian has returned. With Streit, the Islanders defense gets that much better. He will be a steadying force for the team each game night. From mirroring the opponent’s top guy to scoring on the Power Play, Streit will make the difference.
Goaltenders:
39 Rick DiPietro
Enduring a couple of frustrating seasons for the Islanders, their fans and mostly for himself, DiPietro needs to stay healthy and focus on being the competitor that he is. It is unknown if he can resume his all-star caliber play, but no one can question his resolve and his desire to win. His pre-season play was solid, so let’s hope it can hold it together for the whole year and beyond.
35 Al Montoya
Acquired as a body to place in the net after all the Isles NHL and Minor League keepers went down, Montoya listened to Islanders coaching and performed better than he had ever played in his pro career. Montoya also performed well in exhibition play this summer and has a chance to compete for a regular spot with the Isles this season.
20 Evgeni Nabokov
From refusing to report to an excited camp attendee, Nabokov has certainly made his feelings known. Looking shaky this preseason, Nabokov is a favorite to many to play for the Islanders. Is he yours?
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Players to watch for call-ups:
F:
81 Justin DiBenedetto
53 Casey Cizikas
62 Tyler McNeely
All had great camps and looked good enough to compete for a spot on the roster. They showed defensive awareness and good offensive vision, contributing offensively. When called up, they can make the most of their chance.
18 Michael Haley
Haley spent too much time in the box this preseason and I think it hurt him. He made an impact as soon as he was called up last year and will do so again if he keeps his focus. Haley is as talented with the puck as he is with his fists.
28 Trevor Frischmon
A depth acquisition, Frischmon made quite an impression in camp this year.
77 Kirill Kabanov
With more experience, Kabanov should make an impression and soon. Gifted with great hands and good hockey sense, he will be an exciting player to watch in the near future.
D:
3 Calvin de Haan
46 Matt Donovan
de Haan and Donovan had great camps and really impressed me with their play, from defensive positioning, transitional play and offensive contributions. With Katic injured, I would think they would be high on the coaches list for a call-up.
42 Dylan Reese
Steady and reliable, Reese has made himself a go-to guy as a call up.
G:
60 Kevin Poulin
One of the most exciting goaltending prospects in the NHL, Poulin is being groomed to take over the Isles net. He has great positional play and is an athletic goaltender with an even calm confidence. When the opening is truly there, I don’t think he will ever go back down to the AHL.
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There is a lot to be excited about this year. Management has given us an exciting off season and the young core of players seem to be poised to make the world take notice. I would like to see a quality offensive and defensive addition myself, but I am excited to see how the season plays out. We will have to wait to see if any waiver pick-ups or trades can make the team even better.
If the offense gets even a little better from another year of experience and the shured up defense stays healthy, the Islanders can get to the seventh or eighth playoff spot in the east. Goaltending will be a major factor. Will DP stay healthy? Will he be as good? Can Montoya pick up from last season? Is Nabokov past his prime?
Whatever answers will be for the questions of what the season will bring, how great is it to be an Islander fan right now? How satisfying is it to finally see the progress and the progression of patience to build the team correctly?
I for one am proud of being an Islander fan. And all rah-rah crap aside, I can’t wait to stick it to the haters.
Bleed the blue and orange
