News: Islanders Hire Sean Donnelan

Katie Strang from Newsday announced on her Twitter the Islanders hired Sean Donnelan as their new Director of Sports Performance. Donnelan's main job will be to try and lower the amount of injuries compared to the past two seasons. Donnelan also told Strang he expects to make big changes to help accomplish this.

This is Donnelan's second stint with the team. He worked with the Islanders from 1996-2003.

CH: This is obviously not huge news, but it is good to see the Isles trying to be proactive about preventing injuries. So much of the teams success depends on the health of the roster, especially on the defense and in net. Certainly, the Isles did not have to add a position to try and accomplish a potential decrease, so they should get credit for the proactivity. Let's hope Donnelan can come in and make the changes he envisions to help mitigate the team's extremely high numbers of "man games lost." If he can, the Isles will be better off for it.

AT: Just goes to show you that even with the pursuit of a top 4 d-man supposedly still on, the Islanders are making the right moves everywhere. Well, at least on the ice and not in the jersey department. After so many man games lost last year, you really had to think there was a piss poor job going on keeping players safe and healthy. Two shoulder injuries that required major surgeries for both is nothing to push to the side. We saw what a huge loss the Islanders took after losing both Streit and Okposo, so to take a necessary step like this to at least attempt to prevent a re-occurrence is very assuring to the fanbase. Now let's get everyone healthy through training camp.

Season Preview: Sean Backman

Sean Backman


Position: RW
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 165
Birthdate: April 29, 1986 (25 years old)
Birthplace: Cos Cob, Connecticut, United States
Acquired: Signed Free Agent, 2011

2010-2011 Team: Texas Stars
2010-2011 Stats: 67 GP - 7 G - 16 A - 23 P - 20 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Bottom 6 Forward

Last year: Backman spent the majority of his first professional season playing at Dallas' AHL affiliate in Texas. He did spend a small amount of time in Idaho, playing for the Steelheads of the ECHL as well, totaling 4 points in 5 games. The undersized forward came from Yale University, where he averaged over a point-per-game in 3 of his 4 collegiate seasons. He played a bottom-6 role for the AHL Stars last season, totaling 23 points in 67 games.

Expectations: Backman joins the Islanders organization for the 2011-12 season on a one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL contract). His ties to the organization go no further than being the brother-in-law of Matt Moulson, so he does have some familiarity with the team. This year, Backman will be expected to play in a depth forward role for the Sound Tigers, which is a good spot for him to get acquainted with Brent Thompson's system. In a sense, he reminds me of Sean Bentivoglio - he is the same type of player, undersized, and is trying to transition from the collegiate level to the professional level. Time will tell if he can show a similar level of progression, even though Bentivoglio never made it as a full-time pro.

Projections: 71 GP - 8 G - 19 A - 27 P

Thoughts:

CH: Nothing wrong with getting a guaranteed AHL contract to fill in the bottom 6 for the Sound Tigers, which is something they've been largely lacking over the past year or so. Playing with guys like Trevor Frischmon, Tyler McNeely, and Justin DiBenedetto, Backman will have a real opportunity to prove what he can do. In addition, the potential of guys like Micheal Haley on the team full-time will push the entire forward corps to be better, meaning Backman is going to have to show something to stay in the top-9. Either way, Backman is a solid addition to a team that needed any sort of AHL in the worst way.

AT: A proven scorer at the NCAA level, Backman should find himself a nice slot on the Sound Tigers. With the amount of talented centers now at the AHL level, Backman should be producing at a decent level. Sure, he was probably brought in solely as a favor to Matt Moulson, but he is a talented player who will provide all of the help he possibly can at the AHL level. We needed it, and now we have it. Not sure if Backman will ever even see call-up time in the NHL, but along with Frischmon, McNeely and Colliton, depth is something you can never have enough of. Especially if you're the New York Islanders organization.

Around the NHL: Wade Belak Found Dead

In yet even more sad news for the NHL, former enforcer Wade Belak was found dead this morning in his downtown Toronto condo. Belak is the third NHL enforcer this year to have passed away, along with Rick Rypien and Derek Boogaard, as well as Bob Probert last year. 

AT: This has gotten to the point where the NHL needs to make some drastic changes. It is coming to a point where players are literally dropping like flies, and being that most are enforcers it is natural to assume a lot of it is due to blunt force head trauma that was sustained over the course of their careers. As both Carey and I stated, this is no reason to ban fighting from the NHL, but clearly something has to be done to stop the rampant head injuries. You would have figured something drastic would have been done when the face of the NHL was said to be still having headaches and may not be ready for the season, but this is someone's life we're talking about at this point.

What exactly can the NHL do? I'm a 19 year old college student so I can not possibly tell you the answer to that. However, the NHL has the resources to find a solution to this, and should do so immediately for the sake of their players, and for the sake of their PR at this point. My thoughts go out to the Belak family and to his friends and associates on all of the teams he played with.

Training Camp: The 4 Most Likely Invites

Isles beat reporter Katie Strang is indicating that 4 players: Jay Pandolfo, Bryan McCabe, Chris Clark and Sergei Samsonov, will all receive invites to the Islanders training camp in September to show if they have what it takes to earn a spot on the NHL roster. Much success has come out of camp invites for the Islanders.

AT: I'm not sure if any of these players are what the Islanders need, but it is what it is. There are certainly gaps that the Islanders have, but when 2 of these players are 4th liners, one a bottom pairing D man and the other a winger with a ton of potential (which we all know Garth loves). Do any of them fit on the Islanders?

Jay Pandolfo

AT: A former Devil who played for the team for his entire career, Pandolfo was bought out at the end of 2010 and has not played hockey for a team since. Clearly, he still has the desire to do so and would seek out the opportunity to play for the Islanders by proving that he still has some gas left in the tank for this coming season. Pandolfo, when healthy, can put up a 20-30 point season as should be expected of a 4th liner. However, his health has been an issue for several years now. If he can pull it together, stay healthy and bring the leadership presence that he brought to the Devils for so long, he would be a great presence on the 4th line along Marty Reasoner and Matt Martin.

CH: Katie seemed to elaborate a little more on Pandolfo, tweeted that the two sides should finalize some tryout agreement within the week. Pandolfo has been a valuable player in the NHL, so it certainly does not hurt to see if he can come in and still play a little. Chances are if he sticks with the organization, it would be in an AHL call-up capacity, but that is fine. If the Isles want to take the next step, calling up seasoned vets like Pandolfo are better options than players who will never see NHL action again. Experience is a big factor here.

Chris Clark

AT: A one time 30 goal scorer, the scoring ability wheels have fallen off Clark faster than a Michael Grabner 40 yard dash. Another player who has been marred by injuries the past few years, Clark was reduced to a 3rd and 4th line role in his time with the Blue Jackets for the past 2 seasons after captaining the Capitals in his tenure there. His skills still remain, just to a much diminished extent. There is no way he would be taking Matt Martin's slot, so a line of Martin-Reasoner-Clark would be our full time 4th line, with Reasoner or Martin possibly moving to the 3rd line if someone gets injured. Depth is great to have, but I'm not sure if Clark or Pandolfo are the solutions to a team that is seeking the playoffs.

CH: Clark is a great locker room guy, leader, and could certainly play a bit in his prime. Like Alex said, injuries have really slowed him down a bit over the past few years. Having him try out for a 4th line spot would make for a very interesting competition with Micheal Haley, one that is somewhat akin to Richard Park trying out for a spot in 2006-07. If he does try out, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he does lock that 12th forward spot up. I'll harp on the experience part all day, but with a top-6 full of kids and young veterans, having guys like Reasoner, Clark, and Brian Rolston in the bottom 6 could be very beneficial going forward.

Sergei Samsonov

AT: Samsonov, forever shifting teams, still remains unsigned after a solid season with an abysmal Florida Panthers team as well as some time with a mediocre Carolina team. A two time 70+ point scorer, the potential that remains in Samsonov is limitless. Paired with the right linemates, his shot could land him back in the 60+ point territory. I'm not really sure where Samsonov would fit unless Garth is considering replacing Parenteau with him on the first line. However, after a pretty solid chemistry was developed last year between Moulson, Tavares and PAP, it's doubtful we see a change to that until next year when Parenteau's contract is up.

CH: This one is the most intriguing to me, because it seemingly came out of nowhere. Strang tweeted that Samsonov wanted a guaranteed contract while the Isles only wanted a tryout. Since the Isles have all the leverage, Samsonov could very well agree to a try out as he looks for a spot on the team. But it's intriguing in the sense that Samsonov can only play in the top 9, and there are currently 10 forwards (Niederreiter) penciled in for 9 spots. So my guess is that this is either all smoke to push players to be better, Snow is actively looking to trade away one of the top-9, or Nino Niederreiter is not as much of a lock as it seems. My guess, is that Snow is shopping around. The question is, can Samsonov still play? Much like Clark reminds me of 06-07, this does as well. When the Islanders brought Viktor Kozlov in for a tryout, it was much maligned. He then put together a 50+ point season. Samsonov would not be coming in as a contributor - you know what you can with him. But could be put a 40 point season together with Blake Comeau and Josh Bailey? I believe he could come close. I'd make it a point to keep an eye out on this one.

Bryan McCabe

Ah, Mr. McCabe. After the consistent rumors that he would be traded to the Islanders every February and all those offseasons we heard he'd be signing with us following the end of his previous contracts, now comes the most realistic opportunity to land him. At this point, McCabe should be the very last option for the Islanders in case they can not land a top 4 d-man in a trade. Now, if that were the case, signing McCabe would be a lot better than having Mike Mottau as anything other than the 7th D-man, but let's be realistic here. McCabe's defense is pretty much gone, his offense has dwindled greatly, and he is at best a bottom pairing D-man. This team wants to (and needs to) make the playoffs this season, and signing McCabe is not going to help that.

This is an extremely important moment for the Islanders. Garth has publicly stated that he was going to attempt to acquire a top 4 d-man through trade, and the Rolston trade basically screamed that it was a precursor to a much bigger trade by giving us just one too many 3rd liners on the team (assuming Niederreiter makes the team). Again, McCabe would be better than having Mottau as the 5th or 6th d-man, but signing McCabe would, to me, scream that we are in for another season of mediocrity. This is a major situation for Snow, and I can only hope and pray he realizes it.

CH: Pretty much what Alex said above is correct. While McCabe is certainly better than no one, he is by no means much of an ideal option. He would come in to be a warm body to keep young players like Calvin de Haan from the NHL until they are fully developed and ready. But that is not what the Islanders need this year - they need stability in the top 4, and so far we haven't seen anything like that. The Islanders already have warm bodies as stopgaps - Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina, and Mike Mottau are all unrestricted free agents after the season. To add a 4th stopgap will cause a major turnover issue, which makes it harder to develop chemistry. We saw that in 07-08, when the Isles were a completely different team of miscasts and couldn't make a push. The goal was to obtain a guy on a multi-year deal, and that hasn't happened. Yet. But like we said McCabe is better than no one, and I suppose that is the silver lining if there is one.

Check back here as we get closer to camp to see how things unfold.

Season Preview: Trevor Frischmon

Bloggers note: Apologies for the absence the past few days. Obviously, Long Island was hit by Hurricane Irene which left me without cable/internet until about an hour ago. Back full time now and I hope all of our readers are safe and sound as well.

Trevor Frischmon 

Position: C

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 203
Birthdate: August 5th, 1981(30 years old)
Birthplace: Ham Lake, Minnesota, United States
Acquired: Signed Free Agent

2010-2011 Team: Springfield Falcons
2010-2011 Stats: 80 GP - 4 G - 29 A - 39 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Bottom 6 Forward

Last year: Frischmon spent most of last year with the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. A veteran presence on a very young Springfield team, Frischmon's role was mostly a lower line set up man, and he racked up nearly 30 assists in doing so. Frishmon provided leadership and a great learning presence to the many young prospects that have been racked up in the Columbus system.

Expectations: Frischmon is another great addition (and ANOTHER center in the system) to the Bridgeport core. He's not a prospect and will probably not see any time in the NHL, but players like him are completely invaluable to gaining a proper AHL team that can compete for the Calder cup and bring in that winning culture that this organization so desperately needs. He will most likely replace the role that Rob Hisey filled last year.

Projections: GP - 78 - 6 G - 29 A - 35 P

Thoughts:

AT: While some laugh and mock signings like these, they are completely essential to the organization in the long run. Having leadership material in the AHL is just as important to the organization as having leadership in the NHL, because if players like Calvin De Haan and Matt Donovan have nobody to guide them along in their path to the NHL, who can they look to? Frischmon was a solid AHL depth signing and we hope he fills the role he was designed to fill exceptionally.

CH: Very solid depth signing here. It creates competition within the Bridgeport system, which is a lot better than just throwing kids into roles. That doesn't work at the NHL level, and it doesn't work in the minors either. Frischmon certainly won't light the lamp a ton, but he is a solid defensive center that has a good head on his shoulders. Certainly not a core player, but the type of player that is good to have around. And comparatively, he's much better than the ATO's and ECHLers being called to the the Tigers time after time. Hopefully, the Isles don't penny pinch at the AHL level and use the Hershey Bears model of replenishment. The upbringing up prospects is essential to a winning atmosphere. Hopefully, Frischmon can be part of that.

Speculation: Islanders Targeting A Defenseman?

Bloggers Note: Alex is having issues with his cable and Internet after Hurricane Irene, but will be back as soon as it is rectified. On behalf of him, we hope everyone got through the weekend safely and securely. Thanks.

Recently, we have heard four instances of speculation that the Islanders may be involved in targeting a defenseman this week. The team continues to look for a player that can solidify the top-4 and can play while guys like Calvin de Haan and Matt Donovan continue to develop in Bridgeport. The team currently has seven defensemen signed: Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Travis Hamonic, Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina, Ty Wishart, and Mike Mottau.

The first wave of speculation came from Chris Botta's Islanders Point Blank last week, where he claimed that an unnamed veteran defenseman declined an invite to training camp from the team...for now. It's widely believed this defenseman is former Islander captain Bryan McCabe. McCabe, 36, spent last season with the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers, playing 67 games and accumulating 28 points with a +2 rating.

McCabe, who has always been an offensive defenseman, is nowhere near an ideal option. In fact, if the rumor is true, it's because the Islanders want McCabe to earn a spot on the team by outplaying Ty Wishart and Mike Mottau as opposed to just giving him one. Regardless, he is not the improvement the team needs, but is still valuable enough NHL depth that the team can manage. Unfortunately, a McCabe/Streit powerplay combination does not work as both players shoot left-handed, so you would really be acquiring him to play with Travis Hamonic on the second unit. On the whole, McCabe really would fit in through his leadership. He is a long time veteran of the league, has respect for the Islanders organization, and could help refine the offensive games of Andrew MacDonald and Travis Hamonic. But is that enough to give him a shot to earn a spot? Sure, if you acquire a true top-4 defenseman. But on his own, it would be a marginal improvement at best.

Another name that has recently come up is former Islander Adrian Aucoin. While he has not come up in any legitimate rumor, there has been message board speculation regarding his trade availability. Aucoin is now 38 years old. While he has played 157 games over the past two season with Phoenix, it's important to remember that he is aging. He would be a fine stopgap for the Isles, but not at the expense of anything with value. The names we have been hearing as trade bait - Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau - are not worth Aucoin at this point. But for a mid-round pick or mid-level prospect, should the Islanders pull the trigger on a player like him? He has the same experience level and respect for the Islanders as McCabe. So in a situation like that, absolutely.

On Saturday, an article in the Edmonton Journal came out where the agent of Steve Staios, Pat Morris, mentions the Islanders as a potential suitor for the 38-year old defenseman. Like Aucoin, Staios can still play and could be a decent option for the Isles, even though he does not have the ties that Aucoin does. The main issue with Staios is his durability - he's only played 97 games over the past two seasons with the Oilers and the Flames. Which begs the question: if the Islanders wanted an oft-injured aging defenseman, why not keep Radek Martinek? Staios is a decent option, but his inability to stay healthy at this point in his career is a major negative.

Finally, a rumor has come out through the Ottawa Citizen that the Senators may try to unload 34-year old Filip Kuba, due $3.7 next season, on the Islanders. Kuba, who had 16 points in 64 games but finished with a deplorable -26 rating, is well past his prime. With the aforementioned options, the Islanders should not be desperate enough to have to take a flyer on Kuba at this point. At this point, he is a bottom pairing defenseman and would most likely be less of an improvement than McCabe.

It will certainly be interesting if Garth Snow decides to pull the trigger on a deal or signing for a defenseman, regardless of if it is one of the above guys or not. Quite frankly, it is imperative for the Isles to solidify their defense corps, even if it is a bottom pairing guy. The last thing the team needs is to play Mark Katic and Dylan Reese for an extended period of time. So far this off-season, the Islanders have let go of Jack Hillen and Radek Martinek without getting anything in return. With two weeks until training camp, time is running short to complete a deal. But one has to be on the way, or else the Isles' defense heads into the season with a lot of question marks.

Season Preview: Anton Klementyev

Anton Klementyev

Position: D
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 203 lbs
Birthdate: March 25th, 1990 (21 years old)
Birthplace: Togliatti, Russia
Acquired: Draft, 5th round, 122th overall, 2009 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats (Bridgeport): 51 GP - 2 G - 7 A - 9 P - 28 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 4 Defenseman

Last year: Klementyev had a quiet, but solid second season in the AHL, finishing with 9 points playing on a depleted Bridgeport corps. The 2009 draft pick did play one game for the Islanders in 2009-10, but was used only as a emergency injury replacement. Last year, he did not get the same opportunity, but was able to refine some of his game with the Sound Tigers. He finished the year on the injured list, and at last check was still rehabilitating his ankle over the summer, but is said to be ready to go for training camp.

Expectations: Like players like Justin DiBenedetto and Tony Romano, Klementyev is heading into the last year of his entry-level contract, which makes this year of extreme importance to him. The influx to defensemen coming into the Islanders pro system is huge, and Klementyev is going to have to distinguish himself to retain a spot in the organization next year. A very young veteran at 21, Klementyev is going to have to hold down a spot in the top-6 this year playing with AHL rookies like Matt Donovan and Aaron Ness. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he does this, as he plays a good stay-at-home, physical game, which is an element the Islanders organization certainly lacks.

Projections: 61 GP - 3 G - 8 A - 11 P

Thoughts:

CH: Klementyev is going to have to give a strong season to the Sound Tigers, as they are a team that is very young on the blueline this season. As a Sound Tiger veteran at 21, he is in a situation he may not exactly be ready for. While not an ideal situation, Klementyev has the potential to show that he is ready to take the next step by leading with guys like Calvin de Haan and Matt Donovan pushing to claim his spot. What we do now is that Klementyev provides some stability on the defense that the Sound Tigers will need to make a playoff push, because going with all rookies - even skilled ones - is not going to cut it.

AT: With Klementyev, Ness, Donovan and CDH helming the top 4 in Bridgeport most likely, this is looking like a really strong year for the Sound Tigers (as I've mentioned 1000 times before). It's pretty crazy how well Garth Snow has restocked the cabinet in terms of defensive prospects, where at one point in 2005 we had very few legitimate D-men in the system, now it looks like we have 4 who are maybe a year away from the NHL. It will be exciting to see how the D plays, especially if Kevin Poulin remains healthy all season. Defense wins games, and with this kind of d corps, it's hard not to see a major playoff push ensuing soon. Klementyev is a bigger, stronger d-man that every system needs, and seeing what he does this season will be of extreme importance in determining where he lies in organizational depth.

Season Preview: Justin DiBenedetto

Justin DiBenedetto

Position: C/W
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 174 lbs

Birthdate: August 25th, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Acquired: Draft, 6th round, 175th overall, 2008 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers, New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats (Bridgeport): 51 GP - 19 G - 11 A - 30 P - 45 PIM
2010-2011 Stats (Islanders): 8 GP - 0 G - 1 A - 2 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 6 Forward

Last year: Dibo had a nice year after a rather disappointing first year in Bridgeport. 19 goals in 51 games is not something you wouldn't bat an eye at, and was impressive for the still young 2008 draftee out of the Sarnia Sting (OHL). He helped make Steven Stamkos as good as he was with the Sting, so paired with the proper teammates, he prospered. Dibo's skill with the puck was definitely improving and his talent has definitely been blooming, and last year proved that. In his time on the Island on a 4th line role, Dibo showed some flashes of his talent, although his ability to be a best definitely came out as well. For such a small player, he certainly has the ability to agitate the other team.

Expectations: This year is going to be a big one for Dibo, as he enters into the final year of his ELC. While as long as he keeps up the pace he's on he should be qualified, this is the year where he should be able to prove that he's more than AHL fodder, and put up a decent, 50+ point season. With his skill and abilities, reaching this level shouldn't be completely unreasonable, especially after receiving an idea of what NHL play is for a few games last season. With a much improved team and with Dibo being renowned for being a better player when provided with chemistry, it should be interesting to see where things end up.

Projections: 60 GP - 25 G - 27 A - 52 P

Thoughts:

AT: Dibo was an older player for the '08 draft, but what we've seen in terms of skill shows he was certainly worthy of a pick, and getting him in the 6th round could end up being a skill if his production is proportionate to his draft location. Dibo will certainly get more opportunities with the big club in the future and should further be able to identify the areas of his game that are lacking, most notably his defensive ability and willingness to "get back" after a turnover. Dibo will be a staple in the heavily upgraded BPT offense and will most certainly contribute. A big happy birthday to the kid as well, who turned 23 today.

CH: No question DiBenedetto has proven that he was a solid pick as a sixth-round selection. He is a tenacious forward who has pretty decent skill, as he played on a line with Steven Stamkos and Islander teammate Matt Martin in juniors and put up great numbers. That has not translated in his first two years at Bridgeport, but he is poised to really take charge in the final year of his ELC. DiBenedetto showed his versatility by playing an agitating fourth-line role in the NHL last season, showing that he is a viable call-up option if the Isles suffer a slew of injuries. The Sound Tigers need DiBo to contribute as he is a key cog to the success of the team. DiBo needs to prove that he should be qualified after the year, so his progress this year is certainly worth watching.

Article: Islanders Not Looking To Add Vet Forward

Quick Stick-tap to our friends at Islandermania for this:

The New York Post reports Garth Snow and the Islanders will not be looking to add another veteran forward after the Brian Rolston trade. Speculation started because former Islanders Alexei Yashin and Miroslav Satan have recently been skating at Iceworks. 

"Right now, I don't have any plans to add another forward to our group," Snow told The Post. "As much as we'd like to add quality veterans, we're not going to box out our young guys."

Snow also stated they want to give young players such as Nino Niederreiter a chance to make the team out of training camp.

CH: There was a lot of speculation a few weeks back the Islanders were planning on bringing back former captain Alexei Yashin. Lately, it's somewhat died down a little but the fact that Josh Bailey has not been re-signed yet has been curious to some who think the two are related (I don't believe they are). When news broke that Miro Satan was skating at Iceworks, the speculation returned, which is why I assume Snow gave this interview. The fact is that neither of these guys are coming back barring a slew of injuries, and even in that case it would somewhat surprise me to see them back. Both players are slow, getting up there in age, and though a guy like Yashin may still be able to put points on the board, the other aspects of his game are lacking.

The key to this article was that Snow specifically stated he wasn't looking to add any forwards, but said nothing about trying to add a defenseman. It's common knowledge that the Islanders need a top-4 defenseman, and the inability to do so could classify this off-season as a failure. While we are still in wait-and-see mode, time is starting to run short. If Snow is determined to get a defenseman, he could still make it happen before training camp, most likely in early September. But as far as the news of the forward core being mostly set, well, that's certainly nothing else but expected.

Season Preview: Tyler McNeely

Tyler McNeely


Position: LW
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165 lbs
Birthdate: April 8th, 1987 (24 years old)
Birthplace: Burnaby, British Columbia
Acquired: Signed Free Agent
Drafted: N/A

2010-2011 Team: Northeastern University, Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats: 38 GP - 13 G - 21 A - 34 P - 52 PIM, 10 GP - 5 G - 6 A - 11 P - 4 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 9 forward

Last year: Tyler McNeely had a whirlwind year last year. He was the captain of the Greg Cronin lead Northeastern collegiate team to start the year, totaling a very solid 34 points in 38 games including 13 goals. He followed that up by signing an AHL only contract with Bridgeport, where he played the Sound Tigers' final 10 games of the season, averaging over a point-per-game getting top minutes with a depleted lineup and linemates such as Jeremy Colliton and Rhett Rakhshani. McNeely, who finished with a +9 rating in Bridgeport, fit right in and was said to bring outstanding chemistry to that line.

Expectations: The Islanders rewarded McNeely by signing him to a two-way NHL/AHL contract after the season ended, which they were right to do. There was little doubt McNeely was going to get NHL two-way offers with the way he finished the season out in Bridgeport, so the Isles got a head start and got a deal done quickly. McNeely now has the opportunity to show that he is professional level material, as he will most likely continue to be on a like with Colliton and Rakhshani. If not, the Sound Tigers have very capable centers in David Ullstrom, Casey Cizikas, and Tony Romano, so there are options for McNeely to produce. With the Sound Tigers lineup getting younger and more full with Islander draft picks, McNeely has a chance to be one to stand out and show that it isn't just about the draft.

Projections: 64 GP - 16 G - 23 A - 39 P

Thoughts: 

CH: McNeely is one of those under-the-radar guys that no one hears about until they start producing at the AHL level. There is certainly a lot of potential there - he is a hard worker who was a leader on his Northeastern team in college. He scored at a very productive rate last year and I'm sure is looking to prove that he belongs. It should be very exciting to see how he develops this year as he will certainly get an opportunity on a Bridgeport team that is still somewhat bereft of top-end AHL talent. The wings are a little crowded with Rhett Rakhshani, Justin DiBenedetto, Tim Wallace, Sean Backman, and potentially Micheal Haley, but if McNeely plays in camp the way he did last year there is no doubt he will get an opportunity. It's a big year for Tyler, and a good one will certainly be a catalyst for the beginning of a solid professional career.

AT: McNeely is still somewhat young and has time to produce in Bridgeport. If what we saw last year is any indication, he is ready for the professional leagues and can and will produce when placed on a line that accentuates his skillset. He came out of nowhere after Bridgeport was severely depleted from callups and injuries last year, so it's great to see he's taking advantage of this unique opportunity provided to him. I expect to see an offensive outburst from him this year on a line with Ullstrom or Cizikas. 

Season Preview: Tony Romano

Tony Romano

Position: C/W
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185 lbs
Birthdate: January 5th, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: Smithtown, New York
Acquired: Trade with NJD for Ben Walter, 2009
Drafted: 2006 NHL Entry Draft, 6th round, 178th overall, New Jersey Devils

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats: 67 GP - 7 G - 12 A - 19 P - 56 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 9 forward

Last year: On last year's abysmal Sound Tigers team, Romano put up a respectable 19 points as a lower level forward playing with sub-par linemates. Romano was playing the role of smaller, quicker center who would set up his 2nd/3rd line teammates, but when playing with such low skill level players, it's difficult to achieve that. Regardless, Romano's hockey instincts are fantastic and that allowed him to have a productive role for BPT, which will continue on into next season.

Expectations: Romano needs to improve his defensive capabilities, but should find himself on a wing role with Jeremy Colliton or David Ullstrom on the 2nd and 3rd lines. With his quickness, playing with a definite talent in Ullstrom or an AHL vet in Colliton could end up leaving Romano with 30-40 points this coming year, if not more. As we saw with Michael Grabner, if a player is fast, the potential is certainly there. Expect Romano to find himself on a top 9 role being fed by one of those centers (assuming Cizikas gets the first line slot), putting up decent points this year if so. With a vastly improved BPT team, his time to prove himself is now. It'd be nice to have a Long Island native on a full time role with Bridgeport, or possibly even on a 4th line role on the Islanders in the future.

Projections: 68 GP - 20 G - 15 A - 35 A

Thoughts: 

AT: Romano definitely needs to take advantage of his speed and skills this year in order to make an impact and stay in the organization long term. While his stats last year considering the team and his position weren't completely awful, he definitely needs to step it up, especially with a solid center on his line. It's doubtful he'll see any center time as Colliton, Cizikas, Ullstrom and Marcinko will most likely fill out those roles. This is going to be a big year for the St. Anthony's grad, and I hope he adjusts and works accordingly.

CH: This will likely be Romano's last season in the Isles organization unless he puts up our projected numbers in the AHL. Romano, who was acquired in a trade from New Jersey, has been a modest member of the Sound Tigers for a few years but has not shown much glimpse of an NHL future. This year, there is more competition at center, so he will certainly have to compete and show that he is worthy of playing time. It's a good way to differentiate the players who are worth it against those who should be let go. Last year, we saw a similar scenario shake out with Rob Schremp at the NHL level. He did not play well and was let go midway through the season. Now, Romano has his chance to prove that he deserves time over other players at the AHL level. Let's see what he can do, one last time.

Speculation: Third Jersey Concepts Revealed

Icethetics has revealed the presumed concept of the new third jerseys for the Islanders, and it's not pretty.

The jersey is black with the name "Islanders" across the middle in Mets-type coloring. There is gray shoulder piping with the Islanders regular logo on the shoulders. Down the sides are blue, orange, and gray vertical stripes, with a blue sleeve starting around the forearm. There's no word on what the lettering and the back will look like (but if it's anything like the prototype, it's going to be worse).

CH: I'm not even going to focus on the jersey here. We all know it is horrendous (save me with the "it's not that bad." Trust me, it is). It's debatable if it is worse than the infamous Fisherman jerseys, but I actually consider those to be better - at least they were trying. What we have here seems like a clear attempt to do everything you possibly can on a jersey, which becomes overload.

But that's besides the point. I'm angry because this jersey shows the Islanders clear inattentiveness to the fans. No more than a month ago, the Islanders on their Twitter and Facebook asked fans what they wanted in a third jersey. An overwhelming amount of responses clearly suggested "NO BLACK." So what do they do? They make the jersey black, supposedly. And yes, I realize this is still technically a concept, but the point is the Islanders should not have even tried black when it was so blatantly obvious the fanbase wanted nothing to do with it.

I don't want to complain about this. So instead, I want to offer up a potential solution to this problem. The first, and most obvious, is that if this is the actual third jersey - scrap it, and scrap it now. Secondly, it's clear the Islanders need help in the "fan relations" department. Ever since Chris Dey left, the Islanders marketing and public relations on a non-hockey basis has been miserable. Maybe it stems from the owner, maybe not. But everyone needs to be held accountable. What the Islanders need to do is add a position in their marketing department that talks directly to ticket holders, game attendees, event attendees, and anyone who supports the Islanders organization. They need a liaison to be there when things get bad to avoid answers of complaints such as the infamous "well, the future is bright!" That may be so, but that has nothing to do with the topic.

This situation still can be avoided. Nothing is official yet, and for all we know the Islanders may scrap this horrendous idea after seeing the outcry from members of the media like Pro Hockey Talk and Puck Daddy. They can make it right. But my point stands. The Islanders need to start listening to the fans for off-ice issues. They need to stop alienating the fans by giving them something that is the complete opposite of what they want. And they need to stop ignoring the fans thinking they don't need anything from them, when in reality the fans are what drives the Islanders organization. Without the fans, the Coliseum would be empty, and there would be nothing but tumbleweed rolling through the asphalt parking lot on Hempstead Turnpike. Time for the Islanders to wake up and listen to their customers.

AT: I disagree with Carey that the Islanders need a new PR person, on the basis that I have hope for humanity. What does that mean? It means I don't believe anyone working on any level for the Islanders could not see the relentless backlash that was shown for a black jersey already. There is no way somebody could be that oblivious to the feedback so far. The Islanders even posted a Facebook status asking for opinions and almost every other comment basically said "JUST NO BLACK". So, what does Terry Goldstein and crew do? Make a black jersey. That's not incompetence. To me, that screams that the organization did this purposely even though they knew nobody wanted it. But why? For what purpose? This is a fanbase that is basically hanging on by a thread after 4 losing seasons, a failed arena referendum and basically being the joke of the league for the past 5 years or so. Why would you want to do ANYTHING that would possibly set off the fanbase?

We were already a sinking ship. Now, for a few Saturdays in the season, we're gonna be an ugly one.

Season Preview: Tomas Marcinko

Tomas Marcinko

Position: C
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 201 lbs
Birthdate: April 11, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: Poprad, Slovakia
Acquired: Draft, 4th round, 115th overall, 2006 NHL Entry Draft
Contract Status: 1 year, 2-way: $605K/$62.5K

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats: 66 GP - 4 G - 7 A - 11 P - 56 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Fourth Line Center

Last year: Marcinko finished his third and final year of his entry level contract by having a solid AHL season on Bridgeport's fourth line, scoring 11 points in 66 games. The depth player may not have had developed as well as the Isles would have liked as a fourth round pick, but Marcinko has proven to be a solid presence on the Sound Tiger bottom line. Marcinko is big and a good skater, but focuses more on the defensive side of the game. Playing with mostly ECHL call-ups as Bridgeport struggled in the standings last season.

Expectations: This year, it could be more of the same for Marcinko and the Sound Tigers. In somewhat of a surprise move, Marcinko was qualified for next season, in which he will most likely regain his spot on the Sound Tiger fourth line. With centers David Ullstrom, Casey Cizikas, and Trevor Frischmon, Bridgeport is not very strong down the middle. It's important that Marcinko have a healthy season and play well defensively so the Tigers do not get stretched even thinner down the middle.

Projections: 71 GP - 6 G - 9 A - 15 P

Thoughts:

CH: It's clear Marcinko has not developed to what the Islanders thought they were getting when they drafted him. That said, he has become a solid depth player for the Sound Tigers, even though his offensive talents are limited at best. If nothing else, he seems to be more of an AHL placeholder at this point as the Islanders wait for prospects such as Anders Lee and Brock Nelson to push other prospects down the depth chart. Long term, the Islanders have the ability to develop a factory of a thriving AHL team, but that hasn't been the case as of yet due to a lack of league veterans who can help bring the kids along. Marcinko is getting to the point where he is becoming an AHL veteran, which hopefully means he will come into his own as a bottom-6 AHL player and one that can contribute in some capacity, be it offensively or defensively.

AT: At 23, I think Marcinko has accepted his role as a depth player in the AHL. Obviously, nobody wants to be a career AHL guy, but players like him are quintessential to having an elite AHL team to provide a winning culture for the younger players on the team, especially incoming players like Casey Cizikas and Calvin De Haan, assuming they don't make the Islanders out of camp. After such an abysmal season in 2011, the Sound Tigers look poised to make a major turnaround. Players like Marcinko, while playing smaller roles, are absolutely invaluable to the team. Just as Marty Reasoner will play his role for the Islanders on the 4th line, Marcinko will play his on Bridgeport. 

Former Islanders: Dave Scatchard, Duane Sutter Updates

A couple of quick updates on some former Islanders:

Dave Scatchard announced his retirement on Twitter earlier this afternoon due to recurring concussion symptoms. 

Scatchard played 11 NHL seasons with the Canucks, Islanders, Bruins, Coyotes, Predators, and the Blues. He scored 128 goals in 659 NHL games, including 81 goals in 347 games with the Islanders.

CH: Very unfortunate that Scatch couldn't end things on his own terms. He was a model citizen while he was here on Long Island, and was a pretty good third line center for some quality Islander teams to boot. Not much else to say other than that Scatchard needs to take care of himself and his family first, and we wish him the best in his retirement.

AT: Easily one of my all time favorite Islanders, at least in my time as a fan since the '01-'02 season. Brought a boatload of leadership with him and was an all around great guy who could put up 40-45 points. Still remember when he wore his FDNY hat onto the ice when the Isles played the Wings for opening night at home right after 9/11. Best of luck to Scatch in his post-playing endeavors. 

In other news, Duane Sutter was named a scout for the Edmonton Oilers, joining GM Steve Tambellini and Player Development Director Mike Sillinger as former Islanders in the Oiler front office.

Season Preview: Kirill Kabanov

Kirill Kabanov

Position: LW
Height: 6'3"

Weight: 185 lbs
Birthdate: July 17th, 1992 (19 years old)
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Acquired: Draft, 3rd round, 65th overall, 2010 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Moncton Wildcats/Lewiston MAINEiacs
2010-2011 Stats: 39 GP - 11 G - 17 A - 28 P - 28 PIM. (Playoffs: 15 GP  - 8 G - 12 A - 20 P)
2011-2012 Team: Montreal Juniors
Team Role: Top 6 Forward

Last year: Kabanov had yet another wild year last year, being shipped off early from Moncton to Lewiston and having trouble finding chemistry with linemates. His skill was always evident, it just wasn't clicking with the rest of the team. However, once Kabanov found his groove, everything started flowing. He ended the year with decent stats and went on an absolute power run in the playoffs with Lewiston. He became a teammate rather than a selfish player and took on a leadership role in the lockerroom. He was also nominated for the QMJHL's Humanitarian of the Year award, showing that while he knows he's made mistakes in the past, he's clearly trying to make up for it and mature as much as possible. After what we saw in the playoffs when provided with a top line role and teammates who work for him, Kabanov's potential is sky high. Clearly Garth Snow realized this as well when he signed Kabanov to his 3 year ELC on July 1st.

Expectations: Unfortunately, the MAINEiacs folded under financial trouble and the team was dissolved. A special draft was held, and Kabanov was selected by the Montreal Junior hockey club. This is the team that Lewiston eliminated last year, so hopefully no hard feelings carry over (this is a team of young teenagers, remember that) and chemistry can form between him and his new linemates. We definitely expect a bigger year stat wise from Kabanov and a top role considering his age and skill. This may be the make or break year for Kabanov in terms of where he's going to be placed in the depth chart and in terms of his longevity with the Islanders. If he puts up solid numbers in the Q this year, he will most definitely find himself a top slot on Bridgeport come 2012-2013.

Projections: 58 GP - 29 G - 25 A - 54 P

Thoughts:

AT: Everyone including myself was ecstatic when Kabanov was picked originally, as we all knew his potential and why he fell so far. Once heralded as "the next Ovechkin", Kabanov's attitude and path in life have troubled him greatly. After meeting him at the draft party this year, I can tell that this kid has changed, and has a desire to continue maturing. He clearly still wants to have fun, but at a reasonable level - as anyone should be able to. Kabanov is definitely on the right path, and what he shows this year when he is inevitably returned to Montreal (no way he makes the team) should and hopefully will prove to the fans and the organization that he is the talent we all knew he was.

CH: This is a huge year for Kabanov's development, as he needs to show the Islanders that they were right to sign him one year before they had to. It's obvious that Kabanov has a ton of skill - he is a great skater, stickhandler and a great shot. He just needs to put everything together in the QMJHL this season. One thing that's always been overstated are his "attitude problems." He's not a bad kid, he is just immature, which is something that can and should be corrected over time. The fact that he is living on Long Island during the summer shows that he does have commitment to this franchise. Yes, he has made some bad social media decisions, but that comes with the immaturity of being a 19 year old kid. Overall, it was great value to pick him in the third round. The Islanders have been trying to put him in positions to succeed, and they gave him more confidence by signing him to a contract. Now, it's all up to Kabanov.

Season Preview: Brock Nelson

Brock Nelson

Position: C
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 185 lbs
Birthdate: October 15, 1991 (19 years old)
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Acquired: Draft, Round 1, 30rd overall, 2010 NHL Entry draft

2010-2011 Team: North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA)
2010-2011 Stats: 42 GP - 8 G - 13 A - 21 P - 27 PIM
2011-2012 Team: North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA)
Team Role: Top 9 Forward

Last year: Nelson had a very good freshman year for North Dakota, averaging half a point a game mostly playing in a third line role. Brock was also invited to play for the United States World Junior team around Christmas, in which he played 5 games but only had one assist despite being injured during the tournament. North Dakota made it to the Frozen Four last season, giving Nelson the opportunity to play for a national championship, but he was unfortunately injured there too leaving the NCAA Semifinals against Michigan on a stretcher. Injuries aside, 21 points is nothing to sneeze at for a freshman, so overall Nelson put a very solid season together.

Expectations: Nelson will enter his sophomore college season much improved. After seeing him this summer, it is clear he has hit the weight room. He gained muscle and speed, and will be expected to improve upon his freshman point total. It's unclear right now where Nelson will slot in, but it will certainly be in the top 3 lines. With high powered, small forwards like Danny Kristo and Mario Lamoureux, Nelson will provide an element of size and speed that the Sioux can certainly use going forward. Brock is still a few years away, but it's important that he continues his development curve as he is playing in a great program at UND. Now a younger team, Nelson may be forced to take on a leadership role earlier than expected.

Projections: 44 GP - 14 G - 17 A - 31 P

Thoughts:

CH: The Nelson pick really came out of nowhere back in 2010, as the Islanders slipped back very late in the first round to select him. He looked a little uncomfortable in his first prospect camp, but that was certainly not the case this past summer. During the scrimmage, he looked like a completely improved player. His skating was above average. His size is above average. He has a great nose for the net and playmaking ability. Working with Anders Lee, the two combined for a multitude of goals on the top line for the White team. I'm really looking forward to watching him develop, as he certainly has the tools to be a versatile NHL player. The only question is where his potential will take him. The Islanders may have uncovered a great prospect here, it's just going to take a little while to get there.

AT: Along with Anders Lee, his performance at the Blue and White scrimmage was absolutely astonished compared to what he'd shown previously at camps, and even more so astonishing seeing how horrifying his last injury was. After most of us saw the replays, we thought there was a chance he'd never be the same. Man, this crow is tasty. His playmaking ability and passing still need a bit of work, but they were by far improved upon what we'd seen previously. He's bigger, stronger, and ready for his sophomore year at UND. There was clearly a reason Garth traded up to get him, and I think we may have seen it.

News: NHL National TV Schedule Released

The NHL released their national TV schedule today for NBC, NBC Sports (VERSUS), and NHL Network. The league will show over 300 games this season on the three channels. 

The New York Islanders, however, will only be on national TV for two games:

- November 7 at Boston on VERSUS
- March 31 vs. Boston on NHL Network

The Islanders will not be shown on NBC this season.

CH: Not really that surprising the Isles only have two games on National TV this year. They are still a bottom dwelling team until proven otherwise. While they are certainly an entertaining bunch to watch, there is not much star power on this team - therefore making them unattractive to the TV station. I'm not sure John Tavares is at the level of superstardom that would make him "must see TV" the way Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are. The point is simple here: if/when the Islanders get better and become a playoff team, there is no doubt they will be on for everyone to see more often than not.

Report: Islanders Viewing Party Switches Games

According to Stu Hackel of SI.com, the Islanders have decided to replace the game shown at Friday's Isles MeetUp at Champions from the brawl filled 9-3 domination of the Pittsburgh Penguins to the "very good but not as great" 7-6 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres.

In a statement, the team said, “The New York Islanders have requested that MSG Network change the originally scheduled game to be viewed at the Friday, Aug. 19 meetup. As a part of MSG Plus’ Summer Ice programming, the schedule had the Islanders game from Friday, Feb. 11 against the Pittsburgh Penguins set to air at 7 p.m. Instead MSG Plus will air the Islanders 7-6 overtime victory on Sunday, Feb. 13 over the Buffalo Sabres.”

This came after a media/fan outrage when the Islanders announced they would be showing the controversial Penguins game at the meetup earlier this week.

CH: This is likely the last time we reference this Penguins game unless it is in passing. There is little question the NHL pressured the Islanders into taking the Pens game off, to which the Isles responded by asking MSG to change the game. We can argue for hours if it is hypocritical (it is, given the NHL shows plenty of brawl filled games on NHL Network), or a bad PR stunt or whatever. What's sad is the Islanders seem to be more worried about their competitors customers than their own, but one would have to imagine their hand was forced. Either way, the debate is pointless.

Both fanbases have made themselves out to be martyrs during this week, which is wrong. The Islanders, highlighted by Trevor Gillies' inexplicable hit and taunt of Eric Tangradi, did plenty wrong during the game. The Penguins, highlighted by Eric Godard jumping the bench to "save" Brent Johnson, did some questionable things as well. The fact is this game is now going on six months old, and everyone needs to get over it.

But by get over it, I don't mean forget about it. This game meant so much to Islander fans, including myself, and no one can ever take that away from us.  Some quick final points:

• The Islanders played a potential defining game in their rebuild, one in which their fans are certainly treating it as such. That cannot be taken away from the Islanders or their fans, no matter how much other parties try.
• The Pens, right or wrong, did not like the events that went down in this game. It seems the organization is over it. Their fans and the media - not so much. That's what propelled this to levels of ridiculousness.
• I still do not understand why a fan gathering of 150 fans on Long Island affects a single person in Pittsburgh
• A renewed rivalry between the Islanders and Penguins is great for the league. The Atlantic Division is filled top to bottom with rivalries, which increases the passion and quality of play.

AT: At this point, I'm not sure if there's going to be any matchups with Atlantic division teams where the fans of each team don't absolutely despise each other. The fact that the media and the league have blown this completely out of proportion is disgusting, slightly infuriating and somewhat amusing. If this is how bored fans get during the offseason, man, I really can't wait for the season to start just so we can start arguing over actual hockey, not viewing parties. That's all I can say on this. Grow up, Pittsburgh fans. You have a star player who is the face of the NHL - one who may never play again. Methinks you have better things to worry about.

Season Preview: Kirill Petrov

Kirill Petrov

Position: RW/LW
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 209 lbs
Birthdate: April 13th, 1990 (21 years old)
Birthplace: Kazan, Russia
Acquired: Draft, round 3, 73rd overall, 2008 NHL Entry draft

2010-2011 Team: Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk
2010-2011 Stats: 47 GP - 8 G - 11 A - 19 P - 20 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Ak Bars Kazan
Team Role: Bottom 6 Forward

Last year: After playing for Ak Bars Kazan for so long and getting minimal playing time, in a bit of KHL contract trickery that we here in the NHL are a bit confused by, Petrov was loaned to another club last year, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. On this club, he had somewhat decent playing time (albeit still on a lower forward role) and was able to further establish himself as a top prospect for the Islanders. Much like in the SEL, when younger players get low playing time or have stats on the lower side, it says very little about them and the actual skill they possess. Petrov was easily one of the best players on Yugra according to multiple sources and was an absolute force for Yugra in their first round playoff series against Metallurg. Last season was a confirmation from Petrov that he is exactly the type of player we know he can be.

Expectations:
Petrov is back with Ak Bars this year to fulfill the final year of his KHL contract. As we know, Petrov does not receive a lot of playing time on Ak Bars with an experienced and talented forward core headed by Aleksey Morozov helming the top 6 offense. Petrov's final year may not be very telling stats wise, but the end of this year should tell us whether his consistent statements that he wants to play in the NHL hold true. 

Projections: 40 GP - 3 G - 4 A - 7 P

Thoughts:

AT: Petrov has always been an interesting prospect. He's come to camps before (although didn't this year due to a family sickness), has stated his intention and desire to play in the NHL and willingness to play in the AHL if need be, and seems to be dedicated to hockey for his career. However, with so many convoluted contract situations coming out of the KHL not only with Petrov but with many other Russian prospects, it simply becomes a game of "wait and see". We know Petrov has the talent to be a top 6 winger in the NHL at one point in his career, but whether he actually sees the NHL at any point soon is something that is nothing more than conjecture and guessing at the moment. We hope at the end of 2012 we see Petrov in the AHL or NHL, but it's just a waiting game right now.

CH: I think Alex has it exactly right. Petrov was certainly worth taking a chance on in 2008, but if he will ever come to North America is anyone's guess. My hope for Petrov is that receives proper time to develop, as he already lost 2 years of development time between 2008-2010 before being loaned to Yugra last season. I would expect, however, for Petrov to play low minutes again for Kazan, which means that it would be in his best interest (and the Isles of course) to sign a contract with the team next year, even if that means adjusting for an entire season in Bridgeport. There is no question that Petrov's potential is sky high, but it's a matter of if he will ever reach it. My hope is that we get to see him play first hand come 2012-13, but really he's such a wildcard that it's as big of a wait and see game as it gets. His season starts soon, so we will certainly watch it closely to see how he does.

Season Preview: Anders Lee

Anders Lee

Position: C

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 212 lbs

Birthdate: July 3rd, 1990 (21 years old)

Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota, United States

Acquired: Draft, 6th round, 152nd overall, 2009 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (CCHA)

2010-2011 Stats: 44 GP - 24 G - 20 A - 44 P - 16 PIM

2011-2012 Team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

Team Role: Top 6 Forward

Last year: Lee completed his freshman year at Notre Dame last year as an older 20 year old. That said, he put together an outstanding freshman campaign scoring 24 goals and averaging exactly one point per game over the course of the 44 game season. Lee was a major reason the Irish were able to finish in the Frozen Four last year, scoring the game winning goal in overtime in the first round against Merrimack (and adding another goal in the same game). 

Expectations: Now 21 years old entering his sophomore season, Lee and the Irish are a more experienced team. They have proven they can make it to the Frozen Four and will surely want to improve on that to win a national championship. Lee will certainly want to improve on his great freshman stats, and will definitely get the opportunity to do so. Lee is joined this year by 2011 Isles draft pick Robbie Russo, who is entering in a promising freshman class for the Irish. Up front, led by T.J. Tynan, Riley Sheahan and Billy Maday, Lee joins a formidable group of forwards who will push to take the Irish to the next level.

Projections: 41 GP - 27 G - 17 A - 44 P - 24 PIM

Thoughts: 

CH: It is really hard to imagine Lee drastically improving on such an impressive rookie season in the CCHA. However, I do think he is capable of increasing his goal total. After watching him at rookie camp, you could tell that Lee has some serious potential. After dropping in the draft because of his offers to join some college football programs, Lee decided on hockey and chose to play in the USHL a year before heading to Notre Dame on a hockey - not football - scholarship. He did anything but disappoint there, and it is easy to see why. While Lee is not the strongest skater - he has anything but a pretty stride - he hockey sense is off the charts. During the games I saw of him at both college in the Isles prospect scrimmage, Lee knows his size and heads to one place in the offensive zone. In front of the net. These instincts, along with his great hands, have and will do Lee well over the years. I look forward to see how he does in his sophomore year, because if it is anything like his freshman year, it will surely be a sight to see.

AT: Always criticized for his skating skills, what Anders Lee showed this year in the Blue and White scrimmage and in his rookie season at Notre Dame has proven everything we've known about him to be wrong. Strong(er) skating, great puck possession skills, fantastic two-way play, a nice shot, great hockey sense (and to think he could've played football!), and skilled hands. While Lee joins a myriad of centers in the Islanders organization right now, it is hard to see him not finding a role in Bridgeport fairly soon. He still has many things left to develop at Notre Dame and plenty of time to do it, but I love what we saw this year and hope to see more.

Arena: What Comes Next?

It's been a little over two weeks since the August 1 referendum was handily defeated. Since then, Nassau County has put out the start of an RFP process (Mangano was not apparently happy with the results). Three local municipalities - Brooklyn, Queens, and Suffolk County - have publicly expressed their interest in becoming the new home of the New York Islanders. And all the while, Islander fans are left wondering what comes next. 

Photo Credit: Newsday

CH: To be honest, it is hard to really determine the answer to that question. The Islanders certainly have local options, and it is important to remember that because come 2015 if there is still no answer, there will be blame to go around if the team leaves New York state (or even the Long Island landmass). To be honest, they have zero reason to leave the area. But one has to wonder what is going through the mind of owner Charles Wang right now.

Wang seems steadfast in trying to make it work with Nassau County. On one hand, the loyalty he has shown the Islanders' home for almost 40 years is admirable. But on the other hand, you have to wonder why. Wang has been at this for close to ten years, and we are left in an almost identical situation as we were in year 1 - except for the 800 pound elephant in the room. That is, the lease is expiring in four years, and counting.

I think it is certainly possible the Islanders come to some sort of solution in Nassau County. Whether it's getting in bed with the enemy (ABLI) or some sort of tax increase that the County imposes without bonding (very unlikely), it can be done. But Wang should not sit around and wait for that to happen. To be honest, he cannot wait. If Wang is true to his words, he is out of options...in Nassau. He should be publicly courting other local municipalities.

To start, there is Queens. The RFP for the Willets Point project was pushed back to September 9. Wang could partner up with another developer to build a mini-Lighthouse in Queens. To go along with that, there is plenty of space in the Citi Field parking lot to build a hockey arena. This would make the Willets Point-Mets area a year round destination, which is exactly what the Lighthouse project was meant to be. There is already zoning for an arena in the parking lot, and if the Mets could benefit from it, they would not be any sort of roadblock to stop it. The advantages to Queens are plenty: corporate support, accessibility from New York City and Long Island alike, partnership with one of the MLB's most valuable franchises, and increased exposure all around.

Of course, a second Long Island proper option is Suffolk County. The Heartland Project in Brentwood is going into the final stages of planning and *could* be ready to go in the near future. If the Wolkoff's want to involve Wang and the Islanders, a partnership could be formed. Steve Levy, Suffolk's lame duck County Executive has already stated he has had very preliminary discussions with Wang about moving the team one county east.

But can Suffolk work? Absolutely, if it is in Brentwood. Yes, it is about 30 minutes east of Uniondale. But much of the Islanders fanbase comes from Long Island proper. For the commuters, I would recommend moving game start times back a half hour to 7:30, but it would really be no different than operating out of Nassau County. There would be similar corporate support, a similar culture and fanbase, and a retention of "Long Island's team." It's an option that should seriously be explored.

Finally, there is Brooklyn, which is a very interesting case. To start, Brooklyn is the only municipality with a new arena in the midst of construction. However, while it can fit a hockey rink, only 14,500 seats will be open for viewing, many of which will have obstructed views. Secondly, it is the most inaccessible area on Long Island for Nassau and Suffolk residents to get to. Long Islanders like to drive places, and getting to Brooklyn in the middle of rush hour would not be high on anyone's list. However, the fact of the matter is that they are constructing an arena and it is a viable place for the Islanders due to that corporate support and increased exposure. But it should be treated only as a last resort: either Brooklyn or out of state. I take Brooklyn.

Overall, Wang and the Islanders have options. It's just a matter of actually exploring them. And if he does, the Islanders can put the pressure on Nassau and hopefully come to a conclusion once and for all.

AT: I feel that at this point, Nassau is done unless they come up with a total sweetheart deal for Wang. With Murray as the TOH supervisor, it's very difficult to see that happening in time for the Islanders. After both public and private options were denied, it's time for Wang to puff out his chest and show Nassau he means business. Clearly, the incompetency of the government has gotten to an all time high, and we as fans can not and should not stand for it, nor should Wang as the owner. It's put up or shut up time, Nassau County. Do you want the only professional team you will ever have to stay?

Suffolk is definitely a possibility, though the concern of corporate support as mentioned is definitely one that should be heavily looked into before any real plans are submitted. As a Suffolk resident I would gladly welcome the Islanders, I'm just not sure if it's the most economically viable, especially if we have a losing team. I don't really think people traveling a little extra if they're in Nassau would be that much of a concern if the start times are moved out and if people are dedicated to the team. Plenty of people make it to Mets, Yankees and Ranger games on a pretty constant basis even on weekdays during heavy work season, so I don't think it would be that much of a problem. Suffolk also keeps the Islanders on Long Island, which is great just in terms of pride. The Heartland project is a very, very large project, so if something solid can come out of it, it'd be fantastic.

Queens is most definitely an option and seems to be openly courting the Isles coming west, and as with Suffolk I don't think travel would be that much of a problem, and people would adjust just find. Corporate support should and probably would be fantastic and you'd be in a great and convenient location. There's just one problem with this, however... Queens is not Long Island. Geographically, sure.. but if I'm recalling the logo correctly, Queens isn't even on the logo, nor is Brooklyn. While I personally wouldn't really care as my beloved New York Jets don't even play in New York, I know many fans would be very upset by the "Islanders" essentially leaving "Long Island". Queens would be a great solution economically and for the long run, but I simply have to question if any fans would lose some of their "fandom" so to speak if Queens were to be the option. Yet, as Carey mentioned, if it's between Brooklyn, Queens or out of state, I take the former two options ten times out of ten.

Brooklyn however I do not see as a viable option. Yes, there is an arena pretty much almost completed, but the occupancy is low for hockey, Wang would be splitting tenancy with another owner, and getting there for Long Island residents would be a major hassle. It simply does not seem to line up. I would however be completely fine with the Islanders staying there for a season while a new arena is being built in Nassau, Suffolk or Queens. Besides that, it'd be very difficult for me to jump on the Brooklyn bandwagon unless the only other option was out of state.

We definitely need to hear something soon. I know Wang doesn't want the players to be distracted from arena business, but we as fans are VERY distracted. Many fans are still very upset about the vote, and while personally I will root as hard as I ever did this year for the team, I know there are fans who think this is the end and may be much less enthused. I really hope there's something going on behind the scenes. Time is ticking away, and 2015 will be here before we know it.

Around The NHL: Rick Rypien Passes Away

Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien was found dead in his Alberta home at age 27, according to multiple reports including TSN. Rypien, who had played his entire career with the Vancouver Canucks before signing with the Jets this past summer, scored 9 goals and had 7 assists with 226 penalty minutes in 119 NHL games. 

CH: This is just terrible, terrible news. This is the second death of the summer for the NHL, both of which fall in the enforcer category. I am sure that many will talk about the nature of fighting in the game and weather it should be kept or taken out. I think that is nonsense. Fighting has been part of the NHL game for years and is a staple of the culture of the league. Now, I don't agree with stage fighting, but that is another conversation for another time. But does anyone not enjoy a passionate, spur-of-the-moment fight between guys you would never expect to throw down?

I think what the NHL really needs to look at is how they can help players off the ice. The league has an outstanding substance abuse program, one in which Nashville forward Jordin Tootoo came out of as a huge success story, but with these recent tragedies it may not be enough. I don't have the answer here, so it's unfair for me to harshly criticize the league. And this is not the right forum to do it. But two deaths in two months is two too many, and it's something that as a person - let alone a hockey fan, that I never want to see happen. If anything, it's just a reminder of how important it is to take care of yourself and if you need help, seek it. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Rypien family, the Winnipeg Jets, the Vancouver Canucks, and the NHL as a whole.

AT: 100%, completely agreed with Carey here. The NHL needs to invest further in post-career health care access (I'm sure they have some form already) for those who have retired, and the league needs to monitor those players who are continuously taking shots to the head or seem on edge. These are not robots. They are human beings playing a professional sport who have every mistake come under criticism from local and national media outlets. Most remember what happened with Rypien and his interaction with a fan, and while we were all quick to jump on him for what he did (and rightly so), we tend to forget that this is a human being that we're talking about, and they have the same emotions and feelings we do sitting here blogging. When you insult us, we take offense, and so do most players. Some learn to grow a thick skin, but it's not as if Rypien was in the spotlight being a 4th line enforcer. Without having much media coverage on him and then having a spur of media coverage in a short time all being negative against you, for some that is difficult to cope. I hope that in the future the NHL takes a hard lesson from this and works actively with players to speak up when they feel less than normal.

My deepest prayers go out to the Rypien family, the Jets and Canucks communities and to anyone who ever enjoyed seeing Rypien both on the ice and off the ice.

News: Islanders Announce Training Camp Dates

On their official website, the New York Islanders have announced their training camp schedule. You can view that here. 

Among the key dates for Long Island fans are:

• Sept. 13 - 7:00 PM - Boston Bruins Rookies vs. New York Islanders Rookies - Nassau Coliseum
• Sept. 14 - 1:00 PM - New York Islanders Children's Foundation Golf Event - Bethpage Red
• Sept. 24 - 7:00 PM - Preseason: New Jersey vs. NY Islanders - Nassau Coliseum
• Sept. 25 - 9:00 AM - 3rd Annual Islanders Community Event - Adventureland (Rt. 110)
• Sept. 30 - 7:00 PM - Preseason: NY Islanders vs. New Jersey - Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
• Oct. 1 - 7:00 PM - Preseason: Boston vs. NY Islanders - Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, CT

Also listed are the rookie camp attendees:

Goalies: Mikko Koskinen, Anders Nilsson, Kevin Poulin

Defensemen: Art Bidlevski, Calvin de Haan, Matt Donovan, Mark Katic, Brenden Kichton, Anton Klementyev, Aaron Ness, Benn Olson, Andrei Pedan

Forwards: Casey Cizikas, Justin DiBenedetto, Brett Gallant, Kirill Kabanov, Tyler McNeely, Nino Niederreiter, John Persson, Rhett Rakhshani, Tony Romano, Ryan Strome, Mitchell Theoret, David Ullstrom

Note: It's our goal to be at as many of these events as we can. No matter what, we will do our best to provide comprehensive coverage of training camp. Stay tuned.

Season Preview: Scott Mayfield

Scott Mayfield

Position: D
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 201 lbs
Birthdate: October 14th, 1992 (18 years old)
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
Acquired: Draft, 2nd round, 34th overall, 2011 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
2010-2011 Stats: 7 G - 9 A - 16 P - 159 PIM
2011-2012 Team: University of Denver Pioneers
Team Role: Top 4 D-Man

Last year: Mayfield absolutely dominated last year in the USHL. He was a complete shut down defenseman who would use his body and his excellent control of the puck to shut opponents out from creating any type of play near him. This is not a defenseman who shies away from the physical aspect of the game. Equally impressive was the speed Mayfield was able to show even having his rugged,  6'4" frame. If what Mayfield showed in terms of his play can carry over to Denver for this coming season, we're in for a real treat.

Expectations: Mayfield is also known for his offensive prowess, so he needs to step that up this year playing for Denver. Even though he is coming in as a freshman, he is the tallest and biggest player of the UD defense corps and should be getting top 4 minutes by the end of the year. The jump from the USHL to the NCAA is quite substantial and Mayfield will be playing against players who are 1, 2 and 3 years ahead of him both in years and in development. If he can continue to work on his body, build muscle and refine his hockey sense that certainly needed some work last year, Mayfield should become the number one D-man for Denver within a year or two. Mayfield definitely has some competition on the depth chart such as John Lee (2007 Panthers 5th round pick) and Dave Makowski, but as long as he continues to refine his game, he shouldn't have a problem finding a slot on the 2nd D pairing this year.

Projections: 40 GP - 10 G - 12 A - 22 P - 86 PIM

Thoughts: 

AT: Just another gem out of the draft from Garth Snow, making the right pick at a great location in the draft. Originally thought to go in the late first round, Mayfield fell to us at 34. With comparisons to NHL greats like Chris Pronger and established d-men such as Victor Hedman, this pick really could end up being one of the steals of the draft. While as I mentioned his hockey sense, his offense and his body need work, Mayfield comes off as the complete D-man. If what we have here really matures into what his potential holds, well.. our D corps in a few years is looking mighty fine.

CH: Mayfield was drafted exactly where we rated him, pretty much, so right there you can call it a good value pick. He is going to a great program at Denver where he should get plenty of ice time and the ability to develop. Denver has recently developed prospects like Rhett Rakhshani, who was in the running for AHL Rookie of the Year, and Matt Donovan, a former USA WJC-20 member who is making is AHL debut this season. So right there you know he is in good hands. Obviously, Mayfield has great size and will need to use it as he fills into his body. He is a three to four year project, so we will not be seeing him any time soon, but like Alex says he does have very good potential. Given the fact that he filled an organizational need and is very skilled at his position, I'm very excited to see how he develops.

Season Preview: Johan Sundstrom

Johan Sundstrom

Position: C

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 196 lbs

Birthdate: September 21st, 1992 (18 years old)

Birthplace: Goteborg, Sweden

Acquired: Draft, Round 2, 50th overall, 2011 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Frolunda (SEL)

2010-2011 Stats: 41 GP - 1 G - 0 A - 10 PIM

2011-2012 Team: Frolunda (SEL)

Team Role: 4th Line Center

Last year: Sundstrom played for a number of teams last year, including Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League, which is extremely impressive for an 18 year old kid. He played 41 games with the team, scoring only once in limited ice time. When he played against players in his age group, Sundstrom was dominant. He finished with 19 points in 15 games with the Frolunda U20 team. In the playoffs with the Frolunda U20 team, Sundstrom had 8 goals and 15 points in 7 games. Unfortunately, he did have an underwhelming WJC, finishing with only 1 point in 6 games. 

Expectations: Sundstrom will most likely play the season in the Swedish Elite League with Frolunda. It's important to remember that while he is a solid prospect, Frolunda has many veterans that will get playing time over him. Sundstrom will most likely play a 4th line role for the team, which is the role that most teenagers fill in the SEL. For example, David Ullstrom had a very solid season in the AHL last year after playing bottom line minutes for HV71. Recently, Sundstrom was part of a four-team international team tournament in Lake Placid. He was absolutely outstanding, finishing with 13 points in 5 games. A big key for Sundstrom will be how he performs at thw WJC U-20 this year. He will be expected to be a leader for Sweden as they strive to earn a medal this year. But for now, he will learn a lot as the SEL season is around the corner.

Projections: 44 GP - 3 G - 2 A - 5 P

Thoughts:

CH: When this pick was made, I thought the Isles reached a little for him. After seeing him play at the scrimmage in July, I thought there was some real validity in selecting him at 50. And then his performance at the Lake Placid tournament proved that notion. Against players his own age, Sundstrom is extremely effective. Given that he had a spot in the SEL last year, it's clear that the Frolunda organization saw something in him. He is driven by his hockey sense and ability around the net. While he does have pretty good speed, he will need to improve it a little bit. His size speaks for himself - already 6'3" and 196 pounds, he is a short time away from having an NHL body. Overall, he plays a very nice two-way game, which means that if a spot opens up on the Isles 3rd line in the future, he may end up being the guy to fill it.

AT: I as well thought choosing a checking center was a little bit of a stretch at 50, but as Carey mentioned his performance at the Lake Placid tournament proved he was worthy of that pick. 14 points in 5 games is not something you wouldn't bat an eye at. Sundstrom was also equally impressive at the Blue and White scrimmage earlier last month at Nassau Coliseum. It is clear he has the skills on him to succeed and much like the much earlier taken Mika Zibanejad, you can not rely on his stats in a professional league to see how he will play in the NHL. All of that comes down to professional scouting and actually watching the prospect play in real games against his own age group. As Sundstrom fills out and refines his skills, it will be exciting to see him develop. Expect him to spend 1 more year in the SEL and then head to the AHL barring no restrictions.