Season Preview: Michael Grabner

Michael Grabner

Position: Right Wing
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 187 lbs
Birthdate: October 5, 1987 (24 years old)
Birthplace: Villach, Austria
Acquired: Claimed Off Waivers from Florida Panthers, 2010

2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats: 76 GP - 34 G - 18 A - 52 P - 10 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Top Six Forward

Last year: Grabner was property of three NHL organizations from the end of the 2009-10 season to the start of the 2010-11 season. In short, it was a whirlwind summer for Grabner. First, he was traded at the draft to the Florida Panthers from the Vancouver Canucks in a deal involving Keith Ballard. After a lackluster training camp, he was waived by Dale Tallon and the Panthers. Luckily for Grabner, his career was about to change forever. A major shoulder injury to Kyle Okposo made the Islanders desperate for offense. Knowing Grabner's history as a first rounder, Garth Snow and the Islanders took a chance on the Austrian forward. After a slow start, Grabner's speed took over as he combined with Frans Nielsen and Okposo for the last 40 games of the season as the Isles most productive line. Thirty-four goals later, and a trip to Las Vegas as a finalist for the Calder Trophy, the Islanders locked Grabner up to a five-year extension.

Expectations: Expectations for Grabner are really all over the map. There's no reason that he shouldn't replicate his performance last year, and the fact that he is able to use his speed for a seemingly prime scoring chance every game should help him get there. He is expected to stay on a line with Nielsen and Okposo, and if their chemistry holds over for the season, they will be the Islanders best all-around line. He is an extremely dangerous threat on the penalty kill, and if he gets more powerplay time, he will have the opportunity for even more scoring chances. Right now, Grabner is one of the best forwards on the team and there is no reason for that to change as he starts the first year of his new contract.

Projections: GP 80 - 33 G - 24 A - 57 P

Thoughts: 

CH: Grabner has turned into an absolute coup by Snow. For whatever reason they picked him up, he turned into something special and has really improved the amount of offensive talent on the team and in the system. He may be the fastest skater in the league, he has better hands than he is given credit for, and he is a solid three-zone player. What has helped him is the fact that his confidence grew exponentially after Jack Capuano took over for Scott Gordon last season. Since the coaching change, Grabner has developed into a legitimate top-six player and was even nominated as a finalist for the Calder Trophy last year (losing out to Jeff Skinner). The Islanders are certainly lucky to have a player like Grabner locked up for the next five seasons.

AT: Dumpster diving off the waivers list? More like plucking diamonds out of a clogged sink. It's amazing how so many teams passed up on Grabner, even when he put up great stats in 20 games with the Canucks. His speed alone should land him on the top line on any NHL team, and I'm glad that one team happened to be the Islanders. With a player with such amazing hockey sense as Frans Nielsen as his center, replicating his 34 goals and possibly surpassing them shouldn't be too much of a problem. Even if he comes close, the fact that we got 2 30 goal scorers from the most unlikely of places is such a positive thing for this team.