Sunday, February 22, 2009

Snow Not Done Trading

From Newsday:

With more than a week to the March 4 trade deadline, Snow said he still has lines in the water. Hinting at more possible trades, Snow said, "We're obviously in a situation where we're going with younger players and giving them an opportunity to play significant minutes."

Don't expect Bergenheim to be traded, nor Hunter and Park. All three will need to step up the leadership role for next year. Geurin could still be moved if he is willing to waive his no-trade clause. Brendan Witt and Jon Sim have recently improved and may raise their trade values. I would not expect anything more than a second or third round pick for any of these players. With the exception for Witt, he could possibly bring a late first rounder, or a more likely scenario, two second rounders.

Highlights Islanders 4 Devils 0

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Comrie & Campoli Traded

From various reports, both were traded to Ottawa for San Jose's first rounder and Dean McAmmond, a decent but older third line winger.

We'll see how the lineup is tonight against the Devils, which I'm going to. According to some reports, Campoli asked to be traded a few weeks ago, and that he did not fit Gordons system.

Comrie we all knew was a goner, but it was only recently that Campoli's name coming up. I'm not a fan of trading younger players not hitting their prime, but if he asked to be traded, then so be it. Good Luck Chris. Time to move on.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Prospect Watch: Robin Figren


Robin Figren, drafted 70th overall in the 2006 Entry Draft. Figren is flamboyant, an excellent skater with terrific endurance. He can check very hard and is a good two-way player. Figren has also some great offensive tools, which includes a good goal scoring capability, nice technical skills and an outstanding shot, which is essential on the power play. He does not have any major flaws, but size is not threatening and on occasion, Figren can appear to be a tad selfish with the puck

Figren reminds me of a late bloomer Jason Blake. The down side to Figren is that he's not yet learning the North American game, but the idea is to bring him over by next year. He has had trouble in the Swedish Elite League this year, which may set him back, but if he adjusts quickly to the AHL, Figren could be playing in the NHL sooner rather than later. Prediction: 3 years until he's on the Island.

Stats for this season as of Feb 18th, 2009:

Season_________Team________League_____ GP__ G__ A__ TP

2007-2008______Edm Oil Kings _WHL_______ 35__ 18__13__ 31
2008-2009_____ Djurgården____ Elitserien___ 44___ 3__ 6___ 9
______________Djurgården J20 SuperElit____ 1____ 1__ 2___ 3



YouTube - Robin Figren zorro (lacrosse) goal WJC (Dec 28 th 2007)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Prospect Watch: Brian Day

Update 2.13.10 From Omair Taher

Day continues to improve steadily in his junior season at Colgate. The Islanders' sixth pick in the 2006 draft currently leads the Raiders with 16 goals, and is third in points with 26 in 26 games behind Devils prospect David McIntyre and Stars prospect Austin Smith. Day has been more of the triggerman on the team this year, and would have one more if not for a goal being incorrectly waved off going in off his skate.

Drafted 171st overall in the 2006 Entry Draft. From what I could find, Colgate star Brian Day is an old-school power-forward that continues to drive to the net. He is a hard worker who can be strong in his own zone and isn’t afraid to agitate. He’ll have to add some muscle to his 6’, 186 lbs build in order for his style of play to be effective in the NHL.


Could be compared to a Jeremy Colliton, a solid fourth-line player at the NHL level, with lots of spunk. Either way would expect to be a very good Sound Tiger, and a decent call-up when needed.


2007-08 Colgate University NCAA 41 9 13 22 53
2008-09 Colgate University NCAA 34 14 13 27 26
2009-10 Colgate University NCAA 32 20 14 34 24

Prospect Watch

Over the next few weeks, I'll be going over the prospects that are not in Bridgeport, to give Islanders fans a hint of the future that they will be witnessing. I have gone over almost all of them and I think most fans will be pleased.

After researching, I can say this: Most if not all the prospects listed on the Islanders web sight, have the potential to at least play for Bridgeport. Some of these players however, may not be signed, or may not want to come over to North America for different reasons.

This segment is literally an overview of how our scouting department has done over the last 3+ years.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Islanders Win 3-2 Highlights

Geurin To Boston?

From the Boston Herald:

"Look for the B’s to add at least one player, likely a forward. One name not mentioned much who’d fit the bill: Islanders forward Bill Guerin, an unrestricted free agent-to-be who was the prototypical Bruin during his too-brief time here (142 games, 69-60-129). He has 15-19-34 toatls in 54 games with the Islanders."

Guerin has a no trade clause. Weight we know will most likely not be traded due to his injury. Guerins family does not want to move. However, the Bruins are shooting for the Cup this year. It's completely up to Bill. My opinion, I don't think he'll waive his no-trade clause.

How Have the Kids Been Doing?

I've been watching some games and then going back to Islanders TV for some extra looks, and to be honest, the Islanders youth movement needs to get it together. Only Kyle Okposo has scored in the last five games for the youngsters. I can't remember the last time anyone else other than Kyle have scored.

Blake Comeau has completed 82 games in the NHL and finished with 12 goals. That's fourth line work there ladies and gents......He has the potential to be a top six winger, but he MUST start shooting the puck more, and he has to play consistent hockey. Starting next year, I don't know if he'll be 2nd or 3rd line, but I have to believe that 15-20 goals from him should be expected.

Bailey is on a big learning curve, so I'll have to really take a longer look at him towards the end of the season.

Bergenheim is in a confidence funk, it;s written all over his face. He's frustrated, and he wants so bad to start producing the offense. If only that's what his coach wanted him to do. Buy into the system Sean.

More to come later........................................

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Weight Is Out, So Is Tamby?

Various reports have confirmed that Doug Weight is out of the lineup for roughly 4-6 weeks.

Well there goes a second round pick. Personally, I hope the Islanders resign weight to an extension. The Islanders prospects are pretty much a year away, so dealing weight may not be such a good idea at this point.

Jeff Tambellini was a healthy scratch against the Islanders loss, 5-1 to Philadelphia and was replaced by Mitch Fritze.

WHAT!!!!! I think Jeff now has a role on this team, and that is of reserve forward. He's good enough to be AHL material, so demoting him maybe a good idea. However, he could be plucked up by another team looking to rebuild. Tambellini's future will be determined by who, if any, veterans get traded by the deadline. I would like to point out that Sim is in higher rankings that Tambs. So it will take at least one players to be traded before Tamb gets any kind of action, and Fritze will have to be sent down.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Witt To Philly Rumor.......

From the Courier Post:

The Flyers should "Direct their attention to a hard-edged defenseman." "The Islanders might be willing to part with banger Brendan Witt ($2.7 million, UFA)."

The Courier may not know that Witt is signed for another two years at 3 million. Still it's possible we could get a little more than just a draft pick for Witt from Philly.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Weight In The Rumor Mill

From the Daily Herald Sun, Feb 8th.

A scout told me the other night he thought Doug Weight would be an ideal guy for the Hawks because of the style they play. I don't know how much Weight has left, but he certainly wouldn't cost much to get from the Islanders.

Some rumors had Comrie going to Chicago, but this is legit. Chicago must go far into the playoffs this year, and Weight would cost less than say a Keith Tkachuk.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Rumor Mill

From CBC (Hot Stove: second intermission) Jan. 31

-Mike Milbury suggests several players on the New York Islanders will be available at the trade deadline, listing Mike Comrie, Bill Guerin, Doug Weight and Brendan Witt as topping that list.

Duh!!!! Gee Mike way to come up with that one. How long did it take you? You're now only a few weeks behind the rest of the Islanders fans.

Okay, let's break them down.

Comrie: Has trade value as a scorer and at center. Hilbert would probably be his replacement for next year, assuming the Islanders sign Hilbert. As of now, I would expect at least a second rounder for Comrie due to his young age.

Guerin: Has a no-trade clause. Period. If a playoff contender comes calling, he may listen, but there are reasons why he has that clause in his contract.

Weight: Is having a renaissance year, and is attracting a lot of attention. But here is my thought. I don't think Bailey is ready to be a number one center. If the Islanders truly want to finish dead last in the conference by seasons end, then you trade Weight. If the Islanders find themselves too far ahead from worst overall, sign him to a one year extension. He's almost a point per game player, and has helped the power play.

Witt: Has two more years on his contract, and that may scare a few teams with cap trouble. He would be sought out by playoff teams, but it all depends on if they can absorb his contract.