Goalie Rumor Mill

Per Katie Strang:

Nabokov was played on Saturday against the Rangers to showcase for a possible trade. According to Strang

Scouts from Vancouver, Carolina, San Jose, Phoenix and Columbus are listed on the Islanders seating chart for Saturday's game. 

I don't think Nabokov will be traded this early due to DiPietro's health. If during the season Sound Tigers goalie Poulin tears it up this year, then fans could see a possible trade. But why mess with the good chemistry of the team now. It should be noted that some of the teams mentioned will be playing the Islanders fairly soon and right now, it looks like those teams don't need a goaltender.
 
Per Joseph Deluca:

The New York Islanders have been dealing with inconsistent play by their goaltenders for many years now.

If they go yet another half season with an unstable crease, they may look to acquire someone from outside the organization.

He does realize that it is early in the season, however I must say, if the goaltenders do stay healthy, there won't be a need to trade any of the during this season, maybe Nabokov later in the season.


Here is the one thing to take out of the goalie trade rumors. It's shouldn't happen any time soon. If Nabokov does get traded, he will be dealt to the Western Conference because if the Isles are in the playoff hunt, they won't risk the chance in playing against him then. What the Islanders should do is play him enough to garner more interest  and build up his stock. Would love to see a player with potential come out of this and not a draft pick. More to come with the Islanders as I review the last week of Islanders games.

Let The Season Begin

Coming down from Pa to watch the game, all I have to say is this: None of us under 40 have seen a young, talented team like this. There is a buzz with the Islanders around the NHL and it's fans. I talk to a lot of fans from different teams and they're saying the same thing, "The Islanders are going to make noise this year." Well, if this teams stays healthy, the noise is going to be loud on Long Island. It starts tonight against Florida. The Islanders must set the tempo first and get the crowd into the game. If the Islanders play smart hockey, this should be over by the second period.

Al Montoya will start in net for the Isles and I must say, looked very good in preseason. With a good defense in front of him, we could see an all-star performance from him. As far as the forwards are concerned, I don't really cares as long as they all contribute as a team. The Isles can run four lines that can score, so they all don't have to do it at once, but that would be cool to see.

As for the fans, this better be sold out with everyone filling up the seats, they should be loud and sending a message to the NHL that the Islanders are back and are not going anywhere. No more playing for the lottery, but for the playoffs, a team to be dealt with for years to come. Hope to see some of you there, I'll be in section 321, so leave a message or comment or just stop by, I'll be wearing my Bossy jersey (Isles are 4-0 when wearing the jersey)!!!

Strome, Pandolfo Inked To Contracts: Something Is Brewing

Jay Pandolfo signs one year deal with the Islanders

Ryan Strome agreed to a three year entry level deal with the Islanders


There seems to be a lot of players on this roster right now. Strome will probably get a 9 game stint with the Islanders, with Nino Neiderrieter out of the lineup for a bit with a groin strain. Pandolfo is without question a checking winger and bottom six forward, but will he be sent down to Bridgeport, or could there be a trade in the works with an abundance of forwards? Matt Martin could be the odd man out as he is still on an entry level contract and might get more time down in Bridgeport. Rolstons groin strain may keep him out but when everyone comes back, it's still looking crowded at the forward position. Roster needs to be set by tomorrow so look for moves to be made soon.

Predicting The Isles This Year

The preseason is great for making predictions about our teams future for the year. The in-depth analysis from all the major magazines and web sites, makes for great reading for the fans who cannot wait for the hockey season to start. The Islanders have to be one of the more difficult teams to predict this year due to having 600 man games lost to injury last year. From what I've seen/read many columns have the Islanders finishing 12th. I can live with that number if I wasn't a fan of the Islanders. However, I think it's more of the idea that no one really knows how far the Islanders can go because they're always injured. Entering this season, the Islanders are in fact, healthy, including their goaltender Rick Dipietro who was an all-star the last time he was healthy. But this team has improved while he's been gone, so let's take a quick look at the team in front of him:

Offense: This team should be able to score 240 goals, there is enough talent on this team for it. That amount should be enough for a push or a long run into the playoffs, watch for Tavares to improve his numbers and make others around him better. If Nino Neiderrieter explodes into the NHL with 20 goals or more, the Isles will make the playoffs.

Defense: With Streit coming back, the defense improves greatly. Powerplay numbers will improve and overall defense. Andrew MacDonald in my opinion will be the next Paul Martin and will have a breakout year along with Travis Hamonic. If the rest of the defense remain healthy and the Isles do sign Steve Staio, we're looking at a solid defense for the season.

Goaltending: As stated before, Dipietro and the other goaltenders are healthy and ready to go. Three healthy goalies should be a luxury for this team who went through an assembly line of goalies last year. Solid goaltending keeping there team in every game will be key. If that happens, a lot of people will be shocked by seasons end.

Final note: It really comes down to health. If the Islanders stay healthy, they're making a push and will be really close come April. If a few young players have breakout years, they're in and will be looking to upset a few teams. If I had to come up with a final season point total, for now, I'm looking at 85-90 points. Lots to be excited for, time for the preseason to end.......Your thoughts?

Coliseum May Have A New Plan

According to the Fourthperiod.com:

A group of business developers and community planners unveiled a plan for a privately financed redevelopment of the Islanders' home arena, Nassau Coliseum, and its surrounding 77-acre property. According to New York Newsday, the estimated cost for the project is roughly $347 million. If not for work I would have posted this earlier, but I have to admit, this is good news considering the timing of it. To be honest I wasn't expecting to hear anything about a new arena until later on in the spring. As long as there are still ideas floating around for me there is some minor reassurance the Islanders are not moving. For now, they have a lease for another 3-4 years, so I can expect hockey on Long Island for at least that long.

Why sitting MacDonald Is A Good Idea

     So far in training camp we know that Andrew MacDonald, defenceman for the Islanders, has not started to skate yet and that the Islanders are taking "precautionary measures." To me this is a good idea. The reason: look at the Islanders schedule. The first four games are at home. The Islanders first away game is not until October 20th. So with the first four games at home, the Islanders should be able to go 3-1 without him and furthermore, give him the added time to rehab his injury.
     Another reason: (I'll give you two) Calvin De Haan & Ty Wishart. Both players would be able to handle a few games (possibly more) while MacDonald rests. With Wishart, who already has NHL experience, should be able to prove to management once and for all that he belongs with the big club, while De Haan, who really should get some seasoning in the minors first, would be tested to see how much AHL time he really needs. My guess would be that he won't need much, just ask Travis Hamonic.
     For now there a few reasons to let MacDonald heal and the Islanders, for the long haul of the season, know that when he does return, everyone will benefit from it.

Islanders News & Notes 9.21.11

Per numerous reports, Defenceman Mark Streit has been named Islanders captain.

This was the best choice for the Islanders, right now. I'm sure in the future it will be Kyle Okposo and John Tavares respectfully, but for now, Streit is the player that should be captain of this team. The players like the decision and so do the fans. If only the next jersey that's about to come out had this much of an approval rating. Thoughts?

Back To Blogging

After taking a year off and having a few friends ask me to blog once again, I've decided to start blogging about the Islanders once again. With Christopher Botta moving on to I hope better things, I will be coming onto this site more often to share the news, rumors and add my own take to what is going on in Islanders country. I hope to gain a few more fans as I have done in the past and am looking forward to this season. I will be coming out with my own preview of the team in another week or so, by then I'll know who is actually on this team. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them. Here we go.......