Isles “Mindset” Entering Training Camp

As the Islanders officially embark on there final season at Nassau Coliseum, there has not been a more important training camp in recent memory this one. Rebuilding the organization via the draft was completed this past summer with the selection of Josh Ho-Sang.  This summer saw the goaltending and team depth completed through free agency. There are still some questions, but the answers will be coming in a short few weeks with the completion of training camp. All the cards are out on table, no more aces, no more tricks, it’s all or nothing. While the offseason reminded some New York Islanders fans what happened over a decade ago with the acquisitions of Yashin, Peca, and Osgood, the feelings are the same as it was in 2013: It’s all up to the players. Continue reading.....

Could The Isles Trade Up For Reinhart?

Brothers unite? Isles have done this before.

From Elliot Friedman CBC

18. Another draft idea to wonder about: Will the Islanders try to unite the Reinharts? Griffin was drafted fourth overall in 2012, Sam will be a high pick this year. Will have to try to move up to get him. GM Garth Snow is not afraid to try something big, offering all of his selections for Ryan Murray two years ago.

My Take: It's the summer, so there's not much more to write, however you have to wonder the possibility. I wrote a few months back if the Isles finished 4th would Sam drop down in the ranks and still be available. As of this piece, he's slated to go number 2 to Buffalo. From what's going on, it appears Florida may be pulling a 2008 Garth Snow move and trading down a few slots while acquiring a few more assets. What will it take to land the number 1 position? Obviously the Isles 5th pick, and possibly a player who's ready now, maybe an extra pick somewhere.   This is just an opinion piece, no truth to any of this, but it would be a interesting story, especially if the Isles pull this off and Buffalo loses out on Reinhart. The consolation for Buffalo is that Ekblad is right there waiting for them. Would they trade down like Florida or draft the Top defenseman in the draft? Thoughts?

Will Reinhart Go Beyond Nine?

It's probably more likely than less likely that underage D Griffin Reinhart starts season with NYI but final decision still to be made.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 29, 2013

My take: As I had said here on IslesTalk, Reinhart is the wild card of the bunch. Donovan and Nelson have looked good so far that they may have already earned their spots, but Reinhart, as expected by most will probably get a nine game look. He's earned, there's no questioning that. However will the Islanders just send him down to juniors again (Like they should) or could they keep him as a 7th defenseman and groom him like the Devils Adam Larsson has been groomed. It's only now after a few years that Larsson is being called upon to step up. With the Islanders top 4 in place for the net two years, it's possible Reinhart good be groomed with no pressure this year in the NHL. Thoughts?

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And Then There Were Five

So with a few preseason games in the books, the New York Islanders have a few more days to tinker with the system and experiment with players at different spots. The learning of the powerplay and penalty killing is crucial this time of year for everyone. But for me, I’m more concerned about which young player remains on the big club. As of this writing, there are five remaining: Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome, Griffin Reinhart, Johan Sundstrom and Matt Donovan. Let’s take a look at what there chances at making the big club.