Monthly Archives: April 2009
As most of you know, I feel strongly that the Islanders should select John Tavares with the first overall pick. One Islandermania member thought my coverage of Tavares was so one-sided, he wrote you’d think I was JT’s dad. Not at all. As in my allegiance to Paul Maurice last summer, there is no personal connection.
So please allow me to explain that there’s a second scenario I’d be in favor of with almost equal fervor.
One where the Islanders draft Victor Hedman.
And Matt Duchene.
Implausible? Not really. Maybe the Islanders have stockpiled all these draft picks for a higher calling. By winning the lottery, they run the show. With three picks between 26th and 37th overall, plus an additional late second-rounder and two third round picks, they have what Jerry Seinfeld used to call “hand.” They should take advantage of it.
Here is my “protected” list:
- The Islanders’ first round pick in 2010 (you don’t want to tempt fate)
- Kyle Okposo
- Mark Streit
- Josh Bailey (not that young Joshua is an untouchable in the strictest sense, but it doesn’t make sense to add Duchene and not have Bailey for a 1-2 punch at center)
- Sean Bergenheim (just because I can)
All other players and all other draft picks are available. If the Islanders are not sold on Tavares, then deliver Hedman and Duchene. Take Hedman with the No. 1, deal with Colorado for the No. 3. As far as I’m concerned, any combination of picks and players – besides my 5-asset protected list – are available to make it happen. (We should clarify that if the Islanders ended up with the 1 and the 2, we’d be perfectly fine with them drafting Tavares and Hedman).
If it takes the 26th, 31st, and 37th picks plus two good players off the Islanders’ roster and a top prospect, no problem. Anyone can go. Frans Nielsen, Aaron Ness, Corey Trivino, Jesse Joensuu, Trent Hunter…sorry, it’s a business. Ten years ago this June, Brian Burke moved mountains to draft Daniel and Henrik Sedin with the second and third overall picks. It’s been done before.
If I can’t get John Tavares, I want Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. Whatever it takes. Well, except for Okposo, Bailey, Streit, Bergenheim and the first pick in 2010. There’s nothing far-fetched about it, and the Islanders are in need of great players.
Comments on this story only, including your 5-asset protected lists, are welcomed.
Rick DiPietro, the only goaltender under contract for the Islanders in 2009-10, missed almost all of this season and has to be considered a question mark for the next one. The Islanders must sign a goalie who’s more than just a quality backup. For purposes of this discussion, let’s call this netminder a 1-B.
They also need goaltenders for Bridgeport. At least one must be ready for NHL action. Let’s call this goalie a 3-2, as in a No. 3 more than capable of being a No. 2. Nathan Lawson, who played so well in Bridgeport until a below-average postseason while battling an ailing shoulder, is a free agent and needs more time in the American Hockey League. Same goes for Peter Mannino.
Except for unsigned Swedish netminder Stefan Ridderwall – talented, but set back by an injury-plagued year – the Islanders do not have a goaltender in the system even remotely ready for prime time. Kevin Poulin will play another year in the Quebec League before the team has to decide whether to sign him.
A trade for an excellent, but “blocked” young goaltender like Vancouver’s Cory Schneider will likely be cost-prohibitive. The Islanders are not deep enough to give up the talent to make it worthwhile for the Canucks. Carey Price…not happening.
In other words, the Islanders have some shopping to do. Let’s look at the prospective unrestricted free agent goaltenders on July 1 and who might make a good 1-B and who could fill the role as the 3-2. This is one way the Islanders will easily reach the salary cap floor.
CONTENDERS
Craig Anderson - Looking for a chance to be No. 1. Probably won’t get it, which is why Anderson as a 1-B with the Islanders makes this a good fit.
Ty Conklin - American, out-going attitude, confident. I seem to recall he’s friends with DiPietro. Above all else, he’s a very solid goaltender looking to play more than 40 games. Biggest hurdle: Detroit will likely push hard to re-sign him.
Martin Gerber - Hasn’t been consistently good in a while, but many in the league believe even at age 35 he could re-gain his form in the right situation. Don’t rule him out. A possible Swiss buddy for Mark Streit.
Andrew Raycroft - Scott Gordon knows him, which immediately puts him in the mix because Gordon is loyal to his guys. What’s unclear is whether Raycroft is actually one of Gordo’s guys. Raycroft comes with questions about his work ethic.
Mikael Tellqvist - Always the odd man out, but has played well in a supporting role the last three seasons. Buffalo may not let him go to UFA.
POSSIBILITIES
Martin Biron - Insert your own joke here about how he’s at best a .500 goalie in games not against the Islanders. Terrific attitude, hard worker.
Yann Danis - Play faltered once contract talks started and bloggers raved. Highly doubtful he’ll get a one-way deal to be the 1-A now, but could be in the mix for the 3-2. Team likes him, Gordon was won over. Needs to consider whether Islanders are still his best chance to play in the NHL.
Wade Dubielewicz - Can never rule out the return of The Dubester, but it would have to be as the 3-2, no?
Manny Fernandez - Injury problems and known for being really, really wacky – even for a goalie. But when he’s on his game, he can play. Likely too risky for what he would cost.
Mathieu Garon - Not bad, although you’d hope the Islanders can do better for the 1-A gig.
Curtis McElhinney - Calgary backup who rarely played behind Mikka Kiprusoff, but talented and just 25 years old.
Drew McIntyre - Dominating in Milwaukee of the AHL. Just 25 years old. Could be a sleeper.
Scott Munroe - Coming off three solid seasons with Philadelphia of the AHL. A consideration for the 3-2.
Antero Niittymaki - Maybe the best in this grouping, but back problems should be a cause for concern. Still just 29 and worthy of a look.
Dwayne Roloson - 40 years old in October, but can still play. Good enough to start in 63 games for Edmonton this season, definitely worthy of being in the Islanders mix for the 1-B.
Dany Sabourin - Has the tools, hasn’t put it together. Might be wise for him to try and sign up as the 3-2 and take advantage of any opportunities that arise.
Curtis Sanford - Islanders passed him up on waivers to sign Dubielewicz. If he’s looking to play more, the Islanders have an opening again.
NOT GONNA HAPPEN
Jean-Sebastien Aubin
Scott Clemmensen - Love his personality, but a half-season behind the Devils at age 32 does not qualify him as a 1-B for the Islanders. With Kevin Weekes a UFA, likely to stay in New Jersey.
Marc Danis
Curtis Joseph
Nikolai Khabibulin - If he leaves Chicago, it will be to join a contender as its No. 1. Like the Flyers, for example.
Olaf Kolzig - No more hip problems needed.
Jason LaBarbera
Joey MacDonald - Reputation for giving up large rebounds sticks to him, unfortunately, unlike the pucks. Gave the Islanders a remarkable November.
Nolan Schaefer
Kevin Weekes
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What We Would Do:
1-B: Sign Craig Anderson on July 1 with an aggressive approach that makes him feel wanted, just as the Islanders did in July 1, 2001 when they signed Garth Snow. Our Plan B is Tellqvist, then Gerber. If the Islanders want to win any time soon, they need NHL goalies – not “tries” like MacDonald and Danis.
2-3: Prior to free agency, give Yann Danis first crack at a two-way contract that makes him No. 1 in Bridgeport and first call-up. If Danis balks, we would work our way down our list: Drew McIntyre, Dany Sabourin, Wade Dubielewicz. Nathan Lawson should be signed as the Sound Tigers’ other goaltender.
What the Islanders May Do:
1-B: Go after Conklin first, then Anderson and Raycroft.
2-3: Danis, Dubie, McIntyre and down the line.
Share your selections and discuss this topic only in Comments.
Apparently, I’m the only person in New York who has not recently seen Rick DiPietro on crutches.
In 2009, it’s impossible for just about anyone to go unnoticed. When you’re Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders and the U.S. Olympic Team, forget about it. It used to be everyone on Long Island knew someone who knew Bobby Nystrom. Now it seems everyone knows someone who has seen the Islanders’ franchise goalie hopping around the last few weeks.
The rumors reached the proverbial and hysterical next level on Sunday, when an old friend of mine came up during the ESPN Radio show on the Garden plaza. Get this: my guy told me his sister recently waited on Rick at an area steakhouse and he wasn’t on crutches, he was using a walker. My buddy was also two sheets to the wind an hour before Rangers-Capitals faceoff.
What’s next – Ricky using one of those scooters? DiPietro filming an updated version of “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”?
Hey, it’s not like the organization doesn’t understand the power of people talking on the information superhighway. The Islanders are tech-savvy, and they had a Crutchgate just last summer. They had to know that once DiPietro used those crutches, the news would reverberate all around Islanders Country.
I waited until the 100th eyewitness account of DiPietro hobbled like the guy in Misery before I finally called Garth Snow. Two weeks ago, blogger extraordinaire Greg Logan first reported that the goalie was spotted on crutches at a physical rehabilitation center. Over the last week emails have poured in about an Internet report that said DiPietro may be done. The Islanders have been quiet on the subject.
I asked Snow if he had anything to add to his statement of two weeks ago, the one that said DiPietro is going to be A-OK. I asked if DiPietro had any recent medical procedures.
The GM provided this on-the-record for Point Blank:
“I’m sure what our fans want to know is whether Rick is on schedule to be with us for the start of training camp. The answer to that is yes. The plan is for him to begin skating this summer and then be with us for the opening of camp in Saskatoon.”
A text to DiPietro for his confirmation of the team’s position, not surprisingly, has not been returned. Can’t really blame him.
Since all the rumors on the negative side have been fueled by the World Wide Web, let’s give equal time. Over the last month, I’ve run into several people “close to DiPietro.” None of them said that his 2009-10 season – let alone his career – is in jeopardy. And any problems he may be experiencing are with his knee. His hips – fixed by the same doc who worked on Alex Rodriquez – are said to be completely healed and strengthened.
To take this Internet noise thing to admittedly crazy lengths, I received an email from a loyal reader about a recent encounter with Mike Dunham. A staffer at a Connecticut country club, he asked the visiting Islanders goalie coach about the status of DiPietro. Dunham assured the fan that his No. 1 goaltender would be fine for the start of the season.
So in terms of third-hand information from the caddy shack, we’ve got that going for us…which is nice.
Coming soon: a look at goaltending possibilities for the Islanders next season. Right now, DiPietro is the only goalie under contract for ’09-10. Expect the team to sign a 1-B, plus a No. 3 for Bridgeport capable of being a No. 2. Comments. Guidelines.
Let the down-grading, the paralysis by over-analysis of John Tavares continue. Just remember his performance – especially in the historic comeback against USA – on the world’s biggest stage for 18-year old hockey players.
This vid of the 2009 World Junior Championships is not a valentine to Tavares, merely a summary of Team Canada’s gold medal accomplishment. But watch Tavares’s play, watch his emotion. If you’re looking for Matt Duchene – now being sold to us as a “foundation” player, a better team player – he didn’t make the team.
Comments. Conversation about the 26th overall pick continues in the next thread.
1:05 am - Thanks to the Anaheim Ducks’ defeat of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning San Jose Sharks, the Islanders now own the 26th overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
The pick was acquired by Garth Snow in a trade with Ottawa for Chris Campoli. Future UFAs Mike Comrie and Dean McAmmond were also swapped.
The draft seeding works like this, as per an email we received from the NHL over the weekend for clarification on the subject:
30th overall draft pick - Stanley Cup winner
29th - Stanley Cup finalist
28th - Conference final runner-up
27th - Conference final runner-up
26th - Regular season division-winning clubs eliminated at any point in the first two rounds of the playoffs, in inverse order of points
It’s hard enough trying to scoop the hockey world on what the Islanders will do with the first overall pick, let alone the 26th. Of course, Snow and scouting chief Ryan Jankowski are going to take the best player available – insert hacking cough here – but no matter what the Islanders do with the No. 1, it’s easy to make the case the Islanders will not use the 26th on the following:
A small, puck-moving defenseman. In second-year pro Jack Hillen, strong prospects Aaron Ness and Mark Katic and 5-8 junior dman Jared Spurgeon, the Islanders would appear to have that market cornered.
A goaltender. Not that the Islanders don’t need one. Oh no, they do. But there are too many holes at forward and defense if the team wants to contend. A goalie with one of the three second-rounders? Possibly. (Much more on this subject coming soon).
A puck-distributing center. Young NHLers Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen, veteran Doug Weight and Boston University sophomore Corey Trivino have this area covered for now.
Whether the Islanders pick at No. 26 or successfully trade up because a kid in the top 10 of their draft board is still there between picks 15 and 20, it’s not difficult to envision the team going for…
- High-end offensive ability (the rapidly-sliding Jeremy Morin of USA Hockey, playing for Kitchener next season)
- Size and power on the wing (Zack Kassian of Peterborough)
- Size and mobility on defense (the rapidly-rising John Moore, headed for Colorado College and likely gone before the 15th pick)
Snow made a good trade. Now it’s on his scouting staff to make it a great trade.
Comments.
University of Denver head coach George Gwozdecky just returned our call and shared the news that Islanders prospect Rhett Rakhshani has been officially named captain of the Pioneers.
“After Rhett said he was returning for his senior year, I talked it over with my staff,” Gwozdecky told Point Blank over the phone from Florida, where he is attending conference meetings. “We felt strongly that the right thing to do was honor Rhett’s commitment and character by naming him captain. A little over a week ago I spoke with Rhett and told him the news. Now I’m telling you.”
Gwozdecky believes his player’s return for his senior year of college was not about the Islanders but his dedication to Denver. “Rhett was faced with a decision that was so tempting,” said the coach, “but he knows what’s ahead of him next season at Denver and knows he has the potential to have an excellent pro career. He’ll continue his hockey development with us and only be a better player when he joins the Islanders organization.”
The Denver coach said Rakhshani was “extremely talented, with good skating ability and incredible hands.” Gwozdecky believes that the right wing’s childhood spent playing roller hockey every day in California contributed to his “really outstanding offensive skills.”
But Rakhshani has been named Denver captain for his character. “I believe Rhett’s decision to play all four years when it would have been so easy for him to leave for the pros…well, that speaks volumes for the kind of person he is,” said Gwozdecky. “We’re thrilled to have him back as our captain.”
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To Our Readers: Yes, Point Blank – where you can get two Rhett Rakhshani stories in the same day. I assure you that I’m working on all subjects in Islanders Country. It’s also nice to see Greg Logan blogging like a madman, too. Looks like you should check out Greg’s blog every day, if you aren’t already.
A request: if you have information you’ve learned personally, or have heard from a co-worker’s sister’s boyfriend who works at Iceworks, I ask that you please send an email first. I do not want the Comments space to become a spot for unfounded rumors and hearsay (only I can do that!) It’s gotten a little crazy lately, which is why you may be seeing more Comments go to moderation than any of us would like. Please send me an email first. Thank you for the consideration.
Again, I’m trying to cover all angles – even during the quiet days of late April. I should have plenty of stories this week – and not just about The Rakher…CB
Islanders prospect Rhett Rakhshani has decided to return to Denver University for his senior year instead of turning pro, sources tell Point Blank.
The Islanders fourth round draft pick in 2006 was faced with a tough but enviable decision, one we outlined in this post in early April. The 21-year old right wing opted for the chance to play for a national championship at Denver, possibly as captain of the Pioneers. Denver Post writer Mike Chambers believes Rakhshani could be in for a special season.
We rank Rakhshani as the franchise’s No. 5 prospect among players in college, junior or Europe. With Justin DiBenedetto and Mark Katic signed, Matt Donovan and Jason Gregoire join the list. Donovan, a skilled 19-year old defenseman and USHL all-star, will be a freshman on Rakhshani’s team in Denver. Gregoire, a left wing, was 12-17-29 in 42 games in his freshman season at the University of North Dakota.
TOP 10 NYI PROSPECTS
In college, junior or Europe
1. Aaron Ness
2. Corey Trivino
3. Travis Hamonic
4. Kirill Petrov
5. Rhett Rakhshani
6. Matt Martin
7. David Ullstrom
8. Blake Kessel
9. Matt Donovan
10. Jason Gregoire
Comments.
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