NYI SIGN AHLers FLOOD, MAULDIN
A Dman and Forward for Bridgeport
Just as another storm hit Long Island on Friday, word came the Islanders had signed two-way defense prospect Mark Flood. Put this one in the category of Ken Morrow pro scouting department “try” because the 24-year old Flood is a right-shot dman with ability that hasn’t gotten his NHL chance but will with the Islanders.
The 6-1, 200-pound former Peterborough Pete possesses some Gordo Guy skills - heady, desire to push the puck up ice, big shot on the power play. Flood played the last three seasons with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate in Albany. Last season the former 6th round of the Canadiens was 6-15-31 in 76 games with the River Rats. He had 10 goals in 53 games in ‘07-08. The NYI also signed AHL Binghamton’s Greg Mauldin, a speedy right wing with a good release who could get 20-25 goals for the Sound Tigers. Comments.
75 Responses to “NYI SIGN AHLers FLOOD, MAULDIN
A Dman and Forward for Bridgeport”
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Ive seen Flood play against Bridgeport and yes he can play. Good pick up for the Isles although Im sure he will spend most of the time in the AHL.
How bout the Islanders sign someone to help the NHL team? Just a thought
YAWN! One day we’ll start signing real NHL players. I wonder if Snow and Ryan sit up late at night trying to figure how many small puck movers they can cram into the organization. I wish someone would tell them there are plenty of big guys, who can skate, move the puck, hit, and fight.
#1 Who cares? About some players who will have an impact in the NHL? How about some support for JT?
Snow has been true to his word about not making a lot of roster changes. We may have to wait longer than we want to.
So frustrating. I understand all about the rebuild but you can’t just throw 12-15 young players out there and hope they grow into All-Stars, it doesn’t work that way. At some point, the Isles will have to import a big name or at least one that will command some money on the open market.
Ihope most of the fans who are complaining they haven’t signed anyone realizes their is still a lot of talent out there and I can only imagine we will sign a dougie weight type
It’s time to sign 1 or 2 guys who will be on the roster every day next season. I’m still hoping for Tanguay and Beauchemin, who can both be assets to this team.
Garth did a great job with Roloson and adding players for the Bridge, but now we need to add to our current roster as quickly as possible so we can look forward to rookie camp.
No reason to get upset about not signing anyone. Save the money and dump it all on kovalachuk next year
Many seem to be pro-rebuild during the draft, but forget what it’s all about when the free agent frenzy begins.
No need to sign Antropov etc. for 4 years for 5mil./year just to be competetive next season. Where are you going to put the de haans, petrovs etc. after two years if the roster is full of overpaid veterans. Get us a solid enforcer with some personality and a good fight card a’la May, who can teach Reclichz the ropes and we’re one step closer of a good team within a few years, when there are decent kids coming within the system and not just oldies from the UFA-market.
CB has told how they did it in PIT, CHI or WSH and Snow is following the same path and one Tavares is still far away from Crosby (Stills), Malkin & Fleury and the others. Best thing for the Islanders next year would be to get steady improvement from Okposo, Bergie, Comeau,Nielsen, Gervais and Bailey and a promising rookie season from JT and only after that it would be wise to see what holes should be filled through UFAs, especially after Tambellini and Sutton are gone.
Didn’t he play for the mets?
I want my Beauchemin!
CB,
I look at it this way Garth is the GM for two AHL teams.Unfortunately one plays in the NHL…what a joke they draft a possible star in John Tavares and they sit on their hands during free agency. They need a scorer to take the pressure off Tavares…plus at least another two NHL defensemen…
8 - I’m sure Kovalchuk is counting the days to free agency so he can join the Isles when there will be no shortage of suitors. Don’t hold your breathe.
It is a little of a buzz-kill if Garth chooses not to do anything in free agency to better the NHL roster. I know that they are committed to building from within but i think that 1 top 6 forward and a top 3 d-man would not impede on anyones progress. I personally want Beauchemin and a guy who can score 25-30 goals. Am i prematurely writing that off?
Well obviosly the goal of our islanders is the first pick in the 2010 draft! Seriously we could have that wrapped up by Christmas!
I agree and disagree #8. Save money and dump it all on Rick Nash of Columbus next year! That is the guy the Islanders, if he goes UFA, need to skate next to Tavares, toughness and skill on the same line. The cap should be going down, so by playing consevative now, it may price a lot out of the Kovalchuk and Nash sweepstakes next year while we will have room. Less competition, and can offer more money and years. At that time, hopefully Lighthouse project approved, and the excitement of Tavares goes on Long Island. Then Nash (preferably) or Kovalchuk realize a chance to play with one of the better young centers in the league, and boost their stats and reputation.
Hi Chris,
Does this make the Islanders the favorites for the Calder Cup this year ?
Thanks.
You cant sign free agent players if they dont want to play for the NY Islanders.
There are 2 catalysts that need to be certain before anyone signs here.
1) The team needs to be competitive.
2) The new arena needs to be finalized.
Until then, why would anyone want to come play for a bottom feeder with a great big question mark as to where the team will end up moving to?
Think about it…
Tell Snow to slow down there Botta, we don’t want to just embarrass everyone in the NHL next year by going 82-0
Wow, so glad Kenny Morrow is doing a great job scouting career minor leaguers. Kudos to him. Great analysis.
Wow..we are a mess when picking up a 24 & 27 year old is BIG for us.
..and by the way it doesn’t help when the team’s leading blog pats em on the back for it…
There is a report on TSN that the Blackhawks may not have filed qualifying offers to their RFAs correctly, which could possibly result in those players becoming UFAs. If that’s the case, I would take a serious look at Versteeg, not only because of his rookie season, but because of his connection with Gordon
With the first overall pick in 2010 the New York Islanders select…. Taylor Hall!!!
2 years ago, most of us were complaining about the team and wanting a rebuild. Well, here we are….in year 2 of the rebuild and so many are crying for Snow to start signing guys and taking ice time away from players that the organization are trying to evaluate. Counter productive. Either you buy a team or a build a team. From what I’ve seen in the NHL over the last 5 years….building is the way to go. Garth is doing fine and he has stuck to his word.
so much negativity, we’ll be fine, people forget how much better the kids got at the end of last season. KO and Bergie were doing well and now add Tavares, plus if bailey put on a few lbs we’ll be ok
hey jeff colubus just signed rick nash to an eight year deal there goes that idea
Sorry for the pessimism, but for the slight chance that Snow or Wang might see this, this is pure garbage.
mLem (#23), right now, I’d put 100 bucks on the line that w/our current squad, we’ll end up w/a lottery pick next season.
Book it.
With the exception of Mark Streit,woundn”t Paul Mara or Jay Mckee be a vast improvement over our mediocre defense corp? Tavares will be great,but We are destined for another long,long season.
isnt afinegenov still available? u could put him with tavares, that would be a pretty good signing i would think
this is an embarrasement…players dont want to sign here (komisarek, look up his interview on tsn) or management doesnt want to pay up…i know this is a rebuild but even pitt had guys like gonchar during their rebuild…this is a lame excuse for wang to cut down costs.its just reality…..watch tavares get max deal and then snow signs our rfa to contracts and we reach cap floor….i garuntee you guys today….the islanders, avalanche, and coytes will be the teams competing for taylor hall next year…every team in our conference is bigger, nastier, and better than us
WOO HOO - Bridgeport is going to be good..
WOO HOO
looks like the kids in b’port will have some solid ahl vets to lean on
sounded like komi didn’t want to sign here cause were not a traditional hockey market….boo hoo don’t come back to long island SELL-OUT
Oh!!!!!!!!I thought you said AHL FREE AGENTS not NHL FREE AGENTS.
SNOW to WANG
i agree 100% #6 we need a vet to assist these rookies and give jt some help . draft a name already!!
For those who are looking for big name FA signings. It ain’t going to happen. It’s not a good move for a star FA to sign with the Isles right now and it’s not good from Isles point of view also. Remember, we’re rebuilding. Snow has a chart on his wall showing evolution of team over next 4-5 years. We have to see which kids are for real and which are not going to make it. Once we have core of young stars, it will make sense to spend the big bucks to bring in the high price talent (and at this point the big stars will want to come to L.I.) SNOW, you have my support. Go Isles.
This is how a proven rebuilding plan works. Pittsburgh won because they have world class talent. But to acquire that talent, they had 3 really crappy seasons. Those 3 crappy seasons turned into Malkin, Fleury, and Crosby. Quebec had several very bad seasons in the early 1990’s. The result of that was Sundin, Lindros, Nolan and a Stanley Cup in Denver. How about Potvin, Trottier, Bossy, et all back in the 70’s.
Oh well more depth guys. Hopefully we get a Beauchemin/Mara or Alberts signing on defense. And maybe Tanguay for scoring or Malhotra for some size on the 3rd line he can take Tambellini spot. Would still need an enforcer but hat can be addressed via trade or waiver wire as the Isles have the 1st shot on anyone for I believe the 1st 15 games or so due them finishing 30th last year.
Hey CB can I suggest a new comment rule, you have to be over 12 to post.
#6 and #34… Doug Weight is round to mentor the young guys… so is Trent Hunter… last I checked Brendan Witt wasn’t 22 anymore either. Mark Streit…ahh is he 22 as well. The team has plenty of vet leadership if you look for it… the plan is to stink again while being a little more competitive and then to make a splash next year… even though Nash is off the board now. You have to learn to crawl before you walk and then run and then fly… I like what the team is doing and the ship is moving in the right direction.
Boo-hoo-hoo and waaaahhhhhh .
B-Port will still suck… What’s lost here is Wsh and Pit built quality farms teams too; Hershey and Scranton have won Calder Cups Lately… These AHL’s guys are not NHL prospects they are career minor leaguers… See Iggudlen et al. Hershey and Scranton have quality prospects on the farm… We sign table scraps hanging on to Hockey dreams by a thread.. Kovalchuk will not be signed Snow won’t throw bucks at him. Snow will sign a former Prov. Bruin or Boston Bruin reject. Face it, we are in a decade long rebuild that will last forever…
Isles99 - Don’t forget about Minnesota, Havlat is not going to lead the way.
#37 dont forget about the need to have some semblance of an idea of how putting together a hockey team works
#24…Outside of KL and JT we have no offensive talent. Average players at best.
We also lost almost every game in Dec., did you forget that? Botta blogged about how they were barely competitive. Remember it does not take much to stand out on this team. We are far from being a decent team.
since when did 6′ become “small”?
I really don’t understand while people are upset that the Isles aren’t signing high priced free agents. As Mike Komisarek showed…guys don’t wanna come here. So there goes any chance of “Big” free agent. (Which is one of the reasons we build through the draft. Also I’d rather see young kids develop rather than another Fedotenko or Satan taking their time away.
Sure I’d like to see Snow add a d-man, an enforcer, and someone who can put the puck in the net a few times cause that’s not going to hurt…but there are still names out there…so be patient.
btw, Jethro from finland gets my vote for best post on this one.
if #6 is behind it that’s good enough for me.
i want tough guys here. even if they’re not great fighters,tough is better.
Slow down my brothers. There is no reason to panic or get all negative here. This is EXACTLY what we need to be doing right now. Consider the following (because Garth sure is):
- the contract status of current roster
- the contract demands of 2009 UFA’s (e.g., long term)
- the need to evaluate current talent…properly (even JT)
- questions over DP’s status and effectiveness
When you add to this the need to see what happens with the Lighthouse, and the fact that our franchise loses 20-30 million per season, then it makes sense not to go crazy signing big names this summer. As always, if your scouts are high on someone in the right price range and contract length (like Streit last year), you make an offer. Otherwise, you stay on target and look at the long term. That means leaving plenty of cap room, and positioning yourself for the summer of 2010. If by some miracle we are uber-competitive in 2009-2010, then we have cap room to make moves before the trade deadline.
I, for one, want to see how much the following players develop next season:
- Neilsen
- Bailey
- Tavares
- Bergenheim
- Gervais
- Comeau
- Tambellini
Quite a bit rides on how these guys progress. If they don’t live up to expectations (meaning “whatever the scouts have them pinned at for this stage of their development”) then that will require some major moves for the GM and his staff at Trade Deadline 2010 and beyond. The upside is that it also means a very high draft pick in 2010, along with plenty of cap room and some solid UFA’s ripe for the picking in the summer of 2010. Any way you approach this situation, we need to properly evaluate the talent in the system, and this is how you do it. Period.
I’m totally behind Garth Snow right now. He seems to have learned from Milbury’s mistakes.
This is the process, hasn’t anyone been listening. He doesn’t care if they’re bad next year. He wants the young guys to develope. Over this summer guys aren’t going to sdd 15 goals to their totals. It doesn’t happen that way. When the time is right he will sign a big name, just don’t expect it this year or next..The process for Pitt started 2003 with Fluery and when did they win the cup? 2009. The Isles are on the right tract. Still recovering from Milbury. Garth is doing a great job…
Even if we had signed say, Hossa, Orr, Scuderi and Komiseric, they STILL wouldnt be a playoff team this year. The important part this year is the continued development of the kids. Hopefully that will translate into more wins this year. And oh yeah, they need to improve on the almost 600 man games lost due to injury last year.
It’s nice to see several postings of support for the slow rebuild. Don’t expect much next year. Snow is right not to waste time and money on any UFA this year. Signing one or two big names won’t make that much of a difference. The Isles are still probable two years away from being in a position to add via UFA. Let the kids play and see which ones are worth keeping. Plus they need another lottery pick in 2010(Taylor Hall). If Snow can find an enforcer to play for Bridgeport and come up when we play the Rangers or Flyers great. Other than that, it’s not worth it.
PATIENCE! So far, everyone has overpaid in free agency. Garth is actually showing mettle beyond his years by not jumping at the FA bait. Give the kids a chance to develop. It does not matter if the stars are all locked up long term…everyone has their price and everyone is available under the right circumstances. By this time next year, some star signed long term will be disgruntled and available. Garth IS doing a good job. Everyone relax…
just wanted to know how everyone including the fans that bought season tickets during the draft party…. You prbably could have saved money by buying season tickets for Bridgeport !!! Really no difference from the Isles to the Sound Tigers…. Both have no names, great job Garth !! We love FA !!! Now we can look forward to the 2010 draft !! See you at the draft party…
Apparently our boy Ryan Smyth was traded to the Kings.
I would relax, but I’ve been waiting a long time for the team to build a contender… And yes, teams have overpaid, but that’s what FA is, overpaying for NHL talent, and hoping they play as well or better as they did before you signed them to your own team… You see, FA will always be that… You have to pay, to put stars in your lineup.. You pay for entertainment, but the Isles are not entertaining !!
Yep. Smyth to Kings for Preissing and Quincey and a pick. Amazing how fast teams want to get rid of these long-term contracts.
I saw this quote on a Message Board and thought it was pretty funny
“Garth Snow is by far the best GM in the AHL”
It is 110% true!
Matt 56….we’re kinda sorta hoping that JT is that guy
gotta relax here people…I’m hoping Garth’s just waiting to make a few smart, economic signings….someone like Alex Tanguay, Maxim Afinogenov, Kyle Calder, Ales Kotalik or even Travis Moen on offense and a Francois Beauchemin, Nick Boynton, Paul Mara or even Ossi Vaananen.
Just give it time…this is a rebuild after all. And until Wang gets the Lighthouse, he’s not gonna break the bank to bring in free agents….not when he’s losing the reported 20 mil a year.
Wow, like a few people here have said (amongst the outrage) you all wanted this team to build from within. But then mere days after getting a kid like Tavares there are actual complaints that the Isles are not operating with a “win now” mentality? Look- I agree that the Isles need 1-2 more NHL signings before October- which is THREE months away, remember- but this call to completely abandon the notion of rebuilding this team and sign big names and/or long term deals with coveted players is completely conterproductive. IT is not going to happen. And please remember, you are complaining to fellow fans here. What do you expect anyone to tell you? This is the Isles plan, they are sticking with it, and some of us are happy about that.
Some fans just do not understand that ALL we are relying on is our current kids. If they do not turn into top notch players we are back at square one. Snow has all his eggs in one basket.
great point 56…Ovechkin and Kovalchuk were great free agent signings by their current clubs…wait wait…something isn’t right there…
Yes, we were largely ineffective in December and lost ALOT of games…but we showed some promise towards the end of the season and all of those kids who were excelling with their different roles and increased ice time did pretty darn good…In addition Roloson is vastly better then Danis and JMac…who knows maybe Ricky shows up and plays at an All-Star level again. Plus Mark Streit played some pretty good hockey too. Sorry if I can’t help but be at least a little cautious optimistic about the coming season
While I can certainly understand the fans who are frustrated by the various things we have or have not done of late, I am still airing on the side of being cautiously optimistic.
What we do KNOW is that we were not going to be a contending team next year, and for that matter will need a lot of things to go right to even be contending for the playoffs. Garth has stated and shown that he has a plan, and has stuck to it. Even if you don’t agree with certain decisions you have to respect the guy on a mission. For a team losing a reported $20 million a year, and thing finally (knock on wood) starting to turn the corner with this Lighthouse ordeal, why invest a ton of money in guys who may be afterthoughts by the time we are looking to contend again. Wang cares a lot about us and that’s certainly more than we can say for other recent owners. Don’t get me wrong I want to win as much as anyone else but with the recent “highlights” and some of the positive momentum lately (even though it has just been winning the lottery and drafting the guy we should have)I am buying into “the process”. Either way I feel your pain but I’m going to continue to be a supporter through thick and thin on this road back to greatness, at least a little longer….haha
On a different note, I really wish Smyth would have been an Islander for a few years, I really liked this guy. Even though I feel like his head wasn’t fully with us at first, he was someone who certainly contributed in the lineup, captain material, and a fan favorite. Good luck on your new home Ryan.
You guys who whine and think you know how Snow should approach this season should look at the RAGS. Every year, including this, they sign some free agent for a rediculous amount. (see Gaborik). Where does it get them? They barely make the playoffs last year and lost. I don’t want Snow to be another Sather. Rebuilding is way more exciting than “buying”. Yes we need a solid enforcer, and I’m sure that will be addressed. Baily and Okposo will be the perfect playmakers for JT and Kyle can also finish. There is solid line #1. #s 2 & 3 will be experimental until the players step-up and claim it. It will be an eciting season.
How can you not think this team will be better than last year…
Improved the goalie position +5 wins
The kids improving as a whole +3 wins
Team prepared to go into the season(unlike last year) +3 wins
10 win improvement is not out of reach.
By the way-we dnt need Komisarek. After his bell was rung last year-he wasnt the same player.
I think snow is doing the right thing. We need to be smart this summer and definitly sign a few players but players who will be of value to the team at a fair cap hit.
I wouldnt mind signing Kotalik to a 2 yr deal maybe 2 mill per yr. Afiniganov to a similar contract 1 or 2 yrs. I would like Eminger, Mara, Beauchomin on defense . All the players I listed are 30 or younger and could help build this team. I would also like Moen and an enforcer. We are way too small. I wouldnt mind trading Park for an enforcer.
I still dont understand why everyone is freaking out about not signing a big time FA…Did anyone really believe we would sign Gabroik,Heatly,Hossa……??? I mean come on people, where have you been the last few years, FA is not where the Islanders will ever pick up top talent, UNTIL they become steady contenders, and most importantly the LHP is approved and in the works….
I am all for the “rebuild”, and it actually seems that it is being done correctly this time..It takes alot of time and tough losing seasons before we become the next Penguins, Capitals, Blackhawks…..As I see it now, Tavares and Okposo are our TWO top prospects with Bailey still up in the air…I truly believe we are on the right path to a very very successful future with these kids..
CB: any chance we can get some updates on our TOP prospects coming to Bridgeport or their already and who may have a chance at fighting for a spot on the ISLANDERS roster next season??
Thanx CB for all your hard work in the offseason thus far, you really deserve some sort of thank you party from us fans…Maybe at the home opener we can have a huge TAILGATE party for you and have some guest appearances???
PS…..If all goes WRONG in Chicago and Versteeg becomes a FA, he is someone we throw money at, lots of money..It would be like having 3 #1 draft picks this year, with one having nhl experience already who can bring immediate help to our offense!!!
Boring - wake me up when training camp starts.
I remember Mauldin as a Jackets prospect. I always had hoped he would bloom. Look at his stats on Hockey DB, not stellar, but gradually improved each year with a broad range of experience to 50+ points in 80 games in 08-09 in the AHL. 197 lb 5′11″ winger. I hope he turns out to be more than an AHL player.
Bravo to all the great posts about patience. I was starting to lose faith in everyone who posts on here. This isnt the NFL people. The Islanders arent the Miami Dolphins, who can go 1-15, sign a few free agents, get the easiest schedule in the league based on their previous year record, and then make the playoffs the following year.
You may not get to see the Isles play a playoff game this year, but you will get to see a fun, competitive hockey team who will start developing. And then after these kids are on the cusp of the playoffs, thats when you open up the wallet and thats when FA’s will actually want to come here.
Did DP just have another knee surgery??? I’ve heard rumors … hopefully it’s BS
Nice to see another UMass Minuteman joining the Islanders organization… even if he is just going to be in the Bridge.. at least i can see him in Lowell next year.
Snow is putting way too much pressure on JT by not bringing in anyone to help him.