Monthly Archives: July 2009
10:45 pm - “Mikko’s going to go to Binghamton for a game with the Sound Tigers and wonder what happened to the rest of the rink.”
That was Scott Gordon tonight, talking about freshly-signed Mikko Koskinen. I wanted to speak to Scott about his goalie prospects because the signing of the 2009 second round pick made it timely. But also because of this eyebrow-raiser comment of his after the scrimmage on Sunday:
I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a camp anywhere like this where you’d see the quality of goaltending we have here now.
In his rookie season as head coach, Gordon threw around compliments about his goalies like manhole covers.
“The entire time I was in the Boston Bruins organization, we had some quality players like Tuukka Rask, but we never had the quality of goaltending prospects we have here,” the Islanders head coach said tonight.
In Prospect minicamp this week are Koskinen, 2009 third round pick Anders Nilsson, 2008 fifth round pick Kevin Poulin and Nathan Lawson, a pleasant surprise last season with the Sound Tigers. The Islanders also recently signed free agent netminder Scott Munroe from the Flyers organization.
“The biggest thing for me is, they haven’t shown that they’re not capable,” said Gordon, a former goaltender. “They’re not doing the sort of things you see when goalies aren’t ready or capable…flopping around, rolling around, diving around. They’re under control and playing smart. Collectively, they look terrific.”
Gordon’s snapshot of each…
Koskinen: “This is not a guy who is green. He’s played against top-calibre competition in the Finnish League. He’s almost 21. I’m excited that he’s signed and want to see how he comes around this season. The ability is certainly there.”
Nilsson: “No matter how good you are, size is a big weapon. Nilsson and Koskinen, they use it to their advantage. They’re technically sound. They’re in the right spots and letting the puck hit them. Nilsson’s only 18 so he’ll have time to develop back home, but these are two good young goalies.”
Lawson: “He made an immediate impact in Bridgeport. That was impressive. He’s continued it with a good week with us.”
Poulin: “Thought he had an excellent first camp with us last September. He might have been able to get some games after his Quebec League season ended, but we decided to hold off. Talented, more than capable.”
Munroe: “I know him from Philadelphia. He’s been a real solid AHL goalie for a few years. This is a good opportunity for him.”
I asked Gordon about Koskinen’s determination to play in the Islanders’ system right away.
“That was great to see, how much he wanted to be in Bridgeport” said the coach. “He’s right. There are a lot of differences between the big sheets in Europe and the small rinks here. The plays develop quickly. He’s going to see more shots. He’s going to see that arena in Binghamton and think he’s on the small rink at Iceworks.”
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ETC: Turns out Koskinen was signed today because he had to be signed by Wednesday. A league source told Point Blank tonight that there was a July 15 deadline in Koskinen’s contract with Espoo in the Finnish League. If the Islanders failed to sign him by Wednesday, he would have been contractually obligated to play one more year back home.
Comments on Islanders goaltending prospects here.
5:07 pm - Mikko Koskinen told us on Saturday that he hoped a contract could be worked out soon so he could begin his North American netminding education, and now it has. Although the news was not released to the media, the official team site posted a short story at 3:59 pm about the Islanders’ second round pick from the 2009 draft signing his three-year, Entry Level deal. Now we can officially rank the soon-to-be 21-year old Finn as Bridgeport’s No. 1 prospect. Comments.
Player of the Day I (aka Let’s Start Over-Hyping…): 2008 fourth round pick David Ullstrom tells Point Blank that next summer will be decision time on the beginning of his career in North America. A 6-3 forward from Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships, Ullstrom was promoted to second-line duty with HV-71 at the end of his SEL season. We ranked him last week at No. 6 among Islanders prospects in junior, college and Europe and he has been a standout through four days of minicamp.
He has a year and a player option remaining on his SEL contract.
“Let’s see how this season goes. It’s a full year of playing against men in the Elite League,” Ullstrom said today. “I still need the experience. Last year I had a good World Juniors and then got an opportunity on the second line with HV into the playoffs.”
But do you eventually want to play in the North America, David?
“Of course,” said Ullstrom. “I want to come here so bad. As soon as everyone thinks I’m ready, I’ll be here. But I want to be ready.”
Take my word for it. They want him here next year.
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Player of the Day II: 2008 6th round pick and OHL scoring ace Justin DiBenedetto said the experience of playing for Bridgeport in last season’s AHL playoffs was invaluable for him. “I thought I played well,” he said. “I also got a handle on the areas I need to improve on.” Like? “Primarily quickness – footwork, making decisions.”
DiBenedetto’s goal for this season: “Come to training camp in the best shape of my life. Win a regular spot with the Sound Tigers and take it from there.”
I’ve got news for Mr. DiBo. From the vibes coming down from the management perch at Iceworks this week, he could get in a few Islanders games this year.
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The Bridgeport Scorecard…
Gone: Jeremy Colliton, Joe Callahan, Peter Mannino, Ben Walter (trade), Mike Iggulden, Kurtis McLean, Mitch Fritz, Chris Lee, Jamie Fraser, Andy Sertich.
Added: Greg Moore, Mark Flood, Matt Moulson, Greg Mauldin, Brett Westgarth, Jeremy Reich, Scott Munroe, Jason Dale, Tony Romano.
New NYI Prospects: Mark Katic, Justin DiBenedetto, Robin Figren, Mikko Koskinen.
Comments. More to come later in the day.
Joel Rechlicz is currently the only potential fourth-line enforcer on the Islanders’ roster. Unlike several teams in the East, the Islanders have not added one. Rechlicz was a healthy scratch in games in Bridgeport last season. Nevertheless, the signs point towards the Islanders giving the 6-4, 220-pound forward every chance to make the team. I like Joel. Great energy, huge heart, fantastic Rockyesque story. But I’ve written that it seems pretty obvious he needs to do a lot more in the pros to make it to the NHL, and I didn’t want to be a phony about it. So I sat down with him today after the scrimmage.
Do you think the enforcer’s job on the Islanders is yours?
I don’t know about that. I just know I’m very serious about making the Islanders next season. Very serious. I want to be there all season. I want the job, and I’m going to do everything I can to put myself in the best position to win it.
Garth Snow has yet to add another tough guy to the roster this off-season. Has he told you the job is yours?
I don’t want to get into what management tells me. I’ll just say they’ve been supportive, and it’s been great to have someone I respect as much as Eric Cairns giving me guidance. They wanted me to come down for this July camp and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I know they believe in me.
I’ve written that my concern is, just as you wouldn’t rush a skilled defenseman like Calvin de Haan, there’s no reason why the Islanders should rush an enforcer. You haven’t played a lot of pro. You were a scratch for games in Bridgeport.
I can respect your view. That’s okay. You see me more as a player and I appreciate that. I’m just looking forward and preparing like I can win a spot on the Islanders this year. I don’t want anyone to take my job. If I don’t make it, I’m gonna go down swinging.
From the looks of it at this camp, you’ve been on the ice a lot since the end of the season.
I have. I’m working on the fighting, of course, but I’m really trying to improve all of my skill sets. I’m skating, working on puck control. I have to be more of a player. The Islanders don’t want some guy on the fourth line who only plays a minute a game, and I don’t blame them. I have to prove I’m capable of more out there.
I know you work out with your brother Mark a lot.
The only reason I’m not on Long Island the whole summer is because I want to be there for my little brother. He wants to make it, too. He played in Odessa this season and I want to help him. We help each other out, push each other.
You’ve mentioned to me before some of your unique approaches with video.
Yeah (laughs). I know this might sound funny to some people, but I use a skills video that Alexei Kovalev put out a while ago. I go out in the driveway and work on my puck skills. Hey, whatever works, you know?
The teams in the East continue to load up on big guys. Do you watch film on the top fighters?
All the time. I have to be ready. You got Donald Brashear with the Rangers now. Eric Godard in Pittsburgh, and they added (Mike) Rupp. Cote and Carcillo and everyone else in Philly. Colton Orr’s now in Toronto. You got that Leblond kid in New Jersey. He’s real tough. There’s a lot of great fighters out there. Last season I did whatever possible to be prepared, and Cairnsy often called me the night before a game to get me ready for possible opponents.
Where do you practice your fighting?
I have a heavy bag in my garage. I’m in there constantly. I do a lot of workouts in a warehouse near my home.
Sounds like Rocky.
Sort of. We have lots of room to do our stuff. We work out for hours on end. We box. We lift weights. We even flip tractor tires. Some days I leave that warehouse and I am literally drained. I know I have to get stronger. I know I still have a lot to improve.
Your fight last season with Georges Laraque, you…uh…
Go ahead. You can say it.
You looked out of your league.
I haven’t stopped thinking about that fight since it ended. What can I say? Georges is the best fighter in the game and he took care of me. That’s all right. He saw me run Tom Kotsopoulos and he did his job. I said, “Georges, do you want to go with me”? He showed me respect and gave me a fight. Where I blew it is, I messed up the “grab.” Once I didn’t get in there and get a hold of him, it was trouble. I’ll learn from it. If Georges gives me another shot someday, I’ll be there.
The only hockey fight lesson I ever got was from Gino Odjick. Besides getting my rear kicked, Gino taught me that defense is a big part of what you guys do.
Protecting yourself is a huge part of it, no doubt. There’s a lot more that goes into it than most people realize. To take on the best, I have to improve every aspect of it.
But do you really think you’re ready for the heavyweights in this league?
When someone takes a run at anyone on the Islanders, I’m gonna fly over. I can’t say I’m going to win every fight. Even the best guys don’t win them all. But I’m getting better and I’m going to continue to get better. I’ll be there to fight all the heavyweights.
Comments.
A large crowd at Iceworks today watched one team beat another team, 4-1, in the lone scrimmage of Islanders Prospect minicamp. Jack Capuano and Pat Bingham ran the benches. Joel Rechlicz took a few shifts in the second half on defense (“Jack Capuano’s decision,” said Scott Gordon.) Nobody looked terrible, a few kids looked really good. Purely a coincidence, no doubt, but the opening faceoff was John Tavares vs. Josh Bailey.
Player of the Day (aka Let’s Start Over-hyping…): Aaron Ness. Nobody talked about the not-large defenseman from the University of Minnesota during the first two days of drills. Then he got in a game today and everyone raved about him. Ness is a 2008 second round pick. He told me after the scrimmage today that he’ll do another year at Minnesota, “take it one year at a time,” and then determine when he should turn pro. Today, if only for 90 minutes, he looked like a pro.
“The tempo was really good out there,” said Ness. “It’s a challenge because most of us played our last game a while ago. But I thought everyone played well. It felt great to be out there.”
Point Blank Top-5 of the Scrimmage (Means Nothing)
1. Aaron Ness
2. David Ullstrom
3. Nathan Lawson
4. Calle Ridderwall
5. Justin DiBenedetto
The Kids Scott Gordon Mentioned (Means Something)
Calvin de Haan: “Poise.”
Robin Figren: “Made some nice plays.”
Jesse Joensuu: “Liked the way he protected the puck.”
Justin DiBenedetto: “Just kept on competing.”
Aaron Ness: “The skating.”
Josh Bailey: “We were talking upstairs about how confident and comfortable he looks.”
Calle Ridderwall: “Continues to play well.”
All Goalies: “You’d be hard-pressed at any camp like this to find the quality of goaltending we have now.”
The head coach on the scrimmage: “Really liked the pace, the competitiveness, the battles.”
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John Tavares Thoughts: “Fun morning…fun scrimmage.” On what he needs to work on – “Everything.” On going up against Josh Bailey – “Really strong on the puck.”
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Built Bailey: Fans noticing a larger-than-they-remember Josh Bailey at the Tavares press conference will be happy to know their eyes weren’t deceiving them. Taking just one week off after the Islanders’ season ended in April, the 2008 first round pick has been a man on a mission to add size, strength and flexibility.
Bailey signed up with Train Like A Pro in Whitby, Ontario and is pleased with the early results. The 19-year old has strength training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and focuses on quickness on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He runs his conditioning plans by the Islanders training staff and also credits former NYI strength and conditioning coach Chris Schwarz for his guidance on nutrition.
“This is the first summer I really stuck with a smart diet,” said Bailey, obviously getting the memo a decade earlier in his pro career than Eddy Curry. “I really feel like it has made a difference.”
Bailey says his workout program is set at four weeks of relentless reps, followed by one week of lighter work, and continues right to the start of training camp. The results have been apparent, and there’s still 40% of the offseason remaining.
Comments. Minicamp coverage continues all week.
Happens all the time in the National Hockey League. A teenage hockey player blooms late, maybe is even passed up in his first year of draft eligibility. A team takes a minor risk on him with a late-round pick the next year. Player’s character matures and raw ability develops seemingly overnight.
The results: an eye-popping season in junior hockey. And a contract squabble.
What is Matt Martin? That is probably the essence of the friendly disagreement between the Islanders’ and his agent over their 5th round draft pick last June. What we know about the 6-2, 200-pound left wing is that over the last three years he went from non-factor to 5th round what-the-heck to one of the Islanders’ top prospects. Last season in 66 games with Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League, Martin had 38 goals and 30 assists.
If you want to dream, think over-achieving third line goal scorer with intangibles like – oh, go ahead and say it – Bobby Nystrom. If you prefer to live in the now and on this planet, think Tim Jackman with more upside. Martin also takes on all heavyweights, and he is Sarnia’s captain.
“Matt’s big, strong, an intimidating force,” said John Tavares after today’s workout at the Islanders’ Prospect Minicamp. Tavares has centered a line with Martin and Rhett Rakhshani the last two days. “He’s really good on the forecheck. He creates a lot of room for his linemates. I’ve played against him the last few years and it’s been fun being on his team.”
For a similar story to Martin’s, all you have to do is review the case of his teammate Justin DiBenedetto, Sarnia’s leading scorer. After his selection one round after Martin last June, DiBenedetto quieted some critics and tore up the league even without former linemate Steven Stamkos. DiBenedetto signed quickly and without fanfare in April and joined Bridgeport for its first round AHL playoff series. Sarnia defenseman Mark Katic also inked a contract with the Islanders with no hassle.
Now it’s July and Martin remains unsigned. Educated view: the Islanders are willing to offer third round-type money, while Martin’s agent wants him paid like a first-rounder. If a deal is not struck, the powerful forward returns to Sarnia for one year as an overager – not ideal for his development.
What’s the deal, Matt?
“I have to leave that to my agent and the Islanders,” Martin said. “I hope something is worked out, but it can’t be my focus right now.
“I’m here this week to learn the system, do my part and hopefully make a name for myself. I want to prove I belong here, show them how much I want to be here.”
“Here,” of course, means within the Islanders’ system. Martin should be in Bridgeport in 2009-10, not beating up – and getting run by – overzealous teenagers in the Ontario League. He should be working every day on his skating with Sound Tigers tutor Matt Bertani.
A call yesterday to Martin’s agent, Pat Morris, has yet to be returned. Citing team policy, GM Garth Snow would not discuss negotiations, but said he’d like to have Martin under contract. Morris and Snow are known to enjoy a productive working relationship. Like 99% of these squabbles, it’s only business.
Let’s hope it doesn’t get in the way of the development of a worthy prospect.
Minicamp Notes: An expected dropoff in Tavaresmania with the media, as today’s JT scrum featured two writers from Newsday and three bloggers. We’ve now entered the stage where John is being asked about his favorite movies, color, etc.
The Islanders roomed Tavares this week with the savvy veteran Josh Bailey. The first overall pick said there’s much he wants to learn to prepare himself for training camp and his first NHL season, and Bailey is the perfect role model.
Player of the Day (aka Let’s Stat Over-Hyping…): Rhett Rakhshani. Looked terrific playing on the line with Tavares and Martin. The 2006 draft pick, a legitimate NHL prospect, returns to Denver for his senior season as captain.
“It was a tough decision,” said Rakhshani, “but the best one for me long-term. The Islanders were great about it. For the last two years, they’ve told me they’re ready when I’m ready. They’ve been incredibly supportive.”
Mikko Koskinen told Point Blank that he’ll also leave the business end between his agent and the Islanders, but he’s hopeful of playing in Bridgeport this season. “It’s the next step for me,” said the 2009 second round pick. “I need to learn how to play this ice surface.” Koskinen described the difference: “Everything – the angles, the plays, the crease. I want to be an NHL goalie and I have to learn how.”
Koskinen is rooming with fellow Finn Jesse Joensuu. “I didn’t know him, but we talked on the phone after I was drafted and we were on the same flight to New York this week,” said Koskinen. “He’s been great for me. I’m learning a lot from Jesse about how it’s done.”
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Scrimmage tomorrow at 11:00 am. To have any hope of getting in, fans need to line up early and obtain a wristband from the Islanders. There’s not a lot of space at Iceworks.
Comments.
7:00 pm - Your News and Notes from Day 1 of minicamp…
Player of the Day (aka Let’s Start Over-hyping…): Travis Hamonic. The Western Hockey League defenseman does look good, we cannot deny. Heck, he’s better than that Chynoweth kid from the West looked at his age – and Deano was a first-rounder! Hamonic, an Islanders second round pick in 2008, will play one more year of junior, sign a three-year deal by next spring and – if his development keeps pace – may only need one season in the AHL.
Missing Assistant: First-year assistant coach Dean Chynoweth joined Scott Gordon on the ice for both sessions today. They were joined by Bridgeport head coach Jack Capuano, goalie coaches Sudarshan Maharaj and Mike Dunham (who split the two practices) and development chief/local legend Bryan Trottier. Missing was a second NHL assistant. John Chabot was not there, likely a sign he is not returning. The Islanders had no comment.
Among those watching the workouts from the Iceworks perch were Garth Snow, Ryan Jankowski, Ken Morrow, Eric Cairns, GM assistant Kerry Gwydir, scouts Chris O’Sullivan and Toby O’Brien and Bridgeport assistant coaches Pat Bingham and Matt Bertani.
Here Comes the Moening: Rugged forward Travis Moen gets a three-year deal from Montreal. Got it. Next! (That’s an inside joke, if you follow my occasional cameos in Comments).
The Other First-Rounder: 12th overall pick Calvin de Haan conceded that the presence of his heralded Oshawa buddy enables him to practice his craft without pressure. “I’ve always flown under the radar,” the defenseman said. So much, that he had no idea he’d go 12th. “My family and I were sitting by the Islanders table at the draft,” said de Haan. “When they made those trades, everyone – including us – was buzzing about what they were going to do. Then they called my name and my heart stopped.”
Trivino Pays The Way: As NCAA players, Islanders prospects like Aaron Ness (Minnesota), Rhett Rakhshani (Denver) and Corey Trivino (Boston University) can only attend minicamp if the Islanders don’t pay for them. I asked Trivino, “How does that work? Do you just give your Mastercard number to the Islanders?” He said, “Yeah, pretty much. Well, we give our parents’ credit card number.”
Trivino, with Ness and Hamonic the Islanders’ trio of 2008 second rounders, said he will wait for the Islanders’ guidance on if he should ever leave college early. “It’s important for me to know what they think,” he said. “I won’t leave college unless management thinks I’m ready. If I ever do, it will be to play with the best of the best. For me, the ideal is that if I ever leave school, it will be because I’m in the best position to play in the NHL.”
With BU buddy Colin Wilson in Nashville, Trivino moves up coach Jack Parker’s depth chart. “We lost 5 of our top 6 forwards,” he said. “But we’re still going to be good. Our D corps is very stable. I have some tough shoes to fill, but the opportunity is incredible.”
You’ll Need a Wristband on Sunday: The Prospect Minicamp scrimmage on Sunday is open to the public. However, Islanders PR sent out this release today: “Due to capacity limitations and the overwhelming level of interest, a limited number of wristbands will be issued for admission on July 12. Wristbands will be issued starting at 9:00 am and fans are encouraged to arrive early as admission will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans must have a wristband in order to gain access to the rink to watch open practice.”
Saturday Schedule: Group 2 (Josh Bailey’s) skates from 10-11 am, Group 1 (you-know-who’s) goes on at 11:30 am. Media availability around 1:00 pm. Point Blank reports after and, if warranted, during.
I have a handle on the storylines and the questions you want addressed. Camp has 5 more days. I’ll get to all of it. Commments. Tavares talk continues below.
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