MINICAMP DAY 3: Scrimmage, a Built-up Josh Bailey, Scott Gordon’s notes and the Point Blank P.O.D.
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.
43 Responses to MINICAMP DAY 3: Scrimmage, a Built-up Josh Bailey, Scott Gordon’s notes and the Point Blank P.O.D.
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Jon Mac says:
Glad to hear that Bailey is progressing nicely. It really seems like the Islanders scouts knew what they were doing when traded down last year. His work ethic and leadership qualities are going to really pay off down the road for the Islanders.
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Staten Islander says:
I’m so happy Bailey got bigger, this is certainly good news. Hopfully this helps him get better this year as far as keeping him from getting knocked off the puck
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Tavares #1 says:
You have to love the attitudes of Bailey and Tavares. They are hellbent on being the best that they can be. I would not be surprised at all to see Bailey with 50 assists this year.
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matt says:
who scored the goals?
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Strummer's Army says:
Botta Bing, when your speaking with some of the guys could you please ask them for their current Ht & Wt since the Isles website just keeps them at their drafted stats for the rest of eternity.
All sounds positive for today. I’d be over the moon happy with the organization right now if the current defense was formatted properly and there was enough toughness.
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Alex says:
with the added confidence and size…bailey could very well surprise a lot of people next season.
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Larry says:
Figren should have been a star as well, and as far as the orange team goes nobody was any good other than DeHaan
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potvin05 says:
The more I hear about and see Mr. Bailey, the more I know he’ll be my next jersey. It’s hard not to like this kid.
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I noticed Bailey looked much stronger when I saw him, however, I have not been able to attend the prospect camp thus far. How is his speed? Out of all the aspects of his game that I wanted him to improve on, it was his overall speed. I hope he is keeping an eye on that this offseason.
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Matt says:
I think Kyle Okposo may have rubbed off on Bailey a bit, which is very good. Both Bailey and Okposo are gym rats which is very good news considering how important conditioning is.
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gary says:
anything on Martin ridiculous contract demands?
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Belarus says:
so Tavares didn’t stand out?? Wow, what a bust!
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Angry Bill says:
Figren had the play of the scrimmage on the fourth goal (i think). Blew around the defenseman and dished the puck off beatifully for the other player (not sure who) to easily knock it in. De Hann looked real good as did Ness and Katic. Most of the orange team’s offense, Tavares included, were ineffective with the exception of DiBo perhaps.
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b-ri says:
Though the game was good, i was very disappointed with today. There was no availability to meet any players except for four bridgeport guys. The Isles staff working today was extremely rude as well. I loved last years mini camp. It was so much fun and players and fans were able to freely interact, even if to only say hello. This year, players were herded in and out like sheep to and from the locker room, and fans were herded in and out as well of the rink. I was not impressed by the Organiztions performance in the fan relations department at all, and I hope that it was just a bad day for them.
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Jim Clark says: Regarding Bailey’s bulking up. How good is the NHL’s testing policy for illegal PEDs?
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Robert says:
It’s amazing I wasn’t even going to mention Bailey because in my eyes, he’s like a veteran already.. What poise and maturity!
Bailey and Tavares are going to challenge each other and make each other better, and Bailey is the perfect guy for Tavares to be around.
As far as Ness, even if his skating and skill are NHL ready next year, will his body be?? I have no idea what the kid weighs now, but if he is anything under 175-180 next year, he’s not gonna be able to handle the physical aspects of an NHL defenseman.. But it has been a long time since he had a blue-chip offensive defenseman come through the system.. Just another thing to be excited about..
I’m glad Ullstrom is playing well.. He has a great size/speed combo.. We don’t have anyone on current roster with his size/speed and skill set..
Hey CB, any chance Ullstrum comes to North America this year and plays for Brideport?? I’m guessing no because I haven’t heard it mentioned at all yet..
Ullstrum, Joensuu and Matt Martin all playing for Brideport would be cool… Having three power forwards playing for same team makes it easier to see how each guy is progressing and compares to other similar style players..
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derekkingforpres says:
CB….Is this Ridderwall kid eligible to be signed? I see he is still at Notre Dame. Can he sign now or is he still draft eligible for 2010? Thanks.
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CB, can you explain real quick why Bailey is at prospect camp? That is, what defines a “prospect” in the eyes of the Isles? A bunch of players at camp are years away… more are BPT’ers… some have been between clubs, and (Bailey, specifically) one’s been a full-time Islander all last season. What’s the criteria?
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Bailey is most likely my next jersey as well…there’s nothing I don’t like. I picked Okposo instead last year, but as soon as I did it I was like…wait I need a bailey one. I immediately noticed poise as well, always looks in control. I’d love to know his linemates this year.
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Blizzard says: Love this info. Baily, he is starting to make me think trading down and drafting him was a real good idea. As much as I love Okposo, I think weight carries the “C” until he retires. Then Baily.
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DRIVE45 says:
Who’s going to protect these kids?
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lovin lethbridge says:
CB – any idea as to how much weight he (Bailey) has added. The additional size will certainly help, and to hear Tavares say Bailey was, “Strong on the puck.” isnt something he could have been accused of last year. that is good news
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James says:
I think the fact that JT didn’t stand out is more of a testament to the good crop of prospects that we have moreso than anything to do with JT
Bailey adding muscle is great, I had a good feeling about him when he was drafted. Okposo, Bailey and JT could lead this team into the future. If some of these other guys develop to NHL caliber, well then this clubs future doesnt look so bad.
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Church Hill Drew says:
I’m usually VERY pessimistic about this organization but it appears that “the plan” is working and (very slowly) we’re seeing some of the fruits of the SnoJanks labor.
Just stay the course, compile draft picks, go after who you REALLY like and play the kids. A year or two from now, we will see if the gameplan is working or not. At that point, I expect we’ll know if the Joensuus, DiBo’s and Martins of the world are legit.
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Ajax says:
Wasnt it DPs wedding this weekend?
Right now, Recker & Jackman are the teams muscle.
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Good to see comments that are positive about picking Josh Bailey. I hope Garth has a couple more signings for the big club in the near future. Good information from Mr. Botta. Can’t wait for opening night.
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#19….Baily clearly has leadership qualities. He is there to school the newbies.
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mw147 says:
This is why I was OK with Bailey staying up last year. He had to figure out first hand what he needed to do to compete in the NHL. Obviously he is spending the off season working extra hard. Probably harder than he would have worked had he come off of a season on juniors. This has to move his progress ahead so much faster.
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Still gotta get someone to protect them
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John from ATL says:
All the news about Bailey is great to hear. Sounds like it was a good idea to have him at camp with the prospects to show some leadership. Just like Okposo helped Bailey last year. Hopefully, Tavares can show the 2010 #1 pick next year. And so on.
To follow on what Robert #17 stated, Hoping, Jounsuu, Ullstrom, DeBenedetto, Figren, Martin (if signed), Kessel, Kohn, MacDonald, Katic and Koskinen are all at Bridgeport this year.
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I really like the two goalies the Islanders drafted this year. I hope they continue to develop and one day make it to the Islanders.
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I like Rechlicz and Jackman as protectors. But Rechlicz should spend another a year in Bridgeport developing his game and fighting skills. Love Jackman but he isn’t a heavyweight.
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BrianAlbany says:
Does anyone know when opening night is supposed to be this year? I know the league schedule comes out around mid-late July, but sometimes team’s know their opening nights ahead of time.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
I happened to notice that Bails put on a couple of pounds by seeing his photos and some video of him playing with the kids during the I.C.E Tour … I wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the lens or not … Bails is already strong on the puck … this is going to add another dimension to him since he’ll now be hard to move off the puck.
CB- So how does Tavares look against last year’s pros at the Bridge and even Bailey?
You haven’t mentioned how he measures up yet? What about the injury he had been nursing at the combine? Any news on that?
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Anthony O. says:
CB, do the rankings exclude Tavares, or did he honestly not perform in the “Top 5″ today?
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Maverick says:
CB nice meeting you today. Figs really impressed me as well as Dibo and Martin.
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hockeynut says:
5 8 d man very rare Ness needs to get a lot stronger to be a NHL DMAn lets be real he is tiny
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Mike from CT says:
Why is Bailey at the prospect camp? After a full year with the big club, I would think he is more than a prospect.
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Irish Isle says:
I was at the scrimmage, I was standing at the goal team orange was atempting to defend and I was really impressed by Joensuu. JJ was good along the boards, he was running people over.
Any word on Parrson, he seemed real. Also Fridstrom (sp?) seemed to be real big.
Any word on where to get a list of the jersey numbers they were wearing today?
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Isle be Damned says:
Not surprising at all. Not only is Bailey a hard worker, but he’s 6’1″ tall. He was bound to fill out a bit more. not that I expect him to ever be confused with a power forward, but the added muscle will only help him.
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Sweden´s finest says:
Ullstrom played in the second line in one of the best european teams in the end of the last season. He has evolved a lot. He will stay in Sweden for at least one more year, and that´s probably for the best. Speed, size and skill is, as you all know, agreat combination in hockey.
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Blake says:
It’s amazing, after following Ness’s career for awhile now, the first comment is being undersized–and yes, he has and will get over powered in the corner at times. That being said, if I had a nickle for every time was awed by him locking up a guy twice his size in front of the net using his stick work I could retire. Ness will be a very very good addition to the Islanders. He will play (when ready) about the size as Paul Coffey, and has the same hockey I.Q.–which is the one thing you can’t coach and he has it in spades. Anyone that watches this kid for the first time is floored by his hands, footwork, and heads up hockey.
I love how Bailey is so committed to getting better. He really looks like a keeper.