KYLE OKPOSO RESUMES PRACTICE; Weight unlikely for opener; de Haan out Tuesday; Roloson for 60
1:30 pm – A series of updates from Islanders practice:
Kyle Okposo took part in his first practice today after suffering a concussion 11 days ago in Calgary. He reported that he felt good and would practice all week before a decision was made on his status for the season opener on Saturday. Scott Gordon said Okposo has passed all of the medical tests and Okposo was under no restrictions. (With the Islanders not playing their second regular season game until five days after the opener, do not rule out the team giving Okposo extra time before taking contact).
Doug Weight (groin) took the day off from skating. He said he was aiming for Saturday’s opener. His coach was less optimistic: “It would be hard for that to happen,” said the coach. Gordon said, “Doug probably pushed himself a little harder than he should have.”
Calvin de Haan (groin) will not play Tuesday in New Jersey, although Gordon called the injury “not serious.” The 2009 12th overall pick is a possibility to start the year in the NHL. “We’ve liked what we’ve seen so far,” said Gordon. “I didn’t expect him playing a game and having an impact at this level.”
Dwayne Roloson is scheduled to play the entire game on Tuesday.
Richard Park and Tim Jackman will be among the few healthy scatches tomorrow because the coaching staff knows what they have in them and it’s one more (possibly final) opportunity for bubble boys like Greg Moore, Joel Rechlicz and Jeremy Reich.
I asked Gordon today about Jesse Joensuu. Just wanted to make sure the kid was still on track and didn’t show up to Saskatoon fat or anything. The coach had no concerns. “He was better at this camp than at any point last year,” said Gordon. “Jesse was disappointed that he didn’t take the next step, but he understands it’s a progression. I told him, ‘Best-case scenario, you play 40 games in Bridgeport and you’ll be better for it.’ But he also know that if he spends most of the year there, it’s for his development.”
Training camp stat worth noting: Jack Hillen has been on the ice over four preseason games for just one even-strength goal against, and that was an empty-netter.
Gone to Bridgeport but leaving behind some cautiously optimistic buzz: Mikko Koskinen.
*
Monday, 11:10 am, Iceworks - Kyle Okposo is back. Calvin de Haan is out today with a sore groin. Trent Hunter and Doug Weight out.
Andrew MacDonald is in Bridgeport. He is injured, so technically he cannot be sent down. Same goes for Mark Katic, Bobby Hughes and Mark Flood.
Bergenheim – Tavares – Moulson
Tambellini – Bailey – Sim
Jackman – Park – Okposo
Smith – Moore – Comeau
Reich – Thompson – Rechlicz
Streit – Gervais
Witt – Martinek
Sutton – Meyer
Hillen
Roloson
Biron
44 Responses to KYLE OKPOSO RESUMES PRACTICE; Weight unlikely for opener; de Haan out Tuesday; Roloson for 60
-
nystrom23 says:
Heard this guy has a cannon of a shot…hope hes a much better jyri nemme
-
KO21 says:
Thanks for the intel, CB
-
Blizzard says: ….nice…who the hell is this guy? CB as always you da man. But seriously the Sugden, Brasheer spot on fanhouse was epic in comments. I forgot my password or I would have joined the fray. I guess i will have to stop being lazy and giddy up cause that was hysterical IMO.
-
big dally mac says:
Cash you don’t spend if he never plays in the NHL. But you are right point blank does rock.
-
B-RI says:
You dont know that for sure #7. If he signed here he is obviously willing to play here. Some of our late round picks on D have turned out alright too. Martinek, Gervais, Campoli. Streit was a late round pick too and was much older when he was drafted, so dont rule the kid out.
-
StevieL says:
Unfortunately all we have is “sleeper” prospects!! What we need are more “can’t miss” prospects!!
-
Strummer's Army says:
He looked good in the exhibition game he played and he played for Bridgeport last night. There is talk he could play in Bridgeport this year and that is why I think they went ahead and signed him. Thank Jesus he’s not another small puck mover.
-
shinkdew says:
Klementiev is already here, he’s playing in Bridgeport. He’s either going to play there or in London. Either way, he’s got to be somewhat good or they wouldn’t have wasted a contract on him.
-
IMO There is no reason to think they are ‘wasting a contract’ here. We dont know the details, perhaps if he did not sign with us he had an offer on the table in Russia?
-
IslesJT27 says:
CB,
Do you know how many total players we have under contract. I seem to remember that you are only allowed to have a total of 50 between all of your teams. Does this affect their ability to sign de Haan or waiver wire players? -
art says:
Basically a good D has to have basic skills, which do not need to be enumerated here. The unknowns are heart and grit-time will tell.
-
Ray B says:
any movr that will make it more comfortable for KIRILL PETROV to eventually come over is alright by me.
remember yashin always had his kvasha
-
Metalcoconut says:
It’s too bad they did not have him in time for early camp. It would have been fun to see him play against some other teams early on.
-
He sounds like he already has a pro build…a year in juniors might hurt him
-
UIF says:
How old is Klementyev? Is he even eligible to play in B-port? Hopefully he pans out. The only other D prospect I saw with size was Niemi, and his play in the Edmonton game was kind of disappointing.
Good news on Weight and Gervais. Did I miss an announcement on Bergy? Is he practicing again?
-
I am noticing that Hillen tends to be the 7th dman consistently. Is he not having a good camp?
-
Kevin27nyi says:
I like the fifth line LOL.
-
dp says:
All these sore/strained groins have me worried will this be a repeat of last years injury plagued season?? Does anyone know if this is occurring with other teams?
-
Dadi says:
Taylor Hall, here we come…
-
Another sore groin.
I wonder if they’re going to start Tavares on left wing now seeing how he’s played center for most of the pre-season. Seems counter-productive to throw him on the wing when he hasn’t been preparing himself to play there at all. Weight-Tavares-Bailey-Nielson (if/when healthy) wouldn’t be too bad down the middle…just no real “checking center” among them.
-
doc says:
Amazing how many sore groins this team gets. I’m sure that it isn’t unique to just the Islanders… but then again… maybe it is.
DOC
-
peter puck says:
Guys Sidney Crosby is out with a groin – has been for a while It happens all the time
-
Isle4Ever says:
Sore groins are usually pretty common in the begining of the season. However, I remember someone saying last year, sore groins are a result of not skating enough in pre-season and Gordon was going to have plenty of early skating this year. How could there have any better conditioning this year considering there was a game the second day of training camp. IMO, there were too many games early on and not enough skating. I really hope this team is in shape. But having so many games so early would cause me to beleive that is the reason for the injuies.
-
Blizzard says:
….ooof this line up is week…lol. Lets hope JT doesnt get the groin bug. Love the crash line.
-
Ryan T. says:
Sean O’Donnell receives suspension for rest of preseason, and 2 regular season games FOR A CROSS CHECK TO THE HEAD OF MATT MARTIN. Then he threw punches when he was flat on his face on the ice.. Hmm.
-
So..Im guessing KO, DOug Weight, and Hunter will not be on the ice for the season opener. Ouch and good luck.
-
Chris R says:
This is why the Isles shouldn’t have resigned Doug Weight. They should of signed Vernon Fiddler instead. Atleast he would be playing games. Weight and Sutton are injured so often that we can’t even use them for trade bait.
-
Mario says:
Whats with the fifth line? Weight should not be Captain. Streit is Captain for as long as he plays then its JT’s for life.
-
TuxTax says:
I like the Rob Schremp idea. It makes a lot of sense. Hope the guys get over the Go-Go Gadget Groin Injuries soon. No matter what, I can’t wait for the season!
-
Staten Islander says:
Thinking they should be cautious with KO and hold him out of the opener as well as the pre season finale.
-
IF you read between the lines… (ridiculous to even attempt to do with this team) it sounds like they are giving de Haan a chance to make the team (at least for 9 games).
DOC
-
Joe in Massapequa says:
The Isles definitely need to take the more cautious road with KO. It isn’t like they are in a playoff race in late March where they need the firepower. This guy is a HUGE part of our future and anything to keep him as that HUGE part of our future is necessary.
My Opening Night Roster (in no particular order):
Tavares C
Bergenheim W
Bailey C
Sim W
Moulson W
Jackman W
Park C
Comeau W
Thompson C
Reich W
Rechlicz W
Tambellini WStreit
Gervais
Witt
Martinek
Sutton
Hillen -
19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
I’ll take Groins for $1000 Alex…
Alex: The NHL Team with the most groin problems….
Me: Who are the New York Islanders?
DING DING DING!!!
-
Nice one 19.
I have to say; I do like Bergenheim as a left wing for Tavares.
-
I really hope the Isles claim Schremp. We could really use some infusion of skill and he is young and still basically a prospect who might just need a new home. so don’t be stupid and outsmart yourself Snow. Just take a flier on him and see what he can do. The team has nothing to lose.
-
JT says:
I see Schremp was put on waivers up in Edmonton. I know he is small, but with us being a bit thin at center, I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on him…..
-
I say pick up Schremp off of waivers. Drop Sim or Tambellini like a bad habit and make the kid into a nasty winger. He is only 22 give him his shot, he is a new yorker(syracuse). A little more offensive threat, put him on a wing and let Bailey feed him passes into the slot so we can see the infamous 20 foot slapper that he’s got. Just a thought…
-
According to TSN.ca, the Isles have claimed Schremp.
-
JJT9090 says:
well for the select few of us, we got what we wanted and claimed shremp
Thanks for the info CB. This site is awesome. Don’t know anything about this prospect but like the size.