Monthly Archives: July 2010
PB Video: Nino Niederreiter
PB Video: Travis Hamonic
At these camps, a FAQ is, “How did the players look”? Regular readers of this site probably know my answer by now. There is no answer. They’re kids. They all look fine. There isn’t anything that happens in two days of drills at a prospect camp that will define them as hits or busts. I’ll be at the scrimmage Saturday, in the stands with my sons, along with an expected 1,500 other people. If Nino scores a goal by out-muscling some hard-working kid from Long Island – who, for all I know, is the son of a guy I went to Hicksville High School with – enjoy the moment. But it’s important to keep these events in perspective. Instead, I hope you’ll enjoy this PB vid – shot, edited and scored by David Litvinsky. More later. Comments related to this video only. Thanks.
My thanks to Nino, the NYI PR staff and especially David Litvinsky for his videography and editing:
This one, recorded today, is dedicated to all the readers who want to know about a prospect’s height and weight. About that hoodie: it’s about 40 degrees ice-side, and I get some free stuff from the hockey companies. Comments on The Hammer.
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10:55 am: Bryan Trottier will not return as Executive Director of Player Development for the franchise, a role he has held since 2006.
Trottier, the Hall of Fame center, Hart Trophy winner and member of the Islanders dynasty, was listed atop the team’s directory of hockey operations personnel above even assistant general manager Ryan Jankowski, who was told on Monday night that his contract would not be renewed.
Like Jankowski, Trottier was not present this week at Islanders prospect camp. He was a mainstay on the ice, working with all the young players – especially the centers – in recent summers and during the season at Bridgeport. Trottier was unavailable for comment, but a source close to the Islanders legend said he still hopes to remain with the franchise in some capacity. The Islanders have yet to release statements on Jankowski and Trottier, or post the news on the official team website.
Comments on Bryan Trottier.
Meet Kirill Petrov. This is where he gives his word he’ll play in Bridgeport, no matter what. My thanks to Mr. Kabanov for co-hosting. Excuse the informality. The Emmy will have to wait. Comments related to this post are invited.
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3:40 pm: Ryan Jankowski is no longer a member of the New York Islanders organization, several NHL sources told Point Blank this afternoon. It is believed the contract for Jankowski, who had the title of assistant general manager/amateur scouting director, expired soon after the 2010 draft and the Islanders chose not to give him a new one. His absence from today’s first day of Prospect Camp was a surprise to many.
Since Jankowski began managing the scouting staff in 2006, the Islanders have drafted – among others – talented young players such as John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Travis Hamonic, Josh Bailey, Matt Martin, Kirill Petrov, Kirill Kabanov, Andrew MacDonald, Brock Nelson, David Ullstrom, Kevin Poulin, Calvin de Haan, Mikko Koskinen and Casey Cizikas.
Suggestion: wait for the Islanders to make their public comments before making any assumptions. This is all I know as of now, and probably all I will until reading it elsewhere.
4:00 pm UPDATE: Katie Strang of Newsday confirms this story. Katie cites a source revealing that Jankowski learned yesterday that his contract would not be renewed by the Islanders. She says the open position will not be filled. Garth Snow will have added responsibilities. Comments.
2:20 pm: Their China plans scrapped, Charles Wang and Garth Snow do the right thing. As first reported by Katie Strang of Newsday, training camp will be held on Long Island.
1:10 pm: In a one-on-one conversation with Point Blank, Kirill Petrov said he would play in Bridgeport for as long as the Islanders needed him, if they felt his development would benefit. “Two years, whatever.” In an ideal world for him, he joins the Islanders organization full-time immediately and leaves AK Bars and the KHL on proper terms. To the young man’s credit, he seems to want to do right by everyone.
12:20 pm: Only an hour into Islanders Prospect camp, a pair of vital and positive storylines have emerged.
Kirill Petrov, through interpreter Kirill Kabanov, said he wants to “make it right with the KHL” and play in the Islanders organization this season.
Kabanov, having no trouble speaking for himself, said he hears regularly from Moncton head coach (and former NYI assistant) Danny Flynn, and the Wildcats welcome him if Kabanov does not make the Islanders in 2010-11.
That’s not a bad start to what is usually a few days of drills and little news.
Petrov and Kabanov were part of the first group of Islanders prospects to hit the ice at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, along with late 2010 first round pick Brock Nelson. Soon after, they met the media in the locker room hallway with Kabanov playing the role of interpreter. Their thoughts:
Petrov, re-asserting his public commitment to the Islanders: “In the KHL, I didn’t get a lot of icetime. I will fix everything in Russia. I will really work hard here and do my best to play in the NHL.”
Asked if Saturday’s scrimmage before home fans is more than your typical game of shinny, Petrov said, “It’s a really big deal. I want to play hard and have fun.”
I asked Kabanov to provide a review of Petrov’s ability. “He’s really good. Unbelievable. He’s going to be in the NHL soon.” When I suggested to Kabanov that he might want to tell Petrov all the glowing things he said about him, Kabanov joked, “No way”!
Kabanov, on his first days on Long Island and first time on Coliseum ice: “Really exciting. This was my first day at the Coliseum. I’m liking Long Island. It’s not noisy and it’s also close to the city.”
Invaluable Islanders development coach Eric Cairns has taken Kabanov under his enormous wing. After spending some time with Emerson Etem in Los Angeles, Kabanov is now living with the former Islanders defenseman. “Right near the beach,” said the 17-year-old Russian. “It’s very nice. Eric Cairns is a lot older than me, but he’s become one of my closest friends.”
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