Author Archives: Kevin Schultz
About Kevin Schultz
Kevin was formerly an NHL blogger for the now defunct AOL Fanhouse and was the creator of the hockey comedy blog Barry Melrose Rocks. He now covers the Isles for Islanders Point Blank. You can follow him for instant updates on the team and talk hockey with him on Twitter @schultz88.The Islanders have placed Tim Wallace on waivers to try to return him to Bridgeport. He has been a healthy scratch for more than a week. Ty Wishart has also been returned to Bridgeport, which likely means that Travis Hamonic is nearing a return.
With another loss last night and a young goaltender in net, the Islanders should be going into full seller mode. While some players will garner zero interest on the open market (Brian Rolston due to cap hit and production), they do have some pieces that could bring a return. Both Milan Jurcina and Mark Eaton are serviceable defenders for any team looking for depth. A fourth round pick is about right in return. With young defenders knocking on the door in Aaron Ness, who has looked good in his short time on Long Island, and Matt Donovan, still in Bridgeport, there is some backup if Jurcina and Eaton are moved.
Of course, any scenario that involves trading both those players raids the team today to give the team something extra tomorrow. It’s the logical step for any team that is on the outskirts of the playoff race, and the way this team has played over the past few days there’s no reason to think they’ll be making any kind of a run. Your thinking may vary if you’re still in playoff push mode and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it is also important to note that there will be Mark Eatons and Milan Jurcinas to sign in the off-season if there are holes on D to fill (and there will be). The tough part is getting a Shea Weber type to Long Island. Fifth and sixth defensemen, not so much.
The Islanders do have two other pending-UFA pieces that will attract buyers in Evgeni Nabokov and PA Parenteau, as you well know. (more…)
Update: Lines will be the same. Jack Capuano has the flu and Doug Weight will be the bench coach tonight for the Isles.
Tonight in Buffalo, the Islanders attempt to bounce back from yesterday’s nightmare. There have been no lineup changes announced yet, not because there aren’t any but because the team had not come to any decisions as of the morning skate. One thing is for sure, Kevin Poulin will get the start tonight. Back-to-back nights for a young goalie who didn’t play well yesterday (but neither did anyone else, to be fair) is a curious move. More proverbial writing on the wall for Al Montoya, perhaps. You can expect this post to be updated if/when any lineup changes are announced. (more…)
We’re less than a week from the trade deadline and the news is heating up…
@chrisbottanhl: Source: #Isles offering Evgeni Nabokov choice of 1 or 2-year contract, hope to sign him for 2.
We’ll have more throughout the day, of course. Chris will have a podcast up in the early afternoon so be sure to come back and give that a listen.
February 4th, vs. Buffalo 4-3 OTL
February 9th, vs. Montreal 4-2 L
February 12th, vs. Florida 4-1 L
February 18th, vs. Carolina 4-3 W
February 20th, vs. Ottawa 6-0 L
The Islanders have played a number of games at home this month against middle of the road Eastern Conference competition. They have put up poor numbers in those games. Overall, the team is 5-4-1 on the month with a winning record, which is good. They are 1-3-1 at home against mediocre competition, the one other win not listed above against the Western Conference Kings, a conference which the Islanders for whatever reason tend to beat at home. No matter what your opinions or expectations have been on this team and the playoffs, losing consistently at home to teams you’re fighting for those last playoff spots is an absolute killer. (more…)
The Islanders host the seventh place senators at the Coliseum in a matinee today and head to Buffalo to play the 14th place Sabres tomorrow. Two games do not make a playoff team, but with only four to go before the deadline they can certainly have a strong hand in determining whether talent will be staying or going (glances in PAP’s direction).
If you’re heading out to the Coliseum today, please beware of giant-headed long-dead Presidents. They may be skating on the ice, high-fiving and trying to eat your children. Maybe not so much on the eating part. (more…)
Yesterday Newsday reported that the agent for Evgeni Nabokov, Don Meenhan, said that negotiations between the goalie and the team would “start soon.”
We’ve certainly seen our fair share of agents in the media recently and there’s nothing particularly revelatory about that quote, unless the fact that the two sides are interested in talking at all is news (and given the history, it certainly can be).
Signing Nabokov would be a prudent move for the Islanders, as someone is going to need to hold fort until either Anders Nilsson or Kevin Poulin is ready to make the jump. His stats are surprisingly good too, with a 2.24 GAA (10th in the NHL) and .925 save percentage (8th). That GAA is the second best mark Nabokov has achieved post-lockout and his save percentage is on pace to be the best of his career in a single season. Nabokov has been a workhorse and able to steal a few games over the season, both things the Islanders have desperately needed in recent seasons.
The most interesting part of the article is this:
Snow, who declined comment on any current or future contract talks but reiterated that he has no plans to trade Nabokov before next Monday’s deadline, appears to envision Nabokov teaming next season with 21-year-old Kevin Poulin… [who] likely will get the call in goal Monday
So, the writing on the wall is certainly there for Al Montoya; passed over for a start on Saturday and (potentially) again today for Kevin Poulin. Does this mean DiPietro is not in the Islanders future plans as well? Am I reading too much into this? It’s not a direct quote from Snow, simply Staple hypothesizing, but certainly interesting to consider.
DID THAT LOOK FAMILIAR?
John Tavares had an excellent power move on one of his goals Saturday night against Carolina (yoga!). It looked awfully similar to one he had earlier in the season against Calgary. Thanks to @Zigomanis22, we can confirm that the goals were practically identical. Video evidence:
