The Islanders continue to sign junior prospects in anticipation for this upcoming season. The Islanders today signed Defenseman Dustin Kohn to a 3 year entry level contract. He will be at the Islanders Prospect minicamp next month in Moncton and will be at big league camp in September. Kohn is 6'1 and 190 lbs and should be able to contend for a roster spot in the very near future.
Kohn is coming off by far his best junior season in 06-07. His 5-45-50 led the Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman in scoring and his +23 mark was the best on the team. He also ranked among the league leaders in assists and power play assists.
With Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais promoted to NHL duty....this signing along with the expected future signing of another defensive prospect Wes O'Neill, current Sound Tiger Drew Fata and newly signed Andrew McDonald ...the Islanders will have replenished their d-man stock at Bridgeport and given themselves plenty of options come training camp.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Mad Mike Departs
On a day that would be called on of the most ironic I can remember, Mike Milbury wil be leaving the New York Islanders front office after he stepped down from his VP position almost a year after being replaced as GM. The Ironic part of the day is that the man whom Milbury replaced 12 years ago, Don Maloney, was just hired by the Phoenix Coyotes to be their new GM.
Milbury will always be remembered by Islanders fans as "Mad Mike", a name he called himself on draft day 2000, when he traded 2 top goaltending prospects (Roberto Luongo and Kevin Weekes), and a forward prospect (Olli Jokinen), and passed on future all stars Dany Heatley and Marian Gaborik to select Rick DiPietro and acquire Raffi Torres, Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish.
Milbury has traded some of the Islanders most prized prospects over the years (Bryan McCabe, Bryan Berard, Wade Redden, Todd Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Luongo, Weekes, Zdeno Chara, Tim Connolly, Taylor Pyatt, JP Dumont and the list goes on). Whats sad is the good things Milbury did over the years go un-noticed. The acquision of Trent Hunter for a little know prospect before Hunter had even signed with Anaheim, rescuing a Jason Blake from the shuttle between Los Angeles and Manchester, the hiring of Peter Laviolette (even though he undid that by firing him 2 years later at the request of the team). The drafting of DiPietro was a good thing though Milbury went about it all wrong. If he had done his homework he would have found out that Atlanta had no intention of drafting Ricky with the second pick. At that point they might have been able to draft both DiPietro and Dany Heatley. At that point the Islanders could have walked away with DiPietro, Heatley, Kvasha and Parrish.....doesn't look as bad as how it actually went down eh? (I know I know....I rubbing salt in the wounds....but I suffered through this too!)...
Good Luck to Mike on his future endevors....he always provided a smile with some of his remarks and quotes through the years....(the one about Ziggy Palffy's agent Paul Krause depriving a village of a pretty good idiot is one of my favorites).
Milbury will always be remembered by Islanders fans as "Mad Mike", a name he called himself on draft day 2000, when he traded 2 top goaltending prospects (Roberto Luongo and Kevin Weekes), and a forward prospect (Olli Jokinen), and passed on future all stars Dany Heatley and Marian Gaborik to select Rick DiPietro and acquire Raffi Torres, Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish.
Milbury has traded some of the Islanders most prized prospects over the years (Bryan McCabe, Bryan Berard, Wade Redden, Todd Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Luongo, Weekes, Zdeno Chara, Tim Connolly, Taylor Pyatt, JP Dumont and the list goes on). Whats sad is the good things Milbury did over the years go un-noticed. The acquision of Trent Hunter for a little know prospect before Hunter had even signed with Anaheim, rescuing a Jason Blake from the shuttle between Los Angeles and Manchester, the hiring of Peter Laviolette (even though he undid that by firing him 2 years later at the request of the team). The drafting of DiPietro was a good thing though Milbury went about it all wrong. If he had done his homework he would have found out that Atlanta had no intention of drafting Ricky with the second pick. At that point they might have been able to draft both DiPietro and Dany Heatley. At that point the Islanders could have walked away with DiPietro, Heatley, Kvasha and Parrish.....doesn't look as bad as how it actually went down eh? (I know I know....I rubbing salt in the wounds....but I suffered through this too!)...
Good Luck to Mike on his future endevors....he always provided a smile with some of his remarks and quotes through the years....(the one about Ziggy Palffy's agent Paul Krause depriving a village of a pretty good idiot is one of my favorites).
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Isles News 5/24/2007
Some rare Islanders news on Memorial Day weekend!
First, Ryan Smyth's agent Don Meehan has stated that he will be contacting Garth Snow to have prelimeniary discussion on a contract extention. This is big news....though it doesn't guarentee the Isles will sign Ryan before the July 1st free agency opening. The fact that the discussions will be held ahead of time is a very promising sign for the Isles. Smyth enjoyed his time playing for Head Coach Ted Nolan and the fact that he is willing to hear the team out shows that he is truely interested in a possible return. Now....I totally expect that Smyth will at least hear what the open market has to offer....but there are no guarentees that he will get a better deal than what Charles Wang will offer him. I full expect a 6 year $35 million offer....besides the promise of the Captainicy and a sharing of the face of the franchise along with Rick DiPietro. There will be plenty of teams interested in Smyth....but not many who would place his value as high as the Islanders have put it. Obviously seeing what an effect that he had on the team during the playoff run puts his return at a premium. If I had to put odds on his return....75% he comes back.
The Islanders also signed Defenseman prospect Andrew McDonald to a 3 year contact. McDonald spent his junior years playing in Moncton (under Ted Nolan in 2005). McDonald, ranked as the Islanders 10th best prospect but hockeyfutures.com, played his way into Moncton's top 3 d-men after walking on to the team 4 years ago. He will be at the Islanders prospect camp in the June, ironically being held this year in Moncton.
Notes...
Forward Randy Robaitialle has signed a contact to play with a Russian team next season and wont be back.
Kyle Okposo has until June 1st to let his coach at the Universtiy of Minnesota know if he'll be returning next season. The fact that it's May the 25th and we haven't heard anything yet....means there is a possibility that we could see Okposo next fall.
First, Ryan Smyth's agent Don Meehan has stated that he will be contacting Garth Snow to have prelimeniary discussion on a contract extention. This is big news....though it doesn't guarentee the Isles will sign Ryan before the July 1st free agency opening. The fact that the discussions will be held ahead of time is a very promising sign for the Isles. Smyth enjoyed his time playing for Head Coach Ted Nolan and the fact that he is willing to hear the team out shows that he is truely interested in a possible return. Now....I totally expect that Smyth will at least hear what the open market has to offer....but there are no guarentees that he will get a better deal than what Charles Wang will offer him. I full expect a 6 year $35 million offer....besides the promise of the Captainicy and a sharing of the face of the franchise along with Rick DiPietro. There will be plenty of teams interested in Smyth....but not many who would place his value as high as the Islanders have put it. Obviously seeing what an effect that he had on the team during the playoff run puts his return at a premium. If I had to put odds on his return....75% he comes back.
The Islanders also signed Defenseman prospect Andrew McDonald to a 3 year contact. McDonald spent his junior years playing in Moncton (under Ted Nolan in 2005). McDonald, ranked as the Islanders 10th best prospect but hockeyfutures.com, played his way into Moncton's top 3 d-men after walking on to the team 4 years ago. He will be at the Islanders prospect camp in the June, ironically being held this year in Moncton.
Notes...
Forward Randy Robaitialle has signed a contact to play with a Russian team next season and wont be back.
Kyle Okposo has until June 1st to let his coach at the Universtiy of Minnesota know if he'll be returning next season. The fact that it's May the 25th and we haven't heard anything yet....means there is a possibility that we could see Okposo next fall.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Blake to Test Free Agency
All signs point to Islanders winger Jason Blake hitting the Unrestricted Free Agency market July 1st, and if this year follows suit....he wont last long.
Blake is still bent on his 5 year $18 million demands, and GM Garth Snow is still not buying. Blake who is to turn 35 before training camp isn't giving any hometown discounts and seems to be put off by the fact that the Islanders seem more concerned with the prospects of signing Ryan Smyth than giving him his ridiculous contract. Snow offered a 3 year $9 million deal just before the trading deadline that Blake turned down.
The Islanders are in a tough position, as Blake is an fan favorite....but the team should not overpay and make another long term mistake like they did with Alexei Yashin. Personally....if they are going to give out another $4-$5 million per year deal....i'd much rather they give it to a Scott Gomez or someone who hasn't reached their 34th birthday. I like Jason Blake....but as we saw in the playoffs....he is not a player who the Isles can't live without. With youngsters Jeff Tambellini, Sean Bergenheim and the recently signed Sean Bentivoglio all on the horizon, they should all be considered younger cheaper versions of a Blake type player and who can come in and produce immediately.
Speaking of Bentivoglio....he will be at the Islanders Prospect training camp at the end of June. He has been described as a player who leaves it all on the ice. I have an email in to Jeffery Bausch, who writes for hockey futures.com about Islanders prospects to get some background info on Bentivoglio and Trevor Smith who signed with the Isles late in the season and played with Bridegeport during the playoffs. As soon as I have a response...I'll post another blog.
Blake is still bent on his 5 year $18 million demands, and GM Garth Snow is still not buying. Blake who is to turn 35 before training camp isn't giving any hometown discounts and seems to be put off by the fact that the Islanders seem more concerned with the prospects of signing Ryan Smyth than giving him his ridiculous contract. Snow offered a 3 year $9 million deal just before the trading deadline that Blake turned down.
The Islanders are in a tough position, as Blake is an fan favorite....but the team should not overpay and make another long term mistake like they did with Alexei Yashin. Personally....if they are going to give out another $4-$5 million per year deal....i'd much rather they give it to a Scott Gomez or someone who hasn't reached their 34th birthday. I like Jason Blake....but as we saw in the playoffs....he is not a player who the Isles can't live without. With youngsters Jeff Tambellini, Sean Bergenheim and the recently signed Sean Bentivoglio all on the horizon, they should all be considered younger cheaper versions of a Blake type player and who can come in and produce immediately.
Speaking of Bentivoglio....he will be at the Islanders Prospect training camp at the end of June. He has been described as a player who leaves it all on the ice. I have an email in to Jeffery Bausch, who writes for hockey futures.com about Islanders prospects to get some background info on Bentivoglio and Trevor Smith who signed with the Isles late in the season and played with Bridegeport during the playoffs. As soon as I have a response...I'll post another blog.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Yashin to Return
Garth Snow in an interview yesterday that Alexei Yashin is an important part of the Islanders orgainzation.....in layman's terms.....Yashin will be back in 07. The speculation over a possible buyout should end at this point. I can't say I agree with it....but I certianly understand it. Let me explain....
Yashin is due 7.6 million dollars next season and the following season....the final 2 seasons he is owed less (about $6 million per average) it totals about $27 million over the next 4 years....with a buyout he would collect almost the entire amount only over the next eight years instead of the next 4. From a business standpoint....it makes absolutely no sense to buy him out. If Yashin was owed $5 million for 2 years it would make more sense....but to pay him nearly $25 million and to get absolutely nothing for that money is ridiculous.
There was little doubt that Yashin would be back with the Islanders next year....albeit in a much smaller role than he has been in year's past. Yashin will most likely not be the Captain anymore....and will not be the focal point of the offense. He will likely be relegated to a second or third line winger position. Much like Viktor Kozlov filled this year. I know that is a lot of money to pay for a player like that....but honestly....there is nothing that can be done about that. When you sign a player to a long term deal....thats the chance you take. You didn't hear any Islander fans complaining when we gave Yashin the contract during the summer of 2001. The franchise was starving for a star player and Yashin was coming off a 40 goal season for the Ottawa Senators and was widely regarded as a offensive force. He also was just entering his prime at age 27. Yashin had also not missed a game due to injury in 4 years. The deal at the time was a no brainer....and the contract seemed like a steal at the time given what Yashin would bring to the table.
Since that time Yashin has not scored a playoff point in his last 9 playoff games. Has missed significant time due to a variety of injuries....(lacerated arm, sprained knee...etc). After scoring 30 or more goals 5 of his 7 season in Ottawa....he has scored more than 30 only once since coming to Long Island...(his first season). In those 5 season he had more than 30 goals....he also had more than 70 points....2 of those years he had more than 80 and 1 he had 94 points. Since the trade Yashin has scored 70 points once....and his numbers have been declining each season.
Sorry folks....Looks like we'll be seeing ol' #79 back in the Orange and Blue for at least the next year.
Yashin is due 7.6 million dollars next season and the following season....the final 2 seasons he is owed less (about $6 million per average) it totals about $27 million over the next 4 years....with a buyout he would collect almost the entire amount only over the next eight years instead of the next 4. From a business standpoint....it makes absolutely no sense to buy him out. If Yashin was owed $5 million for 2 years it would make more sense....but to pay him nearly $25 million and to get absolutely nothing for that money is ridiculous.
There was little doubt that Yashin would be back with the Islanders next year....albeit in a much smaller role than he has been in year's past. Yashin will most likely not be the Captain anymore....and will not be the focal point of the offense. He will likely be relegated to a second or third line winger position. Much like Viktor Kozlov filled this year. I know that is a lot of money to pay for a player like that....but honestly....there is nothing that can be done about that. When you sign a player to a long term deal....thats the chance you take. You didn't hear any Islander fans complaining when we gave Yashin the contract during the summer of 2001. The franchise was starving for a star player and Yashin was coming off a 40 goal season for the Ottawa Senators and was widely regarded as a offensive force. He also was just entering his prime at age 27. Yashin had also not missed a game due to injury in 4 years. The deal at the time was a no brainer....and the contract seemed like a steal at the time given what Yashin would bring to the table.
Since that time Yashin has not scored a playoff point in his last 9 playoff games. Has missed significant time due to a variety of injuries....(lacerated arm, sprained knee...etc). After scoring 30 or more goals 5 of his 7 season in Ottawa....he has scored more than 30 only once since coming to Long Island...(his first season). In those 5 season he had more than 30 goals....he also had more than 70 points....2 of those years he had more than 80 and 1 he had 94 points. Since the trade Yashin has scored 70 points once....and his numbers have been declining each season.
Sorry folks....Looks like we'll be seeing ol' #79 back in the Orange and Blue for at least the next year.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Isles Sign Wade Dubielewicz to 1 Year Contract
After a stunning run to the playoffs....the New York Islanders have rewarded Wade Dubielewicz. The Isles signed "Dubie" to a 1 year one way contract to be the backup goaltender to starter Rick DiPietro.
Dubielewicz was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Islanders after a very successful career at the University of Denver. He was a Hobey Baker finalist during his junior season in 2001-02. Over the course of his Sound Tiger career, Dubie is an impressive 58-52-8 with a 2.48 GAA and a .919 save percentage and 13 shutouts.
Excellent move by the Islanders, rewarding a player who has waited for his chance for some time and who came up huge for them in a desperate time of need. Dubielewicz has been told his whole life that he would never make it....now he's an NHL goaltender....
Dubielewicz was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Islanders after a very successful career at the University of Denver. He was a Hobey Baker finalist during his junior season in 2001-02. Over the course of his Sound Tiger career, Dubie is an impressive 58-52-8 with a 2.48 GAA and a .919 save percentage and 13 shutouts.
Excellent move by the Islanders, rewarding a player who has waited for his chance for some time and who came up huge for them in a desperate time of need. Dubielewicz has been told his whole life that he would never make it....now he's an NHL goaltender....
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