It's All About the Net

For all intents and purposes, the NY Islanders are currently set with their roster for the 2012-2013 season. They're already handing out jersey numbers.

I did throw a few names around at those in the know and was basically -- laughed at. Well that's why I'm not a GM. But many people have questioned the strength in net; the most crucial position. I even made a new friend who is an aspiring writer herself out on the West Coast. After a few exchanges I asked her to write her thoughts so everyone here in the blogosphere could become familiar with her name.

So, please let me introduce you to Rebecca Wilcox, and here is what she thinks about the Islanders and the competition in net.

Islanders Prospects for 2012

Everyone who knows anything about hockey knows that the goalie is the most important player on the squad. It doesn't matter how many Gretzky-esqe power forwards or how many Chara-ish defensive monsters are on your team--if you don't have a Vezina behind the net, you're toast. From a lightning-fast glove to astounding acrobatics in the goalie pads, a  solid netminder is crucial.

The New York Islanders have been lucky in that regard. There's no question that Evgeni Nabokov has consistently been a machine and is one of the better goalies in the NHL right now, but at 37 years old, he's going to need a solid back up. Of course, the Isles have Rick DiPietro for another nine years, and he's a superb goalie--when he's healthy. DiPietro's injuries have been tough on him and on the team, and since Montoya's departure for Ottawa, the Isles are going to need another reliable netminder to split time with Nabokov and fill in the blanks if DiPietro once again finds himself plagued by injuries. The Islanders need a goalie who can develop with the team and stick around for the long haul, something the franchise had hoped to get in DiPietro.


The natural choices for this job are, of course, the two minders that the Isles have been grooming, Kevin Poulin and Anders Nilsson. Poulin was called up from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers last year when DiPietro got hurt, but like the goalie before him, Poulin's season quickly ended when he injured his knee. He's had the whole off-season to recover though, and while he'll likely begin the season on Bridgeport, expect to see more of this 22-year-old contender.


If the Isles are going to stay with their current goalies, Anders Nilsson would be an excellent addition to the permanent staff. Nilsson played in few games last season and did really well; he was actually the first Islander to record a shutout as his first win, and better yet, he's young and healthy.


While Nilsson and Poulin are surely talented, they might have some competition. Ty Conklin became a free agent in late June, and he's unlikely to stay with Detroit. Conklin's proven himself to be solid and healthy, so he'd certainly bring a much needed stability to the Islanders. Also, there's been some buzz about Mikko Koskinen returning to the Isles from KalPa in Finland where he's currently playing.


The Isles have a great shot this year, but they're going to need someone to help Nabokov, and one thing's for sure--whoever they select will have some impressive goalie pads to fill.


So how do they stack up to these five goalies in the League? Let’s see what Rebecca found out:


The 2011-2012 Hockey Season was highlighted by some of the finest goal tending hockey fans have ever seen. Let’s look at these men behind the mask and then think of how Nabokov, DiPietro, Poulin or even Nilsson will compare.

#5: Henrik Lundqvist (Rangers): Over the past several years this NY Islander nemesis has stonewalled superstar player after superstar player. He caught fans by surprise a few years ago when he almost eliminated the first seed Washington Capitals from the playoffs virtually single-handily. More than one all-star has been robbed of a goal by King Henrik's glove, but this year, fatigue may have caused the King to fall in the Rangers' quest for the cup.

#4: Tim Thomas (Boston): Although he has decided to take the 2012-2013 year off no fan can deny that Tim Thomas has been one of the great keystones for the Boston Bruins. He hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2011 and held the Bruins together through seven games of the 2012 playoffs before being defeated in overtime of the last game. The Bruins never lost in the 2012 playoffs by more than one goal. Should Thomas decide he wants to play this coming season, the biggest question will be if it is for the Bruins.

#3: Martin Brodeur (New Jersey): Although he's not quite the goalie he used to be, the man who holds almost every goalie record that's worth anything is still a force to be reckoned with in the crease, a fact the entire league was quick to learn when he led the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup finals again this past season. It would have been his fourth Stanley Cup had they won, but even though they came very close to victory they were not quite able to reach it. Even at his advanced age (for a professional hockey player), he can stonewall just about any player in the NHL. For the Islanders, their best bet is to score on him early.

#2: Pekka Rinne (Nashville): In the last few seasons the Nashville Predators have gone from being a team that most hockey fans don't know too much about to one of the top teams in the NHL, and Pekka Rinne is a huge part of the reason. He led the league in 2011-2012 with 43 wins, and this 6'5" beast of a man is virtually impenetrable when strapped into his pads, as the Detroit Red Wings learned first hand in the first round of the playoffs.

#1: Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles) Quick took the nation by storm last season when he led the Los Angeles Kings to their first ever Stanley Cup victory, and deservedly won the Conn Smythe trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. He had 10 shutouts in 2011-2012 and many have argued that the Kings wouldn't have even been in the playoffs, let alone be the champions, without Quick in the net. Any person who wonders if a goalie can lead a team to Stanley Cup victory they need look no further than Jonathan Quick. (He is also the first NHL Player whose name begins with a “Q” to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.)

There are many, many goalies in the NHL who have earned great honors for their team and themselves. A list of just the five best goalies is so hard to compile because there are simply so many good choices. But when the 2012-2013 season begins, the Islander goaltenders will be looking at these five for inspiration -- inspiration to be better, one game at a time.

--Rebecca Wilcox

If you would like to respond to Rebecca, please do so in comments.

And if any of my readers would like to know the name that REALLY got me laughed at it was -- Ty Conklin.  Come on!  Just as an insurance policy!  We went through six goalies last year! *This entry also appears at HockeyBuzz.com -- because it's July.

Nabokov's New Approach

Okay this will be a quick hit since I'm basically doing nothing at work because the servers blew up. Would be a smart thing if ALL the programs that Accounting uses weren't on the SAME server, but it looks like they are. So -- here I sit.

Now, because the servers were just freakin' FINE yesterday, I missed Clean-Up day at the Isles. Or as I like to call it Break-Down day as I usually break down in the parking lot after I leave. But not this year. So I'm relegated to watching the videos on the main website.

I came across this one of Nabby that was just so different from the others. Yes, they all discussed consistency and getting a better start but Nabokov had a different idea to get into the playoffs.

"Maybe we need a different approach. Maybe be the most unliked team in the East."

What? Evgeni, the Isles are already pretty much there by most accounts. But he did say that he felt they started something good and wanted to finish it -- the right way.

Have a listen. See if you think as I do: He doesn't like the media much.

Isles Blank Caps in Washington

The NY Islanders have their first shut-out of the season with Evgeni Nabokov in net. So, how did that happen? Well, it seems that this team that is maligned in the media daily actually CAN play against any team in the league. The problem is that they can't do it on a consistent basis. But they did it tonight.

Here is Nabokov talking to the media after his shut-out. He explains what they DID and what they have to do. (Such a simple game isn't it?)

Pens 3 - Isles 0: In a word "Frustrating"

It was a much anticipated rematch of two teams that don't like each other. But they respect each other. Maybe.

They have to respect what they can do - win. And win they did.

While the fans may have looked for a game filled with fights, they got a game with hardly any penalties and ZERO fisticuffs. Matt Martin and Travis Hamonic threw some hits, but no one ever dropped the gloves. Maybe they should have.

There were at least four scouts in the press box tonight; probably more. There were also an abundance of media. Twice as many as last Saturday for the Ranger game. When there are that many reporters and devices in the area - there is no bandwidth. My netbook was a pointless paperweight.

The Isles out shot the Pens in the first period. With 5 minutes left the SOG were 10 - 4. The Isles had their chances but Fleury turned all of them away. Other shots were defended against by the perfect Penguins who seemed to be on their best behavior.


A-Mac played goalie for a moment as the puck just trickled behind Nabby in the paint. With Malkin on the doorstep just waiting to pounce, it was quick thinking.

But at 17:46 the Pens hit the score sheet first on a shot from Orpik to Dupuis and he went in all alone on Nabby and sent the puck past his right elbow and into the net.

There were turnovers. So many turnovers And as hard as he tried, Kyle can’t buy a goal.

Fluery was at the top of his game tonight. JT came in on his right. Denied, Moulson from in front. Denied, Parenteau had one try then skated out, turned and shot. Denied as Fluery grabbed the puck from the air and takes a seat.

The shots were 13 - 7 at the end of the first. With no Internet to keep me busy, I headed to the break room. It was PACKED.

Steve Mears looked fabulous!!! So thin and handsome! As he said, the job with the Penguins is a dream come true. He looks it. He also said he’s been playing hockey regularly and hitting the gym.

Also nice to see Mark Herrmann here from Newsday. He said they’re all pitching in covering the Isles which is interesting. Art Staple was there as well. I guess that means two articles tomorrow in the Newsday.

Richard Park scored 21 seconds into the second period on a pass from Aaron Asham. “Take that Garth Snow.” the ex-Islanders seemed to say as the second goal was posted on the jumbotron. It deflated the Isles.

Streit took the first penalty for interference, but luckily #24 took a diving penalty. Cooke to the box as well at 2:55 of the 2nd.. It was 4 on 4 hockey for two minutes.


As Brad Kurtzberg said, it seemed as if the Isles 2nd line was a half step behind the play. They’re just not clicking. Lines were shaken up a little, but try as they might, nothing went in.

Matt Martin had a few big hits that generated cheers from the crowd but no reaction from the Penguins.
With ten minutes left in the 2nd, Pittsburgh took a penalty for tripping Grabner who had a great chance on the left wing and the Isles were on the power play.

We watched as the Isles set up, Tip, tip, catch. Fluery denied the Isles again.

Power play was over and the Isles were still not on the board. Every pass was blocked ,every great move denied. Parenteau looked like he was on the ice almost every shift. I had to smile watching Isles 17 & 16 sandwich Paul Martin against the boards.

The Isles were out shooting the pens 22 - 14 with less than 3 minutes left, but they couldn’t get a shot into the net. It wasn’t a chippy game at all, but let’s be honest, the Isles left their guns on the rack.


At 16:33 of the 3rd, Reasoner was called for high sticking behind Nabby’s net and the Isles would have to kill off a four minute penalty. In the first few seconds the Isles manage to do a good job of keeping the puck out of their zone. Nabokov covered the puck with 3:13 left of the penalty to get the face off and a breather.
Pandolfo, without a stick, with almost 45 seconds to go in the penalty, his experience paid off. Mark Eaton laid down a few times to block shots from close range. Reasoner waited impatiently to be sprung from the box as the penalty expired.

With Orpik serving a penalty, the Isles had a chance at 11:30 left of the third. The 300s started to try to give them life by chanting “Let’s Go Islanders.”


Every shot was blocked. Everything. And what wasn’t blocked went straight at the Penguin on Fluery’s chest. Every shot Nabby faced went right at his knees.

I couldn’t believe Reasoner lost sight of the puck at his feet in the goal crease… say that again out loud and see how awful that sounds.

When they came around for the 3 stars of the game sheets, I could think of only one. Fluery. There was still five minutes left in the game.

The Isles got away with one when Parenteau jumped on the ice a little too soon and Nabby got a lucky break as the puck went through his goal crease without finding a Penguin’s stick.

With 3:23 left to the game, Jack pulled his goalie for the extra man. It was a good idea at the time. But at 2:00 even, Jordan Staal made it 3 - 0 Penguins. Evgeni headed back to his crease. In my head I wondered, why bother.

It’s hard to go into the locker room after a loss, but it’s worse when it’s the third straight loss. I was surprised that Mark Streit was not offered up to the media. John Tavares did most of the talking. One after another, groups of reporters and cameras surrounded him. Evgeni Nabokov sat in his stall and answered questions. He played well. Were the scouts there to see him? Or were they there for someone else?

Hamonic spoke with anyone who asked and Stan Fischler made his way around the room asking this question: “Do you feel snake bitten?”

In a way, I feel that’s premature. This is the third game they’ve lost in a row. Not the 8th. Then again, we did have some high hopes for this team this season, but I’m beginning to have a little bit of a sinking feeling. And it’s not even November 1st.

Media Day with the Isles Part 1

The mood was jovial today at Islanders training camp. I didn’t see group A on the ice and only spoke with a few of them in the dressing room after their Jack Capuano torture drills. I did manage to get to media day in time for lunch.

It was wonderful to be at the rink and spend a little time with my fellow blog boxers Christian Arnold and Chris Hessel along with Timo Seppa and a friendly face from Patch.com. Brad Kurtzberg had to leave early due to his 1:30 - 2:30 sports show on Sportstalknetwork.com. That’s what he gets for doing a daily show.

To my surprise, fellow Isles Tweep Gotroot801 was there. He is working with a new gamer site called Unwinnable.com. (Check it out, it’s not a betting site but that video game type site.) I didn’t recognize him without his jersey on. Sorry about that Don.

The local newspapers was there in force, but that was because it was announced that Charles Wang would make a statement at 2:15 pm. It was clear that some had no interest in the business of hockey, but in the business of Charles Wang.

I went back to the media room to check work emails before the others were done with lunch. My timing was perfect. By the time I headed back to Doolins (that now has tables, chairs and barstools (real-live-barstools!) to grab a cup of coffee, group B was heading out onto the ice and was piled up in the tunnel.

There they were, like kids waiting to hear the bell for recess, joking and laughing and pushing each other around. I could do nothing but smile -- and try to snap photos with my less-than-professional camera since my good camera’s lens is lost somewhere in that building.


Mark Streit looked good. Real good. He was talking with Nino Niederreiter who seemed to be hanging on his every word. At that moment I knew. This was the next Captain of the New York Islanders. There was no doubt.

This was also the first time I had caught a glimpse of Evgeni Nabokov. He was not what I expected. He looks younger than his years, but that may have something to do with the haircut. Once on the ice, making himself at home in the crease, he became a wall. I watched shot after shot get gobbled up by the veteran. They came in rapid fire. I watched Mark Streit take a shot on him just a few strides over the blue line. You could hear it echo off Nabby’s pads as he made the stop. I’m surprised it didn’t go through him.

Mark Streit seems to have regained his shot. I hope they have invested in more plexi-glass. I believe they will need it.

As Nabokov stopped everything that came near him, I did watch one puck manage to get by. It was one shot by Matt Moulson’s brother-in-law, Sean Backman. I watched as the next time the youngster skated in and parked himself in front of the crease, Evgeni hooked the rookie’s feet out from under him. I searched the ice surface to see if Moulson was going to come in for protection. But no way. This is training camp where the men are separated from the boys.

I sought out Backman after the skate to ask about what happened. He was in the visitor’s dressing room with the others who “don’t have contracts.” I did it again and made the mistake of asking David Hochman which one Sean was. “He’s right over there Dee. Under the plaque with his name on it.”

What David doesn’t realize is that when I walk into a room of young men getting undressed, the last thing I want to do is have to spend time gazing around the room. (Yes, I’m still uncomfortable with this five years later.)

I’ll admit, I had said that Backman looked very small out on the ice. But standing face to face with him, I take back the tweet that he is “Gerbe small.” He’s not. When I asked him why Nabokov hooked him, he chuckled. “I guess I deserved it. I came in a little close and sprayed snow on him. It was all in good fun. He was laughing about it with me.”

I told him he was the first one to get the puck behind the vet. “Really? Yeah than maybe that had something to do with it.”

Back in the Isles dressing room, Nabokov was holding court with the press from his stall. Chris Hessel was amazed that he answered questions almost before they were asked. He is a pro at this. I didn’t speak with him.

But I did speak with Rick. More on that later.

It's 12:05 pm Saturday -- & by 3 pm Nabby said NO

3 pm Saturday: And Nabby's agent said NO. He won't show up.
And Chris Osgood was misquoted and all hell broke lose on Twitter while I was at the Deli counter at Pathmark. It never freakin' fails.

But you have to say this: Garth Snow did what he felt was best for his team. If the 35-year-old disgruntled Russian goalie doestn't want to play by the rules of this league's CBA, then I suppose he can go back to Russia or some place else.

But right now: You're an Islander dude. Deal with it.



And finally the news everyone waited for and expected hit the wire. NY Islanders have put in a claim on Evgeni Nobokov:

UNIONDALE, NY, January 22, 2010 – The New York Islanders have claimed goaltender Evgeni Nabokov off of waivers. Nabokov will play under the one-year contract that he signed with the Detroit Red Wings on Jan 20.

Nabokov, 35, began this season with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). According to the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, any player that plays in a different professional league before signing an NHL contract must go through waivers before joining the team.



In 22 games this season with St. Petersburg, Nabokov posted an 8-8-5 record with a 3.02 goals against average (GAA) and a .888 save percentage (sv%). The Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan native was drafted in the ninth round, 219th overall, of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. In nine NHL seasons with San Jose, Nabokov appeared in 563 games, posting a 293-178-29-37 (W-L-T-OT) record with a 2.39 GAA and a .912 sv%. He also played in 80 NHL playoff games with San Jose, posting a 40-38 record with a 2.29 GAA and a .913 sv%.

After losing Nate Lawson to injury in last nights 5 - 2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, this is the safest move the Islanders can make. Kevin Poulin is a great goalie, but he is young. Last night, should something have happened to him, the Islanders would have had some tough, if not impossible, decisions to make.

No word as of yet if Nate Lawson will be unable to play for an extended period of time. Rick DiPietro was practicing today and should be available for Sunday's game again against the Sabres.

Kevin Poulin should be returned to Bridgeport in order to continue his stellar development. Of course the biggest question will be if Nabokov will actually report to the NY Islanders or if he say's "Nyet" because he had intentions of being a staring goalie.

As long as Rick DiPietro is healthy enough to play, he is the No. 1 on this team. However, it also means that the Islanders have no intention of tanking the rest of the season. They could have let the kids continue to play and risked loss and injury. But by putting a claim on a veteran, 35-year-old NHL goalie, it shows -- they ain't quitting yet.