It's 7 am and I'm only half awake. I must have been totally asleep when I decided a crab cake on an E-Muffin was a suitable breakfast. One tea down, one more should poke my brain into a semi-alert state.
There were a few things I was kicking around yesterday, but couldn't find the inspiration to generate thoughtful, researched posts. I still can't so here are this morning's Cliff Notes.
1) Cam Fowler: The draft prospect that fell to 12th overall after being tauted as going in the top three has signed his first 3-year entry contract with the Anaheim Ducks. (or is it the Ducks of Anaheim? I always mix that up.) Fowler is already 18 years old. Nino Niederreiter will not be 18 until September 8th. I was wondering if he would get the same treatment because of his talent level. But as noted, Nino was actually one of the youngest draftees because of how his birthday falls. My hopes of seeing him on the Coliseum ice this season are dim.
2) Kirill Kabanov: I found it interesting that the highly talented Russian bad boy that fell to 65th overall, where the Islanders took a chance on him, is STILL here. Yes, Kirill has NOT returned to Mother Russia but is enjoying some time here on Long Island. Okay, that makes me wonder why. Perhaps it's harder to get in and out of Russia right now with that whole "spy" thing going on and they want to just keep him around for training camp in September. Perhaps they have high hopes for him come training camp and he's working towards his goal of getting to the NHL fairly quickly. Whatever the reason, he was right when he said he needs to gain weight. Seeing him in shorts and a tank, you can see how immature his lean muscles are. You can also see that his arms aren't the only place he has decided to "decorate."
3) The Coliseum has received high marks for food safety when compared with the other sports venues in North America. Savor: I applaud you. Especially considering that my first year at the blog box I went around the coliseum taking pictures of violations myself. Having owned a restaurant years ago, I knew what it was like to have to pass food-safety inspections. There were many in 2006. But I see all that has changed and that makes me very, VERY happy. Now -- could they just bring back the Chicken & Broccoli with Brown Rice at the Sushi stand? Please?? That was my favorite! And I miss the pizza ovens downstairs on the lower concourse. You can still get pizza, but when you watched it come right out of the pizza oven -- it was different. More -- Brooklyn-like.
4) AOL's Patch.com websites are cropping up all over the place and at first I didn't think I would like them. But I must say they are very informative and well done. Here's an article on Bobby Nystrom's son, Eric, written in the Plainview Patch.com website by Brendan Manley. Give it a read.
5) Yesterday was Zach Parise's birthday. It was also General Manager Garth Snow's and my friend @IceCreepsMike from the website IceCreeps.com. I hope they all had a great day. I also hope that the Devils can't find a way to keep Zach Parise under the salary cap because they spend so much on Ilya Kovalchuk that the Islanders can make him an offer he can't refuse and Lou can't match and that one day I will see the name Parise on the back of an Isles jersey once again....
Okay, maybe I should switch to coffee. It's obvious the Tea isn't cutting it because I'm still dreaming.
Showing posts with label Kiril Kabanov. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kiril Kabanov. Show all posts
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
NY Islanders: Rehab Camp for Wayward Hockey Players?
What the heck is a Mulligan? I don’t play golf so I didn’t know. But Garth Snow began his post pick interview with “We all wish we could get a Mulligan. Here’s his Mulligan.” when he was discussing young Russian Kiril Kabanov. Had Garth Snow used the more juvenile term “do over” when discussing the antics of the Russian prospect, then I would have understood. But considering Garth, as most of those in hockey, is also an avid golfer that’s the word he chose.
“We’ve all done things we may have regretted.” he told the media scrum in LA after drafting Kabanov in the third round at 65th overall. Simply reading the statements in print, it sounded as if Snow was looking for absolution for his own past mistakes. However, watching the interview on ITV, you can see the true intent of the words and the depth of understanding the boy (because 17 years-old is certainly a BOY) that so many other clubs wouldn’t take a chance on. You can also see the humor he injects “I don’t want to say too much. My mother may be watching.”
Certainly while Snow can relate to youthful mistakes, he also made clear the Islanders were not going to put up with any embarrassing shenanigans. “We do things a certain way and expect all our prospects and players to conform in a certain manner.”
Maybe the Islanders will end up being the Yankees-light. “We’ll see.” Garth continued. Yes, we will.
However, the brash Russian from Moscow with the super-model girlfriend isn’t the only one the NY islanders have taken a chance on. Just look back to last year’s draft and the case of Casey Cizikas. Prior to the 2009 NHL Draft, Casey was charged with manslaughter for a horrific Rugby incident that threatened to change the way violence in sports was regulated by the law in Canada.
After going through that year’s NHL combine and all the questioning, the Islanders made the decision to give Casey a chance and drafted him in the 4th round at 92 overall. Casey was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours of community service for the manslaughter conviction of 15 year-old Manny Castillo during a 2007 Rugby match; a game that Castillo probably should not have been participating in due to a major concussion he sustained two weeks earlier. The judge ruled that Casey Cizikas used “unnecessary force” when he drove Castillo’s head into the ground in what some say was a violent act and others say was part of the game.
In 2009, the same week Casey was sentenced, he was here on Long Island at the Islanders mini-camp. I didn’t have a chance to interview him then, but when I asked Garth Snow about him, my concern for his character must have been evident. I remember him saying “He’s a good kid.” But it was certainly a bad situation.
Last season Casey scored 25 goals and 37 assists for 62 points and a +32 ranking for the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors. He also sat in the box for 77 minutes. In 16 playoff games he scored 7 goals and 7 assists with 16 PIMs. So while it seems Cizikas has some serious skills, he may also know the penalty box attendants quite while.
Then there is the story of Bobby Hughes who, just a few weeks ago, was acquitted of a 2008 criminal sex act after only 42 minutes of deliberation. Another bad boy in the Isles system?
Hughes was acquired in August of 2009 in a trade for Rob Hennigar. The charges against Hughes came as a surprise to Howard Saffan, a lawyer and the Sound Tigers President, who said in November that they knew nothing of it until marshals showed up to remove Hughes from the Arena at Harbor Yard.
While, as Garth said, everyone deserves a second chance, not all second chances work out. Take the second chance the Islanders gave Neil Smith. Remember him? Of course you do. Smith was the general manager of the NY Rangers from 1989 to 2000. It wasn’t until 2006 that Charles Wang gave him another shot at being a GM. That lasted 40 days and 40 nights and to hear those who lived it, the time was worse than the epic floods that caused Noah to build that Arc.
As of 2010, no other team has hired Smith as an NHL GM either so he is now owner and coach of what was the Charlestown Chiefs and are now the Greenville Road Warriors. Smith moved the team from PA due to financial reasons. When no one hires you for a job, you go into business for yourself. Smith is an excellent hockey personality for radio and TV and also does some great impressions. I’m sure he’ll keep them entertained in Greenville.
Jack Adams award-winning coach Ted Nolan was also given a second chance by Charles Wang. Ted waited ten years for another NHL coaching job after leaving the Buffalo Sabres. The job lasted one year less than his contract. While there is plenty of speculation as to WHY his tenure only lasted two years, I can only say this -- there may have been a reason it took ten years for him to find another spot in the NHL coaching merry-go-round. In July of 2009, Nolan was named VP of Hockey Ops of the Rochester Americans AHL team.
How about the bad press that Rob Schremp received in Edmonton? Schremp was claimed off waivers by the Islanders last season and was just extended a qualifying offer. Prior to the NHL Entry Draft of 2004, reports of his lack of character and cocky, confrontational attitude caused his stock to drop like a rock even though no one disputed Rob had top 5 talent. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1st round 25th overall. Schremp made no excuses for his personality. “I use the F-word when I talk to my friends and maybe I do swear too much.” he told the media.
He never seemed to impress the powers-that-be in Edmonton but now looks like a steal for the NY Islanders. As someone who has witnessed this bad boy’s antics in the locker room and with fans, I can tell you he hasn’t changed much. He still catches reporters off guard with somewhat inappropriate answers that can’t be used in stories and laughs loudly when joking with his fellow players. But he is humble and appreciative with fans and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. At only 23 years-old, this bad boy from Fulton NY has another chance to prove that his skills were indeed worthy of a top five draft pick.
So maybe drafting Kiril Kabanov wasn’t such a bad idea for the Islanders. Maybe Charles Wang’s insistence on giving the kid a second chance will work out for them. So what if his agent JP Barry dropped him. He has a new agent at the Orr agency. So what if he bailed on the Moncton Wildcats. Charles Wang can certainly find him another junior team if he has to come October. The 17 year-old (who turns 18 in July) is dating a waif of a supermodel named Yasmina Muratovich and has already fallen in love with “ink.” I suppose the laws governing tattoo parlors in Russia are different than they are here in the states. (In New York, no one under 18 can get a tattoo even with parental permission.)
Garth Snow says he will read him the rules and let him know exactly what is expected of him. He gets a chance to prove his critics wrong and Wang’s Islanders right or he will be shown the door. The choice is his. The Islanders already made theirs.
And for my thoughts on the Chase for Kovy, please check HockeyBuzz here.
“We’ve all done things we may have regretted.” he told the media scrum in LA after drafting Kabanov in the third round at 65th overall. Simply reading the statements in print, it sounded as if Snow was looking for absolution for his own past mistakes. However, watching the interview on ITV, you can see the true intent of the words and the depth of understanding the boy (because 17 years-old is certainly a BOY) that so many other clubs wouldn’t take a chance on. You can also see the humor he injects “I don’t want to say too much. My mother may be watching.”
Certainly while Snow can relate to youthful mistakes, he also made clear the Islanders were not going to put up with any embarrassing shenanigans. “We do things a certain way and expect all our prospects and players to conform in a certain manner.”
Maybe the Islanders will end up being the Yankees-light. “We’ll see.” Garth continued. Yes, we will.
However, the brash Russian from Moscow with the super-model girlfriend isn’t the only one the NY islanders have taken a chance on. Just look back to last year’s draft and the case of Casey Cizikas. Prior to the 2009 NHL Draft, Casey was charged with manslaughter for a horrific Rugby incident that threatened to change the way violence in sports was regulated by the law in Canada.
After going through that year’s NHL combine and all the questioning, the Islanders made the decision to give Casey a chance and drafted him in the 4th round at 92 overall. Casey was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours of community service for the manslaughter conviction of 15 year-old Manny Castillo during a 2007 Rugby match; a game that Castillo probably should not have been participating in due to a major concussion he sustained two weeks earlier. The judge ruled that Casey Cizikas used “unnecessary force” when he drove Castillo’s head into the ground in what some say was a violent act and others say was part of the game.
In 2009, the same week Casey was sentenced, he was here on Long Island at the Islanders mini-camp. I didn’t have a chance to interview him then, but when I asked Garth Snow about him, my concern for his character must have been evident. I remember him saying “He’s a good kid.” But it was certainly a bad situation.
Last season Casey scored 25 goals and 37 assists for 62 points and a +32 ranking for the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors. He also sat in the box for 77 minutes. In 16 playoff games he scored 7 goals and 7 assists with 16 PIMs. So while it seems Cizikas has some serious skills, he may also know the penalty box attendants quite while.
Then there is the story of Bobby Hughes who, just a few weeks ago, was acquitted of a 2008 criminal sex act after only 42 minutes of deliberation. Another bad boy in the Isles system?
Hughes was acquired in August of 2009 in a trade for Rob Hennigar. The charges against Hughes came as a surprise to Howard Saffan, a lawyer and the Sound Tigers President, who said in November that they knew nothing of it until marshals showed up to remove Hughes from the Arena at Harbor Yard.
While, as Garth said, everyone deserves a second chance, not all second chances work out. Take the second chance the Islanders gave Neil Smith. Remember him? Of course you do. Smith was the general manager of the NY Rangers from 1989 to 2000. It wasn’t until 2006 that Charles Wang gave him another shot at being a GM. That lasted 40 days and 40 nights and to hear those who lived it, the time was worse than the epic floods that caused Noah to build that Arc.
As of 2010, no other team has hired Smith as an NHL GM either so he is now owner and coach of what was the Charlestown Chiefs and are now the Greenville Road Warriors. Smith moved the team from PA due to financial reasons. When no one hires you for a job, you go into business for yourself. Smith is an excellent hockey personality for radio and TV and also does some great impressions. I’m sure he’ll keep them entertained in Greenville.
Jack Adams award-winning coach Ted Nolan was also given a second chance by Charles Wang. Ted waited ten years for another NHL coaching job after leaving the Buffalo Sabres. The job lasted one year less than his contract. While there is plenty of speculation as to WHY his tenure only lasted two years, I can only say this -- there may have been a reason it took ten years for him to find another spot in the NHL coaching merry-go-round. In July of 2009, Nolan was named VP of Hockey Ops of the Rochester Americans AHL team.
How about the bad press that Rob Schremp received in Edmonton? Schremp was claimed off waivers by the Islanders last season and was just extended a qualifying offer. Prior to the NHL Entry Draft of 2004, reports of his lack of character and cocky, confrontational attitude caused his stock to drop like a rock even though no one disputed Rob had top 5 talent. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1st round 25th overall. Schremp made no excuses for his personality. “I use the F-word when I talk to my friends and maybe I do swear too much.” he told the media.
He never seemed to impress the powers-that-be in Edmonton but now looks like a steal for the NY Islanders. As someone who has witnessed this bad boy’s antics in the locker room and with fans, I can tell you he hasn’t changed much. He still catches reporters off guard with somewhat inappropriate answers that can’t be used in stories and laughs loudly when joking with his fellow players. But he is humble and appreciative with fans and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. At only 23 years-old, this bad boy from Fulton NY has another chance to prove that his skills were indeed worthy of a top five draft pick.
So maybe drafting Kiril Kabanov wasn’t such a bad idea for the Islanders. Maybe Charles Wang’s insistence on giving the kid a second chance will work out for them. So what if his agent JP Barry dropped him. He has a new agent at the Orr agency. So what if he bailed on the Moncton Wildcats. Charles Wang can certainly find him another junior team if he has to come October. The 17 year-old (who turns 18 in July) is dating a waif of a supermodel named Yasmina Muratovich and has already fallen in love with “ink.” I suppose the laws governing tattoo parlors in Russia are different than they are here in the states. (In New York, no one under 18 can get a tattoo even with parental permission.)
Garth Snow says he will read him the rules and let him know exactly what is expected of him. He gets a chance to prove his critics wrong and Wang’s Islanders right or he will be shown the door. The choice is his. The Islanders already made theirs.
And for my thoughts on the Chase for Kovy, please check HockeyBuzz here.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
El Nino Is Coming to Long Island!
So said Charles Wang in his post pick interview.
I was totally surprised to hear the announcement at the podium of Nino Niederreiter as the Islanders draft pick. Why? Because I don't usually get what I want on Draft day.
Since I had started to research draft possibilities, I was totally sold on Erik Gudbranson and was hopeful he would be available at #5. But all the while I was researching the top 12 ranked prospects, Nino kept coming up. Erik was originally listed in the rankings at 5 - 7. Then his stock started to rise and his ranking jumped.
While that was happening, other names started falling into the mix of possible prospects and Nino's name began to climb as well. Everyone who asked me what I thought the Islanders should do got the same answer: Take Erik if he's available and if not, bring Nino to the Island.
When Gudbranson was taken at third, I was visibly disappointed sitting in the penalty box with my blogging buddies at the Coliseum draft party. I tweeted out, "I'm heartbroken." But more than just missing out on Erik, I figured for sure I was going to hear a name I hadn't even researched be called as the NEXT New York Islander.
I asked Tony from Islander Nation for his book of prospects to start looking at other possibilities, just so I wouldn't be taken completely off guard.
Then the Tweets started coming in from LA that Snow was looking to move BACK in the draft order. Again, my heart sank. How far would he go? The fourth pick was made and still there was no annoucement of a move and nothing new on Twitter.
The break in the Draft coverage from LA made me concerned. Wheels were turning, deals were being made on the draft floor, I just knew it. But then Garth Snow and his "Entourage" made their way to the podium. YES!! We were sticking with FIVE! The wait was almost over!
As Garth bent down three feet to speak into the podium microphone, he surprised me once again. This time, however, it was a wonderful surprise. Nino Niederreiter was chosen as the highest drafted Swiss player in NHL history. I'm pretty certain the scream I let out was heard in the Zamboni tunnel. When the confetti guns went off, I just couldn't believe it. "Yes! YES!" I kept saying. My associates at the table all asked, "So I take it you're happy?"
In all honesty, I am perfectly happy with this pick. Nino is a "Big time player who scores big time goals." according to Garth Snow and everyone who has ever seen Nino play. So many of my Twitter friends who have seen him play wrote to tell me how good this kid actually is.
"He's not afraid to get his nose dirty or pay a price to get a goal." Garth told the ITV reporter. Now, doesn't that sound a lot like our already 30 goal-scorer, Matt Moulson?
When Scott Gordon was quoted as saying "He's one of the few guys I went on line to find video on." I knew the coach had already built a folder on his computer with Nino's name on it. But as Gordon mentioned, this 17 year-old kid has already been exposed to a high level of competition and will be given a taste of our the Islanders operate when he attends the mini-camp in July.
The chemistry in the dressing room is something that I have noticed and been talking about the entire year. It is magical. There doesn't seem to be any annimosity or "cliques." If all goes as planned, this is a group that will play for each other. Which can only mean they will win or lose as a TEAM; and that's a good thing!
As far as the Kevin Connolly inclusion at the table and at the podium, I know a lot of people have a lot to say about it. My feeling is mixed. I'm not 100% sure why, but I'm not overly offended by it either. This is LA and LA is all about star power. Kevin lent a little glitz to the podium, especially making the announcement of pick #30 (that they traded picks #35 and 58 to Chicago to get), Brock Nelson.
Kevin told ITV Reporter Mike Trudell that he is the West Coast Rep for the NY Islanders. Connolly, a life-long NY Islanders fan feels this team is going to be a "serious contender" come next season and said he would NOT miss the home opener on October 9th. For someone who is in front of a camera all the time, he said he was nervous getting up there on the podium, but 11 year-old Cameron Wang is an old pro having been up there before.
With the first pick of Round Three* (thanks Webbard) on Saturday, the NY Islanders pulled another surprise and drafted much maligned Kiril Kabanov, the Russian Left Wing who played with Moncton this past season. The Islanders seem to be the one team willing to give young hockey players a chance to redeem themselves or hang themselves. The choice is their's.
Well, all these picks will certainly make the Blue & Orange scrimmage on July 10th an event not to miss!
And here's a video of the night from my friend JohnnyZ from YES!Islanders
I was totally surprised to hear the announcement at the podium of Nino Niederreiter as the Islanders draft pick. Why? Because I don't usually get what I want on Draft day.
Since I had started to research draft possibilities, I was totally sold on Erik Gudbranson and was hopeful he would be available at #5. But all the while I was researching the top 12 ranked prospects, Nino kept coming up. Erik was originally listed in the rankings at 5 - 7. Then his stock started to rise and his ranking jumped.
While that was happening, other names started falling into the mix of possible prospects and Nino's name began to climb as well. Everyone who asked me what I thought the Islanders should do got the same answer: Take Erik if he's available and if not, bring Nino to the Island.
When Gudbranson was taken at third, I was visibly disappointed sitting in the penalty box with my blogging buddies at the Coliseum draft party. I tweeted out, "I'm heartbroken." But more than just missing out on Erik, I figured for sure I was going to hear a name I hadn't even researched be called as the NEXT New York Islander.
I asked Tony from Islander Nation for his book of prospects to start looking at other possibilities, just so I wouldn't be taken completely off guard.
Then the Tweets started coming in from LA that Snow was looking to move BACK in the draft order. Again, my heart sank. How far would he go? The fourth pick was made and still there was no annoucement of a move and nothing new on Twitter.
The break in the Draft coverage from LA made me concerned. Wheels were turning, deals were being made on the draft floor, I just knew it. But then Garth Snow and his "Entourage" made their way to the podium. YES!! We were sticking with FIVE! The wait was almost over!
As Garth bent down three feet to speak into the podium microphone, he surprised me once again. This time, however, it was a wonderful surprise. Nino Niederreiter was chosen as the highest drafted Swiss player in NHL history. I'm pretty certain the scream I let out was heard in the Zamboni tunnel. When the confetti guns went off, I just couldn't believe it. "Yes! YES!" I kept saying. My associates at the table all asked, "So I take it you're happy?"
In all honesty, I am perfectly happy with this pick. Nino is a "Big time player who scores big time goals." according to Garth Snow and everyone who has ever seen Nino play. So many of my Twitter friends who have seen him play wrote to tell me how good this kid actually is.
"He's not afraid to get his nose dirty or pay a price to get a goal." Garth told the ITV reporter. Now, doesn't that sound a lot like our already 30 goal-scorer, Matt Moulson?
When Scott Gordon was quoted as saying "He's one of the few guys I went on line to find video on." I knew the coach had already built a folder on his computer with Nino's name on it. But as Gordon mentioned, this 17 year-old kid has already been exposed to a high level of competition and will be given a taste of our the Islanders operate when he attends the mini-camp in July.
The chemistry in the dressing room is something that I have noticed and been talking about the entire year. It is magical. There doesn't seem to be any annimosity or "cliques." If all goes as planned, this is a group that will play for each other. Which can only mean they will win or lose as a TEAM; and that's a good thing!
As far as the Kevin Connolly inclusion at the table and at the podium, I know a lot of people have a lot to say about it. My feeling is mixed. I'm not 100% sure why, but I'm not overly offended by it either. This is LA and LA is all about star power. Kevin lent a little glitz to the podium, especially making the announcement of pick #30 (that they traded picks #35 and 58 to Chicago to get), Brock Nelson.
Kevin told ITV Reporter Mike Trudell that he is the West Coast Rep for the NY Islanders. Connolly, a life-long NY Islanders fan feels this team is going to be a "serious contender" come next season and said he would NOT miss the home opener on October 9th. For someone who is in front of a camera all the time, he said he was nervous getting up there on the podium, but 11 year-old Cameron Wang is an old pro having been up there before.
With the first pick of Round Three* (thanks Webbard) on Saturday, the NY Islanders pulled another surprise and drafted much maligned Kiril Kabanov, the Russian Left Wing who played with Moncton this past season. The Islanders seem to be the one team willing to give young hockey players a chance to redeem themselves or hang themselves. The choice is their's.
Well, all these picks will certainly make the Blue & Orange scrimmage on July 10th an event not to miss!
And here's a video of the night from my friend JohnnyZ from YES!Islanders
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