All I know is the play I saw him make in the game against Ottawa was a top shelf NHL play. My problem with Russians....well, it's Oleg Kvasha, lets face it....who would make a play like that once every five weeks...and then disappear into thin air for the next fifteen games. If a kid can do that, he can always do it- IF he wants to. We shall see. I expect Strome and Kabanov to dominate the AHL this season- I've seen a lot of AHL hockey, and those two guys are better than "top shelf talent" for that league- very few players in that league can skate with either of them, for one thing. If healthy all year, they should score at least 1 point a game, and probably more like 100 points each when it's all said and done. I'd expect them to make it virtually impossible for the staff to leave them down there next year- it might actually force Snow to make a trade, for once.
- dcb1

No way Kabanov comes anywhere near 100 points this season. I love your optimism but I just don't see it

So random prospect watch. Mikko koskinen has started to play for sibir of the KHL which s a middle of the ground team and is 2-1 with a 9.51 sv% and 1.67 GAA. Not even sure if we still have the rights to him but depending on his contract situation and how he continues to develop he might be a better option then the two kids we got in the system now
- oopsb13

They have his rights if he wants to come back to the NHL

Arthur Staple @StapeNewsday
#Isles front office had long debate about whether to keep Ryan Pulock for 9-gm look. Opened some eyes with his training camp.

Also, this is really nice to read. I loved the Pulock pick and I love it even more now.
- eichiefs9

I think with this and Reinhart being here for 9 games this season means we should have both of them on the team next season! To go along with Pedan and Mayfield developing in BST this season. I know I am looking a little ahead but the choices on who makes the team next season on D becomes extremely diffcult!!! This is a luxury gentleman!

I also just can't wait for Friday night, the season starting tonight and us not playing until Friday is just painful!!

I think with this and Reinhart being here for 9 games this season means we should have both of them on the team next season! To go along with Pedan and Mayfield developing in BST this season. I know I am looking a little ahead but the choices on who makes the team next season on D becomes extremely diffcult!!! This is a luxury gentleman!

I also just can't wait for Friday night, the season starting tonight and us not playing until Friday is just painful!!
- Islesfan28

Mayfield might be the trade chip for the goalie at the trade deadline...

Mayfield might be the trade chip for the goalie at the trade deadline...
- kear20

Barring injury, I wouldn't expect the Isles to make a trade for a goaltender this year. Snow has demonstrated with virtually everyone else that he has patience and will allow them to develop and will only address plan B options through waivers or the draft. Unless the team is scoring 4 goals a game and giving up 5, they'll ride Nabby and Poulin for as long as they can. The more permanent replacement will come next year.


xxkeaner17xx

Yeah, I should have said almost everyone...I knew one of you liked him, but I forgot which one it was.
- dcb1

always the forgotten one....


XxNYIxX

No way Kabanov comes anywhere near 100 points this season. I love your optimism but I just don't see it
- Vukota

Him on the first line, a line centered by Strome.. you dont see it????


XxNYIxX

Barring injury, I wouldn't expect the Isles to make a trade for a goaltender this year. Snow has demonstrated with virtually everyone else that he has patience and will allow them to develop and will only address plan B options through waivers or the draft. Unless the team is scoring 4 goals a game and giving up 5, they'll ride Nabby and Poulin for as long as they can. The more permanent replacement will come next year.


xxkeaner17xx
- keaner17

How long is "as long as they can" though? If there is a viable option available through trade and if Nabby and or Poulin begin to falter it would be moronic for Snow to be "patient". Taking a step back would not be good for this team. I find it funny that some on here seem to be OK with that? This team should only be moving foward. I believe missing the playoffs this season would have a much greater negative effect than a lot on here comprehend.
It would make last season look like an aberration. I also don't have as much faith as you do in Snow finding a "more permanent" replacement in net next season. I'm aware there will be more options but I'm also aware there will be a lot of teams looking for those same Goaltenders and if this team misses the playoffs it's not exactly going to make us the most attractive destination. Contrary to popular belief on here it's going to take a hell of a lot more than the team moving to Brooklyn to lure FA's.
Most of these guys don't want to put themselves in a position to have their GAA or save pct go to the crapper. Believe me, if this team doesn't make it to the show this year expect another lackluster offseason or lack there of so to speak.

How long is "as long as they can" though? If there is a viable option available through trade and if Nabby and or Poulin begin to falter it would be moronic for Snow to be "patient". Taking a step back would not be good for this team. I find it funny that some on here seem to be OK with that? This team should only be moving foward. I believe missing the playoffs this season would have a much greater negative effect than a lot on here comprehend.
It would make last season look like an aberration. I also don't have as much faith as you do in Snow finding a "more permanent" replacement in net next season. I'm aware there will be more options but I'm also aware there will be a lot of teams looking for those same Goaltenders and if this team misses the playoffs it's not exactly going to make us the most attractive destination. Contrary to popular belief on here it's going to take a hell of a lot more than the team moving to Brooklyn to lure FA's.
Most of these guys don't want to put themselves in a position to have their GAA or save pct go to the crapper. Believe me, if this team doesn't make it to the show this year expect another lackluster offseason or lack there of so to speak.
- Cptmjl

Garth isn't stupid and knows a change needs to be made in net, I think he closesly watches what happens with St. Louis and Anaheim this season as both could be in a position to move a goalie at some point before the deadline. The other long shot I could see is Miller in Buffalo but he may be a little pricer and cost more in a trade then someone coming from the other two.

Garth is a man always looking for a steal so it may take him longer to find then right deal then all of us would like so we are stuck waiting to see something happen, I just hope he doesn't wait too long and destroy the chances of the playoffs while looking for the "right" deal

How long is "as long as they can" though? If there is a viable option available through trade and if Nabby and or Poulin begin to falter it would be moronic for Snow to be "patient". Taking a step back would not be good for this team. I find it funny that some on here seem to be OK with that? This team should only be moving foward. I believe missing the playoffs this season would have a much greater negative effect than a lot on here comprehend.
It would make last season look like an aberration. I also don't have as much faith as you do in Snow finding a "more permanent" replacement in net next season. I'm aware there will be more options but I'm also aware there will be a lot of teams looking for those same Goaltenders and if this team misses the playoffs it's not exactly going to make us the most attractive destination. Contrary to popular belief on here it's going to take a hell of a lot more than the team moving to Brooklyn to lure FA's.
Most of these guys don't want to put themselves in a position to have their GAA or save pct go to the crapper. Believe me, if this team doesn't make it to the show this year expect another lackluster offseason or lack there of so to speak.
- Cptmjl

The team committed to Nabby for the season. In the case of Poulin, his only likely replacement in the event that he sucks would likely be Nilsson. Truth be told, I think this team needs more than just a goaltender to be a legit contender. We still need a top linemate for JT and MM, and a top pairing dman. Since we're not going to get that this season, I'm not so optimistic that the team will see it worth the expense to acquire a difference making goaltender, especially in a assumably competitive market. Poulin will be given ever chance to succeed early and if he fails (in limited exposure), the Isles already have their next likely option in Nilsson. I'd be very surprised if they attempted to deal anything of value to acquire a fourth goaltender.
IF, it is determined that both Nilsson and Poulin are not the goalies of the future here next year promises a pretty deep pool of UFA goalies (and RFA):

Lundqvist, Henrik » G NYR 31 $6,875,000 2014 (UFA)
Miller, Ryan » G BUF 33 $6,250,000 2014 (UFA)
Hiller, Jonas » G ANA 31 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Brodeur, Martin » G NJD 41 $4,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Halak, Jaroslav » G STL 28 $3,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Thomas, Tim » G FLA 39 $3,750,000 2014 (UFA)
Dubnyk, Devan » G EDM 27 $3,500,000 2014 (UFA)
Nabokov, Evgeni » G NYI 38 $3,250,000 2014 (UFA)
Vokoun, Tomas » G PIT 37 $2,000,000 2014 (UFA)
Elliott, Brian » G STL 28 $1,800,000 2014 (UFA)
Emery, Ray » G PHI 31 $1,650,000 2014 (UFA)
Giguere, Jean-Sebastien
Khudobin, Anton


Xxkeaner17xX

Yeah and what would that be? Coughing up the puck and being a pilon while being out of position 90% of the time? Guy is worthless and offers next too nothing to the line up. Loved when Crapuano was giving him 1st pairing minutes last year.
- Cptmjl

unless you skipped out on watching the playoffs last year, everyone was going ballistic that cappy took out carkner for hickey in game 5 after his play and presence throughout the series (as well as ulstrom for joenssu but thats a different topic)

So random prospect watch. Mikko koskinen has started to play for sibir of the KHL which s a middle of the ground team and is 2-1 with a 9.51 sv% and 1.67 GAA. Not even sure if we still have the rights to him but depending on his contract situation and how he continues to develop he might be a better option then the two kids we got in the system now
- oopsb13

I miss Ulstrom.. there I said it.

I miss Ulstrom.. there I said it.
- niteislander

I do too!! I liked his game and wanted to see him keep developing!!

Him on the first line, a line centered by Strome.. you dont see it????


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Second Line.. with Petrov or Brock Nels on other wing (Strome Center). First line with Moulson/JT/Ok ... 3rd with Nielson bailey and Grab... 4th MM/CC/Lee..

Him on the first line, a line centered by Strome.. you dont see it????


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Nope

Second Line.. with Petrov or Brock Nels on other wing (Strome Center). First line with Moulson/JT/Ok ... 3rd with Nielson bailey and Grab... 4th MM/CC/Lee..
- niteislander

He was talking about playing with strome on the 1st line in BP

No way Kabanov comes anywhere near 100 points this season. I love your optimism but I just don't see it
- Vukota

i would take 50-60 points from either....

Barring injury, I wouldn't expect the Isles to make a trade for a goaltender this year. Snow has demonstrated with virtually everyone else that he has patience and will allow them to develop and will only address plan B options through waivers or the draft. Unless the team is scoring 4 goals a game and giving up 5, they'll ride Nabby and Poulin for as long as they can. The more permanent replacement will come next year.


xxkeaner17xx
- keaner17

My gut is telling me that they offer Lundqvist a fortune to come over. How great would that be to stick it to your cross town rivals. What do you have to lose? no islanders games televised anymore? I say let him decide money over loyalty.

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 11m

Travis Hamonic on ice for #Isles practice in black non-contact jersey.


Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 10m

Michael Grabner not on the ice for #Isles practice today.

im kinda surprised/not-thrilled that the players passed the hybrid icing rule change...

unless you skipped out on watching the playoffs last year, everyone was going ballistic that cappy took out carkner for hickey in game 5 after his play and presence throughout the series (as well as ulstrom for joenssu but thats a different topic)
- LetsGoIsles

Not I. Not that Hickey is any upgrade but Carkner sucks. A couple decent games doesn't make a player IMO. There is a reason he was more a healthy scratch in Ottawa then actually played. That reason is he sucks and doesn't bring much, including a physical edge which was lacking last year.

- LetsGoIsles

2-1, so he had three good games.

Second Line.. with Petrov or Brock Nels on other wing (Strome Center). First line with Moulson/JT/Ok ... 3rd with Nielson bailey and Grab... 4th MM/CC/Lee..
- niteislander

im kinda surprised/not-thrilled that the players passed the hybrid icing rule change...
- LetsGoIsles

Continue making this game into figure skating.