He can come for camp. but he's still under contract in Russia. He can't play in the US yet.
- eichiefs9

gotcha.....well at least he's an asset....even if its somewhat worthless right now.

Snow loves these talented Russian players who are signed in Russia. Im starting to wonder if drafting these guys makes sense?

I must admit, i do not wanna be in Snow's shoes. He' s painted himself into a corner here. If nothing else....it will be interesting to see if/how he can get out.
- kindlyrick

Garth did put himself in a very tough spot.

The Islanders had a good draft. Bellows was a steal at 19, I can't believe Philly traded down and passed on him. I was sure that they were going to scoop him up. If the "middle 3" defense prospects were gone (Fabbro, Bean, McAvoy), Bellows was the guy I wanted them to take if they kept the pick.

Anatoly Golyshev could be utter larceny in the fourth round. He's small, but drawing a lot of comparisons to Panarin. He would have been a free agent that was eligible to be signed after next season. He's signed through 2019 in the KHL, but the Isles head scout was quoted as saying that they are reasonably confident that they may be able to buy him out of his contract after next season. Here's an article from February about Golyshev and Here's another one from more recently, with some highlights.

Don't know a thing about Koivula, but he's a huge bodied 17yo that's already 6'4'' and 219lbs. Can play either wing and put up 26g and 58pts in 49 games in Finland's junior league.

This was some info I was able to find on him, ignore the grades used...they aren't out of 100:

Otto Koivula – Scouting report

Bio:
Team: Ilves U20, Finland Draft status: 2016 eligible
Position: LW/RW

To date stats: 49 GP, 26 G, 32 A, 58 Pts, 18 PIMs
Shoots: L
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 220 lbs.

Characteristics:

Skating:

Skating is Koivula’s biggest weakness. He is a bit clumsy at times and is not an agile skater in any way. He has a decent top speed but needs some time to get there. A lot of work ahead for Koivula regarding his skating. Grade: 35

Shooting:

Koivula can shoot the puck as good as nearly anyone. He has a quick release and can shoot the puck both from close range or near the boards. Grade: 60

Puck skills:

Koivula handles the puck well and can control it in tight situations. He can protect the puck well and likes to dangle too. Has a good reach and knows how to use it for his advantage. Grade: 55

Smarts:

Koivula’s hockey IQ is high and he sees the ice well. He makes consistently good decisions on whether to shoot, pass or drive to the net. Is also sound defensively and can be used on the penalty kill. Grade: 60

Physicality:

Koivula knows how to use his body. He rarely throws big hits but he likes to drive to the net protecting the puck with his strength. He does not back away from physical battles either. There is still a lot to improve in this category for a guy with his size. Grade: 55

General assessment:

Koivula has signed his first professional contract for next season and he will have a professional skating coach available in the summer. If he could get his skating to at least a decent level, he could be a dominant force in the game.

Overall Future Projection: 52



The kid they picked last, David Quenneville, is tiny for a defenseman but put up just short of a PPG in the WHL. He's a long shot, but in the 7th round that pick really has no risk.

I don't know much about Pastujov or Adams.
- eichiefs9

Thanks for the post Chief. It's nice to know we have more promising prospects that will be ready to play in 2 or 3 years because when JT bolts because of the same old same old we have something to look forward to. Especially the KHL / Russian player, we have stolen quite a few of those highly skilled players in later rounds and they have been god sends in the past

True. That deal is an albatross as well, mostly because Grabo can't play more than 50 games max per season. But the Grabo and Kuli contracts, which i was fine with when they were signed, have turned out to be anchors on the team.
- Jethro09

Agreed Jethro.

Don't forget the 5 mil. for 5 on Grabo.
- nyisles7

Pretty sure Grabo was only signed for 4 years.

So there goes Halmo replacing Martin.
- ses111

Yup.. I'm not confident about a lot but I am confident that they can find someone to replace Martin for about 800k-1m a year

Pretty sure Grabo was only signed for 4 years.
- JohnScammo

Yup your right JS
Still 5 mil. per?????
Frans isn't worth 5.5 - 6

Garth did put himself in a very tough spot.
- ses111

He almost seems to be in that position every year, yet winds up slipping out of it somehow. It's like nailing jello to a tree, just when you think you've got it, it slips away.

Yup.. I'm not confident about a lot but I am confident that they can find someone to replace Martin for about 800k-1m a year
- Dan Petriw

Grabner

Yup.. I'm not confident about a lot but I am confident that they can find someone to replace Martin for about 800k-1m a year
- Dan Petriw

Replacing Martin is way down in terms of my concerns right now.

He almost seems to be in that position every year, yet winds up slipping out of it somehow. It's like nailing jello to a tree, just when you think you've got it, it slips away.
- Isleshockeyman

This year is very different for Garth and more challenging than ever before.

This year is very different for Garth and more challenging than ever before.
- ses111

One could make an argument that he shouldnt be in this bad of a position. I mean none of this should have come as a surprise to him. As GM, he's gotta be prepared for whats next. Now, all of this could change if he starts wheeling and dealing on July 1st. But, if history showed us anything, its that Garth comes up empty during these challenging signing periods.......and then takes all the scraps.

This year is very different for Garth and more challenging than ever before.
- ses111

Ses, maybe this year with the Cap only increasing only 1 Mil dollars and the amount of teams cap strapped, Garth has an opportunity to get some of these FA's cheaper than first thought. That is my hope anyway but I won't believe it until I see it.

McGinn would be a good pickup...had 22 goals and over 180 hits...only 27 years old

On a totally random note......i was reading somewhere about Vanek being bought out and it made me think.

Has it ever dawned on anyone the amount of times Snow went after the big UFA and missed (even while offering more money)? Imagine if Snow had been successful in signing the likes of Smyth, Martin, Drury, Gomez,Ehrhoff, Hamhuis, Kovulchuk, Vanek, etc. This should be a major red flag for our GM. Im sure there are more, but off the top of my head these are the UFA's snows gone after, and missed. To me, that speaks volumes. To even think this guy should be the GM is horrendous. Other than the occassional cant miss draft picks, and plucking a few players from cash strapped teams, i cannot for the life of me see how Snow remains GM....

This year is very different for Garth and more challenging than ever before.
- ses111

I totally agree. I think, much like a lot people, his feet are being held to the fire.

One could make an argument that he shouldnt be in this bad of a position. I mean none of this should have come as a surprise to him. As GM, he's gotta be prepared for whats next. Now, all of this could change if he starts wheeling and dealing on July 1st. But, if history showed us anything, its that Garth comes up empty during these challenging signing periods.......and then takes all the scraps.
- kindlyrick

I get not moving both guys at the deadline this year. It would have been nice to have their situation resolved the year before one way or the other if possible. Garth does have a lot to prove during this time of the season. Let's hope he comes up big this year.

Ses, maybe this year with the Cap only increasing only 1 Mil dollars and the amount of teams cap strapped, Garth has an opportunity to get some of these FA's cheaper than first thought. That is my hope anyway but I won't believe it until I see it.
- nyisles7

And/or he has an opportunity, again, to take advantage of a cap-strapped team and get that #1 winger.

Ses, maybe this year with the Cap only increasing only 1 Mil dollars and the amount of teams cap strapped, Garth has an opportunity to get some of these FA's cheaper than first thought. That is my hope anyway but I won't believe it until I see it.
- nyisles7

This would be nice 7. Would love to get a Ladd type for a little less or Lucic on less years than he is looking for.

On a totally random note......i was reading somewhere about Vanek being bought out and it made me think.

Has it ever dawned on anyone the amount of times Snow went after the big UFA and missed (even while offering more money)? Imagine if Snow had been successful in signing the likes of Smyth, Martin, Drury, Gomez,Ehrhoff, Hamhuis, Kovulchuk, Vanek, etc. This should be a major red flag for our GM. Im sure there are more, but off the top of my head these are the UFA's snows gone after, and missed. To me, that speaks volumes. To even think this guy should be the GM is horrendous. Other than the occassional cant miss draft picks, and plucking a few players from cash strapped teams, i cannot for the life of me see how Snow remains GM....
- kindlyrick

Snow is like Cosmo Kramer - he fell back-asward into the GM spot, looks and acts clueless, but gets something right once in a while (accidently I think), and ends up looking ok.

And/or he has an opportunity, again, to take advantage of a cap-strapped team and get that #1 winger.
- Isleshockeyman

It would be great, Hockeyman but again, I won't believe it until I see it and I would absolutely love it. Not being a Debbie Downer but the past has soured my confidence in Garth and Co. being able to compete with the other GM's in the league to get it done.

This would be nice 7. Would love to get a Ladd type for a little less or Lucic on less years than he is looking for.
- ses111

As Islanders Fans we can only hope !

It would be great, Hockeyman but again, I won't believe it until I see it and I would absolutely love it. Not being a Debbie Downer but the past has soured my confidence in Garth and Co. being able to compete with the other GM's in the league to get it done.
- nyisles7

100%!!! He hasn't shown any ability to sign a big-time free agent, or make the trade for a top tier player. Leddy & JB were good trades, but they were cap casualties for the Bruins & Hawks. Unless there's one I'm forgetting about....

As Islanders Fans we can only hope !

- nyisles7

I'm challenging JT to really help to get guys to sign with the Isles. We need our star player to heavily recruit.

I get not moving both guys at the deadline this year. It would have been nice to have their situation resolved the year before one way or the other if possible. Garth does have a lot to prove during this time of the season. Let's hope he comes up big this year.
- ses111

I just dont see the advantage of waiting until the last minute. I mean, if you cant agree on an extension, you should assume the guys gonna walk to the most money. So a year ago, he shoulda been addressing this.