The NY Islanders are 2-12-2 in their last 16 games. They've lost games in a row. They are in the Eastern basement with Buffalo. They were expected to repeat their playoff run from last season.
On Sunday, their GM Garth Snow told Newsday's Arthur Staple that changes are coming to the Islanders. Big changes. He wouldn't say what changes exactly, however, Snow said that the losing has to end.
"Times like these show people's true character," he said. "We're doing what we can to fix our problems and get some wins."
Snow needed a starting goaltending solution 20 games ago. Snow is open to major changes to his current roster. His team cannot score goals and its cannot keep the puck out of its own net. Jack Capuano's days behind the Islanders' bench may be numbered as well.
"We're looking at all our options," Snow told Newsday just before he departed Anaheim for a trip to Monday's Board of governors meetings in northern California.
"The one thing we don't do, whether it's with the coaches or the players, is discuss conversations with anyone in the media. All the interactions I have with our team remain private. Obviously, we have some key players not performing at a high enough level. I understand the frustrations of our fans. We have those same frustrations in our locker room, in the coaches' room, for myself. We felt we had guys who were ready to take the next step. Now we're just trying to right the ship and win a few games."
There's no secret that Snow has been interested in Buffalo's Ryan Miller since before his starter Evgeni Nabokov (groin) was injured on November 16th. Nabakov may return to the lineup this week. There's no saying how he will perform after his injury. 40 year old goalie with a bum groin. Start shopping Snowy. Did Miller include the Islanders on his list of 10 "not intererested in playing there" teams that he submitted to the Sabres? According to the Sunday Ottawa Sun, Miller has presented a list of 10 teams. Is Long Island on it? If so, look for Snow to pursue Anaheim's UFA to be Jonas Hiller. In the event that Miller gives his consent to a trade to the Islanders, Snow would have to put together a substantial trade package with Pat LaFontaine and Kevin Devine in Buffalo. The Sabres would likely start the conversation with a demand for super center Ryan Strome from the Bridgeport Tigers. Strome, 20, is their best poker chip not names John Tavares. No, JT is off limits, so don't think about it. Strome, the former Niagara Ice Dog, leads the AHL in scoring right now with nine goals and 24 assists. He has 17 points in his last 8 games. The kid is ready to play in the NHL. He's too good to be playing in The A. In the recent past, The Islanders have been considering calling up Strome from the minors, however, they are currently maxed out at their 23-man roster limit.
Would Snow trade Strome for Miller? He's a desperate GM right now. There's no such thing as a bad idea. If he can improve his club, he'll consider it. Snow did trade Matt Moulson and a 1st rounder to Buffalo for Thomas Vanek when he was under far less pressure to win in October. Having lost nine in a row, Snow has to start winning games or else.
If Strome is off limits to teams, Kyle Okposo would be a suitable replacement.
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Panic on the streets of Chicago.
Their Stanley Cup winning netminder Corey Crawford has injured his left leg in the first period of the the Hawks' game vs. the Florida Panthers. The Hawks pronounced Crawford done for the night ("lower body").
Crawford is heading to the tunnel, and Antti Raanta will come in to relieve him. We'll have updates if/when they come. #CHIvsFLA
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 9, 2013Crawford was injured when he made a right leg save on a shot by the Florida forward Marcel Goc with 6:32 remaining in the first period. Crawford was hunched over in pain after the save, then asked the official to call timeout. The game was stopped at the 6:15 mark of the period. The Blackhawks' training staff observed and examined Crawford, then slowly guided to the Chicago room.
Crawford is 17-6-3 record, with 2.50 GAA and .906 save percentage. He has played in 27 of the team's 32 games this season.
Antti Raanta replaced Crawford. Raanta is 2-0-1 with a 2.08 GAA and .918 save percentage in four games this season.
Crawford is on his knees in the crease, and Mike Gapski is out to take a look. 6:15 left in the 1st. #CHIvsFLA
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 9, 2013If Crawford's injury is of the serious nature, say like a groin strain, Raanta would be the starter for the foreseeable future.
The first thought that crossed my mind when i heard about Crawford's injury was watching LA Kings starting goalie Jonathon Quick suffer a Grade 2 groin strain in Buffalo in early November. Quick has been sidelined for the past five weeks and is facing another 2-3 weeks of rest and recovery time. Ben Scrivens and Martin Jones have been splendid in their starts in Quick's absence.
The Hawks can ill afford to lose Crawford for a long period of time.
The veteran lost veteran backup Nick Khabibhulin to a lower body injury in mid-November. He's still on the mend. Raanta has started 3 games since November 27 and is 2-0 in his brief NHL career.
Stan Bowman and the Hawks better hope and pray to the hockey gods that Raanta stays injury-free.
Oh, by the way, the Hawks have only $1,079,156 in salary cap space.
More to come....