Islanders Goalie Carousel

So after my first post I have decided to get more specific in my blogs.  I am mainly going to chat about goalies and give my reactions to how guys have been playing of late and their futures.  I am also going to talk about different aspects that can affect playing goal.  I will still post the occasional blog about other guys in the show, but as a goalie myself, goaltending is my passion.  I also came across a little conservative in my first post…I’m going to try and be a little more candid. 

The Islanders goaltending situation has ended up being pretty interesting this year, they have employed 8 goalies.  This has been the result of a number of injuries, some fluke and some out of stupidity, a trade, and a waiver claim.  I think that having a goalie for a GM, Garth Snow, would make for a solid goaltending situation on the team. He has made ok moves and had some questionable ones.  I don’t even want to get started about the ridiculous Rick DiPietro and his continuous knee/hip injuries and then the one punch season ender by Brent Johnson…they need to work some Lou Lamoriello magic and make his lifetime contract disappear.  Seriously if they buy him out he’ll be Alexi Yashin status on the salary cap with his contract’s buyout hit on the books for 20 years if he’s bought out this summer. 

Evgeni Nabokov is a smart man for staying home after the Isles picked him up off waivers.  If I was in his situation potty training and keeping the house tidy seems like a much better decision then getting embarrassed night after night playing for them…Even next year when he will probably be stuck at home for the year he’ll owe the Isles for failing to report after being claimed; he will have a nice time enjoying his millions and some quality time with his family.

Kevin Poulin (February 4, 2011 - Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images North America)

The Islanders do have some talent coming up in the 20 year old Kevin Poulin and recently traded for Al Montoya.  I think Nate “the Great” Lawson will find himself as the odd man out this summer even after watching his 40 save OT loss to the Capitals yesterday.  He was the main reason why the Isles were winning 1-0 with less than a minute in the game.  He is definitely playing for a contract and fired up to play well based on Montoya’s stellar play since being acquired. I see him 4^th on the depth chart next season if re-signed.  I’m rooting for him though; I like the goalies that battle for their spots.  But, Poulin could be the future if DiPietro continues to play about 10 games a season, I know I know DiPi played in 21 games this year but then got knocked out for the rest of the season.  If DiPietro (and Poulin as well, bummer fluke injury for him) is healthy to start next season I could see Poulin, who went 4-2-1 in 7 games and a 2.44 GAA and a .920 SV% on an NHL bottom feeder, starting in Bridgeport of the AHL and will be pushing Al Montoya.  I give Montoya the backup spot just due to his 6+ years experience in the AHL and pretty solid games between the Isles this year and Phoenix in 08-09.  His GAA of 2.04 and .930 SV% are solid for playing under 15 games in the NHL.  That is if they tend him a qualifying offer which I would be shocked if they didn’t.  Also there’s Mikko Koskinen, after watching him play and his save of the year candidate against James Wisnewski, he has potential but I see him a few years away from the show and needs some more time in the AHL.  I’m curious to see how Lawson and Montoya play the rest of the year. I think they will have a positive impact on each other and push each other to play solid.  They both seem to be grateful for the opportunity to play. 

                 Nathan Lawson and Al Montoya (February 16, 2011 - Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images North America)

Welcome and Deadline Deals

So this would seem to be my first blog post.  I will talk about pro hockey, mainly the show with the occasional look into the minors and a story about a goalie here and there (I am a goalie myself, just finished my college career, so I feel the need to show some love).  Hopefully you’ll enjoy this first post and will check back frequently as I plan on updating with new posts as much as I possibly can.

So today, well yesterday now, was the trade deadline and it definitely was quieter than most that I remember in the past.  The biggest deal seeming to be Dustin Penner going back to Cali to play for LA.  He should have a positive impact for the Kings playing on the top two lines and putting in time on the power play.  His point production should increase playing alongside Anze Kopitar.  The Oilers received a nice return for Penner.  They got a promising prospect defenseman in Colten Teubert who put up solid points for a d-man in major-junior and plays a tough game and once he’s fully developed could possibly throw his weight around. They also have a 1^st round pick this year and a 2^nd or 3^rd round pick in 2012.  These acquisitions could greatly benefit the young and developing Oilers team.

Out of the 16 trades on the deadline, the fewest number over the past decade, the Capitals two moves look like they will help them in their playoff push.  They received a veteran center they needed in Jason Arnott from the Devils.  He will definitely have a great contribution to the team and has a lot or veteran leadership and knowledge he will bring to the team.  They gave up a second round pick in 2011 and David Steckel.  He was expendable as they have a number of forwards that can fill in for him; the second round pick seems to have been the deal breaker for the Devils and their future.  Steckel, and his faceoff winning ability, will help Jersey in their miracle run towards the playoffs even though it is unlikely they will make it in.  If he was with the team for their last loss to the Bolts he might have won one of those two faceoff losses in a minute during the second period that lead to both goals against in a 2-1 loss.  Then the Caps trade with Florida, who were major sellers yesterday, for Dennis Wideman adds depth for their defenseman and could mean Mike Green is worse for wear.  And if Green is healthy Wideman won’t see as many minutes but will still contribute.  Even if he does not play much they did not give up too much for him.

Florida is definitely moving towards a rebuilding stage.  They received a project prospect in Jake Hauswirth who has only logged minutes in the ECHL and a Third round pick from the Caps in 2011.  They also made deals with Vancouver, Atlanta, and Carolina and the Rangers two days before the deadline.  The deal with Vancouver gives them a prospect d-man in Evan Oberg who put up decent points for a defender in the AHL last year and they also received a 3^rd round pick in 2013.  The Panthers gave up Chris Higgins as he was not part of the team’s future plans and the Canucks were searching for a lower 6 forward.  The trade with Atlanta brings Florida a promising player in Niclas Bergfors.  He is in his 2^nd full year in the NHL (and his 3^rd team) and has a very promising future.  The Devils gave him up in the trade for Kovalchuk.  The Panthers also got Patrick Rissmiller who will probably play out the remainder of his contract this year and not be resigned by Florida. They did give up a fifth rounder this year and Radek Dvorak who was expendable as he was not part of the future in the team. Finally the Panthers got Sergei Samsonov from Carolina.  He is a veteran that could contribute this season and may be back after July 1^st but there is a possibility he could be trade bait during the draft.  The Panthers got rid of salary by moving Bryan Allen back in return, which gives the Canes’ a defensive d-man.

The trade deadline has come and passed and there seems that there were fewer deals this year due to GM’s making more calculated trades prior to the 28^th.  The rest of the season will tell whether these were good deals for the teams looking to get into the playoffs or make the GM look like a dope. I’m not pointing any fingers but Mr. Sather has looked pretty dumb in the past but maybe this year’s moves will work out fine, but then again you couldn’t seem to acquire the key player needed (Brad Richards). Only time will tell.