Looks like New York Made It's Unofficial Cuts

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The Islanders website released it's rosters for the groups traveling to Quebec City to play the Canadians, and the group that will face the Devils on Saturday at the Nassau Coliseum.

Saturday is the final preseason games for New York, the last chance to put it's regulars together to fine tune a lineup that has only three days to play together in NHL action.

Rob Schremp is out for Saturday, Weight will now play Saturday.

Having written this there are a few shockers beyond Milan Jurcina not dressing for either team at this time. Matt Martin and Robin Figren are also apparently still injured and not scheduled Saturday.

Hillen, Hamonic, Gervais, McAmmond, Joensuu, Niederreiter, Kolanos, Ortmeyer and Manny Legace all will be taking a plane ride to Quebec for what looks like an AHL lineup, players invitations ending or returning to juniors.

Here are the rosters for tomorrow night's split squad games:
New Jersey at New York Saturday:
Blake Comeau
John Tavares
Rhett Rahkshani
Josh Bailey
Rob Schremp-replaced by Weight.
PA Parenteau
Matt Moulson
Frans Nielsen
Trent Hunter
Trevor Gillies
Zenon Konopka
Andy Hilbert
Mike Mottau
James Wisniewski
Mark Eaton
Radek Martinek
Calvin deHaan
Andrew MacDonald
Rick Dipietro
Dwayne Roloson

Parenteau, Rahkshaki, Hilbert and Gillies will play Saturday in New York. Doug Weight apparently will play but perhaps the idea was Hilbert replace him, but now he replaces Schremp.

Projected lines:
Comeau-Tavares-Parenteau
Bailey-Weight-Rahkshani
Moulson-Nielsen-Hunter
Gillies-Konopka-Hilbert (for Schremp)

Wisniewski-MacDonald
Eaton-Martinek
deHaan-Mottau

DiPietro
Roloson

Quebec City at Canadians:
Jon Sim
Rob Hisey
Nino Niederreiter
Justin DiBenedetto
David Ulstrom
Krys Kolanos
Jesse Joensuu
Dean McAmmond
Jed Ortmeyer
Jeremy Yablonski
Tomas Marcinko
Micheal Haley
Jack Hillen
Travis Hamonic
Mark Katic
Bruno Gervais
Anders Eriksson
Dylan Reese
Manny Legace
Mikko Koskinen

NYIFC Comments:
My take (which could be wrong) is if Nino Niederreiter is not with the top offensive players in the NHL lineup at the Coliseum Saturday, he is being returned to juniors.

Based on what I listened to Rhett Rahkshani has been a little more involved, however this is a very small body of work, but is a graduated college player in his twenties.

Niederreiter is also a player who only turned eighteen on September 8th, by comparison John Tavares turned twenty on Sept 20th.

Hilbert is in the Coliseum lineup likely so Weight (now playing because of Schremp) would not have had to go back to back for now. Jurcina apparently is not scheduled to play anywhere, with Anders Eriksson on tryout that does not add up unless he is injured or he sits while deHaan's look is extended.

Kevin Poulin is not apparently going to Quebec, New York or Bridgeport. Nate Lawson has not dressed anywhere. Kohn was placed on waivers Saturday, he needed to so he could go to Bridgeport, Klementyev/Romano also assigned Bridgeport.

It also seems by lines Hillen and Gervais are on the bubble/outside or a pair Scott Gordon does not want to separate, this bears watching. Gervais ties to Quebec may come into play.

Some speculation but it seems for now Rahkshani has taken Niederreiter's spot, deHaan has again forced coaching staff to give him a longer look. I'm not sure if Parenteau is a lock to make the club or not, but he has the one-way contract he had a year ago.

In a few days all these questions are answered. A trade/transaction can always happen at any time and change everything. Tomorrow is a very big day for some of these players, I'm not sure how many spots are won during scrimmages after this.



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What's Next For New York? Decisions/More Changes

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Appears Islanders made a subtle tweak to their helmet design. The pics from Saskatoon/Philadelphia both show the Islanders in home blue uniform, wearing helmets with the team logo, the scripted word Islanders replaced.


AK Bars website: Report Islander prospect Kirill Petrov has been traded to
Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk for a draft pick.

NYIFC Comments:
Will make appropriate changes to prospect blog, means nothing in terms of coming to North America at this time, but perhaps will give him a better opportunity to play.

Former draft pick Dmitry Altaryev is with this team.
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All summer long I have been writing about a possible trade/transaction coming from Garth Snow, I do believe the Mike Mottau acquisition will force a trade on the backline, just as it would have done before Mark Streit was injured.

I put virtually no stock in preseason game results. Even if the club traveled to China it would have been playing NHL teams four games ahead of the Islanders Wednesday, fine tuning their starting lineups, while the games for this team would be their first against NHL competition.

The Steve Stirling Islanders had a 7-0 preseason one year, they were blown out opening night. Play competitive, show you can score or create quality chances, and display some defensive chemistry. If that works it will be developed as the season progresses.

Having written this we have to see which changes are made for the New Jersey game on Friday because there is little opportunity for what is considered the opening night lineup to work together in NHL game situations. With Weight-Nielsen not playing there is a big disadvantage because chemistry only comes from playing hockey games. The Saturday split-squad contests again forces veterans that should be together to go play on a secondary team.

After Saturday, changes will be coming. Could be some dramatic ones. Most of the tryout players will be departing quietly. I do not see an NHL roster spot for Jed Ortmeyer or Dean McAmmond.

Speculation:
If a scoring winger is not brought in it would not shock me to see someone make the club over Nino Niederreiter among Rhett Rakhshani, Jesse Joensuu or another player.

I have little doubt David Ullstrom is making a future run at Frans Nielsen's roster spot, that could keep him around into the season if Nielsen cannot play.

Calvin deHaan in two camps, simply stands out offensively. It's not just the goals/skating the last two years but his level of offensive ability. Even a Jack Hillen's spot may not be guaranteed long-term if this continues.

I know size/toughness is a good thing, and Eaton is not a Sutton-type of hitter, but where does Mike Mottau fit this roster because he is inconsistent, but always dressed for New Jersey. Almost seems like this is Jurcina's spot being upgraded which was not guaranteed.

Personally, I would treat Radek Martinek as if he is at his best and not do a thing but play in him in the top four, they need his defensive game.

If I'm coaching Wisniewski, MacDonald, deHaan are three of my four powerplay points. The days of Doug Weight back there should be over, Okposo will not be there for a long time and not be in that role if it were my call.

I do believe by next Saturday there is a fair chance another veteran scoring forward will be brought in, with teams unloading players. I do expect Garth Snow and Scott Gordon will have some very hard choices to make.



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Two Games In One Day? Likely All Time First For New York

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Updated 12:30pm Wednesday:
Twitter box will be reposted at 7pm, for articles/game recaps/ect.

Nielsen and Doug Weight will not be making the trip to Philadelphia, Jon Sim will replace Nielsen on the top line, centering Matt Moulson and Krys Kolanos.
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I know the New York Islanders have played regular season games in neutral sites long ago, obviously they have played pre-season all over North America. In the past there have been early rookie games followed by NHL teams going head to head afterward.

Cannot recall any instance of this team ever playing two games on the same day as we will not see (Cablevsion partners spamming every preseason game of house team only) Wednesday against Calgary/Philadelphia, or Saturday's double-header vs New Jersey/Montreal.

Not sure what (if any) game we can follow from Philadelphia/Saskatoon across the web. The Islanders website is reporting, the NHL Network will carry the game vs. the Flyers live at 7 p.m. and will also broadcast the game from Saskatoon vs. the Flames at 4 a.m here.

In the past some preseason games have been live on ITV, other instances, Cablevision has only permitted the games be shown days later. If you think Cablevision is lifting any blackouts to show out of town games on NHL Network, don't count on it.

Some of these players on tryouts (Manny Legace) could be making a pre-cameo for signing with Philadelphia tomorrow, while playing for the Islanders. Given eight veterans that must dress as a minimum hard to read much into lines but it seems Niederreiter, Parenteau have their chance with regulars.

It will be interesting. I'm not sure what I'm going to do besides follow the scoreboard and hope for no more injuries. It is preseason, but you can bet with New Jersey losing games (they finally beat Flyers Tuesday) with a new coach they will be pressing hard for some wins, and are ahead of the Islanders in games played as is every NHL team.

At this point getting through games healthy is becoming a factor. Hunter, Schremp, DiPietro, Martinek and other players are all coming off injuries from a year ago.

This is the group that will likely traveled to Philadelphia:
26 Moulson – 51 Nielsen – 29 Kolanos
58 Joensuu – 18 Ortmeyer – 37 McAmmond
81 DiBenedetto – 50 Marcinko – 59 Haley
54 Romano – 33 Yablonski

38 Hillen – 6 Eriksson
42 Reese – 36 Hamonic
71 Katic – 48 Klementyev

30 Roloson
34 Legace
53 Martin

Defensemen Dustin Kohn and Bruno Gervais are both expected to make the trip to Philadelphia per teams website.

Saskatoon Group:
57 Blake Comeau, 91 John Tavares, 15 PA Parenteau
12 Josh Bailey, 44 Rob Schremp, 25 Nino Niederreiter
17 Matt Martin, 45 David Ullstrom, 7 Trent Hunter
14 Trevor Gillies, 28 Zenon Konopka, 49 Rhett Rakhshani

4 Mark Eaton, 20 James Wisniewski
47 Andrew MacDonald, 24 Radek Martinek
3 Calvid de Haan, 27 Milan Jurcina

39 Rick DiPietro
1 Mikko Koskinen


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Okposo Out Indefinately Facing Shoulder Surgery, Mike Mottau Signed

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NHL.com: Reports the Islanders announced Tuesday that forward Kyle Okposo's ailing right shoulder will require surgery that will keep him out indefinitely. Defenseman Mike Mottau was signed to a two-year contract, with general manager Garth Snow's comments.

Islanders website: Announced lineups traveling to Saskatoon/Philadelphia subject to change.

NYIFC Comments:
Don't know what's going on but feels like 08-09 all over again with 582 man games lost. To lose Streit, now Okposo long-term frankly are two of the biggest losses this roster can absorb.

Unless there is a trade coming or more pending injuries on the backline it's very curious Mottau got a two year deal, which may not be a one-way contract.

Mottau was a seventy game player for New Jersey last year, he's obviously not any kind of fit to replace Mark Streit's offense.

Okposo out opens the door for Niederreiter's stay being extended, it may open the door for another winger in Bridgeport or necessitate a lateral move for a veteran off another team now. As written yesterday the players brought in on tryouts are to fill out rosters to ice minimum eight veterans for split squad games so for Ortmeyer, McAmmond, Legace ect it will likely end by Sunday.

So far Weight, Nielsen, Poulin, Lawson, Streit, Okposo, Figren and likely others are out, have lingering injuries/soreness/illness.

The loss of Okposo is huge, but the Islanders had to deal with some extended scoring slumps from Okposo last season when he was healthy, this is a chance for someone else to step in. After Moulson a year ago, anyone can step up.

Garth Snow has his hands full, but again this calls for a patient approach to find the right fits which could come from within, and a test of his management. Matt Martin, Jesse Joensuu, others have an opportunity now. Other teams have plenty of alternatives which they would be happy to unload, but for the next few days that does not seem the way to go.

I'm not sure a two year contract to a defender who can struggle at times is a patient approach. Mottau brings a physical game this backline lacks in Eaton vs Sutton, but I see this as the prelude to some kind of trade/transaction.

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First Cut Made By New York is Kabanov/Ortmeyer on PTO/Notables

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Updated:
Islanders website: Report Jed Ortmeyer has accepted an invitation to Training Camp on a Professional Tryout (PTO).

Islanders website: Report Kirill Kabanov was returned to the Moncton Wildcasts of the QMJHL.

Note the following roster changes with players on tryouts:
Anders Erikkson - 6
Dean McAmmond – Will select between 10 and 18 when he arrives tomorrow
Krys Kolanos - 29
Manny Legace - 34
Joel Martin - 53

The line combination's for Monday were also changed to reflect the groups traveling to Saskatoon and Philadelphia for Wednesday games. Okposo, Nielsen, Weight are not part of these lines.

It must be noted per NHL rules, eight NHL veteran players must dress for these games, so New York will require sixteen of their NHL roster players be in action for both split squad game. How that word is defined, leaves some interpretation.

NYIFC Comments:
Not going to read a lot into Kabanov being sent back now, only the organization knows what went into the decision at this time.

All we do know is three groups of players will be required, one which will fly Tuesday to Saskatoon for a Wednesday game vs Calgary, and likely go to Quebec after that game, another which will travel to Philadelphia Wednesday while a third will train in Bridgeport and have it's exhibition schedule.

In short, well over sixty players. A lot of bodies/games, in a short period of time.

Changes will be coming very fast. Obviously the Islanders have concerns bringing in Ortmeyer, McAmmond about Nielsen, when they could shift Bailey to the middle or it is simply about having veterans for this weeks games.

My take on losing Mark Streit is if the NJ Devils can build the bulk of their Atlantic Division winning season with a defense of Andy Greene, Mark Fraser, Mike Mottau, Cory Murphy, Bryce Salvador, Matt Halischuk, if the Pens could survive large parts of seasons without Sergei Gonchar, then the New York Islanders should be able to do exactly the same thing, and win hockey games.

Devils even employed former Islander Rob Davison last season for one game, they had
Martin Skoula, Matthew Corrente on their backline, Paul Martin played only 22 games.

New York and New Jersey scored 222 goals last season.

Oaoa.com: Reports Joel Martin was to have attended Bridgeport's camp which opens Monday, but for now will be at Islanders camp.

NHL.com: Mike Morreale's season preview included the loss of Mark Streit in analysis, and former Flames gm, Craig Button's breakdown. NHL.com: Brian Compton had a feature on John Tavares.

NY Post: Phil Mushnick reports the the Islanders still are without a radio station, noting last season their TV feed was simulcast on two Long Island stations.

NYIFC Comments:
Don't know, and fair question but Mr Mushnick failed to ask where was NY Post hockey staff, who still have yet to report on Streit's injury?

Bridgeport Sound Tigers: Have agreed to terms on a one-year, AHL deal with defenseman Brett Motherwell, who played seventeen games with the team last season.

Updated:
Montreal Gazette: Reported Mike Bossy's brother Pat, passed away last Wednesday at age 60.


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Streit Out Indefinitely...Tryout Agreements For Several Players

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Islanders website: Report Islander defender Mark Streit is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

Tsn.ca: Reports Cablevision owned Newsday is reporting " via sources ", that the All-Star defenceman will be out six months with a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, the Islanders told TSN that Streit is out indefinitely until he can see a specialist.

Islanders website: Also announced Dean McAmmond, Manny Legace, Anders Eriksson, Krys Kolanos and Joel Martin have all accepted invitations to Training Camp on Professional Tryouts.

NYIFC Comments:
Obviously the worst case scenario for Streit, to speculate how long would be pointless now because the source game writers do that as quickly as they did for Pat Burns. He may never return the same player at his age, and a loss for the entire NHL to lose a player of his ability regardless of club.

With three opportunities to play the opening night lineup together over the five games, these PTO agreements may have been in the works with split-squad games, or this is an opportunity to replace some of the players in these games who were out with general soreness, or Okposo who also has a shoulder issue.

The fact only three goaltenders dressed for a team scrimmage, with no Lawson, Poulin or that Roloson did not finish Saturday's game where he was scheduled to go the entire game, and DiPietro working his way back may have necessitated these moves in goal.

Four goaltenders must dress for those split squad games plus there is Bridgeport's camp which is opening.

Kolanos, McAmmond indicate there could be concern over Doug Weight/Frans Nielsen or the club sees this as an AHL alternative or they don't want to rush Ullstrom into a checking center role. Legace could be an option for a goalie who did not dress Saturday. Ericksson could be temporary depth but hardly a replacement for Streit, with deHaan, Hamonic, Katic, Reese, Kohn all waiting for an opportunity, that even can include DeHart and signed Anton Klementyev.

This also means Garth Snow will likely be working the phones with several clubs needing to drop salary. I would not want Souray/Bergeron or any of these short term failures to replace Streit, MacDonald, Hillen, deHaan, Hamonic are far better alternatives.

Souray had four goals, played thirty seven games and was deep in red for an injured Oilers club, he cleared waivers for obvious reasons, and the Oilers did not even allow him in their camp. Unless Taylor Hall is coming with Souray, Andrew MacDonald was doing quite well over twenty five minutes last season to step into this spot.

This calls for some patience from the general manager and is a test of his ability to find the right fit and somewhat offset the loss, not make a panic move and add a player with more downside that complicates the situation.

Bottom line we have to see how this plays out, but the loss of Mark Streit for any length of time is devastating. PTO does not mean anyone is signed, it could be to buy players time, but this does not help a team fine tune to open a season, it turns an already limited exhibition schedule into surviving games.

Can you imagine if Cablevision owned Newsday contradicted a release regarding one of the teams they own? It's so bad the Islanders actually had to contact TSN to issue what are being called conflicting reports.

Someone needs to give me some help on this, Buffalo's 12th overall selection in the 2008 draft was defenseman, Tyler Myers. New York's 12th overall selection in the 2009 draft was Calvin deHaan.

Folks want to say his injury sets him back, fair enough. Seems if Myers can make the jump, no reason deHaan cannot if he is anywhere near the fluid-skater he was a year ago in camp after time off.

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