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January 3, 2011
Crossroads For DiPietro, Lawson, Capuano
New York Islander Fan Central | 1/03/2011 01:12:00 AM
Brock Nelson
Calvin deHaan
Casey Cizikas
Jack Capuano
Nate Lawson
Rick DiPietro
Ty Wishart
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It's crossroads time, the point where players show us whether they can keep a spot or it's time for others to get a chance.
Contract or not this is Rick DiPietro's crossroads moment.
Management has put the team back in his hands as the full-time starter. The Islanders have won recently with goaltending making far too many saves, while being outplayed/outshot but scoring timely goals they could not produce earlier.
Bottom line DiPietro has to stay healthy, he must provide the steady play Dwayne Roloson has and he cannot surrender the soft goal/mistake he has this season (including the huge one against Pittsburgh) trying to do too much.
He has to be the goalie he was in the second half of a lost 2005-06 season, this is his crossroads moment, whether he wins or lose is not as big a story as if he can keep this team in games with his play.
*****
Nate Lawson this season has not started enough this season to be effective, he was also injured.
This is Nate Lawson's crossroads moment, he is here because he has played well the last two seasons for Bridgeport in a straight split of games so he is used to sitting and playing one game a week. Koskinen's hip injury last year helped him fall back into a 50/50 split.
What's yet to be determined is can he be effective starting a stretch of games?
The Islanders did not use top picks on goaltenders so an un-drafted spot starter claims a full time NHL job unless he is flat out great and leaves management no choice.
Lawson has to prove himself when he plays that he can perform at this level. Kevin Poulin, Mikko Koskinen, Anders Nilsson are waiting for their chance maybe as soon as next season, or if DiPietro does not hold up, this season.
*****
Make no mistake, standings aside this is Jack Capuano's crossroads with many of his AHL prospects on this team. He's out-gunned, out-manned, on a team with far too many injuries and with an interim tag, if the recent streak continues and the team makes a run at a playoff spot, he's given management a reason to remove the interim tag and retain him as head coach.
It's not a very fair place to put Capuano in to prove himself, however he was not given the interim job based on Bridgeport's struggles this season, which have turned under Pat Bingham.
*****
Notables:
*Islanders look like they have something to work with at center given how well Casey Cizikas has performed at WJC. He has to be signed by 6/1.
Brock Nelson vs Cizikas/deHaan Monday at WJC semi-finals.
Ty Wishart's Interview Sunday during Sound Tigers game.
CONTACT:NYIFANCENTRAL@YAHOO.COM
It's crossroads time, the point where players show us whether they can keep a spot or it's time for others to get a chance.
Contract or not this is Rick DiPietro's crossroads moment.
Management has put the team back in his hands as the full-time starter. The Islanders have won recently with goaltending making far too many saves, while being outplayed/outshot but scoring timely goals they could not produce earlier.
Bottom line DiPietro has to stay healthy, he must provide the steady play Dwayne Roloson has and he cannot surrender the soft goal/mistake he has this season (including the huge one against Pittsburgh) trying to do too much.
He has to be the goalie he was in the second half of a lost 2005-06 season, this is his crossroads moment, whether he wins or lose is not as big a story as if he can keep this team in games with his play.
*****
Nate Lawson this season has not started enough this season to be effective, he was also injured.
This is Nate Lawson's crossroads moment, he is here because he has played well the last two seasons for Bridgeport in a straight split of games so he is used to sitting and playing one game a week. Koskinen's hip injury last year helped him fall back into a 50/50 split.
What's yet to be determined is can he be effective starting a stretch of games?
The Islanders did not use top picks on goaltenders so an un-drafted spot starter claims a full time NHL job unless he is flat out great and leaves management no choice.
Lawson has to prove himself when he plays that he can perform at this level. Kevin Poulin, Mikko Koskinen, Anders Nilsson are waiting for their chance maybe as soon as next season, or if DiPietro does not hold up, this season.
*****
Make no mistake, standings aside this is Jack Capuano's crossroads with many of his AHL prospects on this team. He's out-gunned, out-manned, on a team with far too many injuries and with an interim tag, if the recent streak continues and the team makes a run at a playoff spot, he's given management a reason to remove the interim tag and retain him as head coach.
It's not a very fair place to put Capuano in to prove himself, however he was not given the interim job based on Bridgeport's struggles this season, which have turned under Pat Bingham.
*****
Notables:
*Islanders look like they have something to work with at center given how well Casey Cizikas has performed at WJC. He has to be signed by 6/1.
Brock Nelson vs Cizikas/deHaan Monday at WJC semi-finals.
Ty Wishart's Interview Sunday during Sound Tigers game.
CONTACT:NYIFANCENTRAL@YAHOO.COM
January 2, 2011
January 1, 2011
New York Trades Dwayne Roloson To Tampa Bay For D Ty Wishart
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Islanders website: Reports the New York Islanders have acquired defenseman Ty Wishart from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Wishart will report to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Wishart, 22, was the San Jose Sharks’ first round draft choice, 16th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Currently in his third professional season, the 6’4”, 222-pound defenseman from Belleville, ON, has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 31 games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
Canadian Press: Has comments from Tampa GM, Steve Yzerman.
Nate Lawson is expected to join the Islanders in Calgary.
NYIFC Comments:
I know nothing of Ty Wishart beyond him being traded from San Jose to Tampa for Dan Boyle, his size is an element the Islander prospects lack.
As for Garth Snow this is a very risky move on several levels given what Dwayne Roloson may have brought in a later trade (first round pick/NHL forward) and how well he has played for this team over two seasons, to say nothing of DiPietro's recent health status.
Roloson was a respected/calming influence on this team, and kept them in many games.
At best, this means another defensive prospect (who could not crack Tampa's mediocre defense) already joins an already very young defense, who need to provide a spot for Calvin deHaan and many prospects next season and moving forward. There are many defensive prospects already in Bridgeport. Garth Snow signed Jack Hillen, who claimed it was like adding a first rounder.
Bridgeport's roster and performance of Figren, Marcinko, Joensuu mandated a forward prospect be brought in with a first-round background over a defender. Kohn, Katic, Klementyev, Ness, Kessel, Donovan suggest they have plenty of defensive prospect depth to the point Jared Spurgeon and Jyri Niemi were traded/not signed.
Spurgeon has played in the NHL for the Wild this season.
The competition for Roloson could have brought a better return near the deadline, it also may have helped the Islanders maintain their recent win streak and move up the standings so this will not go over well when it does not replace Jon Sim or Dylan Reese, Bruno Gervais.
Of course there are two sides to this.
What if Vokoun or Brodeur hit the market at the trade deadline or Rolson plays as he did in the second half of last season or he does get injured? The Flyers were not desperate last season, neither were Washington, Chicago and a lot of teams that needed goaltending on deadline day would not pay the price.
This is similar to the St Louis-Montreal trade.
The Islanders have a lot of prospect defenders and on paper few spots, this one is a former first round pick and he has size most of these other players lack.
This officially ends the three goalie system in Bridgeport. If Rick DiPietro's knee swelling returns or he is ineffective, this means two goaltenders immediately go into the NHL off Nate Lawson's one start. It likely means Anders Nilsson has a place to play next season and a contract.
Very risky move on a lot of levels, this does not seem to solve any need in the short-term, and is questionable in the long-term.
The eighth place team in this division is five games over five hundred, the Islanders are eight games under/16 points/five teams below them.
Sure the standings scream it does not matter but whether it be DiPietro/Lawson or someone else they have to be the teams best player most nights lately facing 30+ shots.
Of course you wish Dwayne Roloson nothing but the best in departing.
New York Islander Fan Central Twitter Page New York Islander Fan Central RSS/not Twitter. 
CONTACT:NYIFANCENTRAL@YAHOO.COM
Islanders website: Reports the New York Islanders have acquired defenseman Ty Wishart from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Wishart will report to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Wishart, 22, was the San Jose Sharks’ first round draft choice, 16th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Currently in his third professional season, the 6’4”, 222-pound defenseman from Belleville, ON, has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 31 games with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
Canadian Press: Has comments from Tampa GM, Steve Yzerman.
"In this trade we give up a promising, former first-round pick. We wish him luck in the Islanders organization," Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said in a statement. "In Roloson we have acquired a proven, veteran goaltender who will provide stability in net."
Nate Lawson is expected to join the Islanders in Calgary.
NYIFC Comments:
I know nothing of Ty Wishart beyond him being traded from San Jose to Tampa for Dan Boyle, his size is an element the Islander prospects lack.
As for Garth Snow this is a very risky move on several levels given what Dwayne Roloson may have brought in a later trade (first round pick/NHL forward) and how well he has played for this team over two seasons, to say nothing of DiPietro's recent health status.
Roloson was a respected/calming influence on this team, and kept them in many games.
At best, this means another defensive prospect (who could not crack Tampa's mediocre defense) already joins an already very young defense, who need to provide a spot for Calvin deHaan and many prospects next season and moving forward. There are many defensive prospects already in Bridgeport. Garth Snow signed Jack Hillen, who claimed it was like adding a first rounder.
Bridgeport's roster and performance of Figren, Marcinko, Joensuu mandated a forward prospect be brought in with a first-round background over a defender. Kohn, Katic, Klementyev, Ness, Kessel, Donovan suggest they have plenty of defensive prospect depth to the point Jared Spurgeon and Jyri Niemi were traded/not signed.
Spurgeon has played in the NHL for the Wild this season.
The competition for Roloson could have brought a better return near the deadline, it also may have helped the Islanders maintain their recent win streak and move up the standings so this will not go over well when it does not replace Jon Sim or Dylan Reese, Bruno Gervais.
Of course there are two sides to this.
What if Vokoun or Brodeur hit the market at the trade deadline or Rolson plays as he did in the second half of last season or he does get injured? The Flyers were not desperate last season, neither were Washington, Chicago and a lot of teams that needed goaltending on deadline day would not pay the price.
This is similar to the St Louis-Montreal trade.
The Islanders have a lot of prospect defenders and on paper few spots, this one is a former first round pick and he has size most of these other players lack.
This officially ends the three goalie system in Bridgeport. If Rick DiPietro's knee swelling returns or he is ineffective, this means two goaltenders immediately go into the NHL off Nate Lawson's one start. It likely means Anders Nilsson has a place to play next season and a contract.
Very risky move on a lot of levels, this does not seem to solve any need in the short-term, and is questionable in the long-term.
The eighth place team in this division is five games over five hundred, the Islanders are eight games under/16 points/five teams below them.
Sure the standings scream it does not matter but whether it be DiPietro/Lawson or someone else they have to be the teams best player most nights lately facing 30+ shots.
Of course you wish Dwayne Roloson nothing but the best in departing.
New York Islander Fan Central Twitter Page New York Islander Fan Central RSS/not Twitter.
CONTACT:NYIFANCENTRAL@YAHOO.COM
Outplayed/Outshot Not A Formula For Sustained Success
New York Islander Fan Central | 1/01/2011 11:09:00 PM
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Shots against sometimes does not tell the entire story, we have seen the Islanders take fifty/sixty shots and lose the last few years.
Recently the Islanders have been piling up points, however the shots do reflect how they have been outplayed in many recent games.
I liked what I saw in the Pittsburgh game, the Islanders did not out-shoot the Pens, however they did create more than their fair share of quality chances.
Having written this many of these other games the goaltender had to be the teams best player and that's not a formula for building something successful. The Wings game easily could have been over early, the response to start the game not acceptable considering what happened against Pittsburgh. Beating the Devils 5-1 looks great on paper, but when you watch the team get outshot and pinned down for long stretches of a 35-14 shots against game that is far from a good effort.
I'll take the wins, the flash goals off faceoffs which are a credit to Konopka, the forwards driving the net. The Wings got some absurd calls and non-calls (Bertuzzi interference on Roloson) to score the 3-2 goal.
Again, wins aside, being outplayed to this degree is not how you sustain a winning team over the long-term.
Sixteen points, five teams out of eighth place.
Montreal (the team James Wisniewski was traded to) five games over, New York eight games under.
Win another nine out of ten, we can talk about getting into a playoff race.
Not before.
****************************
The pp has been a lot better lately. Parenteau, Comeau, Schremp are producing well. Tavares has been on a nice stretch, Bailey looks like a top six forward, but needs to be a top two center.
Defense has been stretched thin, I would love to see more rushes like the one Hillen had against Pittsburgh, and Martinek back healthy.
This has been a very competitive team with Jurcina and MacDonald healthy. Hamonic looks very good.
****************************
I'm happy for James Wisniewski that he scored the two goals in Montreal's win vs Florida, he may just be back next summer but Garth Snow's depth chart on defense has many forwards signed already.
****************************
A little surprised no one claimed Brian Rolston at half price. Found it surprising Lamoriello/teammates are taking about his character/ability and how he can help a team, then Jacques Lemaire back for only a few days and declares Rolston was out of shape?
Good way to scare off any team interested, did not make much sense.
****************************
Forgive me, but no interest in Winter Classic, delay/rain/snow/whatever. When the New York Islanders are involved, I will attend. As long as Comcast Flyers, NBC/Ebersol/Flood agenda dominate decision-making for hockey it will not be successful and seasonal at best in terms of being on television.
Who signs up to show hockey and does not start showing games weekly until the end of January?
My viewpoint is the concept of an outdoor game is also getting stale.
********************
Jiggs McDonald sounded fantastic against Pittsburgh, he was razor sharp and if he was nervous (as he mentioned other times) it did not show.
Still, as great as it is for him to do games Howie Rose should be doing his job or submitting his resignation to Cablevision. He can take his vacations during baseball season.
New York Islander Fan Central Twitter Page New York Islander Fan Central RSS/not Twitter. CONTACT:NYIFANCENTRAL@YAHOO.COM
Shots against sometimes does not tell the entire story, we have seen the Islanders take fifty/sixty shots and lose the last few years.
Recently the Islanders have been piling up points, however the shots do reflect how they have been outplayed in many recent games.
I liked what I saw in the Pittsburgh game, the Islanders did not out-shoot the Pens, however they did create more than their fair share of quality chances.
Having written this many of these other games the goaltender had to be the teams best player and that's not a formula for building something successful. The Wings game easily could have been over early, the response to start the game not acceptable considering what happened against Pittsburgh. Beating the Devils 5-1 looks great on paper, but when you watch the team get outshot and pinned down for long stretches of a 35-14 shots against game that is far from a good effort.
I'll take the wins, the flash goals off faceoffs which are a credit to Konopka, the forwards driving the net. The Wings got some absurd calls and non-calls (Bertuzzi interference on Roloson) to score the 3-2 goal.
Again, wins aside, being outplayed to this degree is not how you sustain a winning team over the long-term.
Sixteen points, five teams out of eighth place.
Montreal (the team James Wisniewski was traded to) five games over, New York eight games under.
Win another nine out of ten, we can talk about getting into a playoff race.
Not before.
****************************
The pp has been a lot better lately. Parenteau, Comeau, Schremp are producing well. Tavares has been on a nice stretch, Bailey looks like a top six forward, but needs to be a top two center.
Defense has been stretched thin, I would love to see more rushes like the one Hillen had against Pittsburgh, and Martinek back healthy.
This has been a very competitive team with Jurcina and MacDonald healthy. Hamonic looks very good.
****************************
I'm happy for James Wisniewski that he scored the two goals in Montreal's win vs Florida, he may just be back next summer but Garth Snow's depth chart on defense has many forwards signed already.
****************************
A little surprised no one claimed Brian Rolston at half price. Found it surprising Lamoriello/teammates are taking about his character/ability and how he can help a team, then Jacques Lemaire back for only a few days and declares Rolston was out of shape?
Good way to scare off any team interested, did not make much sense.
****************************
Forgive me, but no interest in Winter Classic, delay/rain/snow/whatever. When the New York Islanders are involved, I will attend. As long as Comcast Flyers, NBC/Ebersol/Flood agenda dominate decision-making for hockey it will not be successful and seasonal at best in terms of being on television.
Who signs up to show hockey and does not start showing games weekly until the end of January?
My viewpoint is the concept of an outdoor game is also getting stale.
********************
Jiggs McDonald sounded fantastic against Pittsburgh, he was razor sharp and if he was nervous (as he mentioned other times) it did not show.
Still, as great as it is for him to do games Howie Rose should be doing his job or submitting his resignation to Cablevision. He can take his vacations during baseball season.
New York Islander Fan Central Twitter Page New York Islander Fan Central RSS/not Twitter.
CONTACT:NYIFANCENTRAL@YAHOO.COM
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