Just want to remind everyone Josh Bailey's next deadline according to Windsor Spitfire general manager GM Warren Rychel comes on January 10th here where if Bailey is returned to Windsor before playing 40 NHL games, the Islanders would lose one year on his entry-level contract, however Bailey would not be a year closer to unrestricted free agency.
Note-I'm not sure what Warren Reichel was talking about back on December 13th in the above article. The Islanders just played game number forty in San Jose, Bailey has played in his twenty sixth NHL contest.
Even with Mike Sillinger back on IR when Nielsen returns with Weight, Comrie, Park down the middle something has to give here for Bailey to stay. Nate Thompson seems to have his roster spot here regardless of how often he is out but at this time there is no spot for five centers.
Richard Park for all my writing about his scoring is on pace for twenty goals/forty points and has a year left on his contract, he's going nowhere.
Jeremy Colliton (injured Saturday) is doing well for Bridgeport, Ben Walter did not look out of place in his latest trip to the NHL, this is the right time for them to play NHL games.
Tomas Marcinko is also in Bridgeport.
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The left side with Tambellini, Bergenheim, Smith and Blake Comeau with Andy Hilbert, Jon Sim and even Jesse Joensuu is only going to become more competitive for spots in this lineup.
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The right side also seems locked up beyond a Jackman demotion with Okposo, Hunter and Bill Guerin and his NTC. Not sure where Robin Figren fits this in terms of next year.
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Defense is locked tight without a trade to open a spot for Hillen, Andrew MacDonald, Dustin Kohn or another player. All top six defenders on paper with Gervais are under contract for next season.
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I'm not sure what's going to happen unless the injury bug continues to bite and open up roster spots. One reason for Bridgeport's success is so many extra players all getting a game off through that lineup.
Finally a quick reminder for anyone who thinks it's as easy as cleaning house so prospects can play. With a cap floor they cannot simply ship Guerin, Weight and Comrie out to open up roster spots unless they take back salary (players) in trades at this time.
At the trade deadline it becomes a little easier to ship out contracts, but Garth Snow cannot drop five million from the final payment of this year's contracts either.