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

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/30/2010 02:11:00 PM |


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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