Blues FI: Announced Islander prospect Mikko Koskinen has resigned with the team through the 2014-15 season.
NYIFC Comments:
New York qualified Koskinen last summer, and will need to do so through June 2015 if the club wishes to retain his NHL rights. That does not cost anything, however Koskinen was the first overall goalie selected in his draft class so it's looking like a pick that will not work out or has moved on for good. During his time in North America he was frequently injured, however showed some flashes of his ability at all levels.
Anders Nilsson is signed for next season, however illness has taken virtually all of this year from him (he's healthy enough to backup now for Bridgeport) it could also mean the second goaltender drafted very high that summer, the only prospect anywhere to receive a first round contract (Nilsson makes practically same money as Ryan Strome) could turn out to be another big miss on the draft front.
Kevin Poulin needs to be resigned this summer, and has struggled in the AHL. Only management knows how things play out with DiPietro, who's finally proving durable if nothing else on the AHL's worst defensive team most of the year.
Bridgeport:
Not much to write about the Sound Tigers playoff chances that was not written about recently. Another devastating loss is followed by a win that keeps the conversation going, but without six of seven wins in the remaining games, it's highly unlikely. Too many teams in front of them.
Defensively the frequent breakdowns still happen, but the addition of Strome, the return of John Persson, Sundstrom, Ullstrom with the standout play of Brock Nelson, it's a team that can also finally score some power play goals after a franchise record setting slump. Niederreiter has not had a strong last few months where he's dominating the puck when he's on the ice, but management may want him to concentrate on learning the defensive game.
Most recent games Bridgeport is getting the better pressure.
The loss of Jack Combs offense has hurt given what he did last weekend. Kirill Kabanov has landed on the bench in what looks like a lost season after injury where Scott Pellerin has pushed for more from him.
Individually Matt Donovan is producing at a very high level for the Sound Tigers.
