My last Goalie post before Rookie Camp

Or, if it's not, I will broadcast my home address and you can come slap me.

The Islanders announced the signing of Goalie Al Montoya to a one year contract extension earlier today. This is fantastic news for fans as Al has been a bright light and came in and singlehandedly stabilized what became a ridiculous Goalie situation for the Islanders after injuries to Rick DiPietro and Kevin Poulin and Nate Lawson's inability to be anything remotely close to okay...he too was hurt and starting duties fell to Mikko Koskinen (a recent scratch in Bridgeport, I believe he too is injured). Montoya's been great going 8-4-4 with a 2.35 GAA and a .923 SV%, which has been great.

Now, onto my bit: how does this effect the prospects; well, right now it doesn't. Poulin is hurt, Koskinen's had a lost year, Lawson's proven he's a "AAAA" type guy: can't make it in the NHL, great in the AHL, and finally Anders Nilsson isn't in North America yet. Now, next year is the major issue: the Islanders as an organization can not afford to lose development for Poulin, Koskinen or Nilsson by way of forcing them into 3 man rotations at Bridgeport. If all three of those netminders are to be kept and the Islanders retain the services of Nate Lawson, they have to go to Kalamazoo and have them take on the two goalies that don't crack the lineup for Bridgeport. 

For the last two seasons the Islanders have kept three goalies at Bridgeport at varying times, last year they had Scott Munroe, Nate Lawson and Mikko; now Mikko was hurt most of the year and ended up back in Bridgeport for the playoffs after a quick stint in Utah, but the Sound Tigers essentially had a 2 man tandem at the AHL while the big squad squandered a perfect trade chip in Marty Biron. This year Bridgeport and NY have used at least 5 goalies (for BPT 6 have dressed, for NY: 7), so it's a much different animal to contemplate. But the Islanders cannot have the 2011-2012 season start with Koskinen, Poulin and Nilsson or Koskinen, Poulin, Lawson (again) at Bridgeport. You can't emphasize development with these guys if they have to fight each other for starts. Goalies should be in tandems and that is it. 

Of course I'm making these assumptions under the best case scenarios where every goalie under contract with the New York Islanders is healthy for Rookie and Training camp to start next season. But if they are, and the Islanders extend and Entry level deal to Anders Nilsson and keep him in North America then they NEED to have Plans A, B and C established before the first puck drops in October.

To me, assuming all are healthy and Evgeni Nabokov (remember him, we sort of own his rights, and will probably Toll him if for no other reason than to make him squirm for his unprofessionalism) is tolled and suspended for not reporting, you figure Montoya and DiPietro will start with the Islanders with Poulin as the first call-up for any trouble and Koskinen becomes the full-time starter for Bridgeport with another goalie signed to a PTO or Lawson brought up from the ECHL. Anders Nilsson, if stateside, is at Kalamazoo in this situation starting full time and only going to Bridgeport if he's absolutely lights out or there's an injury to Koskinen and Lawson (all possible). Consider this plan A since I don't believe that Nabokov will set foot on NHL ice ever again, or try something stupid like announce his retirement and then sign with another team on a "comeback." Also Poulin would benefit from more time at the AHL and the Montoya extension does just that.

In the event that Evgeni wants to play nice, stop being a baby and decides that being a Pro athlete entails more than sucking your thumb in Northern California, and has an amazing camp and the Isles choose to go with him (if healthy maybe he has another 40 W season in him, who HONESTLY would complain about that?), have him and Rick up with Montoya and one of Poulin or Koskinen (the other becomes a trade piece) at Bridgeport; Montoya becomes the de facto first call-up and the other taking over at Bridgeport with a Lawson as backup and if Nilsson is in North America (good camp obviously, otherwise, another year in the SEL) he stays at Kalamazoo just as before. Call this: not-likely plan B.

Finally there's the no Nabokov (tolled, but suspended for being a baby) and no Nilsson option that is much like Plan A but with Lawson and either a Joel Martin (who can still be retained) or Joe Schmoe at Kalamazoo in the event of the "bet your ass" DP injury that leaves us continually laughed at, but glad we have backups, situation. Call this: The likely to happen, but you can't have enough Goalies Plan C. If the Isles need more than these contingencies then it is “Hello 2012 first overall Pick!”

Now I've forgotten Joel Martin in all of these, he was signed to a two way deal and he is back with Odessa right now, but the Isles can retain him, and the Jackalopes are giving up on being a professional team, so he'll likely need a home. The EChL in a tandem with Lawson in the "battle of career AHL afterthought" would be just fine depth-wise if Nilsson isn't brought over. It is also entirely possible that Lawson and Martin are granted their release and then there's less question marks. But the Isles NEED to have a clear plan in place before Camp at ice works takes place, and considering all the injuries this season at both levels having a back-up of a back up should be the mentality going forward. 

With those thoughts in place, I hope not to mention goalies and save percentages until August at the least. 

On Building a Blue Collar Identity from Top to Bottom

This post may seem appropriate more in the off-season, but I'd rather get this discussion going now. Also, it's more philosophical than prospect right now, so please excuse that, I promise to highlight guys soon.

The Islanders have become a blue collar hard working team this year, one you just can't help but to root for. yes the big club had a horrendous streak that more or less ended their playoff hopes in mid-December, but they came back and fought hard night in and out staving off elimination until last night. Yes, they've lost 550 man-games to injury and suspension this year, but the Isles have become a team that, if healthy will be a playoff team. Since the infamous "Brawl at the Barn" against the Penguins back in February the Isles have gelled and taken on a blue collar "fight to the end" type of identity. 

Considering the team has a few budding superstars mainly John Tavares and Michael Grabner, and VERY quietly Matt Moulson, and an inability to attract cream of the crop talent in Free Agency (and do NOT throw the "Jurcina Stat" at me, I know the record, but if the Isles had come up with any of Michelak, Martin or Volchenkov, Jurcina would've been an afterthought signing, or not at all; that's not to say I don't like Jurcina, I love his play, I'm just saying things would've been different) this mentality is a GOOD thing. In fact I think the rest of the affiliates should start adopting it, mainly Bridgeport, who's had a worse season than the parent club. The biggest reason for this is simple: teach guys that may become future Islanders the "Islanders way." what I mean by that is preach the blue collar work ethic and the "never say die" attitude. What I don't mean is institute Jack Capuano (any any Islanders head coach)'s system onto Pat Bingham in Bridgeport or Nick Bootland at Kalamazoo. Preach mentality, not style of play, doing the latter doesn't help if all three teams are struggling and play the exact same way.

This obviously is easier to say than act upon especially since things bring teams together or tear them in different ways. that is the experiences of the team can shape mentality and such. A LONG losing streak at any level can wear down a "never say die" attitude especially if those losses are more often than not close games or overtime losses, these things will effect a team differently at different points in the season, but that's something that causes the team to make adjustments and all of that. But if the head coaches and management at every level are brought together in the off-season saying "this is the mentality we want going forward" that's a good starting point. From there allow the coaches to develop upon that identity and build it using variations on a theme. Coaches creativity shouldn't be squandered in a quest for "achieving the way." Alright that sounds a bit ridiculous, but what I'm trying to say is have the coaches institute a mentality of blue collar work, NOT forcing them to use a particular forechecking system or "run and gun" offense or a trap and things like that, you know? 

There's another aspect of this that should be taken into account, and it's probably going to sound controversial but I'm a big believer in awarding good play. So if players aren't achieving and producing the organization has to be willing to promote and demote guys that aren't getting the job done. Yes at the NHL level  this is difficult to do with guys who aren't on two way contracts, but if a guy is struggling and you can make a call-up on emergency conditions, find a way to sit the guy not getting the job done. The Isles have sort of done this this season, the biggest example was sending Josh Bailey down when he was struggling, as well as placing call-ups in the lineup over Robbie Schremp. However it's easier to accomplish at the minor league level and should be used as a tool to make guys hungry and keep them from getting complacent.

If you have a guy not performing his role at Bridgeport or Kalamazoo and there's a guy performing better at a lower level bring in the guy performing and send down the guy struggling. that is to say (for example) if Rob Hisey is in a bad funk and Kory Karlander is lighting the lamp repeatedly, sit Hisey and sign Karlander to a PTO and bring him in and have him play. Maybe Karlander struggles and Rob finds his way in practice and lights it up going forward, but you've rewarded a guy playing well at one level and made a guy push himself. Now I understand this is the ideal and that the hockey world doesn’t quite work like that; and that the Isles can only have 50 guys signed to a contract, but you have to be willing to make guys who are struggling but have a world of talent expendable if there are others who can do their jobs as effectively. I don’t mean this in a “be a cheapskate way,” but a guy like Trent Hunter, who is perpetually hurt is going to take a roster spot over a guy because he’s signed for three more years, that’s not cool, I know it’s how it works, and that a healthy hunter is a pretty good bottom 6 role player and one of a few Islanders with playoff experience, but you have to pencil him in over a Rhett Rhakshani or Brian Day or Anders Lee or a Nino Niederreiter because they have options (for lack of a better term, and I’m thinking of baseball season, sorry) and Hunter is basically immovable unless he proves healthy. Now, in recent years the Isles have bought out players who haven’t achieved and there’s replacements for, and it’s possible that Hunter may be a buyout candidate (I’d make him one), but let’s assume that’s not the case, would the Isles waive him in season if he doesn’t produce; I don’t know, but I’d say yes if there’s someone else who can fill his role better than he can, and let the money be damned. Again this is not an exercise to pick on Trent Hunter, but an example of my thinking in making guys expendable if it means bettering the team.

This happens at the AHL all the time with guys who get hurt. Bridgeport has grabbed countless guys on PTOs to fill in and then do away with them once the injured return. Jason Pitton, Eric Castongauy, Jon Landry and Brady Leisenring are all examples of this. I understand the moves, and Landry and Leisenring were at Kalamazoo at the time of their PTOs, but Castongauy and Pitton were with other ECHL clubs, you shouldn’t go outside your affiliates if you don’t need to. Now it’s possible that K-Zoo couldn’t spare anyone, but there were guys producing that K-Zoo should’ve been willing to send up as an injury fill in if they were going to get actual time. But that’s just me I guess.

Now, this whole institution of being a blue collar organization should NOT prohibit the draft, if there’s a chance to draft a superstar, or a very good prospect, take him and when they join the pro ranks THEM get them into the blue collar mentality, not by forcing an adjustment of their game, but that they’re part of a family and to stick up for themselves and their teammates. Sure the Isles can draft feisty guys, but they’ve done so when appropriate and never in the first round, Garth Snow’s draft strategy shouldn’t change one bit. But, draft picks should be taught at prospect camp that they are going to be part of a blue collar caring family that will ALWAYS stick up for them, but if they don’t produce, their job is NEVER secure…

A lot of this stuff the Islanders already do, so I’m basically preaching to the choir, but pushing guys to know their jobs shouldn’t be secure unless they produce (whether a first round pick or signed for 15 years) should add to that mentality. I welcome any debate on this, just stirring the pot I guess in the hours since we were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Place holder post, have a much bigger one in mind later

Hi again all, it's been a few weeks and I've missed some big news, so a run down and then onto my bigger post either late tonight or sometime tomorrow (no am campus tour, so I can work all night/sleep OR sleep and get a finish on it...wait, why do you care?)

• Isles need a new CHL affiliate: Odessa's leaving the professional ranks for Juniors, and no, not the USHL but the lower level (though Matt Moulson approved) NAHL. I've been trying to figure out what this means for the Isles and the vet in Odessa...the biggest answer is probably not much. Most CHLers will likely find new employ...Sebastien Thinel SHOULD look for work in the ECHL and MAYBE some AHL try-outs, but maybe he wouldn't like to uproot his family, I dunno. the Nick Bootland's and others in Odessa will find work. If one of their Goalies can get all the way to the NHL (Joel Martin has since returned to Odessa), some others can too.
• Aaron Ness leaves the Gophers: Aaron Ness signed an Entry level deal (to take effect next season) and an Amateur Tryout Offer with Bridgeport (so the Isles don't lose a year of eligibility on the EL) after FINALLY leaving the University of Minnesota. Ness had regressed a lot his last two seasons after a good rookie year, regress may be a harsh term, but he never took the next step in two years. however, his first few games have shown that my doubts were unnecessary as he's picked up a goal already and Bridgeport coach Pat Bingham has said he fits right in at the AHL, so that's good. He'll be part of a major LOGJAM I'll detail in a few posts.
• Brian Day joins Bridgeport: the Isles 2006 6th rounder joined the ranks at Bridgeport this week and has made his presence known in two games picking up a goal and an assist already after a successful run at Colgate University (gotta love upstate NY, though Hamilton is in the middle of nowhere really). in 149 career ECAC Day notched 54 goals and 56 helpers for 110 points. Not too shabby. Day will have to fight for roster space at Bridgeport especially if the Sound Tigers take the same approach to building next year as this, and if some European prospects stay. 

So just a quick run down of news. Odessa and Kalamazoo have qualified for the playoffs, Bridgeport is on the outside looking in and will likely stay there. Anyway, have a bigger post to write. If I see anything on Corey Trivino I'll have a write up on him, also meant to do one on Jason Gregorie who's UND is skating in the Frozen Four right now.

Blowing out the Goal light, Ullstrom nets 6

Last week's AHL Player of the week was Bridgeport's own David Ullstrom. The 2008 4th rounder had gone over a month without a goal and then on Feb 16 started a goal scoring rampage, scoring once in a Shootout loss to Springfield and then 2 the next game and ended his week with a hat-trick. Ullstrom's 6 G week brought his totals to 12 G and 30PTS in his first season in the US, which isn't bad all things considered. This year at Bridgeport should be considered a mulligan. However the outburst should be admired and help showcase a sign of things to come.

Ullstrom is yet another example of the Islanders increasingly stronger 2008 draft that has produced: Josh Bailey, Travis Hamonic, Kevin Poulin and Matt Martin for the Islanders as well as Jyri Neimi and Jared Spurgeon for the Rangers and Minnesota Wild, respectively. The Isles have a ton of talent also developing from that Draft as it is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) in the Organization's history. The Isles picked up Aaron Ness and Corey Trivino in the second round, finishing their College careers, also Travis Hamonic was the 3rd selection of the 2nd Round; the 3rd round brought Niemi, Kirill Petrov and David Toews; 4th round selections were Matt Donovan and Ullstrom; 5th rounders were Kevin Poulin and Matt Martin; rounding out the draft class were Spurgeon and Justin DiBenedetto.

Ullstrom's been getting top line work most of the season, of late he's been paired with Justin DiBenedetto and Rhett Rahkshani makes for a nice young line to gel together now for future dividends.

File this under "Look further into this" in the future. There isn't much else to discuss about Ullstrom here. The AHL is a much different league than the Swedish Elite League. Ullstrom's numbers look a lot better for Bridgeport than they did for his hometown Jankoping 71s. the SEL is known as a defense first league, so the offense is great this year. Definitely one to follow and watch for the future. It'll be interesting to see if Ullstrom will crack the lineup in the bottom six next year. We'll certainly find out.

The obligatory lifetime Stats (again, remember the SEL is much different offensively than the NHL/AHL/etc):

Mike Sellitto: Certified Human Pinata

There no more interesting name in the Islanders "Farm System" than Mike Sellitto, not because he's lit up the score boards, far from it actually, but he's the first Islanders farm player I've seen report to four different teams in four different leagues. That is some sort of feat, Sellitto has bounced from Bridgeport camp to the Louisiana IceGators of the Southern Professional Hockey League, to the Danbury Whalers of the inaugural Federal Hockey League, to enjoying coffee from the Press-box at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, to finally getting into 10 games at Kalamazoo. I hope he has frequent flyer miles on his credit card, he's going deserve a nice long vacation after this season and with hope next year he'll play at one level and only move up when absolutely needed (after all the Islanders system is as snake bitten with injuries as the the Parent club). (Sellitto's head shot from Wings Stadium)

Sellitto's from Elmont, New York and 23, so hopefully he grew up rooting for the Blue and Orange (and if not, that's a damned shame); that is until he moved from Nassau to Weston, FL (HockeyDB lists place of birth, not hometown I see), which is...quite a change for a potential hockey player. The Islanders found him not at your local rink (okay well, maybe they did) BUT at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, which is more known to baseball fans for Chicago Pitching Prospects Chris Sale and Casey Coleman. Sellitto's only stand out year for the Eagles was '08-'09 when he got into 41 games notching 14 G and 31 PTs to go with 80 PIM. His other two seasons were an average of 24 games played, 7 G and 15 PTS to go with 30 PIM. Those numbers are actually pretty decent when you realize that FGCU plays division II, especially when people scratch their head saying "they play hockey at college...in Florida?" Actually I doubt anyone does say that, besides me when I first heard of Sellitto. Scouts liked what they saw I guess and offered Sellitto an invite to Prospect and Bridgeport camp.

Sellitto, unlike previous Rookie mention Justin Taylor, did not crack Bridgeport's squad and was assigned to the Louisiana IceGators for seasoning (no pun intended), Sellitto got into 20 games and notched 11 points. From there he was transfered or re-assigned (I don't remember which) to the brand new Federal Hockey League and the Danbury Whalers. My guess here is that if Bridgeport found themselves short handed a call up of Sellitto made more sense than a call up our of Kalamazoo or a PTO from elsewhere, I'm not sure though. Sellitto got into 5 games drawing three minor penalties and that was that for the FHL. in Late December Sellitto was called up as an extra body by Bridgeport and didn't get into any games there and was sent back to Danbury, where oddly he didn't play for most or any of January it seems. on Feb 4, he was assigned to Kalamazoo where he's gotten into 10 games and notched 1 assist. So, it's been an interesting first season of hockey for Sellitto as he's been unable to really get much going since leaving the Bayou. If the Islanders believe that Sellitto can become anything resembling a potential call-up they need to put him in one league and have him work out the kinks; or if he's going to yo-yo, have it between two teams be it B-Port/K-Zoo or B-Port/Odessa. Treating Sellitto as a pinata and moving him at will wherever you please, is NOT beneficial in any way.

Finally, If Sellitto's ever going to crack the NHL (heard it here first, he's not): he either needs to be Micheal Grabner on amphetamines and get MORE breakaways than Grabz, which is essentially impossible; or he needs to bulk up a bit and start parking in front of the goal and pushing his way into scoring opportunities. Sellitto is a relatively small dude, he stands 5'10 and 180lbs. Which leads me to ask: why do the Isles keep signing up undersized LIers to play in the Organization? Vladimir Nikiforov, a player from Hauppage and former Grizzlie/Isles prospect stands 5'8 and 170; Smithtown resident Tony Romano is 5'11 and 185...these guys need to either be all muscle and push guys off with ease to find the net or be absolute speed demons, and I just can't see that being the case.

Anyway, Sellitto's an interesting case, and if the Isles truly believe in him, they won't abuse him next year.

Stats, what few they are:

DEADLINE!!!

Yes, it's been 12 days since my last post, I apologize, day to day life and college life have...pulled away from watching prospects.

Not to worry Isles Fans, Today will be a quick post on the NHL trade deadline and the Isles...just my two cents.

First up I believe the earth shattering moves by the Islanders have already been made: James Wisniewski and Dwayne Roloson being traded for picks (a 2nd and 5th from MTL) and D-man Ty Wishart respectively; as well as the suddenly white hot Al Montoya coming from Phoenix for a 6th round pick this year. Montoya's WAY over-producing at a .940 SV% and a 1.89 GAA, but he's stabilized the goalie situation, playing on top of his world and allowing for Mikko Koskinen to develop more at AHL, can't really lose there.

So are there still players that can be moved; certainly, is there a strong likelihood anyone is traded; I'm not sure.

Last year Garth Snow made one move from his NHL Roster was sending D-man Andy Sutton for a second round pick from Ottawa which he would later turn into UND Freshman and huge Center Brock Nelson at the 2010 Entry draft. Snow also made one Minor league deal swapping Center Greg Moore for Defenseman Dylan Reese (who gets a lot of un-needed hate in my opinion, but he's had a rough rough season). So last year was a relatively quiet though anxiety filled deadline.

This year is much different, blue chip trade piece Matt Moulson (who I love, I started calling him "Mighty Matt" last season and if you ever see me at Nassau Coliseum I tend to wear a customized 26 Jersey with "Mighty Matt" on the back) was signed to a well deserved three year contract extension effectively taking him off the market. Potential trade chip and Moulson Linemate PA Parenteau (who should NOT be on the top line next season, but more on that much later) was also extended cheaply for next year so he becomes a trade piece next year. So without Moulson and Parenteau, who's left to potentially be dealt?

First and foremost: Radek Martinek. Radek's been a career long Islander and has seen the best of times and the rebuild equally...albeit a majority of that time in a suit from the press-box or rehabbing an injury. Radek's one of the most underrated Defensemen around, he plays his zone fantastically and while he leaves a lot to be desired offensively, Radek plays good when healthy. Considering more offensively minded D men have netted strong returns for their teams, Radek should be able to command a 2nd rounder at the very very least. Now, Martinek is currently dinged up so he may stick around by virtue of his health.

Rob Schremp: The Isles have let it be known that Schremp is available according to Chris Botta's Islanders Point Blank, with his less than amazing stats this season it sounds like the Isles will pretty much dump him for anything. Which certainly makes sense, if you read my Twitter stream the Schremp-Bailey-Comeau line is the bane of my existence some nights. now if a western team offered pretty much anything then i have no bones trading Schremp out west, if it's an Eastern team, you gotta try to jack the price. Personally, I wonder how Schremp would respond to another coach if the Isles hire a new coach in the off-season (I'm not Capuano's biggest fan but he's done well with the lack of tools at his disposal). Also if the deadline comes and goes and Schremp is still an Islander, this is going to sound like a crazy idea but I would move Schremp to the top line, not that he deserves it, but as a way to simply break up the third line. swapping PA and Schremp would be a way to possibly get Schremp going and end on a high note to either offer a new contract or make him more appealing prior to June 30th.

Zenon Konopka is the guy Isles fans don't want traded, and I am in this camp. However, if Snow is shopping Konopka it had better be to the Western conference playoff teams as a defensive zone face off specialist and try to start a bidding war. If you can and a Western GM completely losses his mind and offers a crazy good package (it's really too bad that the Flames don't have Darryl Sutter at the helm) then you have to seriously consider trading Konopka. There's NOTHING wrong with poking around and seeing what's available for a guy like Konopka. If that sort of thing doesn't happen, well keep and extend the man. The offense isn't a concern from your 4th line and if it was, give the 4th line more than 11 minutes a game. I don't believe he'll be traded unless management gets an offer they can't refuse and the Fans would laud. Konopka's done so much more for this team than simply his 219 PIM and 1 G, there's no denying that.

Personally, I think of those three you'll only see Martinek moved if he plays tomorrow night against Washington. If he doesn't, he's likely staying.

While there's other players I would love to see traded, Bruno Gervais (he's just a horrible Defensemen, his improvement this year has been from god-awful scratch to "you know he's almost an alright 8th man who's starting only because there's NO ONE left") who doesn't fit next year with our injured D corps returning. I'd also love to see Blake Comeau moved. He's just too damned inconsistent to justify the hope that he can be a set 20+ G guy on the third line who can hit. He's obsessed with the wrap around and going backhand, which is absurd because he has one of the most powerful slapshots on the team and NEVER uses it. Also with the influx of forwards on their way, getting something for Blake now will be a lot better than not tendering him a contract and seeing him walk freely just like the still inconsistent Sean Bergenheim and Jeff Tambellini.

So if there's anyone else to be moved it'll be Martinek (most likely if he plays tomorrow it's to show he's healthy for an inquiring team). There's arguments for the other 4 players I mentioned, but Schremp and Konopka will likely stay in my mind as will Gervais and Comeau (annoyingly).

There's always a chance that Garth also swings a minor league trade or two, but I doubt it seeing it as B-Port is essentially held together right now by scotch tape and first grade glue sticks (Bridgeport's play in February has also left little to write about aside from DiBenedetto and the back on track David Ullstrom).

UPDATE: This morning the Isles waived Goalie Nate Lawson and Forward Rob Schremp. They'll stack around until Monday unless a team claims one or both. This appears to be a roster flexibility move, and the Isles may put a claim on any of the three Goalies also waived today: Curtis McIllhenny, Pascal LeClaire (the Canadian Rick DiPietro) and Ty Conklin (who the Isles should ABSOLUTELY claim). Not sure if this is indicative of a trade, but figured it should be mentioned as I'm talking about the big squad with this post.

Feel free to lambast me in the comments, and I promise more timely updates soon.

Apologies

Sorry for the lack of posts. I will be back with more stuff soon. I'm sure everyone saw the Islanders-Penguins game on Friday night and the season debut of Micheal Haley. Not going to comment further than it was a game the Isles had building up inside of them for some time.

I need to start a better curating of the weekly happenings at Bridgeport (riding a 9 game losing streak as of today, it's just ugly, really really ugly down there), Kalamazoo and Odessa. I also need to get back to writing about Draft picks in the NCAA and the CHL(Canadian) in general.

I appreciate all of the page views and comments so far and have been meaning to write these past two weeks, but have had classes and such and haven't really had time to write a full on post.

In the near future I'll have a post about my enthusiasm and optimism for the Islanders making a playoff run next season and my myriad of reasons behind that, Kevin Poulin is one of the biggest reasons for that.

So stay tuned, apologies again for the lack of writing, and please, keep up the feedback and comments, they'll only help me out.