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.