Position: Left Wing
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 209 lbs
Birthdate: November 1, 1983 (27 years old)
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Acquired: Signed Free Agent from Los Angeles Kings (2009)
2010-2011 Teams: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats (NYI): 82 GP - 31 G - 22 A - 53 P - 24 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Top Line Wing
Last year: Though he finished his first full NHL season with 30 goals, Matt Moulson came into training camp for the 2010-11 season with something to prove. That he could do it again. And do it again he did, scoring 31 goals for the Isles playing in all 82 games alongside top line center John Tavares. Through his two years as an Islander, Moulson has not missed one game. He has scored 61 goals and has established himself as a legitimate top-6 NHL left wing. He has found a home on Long Island and recently signed a new three year extension that keeps him with the team until 2014, bypassing the chance at unrestricted free agency. Moulson joins Tavares, Michael Grabner, and Kyle Okposo as recent Islanders to be extended long-term. He's definitely come a long way since being drafted by Pittsburgh.
Expectations: Quite simply, Moulson is essentially a proven goal scorer in the league now. With two 30 goal seasons under his belt, it's fair to say he should score around that many again, even if he does fall a little short of 30. As he enters the prime of his career with a guy like John Tavares ready to break out, it's possible he gets to 35. Either way, if Moulson keeps doing what he's been doing, he will have another very productive year from the Islanders, and will be a key cog as the team tries to push for the playoffs this upcoming season.
Projections: 80 GP - 31 G - 24 A - 55 P
Thoughts:
CH: What was once a simple depth signing for Bridgeport has turned into an absolute coup for the Islanders. Whether he was signed because of Tavares' presence in the organization or not, Moulson has proven to be a key part of the Islanders' transition from bottom-feeders to potential playoff team. Moulson does all the little things well - he works hard, goes into the dirty areas, and has a knack for getting the puck where it needs to be. In a sentence, he plays a similar style to Mark Parrish in his prime. Maybe that will eventually take a toll on his body like it did Parrish, but at his age (28 in November), there's no reason to think he'll slow down any time over the next 5 or so seasons. Moulson is here to stay, here to contribute, and here to help the Islanders win games.
AT: Moulson's going into his prime about now, and his 30 goal mark should be achieved once again playing with a playmaker in PA Parenteau and an all around superstar in John Tavares. He's playing on the top line getting top line minutes and he certainly has the accuracy you'd expect out of a top line left winger. Moulson was originally brought in as a favor to John Tavares, but he has exceeded even the most optimistic of people's expectations of him. He was an experiment that ended up producing a player with 61 goals in 2 years of play. Nothing short of impressive. Look for Moulson to have a great season once again. I mean, how could you not when you're rocking the coolest last name in the NHL.
AT: Moulson's going into his prime about now, and his 30 goal mark should be achieved once again playing with a playmaker in PA Parenteau and an all around superstar in John Tavares. He's playing on the top line getting top line minutes and he certainly has the accuracy you'd expect out of a top line left winger. Moulson was originally brought in as a favor to John Tavares, but he has exceeded even the most optimistic of people's expectations of him. He was an experiment that ended up producing a player with 61 goals in 2 years of play. Nothing short of impressive. Look for Moulson to have a great season once again. I mean, how could you not when you're rocking the coolest last name in the NHL.
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