Op-Ed: Three Goalie Rotation?

As it seems right now, the Islanders are looking like they'll be putting up a 3 goalie rotation. The three will be seemingly healthy Rick DiPietro, gem in the rough Al Montoya and Evgeni Nabokov who decided to report to the Islanders after all. Some would say this is a great problem to have on our hands, and all 3 goalies seem to be gunning to take the #1 spot at this point. Here's a dissection of the 3 players who are fighting it out for the top spot in the rotation.

Rick DiPietro

It's seeming as if Rick DiPietro at this point is the most likely choice for the #1 spot. This has been his first completely healthy span in almost 3 years, and the first camp in 3 years that he's participated in fully and been able to compete at a regular NHL level. While everyone was ready to write DiPietro off into the buyout box, the performances he put up against the Devils and Bruins showed he's ready to jump back into the NHL on a regular level, allowing only 2 goals in 5 periods of pre-season play. This was also playing without a full defense against mostly full Devils and Bruins teams. 

The biggest factor with DiPietro is of course his contract. He still has 10 years left on his 15 year deal, and it'd be highly unlikely that the Islanders would put a goaltender with a $4.5m caphit and 10 years left on his deal as the backup or even stow him in Bridgeport and take away time from developing players like Mikko Koskinen, Anders Nilsson and Kevin Poulin. We know the type of player he was last season after coming back with a very heavy amount of rust, but his quickness has improved greatly over this offseason and he truly does look like he'll be ready to go as the #1 when the Islanders play the Panthers on the 8th. This may be his last chance to truly show that he's capable of performing at the NHL level and healthy enough to be a #1 goaltender.

Al Montoya

The case for Al Montoya all hinges on only 21 games played. However, those 21 games played through the end of last season proved a lot in terms of Montoya's ability. We knew he was a 6th overall pick in the 2004 entry draft, so clearly the skill and potential has always been there. What we saw however was unprecedented. Montoya really helped this team save face at the end of the season and put up spectacular stats with such a depleted defense. Though not a flashy goalie, Montoya was able to get the job done, and truly earned high marks in the mind of this fan.

One would imagine with a healthy defense, Montoya would continue to shine and put up the same numbers as last year. If chosen as the team's #1 goaltender, it's completely plausible to think that Montoya would reach the same numbers he did last year with 50 or more games played. He's older and has done enough conditioning and strength training throughout his career where even though he's never done it before, should be able to make it through a big chunk of games without any major fatigue.

Evgeni Nabokov

After refusing to report last year, Nabokov joined the Islanders for training camp this year. On the whole, he has had a mediocre pre-season. He played okay against the Flames, but after taking over for Al Montoya's shutout against the Bruins the other night, he allowed 3 goals in to let the Bruins take the lead and win the game. If this is how he is performing with 5 days to go until the home opener, consider me worried. Yes, we know the type of goaltender Nabokov used to be, but it doesn't look as if that skill level exists in Mr. Nabokov anymore. If anything, he should be given a shot with at least one game further on down the road, but at the current moment is is the lowest on the totem pole. Both DiPietro and Montoya have outplayed Nabokov by a country mile.

Conclusion

The question at this point is - who starts on opening night? All things considered, including last year's stats, performance in the pre-season and general abilities, in my mind it does seem as if the most logical choice would be Al Montoya. The abilities he was showing last year were impeccable and on par with a #1 goaltender. With seemingly no health issues besides a relatively minor surgery this off season that he's fully recovered from and with two strong performances in the pre-season, Montoya seems like the most viable option. Yes, DiPietro is supposedly completely healthy and ready to go and with his contract is the most likely option, but after last season's debacle, I think it would be wise to keep him on the bench and have him play 30 or so games for the season unless Montoya's skills and play drop off rapidly, which seems unlikely. Montoya has done everything in his power to prove that he's capable of handling the starting job and should be trusted to do so. If the Islanders' goal is to win games, they need to suck up their pride and allow Montoya to carry them. Even if it's just to start. I originally would have preferred Nabokov based on the goalie he used to be, but at this point it's very clear that he is no longer on that level of play. This decision lies with Jack Capuano in the end, and hopefully he makes the correct decision. He's claimed that he's ignoring salaries and contract structures, but when one player has truly shined above the rest for the past year and continues to do so, the answer seems logical.

- Alex Tessler

Season Preview: Al Montoya

Al Montoya

Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 194 lbs

Birthdate: February 13th, 1985 (26 years old)
Birthplace: Glenview, IL, US
Acquired: Trade with Phoenix, 2011

2010-2011 Teams: San Antonio Rampage/New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats (SAR): 21 GP - 3.19 GAA - .921 SV PCT
2010-2011 Stats (NYI): 21 GP - 2.39 GAA - .921 SV PCT
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Unknown as of current moment, rotating with 3 goalies

Last year: After being an afterthought to most teams even after being a 6th overall pick just a few years back, Montoya was acquired by the Islanders after the injuries to Nathan Lawson, Rick DiPietro and Kevin Poulin. While in his first game against Buffalo as relief for Mikko Koskinen he did not perform exceptionally at all, Montoya picked it up substantially and became a total rock in net for the Islanders, exceeding every expectation that could have possibly be placed on him. He put up a very respectable 2.39 GAA in only 21 games and a spectacular .921 save percentage, something any goalie, even one who only played 21 games, should be very proud of. Montoya was never a flashy goalie but he stood on his head for the Islanders with such a depleted offense and really helped this team maintain some of it's pride down the stretch going into the end of the season.


Expectations: While most figured that Montoya would be the #1 to start this year, Rick DiPietro's seemingly healthy return and Evgeni Nabokov's decision to report to camp have sent Montoya's whirlwind career into yet another period of uncertainty. While of the three, Montoya has performed the best and stayed the healthiest, it would be unsurprising to see Montoya be the odd man out of the lineup and even possibly traded. However, assuming he stays with the Isles and plays a decent amount of games, we should be seeing somewhat similar numbers to last year. He's coming off a somewhat routine knee surgery, so that may or may not impact him this season as well. With a bolstered defense with the return of Mark Streit, Montoya should have an easier time.

Projections: 35 GP - 22 W - 13 L - 2.45 GAA - .925 SV PCT

Thoughts:

AT: Montoya was quite a pleasant surprise last season, and really had a great story after being pushed out of the Rangers vision when Lundqvist performed exceptionally and being perennially thrown in the AHL by the Coyotes, even after performing at a spectacular level when he was in the NHL. He's still young, and as Dwayne Roloson and Tim Thomas would tell you, sometimes you don't get your starting role as a goaltender until you're in your late 20's. There's still plenty of time for Montoya to become a true #1 for any team, be it the Islanders or any other. We saw his abilities last year and there's certainly a possibility with DiPietro's injuries and Nabokov's uncertainty. Whatever happens, the Islanders have a very nice problem to have on their hands.

CH: No one really expected Montoya to give the team what he did last season, especially after his professional history to date. However, Snow clearly recognized something in his game and acquired him for a very low price. Now that Montoya is signed on for another year, he has the opportunity to solidify himself as a bona fide NHL goaltender. Even with a three goalie rotation, Montoya should get plenty of opportunity to play, but he'll need to maintain the high level he provided last year to get more playing time. That's exactly the competition the Isles will need to be successful, even though a three goalie rotation is nowhere near ideal. This is a huge year for Montoya to prove that he is a legitimate starter in the lead, and after experiencing a lot of letdowns early in his career, I don't expect him to let this opportunity pass him by.

News: Nabokov Skating at Ice Works

After failing to report after being claimed off of waivers by the Islanders last year and having his contract tolled, Evgeni Nabokov has fulfilled his promise to report to Long Island, and is skating at Islanders Ice Works at the moment in preparation for training camp.

AT: Well, this is going to make training camp a whole lot of fun. We have re-signed Al Montoya who was incredibly impressive down the final stretch last year and put up very impressive numbers behind a subpar defense, an oft-injured Rick DiPietro who seems to be trying once again to put up a full season, and the once great Evgeni Nabokov who is a proven NHL goalie, albeit his stats in the KHL last year were abysmal. All 3 goalies will clearly play it out in camp, and I doubt the Isles run with a 3 man rotation in goal. I would think that depending on who outperforms who in training camp and wins one of the two slots, the lesser man gets traded in a package deal for a defenseman. This is either going to be Montoya or Nabokov, as we know unless a retirement or buyout occurs, DiPietro is going nowhere. While I originally didn't even want Nabokov near the team due to his Kirk Muller-esque attitude towards the Isles, I think if he can show he's returned to form and can put up a 50+ game season, he is the goalie the Isles should roll with.

I really do believe that if Nabokov can return to prior form and Montoya (and possibly Comeau) is shipped off in a package deal for a legitimate top 4 D-man, the Isles will compete for the 5th or 6th spot in the standings all year long, and really do some damage in the playoffs. I have high hopes for this team this year. Let's hope this is the start of everyone else feeling the same way too. Of course, we have to see how Nabby performs, but this is already getting me excited for the season. Drop the puck already!

Nabokov, in another indication of his dedication to the team, actually ordered his own personalized Islanders helmet. I for one think it looks pretty awesome, and is much better than him going with a generic blue or white mask like you would expect from someone without any true dedication to the team.

CH: Awesome. A good day of news all around for the Isles, to be honest. Nabokov will come right in and compete for the starting spot - and probably should win it. He is by far the best and most experienced goalie on the roster, and the team should respond in front of him. A tandem of Nabokov and Montoya should be the ideal situation as of now, even if DiPietro puts a solid camp together. Either way, I'm happy the team is giving Nabokov a clean slate. Who cares what happened last year? It's about this year now, and if the team has true playoff aspirations, Nabokov should be the guy barring a complete bomb of a camp. Regardless, this is the most interesting storyline in camp, and it's certainly worth keeping an eye on.