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: Evgeni Nabokov

Evgeni Nabokov

Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 200 lbs
Birthdate: July 25th, 1975 (36 years old)
Birthplace: Kamenogorsk, USSR (Kazakhstan)
Acquired: Claimed off waivers, 2011

2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders (DNP)/St. Petersburg (KHL)
2010-2011 Stats (STP): 22 GP - 8 W - 8 L - 3.02 GAA - .888 SV PCT
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Unknown as of this point, rotating with 3 goalies

Last year: Nabokov, after receiving no offers to his liking in the NHL, decided to play for St. Petersburg of the KHL. However, he performed very on a very subpar level, and soon decided to come back into the NHL. He was signed to a 1 year deal by the Detroit Red Wings, but he needed to go through waivers in first in order to play, leaving him susceptible to being claimed by any team. The Islanders were the lowest ranked team at the moment to put in a claim for him which meant they had priority, and claimed Nabokov off waivers. However, after his agent had stated Nabokov would play for whoever claimed him, Nabokov refused to report to Long Island. His contract was tolled by the Islanders, which leaves him with a year long contract for this year.

Expectations: Nabokov has been training on Long Island and still should have another year left in the tank if not more, so if the Islanders decide to hang on to him we could be in for a treat. Not long ago in the 09-10 season, Nabokov was absolutely lights out in the regular season, and could be again for the Islanders if he's chosen as the starter. We know the capability he has, but after gaining some rust and playing on a lesser level, it's worried some fans that he will not be able to compete on the level he used to be on. The only way to tell at this point is how he plays in the rest of pre-season. The most likely scenario at this point is that he rotates games with Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya.

Projections: 29 GP - 17 W - 12 L - 2.53 GAA - .910 SV PCT

Thoughts:

AT: We know the kind of goalie that Nabokov is, but after a pisspoor season in Russia, a terrible WCs and generally not playing as much as he should've been, you have to wonder how much rust is on Nabokov. If he proves that he can perform at his prior level however, he should be our #1 goalie. There is no question in my mind that he is a bonafide #1 who can lead this team back to the playoffs. If he's healthy and if he's back in form, DiPietro should take a seat. Whether that would actually happen is very questionable, but we may have a route back to the playoffs here. If they're seeking to return this franchise to greatness, that would be the way to do it.

CH: Personally, I am very excited to see Nabokov suit up for the Islanders this year. With the uncertainty surrounding an inconsistent Rick DiPietro and  an unproven Al Montoya, Nabokov has an opportunity to come in and prove that he is the same goaltender that won 40 games a season for the San Jose Sharks in the last decade. Yes, he had a poor season and yes, the relationship with the fans is not terribly strong at this time - but Nabokov may very well prove to be the team's best option in net. The Isles would be best suited to keep him around this season, because they are a more competitive team with three options in net as opposed to two. The goaltending situation is certainly a very interesting one, but at the very least is a good problem to have.

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.

News: Nabokov to request trade in September

The infamous (on Long Island, at least) Evgeni Nabokov's Russian agent has told Dmitry Chesnokov from Yahoo! Sports that he will attempt to have his client traded after training camp after he shows that he can still compete in the NHL. Last season, Nabokov refused to report to the Islanders after he and his agent both claimed he would play for whoever claimed him on waivers, and the Islanders tolled his contract.

AT: Can't say I'm surprised by this, and I don't think anyone else is either. We needed Nabokov last year with our plethora of goaltending problems such as the normal injuries to Rick DiPietro, Kevin Poulin's knee injury, Lawson's dreadful play and Koskinen being wholly unready for the NHL. However, with Montoya looking like a solid starter and DiPietro most likely being ready for camp and the season and giving it another shot (much to the chagrin of the fanbase), Nabokov's services are most likely not needed here. Clearly he does not want to play here and although many including myself wish he would, there is nothing you can do about it. If he doesn't want to play here, get back what you can for him.

While he will not fetch much on the market alone, he could be packaged in a deal for a defenseman, as Garth had been claiming he was attempting to try and trade for since the first day of free agency. This, IMO, is the best situation and one Garth should be looking for. Alone, he's not going to get more than a 5th or 6th round pick at very best considering his poor play in Russia and at the Worlds. It could be interesting to see what happens if DiPietro is not healthy. Perhaps with the notion that he could be the starting goalie for an up and coming team might entice him, although clearly a similar notion did not do much enticing with his decision to not report. Hopefully, Montoya proves as solid as he was last season, and we needn't worry about this.

P.S., apologies for my lack of activity on the blog recently. Went through a major change in college choices due to financial constraints and will now be back 24/7, as well as closer to LI for college.

CH: Ah, the infamous point-counterpoint argument right now. Personally, I think the Islanders should absolutely keep Nabokov this season. He is worth more to the team now than a mid-round draft pick, which I guarantee is all they would be able to get for him. With the uncertainty (to say the least) of Rick DiPietro and the NHL immaturity (in service time) of Al Montoya, the Islanders goaltending situation is a huge question mark - possibly the biggest going into next season. So why would the Islanders trade a former perennial All-Star, one that even if his playoff success is limited has the ability to lead this team through a productive regular season? The last thing the Islanders need is having to force Kevin Poulin, Mikko Koskinen, and Anders Nilsson into roles they cannot fill at this time.

I understand this is not the ideal situation for Evgeni Nabokov, and I understand that he insulted the organization as a whole last season. Move on, and start fresh. The chances that Nabokov can help this team are more than a mid-round pick ever playing a game in the NHL. He has no choice but to play for the Islanders unless he wants to lose another year of his career. If nothing else, he can showcase himself until the trade deadline before being sold to a team who needs goaltending. Or he could be part of a playoff push with the upstart Islanders. All I know is that Nabokov should be on Long Island this year, as he is a cheap, talented option who can provide a stopgap type role before some of the Isles top goaltending prospects are ready.