Speculation: Islanders Targeting A Defenseman?

Bloggers Note: Alex is having issues with his cable and Internet after Hurricane Irene, but will be back as soon as it is rectified. On behalf of him, we hope everyone got through the weekend safely and securely. Thanks.

Recently, we have heard four instances of speculation that the Islanders may be involved in targeting a defenseman this week. The team continues to look for a player that can solidify the top-4 and can play while guys like Calvin de Haan and Matt Donovan continue to develop in Bridgeport. The team currently has seven defensemen signed: Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Travis Hamonic, Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina, Ty Wishart, and Mike Mottau.

The first wave of speculation came from Chris Botta's Islanders Point Blank last week, where he claimed that an unnamed veteran defenseman declined an invite to training camp from the team...for now. It's widely believed this defenseman is former Islander captain Bryan McCabe. McCabe, 36, spent last season with the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers, playing 67 games and accumulating 28 points with a +2 rating.

McCabe, who has always been an offensive defenseman, is nowhere near an ideal option. In fact, if the rumor is true, it's because the Islanders want McCabe to earn a spot on the team by outplaying Ty Wishart and Mike Mottau as opposed to just giving him one. Regardless, he is not the improvement the team needs, but is still valuable enough NHL depth that the team can manage. Unfortunately, a McCabe/Streit powerplay combination does not work as both players shoot left-handed, so you would really be acquiring him to play with Travis Hamonic on the second unit. On the whole, McCabe really would fit in through his leadership. He is a long time veteran of the league, has respect for the Islanders organization, and could help refine the offensive games of Andrew MacDonald and Travis Hamonic. But is that enough to give him a shot to earn a spot? Sure, if you acquire a true top-4 defenseman. But on his own, it would be a marginal improvement at best.

Another name that has recently come up is former Islander Adrian Aucoin. While he has not come up in any legitimate rumor, there has been message board speculation regarding his trade availability. Aucoin is now 38 years old. While he has played 157 games over the past two season with Phoenix, it's important to remember that he is aging. He would be a fine stopgap for the Isles, but not at the expense of anything with value. The names we have been hearing as trade bait - Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau - are not worth Aucoin at this point. But for a mid-round pick or mid-level prospect, should the Islanders pull the trigger on a player like him? He has the same experience level and respect for the Islanders as McCabe. So in a situation like that, absolutely.

On Saturday, an article in the Edmonton Journal came out where the agent of Steve Staios, Pat Morris, mentions the Islanders as a potential suitor for the 38-year old defenseman. Like Aucoin, Staios can still play and could be a decent option for the Isles, even though he does not have the ties that Aucoin does. The main issue with Staios is his durability - he's only played 97 games over the past two seasons with the Oilers and the Flames. Which begs the question: if the Islanders wanted an oft-injured aging defenseman, why not keep Radek Martinek? Staios is a decent option, but his inability to stay healthy at this point in his career is a major negative.

Finally, a rumor has come out through the Ottawa Citizen that the Senators may try to unload 34-year old Filip Kuba, due $3.7 next season, on the Islanders. Kuba, who had 16 points in 64 games but finished with a deplorable -26 rating, is well past his prime. With the aforementioned options, the Islanders should not be desperate enough to have to take a flyer on Kuba at this point. At this point, he is a bottom pairing defenseman and would most likely be less of an improvement than McCabe.

It will certainly be interesting if Garth Snow decides to pull the trigger on a deal or signing for a defenseman, regardless of if it is one of the above guys or not. Quite frankly, it is imperative for the Isles to solidify their defense corps, even if it is a bottom pairing guy. The last thing the team needs is to play Mark Katic and Dylan Reese for an extended period of time. So far this off-season, the Islanders have let go of Jack Hillen and Radek Martinek without getting anything in return. With two weeks until training camp, time is running short to complete a deal. But one has to be on the way, or else the Isles' defense heads into the season with a lot of question marks.

Season Preview: Anton Klementyev

Anton Klementyev

Position: D
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 203 lbs
Birthdate: March 25th, 1990 (21 years old)
Birthplace: Togliatti, Russia
Acquired: Draft, 5th round, 122th overall, 2009 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats (Bridgeport): 51 GP - 2 G - 7 A - 9 P - 28 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 4 Defenseman

Last year: Klementyev had a quiet, but solid second season in the AHL, finishing with 9 points playing on a depleted Bridgeport corps. The 2009 draft pick did play one game for the Islanders in 2009-10, but was used only as a emergency injury replacement. Last year, he did not get the same opportunity, but was able to refine some of his game with the Sound Tigers. He finished the year on the injured list, and at last check was still rehabilitating his ankle over the summer, but is said to be ready to go for training camp.

Expectations: Like players like Justin DiBenedetto and Tony Romano, Klementyev is heading into the last year of his entry-level contract, which makes this year of extreme importance to him. The influx to defensemen coming into the Islanders pro system is huge, and Klementyev is going to have to distinguish himself to retain a spot in the organization next year. A very young veteran at 21, Klementyev is going to have to hold down a spot in the top-6 this year playing with AHL rookies like Matt Donovan and Aaron Ness. It's not out of the realm of possibility that he does this, as he plays a good stay-at-home, physical game, which is an element the Islanders organization certainly lacks.

Projections: 61 GP - 3 G - 8 A - 11 P

Thoughts:

CH: Klementyev is going to have to give a strong season to the Sound Tigers, as they are a team that is very young on the blueline this season. As a Sound Tiger veteran at 21, he is in a situation he may not exactly be ready for. While not an ideal situation, Klementyev has the potential to show that he is ready to take the next step by leading with guys like Calvin de Haan and Matt Donovan pushing to claim his spot. What we do now is that Klementyev provides some stability on the defense that the Sound Tigers will need to make a playoff push, because going with all rookies - even skilled ones - is not going to cut it.

AT: With Klementyev, Ness, Donovan and CDH helming the top 4 in Bridgeport most likely, this is looking like a really strong year for the Sound Tigers (as I've mentioned 1000 times before). It's pretty crazy how well Garth Snow has restocked the cabinet in terms of defensive prospects, where at one point in 2005 we had very few legitimate D-men in the system, now it looks like we have 4 who are maybe a year away from the NHL. It will be exciting to see how the D plays, especially if Kevin Poulin remains healthy all season. Defense wins games, and with this kind of d corps, it's hard not to see a major playoff push ensuing soon. Klementyev is a bigger, stronger d-man that every system needs, and seeing what he does this season will be of extreme importance in determining where he lies in organizational depth.

Season Preview: Justin DiBenedetto

Justin DiBenedetto

Position: C/W
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 174 lbs

Birthdate: August 25th, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Acquired: Draft, 6th round, 175th overall, 2008 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers, New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats (Bridgeport): 51 GP - 19 G - 11 A - 30 P - 45 PIM
2010-2011 Stats (Islanders): 8 GP - 0 G - 1 A - 2 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 6 Forward

Last year: Dibo had a nice year after a rather disappointing first year in Bridgeport. 19 goals in 51 games is not something you wouldn't bat an eye at, and was impressive for the still young 2008 draftee out of the Sarnia Sting (OHL). He helped make Steven Stamkos as good as he was with the Sting, so paired with the proper teammates, he prospered. Dibo's skill with the puck was definitely improving and his talent has definitely been blooming, and last year proved that. In his time on the Island on a 4th line role, Dibo showed some flashes of his talent, although his ability to be a best definitely came out as well. For such a small player, he certainly has the ability to agitate the other team.

Expectations: This year is going to be a big one for Dibo, as he enters into the final year of his ELC. While as long as he keeps up the pace he's on he should be qualified, this is the year where he should be able to prove that he's more than AHL fodder, and put up a decent, 50+ point season. With his skill and abilities, reaching this level shouldn't be completely unreasonable, especially after receiving an idea of what NHL play is for a few games last season. With a much improved team and with Dibo being renowned for being a better player when provided with chemistry, it should be interesting to see where things end up.

Projections: 60 GP - 25 G - 27 A - 52 P

Thoughts:

AT: Dibo was an older player for the '08 draft, but what we've seen in terms of skill shows he was certainly worthy of a pick, and getting him in the 6th round could end up being a skill if his production is proportionate to his draft location. Dibo will certainly get more opportunities with the big club in the future and should further be able to identify the areas of his game that are lacking, most notably his defensive ability and willingness to "get back" after a turnover. Dibo will be a staple in the heavily upgraded BPT offense and will most certainly contribute. A big happy birthday to the kid as well, who turned 23 today.

CH: No question DiBenedetto has proven that he was a solid pick as a sixth-round selection. He is a tenacious forward who has pretty decent skill, as he played on a line with Steven Stamkos and Islander teammate Matt Martin in juniors and put up great numbers. That has not translated in his first two years at Bridgeport, but he is poised to really take charge in the final year of his ELC. DiBenedetto showed his versatility by playing an agitating fourth-line role in the NHL last season, showing that he is a viable call-up option if the Isles suffer a slew of injuries. The Sound Tigers need DiBo to contribute as he is a key cog to the success of the team. DiBo needs to prove that he should be qualified after the year, so his progress this year is certainly worth watching.

Article: Islanders Not Looking To Add Vet Forward

Quick Stick-tap to our friends at Islandermania for this:

The New York Post reports Garth Snow and the Islanders will not be looking to add another veteran forward after the Brian Rolston trade. Speculation started because former Islanders Alexei Yashin and Miroslav Satan have recently been skating at Iceworks. 

"Right now, I don't have any plans to add another forward to our group," Snow told The Post. "As much as we'd like to add quality veterans, we're not going to box out our young guys."

Snow also stated they want to give young players such as Nino Niederreiter a chance to make the team out of training camp.

CH: There was a lot of speculation a few weeks back the Islanders were planning on bringing back former captain Alexei Yashin. Lately, it's somewhat died down a little but the fact that Josh Bailey has not been re-signed yet has been curious to some who think the two are related (I don't believe they are). When news broke that Miro Satan was skating at Iceworks, the speculation returned, which is why I assume Snow gave this interview. The fact is that neither of these guys are coming back barring a slew of injuries, and even in that case it would somewhat surprise me to see them back. Both players are slow, getting up there in age, and though a guy like Yashin may still be able to put points on the board, the other aspects of his game are lacking.

The key to this article was that Snow specifically stated he wasn't looking to add any forwards, but said nothing about trying to add a defenseman. It's common knowledge that the Islanders need a top-4 defenseman, and the inability to do so could classify this off-season as a failure. While we are still in wait-and-see mode, time is starting to run short. If Snow is determined to get a defenseman, he could still make it happen before training camp, most likely in early September. But as far as the news of the forward core being mostly set, well, that's certainly nothing else but expected.

Season Preview: Tyler McNeely

Tyler McNeely


Position: LW
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165 lbs
Birthdate: April 8th, 1987 (24 years old)
Birthplace: Burnaby, British Columbia
Acquired: Signed Free Agent
Drafted: N/A

2010-2011 Team: Northeastern University, Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats: 38 GP - 13 G - 21 A - 34 P - 52 PIM, 10 GP - 5 G - 6 A - 11 P - 4 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 9 forward

Last year: Tyler McNeely had a whirlwind year last year. He was the captain of the Greg Cronin lead Northeastern collegiate team to start the year, totaling a very solid 34 points in 38 games including 13 goals. He followed that up by signing an AHL only contract with Bridgeport, where he played the Sound Tigers' final 10 games of the season, averaging over a point-per-game getting top minutes with a depleted lineup and linemates such as Jeremy Colliton and Rhett Rakhshani. McNeely, who finished with a +9 rating in Bridgeport, fit right in and was said to bring outstanding chemistry to that line.

Expectations: The Islanders rewarded McNeely by signing him to a two-way NHL/AHL contract after the season ended, which they were right to do. There was little doubt McNeely was going to get NHL two-way offers with the way he finished the season out in Bridgeport, so the Isles got a head start and got a deal done quickly. McNeely now has the opportunity to show that he is professional level material, as he will most likely continue to be on a like with Colliton and Rakhshani. If not, the Sound Tigers have very capable centers in David Ullstrom, Casey Cizikas, and Tony Romano, so there are options for McNeely to produce. With the Sound Tigers lineup getting younger and more full with Islander draft picks, McNeely has a chance to be one to stand out and show that it isn't just about the draft.

Projections: 64 GP - 16 G - 23 A - 39 P

Thoughts: 

CH: McNeely is one of those under-the-radar guys that no one hears about until they start producing at the AHL level. There is certainly a lot of potential there - he is a hard worker who was a leader on his Northeastern team in college. He scored at a very productive rate last year and I'm sure is looking to prove that he belongs. It should be very exciting to see how he develops this year as he will certainly get an opportunity on a Bridgeport team that is still somewhat bereft of top-end AHL talent. The wings are a little crowded with Rhett Rakhshani, Justin DiBenedetto, Tim Wallace, Sean Backman, and potentially Micheal Haley, but if McNeely plays in camp the way he did last year there is no doubt he will get an opportunity. It's a big year for Tyler, and a good one will certainly be a catalyst for the beginning of a solid professional career.

AT: McNeely is still somewhat young and has time to produce in Bridgeport. If what we saw last year is any indication, he is ready for the professional leagues and can and will produce when placed on a line that accentuates his skillset. He came out of nowhere after Bridgeport was severely depleted from callups and injuries last year, so it's great to see he's taking advantage of this unique opportunity provided to him. I expect to see an offensive outburst from him this year on a line with Ullstrom or Cizikas. 

Season Preview: Tony Romano

Tony Romano

Position: C/W
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185 lbs
Birthdate: January 5th, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: Smithtown, New York
Acquired: Trade with NJD for Ben Walter, 2009
Drafted: 2006 NHL Entry Draft, 6th round, 178th overall, New Jersey Devils

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats: 67 GP - 7 G - 12 A - 19 P - 56 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Top 9 forward

Last year: On last year's abysmal Sound Tigers team, Romano put up a respectable 19 points as a lower level forward playing with sub-par linemates. Romano was playing the role of smaller, quicker center who would set up his 2nd/3rd line teammates, but when playing with such low skill level players, it's difficult to achieve that. Regardless, Romano's hockey instincts are fantastic and that allowed him to have a productive role for BPT, which will continue on into next season.

Expectations: Romano needs to improve his defensive capabilities, but should find himself on a wing role with Jeremy Colliton or David Ullstrom on the 2nd and 3rd lines. With his quickness, playing with a definite talent in Ullstrom or an AHL vet in Colliton could end up leaving Romano with 30-40 points this coming year, if not more. As we saw with Michael Grabner, if a player is fast, the potential is certainly there. Expect Romano to find himself on a top 9 role being fed by one of those centers (assuming Cizikas gets the first line slot), putting up decent points this year if so. With a vastly improved BPT team, his time to prove himself is now. It'd be nice to have a Long Island native on a full time role with Bridgeport, or possibly even on a 4th line role on the Islanders in the future.

Projections: 68 GP - 20 G - 15 A - 35 A

Thoughts: 

AT: Romano definitely needs to take advantage of his speed and skills this year in order to make an impact and stay in the organization long term. While his stats last year considering the team and his position weren't completely awful, he definitely needs to step it up, especially with a solid center on his line. It's doubtful he'll see any center time as Colliton, Cizikas, Ullstrom and Marcinko will most likely fill out those roles. This is going to be a big year for the St. Anthony's grad, and I hope he adjusts and works accordingly.

CH: This will likely be Romano's last season in the Isles organization unless he puts up our projected numbers in the AHL. Romano, who was acquired in a trade from New Jersey, has been a modest member of the Sound Tigers for a few years but has not shown much glimpse of an NHL future. This year, there is more competition at center, so he will certainly have to compete and show that he is worthy of playing time. It's a good way to differentiate the players who are worth it against those who should be let go. Last year, we saw a similar scenario shake out with Rob Schremp at the NHL level. He did not play well and was let go midway through the season. Now, Romano has his chance to prove that he deserves time over other players at the AHL level. Let's see what he can do, one last time.

Speculation: Third Jersey Concepts Revealed

Icethetics has revealed the presumed concept of the new third jerseys for the Islanders, and it's not pretty.

The jersey is black with the name "Islanders" across the middle in Mets-type coloring. There is gray shoulder piping with the Islanders regular logo on the shoulders. Down the sides are blue, orange, and gray vertical stripes, with a blue sleeve starting around the forearm. There's no word on what the lettering and the back will look like (but if it's anything like the prototype, it's going to be worse).

CH: I'm not even going to focus on the jersey here. We all know it is horrendous (save me with the "it's not that bad." Trust me, it is). It's debatable if it is worse than the infamous Fisherman jerseys, but I actually consider those to be better - at least they were trying. What we have here seems like a clear attempt to do everything you possibly can on a jersey, which becomes overload.

But that's besides the point. I'm angry because this jersey shows the Islanders clear inattentiveness to the fans. No more than a month ago, the Islanders on their Twitter and Facebook asked fans what they wanted in a third jersey. An overwhelming amount of responses clearly suggested "NO BLACK." So what do they do? They make the jersey black, supposedly. And yes, I realize this is still technically a concept, but the point is the Islanders should not have even tried black when it was so blatantly obvious the fanbase wanted nothing to do with it.

I don't want to complain about this. So instead, I want to offer up a potential solution to this problem. The first, and most obvious, is that if this is the actual third jersey - scrap it, and scrap it now. Secondly, it's clear the Islanders need help in the "fan relations" department. Ever since Chris Dey left, the Islanders marketing and public relations on a non-hockey basis has been miserable. Maybe it stems from the owner, maybe not. But everyone needs to be held accountable. What the Islanders need to do is add a position in their marketing department that talks directly to ticket holders, game attendees, event attendees, and anyone who supports the Islanders organization. They need a liaison to be there when things get bad to avoid answers of complaints such as the infamous "well, the future is bright!" That may be so, but that has nothing to do with the topic.

This situation still can be avoided. Nothing is official yet, and for all we know the Islanders may scrap this horrendous idea after seeing the outcry from members of the media like Pro Hockey Talk and Puck Daddy. They can make it right. But my point stands. The Islanders need to start listening to the fans for off-ice issues. They need to stop alienating the fans by giving them something that is the complete opposite of what they want. And they need to stop ignoring the fans thinking they don't need anything from them, when in reality the fans are what drives the Islanders organization. Without the fans, the Coliseum would be empty, and there would be nothing but tumbleweed rolling through the asphalt parking lot on Hempstead Turnpike. Time for the Islanders to wake up and listen to their customers.

AT: I disagree with Carey that the Islanders need a new PR person, on the basis that I have hope for humanity. What does that mean? It means I don't believe anyone working on any level for the Islanders could not see the relentless backlash that was shown for a black jersey already. There is no way somebody could be that oblivious to the feedback so far. The Islanders even posted a Facebook status asking for opinions and almost every other comment basically said "JUST NO BLACK". So, what does Terry Goldstein and crew do? Make a black jersey. That's not incompetence. To me, that screams that the organization did this purposely even though they knew nobody wanted it. But why? For what purpose? This is a fanbase that is basically hanging on by a thread after 4 losing seasons, a failed arena referendum and basically being the joke of the league for the past 5 years or so. Why would you want to do ANYTHING that would possibly set off the fanbase?

We were already a sinking ship. Now, for a few Saturdays in the season, we're gonna be an ugly one.

Season Preview: Tomas Marcinko

Tomas Marcinko

Position: C
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 201 lbs
Birthdate: April 11, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: Poprad, Slovakia
Acquired: Draft, 4th round, 115th overall, 2006 NHL Entry Draft
Contract Status: 1 year, 2-way: $605K/$62.5K

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2010-2011 Stats: 66 GP - 4 G - 7 A - 11 P - 56 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Fourth Line Center

Last year: Marcinko finished his third and final year of his entry level contract by having a solid AHL season on Bridgeport's fourth line, scoring 11 points in 66 games. The depth player may not have had developed as well as the Isles would have liked as a fourth round pick, but Marcinko has proven to be a solid presence on the Sound Tiger bottom line. Marcinko is big and a good skater, but focuses more on the defensive side of the game. Playing with mostly ECHL call-ups as Bridgeport struggled in the standings last season.

Expectations: This year, it could be more of the same for Marcinko and the Sound Tigers. In somewhat of a surprise move, Marcinko was qualified for next season, in which he will most likely regain his spot on the Sound Tiger fourth line. With centers David Ullstrom, Casey Cizikas, and Trevor Frischmon, Bridgeport is not very strong down the middle. It's important that Marcinko have a healthy season and play well defensively so the Tigers do not get stretched even thinner down the middle.

Projections: 71 GP - 6 G - 9 A - 15 P

Thoughts:

CH: It's clear Marcinko has not developed to what the Islanders thought they were getting when they drafted him. That said, he has become a solid depth player for the Sound Tigers, even though his offensive talents are limited at best. If nothing else, he seems to be more of an AHL placeholder at this point as the Islanders wait for prospects such as Anders Lee and Brock Nelson to push other prospects down the depth chart. Long term, the Islanders have the ability to develop a factory of a thriving AHL team, but that hasn't been the case as of yet due to a lack of league veterans who can help bring the kids along. Marcinko is getting to the point where he is becoming an AHL veteran, which hopefully means he will come into his own as a bottom-6 AHL player and one that can contribute in some capacity, be it offensively or defensively.

AT: At 23, I think Marcinko has accepted his role as a depth player in the AHL. Obviously, nobody wants to be a career AHL guy, but players like him are quintessential to having an elite AHL team to provide a winning culture for the younger players on the team, especially incoming players like Casey Cizikas and Calvin De Haan, assuming they don't make the Islanders out of camp. After such an abysmal season in 2011, the Sound Tigers look poised to make a major turnaround. Players like Marcinko, while playing smaller roles, are absolutely invaluable to the team. Just as Marty Reasoner will play his role for the Islanders on the 4th line, Marcinko will play his on Bridgeport. 

Former Islanders: Dave Scatchard, Duane Sutter Updates

A couple of quick updates on some former Islanders:

Dave Scatchard announced his retirement on Twitter earlier this afternoon due to recurring concussion symptoms. 

Scatchard played 11 NHL seasons with the Canucks, Islanders, Bruins, Coyotes, Predators, and the Blues. He scored 128 goals in 659 NHL games, including 81 goals in 347 games with the Islanders.

CH: Very unfortunate that Scatch couldn't end things on his own terms. He was a model citizen while he was here on Long Island, and was a pretty good third line center for some quality Islander teams to boot. Not much else to say other than that Scatchard needs to take care of himself and his family first, and we wish him the best in his retirement.

AT: Easily one of my all time favorite Islanders, at least in my time as a fan since the '01-'02 season. Brought a boatload of leadership with him and was an all around great guy who could put up 40-45 points. Still remember when he wore his FDNY hat onto the ice when the Isles played the Wings for opening night at home right after 9/11. Best of luck to Scatch in his post-playing endeavors. 

In other news, Duane Sutter was named a scout for the Edmonton Oilers, joining GM Steve Tambellini and Player Development Director Mike Sillinger as former Islanders in the Oiler front office.

Season Preview: Kirill Kabanov

Kirill Kabanov

Position: LW
Height: 6'3"

Weight: 185 lbs
Birthdate: July 17th, 1992 (19 years old)
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Acquired: Draft, 3rd round, 65th overall, 2010 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Moncton Wildcats/Lewiston MAINEiacs
2010-2011 Stats: 39 GP - 11 G - 17 A - 28 P - 28 PIM. (Playoffs: 15 GP  - 8 G - 12 A - 20 P)
2011-2012 Team: Montreal Juniors
Team Role: Top 6 Forward

Last year: Kabanov had yet another wild year last year, being shipped off early from Moncton to Lewiston and having trouble finding chemistry with linemates. His skill was always evident, it just wasn't clicking with the rest of the team. However, once Kabanov found his groove, everything started flowing. He ended the year with decent stats and went on an absolute power run in the playoffs with Lewiston. He became a teammate rather than a selfish player and took on a leadership role in the lockerroom. He was also nominated for the QMJHL's Humanitarian of the Year award, showing that while he knows he's made mistakes in the past, he's clearly trying to make up for it and mature as much as possible. After what we saw in the playoffs when provided with a top line role and teammates who work for him, Kabanov's potential is sky high. Clearly Garth Snow realized this as well when he signed Kabanov to his 3 year ELC on July 1st.

Expectations: Unfortunately, the MAINEiacs folded under financial trouble and the team was dissolved. A special draft was held, and Kabanov was selected by the Montreal Junior hockey club. This is the team that Lewiston eliminated last year, so hopefully no hard feelings carry over (this is a team of young teenagers, remember that) and chemistry can form between him and his new linemates. We definitely expect a bigger year stat wise from Kabanov and a top role considering his age and skill. This may be the make or break year for Kabanov in terms of where he's going to be placed in the depth chart and in terms of his longevity with the Islanders. If he puts up solid numbers in the Q this year, he will most definitely find himself a top slot on Bridgeport come 2012-2013.

Projections: 58 GP - 29 G - 25 A - 54 P

Thoughts:

AT: Everyone including myself was ecstatic when Kabanov was picked originally, as we all knew his potential and why he fell so far. Once heralded as "the next Ovechkin", Kabanov's attitude and path in life have troubled him greatly. After meeting him at the draft party this year, I can tell that this kid has changed, and has a desire to continue maturing. He clearly still wants to have fun, but at a reasonable level - as anyone should be able to. Kabanov is definitely on the right path, and what he shows this year when he is inevitably returned to Montreal (no way he makes the team) should and hopefully will prove to the fans and the organization that he is the talent we all knew he was.

CH: This is a huge year for Kabanov's development, as he needs to show the Islanders that they were right to sign him one year before they had to. It's obvious that Kabanov has a ton of skill - he is a great skater, stickhandler and a great shot. He just needs to put everything together in the QMJHL this season. One thing that's always been overstated are his "attitude problems." He's not a bad kid, he is just immature, which is something that can and should be corrected over time. The fact that he is living on Long Island during the summer shows that he does have commitment to this franchise. Yes, he has made some bad social media decisions, but that comes with the immaturity of being a 19 year old kid. Overall, it was great value to pick him in the third round. The Islanders have been trying to put him in positions to succeed, and they gave him more confidence by signing him to a contract. Now, it's all up to Kabanov.