Even with the number one pick this upcoming draft, the New York Islanders have several needs that will have to be addressed before this team can even be considered a playoff contender. One being a competent backup goaltender to support Rick DiPietro if his injury problems continue to be a detriment to the team [the guy reminds me of Samuel L Jackson's character in “Unbreakable†more and more every season] and the other being another talented offensive player. Over the past few weeks, I’ve also had a few discussions with other people, who feel the Islanders could also use another energy guy.
The only question is, what does the team do? Do they continue to develop the talent they have and hope that those needs get filled, or do they get proactive and ensure those dire needs? I personally feel that aside from a backup goaltender, the Islanders may sign a veteran leader or two to fight for a spot in training camp, but aside from that, they’re done.
That is unless they are willing to part ways with a few of their underachieving youngsters. However, I don’t expect Snow to pull a Mike Milbury here and trade any young player before he has a good enough idea of what they are truly capable of. No more Todd Bertuzzi or Bryan McCabe jobs here anymore.
Despite that, I figured it would be interesting to see who is available right now.
I know this list is far from complete, but here are some of the forwards who will be UFA’s this offseason:
Marian Gaborik, Mark Recchi, Martin Havlat, Keith Tkachuk, Mike Knuble, Maxim Afinogenov, Ian Laperriere, Nik Antropov, Brian Gionta, Steven Reinprecht, Bobby Holik, Alex Tanguay, John Madden, Mike Comrie, Mike Cammalleri, Eric Cole, the Sedin twins, Taylor Pyatt.
Thoughts:
Aside from Gaborik, Havlat, Cammalleri and the Sedin Twins, I don’t know if I’d take a chance on anyone here. Recchi and Tkachuk may get interest from the Isles, especially because they are leaders. Laperriere may be an interesting choice too and would be fun to watch with guys like Richard Park and Blake Comeau. However, like I mentioned before, for any of these moves to happen, the Islanders will have to trade some of the youngsters to make room. Do you do that in a rebuilding plan? Especially considering most of these guys don’t look to be the type of players who would want to stay here long term?
Defensemen:
Johnny Oduya, Niclas Havelid, Jay Bouwmeester, Adrian Aucoin, Francois Beauchemin, Mattias Ohlund, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Michael Komisarek.
Thoughts: The Islanders defense isn’t in horrible shape, but I personally would like to see Oduya get a shot. Bergeron learned how to play defense in Minnesota and isn’t the same player he was a few seasons ago with the Isles. Adrian Aucoin is still a god if you ask me.
Goaltenders:
Manny Fernandez, Nikolai Khabibulin, Antero Niittymaki, Martin Biron, Scott Clemmensen, Jason Labarbera.
Thoughts:
Take Clemmensen and be done with it. The guy proved this season he could handle the pressure. He’s in his prime and will be ready if DP gets hurt. A no-brainer if ya ask me. However, Niittymaki may be an interesting option as well.
Posted under Offseason 2009
This post was written by Patrick Hickey, Jr. on May 26, 2009
Why Clemmensen? All he has proved is that he can hold the fort with an excellent team in front of him. I think the Isles need better than Clemmensen, they need better thana backup- they need a competent goaltender to tandem with DiPietro because even under the best of circumstances the guy has not played more than a handful of games in a hear and a half! Not that I think he will leave Detroit (I WISH) but I think they need more of a Conklin than a Clemmensen. Add in a winger and thats probably the lot of it as far as FA goes.
I won’t be surprised if the Islanders go with what they’ve got. The fans didn’t rebel with a last place finish in 2008-2009, so how high can expectations be this season? Rebuilding is a handy excuse to lose.