In less than 72 hours, general manager Garth Snow, team owner Charles Wang and a few members of the New York Islanders hockey brass will all step up to the stage at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh with hopes of adding another significant piece to its self-proclaimed “rebuilding” plan.
Selecting among the draft’s top five selections for a fourth time in the last five years – back in 2008, the Islanders held the fifth overall selection, but traded back twice and selected Windsor (OHL) center Josh Bailey with the ninth overall pick – the Islanders will have its opportunity to strengthen a glaring need on the blue line, as upwards of six defensemen are expected to be selected within the draft’s top-10 overall picks.
The Islanders could also use their pick to fortify an offense that finished 28th overall in the league in goals scored, netting a paltry 196 goals in 82 games – a 2.39 GPG average.
Therefore, here are a few options that I can foresee being viable when the New York Islanders – selecting fourth at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft – are on the clock. To read more of this story, click here
Each week until the entry draft in June, Point Blank will be reporting on the top prospects in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. This week’s profile is forward Filip Forsberg, whom TSN’s Craig Button pegged for the Islanders in his mock draft. You can keep a watch on our profiles via the “2012 Draft” tab at the top of the page and check out profiles of Islanders’ young guns filed under the “NYI Prospects” tab.
As the National Hockey League said farewell to another Swedish import – Nicklas Lidstrom – after 20 glorious seasons patrolling the blue line in Motown, the proverbial torch – draped in blue and yellow – has already been passed to a collection of Swedes, both young and old, who have and will continue to stamp their mark amongst the world’s elite.
Thirty-year-old Henrik Lundqvist has conquered Broadway and is the odds-on favorite to win the Vezina Trophy. Erik Karlsson, 22, has capitalized on his fame in Ottawa and is a finalist for the Norris Trophy. While twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin, 31, have built the Vancouver Canucks into a Western Conference power – year-in and year-out – for the past 11 seasons.
Nevertheless, the league has grown leaps and bounds since the Quebec Nordiques selected Bromma-born forward Mats Sundin first overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.
Last season, Colorado Avalanche draftee Gabriel Landeskog – selected second overall to Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – was one of six Swedish born players picked in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Now, less than four days before a new crop of teenage hopefuls – from all across the world – embark on their hockey dreams, it is a 17-year-old power forward that has the Steel City buzzing. Born in Ostervala, Sweden, Filip Forsberg has gone from a precocious man of mystery to one whose confidence wowed all 30 NHL organizations at the recent NHL Scouting Combine in Toronto. To read more of this story, click here
Each week until the entry draft in June, Point Blank will be reporting on the top prospects in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. This week’s profile is forward Danlil Zharkov. You can keep a watch on our profiles via the “2012 Draft” tab at the top of the page and check out profiles of Islanders’ young guns filed under the “NYI Prospects” tab.
Alike many of his Russian predecessors, Belleville (OHL) forward Danlil Zharkov had always dreamed of competing in the National Hockey League one day. Therefore, after spending time playing with both Yaroslavl Locomotivs and then Serebryanie Lvi St. Petersburg in his native Russia, a then 16-year-old Zharkov decided that he was ready to venture half-way across the world and follow that dream to North America to play for the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League.
Now, less than two years after stepping foot in a foreign land as well as adjusting to an unfamiliar language, Zharkov has a grasp of the English language and sits patiently awaiting his fate just days before his ultimate dream becomes a reality.
“It was a dream – in my childhood – to come play in the NHL one day,” said the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Zharkov, who was born in St. Petersburg. “Everything is quicker and faster here, and the smaller ice is better for my game.” To read more of this story, click here
Each week until the entry draft in June, Point Blank will be reporting on the top prospects in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. This week’s profile is forward Colton Sissons. You can keep a watch on our profiles via the “2012 Draft” tab at the top of the page and check out profiles of Islanders’ young guns filed under the “NYI Prospects” tab.
Entrusted with his team’s captaincy at the start of his second Western Hockey League campaign, Colton Sissons, 18, would quickly grasp the various responsibilities in which Kelowna head coach Ryan Huska and his coaching staff would bestow upon him. Rather than wilting under the spotlight, the North Vancouver-born Sissons would relish his newly-appointed role and thrive both on and off the ice.
“Being named captain – at 18 – really showed me that the coaches truly trusted me in leading the team,” said the 6-foot-1, 190-pound center/right winger, who will turn 19 on November 5. “It’s a big responsibility, but I think that I’ve handled the pressure pretty well.” To read more of this story, click here
Each week until the entry draft in June, Point Blank will be reporting on the top prospects in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. This week’s profile is defender Damon Severson. You can keep a watch on our profiles via the “2012 Draft” tab at the top of the page and check out profiles of Islanders’ young guns filed under the “NYI Prospects” tab.
Kelowna head coach Ryan Huska never doubted that defenseman Damon Severson had the potential to be a future NHL defenseman. Yet, after watching the then 16-year-old Severson complete his first full Western Hockey League season – back in 2010-2011 – Huska knew that the Melville, Saskatchewan-born blue-liner had to play with more consistency to take his game to the next level. One year later, Huska’s take on his now 6-foot-2, 198-pound rear guarder has changed dramatically, believing that his off-season dedication has elevated his skill-set into a sure-fire, top-four NHL defenseman.
“Last year – at age 16 – Damon would play sparingly as a top-4 defenseman, but he was mostly our 5th or 6th defenseman,” said Huska, who just completed his fifth season as head coach at Kelowna. The 36-year-old Huska, who won three consecutive Memorial Cup Championships – 1992-95 – as a center for the Kamloops (WHL) Blazers , would add a fourth Memorial Cup in 2004 – as an assistant coach – for Kelowna. “This year, he developed into a more confident player. He got much stronger over the summer.
“For him, consistency was the key.”
Competing night-in and night out against a bevy of top WHL defensive prospects, including Everett’s Ryan Murray, Red Deer’s Matthew Dumba, Moose Jaw’s Morgan Rielly, Edmonton’s Griffin Reinhart and Portland Derrick Pouliot – all 2012 draft eligibles – Severson more than made his case for being mentioned amongst the league’s elite blue liners. To read more of this story, click here
After spending months of extensive research, by watching countless hours of game tape and interviewing potential draft prospects along with their respective junior hockey league coaches, it is my pleasure – here on Islanders Point Blank – to file the first annual IPB’s 2012 NHL Mock Draft.
The 2012 NHL Entry Draft – the 50th edition – will be held on June 22-23, emanating from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
1. Edmonton – Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL) – The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Yakupov has been the consensus top overall choice since the first draft rankings were announced back in September. Nine months later, no other draft-eligible prospect has made the 18-year-old winger even break a sweat. By winning the draft lottery for a third straight season, becoming the first team since the 1989-91 Quebec Nordiques to select first overall three consecutive years, the Oilers hold all the cards. Yet, despite the fact that its most glaring need is on the blue line, Yakupov’s overall skill-set might just be too much to bypass. Accepting feeds from 2011 first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will give older Oilers fans the opportunity to relive their youth, as they envision Mark Messier feeding Wayne Gretzky back when the team won four Stanley Cups in five seasons.
2. Columbus – Filip Forsberg, LW, Leksands IF (SWE) – Is this the day that the Blue Jackets finally send seven-time, 30-goal scorer Rick Nash packing? If so, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Forsberg would fill a glaring need. Drawing comparisons to Anaheim’s Corey Perry, the 17-year-old Forsberg would be a tremendous complement to 2010 first round selection Ryan Johansen. Yet, despite the fact that his stock has grown since arriving last week at the NHL Scouting Combine in Toronto, all indications are that he will return to his junior team in Sweden for the 2012-13 campaign.
3. Montreal – Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL) – Despite only dressing for two regular season games this past season – after suffering a torn ACL – the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Galchenyuk returned to the Sting postseason line-up without missing a beat. The Wisconsin-born, Belarusian-raised center has fully recovered from his injury. He took part in all the physical tests at the NHL Scouting Combine. Scouts marvel at his playmaking abilities, believing that it was he who elevated line-mate Yakupov’s overall play at Sarnia. Canadiens fans should be excited at the prospects of 18-year-old Galchenyuk and 23-year-old winger Max Pacioretty playing off one another, in hopes of of reviving an offense that ranked 20th in the league in goals scored.
4. ISLANDERS – To read more of this story, click here
Each week until the entry draft in June, Point Blank will be reporting on the top prospects in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. This week’s profile is defender Adam Pelech. You can keep a watch on our profiles via the “2012 Draft” tab at the top of the page and check out profiles of Islanders’ young guns filed under the “NYI Prospects” tab. We’re also working on a mock draft, which will be published next week.
As the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils embark on Game 2 of the NHL Finals on Saturday evening at the Rock, all eyes will remain focused on the series’ main characters -forward Dustin Brown and goaltender Jonathon Quick of the Kings, along with forward Ilya Kovalchuk and goaltender Martin Brodeur of the Devils.
Yet, a good reason why the Kings – the Western Conference’s eighth seed – and the Devils – the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed – each advanced on to the Stanley Cup has plenty to do with its supporting characters – players whose names barely hit the game’s scoring sheet, yet their presence can’t be overlooked.
Six-foot-three, 231-pound defenseman Matt Greene of the Kings and 6-foot-1, 225-pound defenseman Anton Volchenkov of the Devils have combined for six points – two goals and four assists – in 34 total playoff games. Still, their play during the postseason has been unflappable. Each has cleared would-be stragglers from stationing their bodies in front of their respectable net-minders, enabling both Quick and Brodeur the necessary sight lines to blocker away shots from the point.
Erie’s (OHL) Adam Pelech, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound stay-at-home defenseman, hopes to follow in both Greene’s and Volchenkov’s footsteps, and in the process pave his own mark onto the NHL scene. The Toronto-born Pelech, who turns 18 in mid-August, is just three short weeks away from realizing that professional dream, when his name, along with 210 others will be called at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh. To read more of this story, click here
Each week until the entry draft in June, Point Blank will be reporting on the top prospects in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. This week’s profile is defender Slater Koekkoek, ranked as the 23rd best North American skater in the final CSS rankings. You can keep a watch on our profiles via the “2012 Draft” tab at the top of the page and check out profiles of Islanders’ young guns filed under the “NYI Prospects” tab. We’re also working on a mock draft, which will be published next week.
On Monday evening, 105 draft hopefuls converged on Toronto to participate in the annual National Hockey League Scouting Combine. Thirty-two defensemen were seeking to make that lasting impression on the bevy of scouts, representing all 30 NHL organizations. Peterborough’s (OHL) Slater Koekkoek, once looked at as a potential top-10 overall selection in this June’s Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, was simply hoping to show the many team representatives – including medical staffs – that he is physically ready to perform.
Back in late November, Koekkoek – the 6-foot-3, 200-pound blue-liner from Mountain (population 11,225), Ontario – suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a regular-season game in Windsor. The injury caused him to miss his team’s final 40 regular games, and left his draft standing in question.
“I had surgery on my left shoulder back in January,” said Koekkoek, while rehabbing back in February. “Hopefully, not playing won’t have an effect on when I get selected.”
Despite the inactivity, which limited Koekkoek’s point-scoring total to 18 – five goals and 13 assists – in just 26 OHL games, TSN’s Craig Button has still pegged the potential top-pairing defenseman as a fringe first-round selection, ranking him as his 33rd overall prospect in June’s NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh. To read more of this story, click here
In less than a month’s time, Islanders general manager Garth Snow and his draft-day decision-making will once again be held under the NHL microscope. Five years removed from a first-round ouster at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, Snow and his hockey brass will look to add an additional piece to the team’s “rebuilding” core, when the Islanders and its 29 counterparts take aim at Pittsburgh’s Consol Energy Center on June 22 -23 for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Snow or my personal choice – David Volek – will make a selection that not only the organization, but most importantly the Islanders’ loyal fan-base can look at as a key turning point to its recent struggles. Nineteen years ago, Volek netted a Game 7 overtime-winner in the Division Finals – at the recently-demolished Igloo – that would halt the Penguins’ two-year Stanley Cup reign. His presence might not only give the organization some badly-needed luck, but also would tweak a bitter foe in front of its faithful fan base.
Possessing the fourth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft will also present the organization some interesting alternatives on which they can vastly improve their present-day hockey club.
Here are some viable options that I have compiled, in which the structure of the current-day and future Islanders could be transformed significantly.
Islanders select the Best Player Available at #4 – To read more of this story, click here
Each week until the entry draft in June, Point Blank will be reporting on the top prospects in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. This week’s profile is defender Dalton Thrower, ranked as the 26th best North American skater in the final CSS rankings. You can keep a watch on our profiles via the “2012 Draft” tab at the top of the page and check out profiles of Islanders’ young guns filed under the “NYI Prospects” tab. We’re also working on a mock draft, which will be published in early June.
Many hockey insiders marvel at the talents of Red Deer defenseman Matthew Dumba. However, others question whether Dumba – at six-foot, 185 pounds – could withstand the pounding of a rigorous 82-game NHL schedule, playing as frenetically as he has over the past two-plus seasons in the Western Hockey League.
Saskatoon (WHL) defenseman Dalton Thrower finds himself in a similar boat as Dumba, yet not with the same fan-fare. Still, the six-foot, 190-pound Thrower’s play is synonymous with his name. The North Vancouver, British Columbia-native enjoys throwing his body around, engaging physically in a manner that set many-a-tone for his Blades over the past three seasons.
“I grew up a Canucks fan, watching (current Florida Panther and former Canucks defenseman) Jovo (Ed Jovanovski) play,” said the 18-year-old Thrower. “Right now, I love watching (current Canucks defenseman) Kevin Bieksa play. To read more of this story, click here
