Tomorrow is the Big Day

As many hockey fans know, tomorrow, July 1st, the Free Agency period opens. Teams get into rushes of giving offers to players, hoping that their offer is accepted.

So what will I do?


You guessed it, EVERYTHING will be covered right here on Islander Zone. I'll keep you updated with a post that has all of the New York Islanders rumors and signings.

My only rumor for you today is that the Isles will make an offer for goalie Olaf Kolzig. With Joey Mac under a 1-way contract next year, I have to wonder what the crew is planning.


All for now.....

LIVE! 2008 Draft Coverage

The first round of this year's NHL Entry Draft will be covered LIVE here on Islander Zone.

Here we are, a few hours away from the draft. It's been a grueling two months, and now we are finally here, on June 20th 2008, waiting for it to be 7:00 PM EST. The draft will be held in Ottawa's Scotiabank Place. If you are in the USA, tune into Versus at 6:00 PM EST to get a draft preview, and then at 7:00 PM, the draft will start. If you are in Canada, watch TSN at those times. If you can't be at a TV at all, tune in to XM radio, on the NHL channel.

I'm here to give full coverage of the draft as well, if you can't be there. I know many of us Islanders fans will be at the Coliseum's Draft Party to watch the draft, but I'm still doing this for the thousands that are watching from the comfort of their home.

I've done the work. Go to my 2008 Draft page to see a preview, and scouting profiles of 5 of the most probable players that could be picked by the Isles with the 5th overall selection. Also, stay here to get the latest updates.


1ST ROUND

1. Tampa Bay selects Steven Stamkos
2. Los Angeles selects Drew Doughty
3. Atlanta selects Zach Bogosian
4. St. Louis selects Alex Pietrangelo
5. Toronto selects Luke Schenn
6. Columbus selects Nikita Filatov
7. Nashville selects Colin Wilson
8. Phoenix selects Mikkel Boedker
9. NY Islanders select Josh Bailey
10. Vancouver selects Cody Hodgson
11. Chicago selects Kyle Beach
12. Buffalo selects Tyler Myers
13. Los Angeles selects Colten Teubert
14. Carolina selects Zach Boychuk
15. Ottawa selects Erik Karlsson
16. Boston selects Joe Colborne
17. Anaheim selects Jake Gardiner
18. Nashville selects Chet Pickard
19. Philadelphia selects Luca Sbisa
20. NY Rangers select Michael Del Zotto
21. Washington selects Anton Gustafsson
22. Edmonton selects Jordan Eberle
23. Minnesota selects Tyler Cuma
24. New Jersey selects Mattias Tedenby
25. Calgary selects Greg Nemisz
26. Buffalo selects Tyler Ennis
27. Washington selects John Carlson
28. Phoenix selects Viktor Tikhonov
29. Atlanta selects Daultan Leveille
30. Detroit selects Tom McCollum


TRADES

(9:39 AM EST)
To Predators: Blues' 4th round pick
To Blues: G Chris Mason

(7:00 PM EST)
To Calgary: F Mike Cammalleri
To LA: 12th overall pick
To Anaheim: 17, 28 overall picks

(7:18 PM EST)
To Pheonix: Olli Jokinen
To Florida: Boynton, 49th overall pick, Ballard

(7:43 PM EST)
To Montreal: Alex Tanguay, 138 overall pick
To Calgary: 25th overall pick, 2009 2nd rounder

(7:54 PM EST)
To Islanders: 7th overall pick, 2 conditional picks
To Maple Leafs: 5th overall pick

(8:08 PM EST)
To Philadelphia: 19th, 67th, overall
To Columbus: RJ Umberger, 118 overall

(8:19 PM EST)
To Islanders: 9th overall pick, 40th overall pick
To Nashville: 7th overall pick

(8:52 PM EST)
To Buffalo: 12th overall pick
To LA: 13th overall pick, 2009 3rd round pick

(9:11 PM EST)
To Ottawa: 15th overall pick
To Nashville: 18th overall pick, 2009 3rd round pick

(9:52 PM EST)
To New Jersey: 23rd overall pick, 58th overall pick
To Washington: 21st overall pick

(10:08 PM EST)
To New Jersey: 24th overall pick, 3rd round pick
To Minnesota: 23rd overall pick

(10:35 PM EST)
To Philadelphia: Steve Emiger, 84th overall pick
To Washington: 27th overall pick

(10:40 PM EST)
To Anaheim: 35th overall pick, 39th overall pick
To Phoenix: 28th overall pick

NYI Zone Scouting Central: Alex Pietrangelo

ALEX PIETRANGELO

Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Position: Defenseman
Born: January 18, 1990 in King City, ON
Age: 18
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
Shoots: Right
ISS Final Ranking: 5


2007-08 Regular Season Stats
Games Played: 60
Goals: 13
Assists: 40
Points: 53
PIM: 94

2008 Playoffs Stats
Games Played: 6
Goals: 5
Assists: 4
Points: 9
PIM: 4

Pietrangelo finished the 2007-08 regular season ranked seventh among OHL defensemen in points with 53. Pietrangelo helped lead the Niagara IceDogs to a fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, where they defeated the Ottawa 67’s in a four-game sweep. Pietrangelo ranked second in points among defensemen in the OHL playoffs, tallying five goals and four assists in six games.

However, his season has been ended prematurely. Suffering from mononucleosis and an enlarged spleen, Pietrangelo has been told by doctors to stay off skates for six weeks. His absence from the postseason is highly unlikely to affect the scouts’ view of this talented young defenseman.

Alex uses his 6-4, 210-pound frame to his advantage, and is known as an offensive defenseman. His biggest attribute so far has been his plus/minus rating, which was +40 last season and +29 this season. His efficiency when on the ice helped the IceDogs score a league-high 326 goals in 2006-07.

“Alex is a towering, smooth skating mobile defenseman, with great offensive skills. Pietrangelo plays with great maturity and smarts at both ends of the ice. His calmness and confidence while handling the puck, makes him a tremendous offensive threat from the back end. He has slick hands, great vision, and the skating ability to rush the puck at will. He quarterbacks the power-play, makes hard crisp passes and has a hard shot from the point. Not a physically dominating defenseman, but uses his great foot speed, positioning and long reach to fend off the opposition very well. Reacts very well under pressure, reads the ice well, and makes quick, smart decisions.”
-C. MacNamara / ISS Scout


“This kid will eventually one day be like Chris Pronger. Guys say he is not as tough as Pronger, but he is still a young man and when he becomes 21, look at the potential in the kid.”
-Mario Cicchillo / Niagara Head Coach


“Pietrangelo boasts more untapped upside than any of the top defensemen.”
-Matthew Wuest / The Hockey News

Sources: islanders.nhl.com, nhl.com, hockeysfuture.com

NYI Zone Scouting Central: Luke Schenn

LUKE SCHENN

Team: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Position: Defenseman
Born: November 2, 1989 in Saskatoon, SK
Age: 18
Height: 6-3
Weight: 209
Shoots: Right
ISS Final Ranking: 6


2007-08 Regular Season Stats
Games Played: 57
Goals: 7
Assists: 21
Points: 28
PIM: 100

2008 Playoffs Stats
Games Played: 7
Goals: 2
Assists: 2
Points: 4
PIM: 6

Schenn finished his 2007-08 Western Hockey League season with seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points in 57 games. He appeared in seven playoff games, registering two goals and two assists, but the Kelowna Rockets fell in the seventh game of their first round series to the Seattle Thunderbirds. He missed time with Kelowna due to his commitment with Team Canada.

Schenn played a prominent role in helping Team Canada win Gold at the 2008 World Junior Championships. He appeared in seven games, and while he did not register a point, he led Canada with a plus-five rating.

Schenn adds a big, physical presence as a shutdown defenseman, to go along with his big slapshot. Schenn clocked a 94 mile-per hour slapshot at the CHL skills competition this year. Schenn is considered a shutdown blueliner, but also has great passing ability.

“Schenn can play a mean game and plays a tough NHL style defense that is guaranteed to get him a long hard look and career in the National Hockey League.”
-E.J. McGuire / Director, Central Scouting

“Showed a display of complete calm and poise amid the cauldron of pressure playing for Canada at the world juniors was really impressive. We were never on the bandwagon before, but we're starting to come around.”
-Kyle Woodlief / USA Today

“He’s a warhorse. He stands up, forces the play and blocks shots.”
-Matthew Wuest / The Hockey News

“He is often compared to Dion Phaneuf for his no-holds-barred physical game. Mature beyond his years in every aspect. A treat to watch as he uses both his body and stick to effectively remove opponents from the puck. Offensive ability rapidly rounding into form.”
-Matt Bugg / Fantasyplayers.com


Luke Schenn Highlights

Sources: islanders.nhl.com, nhl.com, hockeysfuture.com, youtube.com

NYI Zone Scouting Central: Nikita Filatov

NIKITA FILATOV

Team: CSKA Moscow (RJL)
Position: Left Wing
Born: May 25, 1990 in Moscow, Russia
Age: 17
Height: 6-0
Weight: 158
Shoots: Right
ISS Final Ranking: 3


2007-08 Regular Season Stats
Games Played: 32
Goals: 34
Assists: 32
Points: 66
PIM: 90

2008 World Junior Championships Stats
Games Played: 7
Goals: 4
Assists: 5
Points: 9
PIM: 10

Filatov had an exceptional showing at the 2008 WJC. In the tournament, Filatov recorded four goals, five assists and a plus-seven rating. His nine total points ranked second at the tournament as he helped Russia claim the Bronze medal by recording two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win over the United States. Filatov appeared in 32 games with CSKA Moscow of the Russian Junior League in 2007-08, where he tallied 32 goals and 34 assists for 66 points in 32 games.

Filatov has tremendous speed. His ability to see the open ice and pass, especially when moving at high speed, makes him a threat anytime he is on the ice. He has shown that he will crash the net and battle in the corners for pucks. Filatov plays at a very high intensity every shift on the ice.

“He is a young talented hockey player with a good technique and good speed too. He has definitely an NHL upside because he can score, he is a well-rounded player and he is responsible in the defensive zone.”
-Sergei Nemchinov / U-20 Russian Team Coach

“Filatov may have the purest skill set of anyone in this draft. Stamkos receives the nod over Filatov for his overall game, but Filatov takes a backseat to no one in this draft in skill.”
-Ken McKenna / The Sporting News

“Alexei Cherepanov was skilled, but everybody worried about his work ethic. This guy’s more talented and he plays real hard, too.”
-NHL Scout

“The young, English speaking, CSKA Moscow winger looks almost like a cross between Ilya Kovalchuk and Maxim Afinogenov in terms of playing style.”
-Jante Abrahamsson / McKeen’s Hockey Prospects


Nikita Filatov Highlights

Sources: islanders.nhl.com, nhl.com, hockeysfuture.com, youtube.com

NYI Zone Scouting Central: Drew Doughty

DREW DOUGHTY

Team: Guelph Storm (OHL)
Position: Defenseman
Born: December 8, 1988 in London, Ontario
Age: 19
Height: 6-0
Weight: 213
Shoots: Right
ISS Final Ranking: 4


2007-08 Regular Season Stats
Games Played: 58
Goals: 13
Assists: 37
Points: 50
PIM: 68

2008 Playoffs Stats
Games Played: 10
Goals: 3
Assists: 6
Points: 9
PIM: 14

Doughty's numbers have dropped in 2007-08 (58 games, 13 goals, 37 assists) from the previous season (67 games, 21 goals, 53 assists), but he is still among the top canidates for this year's Entry Draft.

Doughty played in seven games with Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championships, and recorded four assists while helping Canada win the gold medal. He was named to the WJC All-Star team and won the Directorate Award given to the best defenseman in the tournament.

The Guelph Storm, Doughty's team, finished fifth in the Western Conference, but lost in the second round of the playoffs. Doughty's 50 points on the season ranked ninth among OHL defensemen and his nine points in 10 playoff games ranked sixth among defensemen.

Doughty was awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy this year, given annually to the OHL's most outstanding defenseman.

Doughty is known as an offensive defenseman. He has excellent speed and vision and an extremely hard shot. He is excellent at jumping into the play in the offensive zone to create scoring chances.

"He is the complete player for the new NHL: big, excellent skater, great first pass, low panic threshold and great offensive instincts.”
-Tony Saxon / Guelph Mercury


"The enthusiasm that he brings every time he steps on the ice, whether it's a practice or a game, is what makes him a special player, along with his high skill level.”
-Dave Barr / Guelph Storm Head Coach/GM


"The hockey gods gave him a great mind for the game. He relies on that and does a phenomenal job reading and reacting.”
-NHL Scout


"Doughty has very quick feet, coming from his background of playing soccer and it shows when contesting the puck with his skates.”
-Hockeyprospects.com


Drew Doughty Highlights
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/drew-doughty-feature-march-28-2008/1702637009

Sources: islanders.nhl.com, nhl.com, hockeysfuture.com, youtube.com

NYI Zone Scouting Central: Zach Bogosian

ZACH BOGOSIAN

Team: Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Position: Defenseman
Born: July 15, 1990 in Massena, NY
Age: 17
Height: 6-2
Weight: 197
Shoots: Right
ISS Final Ranking: 2nd


2007-08 Regular Season Stats
Games Played: 60
Goals: 11
Assists: 50
Points: 61
PIM: 72

2008 Playoffs Stats
Games Played: 5
Goals: 0
Assists: 3
Points: 3
PIM: 8

Bogosian had his career season in 2007-08, almost doubling his point total of 33 in the 2006-07 season by leading the Peterborough Petes with 61 points. His 50 assists led the OHL among defensemen. He was the only defenseman in the league to lead his team in points.

Bogosian was chosen to participate in the 2007-08 CHL Top Prospects Game, and the 2008 OHL All-Star Game. Bogosian was chosen as the League's Top Defenseman, finished second in the Offensive Defenseman award, and third in the Smartest Player and Hardest Worker poll.

"Zach is a big player and he plays defense very big. Zach's combination of skating ability and his size are what set him apart. There are some bigger, taller defensemen, who have to grow into their body, but Zach is right there, fully proportioned and ready to make that step into the NHL very quickly."
-E.J. McGuire / NHL Director of Central Scouting

"Bogosian uses his team's success as a barometer for how he is performing. He thrives on the pressure of shutting down the opposition's top forwards."
-Aaron Bell / NHL.com

"He's solid defensively, and at the same time he can skate with the puck. He doesn't lose any speed when he's handling the puck. He's good offensively and knows when to jump into the play. He's got a complete game."
-Vince Malette / Peterborough Head Coach

"The difference between Drew Doughty and Zach Bogosian is the difference between what is today and what might be down the line. Bogosian is bigger and probably a better athlete who has made improvements in the second half of the season."
-Gare Joyce / ESPN.com

"The Peterborough Petes have a long history of producing great players for the NHL. Names like Pronger, Yzerman, Stillman, Murphy, Ricci and even Tie Domi all played their junior hockey for the franchise. Another name that may be added in due course to this list is Zach Bogosian."
-Steve Fitzsimmons / Ontario Hockey Now


Zach Bogosian Highlights

Sources: islanders.nhl.com, nhl.com, hockeysfuture.com, youtube.com

And on the 14th Day.......Still Nothing Happened

I have to say, it's a really boring time in the NHL World. But we are only 6 days away from the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, which takes place on Friday in Ottawa, Ontario.

This year, the draft means more than the previous season to the Islanders. Obviously, center Steven Stamkos will be the first pick in the draft, by the Tampa Bay Lightning. But with the Isles slotted in at the #5 pick, who will they take?

Top defensive guys like Drew Doughty or former New Yorker Zach Bogosian will probably be going top 5. Sorry. Definitely going top 5. Tough defenseman Luke Schenn will also be going top 7, at least. Also, LW/C Nikita Filatov will be on the Isles' radar.

This is how I'll draw up the top 5 picks:

1. Tampa Bay - Steven Stamkos
2. Los Angeles - Drew Doughty
3. Atlanta - Zach Bogosian
4. St. Louis - Luke Schenn
5. New York Islanders - Nikita Filatov

That would be the most likely to happen. Also, that could really turn in the Isles' favor. Sure, we'd love to have Doughty or Bogosian, maybe even Schenn (I sure hope not), but Nikita Filatov, a huge offensive threat, is what we need.

Another guy to throw out there is defensman Alex Pietrangelo. His outstanding previous season was put to a halt when he was diagnosed with mononucleosis. He took a big fall from #2 in the ISS top ten, all the way to #5. The Isles may consider him, but if Filatov is available at #5, it would be the better move to draft Filatov. If Filatov is not available at #5, then Pietrangelo would be my choice over Schenn. It's not like mono lasts forever, and Pietrangelo is the better defenseman.

I'll do some more coverage of the draft later in the week. And where you see the 2007-2008 schedule, there will be a list of the first round of the draft. LIVE updates of the draft will come on Friday!

Let's Go Isles!!!

DP Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery

Another scare came to me when I saw that DiPietro had knee surgery today. It was reported as a "minor meniscus injury", and the procedure was completed today to prevent any further knee promblems.

Wow, 26 years old and he's getting all of these surgeries. We must hope him the best.

Let's Go Isles!!!

Islanders Re-sign Tim Jackman

Article from islanders.nhl.com

"The New York Islanders and forward Tim Jackman have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension through 2008-09. Jackman played in 36 games with the Islanders in his first season in the organization in 2007-08 scoring a goal with three assists for four points at 57 penalty minutes.

“Tim proved to be a versatile player for our organization last season," said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “He provided toughness and leadership in Bridgeport and served as a great role player with the Islanders when called upon."

The 26-year old Jackman split time between the Islanders and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League in 2007-08. In 44 games with the Sound Tigers, Jackman recorded 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points while recording 67 penalty minutes.

Jackman has appeared in 68 career NHL games, tallying two goals and five assists for seven points to go along with 104 penalty minutes. In addition to his NHL career, Jackman has played in 395 AHL games, scoring 89 goals with 92 assists for 181 points along with 577 penalty minutes.

Jackman signed with the Islanders as a free agent on July 5, 2007 after stints in the Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings organizations. He was originally drafted in the second round (38th overall) by the Blue Jackets in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft."

Islanders to Let Go of Dubie, and Other Free Agents

Come July 1st, 2008, you probably won't be seeing G Wade Dubielewicz, or F Ruslan Fedotenko, Josef Vasicek, and Miroslav Satan signing with the Islanders.

"We made a significant offer that he turned down," Snow said of Dubielewicz, who had a 9-9-1 record last season with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. "We wish him the best." Joey MacDonald, who was 0-1-1 in his two starts with a 3.00 goals-against mark and a .918 save percentage, has a one-way contract next season that positions him as the logical backup to starter Rick DiPietro.

Fedotenko, Vasicek, and Miroslav Satan have not recieved offers to re-sign with the Islanders. As part of the "youth movement", the Islanders will look to lose the contracts of underperforming veterans, and replace them with the younger players, whom you may have seen skating in an Isles jersey sometime in the last season.

Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) Jeff Tambellini, Frans Nielsen, Ben Walter, Jeremy Colliton, Sean Bergenheim, and Bruno Gervais will all look to re-sign with the Islanders, and they all possibly will have a spot on the Opening Day Roster.

Tim Jackman, another RFA, is close to signing a 2-way contract to stay with the Islanders for at least another season. RFA Aaron Johnson will probably not recieve an offer, because he can go to arbitration and possibly win a one-way contract.


Let's Go Isles!!!