Qualified
The NY Islanders, yesterday, gave qualifying offers to forwards Sean Bergenheim, Jeremy Colliton, Frans Nielsen, Jeff Tambellini, Ben Walter, and Bruno Gervais. All will become RFA's if not signed by July 1st.
Colliton, Nielsen, Tambellini and Walter all did not quite stick with the team last season. What this does, by extending qualifying offers, is makes it very much "make or break" with them this coming season. To be sent back down, they will have to be exposed to waivers. And this would be true once again, if they were then down in Bridgeport, and the Isles wanted to call them back up.
Per Newsday's blog by Greg Logan, Aaron Johnson, Drew Fata and Matthew Spiller or to forward Steve Regier did not have qualifying offers made. However, Greg makes the point, that this does not mean they can't be signed to two-way contracts. Regier, however, is likely to move on.
Those who haven't been following the messageboards should know that Wade Dubielewicz has signed in Russia. It is a 2-year deal with Ak Bars Kazan. The same team that Petrov, the Isles 3rd round steal, plays for. Dubie words to me:
The isles offered me a contract that would end up placing me back in bridgeport and at this point in my career i didn't think that was fair.
No, it wasn't. Best of luck in Russia, pal. Wade will benefit there with much more playing time.
Isles Draft Talk Continued . . .
Last night, I spoke to publisher of the McKeen's Hockey Draft Guide,
Grant McCagg. Make sure to check out
McKeen's Draft Guide and
McKeen's Website. Always good stuff.
Grant gave the Isles a B+, one of top 5 drafts. But, there were a couple things they didn't like. Isles had a shot at the top 6 of top 75, and chose to move back. Especially did not like the fact we had a shot at Luke Schenn and did not take it.
"Luke Schenn might have been one of the best defensive prospects perhaps in the last 20 years. He is the kind of guy to build your defense around."
But, when I ask Grant about the Isles passing on Filatov or Boedker, he is far less disliking the Isles move. (The rated Boedker higher than Filatov, by the way).
Between Filatov and Bailey:
"Might have picked Bailey. Bailey is a special player. And in terms of the Isles needs at center, seems reasonable. Isles didn't go wrong at building at center."
"Bailey is good. Could be a #1 center. 50-60 assist guy, plus leadership, character and smarts. In fact, we felt he was one of the top 3 smartest players in the draft. Won’t hurt on either end. Small town guy, very likable."
In fact, with Bailey and Trivino, the Isles might have their 1st and 2nd line centers all set down the line.
Corey Trivino: Skinny and a bit perimeter are his weakspots. Could turn into a solid 2nd line center. Lot of skill. Could be 2nd line. Not elite. But have that upside.
Aaron Ness: Could be a good powerplay QB. Small though. Tinier than Berard.
Ness won’t be your most defensive blueliner. As good as Del Zotto, though, who the Rangers took in round 1. Very comparable.
Travis Hamonic: does hit, but only will be so effective. 5th or 6th defenseman
David Toews: One teams head scout was very effusive on him. Flashes of a 1st rounder, perhaps. But inconsistent. Not a great skater, and only 5 foot 10 inches tall.
Jyri Niemi: Can’t skate very well. Bad reads and issues in own zone. Powerplay specialist, perhaps. Kind of guy who won’t be seen in the last minutes of a game if trying to hold a lead.
MAB part 2?
Kirill Petrov: Best pick on value. Big kid with skill. Could play on top 2 lines if all falls into place. Other McKeen's scouts think highly of him.
David Ullstrom: Big kid with scoring skills. Latebloomer.
Kevin Poulin: Interesting pick. Was a top 10 coming in last year. Character questions. Coach at nationals felt was one of those people you thought was least likely to be an athlete.
Kind of like Wade?
Jared Spurgeon: Mckeens high on him. Smart, skilled, yet tiny dman.
Justin DiBenedetto: Like it for a 7th pick. Not a bad player. Good junior. At the least will produce in ahl. Last two picks were good. Preferred over some other picks.
Grant felt our last two picks were excellent, and better picks than some of those before it. And, what should comfort us at night, is that he felt we had a much better draft than the NY Rangers.
Thanks to Grant and make sure to check out McKeen's Hockey.
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