*11:11 am: As reported by Newsday's Katie Strang, Kiril Kabanov who has not learned what an alarm clock is, was late once again and is being skated hard after this morning's work out as punishment for his tardiness. The Russian Stallion will either be broken or crack under the pressure. In a way, I feel bad for the kid. In other ways.... I don't.
**From the NY Post: Nino Niederreiter, the Islanders' first-round pick this year (fifth overall), signed his three-year, entry-level contract yesterday.
The 18-year-old native of Switzerland has a standard deal, worth about $810,000 per year plus incentives.
bcyrgalis
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/islanders/wang_says_isles_staying_put_till_0YhIWD6o28fVboHbEQ1KfK#ixzz10Gho6mc8
It was a long on-ice workout this afternoon with all the reporters and media types looking on while TV cameras were rolling. Yes, Nino Niederreiter is one heck of a story here on Long Island. First round draft pick of 2010, chosen 5th over all and the youngest Swiss player to ever be drafted by an NHL club. The 18-year-old has a lot on his shoulders. He seems to be able to handle it.
Sporting just the slightest makings of a mustache, he sat in his stall wiping sweat from his hair and looking serious. At first I was afraid to approach him. He had already been spoken to by just about every one with a paper-tag on a string around their neck.
I approached him sheepishly and asked for two seconds of his time, “Yeah, sure.” he said and readied himself for yet more questions with another recorder in his face. As soon as I mentioned how hard he was working and asked about the upcoming scrimmage on Saturday, that brilliant smile returned to his face. “I’m actually feeling great. I am just -- just so excited to be here with all the pro guys and be a part of them. I have a great feeling about it. I’m really looking forward to the first scrimmage to show the coach what I’ve got.”
When I asked him how he felt about skating with the “big boys” as I had no other way of putting it, I got that smile again. “It’s fantastic. I really feel comfortable and would love to stay here right away. But it is the coach’s decision and we have to see what happens.” Because no matter what, no matter where Nino Niederreiter was drafted, the only way to a roster spot on the NY Islanders is through coach Scott Gordon.
I asked the obvious question, “What do you think about Scott Gordon’s system?” He scratched the side of his head and looked up at me from his stall, “In the beginning, it was kind of complicated. But now I really got into it and understand what he is saying. I think he’s a great teacher. I think it’s good to have a coach like him.”
Nino hasn’t had movie night with Scott Gordon yet. We’ll see what he has to say after a few of those.
During my one minute and 13 second conversation with the ex-Winter Hawk scoring machine, he never let on that he already knew. He didn’t give me any indication that he had already sat with his agent and Garth Snow and signed his name on the dotted line that says “YES, this is a professional contract in the NHL.” Nino was under such strict orders not to say anything until after the press conference that he didn’t even call his parents.
I’m sure he had plenty to tell them once he finally did.
It was well into the press conference with owner Charles Wang, coach Scott Gordon and general manager Garth Snow when Newsday’s Katie Strang asked Scott Gordon what Nino would have to do to fight for a spot. Gordon, who had seemed somewhat uncomfortable throughout the presser squirmed a little in his seat and looked over at Snow. “I’m going to hold onto that one.” he said as he smiled at Katie. Leave it to Charles Wang to offer comic relief while basically blowing the surprise. “Why?” he said. Pointing to his left Gordon said “Because he’s the general manager.” That would have been enough, but Charles wasn’t done. “Can I over ride him?” The guests packed shoulder to shoulder in the new media room laughed out loud.
Snow was not ready to make the announcement so Gordon took three more questions from the floor which he answered thoughtfully and in great detail. Garth Snow quietly shot the PR Director a look to end the Q&A period. As soon as Gordon was finished answering a final question about what he expected to see this season out of Rob Schremp, Kimber Auerbach announced there would be an announcement and turned the floor back over to Mr. Snow.
“In reference to Katie’s question regarding Nino, we’re excited to announce that he signed his entry level contract today.” Short and to the point as Nino was waiting in the doorway to meet the crowd. The same crowd he had already spoken to while holding onto the secret he shared with management.
With this big piece of the Nino’s life puzzle out of the way, all he has to do now is focus on playing his game and proving his worth. Snow complimented what he has seen of Niederreiter so far and his performance at camp. “He played extremely well last week at the rookie games in Boston . He’s obviously a big body, that’s something that he has in his favor going into training camp along with his skill set. Obviously we’re going to work on his character a little bit -- It’s too high.”
While there were chuckles from the room, the words only reinforced my belief that selecting Nino Niederreiter over some other very worthy candidates that night in June was absolutely the right move. Even if it surprised a lot of people.
Now it’s up to Nino to make the most of the opportunity he has been given. But he seems to excel at that.
Other installments from media day will be Mark Eaton, Rick DiPietro & Rob Schremp. But Nino was the news today.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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