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Forums :: New York Islanders :: On the farm with Phil Giubileo
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Dan Petriw
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 12.03.2006

Jul 24 @ 9:42 AM ET
While we all anxiously await the start of training camp; who better to ask about our prospects than the play by play voice of the Sound Tigers, Phil Giubileo. This is Phil’s 8th season with the team and he also reports for AHL Live. Phil was nice enough to answer some questions about the upcoming season in Bridgeport and tackles some of the question marks with the big club.



Q: What can Islander fans expect from the Sound Tigers this season?
A: Regardless of the final opening night roster, I would expect a hardworking team that will rely on defense and goaltending in order to win games. In the AHL, the big goal scoring teams often have a heavy veteran presence, and this is a young team. However, there are a number of 2nd year forwards who now have a season in the AHL behind them, and generally this is when you’ll start to see a leap forward in their play. I would expect Kirill Kabanov to have a breakthrough season if he stays healthy, as well as further development from John Persson and Johan Sundstrom up front. Additionally, I think that Joey Diamond will not only be a fan favorite, but he showed last season that he can play in the AHL and put up some quality numbers.
I would be surprised if Brock Nelson and Matt Donovan were NOT on the Islanders opening night roster. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if Ryan Strome does begin with the Sound Tigers on opening night. I think back to the short time that Travis Hamonic was with Bridgeport during his rookie season, and I can see something like this possibly happening. However, I can also see Strome as an Islander on opening night. I think they’ll give him every chance to start the season in the NHL. If he does spend time with Bridgeport, it will definitely give them some early season scoring punch. I would also expect a veteran or two to be added, but the team is pretty selective about adding veterans who can contribute while not impeding the development of their prospects.
The blue line should be fun. They’re young, but they’re also big! Andrey Pedan and Scott Mayfield are considered strong prospects by the organization and they’ll provide a physical impact from the start. I really like Mike Dalhuisen’s potential. He’s very physical, and that part of his game will come out as a pro. He also has a bomb of a shot, so don’t be surprised if he gets some time on the PP. In terms of experienced players, Aaron Ness is entering his 3rd season, so he’ll be a top-pair, and if Calvin de Haan is healthy, he could be one of the best defensemen in the league. It wouldn’t surprise me if a veteran is added for depth at some point during the offseason.


Q: Give Islander fans one prospect in Bridgeport who might be flying under the radar that you feel has a real chance of making an impact.

A: In terms of making an impact in the AHL this season I think that if Johan Sundstrom stays healthy, he will be a big time force for the club on both ends of the ice. However, for someone under the radar, if Alan Quine does end up in the AHL (instead of back in the OHL as an overager), I think he can be someone who can put up some points. He was a 3rd round pick of Detroit in 2011 but wasn’t signed, and the Isles drafted him last month. The Red Wings usually don’t miss often on mid-round picks, so I think there’s definitely some potential there.

Q: A lot in the media have written off Calvin de Haan as a viable prospect due to his rash of injuries. Tell us what a healthy de Haan brings to the table and can he push for a roster spot with the big club.

A: I think de Haan has the talent to push for a spot, but because he’s missed so much time, I would think that barring a phenomenal camp and outplaying Matt Donovan by a wide margin, he would end up in Bridgeport to start. A healthy de Haan has a mostly finished game on both ends of the ice. He’s very smart, makes good decisions and is poised. For a young blue line this is an important asset, as you’ll see a fair number of rookie mistakes by some of the newcomers over the first 10-15 games of the season, which is going to happen when you make the jump from college or juniors to the professional ranks in most cases.



Q: There are many questions surrounding the goalies in this organization. Who do you feel has the highest ceiling and is there a potential franchise goalie in the system?

A: Kevin Poulin right now has the inside track as far as being the backup to Evgeny Nabokov this season, but I do think that Anders Nilsson has the potential to be a franchise goaltender down the line. He has an asset that you simply cannot coach (size), and if he’s over the hump from the ailments that sidelined him last season (and it appears to be the case), then I think he can start in the NHL at some point. He’s still very young, and for the most part, just has one season on North American soil. An opportunity to start 50 or so games in Bridgeport will determine if he has what it takes to reach the next level.
Also, as far as AHL potential goes, I really do like Kenny Reiter. He’s not the biggest guy out there (neither was Wade Dubielewicz), but his AHL goals against and save percentage numbers were pretty good last season (although still searching for that first AHL win). He’s a winner (won the Frozen Four at Minn-Duluth), and there’s something to be said for that. He does have the makeup though to be a potential #1 AHL goaltender at some point in his career.


Q: Finally I have to throw in one fun question. If you are in a dark alley surrounded by thugs which current or former sound tiger do you want standing next to you.

A: There are so many choices! One thing I can say is that the Sound Tigers have never been lacking for toughness over the years. I’ve seen many firsthand, from Kip Brennan and Pascal Morency, to Micheal Haley, Jeremy Yablonski, Joel Rechlicz, Matt Martin, Trevor Gillies, and Brett Gallant (and a fair number of others who could hold their own). And you really can’t go wrong with any of them standing alongside when you need some toughness. However, if I only could pick one, it would definitely have to be Trevor Gillies. He’s intimidating enough to where most people will simply back off—but if they’re not smart enough to walk away, I would feel pretty safe!


For more on the Sounds Tigers and all things AHL please follow Phil on twitter at @philgpbp
Pictures courtesy of Cathy Petriw. For great hockey pictures follow @crosscheckCathy on twitter.
LetsGoIsles
New York Islanders
Location: I'll wait till Halak signs elsewhere and then you can go eat a d!ck- JMO16
Joined: 01.26.2011

Jul 24 @ 9:44 AM ET
first
UIF
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 01.09.2009

Jul 24 @ 10:05 AM ET
Good questions and a nice entry. I'll say this for Phil...he's definitely one of the better radio guys in the AHL. You get the radio feeds for audio on AHL Live (usually the home team's), and I felt bad for people who were actually listening on a radio and couldn't see what was going on. The plays that were called were not even close to what was happening on the ice in many cases...they'd just ignore anything that wasn't in the home team's favor...fighters for the away team never land a punch, checkers for the away team never throw a hit but checkers from the home team...every little bump is a DEVASTATING HIT!" And half of the announcers go so far as to say "we" when talking about the teams.

Phil keeps it professional for the most part. I'll say though that I think Lee, if he starts in BPort, may be the sleeper forward. If he works on his speed in the offseason, I can see him having a season like Nelson did this year.
jimmc7722
New York Islanders
Location: TAVARES IS AN ASS!!!!, ON
Joined: 02.06.2008

Jul 24 @ 10:16 AM ET
Good Blog!!!

De Haan is probably the teams biggest question mark right now.

I hope he can put the injuries behind him.

Bags502
New York Islanders
Location: Huntington, NY
Joined: 06.21.2007

Jul 24 @ 10:17 AM ET
This is hands down the best Islanders post I have read in years...
Great Job! and keep them coming!!!
Railbait
New York Islanders
Location: Captain Tavares, NY
Joined: 10.10.2011

Jul 24 @ 10:22 AM ET
Bravo! Great blog.
Dan Petriw
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 12.03.2006

Jul 24 @ 10:24 AM ET
if you like these blogs please tell ECK
Bags502
New York Islanders
Location: Huntington, NY
Joined: 06.21.2007

Jul 24 @ 10:24 AM ET
Good Blog!!!

De Haan is probably the teams biggest question mark right now.

I hope he can put the injuries behind him.

- jimmc7722


I agree... He needs to have a full, healthy season so everyone can see where his game is at. If he is what they thought he was when they drafted him, he could really help the Islanders on the back end...
kear20
New York Islanders
Joined: 07.03.2007

Jul 24 @ 10:37 AM ET
if you like these blogs please tell ECK
- NYI78

Nice job Dan...
Dan Petriw
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 12.03.2006

Jul 24 @ 10:47 AM ET
Nice job Dan...
- kear20



thanks bother..i'm thinking about making this a monthly feature during the season to give you guys first hand insight into our future prospects
Charlie21
New York Islanders
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: 10.14.2009

Jul 24 @ 10:48 AM ET
Fantastic read. Thanks for this!

special_k1074
New York Islanders
Location: Clifton, NJ
Joined: 01.22.2011

Jul 24 @ 10:55 AM ET
I can't comprehend any of this. Where are the recipes? Where are the stories of dead batteries and being late to the interview? How come you didn't ask him what his favorite color was or what kind of underwear he was wearing?

BUT...very well done.
kasperrko
New York Islanders
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Joined: 03.09.2007

Jul 24 @ 11:16 AM ET
I love that we can talk hockey, If Dee just opened her eyes a little she would see that there is plenty of hockey to talk about.

thanks
Islesfan28
New York Islanders
Location: Your Parent's Basement, NY
Joined: 08.14.2006

Jul 24 @ 11:24 AM ET
Great article!! I really want Kabanov to have a great season this year and break-out! I also wonder if Ness could be a dark horse to make the big club if he has a good camp, you never know with this team!!
Dan Petriw
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 12.03.2006

Jul 24 @ 11:29 AM ET
Great article!! I really want Kabanov to have a great season this year and break-out! I also wonder if Ness could be a dark horse to make the big club if he has a good camp, you never know with this team!!
- Islesfan28



in my opinion ness is a place holder till the likes of Griff, Pelech Pokka get here...I don't see him as a nhl prospect
UIF
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 01.09.2009

Jul 24 @ 11:37 AM ET
in my opinion ness is a place holder till the likes of Griff, Pelech Pokka get here...I don't see him as a nhl prospect
- NYI78


Ness looks pretty good when the puck is heading up ice. No way I would trust him playing actual defense in the NHL though
kasperrko
New York Islanders
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Joined: 03.09.2007

Jul 24 @ 11:40 AM ET
Ness looks pretty good when the puck is heading up ice. No way I would trust him playing actual defense in the NHL though
- UIF


No way he is very small, he is fast though has a nice shot but don't think he is big enough for defense
XxNYIxX
New York Islanders
Location: Clayton, NC
Joined: 02.26.2007

Jul 24 @ 12:01 PM ET
if you like these blogs please tell ECK
- NYI78


Really nicely done!! Thank You.


XxNYIxX
Vukota
New York Islanders
Joined: 06.29.2007

Jul 24 @ 12:22 PM ET
Well done. I sent Ek a PM last week about you and of course no response. Just keep doing what you're doing and when the other blogs continue to get 15-20 hits and that's it Ek will wake up. Good Job
dcb1
New York Islanders
Location: Oak Ridge, NJ
Joined: 07.08.2006

Jul 24 @ 12:24 PM ET
Wow...an actual blog....I don't know what to say yet, because I'm so used to having to pull comments out of my a$$....well done.
Dan Petriw
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 12.03.2006

Jul 24 @ 12:46 PM ET
Well done. I sent Ek a PM last week about you and of course no response. Just keep doing what you're doing and when the other blogs continue to get 15-20 hits and that's it Ek will wake up. Good Job
- Vukota



I just sent him the link to this blog and told him this is what I bring to the table
Vukota
New York Islanders
Joined: 06.29.2007

Jul 24 @ 12:47 PM ET
I just sent him the link to this blog and told him this is what I bring to the table
- NYI78

Dan Petriw
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 12.03.2006

Jul 24 @ 12:55 PM ET

- Vukota



imagine what I could do with press creds... however I have also started writing for WTNH sports edge in new haven and that might help me swing press access to at least the sound tigers
UIF
New York Islanders
Location: NY
Joined: 01.09.2009

Jul 24 @ 1:20 PM ET
Wonder when we're going to see the "Yashin spotted skating on Long Island" story this offseason with the accompanying speculation that the Isles are going to sign him...
XxNYIxX
New York Islanders
Location: Clayton, NC
Joined: 02.26.2007

Jul 24 @ 1:33 PM ET
Wonder when we're going to see the "Yashin spotted skating on Long Island" story this offseason with the accompanying speculation that the Isles are going to sign him...
- UIF




XxNYIxX
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