Is it me, or does Garth alternate good and bad off-seasons?
Few comments about him in this blog at THN:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/the-best-players-in-the-world-youve-never-heard-of/
Future PP d pairs: Pulock, De Haan ; Pokka and Reinhart.
Already better than Donovan, could make the roster, played full season of senior hockey in Europe.
Yeah, I've only seen him in the WJC, but 3 seasons against men, among the 3 best d's in the SM-Liiga, 11 points in 16 games in this years' playoffs and he's a righty. Is it that farfetched that he makes the team in September?
If we don't make any D signings? Not at all far fetched to see something like this:
de Haan-Hamonic
Reinhart-Visnovsky
Hickey-Pokka
But I do suspect we will sign or trade for a top 4 guy that can play the right side, in which case I doubt he makes it out of camp, though he'd probably be the first call up when injury hits.
It looks like Pedan will have a lot of competition ahead of him.
Will Kabanov return to Bridgeport?
Yesterday on MvsW podcast, they talked about the importance of having an affiliate to develop prospects and not to win games (referring about Capitals/Hershey and Galiev situation). I think we have the same problem even Bridgeport being a loser team.
It would be lovely to see Pokka and Collberg on the same team (33rd and 34th picks) plus Kabanov, Pedan and other europeans.
I had this talk yesterday with a few people and it is frustrating. Looking back to the likes of Klementyev or now Kabanov and a lesser extent Pedan, Bridgeport plays guys like Diamond ahead of a prospect like Kabanov. Career minor league guys get more minutes than our prospects. Bridgeport aren't exactly going deep in the playoffs every year so where exactly is the need to play these career minor leaguers over potential NHL guys?
Bridgeport seem to insist on players playing to a role instead of giving our prospects ice time and furthering their development for the benefit of the Islanders to help improve our players while getting them ready for the NHL. Kabonov went to the SHL and played well, where the coaches obviously trusted the guy and used him in the right situations. The result was he performed to a good standard and in a league which in my opinion is a better level than the AHL. Kabanov had 8 points in 12 games for Modo which is a good return.
We haven't got many wing prospects at all so I want to see him getting plenty of ice time in Bridgeport along with Sundstrom, Collberg and all our defensive prospects. Hell I'd play Kabanov 1st line LW with Sundstrom and Collberg in Bridgeport. But Kabanov will likely play bottom 6 minutes in the AHL if he is even there.
Kabanov is just an example of a guy who clearly has the talent but we don't seem to be able to control him or put him in situations to succeed. I remember watching him in pre season and thinking he looked great. Remember this from last pre season anyone?
I had this talk yesterday with a few people and it is frustrating. Looking back to the likes of Klementyev or now Kabanov and a lesser extent Pedan, Bridgeport plays guys like Diamond ahead of a prospect like Kabanov. Career minor league guys get more minutes than our prospects. Bridgeport aren't exactly going deep in the playoffs every year so where exactly is the need to play these career minor leaguers over potential NHL guys?
Bridgeport seem to insist on players playing to a role instead of giving our prospects ice time and furthering their development for the benefit of the Islanders to help improve our players while getting them ready for the NHL. Kabonov went to the SHL and played well, where the coaches obviously trusted the guy and used him in the right situations. The result was he performed to a good standard and in a league which in my opinion is a better level than the AHL. Kabanov had 8 points in 12 games for Modo which is a good return.
We haven't got many wing prospects at all so I want to see him getting plenty of ice time in Bridgeport along with Sundstrom, Collberg and all our defensive prospects. Hell I'd play Kabanov 1st line LW with Sundstrom and Collberg in Bridgeport. But Kabanov will likely play bottom 6 minutes in the AHL if he is even there.
Kabanov is just an example of a guy who clearly has the talent but we don't seem to be able to control him or put him in situations to succeed. I remember watching him in pre season and thinking he looked great. Remember this from last pre season anyone?
You don't want two rookies in your top 6. That's a recipe for disaster.If we don't make any D signings? Not at all far fetched to see something like this:
de Haan-Hamonic
Reinhart-Visnovsky
Hickey-Pokka
But I do suspect we will sign or trade for a top 4 guy that can play the right side, in which case I doubt he makes it out of camp, though he'd probably be the first call up when injury hits.
You don't want two rookies in your top 6. That's a recipe for disaster.
You don't want two rookies in your top 6. That's a recipe for disaster.
I hope he's at prospect camp and NHL camp
My only concern with Pokka is the smaller ice surface. That will be the adjustment that might take time for him. Griff has a big advantage being that he has been playing in north america. Griff at the moment is more prepared for the NHL than Pokka. Chances of Pokka making the Isles out of camp would be a longshot. People keep forgetting about Donovan too. Donovan will make this team.