2013 Islanders Prospect Poll #14

[bomberslocks]

Pedan

add burroughs

 

[steveat]

where are all the people vying for more Ullstrom in last year's playoffs, against the Pens? That same player who MANY thought would be an upgrade over Boyes on the top line are watching their guy at #13 on the prospect list, and likely worse?

As far as I can tell, the only difference is that he signed to play in Europe instead of a two-way contract and no guarantee of an NHL spot next year. So now he's a cast-off, like Petrov, even though the Islanders still retain his rights. I think he's still the same 6'3" 210 lbs speedster who scored 24 goals in the AHL, played pretty well for the Islanders in a limited role - FAR better than Nino Niederreiter did as an Islander.

And although Kevin Poulin is (likely) slated to start the team as the NYI back-up, in the NHL, he's not one of our top 13 prospects and not our top goaltending prospect - even though he's the same age as Nilsson and has shown more thus far in his career.

I didn't realize Ullstrom was that big. He should have showed more when he was on the ice. I did notice that Ullstrom fans last year started to lose faith in him as the year went on. I don't think he is coming back. I think the chances of Rakhshani and Petrov making the team would be greater.

 

[Islanders1932]

I can't believe people aren't voting for Kabanov. He looked like a man among boys during the prospects game.

 

[steveat]

Yeah..I think people don't know what value to give KK because of his 1. slow start in NA and 2. injuries.

We all know this kid has got talent coming out of his ears, but he's a late bloomer (maturity-wise). That is what is blocking his NHL career. He has got the size and the talent to play, but his maturity level is a good 2-4 years off. We assume everyone is the same.we think the same and have the same thoughts. Well, we don't. I DO believe that one day he will be an NHL regular, but when? I don't know. KK NEEDS to play with a vet for at least 2 years. I mean someone around their mid thirties. Some people need more leadership than others.

 

[luki here]

I didn't realize Ullstrom was that big. He should have showed more when he was on the ice. I did notice that Ullstrom fans last year started to lose faith in him as the year went on. I don't think he is coming back. I think the chances of Rakhshani and Petrov making the team would be greater.

Ullstrom always played big, he might have gotten a bit lost ou there at times, but he used his mixture of size, speed and skill to overpower his opposition.

Hiw rhett or petroc (how will his game transition to the nhl?) are more likely to return to the nhl than ullstrom is beyond me. Ullstrom would have come as a third line winger IMO.

 

[crasherino]

Pelech add Ness

Also receiving vote: Kyle Burroughs (5), Aaron Ness (3), Alan Quine (2), Joey Diamond (2), Loic Leduc (1) [Even a vote to add Robbie Russo (who is already a candidate)] [/COLOR]

Uh yeah, that was me. I don't read so good. I also sometimes think that Ness and Russo are the same player in my head

 

[redbull]

redbull, I think you're taking this too seriously (as some others are) but are making the correct observation. In polls like this, on Hockey's Future, you're going to see the youngest players heavily favored, even if it's just by a year or two.

I'm not taking it as serious as I come across in my posts - but it's the summer. I miss hockey, don't feel like working, on vacation for the next few weeks starting tomorrow.....HF keeps me occupied in my non-hockey-work-life (mostly with females - not complaining)

I can't believe people aren't voting for Kabanov. He looked like a man among boys during the prospects game.

He's got a chance to VAULT up this list if he has a strong year, which he NEEDS To have to get another contract in North America. All the stars are aligning for him, with Nino gone and he'll be the top winger in BP (a chance to be, anyway) with one/or both of Nelson/Strome possibly to skate with. At worst, Sundstrom and Persson? Possibly a vet or two that (hopefully) Garth signs before the season (ala Keith Aucoin?)

He's running out of excuses, injuries notwithstanding. If he's healthy, he'll need to produces. I don't believe he's as good as we want him to be because I think he lacks NHL-level hockey-sense, has an average shot with a very poor release, his combination of speed/strength isn't great but hopefully he has improved in both areas.

I'm hoping he has a breakout year, not expecting one. He's surprisingly good along the boards and seems to be able to make plays down low, something I didn't think he had in his game.....but he just hasn't shown enough since his last year of junior and the memorial cup.

I didn't realize Ullstrom was that big. He should have showed more when he was on the ice. I did notice that Ullstrom fans last year started to lose faith in him as the year went on. I don't think he is coming back. I think the chances of Rakhshani and Petrov making the team would be greater.

If you can put Rakh's brain in Ullstrom's body - then we'd have a player.

Rakhshani was excellent with Okposo and Ruegsegger (as I recall) in the WJC - I suppose it was 2007? and I'd always thought Rakh would get a look at the NHL level, especially after his statistically strong AHL play. I only saw him play a few times in Denver and he looked like a shifty, smart player - ala Cliff Ronning or Ray Whitney (but not as good). He's still putting up points in Europe, who knows if he'll come back like Joensuu did, like Ullstrom still might.

Rakhshani was never going to be a useful player without the puck, lacked size, speed, toughness to play an effective NHL game outside of an offensive role. So he was in tough no matter what, like Jason Gergoire (whom I thought was a better NCAA player than Rhett). Ullstrom, on the other hand, can play in the NHL. It's just a matter of the right role and I'd think playing a year with Cizikas-Martin would be amazing for his development - but I think McDonald won himself that job with his play last year.

 

[kasper11]

Ullstrom should have been long gone by now.

Ullstrom

add QUine

He probably would have had he stayed in NA this year. As it is I doubt he comes back to the Isles.

They wouldn't give him a 1-way deal this year. Next year we will have everyone back but Moulson, Bouchard and Regin. We will have a few prospects looking to compete for a spot on the team (Strome and Nelson if they don't make it this year, Lee, Sundstrom, Persson, Kabanov will all be in the mix with a good AHL year). Unless Ullstrom suddenly becomes a dominant player in the KHL this year, I don't see him ever getting the 1-way deal from the Isles in the face of that much competition for a roster spot.

 

[Macch]

Add Somerby

 

[Kevin27nyi]

I can't believe people aren't voting for Kabanov. He looked like a man among boys during the prospects game.

Didnt he have like 7 points in the AHL?

Get healthy first and show what you can do.

 

[PROMputt]

Poulin add Diamond. I find it funny that Poulin could be the Islanders starter this year and he is not even in the top 15 in prospects...

 

[crasherino]

Poulin add Diamond. I find it funny that Poulin could be the Islanders starter this year and he is not even in the top 15 in prospects...

On the flipside, being that he doesn't have to clear waivers, he may not even make it as the NHL backup and may find himself back in BP.

But, I think Poulin has fallen victim to the same syndrome that Hickey did - most people have a hard time considering them prospects (even though they qualify under these criteria) so they aren't the first thought when voting.

But, the Isles have a lot prospects. Great problem to have.

 

[InformTheMasses]

Edit: from the previous thread :



Of course he does. And why shouldn't he? For me, the uncertainty whether a player will be an Islander in the future or not is a valid factor when deciding who to vote for. Same with Ullstrom.

Well I agree to a point but with a slight variation. I think it's important, VERY important actually, to factor in how likely a player is to reach his potential and likelihood of making the NHL but based on their game and how far away they may be and or weakness/hurdles they may have to overcome, injuries included. Them signing a contract is not something that can accurately be predicted with any form of educated guessing, thus making it pointless to try and factor it in to prospect polls. Just my opinion though.

@ITM what do you mean by the following

Originally Posted by duster19
Hickey was also benched in the playoffs when he couldn't hack it....

Another popular myth with dismissive qualities.

Hickey didn't look any worse than anyone else in the games he played. YES he was benched, but that's because he was a rookie and the odd man out once it was decided that Carkner HAD to be entered into the line-up for physical purposes. At that point Hickey was really the only option to scratch. AMAC who is physically weaker than Hickey was their top pairing defenceman, and more experienced. Streit and Viz are the PP weapons, and Hamonic and Strait had much more size. It wasn't because 'he couldn't hack it'.

I questioned the move at the time as Hickey is a much better defenceman than Carkner, and as I said DURING the series it would be the Islanders counter-punch quick strike break out game against an over aggressive, risk taking Penguin team that did not respect the Islanders that would give them a chance to when the series. Not a slow goon, needed to boost the confidence of a young scared team.

Turns out, both were probably true, They needed Carkners presence to get the kids more confident, and as much quick strike counter play as possible. But they chose not to dress BOTH and have 7 defenceman. Looking back this may have been the strategy I tried.... Hindsight is 20/20

 

[InformTheMasses]

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