Bridgeport Islanders Discussion 2021-22: Playoffs Start May 2

[Osakahaus]

Coskey and Bibeau are needed depth anyways for Bridgeport. Hopefully they can keep growing as the years go by

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

This organization sure seems to like Kubiak. Any BPort viewers able to chime in on what they could like so much about him? His size is nice.

Brown would seem more ECHL-bound, but I still get a kick out of him having scored 47 goals over his junior and senior years at RIT. AHL clubs need these kind of guys on 2-way contracts.

For Bibeau and Coskey, I'm sure hoping all plans for a full AHL season and an ECHL option, if necessary, remain intact. These guys really need to get fully emerged. They had a combined 28 games between the two of them in whatever that science experiment (ok, the 24 games were clearly better than nothing) was this past spring. Still thinking Coskey could become one of those little pluggers and I hope both have been spoonfed with highlights of our 4th line, and actually playoff Komarov for that matter. There are paths to the NHL when you start providing something teams need.

As for Chris Terry, he's one of the more legit AHL scorers they've brought in in recent times. Should be able to do a bit if he's down with the program's very disperse mode of operation.

SIDENOTE:
Expect to hear about Fritz signing with a European team, likely in the SHL.

 

[DarkHorse2]

Kowalsky Named Assistant Coach in Bridgeport | Bridgeport Islanders

This hire sets off my spidey sense about long term for Thompson, he was NJs assistant at the NHL level. Could be getting groomed.

Definitely an odd path to go NHL assistant to AHL assistant. Combine it with Thompon's assistants being removed and Thompson's time seems to be coming to an end in Bridgeport. Wonder if Boychuk joins the team down there as an assistant.

 

[MJF]

This organization sure seems to like Kubiak. Any BPort viewers able to chime in on what they could like so much about him? His size is nice.

Brown would seem more ECHL-bound, but I still get a kick out of him having scored 47 goals over his junior and senior years at RIT. AHL clubs need these kind of guys on 2-way contracts.

For Bibeau and Coskey, I'm sure hoping all plans for a full AHL season and an ECHL option, if necessary, remain intact. These guys really need to get fully emerged. They had a combined 28 games between the two of them in whatever that science experiment (ok, the 24 games were clearly better than nothing) was this past spring. Still thinking Coskey could become one of those little pluggers and I hope both have been spoonfed with highlights of our 4th line, and actually playoff Komarov for that matter. There are paths to the NHL when you start providing something teams need.

As for Chris Terry, he's one of the more legit AHL scorers they've brought in in recent times. Should be able to do a bit if he's down with the program's very disperse mode of operation.

SIDENOTE:
Expect to hear about Fritz signing with a European team, likely in the SHL.

Kubiak is muscle. He will answer the bell against anyone.

There are some players the Sound Tigers keep around as long as they can. It could be because they show the young Islanders players how to be a pro and play the game the right way. Ben Holmstrom comes to mind immediately. Could also be because they are community minded or fan favorites.

 

[DerekKingSnipes]

This organization sure seems to like Kubiak. Any BPort viewers able to chime in on what they could like so much about him? His size is nice.

Brown would seem more ECHL-bound, but I still get a kick out of him having scored 47 goals over his junior and senior years at RIT. AHL clubs need these kind of guys on 2-way contracts.

For Bibeau and Coskey, I'm sure hoping all plans for a full AHL season and an ECHL option, if necessary, remain intact. These guys really need to get fully emerged. They had a combined 28 games between the two of them in whatever that science experiment (ok, the 24 games were clearly better than nothing) was this past spring. Still thinking Coskey could become one of those little pluggers and I hope both have been spoonfed with highlights of our 4th line, and actually playoff Komarov for that matter. There are paths to the NHL when you start providing something teams need.

As for Chris Terry, he's one of the more legit AHL scorers they've brought in in recent times. Should be able to do a bit if he's down with the program's very disperse mode of operation.

SIDENOTE:
Expect to hear about Fritz signing with a European team, likely in the SHL.

Kubiak is versatile in that he can play wing and center and uses his size well, he isn’t a good skater and will never be a big fighter but he is good bottom six AHL player.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

This organization sure seems to like Kubiak. Any BPort viewers able to chime in on what they could like so much about him? His size is nice.

Brown would seem more ECHL-bound, but I still get a kick out of him having scored 47 goals over his junior and senior years at RIT. AHL clubs need these kind of guys on 2-way contracts.

For Bibeau and Coskey, I'm sure hoping all plans for a full AHL season and an ECHL option, if necessary, remain intact. These guys really need to get fully emerged. They had a combined 28 games between the two of them in whatever that science experiment (ok, the 24 games were clearly better than nothing) was this past spring. Still thinking Coskey could become one of those little pluggers and I hope both have been spoonfed with highlights of our 4th line, and actually playoff Komarov for that matter. There are paths to the NHL when you start providing something teams need.

As for Chris Terry, he's one of the more legit AHL scorers they've brought in in recent times. Should be able to do a bit if he's down with the program's very disperse mode of operation.

SIDENOTE:
Expect to hear about Fritz signing with a European team, likely in the SHL.

I failed to mention MacLean here.

I remember that Staple did an article on our top 15 prospects sometime in the last 15 months and MacLean's name was on his list (and well, no-where else actually) although he was still in the OHL while having signed a contract with BPort.

He seemed to be a bright spot in BPort's shortened season and seeing Bobo carpenter not re-upped has me thinking MacLean is the guy they want to go with in that role.

Haven't really seen him play, but like Carpenter, there's pedigree and NJD/father connections to Lamoriello.

Gotta think the organization sees him as a candidate for a ELC at some point once/if the desired AHL results are achieved.

 

[doublechili]

Coskey and Bibeau are needed depth anyways for Bridgeport. Hopefully they can keep growing as the years go by

I understand they're working on incorporating a quadruple Lutz into their free-skating program. That would be awesome.

 

[DarkHorse2]

Gotta think the organization sees him as a candidate for a ELC at some point once/if the desired AHL results are achieved.

I remember the book on McLean is that no one will outwork him, but he doesn't have the natural gifts to really make an impact.

 

[MJF]

The Islanders AHL team will remain in Bridgeport.

 

[leeroggy]

I understand they're working on incorporating a quadruple Lutz into their free-skating program. That would be awesome.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Do we have an idea on lineups?

 

[BarzyClub]

Do we have an idea on lineups?

Looks like the d is pretty much set:

Bolduc,Hutton,VandeSompel, Wotherspoon
Wilde, Salo

It’ll be interesting to see how they pair them as there are 4 left shots and 2 right. Last year they had Wotherspoon and Bolduc play some games on rd.

The forward group is pretty full as well.

Holmstrom,Newkirk,Jenkins,Adams,Durandeau,
Jeff Kubiak ,Erik Brown, Felix Bibeau ,Cole Coskey ,Kyle MacLean,Chris Terry….maybe Raty.

I’m betting we see some guys pass through waivers (Komarov, MDC, Koivula) to fill out the roster as well.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Looks like the d is pretty much set:

Bolduc,Hutton,VandeSompel, Wotherspoon
Wilde, Salo

It’ll be interesting to see how they pair them as there are 4 left shots and 2 right. Last year they had Wotherspoon and Bolduc play some games on rd.

The forward group is pretty full as well.

Holmstrom,Newkirk,Jenkins,Adams,Durandeau,
Jeff Kubiak ,Erik Brown, Felix Bibeau ,Cole Coskey ,Kyle MacLean,Chris Terry….maybe Raty.

I’m betting we see some guys pass through waivers (Komarov, MDC, Koivula) to fill out the roster as well.

I'm suspecting that there'll be several additions made by Chris L. that are either strictly AHL contracts or two-wayers with the ECHL.

We already have an extremely young team, so they might add a fewer older/tougher guys to be part of the fray. Generally, the AHL is quite the bone mill and the list of forwards above is just begging for physical abuse.

As for what could come from the Islanders, I see two things that will have to be considered the entire time:
- You can only have 3 players in the line-up with 260+ games of "pro" (including European leagues) experience at any one time.
- After yesterday's signings with the belief that Parise is being added and that Bellows, Golyshev, & Koivula will naturally be re-upped, the Isles already have 18 forwards in the show. And there is of course the belief that Zajac and Dal Colle may yet be part of the equation. You can't have more than 14 (maybe 15) forwards on the active roster at any one time. So something has to give. And all those guys would have to go through waivers to be sent down.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

When I look at the young guys on the AHL squad, I am happy to see so many newbies taking their initial steps at the pro level or at least playing their first, real full season. Here are the few points I'm most curious with just now:
- Can Skarek get into 45-55 games and show something that would indicate he's truly back-up material at the NHL level? I was very curious about Skarek in his draft year, but felt his landsman Dostal was the real goaltending prize from the Czech Republic. Skarek went just 13 spots ahead of Dostal, but the latter has been absolutely lights out since that draft. Did we get the wrong Czech?
- This year is huge for Bode Wilde. We have got to see him over an extended period of time and what will really, really matter is what he shows over the final 35 games of the season. By then, he simply must be in enough of a flow for us to see if his talents and natural abilities can "take over".
- Did Salo's outstounding SHL season mean he's close to the NHL? This team needs to find out at the AHL level first. He's coming in as the most immediately promising guy on the blueline.
- I don't envy Holmstrom. I don't believe the team has taken to optimal route with him, although we surely don't know all the behind-the-scenes reasons for his path with this franchise to date. Clear is that he was underwhelming in the Allsvenskan and then just a perimeter layman worker on a disappointing Team SWE at the WJC. He then scored at a lower pace in 24 AHL games than in his rookie season. What can this kid do over 65+ games in the AHL? We need to see that this year. I fear that anything other than 30+ points and a +/- rating around 0 or higher will not be a good sign.
- Newkirk and the older Adams are absolute newbies to the show and both belong - I feel - to the more mysterious prospects in the organization. Both have been very good in their respective leagues the past two seasons. How long will it take for them to adjust to the pro level and maybe even make an impact?

Sure, there are plenty of other things I'm curious about, but these points pretty much top the list for me.

 

[BarzyClub]

I'm suspecting that there'll be several additions made by Chris L. that are either strictly AHL contracts or two-wayers with the ECHL.

We already have an extremely young team, so they might add a fewer older/tougher guys to be part of the fray. Generally, the AHL is quite the bone mill and the list of forwards above is just begging for physical abuse.

As for what could come from the Islanders, I see two things that will have to be considered the entire time:
- You can only have 3 players in the line-up with 260+ games of "pro" (including European leagues) experience at any one time.
- After yesterday's signings with the belief that Parise is being added and that Bellows & Koivula will naturally be re-upped, the Isles already have 17 forwards in the show. And there is of course the belief that Zajac and Dal Colle may yet be part of the equation. You can't have more than 14 (maybe 15) forwards on the active roster at any one time. So something has to give. And all those guys would have to go through waivers to be sent down.

I would expect them to send Komarov and Dalcolle down heck maybe even try to pass Koivula through to help with size in the forward group. I’d also expect them to re-sign Helgeson.

The one thing that they have to figure out is the C position. We’ve had such a dearth of talent in the middle due to lack of drafting for that position that our wingers don’t have anyone to get them the puck.

It turns out that it’s not so easy to find skilled centermen through free agency or the undrafted college route. Hopefully Adams, Newkirk and maybe Raty can turn this around for BPT.Koivula would certainly help but I just think he may need a change of scenery.

As for Skarek, he’s got the size and athletic ability But he’s played behind a horrible team the last couple years. As long as he shows improve consistency in focus this year you should be on track for the Islanders back up job in a year or two

 

[impaaaaaact]

When I look at the young guys on the AHL squad, I am happy to see so many newbies taking their initial steps at the pro level or at least playing their first, real full season. Here are the few points I'm most curious with just now:
- Can Skarek get into 45-55 games and show something that would indicate he's truly back-up material at the NHL level? I was very curious about Skarek in his draft year, but felt his landsman Dostal was the real goaltending prize from the Czech Republic. Skarek went just 13 spots ahead of Dostal, but the latter has been absolutely lights out since that draft. Did we get the wrong Czech?
- This year is huge for Bode Wilde. We have got to see him over an extended period of time and what will really, really matter is what he shows over the final 35 games of the season. By then, he simply must be in enough of a flow for us to see if his talents and natural abilities can "take over".
- Did Salo's outstounding SHL season mean he's close to the NHL? This team needs to find out at the AHL level first. He's coming in as the most immediately promising guy on the blueline.
- I don't envy Holmstrom. I don't believe the team has taken to optimal route with him, although we surely don't know all the behind-the-scenes reasons for his path with this franchise to date. Clear is that he was underwhelming in the Allsvenskan and then just a perimeter layman worker on a disappointing Team SWE at the WJC. He then scored at a lower pace in 24 AHL games than in his rookie season. What can this kid do over 65+ games in the AHL? We need to see that this year. I fear that anything other than 30+ points and a +/- rating around 0 or higher will not be a good sign.
- Newkirk and the older Adams are absolute newbies to the show and both belong - I feel - to the more mysterious prospects in the organization. Both have been very good in their respective leagues the past two seasons. How long will it take for them to adjust to the pro level and maybe even make an impact?

Sure, there are plenty of other things I'm curious about, but these points pretty much top the list for me.

I'm wondering which of the Isles' forwards are the odd men out and will end up in Bridgeport. Seems likely that's where Golyshev and MDC start, and only 2 of Komarov, Panik, Zajac, Bellows, Johnston and Koivula are going to make the Isles. That is a LOT of reinforcements for the first year of the Bridgeport Islanders. I have a feeling that is important to Lou to build the winning culture from the ground up, and I wouldn't be absolutely shocked to see one of Lou's vets like Zajac go down there in a major leadership role, and then follow in Boychuk's footsteps taking a role within the organization.

 

[BarzyClub]

I'm wondering which of the Isles' forwards are the odd men out and will end up in Bridgeport. Seems likely that's where Golyshev and MDC start, and only 2 of Komarov, Panik, Zajac, Bellows, Johnston and Koivula are going to make the Isles. That is a LOT of reinforcements for the first year of the Bridgeport Islanders. I have a feeling that is important to Lou to build the winning culture from the ground up, and I wouldn't be absolutely shocked to see one of Lou's vets like Zajac go down there in a major leadership role, and then follow in Boychuk's footsteps taking a role within the organization.

Not sure if they’re continuing with a taxi squad this year but that would solve some of our roster problems.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Not sure if they’re continuing with a taxi squad this year but that would solve some of our roster problems.

I can't really imagine why the NHL would keep permitting the taxi squad now, which had much to do with an extremely tight schedule and, when the NHL started up, no minor leagues to park their players in.

I think it was unique to last season.

But you gotta wonder what Lou is planning, because if Parise is added and each of Bellows, Golyshev, and Koivula are re-upped, then we're already at 18 forwards.

And all the "rumors" seem to be that Dal Colle and Zajac are still in the picture.

Something has to give.

 

[SI]

I can't really imagine why the NHL would keep permitting the taxi squad now, which had much to do with an extremely tight schedule and, when the NHL started up, no minor leagues to park their players in.

I think it was unique to last season.

But you gotta wonder what Lou is planning, because if Parise is added and each of Bellows, Golyshev, and Koivula are re-upped, then we're already at 18 forwards.

And all the "rumors" seem to be that Dal Colle and Zajac are still in the picture.

Something has to give.

I’d imagine that Koivula and Golyshev would clear waivers. If Zajac is indeed added, then it means possibly losing Bellows to Waivers.

I also wonder if Panik is waived that some team wouldn’t mind picking him up at only 1.375 cap hit.

Leo and MDC would also clear waivers.

Do you think attaching Bellows to Boychuk would be enough for a team that has enough cap space to take on 6m in cap and only 1.25 in salary that is mostly covered by insurance ?

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I’d imagine that Koivula and Golyshev would clear waivers. If Zajac is indeed added, then it means possibly losing Bellows to Waivers.

I also wonder if Panik is waived that some team wouldn’t mind picking him up at only 1.375 cap hit.

Leo and MDC would also clear waivers.

Do you think attaching Bellows to Boychuk would be enough for a team that has enough cap space to take on 6m in cap and only 1.25 in salary that is mostly covered by insurance ?

As I understand it, we kind of need Boychuk's LTIR insurance.

 

[SI]

As I understand it, we kind of need Boychuk's LTIR insurance.

the team certainly doesn't need it. It doesn't give us any added space.
At the moment the team is roughly at 85.3 with his cap hit - this is without Parise or Zajac and a 7th d man (Chara). If the Isles sign these players at the league minimum the cap hit is now 87.5 - exactly 6 m over the cap, the exact amount of Boychuk's contract, so if you trade it - you are still compliant, but it removes all the restrictions that come with LTIR, like, accruing cap space as the year goes on.

 

[Seph]

the team certainly doesn't need it. It doesn't give us any added space.
At the moment the team is roughly at 85.3 with his cap hit - this is without Parise or Zajac and a 7th d man (Chara). If the Isles sign these players at the league minimum the cap hit is now 87.5 - exactly 6 m over the cap, the exact amount of Boychuk's contract, so if you trade it - you are still compliant, but it removes all the restrictions that come with LTIR, like, accruing cap space as the year goes on.

Correct, and I do think another team would make that deal, whether it's a team with plenty of space like you mention or a team that is going to use LTIR to go over already so it doesn't matter if they add more LTIR caphits. The question though is whether accruing that space and not having to juggle as much is worth giving up on Bellows. Though I am not super high on him, I still think he has a shot and even otherwise could be more useful in a different trade.

 

[BarzyClub]

I can't really imagine why the NHL would keep permitting the taxi squad now, which had much to do with an extremely tight schedule and, when the NHL started up, no minor leagues to park their players in.

I think it was unique to last season.

But you gotta wonder what Lou is planning, because if Parise is added and each of Bellows, Golyshev, and Koivula are re-upped, then we're already at 18 forwards.

And all the "rumors" seem to be that Dal Colle and Zajac are still in the picture.

Something has to give.

I guess we’ll see.. I haven’t heard anything about a taxi squad for this season .

Without a taxi squad we’d be at 21 forwards including Czarnik who would be another candidate to be sent down.

Agree with Seph here..I’d also rather keep Bellows instead of trading him for a year of Boychuks LTIR. I’d rather send most or all of those extras down,aside from Bellows to fortify Bridgeport or maybe lose a guy or two.

Lou’s got options.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Correct, and I do think another team would make that deal, whether it's a team with plenty of space like you mention or a team that is going to use LTIR to go over already so it doesn't matter if they add more LTIR caphits. The question though is whether accruing that space and not having to juggle as much is worth giving up on Bellows. Though I am not super high on him, I still think he has a shot and even otherwise could be more useful in a different trade.

Well, Lou clearly has Armstrong's number...

But I agree with you regarding Bellows. No need to move him as payment just to move Boychuk.

And seriously, it seems like Boychuk has become heavily involved with things behind the scenes. Helping with practices, working out with guys, maybe housing somebody here or there, etc.

Like Seidenberg.

 

[xECK29x]

I can’t see them doing a taxi squad, so many guys lost entire years of playing hockey, those same guys would be the players in taxi squad situations. Can’t see the PA signing off on it.