Bridgeport Islanders Discussion 2023-24: Youngblood

[Chapin Landvogt]

I just wish Skarek just grows. a sub .900 sv% when the isles could've drafted Dostal just bothers me to no end. Goalies are crapshoots either way.

I remember how my Czech hockey guys were telling me after that draft that they were a bit uncertain about how a team could take Skarek before Dostal...

 

[leeroggy]

I remember how my Czech hockey guys were telling me after that draft that they were a bit uncertain about how a team could take Skarek before Dostal...

You have Czech Mates? Cool!

 

[SI]

Ruslan - Kuhlman - Dufour
Durandeau - Koivula - Maggio
Maclean - Pinho - Holmstrom (IMO, he makes the team, leaving another spot for a signing)
Kuefler - Kubiak - Bardreau* (only F that meets requirements)
another signing? - Newkirk - another signing?

Piercey (ECHL) - Pivionka (ECHL) - Cipollone (ECHL)
Salo - Hutton
Cholowski* - LaDue* - (both Dmen meet the Pro Game requirements)
Mitchell - Fulp
Krygier - another signing?

There are only 3 players who meet the Pro game requirements - Isles could play 2 more players.

Feels like the Isles could easily sign another 2 F's or D men to fill out the AHL roster - Am I missing anyone?

EDIT - @Chapin Landvogt fixed it.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

You have Czech Mates? Cool!

The British side of me does...

Ruslan - Pinho - Dufour
Holmstrom - Koivula - Maggio
Durandeau - Maclean - Kuhlman
Kuefler - Kubiak - Bardreau* (only F that meets requirements)
another signing? - Newkirk - another signing?

Piercey (ECHL) - Pivionka (ECHL) - Cipollone (ECHL)
Salo - Hutton
Cholowski* - LaDue* - (both Dmen meet the Pro Game requirements)
Mitchell - Fulp
Krygier - another signing?

There are only 3 players who meet the Pro game requirements - Isles could play 2 more players.

Feels like the Isles could easily sign another 2 F's or D men to fill out the AHL roster - Am I missing anyone?

Looks like there's still room for a couple of guys, but I'm thinking they'll be ECHLers with AHL experience.

Also, I think you've got all the names that are part of the equation, but if Kuhlman is on the farm, I'm thinking he'll be centering that first line.

Pinho has been primarily a 3rd line center in recent seasons. Came in 10th in scoring for Utica, behind centers Stevens and Schmelzer.

Lastly, something tells me Newkirk will be given a stronger look in this last year of his ELC. From what I gander, the organization has liked him more than Jenkins and Adams. Then again, the organization likes undrafted MacLean better than the whole lot of 'em.

 

[SI]

The British side of me does...



Looks like there's still room for a couple of guys, but I'm thinking they'll be ECHLers with AHL experience.

Also, I think you've got all the names that are part of the equation, but if Kuhlman is on the farm, I'm thinking he'll be centering that first line.

Pinho has been primarily a 3rd line center in recent seasons. Came in 10th in scoring for Utica, behind centers Stevens and Schmelzer.

Lastly, something tells me Newkirk will be given a stronger look in this last year of his ELC. From what I gander, the organization has liked him more than Jenkins and Adams. Then again, the organization likes undrafted MacLean better than the whole lot of 'em.

I wonder if they try to sign Jay O'Brien when mid-August comes around.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

I wonder if they try to sign Jay O'Brien when mid-August comes around.

Don't forget about Robert Mastrosimone.

 

[leeroggy]

Don't forget about Robert Mastrosimone.

And Josh Bailey on an ECHL Player/Coach contract!

 

[MJF]

For those following Blade Jenkins

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

For those following Blade Jenkins

Kind of interesting that he's remaining with the organization.

On an ECHL deal no less. Interesting.

While we're at it, here's some more ex-prospect news...

The team is Banska Bystrica. Ironically, that's where former Islander prospect Vladimir Orszagh is from.

***
As a sidenote, Mitchell Miller signed with a Slovakian club earlier this week as well.

 

[MJF]

Kind of interesting that he's remaining with the organization.

On an ECHL deal no less. Interesting.

While we're at it, here's some more ex-prospect news...
View attachment 733325

The team is Banska Bystrica. Ironically, that's where former Islander prospect Vladimir Orszagh is from.

***
As a sidenote, Mitchell Miller signed with a Slovakian club earlier this week as well.

I think Wilde could play himself back to the NHL one day.

Does Jenkins have a life away from the rink in Worcester? Maybe that’s why he was content to sign an ECHL contract there.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I think Wilde could play himself back to the NHL one day.

Does Jenkins have a life away from the rink in Worcester? Maybe that’s why he was content to sign an ECHL contract there.

I naturally have no idea but it was my very first thought when I saw this signing.

Like, he's prolly got a girlfriend or something there now.

 

[leeroggy]

I naturally have no idea but it was my very first thought when I saw this signing.

Like, he's prolly got a girlfriend or something there now.

If she's Korean be kind to him Chap!

 

[MJF]

I naturally have no idea but it was my very first thought when I saw this signing.

Like, he's prolly got a girlfriend or something there now.

My thought as well. Some sort of family obligation.

 

[steveat]

I remember how my Czech hockey guys were telling me after that draft that they were a bit uncertain about how a team could take Skarek before Dostal...

He was a Snow draft so he must have seen something in the guy. As a former goalie, you would think he knew something.

 

[MJF]

He was a Snow draft so he must have seen something in the guy. As a former goalie, you would think he knew something.

Snow created the 3 goalie mess when he wouldn't send down JF Berube for fear that another team would claim him. Berube sucked and was of little consequence since leaving the Islanders. So I would call Snow's goalie instincts into question.

 

[saintunspecified]

I naturally have no idea but it was my very first thought when I saw this signing.

Like, he's prolly got a girlfriend or something there now.

Not a bad place to take college classes either.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Not a bad place to take college classes either.

Oh man... that hits one of my sore spots.

I got waitlisted and then accepted to Holy Cross back in the day.

Even had a productive meeting with the coach (whose name I've long since forgotten).

I decided to take a different path and have often wondered what would have been...

 

[leeroggy]

Oh man... that hits one of my sore spots.

I got waitlisted and then accepted to Holy Cross back in the day.

Even had a productive meeting with the coach (whose name I've long since forgotten).

I decided to take a different path and have often wondered what would have been...

You might have become a Bruins fan instead . . . and got to listen to the King! Jack Edwards! LOL

 

[The Real JT]

Snow created the 3 goalie mess when he wouldn't send down JF Berube for fear that another team would claim him. Berube sucked and was of little consequence since leaving the Islanders. So I would call Snow's goalie instincts into question.

Let’s not forget trading Carter Verhaege for goalie Kristaps Gudlevskis.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Let’s not forget trading Carter Verhaege for goalie Kristaps Gudlevskis.

How could we ever forget?

He was clearly on his way to NHL stardom when he was moved 7 years ago.

***
As for the goaltending issue, which was then different from the 3-headed Berube phase mentioned above, this organization didn't have anything looking like a viable 3rd string goaltender in the case of injury when this move was made. Gudlevskis was added at a point where he was coming off three straight winning seasons in the AHL and had gotten looks in the NHL, the Olympics, and the WC.

At the time Verheaghe wasn't even seen as one of the top 15 NYI prospects.

 

[MJF]

Let’s not forget trading Carter Verhaege for goalie Kristaps Gudlevskis.

I’m not sweating the Verhaege portion of that deal. Nobody envisioned him as a late bloomer. Gudlevskis at that time was the firs goalie up to backup Vasilevskiy, at a time when we were thin in net throughout the organization, and boy did he go thud.

 

[The Real JT]

Just to close the book on Verhaege:

I never saw him becoming the player he is today but give credit to a few posters here who questioned the trade on this board at the time it was announced.

 

[danteipp]

Just to close the book on Verhaege:

I never saw him becoming the player he is today but give credit to a few posters here who questioned the trade on this board at the time it was announced.

View attachment 734769View attachment 734770View attachment 734771

Good find! I was thinking I must have been complimentary of Verhaeghe, since I watched a lot of Bridgeport games from 2015-2020. He stood out amongst our (at the time) dogsh!t forward corps at the Bridge. His explosion at the NHL level is surreal, but he clearly had another gear and ability, especially when compared to players like Steve Bernier, Bracken Kearns, Mike Halmo, etc.

 

[MJF]

Good find! I was thinking I must have been complimentary of Verhaeghe, since I watched a lot of Bridgeport games from 2015-2020. He stood out amongst our (at the time) dogsh!t forward corps at the Bridge. His explosion at the NHL level is surreal, but he clearly had another gear and ability, especially when compared to players like Steve Bernier, Bracken Kearns, Mike Halmo.

Don’t forget both Holmstroms,

And people thought Brent Thompson was the Sound Tigers problem smh

 

[danteipp]

Don’t forget both Holmstroms,

And people thought Brent Thompson was the Sound Tigers problem smh

What is amazing is that despite all of the early draft picks that LL has traded away, Bridgeport is still in much better shape (at least in terms of forwards) than some of those 2015-18 teams. There were some spectacularly awful names on those squads. Because not only were they devoid of prospects, but the AHL vets were typically not good either.