Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Kids Are Alright

With the Islanders now statistically closer to the bottom of the table than a playoff spot, the team is beginning to look beyond this season. A convenient spate of injuries at an inconvenient time of the season has accelerated this process. In the last week the Islanders roster has seen the likes of Jeremy Colliton, Jeff Tambellini, and Frans Nielsen added to it. With the season slowly slipping away, we think it's about time. But let's also check in on a few others who haven't made the leap yet...

Kyle Okposo had a good weekend, totalling 2 goals and an assist to restore his point per game pace. Despite having new linemates, Kyle clearly didn't miss a beat (although the team dropped the Saturday contest 5-2 to Lowell). As of now Okposo is at 4-9-13 in 13 professional games. Might a post-trading deadline call to the Islanders be imminent? Stay tuned.

University of Denver product Rhett Rakhshani is sometimes overlooked, but shouldn't be. His Pioneer squad is 19-8-1 so far this season, and Rhett is 10-11-21 in 24 games. Now 7th, the team had been ranked as high as 3rd in the national polls. So we'll keep an eye on that situation too.

Lastly, Tomas Marcinko has been holding his own for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. His 34 points in 33 games deserve attention and perhaps a move to Bridgeport. We'll see how it all shakes out after February 26th, when GM Garth Snow will hopefully add a few more youngsters to the ranks.

Whatever happens in the next 2+ weeks, at least the foundation for a nice, young, hard-working team is being laid. It's a refreshing change for this franchise and well overdue.


**(Postscript)**

The authors of Okposo Net send our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to former Islander Richard Zednik. He sustained a scary injury during a game in Buffalo which required immediate medical attention. Apparently a teammate's blade caused a large laceration to his neck. Again, we all wish him the best of luck.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

no matter how it gets painted the islanders WIL NOT call Okposo back until less than 9 games are left in the season ...to me this is disgracefull that a team would save a year on a kids contract in order to save money and throw this season away ..he should have stayed in Minnisota.....Seeing islander Mangt does not care about this season can i get my money back?????..

Anonymous said...

They are not trying to "save a year of contract money"... the team is being very cautious with its n.1 prospect. After the Milbury era (or error) its certainly understandable. He clearly needs a full year at Bridgeport. If they do call him up it will be just for a taste of the NHL. I think the organization is doing the right thing for K.O.

OkposoNose said...

Zednik was ironically cut on the throat by teammate Olli Jokinen, arguably the best offensive Former Islander in the game right now. Former Islander on Former Islander crime just needs to come to an end. I wish Zed the best and please come back soon! 9 points in 4 games, that was some damn fine hockey!

Dr. Hook said...

I agree with uncle jr. - at this point, rushing Okposo is not the way to go. If he's the future of the franchise, make sure he's NHL ready before bringing him up. This season is just about a lost cause - let Okposo develop and we can bring him in for a full season in 2008-09.

As for Zednik, what a horrible, horrible incident. I have no idea how he had the presence of mind to skate to the bench - he literally saved his own life.

Anonymous said...

I f that was the case " development"...then why take him out of a top school in Minnisota ....Snow said that he was not happy with the development over there ..what exactly was he unhappy with...Was Montreal unhappy with the development of Komasarik at Michican or Higgins at Yale. They turned out just fine...what exactly was the reason for pulling the kid out of a school that he commited to? If not to move him up this year?Nystrom went to Michican also didn't seem to hurt him in Calgary. I just don't get the move if not to play him this year but stick him in Bridgeport??? Now the kid has no college degree and a half a year in the minors ..with his top line taken away form him...and a team back in minnisota that feels left behind...funny how snow waits until the kid is in world juniors to make the decison for kyle...and all of a suden minnisota can't develop talent

Anonymous said...

Nothing against you or your opinion anonymous, everyone is entitled to their own and obvously we dont agree here. I read where The coach at Min. wasnt playing K.O. at his natural position and he and Snow were at odds with his paying time as well. So rather than risk K.O. being used in a way that could be detrimental to his development the NYI org. decided to sign him and have him play in a place where they could keep better tabs of him. I commend then doing this. It shows that they care about the kid, As far as Nystrom goes he isnt exactly ripping it up stat wise so maybe college isnt the way to go. Jusy my opinion.

Anonymous said...

i have no problem with them taking thier time with KO.I just see players like Toews and Kane that have jumped right in and produced for the black hawks and I feel why can't the isles do the same ...he is the same age as them. And it hasn't hurt thier development one bit. Surely you can't deny that those two have made an impact not only on the team but fans in the seats...people in chicago are now ecited again about its hockey team ...i don't think they are rushing to the united center to see Lang and Havlat!!!!!They want to see thier youg FUTURE STARS!!!and so do I!!!

Anonymous said...

good point anonymous and i really dont have a good answer for you .... maybe some kids develop faster than others.

One note though ... Patrick Kane hasnt scored in his last 8 games. Maybe all the losing in Chi is having a negative impact.(they are currently sitting in 14th place in the west, just 3 points out of last overall.

Anonymous said...

now that toews is back in the line up kane should be just fine he scored last night...Toews and kane should be a force for years to come ..I just want the same thing for our stud...I just hope the islanders don't trade him like other great players they have had in the past a.k.a.....Oli,luongo...passing on meuler..wich I still don't get why they passed on him !!!!!any way I am starting to get depressed so I will stop ...Go Isles!!!

Anonymous said...

yeah the list goes on and on nothing against DP but i would much rather have Luongo and Heatly.After that 7 game losing streak is it too much to ask for a 7 game winning streak ???
Go Isles !!