Columbus is a gritty team. Games vs them will be tough.
Also, I'm not the biggest Halak fan, but Eller seems to leave a lot to be desired. He's a decent player but I am perfectly fine that we traded him away.
Nino Niederreiter has requested a trade. If they do end up trading him, they'll likely still get a good return.
That's a bad situation, that he just made worse. He had no business in the NHL last year, and if you're going to throw him in the NHL, at least give him competent line mates. He's playing well in the AHL, so it looks like he's turning it around. I feel bad for Isles fans, the organization is running itself into the ground.
That's a bad situation, that he just made worse. He had no business in the NHL last year, and if you're going to throw him in the NHL, at least give him competent line mates. He's playing well in the AHL, so it looks like he's turning it around. I feel bad for Isles fans, the organization is running itself into the ground.
I find it difficult to be critical of Niederreiter here, until the full story is out. He was crap last season, and has worked his ass off this year and done well. I think this all comes back to the fact that the Islanders didn't invite a few players to camp. He feels he has something to prove, has done well and they didn't even want to have a look at him. Sounds small and petty, but I can see that being the bigger issue than still being in the AHL.
I just hope it is resolved, would hate to see the Blackhawks or Wings picking him up.
One thing that's weird is I saw some articles toward the end of last season talking about Dubnyk being a legit goalie and various hype. Yet, whenever I watched him play last year I truly thought: wow, this is a garbage player.
Which is pretty much what he is. He's not really an NHL backup level goalie, even.
One thing that's weird is I saw some articles toward the end of last season talking about Dubnyk being a legit goalie and various hype. Yet, whenever I watched him play last year I truly thought: wow, this is a garbage player.
Which is pretty much what he is. He's not really an NHL backup level goalie, even.
I don't think I'd be that harsh on him, but if they ever have aspirations of going deep in the playoffs, they obviously need someone better than Dubs.
I don't think the Flames will make the playoffs, but they aren't a pushover, either. Igninla can still play, but he's a shell of what he once was. I'm glad the talk of trying to get him here has died down. I'd like to see him retire a Flame.
Is LOLbarbera still the back up? Do they have any prospect that might be able to handle it?
Still LaBarbera. Visentin is their top goalie prospect, but he only has 19 games of AHL experience and I doubt he's ready to shoulder the load of starting on a regular basis in the NHL. Wouldn't be surprised to see Chad Johnson get the call-up instead if Smith misses time.
Still LaBarbera. Visentin is their top goalie prospect, but he only has 19 games of AHL experience and I doubt he's ready to shoulder the load of starting on a regular basis in the NHL. Wouldn't be surprised to see Chad Johnson get the call-up instead if Smith misses time.
Ouch. Smith misses a couple of weeks and it's going to be incredibly difficult for them to make the playoffs. 3 weeks and you probably miss 1/4 of the season. Why did he come out of the game? Anything that seems serious or just precaution?
Ouch. Smith misses a couple of weeks and it's going to be incredibly difficult for them to make the playoffs. 3 weeks and you probably miss 1/4 of the season. Why did he come out of the game? Anything that seems serious or just precaution?
Nobody knows. Only word is a lower body injury, with no time-line given. Sounds like he was hurting coming into the game from some of the anecdotes in the 'Yotes GDT. I was watching CAL/VAN at the time, so I missed it myself.
I don't think I'd be that harsh on him, but if they ever have aspirations of going deep in the playoffs, they obviously need someone better than Dubs.
