A few player agents contacted me today saying they received an email from the NY Islanders stating that if they have any unsigned players those players are welcomed to come to Long Island for a camp tryout. While the concept of certain unsigned players going to camp tryouts for teams isn't new, the agents I talked to had never heard it done in such a general way. and at a big scale.
This could be a brilliant move by Garth Snow. There are quite a few frustrated players who could really make an impact, and inviting many of them sure puts the pressure on the players currently thinking they have a solid spot sewn up.
Geez, I wonder who'll show up. There are still a ton of unsigned free agents desperate for the next contract, but doing it on such a large scale could be trouble for those hoping to see Petrov/Martin or any of the other youngsters on the Island this season.
Then again, playing vets instead of kids is really what made Phoenix so good last year. I guess we won't be signing any more UFAs until after training camp begins.
I could see a guy like Marek Svatos come to isles camp without a contract and try and prove he can still score goals and put some points on the board. Still young enough to re-find his scoring touch. He might need a tryout to get an NHL deal!
My only problem with it is that the pre-season schedule is already condensed as is. I don't want the team to waste valuable practice time with players that really have no shot of making the team unless you are trying to give one of our prospects an extended look at what it's like to be in the NHL.
That said if they can use it to motivate some of our players by letting them know there are always players knocking on the door ready to take their spots, then maybe it helps.
They'll have to run several sessions.
Sounds like it could be chaos. But if they show up, they are indicating that they are not against signing here. Then its just a matter of who and how much$$
Wow, the way he stated it, it's something that really happened, and not a rumor. Very interesting. It sounds like the Isles are still interested in the free agent market, and they sort of advertised it for the agents and their players here.
Even though its "open" I doubt anyone looking for a job will show up, especially knowing its an open tryout. Players would much rather go to a team where a tryout was offered because it suggest that the team may possibly have a spot for him.
Sounds like a good idea to me. See who will fit the system well. Sounds like something Herb Brooks would do. Its not about the best player but the right player for this team and system. Maybe we will see a miracle on ice this year lol.
Eklund makes it sound like it's a wide open invitation and the guys are just going to show up. Do you know how many players are UFAs?
I picture the closing scene of "Field of Dreams", where they pan out to the overhead distance shot of the field and you see the headlights heading to the field from miles away. Except it's Iceworks instead of a cornfield in Iowa.
If memory serves both Richard Park and Victor Kozlov came to tryouts with the Islanders and proved to be very valuable.
We won't necessarily find the next Mike Bossy....but I think we can find excellent value and some very solid additions.
Somebody help me if I am wrong — maybe some of these players are not available — but any number of the following are certainly worth a look....maybe one or two 'make the grade.'
Brendan Morrison — is there anything left and do we really need a centerman?
Raffi Torres — could be a very strong addition, and be the Wisniewski of the offense.
Marek Svatos — can he be the player on LI that everyone hoped he was in Colorado?
Jonathan Cheechoo — is he worth at least a look? Perhaps in the right system....?
Slava Kozlov — is there anything left?
Players likely gone before camps opens...
Stempniak — rumors are he could be an Isles target as it is — I would love to add him.
Kariya — seems like he is heading to the Ducks
Kovulchuck — im somewhat sure he will be staying in NJ with a new deal.
I would have no problem if any of the above came in for a tryout.
I did not list defense or goalies — it seems like they are going to go with Roloson and DiPietro/Lawson in net, and with 8 d-men on one way deals someone already is likely to be waived/traded.
And if the report is to be believed, Eklund wrote that a few player agents received the email. That doesn't necessarily mean that all agents received it or that all of their UFA's will be showing up to camp. And honestly, I think management already knows who will be on the Islanders next season. I think this is a way to make Bridgeport more competetive and a better place for prospects to develop due to veteran leadership. Unless of course, a try out really blows them away during camp.
I imagine only a handful of UFA's turning up, if that many. Most of the desired UFA's on the market will probably be scooped up before camp. As Botta previously wrote, the NHL doesn't go dark during the late summer anymore. Signings seem to take place later and later every year since the new CBA was signed and this year is no exception.
Richard Park and Mike Dunham are the only players that Garth Snow invited to camp for a tryout and than signed! V. Kozlov signed with the Islanders a day or two before camp opened.
svatos, asham are a few names that come to mind that have been quiet recently. mitchell and stempniak are the top two names out there but have been in talks recently. and tryouts means they are coming cheap.
Whether it's for the Isles or the Bridge, it means that those turning up is indeed willing to or interested in signing here. If no-one impresses enough, then so be it and if someone does, then it's a win-win situation.
I bet there are a few other GMs who'll do exactly the thing in the next few days.
I have a more pessimistic viewpoint that the Isles are currently so frugal that they refuse to pay a FA his worth and will settle for the unsigned dregs that will take any amount of money because they are getting desperate.
I think it's a good idea. Just by showing up it let's the organization know that a certain player would be interested in playing for the Isles. That in itself is a big deal. Plus it makes for a more competitive scenario.
Don't you still have to sign the players for the tryout period?
Eklund is F.O.S!!
Unless the agents call Snow saying X wants to tryout and Snow gives the yay or nay.
no i dont think you have to sign them for tryouts. and its not just eklund that says it, kevin allen is too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddie Van Halen
I think it's a good idea. Just by showing up it let's the organization know that a certain player would be interested in playing for the Isles. That in itself is a big deal. Plus it makes for a more competitive scenario.
i see it more as the fact that they are less interested in the logo on their jersey and more interested in getting an nhl logo on their jerseys. these guys are unsigned and need jobs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by beach
I have a more pessimistic viewpoint that the Isles are currently so frugal that they refuse to pay a FA his worth and will settle for the unsigned dregs that will take any amount of money because they are getting desperate.
Wonderful.
there are still quality unsigned guys out there. this is smart. their is a small market and as you said these guys are desperate but that doesnt mean they are worthless.
i still want to see the names before i can give the 100% this is a very smart thing to do. its still bargain hunting either way but i will be happier if its the torres's and/or asham's and/or svatos's over the guerin's and/or park's and/or bergenheim's.
