Kevin Poulin Or Anders Nilsson?
ChrisTriants | Aug 05, 2012 | Comments 12
Photo Courtesy of @CrossCheckCathy
With all the talk about the Islanders prospects, there has not been so much talk about two guys that Islanders fans have actually seen on the ice. The Islanders have two promising goalie prospects in Anders Nilsson and Kevin Poulin, amd it’s only a mater of time until one, or both, of the goalies begin making regular appearances at the NHL level.
With this being said, and the fact that there are only two active roster spots to dress NHL goalies, where do these guys stand within the Islanders organization?
Kevin Poulin and Anders Nilsson have been splitting time with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers over the past season, while making sporadic appearances for the Islanders during the 2010-11 season. Although most of Islanders fans may be more familiar with Poulin, who shined for the Islanders during his 10 appearances for the big club during the prior season before he was injured, Nilsson may be the most recent prospect on their minds.
As most of Isles fans may recall, Anders Nilsson appeared in 4 games for the New York Islanders last season, posting a 1-2 record through two very impressive starts at the end of the season (one shutout, and one 58-minute shutout where he took a 2-1 loss). His loss came during his unfortuante NHL-debut where he was shelled for 5 goals during Sidney Crosby’s Nationally televised return.
During Nilsson’s successful starts, he showed poise and that he can use his size to his advantage. He took up the entire net because of his solid positioning, which made it awfully tough for opposing teams (the New Jersey Devils) to figure him out. Actually, it took 118 minutes, but who’s counting?
On the other hand, Kevin Poulin made 6 appearances for the Islanders this past season. Honestly, his numbers were very sub-par for the Islanders, who were absolutely impressed with his game only one season before. His 2-4 record was mediocre, while his GAA was an inflated 3.04. In a positive way, though, Poulin did shine. He seemed to suffer from the Islanders odd curse, where the team would often let up goals on the first shot of the game (something that happened 11 or 12 times this season- maybe more), including a disaster against Nashville where he would go on to let up his first 3, but then settled down without letting up any for the rest of the game. Yes, it was rough times on the Island for Kevin Poulin, who seemed so promising for the Islanders in 2011, as well as for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the past two seasons.
Although both goalies were impressive in the AHL this past season, Nilsson made the largest impact on the minds of Islanders fans during his NHL stints. Does that mean Nilsson is the goalie of the Islanders future, though? Is there enough speace for both goalies on the Island?
I’m going to be honest. I’m torn. Here’s the thing. Although I do think the Islanders would want to keep both guys, I think at some point, the New York Islanders are going to have to look into parting with one of them. No, I don’t think this season, but I do think the Islanders will make this decision in the upcoming year or two. Sure, the team can always go the route of having two starting goalies, but that never ever lasts, and often leads to controversy. I think, eventually, the Islanders will part with one of them. Now, the question is “which one?”
Well, it might shock some, and it might not. If the Islanders were to make this deal happen now, Anders Nilsson should be the Islanders goalie prospect that remains on the Island. Like I said, I’m torn. Nilsson showed that he is probably most NHL-ready. His size and positioning made him a wall in the crease for both, the Islanders and the Sound Tigers. He reminds me of Pekka Rinne, and I think he can actually be that good.
And I know that Kevin Poulin has received high-praise from all over the place. I have been on record for saying that he is our goalie of the future. I am on record for saying that this kid is going to be the guy to make people completely move on from Rick DiPietro. I believe the potential is even greater than that of Nilsson, but I also think the team shouldn’t take the risk on another injury-prone goaltender while they have other solid choices in front of them. Again, I just don’t think two solid #1 goalies can co-exist for more than a season or two.
Both goalies played incredible for stretches of time in Bridgeport, as both earned Goalie of the Month awards in the AHL. I think the Islanders goalie position is the least of the team’s worries. They have the luxury of two prospects that can make an NHL impact, and the flexibility of trading one of them as part of a package for a piece in the future. This doesn’t mean I know what’s going to happen, and I wouldn’t care if the Islanders chose one over the other, or if they chose to stick with both. The Islanders are in good shape.
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No reason to move either guy until you have to, which won’t be until one or both are approaching UFA status. Trouble is, until CW does the right thing and corrects one of his biggest personal mistakes by buying RDP out of that ridiculous contract, there is really only room for one of Nilsson or Poulin on the isles after Nabokov moves on. RDP’s presence on tie team is crippling the goaltending situation.
Yes, exactly. I’m actually very optimistic that DP will not be on this team much longer (basically crossing my fingers for an amnesty clause), but while he remains, there is probably only one slot for a goalie. The ideal situation would be to have both guys up in the NHL in a year or two, but if that really could not happen, one can be traded as a centerpiece of a package for a player (as long as they continue to show improvement). Let’s see how everything plays out by October…and maybe the Islanders catch a break.
I wish I had the same confidence you have in Wanger buying out DP. I would bet against that happening. How many years does he have left on that albatross of a contract? Close to a decade, am I right? If there were only 2 or 3 years left, I’d say there’s a better chance of a buy out. But as of now, we’re on austerity, and Wang is doing all he can to cut costs. To be honest Wang is basically paying him NOT to play anyway so he might as well buy him the f*** out and he can still use that money against the cap, I believe. But that’s not gonna happen. Wang will give DP every opportunity to make good on his end of the bargain. The only way to get DP’s foot off the throat of the Isles is if he came to the realization that he will never be NHL caliber again and he decides to hang it up on on his own. But he has said they will have to tear the jersey off his dead body several times. We are stuck with this guy for bad or for worse.
He will get every opportunity to play, and to prove that he is worth his contract. Ricky will be the competitor he is and continue to refuse to take off his uniform. An amnesty clause would allow the team to eliminate a contract…not saying the team would definitely exercise this, but it’s very much a possibility. We will have to wait and see with this. A buyout is just unrealistic…a cap hit of 3 million for the next 18 years (if the CBA terms for this remain the same) would be a bit much. It’s on Ricky, but it’s also becoming very clear that the Islanders, although still trying to get him on the ice, are no longer centering their plans around him. If he returns to form, great. We won’t be complaining (except when he does his failed out of the net thing).
Its quite ironic how DP will be voting on such an amnesty clause knowing he could be directly effected. But then again, DP told Dee Carl that he believes his contract is a good one, lol.
Very ironic. His contract might even be used as an example right in front of him….Yeah…his contract was a good one until the very second he got hurt..but Ricky probably still thinks it’s 2006, judging by his beard….look up “What Year is it” on Google images…that will further explain DiPietro.
Poulin impressed me with his athleticism 2 seasons ago. I like Nilsson because hes a giant and seems to know how to use his size to fill in the nets. I just think Its WAY TOO EARLY to be choosing one over the other.
Of course it’s too early because both goalies are still so young. Both goalies are very intriguing prospects because they both play two very different styles in net. There is still time for them to develop, but you also cannot say there is no possibility that one will have to play 20-30 games for the team this season. If DP goes down again, one will most likely be called up. Choosing one over the other is difficult, but that decision might be made sooner than later. Personally, I’d hope for one to be the back-up who plays 30 games this year, and the other to remain in Bridgeport taking the bulk of the games.
I’m just saying its early to talk about making a decision on who might be the future of the franchise. If all you’re talking about is who can be the back up then that’s a different story.
I understand this, but if the right deal came along for a superstar that us fans are always begging for, would you deem both goalies untouchables?
I would be all for a trade of some of our prospects if it would help the team currently. It would be a tough choice between those 2 goalie prospects, thats for sure.
so Im not saying either goalie is untouchable.