AHL

New York Islanders: Predicting the Qualifying Offers

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New York Islanders, Devon Toews

New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has recently stated that 1 or 2 players won’t receive a qualifying offer. The Islanders currently have ten restricted free agents. And for the sake of simplicity, I’ll say Mat Barzal, Devon Toews, and Ryan Pulock will all get a qualifying offer. Lou Lamoriello has also said that Joshua Ho-Sang has already received a qualifying offer.

So, with that all being said, out of the six remaining RFA’s, who will the Isles keep?

Resigned

Without a doubt in my mind, Sebastian Aho will receive a qualifying offer. Firstly, he got pulled up for the playoffs. Secondly, he has decent trade value, could be able to move Ladd with Aho in the trade. Grant Hutton will also receive a qualifying offer. Lamoriello likes him, and it’s his decision.

Next is Mitchell Vande Sompel, he has to be brought back. He’s been with the Tigers for three years, and his passing is exquisite. Cannot let Vande Sompel leave without compensation. Finally, I have Parker Wotherspoon edging out Kyle Burroughs. There’s one simple reason for this, Wotherspoon is more offensive-minded than Burroughs. This league is becoming an offensive defenseman heavy league. The Isles could have another one if they just make one correct move.

Released

I see Lamoriello releasing the other two RFA’s on the team. First is Kyle Burroughs. He’ll probably find his way onto another AHL team, but he won’t return to Bridgeport. There are too many players that are better than him, no reason to keep onto more depth. Linus Soderstrom is the other player who will not receive a qualifying offer from Mr. Lamoriello. A 4th round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Soderstrom hasn’t reached expectations. Now with Ilya Sorokin being the goalie of the future. And Christopher Gibson surpassed him. And Jakub Skarek is developing correctly. So, keeping Soderstrom is not necessary.

New York Islanders: Cole Coskey is the Next Big Thing

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Cole Coskey, New York Islanders

The New York Islanders drafted forward Cole Coskey in the 7th round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted, Coskey would return to his OHL team, the Saginaw Spirit. Coskey broke out this year and put himself on the radar for Islanders fans. The Islanders did not offer Coskey a contract after drafting him, but just recently, they did. The Islanders have a gem on their hands unless their AHL coach Brent Thompson ruins another prospect.

Time with Saginaw Spirit

Cole Coskey is a huge part of Saginaw’s history. Coskey has been a part of the organization since he was 15 years old. Dave Drinkill, the general manager of Saginaw, said, “Coskey grew up right in front of our very eyes.” Not only did Coskey have a great 2019, but he set records for Saginaw. Coskey is the leader in games played all-time for Saginaw with 302. Coskey is also third all-time in points for Saginaw with 235, third all-time in goals for Saginaw with 106, and 4th all-time in assists with 129. Do not expect this kind of production in the NHL or even the AHL, but it’s still very exciting to see.

When will Coskey be Ready?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Prospects, especially late-round picks, vary on their development time. This also depends on the coaching of the AHL team. Brent Thompson is not the guy for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Thompson has done players like Kieffer Bellows, Mitch Vande Sompel, and Parker Wotherspoon, all a disservice.  Despite this, Coskey is a very solid two-way winger, and that will only help him shine in Trotz’s system. If Coskey can keep up his production, he will be an undeniable pull-up. At best, Coskey is a Nazem Kadri/Erik Haula. At worst, he’s a Michael Dal Colle. I give it 2-3 years before he’s fully ready for the NHL.

Conclusion

The thing with the OHL is that it’s not hard to be good. Michael Dal Colle, who was supposed to be the next great winger for the Isles, recorded 95 points in 2013. Dal Colle is a nothing player now. This isn’t discounting how good Coskey could be, though. It’s merely just a “don’t get your hopes high up.” Cole Coskey is a diamond in the rough for this Islanders team, and Islanders fans will hopefully get to see him play soon.

New York Rangers’ Top Affiliate Team Loses Remainder of Season due to Coronavirus

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New York Rangers, Hartford Wolf Pack

While the New York Rangers await word on their season, the Hartford Wolf Pack do not have to wait any longer. On Monday, the AHL has canceled the rest of its 2019-20 regular season as well as the Calder Cup playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will make the first time since 1936 that the AHL has not awarded the Calder Cup to its champion.

“After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions,” AHL president and CEO David Andrews said in a statement.

Despite being called up in January, current Ranger Igor Shesterkin will still be among the league leaders in many goaltending categories. His 1.90 GAA ranks him second behind Dan Vlader of Providence. He is also second in Save percentage to Vlader as well. Shesterkin had fabulous numbers with the Wolf Pack, finishing with a 17-4-3 record.  Also, Shesterkin had a major impact on the Wolf Pack. When Shesterkin was on their roster, the Wolf Pack’s winning percentage was the best in the Eastern Conference by far, trailing only the Western Conference’s Milwaukee Admirals for best in the league at the point he was called up.

This also puts a twist on the Ranger’s current three goalie rotation, that many have seen as a distraction to the Rangers since Shesterkin has been called up. It is more than likely that any NHL team that resumes play will have to bring up players, since their top affiliate’s league has been canceled, and this will most certainly include having at least 3 goaltenders.

Every NHL team that goes deep into the playoffs usually carries a group of minor leaguers around in case of injury. This year, expect that number to increase substantially as many are concerned that teams who may be returning after the break could see an increase in minor injuries.

Now we wait and see if some of those Hartford Wolf Pack will be among those playing with the New York Rangers if the Blueshirts are included in some kind of reboot to the current season.