The Islanders have started out this season incredibly well given the injury problems that they have been faced with, but one thing that is confusing is the situation of one Trevor Gillies. Gillies was signed a to a one year, two-way contract by the Islanders in the off season and has quickly become a fan favorite. When you go to the merchandise stand at the Coliseum you see Matt Moulson T-shirts, Mark Streit shirts, John Tavares, Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo, as well as Gillies. Gillies was at the draft party last June with Moulson and Tavares to unveil the Isles new road white jerseys. There was also a Trevor Gillies "Stache Station" at the draft party as well.
But Gillies averages only a minute or so per game. Usually that minute comes very early in the first period, and then he sits on the bench the rest of the game. He is incredibly outspoken and has become a vocal leader on the Islander bench, but his current situation is something that the Islanders said over the summer that they would never do. The Islanders claimed that they would not sign someone just to fight and sit on the bench, which is exactly what has been the situation for Gillies so far this year.
Gillies is a great leader, incredibly vocal on the bench, and an excellent fighter, but is he needed? Zenon Konopka has fought just as much as Gillies this season, he also kills penalties, and has the best face-off average for the Islanders. He also plays more than a minute per game.
Gillies has a two-way contract. He can be sent down to Bridgeport to play in the AHL. He can be recalled if the Islanders want an added physical presence for games against the Rangers and Flyers. He can also bring a positive attitude to the young guys on the Sound Tigers.
The Islanders can afford to send him down, keep Konopka, and even call up Matt Martin. Martin can score, hit, and fight.
Whatever the Islanders do with Gillies, he and his stache will remain a favorite of the Islander faithful.
Wednesday nights game in Montreal against the Canadiens is the Islanders ninth game of the season. Thus it is also decision time regarding the Islanders first round draft pick Nino Niederreiter. "El Nino" has played in every game for the Islanders so far logging one goal and one assist, and has looked pretty good. Coach Gordon has even said the Nino looks better at this point than Josh Bailey looked in his first year.
The problem for the Islanders is whether to send Nino back to Portland of the WHL where he will get a lot of ice time, or keep him here where he wont get nearly as much. Rob Schremp returns from his back injury in about a week or so barring any setbacks, Kyle Okposo will be back for the Islanders around December, and Matt Martin was just called up to take the spot of Micheal Grabner who strained his groin on Saturday.
So even though Nino has looked good to start the season off, the problem is more about ice time over anything else.
In my honest opinion (not that it matters much) I would send him back to Portland. Schremp will be back soon, Grabner has looked great, and Nino can benefit from the extra year in Juniors.
Matt Martin was called up by the Islanders yesterday as per Katie Strang, replacing Micheal Grabner in the lineup for Wednesday night. The speedy Grabner strained his groin on Saturday night in a loss to the Florida Panthers.
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