Isles earn win, feel agent heat
THE ISLANDERS’ uncustomary decision to carry three goaltenders for the second consecutive season drew some public ire this weekend from prominent agent Allan Walsh — who represents both presumptive starter Jaroslav Halak and in-limbo third-stringer J-F Berube.
Sportsnet’s “Hockey Night in Canada” reported Saturday that Islanders GM Garth Snow has let it be known around the league that Halak is available via trade, although a source familiar with the situation said during Sun- day’s 5-1 victory over Toronto at Barclay’s Center that the veteran goalie has not officially requested a move.
“Hard to figure out NY Islanders using 3 goalie system for 2nd year. Biggest issue is goalies don’t get enough practice time to stay sharp,” Walsh tweeted on Saturday. “Starting goalie for NY Islanders last game (Halak) had only 1 quality practice in last 5 days before Penguins game (on Thursday). Going on 2 years of this now.”
Last spring’s revelatory playoff fillin Thomas Greiss stopped 33 shots in making his third start over the past four games on Sunday, with Halak sitting on the bench serving as his backup.
“I don’t worry too much about (having three goalies), I get my work in as best as I can,” Greiss said. “It’s out of my hands, so I just make the best of the situation and play my game.”
After fronting Team Europe to the championship round of the recent World Cup of Hockey, Halak has lost three of five appearances with a 3.04 goals-against average during the Isles’ 4-5-0 start.
Halak, who is signed through 2016-17 at a $4.5 million cap hit, had expressed displeasure with the three-headed goalie situation after the Isles advanced in the playoffs for the first time since 1993 without him last spring — saying, “It’s not ideal” and “I’ve tried to tell (management).”
With Halak sidelined with a groin injury that led to hernia surgery, Greiss and the Isles defeated Florida in the first round before they were eliminated in the following series by Tampa Bay.
Berube appeared in just seven games last season and has not played a minute this year. But the 25-year-old goalie remains on the 23-man NHL roster, largely because the organization doesn’t want to risk losing him via waivers by sending him to AHL Bridgeport.
“I like Allan (Walsh), he’s a good guy. I’ve had conversations with him and with Garth, when I’m involved in those, but not too many,” Isles coach Jack Capuano said. “He’s got his opinion, but I’m not going to comment any more than that. I’ve always said when it comes to personnel, those are questions directed to our general manager.”
THAT’S KULE
Isles winger Nikolay Kulemin returned to Sunday’s lineup after missing two games with an upper body injury, taking ex-Isle and current Leafs winger Matt Martin’s old spot alongside Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. Kulemin drew assists on goals by Travis Hamonic and Cizikas against Toronto backup goalie Jhonas Enroth in the first 7:22 of the game. Shane Prince, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey scored in the third for the Isles.