This, to me, seems to be the question running through Garth Snow's mind. Jeff Tambellini has appeared in 31 NHL games this past season and has registered 1 goal, 4 assists, 43 shots on net, and a -9 +/- rating. For a first round draft pick who is supposed to be a prolific scorer, this simply just does not cut it. Now I am a big Jeff Tambellini fan, and I was very happy when I heard that we had traded Brent Sopel and Mark Parrish to the Los Angeles Kings for Jeff Tambellini and Denis Grebeshkov, however, three seasons later, I have seen nothing come from the deal to benefit us. Denis Grebeshkov is gone, and we seem to have nothing more to show for it then an AHL All-Star. In Tambellini's 49 AHL appearances this season, the kid has managed 30 goals, 32 assists for 62 points and a -3 +/- rating. To me, those are pretty phenomenal numbers. But could this kid very well be the next Jason Krog (if you are unsure of who Jason Krog is, please see the top of the AHL Statistics for this year and then simply compare it to his Career NHL Numbers).
This upcoming off-season presents Garth Snow with a big decision to make regarding Jeff Tambellini. He is a Restricted Free-Agent and it is expected that the New York Islanders will qualify him, however, that doesnt mean he will stay a New York Islander. Tambellini still has much to prove at the NHL level. His size is something to be concerned with, as he really is not an intimidating forward because he is easily bumped off the puck and beaten on the boards. He must, and I repeat must, work tremendously hard on putting on muscle weight and increasing his strength if he is ever going to be NHL worthy. Yes, this may cause him to lose some speed, however, it is the only way that he will ever be able to compete in the NHL. Although the "new" NHL emphasizes speed and skill, it still requires strength to go to the net and win battles along the boards. I do take into consideration that he is still only 23 years old and that he was playing with other rookies alongside him, however, he still has not shown that individual effort or the sniping skill-set that he is said to have. Blake Comeau, for example, has worked his tail off and is willing to take the hit and get up, and that is why he is still up with the big club. Kyle Okposo, who has only appeared in 7 NHL Games, already has as many points as Tambellini does in 31 NHL games this year. When it comes to a player like Tambellini, it really is all about the point production!
Although I am a big fan of Jeff Tambellini and I believe he should be signed to a one year, one-way deal in order to prove himself at the NHL Level, I do feel that the organization may have made up their minds already. The press-release states that both Garth Snow and Ted Nolan agree that Tambellini should stay in the minors and help Bridgeport to make the playoffs. If this were the case, how come players such as Nielsen aren't in the minors helping to make a significant push? I understand the Islanders are in desperate need of players considering that a large number of our players our injured, however, if the AHL Postseason was so crucial to the Islanders organization and the development of players like Tambellini, why aren't Nielsen and Okposo enjoying the same "development"? The addition of Nielsen and Okposo to the Sound Tigers line-up would only help Bridgeport make those "crucial" playoffs, while helping both Nielsen and Okposo to further develop! If players such as Spiller, Regier, and Colliton can move up and down on a nightly basis, so could Jeff Tambellini! It is for reason's like this that I begin to get a feeling of unrest as it might mean the departure of another young, promising talent.
So what may become of Jeff Tambellini if he is declared "expendable" as was Robert Nilsson? Well, for starters, if the Islanders are unable to land the first overall pick in this years draft, they may package their first round pick (most likely to be top 5 overall), a 2nd Round Pick 08, Jeff Tambellini and another player in order to land that first overall pick (This is complete speculation). Considering it is a deep draft and an offensively-laden team such as the LA Kings might get the first pick, they might be willing to negotiate a deal to allow us to move up three to four spaces while they still get a great defenseman with a top 5 pick. (Once again, just complete speculation). As for a straight up trade of Jeff Tambellini for another player or prospect, it could happen, but many teams might notice by now that he may not be the player everyone thought he could be.
I for one, as I've said numerous times throughout this post, believe that Tambellini should be offered a one-year, one-way contract worth around $750,000. This will give him one year to prove that he is NHL worthy and will alleviate the stress he must put on himself in order to stay with the big club. What do you think of a contract like this? And most importantly, do you think Jeff Tambellini has played his last game in a New York Islanders uniform?
Although I am a big fan of Jeff Tambellini and I believe he should be signed to a one year, one-way deal in order to prove himself at the NHL Level, I do feel that the organization may have made up their minds already. The press-release states that both Garth Snow and Ted Nolan agree that Tambellini should stay in the minors and help Bridgeport to make the playoffs. If this were the case, how come players such as Nielsen aren't in the minors helping to make a significant push? I understand the Islanders are in desperate need of players considering that a large number of our players our injured, however, if the AHL Postseason was so crucial to the Islanders organization and the development of players like Tambellini, why aren't Nielsen and Okposo enjoying the same "development"? The addition of Nielsen and Okposo to the Sound Tigers line-up would only help Bridgeport make those "crucial" playoffs, while helping both Nielsen and Okposo to further develop! If players such as Spiller, Regier, and Colliton can move up and down on a nightly basis, so could Jeff Tambellini! It is for reason's like this that I begin to get a feeling of unrest as it might mean the departure of another young, promising talent.
So what may become of Jeff Tambellini if he is declared "expendable" as was Robert Nilsson? Well, for starters, if the Islanders are unable to land the first overall pick in this years draft, they may package their first round pick (most likely to be top 5 overall), a 2nd Round Pick 08, Jeff Tambellini and another player in order to land that first overall pick (This is complete speculation). Considering it is a deep draft and an offensively-laden team such as the LA Kings might get the first pick, they might be willing to negotiate a deal to allow us to move up three to four spaces while they still get a great defenseman with a top 5 pick. (Once again, just complete speculation). As for a straight up trade of Jeff Tambellini for another player or prospect, it could happen, but many teams might notice by now that he may not be the player everyone thought he could be.
I for one, as I've said numerous times throughout this post, believe that Tambellini should be offered a one-year, one-way contract worth around $750,000. This will give him one year to prove that he is NHL worthy and will alleviate the stress he must put on himself in order to stay with the big club. What do you think of a contract like this? And most importantly, do you think Jeff Tambellini has played his last game in a New York Islanders uniform?
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