Tambellini for Two

Although I was expecting only a one year agreement, it has been released that Garth Snow and the New York Islanders have come to terms on a two-year, one-way agreement for Jeff Tambellini. The contract, which will pay Jeff $550,000 the first year and $625,000 the second year all but assures Tambellini a spot in the Islanders line-up, and the ability to be picked up by another team through waivers if the Islanders try to send him to Bridgeport.

As I stated a few months back in my blog on Tambellini, this is the year for him to prove himself. The one-way contract allows Tambellini the peace of mind knowing that he will be able to have a steady job on the top-two lines with the Islanders. He no longer has to worry about being shipped up and down, and proving himself in the 6 minutes of ice time he received on average. If he is able to play on the first two lines, along with some power play time, he could be seeing an average of 16 - 20 minutes per game.

I can only hope that Tambellini shows up in camp in even better shape than he did last year. Labeled as the top-conditioned athlete in training camp last year, I am hoping to see a more bulked up player who can endure 82 grueling games at the N.H.L level rather than the A.H.L level. To label this year as a success for Tambellini, I think it is safe to say we must expect to see at least 20-25 goals from him, and to say at least another 15-20 assists. Now, I understand the numbers should even be higher for a first and second line winger, however, it is his first full-year in an Islanders uniform and I want to give him the benefit of a learning curve.

Congratulations on the new contract and good luck to him this year. Let us all pray that he can be as powerful at the N.H.L level that he is at the A.H.L!

-Justin