NYI PROSPECTS CONCLUDE EXCELLENT CAMPS
Jason Lockhart | Website/Publications Coordinator Aug 13, 2007, 8:00 PM EDT



Okposo and Rakhshani lead tournament in scoring; Rogers and Day excel at first camps

To say Islanders prospects Kyle Okposo, Rhett Rakhshani, Doug Rogers and Brian Day performed well at last week’s US National Team Evaluation Camp would be an understatement. Okposo and Rakhshani led the tournament with eight points apiece playing against Junior Finnish and Swedish teams. Rogers finished the tournament with a goal and three assists in four games, while Day chipped in with a goal and an assist, including a dramatic penalty shot goal on the final day.

“All four of our prospects had excellent camps,” said Assistant GM/Director of Amateur Scouting, Ryan Jankowski. “This experience should give them all confidence heading into the 2007-08 season.”

The US squads swept the final day of competition on Saturday, finishing the tournament with a record of 7-0-0-1. In Game 1, Rakhshani stole the show, scoring a goal and adding two assists in Team White’s 5-3 victory over Finland. He closed out the tournament with three goals and five assists. Day opened the scoring at 4:15 with a penalty shot goal after being hauled down from behind while on a breakaway. Okposo added an assist to finish 4-4-8 in four games.

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I'd like to know what the OTHER NHL scouts say about these guys. Because we keep hearing about how great our prospects are doing but never actually see them play on the NHL level in many instances.

You have answered your own question

You never see them play because they never make NHL because there not that good. :bag:

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy: puckhead rules :worthy: :worthy: :worthy:

anyone else had enough???

He made a point - that being:

It might not matter what the other scouts think as if they were good enough to make the team over the 3rd liners we have signed, they would have.

Personally, I think there is some merit to it - though I think for the two players we are really talking about: Tambellini and Bergenheim, they are different cases.

Bergie, to me, is a 3rd line checked with scoring upside - right now. Tambellini has speed, but his upside, to me, suggests more of a second line guy, than a third line checker. Bergie, in my mind, took Tambellini's roster spot. Nobody else.

guess my block party clouded my ability to see the point


carry on

This issue will probably come up with comments from guys on the Power Play on XM when they start their three week exploration through the NHL, devoting one hour of every show to a single team.

So we may see just what the rest of the NHL, or some respected hockey voices have to say about our guys.

:hug:

AH yes.

Because the Isles PR and scouting staff loves to make these kids out to be golden nuggets, since its a safe thing to do, going on and on about their "potential." They like to make it seem like their drafting was perfect. Then when the kid actually hits age 20 or 21, and its time for them to be signed, its a whole other ball game.

Just looked at the Isles site...the "in the system" part in particular. Nokelainen's name wasn't there. It wasn't on the roster section either. I'm just assuming it's an oversight, but it's kind of strange isn't it? Or is there some news I haven't heard about him? :dontknow:

What do you people think of Nokie's chances this year? I guess it kind of depends on his health, doesn't it?