DORA

I should stick to the funny stuff.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post for Lighthouse Hockey about the Islanders handling of Nino Niederreiter. Basically, I feel that while Nino’s rookie year was historically, spectacularly terrible, there was no reason to panic.

Well, I thought a little about panic. And this is what I came up with.

I don’t think I got across all the ideas I wanted to and wasn’t 100% happy with the finished product. Although I was ecstatic about my Dolly the Sheep reference.

Bottom line is, the Islanders’ entire existence now is based on their prospects. That they’ve rushed any players to the NHL is bad. Sometimes it goes OK and sometimes it doesn’t. Niederreiter’s season never got off the ground and looks even worse in hindsight. John Tavares was an 18-year-old in his rookie year, played fine and has only gotten better.

Would I like to never again see an over-matched Josh Bailey or Nino-type play for the Islanders? Of course. I think the team knows this because the mostly leave defensive prospects in the AHL. And I don’t think rushing Niederreiter and Bailey into the NHL is the epidemic a lot of people make it out to be. Stupid decisions, yes. Organizational philosophy? No.

Until the Islanders get into a solid, respectable rhythm at the NHL level, they’ll continue to use their prospects as they see fit. The good news is, with players this young, there’s always time to make adjustments.

Oh, and as for Dora… My daughter is obsessed with Dora, so it didn’t take too long for the idea to take root. My house is covered in Dora. I’ve read so many Dora books and seen so many Dora episodes and heard so many Dora songs that I’m more than capable of thinking in her voice. And yes, she’s helped me learn a little Spanish, too.