Islanders’ Goaltending Situation

Kevin Poulin is in limbo.

Anders Nilsson voiced his concern and (allegedly) has a KHL contract.

Evgeni Nabokov is 38.

Now what?

Funny, Anders Nilsson thinks he is destined for more. Craps the bed aginst Russia, shuts out the Czechs for World Championships bronze. Refuses to report to Bridgeport. Such the career path.

As of today, both Poulin and Nilsson are Islanders property. That will change very quickly, based on bodies of work. If Garth Snow is truly serious about cleaning out his crease the answer should be to trade them both.

Underachieving goalies aren’t sought after assets. KP BARELY lived up to his “Replacing the Golden Child” hype, and Nilsson was serviceable at best. But teams with little in the pipeline or in thew AHL could be convinced to take a flyer.

Nashville and Vancouver spring to mind. Nashville has Carter Hutton backing up Pekka Rinne, but Hutton only has so many NHL games under his belt with a Barry Trotz’s Nashville defense in front of him. Kevin Poulin would fit in here.

Vancouver…wow. Luongo & Schiender becomes Lack & Markstrom. That’s bad FYI. Jim Benning is going to go after the nest available backup for Eddie Lack, as Lack is the de facto future #1. Keepers can fit the requirement of backups that need a change of scenery.

San Jose wants to go younger, so they are in the mix.

What is the trade? Any package of a goalie and Josh Bailey would suffice. One hopes Garth can swing this package for a defenseman. The Canucks tried to deal Kevin Bieksa at the deadline, so it’s possible they could try again. Maybe Nashville trades Hutton for that package. Imagine the world we live in if San Jose trades Dan Boyle for that price.

Poulin and Nilsson have futures off Long Island. Maybe they’re worth something.