News:Nino Niederreiter is picking up in the Swiss league where he left off in the AHL, according to the Islanders Point Blank.
Analysis: Nino had 28 goals and 50 points in 74 games for Bridgeport and also leads his Swiss team with four goals, yet the Islanders never called him up this season. The Isles can say anything they like, but it certainly appears he was punished for his comments about the organization last year. The question now is whether the team will shop him for an upgrade on defense or in goal during the off-season. Jonathan Bernier, anyone?
News:Nino Niederreiter has requested a trade from the Islanders, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: The Isles' handling of Nino Niederreiter this season has been extremely curious. Though the fifth overall pick in 2010 hasn't yet produced in the NHL, he's had a very small sample. Nino tore up the AHL in the lockout, but wasn't given an invite to camp. Once again, one has to wonder whether he's being punished for badmouthing coach Jack Capuano and the organization last season.
News:Nino Niederreiter may have been the most impressive player on the ice during the Islanders scrimmage Wednesday, according to the Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: For some reason, however, the Isles are not bringing Nino up to the big club. He has been the best player for Bridgeport this season, has impressed in camp, and the Isles need all the help they can get on offense, yet still he won't begin the season with the team. This is yet another curious move by the Isles. Perhaps Nino is being punished by the organization for speaking out about how things were run by coach Jack Capuano last season.
News:Nino Niederreiter wasn't recalled by the Islanders this weekend, according to the Islanders Point Blank.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter and coach Jack Capuano have had their differences in the past, but this is not a punishment. The Islanders just believe that Nino would be best served to keep playing in the AHL for another game or two rather than practice in the NHL. He is expected to join the team later this week and be on the roster for opening night.
Isles' Niederreiter Recovers Offensive Game In AHL
News:Nino Niederreiter has found his game with Bridgeport of the AHL and currently sits seventh in league scoring with 29 points in as many games. He has 15 goals and 14 assists.
Analysis: Best of all, he hasn't gone more than three games without a point. We hope that's a sign that last year's one-point debacle on the island of misfit toys didn't destroy his psyche. He's extremely talented and should be force on the Isles' top line for the next decade.
Isles' Niederreiter Off To A Hot Start At Bridgeport
News:Nino Niederreiter is off to a hot start for Bridgeport of the AHL, according to the Islanders web site.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter had all sorts of problems with the Islanders last season, everything from a lack of production to coming out and stating that the coaching staff doesn't communicate well. The Isles would certainly like to see Nino become a top-six forward, while additional seasoning at the AHL level should only help his preparation for this season if the lockout is lifted.
News:Nino Niederreiter was sent to the minors on Friday, according to ESPNNewYork.com.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter was sent down due to the potential NHL lockout. He totaled one point in 55 games with the Islanders last season.
News:Nino Niederreiter created a small controversy after talking to a Swiss magazine, according to Newsday. Niederreiter was quoted as saying "the coach doesn't talk to me" but later stated that what he meant was the coaches in the NHL don't talk to players as much as they do in Europe.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter does have a gripe with how he is being used, playing less than 10 minutes a game, playing with offensively challenged teammates, and even being a healthy scratch for a handful of games. One would think that a team at the bottom of the conference would want to see what they have in their 2010 first-round draft pick.
News:Nino Niederreiter will once again be a healthy scratch Thursday, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: With the Islanders having one of the bottom five records in the NHL one would think they would want to play their youngsters so they could gain experience, but apparently the Isles don't subscribe to that line of thought.
News:Nino Niederreiter will be a healthy scratch Tuesday, according to Newsday.
Analysis: Niederrieter has only one goal in 39 games for the Isles this season but the 2010 1st rd pick is averaging less than 10 minutes of ice time a game and less than 30 seconds on the power play. The Isles haven't put him in the best situation to succeed, playing him on the third and fourth lines throughout the season with players that have next to no offensive potential. Once again this is curious handling of a top prospect by Isles management.
Niederreiter Has Only One Goal For The Isles This Season
News: In his rookie season Nino Niederreiter has only one goal for the Islanders.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter was expected to be a boon to the Isles offense but instead he has gone boom as he has been almost invisible most games. A concussion suffered earlier this season surely didn't help matters any, but it's looking more and more like 2011-12 will not be a breakout season for the Isles prized prospect.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) has been cleared to resume playing, according to the Islanders' official Twitter page.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter took part in a full practice Friday and should be good to go for Saturday's game barring any setbacks before the first puck drops. Niederreiter skated with fourth line Friday and figures to line up in the same spot Saturday night.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) was able to practice Wednesday, according to Newsday.
Analysis: This is a good first step for Nino, and if he doesn't have any symptoms Thursday, could possibly return to the lineup this Saturday.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) sat out again Tuesday against the Canadiens, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter showed some positive signs over the weekend by skating, but he was still wasn't deemed ready to play Tuesday night.
News: The Islanders are not allowing Nino Niederreiter to play for the Swedish U-20 team in the World Junior Championship, Newsday's Arthur Staple reports.
Analysis: The decision is a bit surprising, since the Islanders have barely used Nino Niederreiter this season. He is currently out with a concussion, but is expected to return soon.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) skated again Saturday, the Islanders' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: He's following the team's protocol in his return from a concussion and while he won't play Saturday, Nino Niederreiter appears to be nearing a return to action for the Isles.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) skated with his teammates for 25 minutes Friday, the team's official Twitter page reports.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter is making substantial progress considered he suffered the concussion less than a week ago. He, in all likelihood, will miss Saturday's game against Pittsburgh and conventional wisdom would suggest he'll miss more time than that but it's uncertain. With one point on the year (goal), he isn't a fantasy option when healthy.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) is still not allowed to lace up the skates, according to Newsday.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter has been lifting weights and riding the bike, but he's still not allowed to practice with the team. As with all concussions this is a wait and see approach as there is no timetable for his return.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter just suffered a concussion after getting hit hard on Saturday, so it's no surprise he is not practicing. It's undetermined how long he will be out.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) is undergoing tests Monday to determine how long he will be out of the lineup for, according to Newsday.
Analysis: This has been a tough season for Nino Niederreiter. He missed time with a groin injury, was benched, scored his first goal of the season Friday, then was knocked senseless Saturday.
News:Nino Niederreiter (concussion) will be further evaluated Monday, Newsday reports.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter, who's having a rough season to begin with due to being a healthy scratch at times, suffered the concussion during Saturday's game against Dallas.
Isles' Niederreiter: Leaves Game After Questionable Hit
News:Nino Niederreiter was knocked out of Saturday's game after a hit to the head by Dallas' Mark Fistric. He will not return, according to a report on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.
Analysis: He was moving hard up the right boards carrying the puck when Fistric angled across to try to staple him to the boards. Unfortunately, Fistric hit El Nino's head before he hit his body and the young stud was left stunned on his back. There was no penalty on the play but it's a hit that will warrant a second look from the NHL offices.
News:Nino Niederreiter played 8:39 in Tuesday's win over the Sabres, registering five hits.
Analysis: The talented youngster had been a healthy scratch for four-straight games and has no points in four games this season. He's a talented player, just a few years away from producing.
News:Nino Niederreiter will return to the lineup Tuesday, according to Newsday.
Analysis: Apparently Nino Niederreiter received the same punishment that Kyle Okposo did -- sit down for a week, watch, and learn. Whether or not that approach will work remains to be seen.
News:Nino Niederreiter was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game Saturday, according to Newsday.
Analysis: Once again the Isles are proving why many people believe they are a dysfunctional organization, scratching last year's first-round pick, a player who would obviously benefit by playing somewhere. Instead, the Isles have him rotting in the press box.
News:Nino Niederreiter is once again a healthy scratch Wednesday, according to Newsday.
Analysis: No one has ever claimed over the past decade or so that the Islanders are a well run team, but sitting your first-round pick from last year in back-to-back games is another curious move. He's not going to get any better sitting on the bench, and it's hard to judge his play after only a handful of games this season. Of course this comes a week after the Isles also sat another former first-round pick, Kyle Okposo, for three games. Fun times on Long Island.
Isles' Niederreiter To Be A Healthy Scratch Monday
News:Nino Niederreiter will be a healthy scratch Monday, according to Newsday.
Analysis: The Isles want to give Nino a break as he has played six games in his last nine days. The team is not playing well and is looking for a spark so they will insert rookie David Ullstrom into his spot in the lineup.
News:Nino Niederreiter is expected to make his season debut Tuesday night, Katie Strang of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Neiderreiter will be jumping in to Kyle Okposo's spot in the lineup. Okposo is a -7 on the year, so the Isles hope a new face can get something positive going on his line.
News:Nino Niederreiter has been recalled from his AHL rehab assignment to the Islanders, Katie Strang of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The Isles seem hopeful his groin injury is history. The former fifth overall pick should get right back into action and could even win some time on the top line if things go well.
Isles' Niederreiter To Stay In Bridgeport Through The Weekend
News:Nino Niederreiter will stay in the AHL at least through the weekend, according to Newsday.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter seems to be 100% recovered from his groin injury and should be recalled by the team next week. He could in an interesting play in fantasy leagues if he is slotted on the top line with John Tavares and Matt Moulson.
News: Niederretier (groin) was sent down to Bridgeport of the AHL on Tuesday, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: It's a conditioning stint to get him back into hockey shape after suffering the injury during the last week of training camp. Nino Niederreiter will be back with the Isles within two weeks.
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) practiced on the Isles' top line Monday, the team's official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: He's still not quite ready to return, but it looks like he may receive a favorable line assignment upon activation from IR.
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) skated with his teammates Friday for the first time in nearly a month, Newsday's Arthur Staple reports.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter will probably need a few practices before he is ready to play, but it looks like a potential return is not far off.
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) did not practice Wednesday, the Islanders' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: It seems likely that he'll need several practices before getting cleared for game action, but Nino Niederreiter is eligible to come off of IR as soon as he's healthy enough to play again.
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) remains day-to-day, the Isles' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: He's eligible to return from IR as soon as he's healthy enough to do so, but the Isles continue to provide limited information about his workload and expected return date.
Isles' Niederreiter Still Not Skating With The Team
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) is still not skating with the team, according to the Islanders Point Blank.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter suffered the injury during the last week of the preseason and originally it was thought that he would only miss about a week's worth of action. Well, that week is looking like it will be a month as Niederreiter didn't even make the trip to Florida and would probably have to practice for close to a week before getting a chance to return to the lineup. Another question could be where does he end up playing. The Isles wanted him on the top line with John Tavares and Matt Moulson, but Pierre Parenteau returned to that spot due to his absence and has once again played well.
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) still hasn't begun skating, according to Newsday
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter has a spot waiting for him on the team, whether that spot remains on the top line where he was in preseason or somewhere lower in the pecking order remains to be seen, either way he is still at least a week away from playing.
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) has been placed on IR, the Islanders' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: He'll miss a few games as a result, but fortunately it doesn't sound like Nino Niederreiter's injury is a long-term concern. He's an excellent sleeper given that chance that he'll receive time on the Isles' top line at some point this season.
News:Nino Niederreiter (groin) received treatment Saturday and will be further evaluated Sunday, Newsday reports.
Analysis:Nino Niederreiter remains day-to-day. The talented rookie winger was working with the top line this preseason, but it remains to be seen where he'll play when the season starts.
News:Nino Niederreiter left Friday's preseason game with a groin injury and will not return, the Islanders' official site reports.
Analysis: No word yet on the severity of the injury. Nino Niederreiter will be evaluated Saturday.
News:Nino Niederreiter practiced with the top line Monday, according to Newsday.
Analysis: The Islanders want to see if there is any chemistry between Nino Niederreiter, John Tavares, and Matt Moulson. Niederreiter is a near lock to make the team, but what line he ends up on is still in the air. A solid camp could see him playing with the big boys.
Isles' Niederreiter Having High-Scoring Junior Season
News: Niederreiter has excelled with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks since being returned to juniors, racking up 36 goals and 61 points in 49 games.
Analysis: It looks like he's developing into quite the finisher. The 18-year-old Swiss winger has a world of talent and could break into the NHL full-time by next year.
News: The Islanders returned Niederreiter to Portland of the WHL on Thursday, the Sports Network reports.
Analysis: The 18-year-old made the opening roster, but after recording just one goal and two points with a minus-one rating in nine games, he'll head back to juniors. By demoting him before his 10th game, Niederreiter's entry-level contract will still have three years remaining next season.
