New York Islanders Goalie Curse

There seems to be a goalie curse on the New York Islanders because another goalie has fallen to an injury; this time for the rest of the season. Promising prospect Kevin Poulin is out for the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated knee during warm up last night forcing Finnish rookie Mikko Koskinen to make his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Poulin caught a rut while skating in warm-up and fell awkwardly.

The Islanders will now rely on Koskinen to fill the nets for the Islanders while they seek a replacement. But who will back up Koskinen? The Islanders have called up Joel Martin from their AHL team, Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Martin however has never played an NHL game, and has only played 10 AHL games according to Hockeydb.com.

The Islanders do have Evgeni Nabokov on their roster. However, the Islanders claimed Nobokov on re-entry waivers when the Detroit Red Wings signed him to a 1 year contract after starting the season in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.  But, Nabokov wanted to play on a playoff contending team not a last place team and did not report to the Islanders so they suspended him without pay.

Lets take a look at how the Islanders season has progressed with their goalie issues:
October 3, 2010 - Manny Legace released from tryout contract - signs in Germany
October 16,2010 - Nathan Lawson placed on IR with sore knee
December 12, 2010 - Rick DiPietro placed on IR with swollen knee
December 18, 2010 - Nathan Lawson called up to NY Islanders
December 26, 2010 - Nathan Lawson sent down to Bridgeport Sound Tigers
January 1, 2011 - Nathan Lawson called up to NY Islanders
January 2, 2011 - Dwayne Roloson traded to Tampa Bay Lightening
January 4, 2011 - Rick DiPietro listed as day-to-day with abductor strain
January 4, 2011- Kevin Poulin called up to NY Islanders
January 18, 2011 - Nathan Lawson sent down to Bridgeport Sound Tigers
January 19, 2011 - Nathan Lawson called up to NY Islanders
January 21, 2011 - Rick DiPietro listed as day-to-day with illness
January 22, 2011 - Nathan Lawson placed on IR - strained MCL - return expected late February 2011
January 22, 2011 - Evgeni Nabokov claimed off waivers from Detroit Red Wings
January 25, 2011- Evgeni Nabokov suspended by NY Islanders for failing to report to team
January 27, 2011 - Kevin Poulin sent to Bridgeport Sound Tigers
January 31, 2011 - Kevin Poulin called up to NY Islanders
February 4, 2011 - Rick DiPietro placed on IR - broken face, swollen knee - return March 2011
February 4, 2011 - Joel Martin signed Free Agent contract, sent to Bridgeport Sound Tigers
February 5, 2011 - Mikko Koskinen called up to NY Islanders
February 8, 2011 - Kevin Poulin placed on IR - dislocated knee - out for rest of season
February 8, 2011 - Joel Martin called up to NY Islanders

Now that is a revolving door of goalies. Tomorrow do not be surprised to see the Islanders placing a want ad in the New York Times looking for a goalie! I think the Islanders are shooting for the 1st overall pick in the draft now, they really have nothing else to look forward too. Even the fans are not coming to the games anymore. Good luck to the future goalies of the Islanders.