There's Hope on Long Island - New York Islanders NHL 12 (BAGM)

[devo22]

So here I am, back writing a dynasty after a long summer without any urge to turn on my 360 and play a single game ... but NHL 12 and the beginning of the real NHL season have brought the fire back

I have been playing with the Isles for a few days and now I decided to share it with you guys ... I hope you like it. Apologies to HeroWorship, who already runs a dynasty with the Isles. This one will not include any legends though

As for settings: I will play All-Star 11 minutes per period and use Topside's Sliders with a few minor adjustments. I can recommend these sliders to anyone playing All-Star, they are really good.

I have simmed the 2011-12 season and will start with the 2012 draft. Simming the first season is something I always do, since I like to start with a draft and a free agency period.

I will not change up any real-life structures concerning GM, coach etc., instead I will include newspaper articles and a blog, sharing background information, trade rumours, standings and so on.

And finally: enjoy

[bthomp05]

Sounds good - will follow

[devo22]

ISLANDERS START 2012 DRAFT WITH A COUPLE OF TRADES

June 22, 2012. Before selecting 9th overall following their 40-37-5 season in 2011-12, the New York Islanders started their offseason with two trades:

New York Islanders acquire	Date	Tampa Bay Lightning acquire
D Eric Brewer	June 22	D Mark Eaton
		D Andrey Pedan
		2nd round pick 2014
New York Islanders acquire	Date	Chicago Blackhawks acquire
F Andrew Brunette	June 22	F Marty Reasoner
		F Mitchell Theoret

General manager Garth Snow released the following statement:

We want to thank Mark, Andrey, Marty, and Mitchell for their contribution to the New York Islanders. We wish them all the best for their future careers.

We have a very young core here on Long Island and we felt it necessary to address leadership. We are sure that Eric and Andrew will provide just that. We know that our young players will profit tremendously from the addition of them, and we are looking forward to working with them.

[devo22]

Please note: I always want the draft to be as realistic as possible, and because of that, I spent quite some time editing the most promising prospects before starting my dynasty. Yakupov has the highest rating (76), the others were rated between 72 and 75. In addition, I have created Mikhail Grigorenko and Filip Forsberg, who are not in the game.

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ISLANDERS DRAFT EBERT; YAKUPOV FIRST OVERALL

NHL Draft Recap
Pick	Team	Player
1	Columbus Blue Jackets	F Nail Yakupov
2	Chicago Blackhawks	F Mikhail Grigorenko
3	Edmonton Oilers	D Mathew Dumba
4	San Jose Sharks	F Filip Forsberg
5	Anaheim Ducks	D Ryan Murray
6	Ottawa Senators	D Griffin Reinhart
7	New York Rangers	F Alex Galchenyuk
8	Dallas Stars	F Andreas Athanasiou
9	New York Islanders	D Nick Ebert
10	Calgary Flames	F Martin Frk
39	New York Islanders	F Matia Marcantuoni
43	New York Islanders	F Brendan Leipsic
69	New York Islanders	D Jaynen Rissling
81	New York Islanders	D Gianluca Curcuruto
159	New York Islanders	F Brandon Magee
189	New York Islanders	F Nick Latta

June 22, 2012. The last time the Islanders used their first pick in a draft for a defenseman was in 1995 when they chose Wade Redden with the second overall pick. This time, after regularly chosing forwards with high picks, the Islanders broke from their usual routine and selected Nick Ebert with the ninth overall pick. Ebert, who hails from Livingston, NJ, has spent the last two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL. During the past two years, he was among the best offensive defensemen in the junior leagues, and some experts say he might be ready to play in the NHL this fall.

Other selections of the Islanders included forward Matia Marcantuoni, who surprisingly slipped to number 39 and could possibly turn out to be a steal. Forward Brendan Leipsic and defensemen Jaynen Rissling and Gianluca Curcuruto are further additions to the promising prospect stock of the franchise. In later rounds, the Islanders went for "big risk, big rewards"-picks, as they chose two skilled, yet undersized forwards in Brandon Magee and Nick Latta.

As expected, two Russians were selected with the first two overall picks in this year's draft. The Columbus Blue Jackets made Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting/OHL) the first Russian to go first overall since Alex Ovechkin. The Chicago Blackhawks then selected Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec Remparts/QJMHL) before Mathew Dumba (Red Deer Rebels/WHL) was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers.

[devo22]

ISLANDERS START FREE AGENCY ... WITH A TRADE


Rick DiPietro heads to Calgary with Jay Bouwmeester going the other way

July 1, 2012. After years of rebuilding and developing, it's now time for the New York Islanders to step up. GM Garth Snow proved again today that he is more than willing to help this cause by trading big names, as he struck a deal with the Calgary Flames:

New York Islanders acquire	Date	Calgary Flames acquire
D Jay Bouwmeester	July 1	G Rick DiPietro
F Lee Stempniak		F Blake Comeau
G Laurent Brossoit		F Kirill Kabanov
		1st round pick 2013

Snow and Flames GM Jay Feaster had already discussed a possible trade during last week's Entry Draft, but the deal stalled because the Isles originally didn't want to include a first round pick as compensation for picking up DiPietro's huge contract. Snow eventually gave in, but insisted on including Laurent Brossoit in return. The two GMs finally reached an agreement today.

Once being the Islanders' franchise goaltender, DiPietro's value declined over the last couple of years as the netminder struggled with nagging injuries. Drafted first overall in 2000, DiPietro signed a record 15-year-contract in 2006, but since 2008, DiPietro has been limited to just 61 games. In addition, the emerge of Al Montoya and the addition of Evgeni Nabokov have left DiPietro as the odd man out on Long Island. Following Miikka Kiprusoff's surprising retirement this summer, the Calgary Flames repeatedly showed their interest in DiPietro. He has a staggering nine years left on his contract, which reportedly led to the Flames' insistence of a first round pick being included in the deal.

Along with DiPietro goes Blake Comeau, a talented right-winger who has scored 20+ goals in two consecutive seasons. However, the 26-year-old forward often saw himself behind the likes of Michael Grabner and P.A. Parenteau on the depth chart, and a he should benefit from a change of scenery.

The Islanders have also lost patience on Kirill Kabanov. The disgruntled forward was once a legitimate candidate for the first overall draft pick in 2010, but injuries and off-ice antics made him fall all the way to #65. He spent the last season in Sweden for Farjestad after the Islanders couldn't find him a spot in the QJMHL, and it will be interesting to see if the Flames can handle the skilled forward's antics better than the Islanders.

Coming the other way are defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, winger Lee Stempniak and goaltender Laurent Brossoit. Bouwmeester failed to impress during his 3-year-tenure in Calgary, as his offensive numbers dropped considerably in comparison to when he played for the Florida Panthers. Currently the NHL's iron man, Bouwmeester has appeared in 588 straight games. Amazingly, he has not played a single playoff game in his career. Bouwmeester, who has two years left on his contract, is looking forward to prove his value following the disappointing years in Calgary.

For Lee Stempniak, the Islanders will be his fifth team in as many seasons. The right-winger has a knack for scoring, but is also noticeable for his hard work along the boards. With P.A. Parenteau, Frans Nielsen and Brian Rolston all opting for free agency, the Isles were looking for secondary scoring, and Stempniak fits the bill perfectly.

Goaltending prospect Laurent Brossoit has one year of junior hockey left. The 19-year-old netminder is coming off a very strong season with the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL).

[devo22]

ISLANDERS SIGN SIX


Paul Bissonette; Maxime Macenauer; Rafael Diaz; Mark Fayne; Justin Falk; Jared Spurgeon

July 1, 2012. The New York Islanders might have not caught the big fish in this free agency yet, but they had a busy day nevertheless. GM Garth Snow addressed depth by signing six players today:

LW Paul Bissonnette (27 years old; last club: Phoenix)
C Maxime Macenauer (23 years old; last club: Anaheim)
D Rafael Diaz (26 years old; last club: Montreal)
D Mark Fayne (25 years old; last club: New Jersey)
D Justin Falk (23 years old; last club: Minnesota)
D Jared Spurgeon (22 years old; last club: Minnesota)

It is worth noting that all six players spent at least parts of last season in the NHL, so there should be fierce competition for roster spots in this year's training camp.

"We are not giving away roster spots", Snow said. "You have to earn them. It will be great to see those guys battle for spots in camp. Whoever is on the opening night roster will surely have earned it."

[devo22]

IT'S LAICH THAT


Brooks Laich; Cody Eakin

July 6, 2012. After apparently failing to sign a couple of free agent targets, Islanders GM Garth Snow decided to trade again:

New York Islanders acquire	Date	Washington Capitals acquire
F Brooks Laich	July 6	F Josh Bailey
F Cody Eakin		D Andrew MacDonald
		1st round pick 2015
		4th round pick 2016

Brooks Laich should help the Islanders in various areas, as he is a capable performer on the special teams while also providing leadership and secondary scoring. Laich has five years left on his contract and was traded despite being a fan favorite in Washington because the Capitals desperately need salary cap to re-sign the likes of Alex Semin, Mike Green and John Carlson. This deal shreds over three million dollars in salary for Washington, giving them some flexibility in their efforts of keeping their core players.

Cody Eakin played both in the NHL and the AHL last year and will surely look to earn a roster spot on Long Island. After tearing up the junior ranks, Eakin at first struggled to adjust to pro hockey, but eventually improved drastically and earned a brief stint with the Capitals.

Going to Washington are forward Josh Bailey and defenseman Andrew MacDonald, two players that were regulars on Long Island during the last years, but have been made expendable as Snow has been bolstering the the club with depth players.

[devo22]

ANOTHER TRADE: ISLES ADD LUKE ADAM

August 7, 2012. Garth Snow is followed his pattern of trading this summer, as he was able to reach an agreement with the Buffalo Sabres:

New York Islanders acquire	Date	Buffalo Sabres acquire
F Luke Adam	August 7	F David Ullstrom
		D Anton Klementyev
		2nd round pick 2013
		5th round pick 2015

Luke Adam is yet another addition to an already strong forward corps, giving the Islanders loads of options going into the season. Snow traded two prospects, forward David Ullstrom and defenseman Anton Klementyev, to Buffalo in return.

Meanwhile, Islanders legend Mike Bossy voiced his concerns regarding Snow's trading routines: "He can't trade away high draft picks like that. Adding a few stars to team might not be a bad thing, but not having first rounders for a few years could also hurt the team tremendously. I hope he knows what he's doing."