New York Islanders: A Look at the Goal Tending for Next Season

Lets face it, the New York Islanders goaltending situation has become a precarious one. It was proven this season that the three goalie system became more of a hindrance then a plus.

For the most part, none of the three goaltenders could truly find a rhythm in their game and have any real consistency. Yes, when the injury bug found us again it was of some use, but we ended up relying on call up's again anyway.

DiPietro struggled for the most part before succumbing to injuries again, and during the short tenure he had this season, the team exhibited a low confidence in him. Nabokov never really found his stride until he was given the job almost solely to himself recently, after Montoya was injured by a collision with Evander Kane.

We now have the problem of having too many goaltenders. It's a huge plus for depth, but we are faced with the issue of who is NHL-worthy and who is not. Both Montoya and Nabokov are unrestricted free agents next season. 

So who is worthy of a contract?

If you want to make this a numbers game from this season so far, we're left with (of the mainstay): 

Rick DiPietro - .876 Save Average and 3.73 Goals Against Average

Al Montoya - .917 Save Average and 2.46 Goals Against Average

Evgeni Nabokov - .919 Save Average and 2.35 Goals Against Average

Based on that alone, it's obvious that both Nabokov and Montoya should be approached next season with contracts. There remains the question then, will Nabakov re-sign with the Islanders? In all likelihood, no. 

He is getting on in his career, and last year was supposed to be brought into the Red Wings organization to help the team have a playoff experienced and healthy goalie, and to help Nabokov get a Stanley Cup ring. He will probably want to pursue that course.

Al Montoya has been mostly stellar in the games he's played and really has found a home with the Islanders. It seems likely he will re-sign with the Islanders next season.

Now, if the Islanders are to stick with the traditional two goalie system, and figuring Nabakov won't re-sign with this team, who will get the number two spot?

It seems Kevin Poulin is on the verge of his rookie season next September and probably should be given the number two spot. If that is true and the management sees fit that its his year, than what is to be done with Rick DiPietro?

There are two options, the first and probably best option, is that Rick be designated to the Sound Tigers next season. Give the man the time to get healthy (again), play without as much stress to perform and if his numbers are good enough, then call him back up if Poulin doesn't perform as well as the team had hoped. 

The second being that if some sort of Amnesty is given for buying out players with the new CBA being decided upon this year, they may explore that option.

If by some miracle Nabokov decides he would like another year with this organization, then he and Montoya should probably be the two go-to guys. Poulin would have to wait another year and Rick would have to be designated to the Sound Tigers.

Any way you put it, the goalie situation here has become somewhat of mayhem. Most of it hangs on Nabokov's decision to re-sign or not. The depth we have is a great thing though and I'm sure it will come in use when the injuries start showing up again.