Welcome back Tambellini! What are we going to do with ya?

(Jeff Tambellini 2006 SPx RC)

For those following closely, Jeff Tambellini's two week conditioning stint at Bridgeport has come to an end. After 2 weeks and 6 AHL games, Jeff Tambellini scored 3 goals, 0 assists, 3 points and 1 shootout goal. Not too shabby. Oh, I WAS talking about the AHL though.



So what are we going to do with this player? (who for the most part has been inconsistant and non productive with the Islanders thus far.) Well, I'm not coach Scott Gordon, but I say play him and play him as much as possible. The method to my thought process madness can be explained in some history lessons below.



Let me start off by talking about the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. It saddens me to look at the list of Bonafide NHL players that were taken in this draft's first round and how none of them are in an Islanders uniform. Let's also remember that the Islanders had 2 cracks at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. #1 is Robert Nilsson (#15 Overall) via their own pick. #2 is the eventual arrival of Jeff Tambellini (#27 Overall) via trade a few years later from the Los Angeles Kings. Let me just give you the rundown: #1 Marce Andre Fleury #2 Eric Stall #3 Nathan Horton #4 Nikolai Zherdev #5 Thomas Vanek #6 Milan Michalek #7 Ryan Suter #8 Braydon Coburn #9 Dion Phaneuf...the list goes on. All very good NHL players. Just to remind you further: #17 Zach Parise #28 Corey Perry #43 Shea Weber. By now, hopefully you understand the amount of talent available within the first round and a half at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. There was tons and as of now the Islanders are looking to have bombed in this draft as well as many others ( I haven't heard Dave Chyzowski or Scott Scissons for a long time).

So now that we know the 2003 NHL Entry Draft had tons of talent, let's discuss how the Islanders squandered a bunch of their young talent during the 90's (For the sake of length of this history lesson I'll keep it to the Forward position only):

Martin Straka - born in 1972 - played for the Isles at age 24 - Break out season with Pittsburgh at age 26/27

Todd Bertuzzi - born in 1975 - played for the Isles at age 23 - Break out season with Vancouver at age 25/26 - point per game player at age 26/27

Olli Jokinen - born in 1978 - played for the Isles at age 22 (21 points in 82 games) - Break out season with Florida at age 25/26 - point per game player at age 26/27

Tim Connolly - born in 1981 - played for the Isles at age 20 - riddled with injuries but best season at age 24/25

Taylor Pyatt - born in 1981 - best season as a Pro, so far, at age 25/26

Please remember that Jeff Tambellini was born in 1984. (This season he is 24/25)

The majority of these players were horrible as Islanders because they weren't given the opportunity to develop. The majority of the players mentioned above started getting their acts together around the ages of 25 and 26. I remember Olli Jokinen's season as an islander (at age 22) very well. He always skated up the ice so stiff and clumsily. He scored a measly 21 points in 82 games. (He scored even less at Florida the following season at age 23) Look at what he does now! Jeff Tambellini on the other hand already skates very well and has a very hard shot when he uses it. I am hoping it's a matter of time before all his skills come together at the NHL level.

So what are we going to do with you Jeff Tambellini? I am hoping that Scott Gordon plays him for the remainder of this season and the rest of next to see what happens. Not like the Islanders are scoring goals (or winning) anyways...right? (9 straight losses, shutout last game at Nashville)