New York Islanders expect Michael Grabner to continue hot streak into next season –NHL offseason Update
New York Islanders, one of the National Hockey Leagues’ (NHL) struggling franchises, can always use a top-performing players, especially if his hot streak starts early, say someone like Michael Grabner who has become a 50 plus point performer in only his
second season.
Drafted as the 14th overall by Vancouver Canuck during round-one of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Grabner was sent down to the major leagues for a multiple number of years by Vancouver, which has certainly upgraded him to a much better player than
he was before.
Grabner can certainly thank Vancouver for his most recent signed five-year, $15 million contract earlier this year in March, after he had an amazing first full regular season with New York and basically every team.
After being selected for the NHL, Grabner was sent to the Western Hockey League (WHL), in which he played for Spokane Chiefs and put up regular numbers for them. Chiefs general manager, Tim Speltz, knew that with a little hard work, Grabner could emerge
as a top performing player.
“But every player has to go through some kind of adjustment here and that was Michael’s – the competitive adjustment. I think he was the best player in Austria – he could skate away from or catch anybody – but he wasn’t ready to be a competitive player like
the Canadians who grow up playing bantam and midget hockey in an intense environment”, Speltz said.
Playing with various teams in the minor leagues before joining the NHL, the 23-year-old right winger just tried to give it his all and instead of trying to impress with self-made techniques, he did whatever the management said.
“I just tried to go out and play,” Grabner said. “Everywhere I’d been before, when I came to training camp; I just tried to be perfect and got away from my game”.
It sure did payoff as Grabner potted an amazing 52 points (34 goals, 18 assists) in 76 games and finished off with a plus-minus rating of 13 with New York after coming out of an 11 point season with Vancouver. Islanders have found a hot handed shooter and
are just hoping that he will be able to stay that way.
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