Along with longtime beat reporter Arthur Staple, we discuss Nino Niederreiter’s odd Islanders tenure and the lessons we can take away from it even today.
Nino Niederreiter was one of a string of high first round picks that, at the time, seemed like safe bets by the Islanders. Strong showings at the World Junior Championships and with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks didn’t change anyone’s minds. But after enduring one of the most trying and confusing rookie seasons of all time, and after being kept in the AHL as the 2013 NHL lockout ended, Niederreiter and his agent decided they were tired of waiting. His trade request was eventually granted, which begat yet another few years of debate and disagreement between fans. While Niederreiter went on to have a productive, well-traveled 1,000-game NHL career, his season and change on Long Island still raises many questions.
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So, in an effort to get some answers, we turned to an expert who saw the whole saga unfold. Arthur tells us how mistakes made by team management led to sour feelings, how things could have gone differently and how a long-lambasted trade ended up being a boon for the Islanders. We also hear stories about that early rebuild team and the ties between the players, tales of even more draft picks gone awry and the time he almost got killed by a sleepy cab driver in Pittsburgh.
It’s always a pleasure having Art on. Once again, he doesn’t disappoint in this, his first ever single player appearance on Weird Islanders: The Podcast! Be sure to listen to him on Hockey Night New York and on the Tri State Hockey Podcast. This episode has a little Easter Egg hidden in it as well. See if you can find it!
We also have a quick Weird Islanders Extra! bonus episode with Art about a heated (and hilarious) confrontation he had with former Islanders coach Jack Capuano.
WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL
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Pierre McGuire called the selection, “Awesome.” That was expected but the appearance of Alyssa Milano at the TSN Draft Centre desk with James Duthie was not.
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He was quickly signed to an entry level contract a few months later (also, no arena progress? The devil you say…).
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His NHL first goal was scored in Washington against the Capitals in a game on Versus (!) in the first week of the 2010 season.
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Nino had a goal and an assist in a nine-game stint in 2010 before being sent back to junior. His next and final season for the Islanders is the stuff of legend, and not in a good way. Fifty-five games, one goal, zero assists, minus-27. His linemates were Jay Pandolfo and Marty Reasoner. It was a disaster on every level for player and team.
What makes a “Weird Islander?”
We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:
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Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
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Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.
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