On Valentine’s Day, Viktor Kozlov will turn 32 in the middle of his 12th NHL season. But Islanders coach Ted Nolan says it’s not too late for Kozlov to realize his immense potential to develop into a player capable of scoring 30 goals or more.
In an attempt to develop more scoring from the second line, Nolan recently moved Kozlov back to center with wingers Miroslav Satan and Randy Robitaille because Kozlov had been so productive at center when Alexei Yashin was out of the lineup with a knee injury. Kozlov says he prefers to play on the wing, but the bulk of his 15 goals this season have come from the middle of the ice.
Nolan’s latest decision to move Kozlov paid immediate results on Tuesday against the Rangers when Kozlov scored the winning goal in a 5-3 game while coming down the left side of the slot to receive a pass from Robitaille. The shot was timed so perfectly that it virtually froze Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who had no chance to stop it from hitting the top left corner of the net.
In Thursday’s game at Boston, Kozlov scored the power-play goal that sent the game to overtime when he walked out of the corner and skimmed a shot from the lower left circle under Bruins netminder Hannu Toivonen. It was a move assistant coach Dan Lacroix had worked on with Kozlov that very morning at the skate.
In Kozlov’s best season, he scored 22 goals with Florida in 2002-03, but the Islanders’ coaching staff, like the Devils’ coaches before them, believes Kozlov can score consistently if he will just shoot more.
“What I feel and what he feels are two different things, but if he gets himself in position to shoot the puck, there’s not too many goaltenders who can stop that puck unless it hits them,” Nolan said of Kozlov before the Boston game. “If he gets in position to shoot the puck, he could turn himself from a 15-20 goal scorer to a 30-40 goal scorer. Even in practice, our goaltenders don’t know where the puck is going when he shoots.”
Kozlov’s 15 goals have come in the space of 10 games on just 36 shots. So, it’s just a matter of convincing Kozlov he needs to get his full share of shots per game. His goal against the Rangers came on his only shot in that game.
Asked if Kozlov can change at this late stage of his career, Nolan said, “No question. If you stop thinking you can get better, then, it’s time to pack up the skates and move on. You can get better and better if you have the desire to do so.
“I think if he puts his mind to come into a game trying to get five or six shots a game, he could probably score. Brett Hull was always one of the top shooters in the business and look at his goal production. If you have 400 shots and score on 10 percent, you’ll score 40 goals.”
So far this season, Kozlov has 15 goals on 93 shots, a rate of 16.1 percent. Do the math, Viktor.
Comments (33)
Kozlov has to skate a little harder, as well as shoot more. He's picked up his game the last few games, and the difference is marked. He could easily be a 40 goal scorer, at least. Let's see how the next 40 games go.
Kozlov is emblematic of the team generally: we can be a high caliber team if we work for it. Streaks where we don't skate or shoot are what hurts us, not lack of talent or coaching.
Man, what a heartbreaker last night. I was at the game and, after that Satan goal, I've never heard more cheering or seen such unbridled enthusiasm. I flipped out, too, I confess. Giving the game away on a give-away was a horrible way to end.
Perhaps Gervais has given us another reason why he should be sent back to Bridgeport when Martinek is healthy again.
Kozlov is easily one of the more talented players in the league - top 10%. But Steven CC, he's NOT "emblematic of the team". The OT four on four periods in the past 2 games have revealed glaring skill weaknesses on this team. four on four is when the talent of a team really gets room to show itself, and the isles were dominated by both the bruins and devils. Snow (or Smith) acquired a gem in Kozlov. I can only hope there's enough cap room after blake's contract to sign a few more.
Someone should hand Gervais the Buckley's Cough syrup because its become a full blown choke now. Once Marty is back, it's obvious Bruno should go to Bridgeport.
Exiled in Cincy,
Perhaps I wasn't clear. Kozlov certainly is a gem. When he shoots and skates, he puts up great numbers, and is frankly a joy to watch on the ice. The trouble is he goes for long stretches when he doesn't shoot or skate enough. The talent is there, but he doesn't use it. Luckily, he has been working these past few games, and he's been putting on a pretty good show.
True, Kozlov is among the more naturally gifted players on the team. But I still think there's enough talent on this team to finish first in the division. The trouble is that, as we saw during the losing streak (some bad luck aside), the team can seem to fall asleep every now and again, and not use the talent they've got. If we keep our feet moving and take available shots, there's not a team in the league we can't compete against, especially at even strength.
I too hope there's enough money to make an important signing or deal in the next month or so.
This is getting sad with the coverage. Every damn day the Rangers blog has at least one update, they have Dellapina doing the same at the News and even Greenberg does it at the Post.
Meanwhile were lucky to get one or two blog updates here a week.
Even worse what is Marc Herrmann doing a Jagr article in Newsday for when the Post dropped it's Islander beatwriter spot when Evan Grossman went to the NHL.
Why can't we get our fair share of coverage from Newsday?
Once again, Campoli produces some offence yet his minutes are minimal to non existent. It's time for Ted to step in and make the calls on the defensive pairings too.
Can anybody figure out why Andy Hilbert continues to get any ice time at all? He's useless.
Why can't this team put a string of wins together?
The problem with this team is that the front office shares the same view as Steven CC... "I still think there's enough talent on this team to finish first in the division". This view is nothing but a pile of HORSEFEATHERS.
As seen in the Tampa game, this team doesn't have enough talent to consistently beat even the B-rated teams. They're fine when thay have all of their talent on the ice at the same time when scrammbling for a goal at the end of a game, but the talent is way too thin when spread amoung 4 lines. Look at the scoreing chances the Isles get off of odd-man rushes and compare them to the scoring chances of Tampa, the Devils and the Bruins in just the last 3 games. It's a pathetic comparison.
The only chance this team has to put together wins consistently is to play extremely physical. That's what Edmonton did in last year's playoffs. They compensated for lack of scoring by hitting everything in sight. Think about it - if the Isles aren't going to play extremely physical, why is Hunter even on the ice? He has no hands and can't skate past my grandmother. And Simon and Asham too.
Bottom line - there's not enough talent on this team to win consistently. Yes, they can compete, but that's it. And that means a .500 record is all we can really expect. And .500 doesn't make the playoffs.
Timmy needs to listen to Cincy and myself. This team continues to use the has beens who were boarder line at the very best points in their respective careers (Hilbert, Asham, Park, Simon, Bates, etc) Lets bite the bullet and go with the real potential.
Hilbert simply can't put the puck on net. ... and the rare occasion when he does, it's wimpy at best. This guy couldn't find the hole in a doughnut!
simon has fallen off a lot since the beginning of the season. he is very slow and looks out of shape out there. this team needs more speed NOW! it's glaring how much slower the D is with radek out. also, it looks like dipietro's communication with his D-men has gotten worse. there have been a lot of times the last few games where dipietro has tried to clear the puck up the wall only to be intercepted when he could have dropped it to a D-man behind the net. also, can DP please stop trying the home run pass? this may generate maybe one partial-breakaway for every 10 times he does this. the other 9 times it's a turnover and the opposing team gets the puck back fresh off a line change. the new nhl is about puck control and speed with a physical game when needed.
Greg:
In the past when Alan Hahn use to cover the Isles had provided us with some inside information concerning potential trades and who should be broguht up from the minors. Do you have such information? If not would you provide us with some.
Thanks
Greg: I'd like some more insight too. Tell us what the teams mood is after a good win or tough loss. What was the atmosphere of the morning skate? What are the coaches saying? Do they have any ideas for improving the PP?
I just don't understand why with guys like Nilsson, Tambellini and Comeau in the minors we have to watch Chris Simon on the PP. Not only that - why do the Isles always have 3rd or 4th liners playing on the "top" lines? (Simon, Asham, Hilbert, Bates, Randy R. - the list could go on!) ....
Guys like AZS and Cincy typify the mood of this blog for months. The coaches continue to use the wrong players night after night. Campoli being a healthy scratch is a total joke. His #'s warrant more playing time!!!!!
I agree with both AZS and Missgey, we have to bring up the young guys and see what they can do. At least it will add to the intrigue factor for the fans. We are a .500 team with miminal skill and talent, so lets get the kids some experience.
One comment on last night's game. If we're going to go with "experienced" veterans, I would expect them to make wise decisions.
In a 2-2 game with the Pens on the poweplay, Hunter came in fast with Silinger on a two-on-two. I cringed as Silinger fired a 35-foot shot wide to the long side and the puck wound around the boards. Sure enough, with two Isles in deep, the Pens led a quick three on two the other way with Hunter and Sillinger trailing behind and the game winmner was set up.
While I appreciate the desire to score, in that situation, Silinger's shot HAS to be on net or at least on the short side. You cannot risk a break the other way. A fire the puck mentality doesn't negate the need to assess the circumstances and as far as I'm concerned, was a big mistake akin to missing an assignment from a supposedly cagey vet.
Time to develop a younger team with speed and skill; I like the team and Nolan, but we're not realistically going anywhere, and the Isles fall flat against fast-skating teams when they can't use the body check and wear down faster opponents. Think draft and trades and free-agencies...think maybe 2008-09.
Kozlov epitomizes the Isles--potential but zero consistency. And, like this new NHL craves, he's soft.
I cant understand the new NHL--no rivalry. No fights in Isles-Rags games? The hitting is pathetic...there is no undercurrent--no edge to the game. Its a Sidney Crosby IceCapades show and we are stuck with it....im losing interest daily and gave up my season tiks.
katie is dead on here---the product is so soft its embarrasing. Simon is sleep walking---we need to kick the piss out of someone!
First of all, last night miggsey was vindicated. Campoli sat and meyer hacked up pucks all night. i hope nolan realizes now that the meyer experiment is over.
What is also finished is this season. It's time to admit our mediocrity and move on. NYI 1972-73 has it dead on. Rebuilding time. Come late February this team should hold a big fire sale. Clean house. Keep the defense (Witt, Martinek, Campoli, Gervais, Poti and maybe Hill), and keep Sillinger, Park, Blake and Kozlov (for 600K, he's cheap talent). The rest can bring us some nice draft picks and other prospects. I'd rather see kids with speed and skill struggle on the bottom than a bunch of C-list vets playing .500 hockey.
This is getting old.
Islander and Bridgeport line ups ( Simon, Brandon Nolan, Park and Gervais) reek of a club rife with nepotism and bias.
Hey Greg Logan!!!
Where are you? You write a bland article in today's paper about last night's game and it gives us less than the AP write-up. What gives? You didn't even mention the Blake spearing incident. Did you talk to him? What was he thinking? What was the mood in the lockerroom after the game? Resignation? Embarrassment? Anger? WHAT????
C'mon Greg, don't just leave us hanging. Your last blog post was 4 days and 3 games ago. Time to INFORM your readers, right?
Right on Cincy: Your commentary is more accurate, thought provoking and interesting than what we're seeing from the professionals...and it's for free!!!!
Special teams play will be the reason this team misses the playoffs again this year. 5 on 5 they are awesome, give them a power play and it stinks, unless its a 5 on 3. And all the needless penalties...oofah
Special teams fall into the same category as odd-man rushes. The Isles stink at both. Why? Lack of talent is the obvious answer and I think everyone is pretty much in agreement on that. But there might be another, possibly even more important culprit.
What about coaching? Nolan's 2 assistants (the ones most responsible for special teams), Flynn and LaCroix, have had no (zero) coaching experience at the top. Notice how unimaginative the Isles are on a 3 on 2 or the PP? Perhaps that's what special teams and odd man rushes look like in the OHL or QMJHL?
We're 40+ games into the season. The PP units should have an offensive zone entry play down-pat by now. But the only 'play' they ever use is the dump and chase. Ever see the Isles try the backdoor? Nope. Systematic quick passing plays from side to side? Nope. Most oftern they look lost, even clueless.
Nolan seems to like vets on the bench. How about some vets BEHIND the bench too.
The Penguins destroyed us, and are going to own this division from next year to 2015. Damn. Another 20 years without a division title might be upon us. I never felt the Islanders were actually going to miss the playoffs, until that Pittsburgh game. What a joke. I can't do this anymore.
IF you want a real blog try driveforfive.com. Sorry Greg, but you can't expect us to wait for your blog for days on end, only to read half hearted articles. We love the islanders; good, bad or Milbury, and we want to know what's going on inside the Mausoleum. By the way, are the PP/PK coaches blind, drunk, or dead?
WANG needs to move the Islanders to KANSAS CITY. The fanbase on Long Island is feeble. Nobody cares enough about the Isles to go to NVMC. Face it, the Islanders as a franchise have been as high and mighty as a pro sports team could be (80-84 Dynasty) and as low as it could be (SPano, SMG, Millstein Group, Fisherman logo etc). Nobody on Long Island appreciates having an NHL team. The Isles need to move to an area that WANTS a team.
If the team keeps losing and it becomes clear that the team won't make the playoffs, then I'd be in favor of letting the kids play.
Regarding those bitching about the quality of the blog, I have to question why they feel they're entitled to daily posts or anything of the sort. I like thedriveforfive.com, but I don't think that the quality is noticably higher.
My vote for President is Cincy. He's truthful and cuts through the BS and gets to the factual point. How refreshing to have someone pull up Nolan on his assistants. Their decisions along with Ted's have been deplorable when it comes to blending in our good young youth. Please rid this team now of the antiques.
I have found that by eating a little before bedtime I can fall asleep better. WBR LeoP