According to Katie Strang of ESPN New York, 2010 fifth-overall pick Nino Niederreiter has seen enough of the Islanders.
#Isles Nino Niederreiter's camp is seeking a trade from the Islanders, a source tells ESPNNY. Unhappy with current situation
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) January 22, 2013
Niederreiter has been the most consistent point producer for the Isles' AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, with 19-17-36 in 39 games. But curiously, he was not called up for so much as a look during the Islanders' abbreivated mini-camp.
Niederreiter was called up to join the Islanders at 19 years old last season instead of being sent back to the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL. However, while at the NHL level, Niederreiter saw merely eight minutes of ice time per game (and that's rounding up). The Islanders also held him out of participating in the World Junior Championships for Switzerland so he could properly recover from a concussion, despite getting clearance to play from doctors.
The only problem bigger than New York's utter mismanagement of their prized prospect was the lack of media attention it was getting. There was just one measly call to action from from some idiot blogger. Oh wait. I know that guy.
It's entirely possible this may simply be a ploy to get the Islanders to call him up to the big leagues, but even then, what's the end game? The Islanders have fumbled the development of top draft picks before (see: Bailey, Josh), so it's hard to blame Niederreiter for wanting out.
After the Lubomir Visnovsky fiasco this season, the organization's seemingly perpetual black eye had begun to fade. Now thanks to a player who potentially could've been a household name for them, it's as prevalent as ever.
(photo credit Harry How/Getty Images)
