Kevin Poulin

Poulin failed in an attempt to impress the Islanders last season as a starting goaltender. With the team signing Jaroslav Halak to a four-year contract and Chad Johnson to back him up, Poulin is ticketed to start the season for Bridgeport of the AHL.

This could be a make-or-break season for Poulin as the Islanders will need to find out if he has the talent to be a starting NHL goaltender or if he will be a career backup. Poulin should play about 20-30 games this season as the understudy to Evgeni Nabokov allowing the Islanders to get a better read on his future. Should Poulin stumble this season, he could find himself back in the AHL.

Poulin is in a battle with Anders Nilsson to become the next starting goaltender for the Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov is just a caretaker and we all know Rick DiPietro isn't the answer. Poulin doesn't have immense size but seems to stop the puck more with determination as he is willing to do just about anything to make sure the puck doesn't cross the goal line. In limited action with the Islanders last season, Poulin recorded a 2-4 record with a 3.04 goals-against average. Training camp will determine where Poulin begins the season, but don't be surprised if it's in the AHL. Remember his name in keeper leagues.

Poulin recieved a taste of NHL life last season when he was called up once the Islanders ran out of healthy goaltenders. Poulin was impressive to say the least as he went 4-2-1 with a 2.44 GAA and 92.7 SV%. His season was also cut short though when he suffered a season ending knee injury. Poulin has completely recovered and will battle for the a spot with the Islanders in camp, however it is much more likely that he will be the starting goaltender in Bridgeport and get a chance once again with the Islanders once the need arises. He could be the goalie of the future.

Scouts love Poulin but you have to wonder how much the Islanders do since they drafted goalies in the top of the second and third rounds of the 2009 draft, one season after Poulin was drafted in the fifth round. Poulin has his work cut out for him as he may need to outplay both Anders Nilsson and Mikko Koskinen just to get a chance to backup Rick DiPietro.