To confirm what many had hoped would happen, the Islanders recalled forward Jeff Tambellini from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this morning, and he practiced with the team today.
Per the Islanders Insider email I just received:
Jeff Tambellini was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) this morning and joined the Islanders in time for their practice this afternoon at Islanders Iceworks. Last night the wing had a goal, an assist and the decisive goal in the shootout in the Sound Tigers’ 4-3 win over Lowell.
“We need to shake things up to get our offense going,” said Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. “Jeff’s speed and skill should be a big help to us.”
The 23-year old Tambellini practiced today on a line with center Mike Comrie and right wing Miroslav Satan.
“Miro and Mike are two-world class players,” Tambellini said after practice. “This is an opportunity I need to take advantage of to prove I belong in the NHL on a regular basis.”
In 20 games with Bridgeport this season, the 5-11, 190-pound Tambellini has seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points.
Hopefully this gives the Islanders the much needed offensive spark they are looking for. In 3 games this season with the Islanders, the team went 1-2 – Tambellini has no points in three games. However, his presence and speed will help generate offensive pressure which is something the Isles really need right now. With Tamby set to play on a line with Satan and Comrie – that line becomes our fastest without question.
In other news, Forward Shawn Bates injured his hip in the game against the Rangers on Thursday, info per the article in Newsday:
Two games into his comeback from abdominal surgery and related injuries, Shawn Bates suffered a hip injury that knocked him out of the lineup against Atlanta last night at Nassau Coliseum. Bates said he “fell awkwardly behind the net” in the third period against the Rangers Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Bates underwent an MRI exam Friday and will have to have another one after the inflammation goes down. After suffering a pulled groin last Jan. 30, Bates missed the rest of the season and the first 21 games this season because he later required surgery.
With Bates’ return and subsequent departure with an injury, Tambellini’s speed and offensive potential should be welcomed with open arms.
Tambellini it is put up or shut up time to show you belong in the NHL full time. If this doesn’t work itself out quickly I got a feeling Garth is going to have to do something.
Sal
From NYISLANDERSCOUNTRY.COM
Sal,
I agree – the organization has high hopes for Tamby – he needs to step in and prove he belongs in the league. I hate seeing other organizations use young talent and never seeing our young guns pan out.