Kabanov to Stockton

The Islanders reassigned Kirill Kabanov to Stockton (ECHL) this afternoon. They’re framing it as a hockey decision; get him more minutes, work on his game in both ends, and so forth, sing along, and playing on the third line, he probably could use some more time. His “personal-reasons” absence this morning suggested more, and a source said Kabanov was late for a meeting and it wasn’t the first time.

Kabanov wouldn’t be the first guy to go to the Coast, get better, come back and move forward (coming to mind immediately here: SMITH, Trevor; MacDONALD, Andrew). He’ll get a chance in Stockton.

Michael Fornabaio