ESPN

When the Islanders drafted Nino Niederreiter fifth overall in the 2010 draft, they had high hopes for the talented Swiss winger.

Following his first training camp, Niederreiter stuck on with the team for nine games before the Islanders sent him back to his junior club, the Portland WinterHawks of the Western Hockey League, for more seasoning.

Niederreiter dominated in his final season with Portland, recording 41 goals and 29 assists in 55 games for the Winterhawks, and appeared poised to make the leap to the NHL.

So what happened?

A pre-season groin injury derailed the start of Niederreiter's 2011-12 campaign and the former first round pick has struggled to find his place on the roster ever since.

Limited to only one goal and an average 9:23 in ice time in 39 games for the Islanders this season, Niederreiter finds himself a healthy scratch for the second straight game with the Islanders facing the Flyers in Philadelphia on Thursday.

It's been a puzzling situation for Niederreiter, who spoke out in frustration Thursday.

"Of course I'm happy and proud to be an Islanders all year. But I'm p----- off I can't play," Niederreiter told Newsday's Arthur Staple Thursday.

The situation begs the question: is this a case of a player who has underachieved while facing lofty expectations? Or is this another example of poor development by an Islanders club that has seen it's "rebuild" stall yet again?

Three points out of last place in the Eastern Conference, the Islanders are bound to miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season. And who knows whether a top draft pick can be a consolation to a downtrodden fan base any longer?

For every John Tavares and Travis Hamonic that has developed into a bona fide NHL star-in-the-making, the Islanders have seen many of their top picks -- Josh Bailey, Calvin de Haan, Niederreiter -- struggle with the transition.

The Islanders had the chance to send Niederreiter back to his junior team this season, just as it had a similar opportunity to send Bailey back during his rookie campaign. By not doing so, they might have hampered both players' development.

What does that mean for the team's future?

With eight points separating the New York Islanders from the eighth and final playoff spot, no one is ready to concede the season just yet. Still, looking ahead to next season is part of the fun for any franchise and with the draft creeping closer, it appears the Islanders might be able to find a very helpful player come June 2012 ... even if they don't have a top pick.

Former NHL scout and current ESPN Insider contributor Grant Sonier released his first mock draft of the year Thursday, and more telling than where the Islanders were selecting (No. 5, based on Monday's standings) was who they might be targeting.

Sonier slots D Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips (WHL) to the Isles at No. 5. Here's the write-up:

"This is a franchise that is in need of a steady, smart, puck-moving D-man to accent the fine young talent it has up front. Murray is a little bit of a jack of all trades from the blue line -- albeit a highly skilled jack -- for a smaller sized D-man."

Murray skated with the Canadian U-20 team at the World Juniors this season, a notable achievement for a player in his draft year. Here's what Sonier wrote about Murray in his Top 50 prospect rankings:

"An excellent showing at the WJC, where the maturity and composure he displayed earlier this season continued to shine. Many will have him higher on their list [Sonier ranked him No. 6], but I think he lacks the offensive dimension of [Mathew] Dumba and [Morgan] Rielly. His defensive hockey sense separates him from most in this draft, though."

While the Islanders do have some young D prospects (Calvin de Haan, Scott Mayfield) outside of the NHL roster, after spending top picks on Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Strome it figures that Garth Snow and Co. could target an able-bodied blueliner in this year's first round. Good news there: One of this draft's strengths is a deep selection of solid defensemen.

In addition to Murray, Mathew Dumba, Morgan Rielly and Griffin Reinhart all fall in Sonier's Top 10 prospects. Even if the Islanders do make a late push, it seems like they should still be able to pick up a good building block come June.

Barring a miraculous run in the remaining 34 games of the season, the Islanders appear headed for yet another season without playoff hockey. Save for John Tavares’ electric play and another standout year for Matt Moulson, the struggling team looks bound for another Top-5 draft pick. Below are three vital questions for the Isles to answer after the All-Star break.

1. Can they make things interesting?

Following a dreadful first half last season, the Islanders flourished in absence of pressure and picked up their play after the break. Although they still finished 27th in the league, the team was not mathematically eliminated until the last week of the season. Can they show the same fight this year?

2. Will Evgeni Nabokov be traded?

Despite his contentious waiver claim last season, Evgeni Nabokov has moved on to emerge as the Islanders starting goaltender of 2012. The 36-year-old netminder has won four of his last five starts and was named the NHL’s 3rd star last week. Will the Islanders dangle him as trade bait as the deadline nears? Or will they ride him out for the remainder of the season with Al Montoya backing him up?

3. Can Tavares keep this up?

En route to his first All-Star nod, Tavares has put together a stellar 20-goal, 49 point campaign through 48 games. The 21-year-old center, whose league-best 12-game point streak was snapped Monday is on pace for a 33-goal, 51-assist season in his third year pro. Tavares has flourished as the team’s top talent and one of the league’s rising young stars – can he continue to carry the Islanders offense the rest of the season?

Defenseman Mike Mottau is the latest Islanders to be placed on injured reserve with a concussion.

The 33-year-old veteran reportedly suffered the injury during practice; he has been a healthy scratch since last playing December 29 in team's 3-1 win over Calgary.

Mottau joins the ranks of Brian Rolston, Nino Niederreiter, Rick DiPietro, Al Montoya and David Ullstrom -- all of whom have spent time on IR with concussions.

Bridgeport defenseman Dylan Reese has been recalled on an emergency basis.

What it means: Speedy rookie Carl Hagelin tallied twice and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist posted his third shutout of the season as the Rangers rattled off their fifth straight win and reclaimed first place in the Eastern Conference. With their 3-0 win over the Islanders on Monday at MSG, the Blueshirts topped their New York rivals for the second time in four days. After handing the Islanders their third straight loss, the Rangers hold a 3-1 edge on the season series.

Sweet setup: Hagelin banked a shot off Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the second, but it was Michael Del Zotto who did most of the work. The 21-year-old defenseman made a beautiful move around Islanders center Frans Nielsen to set up Hagelin’s fifth of the season. Del Zotto picked up another helper on Hagelin's third-period marker, tying him with Derek Stepan for the team lead with 17 assists. Del Zotto also leads Rangers defensemen in scoring.

Strong second for Hank: The Islanders didn't record their first shot on goal in the second period until 10:17 into the frame, but Lundqvist was terrific in stopping a barrage of shots during the latter half of the period. Lundqvist received help in front from teammates Brian Boyle and defenseman Anton Stralman, whose last shift of the period culminated with three blocked shots between the two limping players.

Goal streak for Gaborik: With his empty-netter late in the third period, Marian Gaborik extended his goal streak to five games. The 29-year-old sniper, who matched his goals total from last season, leads the league with 22 in 34 games and seven during the team's current five-game winning streak.

Islanders instigating: Fourth-line bruiser Micheal Haley was slapped with 17 penalty minutes after initiating a fight against Rangers defenseman Stu Bickel. Haley received two minutes for instigating, five for fighting and a ten-minute misconduct at 2:20 in the first. The feisty winger did not return to the game as a result of a hand injury suffered in the scrap.

Knocking knees: The Islanders jumped to John Tavares' defense immediately once the 21-year-old center was taken out in an open-ice collision with Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi. Girardi went off for tripping, while Rangers captain Ryan Callahan and Tavares’ linemate PA Parenteau both received roughing minors. Tavares returned for his next shift on the Islanders’ first power-play unit.

Still scratched: Rangers’ extra forwards Sean Avery and Erik Christensen were scratched for their eighth and fourth straight game, respectively. Rangers defenseman Jeff Woywitka sat out his fourth consecutive with a foot injury.

Up next: Rangers at Capitals, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Michael Grabner, who sustained a groin injury in the Islanders' 5-4 win over Dallas Saturday, returns to the lineup Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 24-year-old Austrian winger, who missed Tuesday's 5-1 rout of Tampa Bay, was one of three Islanders hurt in Saturday's game. Goaltender Rick DiPietro also suffered a groin injury and rookie forward Nino Niederreiter sustained a concussion on Mark Fistric's suspension-worthy hit.

Stars defenseman Mark Fistric was suspended three games without pay for leaving his feet and launching himself into Islanders forward Nino Niederreiter at 6:08 of the first period on Saturday, the NHL announced.

Fistric will lose $16,216.23 in salary, which will be sent to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Fistric will be eligible to return on Dec. 15 against the Islanders.

In wake of the myriad of injuries suffered in the Islanders 5-4 win over Dallas Saturday, goaltender Kevin Poulin and forward Tim Wallace have been recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) on an emergency basis.

Goaltender Rick DiPietro (groin) and forwards Nino Niederreiter (concussion) and Michael Grabner (groin) all left Saturday's match with injury.

The Islanders announced Niederreiter is out with a concussion but have yet to release any further update on either DiPietro or Grabner.

Injured defenseman Andrew MacDonald (right leg, 2-4 weeks) and forward Jay Pandolfo (foot) were both placed on injured reserve Monday.

The NHL Department of Player Safety will hold a phone hearing Tuesday with Stars defenseman Mark Fistric for his hit Saturday on Islanders rookie Nino Niederreiter.

Although there was no penalty on the play, Niederreiter suffered a concussion from the blow and had to be helped off the ice to the trainer's room in the first period of the Islanders 5-4 win in Dallas.

Fistric was not required to have an in-person hearing, which means the league can suspend him no longer than five games.

Matt Moulson delivered a sensational four-goal effort in the Islanders' 5-4 win over the Stars Saturday, but the team's third victory of a four-game road trip wasn't without a price.

Rick DiPietro, Nino Niederreiter, and Michael Grabner left the game due to injury, the team announced.

The oft-injured goaltender, who missed the first three weeks of the season with a concussion, did not play the third period because of a groin injury; he was replaced in net by Al Montoya although he remained on the bench.

Niederreiter didn't even make it to the second period. The 19-year-old Swiss winger left during the first period with concussion-like symptoms, according to the team.

The 19-year-old Swiss winger had to be helped to the trainer's room after a high hit from Stars defenseman Mark Fistric. There was no penalty on the play.

Grabner was injured during the third period.

According to the team, all three players will be evaluated Sunday on Long Island.

Rookie forward Nino Niederreiter was scratched for the third straight game Friday in the Islanders 1-0 shutout loss to the Devils, leaving many to wonder what his future holds.

The 19-year-old Swiss winger is not old enough to play in the American Hockey League which means the Islanders have two choices: Either send him back to his junior team -- the Portland WinterHawks of the WHL -- or keep him up for the remainder of the season.

If the team sends him back to Portland before he hits the ten-game threshold -- he has already played three games -- this season won't count as a year of eligibility on his three-year entry-level deal inked last September.

But apparently that is not in the team's plans. When asked if he's considering this option, general manager Garth Snow told ESPNNewYork.com "no" via text message.

So why then would you sit the young prospect and risk hurting his development?

The only logical explanation would seem to be if Niederreiter was still ailing from the preseason groin injury that sidelined him for the first 14 games of the season.

However, Snow confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com that Niederreiter was indeed a "healthy scratch" Friday against the Devils.

Islanders coach Jack Capuano originally sat Niederreiter Monday against Pittsburgh to "catch his breath;" with the former fifth overall pick (2010) coming off six games in nine nights.

But Niederreiter has since had plenty of time to rest and re-charge and Capuano doesn't have much to lose with shaking up the lineup once again.

Suffering their sixth shutout loss of the season, the Islanders have dropped 14 of their last 16 games and last four straight. Of those four, three have been shutouts.

What it means: Danny Briere tied the game at 3 with 5:42 to play in regulation and scored the game winner with 2:26 left in overtime to sink the Islanders 4-3. The Islanders let a two-goal lead slip away for their third straight loss, seventh straight against the Flyers. The team has now dropped 13 of their last 15 games.

Knockout night for KO: Snapping a 15-game goal drought Kyle Okposo scored a pair of goals on his first two shots of the game although his three-point effort was wasted on yet another disappointing loss. Okposo, who was benched three games last week for his offensive struggles, tallied his first of the season from the slot to tie the game at 1 only 37 seconds into play. It was his first goal since March 22, 2011. The 23-year-old assistant captain notched his second of the night less than ten minutes later, converting a beautiful pass from Josh Bailey on the power-play at 10:26. Okposo also picked up an assist on linemate Michael Grabner’s wrist shot later in the period that gave the Islanders a 3-1 lead with less than two minutes to play.

First-shot wonder: The Islanders gave up a goal on their first shot of the game for the sixth time this season. Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros beat Rick DiPietro on a rush only 18 seconds into play. Luckily for the Islanders, who entered the game 1-9-1 when allowing the game’s first goal, Okposo pulled the Islanders even a mere 19 seconds later. The equalizer not only snapped Okposo’s skid but also the Islanders’ 142:22 of scoreless play.

DiPietro saddled with loss: DiPietro gave up four goals on 33 shots faced to suffer his second straight loss. The 30-year-old netminder gave up a pair of goals to Briere and was victimized by a couple bad bounces. He has not recorded a win against the Flyers since February 2008 and the Islanders have not fared much better. The team has now lost 25 of their last 27 games against their Atlantic Division foes.

Bye, bye Bryz: Flyers starting goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov was yanked after giving up three goals in the first period – two of which came on the first two shots he faced – and replaced with backup Sergei Bobrovsky.

Head check: PA Parenteau was slapped with an illegal head check penalty after shouldering Max Talbot into the boards toward the end of the first period. Talbot, who was slow to get up and skate off to the trainer’s room, was the catalyst behind the Islanders’ fight night with the Penguins last February. Talbot delivered a blindside hit to Islanders’ Blake Comeau that left Comeau with a concussion nine days before the infamous debacle.

Jagr re-inured: Jaromir Jagr returned to the Flyers lineup after missing two games with a groin injury, but appeared to re-aggravate it during the first. Jagr did not appear on the bench to begin the second period and did not return to the game. The 39-year-old veteran has six goals and 11 assists in 18 games for the Flyers this season.

Up Next: Islanders vs. Devils, Friday, November 25 at 3:00 p.m.

At a glance: It’s gut-check time for the Islanders, who have dropped 12 of their past 14 games, including two straight shutout losses. The sputtering 5-10-3 squad has displayed an embarrassing lack of effort of late and are in danger of losing their seventh straight game against the 11-6-3 Flyers.

DiPietro to start: Looking for a bounce-back performance, goaltender Rick DiPietro will start in net Wednesday for the Islanders against Philadelphia’s Ilya Bryzgalov. DiPietro was pulled after giving up three goals on 13 shots in the first period of Saturday’s atrocious 6-0 loss to Boston. The 30-year-old netminder is 7-14-0 in 21 career games against the Flyers; he gave up a combined 16 goals in three appearances against them last season. The last time he recorded a win against Philly? February 12, 2008.

Cousin Haley’s back: In response to coach Jack Capuano’s plea for physicality, the Islanders recalled fourth-line bruiser Micheal Haley from Bridgeport. Haley was called up last season the day of the infamous Islanders-Penguins debacle in February, a 9-3 rout in which he scored his first NHL goal and fought two Penguins players during the same stoppage. The fan favorite, who played 27 games for the Islanders last season, has one goal and two assist in 16 games for the Sound Tigers.

Jagr returns: The Flyers will return Jaromir Jagr to their lineup; Jagr missed the past two games with a groin injury The 39-year-old veteran began the season at an impressive clip, recording six goals and 11 assists in the first 18 games.

Scoring woes: The Islanders anemic offense ranks dead-last in the league through 18 games this season with a meager 1.94 goals per game. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Flyers who lead the league with 3.65 goals per game.

Veteran moves: Veterans Marty Reasoner and Brian Rolston are scratched for Wednesday’s Atlantic Division matchup. Head coach Jack Capuano said that 38-year-old Rolston, who has two goals and two assists in 17 games, is feeling “under the weather.” Reasoner is a healthy scratch, however, along with rookie forward Nino Niederreiter. Niederreiter has played three games since returning from a pre-season groin injury, but will sit his second straight.

Bottom line: Dead-last in the Eastern Conference standings, the Islanders are looking to pick up a much-needed win against a division foe that has given them fits in recent years. The Islanders have dropped 24 of their last 26 games against the Flyers dating back to the 2007-08 season.

Recap | Box score | Photos

What it means: The Islanders were a mere afterthought in league superstar Sidney Crosby's captivating return. The Penguins captain showed little rust in his first game back after missing 10 months with post-concussion symptoms, scoring two goals and two assists against an outclassed Islanders club that has now dropped 12 of its last 14 games. Crosby's dazzling performance buried the sputtering Islanders 5-0 in the team's second straight shutout loss and fifth of the season. The flailing squad remains dead last in the Eastern Conference standings with a dreadful 5-10-3 record and have yet to record a win on the road this season.

The Captain is back: Crosby wasted no time in reminding hockey fans what they had been missing. Less than six minutes into the first period, Crosby beat Islanders goaltender Anders Nilsson on a rush with a top-shelf backhander for his first goal since Dec. 28, 2010. Sid the Kid notched his second of the night early in the third to give the Penguins a 5-0 lead. Crosby also picked up two assists -- setting up Brooks Orpik’s one-timer at 16:29 of the first and drawing a secondary assist on Evgeni Malkin’s power-play goal at 3:17 in the second.

Last time around: The last time Crosby faced the Islanders, they snapped his 25-game, 50-point streak in a 2-1 shootout win in Long Island on Dec. 29, 2010. Goaltender Rick DiPietro made 37 saves in the game and blanked Crosby and Mark Letestu in the shootout.

Flower power: Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves for his 21st career shutout, and second of the season (both came against the Islanders).

Nilsson in net: It was a rough night for Nilsson, the young Swedish goaltender who made his first NHL start under challenging circumstances in the raucous Consol Energy Center. The 21-year-old, who played two periods Saturday in relief of Rick DiPietro, gave up a goal on the first shot he faced and let in four more throughout the game.

Man down: The Islanders lost defenseman Mark Eaton early in the second period after the former Penguin collided with Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke. Eaton suffered a sprained left knee on the play and will be evaluated further Tuesday.

Ullstrom’s NHL debut: Following a wretched 6-0 loss to Boston on Saturday, Jack Capuano ripped the team and indicated that personnel changes were looming. Enter David Ullstrom. The 22-year-old center was called up Sunday and made his NHL debut against the Penguins. Ullstrom is tied for the team lead in Bridgeport with 12 goals and two assists in 17 games for the Sound Tigers.

Okposo on board: Scratched for the last three games, Kyle Okposo returned to the lineup in Pittsburgh. The 23-year-old assistant captain was benched following a 14-game goalless streak. With his return and Ullstrom’s recall, Blake Comeau and Nino Niederreiter were scratched. Comeau has been held off the scoresheet in all 15 games played this season, and Niederreiter was given a game off after playing six in nine nights. Defenseman Mike Mottau was also scratched.

Up next: Islanders vs. Flyers, Wednesday at 7 p.m.

What it means: The red-hot Rangers won their seventh straight with a 4-2 defeat of the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum for the team's longest winning streak in more than two years. While the Rangers improved to 10-3-3, the Islanders fell to 4-8-3 after dropping their tenth in 11 games.

Go-ahead goal: Brad Richards snapped a 2-2 tie at 15:05 of the third with his slapshot from the left circle, his second game-winner of the season. Brandon Dubinsky, who intercepted Josh Bailey's clearing attempt at the blue line, picked up an assist on the play.

Moulson scores on man-advantage: After four failed attempts, the Islanders tied the game to cash in on their fifth power-play opportunity of the night. Matt Moulson tallied his fifth goal of the season, converting a feed from John Tavares to knot the teams at 2 at 6:58 of the third.

Chipping in offensively: With his goal at 6:07 of the second period, Steve Eminger became the fifth defenseman to score a goal for the Rangers this season. The team now has 10 goals from their blue line; 22-year-old Ryan McDonagh leads the pack with three.

New season for Nino: 19-year-old Swiss winger Nino Niederreiter made his season debut for the Isles after missing the first six weeks of the season with a groin injury suffered in September. Niederreiter, who played nine games last season before being sent back to his junior club, skated on the team’s third line with Blake Comeau and Marty Reasoner.

Avery scores again: Notorious agitator Sean Avery scored his second goal in as many games to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the first period. Avery, who was promoted to the third line after a strong performance Friday against the Hurricanes, buried his own rebound from the left circle at 14:43.

Rivalry restored: A chippy second period featured two fights -- one between Avery and Mike Mottau and the other between Matt Martin and Brandon Prust. Mottau’s scrap with Avery wasn’t his first -- the two also fought while Mottau was playing for the Devils back in 2009.

Okposo scratched: For the first time in his NHL career, Kyle Okposo missed a game as a healthy scratch. The Islanders sat the struggling 23-year-old forward, who has not scored a goal in 14 games this season. Okposo finished with five goals last season after missing 44 games with a shoulder injury and scored 19 one year prior during his second full season with the team in 2009-10.

Up next: Islanders vs. Canadiens, Thursday at 7 p.m.; Rangers vs. Canadiens, Saturday at 7 p.m.