Josh Kotai

You've been around some guys who are going to go on to do some really, really big things goaltending-wise.

I mean, do you see that in the routine and do you pick up on that? Like, just how detail-oriented he can be? I mean, I remember Josh Kotai last season.

That's the reason that people said that Josh was one of the best goalies in the CCHA and one of the best in the country was the work he put in throughout the week.

I mean, how do you see that out of OAA?

Four goals for Toronto in the opening period, and that really was a little too much.

Josh Kotai making his first AHL and professional start, gave up five goals on 35 shots.

So one win, one loss for the Hamilton Hammers so far.

Liam Foudy leading the way [coughs] with five points, a goal and four assists.

So this was a team that really looks similar to last year.

There are a couple new pieces filtered in there, but it is not, you know, in this day and age with the portal and guys turning pro, which they did have because Josh Kotai signed with the Islanders and he was sensational in that for them.

But I'm just used to seeing so many rosters look so differently and this one just doesn't.

So it was interesting seeing them come back and

You're playing a team that everybody is back except the goalie.

Josh Kotai was a really important goalie.

He was a really good goalie.

Christian Manns, also a very good goalie that I assume is going to step in.

Yes.

And like you said, a bulk of that team is back.

And, you know, it's obviously Josh Kotai had a big role in this, but they allowed the second fewest goals in the country a year ago.

Yeah.

And then, without being placed on waivers, the following players were assigned to Hamilton.

Alex Jeffries, Josh Kotai, Daniil Prokhorov, Marshall Warren, and Matthew Highmore.

So, those were the Saturday transactions.

Most of those guys played on Friday night, and then they were dispatched.

So Islanders transactions...

Alex Jeffries, Josh Kotai, Daniel Prokhorov, and Marshall Warren have all been assigned to Hamilton in the AHL.

None of those players are going on waivers.

They go directly there based on contracts, age, and how long they've been in the league.

You have to earn your right to go on waivers.

And of that list, I'll note really quickly because we're not going to focus too much on these guys.

Josh Kotai, I think, looks really good at this point.

I think he's close to being the third goaltender in this system.

And then you've got Kashawn Aitchison still among the defensemen, Matt Kessel among the defensemen, and Marshall Warren.

And Joshua Kotai, the goalie, he is still in Islanders camp again.

I do expect that those players will be sent probably to the AHL at some point in the near future.

But giving them an extended look in NHL camp.

Got it.

And what about the goaltending? Josh Kotai is the only goalie listed on the active roster here.

Is he starting?

It's likely Kotai gets the nod.

You can't go too aggressive with Romanov, but you can't sit back either.

What about the goaltending? Josh Kotai is listed as the goalie.

Has he shown enough in camp to start this opener?

Kotai has been solid in the drills.