Labelle surprised by lack of contract offer from Columbus

Some interesting comments up on Lindsay Kramer's blog over on blog.syracuse.com:

"I think things went pretty well last year. If they (Columbus) don't want to give me a contract after (last season), I don't think they see me in Syracuse,'' he said. "I'm thankful for everything they did for me.But for now I think I have a better opportunity going to the Islanders' camp.''

I asked Labelle if he was surprised that Columbus didn't show more interest in him after a solid rookie season.

"When I left, I didn't have the feeling I wouldn't go back. That's what makes it a shock,'' he said. "It think it's a situation with a new GM (Columbus' Scott Howson), who doesn't know me. I'm disappointed, but there's nothing I can do about it.''

Labelle did have a solid season in Syracuse last year. Quite frankly I think Labelle is bang on - I think he was pretty much lost in the shuffle in the GM change. It sounds like he'll land on his feet for the Islanders and I wish him the best of luck.

-LTL

Labelle tries the Islanders

A little Syracuse Crunch news for you today:

Former Crunch forward Olivier Labelle will be going to camp on a tryout contract with the Islanders.

Labelle had been offered the same deal from the Blue Jackets this preseason, but apparently decided he'd rather give it a shot with New York.

http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/

Labelle had a solid role with the Crunch last year as a 3rd liner on most nights. His first year pro out of the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan he put up 11g, 20a for 31 points. He also provided some sandpaper to the lineup piling up 153 PIMS and getting into 9 fights. He'll now be joining former Columbus draft pick Aaron Johnson in the Islanders system assuming he earns a contract.

It will be interesting to watch how the Crunch fill out the remaining pieces of their roster. A lot will depend on who makes the Jackets and who doesn't so we won't know until we get into camp.

-LTL