Islanders discipline Kabanov again

For the second time since training camp began, 18-year-old winger Kirill Kabanov was disciplined by the Islanders for breaking team rules.

The Russian arrived at the Coliseum late Wednesday and received a stern admonishment from coach Scott Gordon before the first group of skaters took the ice.

Kabanov, who had to wear someone else's equipment because he did not have time to change into his own, was then held after practice for two rounds of conditioning sprints.

Kabanov was skated hard for 15 minutes after the first session, given a 10-minute break, then skated again for another 15 minutes until the second group got on the ice. He also had to do several pushups and crunches before leaving the ice.

"He's going to learn the hard way, not the easy way," Gordon said. "We want to make sure he knows that there are consequences for what you do."

Kabanov, who is currently staying across the street from the Coliseum at the team hotel, said he regretted his mistake,

"I feel bad," he said. "I didn't fall asleep, but I was late for warm-up. I made it in time for practice. That's about it."

This latest transgression comes a little more than a week after his first strike - when he missed the first day of rookie camp on Sept. 13 for being tardy.

Perceived as a top-end talent with a shaky reputation, Kabanov's stock dropped on several draft boards once teams became aware of some key details. He was cut from the Russian Under-18 team this spring, dropped by his agent, J.P. Barry, before the draft, and had a strained relationship with his junior team, the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Islanders took a gamble on Kabanov and selected him in the third round of the draft in June. Hoping his immaturity could be resolved with a support system and structure, the Islanders paired Kabanov with former NHL enforcer Eric Cairns, who heads the team's player development department.

After living with Cairns this summer, Kabanov is now roommates with 31-year-old Trevor Gillies for the duration of training camp. Gillies, a vocal leader with experience mentoring younger players - Russian defenseman Anton Klementyev moved in with him while both played in Bridgeport - has taken Kabanov under his wing.

And although the change won't happen overnight, Gillies believes Kabanov will learn eventually.

"He's a really good kid, I can vouch for that, and he's got all the talent in the world, but his habits just have to be a little better," Gillies said. "It's a work in progress."