GORDON ON NATE THOMPSON
6:05 pm: Hockey ops reax; Skinner to Bport
6:05 pm – Scott Gordon’s comments on the Islanders’ acquisition of his former Providence (AHL) player, Nate Thompson:
“He’s a player who’s just 24 years old and brings incredible energy every shift. Players like that are hard to come by.
“Garth asked me what I thought of him and I told him what Nate could do. This organization liked Nate way before I got here. After I got the job, I was reading some scouting reports from the staff and every one was good on Thompson. (Bridgeport coach) Jack Capuano told me there were two players on Providence who made an impact every time we played each other. Nate was one of them.
“I don’t want to get into what this means to our lineup. Way too early to say. I think you can probably expect us to have these 23 players through at least Monday (3 games) and then we’ll take a look at where we’re at.
“Nothing is set in stone for Thompson. However, this is a huge opportunity for him and I’m sure he knows it. He’s hungry to make the NHL. Our fans loved him in Providence. Fans love the blue-collar players who can turn a game around with a hit or a fight or a big play. Thompson’s that kind of player, and his positives are the kinds of things you can’t teach.
“I’m sure the Bruins didn’t want to let him go. It’s a numbers game there right now and they’ve had to make several tough decisions. Nate’s a good pickup for us.
“He’ll drive wide to the net and crash, bang. He’ll stick up for his teammates. He’ll kill penalties for us. I would expect he’ll need time to work on faceoffs at this level because he’s only played four NHL games. Other than that, I know what we’re getting. He’s a high-energy player and we’re exited to add him to our roster.”
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5:00 pm – I’ve yet to hear back from coach Scott Gordon on his once and future player Nate Thompson, picked up by the Islanders from Boston via the waiver wire today. In a cruel irony, defenseman Brett Skinner – a Thompson teammate in Providence – has been sent to Bridgeport to make room on the 23-man roster.
I did run into Islanders scout Eric Cairns at the Coliseum this afternoon, and he was real pleased by the Thompson pickup. “Our fans are going to love him,” said Cairns, who has had an eye on Thompson for over a year. “In your face, tons of energy, good skating, still a young player (he just turned 24). He’s a good fit for us.”
The importance of adding Thompson was best summed up by one of Cairns’ colleagues. On the grounds of anonymity, since he didn’t want his children to read this, a hockey ops official told Point Blank, “We needed someone just like this guy. We really needed to add a little F.U. to our forward lines.”
What this means for Josh Bailey’s Long Island stay is very much up in the air. As for Blake Comeau, the fight for a regular shift may have just gotten a little harder.
Etc: The headline is a little off-key, but Jim Baumbach of Newsday has a good column from practice today on Kyle Okposo.
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1:40 pm - The Islanders have claimed center Nate Thompson on waivers from the Boston Bruins. Thompson, a 6-0, 200-pound center who plays an up-tempo, grinding style, played for Scott Gordon in parts of the last four seasons in Providence of the AHL.
Last year at Providence, Thompson was 19-20-39 in 70 games and 2-3-5 in 10 playoff games.
Amazing the things you learn while searching for a Jack Hillen head shot. I couldn’t find Hillen on the NHL roster on the official team site, but I did find Nate Thompson! Congrats to the blogger Strickland for breaking it. The conversation continues on Islandermania.
29 Responses to GORDON ON NATE THOMPSON
6:05 pm: Hockey ops reax; Skinner to Bport
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ISLESFAN999 says:
Will this kid replace Hilbert? I cant imagine him replacing anyone else??
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Well, i guess it is always good to add to the depths of the organization. However if it comes at the sacrifice of one of our current players like Comeau then i dont like it. I dont go for the coaches cronies when we should be making a trade for a goal scorer!!!
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CT Isles Fan says:
CB, when you getting the scoop from Gordon on this?
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Brian says:
Further confirmation that the kids just aren’t cutting it. A guy like Colliton is pretty much done here. How many unheralded players can they sign off of other teams rosters?
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Darren says:
and from Boston no less!
I can’t see Boston’s farm being THAT good because their NHL team is just as worse as the Isles!! -
Brian from Massapequa says:
CB, I don’t see Brett Skinner listed on the team roster anymore. Any confirmation that he is indeed the roster casualty of this move?
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Nevermind that last question, as you said Hillen isn’t listed either.
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Mikey_Mitts says:
Another member to join Garths Boston tea party!!!
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NICE ARTICLE ABOUT THOMPSON HERE… http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10115/thompson_captains_a_topnotch_team/
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Tim says:
Boston’s just as bad as the Isles? Where have you been? They took the Habs to 7 games last year.
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KillerC says:
Nate Thompson great addition ….Should help us to make a run at the “CALDER CUP”.
Oh wait,My fault we play in the NHL… -
I can see it now… NYI.com: NATE THE GREAT!!!
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Zach says:
I checked on soundtigers.com and Skinner is listed on their roster. One dismaying thing, however, is the absence of Pascal Morency from the roster. I believe he was in pre-season games with the Tigers. As a huge Tigers fan as well, I hope he comes back. He’s a great sparkplug. He is not on the Utah roster either, making me wonder if he dropped off the face of the Earth
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They haven’t been able to get in or out of the first round in 10 years! Sound familiar?
I think the last time was 1990 with Milbury?
I know that name sounds familiar!!! -
blitzkriegs says:
Looks like some added depth that may have the ability to step in right away.
However, it sounds like Mr. Sillinger is not going to be ready for quite some time and the NY CIA Hockey Club – I mean the NY Islanders are withholding his injury status.
As CB and other media have stated, this ‘injury’ blackout disclosure is going to create a backlash among fans and possible media alike. Moves like this create questions and infer answers. Some negative, some positive.
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Darren, you said NHL team, not 20-year history.
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jaxx says:
Sounds like this kid has a little steve webb in him. At least it sounds like we have a guy who is not afraid to mix it up. That’s a change from the norm.
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It is possible that Nate can be a Shawn Bates type–reunited with his old coach in the Boston system (Peter Laviolette). Should be interesting. Still want to know what happened to Pascal
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TuxTax says:
19-20-39 in 70 games sounds good to me for a guy with a little FU in him. Lets see how they do…I am sick of predictions…I have been getting so excited for friday I cant take it anymore!
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Tim – I think we’re mis-understanding each other here. But whatever, I believe we’re on the same team anyway. It’s all good!
Has anybody heard what’s up with Chris Lee?
I know last report said he was OK. BUT, can he play this year, next year, ever? -
Lee is fine. As a reward he was sent down.
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Good deal! Don’t wanna see anyone go out like that.
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Spinner9 says:
From everything I could find Thompson seems like a positive pick-up. He is supposed to be a pretty good skater, has shown some offensive abilty in the AHL, was the team captain in Providence and is not afraid to drop the gloves. There are several clips of him in altercations on YouTube. Also he knows Gordon’s system. I still don’t fully understand this undying allegiance to Comeau many of you have. He’s a nice complimentary player with very limited offensive skills, its not like we’re talking about sitting Bobby Hull or Gordie Howe here. I think the fact that possible playing time has become more competative with the Isles this year is a step in the right direction. We still lack consistent scorers but our depth has definately improved (unless the injury bug continues).
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Daniel says:
Did anybody check out this guys fights? Seems like he is always willing to go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ECb_szvD1E -
Chris,
Thought I’d let you know your B.D. Gallof link now goes to the hockeybuzz.com home page instead of his blog.Just sayin’…
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Bob says:
Hey, If Nate cracks the lineup for Fri Night atleast we will have one player who is willing to throw hands with somebody when Jersey starts abusing our High Schoolers. Someone tell me again why we don’t have Fritz up here to bang with a 4th liner when we are down 2-0 half way through the first?
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2007-2008 Providence Bruins 75 19 20 39pts
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Joe says:
Hes a solid team guy/MW, we still need a HW.
I’m not really sure why they are picking this guy up? I thought the roster was set.
I’m assuming he’s headed to Bport?