Comments on: 5 REASONS FOR 5 OUT OF 6Stability from MacDonald leads the way http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way Independent, Daily Coverage Of The New York Islanders Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:46:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Marc http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8808 Marc Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:19:36 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8808 To JayK... Bravo, for saying what needs to be said so clearly. I work for a county government here in upstate NY, and even though I'm relatively far away from the whole thing, your evaluation of the Lighthouse situation as it relates to the overall state of LI really resonates for a number of reasons. In particular, taxpayers everywhere obviously have no desire to pay more in property taxes. This is especially true in our current fiscal climate. But in the same breath that they'll complain about any potential property tax increases, many of these same people will stand up against any kind of development that dares to somehow inconvenience them or interfere with their outdated idea of the perfect suburban lifestyle - even if said development would benefit them and their fellow local taxpayers by helping to eliminate (or at least minimize) property tax increases. The good old days are gone. You still want all of the government-provided services you've become used to, but you don't want to pay for them and you don't want any new development which will help pay for them, either. Can't have it both ways, folks. The Islanders certainly need the Lighthouse to become reality, but, more importantly, so does Long Island. And, just so at least some of this comment has to do with the on-ice product, I couldn't be more proud of how this team is competing virtually every night, especially given the adversity they've been facing since game one. Those of you who are not-so-secretly hoping for them to fail, just for the chance at a draft pick that may or may not work out, should be embarrassed. Crosby, Ovechkin, and Lecavalier are nice, but what about guys like Patrik Stefan, Alexandre Daigle, and even Bryan Berard? Very few "sure" things out there, so why not just enjoy it when our team is playing well? To JayK… Bravo, for saying what needs to be said so clearly. I work for a county government here in upstate NY, and even though I’m relatively far away from the whole thing, your evaluation of the Lighthouse situation as it relates to the overall state of LI really resonates for a number of reasons. In particular, taxpayers everywhere obviously have no desire to pay more in property taxes. This is especially true in our current fiscal climate. But in the same breath that they’ll complain about any potential property tax increases, many of these same people will stand up against any kind of development that dares to somehow inconvenience them or interfere with their outdated idea of the perfect suburban lifestyle – even if said development would benefit them and their fellow local taxpayers by helping to eliminate (or at least minimize) property tax increases. The good old days are gone. You still want all of the government-provided services you’ve become used to, but you don’t want to pay for them and you don’t want any new development which will help pay for them, either. Can’t have it both ways, folks.

The Islanders certainly need the Lighthouse to become reality, but, more importantly, so does Long Island.

And, just so at least some of this comment has to do with the on-ice product, I couldn’t be more proud of how this team is competing virtually every night, especially given the adversity they’ve been facing since game one. Those of you who are not-so-secretly hoping for them to fail, just for the chance at a draft pick that may or may not work out, should be embarrassed. Crosby, Ovechkin, and Lecavalier are nice, but what about guys like Patrik Stefan, Alexandre Daigle, and even Bryan Berard? Very few “sure” things out there, so why not just enjoy it when our team is playing well?

]]> By: MikeD http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8770 MikeD Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:56:44 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8770 Is it time to sign Joey to a 20 year deal? On a serious note, Bergy deserves a 3 year deal but I'd like to see him get 5 years. Is it time to sign Joey to a 20 year deal?

On a serious note, Bergy deserves a 3 year deal but I’d like to see him get 5 years.

]]> By: JPinVA http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8766 JPinVA Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:50:43 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8766 Jay K, On the Lighthouse, I'm just going to pose this scenario. 8:AM... "honey, I'm going out to get the paper... I'll see you for dinner" I don't know if SMG, the Rangers or the NHL would ever allow this to happen... but the Islanders need to move into Brooklyn or Queens so they can triple their fan base, get out of that ridiculous lease and be accessible via mass transit. They could build a 22K seat arena in the parking lot at Aqueduct and fill it 100% of the time in the first three years, and maintain 85% occupancy after that. If the county wanted to do something RIGHT they would release them from the ridiculous lease so they could leave and allow SOMEBODY ELSE to develop the HEMPSTEAD TOWN CENTER which would completely restructure the area with cultural and entertainment choices that EVERYBODY can enjoy... 100% of the time. I'm a little sick of WANG WORLD. CB, Excellent Post... I agree on all points. Especially the top line and captain. I was definitely a critic of the hypocricy of signing Weight during a declared "youth movement", but who's to say they didn't take 5 candles off his birthday cake. Guerin has been a true captain since he was signed, and this year he seems to be more of the on-ice package as well. DP v JMac, Chico v Billy... almost the same scenario. People old enough to remember the days of Howatt and Hart will rememebr that Chico was the #1 Goalie until the Lanny MacDonald goal. When Billy was given the playoff reigns he never let thenm go. But he always had something in the tank come playoff time because they had somebody who could play 30 games and win 20 of them on the bench. Bergy, Long Term... YES! I'd like to see him score 20, but he'll have an impact on 60-80 goals this year in some capacity. I think he needs 5 years worth of ink. THE "D", Witt and Marty... 22 minutes is great. Just using last year as a guide... I'd like to see that be their cap. They now can split the PK time with a responsible pairing of Sutton and Streit, and only Marty will get cameo's on the PP. They should get the glut of mins on the Ice against the opposing top line, but all the other time needs to be split between Sutton and the 3rd pairing. THEY GENERATE OFFENSE... but the third pairing needs to upgrade. Gervais is just not responsible enough yet... and at this point he just may not be. It's too bad Spiller didn't work out. The dynamic of one MOVER and one SHAKER seems to be a good mix. Neither campoli or Gervais are going to shake anything that can't also be stirred. Jay K,
On the Lighthouse, I’m just going to pose this scenario.
8:AM… “honey, I’m going out to get the paper… I’ll see you for dinner”
I don’t know if SMG, the Rangers or the NHL would ever allow this to happen… but the Islanders need to move into Brooklyn or Queens so they can triple their fan base, get out of that ridiculous lease and be accessible via mass transit.
They could build a 22K seat arena in the parking lot at Aqueduct and fill it 100% of the time in the first three years, and maintain 85% occupancy after that.
If the county wanted to do something RIGHT they would release them from the ridiculous lease so they could leave and allow SOMEBODY ELSE to develop the HEMPSTEAD TOWN CENTER which would completely restructure the area with cultural and entertainment choices that EVERYBODY can enjoy… 100% of the time.
I’m a little sick of WANG WORLD.

CB,
Excellent Post… I agree on all points. Especially the top line and captain. I was definitely a critic of the hypocricy of signing Weight during a declared “youth movement”, but who’s to say they didn’t take 5 candles off his birthday cake. Guerin has been a true captain since he was signed, and this year he seems to be more of the on-ice package as well.

DP v JMac,
Chico v Billy… almost the same scenario. People old enough to remember the days of Howatt and Hart will rememebr that Chico was the #1 Goalie until the Lanny MacDonald goal. When Billy was given the playoff reigns he never let thenm go. But he always had something in the tank come playoff time because they had somebody who could play 30 games and win 20 of them on the bench.

Bergy,
Long Term… YES! I’d like to see him score 20, but he’ll have an impact on 60-80 goals this year in some capacity. I think he needs 5 years worth of ink.

THE “D”,
Witt and Marty… 22 minutes is great. Just using last year as a guide… I’d like to see that be their cap. They now can split the PK time with a responsible pairing of Sutton and Streit, and only Marty will get cameo’s on the PP.
They should get the glut of mins on the Ice against the opposing top line, but all the other time needs to be split between Sutton and the 3rd pairing. THEY GENERATE OFFENSE… but the third pairing needs to upgrade. Gervais is just not responsible enough yet… and at this point he just may not be. It’s too bad Spiller didn’t work out. The dynamic of one MOVER and one SHAKER seems to be a good mix. Neither campoli or Gervais are going to shake anything that can’t also be stirred.

]]> By: Doug http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8759 Doug Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:24:11 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8759 ooo and i wanted to bring up something that i keep hearing...tambellini needs to start playing like hilbert?...i agree that it would be nice for him to be as defensively sound as hilbert but tambellini is supposed to score, and they already have one andy hilbert they dont need too. Andy has been very good this season but he still needs to be limited in his ice time, he is not a top line player. Same type of player as Shawn Bates, good on the 3rd or 4th line but not 1st or 2nd. I still think tambellini needs some more time to get it together. Do not waive him, just make him earn his ice time. If that means scratching him thats fine but there is no way he would clear waivers, too much potential. ooo and i wanted to bring up something that i keep hearing…tambellini needs to start playing like hilbert?…i agree that it would be nice for him to be as defensively sound as hilbert but tambellini is supposed to score, and they already have one andy hilbert they dont need too.

Andy has been very good this season but he still needs to be limited in his ice time, he is not a top line player. Same type of player as Shawn Bates, good on the 3rd or 4th line but not 1st or 2nd.

I still think tambellini needs some more time to get it together. Do not waive him, just make him earn his ice time. If that means scratching him thats fine but there is no way he would clear waivers, too much potential.

]]> By: JayK http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8746 JayK Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:37:13 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8746 I agree that for the Lighthouse to really succeed, mass transit is a must. But a couple of things: --You say that Uniondale is a dump. Agreed. But all you have to do is look at the revival of certain areas in the metropolitan area that were total dumps not that long ago -- parts of Brooklyn, White Plains, New Brunswick -- to know that areas can revive, particularly with a strong dedication to development --The condos don't have to be sold to young families with kids to have an impact on those families. As it is now, an older empty nest couple has few options to move to on LI where they are still in a vibrant community of relatively high density. So they have to go to some boring development in Ridge or some place like that or worse, they stick around in a 5-BR house that could be better used by a young family. What if they could buy a condo in a place like the Lighthouse? Then their house is on the market for that young family. Ultimately, what matters is total supply of housing. --You may be right. The NIMBY people may win out in the end. But Long Island is going to lose. We're headed for disaster: we have an aging population. We fight against all sorts of development with higher density. People in other parts of the country are actually moving into areas with greater density, and we fight it like the plague. We have an anti-business attitude that was particularly on display when a company like Canon -- who was already here for God's sake -- had to take years to find a new corporate HQ. So please, JoeRVC...tell me how you would fix all that, and you need to do something other than saying "I like the Lighthouse, I just want it somewhere else." That doesn't take much courage. I agree that for the Lighthouse to really succeed, mass transit is a must. But a couple of things:

–You say that Uniondale is a dump. Agreed. But all you have to do is look at the revival of certain areas in the metropolitan area that were total dumps not that long ago — parts of Brooklyn, White Plains, New Brunswick — to know that areas can revive, particularly with a strong dedication to development

–The condos don’t have to be sold to young families with kids to have an impact on those families. As it is now, an older empty nest couple has few options to move to on LI where they are still in a vibrant community of relatively high density. So they have to go to some boring development in Ridge or some place like that or worse, they stick around in a 5-BR house that could be better used by a young family. What if they could buy a condo in a place like the Lighthouse? Then their house is on the market for that young family. Ultimately, what matters is total supply of housing.
–You may be right. The NIMBY people may win out in the end. But Long Island is going to lose. We’re headed for disaster: we have an aging population. We fight against all sorts of development with higher density. People in other parts of the country are actually moving into areas with greater density, and we fight it like the plague. We have an anti-business attitude that was particularly on display when a company like Canon — who was already here for God’s sake — had to take years to find a new corporate HQ. So please, JoeRVC…tell me how you would fix all that, and you need to do something other than saying “I like the Lighthouse, I just want it somewhere else.” That doesn’t take much courage.

]]> By: Steve http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8745 Steve Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:35:40 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8745 I am not saying intentionally tank, I am saying of course try to pick up wins, but really look at honestly, develop the youngsters and get a stud draft pick to bolster the team. No big free agents will come here, (i.e. the Red Wings team-they signed some big guys, Hasek,Chelios,Hossa,Shanahan in a trade, etc.) and the Devils play a system with one of the top three goalies ever to play in the NHL. That's how the win. A No. 1 draft pick isn't a sure thing, but this kid is close to it. Hey, if they are alive at the trade with the young kids and some vets, great, then it wont matter, the team is maturing with more to come. Milbury blew it-Luongo, Jokinen,not drafting Gaborik or Spezza to take DiP, Chara,etc. I still say Let's Go Isles! I am not saying intentionally tank, I am saying of course try to pick up wins, but really look at honestly, develop the youngsters and get a stud draft pick to bolster the team. No big free agents will come here, (i.e. the Red Wings team-they signed some big guys, Hasek,Chelios,Hossa,Shanahan in a trade, etc.) and the Devils play a system with one of the top three goalies ever to play in the NHL. That’s how the win. A No. 1 draft pick isn’t a sure thing, but this kid is close to it. Hey, if they are alive at the trade with the young kids and some vets, great, then it wont matter, the team is maturing with more to come. Milbury blew it-Luongo, Jokinen,not drafting Gaborik or Spezza to take DiP, Chara,etc. I still say Let’s Go Isles!

]]> By: DanNOLA http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8740 DanNOLA Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:24:29 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8740 Well said, Doug (re: post 43). I am 27, graduated from a SUNY college 5 years ago, and I haven't live on Long Island since. As a young carpenter who has college loans to pay off and a less than $60,000 a year job there is NO WAY in Hell I could live on Long Island. Now, I've made some difficult life's decisions, and decided to move down South. And, in New Orleans, even as a 27 year old carpenter who has loans to pay off and a less than $60,000 a year job, I own my own home outright and am making a profitable future for myself. If I could be in that situation on Long Island, I would. But, that's not how the cards are delt. It's just too damn expensive. Maybe if I can become long-term successful I'll move back. Long Island's biggest export is the 18-35 year-old demographic. And without things like the Lighthouse to potentially provide some more affordable housing in desirable areas and provide more exciting jobs and entertainment the 18-35's will continue to leave. No one wants to be broke and bored. People don't believe me when I say that Long Island could be in a pronounced decline for years to come if we don't keep more young blood within it's shores, but I honestly think it's true. Well said, Doug (re: post 43). I am 27, graduated from a SUNY college 5 years ago, and I haven’t live on Long Island since. As a young carpenter who has college loans to pay off and a less than $60,000 a year job there is NO WAY in Hell I could live on Long Island. Now, I’ve made some difficult life’s decisions, and decided to move down South. And, in New Orleans, even as a 27 year old carpenter who has loans to pay off and a less than $60,000 a year job, I own my own home outright and am making a profitable future for myself. If I could be in that situation on Long Island, I would. But, that’s not how the cards are delt. It’s just too damn expensive. Maybe if I can become long-term successful I’ll move back. Long Island’s biggest export is the 18-35 year-old demographic. And without things like the Lighthouse to potentially provide some more affordable housing in desirable areas and provide more exciting jobs and entertainment the 18-35′s will continue to leave. No one wants to be broke and bored. People don’t believe me when I say that Long Island could be in a pronounced decline for years to come if we don’t keep more young blood within it’s shores, but I honestly think it’s true.

]]> By: JOE RVC http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8738 JOE RVC Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:21:03 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8738 NICK- im pragmatic not a nimby there are places on long island that would make more sense..i would like it near my backyard if it made sense..there are probably some good places in queens also YOU NEED A TRAIN LINE to make this work if it was such a good idea it would alredy be getting done NICK- im pragmatic not a nimby there are places on long island that would make more sense..i would like it near my backyard if it made sense..there are probably some good places in queens also YOU NEED A TRAIN LINE to make this work if it was such a good idea it would alredy be getting done

]]> By: Nick http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8735 Nick Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:10:13 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8735 This is a real serious tension for me...I know getting the 1st overall pick would be the best thing for this team, but I just can't root for them to lose. We have an entertaining team with some young guys that are proving they can contribute in the NHL. By my lights, that makes this season a success. Nobody here was saying we'd compete for the Cup necessarily, but I want to see steps toward that Cup. I think the Flyers model should be thrown out the window. They had a lot of young talent and were killed by unstable goaltending and injuries. Every single Islander fan needs to make peace with the fact that this will not be a quick fix. The reason we're in this mess in the first place is because Milbury could never finish what he started and always went for the quick fix. JayK - excellent points about the Lighthouse, couldn't say it any better. Joe RVC - I and others have explained your issues many many many times. If you still don't get it then we obviously can't have a conversation with you. It seems pretty clear to me you're just another Long Island NIMBY who's going to have a problem with whatever is built on that site. Sad. Also, JayK - current plans are for a Lighthouse bus system that takes you both around the project and links to the local LIRR stations in order to prevent people from having to use their cars. There is an abandoned rail spur back there that would be perfect for development, but something tells me half of Garden City would lie down on the tracks to prevent it. This is a real serious tension for me…I know getting the 1st overall pick would be the best thing for this team, but I just can’t root for them to lose. We have an entertaining team with some young guys that are proving they can contribute in the NHL. By my lights, that makes this season a success. Nobody here was saying we’d compete for the Cup necessarily, but I want to see steps toward that Cup.

I think the Flyers model should be thrown out the window. They had a lot of young talent and were killed by unstable goaltending and injuries. Every single Islander fan needs to make peace with the fact that this will not be a quick fix. The reason we’re in this mess in the first place is because Milbury could never finish what he started and always went for the quick fix.

JayK – excellent points about the Lighthouse, couldn’t say it any better.

Joe RVC – I and others have explained your issues many many many times. If you still don’t get it then we obviously can’t have a conversation with you. It seems pretty clear to me you’re just another Long Island NIMBY who’s going to have a problem with whatever is built on that site. Sad.

Also, JayK – current plans are for a Lighthouse bus system that takes you both around the project and links to the local LIRR stations in order to prevent people from having to use their cars. There is an abandoned rail spur back there that would be perfect for development, but something tells me half of Garden City would lie down on the tracks to prevent it.

]]> By: guerin13 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8734 guerin13 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:00:39 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8734 i really don't get the lose now crowd. you're basically asking the isles to intentionally tank a season. that's borderline illegal (think 1919 white sox). the #1 pick is supposed to go to a team that gave 100% but just weren't any good, not a team that intentionally tanked it. that wouldn't exactly help our image or be good for morale. and the last time i checked the devils and red wings haven't picked first (or anywhere close) in a million years yet all they do is win. if your scouting is good you don't need to be drafting first. it is possible to teach and win at the same time, eg. last year's flyers team. let's hope that continues to happen here. i really don’t get the lose now crowd. you’re basically asking the isles to intentionally tank a season. that’s borderline illegal (think 1919 white sox). the #1 pick is supposed to go to a team that gave 100% but just weren’t any good, not a team that intentionally tanked it. that wouldn’t exactly help our image or be good for morale. and the last time i checked the devils and red wings haven’t picked first (or anywhere close) in a million years yet all they do is win. if your scouting is good you don’t need to be drafting first. it is possible to teach and win at the same time, eg. last year’s flyers team. let’s hope that continues to happen here.

]]> By: Doug http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8733 Doug Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:59:43 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8733 Steve - In todays NHL there are other ways to turn around a franchise...look at the flyers, they had a decent team that flopped and then they traded away their veterans for young talent (Upshall/ Hartnell), signed some more talent(Briere), and allowed their prospects to develop(Richards)...they went to the conference finals last year...the bruins also look very good right now and they have been built very similiar i still feel that snows big mistake was not trading vasichek, satan, and fedotenko at the deadline this year...the key to this season is whether on not snow has the balls to trade some of the vets if this team is still sitting at the 10th spot Steve – In todays NHL there are other ways to turn around a franchise…look at the flyers, they had a decent team that flopped and then they traded away their veterans for young talent (Upshall/ Hartnell), signed some more talent(Briere), and allowed their prospects to develop(Richards)…they went to the conference finals last year…the bruins also look very good right now and they have been built very similiar

i still feel that snows big mistake was not trading vasichek, satan, and fedotenko at the deadline this year…the key to this season is whether on not snow has the balls to trade some of the vets if this team is still sitting at the 10th spot

]]> By: Steve http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/11/5-reasons-for-5-out-of-6stability-from-macdonald-leads-the-way/#comment-8732 Steve Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:45:04 +0000 http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=3551#comment-8732 Somebody said goodbye to the #1 pick...well ok, I get it, people want to win, but really how far can this team go as constructed right now? They have some good young talent here and in Bridgeport, imagine adding, if he is what the Central Scouting Report says he is, John Tavares, or even Hedman? If they go in the middle again, we are just stuck in the mud as a mediocre team. Look at the Pens, Caps, etc. Thats the only way we will be able to get a sniper here, if it's Tavares. Its been so long, what's one more year of futility? I want to see the Isles win as much as anyone, but I am looking long-term, not short-term to just miss the playoffs or lose (again) in the first round. Somebody said goodbye to the #1 pick…well ok, I get it, people want to win, but really how far can this team go as constructed right now? They have some good young talent here and in Bridgeport, imagine adding, if he is what the Central Scouting Report says he is, John Tavares, or even Hedman? If they go in the middle again, we are just stuck in the mud as a mediocre team. Look at the Pens, Caps, etc. Thats the only way we will be able to get a sniper here, if it’s Tavares. Its been so long, what’s one more year of futility? I want to see the Isles win as much as anyone, but I am looking long-term, not short-term to just miss the playoffs or lose (again) in the first round.

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