DON’T WAIT FOR JOSH BAILEY
Practice: Martinek maybe…Comrie misses practice
1:00 pm - With each day, it’s getting harder to fathom 2008 first round pick Josh Bailey playing for the Islanders this season after he recovers from his undisclosed injury.
In this first quarter of the season when the 4-8-2 Islanders have, uh, met expectations, would it be nice to at least get a look at Bailey? In a perfect world, yes. But should he play? That’s different.
Scott (Go-Go-Go) Gordon is nothing if not consistent. It’s tough to picture the coach playing Bailey after missing so much action, so many practices. And although it would be so easy for Garth Snow to dress the kid as a symbol of hope, you have to believe the GM knows Bailey is best served returning to junior in Windsor, where he is the team’s captain.
There’s also the chance to play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship against the best players his own age. For Bailey to get that invaluable experience, he’ll need to be ready for the opening of training camp on December 11.
If Bailey was healthy when the regular season started, he probably would have played two or three games before he re-joined the Ontario Hockey League. But he wasn’t. Bailey has made the best of a tough situation these last few weeks, working hard at his rehab, doing the first-and-last thing at practices, studying the system during games, volunteering graciously accepting every invitation for community service. Going back to his summer of mandatory voluntary prospect workouts, he learned quickly to love Long Island.
Scott Gordon said after practice today that “nothing has been finalized” on Bailey. “The first thing is to get him back in shape and functional,” said the coach. “And then we’ll go from there.”
Bailey will be back, as early as the start of next season. I just don’t think you’ll see him this month play his nine games with the Islanders, and maybe not even one.
ETC: Radek Martinek competed in the full practice today at Iceworks and could return to the lineup tomorrow when the Islanders host a matinee against Philadelphia.
Gordon said the team thought about playing Martinek last Saturday and is taking a cautious day-by-day approach with their best two-way defenseman…
Islanders 2008 fourth round draft pick Matt Donovan was named to the all-star team after an eye-opening performance at last week’s World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta. Donovan had two goals in Team USA’s semifinal victory over Canada East and two assists as USA defeated Canada West for the title. Donovan will play for attend the University of Denver next season…
Mike Comrie (hip) missed today’s practice at Iceworks. He had offseason surgery on the hip at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Comrie’s surgery - a secret the Islanders tried to keep - was outed in a very 2008-TMZ kind of way: in photos with girlfriend Hilary Duff on gossip sites.
With Comrie out, Bailey practiced between Jon Sim and Tim Jackman…
In his daily conversation with Jack Capuano last night, Gordon said the Bridgeport coach relayed team-wide delight over Jackman’s goal on Saturday. “His teammates were real happy for him,” said Gordon. “He was the best player down there - on offense and in terms of taking care of all areas of the game.”
The NHL sent out a press release this morning declaring financial victory despite the economy. The league says it set attendance records for October with a per-game average of 17,388 and 94.1 percent of capacity. It also cited improved TV ratings, new corporate partnerships and record numbers of fans watching games live online (that would be the handiwork of Neulion of Plainview, New York).
The top-selling items on ShopNHL.com:
2008 Hockey Fights Cancer Tie
Sabres Third Jersey
Sidney Crosby DVD
Rangers Premier Jersey
Edmonton Third Jersey
Most popular player jerseys:
Sidney Crosby
Alex Ovechkin
Mike Richards
Henrik Lundqvist
Evgeni Malkin
36 Responses to “DON’T WAIT FOR JOSH BAILEY
Practice: Martinek maybe…Comrie misses practice”
Please Wait
They should send Josh back to his team ASAP. He’s missing out on a lot more than hockey.
Please send him back.
Having him here right now will do nothing to help his hockey growth.
We as fans do not need to see him on a 3rd or 4th line to justify all the draft day trade downs.
Can’t think the atmosphere in the locker room would be that great for him if the season continues on as is.
I am going to have to agree with the above comments. I think that Joshua Bailey should return to the Windsor Spitfire of the OHL. They are the best team in the OHL this season, and his presence there will only make them a better team. They have the complete team to win a championship, and provide Bailey with both on and off the ice experience necessary to lead a championship team. He now understands what it takes to make an NHL lineup, and he could use this season and the upcoming Summer to better prepare for the rigors of an NHL season. He understands the overspeed system, now he can better prepare for it. He will be back up and on the roster for opening night next season!
Since he isnt actually playing yet, why rush to send him back? Theres nothing wrong with him rehabbing and practiciing with the Islanders, listening to coach Gordon, etc. Im sure he will wind up back in Windsor soon enough.
Im really happy to hear that Radek is coming back. Man do the Isles miss you!
agreed. he should be sent down as soon as healthy…unless he were given the same kind of minutes as okposo and really he should have probably spent the season at bridgeport…best youngin’ to date has been nielsen…he is developing into a nice two-way center…albeit a third liner but you gotta start somewhere
any update on Witt? How long will he be out?
Thanks
Hey Botts,
Good news on Marty. I say he has more goals than Tamby by the end of the week.
BTW, where’d you get those NHL.com stats from, I’m sure the Isles 3rd should be near the top. Any info on that?
I still cant believe Comeau is still in Bridgeport! maybe Comrie is injured and that could give Blake a chance to get in the lineup. remember last year when K.O. was doing his best work he was on a line with Comeau and Park (kenny wooo!!!) just sayn it could help get K.O. goin a little more, and i definitly wouldnt miss Comrie!
old man Silli could stay out forever and id be fine with it! he was by far our slowest skater last year and there is no way i could see him fitting in with the new system.
Bailey should recover with the Islanders then return to Windsor. he has a future here and there is no reason to rush it right now with him.
Radekal! Martinek! YES! i hope we send Pock down and bring Hillen back up!
HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY BOTTA!:)
You should have taken the day off.
I’d like to see Bailey at least get his NHL taste and then be sent to WJC to play. This would give the Isles a chance to showcase guys like Sillinger, Comrie, and Weight who’ll they’ll probably be trading this year. After the WJC they can determine if Bailey should come back.
Botta, Goring was asked during a broadcast if he thought Guerin and Weight would finish the year with the Isles and he seemed certain they would. That surprised me. We all love their leadership but if value can be had for tw guys who probably won’t play next year or could be resigned in the summer the Isles have to make the deal. Do you think they’ll both finish the year here?
I’m not that excited about Martinek coming back he is another Geravis.
Oh, glad to see Josenu scored two goals yesterday for the Bridge but was wondering if you knew why Comeau didn’t play in the game?
cb -is it a cba thing with Bailey ?
considering he was injured during training camp is he technically on the isles watch until he’s ready to play again ? -be it windsor or nyi ?
Strummer:
I have to disagree with your comment about Martinek. He is easily one of the best two-way defensemen we have, and he is extremely strong in his own zone and in the offensive zone as well. He rarely gets beat by an opponent. His biggest flaw, which is going against the boards, isnt even that bad! I think he is a great defenseman to have around, and he would be a 3-4 defenseman on many other teams!
Hi, Justin:
I really have to disagree with you on Martinek. He is injury prone. He is soft in front of the net and all over the ice. He often takes himself out of position. Like Bruno he would rather try to use his stick to swipe at the puck and not take the body which would end the threat. He often takes bad penalties. He doesn’t hit enough. I had other guys (including Isles writers)defend him at first until I asked that they really watch him and not just listen to the Isles press statements. The NJ game this year is a great example. He took a horrible penalty and then on a goal he ends up on the side of the net while the player he was covering is standing there in front of the net and put the puck in.
Don’t get me wrong I’d keep him over Pock but Martinek is no better then a 6th d-man. When Garth Snow says Marty can be our best d-man at times that tells you all you need to know about the talent level on the Isles blue line and why the team isn’t competitive.
If he is valuable as the Isles PR department would have us believe then I say trade him for the bounty he’d bring back. Think back to all the glowing reviews of certain guys generated by the Isles while they were Isles only to have them later admit the guy stunk.
Here is a nice article on Dean Chynoweth: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=391626
Maybe the Islanders should hold off on the “who can smash whose hip the hardest” contests after games, or whatever’s going on there that is leading to all of the injuries in that area.
I’m with Justin on the Martinek debate. I’ve said it before, but Jonsson never hit, and was one of the Islanders’ most solid d-men for all the years he played. Marty is maybe like “Jonsson Light”.
Instead of always focusing on every play our d-men screw up, we rarely acknowledge the little things they do multiple times per game that break plays up before they even start - through well-positioned sticks, and good coverage. I know I’ve defended Gervais as an adequate 6th defenseman, but there’s no comparison between Gervais and Marty. Marty, when healthy (which admitedly is…well…never) is a top four on just about any NHL team, in my opinion. He’s smart out there, and is probably the best stick checker they’ve had on D since Jonsson. The issue with him has always been injuries…
Strummer,
Have you even seen Marty play. To say that he’s only a 6th d-man is absolutely insane. His skating keeps up with the likes of Ovechkin, his positioning is absolutely solid, his breakout is up there with some of the best in the league. He’s not an overpowering d-man but neither are some of the best in the league, Lidstrom, Neidermyer, etc. Again, you are wildly off on your take of Martinek. He is CLEARLY our best defensemen, a 1-2 on the majority of other teams in the league, and at worst, a 3-4 on the best teams. Not to mention, he makes any d-man he plays with better. His biggest downfall is that he seems to be made of glass.
You nitpicking at one game is just wrong as well. Every player has a bad day.
Why would the Isles ever want to trade a top tier 32 year old D-man that makes $1.2.
Pock can’t go down without risking losing him on the waiver wires. Given Martinek’s long injury history, my guess is they will keep Skinner and Pock around until Witt and Meyer is ready to come back. When that happens and all 7 one-way Ds are healthy, my guess is they will keep Pock as an 8th, trade him or waive him. And some time during all of this, Skinner will be sent back to Bridgeport as he has hardly contributed as an Islander.
Honestly this is a bit ridiculous. What does Bailey bring to the table that will help the Islanders here and now? The answer is, nothing. There is no reason for him to be here. This is not a knock on the kid. He is 18- or 19-years old and hasn’t done anything to earn the right to be here… which is fine. Send him down and let him develop like he should be doing. There is nothing to be gained by keeping him here.
To take the argument about Bailey and sending prospects to their rightful place one step further, I personally feel that Okposo would have benefitted greatly this year from spending an entire season down in Bridgeport. What is he doing up with the big boys when it is clear he could use just a little more seasoning, and then make an impact next year! He obviously shows flashes where he can really play in the NHL, however, one more year in the minors would help him be more consistent and better prepared for the rigors of the NHL, plus it would also boost his confidence.
I am personally placing a hundred-dollar bounty on the head of [Mike Comrie]
Idiot…
I was not picking on Martinek for one game. He has been the same guy for years. He is not a 1 or 2 on ANY other team. He isn’t a 3 on 90% of the teams. He starts getting into some teams rotations as a 4 but those aren’t the good ones. It is what it is, the Isles don’t have enough talent nor enough of the right kind or personel to compete. If you don’t believe me please see their record for the past how ever many years you’d like to go back.
Sorry Strummy, I like what you say, but you’re way off on Marty.
Just looking at the Atlantic Division, he would be:
#1 on the Devils (who would you rather have, Colin White or Johnny Oduya?)
Top Pairing immediately on the Rags with either Girardi or Staal (Roszival drops to 2nd pair)
Top Pairing on the Penguins with Gonchar
Perfect #1 pairing with Timonen
This is just the Atlantic and I don’t think I’m far off on this.
I’m FIRMLY with Justin and Derek on Martinek. Glass man or not, I think he is an important piece of the team, with the speed and responsibility in his zone that is sorely needed, especially right now.
As for Comrie, this is the 2nd time in the past week or so we’ve heard he might still be having trouble with his injury. I have been a Comrie basher this season because it DOES look like he is just cruising along not caring about anything/anyone. But I did notice recently that he seems to get right into every scrum and seems to really want to defend his teammates. The reason it stuck in my mind is because it is so opposite of what I would think he’d do as a player who could care less about being on “this” team. So now I am going to shut my mouth on the Comrie issue until we find out what the real problem is because I think it does have to do with being hurt. However, I am still not a fan of his only move.
wow a hundred dollars!?!
bailey should be in windsor.
okposo should be on LI.
martinek is NOT an elite defenseman. he is hurt all the time. he has averaged over his career:
46 GP
1.4 G
9.1 A
10.5 PTS
+13
that’s not an elite TWO-WAY defenseman. sorry. if you think so, you are wrong.
Wow bCarey! I agree. Facts are a stubborn thing.
Based on todays game, Marty is not an elite defenseman because he doesn’t put up the points and he’s oft injured. I agree this sets his value back, alot. But, when healthy, he has elite potential as a defensive d-man. He is able to shut down guys like Ovechkin, Jagr, Crosby, Malkin, etc. I know many will say that Witt’s the guy that does that, but if you watch the games, it is not Witt that handles these players, it is Marty. His +/- should be enough to prove this.
If Bailey gets better soon they should at least give him the nine or ten games it is that he can get without being declared ineligible then send him to the Spitfires, if he’s not healthy soon then Snow shouldn’t wait and should have him come back asap.
Chris A, I have to disagree. What has this guy done–at this point–to deserve a nine game look? Other than being picked ninth overall and perhaps putting inadvertant pressure on the team to justify his selection? I might be getting my facts wrong here, but I believe he appeared in just one preseason game.
The correct thing to do, what they should have done more than a month ago, is send him back to the OHL. Let him get his overage year under his belt, spend next year in the AHL, and then re-visit the topic in September 2010.
There’s no need to rush him, and he certainly hasn’t done anything to justify his staying on Long Island.
Comparing Radek Martinek with players like Poeck or Gervais is just…funny.
Hey, I hope you guys are right in that Marty is a top pairing d-man. I don’t believe he is but if he is then the going rate for a top pairing guy is at least a number one draft pick but usually a lot more then that. Since this is a rebuild and he is made of glass (lol) as someone pointed out then we should get an amazing return. I hope you guys are right. I will ask you this. If Martinek was with another team and the Isles were going to trade for him would you give up a number one for Radek Martinek? I would not. Since a top pairing d-man is worth more then that would you give up say a number one and Andy Sutton for Martinek? Maybe some other package? Again, I would give a 4th rounder for Martinek but if you guys are right the rebuild could happen MUCH sooner. This is one of the richest drafts in a LONG time and two first rounders would be amazing.
I agree with the poster that I think Comrie has an injury issue. I am not a Comrie fan but I don’t feel he is a guy who dogs it without an injury or something.
derek, you have got to be kidding. To answer your question, I’d take the following before Martinek:
Devils - White, Oduya, Martin & Motteu
Rangers - Staal, Girardi, Mara, Roszival & Redden (plus Sanguinetti, Del Zotto & Fahey who are prospects)
Penguins - Gonch, Whitney, Goligoski, Orpik & tied w/Scuderi
Flyers - Timmonen, Colburn, Sbisa, Jones & Vaananan
There, that was just off the top of my head. Now, take of the orange and blue colored glasses and look honestly. In addition, most of the guys I mentioned above are younger than Martinek AND they aren’t made of glass. Be honest and you will see that he is at best a 5/6 and is a healthy scratch on the elite teams.
Brian…completely agree. For the record, the plus/minus stat i posted above was not an average. That is his career +/-.
Very well stated Brian! Even the other bad teams have a better defense.
Botta just announced Bailey has been activated. Good news!
Oh, and when I watch the games and listen to the announcers it is clear Witt is the shut down d-man.
Brian very bizarre comparisons with saying you would take Martinek over Del Zotto, Sbisa. Delzotto hasn’t even played in the NHL. Sbisa just started and looks like a gem. Orpik and Scuderi(whom is def underrated) are pretty good d-men. Not disagreeing with your opinion though. I love Martinek and think he is a(n) underrated defenseman. I think part of the problem is his injury problem and the fact of who he plays for, he doesn’t get much exposure. Going back to another blog. Pride and passion say what you want, this is a forum to discuss, rant, and yes even complain. That is the whole damn point of this. Don’t worry about anyone “telling” on you to CB!!! You have an opinion and have a right to express it even though some people don’t agree. I’m beginning to question “someones” age who posts here. I mean really if you can’t post freely (of course keeping it clean) whats the point of this?
greatest picture ever. comrie on crutches.
Brian,
Just reading off a couple of names doesn’t mean anything. Are you serious in saying you would rather have guys like Mara, Motteu, Jones, etc. over Marty. All I was saying is that if you insert Martinek onto any other team, you will see him playing 1st pairing, which makes him a top d-man. Think about it, while Sbisa is young and has tremendous potential, who do you think the Flyers are putting out against Ovechkin if Marty’s on their team? Who’s out in the final minute if Marty’s on their team. It’s funny how Marty is even underrated by the fans of his own team. No wonder he gets no recognition.