PITTSBURGH 5, ISLANDERS 3
The Josh Bailey post-game edition
Here’s the crazy thing about the Penguins frantically coming back in the third period down 3-1. With that aggressive forecheck and their D pre-pinching at every opportunity, Pittsburgh played like the Islanders do all the time. With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, of course.
While the Islanders’ less-than-bold play at the home rink - and that tonight’s fold came with Radek Martinek and Brendan Witt on the roster - is troubling, we’re not looking at this one as cause to hyperventilate. (We did that off the loss on Friday in Jersey. Not standing up - that was a disgrace).
Andy Sutton stumbled tonight, Monday it was Ryan O’Byrne putting the puck in the middle of his own net. Bill Guerin has been a bastion of leadership, tonight he took a shockingly selfish roughing penalty. That’s hockey.
Before he left the Coliseum tonight, I guarantee you Scott Gordon had two lists: one of his players able to do something about the Penguins’ persistence (the short one), and one with his players that didn’t have any answers. In his post-game press conference, Gordon was terse, beside himself. This one is going to stay with him until Friday.
In our continual search for the big picture - most of you saw the game and we look forward to your vents in Comments - we had dedicated tonight to writing about the status of Josh Bailey. With two assists tonight, we thought it had really worked out. Whether the Islanders’ 2008 first round pick sticks or not is still the team’s most pertinent story over the next few days.
THE 5-FOR-1 TRADE
(6 if you count Petrov. We don’t, but…)
The Islanders traded from the 5th overall selection in the 2008 draft to the 7th pick and then finally the 9th to take center Josh Bailey. Here is the (almost) final scorecard.
Would Have Taken 5th
Luke Schenn
Instead Came Away With…
Josh Bailey
Aaron Ness (2nd round)
Jyri Niemi (3rd round)
David Ullstrom (4th round)
Toronto’s second round pick in 2009
Islanders insiders also say they never would have drafted wild card Russian right wing Kirill Petrov if they didn’t have the extra third round pick. Petrov, taken with the third of their third-rounders, is the franchise’s most high-end prospect not currently in the NHL or AHL.
The Accounting: The Islanders traded the 5th overall pick to Toronto for the 7th overall pick, plus a second round pick in 2009 and third round pick in 2008. They traded the 7th overall pick to Nashville for the 9th overall pick and a second round pick in 2008. They later traded the third round pick acquired from Toronto to Chicago for a later third round pick and a fourth round pick.
BAILEY DESERVES TO STAY.
SHOULD HE STAY?
The issue is no longer whether Josh Bailey has earned a spot in the Islanders’ lineup. With his obvious talents, work habits and accomplishments, the 19-year old center has earned every consideration to spend the rest of the season with the Islanders.
The only question now is whether Bailey should stay, whether there is any downside, any potential harm, in the kid playing the rest of this NHL season. Judgment Day is Friday, after the Islanders play in Boston - Bailey’s 9th NHL game.
The view here is he should stay.
If the Islanders had a different head coach, I would be concerned. Scott Gordon is not a screamer, an over-reactor, a coach who plays to the cameras and the notebooks. He does not preside over a circus. He does not show favorites.
If Bailey was here at a different time, I would be concerned. This is a rebuilding team working in a system no one else is playing (Atlanta’s is different). Bailey is better served here - through the highs like now and the 8-game scoreless slumps - than in Windsor, where he would be joining a junior league team with a record of 22-2-0. They love them some Bailey in Windsor, but the Spitfires don’t exactly need him. The Islanders need him now, for reasons surpassing this season’s standings.
If Bailey had a different makeup, I would be concerned. He’s a smart young man who has handled the pressure of this 9-game audition with the coolness of Jean Beliveau. Nothing seems to faze him. Bailey isn’t worried, so I don’t think anyone else should be worried for him.
The return of centers Mike Sillinger (ETA: one week) and Mike Comrie (not anytime soon) should not factor into the Bailey equation. There’s enough icetime for everyone and Garth Snow and Scott Gordon have plenty of options, including trades, the waiver wire and luxury suite passes for any of the centers to watch the occasional game. The loss of Frans Nielsen only kicks down the door for Bailey staying that the Comrie injury nudged open.
If the Islanders send Bailey back to Windsor, let it be because they really felt he needed the development time in the Ontario League and the experience of playing at the WJC. It shouldn’t be because the kid can’t handle the pros, or because staying here will negatively impact his career. This isn’t Dave Chyzowski two decades ago. It isn’t Tim Connolly almost a decade ago. Different player. Different coach. Completely different circumstances.
20 WORDS FROM DOUG WEIGHT
We asked the veteran center and Bailey mentor if (Go-Go) Gordon goes easier on the older guys or does any hand-holding with the kids;
Said Weight: “Whether you’re 37 years old or 19 and you make a mistake, Gordo’s putting you in his video tomorrow morning.”
Q & A WITH THE KID
(Seriously: One question, one answer)
The answer might seem obvious, but always fair to ask the question…
Hey Josh Bailey! Where would you rather be: in the NHL in New York making fantastic dough to go up against the best players in the world
OR
With the juggernaut Windsor Spitfires, quite possibly winning the Memorial Cup, and with Team Canada in Ottawa for the holidays, quite possibly winning a gold medal at the World Junior Championships?
Said Bailey in the locker room hallway at 5:10 tonight, “Here.”
SCOUTING REPORT
We asked a visiting scout at tonight’s game to watch Bailey as much as he could for us, while watching the other 37 players for his boss. Here’s his scouting report on Bailey:
“His sense with and without the puck is outstanding. It’s why he was in on each of the first three goals and had assists on two. Like on Bill Guerin’s goal (to make it 3-0), he got knocked down, he got up, skated into position and one-timed the pass to Guerin. He knew where Guerin was. Bailey may have made it look simple, but it’s not for ten-year vets let alone a teenager. He puts himself in good situations to utilize his skill.
“He’s good along the wall, in cycles and in traffic with the puck. Having that kind of poise at 19 in his eighth NHL game is pretty impressive. And with that sense comes vision. He sees the ice really, really well.
“His skating at this level right now is okay, but that’s something you can work on. All the other stuff are gifts, and he has plenty of them.”
Asked whether Bailey should stay with the Islanders or return to junior, the scout said, “I don’t know the kid personally, so I can’t comment on whether he has the maturity to handle it. All I can tell you is that tonight he looks to me like an NHL player.”
Attention, Point Blankers: On Thanksgiving morning, we will post our latest CHECKLIST, the Interactive Blogitorial where you write the story. It’s a special holiday version and we think you’ll have some fun with it, so take some time on Thursday or Friday and get involved. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Comments.
53 Responses to “PITTSBURGH 5, ISLANDERS 3
The Josh Bailey post-game edition”
Please Wait
I was at the game and all I can say is wow. Take two polar opposites, and there you have it. For about 39 minutes, the Isles completely dominated the game with an aggressive forecheck and, admittedly, some weak goaltending on the part of Dany Sabourin.
Then, with 18 seconds left in the second, Pittsburgh got a late goal, and that was all she wrote for the Isles. They sat back, were completely enveloped, and look devoid of any answers to Pittsburgh’s resurgent attack.
The ending to this game just completely sucked the life out of me. Pittsburgh inserts a rookie goalie making his NHL debut with his team on the ropes… and the Isles never even seriously test him.
Congrats, Kid, on your first NHL win. It’s the easiest one you’ll ever get.
This is how I’m taking this loss. I’m gonna act like the Ryan O’byrne thing never happened, the Isels lost, and than bounced back to win this game. Basically…just move on. Don’t worry about losing a 3rd period lead to Crosby and Malkin. Just focus on Boston and think how you can beat them and play better than them for 60 minutes.
Great article on Bailey…Snow is gonna have to give a hell of an excuse to send Bailey down. I don’t think us fans will enjoy seeing Bailey in the OHL, Comeau in B-port, and Tamby in the NHL lol. He should stay.
Also MacDonald has been solid this year…but I just can’t imagine DP blowing as many leads as Mac has. I’m not saying Mac should’ve made those saves…but in a game like this, I think DP would have stepped up, and also his handling of the puck could be very beneficial.
Lastly, Sillinger returning should have a real positive impact on this team.
J-Mac is about the only one I won’t blame for this debacle of a third period. When Pittsburgh’s in your end of the ice for about 18 out of 20 minutes (perhaps an exaggeration), and you’ve got Malkin and Crosby out there, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Which it did.
Bailey should stay. If he goes to Windsor, he reverts to a different system, possibly falls into old habits with hockey played at a much slower pace than the NHL. As he even said he cant slow the game down like he did in the OHL because it’s so fast here in the NHL. Yes, being a captain of his team, possibly winning the Memorial Cup and playing in the WJC is great.. but the NHL is invaluable experience which he has proved he is absorbing as quickly as possible.
We need him to learn the Islanders game and the Isles will need him for the long term to win. Lets keep it together…………. Snow?
I was at the game too. Tale of two games. Its like thay suck you in …..with some great play and then it just blows apart. I am still mad over this game….because I was convinced we were going to win. Plus, had to sit in front of some real annoying ranger fan.
Josh Bailey must stay. He is a player.
I am not mad that we lost, am just mad at the way we lost. Like its back to the first part of the year.
Look, losing to Malkin and Crosby is understandable, we just don’t have anyone to match up with them.
But I am taking this loss real hard.
Pat
It’s time to give up on Tambellini and give Smith a chance. In fact, it was time weeks ago.
All ego and no heart for the Isles in that UGLY 3rd period…..
Come on….3-1 and a goalie making his 1st appearence and we only get 11 shots in the 3rd?????
This is Gordons fault…..didn’t have em playing in the 3rd period. The Pens were playing “our” system and pressured our D(most notably Sutton) into coughing up the puck for golden opportunities…..
I blame this 1 on the coach…ugly, just plain ugly
Amen to that, Pat. I was sitting in 112, so, you know, for the third period I had to get the binoculars out, they were on the other end of the ice for so long.
It felt like Malkin and Crosby were out there every other shift.
And then, who knew, apparently half of the city of Pittsburgh was in the building, because it was suddenly dominated by Pens fans.
Ugh. All around.
**
Okay, so the sensible side of me says the right thing to do is send Bailey back to juniors, let him enjoy being the big fish in a small pond, play for the Calder Cup, play for Team Canada in the World Juniors, etc. Then re-visit the issue in September. This is further bolstered by the fact that you’re going to have a glut of centers in about a week or so. And let’s not forget the fact that most of us one week ago were talking about “not spoiling our shot at the first overall pick” (read: this team ain’t contending for the Cup).
…
But then there’s the other side of me that sees this kid is clearly a player, and is probably already a top four, top six definitely, forward on this team.
Hmm. What to do, what to do…
One and only lesson to learn is that the Isles still have a long way to go a hot streak is nice but something must be done about finishing the game. Gordo gets the blame since he had at least two chances to calm it down. First came during the 2nd intermission after Orpik scored and second was his failure to use the his timeout ot the tv timeout to regroup.
sometimes i wish this team would make each game close and lose by a goal - trailing the whole time but putting in a good effort. all tonight proves is that they are good enough to beat the best in the league and instead of being mentally strong enough to close out a win they give up and blow it. a much tougher pill to swallow. sutton needs to get on the bike and get his slow a$$ into shape - he is so winded at the end of these games. not rolling four lines kills us against teams with speed and talent. guerin was thinking about his BFF instead of the goal that needed to be scored. take away his “c” for the third. joey was strong. bailey was great. sean berg skates so hard. gordon should have called a timeout after tying goal. he fails to recognize how tired these guys get. tambatiny is a waste of space.
Brian B, I came on the site tonight JUST to make that exact point. Joey Mac has been great for us, and we wouldn’t be where we are if not for him, but no way Ricky gives up all these leads. If he has a 3 goal lead, he wills his team to victory. It’s for this reason alone that we need him back healthy - the TEAM plays differently when they know they have a healthy DP behind them. Hopefully they rebound against Boston…
the game was great and so was the crowd. it was almost full. less chants then there should but people were there. before the dreaded third period we were solid. but maybe its the hockey gods telling us to get the number draft pick lol. jk. anyway, we have to figure out how to stop losing like this. i would rather lose trailing like the guy above then this. anyone see the stamkos and zherdev fight? pretty good. and an even better one was carcillo vs dorsett. check it out. gotta give our fight a draw with an edge to godard. fritz won the beginning but godard closed it out well
crosby and malkin went on fire.. move on. we have a game friday
cb is practice open to public tomorrow??
In case you mac haters dont know, Mac has the most wins in November (7) for ALL GOALIES in the league..
you cant ask him to do anything more than that…
malkin and crosby are pretty good eh? the isles stopped playing aggresively in the third period and two of the best players in the world made them pay the price. hopefully the isles learn from it and move on. the isles draft day moves look great right now. bailey will be a star in this league - he sees the ice better than most players in the nhl right now and he’s played all of 8 games. i agree with chris that he should stay here. i love luke schenn but the isles simply were offered way too much for him to turn down. it allowed the isles to pick up a star (bailey) and restock a depleted farm system. the isles also drafted a player that is fairly comparible to schenn in hamonic. i think it’s a trade that will work out good for the leafs but great for the isles.
Bailey: Fine, keep him here. Just get the boy a decent place to live.
Why was the TV camera focussed on Doug Weight in the 3rd period? He looked really pissed off. Was it just that they gave up the lead or was it something else?
nhl.com feature article titled another third period meltdown - where is the feel good story about joey mac or bailey - nothing but negative press for isles.
Bailey stays!
It is amazing how clear it is every game when the Isles stop playing. They have the lead, usually going on the PP to really put the game away and they just stop playing all together. They get a goalie coming in cold who has never played an NHL game and they think they are too good to shoot at him.
Fritz vs. Godard was interesting. I think Fritz won but Godard put up the best fight of anyone he has faced. It is interesting because Laraque always beats Goddy pretty cleanly, Godard usually beats Peters but they both take a lot of punches. Fritz beat them both easily. However, the only guy in the NHL so far to beat Boogard convingly is Godard. He seems to do well vs. the taller guys and struggle against players shorter then him.
Boston is going to be so interesting. Early game, very good and tough Boston team. I don’t think Lucic would take on Fritz. Lucic is 220 and he stayed away from Laraque. However, Chara vs. Fritz might be interesting if they both wake up cranky.
Bailey 5 points in 8 games, Stamkos 7 points in 18 games, Boedker 10 points in 20 games. He is showing that he not only belongs in his play, but also on the stat sheet comparably to his draft class of forwards.
Strummer, Boston has Shawn Thornton also.
Really craptastic game tonight.
Regarding Bailey, this is like that one give away question on an exam. If anyone is making this decision solely on his abilities, there should not be any question. He stays!
How is it that the coach can be blamed for what we saw tonight? After the 4-5 games experienced earlier this season, every islander player has to look in the mirror and admit they again played a 3rd period as though they were a high school team completely in awe of those “NHL” stars. Blame Gordon because he is part of the team but only after all the players willingly line up to take their lashes for this one.
let us remember one thing, a coach can rant, rave, belittle, coddle, implore, fire up or even humor his charges but there is one thing he cannot do…..that’s go out and play for them.
I have given up hope on Tambellini, It’s time for him to go. I’ve waited and waited for him to hopefully come around but he’s never going to. Out with Tambellini in with Comeau
You can’t send Tamby down, he won’t clear waivers. The Islanders can only trade him. What do you get in return? A draft pick or perhaps a goalie :X
I’ve said a few times on here that Bailey should go back to juniors, but I must say he made me change my mind. He has nothing left to learn from the juniors, he really does look like he belongs out here. All that Bailey needs to learn to improve his game he’ll learn in the NHL.
And Tamby, Tamby, Tabmy, whomever called him “Invisibellini” a few weeks ago was so right… I’m just saying
(Maybe Tamby is gonna be like Hilbert last year? Hilbert and DP had about the same amount of points this time last season, then Hilbert started picking up some points)
A lot of people will probably disagree, but I think we should send Bailey back to the OHL.
We have to remember that we are “Rebuilding” and it’s not like having Bailey here will help us get in the playoffs. I’m sure he would help us win a couple more game but we have to be fair and let him continue to develop in the OHL.
Sending him there will only help both sides, most likely he’s gonna put up big numbers which should help him with his offensive game and then to start next year we know that we’ll have a pretty good rookie center who already got his feet wet and knows how to play at the NHL level.
Sillinger should be back soon and we’ll also get Thompson back soon, even though Bailey is the better choice here we have to let this team gel more and make sure everyone can play the system. When the trade deadline comes around we can shop a few players (Comrie, Tambellini etc.), make some call-ups from the Bridge and at the same time acquire more picks for next years draft.
Next year has the potential to be a huge year for us. If everyone can learn this system, have our young players make an impact and add a top 5 draft pick it would be a HUGE boost for our organization.
Bailey will gain nothing by going back to juniors. He will be much more advanced for having played a full season here… learning… making mistakes and getting caught up to speed.
DOC
If Snow/Gordon keeps Bailey but gives him less than 10 mins a game when both Comrie, Thompson and Sillinger is back, that will push this team back to 2007 (and Bailey). Might as well trade for Smyth again with a 1st round pick and Comeau.
Bailey must stay. Who cares about the play offs? We’re building for the future, melt downs or not. This guy is as good as all the other hailed rookies we hear about all the time. Why shouldn’t Bailey be this year’s Gagner or Kane? Give this guy Okposo in addition to Hunter and he will be a 60+ point player this year. I’m convinced. Not tonight, but when he set up Campoli for the win in Montreal I knew this guy was the real thing. He just needs a better supporting cast (who can finish off). In every other discipline talents are encouraged to move to the next level when they reach their comfort level. Why not hockey? Josh Bailey clearly shows he’s ready for the pro level.
The 2nd/3rd period of this game was a two man-show. No more than that. If every team could be built by two world class centermen “suddenly joining each other to scare the opposition” (like Malkin and Crosby did tonight to win the game - no way in hell the Pens can play 82 games with them on the same line - they’re lacking a supporting cast) the Stanley Cup would be handed out this very night. It also highlighted that Hedman nor Tavares won’t save this team. Just as much as I don’t think the Penguins as they are now will ever win the Stanley Cup I don’t think a single draft pick will save the Isles. Sure, the Isles need a blue chip two-way defenseman. But who can say for sure what Ness and Katic can do that together in 2010?
People love to talk about how the Red Wings constantly are contending. I’m beginning to believe that it’s more about system than players, and that Franzen or Hossa is gonna be way overpaid next summer because of that. This team (the Isles) needs quality coaching and managing for years. Too bad it’s so boring to discuss slow progress like that.
And Godard vs. Fritz was interesting. Not because they squared off, but because Therrien still found 3 mins more for his enforcer, even though he had to juggle his lines to put Crosby and Malkin together for 5 goals to win the game. And I’m not even gonna say Fritz shouldn’t see more ice. I’ve seen nothing to defend him playing less than 2 mins per game. He’s been solid. I wish him more ice time. I just don’t understand carrying an enforcer when he’s not skating and taking Comeau’s place. Although it’s fun watching a big guy try to take down another big guy, I don’t think it’s very effective unless the other guy creates a power play…
And oh yeah. I’m gonna sound like an idiot now. But why do some people claim that DP is a worse goalie and a first class prima donna compared to JoeyMac? When the Pens dumped the puck every other play tonight I sure was hoping for an active goalie object to changes…..
Isles played a TERRIBLE game last night; Guerin didn’t backcheck on the tying goal and then took the stupid penalty & Gordon didn’t stop the bleeding. Joey Macdonald has kept us in just about every game and DP would do no better. Let’s not forget that DP constantly OVERPLAYS the puck and loses concentration often. DP’s got more talent than a lot of other NHLer’s but his weakness is his concentration. How many times has he went to play the puck when it wasn’t necessary or when he let in a blueliner when there was no threat at all? Concentration is big for a Goalie. Luongo doesn’t have any lapses & That’s what let’s Lundquist be at his best. The way Macdonald handles shootouts so well up to now shows us all that he CAN play here at the “show”.
I don’t miss DP or his antics!
We got outplayed by Pittsburgh in the third last night but that isn’t what bothers me most about this game. It is that it was our terrible play that that lead to the momentum shift that caused the goal in the 2nd, and then two of the three goals in the third (not including the EN, I can’t even remember the other one) were cause by pure laziness or a bad mistake. Mistakes happen, so I wont roast Sutton for his (but where was the rest of the team?). And on Crosby’s goal, there is no reason for him to EVER be that open. And no excuse for a pass to make it through multiple Islanders standing in front of the net. I don’t think it is possible to play worse than the Isles did for the last 25 minutes of last nights game. It was absolutely disgusting
Why are third period collapses endemic to the Isles. It was such a delightful game up until the final 18 seconds of the second period. I also liked Gordon’s statement in the post game when asked about a time out, he stated “…we had one after the second.” Where was the leadership in the room?
Mike-
DP’s “antics”? I can’t believe people are talking about a world class goalie like he’s the second coming of Todd Bertuzzi. I actually think Rick NEVER loses concentration. He may be overly ambitious with the puck, but honestly, even on the bad plays, how often does that cost us a goal? Maybe 4 or 5 times in a season? As I’ve been posting here all along, DP saves many more would be goals with his play than he does them away. Why is it that everyone thinks that Crosby and Malkin would have scored all those goals no matter what? When you have a healthy DP in there, NOTHING is guarenteed for the other team. He can make every save, against every player in this league. Mike, while Mac has been solid, he’s not an all-star. While he has kept us in every game, I don’t think he has stolen any for us yet the way DP is capable of doing. Let’s hope he comes back healthy.
I was at the game as well…Josh Bailey was probably the best forward Gordon skated tonight. I couldn’t help comparing him to Jeff Tambellini, who looked just a step behind on every play. I don’t really see how you don’t keep him up here - he’s done just about everything you can ask other than score a goal. For the sake of the franchise, the Islanders fans need someone like this to be excited about every game.
Last Night
39 minutes of dominant hockey. 21 minutes of BLAH!
PP pots 2… that’s a positive. They are moving the puck well.
If Thumbellini was living up to his potential there would be soem light at the end of this tunnel. Unfortunately the little light we did see was a train… and it ran over Nielsen.
Gordon spread the minutes except for Fritz. I have to say the use of Fritz is my worse nightmare. You don’t use him when it’s relevant, and you put him out there for the obligitory goon vs goon matchup. That is the one thing about the Bettman-Instigator NHL that I really just can’t stand. Why carry a guy like fritz, if you can’t give him 6 or 7 minutes… He actually looks pretty good… slow… but good. When you put him out there for the crap that happened last night the NHL gets one step closer to the WWF.
Why was Weight BENCHED at the end of the game? Is Gordon on his way to losing htis team 22 games in?
All in all, I’m not going ot lose sleep over last night. Witt and Marty need time to adjust to the system. Witt looked a little lost, but he’ll DEFINITELY find his way… and I probably don’t know what I’m talking about. Sutton didn’t have his best of games… and Meyer is just getting back from an injury… this is still a team heading UP… which is good.
The “trade” of Okposo and Nielsen for Fritz and Colliton just isn’t working out… hopefully they can use the EXCHANGE POLICY sooner rather than later.
BAILEY:
I would love to see Bailey stay. He definitely gives the Islanders a more entertaining dynamic. This is the strongest (POTENTIALLY) the Isles have looked up the middle (Weight, Nielsen, Bailey, (Park/Hilbert)) in a long time… but here’s the caveat.
Bailey will only be 18 ONCE. I don’t think Windsor really needs him, and it would be a disaster if they should suddenly go on a losing streak upon his return… BUT… The WJC can be very important to him. It is huge for his international presense, and thus huge for the Islanders as well… That alone would be a great experience… he’s going to have a long NHL career regardless. If Snow can retain him in the NHL, but send him to the WJC I think that would be the best move.
Plus it’ll give me a reason to TiVo the games that the NHL network broadcasts.
Just a thought.
Happy Thanksgiving All
The play of Josh Bailey is the most wonderful thing anyone can take out of that game once the full 60 mins were up. He is great, and there is no good reason for him to be anywhere but with HIS team- the Islanders.
Josh Bailey should stay. Let him get used to the speed of the NHL game. The faster he gets adjusted to the game the game will slow down for him and he will get better.
Tambellini should watch video of Bergenheim. Bergenheim is skating his butt off every shift and using his body. He gets goals in the scoring position in front of the net. Tabmy is not going to the net, does not take the body and does not skate hard each and every shift.
DP would not stop half the shots that Joey Mac is stopping. DP skates out of position, goes behind the net to stop the puck too foten and then does not get back in time or is off balance, his angles are poor and he is flopping around the net or on his back swimming and not able to play the puck. DP needs to learn to stop the puck first before he can skate with it. The only reason he was an All-Star last year is we had no one else. He is not in the class of Brodeur, Luongo or even Lundqvist. He is averge at best and certainly was not worth what we gave up to get him.
Gordon’s system is very entertaining and enjoyable to watch. Even if they do not win, it is entertaining. You can see progress and with a few draft picks and additions they are moving in the right direction.
Akeem, YES his Antics. Ricky “thinks” he’s World Class but he’s not. The only time he’s had a Saves Percentage above .900 was back in his College days. WORLD CLASS Goalies should be above .915 and so far Joey Mac has been there. I’ve been watching Ricky for years now & I’ve seen many OTHER Goalies (Lundquist, Price, Fleury)rise above expectations and We’re still waiting for “Ricky” to meet his. Ricky’s probably had a 1/2 season of domination which led to his 1 all-star appearance but other than that his career has been mediocre!
25 BST18 on Nov 27th, 2008 02:19:11 said:
“You can’t send Tamby down, he won’t clear waivers. The Islanders can only trade him. What do you get in return? A draft pick or perhaps a goalie :X”
You dont trade players like that, you waive them. There is NO trading Jeff Tambellini- WTH team would give you something for a guy who has done nothing???
And as far as the “Rick hate” on here, all I can tell you is that the guy when healthy is considered by the entire NHL to be a fantastic goalie… because thats what he is. How fickle some people are.
18 mrlbem on Nov 26th, 2008 23:56:32 said:
“Why was the TV camera focussed on Doug Weight in the 3rd period? He looked really pissed off. Was it just that they gave up the lead or was it something else?”
He was hit kinda hard and I dont think they were letting him back on the ice, even though he was saying he was fine. He was pissed because he wanted to get out there, but I understand why they would be cautious with him. We need Dougie to stay healthy!
Chris TMC on Nov 27th, 2008 12:19:38 said:
25 BST18 on Nov 27th, 2008 02:19:11 said:
“You can’t send Tamby down, he won’t clear waivers. The Islanders can only trade him. What do you get in return? A draft pick or perhaps a goalie :X”
You dont trade players like that, you waive them. There is NO trading Jeff Tambellini- WTH team would give you something for a guy who has done nothing???
If you waive him you lose a player and get nothing in return. If you package him with someone, you might get something in return.
You would hate to have him picked up by the thrashers or something and put up 25 points..
Mike,
Actually, DP hasn’t has a season of a save percentage below .900 since he became the Isles number 1 goalie. Not sure what stat sheet you were looking at. I’m also not sure why you think he has an inflated view of himself. He hasn’t given any indication that that’s the case with anything he’s said - if anything, it’s the team’s fault that they overhype him. When he’s in there, people won’t/shouldn’t say, “it was Crosby and Malkin going wild, coulda happened to anyone.” Even if in your opinion it was just for a half a season, which I disagree with, it should be enough to show you what he can do when he’s healthy. It should be enough to show you that he can make any save against any player, and that even against Crosby and Malkin, we expect to win.
The Isles sat back in the third and both Crosby and Malkin snapped out of whatever funk they were in - at least that’s what I was seein’.
I dont get to go to games too much because I go to school in Albany, so I went to my first game of the season tonight and I was pissed. The Islanders sat back and didnt use overspeed in the 3rd period and collapsed. Jeff Tambellini is awful, please get rid of him by any means. Josh Bailey is the real deal and Trent Hunter deserves to be an all-star. Overall I was dissapointed but after all it is the Isles….
DP has all the talent in the world but I think lacks the mental toughness to utilize it. He is out of position a lot. Doesn’t always play his angles well. He is extremely fast but there is only so much you can do when you are out of position. I think we all want DP to do well. We get a shot of brilliance here and there but nothing consistent. DP has done nothing notable since he has been here. The guy hasn’t even won(stole) a playoff round. That is what a good goaltender does Akeem. Does he have talent? Absolutely. Just need to see him do what great goaltenders do, win! Jmac has been amazing and anyone who thinks DP would have saved us from these losses I have to say is a little lost. I actually see JMAC making saves DP wouldn’t have stopped in the past. Guy has been a rock for this team we can only hope to retain him after this year. DP should have to battle for the #1 spot if you ask me!
This was a great piece Chris. Bailey has the initial earmarks of a franchise center. Scouting dept., take a bow.
DP loses concentration a lot and he is NO where near a world class goalie. He has not won a thing. Talk about blind fans!!
Sounding Bailey down is just plain stupid.
Lets us know when DP can stay healthy, he is useless right now. Personally I think is career is over and done.
His next injury which I think is inevitable will probably end it for him. He is awfully young for all these problems and sh!t like this don’t just go away. He will have hip and knee problems for life. I know the press says different but you can count on that.
Bailey is awesome. Excellent passer. Now we just need a finisher. Weight has been playing good as well definitely retracting earlier negative comments I had for him.
Blind fans?? The blind ones are the ones who think JMAC is on par with Dipietro. The guy has played 10 good games, and now we’re ready to crown him as the starting goalie? I don’t think I’m “lost” for thinking that a goalie of DP’s caliber would have been able to fend off at least a few of these monumental collapses - someone look up how many 3 goal 3rd period leads DP’s given up in his CAREER, and i guarentee you JMAC already has more.
And another thing: Since when is everyone on this site a goalie coach? “DP is out of position too often…” Gimme a break. When you have athletic ability like he has, you can afford to do things other goalies can’t - see Dom Hasek and his unorthodox style. I in no way am comparing DP to Hasek, I’m just saying every goalie has their style. And like I’ve said all along, DP simply being “out of posiiton” costs us what, maybe 4 or 5 goals a year??? Over the course of a season, he saves 10 times that number of goals, ones that JMAC would have no prayer on (like Malkin’s last goal the other night, incidentally). The ones who are throwing DP under the bus, in my opinion, have ridiculously short memories, and they are the ones who are “lost”
DP has won nothing. He is out of position a lot and have a hard time understanding how you don’t notice. He does have incredible athletic ability but gives up goals from taking those chances. I don’t think he can afford to take those chances because it doesn’t work out for him most of the time. How many times have we seen him 15 feet from the net while the opposing player putts it in the net. He gives up weak goals that elite goalies don’t. I do think he CAN be an incredible goalie if he just settles down. We all want him to succeed just haven’t seen it yet. DP’s style is risky and he doesn’t always back that up with a amazing save. Jmac has been incredible and just about every game he has kept us in. You can’t blame him for yesterdays debacle, our team stopped skating. I’m not saying hes Roy. But he has been great. I would love to see DP come back and kick a$$. Just have my doubts. He does us no good when he is injured and seems to be more often than not. Would love to see a come back for him but don’t believe its going to happen. Respect your loyalty but don’t understand where its coming from. He hasn’t really shown enough to get the respect from our fans that he does. Just my opinion.