PRACTICE: Iceworks, 11.19.08
Recall tomorrow…Morrow today…Witt…Sillinger
12:50 pm, Iceworks - What a difference three straight wins make. An 80-minute, back-to-business practice, but a lot of smiles through all the work. The boys are loose.
No Recall Yet: With the Sound Tigers playing (and winning) last night in Texas, you won’t see a Bridgeport recall until Thursday’s practice. Asked for the criteria of a call-up to sub for the injured Kyle Okposo, Scott Gordon said, “A forward, someone who’s playing well. I’ll talk to Jack (Capuano) later today. Then there’s the element of toughness - do you call back Mitch Fritz“? Hmmm…
D Up: With Brendan Witt back and Brett Skinner in Bridgeport, here are your D pairings: Sutton - Streit, Campoli - Martinek, Gervais - Witt, Meyer - Pock.
Gordon has the luxury of breaking in Witt with 15-18 minutes that he didn’t have when Chris Campoli and Andy Sutton returned to a depleted blueline. The coach pointed out that Witt is returning with fewer practices under his belt and is walking into a scenario of back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, so expect him to be cautious with Witt’s PT.
Freddy Meyer also skated before joining the team for the main event.
(photo by Rich Stieglitz)
Tigers Sweep Texas: Those gritty-gutty Sound Tigers, all they do is win. Last night three late goals resulted in a 3-1 win over the San Antonio Rampage. The game-winner was by Trevor Smith, a candidate for an Islanders recall.
Bridgeport is now an AHL-best 13-3-0-2. They are so hot that backup to the backup to the backup Nathan Lawson is now 4-0 in goal after stopping 28 of 29 shots last night.
“Miracle” Man: Ken Morrow is back with the team, working with the defensemen. “You learn a lot from working with Kenny,” said Chris Campoli. “He has a lot of really good suggestions on little things that can make a big difference. You listen to a man with all his accomplishments, it sticks with you.” Gordon said having Morrow as his D specialist is like having a goalie coach: “Kenny and the dmen speak the same language.”
The Streit Stuff: Defenseman Mark Streit wasn’t surprised to hear that his native country of Switzerland was posting big Visit stats on Point Blank. “Hockey is pretty popular back home,” said Streit, who first dreamed of the NHL watching Mario Lemieux on TV against Chicago in the Cup Final. “I’d put it third after skiing and soccer.”
Streit said skiing is so popular in Switzerland, the major championships are viewed on TV by as much as one-third of the country.
ETC: The Islanders took part in an NHL-mandated recommended media training course after practice…Mike Sillinger on his AHL stint in Bridgeport, beginning Sunday: “It’s the right thing to do. The doctors and I have to see how I hold up after some game action. I’ll play that first game Sunday (home to Philadelphia) and then we’ll have a week until the next games. I’m looking forward to it.” I kidded Sillinger that he set a high bar the last time he was in the American League. In 1992-93 he had 30 points in 15 games.
As for all the speculation about what the lineup will look like when Sillinger and Mike Comrie are ready to play at the NHL level, seems way too early for that. Sillinger is spending the next two weekends playing in the AHL and Comrie has not even started practicing (neither has Nate Thompson). Gordon on the potential return of Sillinger in a few weeks: “It would be like a good in-season trade.”
I have one last set of messages in to the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County. Either way, at the end of the business day, I’ll have the latest entry in a series of columns on the Lighthouse Project.
Comments?
84 Responses to “PRACTICE: Iceworks, 11.19.08
Recall tomorrow…Morrow today…Witt…Sillinger”
Please Wait
Now let’s see how our defense plays with everybody healthy under this system. Tme to get excited.
Fritz!!!!
There is no need to bring up Fritz right now. We are rolling four lines, who are all playing very well and skating very hard. Tim Jackman, who was one of the top players at Bridgeport prior to his call-up, has been playing wonderfully for us. We need a player who can score goals, play the system, and play two-way hockey. If it was up to me, I would bring up either Trevor Smith or Mike Iggulden. I’d love to see them get a fair chance at performing in the NHL. Who knows? They could surprise us all!
The only way I bring up Comeau is if Capuano says his speed is up to par, he understands the system better, and he feels that he is ready to contribute and stick on the NHL roster. Comeau should only come up when he is ready to stay up permanently. It would be detrimental to move him up and down constantly.
To take it one step further, I feel we should keep Jackman up, even when everyone is healthy, and send Okposo down to Bridgeport until he is fully ready for a call-up. He could use some seasoning and play down there! Someone has to agree with me…
No way do you send Okposo down that is crazy! He is one of the best players the Isles have and you wanna replace him with more AHL crap?
Yes, call up Fritz. All the teams we are playing in the next week has serious enforcers the kind that if Jackman tried to scrap with them they could potentially hurt him badly. Buf is one of the teams we play this weekend and they always try to beat up on the Isles. We owe them and we cna’t have them taking liberties with our guys again. Okposo is only injured because Van knew they could get away with it. No one touched our players when Fritz was alone.
I agree strummer. But they won’t call up Fritz because he can’t take a regular shift. As much as I want him up here they won’t. It’s going to take one of the kids getting seriously hurt for the bobbleheads to adrress the situation
Justin,
Sorry gonna have to disagree, same system down there also. What Okposo needs is seasoning up here. There should be no pressure on him or the younger players until the maybe half way through the season. But I do agree that Iggulden should be given a shot.
Strummer:
Not Fritz. We just got Witt and Sutton back, and having them with Jackman, should be able to keep Buffalo behaving. Fritz wasn’t playing a lot so you can’t bring up someone who doesn’t play that many minutes and ask an enforcer to score on a second line. Even Jackman had 10 minutes.
Great draft article:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=392972
Witt, Sutton, and Jackman cannot handle any of the enforcers we have coming up (Godard, Laraque, Peters and more). Witt, Sutton, and Jackman are not great fighters. They’ll do it but they can’t and shouldn’t try taking on enforcers. Sutton’s hand clearly is not healed other wise he would have fought Neil one of the several times Niel grabbed him.
Any game Fritz isn’t in (or just another REAL enforcer) the other teams take crazy libeties with our players. Hence Okposo now being hurt. Every team goes after Okposo when their is no Fritz and now he has gotten hurt. That is bull. The Isles ice one of the smallest and least tough rosters and it it time for that to stop.
Also, do you think Buffalo is gonna play nice with us? Hell no, if you can’t stand up to Buffalo they’ll do what they did to the Isles the last time. Any team with a bit of pride would have tons of fighters ready to go and go out of their way to destroy the Sabres the next time they played them. That is what Isles teams of the past would do. If they did get caught with their pants down next time they played the team there would be extra enforcers up.
Netminder39, what the heck are you talking about man? We pretty much had the same thing last time and they didnt “behave”. Kaleta and Mair are cheap guys and Andrew Peters is far tougher than Sutton. Even if they double shift one guy for 3-5 shifts, he should be able to withstand that. Witt and Sutton are 2 20+ minute guys, they shouldnt have to be fighting. BTW, in case you dont remember, Sutton got TKO’ed by Mike Rupp last year and Clarkson beat up Jackman, we’ll be seeing them Friday, so with Sutter pissed off at the team already, more toughness is needed.
I remember reading about Iggulden in pre-season, and every so often on CB’s B-port updates, but does anyone have any more info on him? Where did we get him, how long have we had him, how old, what type of player, etc? Some of you are far more knowledgeable about the prospects than I can ever pretend to be…
Justin, I think I agree with you about Comeau, and definitely about Jackman (so far, Jackman has proved me 100% wrong - again, I wasn’t familiar with what he was doing at the Bridge and based my early comments on not being impressed with him on the Isles last year).
Not sure about Okposo. I think he should have started the season in B-port, personally, but now that he’s here, maybe the exact thing you said about Comeau could apply to Okposo too wrt moving him up and down.
Mike Iggulden was signed as a free agent this past summer to shore up Bridgeport. He’s 26, so if anything at this point he’d be considered a late blooming prospect. He came from San Jose, and was signed to a one year deal. He’ll be a UFA this summer.
You can’t question Jackman’s hustle, and his skating has gotten a lot better. He doesn’t have much of a scoring touch, but if he can find it, he’d be a nice surprise. FWIW, I thought he was the Islanders’ best forward Monday night.
Okposo isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. With DP down, the Isles are marketing him as the face of the franchise.
media training course? I’m probably the only one who thinks that’s a GOOD thing.
fritz is a true enforcer. jackman is a powerforward with less skill and more fighting. witt is our top defenceman so he wont fight unless he has to. jackman can scrap and i like it but he just can win. sutton is still injured so you can make that argument. fritz is a heavy and will take on laraque peters and either clarkson, rupp, brookbank if hes in or peire something leblond if he is in . i think leblonds still hurt though. either way i hope they bring up fritz
Great info James. Thanks. I agree with you about Jackman on Monday, too. I think I read he tied for most shots that night, without seeing any PP time.
Strummer’s, that was a good article. It’s nice to get some perspective on these names we throw around on boards almost every day.
After reading that, it sounds like Tavares has a lot in common with Bailey as far as the type of player he is - not necessarily blazing fast, but very good vision and a great playmaker. I was actually more intrigued by the description of Hedmen…big d-man who can skate very well and is mature for his age.
Any chance of Michael Haley being recalled? He seemed to impress Gordon in the preseason, and I believe he’s healthy now…
Can we please send Pock packing? Witts back, he can be sent elsewhere.
Mike, Haley is on an AHL contract, not an NHL two way, hed be great, still not a HW though.
Joe — am I correct in assuming that means the Islanders cannot recall Haley without signing him to a 2-way deal? If so, I say sign the deal. I agree Haley’s not a HW, but he plays with passion, gets under opponents skin, and will stand up for his team. In other words, he’s a rich man’s John Sim…
Ye-Ye. Send Okposo to B-port, Bailey to juniors… Maybe you want to send Nielsen and Hilbert somewere to? NO WAY!
NHL is the best place for these yongsters to learn and see how the other stars (Ovechkin, Crosby, Kovalchuk, ect.) are playing. There is no way they will learn it in AHL. Please, dont send enybody enywere. They doing great so far. Have you guys noticed, that everytime Okposo is in offensive zone he is double teamed by opposition? Have you asked yourself WHY? They affraid of him! And now with “No panic” Bailey they becoming a serious threat. So, let them play, and they will shine for this franchise soon.
Hes a thousand times better than Sim, Sims had several injuries and really isnt an agitator. Haley is probably the best MW fighter in the AHL, can hit and play decently. And yes, you are correct, I wish they would sign the deal.
Sound Tigers rock it! If you haven’t had an opt to get to a game in Bridgeport, you should try an do so, you’ll (for the most part) always see a game filled with heart an soul.
Good for Sillinger, better to recondition himself an see how his hip will feel playing down in BP and he’ll probably have a great time playing down there for a spell, and the young guys will benefit from it as well.
So good to have Witt back! and he may not be the “goon” some want or wish for but he (imo) does play an in your face kinda game, I’ve never known him to shy away from anyone pushing up on him or any other players on his team.
Sorry to say but Comrie….Zzzzzzz~~ don’t get me wrong, I wish him well and all that but I don’t really miss him much out on the ice, he seems slow, either that or Gordon’s system is doin a number on me..lol!
And these young guys that have been called up are hungry to play and it shows, I wish we could keep Jackman but his stay will be short lived, they’re so young! they have so much ahead of them in the NHL it’s goin to be sweet to see them rise up.
That’s cool that Streits friends an family hit the blog to read about him an the team, Streit is quickly making a name for himself in the NHL, rightly so, he’s been playing a very impressive game.
Joey Mac really deserves huge shouts too, he’s played many games and he’s played
them amazing, outstanding!
Have a great afternoon!
Ciao All
Y not give Iggulden or Smith a look worse comes to worse they go back to B’port. I like Fritz but speed is better given that 3 out of the 4 games are against more offensive teams (Sabres, Pens, Habs)a faster player will be better.
finally talking about Haley he is great Domi style of player he fights all comers and win havent seen him lose a fight. i’v seen him pound the so called HW.
We’ve won three in a row by being able to roll out four complete lines and because we’ve been keeping the games close no one has been running over this team during that brief stretch. We don’t have the talent to overwhelm teams with on or two top producing lines so I don’t think we can afford to have non-skaters (Fritz, etc.) take roster spots at this point.
I wonder if Fritz knows that he’s such a consistent topic of debate among Islanders fans?
Fritz is useless. He played only 43 seconds his last game with the Isles. Let Jackman play that role.
maybe, i think management does
Let Jackman play the role of Enforcer? That’s comical. I love how people volunteer others to get their face smashed in.
hey steve your useless. lol jk jk. just a little joke. there it goes. anyway, fritz is not useless. he pumps up the crowd and intimidates the other team and motivates this team. i guess mayeb ur right though.
not!! jk jk. btw i was talkin to uif in post 27
i agree with you jax. i like that jackman can drop em’ but not if thats his only role. i like that he can play the role of a pwrfrwd too
In case management does take fan wishes into account, my vote is for Fritz. He does provide protection for the younger/smaller players, he does bring excitement/anticipation when he’s on the ice, and, despite his awkward stride, he’s not a bad skater (certainly he’s not a defensive liability).
Exactly Mike. Everybody thinks he is a bad skater when he is not. He had no trouble keeping up with the pace. It’s his actual hockey skills that are brutal. It wouldn’t make a difference if he took a shift with or without a stick in his hands. We want Fritz!!!
does any one rememer smith and his speed and goal scoring abilties in th pre-season let alone his B=port statas….he should most delfinitly be give a shot…he has true NHL potential!
Smith has been quietly progressing in the same way that Trent Hunter did….under th radar. I agree getting a look at him at the NHL level sooner rather than later maybe give the organization some better insight to what they need to do….perhaps shedding Comrie.
This obsession with enforcers is a joke, if you ask me. Fighting is a minor part of the game and rarely dictates the outcome. Buffalo is first and foremost a speedy and offensive team, not big and mean. We need a strong skater that can keep up with their tempo to beat them. Not some guy that’s going to get under 5 mins of ice time and force Gordon to double-shift players because he can’t keep up with the tempo. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to see Fritz succeed in the NHL, but he was in fact the slowest player of the Isles while he was up here the last time.
And if players are taking liberties against Okposo he better step up himself. He’s projected to be a top 6 power forward in the NHL and self protection is part of that game. Anyway, it’s not like he was slammed into the board head first and is now out for the rest of the season with a concussion. He probably took a slash or something to his hand. It happens, live with it. If Okposo needs an enforcer to look out for him every game, wouldn’t that just add to the level of intimidation posed by the other team?
HALEY !!!!!Steve Webb type of player…
Andreas — I disagree that the obsession with enforcers is a joke. For better or worse (my vote is better), fighting is a part of hockey. Given this fact, I prefer that my team dress an enforcer for the simple reason that I do not particular like watching my team lose fights (or, even more depressing, be pushed around because they’re scared to fight).
That said, I don’t want my team to engage in gratuitous fisticuffs at the expense of winning a hockey game. Winning the game is, of course, the goal (pardon the pun).
Given the above, I vote we dress Fritz. Despite his awkward skating style, he can keep up in Scott Gordon’s system (which is why he was kept in the organization while Sugden was cut). He may not score a lot (okay, any) goals. But I do not think he will be responsible for many goals against. And he will bring a level of comfort to his teamates (knowing the toughest guy in the arena is on their team), while bringing excitement to the fans (who don’t seem to mind the fighting), and while not hurting his team on the scoreboard.
Agree about Haley — give the kid a shot!
HALEY CAN THROW THEM WATCH HIS LAST FIGHT ON YOUTUBE…
Andreas, Why do the Pens have Godard? You dont see Malkin or Crosby dropping the gloves or why does Buffalo have Peters, does Vanek fight? A powerfoward like Iginla is a hard find, Okposo is still getting acclimated with the NHL, terrible idea for him to have to fight. Do you want to see our only hope for the future break his hand in a fight? I dont, I want to see a monster like Fritz out there to keep guys from going after him. We’ve gotten pushed around too much, no idea why you want to see that continue.
Amen, Joe, amen.
Mike - I like fighting and definitely think it’s a part of the game. However, I think that most of the fisticuffs Fritz engages in are based on the entertainment of fans rather than winning the game or protecting younger players. It’s not a bad idea to bring up Fritz to please fans, but I don’t see any reason using the ‘protector argument’. It’s not like Peters is going to take a run at Tambellini. Tough teams aren’t built around the enforcers, they’re built around the mental toughness of the players. Take a look at Freddy Meyer. Who would have thought that such a smallish defender could develop into a hard-hitting defenseman. I think he could be compared to Kronwall of the Red Wings if he continues to develop. Maybe in 3-4 years he could be one of those little bricks needed to build a true contender.
Who is the enforcer of the Red Wings then?
All I’m saying that most of the fights these guys engage in aren’t based on a bad hit on the stars. It’s either a momentum swinger or a pre-programmed clinch between two prime enforcers.
Peters isn’t going to be kept from taking runs at Tambellini or Okposo just because Fritz is in the line-up. Peters goes into the game looking for a fight with the latter.
Fritz!!
lets Go Isles… Lets Go Islanders!!
peters took a run at geurin.he punched him in the face, and darren mccarty and aaron downey are the enforcers for the red wings. taking a run and looking for a fight is different btw
Andreas,
In the last game against Buffalo, Sean Bergenheim (a non-fighter) had a fight with Craig Rivet (an experienced figther). Plus, Peters was pushing, and intimidating, some of the smaller Islanders (particularly in the third period after things got nasty). Would this have happened if Fritz was dressed? Maybe. But more likely not. Peters would have known that, if he kept it up, he would either have to fight Fritz, or Fritz would turn his attention to Buffalo non-fighters. Likewise, Rivet would have known that fighting Bergy would lead to his fighting Fritz, or Fritz going after a smaller Sabre.
Regarding the Red Wings, it’s true they did not have a heavyweight on their team last year. But the other team in the finals had Georges Laraque. And the year before, Anaheim won the cup didn’t they (with Parros, May, etc.)?
Methinks Mr. Badger should read the code:
http://www.amazon.com/Code-Unwritten-Rules-Fighting-Retaliation/dp/1572437561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227135502&sr=8-1
mccarty and downey are very tough btw. they havent dressed every game but i would look up downey vs boulerice then check out the fans reaction then look up darren mccarty. claude lemieux hits a red wing from behind and the guy breaks teeth and jaw i think so what happens next game? darren lets claude know that was a no no
Given the schedule, 5 games in 7 nights, 4 on the road I’m leaning away from fritz.
Smith (LW?) seemed to be teetering on the edge of making the club in the preseason. Comeau (RW?) moves right into KO’s spot.
This could be it (9GMS) for Bailey, so I think that his last 5 games should be played with somebody who can support his ability. I guess two options would be:
Smith-Bailey-Hunter or Hilbert-Bailey-Comeau.
I don’t see where Fritz fits in right now. With the older and slower (but wiser) D, they probably need everybody to handle supportive minutes, and Fritz just isn’t that guy.
Figures, not one post in response to the most underrated player in Isles history. Not to mention a man who has been with the organization for 30 year…Ken Morrow, my all time favorite Islander.
Excellent limberpete, have tried to tell the SW’s & Badgers of the world,
(countless times)
The NHL & fightinig has made a huge return! ( the articles & stats prove it)
Its once again, a staple of the game.
Deny it, denounce it.. whatever you choose , yet let it be known it plays a role again in the game.
Fritz would be the call on 80% of the teams..
Please stop telling me his skating is too weak…
Fritz needs to worry about keeping up with the Godard’s, Laraque’s, Petersen’s
etc’s of the league….
I’m sure he can handle that!
based on league Philosophy right now its the logical choice especially these next few game!
Though that does not mean we will make the logical choice!
Hope they do!
Lets go Isles… Lets Go Islanders!!
fighting* lol forgive.
McCarty was just released by the Wings, but I agree that Downey is a guy who sticks up for his team and if the Isles had that guy on their roster I wouldn’t mind him playing 40-50 games a year.
Bergenheim a non-fighter. How could you claim that this early in his career? He’s an energy forward who finishes his checks all the time. He can’t afford to hide behind some enforcer the rest of his career, he would lose the respect of his peers. Bergie is exactly the kind of player who should expect to get into some scraps every now and then.
Craig Rivet. Is he really more of a fighter than Witt or Sutton? Me thinks not. And the Buffalo game was lost because of other things than physical intimidation long before Peters started pushing around in the third.
bergy versus laraque…lol..
Is this what you are implying?
with all due respect thats funny!
he was not released he was put down. we lost because we were outplayed. but thats not what were saying. bergenheim fought rivet who beat him because he is more experienced. idont think bergie was hiding. witt is our top dman and i dont think rivet is. suttons hand is stll hurt. how can he fight????????
McCarty was not released, he was placed on waivers but will remain on the roster. Bergie clearly isnt a fighter, hasnt been and wont be. Rivet is definitely more of a fighter then Witt now, Witt had one last year, Rivet had 6. Sutton cant fight because of his hand but has never had more than 6-7 fights a season.
I agree the Buffalo game wasnt all because of intimidation but the game is 4-0, Mair cheapshots Thompson through the refs, Bergie has to fight because noone else will, Witt gets bodyslammed by a cheapshot guy in Kaleta then Peters runs around for the rest of the game. We have noone to send the message that we wont take that.
They can sign HALEY at the cheap and he plays like a million $$ bucks
Andreas, lets be real here, who do you want fighting? The guy that does it for a living or our best d-man and probably second best foward? Its a no brainer.
yea’ please peters.. what am i thinking..
(Brain cramp);)
The point remains the euro game is still here & more exciting no doubt, yet its also clear that the North American aspect of The enforcer, has been blended back into the game!
Lets go Isles.. lets go Islanders!
Andreas, I’m not trying to gang up on you but good and even bad teams always protect their guys. Do you really wanna see Okposo fighting more then even occassionally? Hurting his hands (which is what we need him for) in the process? You wanna see a guy like Shane O’Brian or Bieksa or Godard getting hold of Okposo?
Would you have asked Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Henning, Potvin, Persson, Laftontaine etc? To fight their own battles? Did the greatest coach in NHL history ask them to?
Fritz doesn’t hurt this team in anyway. He only helps.
Buffalo is a bunch of mean, dirty, nasty jerks just like their coach was as a player and is now. Look back in the history going back all the way back and almost every game there is a nasty incident.
Fact is teams just don’t try that crap if they know there are guys on the other team capable of giving it back to them.
When Buffalo planned out and then attacked the Islanders the last game. Rivet and Thompson engaged but Mair dove in and got the advantage, it was planned. Bergy thought he was gonna hold Rivet off (and I agree Bergy could fight more I’ve seen him do it successfully but he has to pick his battles) but rivet starting throwing. Witt didn’t see any of it coming and yes he could have beaten the guy up but the guy busted Witt’s head open before he could. Hilbert and Streit watched.
Peters then felt free to take runs and cheap shots at everyone. Did you feel proud watching this? Did you feel proud seeing him punching the captain in the head on several occassions and Guerin having to skate away? Guys can’t compete when they are having to watch out for themselves and feel intimidated.
I really like what Jackman is bringing and yes, he can occassionally be an effective fighter but not a heavy weight. It doesn’t really do us any good for him to stand up for a guy and get beat up.
I was always a huge Ken Morrow fan too.
No Pride-N-Passion NYI Hockey~, that’s what you’re implying. And if you think that’s going to happen, I suggest you, in stead of me, follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/Code-Unwritten-Rules-Fighting-Retaliation/dp/1572437561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227135502&sr=8-1
Anyway, I’ve given my two cents on this. I think Snow should reward Smith for handling the system well and putting up numbers in the AHL and call him up. I didn’t see the need for Fritz the last couple of games (Jackman fought both Neil and Davison) and until some enforcer following the code of honor runs around and injures all our young players I just don’t see the need for him anytime soon.
Last Point then Good day all…
( no longer diatribes from me as for the others CB?)….
The Game is After all, last I checked,
played in the North American rinks!
As well when you ask the Canadian fans about fighting in the Game & their Thoughts?
(remembering this is the birthplace of this great game).. Russians can argue this as for the Euro orgininaters,
Though Lord Stanely gave us the Cup & started the format that is the NHL we know today….
(minus changes in overall to win it)
Bottom line every Canadian team except tough guy… Jody Shelley was not dressed the other night.
injury?
Or No need due to our line up!
One of the very few in the league with out one!
Anyway,
Most Every Canadian Fan will tell you they Like it in the Game!
I will agree with them!
Lets go Isles… lets GO Islanders!
Pride- Shelley is on San Jose, Vancouver has Hordichuk, he played (Jackman looked to decline a fight offer), Mike Brown and Rick Rypien were two fighters that were scratched.
Rules are subject to interpetation of those in charge of enforcing it.
simply said….
The interpetation has changed, so much so that the league & its players are debating whether or not , to request that NHLPA & Those connected with the rules commite..
maybe be asked to up the automatic suspension for a fighting 5 minute major..
(the Instigator rule).. 3 of them gets you a one game suspension,
to 5 of them before you are suspended!
So thats a view from those who play the game! (for what it is worth)
Later fella’s .. lets go Isles!
Either way, Andreas, if you dont find it necessary, thats your opinion, I just wouldnt want you behind the bench. If it takes guys actually getting put on the IR for you to want to dress an enforcer, Id say thats wrong.
yes again my bad.. long day at office.. tires the brain.. forgive.
thanks joe!
No problem man!
Fritzy is back up tomorrow! Now lets keep the wins going and put the hurt on some teams!
CB–Oddly enough, I was struck by the media relations mention, although it may have no connection as to why I saw (and briefly chatted with) Glenn Healy last night out here in Arizona (he was at the Coyotes/BlackHawks game). So was Paul Kelly of the NHLPA.
I think Healy was a bit taken aback to be recognized.
Are these folks just paying visits around the league for different reasons?
Freddy Meyer is not a big hitter. He has had like 2 big hits his entire time with the Isles. He is not the kind of d-man we need. He isn’t nearly physical nor talented enough. If he is so great I gladly take the draft pick we could get for him (not that Snow could get one for him last year).
ISLES SUCK
Strummer: Meyer had 88 hits in 57 games last season. Two more than Sutton, usually considered a physical player, with one less game played. Streit leads the team with 26 hits this year. That’s three more than Meyer, but he’s also played 11 games more.
I wasn’t only talking about when he flattened Spezza last year, although that was a sweet moment in a rather tragical Isles season.
Strummer: In response to who stood up for the Bossy’s, Trottier and Potvin’s etc., the answer was typically Gillies or Nystrom, sometimes Hart or Howatt (also in his younger years Potvin would drop the gloves occasionally). All guys who were first and foremost hockey players. I’m not totally against fighting in hockey but to me Fritz isn’t a hockey player, can’t pass, stick-handle or shoot. That’s embarrasing to me. Additionally, while it may put the Isles at some risk they do seem to play better whenm they have four lines rolling out there and they’ve won the last three games this way and were struggling when Fritz played (not saying there is a direct cause and effect, but something to consider).
Really… All this talk about NEEDING to have Fritz here and sounding the alarms of what the other teams are going to do to “US” if “WE” don’t have an enforcer…
It’s pretty unfounded.
What exactly has happened in the games without Fritz?
Have the Islanders won… ummm… YES!
Has the other team taken the Islanders heads off… Umm… NO!
The players on the ice are all big boys. They can handle themselves. They are tough and don’t need Fritz to stand up for them.
Jackman, Sutton, Bergenheim, Sim… etc… are not necessarily fighters… but are able to handle themselves.
DOC
OMG Kovalchuk and Ovechenkin both beat the crap out of Sim. Yes, teams did take advantage without Fritz. Yes Okposo did get injured because of a cheap shot. If you remember when they called up Fritz is when the team started to turn around.
Have to side with Strummer here 100%
What a “JO”, after all the facts layed out do you watch or get NhHL direc?
do you pay attention to TSN.CA..
there are facts , stats , interviews, highlights of multiple scaps each night, many by the enforcers.
why are some of you hell bent on being the softest team in the league?
if you think that tambellini right now is worth anything more then a fritz. your watching the game with highly suspect eyes! (in Many ways… nevermind)
Tambellini to the pressbox.. call up fritz & play the 4 million dollar comrie when hes healthy .. period!
cmon spinner tell me, name one enforcer that can stick handle shoot & skate more then once every 20 to 30 shifts that they play..
when Fritz first came up Against the tougher opponents we won 2 straight.. right now we have played a few skating clubs… Ottawa & Vancouver…
you folks can spew your opinions all day, yet failing to recognize the style the NHL & The Teams are Playing is mind boggling?
Watching a Game Right Now… Washington versus Anaheim.. you want to talk about skill & Power both teams are equipped with plenty…
these are teams I would fear in the playoffs.. especially washington if Brent Johnson or somebody other then Theodeore the playoff choker emerge!
Two Teams that role 4 with guys like Parros & Brashear..
now tell me spinner Brashear & Parros will skate rings around Fritz… lol yea’ okay….
whats embarrassing to me is how you think that in this kind of game that The Islanders will not eventually need a full time Enforcer… its right on your tv screen are you watching?
If if you say (with all due respect ) of course that Fritz is not the Answer, well then my comment to yoyu is until we find that answer hes better as a heavey weight then anybody in our system!
inclucding rechlichz who can not even find his way to bridgeport at this point!
I’m Just saying Baby.. roll with Fritz against the next 3 minimal!
Lets Go Isles Lets Go Islanders!
Spinner, I have repeatedly said the Isles should go after guys like Milan Lucic of Boston and Kevin Bieksa of Van. Both guys are heavy weights but more then talented enough to be major contributors more in the mold of Nystrom and Gillies. That would be ideal. Since Snow hasn’t seen fit to go after guys who can do it all it is what it is and Fritz is our best option.
I know what your saying Andreas but I don’t consider Sutton a heavy hitter. He does usually make some runs at guys but not a true heavy hitter. Isles just don’t have any one the blue line. A heavy hitter would be Phaneuf, Jack Johnshon, Weber, Komisarik, Bieksa etc.
Sutton, Meyer, and Witt hit and make contact but not heavy or frequent enough. Hunter does a great job (though I’d say down this season) on the forecheck and Bergy gets into phases where he really dished out the body.
The system Gordon implemented calls for the d-man to meet oppossing players as they enter the blue line. Isles players do but not with physical contact most of the time. A hitter would take advantage of the system and start dropping guys. This made the great Isles teams dominante.
I would enjoy seeing Crosby, Malkin and any Ranger getting blasted as they try to enter the Isles d-zone. I’ll probably have to wait a year.
Scraps*,*theodore, *heavy… excuse typos..
I’m just Glad that some of us see the whole picture!
Amazed on how some feel the need to play a smurf line-up devoid of a pugulist??
Wonder How Coach Sutter lookes at tomorrows game?
Good Night Fella’s
Lets go Isles… Lets Go Islanders!!
I am in total agreement with Pride, I don’t understand how a few of you seem to ignore the way the NHL game is being played. Toughness is a growing trend not a declining trend. I don’t enjoy seeing the team pushed around or beat up.
Lucic 100% agreed Strummer.. one of the only possible 5 tooled (if you will)
enforcers…
The 22 yr Old (kid) is something else.
will also go along would go with a Gillies tag here, He skates very well,
he can level you in open Ice , drop em’ with anyone in the league.. and score a nice looking goal from time to time.
Enjoy Sutton & Witts Presence on the blue line
Good point they are aging & will be slowing down soon, it is indeed already a little obvious.. the thumping checks are not as often from Witt… For now his leadership is an asset & he is still a warrior..
Though Bieksa, Komisarek would sure fortify the Islanders Blue -line for years to come… (UFA wish list 09′)
Great points Strummer I with ya buddy!sorry for the multiple posting’s , yet this issue is one some of us have strong feelings on when your talking about Putting a Complete team on the Ice in the current Nhl Style game!!
Thanks & now i’m gone!
good night all.
Lets go Isles lets go Islanders!!
I’m not going to argue any more with you on the Fritz issue. As judged by your post frequencies it’s clear that you’ve all made up your mind on which player to bring up. But please don’t equal toughness with fighting ability alone. It’s so much more.
Snow should go after Milan Lucic, huh? What exactly do you think Boston would want for a fan favorite drafted in 2006 who has 5 goals, 7 assists, 43 PIM and a +8 rating after just 19 games? How about Bieksa? A strong, high-scoring two-way defenseman just about to enter his prime. I would say both negotiations will start with the 2009 1st rounder, likely a top 5 pick. Worth it?
I agree on Komisarek by the way. Would love to see him alongside Witt and Hedman next year.
No one said Lucic will be coming to the Island,antime soon.
Bruins would never trade him.. hes a gem amongst the enforcers…
what we are saying is Every team in the league is playing an enforcer right now!
fritz is who we have . so why not use him. (they do make a dofference right now)
Your right Andreas toughness in certain roles is not equal to ability.
Yet in the role of the re-emerging forcer , it sure as hell is!
lets go Isles lets go islanders!
Its logic, with a mixture of undeniable writing on the wall this year in the NHL… Please tune in!
thanks!
lets go Islanders!
I do not want the last word its yours..
just want to hammer away at what is
a fact of the game right now, period!
lol…
missing out on important sleep.
later!
difference* and yes if we finish better then the last three teams, hence missing out on (Probability wise for sure) getting taveras, hegman , or Cowan…
Then sure i’d give up a first rounder
for either of the two mentioned if made available.. they are on the way to being stalwart type players for their teams!
thats what the NY Islanders need!
think about it?