Comments on: SEA CHANGETonight’s win proves why it’s okay to get younger

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:11:37 +0000

Tambellini will finish this year, and the rest of his contract with the Isles. You heard it hear first.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:39:53 +0000

Bailey looked great. Hard not to get excited about the kid playing with Okposo!! I hate to jump the gun here but it would be an amazing thing for us fans to watch those two play together(Iknow I’m getting wayyyy ahead of myself). Bergy looks amazing, don’t know if anybody has noticed some of his playmaking ability and skating lately. The kid definetely has some amazing skills he just needs someone to finish off some of his plays. Is it me or is Weight the new Comrie! The guy made at least 3 errant passes that were turned around for scoring chances. Not a good game for him, and Gordon,get him off the freaking point on the power play! Tambs, hate to say it bad game though I still say give him time. Someone said above he just needs a goal. I agree and everything else will fall in place!!! Wow, can’t say enough about Bailey and Okposo!!!!!!

By: Vlad from Brooklyn

Vlad from Brooklyn — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:34:46 +0000

Did any body noticed – without Comrie – it was no slowing down in Islanders skating, almost no confusion on the ice in last 2 games? Does he fits the System?
Just waching an thinking…

By: Willis

Willis — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:01:04 +0000

I wish I’d been able to see more than the last period of the game but look forward to seeing more of Bailey and Bailey/Okposo tomorrow.
Great article CB and I agree with your thoughts about giving more opportunities to the kids. However, there is something to be said for letting things sit for a while in order to gel as well, isn’t there? Just not sure that THIS 20 games is the time to shake things up even more. For some reason my head says wait a while, season’s still young and we’re not really making a run for the playoffs so much as “seeing what we have”. For this next 20, I’d let the injured come back (Marty, Witt, Silly?, and yes, Comrie) and I think that in itself will change a few things. As people above have said, baby steps.

With the whole 8th seed thing, I for one would be very happy if whatever group we end up with gets to 8th. They don’t make it out of the first round but the experience they get fuels their desire for the future. Just getting there would be impressive to me, for all that’s happened over the past 5-6 months or so. Not to mention exciting.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:42:27 +0000

Botta, I just spit water all over my desk when I read your line “Can the Islanders go 37-21-8 the rest of the way?”. I have to say, I love your optimism. It is the sole reason I come back to this site daily. There isn’t a snowballs chance in hell we even win 30 the rest of the way but the kids looked good last night. Thanks for giving me a good laugh today my man. Keep up the great work!

By: Dominik

Dominik — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:50:09 +0000

Baby steps, baby steps. It was Bailey’s 2nd NHL game. I’m fine with he and Okposo receiving around 12 minutes to start (and ice time is never so precisely planned to-the-second), and increasing it from there as warranted, particularly via powerplay time.

As for Weight, he may need some more film time to see what’s gone wrong recently, but he can be a success at the PP point.

By: UIF

UIF — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:05:38 +0000

Nick, I sort of agree with you. There were a couple of games after Gordon talked to Tambs where it looked like he was going to start playing more physical and going to the areas he needs to go to find success. But he’s reverted the last few games. The only thing I’d say is he should have most of this season at least to show what he’s got. This way there are no excuses about “not getting a fair chance,” etc. If he goes to another team and does produce, let’s at least keep him long enough to never have to lump him in with all of the other guys who didn’t get a long enough look here before being shipped out. On the other hand, I don’t think we have to wait as long as we did with Brad Isbister, ha.

By: UIF

UIF — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:00:50 +0000

Also, we have the second-worst record in the league right now, and beat the team tied for the fourth-worst record in the league. I agree they looked sharp last night, but let’s see them put together some sort of actual semi-convincing winning streak against goalies not named Alex Auld before we talk about the playoffs. Baby steps for these Isles right now, imo. A solid 60-minute effort and some more familiarity with the system were nice things to see last night.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:55:46 +0000

Just a suggestion on the Higgins thing, not like it would actually be the deal. My main point there was that after seeing more of Tambellini I don’t think he’ll find himself as an Islander and they should see if he can be used to get us a better piece.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:54:43 +0000

I don’t think they have any goal in terms of placement for this year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not trying to win. Give the kids playing time and unload the vets that don’t have a future here…If that leads to a playoff team, great. However, the main goal of this season should be to develop our young guys, regardless of the outcome. To me, trying to contend for the Cup in a few years is much more exciting than trying to fight for our right to get bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

By: UIF

UIF — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:54:32 +0000

Why would Montreal take a 6th defenseman and a 25 year old AHLer for Higgins? Would you make that trade if the roles were reversed?

By: joey303

joey303 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:41:21 +0000

Jason,

I agree with you on playoffs. Will we make it? Prob not, but it wouldnt be the worst thing to make it with this bunch, and have them learn how to win. 2 years ago, the 8th seed with a veteran club ( Smyth, Blake, Zednick, Yash, Satan) was not the best. This year it would not be so bad. Remeber, kids take years to develop, a few good trades for young kids in return for OUR draft picks can work just as well, if not better!!