SILLINGER’S RETURN THE OPPOSITE OF IMMINENT
The Pre-Game Show: Jackman…1050…Your predix
11:25 am, NVMC - The good news for Mike Sillinger is his hockey career is not over. Even at age 37, he has made enough strides in his rehabilitation after major hip surgery to feel confident he has plenty more games to play in the NHL.
But reports of Sillinger’s rise are exaggerated. There is little chance the veteran center will be back in the lineup during the month of November.
I stumbled upon this fact when I approached Sillinger with a theory. Considering the serious nature of his injury and the length of time he’s been out of the lineup, would the man who hasn’t played in the minor leagues in 15 years ever consider a conditioning stint in Bridgeport?
“To be honest,” Sillinger said, “we’re not at the point where that’s even worth discussing.”
So there you have it. Although he has practiced regularly with the Islanders over the last week, Sillinger is not close to a return to the lineup. Factor in the need to both learn and keep up with the team’s forecheck system and this could still be a while.
Sillinger had microfracture hip surgery at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado in February. For most people, the recovery time could last as long as a full year. In the case of a world-class athlete like Sillinger, perhaps eight or nine months. Team doctors, whom Sillinger visits weekly to update his progress, feel he is very much on schedule.
“The one thing that’s guaranteed is that I will not come back until I’m 100% free of pain and 100% ready to help the Islanders,” said Sillinger. “It hasn’t been fun, not being part of the games. But I’ve been able to keep a positive frame of mind and hopefully be a good influence on the team, partly because there isn’t a question of whether I’m coming back. I will be a contributor to our team again.”
ETC: Tim Jackman was recalled today from Bridgeport on an emergency basis. Scott Gordon said at today’s morning skate that the team, when it has the opportunity, wants to reward the players down on the farm that work hard to learn the system and produce. Jackman has 6 goals in 12 games with the Sound Tigers…Joey MacDonald gets his fourth straight start in goal.
Sidney Crosby is on the trip for the Penguins after missing practice yesterday with an undisclosed hip injury. The team and Crosby likely won’t decide if he’s good to go until this afternoon.
Congrats to good guy Mark Parrish for his hat trickin’ return last night. Who knows if Parrish will get another three goals between now and Christmas, but that’s not the point. The NHL is full of rocket scientists traveling the globe, analyzing every aspect of a player’s game and then often giving obscene stacks of cash to guys that haven’t done diddly. Yet here was Mark Parrish - great hands, good wheels, low-maintenance attitude and with a track record - and he couldn’t get an offer from anyone. Should the Islanders need him at an appropriate time after they re-tool, don’t think Mark won’t forget what they did for him.
Attention, Point Blank readers: Please give us a call tonight when Don La Greca and I co-host “NY Hockey This Week” on 1050 ESPN Radio from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. If you want your Islanders to have a presence on sports-talk radio, here’s your chance to make it happen.
With our late return from the Manhattan studio, tonight’s game coverage will not be the same usual lollapalooza recap. But we will strive to bring something decent to the table.
Game Predix? Questions for the ESPN Radio Show? Comments.
57 Responses to “SILLINGER’S RETURN THE OPPOSITE OF IMMINENT
The Pre-Game Show: Jackman…1050…Your predix”
Please Wait
good for jackman. bad for silly. was hoping for trevor smith but jackman will do
Really didn’t care who they brought up. Just reward the guys who understand the system and will help play a full 60 minutes. That is why Comrie has to go. Isles 5-4 tonight.
Im hoping the Isles get washed out, physically and offensively, absolutely no deterrent without Fritz.
5-1 Pittsburgh.
what do you think Teddy’s doing these days?? goddam Satan is tearing it up and they somehow blame this too on Nolan
4-2 isles (please god)
no fight between fritz and godard unfortunatley mad12.gif i say isles lose 4-2 wirh satan getting one goal and malkin netting two. maybe jordan stall gets the fourth. the isles who scored were park from streit shorthanded and streit scores on pp from weight and either hunter or guerin
I. much like JLaMonica16 , am curious what Nolan is up to these day, CB, any insight?
Sadly, tonight is going to be ugly, in terms of score, for the wrong team; 6-2 PIT.
Don’t see the Isles winning this one unless Comrie, Weight, Guerin, start playing 60 minutes and unless Weight and Guerin start showing some leadership late in the game.
Further, according to Gordon, [he] wants his team to attack for 60 minutes (see Newsday Article, 11.8.2008, Greg Logan), this is a bad idea. The Isles do not have even remotely close to the fire power that PIT has. Additionally, Fleury is a very good netminder and can probably withstand any “sustained attack,” the Isles may have. Turning to Joey MaC, I am doubtful he can do likewise.
I think I would focus on containing the Penguins and making sure the score is not 4-0 after the first period.
Why no Fritz? SIGH. And if you think the rest of the team is tired in the 3rd with Gordons system, Mike Sillinger would need oxygen on the bench. No need to want to Silly back really.
No need to want to see Silly back anytime soon really…is what I meant to say.
Why no Fritz? It’s easy - the guy can’t skate at all.I know, I know… there will be a lot of you jumping all over me, but to have a hockey player like Fritz on the roster is disgrace for NHL team
Alot of are players are a disgrace on our team so whats one more? Also much of the league doesn’t think we have an NHL team. 4-1 Pens. Satan scores 2 and Godard beats the sh!t out of Okposo in front of the bench as our team watches.
I fully agree with Matt.
Is something wrong with Comrie physically???
He can’t even get the puck off the ice when he shoots! It honestly looks like he is trying not to score.
No, he just sucks. It has always been a problem for him. Ottawa fans complained of his lack of heart onstantly(as well as Edmonton fans).
They should really trade him, setting a real bad example for our youth.
It also does not appear that Comrie is skating, more like gliding. He has been gliding ever since he got to the Island, however, this year it seems more pronounced. I am happy the Isles rewarded him last season with a contract extension. I think that it is not entirely Comrie’s fault, he is on a minor league team, which plays in a minor league arena in front of 4,500 fans, he has no inspiration/drive/desire to play, neither would I.
I agree with your points, no doubt about it. But Comrie has always been a glider. He also has always used his patented toe drag move since his Edmonton days which works one of a thousand times. The guy is an average skater with not much speed. He is and always was better suited as a third line center on a good team. We unfortunately don’t have a good team(I know he has been on the fourth line lately). You are probably right in the fact that our lack of fans at the games just compunds the problems he already had.
Like Ricky, I want Sillinger to take as much time as he needs to get back into top game shape. I really do miss him on the ice and I look forward to seeing him play again.
NYC NYI fan…. and Matt:
You guys are true blue fans… I can see you guys really care about your team and are behind them 100%.
That’s the problem with most of this generation. Instant gratification and nothing less.
If you can’t see the big picture in what is trying to be accomplished… and if you really don’t like it… then just root for the Detroit Red Wings this year… and Pittsburgh next year… and so on….
Just root for the top team in the league this way your life will be a lot easier and you will have nothing to complain about.
DOC
Doc, it is not that we (or I) require instant gratification, I require SOME gratification. I would say that in the last decade there has been zero. Aside from the playoff series against Toronto, this team has sucked. They have shown nothing. As soon as a player with a modicum of talent played on this team he was traded away. This team is doomed for mediocrity. No one player is good on this team What type of youth movement do we have with over the hill players being signed to the longest contracts?
Further, the Penguins have accomplished something, they too were a bad team for a long time, now they will likely become a dynasty. The Isles….I venture to say they will not.
I agree with you NYC nyi fan but I think there is difference when you are complaining about moves of managemenmt and the team itself bcs. this unfortunately impacts our teams future. I would think most fans should have known what this season was going to bring. Hence why it would be nice to see a player such as Fritz playing with us. These “purist” hockey fans would be better suited watching a team of a higher caliber. I do however think part of why a forum like this is created is to vent(complain) and discuss our team. I love watching any team play but Isles are my team!!!!
And when you say this “generation”(without sounding antagonistic I hope) are you referring to people who have been fans of this team since 1978 bcs. then you would be correct in your assumption.
Dadi-
Having a team like this for an NHL roster is a disgrace, having a guy that can beat Laraque in a fight, is not.
Does this bring rechlicz up to bport?
I have watched a few “rebuilds” since I have been a fan and believe it or not I have some(a little)faith in this one. But I have to agree with Joe, NYC NYI fan and many other posters on here, to call up Jackman who has continually done nothing for us and who is nothing more that a punching bag who hits like a girl is not a brilliant move. Especially when we are facing one of the leagues biggest bruisers in Eric Godard. This,I have a problem with. What about Iggy, Smith, Christ even Jossenue, you never know! I hope I am wrong and Jackman beats up Godard and scores 2 but I’ve been here before.
Again common theme here for
Pittsburgh as it is for just about the entire league….
An “Enforcer”,dressed 90% of the games they play.
Mark Parrish… Congrats as well on 1st game back & Hatrick… obviously
still gas in tank!
Parrish Versus Tambellini?
CB.. true he may not score again for a while… Though the way i see this is a 5th or 6th round pick & a proven goal score in this league parrish, has three more goals in one game then Tambellini has the whole season & must of last… as well if steve tambellini is not his dad who had ties with this organization7 is a current colleague, wonder how long ago he would have been off the Island?
Now or never for tambellini physical play is a bonus from a supposed scoring winger, yet be real we need goals
from him not pim’s.. i’m just sayimg!
DOC evryone here is a real Islander fans.. dispositions aside!
It’s just some see the whole game
(Current Picture)
Dissapointed to see Snows approach,
continues to miff & irritrate his fan base with little regard to the more important issue.. can we not ever fall in line on anything thats mainstream in the NHL or will be continue to be Mavericks.. without a cause??
Doing The Right & Fundamental Thing, especially in an NHL friendly drop the gloves enviroment,,, should be a no brainer…. Complaining as to why one or two of our under-achiening prospects is being robbed of his 4th line time????
Please!
Lets go Isles.. Lets Go Islanders
will try to call in tonight CB!
Matty, NYC NYI,JOE & the Majority!!
Agreed 100% we are the majority & although
it means nothing in terms of who is a (true blue 100% fan)….
It can be agrued as a common sense thing? no…
last point i think at times the Organization treats this fan base with utter disregard… thats wrong with out us buying tickets @ 125 a piece jerseys @ 400+ Wang would be losing even more money… im just saying, i dont sit on the couch like i contemplated doing this year.. I go & show my support this GM.. jury is tsill out on Overall success he will or will not have… though his ability to relate to his fan base & percieve what’s happening on the Ice
(style of game wise) is Curious to put it lightly!!
Lets go Isles.. Lets Go Islanders!!
*colleague of Garth Snow… common courtesy?
Rooting for you Sillinger!
Jackman? UGH why can’t they ever put players in the line up we want to watch? Snow is taking all the fun out of the season.
I am sure he is working on a trade for a 5′8″ 180lb d-man. Can’t get enough of those or Providence Bruins players.
Off to work. Enjoy the game all and hope we win. Nielson nets another, you heard it here first!!!
okay last thing & I mean this … enough
with the typos & grammatical brain freezes.
I may never be a publisher , ya think?
Though no more with at least 2 to 3 a post!
I owe you & me more then that.
Will take the extra few minutes to apply it !
I’m sure i will still leave a few,
Not many after promising to proof read & check spelling from here on in!
I want my validity on these points to come through , if not agreed with so from this post forward it’s done!
thanks guys..
Lets go Isles… Lets go Islanders!!
OK… I won’t doubt here that Matt, NYC NYI fan and others that are constant complainer’s are indeed Islander fans… but my point is that THIS REBUILD cannot be held responsible for the past failed rebuilds.
It is agreed that the frustrations are accumulative… but they need to be separated from the others in order to be fair to this particular group of players, management, coach, “system” and direction in general.
I do appreciate the passion from all fans… but I can’t stand to read every post about how this team “sucks” and how Hilbert “sucks” etc.
Hilbert “sucks” if you expect him to be Crosby and are comparing goal totals…. but Hilbert is not Crosby and is instead an integral part of this team for what his role calls for.
My referrene to “this generation” is referring to 20 somethings. Born in the 80’s and fans since mid 80’s and 90’s.
I am a fan since 1975/76 season.
DOC
Apples & Oranges..Crosby versus Dilbert??
what does this have to do with the price of tea in china?? lol
With all seriousness doc,
I expect this team to physically Compete against an ever increasingly aggressive NHL game….
I expect not to agrue over any 4th liner& his lack of minutes.. based fairly on lack of production!
I expect To Run a System, like the rest of the league is doing right now…
Along with that comes a Enforcer who plays more full time then part time!
I expect our GM to do the right thing & not cop out on this issue by clouding it with trivial b.s.
4th line godard against 4th line fritz.. no difference..
I except the fans to see what the NHL is right now instead of what their collective utopian visions of what they think it should be!
Enforcer is Alive N Well.. screw Dilbert hes an overall non issue on a last place club.. (for now)..
Lets Go Isles.. lets go Islanders!
I ‘d rather not engage in a p****** contest… do not not why it matters how long your a fan of a club….
For what its worth fan since 1979-80.. when my old man sat me in front of the TV, layed out where the team playing in the Ice was from & what they were trying to do…
Needless to say the Islanders go on to win their first of 4 cups & an Instand Provincial Long Islander & Fan was created…
Now to be whats that worth…’ALOT”…
To most who post on here what does it
mean…?
Not much they can care less how long we are all respective fans of a club…
Now ask them about getting to & out of the first round of the playoofs… that they care about Doc!
P.s. Lets Go Isles Lets GO Islanders… on my way out the door to go & support the Club I follow win lose, bitch or maon.. I’m doing my part! all good!
forgive any possible typos.. i will live up to my committment to clean it up… just not now out the door, to prepare for game!
later fella’s
Lets go Isles!! win tonighT! care less the score.. just win!
is there something fundamentally wrong with (what I read about) the rangers’ attempt to seek a compensatory pick for cherepanov? could they have waited a little while longer? could they have keep the attempt a bit more under the radar?
ive been a fan since 1999-2000 when i was 5/6
I included a referrence to Hilbert because he’s the object of a lot of fans hatred and because there’s always posts about how much he “sucks”.
I included how long I’m a fan because i was asked to clarify my point of view, my perspective of how long I’ve been a fan and what generation I was from… that’s all.
You’re right Pride: Supportive fans is all the Islanders need. Good times and bad.
I’m not looking for a P-ing contest… just thought that this years team should not be judged on the past 3 or 4 years of frustrations.
This team is independent of the Nolan years. A few of the same players, but not the same TEAM!
What good does it do if some of the bloggers on here just keep posting the same mantra of this team sucks and Hilbert sucks, Comrie sucks etc. etc. etc.
It gets old real fast.
DOC
I think the enforcer issue becomes more of a factor once Gordon and Snow have a better idea of what “skilled” players will be around for the long term.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to have Fritz in the line-up when trying to evaluate the readiness and usefulness of Tambellini or Bergenheim or Neilsen.
Next Year… hopefully, there will be more open spots… (minus Comrie, Tambellini(?) Weight(?) Etc…) and these spots will be filled by Bailey, Comeau, Smith etc… and an enforcer when it will be more necessary.
DOC
Constant complaining, saying you have been a fan longer than everyone, who cares, you in essence are complaining! I’ve been a fan since 78′ does that mean you are a better or a more knowledgeable fan than I. Maybe…. Who really cares. Our “complaining” has nothing to do with past management(which has sucked) but present making bizarre moves and as I am sure a lot will agree, treating their fan base as second class citizens when there isn’t much left. This is a forum no? A place where people go to voice opinions and such? Sorry everything can’t be rainbow and roses for you DOC. There are some bright spots on this team and thought I was one of the few on here who stated to give it all some time. Not that I am defending myself but I do believe you need to read between the lines a little better. I don’t think there is any complaining about our place in the standings but some of the moves, non moves, or just plain wacky behavior by our owner/present management. I love and will always love this team and can only hope to attain super fan status of which you possess! I just don’t want to see kids running around our teams table on draft day. That is embarrassing for me and the teams standing as an professional organization in the NHL. I don’t want to see Bettmann cringe again when he tells the crowd, “the Islanders have traded down for Nashville’s second round pick to chose Norman Babble”(yeah he’s great, never heard of him? Hmmm wonder why). Snow may have done a brilliant job, we wont know for a while. I like some of those picks but who knows if Petrov, Nemei,( I would say Bailey but it seems pretty obvious he would’ve been there ) would have even been there. How about a normal move, pick, or behavior for that matter. The players are not the only ones who need stability to want to join this club. We as fans do, except for DOC of course………
You are assuming Bailey will fill a roster spot next year. We have not even seen him play a game yet and Comeau is not even good enough to even fill a roster spot on this team in our coach and managements eyes!
Hey Matt… I think you right on with what you are saying in your last post… but I was reacting to a previous post where you clearly stated that you think…
“… a lot of our players on this team are a disgrace so what’s one more…”
and
“… I hope Godard beats the sh#t out of Okposo in front of the team bench…”
So my responses to you were more in regards to posts such as that.
I don’t think everything is rosey with this team… and I don’t think I’m more of a fan than you are. I was simply asked from what generation am I a fan of this team… so I answered with the year of which I became a fan. I wasn’t trying to be one better than another. I was simply answering a question.
DOC
Yes… I am assuming that Bailey and Comeau will fill a roster spot… not only next year… but hopefully this year and for several years.
I hope they fill a roster spot next year as well. Those posts were in reference to me feeling (my opinion) with the coach as well as managemants decision to send down an enforcer when we are facing a team that has clearly utilized theirs. Our players are going to be “aware” of the Penguin’s enforcer and will play as such. Who are the Penguin’s players going to be “aware” of? Are we going to dazzle them with our offensive prowess? Maybe. It really is just apples and oranges. Just reacting to being called a “complainer” when I believe I have, as well as everyone else, some valid points. I hope we kick ass tonight no matter how I feel! This is hockey anything is possible.
absolutely! anything is possible.
JACKMAN MORE USEFULL THAN FRITZ
death,taxes and the islanders blowing the lead
we dont have a single player that can score in a shootout no player even made a move
So it’s eight straight one-goal games. Two wins, 6 of a possible 16 points. Not good, but not surprising. I would be shocked if the Isles won a shootout all season, between their goaltending and lack of skill, it’s gonna be tough.
ok riddle me this, CB. Why is Gordon sending out two old guys and a corner cruncher for the shootout? Where was Okposo? Tambellini? Nielsen? Bergenheim? I thought we were going to see the youth taking over? Guerin doesn’t scare anyone, and I was there for Weight’s penalty shot the other night, I wouldn’t have put him in again. I am ok with the one point, the third period once again was nauseating, but the shootout should belong to the young guys. Let’s go Isles!
When you BLOW lead after lead it is POOR coaching,never mind the guys he chose for the shootout. This guy gordon is wearing thin already!
I agree mike poor coaching is a contributor for the collapses but i also think with a healthy defense this team is far from a last place team. This team fights game in game out but always become worn down in the latter stages of the third. Joey Mac’s play is outstanding and if Witt Martinek Meyer atleast 2 of the 3 make a return by the end of this month it is going to be interesting. I would love to be in the running for Taveras and Hedman but by the conclusion of this season I think they will be alot better then many thought.
tambellini and okposo should have been out there for the shootout..if we are building for the future that would have been good experience for those young guys…although since gordon thinks anything after regulation is a tie he probably didnt care…fun night at the coliseum..the boys played hard except for the 2 minutes on their heels in the 3rd period.
jackman is a nice player..he should stick around..he skates hits and tonight scored..he is no bruiser but does have good size and put a few good licks on the penguins tonight
Alright Doc.. Glad to see we can agree… differing points & opinions ,ake the world go around…. Your perspective is of an educated fan.. no doubt…
just hoping you understand my point.
Ny Islanders will need a little more then a part time enforcer.. and some 4th line slacker will evcentually have to pay the price.. Its the league that dictates this not me.
You bring an intellectual point of view to the tabel DOC.. no question it adds to this blog!
I’m sure it we will debate our share of Islander strategy & Managment decisions..
Im equally sure we are all die hard NY Islander Fans…
Heres to ya DOC!
Lets Go Isles…Lets GO Islanders!!