THE ISLANDERS’ ISSUE WITH THE “FLOOR”
Why you won’t see a veteran unloaded anytime soon
(Bill Guerin is not going anywhere. For salary cap reasons, Mike Comrie likely will not be either.)
On July 2, the Islanders signed free agent Doug Weight to a one-year contract. The deal called for a base salary of $1.75 million, but with bonuses the playmaking center could make up to $4.3 million.
As a player signing a one-year contract past his 35th birthday - he is 37 - Weight was eligible for such a bonus package. The Islanders were happy to give the veteran the incentives for two reasons. For starters, they would be properly rewarding Weight if his offensive statistics rebounded closer to his career averages after a 25-point output in 2007-2008. With 21 points (4-17-21) in his first 21 games this season for the Islanders, the move has paid off for both team and player.
But there was additional strategy behind the Weight incentives package. As a player over age 35 and on a one-year deal, those bonuses counted towards the Islanders’ salary cap number. And Weight’s deal - along with the signing of Mark Streit to a deal averaging $4.1 million - took the Islanders above the salary cap “floor” as mandated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
For the 2008-09 season the NHL salary cap is $56.7 million. A less-heralded fact is that teams must meet a minimum player payroll - the salary cap “floor” - of $40.7 million. While it is unclear to the penny how much the Islanders are currently above the floor, a league source estimated the figure at $2 million.
Since Mike Comrie (’08-09 salary: $4 million) began the season slowly and is now on Injured Reserve while the team gives his surgically-repaired hip more time to heal, the point may be moot. But for fans wondering if the Islanders could trade the No. 2 center for a prospect or a draft pick, the answer is clear.
Even if the Islanders wanted to move Comrie for a pick, they could not right now. In just about any major deal the Islanders make, they will need to bring back approximately equal (or more) dollars in salary than they unload.
(Doug Weight: 21 points in 21 games. Good sign.)
As a result, it is highly unlikely Islanders fans will see the departure of any veterans in the next two months - whether rehabbing from injuries (Comrie, Mike Sillinger) or thriving (Weight, Bill Guerin).
The only question that remains is whether one or more of those players is moved closer to the trade deadline. That, of course, will depend on how the players are performing and - just as important, if not more so - where the Islanders are in the Eastern Conference standings.
Make no mistake, the rebuilding Islanders were wise to not Overspend in the offseason. At a surprising-to-some 9-10-2 and in the mix for a playoff berth, if the franchise’s biggest problem is staying a dollar over the salary cap floor, they’re in good shape. And should the Islanders want to add a significant player instead of deleting one, they are in as good a position as any team in the Eastern Conference.
By the looks of how they and the team are currently playing (5-1 in their last 6), Weight and Guerin aren’t going anywhere this season. As for players such as Comrie and Sillinger, time will tell. We do know those moves aren’t going to be made anytime soon. Because of the requirement to exceed the salary cap floor, they cannot be.
ETC: Except for players rehabbing injuries, the Islanders were given today off. Expect last night’s lineup tomorrow when the Islanders host Sid, Geno and the Penguins on March of Dimes Night at the Coliseum…Doug Weight is now 10 points away from NHL point 1,000.
Your reaction to THIS story in Comments, please.
65 Responses to “THE ISLANDERS’ ISSUE WITH THE “FLOOR”
Why you won’t see a veteran unloaded anytime soon”
Please Wait
CB,
Isles are at $49M with a bonus cushion (Weight’s bonus) at $44.5M.
That means, even withough Weight’s bonus, and taking out Comrie’s $4M, Isles are still above the floor (considering enough of Comrie’s salary is already on the books for this season).
Isles are fine to trade Comrie right now if needed.
I believe the Isles are in a spot with this. While most posters here want to ship off vets for draft picks, whats to stop the Isles from trading young players for young players. And you cant keep stockpiling draft picks. What about actuallt trading a young player or 2 AND a draft pick or 2 for good young talent. Every team needs vets, and quite frankly, except for Comrie’s injury, our vets have been playing very well. Nothing wrong with Guerin’s game this year, now that he has his buddy with him, and speaking of Weight - on pace for 80 pts. Even if he got 60-65, its more than anyone had last year.
Great read, as always BD. I really do feel that Comrie will be traded at one point or another throughout this season, just because they are playing significantly better without him in the line-up. To be honest, even if we are in a playoff position come the March 4th trade deadline, I hope the Islanders trade Comrie somewhere for whatever they can get, and I hope they refrain from bringing in a big name guy that will cost us players, prospects, and draft picks. Let the team work out what it has to this season, and bring back Weight and Guerin again for next season. I really do feel the two would sign on once more, and could be great mentors and contributors to next seasons team. If Sillinger and Comrie are both gone, that would leave Weight as a valuable center, barring a collapse where we get Tavares.
you could make the case that Weight and Guerin might just be this generation’s J.P. Parise and Jude Drouin…and if some of you commenters are too young to know who they were or why they were important to Islander history, take some time to look them up
In April of 2000 the Isles sported a team on a shoe-shring budget. Same exact thing in November of 2008. The ONLY reason the payroll is as ‘high’ as it is is because the league mandates it.
Eventually wins & losses, not payroll will matter in Islander Country….eventually.
Wang saved the Isles though. Charlie’s gotten more mileage outta that than he knows what do with.
Guerin, Weight, and Sillinger should stay the entire season - no matter the teams position.
These guys are excellent role models for NYI youth. If they want to be moved at the deadline, then I respect as a veteran they have that ability to talk with Snow about it.
However, it would be great to see this trio back again next season.
Agreed blitz. I would not want to lose Bill or Doug, and if Sillinger can have fun on the ice and be productive when he returns to the Isles line-up, that’s just a “win-win” situation.
I agree on Guerin, Weight & Sillinger keep them…but Comrie & tambellini are deadwood.
Oh well then, on to Plan B.
Tom - that’s an unfair statement regarding the payroll. Even before the league mandated that the “floor” be set at X amount, the Isles were, for several seasons prior, right in the middle of the pack with payroll. This regardless of the fact that the Isles hemorrhage money, and Wang wouldn’t be criticized by anyone if indeed he did try to drop some expensive contracts. But make no mistake, the Isles spend money now. This isn’t even close to the dark ages where Richie Pilon made $1M, and was deemed too expensive, or Zig was at around $4.5M in an extended deal, and it was too much. At that time, our payroll was what? $9 million? Please. We may have a ton of young guys now making little or nothing, but Wang has spent far beyond what we could reasonably expect him to.
The youngsters have to learn from somebody.
Not only skills, but a hockey thinking as well. Guerin, Weight, and Sillinger are the perfect factors for this. Plus they are having a much better season then we expected (Sillinger - not yet, but he will). Do you guys remember Guerin skating that fast in the last season. I don’t. Remember how many mistakes he had last season (bad passes on PP, costing turnovers and goals against). Not happening tis year. So, why would you even think to loose these three? Comrie - not so much…
Gordon should send the guys, who’s not keeping up, to the press box like other coaches do. We all have been proven that he can recall any player from Bridgeport to replace them. For example: Colliton fits right in.
I think many of you are missing the point. The idea is to buy low and sell high!
Garth Snow made good signings with Weight and Guerin, but in the big picture you want to deal these assets while they’re up in order to get the best return on your investment (Comrie at $4M is untradeable). I would look to get as high picks as possible or a young prospect. In their late 30s, they have more value for a “win-now” team, then to the Isles.
FYI - If Sillinger can prove he is healthy, many contenders will be interested in him for faceoffs alone.
Jerry -
Sorry, these three players have more value to the team as role models for long term development than a bunch of 2nd/3rd round picks that you would receive moving them.
Moreover, NYI would be trading a Captain -how many more Captains will NYI keep trading?
The Capt’s best friend who signed here for two reasons: (1) play with his best bud, (2) play gobs of minutes and play a key role on a team = FUN. Gee, I thought NYI had problems attracting players? Here, you have one that the team Capt. brought in.
Sillinger - signed with NYI for the stability that he lacked most of his career. He has been a solid trooper for this franchise. He moves around so much because he is valuable.
These three guys are IDEAL players for the Bailey’s, Nielsens, Campoli’s, etc. to learn from. Plus, NYI ice a somewhat competitive hockey time in the process.
A team needs skilled veterans to develop kids, not just throwing them out ala Milbury with Pyatt, Connolly, etc.
Stumpy I see what you are saying, BUT from a wins, losses & on ice product the team hasn’t moved all that much. Yes, Nolan did take the Isles to the playoffs 2 years ago, but Snow tore that playoff team apart for salary dumping…err, youth movement.
But I do agree, then & now is not exactly the same, BUT the similarities are a bit creepy.
I just read an interesting article about the state in which Ottawa is in.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081124.wspt_sens24/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home
It’s just interesting to see the ebb and flow at work. I have been one of Snow’s biggest critics… especially after the circus they created with firing Nolan. If he turns out to be the mad genius that not too many of us have given him credit for, I will be the first person to bite down hard… because that pain will be EASY to take.
Gordon’s system is entertaining. As noted earlier it is pretty tough to have anything left in the tank when you’re buzzing for 40 mins. The return to 4 capable defensemen has proven to be a huge help, now if they can put together 4 lines, you might be able to see 3 periods from this team.
So far, so good…
The situation with trading/releasing dead weight (not dead Weight) is a problem all throughout the league. There just isn’t enough first line talent to go around, and bareley enough second line talent to fill the gaps. This is defintiely playing in the Islanders’ favor, and if Snow has seen this before any of us… then it might be time for me (and those like me) to start pricing caps.
The team has some good young talent in the system. Some of the talent that has been in the system is starting to turn the corner (Nielsen/Hilbert/Bergenhiem) under Gordon’s system.
What happened in NJ was a travesty, but there’s no reason to give up on Gordon… even if he was wearing pink undies that night. I hope that he sat down with Guerin, Witt and some others and explained to them honestly why that happened. he doesn’t need to explain it to people like me… as long as he doesn’t lose the team because of it. But 59 seconds from fritz last night… They really could have lost that game 7-2 if Montreal could hit the open nets.
Note to Richard Park(my favorite Isle right now).. I have a piece of lumber in my garage that I have had since I was 13 (Carter Administration)… I still crack some fat slappers into some foam insulation…and it keeps on going… YOU NEED TO FIND A NEW STICK DEAL!!!
I would like to see Guerin and Weight come back next year. For cap purposes we could still send Comrie for someone else’s albatross contract and maybe a draft pick if the team is desperate for offense. For example, send Comrie to Chicago for the Bulin wall and a third round pick. JUST AN EXAMPLE-not saying the trade would happen (i’m not Eklund). We stay above the cap bottom and get rid of a player that doesn’t fit in the system and pick up a draft pick and Bulin is gone at year end.
i’d like 2 see Snow trade Comrie, Pock, Sim and any/all of next years picks (except the 1st round) for a guy like Gaborik, a player who makes alot to keep us above the ”floor”, who can put the puck in the net and bring more people to the games, and at the same time it would weed out some of the dead weight and also give more deserving players more ice time. and with the way our draft went last year i wouldnt mind trading our picks (except the 1st) as we seem to be pretty well stocked right now. also im not sayin Gaborik is the answer but him or someone like him could realy help bring this team up to the next level (even if he is a f/a this offseason)
CB: The hockeybuzz.com cap central has the Isles payroll at $47.5 mill. I see they count Sillinger and Comrie against it, while it’s not correct now it will be within weeks. I agree that Eklund is not a reliable source, but this part of his site seems to be trustworthy.
One thing I think we all agree on is that Snow shouldn’t trade for veteran help come trade deadline.
“Expect last night’s lineup tomorrow…”
With Frans down long term and Comrie and Sillinger not back yet, I’d rather see Walter - billed as more of a playmaker - filling that center role than Colliton.
Also, I’d rather see Comeau in the lineup and have Tambs sit for a few games…at least until Okposo comes back (when is that, by the way? Soon, I think).
I say this because we lost two “skill” players in Okposo and Neilson, but haven’t replaced them with anyone even approaching their level or style of play. I guess it’s worked out OK so far, but I just think we have enough “shutdown forwards” in the lineup already that we could replace Colliton with someone who can maybe help create some more offense.
And I get that there’s value in Fritz’s toughness, but then why not sit Tambs down for a few games to make room for Comeau? After showing some life and battling in the corners for a few games after the last benching, Tambs has really reverted back to pulling up when going for pucks. Watch the way he goes to the corners versus the way Bergy boxes opponents out when he goes to the corners. It’s painfully obvious. maybe watching from the press box will help him realize that.
UIF, i agree definatly sit Tambs a few games and bring up Comeau
I really want them to take a shot at Gaborik but I say why give up anything for a guy that is going to be a FA next year. With all the cap space they have next year they should be able to give him enough money for him to come to Islanders. He should love playing in this system especially coming from the trap happy Jacques Lemaire system.
318J1 - Who would take Pock in a trade? Why? The guy was on waivers. He’s a #7-8 defenseman. And we’re going to clear out our attic for a guy like Gaborik? The problem for us is that we don’t have the pieces, haven’t for a while, to make that trade. The Isles would trade their prospects for an in-their-prime player right now, so long as the guy is healthy and under a long-term contract. We’re just not going to go down the Ryan Smyth route again. I wasn’t against it at the time, noting that w/ a healthy DP, we could have made noise in the ‘07 playoffs. However, this team doesn’t need that kind of trade. But if you think trading our quantity for their quality will work, you’re crazy.
Very quick glance at NHL Numbers puts us at $48.9 million this year…where the heck are they getting that number from?
Readers: while there are several places on the web to get snapshot looks at salary cap figures, few if any deal in the real world. I stand by my thesis that the Islanders cannot blindly lose more than 4 mill in salary in a trade in the near future.
I also stand by my view that the Islanders - rebuilding and without an arena deal - are smart to have the payroll where it is. Charles Wang has lost enough…CB
Come on Stumpy, stop being a shill for Wang as Tom is correct about the minimum payroll being reached just because the NHL mandates it. Weight was signed just so NYI could reach the cap minimum. You’re talking about prior seasons but we’re talking about this season. Damn, Wang wouldn’t even spend to get the team on a radio station that can be heard clearly in the arena’s parking lot or 20 miles from where they play. That says it all.
Just sayin…
I was listening to a clear reception of the game last night in my car in Port Jefferson. I think that’s about 60 miles from where they play. Still haven’t had a problem this season getting games on the radio. I must be in the minority on this.
Remember that Yashin’s buy-out is costing us 2.2 million of cap money through 2014.
I was scanning down ready to write - why are people questioning the figures provided by someone “in the know” and with the sources to get the best probable guesstimate vs. random websites that use PUBLIC information to determine their numbers?
Good work here CB. Commenters should have the respect that CB has the BEST info available.
Stumpy32 - your right Pock is worthless (he was just a throw-in) but if we could trade Comrie, Sim and our 2nd & 3rd rd picks for Gaborik or someone like him i woud be all for it! we have some dead weight to get rid of, alot of good prospects from last years draft, and we need a real goal scorer!
what is the penalty for going UNDER the floor? The more precious commodity to the Islanders is time.
Comrie has been playing hurt. If he comes back healthy in a few months he might make himself somewhat valuable on the UFA market, but nobody is going to give up anything for a $4M center that can’t skate and avoids contact… He has almost no value to the Islanders unless they are in contention and he comes back late, playing well.
Weight and Guerin are keeping the team afloat at this point. I can’t see either of them going anywhere… and maybe even getting one more year… especially if Weight eclipses 70 points.
Nielsen was well on his way to showing that he could be a viable option as a second line center, and Bailey isn’t too far behind. With Park and Hilbert (never mind Walter and Thompson) this team has 10 NHL possible centers in the system. I can’t see any reason for Comrie or Sillinger to get much time in the second half… no matter how well they play.
If Salary is that much of an issue then I’d send Comrie, Marty, a goalie and a first rounder to the Sens for Alfredson…
and then turn around and sign him for $9M/Yr for ten years…
(I’d have said Heatley, but there would have been too many people who didn’t get my sarcasm).
blitz…personally, if you read my post, I was questioning the “random website’s” figure, not CB’s. Questions lead to answers…
UIF - my post referenced “commenters” - not directed at anyone in particular. There was more than one reference that highlighted a contradiction in numbers.
No webite that is supported by the league has the daily numbers for the cap. All sites are using public information that most likely does not have the accurate data to properly track and identify the correct totals used by the league to determine compliance with the Cap - bottom and top.
To even consider getting a guy like Gaborik..Okposo, Bailey or the 1st round pick will have to be included, if not two of the three
“There was more than one reference that highlighted a contradiction in numbers.”
Yep, I know. I kind of wondered why I felt the need to defend myself after I hit “submit,” haha.
i would include the 1st rd pick (along with Comrie & Sim & another pick/player) if were not in the running for the 1st or 2nd overall and if Gaborik would agree to sign an extention..that would be worth it!
I’m sorry CB. Didn’t mean to shoot down your number or anything, I was merely pointing to a web page that lists the Isles cap number at $47.8 mill. As I went through the numbers myself I can’t understand how they end up at that number. With a realistic active roster I ended up around $44 mill, withdraw bonuses (that doesn’t count yet?) and you end up with about $42-43.
Apparently hockeybuzz.com can’t be trusted for cap numbers either. Thank god Gallof is on that page so I still have a reason to click another hockey page instead of reading for finals…
CB- when you say “Wang has lost enough” are you talking about games or money?
IF you were talking about money are you saying that the Milsteins ‘without an arena deal” in place were right to keep payroll low? We were told, w/good ownership the Isles will win. Now were told a ‘good arena’ is what it takes to win. Which is what the Milsteins said 10 years ago. Somethin’ stinks in Uniondale. I like Charlie, he seems like a sweet guy, but he ain’t all of that & a bag of chips as far as I’m concerned. WINNING GAMES. It’s all that matters. If don’t win, YOU STINK. Reagrdless of how the Isles carry themselves, they play in the NHL & they call themselves “NY” it’s right in their emblem. Play to win or move. This is the big boy league.
TP - Trust me, I’m no shill for Wang. However, we need to look at a lot of this through reality glasses. As to the radio station, who the hell will put us on? I loved us on 1050, but once the big city Rangers came calling, we were thrown out like bad meat. 1130 was an incredible fallback - nonsports station, but far better signal anywhere. But, again, it wasn’t worth it to them to waste space w/ us. We’re just not a draw - hell, few hockey teams are. It’s a joke that we’re on a station that can’t be heard in the Coliseum parking lot (reminds me of the old days of WPAT 930 from Westchester doing our games), but its really no fault of the Islanders. Good luck finding a station that will take us. That’s not Wang, that’s not incompetence, that’s just reality. We’re not a real solid marketable product right now.
As to the payroll, I can’t expect Wang to blow through money because we want him to. I’d love to have a team of all-stars - or better yet, one all-star - however, its not happening because, like the radio, no one wants to play for us. Wang saved the Islanders, and frankly, is the most credible owner we’ve ever had. Boe was bankrupt, Pickett saved us for a few years then ran down to Florida, checkbook in tow, the “Gang of 4,” Spano, Mil-Gluck, its been a revolting history of ownership. Wang is credible. He has money. And seemingly wants to make Long Island work. I can’t fault the guy if he only wants to lose $20M a year rather than $30M. He’s clearly in way too deep in the hockey operations, and that picture of him and Snow at the Draft scared the living crap out of me, but he’s a damn good owner in a market that both hasn’t ever seen one and may not exist if not for him.
Stumpy I agree with a lot of what you are saying…BUT as an NHL owner; from a FAN’S POV you have to judge him/them on wins & losses. Good ownership WINS hockey games. Everything else is just so PR people can kiss their boss’ ass & write something ‘nice’. That’s PR nonsense. WINNING, everything else is PR. PR never won a hockey game, EVER. You are saying what the Isles said for years…here we are 10 years later, the PR hasn’t changed. New fans, news losses, same PR…and same ‘ol Islanders.
Gaborik is an inconsistent player and the team doesn’t need those types.
No more giving up draft picks unless the player coming back is a bonafide young star.
The Islanders must think longterm here. What is going to accelerate the team the fastest? What is going to help them win more games, sell more tickets, gain more national exposure and help them get an arena?
The answer is adding a potential franchise player like Tavares or Hedman. Pitt was gone before they won (NHL arranged) the lotto and got Sid Crosby. Only after that was the city of Pits willing to do what was necessary (gambling and other things) to clear the way for it.
If the Isles can add a Tavares of Hedman to their already increasing stable of young talent the accelerate the plan.
It is tough because we are all enjoying the wins but when they can the Isles need to move our almost if not all of the players who for reasons of contracts, size, skill, attitude whatever don’t fit into the longterm plans and Gordon’s system.
It may make this year tougher to watch but by next year will have paid off big time.
Tom - After years of being an Isles fan, I feel, as I’m sure you do, like the league is 29 + 1, the “1″ being us. I think we’re in an unusual situation that doesn’t exist for any other team. Our market is different, our arena is different, and we’ve suffered from more mismanagement than any of the other 29 teams combined (excluding maybe Buffalo w/ Rigas, Tampa with whatever the hell is going on down there, and Pitt pre-Lemieux). Our arena sucks - I love, LOVE the Coliseum. However, it is a huge reason why we’re a middling team, and will continue to be. Our market sucks - every other team in the league has a large area in which to get fans. Jersey has the same problem, probably worse than us, but their management is far better, and their arena is new. Either way, find me another market in the NHL where a team must pull from a smaller area for their fans. Even the smallest Canadian markets - Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa - have a huge area to pull from, and plus, their from Canada. We have a huge task at hand, and I think it contributes to whether we win or lose. Certainly, if we had the Devils management, I think we’d win no matter what the issue. But I’d go so far as to say that in 90% of the cases, we’re what we are. Until the situation changes, its going to be difficult to go anywhere that far up. I mean, look at our two most recent teams that we’d consider “solid” - 1993 and 2002. Even those teams were, clearly, a little above average, nothing more.
I want to blame Wang for wins and losses, I really do. And I do blame him for hiring a guy without any executive experience to be GM, and anything stupid that Snow does reflects poorly on Wang. Absolutely, no question. However, to call his ownership anything less than a boon to our franchise is wrong. Do you remember how ridiculous we were a decade ago? Falling scoreboards, 3K in the building, threats to play home games at the Garden or in Philly, taking down the banners, letting Ziggy, Linden, and Jonsson sit out w/ contract disputes until the first game (Palffy well after that)? Wang brought immediate credibility, and an influx of cash, to the franchise. Milstein and Gluckstern run rings around Wang in liquid capital, but they refused to spend a cent until SMG got out, or some real estate deal went through (sound familiar?). I applaud Wang for putting money in that he knows he’ll never see again. That’s rare - even Steinbrenner, who puts a ton of money into the Yankees, and always has, knows the money will come back to him. Wang never expects it. I wish we were like every other franchise…and hopefully, we will be soon, but right now, the situation as it exists doesn’t allow for it.
All of this acquiring Gaborik talk is absurd. I want you to remember a strapping young man known as Ryan Smyth. I am pretty sure none of us want to go down that road again, and I’m sure Garth Snow won’t do that again. What I will say is this: Garth is more than likely going to make a pitch for Marian Gaborik and Marian Hossa, both of whom are best friends and want to play together. Imagine how nice it would be to read that Hossa and Gaborik sign on July 1st to the NYI for 6 years at $6.5 Million each! God, I need to stop dreaming…but it feels so good!
Wang saved the franchise (on Long Island), and he’s the american dream… but he needed to spend some of those millions getting out of the lease and moving the team somewhere that people can get to… NOT WANG WORLD.
When you put all your eggs in one basket…
A winner will not bring financial success. the only way Wang succeeds is if he can develop the parking lot. So why keep throwing good money after bad. If they won the cup this year they’d still average around 14k… That’s 60% capacity of a REAL NHL franchise that gets parking and concession money.
He can’t make any money unless he makes condos and god knows what.
I guess some times it’s good to be stubborn… and sometimes… NOT SO MUCH!
Justin - I’d love to see those guys play for the Isles…BUT Snow himself said until a new arena is built he can’t sign good players. Remebr that’s what Snow said during the mass exodus of July 1, 2006. Hopefully he was lying.
okay so what about Comrie and Sim for Eric Nystrom! and a pick? i would love to see Eric Nystrom on the Islanders, and it just feels wrong that he plays for a differnt team. like most of us i dont get to see much of him but last year he was an animal vs the rangers and he looked like the perfect type of player for the overspeed system. even if he is only a 3rd liner he would make things a bit more interesting.
I really appreciate Bobby Nystrom and am thankful for what he has done for the organization. If a former Isles player has a son who is really talented and we can grab him then I say do it but Eric Nystrom is just not that good. We have numerous better wingers who will be needing a spot in the past 2-3 years. Isles must take the assets they have and get assets they need.
I think Gordon’s system could be helpful in attracting free agents. Leaving the arena out of it, if you were an offensive player, whose system would you rather play in? Nolan’s or Gordon’s?
Strummer is right on re: Gaborik. He would be just another player who would be injured half the time. Going into playoffs you would have to expect he would be missing. Also, he plays like a Wuss.
Are there any rankings out there that actually look at the Islanders and give us current information about the team? Do the Islanders not exist in the NHL these days? This is the only site that has viable news and information about the team I root for. Thanks CB without this site we as Islander Fans would have close to nothing.(Greg Logan and the Blog Box gets an honorable mention)
I am tempted to sarcastically debunk all of these fantastic trade proposals, but I will restrain myself.
It seems to me that there is at least one (maybe two) easy solution to this salary floor problem? The Isles could trade a vet for a good pick/prospect, and agree to take back a similarly-paid underachiever from the other team (as long as the contract was expiring). Also, if they needed to, couldn’t they just agree to keep paying some of the departing player’s salary if they needed it on their books?
Winning is nice, but drafting a franchise player is nicer. C’mon Isles, stop winning games! Nobody wants to see a .500 team comprised marginal prospects and castaways. We need a gate attraction, desperately. We need a top-2 pick.
Let me clarify- winning just enough games to stay out of the league basement is nice, but a franchise player is nicer.
As to the lineup comment you made, any update on Okposo? Injury was a week from yesterday. Any chance he returns to the lineup tomorrow, Friday, or Saturday?
Orig Rob,
we have a franchise player, his name is Kirill Petrov. we just won’t see him in 2 years.
one more thing rob;
nothing would make me happier than to see marginal prospects and castaways (NY Misfits) rely on each other to beat better teams with better individual players. If this team gets 8th and we’re beat in 4 games, then you’re right. If this team makes the 8th spot and goes to 7 games (and lose) you’re half right. But if this team makes it at Xth place and turns to have a DECENT playoff run (7 games or even more), I’ll be crapping cupcakes and smiles all summer.
Stumpy, looks like ya got Wang/NYI glasses on, not reality ones. 1130 would’ve put NYI on but Wang/Dey didn’t want to pay for it. NYI didn’t want to pay the going price for ANY strong station. That’s cheap.
As for the payroll, there’s a big difference between a team of All-Stars at the cap max and being at the cap minimum (or 2m above) as CB states. They could be in the middle and they’re not.
I don’t believe Wang loses $20m a year. The Forbes article says Wang loses $10m
a year and with creative accounting it’s probably lower than that. Nobody would lose that much money even with the dream of the Lighthouse project gold at the end of the rainbow.
Comparing him to past Isles owners isn’t saying much. Someone who kept Milbury too long, hired an inexperienced backup goalie GM, hired a son-in-law marketer, has a cap minimum payroll and whose team’s games can’t be heard clearly on the radio isn’t credible.
Wow, what happened to the tiny little blog with 7-10 comments each day back in September? It took me all day (between things at work) to catch up, go Botta!
Stumpy32, loved your post and I share your general feeling regarding Wang. I have no problem with him wanting to lose 20 mil vs 30 mil per year, and we obviously don’t have the worst talent in the NHL.
I may have missed it but I think it was JP in VA who asked the question that was on my mind and I don’t recall seeing an answer.
So again,,,what is the penalty for going UNDER the cap floor? Is there one? If you go under for just a few days is there a different penalty? Anyone know?
Will okposo be back tommorow
The penalty is probably subject to the disgression of the NHL Commissioner or VP of Operations… So If you’re $100K under the cap, and your team name starts with an “I” and rhymes with spylanders there is a $5M fine.
Why can’t Kevin Connolly get Ari and Vinny Chase to buy the team. I’m sure Ari could afford $40M…
Did anybody catch the shameless Islander plug Commoly negotiated for the season finale. GREAT STUFF… we’re still alive!
VIVA ENTOURAGE!!!
I’m from Nassau and now live in Manhattan, and I haven’t been able to get one game this year on the radio, not even in the few times that I’vre tried to listen while in Queens - maybe 15 miles from the Coliseum. THank god for the online radio for those who don’t have MSG. And another thing: Steve Mears is below average. Anyone else remember how awesome John Weideman was at calling the games on the radio? I used to prefer the radio broadcast over the TV when he was doing the games…
nhlnumbers.com and nhlscap.com are both pretty reputable and list Isles cap hit (including Yashin and Bates) at about $48M. Trading Comrie for a pick shouldn’t be a problem money-wise.
I was at the news conference when Charles and Sanjay (remember him?) bought the team. Charles told a group of us that he viewed having a pro sports team in a community the same way he viewed having a symphony orchestra, art museum, etc. — as a cultural resource that made the community a better place and helped lure more/brighter/richer people. To his credit, he has endured some losses (though the $20M figure isn’t credible and his accountants can do tricks, plus the depreciation helped mitigate taxes on his other assets).
Charles has made two major mistakes: keeping Milbury for as long as he did, and firing Neil Smith because Neil wanted to run the operation like a normal GM (and have the power that, apparently, Garth Snow has now). Neil, unlike most NHL execs, desperately wanted that job more than anything … and did a tremendous job (Witt, Sillinger, Okposo) in six weeks.
Snow’s track record is mixed. The Smyth trade was a risk that didn’t really pan out, largely because of Ricky’s injury. He got lucky when Smyth took the money fron the Avs (Colorado should be kicking itself over that one!). Blake also took the money from somewhere else and hasn’t produced (think he’d like to come back to the Island, where the fans loved him and forgave him when he screwed up). Snow has done a good job of getting support players and young players signed to manageable contracts (Park, Martinek, Nielsen, Hunter, etc.) Ricky’s deal is too long, but the money isn’t bad. The whole thing now depends on his health.
The Isles have to let Bailey go back to juniors. Can he play in the NHL now? Sure he can. Should he? Noooooo! They can’t be seduced by their little run of success. Sillinger will be coming back; when he does, Bailey has to go. Keeping him would be a waste of a season.
The big question now is the arena. If it doesn’t happen, expect the Isles to move further out (Charles won’t want to lose that TV deal, and he’d never get anything like it anywhere else). Brooklyn won’t be built; Western Suffolk wouldn’t be bad. Watch for Charles to make a push for the Nets after Ratner decides he won’t get his Brooklyn complex built. Charles is a hoops guy anyway, and owning both teams gives him a lot more leverage.
rb:
I’m old enough to remember the Isles getting JP Parise and Jude Drouin. Those two hungry vets really were key peices of the puzzle just when this franchize was beginning to turn the corner toward credibility. Thanks for the memory!
Wow, nobody answered the question. Chris, do you know? What is the penalty for going below the cap floor??
Hmmm, maybe there really IS no penalty! Maybe its one of those things where they SAID you can’t go under, and no one QUESTIONED it. And now they are sitting there laughing, thinking “We can say whatever we want! We can say it’s a 5 game suspension for the whole team if they go under! We can say the team that goes under has to immediately pass 3 players starting in alphabetical order to the team just below them in the standings! HAHAHAHAHA!”
I guess I’l start looking in the NHL rulebook, see if the answer is there. But if anyone knows, please tell us…..
Incidently, JP you had me in a cold sweat with that post at first but thanks for the laugh!
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