FLORIDA AT ISLANDERS, 2:05 pm; Fritz waived
Trevor in, Silli out…If I had a rumors blog
UPDATED 1:55 pm - The Mitchell Fritz experiment appears to be over. The Islanders have placed the 6-8 enforcer on waivers with the intention of sending him to Bridgeport when he clears.
Trent Hunter out with general body soreness, aka general BS. I think Teddy and I were the first to make that one up!
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10:25 am - As they say, injuries lead to opportunities. Are you sitting down? We’ll start with the good stuff and work our way down.
Trevor Smith will make his NHL debut today when the Islanders host the Panthers at 2:05 at the NVMC.
Yann Danis recalled from Bridgeport on an emergency basis. No word from the Islanders who Danis is sitting in for today, although our money is on Rick DiPietro.
Mike Sillinger has been placed on IR. What makes this extra-sad is this time it’s a hip injury.
If Trent Hunter can’t go (a likely scenario), expect Jon Sim in his place. You can probably also count on Sean Bergenheim’s release from the doghouse and Mitch Fritz sitting this one out.
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Who knows what lies ahead for Point Blank beyond this season, but one thing’s for sure: I should have started a trade rumors blog.
And if I had a trade rumors blog, you could be sure it would be loaded with Islanders trade rumors. Why? Because the franchise may be, ya know, struggling, but the intensity of Islanders fans on the information superhighway is extraordinary. All you have to do is look at the Visit numbers on this little jeans-and-laptop operation to understand the ferocity of fans of the Orange and Blue.
If I had a trade rumors blog, I’d drudge up some Islanders crap at least once a week. I’d talk about the Islanders getting Cam Barker plus sweeteners for hipster Mike Comrie. (Can’t believe Snow didn’t push for the other Toews).
Then I’d follow it up with a beaut about the Los Angeles Kings trading Dustin Brown to the Islanders. The Islanders fans who still believed my creative writing would freak and link my story all over the place. The Kings fans might wonder why Dean Lombardi would trade their young captain, but it’s all in good fun!
And for the holiday hat trick, I will pound home the rumor of the Islanders making the best offer to obtain Marian Gaborik. Oh man, the buzz will be off the charts.
Okay, you get my point. Here’s the deal, friends. I spoke yesterday with impeccable front office sources in Uniondale and in Minnesota. The Islanders are not the front-runners to acquire Marian Gaborik.
How do I know this? Because both sources made it blunty clear there hasn’t been a single discussion between Garth Snow and Doug Risebrough about Gaborik since an initial, brief fact-finding chat. The Islanders are not even a little bit interested in Gaborik at his and the Wild’s pricetag, and the world-class sniper’s injury history. The Wild are realistic enough to know the Islanders are not parting with Kyle Okposo, plus, plus. There is no offer from the Islanders. There never was an offer.
Just about everything over there is all fiction, folks. To some, it’s very entertaining stuff. Enjoy it, but I’ll ask one last time: please spare me.
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As the Islanders get ready to face Caber and the Florida Panthers in today’s matinee, and my kids get pumped to see all the Marvel Comics dudes, if there’s any news on goalers, Trent Hunter or any other roster moves, I’ll drop it in this space. Enjoy the game, and have fun and be safe tonight.
Comments.
74 Responses to FLORIDA AT ISLANDERS, 2:05 pm; Fritz waived
Trevor in, Silli out…If I had a rumors blog
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kevin says:
YES trevor smith! ive been wanting to see him play. COME ON SILLI YOUR VALUE IS GOING DOWN! jk lol. yeah ek is getting more and more riduculous .may not be able to go to game becuase of this ice storm thingy
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mrlbem says:
“Who knows what lies ahead for Point Blank beyond this season?”
Come on. We persuaded you to keep this blog going once before and I’m sure Point Blank Nation will plead for you to keep it going next year and beyond. Speaking of which, Happy New Year to you and yours, Chris. We’d all go crazy without this blog to channel our Islanders angst.
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Pat says:
Just say no to Gaborik. Any player who I would want to build a team around in the NHL is not going anywhere – and those who are available are available for a reason. ( that said – only Kovalchuk – only him – would be the one that I would *consider*. Ovechkin is not available…)
When did Silli get hurt ?
Please shut down DP for rest of the year.
Mazel Tov to Trevor Smith and hope you light the lamp in your first NHL game ! I will be there to witness it !
FLA does not have any pure goons that I can tell – so its a good game to sit Fritz. I am starting to fall off his “bandwagon” – if he does dress – he has to MANHANDLE guys like Colton Orr. As the season moves on – would love to see a guy like Micheal Haley get a shot – especially if its against the Rag$ or Cryers. He can add a certain energy – more like Webb than Fritz.
Happy New Year Chris ! Enjoy the game with your kids !
Pat
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only brashear and laraque manhandled orr because it barely happens
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Chris, your blog is first rate. Don’t give up on us! Heah, Snow or Wang! Are you listening, you guys should be paying this man for the work he does in the background for keeping us informed and keeping us passionate about the organization. Can you put a price on that type of skill?
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Dmarie says:
Good Post C and as usual I love the humor..it’s always a pleasure reading this blog, why do you make it seem as though you may not be blogging next year or so? Hockey isn’t going anywhere..and so neither are you, Mr C, unless you got a trade offer for something better..lol! just kidding wit ya..hehe!
Happy Healthy New Year Everyone! Have a good night, be safe with this weather please! no boo-boos -
Mike from Oceanside says:
Hey CB – I’ll first request that you keep the blog going. I truly hope so. In the event that you decide not to do it after the season, I’d like you to consider your next blog to be centered around Van Halen. God knows that getting any information out of the Van Halen camp is like drawing blood from a stone. LOL
Have a Happy New Year…
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On Edge says:
What a bummer for a class act like Sillinger. A set back on his hip has got to be tough on him.
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michael says:
1. i’m SO HAPPY to see trevor smith in the line up. its about time we saw another #77 on the ice! if i was at my moms house id find my pierre turgeon jersey and wear it for the game today!
2. chris.. i dont even wanna think about this blog not being around next year. i haven’t checked nyi.com in AGES this is my official site of the new york islanders. you can’t take it away from us!
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Sadly, I think this is how Sillie is going to play his last year as an Islander… play a game or two, be out. Play a game, skip a game, play a game, then be out. Ill take him on ice whenever he can play, because he is a fine player and a great guy.On a brighter note, Im psyched to see Trevor Smith play here.
And hearing that the Gaborik stuff is BS as I figured it was is definitely good news.
As far as your “I dont know about next year” stuff, dont even go there Mr Botta! You cant give us something this great and then tease us with taking it away lol!
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jon says:
what’s amazing is with the constant BUZZ about transactions, there are HARDLY ANY THAT ARE ACTUALLY CONSUMMATED before the deadline.
YET, I’m part of the guilty/curious one who periodically get buzzed!
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AZS says:
1) Glad to see Trevor Smith up…certainly deserved …seems like a good signing by Snow (he signed him out of college)…I’m curious what line he’ll be on, and how much time he’ll recieve
2) Silli seems like a good guy, but the youth has been showing signs of life and I’d rather see them play
3) Obviously I hope DP is ok, because he’s our franchise goalie and really makes a difference for the team, but I hope he’s out for a while this year only to help ensure the Isles keep losing …rest him until he’s 100% ready to go and not a second sooner …
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Brian From Jersey says:
HOLD ON…. Chris isn’t getting paid for this??? Garth should sign you to a hefty 15 year deal.. this blog kicks ars… Happy New Year Point Blank!
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Chris A says:
Shame for Silli after scoring against the Rags the other night but lets see if Smith can perform in the NHL
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Macch says:
CB I love the smack down you lay on EKlund, hockeys biggest liar… Hope Trevor Smith shows us something, although i’m sure hes not going to see a big role, just think it would be a bit of a blow for Isles fans to see him go down the Tamby path
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Congratulations to Trevor Smith. It will be nice to root for him instead of in my college days when I watched him out-and-out terrorize my team on a regular basis.
As for Sillinger, it may simply be that he’s finished as an NHL player. Those hip injuries can be very difficult, especially for someone his age. If he can’t come back at the highest level, I hope he retires and takes a job as an assistant coach with the Islanders. We still have a lot of young centers to mentor.
Let’s get 2 today and close out 2008 right.
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Jon #2 says:
Time for Snow to throw on the pads.
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BITE YOUR TONGUE Mr. Botta. Not having PointBlank around will truly be a void in all our lives. How many unique readers are there? Do you really want to hurt so many? Please get that thought out of your mind and on to todays game and your next fantastic article. If Wanger’s not paying you, here’s an idea. Put together a collection of stories from the past. Either about trades, working with Milbury, the beginning of your tenure, etc. and write an ebook, or several ebooks. No publishing costs, and sell it, $10 a piece. I’m sure it’ll be worth it.
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Brett says:
Excellent blog. You are 100% right about Eklund though, 99 out of 100 times hes wrong. This website will continue to gain popularity as more people become interested.
I look forward to watching Trevor Smith in his opening debut today.
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thepolishprince says:
NY Isles won’t pay CB because they know that nobody will visit the NYI site anymore ’cause this blog kicks serious ***! I haven’t logged onto NYI dot com in like 3 months. Please Chris keep the good times rollin’!
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Dallas Mac says:
You mean to tell me Eklund makes his stuff up? Man! I thought we were getting Gaborik for Sim, Pock and a 7th rounder. The dream is over.
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Mike from Queens says:
I find it interesting that CB has an obvious disdain for Eklund, but Gallof guests on this site every now and then. Eklund and Gallof share space over at hockeybuzz, and I would expect that relationship to get all complicated when CB rips Eklund. I guess there’s not much of a relationship at all between Ek and BD, and all they are sharing is space on the same site.
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Great Blog and Happy New Year to you and yours CB. Maybe you could setup a school for training bloggers on how to do it the right as a new source of income. I can see it now in bright lights on Times Square “Chris Botta first multi million dollar Blogger” gee-gee-gee, Great job Chris.
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Shoe says:
Chris
This blog is definitely the best hockey site ANYWHERE. Even if you decide not to continue it as a profession (I can’t even pretend to have any idea how the economics of this site works and if it is profitable enough monetarily), I hope you do at least continue it as a side-project. An update just on rumors you hear would certainly be better than nothing.
You also could challenge eklund and do this for the entire nhl. You certainly have better sources, you have the guts to put your name to it and you are certainly a far more talented writer.
On a related note, just one vote not to legitimize that site by having an employee take over your blog while you are away. His work, frankly, stinks and he has made whatever career he has by copying whatever you and greg logan write first.
C’mon CB, don’t be so naive
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Akeem says:
Why do you think Trevor Smith got the call over Iggulden?
Also, I wouldn’t say I’m there yet, but in about 4 weeks or so, if he hasn’t established himself as consistently able to be in the lineup, I say shut down DP for the season. He’s too valuable to us, as seen from the recently uneven performence of Joey Mac, to further injure himself. Sit down, get strong healthy and durable, and come back next season with Tavares as we make a run for the playoffs… -
Also, this blog is OBVIOUSLY not a licensed NHL blog. Notice how the Islanders logo appears NOWHERE on the entire site…I assume, CB, you’re not allowed to use it.
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James says:
Chris Botta and Billy Jaffe to the NY Rangers for Scott Gomez (e3). Florida and a West Coast team possibly involved. Could this be another Jay Bo domino? Stay tuned…
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TuxTax says:
Ummmm, what the heck happened this past week with this team? Did the whole team unanimously agree to spend time on IR this season? Maybe Charles should add a Hospital to the Lighthouse Plan…
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JP39 says:
Chris, this site is probably the best thing that has happened to us die-hard Islander fans throughout all of 2008. Although I still do access the “official” Isles site on a daily basis, this site is what I rely on for my pertinent Isles info hour by hour. I can only hope and pray that it stays in-tact not only for next season, but for many seasons (and off-seasons) to come. Thanks for everything, and a very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family!
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Tux, who (of note) HASN’T been injured this season!?
Guerin, Streit, Bergenheim, Park – anyone else of importance? -
mm30 says:
Iggulden is not a prospect…Smith has been the best Sound Tiger this year.
The funny thing is I would pay to read a Chris Botta blog because it is insightful and genuine…the people that pay for Eklunds blog are suckers.
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Strummer's Army says:
I stopped going to the Blog full of BS last year.I do hear updates hear and what not and most of it makes zero sense.
Glad Smith got a call up tonight. I’d still like to see Fritz play as FL has Tarnasky.
Would really like to have some healthy players and goalies. It just seems like the team is destined to have the first pick (THANK YOU GOD!)kinda no pain no gain thing.
Watching highlights from an old winter classic in EDM. I thought to myself, why wouldn’t the NHL who constantly claims they would like to grow the game in America not be showcasing more of the best American players? Why not have numerous Winter Classics going on for about a week? The Isles boast DiPietro, Okposo, Guerin, and Weight. I am sure other teams have a nice core of Americans too.
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roflcopter says:
this just in from a reliable source…Okposo and the islanders next 3 first rounders to Dallas for the rights to Brett Hull(e4)
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Travelchic59 says:
A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours, CB.
This site is the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I read at nite. I hope you will continue to blog after this season. As I’ve mentioned before, your writing is insightful and honest. What would we Isles faithful do without you? I don’t want to think about it.
Enjoy the game today. I will be in my usual seat in section 302.
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Congrats to Trevor Smith. May he get his first NHL Goal in his first NHL game (which will sadly make Bailey feel somewhat inadequate.)
Happy New Year all. Drive safe. See you in ’09!
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Marc says:
JP39 (30 above)… No “probably” about it.
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heyheyhey says:
Trevor Smith, Billy Smith and Amber Smith (WOW) for an 8th rounder in 2012.
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Pete M says:
Why in Gods name is there an afternoon game today? The NHL knows that this isn’t the holiday, don’t they? This is just blame stupid. And now with the weather being lousy the Coliseum is going to be a ghost town. What a shame.
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Big Dog says:
Chris:
Sell some banner advertising, brother! This isn’t the USSR – get paid for your good work! -
Peter DeBenedetto says:
Smith….a Hunter type with a better scoring touch?????
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Willis says:
Sad news about Sillinger. It sort of makes his goal a bit sweeter knowing he might be fighting an unwinnable battle with the hip.
Who knows where any of us will be next year. Hopefully right here but I guess we’ll just have to “wait” and see.
Happy New Year everybody! Be safe y’all, we Isles fans need to keep our numbers up! -
MJS says:
I’m not going to disagree with CB, but I’m not really going to agree either. I think Ek, at least by now, has developed a few credible sources within the NHL. So, when he puts up a post it may very well have something to it. The thing is, when he gets some information he spins it to make it a little sexier. He’s like a guy that tried to get into my fraternity in college who would lie about himself for no reason in particular. With him it was pathological, with Ek it may just be business. Either way, whether you want to say Eklund’s website is full of lies or fiction his posts are probably based on some kind of fact… just not the ones that he actually “heard.”
Anyways, keep up the good work CB. This site is one that I check before and after just about every game. If you needed to get paid to keep it going advertising would be fine with me (just no pop-ups or autoplay videos please!).
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isles72 says:
is gallof still going to send you a xmas card after basically calling out his buddy eklund ?
gallof is a great writer and I would really like to see cbotts and him keep all their material right here
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It’s a very simple formula. My good friend BD is probably the best team blogger they have over on Hockeybuzz and, since he’s so good, he attracts lots of Isles fans to the site. As BD established himself, I noticed the number of Islanders “rumors” skyrocketing. I remember we almost got Patrice Bergeron, Dustin Brown, Ed Jovanovski, etc etc etc, all since more Islander fans started going to the site. It’s easy enough – more Islander fans means Eklund is trying to give the audience what he thinks it wants. He probably makes that stuff up, but who cares? I go to the site for BD’s Islanders coverage and read the “rumors” when I need a laugh.
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MT says:
Why not just send Fritz down?
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Doug F. says:
I always wondered why a GM would ever give any solid information to a blogger like Eklund on an upcoming trade. However, you have to give him credit for making a living being a blogger.
In regards to Weight if they decide to keep him next year the centers could be Weight, Taveres (if they draft him), Neilson and Bailey. Do you really want Bailey to be a 4th line center?
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Steve says:
Trevor Smith is playing! That’s awesome UNH alum represent! Hope he gets his first goal wish I was there to see it first hand
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hey, anybody know of a link where I can watch the game at work on the computer? The one I have isn’t working.
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why put him on waivers? he has a 2 way i thought. are they trying to get rid of him? i liked us having a heavy for once.
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My official take on that stuff is I stay out of the rumor stuff. Just as I stay out of any criticism pointed Eks way. Just as well as I stay out of Botta’s way if he should choose to criticize. I do my thing…and that is what I focus on.
Hpapy New Years folks!
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Joe says:
Yay, lets go play tough western teams with our softiest *yawn*.
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EdTurner says:
Always a pleasure to get to listen to Jiggs call a game.
He is GREAT!
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that was friggin b-e-a-utiful. that line is beast
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Swan says:
Bailey is the 4th best center on the team right now. That is before getting Taveres. If he is the 4th best center, he should be on the 4th line.
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comrie again. im happy being the only defender of comrie before that line got on a hot streak
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what a goal! bergie got a great goal after a great move.
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3-1 go Isles!
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IslesFan in Bkny says:
I said it before, sign Comrie if he’s willing to sign here. DuffMan is the man.
What a goal by Sean B. B is for the Beast!!! Sim is a waste of a roster spot,send him down to BP and keep Smith here, guy looks great so far.
Happy and Healthy everybody!!!!! IslesFans forever… -
Islander505 says:
Kevin, I am not ready to get off of Comrie’s case.
Yes, this line is outstanding right now.
Putting up some prime time points.Comrie still has the softest shot in the league, in my opinion is one of the worst passing centers I have EVER seen, and just comes across as being too lazy at times.
I WOULD LOVE to be wrong.
I would still rather see Bailey with Comeau/KO.
Ask yourself this question….Is Comrie making KO and Comeau look good over the last 4-5 games, or are KO and Comeau making Comorie look good over the last 4-5 games?
Trevor Smith….I wanna see more of him…no judgement either way yet.
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i think they are all playing good but if i had to pcik who is doing from best to worst it would be comrie-okposo-comeau
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Why the hell would they put Fritz on waivers? Is it because they need a spot for the worst player in the NHL Jon Sim? I HATE WATCHING SIM PLAY! He is only playing because of Snow trying to manage the roster. Smith, Collitton, Fritz, and Walter are all WAY MORE deserving of the roster spot. This guy Sim was waived and he still gets PP time. What a joke. Watch someone is going to claim Fritz and then we’ll have to go back to watching the Isles get their butt’s kicked again.
Okposo is playing great!
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Maybe they waived Fritz because we will be getting a new and better enforcer soon to take his place????
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Randy Boyd says:
Its 3 to 1 as I write this. Gordon should be fired. He can not get this team to play three periods of hockey. He is not a competent coach.
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Three goal deficit with 6 minutes left in the 3rd???
Has Florida got us right where they want us?
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alan says:
CAN THEY HOLD ON!?!? Finally a good game!!!
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Comrie first star how funny is that. Yeah he is so happy to be playing with them lol!
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Nice win! My beef with Go-Go… Why didn’t he put Comrie and Weight on ice when Panthers pull their goalie out? Go Isles!!! Go-Go get a tutor or be gone…
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4-2
Good way to start my Night! I think they did well, that was a pretty good game! ~~ Go Islanders! I was curious about Trevor Smith myself and I thought he looked pretty good! I’d Def like to see him get more play.
Have a safe & Happy New Year Everyone! -
Smith played a nice game but 3rd star? A nice gesture but Okposo had a goal and assist and other guys made the score sheet.
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Isles fan in Bklyn…
I have NO BEEF at all with Gordon not putting Comrie and Weight on the ice when FLA pulled Anderson.
In fact, I was PROUD of the fact that Gordon put Tambs/Bailey and Smith out there.
Very classy move by Gordon to give the kids a shot at the twines.
Followed up by KO’s classy move on the subsequent PP with 5 secs left.
He got the puck in a great shooting position to the left of the net …and tried to shovel a pass over to Comrie for the Duff Trick.KO is STILL getting better and better every game. There is NOTHING I don’t like about this kid right now.
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Nick says:
Amen. Over the couple of years I’ve salivated at some of the potential Islander moves over at the rumor mill, until I had to bat myself in the head to get me out of dream land. Since you started this Chris, I never go over to Ek’s sight, no reason to because it’s all right here…Thanks from an Isle fan thats as old as you are…
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Happy New Year to the Botta’s!!!
And a Note to Chris Dey and Charles Wang!
The best decision you made for this Season was Botta’s Point Blank! Dont screw it up next year this Blog has been the Best thing since the “Heals and Flats show”…………KUDOS CB!!!
So I guess most people are right an e 5 is bs