ISLANDERS INJURY NON-UPDATES
Plus: Doug Weight wants in, Part I
3:35 pm - As I battle some laptop issues, let’s get some news and notes from today’s practice out first.
Joey MacDonald took a puck in the neck while putting in some extra time with his teammates at the end of practice. He left the ice immediately. While it did not appear to be very serious, the Islanders did not have an update on MacDonald’s status.
Trent Hunter had a doctor’s appointment. As of 3:30 pm, the Islanders had not provided an update on the right wing. Radek Martinek practiced, but Scott Gordon did not make it seem as if the defenseman’s return will be tomorrow when the Islanders host Florida in a New Year’s Eve matinee.
Rick DiPietro took the full practice and a little extra work. After practice, both DiPietro and Gordon spoke with reporters but said nothing of substance about his health.
On the other hand, a very introspective Doug Weight met with the same reporters and said a lot. I’ll have more on this later today, but I will cut to the chase: he loves Gordon and said he feels better and is playing his best hockey in more than five years thanks, in part, to the head coach. Weight also expressed his love for and faith in Garth Snow and the organization and spoke of how well Long Island and Islanders fans have treated him and his family.
And in a perfect world, Weight does not want to be traded. His preference is to stay with the Islanders and be part of the solution to turn things around. More later.
Comments.
43 Responses to ISLANDERS INJURY NON-UPDATES
Plus: Doug Weight wants in, Part I
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EdTurner says:
I like Doug Weight’s attitude.
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1) Nice words from Weight and he has been a big positive on and off the ice for this franchise, but he is probably the most marketable asset the team has to deal.
2) Perhaps he can return this summer after a spring playoff run? Its happened to players before that were strictly rentals and returned to their previous teams the following season -
UIF says:
Well, I’ve been of the “trade while value is high” mindset regarding Weight, but one thing that indisputable is the man has a world of class.
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Alex Kinkead says:
Sorry Weight your worth more to our rebuild gone
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Willis says:
I want some of what Doug Weight’s on.
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Brian B says:
I love Weight…and I’d rather him be the Captain here than Guerin. But we all know Weight will get the best package back.
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Kristie says:
How can you not love Doug Weight? The guy has been outstanding, and I’d hate to see him moved…he knows this is a business and if it betters the Isles so be it.
Still, I’d like to see him stick around. -
Limberpete says:
I’m with fauxrumors. We should deal Weight for some assets, and then attempt to re-sign this summer. Otherwise we risk losing Mr. Weight to free agency over the summer without any draft pick compensation.
On the other hand, if Weight wants to sign a two-year extension (i.e., if he’s willing to forego summer free agency), I think he’s a great guy to have as a mentor to the kids…
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TP says:
Weight will be convalescing in a nursing home by the time NYI turn things around.
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Maybe Weight is playing his own game. This is a very reputable player coming forward and telling the league his love for the Islanders and the coach and the plan. Could this be him trying to recruit players to come here? Maybe he knows he will be gone for a playoff run, but he will be resigning on July 1st and wants other guys here as well. If we bring in Tavares, along with Weights comments, the organization could turn around? Just a theory…
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Moose says:
i would be down for resigning him, but no extension, he has to be traded…i dont get why he would rather stay here at the end of this season than go play for a stanley cup in may
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Macch says:
Its not personal, its just business. Just a thought, but putting KO on the point for the PP could be a clue that Weight is def on his way out
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Doug F. says:
CB,
I got this from the HockeyBuzz.com…please comment…
A. Well from that same league source I am hearing that next year’s Winter Classic is down to two possibilities..both of whom include the Bruins.
#1 The NY Rangers and the Bruins in NY…(not sure if it will be Citi, Yankee Stadium or Giant’s Stadium.
#2 Toronto or Montreal at Boston..likely in Fenway.
B.Just talked to a source that said the Gaborik talks are heating up and three teams, Montreal, Pittsburgh and the NY Islanders are leading the way, but that the Islanders deal is “far and away the best one for the Wild if they can convince Gaborik to re-sign long term on the Island.”
Here’s my two cents (if it matters) on both items:
1. Winter Classic…If I was the Islanders owner I would be very upset with the NHL. Why aren’t they putting the Rangers-Islanders matchup…instead of Boston-Rangers? I don’t want to hear it an old rivalry…the real rivalry is Rangers vs. Islanders…especially if Taveras is on the Islanders.
2. Gaborik- I wouldn’t trade any young players for him even if he’ll sign a long term deal…I hope this is a rumour because if they give up their #1 pick for Gaborik…I’m going to start rooting for the Rangers…draft Taveres and go from there…
Doug
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KP says:
Deal Doug Weight at the deadline. You have to when you’re rebuilding.
But bring him back in the offseason. His influence and presence on the ice has been a very positive thing in a season full of negatives this year.
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Jon says:
I love to hear that from Weight. Classy guy and has been putting up some all-star type numbers so far. Even though this is rebuilding i would like to have Guerin and Weight around for another year. These guys like Long Island and have made it known that they want to stay. I say keep em around. Who’s with me?!?
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rb says:
unless Isles can get a first or second round pick for Weight (can’t see that happening) or a young player from a legit Stanley Cup contender whose dealing from their excess (a contending team’s Comeau or Okphoso who can’t break into their line-up right now) then I would stick with Weight…dealing him for some 4th or 5th round pick would be more of a waste than keeping him for his leadership and veteran presence
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stevedepot says:
Great, so MacDonald takes a puck to the neck?
What a coincidence since DiPietro’s early returns have been a pain in the neck to this franchise. -
Paul in Canada says:
Gaborik makes Martinek look like an ironman. No thanks. Let’s just keep losing and draft Tavares!
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Cain says:
On the upside – Dubie was released, maybe they can sign him to a contract!
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ILuvJMAC says:
A puck in the neck???? When will the injuries stop?? ok i’m predicting a start by Yann Danis tomorrow afternoon and I know i’m going out on a limb here but I think we’ll lose the game
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Agree, agree, agree.
Doug Weight is one of the most high class players this team has had in aeons. The league respects him and what he says. If he loves it here and is doing what he is doing, the Isles would be crazy to trade him for a 2nd-3rd rounder and a few underachieving prospects, and thats the kinds of offers the Isles are going to get for him. Keep him!!!!!! -
Keep Weight, he’s a class act, totally agree with post #22 and as for Gaborik– he’s just what the team does NOT need another player that needs to play wrapped in Computer Associates Patented bubble wrap.
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Doug Weight said the exact same things before being dealt from St. Louis (both times).
I’m fine with him being dealt, but not now (deadline long after he gets 1,00th point with us). He deserves another shot at a title.
Then resign him for next year if possible. -
318J1 says:
why do we have to play a matinee every holiday! and most are at home. it sux! id perfer to not have any matinee’s all season especially on weekdays.
i think Weight may just be saying the right things here, giving the text book answer. im ok with that.
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if Isles could keep their 2009 1st Rounder, Okposo, Comeau, Bailey, Streit and DiPietro and EVERYTHING ELSE WAS ON THE TABLE to trade for Gaborik, would you be willing to get into the Gaborik sweepstakes? or do people here just view him as a physical liability and don’t want him under any circumstances?
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Pat says:
Re: Post 26
We don’t have any other assets to trade that the Wild would want. “JUST SAY NO” to Gaborik. Sign him as a Free Agent next year. Not many teams will have the cap space. I would trade Weight – if his trade value brought back enough in return. A 3rd round pick is not enough. If someone wants to overpay – then let it be. I like him and would welcome him back to the organization next year to battle for a spot. Not be GIVEN one….but to be sure, he has been a good fit for us.
Gotta go and TANK the season to get at least Hedman if not Tavares.
Pat
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jax says:
Only the Islanders wouldn’t trade a 37 yr old center playing great on a really bad team. I don’t care if he finds a cure for cancer you have to trade him at the deadline. Bring him back in the offseason if you like him that much. This is the last thing I wanted to read today.
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If the best deal at the trade deadline is a 3rd rd pick why wouldn’t you do it? It’s better the nothing and you can bring him back in July. Some of these posts leave me scratching my head.
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Because what he brings now is sorely needed, thats why. Having a guy like him on this team helps a team without an identity develop one. And although many of you think that everything is about draft picks and nothing more, youre wrong.
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Swan says:
Weight should be kept, especially if he wants to be part of the rebuild solution. A true, successful rebuild cannot have everyone under the age of 27 and 1-3 years of NHL experience. There must be veteran presence that the kids can learn from. Other than Milbury as the GM, this is the primary reason why the Isles have not been successful in rebuilding the past 15 years. Weight has been a great teacher and leader for this team and is the kind of vet a young team can build around.
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If the best deal for Weight is a 3rd rounder. His veteran leadership is worth much more than another Sean Bergenheim-type 3rd line grinder. That we might see play on the Team in 2012.
No thanks. Weight should be extended.
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Marc says:
Damn training staff. How could they have not had MacDonald prepared to take a shot off the neck? Fire ‘em all.
But keep Doug Weight.
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Trade him and resign him in the offseason. I’m sure the franchise will survive the last 30 plus games without Weight. I’m all for having veterans during the rebuild, but you have a unique situation where the guy is on a 1 year deal and you could have the best of both worlds by trading him (the season is dead so why not) plus you can bring him back for nothing in the summer. A free 3rd rd pick is better then nothing. The pick might turn out to be a bust or it might turn out to be good. It’s a no brainer…
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JayK says:
Remember: we can trade Weight and re-sign him on July 1…if he doesn’t re-sign with the team he is traded to. It’s a risk, but it’s a risk worth taking for a second round pick, if that’s what we’d get for him. Given the number of teams that a) either think they have a shot at the Cup (10, 11, 12?) or b) desperately want to make the playoffs after a long drought (think Blue Jackets, Panthers, Kings), I think people are going to be knocking down our door with picks to obtain him. And then maybe we can get him back.
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Mike Cavalluzzo says:
Let’s not forget that the ISLES got Doug Weight as a Free Agent, not as a Trade; The WHOLE NHL had as much of a shot at getting him as US. Why on earth would a team want to Trade FOR him when they could’ve gotten him for Free? And why sign the guy to a 1 year deal if we’re willing to deal him anyway?? If Garth does trade him what was his thinking about this team going in??? Was Weight supposed to bring us to the promised land??? Keep the guy, keep both HIM and Guerin for NEXT year too and let both of them bring this Franchise some Validity for now.
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Weight can only bring in a 4th or third rounder at best. I would prefer nabbing another teams top farm prospects instead. A third or 4th rounder has no guaranttee for success and may not be ready for 3 years after the draft. PS – Bailey is looking lost out there, we probably made a mistake keeping him in the NHL and not returning him to Sarina or the World Juniors at least.
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Islanders1984 says:
Anybody been watching world Juniors so far. Petrov been kind of non-existent
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JKP on LI says:
Weight would bring in much more than a third rounder from a team looking to make a cup run.
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Patrick says:
I dont know why I keep hearing people say Weight would only bring in a 3rd. I could see us netting a low 1st and a decent prospect at the deadline. He is an experianced classy guy that is having a great season and would be a great playoff rental. If Hal Gill can get a 2nd and 5th in a good draft why couldnt Weight get ATLEAST that. Also Joe I agree with you that we shoulda sent Bailey to the World Juniors or back to Windsor he just looks like he is a little overwhelmed
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Islander505 says:
Bye bye Doug Weight, appreciate your contribution here..would love to talk to you on UFA day about maybe coming back next year, but this is a business and your experience is a very valuable marketable asset to us right now.
Best of luck the last 2 months of the season and I sincerely hope that you win a Stanley Cup with. (fill in the blank).
You and Mike Sillinger have given us 5 very young and solid players that will fit very well in our long term plans.You are a very classy and professional human being Mr. Weight, let’s talk again in July about next year, shall we?
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If some team offered something outrageous for him (outrageous IMO being a 1srt rounder or 2nd rounder and a level prospect) thats one thing- but since that isnt going to happen IMO (despite all the people here who are certain it will!) I dont see any reason for the Isles to trade him.
Think about it- what does it say about this team if they dump a true quality, character guy who has been having a very good season and is doing everything he possibly can busting his tail for this team all season long just for some measley pick or piddling prospect? We need someone elses Tambellini right now? Or someone elses Bergie? Come on- having a guy like that on your team matters. He is our biggest advocate and he has the character that we all hope for our team to develop.
This might not be clear to people who watched this team in the 70s and 80s, but for the rest of us, you have to realize- Doug Weight is right up there along with the most high-quality players I have personally ever seen play in an Islanders uniform.
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onemorecup says:
Weight for a prospect (or)
Weight for draft pick? (or)
Packeage Weight with Tambellini for a draft pick and prospect. Tambellini is not wroking out right here.
Garth Snow seems to have a knack for sniffing out potential.
Imagine a round 2 pick for Weight, the # 1 pick and a Tambellini equivilent that pans out for us in a big way. And, for the homerun sign Weight to a very fair contract on July 1st and get him back next year- his work is not yet done and he has alot of value to this young team both on and off the ice!!!!
MacDonald “upper body injury?” ; )