Comments on: ISLES BURIED ALIVE BY PENS 9-2Another brutal loss in a slump extended to 5 games

By: DP's Hips

DP's Hips — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:29:06 +0000

When you go ALL OUT from 20:00 of the first and get tired by the third, you stay all out and give up leads and lose.

Some system.

How about protect the lead with a trap……or does Gorton’s accumen allow for anything but this one myopic system?

By: Isles316

Isles316 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:48:32 +0000

I was on an airplane last night and saw the updates on EspnNews. I guess I picked a good day to travel. Reading everyone’s quotes makes feel for you guys. This is as tough as it gets. I see reasons why people are questioning Snow and Gordon. I don’t understand how Gordon only plays one “system” and can never adjust to any one else. Pittsburgh basically plays our system agaisnt us and beats the heck out of us whenever they want. Remember they scored 4 in the third period of last game as well. Feel better guys.

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:28:02 +0000

SW, not that blake is gonna win a selke or a hart, but he was +1 in that creepy ol’ Nolan system. he might be an okay hockey player.
Matt,
I agree on your point with Bergy and Hilbert. They are like the pistons of the engine that keep it running…I just wish somebody would have thought to take the SNOW tires (Guerin, Witt, Sutton, Sim) off grandpa’s truck before they took it drag racin’…. (just a thought)

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:34:19 +0000

I love them but they are in systems that benefit them as players and the team. The systems they play in are designed for them to be valuable contributers whereas the Islanders rely on them to be the drivers of the system. If they don’t go hard 100% of the time, the team performs poorly in general.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:19:23 +0000

If Bergenheim turns out to be Madden or Knuble I don’t think we could be unhappy with that! Madden is a excellent all around player as well as Knuble. Bergenheim might turn out better though. He shows some flashes of brilliance occaisionally. Also is a bit chippier than those guys.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:12:01 +0000

Here is my theory on guys like bergenheim and hilbert: they are nice players to have around, but while hustle is nice it is not the sole contribution towards winning hockey. Ability, creativity, and intelligence are the key. Other teams have these “role players” as well. Guys like Marty Reasoner, Mike Knuble, Pascal Dupuis, John Madden are what become of guys like Bergenheim and Hilbert when the system incorporates their style rather than relying on it like Nolan and Gordon.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:06:49 +0000

Sir William, did Comaeu steal your girlfriend or something? The guy is a -7 bcs. the team got blown out last night. Nobody is saying he is the saviour. He is just a decent player who is fun to watch. And for those who want a new owner his name might be Basille and we all know what that means! Be happy we still have a team. I don’t love Wang, believe me I don’t, but appreciate the fact that he is trying to keep the team here!!!

By: Ray C

Ray C — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:46:19 +0000

I really hate the annual December meltdown. Seems like this happens every season right back to 2000 when i first bought season seats. The look on Gordons face, i actually feel bad for him, he must be wondering WHY AM I HERE?? Like his recent predecessors- Laviolette, sterling, Nolan the more things change the more they stay the same. Still, the hustle of park, hilbert, bergie etc… is fun to watch. Gotta love Streits slapper from the point, hip checks from sutton. Most of all the heart of witt. a few positives in this very bad time…. so who gets shopped?????

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:24:32 +0000

railbait… no more calls, we have a winner. Mitch “AT-AT” Fritz…thanks.
the only other thing I cou,ld think of was when I took my daughter to see Monsters Inc on Ice… If you didn’t have a 5 year old in 2005 it would be hard to get my “Sully on Ice” reference.

Thanks CB for not giving me the boot this morning.
Have a great day all… just remember… WE CAN’T LOSE TONIGHT!!!

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:13:48 +0000

Hey… it’s good to see some other people posting what I’ve been ranting about for weeks.
DP will make a difference, but not that big an impact. I don’ tthink he can protect the net better than JMAC has done in 80% of the games he’s played. His impact will be the ability to move teh puck up before the opposing forwards can get to it. JMac has been very timid about handling the puck after getting burned early.
I am going to hold fast to my square peg, round hole theory.
Just teach NHL hockey, if you’re capable(and that is the question) because this just goign to be a big mess at teh end of the year if it doesn’t work. We will be loaded with undersized players that have speed, but can’t defend their own end.
I am going to repeat this for those who didn’t see it 250 posts ago.
Last night therion said, “The islanders play a very RISKY system. We need to play the boards tight, and we will get a lot of chances”
Well, Gordo, if a hockey idiot like me can blow holes in your REVOLUTIONARY STYLE OF PLAY, then what’s going to happen when a respectable NHL coach with some talent on his roster gets his hands on it…
Two hat trick celebrations…and games you’re out of before your 3rd line has 2 mins of ice time.

By: AJF

AJF — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:04:04 +0000

I agree that Ricky can’t score goals, but he does alter how a team goes about their forechecking (there are few goalies in the league that you can say that about). And yes he cant cover guys in the slot you are 100% correct about that. I just see a difference when he is in the net, I’m not saying the club plays harder when Ricky is in there, but maybe they dig a little deeper, maybe they backcheck with a little more intensity. He is a presence, he’s a total game changer. Winning hockey always starts in goal. Just my opinion

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:01:17 +0000

Another suggestion I have is that Bailey goes back to Juniors for the WJC, DP is held out til 1000% (not a typo), and we work towards dumping salary, and acquiring prospects for our veterans. Mike Comrie, Witt, Martinek, Sutton, Weight, and Billy Guerin all have trade value and we can bring back a number of decent kids. Play hard, but finish last and grab one of the super prospects in June. If you are going to rebuild, do it 100%. Sign Mike Komisarek for next year and work towards 2010.