Monthly Archives: December 2008
by Chris Botta
That’s an important distinction. Without it, this is mostly a list of dynasty players. With it, this is a chance to acknowledge some of those who paved the way.
1. Ed Westfall: The first Captain and one of the two most important men to wear the C in franchise history. “18” deserves to be inducted (soon) in the Islanders Hall of Fame.
2. Billy Harris: 623 games in the decade for the first overall pick in 1972, 184 goals and 443 points. He finished top-five in scoring in the franchise’s first five seasons. Another deserving NYI HOF inductee from the early ’70s followed by…
3. Gerry Hart: 476 games of some of the gutsiest and grittiest blueline play you ever saw.
4. J.P. Parise: Three straight seasons of more than 20 goals, plus that playoff overtime tally against the Rangers in ’75 to put the franchise on the map.
5. Dave Lewis: 514 games as a defensive stalwart in the ’70s, only to come a few months short of winning the Cup when he joined Harris in the trade to LA for Butch Goring.
6. Jude Drouin: Played four pretty good regular seasons with Islanders, but check out these playoffs numbers: 48 games, 17-27-44, including two game-winning goals – one in overtime.
7. Bert Marshall: Credited by many who were there for being a magnificent veteran tutor to the young defensemen, including a kid named Denis.
8. Richie Hansen: A local exemption. The pride of Northport was the first Long Islander to play for the Islanders.
9. Gerry Desjardins: Deserves a medal for being a goaltender on the first two Islanders teams.
Your nominees, in Comments…
When the Isles tied the game, the look on Lindy Ruff’s face, longtime coach of the Sabres, was priceless. The Isles fell behind Buffalo and seemed to keep pace, and even when down by two goals, they went all-out in that third period. The result was two goals within the final 2 minutes. After watching the Isles for a month disappear for the final period or when the game was thought to be out-of-reach, this seemed like another team imposing their will and making it happen. However, in the shootout, Ales Kotalik and then Drew Stafford were the only scorers, sealing a Buffalo win.
Jeff Tambellini scored his first of the year. Since his call-up from his play-better-or-else conditioning stint at Bridgeport, he has still had some hiccups, but overall, he has made himself far more visible in the last two games.
Mike Comrie also scored, improving since his return slowly but surely. After all, this is a guy who scored quite a bit last season. With only 3 goals notched this one, many wished if only a goal happened for each toe drag.
Chris Campoli has also been emerging recharged. His score with only two seconds left gave the Isles the tie. For a while there in December, he was in freefall along with Brendan Witt in poise, play, and plus/minus. Speaking of Witt, he was far more effective lately, including some key plays down the stretch. Sure, everyone rightfully were all over his public statements for an internal issue, but he has responded just the same. This is what professional vet players do.
Yes, it is true, that the Islanders announced that Rick DiPietro has a strained groin. However, Howie Rose made a point to say that the Isles might have had to assign him “injured” in order to let him stay home so they could recall Yann Danis for the Buffalo trip. OR, they are trying to soften criticism for Ricky’s start without any kind of conditioning stint. We will know better soon enough at Monday’s Ranger game on just how “strained” it is.
So when are the Isles going to stop going to the box with stupid penalities???They have played better on defense, yet a big reason they were behind this game was due to handing Buffalo powerplay opportunities. Sean Bergenheim, who has been called out here by yours truly once before, still has not improved. His penalty minutes this season are on their way to more than doubling from last season. The same is true of Bruno Gervais who took an elbowing penalty this game. He has also increased his PIM exponentially.
Simply said, this is not the type of team that can offset penalities with prolific scoring or a bruising defense. Hockey is a simple game. You shoot, you pass, control the tempo . . . and you stay out of the box. The Isles have managed to shore up the defense that was coming apart, but still need to get some kids from constantly putting opposing teams at the advantage time and time again.
So what is next for this new-look Isles? The rivalry. They head to MSG to face the NY Rangers on Monday night for a 7:05pm start-time.
Hope you enjoyed my subbing for Chris these past few days. You know where to find my day-to-day activities, besides my work here. I will now leave you back in his capable hands.
Please have a happy and healthy holiday season and new year.
UPDATED at 5:25 pm by CB: Greetings from Huntington, West Virginia…where We Are Not All Islanders, but We Are Marshall.
The Islanders have confirmed what Greg Logan reported earlier today: Jeremy Colliton has been recalled, hopefully to win a few faceoffs. Andy Hilbert out with hairline fracture of left foot. Logie also has some nice stuff on 400-goal man Bill Guerin.
Yann Danis is up to be No. 2 behind Joey MacDonald. Rick DiPietro did not make the trip. Whether the plan all along was for DiPietro to play Friday and not travel to Buffalo, I wouldn’t be so sure.
Some of the fiction on DiPietro in Comments has been entertaining. I would never tell a fan who to like or not to like, and I understand the fans who don’t want to wrap their arms around DiPietro and his contract – especially with his run of injuries. But some of the reasons stated in Comments for not liking him – he got Neil Smith fired! he whined when Dubie started! he’s why they didn’t re-sign Arron (effective in about 7 games all season for Ted) Asham – oh my. Ya gotta bring better urban legends than that.
Thank you, B.D., for subbing. Forecheck hard tonight, everyone. Hope to catch up with you tomorrow if the plane’s on time…CB
****
The Isles flew to Buffalo last night without the 2-ton gorilla in the room. Rick DiPietro’s full practice first start since the surgery has been a success, whether anyone thinks it a risky gamble or not. Well, as they say, a win is a win is a win. And, well, they won.
They face a team tonight who is also desperate for a bunch of wins. The Sabres have won only two games out of their last seven. They also have played last night like the Isles, with a different result, a loss against the Washington Capitals.
Both Jon Sim and Mitch Fritz were healthy scratches last night. So, with the loss of Andy Hilbert for an indefinate amount of time (usually 2 to 4 weeks depending), will one of these two be activated? My bet is on Sim, who is capable of playing the same type of game, except for the offensive prowess Hilbert was showing this season which will be missed, especially if Doug Weight is still out with his day-to-day groin injury.
So, does The Rick start again? Or will he sit on a more careful rotation to get him back to the NHL grind shape and have Joey MacDonald start instead. One would think it would be the latter than the former. However, it seems anything is possible.
The question remains on how fragile solid this feel-good buoyancy really is. If the Sabres score a couple of goals, can the Isles regroup instead of splintering off the game plan? How about after a loss? The win is well and good, and there was bevy of pressure that was released last night, but they have a ways to go. One focused goalie, even if the team feeds off it, will not be starting every game. The way to winning and equilibrium is a focused team all feeding off one another for success.
Stay tuned for updates in this blog through-out the day if there is anything to report. Tonight, once again, I will provide the game recap. Chris returns tomorrow.
The holiday crowd at the Coliseum was surprised as we were. Arthur Staple of Newsday who was subbing for a vacationing Greg Logan said “Hmmmmm” at practice as Rick DiPietro took a majority of the work. Then at warm-ups, DP is out first. Then, the pre-game interviews seal it as they interview Bill Guerin about how important DP’s return is.
I have even noted here and elsewhere about concerns over even the coach’s demeanor and the team’s mindset during rough times. But, I am still surprised and slightly concerned in DP not getting a bit more practice work and at least a conditioning stint in Bridgeport. After all, isn’t about the future and the health of their franchise goaltender?
Hey, I’m just the guy writing the blog, but here is a goalie who has had a rash of injuries and a lack of playing time. Why rush it? Did someone upstairs blink? Either way, that roll of the dice seemed to be what the Isles needed. They played far better and showed poise as a team.
These questions despite the win will not fade away because they bely a deeper sense of priorities beneath the longterm plans for the Islanders and their star goalies well-being. Obviously organizationally, they were comfortable doing this. They also felt the importance to win now, and less attentive, despite some fans focus, to the upcoming draft.
There is no question that the Islanders came out far more focused and skating hard to start the game. There was a jump in their step and a change in their demeanor. That and there seems to be a renewed commitment to their system. The Isles cycled strongly and created lots of opportunities, despite being outshot the first two periods. They have also been far better on transitional play. It has led to 4 goals and a 3rd period lead that was held.
Josh Bailey takes home a Xmas gift. His first goal, and gets a warm reception from the home crowd. Nope, changed between the 2nd and 3rd period to be a Bill Guerin goal. Bailey gets the assist along with Jeff Tambellini. Guerin then scores another for his 400 goal. Congrats Bill.
There is not a doubt, whatever anyone thinks of the DP goalie move, that this was a different team tonight. There was confidence, energy, moxy, and . . . YES . . . Overspeed. They took it to Toronto for a full 60 minutes, and it was Toronto who blinked. It was in the 3rd period, bane of Isles fans, that they took charge and close the Leafs out.
Not much of a Yuletide gift for Toronto fans, eh?
POST-GAME UPDATE:
Andy Hilbert has a hairline fracture in his foot. Expect him to be another guy on the injury parade.
Coach Scott Gordon stood less slouched, with his shoulders straight. You could see that a great weight was off of him. He felt that Rick played well. He felt the difference in having him in goal is cutting down on 2nd opportunities. Plus, he forces players to take more low percentage shots. He seemed happy with the effort and with DP’s return.
When asked on how they came to the decision to start DP he stated that it had been an ongoing discussion between them. It had to do where Ricky is right now and the lack of hard practice time. Gordon wanted to find a way to get these guys back in, including also Mike Sillinger and Bruno Gervais
Rick DiPietro was asked on how it felt to be out and watching games. He said it wasn’t easy. It took a lot of growing up and maturity to sit out.
Bill Guerin on DP’s return, as well as Gervais and Sillinger: “Big uplift to get a couple of guys back”. Of DP, he said he was focused as ever and they as a team, fed off of that.
So ends our feel good story this holiday season. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s pre-game as the Isles head up to Buffalo for a 7:05pm tilt.
6:40pm UPDATE: Yes, in a mindboggling move, Rick DiPietro is taking the bulk of shots in warmups and would appear to be the starter, which has been a hot rumor when I got the Coliseum. No stop at Bridgeport. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. But do start in goal.
3:40pm UPDATE: Per the always excellent Mike Fornabaio, the Isles have returned Ben Walter and Joe Callahan back to Bridgeport. Evidently, Mike Sillinger and Bruno Gervais are ready to return to the lineup tonight.
I hope everyone had a good holiday, whatever you celebrate.
Well, it’s no great secret on what GM Garth Snow might have asked Santa this Xmas. These are difficult days on Long Island and the air is thick with the hope for fans, players, coach and GM that they can snap out of it. Well, unless you are are focused on the next draft picks. It was only a month ago when some were wondering if we can reach .500. Since then, it has been a steady drop with many questions, injuries, and a lot of soul-searching.
LOSING THE MENTAL GAME: The last two games were closer affairs with the Isles keeping within arm’s length of their competition. This is some good news as compared to some of the more disturbing crash and burns like versus the Penguins and the Wild. If this string of losses had all been close games, with the team going all out playing as if it was November, there would be a lot less questions. Instead, we have seen a myriad of injuries, a defense that has looked gaping, an offense unable to score, and some sniping on the system itself. Coach Scott Gordon has seemed to become stiffer and acting as if besieged by press and situation. This tightening and almost wounded visage by the Isles might be indicative of losing the mental game even before they play the physical one.
“Our last two losses were tight games. We have to stay loose and stay ready to work. Our biggest asset is our work ethic. We don’t come in and mope around. We keep it loose, and we keep focused.”
- Bill Guerin
As Bill Guerin alluded to in his post-games comments versus the Thrashers earlier this week, it is supremely important not to come into this game stuck on their December malaise. The mental capitulations will only leave them tight, anguished, and just waiting for another wheel to come off.
The Maple Leafs come to town winning their 5 of their last 7 games. That streak was started with their last win over the Isles, coming off a three-game skid. Their last game, however, was a 8-2 drubbing courtesy of the Dallas Stars. So the Leafs come in looking to make things right against the Isles who have been in freefall. The Toronto press has written that the game against the Isles “might be a Yuletide gift.“
Doug Weight did not play Tuesday, and I will try to find out if he is going to play today. Stay tuned here for updates later on, plus I will be on-hand tonight for the recap.
For your reading enjoyment, here is my news item about the Lighthouse Project which caused a bit of stir.
REMINDER: Please adhere new-look Comments space wishes of Chris’s
More later…BD
The following 2009 Draft Rankings are posted today in advance of the start of the World Junior Championships in Ottawa on Friday.
These rankings of the top draft prospects are based on off-the-record observations and polling of NHL scouts and will next be updated around the NHL trade deadline.
(Ryan Ellis)
10. Ryan Ellis (D) – A former teammate of Josh Bailey’s in Windsor (OHL), the 5-10, 180-pound Ellis is the new age NHL defenseman. He’s not a bammer, but quick, agile and productive. Probably won’t be in the Islanders’ range of the draft, and they have enough defensemen of his size and skill-set anyway.
9. Nazim Kadri (C) – Possessing high-end skill and speed, the London, Ontario-born youngster of Lebannese heritage is starring for his hometown London Knights and becoming an intriguing prospect for scouts.
8. Jordan Schroeder (F) – Teammates with Aaron Ness at the University of Minnesota, Schroeder is a 5-9 burner with hands who might have been a third round pick in the old NHL.
7. Jeremy Morin (F) – A product of the USA Development program, this Auburn, New York native leads his team in goals and penalty minutes and is prized for his competitiveness and shot. Likely to play Canadian major junior next season.
Step up in class to 6, 5 and 4…
6. Evander Kane (C) – Playmaking center with Vancouver (WHL) could be a franchise pivot or a solid second-liner, depending on who you ask. Yet another small potential stud (5-10, 170 pounds) in a first round full of them.
5. Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (LW) - The 6-1 Svensson is battling for icetime as a teenage power forward in the Swedish Elite League, but scouts marvel at his potential. One scout says his play is similar to Kyle Okposo’s.
4. Brayden Schenn (C) – Toughness and leadership in the same genetic package as his brother Luke but as a two-way center. Think Sutter. Brent Sutter.
Another step up to 3 and 2…
3. Jared Cowen (D) -The Spokane Chief is the top-ranked player in the Western Hockey League, a 6-5 shutdown defenseman with some offensive upside. Think Luke Schenn. Quite possibly better.
2. Matt Duchene (C) – Blazing speed and gifted hands. The Brampton (OHL) center is the complete package and is more than just a consolation prize for the team mising out on the Big Two.
Big step up to the boys in a class of their own…
1. (tie) John Tavares (C), Victor Hedman (D) – No, we’re not copping out. Here’s where we stand. While we heard about TSN’s poll of 8-of-10 scouts ranking Tavares over Hedman, we maintain that probably 20 of the 30 NHL teams rate Hedman as the better player. Naturally, all of them would kill to have either.
For the Islanders, we’ll take Tavares. As much as the purists understandably crave D, a go-to offensive star is a necessity for the Islanders – and we doubt they’d be able to sign one as a UFA anytime soon. And call us hysterical, but if the Islanders are fortunate enough to be able to choose between Hedman and Tavares, do they ever want to have nightmares when Hedman always has the less-lucrative option of playing at home in Sweden?
So for the Islanders, it’s the center from Canada. Whether the team agrees with us is another matter – one not even worth discussing for months.
Comments.
One of the beauties of this blogger gig is that, unlike a Greg Logan, I’m not mandated to write, say, exactly 600 words on the Islanders’ 10th loss in a row. For tonight, I will echo to PB readers the words of a grumpy NHL coach I used to know:
“You saw the game. Write about it.” (Please, in Comments).
Perhaps it was divine intervention. After covering a morning skate earlier today where nobody had anything to say and Scott Gordon couldn’t even confirm Jeff Tambellini’s return to his lineup, tonight the wireless in the Coliseum press box was as reliable as the Islanders’ forecheck. So I went home.
In the brief walk from the press box to the parking lot, I encountered several fans asking if I was going to carve up the team in the recap. No, I’m not.
The Islanders’ problem, beyond the ten straight losses and embarrassing record of 10-21-3 in The League Where Everybody Wins Sometime, is this: injuries aside, this is likely going to be the Islanders’ roster for at least the next two months. Nobody is going anywhere, so the Islanders better figure it out if they want to.
Good on Andy Hilbert and Sean Bergenheim for bringing it all night and getting rewarded for their efforts. Good to see four lines kinda rolled.
Tough to watch Josh Bailey (2-for-12 on faceoffs, no shots on goal) go through this. Tough to hear the TV broadcast speculate about the return date of Rick DiPietro. I’m a fan of Rick’s, but the Islanders aren’t talking about it so it’s tough to understand why anyone else should care right now.
The Islanders grabbed the four-point game with Atlanta. Proving that (just about) any NHL team can beat any other NHL team on any given night, Tampa Bay beat the Penguins tonight, 2-0 in Pittsburgh. If the 2009 NHL Draft was tomorrow, the Islanders would have either the first or second overall pick.
Perfect timing. Our Top 10 draft preview runs tomorrow morning.
Comments.
← Older postsNewer posts →
