PRE-GAME, Islanders at Rangers, 7:05 pm
Scenes from a Garden morning skate
3:55pm, Long Island - BD checking in while Chris Botta wanders the city without his laptop. Per Chris, Yann Danis has been emergency recalled from Bridgeport. As Chris said below, I guess you can never be to sure, indeed. No other announcements have been made beyond this. A good guess is one of the two of DP and Joe Mac will not be available. I will leave it to you to guess.
12:25 pm, MSG - Rick DiPietro was here, took the full skate and was the first to leave the ice. All the signs would seem to point to him starting tonight against the Rangers, but this season you could never be sure of that. I would not call Vegas. Dan Martin of the Post asked Scott Gordon, but the coach declined to name his starting goaltender.
As reported exclusively last night by the readers of Point Blank, Yann Danis and Jeremy Colliton were sent to Bridgeport (AHL) yesterday.
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Sean Bergenheim may finally pay the price for all those minor penalties. When the morning skate got into the let’s-futz-around mode, it was Bergenheim who joined Jon Sim for some extra work in one end of the rink with assistant coach John Chabot.
Yes, Mitch Fritz Fan Club Presidents, this would indicate the Big Guy is in tonight’s lineup for your New York islanders.
Doug Weight, two points shy of 1,000 for his NHL career, is back in. Would be a pretty neat place for Doug to get the milestone, I’m sure. So would the New Year’s Eve matinee at home against Florida.
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One man’s guesstimate at Gordon’s lines to start:
Tambellini – Weight – Guerin
Comeau – Comrie – Okposo
Park – Bailey – Hunter
Fritz – Sillinger – Jackman
Geez, it’s like Comeau’s a regular now! (I really shouldn’t jinx the kid).
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Lots of teaching at today’s skate. Gordon had an extended one-on-one with Bruno Gervais that appeared to focus on defensive posture in the neutral zone. Dan Lacroix spent some bonus time with (perhaps future linemates) Blake Comeau, Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo – or it could have been simply the trio of kids doing the respectful thing and staying on the ice late after practice.
After the skate, the coaches hosted a video session with Comeau, Bailey, Okposo, Mike Comrie and a few others. With three points in the last two games – an impressive win over Toronto and wonderful comeback in Buffalo – the mood today was noticeably lighter while still focused.
Gordon on Jeff Tambellini’s successful stint in Bridgeport: “He doesn’t seem to be panicking as much with the puck. He got game conditioning and plenty of icetime. He’s definitely more relaxed.”
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Something you might not know. While the Islanders are no doubt excited to be featured on VERSUS a lot lately and partake in the league’s generous television contract with the cable network, the team loses money off its local cable deal for every game MSG does not broadcast.
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Eric Mangini was fired today. Tonight there’s a game between the two New York hockey rivals. One team is 9 games over .500. The other is 10 games under .500. One of the hockey head coaches is very much on the hot seat, and it’s not the one who’s 10 games under .500. And to be clear, I’m perfectly fine with that.
As reported here a few times, Gordon’s going to be around these parts for a while.
Comments.
113 Responses to PRE-GAME, Islanders at Rangers, 7:05 pm
Scenes from a Garden morning skate
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Kevin Fitz says:
J-E-T-S THE-JETS-STINK!!!
Go Dolphins!
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Dan from Westchester says:
Have a hunch DP and Isles win tonight.
Definitely hoping that a Comeau – Bailey – Okposo line becomes reality soon.
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isles316 says:
I think the Jets are suffering from the same thing the Isles suffered from until this season. They change indentity all too often and never stay behind, or seem to hire a good coach.
I’m a Giants fan so I don’t watch Jets games all the time but it seems to me that Mangini because a scapegoat to Favre. Not that he is perfect but once Favre went to crap, so did the Jets.
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IWH says:
I would like to see bailey get his first goal against the rags
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
I second that IWH
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and this is where Gordon BELONGS.
Good Luck Dougie, hope you make the milestone mark tonight while I can watch. And as the final Christmas Wish of the Season, “Dear Santa, please please send Josh his First NHL goal!” Thank you -
Okposo really raised his game a level the last 5 games or so. The one thing Isles fans want to see this year is young players developing and it seems Okposo has gotten a notch better. It’s nice to see.
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UIF says:
Still think Okposo would have benefited from spending most of this season in the AHL, but I agree with you, 316. He’s definitely been one of the better Islanders over the last few games.
I guess we can all only hope they’re not playing with fire with the whole DP thing. Here’s to hoping he’s really, really healthy this time, and ready for tonight.
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Chris says:
If they are going to dress Fritz tonight, I hope he gets more than one shift. I would also like to see the Comeau – Bailey – Okposo line soon. As well as the line has been going with Comrie, I think it would be MUCH better with Bailey. Comrie still looks lost to me and never seems to be skating hard. Too many soft passes, weak shots and reaching with his stick.
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Strummer's Army says:
Ya, Fitz GO DOLPHINS! I do hope my friend Shotty isn’t out of work though, if he is he won’t be long,word ont he street is Marty is likely to take over Cle and I could see him joining his Dad there.
Anyway, the last two games were want we all wanted to see all year, the youth growing and taking the lead. Okposo, Bergy, Comeau, Bailey, Tambs, Camps all were more then solid. Okposo’s play to get the puck and keep the play alive before passing to Campoli was tremendous.
I am also enjoying watching the prospects and potential draft picks on NHL Network. It would be amazing to see the top 3 centers be Tavares, Bailey, Nielsen.
I’d enjoy seeing one of the Rangers take on Fritz tonight but very doubtful. Orr seems to have learned his lesson in the AHL and their coach wisely doesn’t want to give the Isles a boost.
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RJ says:
The Jets have been FAR more successful than the Islanders the last 15 plus years or so. The Jets are not a futile franchise at this point an time. The Islanders are. The Jets had expectations that were not met and with a winning season fired a coach. The Islanders don’t have any expectations, and that’s a bad think, contrary to what is read on this list. The Islanders since 1993 are one of the worst franchises in professional sports. They fly under the radar because the media here could care less about them.
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kevin says:
i say isles win 3-2. okposo and bailey and streit score. weight gets two assists and oth on pp. orr vs fritz with fritz getting the better of orr after orr gets a better start. fritz logs in 1:29 of ice time.
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RJ, The Jets and the Isles have reached the same amount of conference championships since 93. One. The Jets have expectations every year that are unreachable. They over hype their team and their talent very similarly to the Isles.
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Islander505 says:
RJ..
“The Jets have been FAR more successful than the Islanders the last 15 plus years or so.”Since 1993 (your chosen barometer) the Jets have made 5 playoff appearances….The Islanders have made 6 playoff appearances.
“The Islanders since 1993 are one of the worst franchises in professional sports.”
Subjective diarrhea RJ….nothing more…keep a roll of toilet paper next to your keyboard, will ya?
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mrlbem says:
RJ,
Taking the whole body of work, the Jets are without a doubt the lamest of the 9 pro sports teams in this market (I credit the Nets with their two ABA crowns, so they rank just ahead of the Jets when it comes to futility). I commented on one of the blogs here about how it’s strange that the Jets din’t seem to have an issue with maintaining their fanbase. CB correctly pointed out that you can’t compare the NHL with the NFL Machine. I don’t see how a sports minded kid growing up in this area could ever become an Islander fan over the last 15 years (without some help from his parents). But I can’t see how that same kid could ever become a Jets fan either, especially given how successful the Giants have been.
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are the weight rumors true? logan thinks so. do it to it garth!
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BTW RJ…speaking of “worst franchises in professional sports”, I’m planning on going to see the Isles play the Yotes on Friday…….provided Gretzky’s Great Ones can keep the lights on and the doors open long enough to fulfill the terms of my tickets.
And let’s not forget some of the other STELLAR SPORTS FRANCHISES that you overlook….Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Supersonics (whoops, they moved).
How do people like you get keyboards RJ?
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Why do you fight this? Why do Islander fans accept what is happening here and fight me on this? I don’t get it. I am a Met, Jet and Islander fan. To me, they all suck and have been destroying me inside and out for two decades. And you people defend a franchise that has giving us absoloutely nothing for two decades. Nothing. Zero, zip nadda. The Islanders are a joke. It’s the truth. It is reality. And once the fan base holds the franchise accountable, maybe things will change.
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In the NFL 12 teams make the playoffs. You can go 11-5 and miss (see the Patriots). The Jets have been a more successful franchise the last 15 years. See Parcells losing to Denver. See them missing out on the AFC Championship game on a missed field goal in Pittsburgh. I mean, geez…….I agree, the Jets are a horrid franchise. But over the 15 years they have been better than the Islanders. It’s the truth.
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318J1 says:
CB, thanks for the line predictions, keep um comin but could you also throw in your D predictions. your our most reliable source so it means more to hear it from you.
Kevin, i like the way you think but lets hope its more like 4-0 with the extra goal going to that son of an Islander, and a Fritz k.o. on orr after a compleat beatdown
also, enuff with the jesey jets & jersey giants talk. the last time the jets played a home game in NY was in 1983 and it was 1975 for the giants. and i still cant figure out who is worse, the team that builds its stadium in another state and still calls itself NY or the one that follows to rent. wow!
Lets Go ISLANDERS ! ! !!!
rangers SUCK!!!
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“speaking of ‘worst franchises in professional sports’, I’m planning on going to see the Isles play the Yotes on Friday”
Glass houses, man. Obviously there are issues in Phoenix, but I’d trade rosters with the Yotes in a heartbeat. They are also drawing better – as far as avg attendance and capacity percentage – than we are this year.
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The Coyotes have many good young players. We might look like them in 2 seasons.
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Jon says:
Mangini gets canned with a .500 record and Remy is on the hot seat for a 3 game losing streak but Gordon gets a free pass.
This is Snow in CYA mode, he can not admit Gordon was a mistake so we are stuck with him.
Tambellini on the top line says it all.
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UIF
“They are also drawing better – as far as avg attendance and capacity percentage – than we are this year.”
Wanna know why they draw better?
I’ll be sure and give you a full report on the outstanding venue/complex that was BUILT FOR THE YOTES out there…the Jobing Arena…
I was out there for the Jints/Cards football game……a VERITABLE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT..with state of the art football stadium and hockey arena.
Housing, hotels, restaurants shopping etc., all condensed in a nice area.And despite all of these amenities, the Yotes may not make their payroll this Friday.
Who’s the “worst franchise”???
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jax says:
Jon-it’s fans like you who make me shake my head. The team is going through a rebuild, yet you want to fire thecoach a couple of months into it? Yes there are still some older guys on this team, but besides Weight they were all here before the movement started. Everybody wants to build the right way, but yet nobody has the patience to see it through. In the offseason Sillinger, Weight,Comrie ,Guerin will most likely be gone and the roster will be filled with yuoung players. Yet you want the coach gone now?????
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Dmarie says:
Not sure why we’re talking about the Jets on here, but..being a football fan I can understand jet fans being frustrated, but (imo) this season for them has been much better then past years.
RJ? most of us Islander fans do recognize they stink this season, we’re facing many obstacles, the moves trying to be made wont happen over night and I understand what you mean when you say decades, I’ve been a fan as have many others of this team since the late 70′s I don’t know to many fans today as being happy campers, but what some of us are trying to do is help others see this season and the next few for what they’re going to be, a team in rebuild formation, the last few years we’ve had some major ups and downs.
This team isn’t goin to be a contender anytime to soon and if you read what most Isles fans are saying you’ll see that being said more times then not so to say Us Isles fans have to do realize the team stinks..we know that! sometimes you try to find the good while goin thru the bad.
I’m a Met fan, don’t get me started on the last 2 years with them! and I’m a Islander fan, I’m Bills fan, I love sports! and have learned to ride out the bad years for the good years. -
well put jax
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RJ
“Why do you fight this?”
Why do I or any other fan fight this?
Why do YOU make yourself so damn miserable whining about this and every other miserable loser you root for?
Do yourself a favor and watch professional wrestling or roller derby, it shouldn’t take you long to figure who the winners are and you can be a happy little mushroom for the rest of your life. -
Marc says:
Mangini had three years. Gordon hasn’t yet had three months. Good comparison.
And who is this Remy guy?
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jon says:
I like Bergenheim, but its about time somebody took some time to spend time with him and discuss “improvements” (aka not being stupid with penalties). But stupid is stupid…it doesn’t seem like he’s got control.
Secondly, is there not someone better than Mitch Fritz who can “fight”? I mean, sure, he’s big, but he’s got no other skills. Is there not at least another heavyweight with the ability to take more than 2 shifts per game?
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steve s says:
Thank God that Mitch Fritz is in the lineup. Can’t wait to watch him sit on the bench for 60 minutes. What an absolute waste. BRING UP TREVOR SMITH!
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Alex Kinkead says:
Tom Renney the Rangers coach is the Remy being spoke of
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In my opinion, for whatever reason, some Islander fans (at least on on this list) are almost giddy about this forced rebuild. The team isa joke, but golly gee, we are rebuilding. It’s like you are taking a nap from reality. Any team can rebuild. Any team can say “we are going to get younger”. But the fan base isn’t supposed to say “that’s nice, take your time”. Garth Snow does not deserve credit for “rebuilding”. This was forced upon him by A) a depleted system; and B) no players wanting to come here. Make no mistake, according to Garth Snow himself, he tried to sign players, and they wouldn’t come here. And for whatever reason, for reasons unexplained, some Islander (at least the one’s on THIS list) are almost giddy about this. It’s like you are bragging about it. “We are bad, but we are REBUILDING”. Like it’s something to be proud of. The team hasn’t won a playoff series since 1993, but golly gee, we are REBUILDING!!
And that’s why this blog is produced by Isles management despite our man not owing up to it.
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guerin13 says:
i don’t understand why anybody would want gordon fired. did anybody here honestly expect this team to be any good? i have no idea why anybody would, or even want them to be. we are in total rebuild mode. that means being really bad for at least a couple of years. that’s the plan. do you not want tavares or hedman?
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RJ, I’m not out to call you names or degrade your posts, but the Islanders haven’t been “FAR” worse than the Jets. This is the first time since I’m a fan that the Islanders have commited to a plan and seem like they are going to stick it out pass or fail. Fans are “giddy” because there is actually a plan and a light at the end of the tunnel. Finishing or competing for 8th place each season gets you nowhere except you see more meaningful games.
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hey rj if we cant sign anyone then what are we supposed to do other then rebuild? look at the pens and the red wings and other great teams. red wings drafted yzerman after we drafted lafontaine. isnt yzerman one of their best all time? can tavares be one of our best all time?
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I agree Kevin. Because the franchise is inept, because the system was depleted, because nop one will sign here……there really isn’t any other choice than to rebuild. Usually the term “rebuild” is reserved for a franchise that went through a very good period, but has some players reaching the end of the road. The Isles are more like a shipwreck that needs to be blown up than a team that is “rebuilding”. But again, fans on this list (and only this list) are acting like this is something to be proud of, for whatever reason.
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So what are we suppose to do RJ? Just have a team of old vets that just want the money instead of having a plan and rebuilding? Instead of cryimg like a little girl tell us all what the Isles should do? Instead of whining all year tell us what they need to do, if nobody will sign here and our system is depleted.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
Trade Weight for a #2 and a prospect or a #1.
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well i am proud of it. instead of getting players that are coming here for there final years, we are going to suck and get young guys for the future so yeah i am damn proud that this organization is going to get back on its feet
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joey303 says:
I still dont understand what is wrong with getting young players already in the nhl for the Weights and Guerin’s of the world. Its always about a 1st rounder, 2nd, and I love the 4th rounder suggestions. How many 4th rounders in the NHL, got there in the first 2 years? And how many 3rd rounders are actually playing at a level of more than 30 pts per year? Get young players that have potential. They are already 2-3 years ahead of the “3rd rounders”.
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Brian Lawton was supposed to be a great player. Just because Taveres is supposed to be great, doesn’t mean he will be. There are lots of bust out there. Even if the Isles finish last for the next few seasons, doesn’t necessarily mean the team has a nice future.
Think Bailey will score a goal this year?
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thepolishprince says:
Don’t count me as one of the fans “giddy” for a rebuild. However, I am happy that management finally seems to have a plan in place. Was the rebuild forced on Snow? Sure it was, by the fact that we cannot build a contender any other way. If he sticks to his guns I’m ready and willing to wait the process out.
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Thank You Kevin. Some people just feel the need to complain regardless of the situation.
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So again RJ instead of complaining what should they do?
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I hit enter by mistake – I was going to add -how many teams will give up a 1st rounder for our “vets”? My guess is NONE
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there are more great players then busts…. and if someone can set him up rather then him setting them up then yes.
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Jax: I have no clue what the Isles should do. The team is sooooo bad, I don’t know what they can possibly do. But, in the day and age of parity and a cap, with proper maanaging, a team can go from the outhouse to the penthouse in a few years. No excuse for being this bad in a league of parity and with a salary cap. Inexcusable, despite the fans on this list singing Kumbaya.
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well weight is almost point per game and he could give a team a tremendous boost on the pp so i think they will give up a first. blue jackets never made the playoffs so will they give up a first to get someone who is almost ppg and is top 5 stat wise on the pp? most likely. and they could really use a centerman.
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Weight is def worth a second and decent prospect. Getting a 1st might be hard unless its like a very late 1st like SJ etcc..
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heyheyhey says:
here it is……….
Guerin and a 3rd and 4th this year for phoenix 2nd and 3rd this year and a 2nd next year.
Weight and a 2nd and 5th this year to L.A. for a 2nd, 5th 6th and 8th this year and a 7th next year
Sillinger and an 8th this year for a 5th this year and a 2nd and 5th next year and a 3rd in 2011
Do you see how dumb all of this sounds?
Stop playing GM’s cuz none of us know what we are talking about. I agree with Joey303, no one is giving us anything, cause we have nothing of value unless KO or Neilsen is included.
First rounders??? for Weight? Are u serious? -
RJ- On one hand you can’t believe in a league with a cap and parity the isles are this bad, but then in another post you complain that nobody will come here. So the only way to do it is to rebuild the right way which this franchise has only done once in the last 20 years. In the mid 90′s they were rebuilding and got it right until Milbury destroyed it. Since then it’s been quick fix schemes that have gotten us in as an 8th seed only to get bounced in the 1st rd. The only thing this team can do is try to rebuild it right again. It’s the only real solution the Isles have right now and we have to accept it and wait for the results. That’s what die hard fans do. There is nothing else we can do. The other option is to ignore this team even more and watch them leave. Pretty sure no one here besies maybe you would like to see that.
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RJ, who do you want to win tonight? right now you sound like a rangers fan! i understand your upset about your jersey jets not making the playoffs but you should either stop crying or cry somewhere else! tonight is the most violent rivalry in north america! you should do what im planning and find some rangers fans to take out your aggression on! win or loose its always fun to kick the shit out of some ugly blueshirt wearing bastard!
Lets Go ISLANDERS ! ! !!!
rangers SUCK!!!
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heyheyhey know one is saying it like that btu there are reasonable trades. like i said before, i think weight can fetch a first.
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I have a feeling the Islanders are really going to play well tonight. With DiPietro and net and Weight back at the number one center spot, I feel that we may see the Islanders win 4-2 tonight. I am feeling a goal for Tambellini and Comeau tonight, while Weight tallies two assists and Guerin scores as well. The fourth goal? Richard Park, shorthanded! If this comes true someone needs to give me 100 bucks!
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If Adam Foote can fetch a first, so can Weight. Damn, I long for the days of yore, when we took advantage of dimwitted GM’s. Did we really once get a first rounder for Bob Lorimer?
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Angry Petes Brother says:
I have no problems with Gordon whatsoever. Its the fact that we have 4 lines of has beens or never will be that i have a problem with.
Tavares or bust.
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I agree with you 318J1. But didn’t you get the memo? According to this list, we are supposed to root for the Isles to lose this game.
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RJ…
Put down your paintbrush….the fumes are killing you.
I doubt that ANYONE on this blog, or any other blog is “GIDDY” or “KUMBAYA” about this “rebuild”. Far from it.
From my own perspective, as someone who witnessed the dynasty years and has remained a fan since then, “giddy” is far from an accurate portrayal of my feelings toward the word “rebuild”….
RESIGNED is more appropriate.
And there’s a huge difference between “resigned” and “giddy”.May I suggest YOU try “resigning” instead of what I can only perceive as your own “self flagellation” over this rebuild.
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RedNeckBuford says:
The whole objective of this season is to get that #1 or #2 pick , this is what horrible franchises do to get back on top , (ie. Lemeuix -Pitt ,Jagr-Pitt,Crosby-Pitt,Malkin-Pitt,Ovechkin-Wash,) in order for us to get back on the NHL Map we need Taveras , or Hedman- i prefer the sniper but wont complain if we get the next lidstrom
All islander fans stop worrying about all this other bullcrap with whos playing, whos hurt, who needs to be the goalie
IT DOES NOT MATTER !!!!!!! We need to lose and lose some more and then lose some more- Imagine if we pass Tampa and they get Taveras- WOW- VINNY,STAMKOS,TAVERAS Down the middle—while we would have Bailey & …..????????????? See where im going with this- All of us fans should be focused on 1 goal this year LOSE LOSE LOSE EVERY GAME POSSIBLE !!! -
>>RJ- On one hand you can’t believe in a league with a cap and parity the isles are this bad, but then in another post you complain that nobody will come here>>
I’m not saying I can’t believe it….with the Islanders, it’s not so unbelievable. But a good franchise, with a cap and parity, should not be this bad. And because they are such a joke, no one will come here.
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Darren says:
Detroit Lions are FAR worse then any of the franchise’s that have been talked about.
They NEVER won anything…EVER!! -
RJ, never! although nobody agrees with me on this, i will never want Islanders to loose any game, especially vs rangers (unless we are officialy eliminated from playoff contention but still not vs rangers or devils, oilers, sabers) and i will never want the rangers to win any game even if it ment us going to the playoffs. call me crazy but i am a pure Islanders fan born during the Dynasty so i cant help it.
Lets Go ISLANDERS ! ! !!!
rangers SUCK!!!
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The draft pick is a means of rationalization. While intellectually I know it’s best for the team to lose game after game, I can’t not route for the team. When they scored those two goals in the last 90 seconds against Buffalo, I jumped up in the air I was so psyched. However, if they lose, I think, “OK, at least we’re that much closer to a Top 2 pick.”
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bCarey says:
Isles have looked good the past 3. I think we’ll see a close game. A goaltending duel – Isles 2, Rags 1.
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mjisles says:
cb….what do you think of the islanders acquiring randy jones from the flyers? he is only 26 and his cap hit (2.75) will help us stay at the floor at the deadline. and snow and holmgren have a good relationship so i think that could work.
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doc says:
The difference, in my opinion, in what is happening NOW vs. many of the past regimes is that the rebuilds have been scrapped every time the team showed a little advancement. I do believe that this time… it will develope a little further along until the appropriate time, then pieces will be added.
Right now… it’s just a plan. It seems SNOW has his intentions on sticking to it.
DOC
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I think mrlbem just said it best.
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RJ..nobody on this blog or any other that I know of is happy about things with this team, nobody is goin around saying yippie we’re going to lose again tonight, that’s ridiculous of you to say, most of us are trying to do is take a bad time an realize it for what it is, if you read my other post you’ll see what I said, the only thing fans can do are two things weather the bad and hang on for the good or find themsleves another team if you’re so miserable like others have said, go find a team to cheer the wins every game.
Yes it’s been years since anything with this team has happened, but maybe for the first time in a long time there is possible some light at the end, this team has gone thru some big time obstacles, coaching staff changes, injured players, salary cap issues, and who knows with the lighthouse project and all that surrounds Wang where the Islanders will even end up, but it’s unfair to put down fans for trying to support their team, there’s to many fingers to point at for fault.
As for CB and what you said about his denial of being with the team? I don’t think it’s nice or fair of you to say such things, you basically called the man a liar.
It seems as though you’re posting here at this point to get a rise out of fans, like you’re here to push buttons, if that’s the case..everyone should just move on from this topic and let it go! -
Well, BD says Danis emergency recalled from the Bridge. Hmm…
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I for one will kill my teams before I kill other teams. I am harder on my teams than I am on others. Kind of like Joe Benigno. I kind of like the guy. He destroys the Jets and Mets, his favorite teams. I am going to be harder on the Islanders than I am the Rangers. I don’t really care what the Rangers are doing. You won’t hear me using this so called “rebuild” as an excuse for the futility. I don’t make excuses for my teams.
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Matt says:
It is a little ridiculous the way you guys attack another fan just because he has a different opinion. I don’t know how you guys can’t even see his point of view. I hope we continue in the direction we are going. But I have to disagree with the Gordon comments. Guy has definetely lost me. Have to agree with a couple people on here about Snow making a mistake. I don’t know how anybody on here can’t at least see Gordon’s bone headedness. I don’t know what to do about him. Between Nielson, DP incident, “never pulling his goalie”, his shootout choices, Fighting Comeau’s development when there is far worse players on this team, and many more I am Done with Gordon!
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DanNOLA says:
As much as I’d love to get the best draft pick possible, we HAVE to beat the Rags tonight. There are plenty of games left to lose this year, but tonight we may get to see something special: a full-scale leap off the bandwagon by fairweather Rags fans and the real Rag fans ready to stick their heads in the oven if we win. All is not at all well in Blueshirt land, and we have the chance to really do some damage to that franchise and their lovely fans tonight. Come on guys, let’s have some fun! LET’s GO ISLANDERS!!! Destroy the Rangers!!!
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Logan reports DiPietro is out with a groin strain.
DOC
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DiPietro is not playing tonight according to Logan. Shocking I know. Pulling the wool over everyones eyes again Garth? Such a joke.
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Matt – agree completely on the first part of your post. This forum is great because the fans here have all sorts of different views about every one of CB’s posts. That’s a good thing – we shouldn’t rip on each other for it. At least people still care enough about this franchise to complain about it.
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It just seems everyone is so quick to defend the team when we are all fans. But when do you say enough? I have a hard time how anybody can’t at least see RJ’s view. I’m not saying I completely agree with the guy. Maybe we shouldn’t be “lemmings” all the time and question some of this nonsense. Example A;
Tonights no DP debacle. Yet another joke that has become of the career of DP and this team. They knew abouth this the other day and if you think not you truly are a lemming. -
RedNeckBuford says:
What a joke this Franchise is ..DP now out for 2-4 weeks groin strain …WOW you couldnt make this sh*t up-we are NOW THE DETROIT LIONS OF THE NHL !!!!!
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“Logan reports DiPietro is out with a groin strain.”
I just hope Big Mac got more of a warning than we did! I still don’t understand the logic behind waiting so long to make these announcements. It’s not like the other teams will be tricked into submission…
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DP is done. Go ahead and attack me everyone and blindly defend this guy, team, trainers(miracle workers) and orginization as a whole. This is beyond laughable. Love how every fan at that game knew he reinjured himself and yet most still believed Garth and company even through all of his deceit about this whole thing. Such a joke. Lemmings, that is what we are.
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Scott Gordon = Eric Mangini
The secrets and the coyness with the media has to stop Scott !!!! you will end UP LIKE ERIC MAN”GINA”
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Islanders1984 says:
This guy has got to stop calling his own shots.
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omg, good to know how fans view this org. DP is injury prone and we are blaming garth? if he fetl fine then we played him. now he isnt feeling fine and needs to rest. who cares. this pushes us closer to tavares. let him rest but dont sit him for the seasn but maybe 5-6 weeks until he is 150%. then he will be fine for this team next year when we have our depth at center and look to the future. by depth i mean tavares-bailey-neilson. then we have trivino coming up in 2-3 years. haha ppl compare gordon to mangina. thats a laugh. some fans are priceless. so mnuch for faith
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The guy isn’t calling his own shots our “miracle worker” training staff cleared him to play.
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how do you know he is callin his own shots. do u know him personally. stop acting like you know what is going on in the org.
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Matt…
“I have a hard time how anybody can’t at least see RJ’s view.”
When he prefaces his views with comments like…”The Islanders since 1993 are one of the worst franchises in professional sports”, and “..The Islanders are a joke. It’s the truth. It is reality,” and “It’s like you are taking a nap from reality”, and then declares that we naptimers should hold the team “more accountable”…
…well Matt, I gotta wonder what “his view” is.Can you or RJ provide a clear concise process, indeed a VIEW, for “holding the team accountable” short of not buying tickets to games or screaming on message boards about what a joke the organization is?
Please keep it to less than 100 words. -
This is why a significant portion of the fanbase is not crazy about our franchise goalie. There’s a “Whatever Ricky Wants, Ricky Gets” attitude permeating this organization. He’s a professional athlete, so of course he wants to play. But does the organziation have to allow this? Where was the training staff? Where was the team physician? As one of my fellow season ticketholders says, he’s like the kid Bill Mumy played in that Twilight zone episode–the one where whenever he didn’t get his way, he wished someone away to the cornfields. That’s Ricky. It’s like everyone in the organization is afraid to cross him.
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Faith or blind faith. Yes, I will blame Garth when he is the GM and plays a goaltender who is clearly not ready. You don’t think he has anything to do with not reporting that he is injured? Come on the guy was obviously injured after the Toronto game you could see him grimacing on TV. Nothing like allienating your fanbase constantly when there is not much left to begin with. Go ahead call me a Ranger fan and whatever else you can think of. I don’t know how anyone can’t see this ridiculousness.
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Johnny Islander says:
Hmm… ANOTHER groin strain. Of course, no need to look at the training staff for answers. Right?
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johhny islanders is definately right about that one. Isles must lead the league in groin injuries
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Islander505. I am just saying let the freaking guy have his own opinion for Christ Sake. Why is that such a problem with you? Why is anyone a Ranger fan who doesn’t agree with you and countless others. Thanks for the 100 word comment because you always keep it under I’ved noticed.
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felix says:
DP was a big difference in the win on friday night. that being said let him relax and condition for a week or two, lets play hard but get a couple more losses until he is back.
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And yeah the Islanders have been ONE of the worst franchises in sports since 1993. How can you not see that. It doesn’t mean I am not a fan or you are better than me it is just evident. How can’t anyone see that between the ownership debacle and Milbury. Come on man open your eyes.
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MJS says:
Why even let DP play again this season? Why not do what Boston did with Manny Fernandez and shut him down all season? He’s back in top form this season and the B’s are better for it. I know Manny had a different knee injury, but DP had his summer surgery, another clean out surgery, and now is out again (probably for less time, but who knows). It seems pointless during this season to keep him on the ice. I know he’s one of the few truly marketable players on the team and not playing him is bad, but he’s got 12 more years to be sold to fans. I wouldn’t cry if J Mac was starting for the rest of the season if it meant we were better next year.
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Condition? He is out for 2-4 weeks.
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Come on guys! Enough of the Mangeni talk! There is a game to play tonight! Let’s have some fun and beat the Rangers! That team is a mess (in some ways maybe even more so than the Islanders) and we can do some incredible damage to them tonight! Personally, I’d rather think about that than fighting amongst ourselves.
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Matt…
“Why is anyone a Ranger fan who doesn’t agree with you and countless others.”Who accused him of being a Ranger fan?
Not me.
I haven’t accused him (RJ) of being anything…except maybe someone who is a tad loose with facts.
I could accuse him of being a masochist…based on the pain he has expressed here in being a Jets/Mets/Isles fan for decades.
But then that “might” be the same as accusing him of being a Ranger fan, so I won’t.“Thanks for the 100 word comment because you always keep it under I’ved noticed.”
Thanks for paying attention Matt.
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Joe says:
Glad to hear DP is out, whats the point of rushing him back? Clearly, him playing Friday was a mistake, though its nice to win a home game once a month, just for the morale. Hope its not too lopsided tonight and Fritz takes on Colton.
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Willis says:
Being that it really does seem to BE a circus, maybe we could get a clown as our mascot now????????
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jj says:
DP looks like WWE wrestler. This is the reason why he is always injured.
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JJ- I said months ago somebody should look into the roids angle. He got huge the last couple of years and now he is breaking down like a donkey carrying Rosie O’Donnel across the desert.
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MiKe says:
FRITZ vs. ORR please. Make him ur bitch Mitch!!!
Lets Go Islanders!
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Guggs says:
The only way to put the D-P issue is: The Islander organization grossly mishandled their franchise player. The Isles should be charged by the DA with negligence.
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michael says:
chris.. will versus be so kind to extend to the NY area the game in VERSUS HD???? because frankly im sick and tired of the islanders getting on versus and having my HD signal blacked out for NO REASON!
i noticed they did the same thing to the devils last week. whats going on!?
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Michael, I live out east and I got the Capitals game in HD. Not to sound stupid but did you have the HD channel 719 instead of the SD channel on 408?
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jax OBVIOUSLY i put the hd channel on.. in nyc the hd channel is 794 and SD is 122.. i’m all over that.. versus HD is blacked out right now.. must be getting in gear to piss me off tonight! will we get to see Sam “i never heard of a dentist” Rosen and our old pal michelleti tonight in hd on msg??
i know lil jimmy dolan doesn’t wanna upset his “loyal” fans.
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Btw, i think DiPietro is done. We need some miracle there.
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brian says:
The only problem I have with this Blog is that there is a perception that this Islander season is part of a plan. Garth Snow wanted to win this season. He thought the team would be much much more competitve than what it has been. The plan at the beginning of the season was not finish last and draft Taveres. Snow thought the Isles would be good this year. And with that said, his eye for talent has to be seriously questioned.
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Brian B says:
I blame training staff and doctors. I’ve backed these guys up forever saying how many teams face the same problems and that there are many things they can’t control. But you know what…they are doing something wrong. Twice DP has been cleared to come back this year and he’s gotten injured again. That is 1. poor conditioning for a guy who supposedly is a fitness freak and extremely athletic, and 2. failure to realize that DP isn’t ready to play…and wrongfully clearing him to come back. I know DP and Snow possibly should get some blame too.
DP is their franchise goalie and they have to shut him down for the rest of the year…thats it. Its hard to find a franshise gaolie and Joey Mac is not the answer…he’s an OK backup goalie. He’s a rebound machine and just isn’t a full time starter at all. DP is one and Isles need him for the next decade. Since he’s clearly not healthy, maybe the Isles training staff and Snow should do the right thing and shut him down for the remainder of the year. See you next year Ricky. -
ny711ot says:
as far as a trade goes please remember that we need to take a contract back to stay at the league minimum. and claude lemieux signed with the sharks
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shut him down for the year? how is that supposed to help him? and why is snow at fault? he was cleared to play then they played him and he got hurt because he is injury prone. and him not playign for the rest of the year would do nothing. 2-4 weeks he will be out but i say keep him out 4-6 weeks so he can train more. shutting him down would be the worst thing. so if he is ready to go after 7 weeks and they say no were not playing you for the rest of the year that helps him?
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The Gordon Girls with Bea Arthur says:
You SIT Rick because the season is meaningless, we are tired of the drama of Rick the Co-GM always coming back too soon and playing hurt or getting reinjured and we have 38 more years on a horrible contract that we need him either healthy and playing or finished and retired.
He isn’t going to retire if he can play well 10 games and hurt for 20, he’s just going to collect his paycheck and leave fans hoping each year our next backup is better than our last.
THE TEAM needs him 100% able to play, and he is an injury MACHINE right now and must take time off and heal, take time to grow up and get better and be the goalie we all want him to be, not the goalie we wait and wait on and end up seeing out for yet another long perio of time.
Sit Rick. It’s a business decision. He’s long term, not short term and shouldn’t be rushed back for short term gratification of select fans and American Idol attendees.
Well I am on my way to Reno tonight and I put a small bet on the Islanders to win….$25 straight up. Hope they can give me a Christmas present since they are massive underdogs! Or the Grand Sierra take some more money away from me! Lets Go Islanders!