PRE-GAME: NYI at Pittsburgh, 7:35 pm
DP for an AHL tuneup?…Sim clears…Comrie…
1:05 pm – Jon Sim has cleared waivers and will remain with the Islanders. However, Sim will not be playing tonight. Nate Thompson is back in after sitting out a game with the flu. Mitch Fritz remains in the lineup and will fight Godsy.
Joey MacDonald returns to the nets, likely for every game until Rick DiPietro returns. This is our psychological read on Scott Gordon’s comments after Yann Danis played in Philly that he’d “have to look at the tape” and “I’d like him to get the game-winner,” referring to Simon Gagne’s slapper.
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As reported by Katie Strang in today’s Newsday, Rick DiPietro has started to skate in full goalie gear and hopes to return to action by Christmas.
It has been suggested by some Point Blank readers and we wholeheartedly agree: whenever DiPietro is cleared for game action, he should start with a conditioning stint in Bridgeport. For example, the Sound Tigers play three games in three days at their home rink between Dec. 19-21. If DiPietro is cleared by then, playing the games Friday (Springfield) and Sunday (Lowell) and being around the AHL team for the weekend would be a terrific pressure-free tuneup for him.
(Sound Tigers tickets are available by calling 203.334.GOAL).
If an AHL stint was good enough for 1,000-gamer Mike Sillinger, it’s good for DiPietro. If it’s good enough for 1,600-gamer Chris Chelios (in Grand Rapids this week), it’s good enough for DiPietro.
And if you’re scoring at home, a few years ago the Islanders and one of their goaltenders agreed a game in Bridgeport was what the doctor ordered. The fact that the goalie was 36 years old and well-established in the NHL did not get in the way of the smart thing to do. The goalie stopped 29 of 30 shots and the Sound Tigers won.
The goalie was Garth Snow.
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Mike Comrie skated at Iceworks today and appears to be close to returning to the Islanders lineup. Word is the treatments and time off have done wonders for the health of the center, who underwent hip surgery in the offseason.
There’s an excellent chance Comrie will re-join the Islanders for a full practice on Monday and could play when the team hosts Washington on Tuesday.
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Did you know?…Eight of the ten most-watched events in the history of TSN – Canada’s version of the World Wide Leader in Sports – are games featuring Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. That’s Canada. That’s hockey.
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Reminder: Bruno Gervais will be at an Islanders-hosted event at the Dave & Buster’s at the Source Mall in Westbury tonight. Watch the Islanders-Penguins game with Bruno and win stuff.
I did tell the story about Bruno repeatedly calling my son Cole on his own after my son had surgery 18 months ago, right? You’ll have a blast with Bruno tonight. Check it out if you can.
He also shares a Foundation with Max Talbot of the Penguins, so he’s probably good for some stories about his buddy.
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Rick DiPietro is the subject of a lot of discussion in the Comments area of Point Blank. But it says something about what the general populace feels about the goaltender when he can draw an immense crowd of Islanders fans to Sunrise Mall like he did last night for an autograph signing, even when he’s out of the lineup.
I suspect he will still be the team’s biggest star for at least a few more years. Shoot, look at what you can get on not just nhl.com but MLB.com.
Thoughts on DP to Bport, reaction to anything else and your game predix in Comments. See you later. B.D. Gallof – off a record-setting Monday – has the game recap. I will work on other things.
177 Responses to PRE-GAME: NYI at Pittsburgh, 7:35 pm
DP for an AHL tuneup?…Sim clears…Comrie…
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larry says:
if dp is playing in a bridgeport tune up, you gotta believe the arena at harbor yards ticket line will be a busy one. i can just see the headline, “get your tickets now for the progidal son’s return!”
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cgs878 says:
Wow, I went to post a comment and Bruno Gervais popped up from somewhere! Nice trick CB.
A stint at Bridgeport will be good for DP. If he plays every game from Christmas Day+1 until the All Star break, he’ll have a nice span of time to “get back into his NHL groove.” After so many false starts, though, he’ll have to *really* prove himself at the NHL level to the Islanders fans… restore the faith, so to speak.
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Willis says:
Comrie in on Tuesday????!!? He just went out less than a month ago because he was soooo not ready to come back yet (and according to the schedule of the injury he really shouldn’t be back till mid January), and now he’s totally fine? Hmmmm, something doesn’t sound right.
I hope DP agrees to those games in Bport, I think its a great idea, both for him and for his team.
Good luck to our boys tonight. No blowouts!!!
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kevin says:
suond tigers is a good idea. wouldnt mind going. went when silli was there. surprised at no one picking up sim for some depth. if comrie is back at full strength then we should get some scoring. cannot wait for fritz godard rematch. should be god game tonight, GO ISLES!
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Darren says:
Absolutely no question he should go down to B-port!
At this point you would think HE would want to go! -
Steve says:
I would be disapointed if DiPietro refused to go to B-Port. In Baseball and in hockey players do it all the time.
Steve -
guerin13 says:
i agree that a brief ahl stint would serve dp well. no pressure and he needs to work off the rust before playing in the nhl. i’m keeping an open mind about comrie. his injury may have been the cause of his poor play and now that he’s healthy maybe he’ll do a decent job.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
I wish someone picked up Sim but really why would anyone pickup Sim when it was hard for Parrish to get a deal and Parrish is so much better than Sim.
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Brian G says:
*Sorry for the long post
Hey Chris -
If DP goes down to Bridgeport for a few games – How does the Holiday roster Freeze work with that – will he have to stay at brideport until 12/26…also is there any talk of giving Joey Mac a
1 year contract extention?Could you have a article about the decisions not to trade Satan and the other UFA’s at last years trading deadline – was it that hard to get Satan to Waive his NTC to go to a playoff team.I’m sure they could have got 5th or 6th Rd picks for Vasicek & Fedotenko
PS: For People doing their Holiday Shopping – Modell’s is giving away 2 FREE tickets to the Boston Game on 1/15/09 if you purchase $50 in Islander apparel (or any NHL Apparel) – I was buying an Islanders Jacket for my brother and they just gave me the voucher – Great Deal
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Matt says:
I thought we were done with the WJC thing CB? Guess not. Not that I don’t agree with you….. Dipietro going down to the Bridge for a couple is a great idea! Wonder if he would agree to it? Might answer a lot of questions everybody has been asking about the kids character if he went or not.
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JayK says:
What’s sort of unstated here but one can read between the lines is that DP’s attitude is such that a conditioning stint would be beneath him. Is this an accurate description of his outlook on his status?
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blitz says:
DP did not take too kindly to the last time NYI sent him to BST. Maybe he has matured since then…
Is that Garth Snow or Jon Candy playing hockey? My lord, talk about a little too much “protection” from injury (or a goal…).
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I think that is the general consensus. Would do away with a lot of those negative feelings if he agreed to it though. I just can’t see him doing it even though I believe it would be beneficial to him coming back a good goaltender again.
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mrlbem says:
JayK,
Careful. The issue of DP’s attitude regarding a potential conditioning stint in Bridgeport is something I brought up here several weeks ago and I was taken to task in the comments and accused of being anti-DP.
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Strummer's Army says:
I believe that DiPietro should play in Bridgeport until it is 100% certain he is good to go. If it is 3 games or if it is the full 2 weeks he is entitled too that is fine. Excited to have Ricky back (but don’t mess us up getting the first pick Rick!)
I had hoped Sim would find a new home but pleased to see they are doing the right thing in not playing him and moving on.
I am interested to see how the team comes out and plays tonight. Now they know jobs are on the line. Sim’s head getting cut off for poor play is a clear message to the rest of the guys to produce or else.
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I am curious what lines are you reading between to come up with that, JayK. I think its the lines of one of us big-mouthed fans. How about you instead just see what happens without jumping to any conclusions based on what speculating fans have to say?
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When Rick does return I am interested to see how the coaching staff and management handles him, will they continue to over work Rick? Based on comments from the summer you’d say no but based on how they over worked J. Mac I’d say ya they’ll make the same mistake that has been made for years and not protect their franchise player.
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Joe says:
Fritz-Thompson-Jackman has been my dream fourth line for this season.
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Tony says:
Please, no further whining about Bailey and the junior tourney. I’m begging you.
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I think DP has a lot to prove because he really hasn’t proved much. I’m not a DP hater but think the kid gets way too much credit here and on other forums. He definetely has talent, there is no doubt about it. He just is incosistent and does give up a bad goal a little too often for my taste. He has never won a playoff series or carried the team into the playoffs. I know he had a good first half last year but is that enough to call him a top 5 or even 10 goaltender in the NHL? Not in my book. Half his highlight real saves are made after he is caught out of position. I do hope he turns into that and think he can if he can stay healthy(that is a big “if”). Go ahead start bashing me!!!!!
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Pat says:
I went to the game at the Rock last night – and Godsie was a scratch. Never found out if it was a healthy scratch or an injury
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IslesHockey21 says:
I’m with Tony on this one. Getting tiring.
Moving on (hopefully for good), having Fritz, Thompson, and Jackman in the lineup should be interesting. Three guys who are all more than willing to drop the gloves.
I would LOVE it if DP went to the Bridge for a couple of games. Dubie did it last year (albeit, in very different circumstances). Gotta disagree about the pressure aspect, being an NHL All-Star DP’ll likely be thoroughly embarrassed for giving up a goal, not to mention if the other team nets more than one (which probably should happen given how rusty he will be).
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Pat, he was a healthy scratch, he better be in tonight.
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TuxTax says:
Saw DP at 7-11 last thursday…he seemed to be walking fine. He sure does look taller in person though…
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frank nyc says:
So what happens with sim now that he has cleared waivers.
I understand he remains with the team, but in what capacity?? -
DiPietro has not been inconsistent for years. He is a excellent goalie, good positionally, excellent on his angles, PHENOMENAL REBOUND CONTROL, and much more. He is the exact kind of guy you win CUPS with. One constant has been he has always been forced to play behind a horrendous defense. That has to change.
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isnt godard a scratch for tonight? look at the website
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Kevin Fitz says:
Like the idea of him going to Bport. And as for Comrie, remember, we haven’t really seen him at full strength since the beginning of last year. At that time he was play awesome. So I will forgo judgement on his value to this team until i have seen him play 8 to 10 games healty again.
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The bench warming capacity.
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Other goalies in the league have played behind questionable defenses and had much better results. I’m not questioning his talent but I don’t know how you can say the guy has been consistent. He has been consistently unconsistent. Don’t get me wrong I think the guy can be great someday. I don’t know where you are coming up with the cup comment the guy hasn’t even stole a playoff round or come close. I know it is a team sport but many a “elite” goalie has stolen a round or carried a team through the playoffs.
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Dan sec 303 says:
I agree DP should go for a conditioning stint at Bridgeport. But also so should Comrie. Why not, they’re playing the same system. Comrie is coming back like DP, off of surgery and came back too soon and needed more time. Let’s see how he holds up in Bridgeport and if all good, then come on back.
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"Dissillusioned Brian" in VA says:
No DP is practicing!! Well only a few practices until he injures his knee/hip/head. Oh wait his head is already injured. Nice attitude he has! I HATE DP! Sorry CB delete me I guess!
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Dan from Westchester says:
As much as I’m excited to see DP back in nets – find it hard to believe he would accept any assignment to Bridgeport. Probably feels it’s beneath him.
Maybe they’ll actually show up for the 3rd period tonight against the Pens – There’s a first time for everything right?
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Moose says:
with the whole DP not being able to steal a playoff round argument that seems a little unfair considering that the isles have been the 8 seed against some very good teams…before his injury in the smyth year they were well on their way to being a higher seed rather than just barely making it in…i think there post season failure is because they havent had superstar scorer
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Excuses, I have heard them all. That is a good one though with the 8th seed I suprisingly have not heard that one yet! Again I don’t think DP is bad, in fact one day he could be an incredible goalie. MY OPINION is he gets a little(sarcassam) too much credit for being an “elite” goaltender. It is MY belief that he has not done enough to recieve the notariety that he gets!! If and only if he can turn it around after these injuries(which I have my doubts) he can be a great goalie. The guy has had 2 knee surguries and 2 hip surgeries at 26. That is going to be a tough one to come back from guys. Even though the success rate and recovery time has gotten much better over the years for orthopedics you are never quite the same afterward. I hope I am wrong and he comes back and kicks butt. Just don’t see it on a consistent basis or for a long period of time till he gets injured again. Sorry for long post CB. Have a good night all off to work!
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DanNOLA says:
DP in B-Port? What’s next, snow here in New Orleans?
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Here is the thought:
Maybe Isles will play with a little more determination with DP in the net. He has been (please, agree with me) a big character for his team and motivationaly loud in the locker room. Compare to Jmac (who is a great dependable goalie and I love to watch him play) is very quiet guy and not being any factor for the team’s motivation.
As for tonight’s game:
Has anyone noticed that most teams we play had a loss in their previos game and comig out on ice with one agenda – to win and redeem themselves. Everytime I’m watching the game with the team we are playing next, I’m asking myself same question: Can they, please, play with Isles the same way they are playing(sucking) tonight? Unfortunately, almost never happens. So expecting the war from Penguins is starting at 7:30pm and Isles stickin’ around with penalties. Unless Miracles do happen… -
bCarey says:
i really don’t get the DP hating. that is all.
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After reading about the GM/owners reaction to the NHL board of govs meeting they recently held reguarding the economy and having a large number of teams within a few million of the cap, I don’t think you could get anyone to take Sim’s million dollars. Even Bettman has said that the cap will likely remain stagnant for next year, and there are many good players that need to be shored up with little wiggle room. If I were in that situation, there is no way in hell I would take Sim even for nothing but his contract.
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UIF says:
Wow, I disagree with the “excellent on his angles” talk with DP. That’s always been his weakest attribute, imo, and I’ve always speculated it’s more lack of concentration than anything else. He has all the tools, but I think he tries to do too much and loses sight of some of the boring ol’ finer details. In 2006-07, I thought DP really made fantastic strides with playing the angles better, but I thought it fell off again a bit last season, even when he was still having success and playing good hockey.
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Who gives him notoriety? a lot of isles fans including yourself dont think he is any good…they need him back, for as good as Joey Mac has been they are tied for the most goals allowed in the NHL
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no, his angles are great but you might be thinking when he is too active and takes himself out of the play which he does less but is different then playing angles.
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Cincy says:
From Newsday…
DiPietro, however, is relishing the chance to return. “Definitely you realize how much you enjoy playing the game and the competition of being in net for the games,” DiPietro said. “But now I’m rested and maybe we can go on a run to finish out the last half of the season.”
He wants to “go on a run to finish out” the season? He actually thinks he can play all those games? Doesn’t McD deserve to play at least 1 out of every 3 or 4? I would think so. It would be beyond rediculous if, after the DP injury debacle, the Isles don’t use a 2-goalie system at least for the rest of this year.
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JPinVA says:
Vlad, I think you might be on to something. For some reason I see a bumper sticker with Snow, Wang, Gordon and an Islander logo. Underneath the pics is the line… KEEP ON SUCKIN’
Couldn’t pass that one up.
When DP comes back I hope that Commissioner Gordon allows the gloved crusader and the not so boyish wonder to split time for the remainder of the season. This one is a washout from game 25… never had to say that when Nolan was behind the bench.
Accountability is a b!tch, ain’t it.
CB, thanks for ruining my over-under by posting at about 75. still gonna be close though. -
rbw says:
“The goalie was Garth Snow.”
And there isn’t even a monument *cough*, or a plaque…
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Marc says:
Um, Cincy… Where exactly do you get “HE actually thinks HE can play all those games” out of “maybe WE can go on a run”? Crazy thought, I know, but think maybe he means his TEAM can go on a run? Think maybe you and the rest of the Ricky-haters could at least wait until he says/does something wrong before you start bashing him for a change?
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Tavares or Hedman is looking good. Lets keep losing!!!
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Bad mouthing Rick DiPietro is really rediculous, ok he seems to be a little injury prone, hopefully he will correct that, just like Phil Simms did. He also needs realize, that he has to play all 60 plus games , like he does when he’s playing against Martin Brodure. Ricky can lead the Islander’s to a Stanley Cup. Interseting how often all involed, mentioned, how if the NY Islander’s had Jon Sims last season how he would have made a “Big” difference. Wasn’t even picked up on waivers. And last, why talk about Richard Park, Andy Hilbert, and please, Trent Hunter, as players we should trade, for draft choices. Right now, Bailey, Bergenheim, Comeau, Hilbert, Hunter, Nielson, Okposo, Park, Thompson, Campoli, Gervais, Streit, DiPietro, and Joey Mac Donald, are the Core mix of the future. If Doug Weight and Bill Guerin plan to play for another three plus years I wuold not let them go. I would also bring Jesse Joensuu, Trevor Smith, Mike Igguiden, and Thomas Marcinko up and play them. And see, what the youth of this franchise has. Hopefully they finish showing their future potential, but finish last, so they can pick #1 in the draft. In the off season, hopefully they can land a few quality free agents. Thats what this franchise needs to do. Mark
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Alex Kinkead says:
If the Islanders come in last with our luck we would lose the draft lottery!
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DP is a very good goalie. He just needs to handle the puck a little less and not get injured so much and we will have an excellent goalie.
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“If the Islanders come in last with our luck we would lose the draft lottery!”
lol! your so right, could u imagine the conspiracy talk if that were to happen?
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Islanders1984 says:
Larry thats why we need to come in last, if we lose the draft lottery we still draft at # 2
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Not to sound so negative, but I almost think I would rather finish with the 2nd pick so we can’t screw it up. There seems to be enough of a drop to say that Tavares and Heddman are above the rest. Imagine the outcry for years if whoever we take at number one ends up nowhere near the number two pick? It is too early to really worry about this, but just a thought.
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I can see what u mean joe, because in all honesty I feel the islanders need tavares more then they need hedman. I feel Tavares will go # 2 and all the pressure will be off for the islanders in choosing him
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whos to say the number 2 pick will be bad but number one will be good joe? thats always a possibility. anything can happen with the draft
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its obviously way too early to speculate but looking at our other contenders for the bottom: Toronto (just picked Schenn) and Atlanta (Bogosian) would take Tavares and Tampa Bay (Stamkos) would take Heddman…if the isles had the choice it has to be Tavares, he would be the front line player this team has been missing since Ziggy
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Tom says:
AWESOME blog! I’d like to see DP with at least one start in Bpt. If for no other reason than to endear himslef to the DP haters. He is by far the most talented player than Isles have had in years, if he wasn’t so stubborn/stayed in net & the Isles had more than one NHL dman each night, he’d have the #’s. Throw the haters a bone Rick, you don’t NEED no stint in the stinkin’ AHL. I know that, you know that. Do it anyway. Then you can smack the next putz in the mouth who says you aren’t a team player or your uncoachable.
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just becuase they took a dman doesnt mean they wont take one again… i say we take the best available ( that doesnt mean trade down)
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Pure speculation on who teams will choose. Have a funny feeling the #2 pick ain’t going to be that bad.
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you’re right, we do lose if we finish last and get the second pick. that is the lowest pick possible for the league’s worst team. but a worse case scenario would be to finish 29th, when we could conceivably end up with the sixth pick. the way the lottery works is that no team can move up or down more than four places from their position in the standings at the end of the season. there may be some stipulation where the 29th place team can’t go lower than fifth, but i can’t find it. take a look: 2008 lottery odds
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redz says:
DiPietro is the undisputed star of this team, by far. Let’s not let recent injuries cloud this view. I’d love to see him play a few games for Bridgeport, best for him, best for the NYI.
On the WJC? I’m Canadian, that tournament is the BEST hockey (maybe in all sports) tournament in the world. The intensity of the games and the pressure involved, the level of emotion the “KIDS” go through is incredible.
Sad that Bailey won’t be part of it.
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You can move as much as 5 spots ahead but only one back
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Tampa should send STAMKOS!
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I didn’t mean that the pick will be bad Kevin, but I think with the number two pick a lot of the pressure is taken off the staff because they really can’t do any wrong as long as we take the best available player for where were are slotted (AND not trade down). If it were up to me, I would definitely take Tavares but the one guy who I’d like to see here would be Mike Komisarek. The longer the Habs wait to sign him, the worse the situation gets for them. Bring a LI kid home and who can help out team. Adding two players with that caliber to our lineup next year gives us a lot more respect than in several years past.
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Sorry 4 spots ahead
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45 Cincy on Dec 11th, 2008 15:28:14 said:
From Newsday…”maybe we can go on a run to finish out the last half of the season.”
He wants to “go on a run to finish out” the season? He actually thinks he can play all those games?Oh for craps sake, come ON already. Rick isnt even allowed to hope that his friggin team can go on a run and do well without all the crazy word substitutions? Rick did not SAY that he wants to go on a run to finish out the season. Rick also did not SAY that he thinks he can play all those games. YOU said those things- NOT RICK. Dont you people know the difference between what you actually read and what you imagine? It is absolutely baffling to see the way some people process things.
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JPinVA, you were wrong on two things:
Not a bumper sticker, but a license plate cover. And not SUCKIN’, but STICKIN’.
And (with all respect to others) I also want them to win(and they can), at least for the confidence sake. Yes, most likely, they are going to finnish close to last and get one of those PICKs. But, in my opinion, if the team does not have confidence and a strong and smart organization behind, no 1st or 2nd picks will help. Unless they are “freaks of nature” like Ovechkin, Crosby or Malkin who could take the whole team on their shoulders and win a lot of games by themselves. And, as we all know, it doesn’t happen often. How many Gretsky’s type players out there? Just one: Gretsky.
There is absolutely no guarantee that your “Pick” will shine. Look at the teams who got 1sts and 2nds this summer. Are they realy that much better? I’m not gonna teach anyone by bringing the fact that hockey is a TEAM sport. Usualy it takes much more than one player to win games and Stanley Cups (*see the 4 Cup’s Dynasty). A lot of fans already stood by and supported the idea of the young feature. Now it’s time for the Team to do the same. -
Recent injuries? The guy has been injured 1/2 his time here! Not bashing but lets be honest with ourselves.
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o now i no what ur sayng joe. i totally agree.
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okay, yes. makes sense. up four, down one. so clearly if you pick lower than you finish, you suck at life.
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vlad it takes more then one draft to rebuild….henceforth almost everyone wants to bad bad for at least two more years.
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yeah joe i like your komisarek idea, lets bring Christopher Higgins, Mike Komisarek and Eric Nystrom home, and get Colton Gillies over here, call up Jordon Hart, bring tambellini back up. nowww we’re talking! anyone know if battlin billy is still playin in any mens leagues or if hes got a relative we can throw between the pipes? talk about connectin with the fan base.
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Larry,
I can honestly care less about Nystrom or Gillies or Hart, etc. To me the only one worth it on the ice would be Komisarek so you completely missed my point. If I wanted to watch guys that were a shell of their bloodlines, I would have named everyone you are talking about. -
Kevin, you are absolutely right about bad bad. ‘Couse there is NO possibility and any hope of good good for this two (+) years?
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i was kidding about the rest, but i do agree with you about komisarek. hes a helluva player. he and higgins always seem to play great against the isles, i wonder how motivated they would be to play for them.
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Jon says:
We get it Chris, you think Bailey should be playing in the world juniors. Now let it go…
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Islander505 says:
Well done Joe in “my old home town-North”.
It IS time to start talkin up Komisarek as a UFA signing.
That should be the NBR 1 Priority for Snow in the UFA-season. -
you can hope current prospects do well, dp doesnt get hurt and frtz cracks some skulls. tats what i hope for during rebuild.
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Mitch is in, goddard “may be” out… do you think he has a little “Fritzy Flu”
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Does Anyone know of Krill Petrov will be at the WJC
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admin says:
Thank you to all the readers telling me it’s time to drop the Bailey thing. Because, ya know, we never beat dead horses around here! LOL…CB
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jax says:
Petrov is still out with a seperated shoulder. Don’t think he is playing
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Petrov has played a few games the last week with the equivalent of Ak Bars’ AHL team. He will be in camp for Team Russia at the WJC…CB
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oh ok thanks cb, good to hear
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We need to get him here ASAP!!!!
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not happening…CB
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I read an interview with him a few months back, I think he said he wanted at least one more year in Russia, and then he would decide. From that interview I feel confident he will eventually come.
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Not happening as in ever? or just in a year or so?
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I’ve read that he(Krill) is out for a few months with an injury.
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Lets hope it not “not ever”
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I guess that’s what happens when you don’t refresh your screen, and you post information that is a few days old. Thanks for the update.
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Josh says:
CB, Could you please stop whining about Bailey not going to the WJC? It’s getting old and then to see you put a picture up of Crosby and talking about how good it was for him is laughable. The notion that Crosby wouldn’t be as good if it were not for the WJC is absolutely ridiculous. We know you like Bailey as a person but the only mistake the Isles are making is not giving him a personal experience that he would charish for a lifetime. It will have absolutely zero to do with his development as there are MANY players who never see the WJC and turn out great. Please get off of the soap box, we understand your agenda.
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We should have Yashin talk to him, he is still on the cap books.
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Get Petrov over before Kovalchuk becomes a UFA. Maybe they would want to play with each other. Have Taveras center that line. Nasty!!!! It will never happen but still…..
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Josh: I glad you’re on board with the team on this one. I’m not. That’s all.
On Petrov, I mean like not immediately, and maybe not for at least one or two years. I have some calls in and hope to get clarity.
Enjoy the game, everyone…CB
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Im excited to get Figren over here as well as petrov. I htink figren should be over next year
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Keep up the good work CB. No ther site out there like this baby!!!
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Big fan of Figren myself. He should make the team next year.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
I don’t think people here are DP haters … they are making their opinion of him known. DP is hard to hate .. sure … he hasn’t carried the Isles on his back during the years they made the playoffs … and sure he’s been caught an injury bug a boo the last 11 months … but DP is still the best drafted talent the Isles have had this decade.
He’s an Islander through and through … the fact that he wants to compete in EVERY GAME is a GOOD THING … I want a player like that on my team… The thing DP has to learn is that it’s best for his career and the Isles if he plays maybe 60 games a year and lets a backup (J-Mac is worthy) take every 4th game.
I also want to add that the stupid “trapazoid” rule that bars a goalie from playing the puck also puts defensemen at risk from getting hit from behind … I have noticed more runs from behind since that rule … besides think of all the plays Rick can make by moving the puck in those restricted areas… Why deminish a goalie’s talent with those rules … (just my lobying for a retraction of that rule)
I hope for Rick’s sake he sees some action in BP before coming back to the Isle… We all know he’s the #1 … he has nothing to prove … he’ll one day when the team is built be able to claim his right to elite status … for now I see him as an excellent goalie on the cusp of elite.
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Oh … for those that didn’t get DanNOLA’s sarcastic remark about Snow in New Orleans …(#38) yeah … it did Snow in New Orleans today. LOL! Good One Dan!
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I’m with the general consensus – DP should go down to the Bridge to get himself in game shape. Having him down there might have a positive impact on the kids, too, like I’m sure Sillinger was. I want to make sure we get it right this time, since having him healthy for the duration of the contract is far more important than maximizing the games he plays this season. Let him take his time, and let him split no more than 60/40 with Joey Mac the rest of the way.
DanNOLA – enjoy the snow down in N’Awlins. I’ve only been there in June, so I remember it raining hot water, nothing about snow!
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i say 70/30. he is the startng goalie
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Figren hasnt exactly been lighting it up this year, but he looked extremely impressive at the WJC’s last year. What’s your take on that CB? Is it the change of scenery in Europe hockey as opposed to Juniors?
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505, I have a house in “the park’ but I am an Albany Ave alum. I was born in 81 so I have zero dynasty memories. Getting another Nystrom, Gillies, Hart, etc. to play for the Isles is useless. When I mentioned Kommy, I want a home town kid where he belongs. He will be 27 if he hits Free Agency so age shouldn’t be an issue.
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jesus this is embarrassing. i wonder if tavares and hedman are watching the worst 5 teams and are crapping themselves. at least our top three players have points so far. ( hunter,weight, streit)
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This is exactly the situation Tavares wants to come into. Think about it…he would immediately be the first line center on this team, and if he leads them to the playoffs or to a Cup, he is considered a savior and one of the best players. The Islanders have a wealth of young talent that is only going to get deeper in this upcoming draft and more experienced over time. I really think we are on our way to building an overall winner.
On a side note, MacDonald looks human tonight, and unfortunately, has looked human the past few games. I think it is time to bring back DP.
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rob section 315 says:
fire the coach now .. hes a waste
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Jon says:
The Islanders have packed it in and I’m on the verge of doing the same with this team.
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“constant penguin pampering from the refs”
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WM says:
And I was stupid enough to purchase a 20 voucher ticket package prior to the season. I couldn’t give those away at this point.
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Jim M says:
rob section 315 were missing DP, frans, okposo, martinek, gervais,..his system works. not with the roster were stuck with at the moment. How do we rebuild when were constantly changing coaching staff and style. Gordon should and will stay.
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PTA says:
thankfully Mac is being pulled…just not his night against a team you can’t afford to give easy ones to….maybe for once we can be the team to come back…..
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I thought Gordon NEVER replaces his goalie mid – game unless there’s an injury! Didn’t he go out of his way to make that clear during the Carolina game when DP came out?
Not sure I can believe anything from this guy at this point.
5-1 man this is embarassing.
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this is getting ugly
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Dan, he said he didn’t believe in doing it for the sake of changing momentum. Doing it because your goalie doesn’t have it and is fighting the puck is a different story.
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rookie coach, rookie team….and we are all supposed to be patient and have faith in Snow who has nothing to offer……why can’t we at least get an experienced GM…
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WM on Dec 11th, 2008 20:28:53 said:
“And I was stupid enough to purchase a 20 voucher ticket package prior to the season. I couldn’t give those away at this point.”
Not true- if you want to give them away, contact me and Ill happily take them.
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beatlebailey says:
i dont care if DP came back at all this year. We need to SUCK to the fullest extent of SUCKNESS there is to finish first in the draft..i am officially a “TANKER”..lose baby lose!…and i have season tix..what a dumbass!
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Same here, TMC.
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This is Gordon after the Carolina game :
Islanders coach Scott Gordon already is on record saying it’s not his style to pull goalies because of poor performance or simply to try to shift momentum for a struggling team.
Nick – I don’t disagree with the move at all – just was more suprised than anything else.
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115 Dan from Westchester on Dec 11th, 2008 20:36:37 said:
I thought Gordon NEVER replaces his goalie mid – game unless there’s an injury! Didn’t he go out of his way to make that clear during the Carolina game when DP came out?
Did Scott Gordon “go out of his way to make that clear”? No he did NOT- yet ANOTHER fallacy. What you are remembering is the media grilling him about why he didnt put Rick in- when the fact we all know NOW is that Rick was not ready to flippin play. Its pretty stupid and pretty unfair that people throw this in Scotts face over and over when they know perfectly well that the organization does not allow people to talk about injuries. -
Man, down 5-1 and the refs are still calling every minor infraction. Lighten up, Francis.
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why is pittsburgh constantly turning down jackman. this game will get chippy very soon
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It’s ridiculous how fast opinions change with a few losses. A few weeks ago, Gordon was finally the best and we were winning and maybe we would make the playoffs. Now we have nothing going, the goalies arent stopping pucks, players are injured, etc…and we all are ready to get up in arms and fire Gordon and never let DP come back. This is ridiculous. DP is an all-star goalie and the only all-star in the league who would want to be a part of this team. Okposo, Bailey, Nielsen, and Comeau show ridiculous amounts of promise for the future, as will our number one pick this year. Stick it out and stop complaining. We wanted a rebuild, here it is!
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hey justin ive stayed through and through on how were going and need to finish near last. i want gordon to stay and for a while. totally agree with you man!
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BringBackNyles says:
I have to agree with Justin, its time to rebuild/bottom out. Time to chase the #1 pick instead of the # 8 seed
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Brian from Massapequa says:
Go-Go is not going anywhere. This is what we were promised. Enjoy it…
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Scott from Newburgh says:
If the Pens hit 10 goals, do their fans get free chili from Wendy’s?
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10 goals against and the isles send all fans officially licensed BARF bags either to use or wear on your head!
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You all can call for a new coach all you want. All I’m asking for is a new announcer. Please.
I turned on the alternate language…it’s actually pretty cool when it’s not Mandarin Chinese. You just hear the natural sounds of the game with no announcer.
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Can we call up that sumo wrestler goaltender that Wang has secretly stashed in China?!?…now is the time to think outside of the box. Okay I am done off to self medicate..;-)
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Ryan says:
hahaha we suck….we really suck
Here’s to the future and our number one pick…cheers
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This is embarrassing. If we played with 6 skaters and no goalie for the first two periods, the score would probably be closer.
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I’m surprised by how bad the defensive zone coverage is tonight. It’s like every period is the third period this game.
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Relax guys snow and gordon told the guys to suck for the rest of the year. Isnt it obvious. We are trying to lose! JK but if we tried to lose could we be any worse?
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i cant help but smile for some reason. kinda like we expected this all season. there on pace for 12 goals and it may indeed happen. i smell a brawl coming with or without the pens fighting back.
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Hey where’s the reset button????
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A) Penguins are a bunch of pussies
2) Isles arent even there
and D) How do we get one of those? ie. Crosby and/or Malkin either or -
valentino says:
REPEAT AFTER ME…..
T-A-V-A-R-E-S
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TAaaa VARES
TAaaa VARES
TAaaa VARES
T-A-V-A-R-E-S -
HOW DO WE GET A CROSBY OR MALKIN?
WE TRADE GUERIN, COMRIE, AND WEIGHT FOR WHATEVER WE CAN GET TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH MOVEMENT
AND WE SUCK THE RET OF THE WAY
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James says:
I wonder if Bailey is learning anything in his NHL experience tonight.
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I think the Penguins are using Game Genie! No Fair!!!
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effin5 says:
Can we waive the entire team?
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On the Pitt feed they interviewed Therion at the first break: “The Islanders play a very risky system… if we just play the boards tight we’ll have a lot of opportunities to score”
CB, I really liked your post a few weeks ago about how other coaches and scouts like what Go-go is doing… but I’m not really an “I told you so kinda guy”… but that is exactly what they’re saying when it’s not YOUR mike in their face.
This is not a great time to be an Islander fan… but I’ll never change.
Come on Nick, BRIGHTEN MY DAY! -
Maybe we can have the Sound Tigers play at the Coliseum and the Isles play at Harbor Yard. Seems like the AHL team is more exciting to watch.
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Worst game Ive ever watched, let the fourth line go run wild in the third, this games over
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I think we have a shot to win the third period tonight
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Chris says:
Why in an 8 to 1 game are Sillinger, Weight, and Guerin on the ice for the powerplay…let the young guys get out there and try to prove themselves.
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IslesFan in Bkny says:
Laviolette Is still outhere… We have a team with no defence, no goaltending, no offence, no coach, no GM, no building and sadly fewer and fewer fans. Last 6 games are one of the worst patches I’ve seen in my 10+ years of being a fan of this team. Even Lawrence Czerkawski combo loooks appealing now.
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What young guys? they are all hurt…
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tuxtax u beat me to it. frtz having a record game tonight ice time wise. this pens team is a bunch of wusses. ik the coach told them not to get in it fight wise but soon a pen may get hurt. godard is prob flipping out.
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This is like the point of the movie Major League where Bob Uecker passes out at the mic…Take over Monty, I’m in the bag.
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bcarroll25 says:
i don’t see how losing every night(sometimes not even being competetive) is a plus for bailey,when for 2/3 weeks he can be exposed to a high level of play, and the team he is on has championship aspirations, where he is a top 2 center.garth, we know(hope) this is a “real” rebuild not a mad mike special, why deprive a future centerpiece the chance at a championship xperience?
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Guggs says:
Currently it is 8-1 Pittsburgh in the third period. Please, remind me why Josh Bailey is more valuable to the Islanders than the experience he will gain in Canada? This is an egregious decision by the Islanders in my eyes.
Fittingly, I just watched the Flyers beat the Canes in a shootout after coming back from a four goal deficit in the third period. You wrote a post about the Islanders preaching “character.” Without a doubt a team needs character to storm from behind to score four goals in the third period. Undoubtedly, the Flyers have character, but what they have that the Isles don’t is the talent to come back. No matter how much character a team has, and the Isles have a ton, it doesn’t mean diddly if you don’t have the talent to put that character to use.
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for all those ppl for bailey getting experience. he sure is watchng cindy crosby and evgeni ‘i cant speak english’ malkin hand it to us. two hat tricks against us. he could be here getting this or at the wjc with other young stars in ottawa. good call
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Nick he actually said the goalie should have to fight through a game no matter what the score was. We all know it is BS now because he DID pull his goalies in the AHL numerous times as Logan wrote about. I know you love the team, we all do but that just isn’t true.
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now we want ten chants. dispicable (sp)
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Is this one of our worst loses ever? I know at MSG on Valentine’s day one year we lost 9-1 around 1992, I can;t think of another one this bad
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im real glad bailey is getting such valuable experience here on long island….nice job snow…
oh wait..no one shows up to the coliseum because the building is old right???
it has nothing to do with the fact that our lineup is a joke… -
Well JP I can do that if you’re a Yankee fan. Otherwise, there’s nothing to like about today.
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Too bad Godard didnt play would have like round 2 with fritz
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Im ashamed of this team, no fight no nothing, over.
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Im gonna take that game with a grain of salt considering they gave up about 13-14 minutes into the game. Hopefully we never see that again, also big props to anyone else who stuck with me to the end of that one. Anyone who says they are done watching this year, hope you become a devils fan or a ranger fan because you are not an islander fan anymore so dont think about coming back we dont want you.
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Giving up 7 or more goals in a game is a disgrace, doing it numerous times in a season? Wow.
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Nick, my boy, the embarrassment I feel due to my lack of your acceptance and validation pales in comparison with the embarrassment I feel when I wear my Islander jersey.
Tonight I am to Islander negativity what Barry Goldwater is to modern conservatism.
Penguins being interviewed at each break pretty much chimed in, “we’re not gonna rub it in their faces, but we still have to play”
You know you’re pathetic when you’re getting a pity **** from the Pittsburgh Penguins… Cindy Crosby, up 8-1 is whining about a delay of game call.. Malkin, butt-ends Jackman in the face and skates away…
Where’s my jersey, and my sharpie… what do I need to write, Nick… SNOW JOB?
And.. there is still no mass transit answer for the Lighthouse project.
But.. on the bright side Mitch Fritz wasn’t cold in the third so he was able to get out there with three minutes left without fear of fines or suspensions.
MAN, DO I FEEL VINDICATED TONIGHT…
AND IT SUCKS…. BIG TIME!!!!
At least SNOW MUST GO rhymes -
Bit sensitive. Just pointing something out. Some people seem to get upset when people are misquoted on here. I’m not one of them by the way, just pointing it out because a lot of us are quick to defend when we shouldn’t be.
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GasMD says:
We all know that deep down inside, we’re gonna be the second worst team at the end of the season. And, we all know that a team below us is gonna win the draft lottery and leap frog us, so we wind up with the third pick. It’s just our fate as isles fan.
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Glad my buddy ruined the score for me while at work!!! Usually watch the DVR when I get home from work. LMFAO, what a f@#king joke!!! Have to wonder if there are some internal problems when you see consistent losses like these. Can’t wait to hear Gordon’s after game statement!!! Wonder if he won’t be unhappy with their play like he wasn’t when they lost 5-1 to the Thrashers!!!
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I’m a met fan, and THANK GOODNESS a Giant fan… so it ain’t all bad. And hopefully we’ll sit down one day and discuss how all of THIS turned into a Stanley Cup… hopefully it’s not with our grandchildren.
One other thing I’d like to point out…
I’d really just like gordon to say (like any good coach in this position) “Man, I’m just not doing my job right now.”
Whether that is true or not, he needs to take the heat. that might get him fired, but sure as heck the Melrose path of calling out your players is not the path either. He can start the healing if it starts like that. If he says that these guys were doggin’ it… well he’s done.
Any chance this is a reaction to Bailey being denied his WJC op? Or maybe the treatment of a guy you signed to play a defensive system, who had five goals more than your wunderkind, who is a league journeyman… and you take a dump on his head after he comes back from a major leg injury into the go-go.
Just a thought. -
It could be an internal problem with the players like I stated earlier jp. There were rumors of Guerin and Gordon not getting along. Maybe everyone liked Sim? Who knows, the only thing we can be certain of is that we suck really, really bad…….
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DP's Hips says:
Matt….Guerin works for a misrun organization and has pride. I don’t support guerin but I do think this is one of the only “audible” hints of player discontent.
The GM and coach are both inept and the chance of winning now or in the future has to weigh on the minds of the players.
So if Guerin is upset at this failed system brought on by an AHL coach…….good. Hope more come foreward. A GOOD coach would not be facing this. Nolan wasn’t ideal but at least he has the ability to tell any player to STFU as a Jack Adams winner.
And Snow replaces him with a weakling. Sim, Guerin, whatever. The fabric of the team is not strong in the least and it shows.
It’s a great idea for him to backstop the Soundtigers for a couple of games. Get him back into action. I have to disagree with the pressure issue though. I’m sure opposing players are going to do their best to beat Ricky.
PS, what are the top selling items on nhlshop?