PRE-GAME: NYI at Toronto, 7:35 pm
Why they should win…character…Tamby’s winner
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the mode of “descending rapidly” - a wise move, in our opinion. Coach Ron Wilson, armed with a four-year contract, continues to publicly criticize his players - first Jason Blake, now Tomas Kaberle. Luke Schenn and Nicklas Hagman were injured Saturday and are out. The Leafs are falling, and they tend to not get back up when the home fans are down on them.
The Islanders, for all their injuries and setbacks, have stuck together. Scott Gordon is staying positive, even to the lengths of saying he had no problem with the effort in a 5-1 home loss to 30th-place Atlanta on Saturday. With 37-year olds Doug Weight and Bill Guerin getting first-line and first power play unit minutes, the Islanders are not yet in the mode of “descending rapidly.”
Tonight is a game the Islanders should win.
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More than the Maple Leafs, I’m so disappointed Luke Schenn - the 9th 7th 5th overall pick in the June draft, is out for tonight’s game and the next two weeks. If Schenn played well I figured B.D. Gallof might have his hands full moderating the Comments space while I’m away on assignment tonight.
Said coach Ron Wilson of Schenn, who suffered a leg injury on Saturday in a game he was asked to shut down Alex Ovechkin, “He’s arguably been our best defensive defenseman.”
Also out for the Leafs tonight: defensemen Mike Van Ryn and Jonas Frogren and forward Nicklas Hagman.
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Since the draft of 2006 the Islanders’ scouting department have utilized a new system to study the character and leadership of potential draft picks. Of course, what matters most is whether the kids - from Kyle Okposo to Josh Bailey - can play the game of hockey. But it is worth noting the abundance of prospects wearing letters for their current teams. Guess you can call this segment Character? Check.
Matt Martin - captain, Sarnia (OHL)
Simon Lacroix (pictured at left) - captain, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Tyrell Mason - captain, Clarkson (NCAA)
Mark Katic and Justin DiBenedetto - assistant captains, Sarnia
Shea Guthrie, A, Clarkson
Travis Hamonic, A, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Jared Spurgeon, A, Spokane (WHL)
And Bailey was named captain if he had returned for another season in Windsor (OHL).
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Jeff Tambellini scored the winner in the shootout yesterday as Bridgeport beat Lowell, 4-3. He did not have a point in regulation as Trevor Smith, Sean Bentivoglio and Jack Hillen had the goals. With the shootout tied at 2-2 on Sound Tigers goals by Jesse Joensuu and Ben Walter, Tambellini made it 3-2 for the extra point over the Devils’ AHL affiliate. Peter Mannino has 43 saves on 46 shots in regulation.
Greg Logan theorizes in today’s Newsday that if Jeff ever had to clear waivers his father Steve, the general manager in Edmonton, might grab him. I would think this is a long shot. Considering Jeff is still very much a question mark at the NHL level, I find it hard to believe a first-year general manager would step out and grab his son, a struggling player on a two-year, one-way contract. There’s also the tension factor. Jeff’s been under some pressure to score in New York. Imagine what it would be like playing in Edmonton when your dad’s the GM.
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The Islanders just announced that they have added three stations to their radio network: WLNG-FM (92.1) on Long Island, WKRB-FM (90.3) in Brooklyn and WSTC-AM (1400) and WNLK-AM (1350) in Connecticut.
According to the press release, the calls of Steve Mears and Chris King will be heard for all games on WKRB in Brooklyn, while WLNG will carry all Islanders night games and the Connecticut stations will carry just the Saturday night games.
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On Saturday, in the wake of the news of 100 people at Newsday losing their jobs (including sports columnists) we started a debate over whether reporters should fly on the charters of pro sports teams. A former Newsday sports writer, Mark Berner, sent a note to Comments saying it could never happen for ethical reasons. Jim Baumbach of Newsday wrote of “conflict of interest.”
Several readers pointed out how reporters fly with the President of the United States. Many mantioned that Rangers and Knicks-ownin’ Cablevision owns Newsday, so talk of conflict of interest seems moot. Some said the death of the printed newspaper is imminent.
Me, I was just thinking about the tens of thousands of dollars spent on airfare and extra nights at a hotel so Greg Logan can cover a hockey team. I was thinking that maybe a job or two could be spared.
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The other lively discussion over the weekend was on our story on Sean Avery. Bloggers will always have Sean to thank for that. Here are a few answers and feedback to some of the issues raised.
1. Referring to a PB 1.0 column, readers were surprised knowing what I knew about Avery and the Islanders that I would suggest the team “drop a few lines in the water” when Avery was a free agent. If you recall, “drop a few lines in the water” was Garth Snow’s response to reporters every time he was asked about possible player transactions.
On June 29 and a little loopy after a long shift at MLB, I was having some fun teasing my former colleague the GM and sparking debate. Since the Rangers were still negotiating with Avery I figured Snow might want to drive up his price (the Blueshirt faithful would have freaked). I knew the Islanders would never sign him. It was one of the most linked stories I ever wrote in the old blog.
2. Yes, a formal complaint about the racial taunts at Ted Nolan was filed with the league. Since there was no video or audio evidence, Avery was told by the NHL there would be zero tolerance if he continued his actions.
3. “Mike from Oceanside” critically wondered if I’m holding back other stories when “I’m sure there are several other players or other team’s management that CB has dirt on.” Actually, I don’t, Mike. Sean Avery is the only one to go after a team’s general manager in a hallway more than 30 minutes after a game he didn’t play. Sean Avery is the only player in the league who used to yell racial taunts at Ted Nolan. I can’t think of any opposing player - or Islander, for that matter - with incidents anywhere near this level that haven’t been documented and that would be relevant for me to write about.
And that should just about do it for the Avery discussion on Point Blank - unless the Islanders grab him on re-entry waivers. Kidding, I think.
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And now I pass it over to B.D. Gallof, who’ll take care of a postgame recap and make sure the new-look Comments space is as amazing as it’s been the last week. Thank you, B.D. Enjoy the game, everyone…CB
Comments?
57 Responses to “PRE-GAME: NYI at Toronto, 7:35 pm
Why they should win…character…Tamby’s winner”
Please Wait
I would hope they win over the Leafs tonight. I also hope your “assignment” has you someplace warm… hmmm… Florida perhaps to cover the BOG meeting?
Leafs 4 Isles 2 Keep losing boys we need that first or second pick.
Give Yann Danis the start tonight in Toronto. He needs to play a few games at this level as well to see if he is worth keeping around next year. If MacDonald keeps this stellar play up for us this season, we could see him signing elsewhere for a team looking for even a mediocre starter. As for predictions, the Isles will lose tonight’s game by a score of 4-3. Bailey will score, Comeau will score, Guerin will score.
Great stuff as always, CB.
Maybe Joey Mac gets a night off on this road trip?
Glad to see (in Newsday) Gordon told Comeau “he’s staying”. 3-2 Isles. . Blake has another big game.
I think CB is right about the Isles’ management’s ability to draft plenty of “character” guys. Unfortunately, what hasn’t been proven is that they’ve drafted any players who will actually be good on the ice, rather than just in the locker room or in the community.
I agree, jax, let’s keep losing and secure a top pick. But even if we get a top 2 pick, do Tavares or Hedman meet the Isles’ strict character requirements?
CB—
With respect to the “The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the mode of “descending rapidly” - a wise move, in our opinion.” Do you think that’s a wise move for the Isles or are you saying, “descending rapidly is a wise move for the Leafs?”
Hey Chris, I have a trade for you, how about Jeff Tambellini, for Robert Nillson. I still believe Robert Nillson will turn into a pretty good hockey player. We should never have traded him to begin with. And for the 50th time how about the Islander’s trying to get Eric Nystrom. They would both look good in NY Islander’s uniforms. Thanks Chris, Mark
Radim Vrbata has been placed on waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Any idea if the Isles will inquire into claiming him? I know they looked at him over the Summer, but the Lightning were quick to lock him up.
Eric Nystrom is a 4th line grinder. We have enough of those. Just because his dad was a legend here doesn’t mean we shold go after him.
We really need a top 5 pick I hope we really are the worst team this year. I hope we trade all the vets. I hope we lose tonight. My prediction top 3 islander 2.
I hope comeau and bailey score.
I would like to claim vrbata hes young skilled and fast.. I would give him a chance.
That’s a lot of Hoping Isles fan.
justin you beat me to it. i would if im the isles.
Vrbata wants to go back home. I wouldn’t touch a player that has no interest in playing here.
We need it!!!
nvm hes going back to hs home in the Czech Republic
COME ON! thats twice in one artcle that got beat to sayng something
Vrbata wants to go home because the Lightning might be a bigger joke than the Islanders. He would have a big opportunity with the isles and I bet he would do pretty well with oldtimers guerin and weight
A few things: as evidenced by the Isles’ loss to the pathetic Thrashers the other night, I wouldn’t bet on the Isles beating any team, no matter how bad/undermanned the opponent is.
As for Vrbata–not interested. As for Eric Nystrom–I wanted the Isles to draft him if he was available, but he wasn’t and he hasn’t turned out to be any great shakes. In fact, he seems to have gotten his butt kicked in most of the fights I’ve seen him get into.
As nice as it would be to see Nystrom on a jersey, he is not a big enough roster move to change anything or give up anything for. Jackman and Thompson provide us with more valuable assets than him at the current moment. As for Vrbata, we should pass. He wants to go home so let him venture home. As for Hedman and Tavares, I am pretty sure they meet everyones “character” requirements.
Great article CB! Thanks for taking the time to make clear and to-the-point responses to reader questions. A lot of the time out of columnists you’ll get a waffle with a large amount of sugar coating. That coupled with the inside info/stories makes this the number one stop for Isles on the web now.
hey did you hear??!!! Jeff Tambellini scored the game winner in Bridgeport. It’s a wonder why they dont bring up such a talented, clutch player to the NHL level. I mean, he must be just as effective on an NHL team! I’m telling you, this guy is gonna be an Islander all star…I mean, did you see what he did in Bridgeport last nite?!?!
Dear Jeff:
Stay in CT.
yours truly,
Islander fans
Chris, love you website, thanks.
Yes, it would be nice to see NYSTROM on a jersey again, but we should be looking at a PARISE jersey now. CB, any idea where Hawley Chester III is this days ?
Vrbata hasnt produced and is awfully soft, we dont need another one of those.
Id really enjoy seeing Eric Nystrom here.
Im with you on Tamby, 16.
Maybe we see another cheapshot tonight from our buddy Ryan Hollweg tonight? Im hoping for it, two crappy teams playing each other.
I actually think tonights game should be pretty interesting, both teams are struggling and fighting similar issues.
I mean..we should beat them but who knows, if we have an off night, they have a good one, I think we can chalk this one up to whose lucky night is it..(imo)
I hope your assignment goes well C.
Enjoy the game!
you know what i never understood? was when simon tried to chop off holwegs head and defended hollweg saying his hit was clean. im not justifying simons actions but how can you say it was clean?? clear hit from behind
Unfortunately, I don’t think that those added stations are going to help reception in western Nassau. I appreciate the Islanders trying to expand the network, but they need some more juice right in the heart of their home county.
Don’t if it will help much but I am glad they are trying fix the radio issues. Reception for 94.3 is horrible. They need to go back to AM.
Finaly, the “Tambellini-The-Great” nonsence is over (at least for a while) and one of my favorite’s (Comeau) is back! Now I’m waiting for KO to come back and to see those two on the same line. They are good friends and can read each other’s minds on the field. With the addition of Bailey it should be a fun trio to watch.
I’m surprised Comeau hasn’t scored more goals in B-Port. I always knew he was a good passer, but that shot he rang off the post surprised me…it’s about as hard as Hunter’s. If they want him to work on anything, it should be getting into position to rip that shot more often rather than turning him into a third line checking winger.
Was watching the last Panthers/Isles game on Center Ice last year with the Florida feed. The Panthers Color guy was ebullient in his praise of Comeau throughout the game and was wondering why “with a shot like that he only had a coupla goals through 40 or so games” at that point.
“He needs to shoot more” said the color guy.
Who happens to be Denis Potvin.
comeau should get major minutes…if we are going with a “youth movement” then we need to trade sillinger,guerin,weight and comrie if he ever gets healthy, by the trade deadline…probably wont get more than 3rd rounders for these guys at this point, maybe 2nds for guerin and weight…
Comeau does have a great shot, I agree. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be able to turn himself into a 20-plus goal scorer, though I hope he does.
You know who had the hardest shot I can remember in recent Isles history (Besides our buddy M.A. Bergeron)? Arron Asham. He could really rip it, and kick some a$$ too. But, again, he was never going to develop into a big goal scorer, not that that was his role anyway. We shouldn’t have let him go.
So, living in Brooklyn and largely frustrated in trying to recover any signal for the games, especially when they’re hidden on MSG+200, I was marginally excited to hear we had an affiliate in Brooklyn locked up.
Well…WKRB is the official station of…Kingsborough Community College, and its signal goes about 3 miles from campus. Well done, Isles. Let’s try as hard as possible to become more amateurish. Now there’s a station I can almost walk to, but can’t pick up the signal where I live.
quit your bellyachin you live ALL the way over in brooklyn..LOL..i live 3-4 miles from the nvmc and can’t hear the post game clearly on my way home…
Hey CB, just wondering do you think it would be worth picking up Vrbata even though he isnt playing so well this season. There were many rumors and fans who wanted the isles to target him this off season.
Isles “should” win CB ? I hope so, but this team is a sure bet on off nights only.
I was one of those fans who thought the Isles might go after Vrbata in the off seaon, he might be worth a shot.
I concur time to play Danis.
Bailey gets his first goal tonight.
Danis definitely needs to get in a game very soon. Burning out JMac is not the answer here, and if Danis doesn’t play you don’t know if he’s a capable NHL goaltender or not.
Isles win 4-2. Goals from Bailey, Comeau, Guerin, and Streit.
I agree … get Danis some time … Save J-Mac for Philly.
Regarding TO’s “descending rapidly.” direction …. I predict the Isles are one more key injury away for a “rapid decent” themself.
Bailey … 3 point night … 1 G 2 A … Blake Comeau … 2 point night .. 1 G 1 A
Guerin 1 G
Weight 3 A
Streit 2 A
Isles lose 4-3 in the shootout.
OK … just having fun with predictions … this game ought to be entertaining to say the least.
Good Luck BD! .. and have fun with your assignment CB!
geez 2 goals in about 10 seconds. this might end up being a 9-6 game from a couple of years ago.
Comeau is playing like he doesn’t want to ride the bus ever again.
Comeau looks like our best player!
I’m at work so I can’t watch the game, good to hear Comeau is playing well! Gordon will probably send him down for playing well. After all he said he wasn’t unhappy with his teams effort the other night against Atlanta!!!!
I hope nobody brags when they are inevitably proven right one of these days when the prediction of Josh Bailey (or Tambellini or Okposo or whoever else) scoring a goal actually comes true.
Nielsen, Okposo, Bailey, Tambellini have played a combined 72 games and scored a combined 4 goals.
Someone has to seriously go after Hollweg for the hit on Jackman.
Well done Original Rob. I know all about giving youg players time and all that, but those numbers are way past disappointing, they are disgusting.
now Comeau is hurt. what the hell is wrong with this team?
sorry to scare anyone who is reading and not watching. Comeau is back on the ice!
Jason Blake has speed and skill, something sorely lacking on this Islanders team.
I don’t see how anyone can say there is any game this season the Islanders “should win.” They are very possibly the worst team in the league, especially with all these injuries.
I love this team, but they really aren’t that good…
That about sums it up. LOL!!!
In every game we are not faster, stronger, more skilled, or tougher than the other team.
For the past 3 years, we have not been able to get over the blue line with speed. Makes it hard to watch.
Feel like the only thing this team should focus on is making offesive plays, even if we lose 100-1. When is the last time we had a 2-1 or 3-2? Always one on 3 and are guy get puck lost in skates.
For a game the Isles “should win”, they got manhandled.
Most critics picked the Isles,Atlanta and Toronto to finish 13,14 and 15th in the East and the Isles lost by 4 on Saturday to Atlanta even if they didn’t deserve a loss that big and tonight they looked horrible for most of the game. The defense needs to get retooled. It’s bad.