PRE-GAME: NYI AT WASHINGTON, 7:00 pm
Martinek out 2-4 weeks…Plax…Lavi on 1050…Avery
12:40 pm - The beatings go on for the injury-prone Radek Martinek. The Islanders just announced that the defenseman will be out of the lineup another 2-4 weeks with an injured shoulder.
On Saturday in the home win against Ottawa, Martinek appeared to injure his shoulder - the same one that kept him out of the lineup earlier this season for a month. On Tuesday, Scott Gordon said he hoped to have Martinek for tonight’s game in Washington. But he re-injured the shoulder in an accidental collision with Andy Sutton yesterday at practice.
Martinek has now entered Rich Pilon territory - where the Islanders would be foolish to ever consider his availability a given. The 32-year old Martinek is a very good player with a commitment and attitude to match, but unfortunately the injury bug is killing a promising NHL career.
In other injury news, Kyle Okposo did not make the trip to Washington and is instead working out on Long Island with strength coach Chris Schwarz. Nate Thompson (leg-ish) is out tonight and is listed by the team as day-to-day.
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The Islanders are playing a beat-up Capitals team tonight. Washington will be without one of its two star forwards, Alexander Semin, and without its prime two offensive defensemen, Mike Green and Tom Poti. Also likely out: Sergei Federov and John Erskine.
Grumbled Said Bruce Boudreau, “I don’t want to hear excuses about injuries.” Well-played, Coach.
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“NY Hockey This Week” with Don La Greca and the PB editorial staff airs on 1050 ESPN Radio on Saturday at 3:00 pm.
Among our guests will be former Islanders and Carolina coach Peter Laviolette, whom no doubt will take the high road about his dismissal from the Hurricanes but hopefully will talk about what it was like giving up 60 shots on goal to his boy Go-Go’s forecheck and pre-pinch.
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Since starting Point Blank 2.0, we’ve taken the occasional shot from readers and friends in the media for sometimes leaning in a sympathetic direction on certain subjects. Since, you know, we worked for the Islanders for 20 years up until May, we’ve never tried to be anything we are not.
I think of some of the cracks I’ve taken from friends in the mainstream media and it makes the Plaxico Burress coverage all the more hilarious. Here are just three samples of what some serious, uncompromised journalists have said or written over the last few days about my beloved Big Blue:
- Antonio Pierce should be above the law because he allegedly was just being the magnificent teammate he always is.
- There’s no way the trainers and medical staff of the Giants did anything wrong because they are some of the most wonderful human beings. (One media star pointed out how the Giants have helped him with his own injuries!)
- Burress had the gun with him simply for protection and there’s no way - no way! - he was there to harm anyone.
I’m not saying any of the above are false. It’s just astounding that, with no facts at hand, so many Giants reporters and commentators know they are true. Yep, it’s the former-employee-team-sponsored blogger who’s conflicted.
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A few PB readers sent emails requesting an entry (and subsequent flame-throwing Comments thread) on Sean Avery. My reaction was that enough was being written about Avery - and there’s plenty to write about the Islanders - that it didn’t warrant the attention.
But two days later I will throw in a brief, hopefully different take. Among all the justifiable gnashing of teeth about how evil and stupid he is - his photo was gone yesterday from The Gap in Oceanside! - how the Stars are done with him and what the league might do with him, I personally saw enough of Avery’s disturbing act to wonder something:
That after all the punishment is laid out, maybe it’s time for the NHL, the Players Association and the Dallas Stars and Avery himself to investigate whether something is seriously wrong with the guy.
Reactions, thoughts on tonight’s game and everything else in Comments.
60 Responses to “PRE-GAME: NYI AT WASHINGTON, 7:00 pm
Martinek out 2-4 weeks…Plax…Lavi on 1050…Avery”
Please Wait
Remember when Martinek scored his first goal in OT years ago against the Canes, and when he got first star he skated around the ice for 5 minutes while everyone cheered him on? He really is such a good, solid d-man, it really is such a shame he gets hurt as much as he does. I honestly think he would be one of the best in the league if he wasn’t made of glass.
It is too bad about Marti….I also remember his first “Game Star” and how funny it was….hehe
Great point about Avery…I’m curious though CB, what was the reaction around the league when Simon was sent for help by the club?
SAB
Avery is a jerk…
Plax needs one last break (but he won’t get it). I can only imagine what the Islanders would have classified a gunshot wound when it comes to reporting injuries.
how about this, we trade tambellini and martinek to minnesota for gaborik. Then both teams get someone who is always hurt and someone who doesn’t live up to his potential.
No offense radek, but he shouldn’t be part of our future plans anymore. I don’t care how good he is, we need him to play at least play 70 games a year.
And what’s with ricky practicing less than he did the day before? Are we fooling oursleves, is he even going to play this year?
I also remember Martinek’s first star… that was hilarious!! I hope he can get past this bad streak of luck with the injuries and come back healthy, because he’s an incredibly underrated d-man.
As far as Avery… he reminds me of a little kid, and he should be treated that way. He seems to thrive on the attention, and therefore should be given none.
Last but not least… Christmas comes early for me… welcome back, MS!!!!!!
Looking forward to the radio show!
I think even Brett Hull said something about how Avery should go to a doctor or something. I’m just going to laugh at the extreme punishment he’s probably going to get when Mottau only got 2 games. Unreal
Martinek busts his hump for this team, so we should all have his back. although, being injured all the time does put a damper on things.
Avery needs to be horse and quartered. Phaneuf would have killed him on the ice anyway. Suspending him probably saved his life.
Speaking of media coverage, check out Carol Alt in the latest Playboy.
On Avery - agree 100%. . indefinite suspension + meeting with commish over dumb comments - and Mottau gets off with a 2 game holiday for breaking Neilsens leg with that cheap shot. Justice - NHL style.
As for everything else - glad there is finally a game tonight
It was only a matter of time before Martinek was out of the line up — again.
Avery can use a well documented insanity plea when he denfends his case of being tossed out of the league (I hope!).
Carrying an unlicensed gun in NY is a crime no matter who you play football for.
And if Laviolette is on the show — this one I have to listen to!
I’ll be rooting on the boys from down here in DC tonight. Section 112. Hope to hear y’all!
1 DanNOLA on Dec 4th, 2008 12:52:29 said:
“Remember when Martinek scored his first goal in OT years ago against the Canes, and when he got first star he skated around the ice for 5 minutes while everyone cheered him on…”
Hahaha, I will NEVER forget that! I think that Isles fans started to love the guy right at that moment.
Radeks a great player. It really IS a shame he gets hurt as much as he does. A lot of its just plain bad luck, but this seems to be a result of that hit in the Ottawa game coupled with this Sutton hit from practice.
He would be a coveted player if not for the injury jinx. Well, we can say that we arent paying him a top defenseman salary, either… at least theres that.
Get well soon, Radek.
Anybody (and im sure thats all of us) who witnessed Ovaries - I mean Avery’s ridiculous stick waving at Marty last year, knows theres something wrong with this clown. I wonder what Blueshirt fans think of the clown now !! Lets go Islanders!!
Looks like I’m going against the grain here. I thought Avery’s comments were pretty funny. The guy is an ass, but I think he is also an entertaining ass. I understand he becomes a cancer wherever he goes, but damn, he creates some great copy.
Avery is a whack job and always has been. DId ya’ll see the thing in Newsday yesterday that he was reported to be in a NY Maddam’s black book? Pretty sad when your a pro athlete and ya have to pay for it.
I have been saying this about Martinek for three years now. A shame they didn’t mvoe him while he had some value.
Still wanting to know when KO will be back.
On Burress, he is a scum bag. Just another above the law guy who the teams PR department and some stooges in the media hype up as a great guy who can do nothing wrong because he can catch a football.
There are just some problems with some writers who become so enamored with the athletes they cover. Doesn’t matter what they do there will be some writer out there explaining why it was OK. When it is not!
Michael Vick wants to fight and kill dogs, hang them, his brother being a rapist, police chasing etc. Oh, it’s OK he made a mistake, it’s where they came from. What a load of crap. There are many people who live in bad neighborhoods that are good people and are fighting to improve the neighborhoods from the likes of Vick but unfortunetly there isn’t some love sick sports writer hyping them in the papers.
Marty’s first star celebration was classic.
Correct on all three Plax points CB. Regardless of who is involved, all three *may* prove to be prosecutable (or already are). Understand your point is about closeness/conflict, but the points are SO black and white.
FLAME ON!
As a pistol carrying, giant loving, ex-girlfriend hating, sports career ending early due to injury guy… this is like an open door to a 500 word essay.. but I’ll just post the reader’s digest version.
Marty: as noted in previous thread’s. the guy is top notch, and better than most when he’s here. Cut him some slack.
Avery: When he speared Witter in the nads… no suspension. When he slammed DP’s head into the ice… no suspension. When he.. (oh god this could go on forever)… you get the point. Suspend him until the stars play the habs and let Kommie take care of that issue on the ice.
Plax, Pierce and Bradshaw: I think the Giants are going to hold off on judgement of Pierce and Bradshaw until NYC takes their crack. But plax is getting pretty much what he deserves. The giants are fed up with his behavior, and he is awaiting processing on a VERY SERIOUS charge.
…and you don’t carry a gun if you don’t intend to hurt somebody… unless you’re an idiot. (see first line)
Avery: straw that broke the camel’s back…Personally, I thought those comments that he was suspended for were anocuous. If Madano said that,it would’ve been different…
Anyone know if the Martinek First star skate is around anywhere?
Pacman Jones has had numerous chances, why not Plax?
Avery is being Avery
are the new york islanders skating at iceworks tomorrow. I wanted to catch a practice of my favorite team and I figured this would be the best place to ask? If yes what time is the practice and are the practices open to the public? Thanks Botta really enjoy the blog
CB, are you calling them “beat-up Capitals”? Did you forget about Ovechkin, Kozlov, Backstrom, and Clark? They still have enough firepower. So, it’s going to be a huge test for Isles tonight. I smell a nasty game.
obviously Avery said a crude thing that warrants punishment of some sort…but dont you think trash talking takes place on any playing field? Avery made the mistake of saying it in a press conference like manner..does it justify him losing his career over these comments?
Never liked a single thing Avery has done in his career, and he is certainly the classless dingbat he appears to be….but there is one thing you cant argue with……..
The guy would never be stupid enough to take a handgun to a night club.
Bettman and Campbell’s grandstanding on Avery is a ploy to get some tabloid coverage for the NHL in view of all the ugly NFL coverage lately.
Avery is the “usual suspect” here.
I’m no fan of Avery’s but when players start getting “indefinite suspensions’ for things they say in public about ex-wives or ex-girlfriends, something is seriously out of whack in Fantasy World.
The hypocrisy spewing from teammates, other players, officials and the media on this incident is appalling.
Mike Modano weighs in with “moral outrage”? Where was your moral outrage in Nagano in 1998 Mike, when your teammates were destroying a hotel?
Avery is being played as a pawn here, by people in need of just as much “counselling” as he does.
I can’t stand Sean Avery, however, were his comments really that awful? Before we jump the gun and immediately disparage the guy with our moral superiority, none of those that wrote how he should be banned laughed a little when they heard about this? I mean, an indefinite ban for a term most would consider innocuous? My honest belief is that the league has wanted to suspend the guy for being an all around douche, they couldn’t, so they used this to do that. I personally think this whole thing is insane. Vicious physical attacks don’t lead to an “indefinite ban.” Why should words that few would find anywhere near offensive?
I think Avery would carry a gun into a night club if he thought he would get press coverage of it. He wants to be famous and its an act he puts out to be famous. The NHL should tell him to go to a fashion career and be done with him.
When the Stars get rid of Avery, the Islanders should take him. It is an outrage that the NHL suspends a player for saying something crude. Do you really think there has never been a crude word uttered in the Islanders’ lockerroom?
You have to factor in Avery’s history. He was already on double secret probation.
If Avery had a loaded gun in Texas, he would be ignored. Everyone carries there and it’s legal.
I was listening to Francesca yesterday and laughed at his over-the-top praising of the Giants head trainer. “He helped me when I was hurt!” Who cares? The law is the law. No matter how many Super Bowl titles you win, you ain’t above it. Maybe this Plaxico clown will learn his lesson. Craig Carton brought up a great point the other day…with all the money these guys make, why bring a gun with you for protection? Why not just hire some off-duty cops to travel with you for security? They are full of crap, these guys. That gun was for show. He’s a jerk, and deserves the 4 months in jail he’ll probably get.
As for Avery. He probably does need help. You have issues if you issue a rehearsed, crude diatribe on reporters only after assuring yourself that the cameras are rolling. He should have to pass a psych exam before being reinstated. That aside, it’s one thing if his teammates really don’t care for him but for Turco to go public with his dislike is pretty unsportsmanlike in its own right.
i see 2-3 fights tonight. also, sad to see marti is hurt again, especially since he is a great defenceman. i know i am gong to get killed for this but if sean avery was to get waived like some guy said the stars should on nhl live on the nhl network, then i would take him. once he says something bad or pulls a rediculous stunt then get rid of his butt faster then phelps can get a gold medal during the olympics . ( i dont mean every four years though)o and garth and gordon should have the leash so tight he’ll be scared to talk to the press
just so i dont go over the limit, i see us winning tonight 5-3
I see us losing tonight but hopefully not. They just don’t seem to do well the fist game after a break. By the time I get home the third period should have just started, FUN!!!!
I do feel for Martinek because he’s hurt yet again, I think he returned to fast epsecially to play Gordon’s system. He really does provide for this team when he’s healthy, it just seems like no sooner is he back and bump..out for 4 weeks!
Avery’s a disgusting pig & punk! he thought being in the NHL gave him a green light to act like a jerk an say whatever he wanted where he wanted and oops to bad..so sad! bye-bye! (I hope)
Gaborik to Isles (E0)
Like I said yesterday–I hate Avery and think he’s a fool, but what he said is rated PG-13. I mean, they say “asshole” and “bitch” on network tv every 5 seconds. He should have been fined but not suspended.
Plax is the #1 jerk athlete in the sports world, supplanting Avery, T.O. and Ocho Cinco.
speaking of that ^^^^ why was utley allowed to say what he sad with out anything being said
Gaborik to Isles holds no water. I think I have the support of fellow PB readers when I say quit the conjecture and give us some solid intel.
Chris, I agree with you about the silliness of the Giants-related comments in the paper, but I don’t know how much they really enhance the blog. Besides, even when you’re right, being prickly rarely brings people around to your side.
Do you guys feel that if athletes, politicians, entertainers 1) set a better moral/character example and 2) were held the same standards as everyone else that the world would be a better place? I do!
JKP on LI: interesting comment. Blogs, by their nature, are self-serving. I’ve never written any post with the idea of it “enhancing” the blog, just as I’ve never purposefully tried to be “prickly” or ever wrote to “bring people around to my side.”
I average about 2,000 words a day, all of them being whatever I wanted to write. Pretty much all there is to it. I’d recommend skipping over anything the readers perceive as excess. Thanks for the note…CB
CB Wrote: “The 32-year old Martinek is a very good player with a commitment and attitude to match, but unfortunately the injury bug is killing a promising NHL career.”
Perhaps the tense of that sentance is not correct.
The sentence should read, “The 32-year old Martinek at times displayed the skills to be very good player with a commitment and attitude to match, but unfortunately the injury bug has killed a promising NHL career.”
Consider that he is 32 years old, injury prone, etc…how much more will he have in the tank?
Two words: WASHED UP.
Strummer’s Army.
If by saying “held to the same standards as everyone else” you mean that athletes, politicians, and entertainers would not be hounded 24/7 by cameras, tape recorders and snooping voyeurs and allowed to live their lives just like US, then, yes, I agree with you.
The world would be a better place.
Some of the things they do are not out of character with the behavior of the rest of society. But because of their notoriety and MONEY, their actions, good or bad, always made front page headlines.
We have Nielson out for who knows how long on a dirty hit, but it’s Avery who’s suspended indefinitely for naughty language and possibly hurting someone’s feelings? It’s a strange world indeed.
One more thing…Reggie Dunlap never got suspended for putting that bounty on Tim McCracken’s head, so why should Avery?
Does anyone else here notice how many Islanders get injured, get cleared to play and then re injure themselves?
Something is seriously wrong here with the medical staff.
Martinek is a very solid player who probably should not have come back before he was completely healed. This is not the players, fault but the fault of the Medical/Training Staff.
DP, Comrie, Witt, Martinek and the list goes on and on. What gives here, Botta?
isles505: Well many of them don’t have cameras on them all the time. Many are great people and I am friends with numeours high-profile athletes and entertainers. However, they lead normal lifes and are treated as such. Still I know personally of several incidents over the years that institutions, law enforcement, organizations actively covered up that never made the press.
There are those that feel their status makes them above the rest of society and those are the ones I referred to. Also, the media is way more likely to jump on a negative off-field incident then reporting the good stuff we all do. I just feel if people in our soceity had consequences and the media focused less on the fear/negative stories then the world would be better.
Sir William…I thought about that too and its frustrating. But I would imagine that has less to do with the staff and more to do with the players…how many re-injuries can the medical staff really prevent in these players in a physical sport like hockey. Also, I feel the Isles aren’t the only team in the league with injury problems.
I think there is a point here that seems to have been glossed over. Avery called the cameras (by the accounts on the NHL network and all the Stars people) and pretty much organized his own press conference to make those statements.
I cannot believe that there are some Islander fans that want Sean Avery on their team. The only player that has ever had a REAL positive word about Avery was probably Avery.. and Shanny. Every other account, and this goes back to an SI article I read when he was with the Kings… HATES HIM.
If there was an Oakland Raiders organization in the NHL he would have a permanent home. Please… NOT HERE.
I could understand why SOME Knick fans wanted Sprewell… but I haven’t watched a professional basketball game since they signed him… no big loss for the knicks… and their blog is free of my rants.
…and I still (as others have posted already) understand the big commotion, and suspension that this has led to. They could have nailed him with an “intent to injure” 5 gamer 20 times… but Colon doesn’t suspend Rangers… not for that anyway. See Holleweg (had to be ousted to be suspended) and now Lady Avon.
AND WITH THAT… LET’S GO..GO… ISLES
Pock now gets another chance.. I wish we got Quincey instead as La got him on waivers and hes real good now.
Indefinite Suspension~
Before we go off on the NHL for their “Indefinite Suspension” label on Avery … let’s just think what that means. Basically … it is Indefintie because they haven’t yet determined what that suspension term will be. It could be 1 game … it could be 2 games … 3 games … 5 games … etc … basically it’s for as long as it takes the NHL to determine how long he should be suspended. The Stars on the other hand might have their own punishment to deal out to Avery …. since he embarrassed the organization with his “unprofessional” behavoir towards other players and a great celebrity advocate for the league. So I have a feeling Avery’s discipline doesn’t end with the NHL … he has his own club to worry about.
As a frequent ’sloppy second’, I say it’s about time we get some press!!
51 JPinVA on Dec 4th, 2008 18:13:46 said:
“I cannot believe that there are some Islander fans that want Sean Avery on their team. The only player that has ever had a REAL positive word about Avery was probably Avery.. and Shanny. Every other account, and this goes back to an SI article I read when he was with the Kings… HATES HIM.”
Drury, too-he liked him as well. But I totally agree- I think its baffling that any Isles fan would actually want him here. This team couldnt even handle personalities like Peca, Asham, Blake, Nolan & Lav, but they imagine that the Isles could handle Avery? Hah! Noooooo thank you. Fortunately for us, Garth is recent enough to the game to know what Averys like. And since Garth is about “high character” as opposed to “character you would like if you WERE high” I dont see him coming here… unless the Stars offered the Isles their first rounder to take him off their hands lol!
Holy cow! That was a pretty goal!
Before this game is over, let me say this third period has so far been the worst hockey I’ve seen the Isles play. If they come back, great, but they’re not even pretending to skate up to now.
Chris, I think your response to my comment actually supports the point I was trying to make, which tells me that did not make it well. My issue is not that I resent “self-serving” blog posts; please feel free to indulge yourself as you wish. I was just providing my own opinion, which is that you don’t serve anyone well–your readers or yourself–by becoming unnecessarily defensive in the face of mild comments which may or may not even be criticism. This kind of thing actually made me stop reading your initial Blogspot blog, as it seemed like every other post was calling out a media entity for some minor perceived slight.
I came back as a reader when you went independent, and I’ve been a huge fan since day 1. Please don’t take my initial reply as anything more than an opinion I felt compelled to air. That’s what the it seems like comments section is for, after all.
thanks, JKP. The last blog was when I was the team’s media relations VP, this one comes off of 20 years in the MR business. I hope I don’t lose you, but this is what it is…CB
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