PRE-GAME: Washington at NYI, 7:05 pm
Bailey in, Walter up…why the Tigers are roaring
11:45 am, NVMC - Garrett Timms and his miracle-workin’ training staff have done it again: Josh Bailey, who missed practice yesterday with a sprained ankle, will play tonight when the Islanders host the Washington Capitals. Bailey said a few days of treatment, some tape and some rest did the trick.
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As broken exclusively by Logie, Ben Walter is your recalled center. The 24-year old center is 5-9-14 in 16 games with Bridgeport this season. In 2007-07 under Scott Gordon in Providence, Walter was 24-43-67 in 73 games.
I just don’t have it in me to write about how he knows the Gordon system and should fit in seamlessly tonight, because that crap is getting tiresome and overrated. And I think even Go-Go wouldn’t argue against that.
“He has some skill,” Gordon said of Walter. “It’s an opportunity for him to show what he can do.”
Gordon on Bridgeport coach Jack Capuano: “Jack has done a real good job. The guys who’ve come up, they haven’t looked out of place.”
A theme at this morning’s skate was why the system so far has worked wonderfully in Bridgeport (18-7-1-2) and not so much in New York (10-18-2). A major reason thrown around was the luxury of all the practice time afforded in the American Hockey League.
Nonsense. It comes down to skill, commitment and, of course, personnel. Some more younger legs, eventually, wouldn’t hurt either.
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ETC: Gordon would not rule out the return of Kyle Okposo and Mike Comrie playing at some point on this weekend’s trip to Minnesota and Nashville…
Mike Sillinger (groin) remains out.
Comments.
107 Responses to “PRE-GAME: Washington at NYI, 7:05 pm
Bailey in, Walter up…why the Tigers are roaring”
Please Wait
Alright Walter! I’m rooting for this guy - hope he gets at least decent ice time and makes a case for himself.
I guess there is only one way to find out… have a full squad scrimmage between the Islanders vs. Bridgeport.
Let’s see who adheres to the game plan and the “system” more efficiently and let’s see who’s team speed is better, who back-checks, pre-pinches, sends outlet passes and throws more quality shots on goal.
Ahh, it will never happen.
DOC
According to Mike Fornabaio, Colliton was called up too.
Gordon said after the morning skate that they were going to call up Colliton, but he has the flu…CB
I don’t understand the fascination with Colliton. He’d be fine for the team if we didn’t already have two full lines of fourth line energy grinders. We need people who can put the puck in the net once in a while, or at least people with good vision in the offensive zone. Don’t mind losing out the rest of the season, but doing so while watching half a team full of “Rudys” out there isn’t particularly enjoyable.
Gordon, when asked what the biggest transition is from the AHL to the NHL, he has said it’s the scheduling. That the team, every other day is playing a game where you have decent breaks in the AHL and more time for practice. Could it be that Gordon is adjusting as well as the Isles? To fine tune his system under different circumstances? Where he was very succesful in the AHL, maybe it will just take a little bit more time for the coach to acclimate to the NHL’s demands. So when the Isles are slumping as they are, Gordon may not be used to the smaller windows of time to set the team straight.
Just a thought.
Like your point there Jason.
This season is a learning experience for some of the younger players on the team as well as the guy behind the bench. He will only be better for it.
Agree on Colliton, whatever happened to rewarding guys down below for working hard,ie:Iggulden,Smith, McLean, give me a break.
CB, I was worried you wouldn’t make the point about why the Isles aren’t necessarily succeeding this year under the new system. But you did. When your team comprised of career 10-goal-a-season scorers and a couple of waaaay over the hill vets (plus a rookie or two), what other results could a sane person expect?
UIF, I totally agree with you. I hope and expect that the composition of the team will continue to change as veterans are traded away and more youngsters are brought in. And hopefully youngsters with potential goal-scoring ability, not just heart, grit, and the all-important character components.
Can someone explain to me the reason why they are not giving a shot to Mike Iggulden or Kurtis McLean? This team is starving for goals and they seem to be playing better then anyone.
What am I not seeing here?
Of course there is a difference in schedule, and the ability to prepare your troops more. But come on, can’t he just admit that pressing quality NHL defensemen isn’t always fruitful. And he’s not matching wits with AHL lifers anymore… some of his opponents are REAL NHL coaches… like he will be someday (hopefully).
I’d really like to see this thing work, and over time with new (younger) faces it just may… but until I see a game where Witt isn’t behind the offensive net I’m not buying into Gordon as the guy that can figure out how to deploy it in the NHL.
good news for Ben… I hope he does well quickly before he gets buried like last year.
Guys like Iggulden, Mclean, Joensuu and Figren need more time to work in the system before they get thrown into the NHL. They are gaining confidence and experience playing as well as they have and it would only hurt their development for them to come up here and play 4 minutes a night. If they come, they must play and I just think Snow and Gordon are ready to pack it int, trade the vets, and play all kids.
ok I dont get it… smith scores a hat trick last game, is one of the leading scoreres for the soundtigers so what are they waiting for to call him up…they have nothing to lose considering all the loses they have recorded lately…give hard workers a shot….enough already…my vote is for smith!
Mike, I think McLean is 28…and I think Iggulden is 26. They don’t have much time. I think Iggulden may get a call up at some time, but both were probably designed to be AHL depth signings? I think someone here indicated as much to me earlier this season.
I’d love to see these guys here, I was responding to the guy who asked why they are not here. I’m all for the full rebuild which means you don’t sign Weight, and you look to move old vets out before the season. At this point, we might as well hold on to these guys until other teams are desperate. Bring back kids and picks at the deadline, and work for next year. Bringing up guys now to play 4 minutes on the 4th line is going to hurt them whether they are 28 or 18. Bailey should go play the WJC (which we know isnt going to happen). The present team is a lost cause as a contender or a rebuilder, they are stuck in the NHL purgatory.
If Tambs is any indication, goal scoring in the minors isn’t necessarily a sure thing when called up. Grit, heart, and character is what lets 4th line players eat minutes, so the so-called scorers aren’t too overspeeded(sp) to put the puck in the net.
Bridgeport has too many older players who are very good at the AHL, but don’t have much of a chance at the NHL level. That is why they are winning. But there’s not much development going on.
Confidence in your ability and actual talent are a sure thing in the NHL. If you have those two traits, you’re all set. Tambellini has lacked confidence every time he makes it to the big club. Getting a 1 year contract for this year would have been enough confidence for many kids. Leads me to believe he might not have as much ability as some think…
Let’s see, Bridgeport - AHL (18-7-1-2) our Isles - NHL (10-18-2)?
Can we rename this the Jeff Tambellini system?
Seriously, at some point the veterans can only do so much, it’s time for the younger players to get more involved and to get involved, you look for the physical game and sacrifice instead of guys trying to skate hard each shift. Coach’s often say, “get your head in the game”. Let’s watch tonight and see who’s doing that extra something special. This team needs a win in a very bad way to break this funk.
Guys, the reason guys like McLean, Iggulden etc aren’t being recalled and haven’t made it to the SHOW yet is they are AHL players not NHL players. The Isles curretnly have a few AHL guys on their roster so don’t need more. The guys in Bridge who’ll develop are Joseneau, Collitton, hopefully Walter, hopefully Bentavelago, Smith should, there are probably a few others but I am not looking at their roster.
Collitton is a guy who is very similar in game to Peca and Sillinger. His face off percentage is really good and the Isles need that, he hits, is a shut down type defensive center. He has more offense then noted and the Isles have definetly messed up his development (how he was handled) and past injury problems slowed his progress. He is a former WJC player. There is a reason he was going to be the first to be recalled.
I like watching Ovechenkin. I usually hate Russian players but he plays a tough game and has amazing skill.
Good news on Bailey.
Checked on Joensuu and Figren’s ages btw…21 and 20 respectively…
There aren’t many Islander prospects in Bridgeport this season and hasn’t been for a while. that tells how weak Milbury allowed the system to get or made it! Anyway, aside from the draft picks probably only Walter, Smith, and Betavlagio (actual guys they signed) are in the plans for the future. The rest are spackle to fill in the cracks in the system. Next year should be the first year that we see way more legit prospects playing there and developing and it will continue on and how this organization will get good again. This is why for now if the team can supplment the organizational depth with good college FA signings they should jump on it.
CB, i have a request: could you include the probable line-ups, and maybe injury list in you pre-game posts. its just getting confusing with all the injured players and call-ups. thank you.
On the point that Gordon is adjusting to less time between games…why then does the team have such a crappy record after long breaks? I think they are 0-4.
Regarding The System’s success at Bridgeport vs. Long Island: Of course it is largely due to personnel (perhaps the constant injury, discontinuity, too).
But this is one of those rare cases where I’ll give a coach a pass for not being entirely forthright: Gordon can’t exactly come out and say, “Frankly, man for man, we stink. We’ve got too many AHLers and not enough NHLers.”
That kind of talk doesn’t go over too well “in the room.”
Well, you need guys like McLean and Iggulden at the AHL level - vets who help the team but may not be prominent in the big club’s plans. We talk about vets at the NHL level helping the kids…it’s the same with the AHL. Buffalo is one team I know of that has mentioned the importance of AHL vets helping their young guys along…and say what you want about that team, every year they have a steady stream of graduates who contribute at the top level. I think our model has started to slightly mirror theirs over the last couple of years (emphasize the draft, same system at both levels, keep a strong, competitive AHL team), and that’s a good sign, imo.
Off topic, but I emailed Kate Murray’s office yesterday and as politely and as I could asked about the Lighthouse project. To my surprise I got a call back less than a few hours later telling me they did not have much of an updated but would like to talk to me and to call the office, which I plan on doing tomorrow.
I hope that Bailey doesn’t screw up his ankle(s) because he should have rested for another few days. I guess we’ll see how Ovechkin & Company razzle-dazzle us tonight… unless the crappy NVMC ice keeps ‘em in check.
Hopefully Bailey is not rushed back like some other players we know and don’t shoot back with, “they are professional trainers Matt they know better than any of us” because I haven’t seen that yet! That is how these 2-4 day injuries turn into 4-6 WEEK injuries. I respect everybody’s opinion here but respectfully disagree with some of the ways our injuries now and in the past have been handled. Dipietro’s last one with him sitting on the bench comes to mind. Its not fun constantly being the laughing stock of the league and gets a bit tiring after a while. Well we were when he was keeping the bench warm as a our back up and I’m sorry CB because it couldn’t be more evident that you have loyalties to them after how you started this blog but I get a little worried when our “miracle” training staff says a player is “ready” to come back early!
If Bridgeport finishes last - they can’t draft Hedman or Tavares. I say fully commit to the system in the AHL and breed players who can win with Scott Gordon’s system in the future. Also, a good AHL playoff run might be good for our young players.
Pat
Is Jeff Tambellini confident yet? I thought he’d get the call over Walter. Tamby is Snow & Greg Logan’s boy.
Serious Q…why can Flash think that Tamby stinks with no ‘back-talk’, but Snow & Logan got all ‘bitchy’ when Nolan KNEW Tamby was an AHLer last year? Strange stuff in Uniondale.
Sorry to post again but I am not referring to fractures or break related injuries because the training staff has no control over that.
I think they may bring up some of those better players mentioned when they are ready to commit to them and give them quality minutes. Otherwise why introduce them to this cancerous environment known currently as the New York Islanders.
Other than the money, there are few developmental advantages playing for the Islanders right now in a lesser role versus playing an important role with the Sound Tigers.
Funny how Logan just wrote a blog stating everything I just said in post 29.
2277:
Let me get this straight…
If we are to believe that you emailed Kate Murray’s office with a request for an update on the LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT… And her office calls you back and tells you that they don’t have much of an update…
Why then, would there be a need to call her back? Does she have special information for just you? Didn’t you just have her office on the phone?
And why wait till tomorrow? Call her back today!
Your story doesn’t make sense my friend. Tom Suozzi, Charles Wang, Chris Botta and others can’t seem to get any info from her… but you get a phone call back within hours of an annonymous email giving you details of an update.
Are you living in fantasy land? or is it that you think “we” believe everything everyone says or writes in a blog?
DOC
good for walter, hope he does well tonight.
Well, Matt. I was just about to say I hope Josh isn’t rushing himself too. Post 35.
LOL! It is not about the players “rushing themselves” back. It is about the trainers clearing them to play when as stated earlier they were obviously not ready to return.
I have to think that some of the reasoning behind why some guys are promoted to the NHL as opposed to certain others is that one of the things they look for is will the guy in question be able to hold his own defensively first and foremost. There are tons of guys who have played in the NHL and of course they had the tools to be a scorer but were they responsible enough to want to backcheck as well? I think that one of the guys who can play responsible like that is Colliton. Every time that I’ve seen him play I’ve liked his effort. I’ll take that any time over a has-been like Jon Sim or looking back to years past, a Chris Simon or Oleg Kvasha. I’ll take 10 Richard Parks on my team any time because I know that they’ll give it their all every shift in both of the zones. I think Colliton fits that mold. I also agree with some of the other postings here in that because of lack of scoring it seems like we are a team full of Checkers & Grinders and no natural scorers. I know I’m not a coach nor am I a player but I know that the reason why we’re not excelling with this Go-Go Style is that up here in the NHL we don’t have the skill & the speed that it takes to maintain the overspeed concept up here but in the AHL the skillset and the speed just isn’t as prevalent as it is in the NHL.
oh! Also. I think it’s been quite apparent that Josh Bailey is missing Okposo. They seemed to have some chemistry when they were on the ice together.
Full disclosure too? I love it. I thought PR guys aren’t supposed to know every aspect of journalism. What happened CB, squeeze in a journalism class or two back in Philly? =P
Joking aside, great stuff as usual.
Doc - I dont get it either. I was expecting nothing at all and not an email response but a phone call! Honestly I’m calling tomorrow b/c I want to have a ton of things to say and do so in a polite manner as opposed to flying off the handle like I would love to do. If I hear anything worthwhile be sure I will post it here.
I just posted this on hockeybuzz but wondering if anyone feels the same?:
The only thing that bothers me about this season is that we are currently rebuilding and we have more veterans on the roster than youth. I do understand that you need veterans but a lot of guys were signed to one year deals or were extended to have them on the roster this season.
Why can’t the Isles be like the Kings? The Kings have like 3 veterans on the team and they are both not nearly the age of Weight and Guerin. O’Donnel and Handzus and Armstrong. The remainder of the team are proven and unproven younger players under 26 years of age. They have more draft picks who might make the team next year. But at least they are living and dying with their young guys.
Why can’t Walter,Jonsseu,Hillen,Smith be up here?
I’d rather watch the Isles lose with players like that than Weight, Guerin, Sutton, Sim etc.
I think that’s why people are upset about this season more than their record.
Isles316- I think it has something to do with the salary floor. Are you saying that the Islanders should pay the AHL guys a few $Million a year?
just because they are down doesnt mean we are not rebuilding. we have to get through this years and next to be like the kings. theyve been rebuilding more then us……….. weve been rebuilding starting last years draft so how do expect this team to have mostly ppl under 26? i just dont understand.
2277:
I wish you luck… maybe it’s a sign then that she will be “pro-Lighthouse”
Peace
DOC
cgs- I’m not saying that. It is pretty much the reason I suppose. Weight, Guerin, Sillinger, Comrie, Hilbert, Jackman are all UFA next season. Obviously things are going to look completely different. I don’t expect the entire team to be under 26 but most guys are over 30.
2277 - looking forward to your update. Expect a standard response, but hopefully they’ll pleasantly surprise all of us.
As for the vets/kids issue - it’s all about the cap floor, as someone else stated. The Kings have guys like Brown and Kopitar who already established themselves as NHL stars and are making NHL star money. Until there are some kids that can get that kind of payday from the Islanders the team will need other ways to fill out the payroll.
Matt good call! At 10-18 or whatever the Isles record is, from top to bottom the Isles org should be scrutinized. Of course that’s a pipe dream, the Isles can lose pretty much every game the rest of the way. We’ve been told Garth won’t look to hold the coach accountable. I think behind closed doors, the Isles org encourages losing. Winning takes blood, sweat & tears, oh & some money too. Garth is probably texting Guerin on what bar they are going to hit after the game tonight, I seriously doubt Garth even HAS any concerns. When Garth crawls out from underneath his desk to give a State of the Team address, mark my words, he’ll say things are going EXACTLY how he wants them to go. The Isles have the best training staff, the best Head Coach, the best GM & the best owner in the NHL. That’s the Isles story and believe me they’re stickin’ to it!
I have no problem with veterans on the team. I do agree that maybe we should be playing more “youth”. We just don’t have much to work with all the injuries we have had. I think they are doing the right thing with Jonnseu. From what I have been reading he needs more work on his game especially his skating. We will probably be seeing more of the kids from Bridgeport next year after they get a year of pros under their belt. We don’t really have much depth in Bridgeport, I know a lot here believe we do but its not the case. We have to have a good draft this year and continue replenishing our decimated farm system after Milbury’s tenure. Once we do have that depth and are able to retain it we can be a consistent power in the NHL. Wishful thinking I know….
Tom, although I don’t like the team losing I actually think we are going in the right direction for the most part. As long as we stay the course!!!! My points were directed at the onslaught of injuries we are dealing with now and have been for quite a few years now. I know a lot believe the whole bad luck thing but I don’t buy it. Been going on since Milbury was the GM.
Well, it’s official. Islanders have become national punchlines. Again.
Just read latest NHL Power Rankings on SI.com, and to no surprise our boys are at the bottom of the rankings. What’s really upsetting is how the writer seems to enjoy describing the current state of the Islanders. Couple of comments:
- Didn’t want to give too much credit to the Penguins for “putting up nine on hockey’s version of the Washington Generals”
- And, referencing the pending return of Ricky: “Does anyone really think this battered mess is going to turn around when Rick DiPietro returns? He’ll be plagued by the same bulb-nose-and-clown-shoes defensive coverage that led to four losses last week and turned the GAAs of Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis into halfway decent credit scores.”
Ouch.
matt i never thought i would say this but o agree with you that we are heading in the right direction.
Wow. Maybe cats and dogs will become friends. Pigs will fly. You will find the shift button. And we will win a game tonight!!! Just kidding.
the chances of us winning is about as likely that fans will stop arguing over nonsense and saying nonsense things on this board and make sense when they talk. i guess we lose 4-2 with brash and fritz locking horns and drop em’ like two guys fighting over a girl that going to cheat on the winner with the latino stud at the supermarket. im the latino stud even though im white. well im going to stop talking nonsense and do my homework and then get ready for the game. hope jackman gets another hit on ovie and weight getws closer to a 1000 pts. GO ISLANDERS. found the shift button
although it is poossible we win this game. i wouldnt be suprised despite what i said above, this team is due.
Marc - that’s very harsh. That’s what I can’t understand, why the hockey press seems to derive so much joy out of kicking us when we’re down. Adam Proteau and Scott Burnside are two of the bigger offenders.
Well, I agree with the SI writer on the defensive coverage. It has been atrocious for a while now. I don’t even think it’s due the forechecking…even when everyone gets back, they just run around, don’t cover anybody, and get trapped for a good minute at a time in their own zone. I said before, they look as lost this year defensively as they did last year offensively. Hopefully they pay a bit more attention from here on out…especially wrt covering other teams’ superstars. We used to be pretty good at containing those guys.
It is hard to hear when writers bash us especially Adam Protaeu because he seems to enjoy it more than others. Our team has made a lot of questionable decisions and our owner has been unorthodox to say the least with his handling of the team so this is to be expected. I mean when you have little kids running around your table on draft day you have to expect some snickering. Honestly our defense has been laughable this year and I agree with what has been written, its the manner with which it is written that makes it offensive. Unfortunately this is hockey guys and you can’t expect to get respect from Canadians when our team is the way they are. Unfotunately other writers have followed suit and joined the band wagon. Believe me I love THN but almost don’t read it just bcs. of Protaeu. It is hard to hear but maybe one day we can regain respect from around the league and our band wagon fans again.
Who cares what the ‘hockey media’ thinks of this team? We all know what they’re going to say anyway, so why is this upsetting people? Seriously - let them bash this team year in & year out. As the kids develop & Gordon & Snow add players that fit what they are trying to do, this team will surprise people. Have faith - we’ve been patient for a long time with no clear plan in place, now there is a plan - give it time to work and WE will be the ones laughing last. Look at it like you’re building a house - this season & the coming off season are all about laying a solid foundation.
@ Matt: You hit the nail right on the head!!
Unfotunately its not only how we see the Islanders that matters but also how the league and its players see us. It is unrealistic to think that our team is going to be all “home grown” talent. We need to attract UFA s and it would be nice to attract star quality ones one day. It is never going to happen when we are viewed this way.
That’s why the Islanders are going to have to do what CB suggested in a roundabout way in the Muller-Linden-Smyth article. You have to find the right person who wants to come here and be part of the solution and then overpay to get that person here. Peca served that purpose for a few years, and we’ll need someone else like that, a talented leader who has league-wide respect. Sort of like the Mets re-establishing credibility by overpaying Pedro.
(When the time is right to do that, I mean..though by all means pull out the stops for Komisarek if he hits UFA)
Yeah, we should definitely get Komi here, getting him away fro ma cup contender where he is a fan favorite might be a little difficult.
We need more than Komisarek though, we have no real offensive threat on this team. A star vet and Tavares would do for me.
Nick, I agree that is for sure but I believe there is more to it than that. I know you are very defensive of the team and some of their decision making but maybe the Isles shouldn’t try being so innovative and make some decisions that don’t always go against the grain. It just feels like everytime there is a big decision whether it be draft day or a trade we always seem to be re-inventing the wheel so to speak. I’m not blaming this all on Snow because it was going on before he was here though it still goes on. I’ll admit the last draft I pretty much crapped myself when we didn’t pick Filatov. Now it seems like we did well, we won’t know for some time. I am already getting a sick feeling in my stomach about the next draft(I’m sure a lot of other people feel the same). Imagine the negativity that would follow if we traded back from the #1 or 2 because Jakowski had a sure thing at #5!!!! I know everyone will say its not going to happen but do you really believe that? Hope it doesn’t happen and I am behind this “movement” so don’t think I’m not but its not just bringing in a Peca thats going to make everybody warm and fuzzy whan the Isles are discussed. The environment especially the physical need to change. Sorry CB for the long post I’ll stop…
Just read a Headline on TSN that Forsberg would like to participate in the 2009 Playoffs.
C.B., I’m tired of reading about these Egotistical Superstars (ala Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin, Roger Clemens, etc) who think they can bypass the Regular Season and think they can just join any team of their liking and jump onto a Playoff Bound Team and have their season Begin!!
I know up to now that Baseball has nothing preventing such an occurences but What is Hockey going to do about this? It’s unacceptable! (Unless of course it was Sid the Kid and he was a Free Agent dying to join the Isles and they were Cupbound!)
I think that the Isles not only have to nail their 1st round pick next season … but they also have to come out ahead in their later round picks from ‘08 and ‘09 to have any shot at contender status in 2 or 3 years.
I see some people still dredging up Mike Milbury’s bad drafts … true .. MM didn’t have a good draft record in the later part of his tenure … but Garth pretty much shed Mad Mike’s poor draft picks in the first round by trading for Walter and Smyth… and remember .. Garth has only ONE first round pick of his own in the stable … that is Josh … how Garth positions his veteran chess pieces prior to the trade deadline for more draft picks will set the table for drafts to come …. and as I said … this year’s draft has to be another strong talent haul … how all these kids are developed over the next few years?? … well .. that is another story.
Caps 5, Isles 2
Guerin and Streit with the Isles’ goals.
Matt - I’ve thought for a long time that Milbury’s biggest problem was his belief that he would change the way the game is played with his big defensemen and his puck-handling goalie. However, it seemed to me that the Bailey move wasn’t as blatantly stupid as some of Milbury’s greatest hits.
I wouldn’t call what I do defensive, though you obviously have the right to think that. What I can’t understand is the all-encompassing negativity. Look at what you just did - you started pre-emptively complaining about a draft that won’t happen for another 6 months! We were all pretty upset at the draft but none of those guys were the “sure things” at the top of the draft (I wanted Colin Wilson, very badly, for example). Given the success rate of prospects I’d rather have Bailey, Ullstrom, Ness, Petrov, and Toronto’s 2nd next year than just Filatov, especially since I wasn’t completely sold on him at the time.
19 Isles is dead-on, so I’ll just second what he said instead of eat into my word limit. Hopefully the cooperation with Capuano in Bridgeport will help the kids we have now, and can we at least HAVE the draft before people start bitching about it?
4-3 Caps - Weight, Hunter, and Guerin score for the Isles.
Also…let’s remember the nature of the draft (sorry CB, I’m done after this). What if this was 93 and the Isles traded down from Alexandre Daigle at #1 to take Chris Pronger or Paul Kariya? I’ll bet most of the people here would have been out for blood. How’d it turn out? What about the Denver Broncos trading down and taking Jay Cutler instead of Vince Young and Matt Leinart?
I’m not “bitching” just have a apprehensive feeling about and discussing as such. We will find out how our last draft was in a couple-few years, till then nobody knows. I wasn’t being insulting by calling you defensive, I think it is commendable that you are even though I may not agree with you always. I hope Bailey scores his first!!! Looking foward to that first one for him. Looking foward to seeing Walter liked what I saw last year even though he didn’t play much. He is a good passer.
Should we expect any trades in the next month? Or will we dump all the vets at the dealine?
Start the Gordon watch. 5 more consecutive losses and he is gone.
Or the Chargers trading down from Michael Vick to take LaDanian Thomlinson…Nick, does that mean Tavares or Hedman is gonna be arrested for dogfighting???
Whole point is you never know. Maybe they like cockfighting?
What an awful second goal. Again, the fourth line is my favorite line to watch. Jackman with a Fight, Fritz trying to fight Brash.
I don’t think there is any way Gordon gets fired during the season. Maybe a very slight chance after the season, but even that would be shocking. I sure hope it doesn’t happen, enough is enough.
Jon @ 75 - change the 5 to 25 and then MAYBE
Where do we think the losing streak ends…tonight will be seven in a row. I say it goes to 9 before ending Dec. 23 against Atlanta.
Instead of overspeed, their system should be called overskate.
It just seems like there is always 1 opposing player and 3 of us and yet the opposing player will get the puck.
They’re lost defensively again. Nobody knows where to be.
It’s pathetic… I am not asking for a win but can we put up a fight once in a blue moon. Have Go-Go ever heard about defence?
Seems like the way more talented Caps are just toying with the Isles. Ovechkin, Backstrom, Green, Semin..amazing what good drafting can do.
Off topic: there is a really neat interview with Evgeni Malkin on Yahoo’s “Puck Daddy” blog and what I thought was awesome was this:
It is your third year in the NHL. What teams are the most difficult to play against?
“You won’t believe it, but Islanders are the most difficult. Although not long ago we routed that team 9-2. But this was an exception from the rules. Usually we play such a difficult and stretchy game with them. And I like Boston, who play an open game.”
Nice to hear that from an incredible player!!
It’s about time this team showed some heart in the third period. Too bad we couldn’t have had Weight on the team back in ‘02 to feed Yashin. Let’s see if we can get a second point now.
wow was that the Islanders we saw in the 3rd period there?
Best third period in a loooong time. Credit where it’s due, Weight’s having a heck of a game.
Does every team get represented at the All-Star Game? If so, Streit should be there.
Sim scores a goal. Snow is in the forecast.
i love him but Witt needs to watch a game from the press box.
He was a -5 tonight, on the ice for all 5 Caps goals. Something is not right with him at all.
i am so tired of losing. So tired.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we had an ovechkin type player? Wouldn’t it?
You get one by finishing LAST, not by being a .500 team.
TAVARES OR BUST.
Predictable
At least we put up a fight. Are defense is pretty pathetic. I thought Guerin had a bad game. The last goal was a result of him playing the puck and not standing his man up, one of many half assed weak plays he made tonight. Oh well, how many more days till the draft?
Great game!! competitive,entertaining, and a loss. like above post, u only get an ovechkin by finishing last. Those guys played as hard as they could. can’t fault the lack of a superstar
Also if Sim is bad enough to get waived why is he good enough to play with our #1 draft pick. Bailey and him were on the same line most of the time tonight. Bailey didn’t seem like he got too much ice time tonight and very little PP time. Don’t say he is coming back from an injury because than its hard to believe that he wasn’t rushed back. Youth movement?
What was a guy like Sim doing with Bailey? Dont they want him to develop? Oh yeah, Jon Sim will teach him right…not!
Witt was awful tonight, him and Weight pretty much did us in with that crap clear.
Good third period.Actually great third period.I’m happy with the result. Hopefully Go-Go knows that offence is the best diffence but it doesn’t work all the time. Regarding witter, due to his wonderfull years as an Islanders in the past, I’ll cut him some slack and also, he is not a type of defender who can run goal to goal, he is not a spring chicken with a bad knees. How many times did he join the rush? Too many.. Hands off Witter, he does what Go-Go wants him to do…
I know I can’t bring myself to say anything about Witt but something is definetely up with him. The game was entertaining none the less. Guerin definetely does look disinterested out there. Not what you want to see from your Captain. They just seemed to be running the clock on the last play of the game.
Good night all.
If the rest of the Isles losses this year are like this, I will not be uspet one bit…hell of an effort.
Best third period the Isles have had in what seems like an eternity. I think this was a damn good game all around, I just wish that Joey didnt let up a couple of extremely soft goals. Joeys great to have as a backup but the Isles need a goalie to keep it down to letting in just a couple of goals once in a while, you know?
I don’t mind the losses if they are competitive, but I just think they should get younger!
Defense has certainly not helped lately, but MacDonald has been exposed as what he really is: a backup goalie who has played WAY too much. If/when DiPietro gets back HEALTHY, then Joey will probably be just fine for what he was signed for. Until then, ouch. Starting goalkeepers need to make saves to cover up for the defense’s mistakes, not to compound them by letting in soft goals. Entirely too many of them lately.
And even if every team is NOT represented at the All-Star Game, Streit should be there.