ANAHEIM at NYI, 7:05 pm; Q & A begins
Passing on Sab…JMac’s audition…McLean, Hillen in
The Islanders have declined to grab No. 3 Edmonton goalie Dany Sabourin off the waiver wire. With Joey MacDonald on course to return the first week in February, and the Islanders off a complete week over the All-Star break, it appears the team will ride it out with Scott Gordon favorite Yann Danis.
(Love Joey’s Wings mask/Bruins uniform combo from ‘06-07).
When MacDonald returns, Danis goes to the backup role and that may likely be it unless there is an injury. Stefan Ridderwall is a prospect, but he’s in the Swedish Elite League and isn’t coming over mid-season. (More on Ridderwall in a future post).
When JMac returns, his audition to be the Islanders’ co- No. 1 will continue. MacDonald is an unrestricted free agent after this season and the Islanders are going to be in the market for at least one NHL goaltender. As Mark Herrmann wrote today, the Islanders need a goalie they have the confidence in to play 30, 40, 60 games. They need their version of Chico Resch, Roland Melanson, Mark Fitzpatrick, Garth Snow.
And be assured the Islanders agree.
For his solid, at times heroic efforts this season, MacDonald has earned first crack at the job. Whether it’s with the current bunch, or an even younger, more inexperienced lineup after veterans are dealt between now and March 4, Joey Mac gets to play for a bigger and better contract with the Islanders.
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As for tonight’s monumental tilt against the Anaheim Ducks, figure on the same lineup if not the same lines and D pairings. Trent Hunter is still out, Kurtis McLean (pretty good on Monday) still here. Jack Hillen still here for Chris Campoli. Peter Mannino backing up Danis.
Can’t help but think the fans will feel a lot better about this team when Scott Gordon is dressing as many kids as possible (that didn’t come out right). I mean, like the worthy Trevor Smith and Andrew MacDonald. All that may be a disaster for the playoff pursuits of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, but Coach Cappy can handle it. Right, Jack?
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Oh, brother. We have a full week without games (not that I’ve been covering them much, anyway) and probably four days without practices. What to write, what to write…
This is where you come in. Post your Questions in Comments and I’ll do my best to answer those I can starting from the Coliseum press box tonight and over the next week from the home office. Beyond the Q & A, I still plan on having a few posts a day. Thanks for everything this season.
Anyone want to bet me a steak that Coach Gordon starts talking nice about Danis?
Comments.
128 Responses to “ANAHEIM at NYI, 7:05 pm; Q & A begins
Passing on Sab…JMac’s audition…McLean, Hillen in”
Please Wait
Hey CB,
Great coverage, as always. You did a great job on MSG as well! Maybe you have a new career lying ahead of you in being a color analyst…hmmm!
Anyway, I would love to see a write-up not only on Stefan Ridderwall, but also on Robin Figren and his chances of cracking the line-up next year. Also, for another write-up idea, you could discuss your personal opinion on what some of our veterans (Witt, Weight, Guerin, Sillinger, etc) would fetch at the deadline. Just some ideas, but you’ve been great lately. Keep it up!
Joey has done an admirable job. He just isn’t getting any help. we’ll live.
Joey Mac seems to me to mirror the team…fighting hard through two, then some head-scratchers in the third. I realize part of this is BECAUSE of the team’s play in the third, but Mac seems to let in a lot more very soft goals in the third than in the first or second. Tough to figure, but then so is the team!
I still wonder why 29-year-old McLean gets the go instead of Smith, who looked good in his five games…is Smith hurt?
CB
Great coverage as always. My question, it was reported that Jovo turned down a trade to the Isles last year. Just curious who was going the other way?
Steve
hey chris, the sites getting better everyday, i think without this site a lot of isle fans would feel a lot worse about this season. your features on prospects, bport, and future draft picks are a welcome distraction and helps us look to the future. as for ideas…
just been readin up islandermania prospect talk, which of the islanders past draft picks are in their sign or let walk years? which of the draftees do you see the isles signing?
i know you already did a story about what the future islanders roster may look like, but maybe a future bport roster?
thanks for all the time u put into this site chris.
Chris - First off great job this season, your frequent posts to this blog is what keeps it a success. That’s what makes me come to this site more than another. Thanks
Being an NHL Goalie and GM now - I am surprised Snow has not created more depth in Goal in this organization. Could you write something about what Goalie prospects we have and where do they project to be in a year or two. And if they will draft a goalie this year.
PS: I have been asking for some info about Ridderwall the last week - good to see we will get some
I wonder if we will get a look at Jesse Joensuu this year. He fell hard in his draft year to us at #60. They say he has the ability to be a Thomas Holstrom. He’s not ready yet, but I wonder if they will give some of these guys a sniff to motivate them even more. I would also like to see fellow Cape Breton Island boy Andrew MacDonald too. Nice to get a look at these guys even if for one game. There are others I would like to see.
I wouldn’t read to much into Gordon not praising Danis. Players have different personalities and should be approached differently. He’s probably just trying to keep him focused. Maybe Joey Mac needs more support to perform.
Otherwise I would love it if you keep using your scout friends to provide opinions on prospects and current players. In a frustrating season thinking about the future is encouraging. On that line, Aaron Ness had four assists in back-to-back games vs St. Cloud State a week ago.
How much would it have cost to sign Sabourin?? I hope we are not cheaping out. Are we the only team that is hesitant to have good backup plans? I hope this does not bite us in the butt
I thought Jmac did a pretty good job. Danis hasn’t been all that bad, he’s young, a little green yet for the NHL (imo)but time will tell with him.
But with DP’s situation we’re def goin to need a number goaltender..I feel sad for DP, I hope things will work out for him, he’s so young!!
as for betting you a steak that Gordon starts talking nice about Danis?..
he probably wont have much choice but to say somewhat good things since he’s all we have at the moment.
But that is a yummy bet
I wanted Sabourin. He is a proven backup and definitly on par with Joey Mac. He would have been a nice pickup. He could have played 50/50 when mac came back and 50/50 now with danis..
Effin - if the Isles were willing to bring Dubie on board why wouldn’t they be willing to spend basically the same money on Sabourin? They probably decided he wasn’t necessary.
I know he hasn’t had a lot of help, but am I the only one who isn’t sold on Mac as a 1A goaltender for us next year? I would look into one of the many UFA’s like Ty Conklin (especially if we want the outdoor game), someone who’s been an NHL #1 before and can easily play 30-35 games if need be. It’s looking like more and more of a shame that Manny Legace turned us down to sign with the Blues.
CB - I would like to hear more prospect updates and maybe an interview with Jack Capuano and/or the coach down in Utah.
Chris - can’t thank you enough for all your work on this site. Working in the financial world has been about as much fun as, well. . the Isles season! But, refreshing this site a few times a day is something I look forward to.
I truly believe that WHEN the LightHouse project finally goes through PB will be a big reason why.
My question would be about Jason Blake. Could you shed some light on his contract negotiations . . Were they contentious?Would he have preferred to stay on the Island? and do you think there’s any chance he would / or would want to play here again?
Thanks for your dedication to this sight.
Chris, if the Islanders do not win the draft lottery, is Tavares important enough to the future of the team that they package the #2 pick in the draft with some other picks to move up to the #1 spot? Or do the roll with Hedman? Impact defensemen do not grow on trees, but this team needs a legit scorer in the worst way.
CB: Have (or will) the Isles talk to the Nets about becoming partners on the LIghthouse project or co-tenants in the renovated Coli? The Brooklyn deal still seems iffy.
Also, any updates on signing Gilroy, et. al? Thanks.
Looks like you get the steak Chris, because it sounded to me like Coach Gordon eased up a bit on Yann with his comments to Greg Logan on today’s (1/21) Pre-Game Raw on IslandersTV.
That is a great idea, bring the Nets back to Long Island to be cotenants with the Isles.
“that may be a disaster for the playoff pursuits of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers”
Thanks for bringing who of the things I hate most. WHO CARES if BP makes the playoffs? BP could go 82-0 or howver many games they play, and it would be a complete failure if none of these kids get to play in the NHL this year.
What happened to Jeff Tambellini? Did he get lost at Bridgeport? Also, Trevor Smith went down and didn’t bounce back up… what’s up with that?
For what it’s worth, I’ll be in Section 211 tonight. Rah rah rah!
Following up on mtrico’s post #14, if they have two–do they take Hedman, someone else, i.e., a forward, with that pick, or, I can see it now, do they trade down?
Absolutely the correct call. There is no reason to bring in any other goal tender at this point. Attempting to put a goalie bandaid on this cut that requires surgery is unecessary.
I think the biggest question regarding the #2 pick is, is Matt Duchesne good enough for us to justify trading down to #3 and hopefully getting something huge in return if say, someone like Tampa who doesn’t need a forward as much as they need a Dman is at #3?
any update on bozak and gilroy?….Do you think they will draft a goalie in this draft? I think DP`S Career is over..lets move on….he hasnt won a thing…should have picked lundquish
CB,
Remember when WNEW or WBAB did DEEP CUTS, you know, songs that were on albums but never got air time? How about you do some DEEP CUTS on some of the past Islanders, like the Randy Wood/Gerald Diducks of the world. Just a thought while nothing is going on the rest of the week.
What to write?
How about more on Luongo. I heard somewhere that he was sent down by Milstein and Co. to avoid paying him a bonus. Luongo then said that he’d never play for the Isles…Yes? No? Maybe?
Chris - Can you tell us how the mechanics of the waiver wire works? How a team puts a player on waivers? How does a team pass or claim a player? How does a player “clear” waivers? Is this done by email or some other electronic method, and how was it done “in the old days”.
Maybe you can tell us some of the other inside workings of a hockey team and how they deal with the league (trades?).
Thanks.
If you have the #2 pick and Tavares is off the board you have to go with Hedman, not Duche. This franchise needs a clear cut #1 D prospect as well as a top flight center.
Hey Chris, great job on the blog, read it everyday. Do you have any information about a potential Islanders dvd set that we are seeing a lot in stores, i.e. history of the Cowboys, Steelers, Celtics, etc? With all the great moments in our history, I think it would do the fans well to have something like that. I know they have a 10 greatest game set coming out in March, but that wont have any games before 1980 on it. There is so much more that can be included like the run in 75, player and coach interviews, banner and retirement ceremonies, celebrations outside of the Coliseum and the parade on Hempstead Turnpike, and maybe even a fan perspective on the rivalry with the Rangers. What do you think? thanks again for the great job you do!
We don’t need Sabourin. I want the goalie that will play just well enough to lose every game the rest of the year: Yann Danis. Make him the starter. Draft a goalie in the 2nd or third round.
Great work. Thanks for keeping us posted. Last week you said something about talking to Bruins players about Gordon. Also, maybe some input into what Trottier, Bossy, and others are doing for the organization these days.
Joe, post 28: You can pre order it on Amazon.
provide the scout update, especially on whether PHO and MIN scouts are in attendance.
NYI need a 1A for next season. Timing is right because this is the best UFA offseason for back-ups in a longtime. Veterans with big $ hitting UFA, but no longer #1’s, some #2’s at reasonable price, and the pure back-ups available on the cheap.
Chris, do the Islanders take a goalie with one of their second round picks?
CT Isles - I’m not disagreeing, was just responding to someone else’s post. I happen to think we need exciting offensive players to put people in the seats, we’ve also lost a staggering 15 1 goal games and that screams for more offense. I would never want to choose Duchesne at #2, I was just saying maybe it would be worth exploring moving down to #3 if you could get a top notch prospect, or say their #1 pick next year to do so.
This is more about your old job, and if you can’t answer it that’s okay, but I always wondered how certain players are picked for the press to grill after games. Obviously certain players who produced are probably the first to be picked, but is there a system, are there some who are more willing than others, etc.?
CB,
How about column on the Islanders scouting department, who they are, where they scout… their backgrounds… and how the Isles scouting department compares to other teams scouting departments in terms of talent and structure, and of course dollars spent on scouting. Are Isles spending a lot or are they a bottom tier spender.
Thanks,
p.s. my question on Ridderwall in a previous thread was about his future standing with the team, be it next season or two seasons down the road.
what do you think will come first in 2009 … A win for the islanders .. or ground breaking for the lighthouse? who knows … joey Mac has been solid but with the unpredictable health of DP i feel that we need an established #1 golie that can play at least 30 games .. is joey mac the answer? probly not on a sub .500 young team.. looking foward to the game tonight , will be there in 307 .. im feeling a gutsy win.. go isless
CB- Any chance for you to procure interviews with the Top 5 projecteds like JT, Hedman, Duchene, etc…or will that be something more towards draft time?
Since your a Voice for the Islanders, my Question is “Does the Islander Organization Still have you on a TIME OUT and what are your Feelings about the Way you are Treated? And yes it makes a difference and please explain!
1) Question for ya Chris:
With the obvious message sent with the KC preseason game what should we look for as to the next ‘message’ the franchise might send?
A Wang visit to KC?
When will Wang come right out in public and say what we all know already; That there is a drop dead date?
If a deal isn’t signed and sealed before this date the team is going to be moved.
CB- I know the Isles are petitioning the NHL to let them uses their throwback royal blues full-time next year, but will they also change their white jerseys to the more ‘traditional’ design as well?
CB,
You’re on regarding the steak…but you’ll have to come to NJ to get it…we don’t need a goalie, we’ve come too far not to get the #1 pick…
Also, how about an article on Jason Gregoire from U. of North Dakota…
Dang…and I was so hoping to have my nickname associated officially with the Isles
SAB
Jeez Chris, and you thought you might have nothing to write about? So many ideas….
Doug F - I doubt if Sabourin would have led us out of the basement, haha. What he would have done is at least allowed Joey Mac to catch a rest once in a while. Mac was either first or second in playing time (or starts?) before he went down, so obviously Gordon is not confident in Danis.
post ideas….1)status of Petrov and what he COULD mean for the team in the future.
2) Potential free agent signings this summer. The ones that would FIT the rebuild and make the most sense, not the ones that the fans would like to see. A top 5 list with some insight would be an enjoyable read.
re what to write next week etc. I would second the request of Post 26 re more info on the waiver process. Also related to this I think someone somewhere on this blog wrote that we were finished with Mitch Fritz as an Islander is that because there is a limit to calling someone up and sending them down to the minors?? my son is still amazed that Fritz plans to go Grizzly bear hunting in June (see soundtiger website interview)
Thanks for all your work on this blog it actually makes being an Islander fan entertaining, even though we are not in the playoff race.
who we will look at or target ( even just the position) with the future 2-3 picks and current2-3 picks. we know what were getting with the first.. who will target in the offseaosn….will we trade with the devils who are currently sitting pandolfo for shanny, i dont want pandolfo but rupp
sabourin, danis, a guy pulled off the street. does it really matter who plays goal at this point? i really hope that ridderwall is in b’port next year. any chance that poulin is there next year too?
If we get the second pick… you have to take Hedman.
It would have to be a pretty good offer to move down.
Wait… we moved from 5th to 9th to pick a mid first round pick.
All we received was 2 second round picks and a third.
It really wasn’t worth missing out on Schenn, Filatov, Hodgson, Boedker, and Wilson.
why mclean over smith?
Agreeing with some of the comments I’ve already seen. With DP now officially shut-down, we definitely need to sign a legit, experienced #1-capable goalie for next season. Sabourin certainly isn’t it, so I’m glad we passed on him. We may see some others come up on waivers soon (Gerber). I’m not completely sold on JMac, either. There looks to be some quality goalies hitting the market in July, so I hope the team is patient and waits to see who is available.
CB - Am definitely looking forward to hearing about Ridderwall, but would also like to learn more about Jase Weslosky. This kid is supposed to have incredible reflexes and athletic ability, and has been putting up some decent college numbers.
guerin…no, it doesn’t matter as long as the one we go with actually plays some games. The problem this season is that Gordon has no faith in Danis, and Joey Mac has been forced to do this season’s version of the DiPietro-Start-Every-Game routine. If a guy like Sabourin would have been able, in Gordon’s eyes, to give Mac a rest once in a while, then it would have been worth it imo.
Jimmy;
Given the state of the team I think Snow made the right choice on Bailey. I’m not sure a lot those other guys would be so successful in this enviornment. Recall that Filatov got sent down to the AHL playing on a much better columbus team.
As a matter of fact, since Filatov had his hat trick hasn’t done anything.
Bailey’s got the right make up for what the team is now. This season we get a guy who’s gonna put fannies in the seats.
Even so, if Snow trades down and the offer is right (Maybe another top ten pick from last years draft) there are still some gems in the top five. Svenson is supposed to be on par with Filatov.
if gordon fifnt have faith wouldnt he play manino for a game? idk i think he just mad that it has come to this. last place, your top 2 goalies hurt, most man games lost in the league, its gotta suck. anyway. also, do you see us getting neil or parros if not rupp? they are all ufa’s next year and maybe we will sign one of them then but they are all really good at what they do.
CB,
In regards to teams such as the Isles, Panthers, Tampa, and Nashville possibly moving cities in the near future. What do you think the NHL wants?
Chicken - from what I have heard from the Columbus blogger on … are we even allowed to mention the site? … Filatov’s eventual RFA status had something to do with him being sent down initially (the nine-game deal). And when he has been up, he’s gotten very limited ice time. I think he only had about 8:00 in the game where he got the trick? Not sure how it’s been for him since then.
Kevin…would you play Mannino after the Boston showing regardless of your faith or lack thereof in Danis? I think Gordon is more or less forced to play Danis now, but that’s no guarantee that Mac won’t get every single start again once he’s back. Who knows though…maybe Snow spoke with Gordon and Gordon is OK getting Danis in there once in a while to give Mac a rest. It’s really just a point I brought up based on how the season has progressed up to now.
Macdonald is really proving himself to be a terrific backup for a quality team that has a reliable goalie (NJ Devils, San Jose) - but I think the Isles need to upgrade even more to a solid starter. There’s no reason to believe that DP can ever play more then half of a season. If they have a chance to land a Huet or Theodore they should go that route…
So this week it’s McLean getting a look instead of Smith. What’s the big deal? Maybe the Isles signed McLean last summer as a “depth guy”, with the intention of having him play in B’Port (same as another “older” player like Iggulden), but they’ve since seen something in him that makes them want to take a look at what he can do in the NHL. They took a flyer on the guy, probably only signing him to a one-year deal, so they want to see what they’ve got before the end of the season. I think that’s exactly what they should be doing. Maybe they get lucky with a guy who’s obviously a late-bloomer (from NCAA D3 to pro only 3 yrs ago; he was in the ECHL only 2 yrs ago). And, with this team at this time, what’s the risk?
Someone like Trevor Smith is younger, probably has more potential, and will be back up with the big club soon enough. Nothing wrong with letting guys like him (and Joensuu and Bentivoglio and any other B’Port player people have been asking about) continue to get game experience in the AHL.
In some sense, I think the “goalie needs a rest” thing is a slightly overblown. It depends on the durability of the goalie (as we’ve seen with DP…).
You’ll never have a league full of Marty Brodeurs, but, as of this moment, there are 11 goalies who have played in 35 or more games this season (4 of whom have played in 40 of more games). JMac is #9, with 37 games, and Kiprusoff is #1 with 42 games.
Assuming he comes back 100% (a big assumption with anything Isles-related these days), there is no reason to believe that he won’t start most of the remaining games.
no one was playing good that day. besides, i am in no way bashing danis. i think manino should play one after danis messed up at the devils game. sure you can use the sameargument u did just above, but it was a 0-0 game when he screwed up the first time and then the goals he let up later were sloppy. i just think danis and gordo are feeling the pressure right now. danis needs a strong game tonight and gordon needs a strong effort today from his players. manino should start the next game if JMAC is not back yet. tonight will either be a blowout with a few fights or a close, hard fought game with the score being 2-1,3-1,3-2. either way, i see us losing. also i see us either getting overpowered physically or maybe staying par with the big bad mighty ducks
cb
how about an honest assessment of snows draft picks, what they have done to this point, what they need to do and where they project…(has their stock risen or fallen)
petrov was a major disappointment at the wjc…how much was post injury and how much was his lack of readiness ….didnt catch niemi but does he have a future in the US? can ness play at his level? will trivino ever play? can dibenedetto perform at the next level and is his next level the echl? can katic make the leap? is kessel anything more than a great last name?
from what i can ascertain six months post draft this group is trending downward with the exception of the overage ohl’er….of course its too early to cast final dispersions but can we say that snow has drafted well or poorly if this cast does or doesnt move up to bridgeport next year or produce on the college level?
Passing on Sabourin is no great loss for this team right now. Appearing in only 57 NHL games (fewer starts) spread over 5 yrs isn’t exactly what I would call the experience of a “proven” backup goalie.
Continue to evaluate MacDonald and Danis the rest of the year, and just cruise to the most ping pong balls in June.
UIF on Jan 21st, 2009 14:26:15 said:
“The problem this season is that Gordon has no faith in Danis”
No offense intended by this UIF (this refers to more than just what you said) but why do so many of Isles fans feel comfortable making these kinds of statements? I agree that Gordon wasnt exactly talking the guy up in the post game (with reason, he didnt say anyhting that was untrue IMO) but I dont see any reason to go from that fact to all the sudden proclaiming that he has “no faith” in Danis. Gordon doesnt seem upset with him if you watch Pre-Game Raw- I think that if he had NO faith in him he would have approached things differently when asked.
I think we’ll see either Big Mac or Dubie in that role next season, obviously if they signed him last week, the door was left open for him to maybe come back here in the future, so why not one more time over the summer. Having said that, i was actually more impressed by Big Macs ability to carry the team for an extended period of time there in November then I was with Dubies heroics(also very impressive), either way though, I think the Isles should aim to have one of those 2 locked up for a few years. Quality backups and quality people.
Kevin…Mannino has also failed to get his save% to .900 in Bridgeport, so it’s not only the Bruins game. Admittedly, I don’t know much beyond the numbers on how he’s looked in the AHL, but the numbers sure aren’t encouraging.
I would like to see more of Danis. I think he has potential but he needs to have better puck control when wandering around the crease.
CB - Another goalie-related question. What is the team saying about Nathan Lawson’s potential? He’s been putting-up some great numbers with the Tigers, seemingly out of nowhere.
Also, can we get an update on the progress (if any) of The Wrecker? I know they signed him more or less as a project, but at the time it sounded as if he had a stronger than expected training and was a bit of a surprise. How is he doing with the Grizzlies, and can we expect to see him in Bridgeport next year (not mention if we can expect to ever see him on the Island as a serviceable enforcer-type).
Thanks.
70 - Sorry, I meant it sounded at the time as if Rechlicz had a stronger than expected training camp…
In an interview on tv sometime this year Mike Milbury referenced a “great” trade that got vetoed by Charles Wang because he was including a player that “visited childrens hospitals.”
I’m guessing this is a reference to Dave Scatchard. Can you shed anymore light on this almost transaction?
CB-Trust me, we are not trying to overwhelm you with stuff to write about…
All I hear is “DP was rushed back from this surgery or from that surgery.” Any idea if any of those claims are true or not?
Hey CB,
What about a story about the coliseum lease with the Isles and if it can be improved when it comes up again in 2015?
Can the Islanders or Charles Wang stand to make money if a lease is changed?
Hi Chris,
It seems that most of us believe that Tavares will be our savior. So my question is this: Will John Tavares do for the Islanders what Sidney Crosby did for the Penguins? We all know that the Penguins would likely not have stayed in Pittsburgh if the lottery ended up differently. Will the same hold true for the Islanders?
Thanks,
Drew (New York)
TMC - No offense taken - last post here since I’m over the limit. But my point there is based on Joey, until he went down, having the most or second most starts in the NHL (maybe just behind notorious goalie-killer Keenan’s squad), moreso than Gordon’s quote after last game. I said earlier that Mac looked just as gassed as the rest of the team in third periods, and it wouldn’t surprise me if starting every single game contributed, at least in part, to that. I’d be willing to bet CB a steak that if a legit NHL backup was there, Gordon would have rested Mac once in a while. That said, I won’t speak in absolute certainties next time
Were going to get manhandled tonight by Anaheim, no doubt about it.
if dp is not ready by training camp to be the starting guy then a trade for a an experienced starting goalie is a must. the isles new young look with acouple of high draft piks will not perform well with jmac or mannino as starters. inthat scenario we have afirst class goalie backed up by one of those guys. it is unusual for goalies to become starters right out of the ahl. there will be several ufas available. so lets give next years young team achance to develope. patience is not agood thing when it comes to that position!
CB
You have made my season my friend…without this site i dont know what i would do. Excellent excellent job!
Maybe you could do a “best and worst” list like Greenberg does in the Post every year. Like “Funniest Islander” “best dressed”, “worst dressed” “best personality” “worst personality” ect…..
How about the REAL reason why after 20 years you left the circus?
I hope Tavarses is worth the hype.
If we even get the first overall…I don’t know if I will be able to watch the lottery.
I think we can all agree is won’t be an OV type of player, but I’ll take a guy that will score 30 goals and maybe 80 points a year.
Just a steady producer will go along way… of course he will need some help.
That’s my next question… where is that coming from?
Alot of people are talking about the Sedins… what do you guys think?
CB - Totally agree with most on here - visit the site 5-10x daily. Love it as a 35 year fan from the “old days” . My question would be, would the Islanders if they got the #1, ever ever think of trading it (Taveras) to a team if overwhelmed with a great offer, or no way in hell. I remember Torrey never even thinking of trading the #1 pick in ‘73 (D. Potvin) although supposedly Montreal threw the kitchen sink at him for the pick.
i would not mind the sedins at all. even with them we will still probably be bad resulting in a top 5 draft again. tamoa bay is an example and the blues who have tkachuk and kariya even though he is hurt. and ottawa ( need i say more about them ) not to mention the stars in the begining. bottom line, we can sign the sedins for 6 years and still suck so they can be a cornerstone peice in the future ( 3 years for me when we will be playoff contention again). sounds good to me.this will be my last post cb. bottom line, do you think we can sign both of them since they will want money and to be together? aparrently the cunucks will go for hossa and gabs since demitra is there and they are buddies.
Funny, timing I was wondering if Ridderwall would get signed by the end of this year, maybe get some games in Bridge before the end of the year and at least be in Bridge next. I’d also like to hear about Weslosky (SP?).
I think passing on yet another waived goaltender is a mistake. I think it is another example of Snow thinking he is smarter then everyone else and then he usually ends up with his pants down and getting his bottom spanked.
He was wrong on the medical/training staff, he has been unprepared on having toughness, and he kept running his mouth about the new NHL and getting smaller while the rest of the NHL was getting better.
Folks, this team is not going to be rebuilt via trades or via free agency. It’s an open secret, and has been for nearly a decade, that marquee free agents don’t want to come to the Islanders, partially because of general dysfunction on the part of management and partially because of the decrepit Coliseum facilities.
This team is going to have to a) get a solid GM/coach tandem that can convince FAs that the Islanders mean business, b) renovate the Coliseum, and/or c) the current plan, which is draft well, play the kids and hope you can make something of them, with mid-tier free agent signings to provide veteran leadership and skill.
Such mid-tier UFAs for next season include Brian Gionta, Colby Armstrong, Jussi Jokinen, among others. Lots of UFA goalies as well.
Argh. Here in Manhattan and cannot DVR the game. Good ole MSG Plus 2 is on channel 51 and has no data listed when the game is on and thus cannot be recorded. So frustrating!
David you can’t maually set the record time for your DVR???
I have to agree with the “get a better goalie” theme. Best case DP comes back 100% and management is smart enough to split his time with a capable 1A type UFA goalie. Worst case DP is gone for good and we absolutely need a #1 while our newly drafted summer of ‘09 goalie develops. Lots of variables I know but it’s a solution that can be engineered over the summer not now. The crop of UFA goalies is large this year. In the meantime let danis and J Mac play. Just my $.02.
CB if you’re looking for article ideas… A candid independent assessment of Islander Prospects by some of your scout friends would be great. What their ceiling is, what their bottom is. What they have to work on, what they excel on. You could do one a week. It would be nice to know what the rest of the NHL thinks of our guys. We in Islander country are whiners, either we overrate our guys or we think they stink. They either walk on water or can’t tie their shoelaces.
Too many websites out there (Hockey’s future….) which basically have people who have never seen the players give ratings out on players potential. The future is what we have to look forward to, and it would be nice to know what we already have.
Hi Chris. You mentioned lately that one time you made the mistake of trying to talk to Mr. Wang during a hockey game. Can you elaborate? Was he a fast learner in terms of appreciating the game?
David post #86
I also live in NYC, you can DVR the game, you just need to choose all the 1/2 hour sections until the game would be over. I’ve done it before and it works.
Hope it works for you
SteveNYC
Chris, Nice job keeping all of us “glass half full” fans well informed. Any chance of expediting the rebuild by trading for a 2008 prospect from a team that needs some veteran leadership? Cody Hodgson or Kyle Beach sure would look good in blue and orange. Would a Weight/Guerin/#2 pick(s) be enough? Rebuild Full Speed Ahead!
Isles should grab Sabourin. They are crazy if they don’t. He’ll resurface somewhere else and do well. He’s a pretty good goaltender that is a victim of circumstance and having better goalies in front of him. Yann Danis is terrible. And the money should have nothing to do with it. The Isles are so far under the cap its scary. They were just going to pick up Dubie until the Blue Jackets ripped him away from us because management knows Danis is terrible. And now they’re just gonna stick it out with Danis? I don’t get it. The Isles management baffles me sometimes
I totally agree with poster #84 by the way with the Snow comment. They should never have let Dubie go-Ive stood by that one since last summer. Joey Mac is pretty good but definetly not a number 1.
Hey CB, I’ve got a question pertaining to TavHeduch or whatever it is you call these three. I know it is highly hypothetical, but here goes. If the Islanders end up with the #2 pick, is there any chance they make a deal/trade down to #3 for Duchene? I think the Isles are better served taking a forward, but
is their enough of a difference between these two that the #3 team might be willing to part with something (even a 7th rounder?) to move up. I know that it would depend on who has the #3 and their needs.
(Since I tend to ramble, I put the important part of the question in italics)
Hey CB. I really enjoy the Islanders prospect watch on their website. Maybe you can keep us update during the week off on our top prospects? Maybe rankings, and such.
Hypothetical scenario (but not out of the realm of possibility):
Ten days before the draft….the doctors tell Rickety he is done, the combination knee/hip issues will turn him into Butkus if he keeps playing.
How does that affect Snow going into the draft?
I’m still sticking with Tavares for number 1 pick….but….what about the bevy of number 2 picks and some of our current crop of kids? Does Snow go after a legitimate Number 1 goalie in a trade?
Cuz I don’t see any of our current fire drill crop of goalies as a legit Number 1.
Not until they start stealing games for us.
i just thought this would be a fun little tidbit….milbury essentially traded luongo and jokinen for tambellini and figren…..mark parrish went to the kings for tamby, and kvasha went to coyotes for a third rounder who ended up being robin figren…thats if my math is correct. so we still have a chance to make that deal go the islanders way! all we need is tamby and figgy to turn it on, lol.
Here is a question for all on the board - Which would you prefer - Tavares and Komisarek or Duchene and Komisarek or Hedman and who knows? I am town on this one because obviously I would love the first pair but if we somehow end up with the second pick I might want the second pair. I don’t know whate Hedman’s numbers project to, but I can’t see the team drafting Hedman in the 2 slot and maybe making a free agent signing like Komisarek. If they move down to the three to take Duchene they better get a h*ll of a return for that one spot drop!
I’m not as down on our future ability to sign high quality UFAs as some are. If we do in fact wind-up with one of the top-two picks next June, it will create some interest from UFAs. I hate to say his name before the lottery, but Tavares is the kind of guy other players will want to come and play with.
(92) - there’s no chance a Hodgson or a Beach could be had for a Weight or a Guerin. No chance.
If we trade from 1 or 2 to 3 we need at least a future #1 and prob more.
Lets trade guerin, weight, witt and comrie. We should be able to get #2 picks plus for each.so there another 4 #2s. If we were able to do that we would have lots of space for ufa this summer and really stockpile prospects.
Islesfan, don’t count on #2 picks for Comrie. The way he is playing, he might get a 4th round.
I like the idea of gather more 2nd round picks, because I think we could package them to get another 1st rounder.
Having said that, I am skeptical about the return that will be able to get for our tradable assets…
Ha! That is a great pic of JoeyMac! A transitional goalies travel-wear!
The Isles should deal the vets…Guerin, Silly, Weight etc. Should really try to KEEP Witt and Streit, thats a great start to a D. I’d even deal Campoli. Theres deals for other teams young studs. Like BOSTON. Guerin, Weight or even Silly to the Bs could be a way to go. High draft picks are acceptable. But the Isles also now need to again look to GOALTENDING. We might want to seriously consider 2-3 goalies for this team. 1a-1c. In fact, anybody who plays for the Isles must have SOME Goalie experience!!
This season is caput like tupac. The DRAFT and the Lighthouse Project status are what this franchise is. I’m looking to the DRAFT. And whatever trickles of info on the LP that ooze out like frozen honey. It would be great to get JT #1, but not so good for him to move to KC a year or 3 later. Ahh to be an Isles fan…
Mike @ 105
Everybody is quick to deal Guerin and Weight but I wouldn’t necesarilly be oppossed to seeing them stick around one more year to help the kids out. Guess it depends what the offer is and whether Billy G would waive his NM clause.
Silly is done, nothing coming our way for him.
Agree with you 100% on the need for a goalie to come our way this summer via UFA and perhaps another with one of our second rounders in June.
Anyone else catch Howie’s 1st class pun midway through the first? “…and Ebbett fields the puck…” Howie slips in some classics every now and again.
for the second game in a row (that i noticed, it may be more!) THE STANLEY CUP BANNERS ARE NOT IN ORDER!!!!
Congratulations Kurtis McLean.
I was surprised at how shaky Giguere looked today, but you can’t take anything away from either McLean or KO.
I’m also impressed with Nielsen’s playmaking skills, which seem to be improving each day.
Don’t know about anyone else, but I see some talent here. Hopefully they can bring in more top-flight talent to augment the guys that are developing now.
mclean you the man congrats… KEEP this guy up here hes somebody that knows where to put the puck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MCLEAN!!!
Hi Mr. Botta,
It’s Steven from East Islip again(aka The Hockeycaster).
First off, I wanted to congradulate and thank you for how well you covered the whole KC/Lighthouse thing last week, and what a great job you did on MSG Plus, a truly fantastic job. Islander fans are lucky to have a guy like you covering or team.
My question is whatever happened to the supposed “beef up” of hoe MSG Plus? Outside of Islanders Illustrated, there really isn’t any more hockey programming on that there used to be. Why can’t we get stuff on our station that the Rangers hav on MSG? (like MSG ProFiles and Fans Most Wanted?) I think MSG Plus should find a reason to keep us Islanders fans watching, what with our team being totally lame right now and all. Keep up the good work!
Steven from East Islip
so far, a very good game from Danis
Man what a shot by Okposo!
Contrats to McLean too!
Nielsen is just so good but very quite. Ya don’t notice him too much but he produces.
QUESTION FOR CB #1: Of the Islander prospects who should be making the transition to Bridgeport this year or over the summer?
Question #2: How could Garth Snow so badly not understand how hockey is being played in the NHL? He keeps getting smaller and softer while the rest of the NHL is doing the oppossite.
Question #2:
CB: Does Pat Lafontaine have an official capacity with the isles? What was it supposed to be? What happened to the committee idea? What is Trottier doing right now?
Thanks
Why did Charles Wang have faith in Milbury for so long?
I wish we still had BIG Z ZDENO CHARA!!!
GO CARDINALS!
106
Good point about keeping a vet or 2 around. I’d choose to keep Weight over Guerin. I’m sick of Guerin shooting wide and missing the net with his “shot”. Deal Silly for a pick. Weight and Witt could be the vets to lead. I like that.
The Isles need some size with skill…they just get pushed around. Am I mistaken or are they just small?
Hey Mr. Botta,
Steven from East isliagain.
Just a real quick question,
whatever happened David Volek?
I think you should a sort of “whee are they now?” on him. He fell off the face of the earth after 1994. Thanks again for everything.
Steven from East Islip
Yan Danis had a solid home stand.
“I do believe Yann Danis has passed the audition”
signed,
John Lennon’s ghost
CB, Are there any young players (not a big name) in other organizations that you could see trading for instead of a draft pick? I think getting a young body or two that can play in this system may be better off than just a draft pick
Ok I admit I was a little hard on Yann Danis. He looked great tonight and has played darn good since coming in relief of Joey Mac in the Rangers game. He’s played well enough to win every game-the Islanders just don’t score enough for that to happen! I would say lights out but he has let in a couple of softie goals. (including the one tonight) But I was on here earlier posting how big a mistake them not picking up Dany Sabourin on waivers was, but I guess they figure Danis and Joey (when he comes back) will be able hold it down for the last 30 games. But play Danis don’t let him collect dust on the bench while Joey plays every night. Part of the reason Joey started out so well and faded was over-use.
BTW- Congrats to Kurtis McLean. Well-deserved 1st NHL goal. If you watched him play tonight he plays with heart, dedication, and perserverance. Something the Islanders need on their team. Let him stay up-he’ll help this team
(119) The Islanders do need a little more size. Comeau and Okposo are pretty good sized both about 6-0 200 lbs. But not BIG. Most of their skaters are on the smaller size. The only “big guys” are Hunter, Guerin, and Jackman. Definetly a need. In Bridgeport they have Jesse Joensuu a 2nd round pick from I think 2 years ago whos really starting to improve. I think he’s like 6-4 210. May take a little time to develop but its possible we could see him up for the last 9 games like Okposo last year.
Chris: Can the islanders lease at the Nassau Coliseum be terminated prior to 2015 without penalty? Thank you.
Didn’t get a chance to watch the game (it’s already tax season here!) so I’ll ask the question here - How was Danis with his rebound control? Stats show he played a very solid game but you can’t go by those alone.
Chris, I hope this one doesn’t get buried and maybe this happened before your time w/ the NYI, but remember the time in Detroit, several of the Islanders (Tomas Jonsson, Steve Konroyd, Richie Kromm et al) were involved in a limo accident and inside the limo was plenty of booze, a few underage females and who knows what else. I believe Bill Torrey did a good job of sweeping it under the rug, if this happened today, well you know… Care to pull this one out from under the rug?