INSTANT FEEDBACK
Like Mom says, you only hear about the bad stuff
Funny thing about my old friends at the Islanders. Write columns explaining, and mostly defending, their decision to build from scratch, don’t hear a word. Write a piece about how Garth Snow and Scott Gordon are going to be in charge for a while and that there’s nothing wrong with that, silence. Do a positive Q & A with a scout about one of their fourth round picks from 2008 - while the big club is on its way to losing the 15th game of its last 17 - nothing.
Don’t get me wrong: that’s all good. I just assumed everyone at the Islanders was only reading Newsday. I’m simply trying to provide for fans my perspective of a franchise attempting to get things right in the first year of an overhaul.
But, oh baby, poke them for mishandling another aspect of the Rick DiPietro saga, and the texts come fast, furious and with layers of WAHHHHHHHHH. Most of the return fire references the Keystone Cops headline, like, ”I can’t answer your question. I’m at Keystone Cop Academy.” Oh, no. I might have to go for a while without official injury updates!
I thought about texting back that the blogger doesn’t write the headlines, but they might not find that funny.
Tomorrow: a look at the status of Bill Guerin. Comments.
68 Responses to “INSTANT FEEDBACK
Like Mom says, you only hear about the bad stuff”
Please Wait
I wouldn’t sweat it Botta.
I am thankful for your site and for Logan’s work because I can never get any Islander news on their website.
The handling of DiPietro’s injurie(s) has been disapointing and not just their public stance but how it is being handled by the medical, coaching and training staffs.
You’ve defended the training, medical and conditioning staffs over and over again but my sports background tells me there is something wrong there. While your correct in that Andy Sutton breaking a foot from a shot is not preventable so many guys getting injured in practice and groin strains is a sign that the conditioning program is not up to par.
I’ve been disapointed for years in the Islanders lack of toughness and seemingly lack of understanding about it’s role in the NHL. It still hasn’t been addressed and if we have to wait until the off season for it to be addressed (when there won’t be as good as crop of UFA enforcers as there was last year is again too little and too late.
Well, if they don’t like some stuff that you are saying, then they REALLY wouldn’t like what the people who spend our hard-earned money and give our blackened hearts to this team think about this issue. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the forum that you have to let them know what I think.
This blog is one of the lone bright spots of this hockey season. Keep up the good work and I’ll keep reading
Yeah….this is pretty much how commentary works. Keep the spin positive and there is no response. But disagree with the “experts” that run a team and you get slammed. Kepp them headlines pithy and keep this amazing blog running. Maybe you were being too nice all this time? Go super negative for a week and see what happens…maybe they will listen to us!
to reiterate above post this is one of the bright spots of this season. giving us a forum to dream, complain and get info that otherwise little to noone else is providing. thanks for the insight, and keep up the great work.I am a daily reader and have never seen you spin the isles in a negative light. If you getting flac from some Isles people well the truth usually hurts
Do a blog how the Isles are intentionally blowing the season to get Tavares and get the whole league up in arms. Now that’s a story…..lol
Joke people
C-Botts … keep on doing what you are doing; bringing a voice of sanity to an (at times) insane “Organization.”
Bravo my buddy … bravo.
The coverage from the rest of the league is so negative I would think the team brass would be happy for the good (pro and con) coverage you give them. If you agreed with the team all the time you would be their media relations employee still. Keep up the good work.
Since they read this site…Read this!
We as a franchise & a fan base have been preety much irrelevant for the last 15 years…if you want positive stories go out and win-go out and handle your organization the right way.
Chris Botta and BD Gallof are voices for the fans and keep us informed, if you as an organization screw things up then that’s on you.
How do you think you would fair in Toronto?
Grow some thick skin, we support your franchise that has been mismanaged for years with our hard earned money…your disrespect, paranoia, and mistreatment of the fans is sad.
CB keep doing what you do…You more than any ticket sales rep, GM, or coach has maintained our interest in this team in a dreadful season.
I think anytime a professional sports organization commits to one player for a DECADE AND A HALF, it merits a closer scrutiny when that player is as fragile as DP has been. Not that having him in net would get us in playoff contention, but we deserve better from the front office.
Congrats for calling it like it is. Keep it up.
Don’t sweat it CB!
Isles should be proud of themselves on this end. Ice Girls, IslesTV, and, blogging, even while you were with the club. Every team has thier own versions of these things now. Regardless of how they/you feel your loyalties should be, this blog has been an enormous sucess and they should nurture. I just hope they were more calling to explain and not be critical.
CB…join me in the dog house. There is room for two…if you don’t mind helping me paint the nursery
CB,
Great stuff. Is it Rick DiPietro that’s hypersensitive or is it Garth on Rick’s behalf? Bad enough the new league policy disclosing injuries stinks but our Isles sure do make a bigger mockery of it than it already is.
Was I the only fan who was happy to see Rick on the bench vs the Oil? Heck with so many days off between games this week, maybe they found it prudent to give him the extra rest? That would have been easier to digest than allowing us to speculate.
Chris….Is it just the Islanders or would any and all sports organizations object to unflattering stories?….SW
CB - This is something that I thought might happen from the beginning. While you’re independent, I know (assume) a lot of your info comes from “inside” sources. I was worried there might be a backlash and it has appeared now.
You do seem a lil sensitive about it in your post but then, I did not read the texts that you received.
Persevere Blogfather! We support you.
Great job, CB. Meet all of you at the Lighthouse or in Kansas City?
PS - My wife had the comment of the season last night: “Wow, what’s this… an Islanders’ game on TV in high-definition with video and audio!!!” (She hates hockey a little bit more than I do these days), however your blog rocks.
Chris, this blog is by far the daily must-read for everyone in Islander Country. Keep up the great work.
Since the folks at NYI apparently read the blog (and hopefully the comments), here’s an actual “on-ice” suggestion: how about trying Jeff Tambellini on the PK? I see that Blake Comeau has been getting a chance the last few games (much deserved) with a man down, and I think Tamby should get a shot too. He was top-notch on the PK at Bridgeport, and perhaps if he succeeds here that will give carryover to better 5-on-5 play. While he is not close to being “there” yet, his play has definitely improved since the conditioning stint, so I’d like to see him get a shot on the PK.
Colin Campbell must go!! With that said once again CB nice job. You are the bright spot of the season and the voice of reason.
CB,
While we’re on the subject, could you indulge me and some of my fellow season ticketholders in Section 303 and find out why Joey Mac didn’t get an on-ice award for being named Player of the Month in November? I mean, as long as they’re already PO’d, what the heck?
We love your site and Im sure they know it.
I dont think this Ricky thing was a big deal at all. I really do get their POV- they dont want to look foolish. I think the travesty that was the refereeing in that Oilerfest of a game on Canadas big-winner day was far more of an issue. BUT, if they dont want to look silly, there is a far easier way to avoid that than to be down on anyone who points it out.
this is my suggestion for dealing with on-going issues with regard to Ricky’s injury status…buy him out..or trade him…he was never worthy of being a no. 1 overall pick in the first place, he’s never played like a dominant goaltender and has been passed over by many better impact goaltenders drafted in later years, and I suspect the surgically repaired hips and groin injuries are going to be a continuing issue, maybe even forcing an early retirement
CB –
You’ve made the point several times that this blog of yours is completely independent of the Islander’s organization. You’ve also prudently displayed on several occasions that you’ll not divulge certain discussions and decisions while you were employed by the organization out of respect for your former employer & co-workers.
Although you consistently hold true to these principles, your former colleagues text you like that when you raise an honest and poignant question because it displayed the organization actions in a negative light? Either they haven’t noticed that your name is no longer contained within the company directory or they believe that PB 2.0 is an extension of their own website where it must toe the corporate line.
For whatever the reason, their actions speak volumes. What did they expect you to do…post a retraction or take their text messages to heart and never write a negative piece again?
Since every sports section in every newspaper with any hockey coverage portrays the Islanders in a negative light (including Newsday…they post the standings!), do they send these same messages to those editors and publishers? I know you can’t answer that question, CB. I also know that I can ask the Islanders organization the same question. However, I already know that I would NEVER get a reply from them either by e-mail or snail mail. Been there – Done that – Multiple times.
The groin injuries, sports hernias and hip tears will continue as long as those in charge ie; athletic trainers, therapists, strength and conditioning coaches continue with their mantra of stretch stretch and continue to stretch.
This is the same as causing micro-tearing of musculotendinous attachments… and then asking the athlete to compete at high levels putting further strain on already compromised soft tissues.
Simple as that!
It’s epidemic in pro-sports. Check out the inury reports. Hip surgeries, abdominal wall tears, sports hernias, triceps tears, biceps tears, pectoralis major tears, achillies tendon tears, patella tendon tears… these injuries never happened before.
Norm Nixon was the first pro-athlete that I knew of that tore an achillies. What was that… 1979??? Now it’s every week!!!
DOC
I like DiPietro, but the reality is that there’s is no more untradeable player in the league than he….13 yrs remaining on his deal, injury-prone, has never won a playoff series. Hopefully he can get back to the way he played in the first half of 07-08.
Keep up the good work I’m sure they wouldnt give you and important information anyway. Its not like you are the only one to notice the mistake in their interviews but you are fair enough to point it out.
This is by far the most informative hockey website out there. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Mike from Oceanside on Jan 6th, 2009 23:44:01 said:
“Either they haven’t noticed that your name is no longer contained within the company directory or they believe that PB 2.0 is an extension of their own website where it must toe the corporate line.”
Or, OR, they wanted to tell him what they thought of the entry? Chris Botta implied that they were not happy, but he did not imply that anyone was demanding anything.
Mike from Oceanside on Jan 6th, 2009 23:44:01 said:
“I also know that I can ask the Islanders organization the same question. However, I already know that I would NEVER get a reply from them either by e-mail or snail mail. Been there – Done that – Multiple times.”
Islander Mania has a board where you can ask questions. If youre interested in how the Isles react to things like that, you should ask about it there. Id be interested in the response you get, actually.
Another example of how bad NHL officiating is:
Jarkko Ruutu of the Senators tonight bit the finger of the Sabres’ Andrew Peters during a scuffle.
“I’ve been in a few altercations, but I’ve never had anyone bite me before,” Peters told NHL.com afterward. “It’s unfortunate and it’s not a part of hockey.”
Unlike Peters (two minutes for roughing), Ruutu was not penalized.
WHAT A JOKE!
It’s not like the fans didn’t think the team was incompetent before hand. Everyone in the Isles organization is just lucky to be where they are right now, especially Wang who should be behind bars. Snow would be running an ice rink somewhere in Boston.
Yeah Strummer, that was BS.
Your pals at NYI should consider this blog like a blow up doll Chris. If they ever figure out how to elevate themselves from 14th in a 9 team market they might actually have to deal with real media and hard questions. Maybe that’s why they agreed to sponsor this blog…so that your old minions could have a puppy wee-wee pad to practice going on like a big dog. Here’s my suggestions for the Isles… aspire to be so loved, so paid attention to that you won’t even have time to notice what CB says on his blog. Go earn the attention of the rest of New York and then Botta will be more like a whisper in the background. Francessa spent half the day imploring the Mets to sign Manny today. You should be STRIVING for that kind of attention. Or do you secretly fear it? I hope you are striving. We’re in this together. There are about 5,000 people TOPS on God’s green earth that wake up every morning sweating Rick DiPietro. Realize your place in the sports world. You should have ZERO ego. If you guys still owned the dragons you probably still wouldn’t have admitted that the season was canceled. But that’s not the bad part. The bad part would be when you made fun of the 3 people who actually cared. How’s this. I don’t care about your goaltender anymore. We good? Am I one of the “cool people” now?
what’s funny is after all this time the boys inside still don’t understand the power of the pen. I’m sure you’re way too responsible a man to wield the power you have. I think everybody here understands that the person charged with putting out the fires for all those years would be well e-quipped (subtle pun intended) to burn that MFer to the ground.
Make them cower to your power… we got your back.
Have you ever sat down over a cup of coffee and compared circus stories with Horowitz?
Chris TMC -
I inferred from CB’s post that the text messages didn’t contain “Wow that entry hurt. Keep up the good work, Chris”. Why else would they text him? Why else would CB have to suggest that he may have to go a while without official injury updates? Tit-for-tat, eh? Babyish – plain and simple.
Secondly…I’ve e-mailed and snail mailed the Islanders (and even once dropped of a letter at the Islander’s office in Plainview – including a SASE for their use) to multiple people in various positions in the organization. I’ve received zero replies. Every letter was simply-stated, respectful and polite. In essence…all I stated and asked was “Owners, coaches, GMs, Presidents, Governors, trainers and players all come and go. It’s only the fans that are committed for life. Therefore…How much longer do we, as fans, have to wait for the team to be competitive on the ice consistently?”
It’s a fair question.
I am so tired of the “every so often mention” that Wang should be in jail. As someone who has zero power on this blog, i pose that we should we please just keep the comments to hockey.
I LOVE this team. I know things have not looked good for the past 16 years and is looking terrible this year but everytime I see the NY with a hockey stick (whether it be on Kevin Connolly on Entourage or a license plate on the LIE), it puts a smile on my face. I dream of the day that the Isles win the cup again and I can cry with 16,234 other fans in the stands. It WILL HAPPEN. I really just wanted to say THANK YOU CB for providing us with incredible coverage in a pretty much lost season. The thing that I LOVE the most is that I know there is a huge passion for this franchise and it is coming out in a huge way through this blog. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!! I love this team and we all do!
Mike, they don’t want to waste the time to say, “We don’t have a clue”.
Here’s a question. When was the last PROVEN positive decision this organization has made, not out of sheer desperation?
I’m loving this… We’re in a very, very abusive relationship here folks. Our beloved Isles slap us in the face, and spit and (the other s word) on us, and in return we love ‘em no less! …I’m just saying
I honestly can’t even remember the last time I was on the Isles official website… Thanks CB lol
Chris,
I second MRLBEM’s motion to ask if you can get the team to comment on the record as to why Joey McDonald did not get recognized for his “NHL player of the month” in November.
I am a long time season ticket holder who is struggling with how the team treats us, and in particular, cannot understand this “diss” to Joey MacDonald.
I also would like to drink more of the Islanders KOOL AID that presupposes that Rick DiPietro is the greatest goalie who ever laced them up.
Wearing my “Paranoid” hat - I can imagine that all on-ice acknowledgements of Islanders players successes go through the “DeFacto” General Manager of this team. Garth snow is the GM in title - DiPietro is the GM in actuality.
No Bridgeport stint while Sillinger, Shawn Bates and others who have suffered hip related injuries have had to prove themselves in Bridgeport.
The grief Nolan took when he dared to start Dubie in a game last year against Ricky’s wishes, etc.
Simple question that I HOPE you ask - is when the team does plan to acknowledge the NHL award that Joey McDonald got?
If you are paranoid - maybe Ricky put the kibosh on that ? I am just asking.
How Dare I take the Rick’s name in vain ! Please give me more of the Isles Kool Aid please !
Pat
I too have never gotten a response from the Islanders. Seriously their website is LACKING!
It amazes me how many times per year they take their players and prospects Ht/Wt and yet they will not post accurate numbers on their website. Often if you look at the roster and then compare to an article on there or training/rookie camp preview you get completly different numbers. It is beyond annoying, it is lazy!
Chris, you should have a huge block of cheese delivered to the Islander offices tomorrow. You know so they can have some cheese to go with their WHINE! LOL
I’ve emailed customer service and gotten quick replies before. Admittedly, they weren’t weighty questions like “when will the team be competitive,” more in the vein of “how does this ticket promotion work,” but I’m surprised to hear that some if you have initiated multiple contacts with the team and gotten no reply.
Personnel-wise, the Isles are still digging out from the Mike Milbury Era (Error?). Ricky should never have been taken because the Isles already had the best goalie prospect in hockey and needed offense … Nilsson chosen instead of Parise … the lost goes on.
Off the ice, unless the Lighthouse/rehabbed Coliseum goes through, Isles will move to Suffolk (no owner in his right mind would give up that FSN/MSG TV deal.
I’ve always found customer service (especially group sales) to be very responsive). The Web site has become increasingly news-less (thank goodness for this blog and Greg Logan’s), and if you think the MSM doesn’t cover the team much now, wait ’til spring training starts and Isles are long gone from playoff race.
The team shouldn’t worry about bad publicity/news coverage. It should be worried about NO publicity/news coverage.
Not like this is really on topic but what “Award ceremony” are a few of you bringing up over and over? Why would there be an award ceremony for being one of three players of the month? Im not sure what some of you were expecting.
Not for nothing, but the guy pretty much hasnt won a game since then.
I’m a little surprised they have enough of a sense of humor to say they were too busy in Keystone Cop Academy.
Keep at it Chris.
Meaning - say what you mean and mean what you say. The DP thing IS becoming a joke and I have a hunch they let DP make the calls. But whatever…
CB- Just like Guns n Roses were the bad boys of Rock n Roll … you’re now the bad boy of the Blog Roll … keep up the good work … and I wouldn’t sweat it … you just hit a sensitive spot … truth hurts.
——–
I’d also like to say … we as fans are overly sensitive to negative articles fromo outsiders (national, Newsday substitute journalists and Canadian press) … but inside the family we can pretty much take it … we know what we have … and warts and all … we all love this team … that is why we come back for more …. but in reality … it isn’t as bad as it seems … last place sucks … but this team is being built the right way for the first time in recent memory …. well .. it looks that way anyway.
Doesnt the NHL have control of thier website? I would like to do a little more NHL bashing as opposed to Islander bashing Ladies and Gents. How many ridiculous calls have gone against the Isles this year? How many reviewed goals against the Isles? I’m talking clear cut goals…How many elbows to the head or boardings will it take until the League admits to thier unspoken hatred? Gary Bettman is a joke, Colin Campbell is a joke, do not get me started on the ToH. This is no conspiracy theory people, you have watched the games, you have watched the calls, and I am sure everyone here watches at least some of the other local teams during the year, does this happen to them? Do the Rags get the same treatment as the Isles? Absolutely not. Gordon’s reaction the other night was of pure frustration to absolutely terrible officiating, but its totally warranted. If I were in charge during this time, I know this is a bit childish, but I would show up to the game in Calgary and when the puck drops I would have my players stand for 60 minutes in protest. Whats the point of playing the game when someone else is deciding it for you? Let’s see if that gets someone’s attention.
DOC, not making fun or anything, just curious what kind of doc you are?
I have the same hip problems that Ricky and Comrie had from playing hockey.
Steve
Chris TMC,
Not referring to the NHL Player of the Month–but to the Islander Player of the Month. Joey Mac won the award for November (in addition to being the NHL’s 3rd star). It’s buried on the Islander website somewhere. For as long as I can recall, at the first home game of the new month, the team would announce the Islander player of the preceeding month and have them come to the corner where the anthem singer usually stands and accept some type of award, e.g., a watch, etc. It gives the fans in the stands the opportunity to recognize and applaud the player for his achievements. The Team had done this every freakin’ month until December came and then. . . the sound of crickets. No public announcement of November’s POTM. Yes, we know Joey Mac has fallen off his game since then, but that’s not the issue. Could it be that the Team was reluctant to show up the Franchise by creating the opportunity for the fans to applaud his backup? I know, I know–incredibly paranoid, ain’t it. But with this franchise–who knows?
I think your site is great and I thank you for keeping me an interested Islander fan.
Great job Mr Botta and stay strong. Finally after all of these horrible years we have a few writers (CB, BD and Logan) speaking the truth and the NYI organization are having a hardtime dealing with it.
It all seems pretty petty. I think the big problem that we have is with Ricky.
The 15 year contract was wrong. Healthy or not.
The question I have is if The Rick can’t fufill his contract, do the Isles get stuck with it. Or is their insurance for that. The last thing we need is to have the 4.5 million on the books for the next decade.
Besides I’m happy with the direction were going.
Hopefully Tavarse is in the future, if not do we take Hedman or move down and try for Magnus and additional picks…lol.
How come this franchise is run like a communist country sometimes??
C.B - As they would say, “Keep on Trucking”, you are the only positive thing to come out of the Islanders organization over the past 20 years. I find it funny that the team actually gets upset at its bloggers for writing something that 99% of its actual paying fan base feels, maybe if they were not actually doing something wrong they would not get so defensive.
Help us Tavares!
i dont think this org. is foolish (any part of it btw) or think ricky runs it. that being said, great blog cb and dont let the man get you down
Macch on Jan 7th, 2009 09:15:51 said:
“How come this franchise is run like a communist country sometimes??”
What the heck does that even mean? Complaining when someone says something you dont like is “communist”? Come on.
Anyway- thanks for explaining in post 50, mrlbem… now I understand what youre talking about. But IMO its the teams losing streak that had to do with a lack of celbrating more than anything else.
really like the blog but dont feel the need to dig deep into whats ailing dipietro and the various sideshows that extend from the topic.
personally I’ve been too consumed with watching the standings lately to be bothered with the soap opera
Totally off topic… but would the Islanders ever consider bringing in a guy like Pat Quinn to be team president and help mentor Snow along. The guy is hockey to the core, and I think Snow and Quinn have a history together at some point as player and coach.
Chris ( post 57)
Long time season ticket holder here - Its not about the losing streak. Back in 2000 - it was a monthly trip to the zamboni entrace for “Islander of the month - Claude Lapointe” - or Kenny Jonsson or Anders Myrvold -
That team finished 30th ( either in 99 or 00 - whatever year we lost the lottery for Kovalchuck) and they always had the Isles player of the month introduced to the crowd - I am sure Chris can fill us in on that.
As MRLBEM points out - the one time a goalie - he who is not named Rico Suave - gets an award - he is not honored.
Now if the team has changed their policy and no longer has a “Parts Authority Player of the Month” - how about the team just tells us that.
Now of course, if this policy STARTED in November due to Ricky pulling the strings - then its a real shame.
Yes, we all have MUCH MUCH more to fret over and worry about than this. However, its the little things that when not done right - lead to bigger things not being done right.
The”islander of the month” award has been something at a lot of home games over the year and is a nice touch. Clearly - MacDonald was our November player of the month. Why has the team not noted that to its fans? Just a simple question that the team has gone radio silent on. Discuss please !!
Pat
I guess the limelight stays on rick(good or bad) until another player or two begin overshadowing his importance to the team .
Hilarious. . though not in the least bit surprising.
Sorry you’re in the time out chair CB.
They bring it on themselves.
ummmm, GO ISLANDERS!!!
Chris - This is getting interesting. It’s bad enough to have the team’s core fans mad at management because the team continually stinks and makes questionable (or worse)decisions. Now we have management striking back through the one channel that matters most to them - your blog. But now it’s about issues like credibility and competence rather than wins and losses. I did not expect anything from this team this year. Or next year really. I have thought all along the team is simply in a holding pattern until the arena issue is decided, and I don’t blame them for that. I see the “youth movement” as a backup plan in case the deal does go through. Having a bunch of picks will help down the road if it does. Someone on this blog refers to us Islander fans as somewhat paranoid (albeit understandably). I think the word paranoid is often misused and overused. Hypersensitive sometimes is more fitting. However, if it applies at all in this case I think it does so more to ‘the team’ than to us fans. The multiple DP fiascos did happen. We did not imagine them. Some of the team’s decisions, actions, statements etc. surrounding them were less then deft (understatement of the year). The bad picks, trades and all the rest happened also. That some of them happened before Snow doesn’t purge them from our experience. We’ve been here all along. There is a likelihood that absent approval of the arena deal, this team is leaving. If management/ownership still has real hopes of succeeding on LI, the last thing they should do is alienate the core fan base that remains. There may not be as many of us as for other teams, but there are enough to support a decent team who are as committed, loyal and passionate as any in sports.
Chris - intended or not you have become a kind of surrogate for us. You are the best source of info we have had since we have really needed one. Logan does a good job, but his is an entirely different position. The questions and concerns we voice about how the team conducts itself in some ways are real issues to me. I hope you continue to address them when you feel the need. And I hope the team realizes that at least to a degree, when they react to you they also are reacting to us.
you know how comapnies do satisfaction surveys, well heres my statement to the islanders:
If you want to keep the 10,000 or so fans of your franchise that still remain, shut the hell up! Your team has been the epitomy of incompetent the past 20 years. You should be getting on your knees and thanking those individuals who actually waste their hard earned money on your inferior product. This backlash is the exact reason why people outside this organization have labeled it as a “Mickey-Mouse” organization. You should be thankful you get ANY media covergae let alone negative coverage and this is coming from a lifelong islander fan.
Ah, BD, you’re not in the doghouse.
I was recently told by someone with a lot of experience “Hey! You’re not REALLY a journalist until you’ve pissed someone off.”
Job well done. ;o)
Let’s say DP goes on a tear and wins islander player of the month for January, I would think they would have a special ceremony and dinner to celebrate. Dinner and a Dipietro, the story of my win vs the Panthers, $19.95 on DVD
There’s something very, very off with the overall handling of Rick DiPietro. But then again, the Isles have been very cloak & dagger about everything this year. Someone should tell the Isles NOBODY CARES what a crap team in 30th place says or does. The org acts likes finishing last & how they did it is propriety information. Relax guys, you suck & no one is trying emulate you, you’ve corner the market on losing.
My advice is let Chris write in peace, he’s the last of the Mohicans, sole Human Being who covers the Isles on a daily basis, try not to get him angry!