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	<title>Comments on: NO EXCUSING THE BIG ONES THAT GOT AWAYDon&#8217;t blame old deals for current state of the NYI</title>
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	<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi</link>
	<description>Independent, Daily Coverage Of The New York Islanders</description>
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		<title>By: Dooks94</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22949</link>
		<dc:creator>Dooks94</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:25:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22949</guid>
		<description>Don&#039;t forget the Islanders made the playoffs that year. Smith signed Witt and Sillinger. Big contributers to that team. I think a few other guys too.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Don&#8217;t forget the Islanders made the playoffs that year. Smith signed Witt and Sillinger. Big contributers to that team. I think a few other guys too.</p>
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		<title>By: Dooks94</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22948</link>
		<dc:creator>Dooks94</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:22:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22948</guid>
		<description>Agreed Joe. I was thrilled when the Islanders got Neil Smith. Then like two weeks later he was out. I never understood that. Big mistake. Here&#039;s hoping Snow does as well as Smith has in his history as a GM. Alot of picks last year-some are supossed to be real good. Hopefully more on the way this year. And higher pick-which can&#039;t be a bad thing. But we&#039;re talking at least 4-5 years away on all of them except Bailey-and he&#039;s probably 3-4 years away still needs alot of work and improvement-But your right that &#039;06 draft I&#039;ve heard alot of good things about those players. But Neil smith knew hockley inside and out. Not so sure about Garth. Fingers crossed Joe!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Agreed Joe. I was thrilled when the Islanders got Neil Smith. Then like two weeks later he was out. I never understood that. Big mistake. Here&#8217;s hoping Snow does as well as Smith has in his history as a GM. Alot of picks last year-some are supossed to be real good. Hopefully more on the way this year. And higher pick-which can&#8217;t be a bad thing. But we&#8217;re talking at least 4-5 years away on all of them except Bailey-and he&#8217;s probably 3-4 years away still needs alot of work and improvement-But your right that &#8217;06 draft I&#8217;ve heard alot of good things about those players. But Neil smith knew hockley inside and out. Not so sure about Garth. Fingers crossed Joe!</p>
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		<title>By: Joe</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22885</link>
		<dc:creator>Joe</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:27:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22885</guid>
		<description>I like the post from Sir William r/e the draft from 2000 on down. It definitely paints the picture of ineptitude. So who was in charge of the 2006 draft? That draft was a solid draft. Neil Smith seemed to know what he was doing. I never agreed with his dismissal. He was anxious to build a winner for Long Island and wanted another shot at building a great team. His draft in 2006 will pay dividends in two years. All those players drafted will make a difference, Jonnessu, Rhett Rhat, Figren and ofcourse Okposo! Just when we get back on point, we seem to make changes for no reason and we fall back. Snow has done a good job but I still believe Neil Smith woul dhave made a bigger difference.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I like the post from Sir William r/e the draft from 2000 on down. It definitely paints the picture of ineptitude. So who was in charge of the 2006 draft? That draft was a solid draft. Neil Smith seemed to know what he was doing. I never agreed with his dismissal. He was anxious to build a winner for Long Island and wanted another shot at building a great team. His draft in 2006 will pay dividends in two years. All those players drafted will make a difference, Jonnessu, Rhett Rhat, Figren and ofcourse Okposo! Just when we get back on point, we seem to make changes for no reason and we fall back. Snow has done a good job but I still believe Neil Smith woul dhave made a bigger difference.</p>
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		<title>By: Gregg</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22884</link>
		<dc:creator>Gregg</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:24:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22884</guid>
		<description>29 teams figure a way to win games, make a little money and play in a modern arena.  Not the Islanders...Remember, I am one who looks at this as a 20 year rebuilding process.  20 years ago the Devils, Nordiques and Islanders were all equally bad. The Devils and Nordiques rebuilt the right way.  They won cups.  And my Nordiques example is intentional.  Because the future success of the Isles might be in Kansas City, just like Colorado.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>29 teams figure a way to win games, make a little money and play in a modern arena.  Not the Islanders&#8230;Remember, I am one who looks at this as a 20 year rebuilding process.  20 years ago the Devils, Nordiques and Islanders were all equally bad. The Devils and Nordiques rebuilt the right way.  They won cups.  And my Nordiques example is intentional.  Because the future success of the Isles might be in Kansas City, just like Colorado.</p>
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		<title>By: Dooks94</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22861</link>
		<dc:creator>Dooks94</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:36:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22861</guid>
		<description>The Islanders are making a big mistake not bringing in Sabourin. This proves to me that the Isles management just don&#039;t know what they&#039;re doing. He played meaningful games for Pittsburgh both last year and this year while Fluery was hurt. In the end he began to struggle and they looked elsewhere- more experienced/better insurance in Conklin last year and Garon this year. They have a franchise goalie in Fluery so they don&#039;t need a young, improving guy like Sabourin. Yann Danis is terrible-I&#039;m sorry to say it but he is. Playing pretty well the past couple games but Gordo has to tell him to STOP HANDLING THE PUCK PERIOD!!!! He has cost them 2 goals already and I cringe everytime I see him skate towards a puck. Let&#039;s face it-the Isles are going to finish last anyway with MacDonald, Sabourin, or Dubielewicz between the pipes. They could steal a few games but the team is awful-they can&#039;t score or stop the other teams from scoring to win on any consistent basis. At least Sabourin would be an upgrade over Danis. And we don&#039;t have to watch the team go another 2-23 the next 25 games. This is beginning to remind me of the putrid 1996-99 years. I just hope they can get Tavares with the number 1 pick. If he even agrees to come to Long Island. I&#039;ve heard rumors that he will pull a Eric Lindros if the Islanders draft him. Let&#039;s hope not!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Islanders are making a big mistake not bringing in Sabourin. This proves to me that the Isles management just don&#8217;t know what they&#8217;re doing. He played meaningful games for Pittsburgh both last year and this year while Fluery was hurt. In the end he began to struggle and they looked elsewhere- more experienced/better insurance in Conklin last year and Garon this year. They have a franchise goalie in Fluery so they don&#8217;t need a young, improving guy like Sabourin. Yann Danis is terrible-I&#8217;m sorry to say it but he is. Playing pretty well the past couple games but Gordo has to tell him to STOP HANDLING THE PUCK PERIOD!!!! He has cost them 2 goals already and I cringe everytime I see him skate towards a puck. Let&#8217;s face it-the Isles are going to finish last anyway with MacDonald, Sabourin, or Dubielewicz between the pipes. They could steal a few games but the team is awful-they can&#8217;t score or stop the other teams from scoring to win on any consistent basis. At least Sabourin would be an upgrade over Danis. And we don&#8217;t have to watch the team go another 2-23 the next 25 games. This is beginning to remind me of the putrid 1996-99 years. I just hope they can get Tavares with the number 1 pick. If he even agrees to come to Long Island. I&#8217;ve heard rumors that he will pull a Eric Lindros if the Islanders draft him. Let&#8217;s hope not!</p>
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		<title>By: Terry</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22860</link>
		<dc:creator>Terry</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:28:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22860</guid>
		<description>Worst move? firing Laviolette.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Worst move? firing Laviolette.</p>
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		<title>By: Terry</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22859</link>
		<dc:creator>Terry</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:27:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22859</guid>
		<description>CB, have you ever gone fishing or talked about old high school girlfriends?  The one that got away is the most fun to talk about.  While I agree that no one move killed the Islanders, (the Turgeon move drove the fans away. The building has been empty since) we need to change the whole philosophy and culture arond this team.  While trading Luongo is no longer affecting the teams record, neither is winning four Cups.  What kills me is the nonsense of draft philosophies the team has been espousing.  Milbury wanted size.  Snow keeps talking about character.  Can&#039;t we draft a short jerk who can put the puck in the net?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>CB, have you ever gone fishing or talked about old high school girlfriends?  The one that got away is the most fun to talk about.  While I agree that no one move killed the Islanders, (the Turgeon move drove the fans away. The building has been empty since) we need to change the whole philosophy and culture arond this team.  While trading Luongo is no longer affecting the teams record, neither is winning four Cups.  What kills me is the nonsense of draft philosophies the team has been espousing.  Milbury wanted size.  Snow keeps talking about character.  Can&#8217;t we draft a short jerk who can put the puck in the net?</p>
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		<title>By: bcarroll25</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22805</link>
		<dc:creator>bcarroll25</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:15:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22805</guid>
		<description>smith 77   while jokinen may have turned out to be a 3rd/4th liner had he stayed here, he would have been  a huge improvement over that floating waste kvasha</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>smith 77   while jokinen may have turned out to be a 3rd/4th liner had he stayed here, he would have been  a huge improvement over that floating waste kvasha</p>
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		<title>By: Smith77</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22801</link>
		<dc:creator>Smith77</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:07:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22801</guid>
		<description>Chris, I completely agree with what you wrote.  I&#039;m tired of hearing Isles fans complain about past trades and events.  What&#039;s worse is then listening to them play the role of GM to fix the team or seeing them compile a current Isles roster including the players that we traded away.  What&#039;s done is done.

One thing I would like to add to your article is that fans are also obsessed with players traded when they become good players AFTER the Isles.  The perfect example of this is Jokinen.  He would have never thrived on the Islanders.  When you get traded, you get new coaches, new players, you learn new things from those coaches and players.  One of the biggest impacts on Jokinen&#039;s play was Mike Keenan.  Before Keenan coached him, he was a 3rd/4th liner.  If he stayed with the Isles, Keenan wouldn&#039;t have had that impact on him and he&#039;d probably still be a 3rd/4th liner.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Chris, I completely agree with what you wrote.  I&#8217;m tired of hearing Isles fans complain about past trades and events.  What&#8217;s worse is then listening to them play the role of GM to fix the team or seeing them compile a current Isles roster including the players that we traded away.  What&#8217;s done is done.</p>
<p>One thing I would like to add to your article is that fans are also obsessed with players traded when they become good players AFTER the Isles.  The perfect example of this is Jokinen.  He would have never thrived on the Islanders.  When you get traded, you get new coaches, new players, you learn new things from those coaches and players.  One of the biggest impacts on Jokinen&#8217;s play was Mike Keenan.  Before Keenan coached him, he was a 3rd/4th liner.  If he stayed with the Isles, Keenan wouldn&#8217;t have had that impact on him and he&#8217;d probably still be a 3rd/4th liner.</p>
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		<title>By: Pat</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22764</link>
		<dc:creator>Pat</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:14:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22764</guid>
		<description>Chris, I disagree with your basic concept - but agree that you make a compelling argument.  

The sad thing here is that we cannot &quot;fast forward&quot; the season, we have to stick in there and take our lumps.

I think our lot in life has to do with a collective mismanagement of the team.  I think Mr. Wang is well intentioned - but the problems run deeper than our trading record - which is just AWFUL over the past 10 years and our Draft record which has been BARELY ok - but the talented players who we drafted and traded ( Luongo, Chara, et al) and the &quot;opportunity cost&quot; players ( not picking Gaborik or Parise) have really set this franchise back. 

Fans need a place like this to whine and moan about the past.  The drafting and trade records have been PART of the problem - but not the entire problem.

Inability to attract primo free agents hurts too. 

I think that stability is what this team craves.  Stability in ownership ( which will be enhanced if the Lighthouse goes through) - Stability in GM/Coach role - instead of revolving door coaches - stability in the lineup -where a player actually plays here (healthy) for more than a few years - and a stability in our IDENTITY on and off the ice.



Now wearing my &quot;glass half full&quot; hat - lets get Tavares or Hedman (preferably Taveras) and really start to turn this thing around.  

I have been to many games this year - and will be there tonight.  

This team is becoming fun to watch - and they compete.  I am not sold on Gordon totally - but I do like the system, just that we don&#039;t have the guys to execute it.

Injuries have killed us.  

I have not given up on the intermediate future of this team to compete and succeed.

Time to get Taveras and maintain stability and confidence in our teams future HERE on LI.  

That is my wish for 2009 - is that tough problems get addressed both on and off the ice.  

Pat</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Chris, I disagree with your basic concept &#8211; but agree that you make a compelling argument.  </p>
<p>The sad thing here is that we cannot &#8220;fast forward&#8221; the season, we have to stick in there and take our lumps.</p>
<p>I think our lot in life has to do with a collective mismanagement of the team.  I think Mr. Wang is well intentioned &#8211; but the problems run deeper than our trading record &#8211; which is just AWFUL over the past 10 years and our Draft record which has been BARELY ok &#8211; but the talented players who we drafted and traded ( Luongo, Chara, et al) and the &#8220;opportunity cost&#8221; players ( not picking Gaborik or Parise) have really set this franchise back. </p>
<p>Fans need a place like this to whine and moan about the past.  The drafting and trade records have been PART of the problem &#8211; but not the entire problem.</p>
<p>Inability to attract primo free agents hurts too. </p>
<p>I think that stability is what this team craves.  Stability in ownership ( which will be enhanced if the Lighthouse goes through) &#8211; Stability in GM/Coach role &#8211; instead of revolving door coaches &#8211; stability in the lineup -where a player actually plays here (healthy) for more than a few years &#8211; and a stability in our IDENTITY on and off the ice.</p>
<p>Now wearing my &#8220;glass half full&#8221; hat &#8211; lets get Tavares or Hedman (preferably Taveras) and really start to turn this thing around.  </p>
<p>I have been to many games this year &#8211; and will be there tonight.  </p>
<p>This team is becoming fun to watch &#8211; and they compete.  I am not sold on Gordon totally &#8211; but I do like the system, just that we don&#8217;t have the guys to execute it.</p>
<p>Injuries have killed us.  </p>
<p>I have not given up on the intermediate future of this team to compete and succeed.</p>
<p>Time to get Taveras and maintain stability and confidence in our teams future HERE on LI.  </p>
<p>That is my wish for 2009 &#8211; is that tough problems get addressed both on and off the ice.  </p>
<p>Pat</p>
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		<title>By: JayK</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22761</link>
		<dc:creator>JayK</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:10:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22761</guid>
		<description>Great.

I feel better.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Great.</p>
<p>I feel better.</p>
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		<title>By: Stumpy32</title>
		<link>http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/01/no-excusing-the-big-ones-that-got-awaydont-blame-old-deals-for-current-state-of-the-nyi/#comment-22753</link>
		<dc:creator>Stumpy32</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:01:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.islanderspointblank.com/?p=4367#comment-22753</guid>
		<description>To #105 - the NHL Draft Lottery explained...

1st Round
Picks 1-14: Teams ranked by points. Balls numbered 1-14 are selected to form series of numbers with the 14 Teams involved assigned combinations of numbers using a probability chart. The four-digit series that results from the balls drawn are be compared to the probability chart to determine the team to which that combination has been assigned. There are 1,001 numerical combinations possible, with one combination eliminated to make the odds fair; if the eliminated combination is drawn (a 0.1% probability), the drawing is immediately re-done. The percentage chance of being selected in the lottery is as follows, based on team finish:

30th: 25.0% (250 combinations), but a 48.2% chance of picking first
29th: 18.8% (188 combinations)
28th: 14.2% (142 combinations)
27th: 10.7% (107 combinations)
26th: 8.1% (81 combinations)
25th: 6.2% (62 combinations)
24th: 4.7% (47 combinations)
23rd: 3.6% (36 combinations)
22nd: 2.7% (27 combinations)
21st: 2.1% (21 combinations)
20th: 1.5% (15 combinations)
19th: 1.1% (11 combinations)
18th: 0.8% (8 combinations)
17th: 0.5% (5 combinations)

The team selected in the lottery may not move up more than four positions in the draft order. Thus the only clubs with the opportunity to receive the 1st overall selection are the five clubs with the lowest regular-season point totals (or clubs that acquired those clubs’ first-round drafting positions). No club can move down more than one position as a result of the lottery. Under the weighted lottery system, the club with the fewest regular-season points will have the greatest chance (25%) of winning the lottery and will pick no lower than second at the Entry Draft.

----

So, in effect, we have a 48.2% chance of the #1 pick, and cannot go lower than the #2 pick if we have the worst record.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>To #105 &#8211; the NHL Draft Lottery explained&#8230;</p>
<p>1st Round<br />
Picks 1-14: Teams ranked by points. Balls numbered 1-14 are selected to form series of numbers with the 14 Teams involved assigned combinations of numbers using a probability chart. The four-digit series that results from the balls drawn are be compared to the probability chart to determine the team to which that combination has been assigned. There are 1,001 numerical combinations possible, with one combination eliminated to make the odds fair; if the eliminated combination is drawn (a 0.1% probability), the drawing is immediately re-done. The percentage chance of being selected in the lottery is as follows, based on team finish:</p>
<p>30th: 25.0% (250 combinations), but a 48.2% chance of picking first<br />
29th: 18.8% (188 combinations)<br />
28th: 14.2% (142 combinations)<br />
27th: 10.7% (107 combinations)<br />
26th: 8.1% (81 combinations)<br />
25th: 6.2% (62 combinations)<br />
24th: 4.7% (47 combinations)<br />
23rd: 3.6% (36 combinations)<br />
22nd: 2.7% (27 combinations)<br />
21st: 2.1% (21 combinations)<br />
20th: 1.5% (15 combinations)<br />
19th: 1.1% (11 combinations)<br />
18th: 0.8% (8 combinations)<br />
17th: 0.5% (5 combinations)</p>
<p>The team selected in the lottery may not move up more than four positions in the draft order. Thus the only clubs with the opportunity to receive the 1st overall selection are the five clubs with the lowest regular-season point totals (or clubs that acquired those clubs’ first-round drafting positions). No club can move down more than one position as a result of the lottery. Under the weighted lottery system, the club with the fewest regular-season points will have the greatest chance (25%) of winning the lottery and will pick no lower than second at the Entry Draft.</p>
<p>&#8212;-</p>
<p>So, in effect, we have a 48.2% chance of the #1 pick, and cannot go lower than the #2 pick if we have the worst record.</p>
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