Comments on: NO-MOVE MEANS NO-MOVEExpect captain Bill Guerin to remain an Islander

By: Rick from LI

Rick from LI — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:53:27 +0000

Thanks doc. I am glad one person took the time to read what I wrote instead just trying to jump down my throat. The point I really think everyone is missing is that Guerin’s and Weight’s presence, on a team that is going to stink again next season anyway, for one more year, does more good than trading them for late draft pics, which may never make it to the NHL and would be 3-5 years away from that anyway. Plus, the entire, “We have other mentors” argument is crap. How is Richard Park or Trent Hunter better suited to talk to Bailey or Okposo about being a top line center or forward, playing deep into the playoffs and winning a Cup, than Weight or Guerin? Short answer, they aren’t. In order to be a mentor, you have to have experienced the highest and lowest moments in the sport. These guys have both done that. They are the mentors you want to have. No offense to the other vets on this team, but no one else brings the resume these two guys do. They are both respected vets, former allstars and cup winners. If you were learning how to do brain surgery who would you want to learn from? I doctor who is one of the best in his field, has won awards for his practice and has garnered nothing but respect from his piers, or the guy who has been operating for a few years with mixed success and has been lucky enough to not kill anyone yet? Think about it. Your next generation of Islanders is only going to be as good as the the current generation sets them up to be.

By: pete

pete — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:34:19 +0000

What would Lou L. do???

Trade Guerin for two players and a pick.

By: John

John — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:45:53 +0000

They both realize that there will most likely not be another chance to play together if they separate. It’s not that they want to be Islanders, they want to be together no matter where they are.

By: Strummer's Army

Strummer's Army — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:44:28 +0000

Trade everyone you can get value for. The goal should be to end up with three first round picks (so adding two), wheter they come in return for players or we take the return and that gives the ammo to move up lets get it done.

Also, just trade Martinek for anything. I just want to be done with Martinek this year.

By: doc

doc — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:13:25 +0000

I do think that trading some assets will help with that plan:

Witt and Comrie for example.

DOC

By: doc

doc — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:11:56 +0000

Rick:
I agree with your take on Weight and Guerin 100%.
Even with your well thought out explanation of why the Islanders should keep them… some of your points were completely mis-interpreted by others.

The Islanders will be in a worse position as far as their “building from within plan” if they don’t have a couple of professionals like Weight and Guerin around to show the “kids” the way.

DOC

By: UIF

UIF — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:09:45 +0000

Dmarie – I agree…when you’re ready to compete and make a push, you need a balance of vets and kids. We’re nowhere near that. We’re half a year into what is supposed to be a “youth movement rebuild” — you get a whole bunch of youth, and some of them you keep, and some, after evaluation, you do not. But I don’t think we’ll never get to that point if we get attached to every vet who puts up a few points and says he likes LI. We will not be compteting for anything next year, so I don’t see why keeping Weight is essential at all. I agree with a previous poster: it’s an absolute gift that Weight has played the way he has and has increased his value to us on the trade market. We have to take advantage of that if the offers are there.

I think I’ve reached my post limit…so hope that last one was a good one!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:55:23 +0000

UFA’s get traded all the time it is part of the buisness. I think everyone is reaching a bit here. We have other mentors for the kids. If we can get at least a second/prospect it would go against our “youth movement” to keep him. UFA’s are not not going to come here if we trade Weight, there are plenty of other reasons for them not to come here!LOL!

By: the bomber

the bomber — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:54:03 +0000

future FAs will come for money and will be smart enough to get no trade clauses in their contract. The fact that Weight didnt get one (and only got a one year deal) shows how desperate he was to find a place to play and how he had ZERO other options….

Not sure if anyone has noticed but people already dont sign here…

By: Dmarie

Dmarie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:53:23 +0000

I’ve always felt you need a balance of both vet players and youth, I tend to agree with keeping Weight and Guerin, and maybe trade others, like comrie, although he’s shown improvments, but I think his age you still have a shot at getting something back, verses a weight or guerin, not to say that weight or Guerin aren’t worth anything, because they are certainly, but I think at this stage things they’re worth more to this team then any other, I agree with letting them ride out there last years as an Islander, but that’s me.
And also thank you Matt, after re-reading thru all this I saw that you had answered my question as well as Ted, didn’t see it the first time..thank you!

By: the bomber

the bomber — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:50:19 +0000

i think if we are ever tied and go into a shootout we should use DP, joey mac, and Witt as our three shooters. is there a rule that you cant?? we do not need any extra points. i also suggest putting sutton and witt up front on the PP for the remainder of this year…

i like Bill Guerin, but I hope he wants to try to win a cup and lets us trade him…we need to get as many draft picks as we possibly can…we dont need mentors…we need young players. all of you saying the draft is a crap shoot are completely right. that is why the more picks you get the better chance a few of them pan out…

thank you weight and guerin (and witt) – you are good men. i wish you well in your new homes. you might be sad for a day, but when you think about it, you will be like “thank God I got voted off of the Island.” You dont have much time left. Go have some fun and win some games. We need to lose….

By: SteveNYC

SteveNYC — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:50:19 +0000

I would love to keep both. They need to be here for several reasons. One for leadership and teach these kids how to act like NHL players on and off the ice.

Two, what does it say to future UFA’s when we trade them all away for picks? No way anyone else will sign here.