NJD at NYI, 7:05 pm: Wade Dubielewicz has arrived to destroy your dreams of Tavares and Hedman
12:20 pm - Of all the readily-available goaltenders in the world, the Islanders have turned to Wade Dubielewicz to carry the load for the rest of the season.
I hope they know what they have gotten themselves into. You’d think they do.
The man forever known as “Dubie” - backing up Yann Danis tonight but starting next week - will steal points for the Islanders on a weekly basis. There will be plenty of nights when he and his teammates will be in over their heads, but there will be others when Dubielewicz will stand on his.
He knows he’s here by the hand of the hockey gods. Not prized by the Islanders or seen by the other 29 NHL teams as anything more than a 2-3 goaltender, he signed a two-year deal with Ak Bars of the Kontinental League because it was going to be his best offer by a large margain. At the same time he was released from his contract in Russia in late December, all over Islanders Country knees, groins and hearts were being ripped.
He’s here because there weren’t any goaltenders of his calibre so ready, willing and able. He’s here, passing on two other offers, because he has roots in Connecticut. He’s here because he’s the team’s biggest cult hero between the pipes since Chico Resch, who used to kiss them.
Dubielewicz is a proud guy. This is a man who once amiably told a group of writers, “Maybe if you stop writing that I’m a career minor-leaguer or a backup, they’ll think of me differently.” Dubie’s point was a fair one. He was a No. 1 goaltender at the University of Denver, then followed it up with a rookie season in the American Hockey League in which he had a 1.38 GAA and .946 save percentage. He became an AHL All-Star.
His folk hero status was cemented with four straight wins (and .934 save percentage) to take the Islanders to the playoffs two years ago. With the exception of the Al Arbour game, that was the last happy time for the Islanders and their fans. Still, it wasn’t enough to be locked in as the Islanders’ No. 2.
No, like he said, he’s no savior. But if you think Wade Dubielewicz is going to stand (or butterfly) for a tank job to Tavares, you don’t know Dubie.
11 Responses to “NJD at NYI, 7:05 pm: Wade Dubielewicz has arrived to destroy your dreams of Tavares and Hedman”
Please Wait
Glad to see Dubie back. However, let’s remember that the team he stole points with was better and healthier than the current incarnation (maybe marginally). I’d be real surprised if we weren’t drafting first or second come June.
I’d recommend the blogger from newyorkislanderfancentral.com … always enjoyed his take.
crap! hope dubie doesnt ruin this franchise. i think it is safe to say that we will prob still be in last place. too bad im not going to be there. we split the season tix. should be a good game in hi-def. mottaeu better watch out. what the hell happened to the isles against boston. they actually hit as a team. it was perfect. sim hit. comrie hit. and the rest of the team was. comrie had a great hip-check. thompson and jackman are beasts. they should hand it to mike mottuae. however you spell that jerks name. cant wait. shanny is prob gunna score. he is going to want to prove himself. like parrish. cant wait!
I wondered if Yann was going to change numbers and let Dubie be #34 once again. He certainly didnt have to, but he did it anyway. I think that was very respectful and cool of him. Danis most recent couple of games have also been good efforts on his part, so Im happy with him right now.
Time to buy out Sim - he’s a complete waste of a spot that a young guy should have.
Couldn’t agree more Cam. Get him out of here!
his contract expires this season, let it just run out.
That being said, I believe Sim is the most annoying Islander Ive ever seen. He isn’t a pest to the other team, hes a pest to ME.
haha this story was for no reason. other then the other smaller paragraphs
Wait I though we signed Sim for 3? Last season, this and next?
That was a little much, don’t ya think?
He ain’t that good.
Loss sim, let’s see Joenseu…or however it’s spelled.