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RANGERS AT ISLANDERS, 7:05 pm
Sutton surgery…Snow on pre-game…Gervais

by admin on January 13th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

3:40 pm - (BD here) The New York Islanders have acquired RW Junior Lessard from the Atlanta Thrashers for defenseman Brett Skinner. Per the Isles announcement: Lessard will report directly to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Lessard is a former Hobey Baker winner. Now 28 years old, has been unable to make the jump to a regular spot in the NHL despite what some some considered to be offensive potential. He was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Atlanta Thrashers this past summer.

 

With the Chicago Wolves of the AHL this season he has 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points in 41 games.

 

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1:05 pm - The Islanders just announced that Andy Sutton had surgery on his broken foot suffered in mid-December and is now out an additional 8-10 weeks.

 

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The Tavheduch Watch – that’s Tavares-Hedman-Duchene for those just joining us – is off for tonight in Islanders Country. The Islanders are hosting the New York Rangers. We try not to speak for Islanders fans, but we’re fairly certain that for the three remaining games against the Rangers they would sacrifice anything for wins.

 

That’s how much these games mean to the fans of both teams. And make no mistake about it – the Rangers badly need this one tonight, too.

 

Scott Gordon this morning told the press that his team’s last place standing “does not take away from the magnitude of this game.” Amen.

 

*

 

TiVo Alert: Garth Snow does a sit-down with Billy Jaffe tonight on the MSG Plus Pre-Game Show.

 

*

 

Asked by Sam Rosen of MSG about the young players the Islanders need to see make strides, Gordon went to the lengths of listing them:

 

Josh Bailey

Frans Nielsen

 

Sean Bergenheim

 

Kyle Okposo

 

Nate Thompson

 

Jeff Tambellini

 

Blake Comeau

 

And those are just the forwards. On D, you could add the still-young Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais to the list. Over the last few weeks, the stock of Gervais (more on him later in this post) seems to be slowly rising while Campoli – paired with Thomas Pock tonight – has not played his best hockey.

 

Asked if it was risky to have so many youngsters on the power play, Gordon thought about it, smiled and asked back, “What’s the risk”?

 

At 19 points out of 8th place, none whatsoever.

 

*

 

Yann Danis was today’s lone professional goaltender on the ice at the morning skate. Joey MacDonald gets the start tonight.

 

Just as MacDonald says he prepares himself like he is starting every game, no doubt Danis prepares himself every day to pack a toothbrush.

 

Jon Sim will not be on the power play tonight. Sim is your Islanders healthy scratch tonight.

 

*

You may recall a note before the road trip about Gordon spending extra time on the ice with Bruno Gervais. The coach and the young defenseman said this morning the after-school sessions were about simplifying his footwork.

 

“Sometimes, defenseman overly complicate their footwork, make an unnecessary amount of cross-overs,” said Gordon. “Bruno was struggling with that when he returned from injury. Now he’s playing some of his best hockey.”

 

The 24-year old Gervais acknowledged his poor play when he returned to the lineup, citing a “lack of confidence” while getting his injured leg back to 100%. “There’s been a huge difference,” said Gervais. “The confidence is back. I don’t think about the leg anymore, and a lot of that has to do with the work (trainer) Garrett Timms and (strength coach) Chris Schwarz did, spending so many hours with me.”

 

The defenseman knows he still has a long way to go, but is inspired by being paired with all-star defenseman Mark Streit.

 

“I brought a lot of bad habits earlier this season,” he said. “I was trying to compensate, and wound up cheating. Skating has always been a big part of my game. But now I feel like I’ve made it back, and with some help along the way my performance is finally getting there.”

 

*

 

Where’s (The Hockey) Newsday?: With the Islanders hosting the Rangers tonight in Game 43 of the season, Newsday – which is owned by Cablevision, which owns the Rangers – did not have a story on the Islanders or the Rangers in this morning’s print edition.

 

There wasn’t even a story on newsday.com advancing tonight’s rivalry matchup. The paper almost always puts its overflow coverage on the website, and writer John Jeansonne was at Islanders practice yesterday. UPDATE: John’s story on the rivalry posted.

 

The Islanders took out a full-page ad in today’s Newsday promoting their January schedule of games and promotions.

 

I know the Giants had Hefty Bag day yesterday and Eddy Curry…well, you can read all about it in Newsday. And in fairness to Long Island’s newspaper, they did fly Logie all over the West for the four-game trip and had stories from Jeansonne on Sunday and Monday. But the absence of any Islanders-Rangers coverage – not even a story on Cablevision’s sister team, the Blueshirts? - is a surprising development.

 

*

 

No word yet on Rick DiPietro, deemed “medically cleared to play” for the Edmonton game on Monday he backed up and the Calgary game on Thursday he watched in street clothes. Have to believe Danis could be emergencied for each game of the homestand.

 

No word yet on Mike Sillinger, perhaps more support to the notion that Ol’ Man River may have scored a goal for the Islanders in Madison Sqare Garden in the last game of his NHL career. Ten days ago, we wrote an admittedly premature ode to Sillinger that you can read here.

 

*

 

Timeout or no Timeout, it doesn’t change what I write. I praised and criticized the Islanders before the T.O. and will continue to do as warranted for as long as I do this.

 

Comments. Guidelines. The one about baiting or brawling with fans of other teams is particularly relevant today.

95 Responses to RANGERS AT ISLANDERS, 7:05 pm
Sutton surgery…Snow on pre-game…Gervais

  1. avatar TrO says:

    I heard today, DiPietro using crutches. Is that true?

  2. avatar Quagmire says:

    CB – this is the second day in a row where you wrote that there was one “professional goaltender” on the ice. Just curious, do you mean that there was only one goalie, or that the Islanders have a non-professional practice goalie that they use from time to time? Does Garth Snow ever get in the net at practice? Thanks.

  3. avatar ISLESFAN999 says:

    Whats the chance sillinger comes back to play? Also any chance the isles make some trades before the deadline..

  4. avatar admin says:

    DiPietro is standing about 5 feet from me in the locker room hallway right now. Bad scoop. e39.

    The Islanders have a mystery spare goalie when they need two. No, it’s not Snow or anyone you know.

    I think I’ve made it pretty clear without completely sticking a fork in him that you shouldn’t wait for Sill…CB

  5. avatar ISLESFAN999 says:

    Thanks very much. Too bad he wont be back. Hope dp gets healthy. Silli should become a scout or coach for us hes a good guy…

  6. avatar TrO says:

    I hope MacDonald is healthy. This is so scary now.

  7. avatar Islander505 says:

    Time for the kiddies to demonstrate a little camaraderie and stand up for one another tonight.
    Even if it means takin’ a few lickings….

    ARE ANY OF YOU PUNKS TIRED OF LOSIN?
    WELL ARE YA???

  8. avatar TuxTax says:

    I am surprised the Islanders made it to MSGPlus HD…no Bullriding or head-to-head video poker taking precedence? Can’t wait for the day we can chant “Nine-Teen-Ninety-Four” somewhere around 2014 if we are lucky…

  9. avatar Tom says:

    Just so I have a complete & total understanding of things, Rick DiPietro is able to play against the rags, but Gordon’s not playing him? By chance does Garth ‘raise an eyebrow’ during what’s sure to be a twinkie-munch interview with Jazzy Jaffe?

  10. avatar Macch says:

    Sounds like Gordon is finally learning how to speak to the press. Love hearing everything he said in your write up CB. Gervais has looked better as of late for sure.

  11. avatar admin says:

    To clear up any misunderstanding, Joey MacDonald is the starter tonight. He took the am skate off. Danis has be recalled on an emergency basis. DiPietro has not practiced since the road trip and is out. Enjoy the game…CB

  12. avatar Islander505 says:

    Logan’s blog is reporting that DP is off seeking a 2nd opinion on his overweight knee.
    Forget him this year….he’s done

  13. avatar Macch says:

    Shawn, I wouldnt pay any attention to anything that “he who we do not speak of” says on his blog. No need to worry, the Isles will not move their pick or any young player. Garth is very adamant about this

  14. avatar chickendirt says:

    Eklund is a fraud and a charlatan.

    He needs to put away the magic chickenbones.

  15. avatar admin says:

    Please, let’s move on…CB

  16. avatar Tom says:

    CB – don’t you think one of the MANY problems the Isles ‘organization’ has is the philosophy that games against the rags are the only ones that matter? That’s not just a fan thing, that’s an ‘org’ thing as well.

    Regardless of record, I know these games will always mean a little more, but all season long, winning has been deemed irrelevant by the ‘organization’. Garth AND Flash have both said numerous times in a variety of ways “wins don’t matter”. Isn’t it unfair to expect players who have been conditioned & coached all year long to accept losing, all of sudden now winning HAS to matter to them? Winning is now tantamount? All of sudden the Isles are playing a game of ‘magnitude’? This coming from the same guy who thinks losing in OT is no big deal?

    Flash can shove it as far I’m concerned. He wouldn’t know “magnitude” if he was beat over the head with it.

  17. avatar Macch says:

    CB this may sound a little dumb, but do you think there is anyway Weight is “milking” his injury to lower his trade value? He seems like a stand up guy, but he made it pretty clear he didnt want to be moved.

  18. avatar Billy O says:

    Chris, you are doing a great job! Keep up the good work. Do the Islanders still have you in TO?

  19. avatar Strummer's Army says:

    That is very bad news on Andy Sutton. I was just wondering last night when he’d be back. Good news in the Tavares watch.

    I’d like to beat the Rangers tonight. I am guessing they are making another error and not dressing Fritz? I am then calculating they won’t have Fritz in the line up against NJ and no payback is planned? That is really disgusting not to pay NJ back. Al Arbour would be sure to get his measure of justice.

    On Geravis or Campolli it is nice to get use out of late round picks but I think we’ve now seen their cielings and I’d be fine with trading either for the right deal.

  20. avatar chickendirt says:

    I really not all crazy to win this game tonight.

    I just don’t care all that much going into it. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to take the spoils should the Isles win.

    Overall, I am more fixed on getting Tavares right now. That’s a guy along with Okposo, Baily, Bergenheim etc that will assure us success in the long term.

    Not to mention torture the Rags to death for years ala Turgeon in 93.

  21. avatar Macch says:

    dirt- I never thought I would say this, but I wouldn’t pass on Tamby just yet. He has def made himself more noticealbe out there. I think if he shoots more and actually gets it on net instead of being blocked he could be ok

  22. avatar Paul says:

    “Timeout or no Timeout, it doesn’t change what I write. I praised and criticized the Islanders before the T.O. and will continue to do as warranted for as long as I do this”.

    Understandable, however what is important here is the Fact that they cut the line of Communication to you by putting you in a Time out if that is safe to say! Everything else is just assumptions and feedback from other sources.
    Look i dont want to dwell on it however it just adds to the Nonsense comming from this organization. Besides CB some fans want the reality and Facts of it not just opinions, heck we deserve that!

  23. avatar Pat says:

    Chris, Bruce Garrioch had reported in today’s Ottawa Sun – the SENS and the Isles were discussing Campoli.

    Penny for your thoughts on this ?

    Pat

  24. avatar admin says:

    Could very well be. Bruce also had Malkin going to the Kings, so you never know. Today’s Ottawa Sun says those talks – assuming they ever happened – are over…CB

  25. avatar isles72 says:

    gordon has a smile on his face cause his fav players are back in the lineup –franzy and nate

    kick some ass tonight boys

  26. avatar Shorty says:

    Chris great blog!!!!When do we get to see Hillen or A.Macdoanld? enough of pock, cant we see one of the kids

  27. avatar stevedepot says:

    CB, do you know when Sutton had the surgery? Was it recently? Or…Did he recently have a setback, hence the added time off or was he misdiagnosed? Sorry, I don’t understand how a surgery could be performed now if someone suffered a break in mid December.

  28. avatar kevin says:

    i hope we win. as simple as that. i was wondering what happened in newsday.. haha sister team. kinda hopin for a fritz vs orr rematch. first one was entertaining. we wont see him again will we

  29. avatar Johnny Islander says:

    Who is this Fritz guy that keeps popping up in comments? I vaguely remember Orr busting up some guy last time they played. Was that him?

    Better question… WHY is Fritz still popping up in comments?

    As for NJ “payback”… Fritz and Motteau are not in the same weight class, at the very best you would get a Motteau turtle and a mountain man looking silly with his gloves off. Thompson could handle Motteau if that is what is required. Comrie or Guerin could also if they were so inclined.

    Either way, I’m pretty sure you’ve seen the last of the lumberjack already

  30. avatar Alex Kinkead says:

    Fritz is awful get over it already!

  31. avatar Pat says:

    Bring up THE WRECKER !!!!!

  32. avatar kevin says:

    1. he didnt bust him open he reopened it.
    2. i dont expect fritz to fight mottuea
    3. i know he sucks at player which is why i want parros or neil in the offseason.
    4. there are only two ppl that can beat orr in a fight on a daily basis, laraque and brashear. rupp has been getting the better hand so he is an honourable mention. fritz vs orr was a great battle. i personally think it was a draw. more shots and the shots landed. orr got two good punches that didnt phase fritz. i call it a draw. he didnt bust him up. laraque opened him up then john scott then cote then orr. i think one of those was to the right eye which was john scott. that guy is a monster too. 6’8 . it was entertaining if you didnt catch it.

  33. avatar kevin says:

    how is joel doing CB? he was in the echl last i checked. can he actually play? will he be here next year or will welook else where. same goes for rupp. will we sign him or trade for him? the devs need to make room for shanny and it looks like he is the oddman out. plus they have brookbank and leblonde

  34. avatar Johnny Islander says:

    Hey, if an AHL goon can’t cut it, why not try the ECHL goon?

  35. avatar jax says:

    The Tavheduch Watch does not take a night off regardless, I don’t care who we are playing. That meaningless shootour victory at the end of the year at MSG cost us a top 4 pick last year. Kids play great we lose and Ottawa wins. That’s a perfect night.

  36. avatar cgs878 says:

    CB said: “…they would sacrifice anything for wins.”

    Ummm, let’s not go there. I, for one, would NOT like to see the Islanders sacrifice any of the young guys to an injury just for the sake of a win vs. the Rangers. We need healthy players for the rest of the season!!

    Let’s go Islanders! My wish is for an exciting game similar to the Red Wings-Stars game from last night, where the Islanders play the same role as the Stars.

  37. avatar MT says:

    looking forward to what snow has to say

  38. avatar 7th Woman says:

    I’m glad someone else asked about Hillen. Maybe now we’ll get an answer.

  39. avatar Dan from Westchester says:

    Hope the Isles have a chip on their shoulder and come out with some fire in this game.

    I’m sure Dubinsky and co. are aware this is Neilsen’s first game back from injury. . Wouldn’t put it past one of them to take a run at Frans.

    Win or lose – just play heard and stick up for each other!

  40. avatar Nick Classic says:

    I don’t know why this myth is still perpetuated that the Islander organization and Islander fans think games against the Rags are the only ones that matter. Every game matters, regardless of what you’re looking for.

    From my perspective, I’ve accepted reality for this season. I know the playoffs are a pipe dream and I would like nothing more than to see young players take strides this year. While I know the 1st overall pick would do wonders for the rebuilding initiative, I can’t root for the Islanders to lose any game, let alone this one. Can someone please tell me where the organization or large portions of the fan base say that only games against the Rags matter? And can anybody remember Chris Drury talking last season about wanting to beat the Islanders so bad that he was almost grinding his stick into sawdust?

    Off the soapbox now…Rivalry games ALWAYS mean something to the fans of both teams, for better or worse. That doesn’t mean they are the only games that mean something.

  41. avatar goisles says:

    Gordon went to lengths to name all the young players and left out Trevor Smith. Smitty was tied for scoring in the pre season and scored a beauty OT goal against Boston then got sent down. The same happened again against Calgary. CB what am I missing here?

  42. avatar chickendirt says:

    I think with about 39 games left to go Gordon has to give the load to the kids. I know he’s talked about it and I really hope it happens.

    Okposo is starting to show flashes of a guy that can control the momentum a little bit.

    Bergenheim is becoming and extremely feroscious forchecker.

    Tambellini’s play has vastly improved. He just needs to learn how to settle down and develop some poise with the puck. Deal with the play as it is.

    Bailey is lookin like one of the most resilliant prospect we’ve drafted in years. Guy has a bad game or a bad shift he jus keeps comin back. This kid doesn’t rattle easy and is certainly showing he can play on this level.

    Now is the time to really develop chemestry with these guys as their game develop. You just can’t account for how important that is on a stat sheet.

  43. avatar Tony says:

    Let me get this straight–there are Isles fans who want the team to lose every single game for the rest of the season to assure they get the #1 pick in the amateur draft?

  44. avatar kevin says:

    yeah, we cant lose every game. we cant be that bad. also, i think it was the youngins who are playign tonight goisles. he is not here right now. he will the game after the trade deadline. i will bet on it. well i am trying my best to stick to the guidlines. so i am off, GO ISLES!!!WIN!WIN!WIN!

  45. avatar dp says:

    Chris great blog entry, thanks for all the info, I too was wondering what was up with Newsday this am with no hockey story at all and the full page Isle ad. oh well . maybe we’ll get the back page tomorrow am .
    I am really looking forward to tonight’s game, maybe we’ll surprise everyone and win. . .

  46. avatar Mike from Oceanside says:

    Anyone have an over/under on how many times we’ll cough the puck up in our own end tonight? As an FYI…We average about six per period. Six times per period we have positive puck control in our own end and turn it over. That’s why our GA is so high. I’ll be at the game tonight. Would love to our legs moving for 60 mins.

  47. avatar JKP in Halifax says:

    CB, I have nothing to add to the conversation today, but just wanted to say again how much I enjoy this blog and appreciate all that you’re doing with it. Thanks!!

  48. avatar Cain says:

    “The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Brett Skinner from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Junior Lessard, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.”

    From their NHL page.

  49. avatar Willis says:

    Thanks for the alert about Garth on the pregame, I don’t usually watch them but I will try to tonight.
    Too bad about Sutton, that brings him to about the end of March.
    Really sad about Sillinger. UGH.
    On a good note though, Gervais seems like such a good kid and I’m glad he’s feeling more confident now. I hope he stays healthy the rest of this season and gets some good play under his belt, it seems like its always been spurts of playing between injuries for him.

  50. avatar Dmarie says:

    You know I was surprised myself that nothing was said in todays paper about tonites game, considering exactly what you said the cablevison/ranger connection?
    I love the “The Tavheduch Watch” lol! I wouldn’t be surprised if that turned out to be an actual name, I’ve always said God bless these commentators and all who have to pronounce some of the names these guys have.
    Dp? should just sit out and rest up make a comeback next season when he’ll be needed so much more.
    Ahh poor silli.. I can’t call these guys old..even though in the eyes of the NHL they may be, but sitting here older then he is, I just can’t do it..old man river..lol! c’mon now!.. ;)
    I hope tonite the boys can pull it off against the Rangers.

  51. avatar Strummer's Army says:

    Colton Orr did not beat Fritz he got very lucky Fritz skate caught the board. As stated by an informed poster before all Orr did was open up a previous injury, that had been wounded just a couple days before by a player in Houston who is the size of Fritz. Thompson hasn’t shown he can handle anyone.

    Until Mr. Snow properly addresses the enforcer role then we need Mitch Fritz.

  52. avatar mw147 says:

    Chris – I find the news about Sutton to be very disconcerting. Now he needs surgery? What happened?

    I know you did a blog a few weeks ago telling us not to blame the training staff for the massive number of injuries we have had for the past 2 years. Is the medical staff mishandling the players?

    It just feels like something is not right here.

  53. avatar Chris TMC says:

    Regarding the trade with Atlanta: Im kinda sad that I will never again get so scream “SKINNER!” Supernintendo Chalmers-style whenever he does anything wrong. :(

  54. avatar Tom says:

    Scott Gordon this morning told the press that his team’s last place standing “does not take away from the magnitude of this game.”

    Asked if it was risky to have so many youngsters on the power play, Gordon thought about it, smiled and asked back, “What’s the risk”?

    Is Flash feeling ok? He seems to be a bit of a wack job, same interview, two incredibly conflicting thoughts. Flash must be a trip to listen to in between periods, no wonder Witt is so confused. with Flash.

  55. avatar Macch says:

    Skinner for a 28 year old forward who has been a career minor leaguer. Am I missing something here. Not saying that Skinner was anything special but what does Lessard give us???

  56. avatar exSection307 says:

    Don’t want to pat myself on the back, but back in August I posted on Logan’s blog that I had seen DP on crutches, would no way be ready to play this season and that the Isles were going to need a netminder sooner than later.

    Go KO! Shattuck alumni rule..partial list–Crosby, Parise, Corvo, Mueller, Harrold, KO–

  57. avatar Bri on Li says:

    CB, anyone, do you know anything about this guy?

    http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=403915

    Although not in the Isles best long term interest, I totally agree the TVD watch needs to be ignored tonight. My daughter is feeling like a jinx, going to more losing games than winning ones. I suppose I could tell her we’re the worst team in the league, but I’m trying to grow an Isles fan! Let’s go Isles!

  58. avatar JPinVA says:

    Well… “wins don’t matter” is total BS if there is not a significant progress in the absense of WINNING.
    What does matter then?
    Defensive play? The defense looks like kids chasing their hats in a hurricane. Gordon should be at his [Witt's] end!
    Offensive excitement? There is almost no offensive creativity. they create pressure (at times) but they don’t create SPACE.
    They don’t play well under pressure, which is the funniest aspect of this whole “philosophy” change. They brought in GOGO to teach a method that relies on constant pressure. Other teams have easily found methods of breaking that pressure and as soon as they reverse the pressure, the Islanders crumble. They not only can’t DISH IT OUT, THEY CAN’T TAKE IT either.
    Why are we accepting this with [Howie]rose colored glasses?
    When they win a playoff series under Scott Gordon, please remember to tell me, “I TOLD YOU SO”…
    PS…youth movement?… Sim..in NHL… Smith… NOT!!!

  59. avatar Tom says:

    JPinVA don’t try to make sense of the Islanders. If you think your confused you should see Garth on an average morning. It takes him 45 minutes to find the door knob to get out of his house!

  60. avatar Brian G says:

    Big trade by Snow – he better be laying the groundwork to trade Weight, Guerin, Comrie, Witt, Martinek, & Hilbert – not repeating his 08 deadline, by not trading (or convincing) Satan, Fedotenko, & Vasicek

  61. avatar Johnny Islander says:

    Orr got “lucky” lol…
    If you are in a fight, get punched in the face and bleed, you were busted open, whether that is an old cut or not.

    Thompson has handled himself well in all of his fights this year. Lost to a much stronger Gleason who should have beat him soundly and didn’t. Thompson took it to Mair, Hollweg and Voros. Mottau is not even a fighter, if Thompson wanted to (or was told to), he would pummle him. No Fritz required.

    -Informed

  62. avatar Mike from Oceanside says:

    Just because we’re in a youth movement, it doesn’t mean that we have to trade for a guy with the name “Junior”!

  63. avatar Chris A says:

    A former Hobey Baker winner not bad least we know he has talent maybe we could see something from him

  64. avatar Tom says:

    Chris – Jason Krog was a Hobey Baker winner as well.

  65. avatar Moose says:

    this guy is 28 and couldnt crack Atlanta’s lineup, im sure we will never see him…well maybe this season after we trade everyone and need bodies to feel spots but other than that don’t get your hopes up

  66. avatar Nick Classic says:

    Trevor Smith will be back sooner rather than later, there is no reason to fixate on him the way people did about Comeau.

    The trade is a minor blip and probably meant to open up more AHL playing time for Hillen and Andrew MacDonald. I would imagine this could be to prep them for future NHL minutes in the event of a trade or trades.

  67. avatar Macch says:

    Yea the more i think about it, the more it seems to be a move to put some more bodies down in BP so when the Isles start the call ups

  68. avatar kevin says:

    sorry cb really am. i think this was just to improve bridgeports chances. his playoff numbers look good and before this year he was doing really well. even after the deadline i dont expect him to be here. maybe he is supposed to take trevor smiths job for example when he comes up that way bridgeport still has a shot. not a big trade so i would think much of it.

  69. avatar Matt says:

    Tom, Gordon is a wacko. How much more do you need to see? Even when Gervais is playing his best hockey he is a #7 on any team. The experiment is over. I know defense man develop late but he shows no promise, let him go. Hope to see Gordon follow through on one thing. Look forward to seeing the kids play.

  70. avatar D-Money says:

    #67, exactly what I was thinking…maybe even backfilling Smith’s spot once he is called up again.

  71. avatar NYC NYI Fan says:

    JPinVA (#58), I agree with your statements; the Isles have an anemic offense, a porous defense, and a system that simply does not work because the Isles lack the requisite skill and speed necessary to effectively implement a “high tempo” system.

  72. avatar isles72 says:

    heh , Parise and Keith Ballard (both were top 10 finalists) were beat out for the hobey baker by none other than our new recruit Lessard

  73. avatar Marc from Troy says:

    So, let me get this straight… Two defensemen, each all of 24 yrs old, and we’ve seen them hit their ceilings. Yet, Mark Streit – seven years older – is only now hitting his stride as a defenseman and just made his first all-star game.

    Got it.

    Johnny Islander re: the ever-recurring Fritz man-love… Hear, hear. Guy isn’t even dressing for every game in the AHL, yet some of you still want him wasting space on the Islanders bench. Please take a look at rosters throughout the NHL and count up the number of teams who have a legitimate, full-time “enforcer” on them. How many? Not like the other 29 teams know something the Isles don’t. If they can’t play, they don’t belong anymore, whether some of you want to accept that or not.

  74. avatar frank nyc says:

    Im not sure i get this move for lessard.
    I thought Skinner looked good in limited time with the isles.
    He had decent size and was pretty good defensively.
    Lessard is 28 and obviously can’t cash in on whatever potential he had.
    Skinner had more potential at this point.

  75. avatar Gregg says:

    Thanks for mentioning the lack of coverage by Newsday today (1/13). I thought today would be a good day to spend (waste) $0.75 for what I figured might be 2 pages of hockey reading. Wrong. I suppose they needed to save paper with the tough economy and all. And apparently the Giants losing still needs several more days of headlines.

  76. avatar Rick says:

    I, like Gregg, figured I’d splurge on Newsday today to read some Isles/Rags stuff. As we all know, there was none there. Amazing how Eddy Curry’s alleged sexual escapades & beating the dead horse that is the Giants gets more press then the most exciting, intense sports rivalry this town has.

  77. avatar Ed J says:

    Hey CB, sry to change subject, but do you know what the 10 greatest games are going to on that DVD release ( I CAN’T WAIT BTW ).

    And as always, great job and thank you for at least being honest on this blog and keeping Islander nation informed on what goes on in long island

    :)

  78. avatar BSTSTH18 says:

    Orr is a UFA or FA this coming off season. The Islanders should sign him.

  79. avatar MiKe says:

    RE: Tivo Alert, Jaffe/Snow interview

    Just watched Jaffe and Snow on pre-game. Wow. Could these two be any colder towards each other? What an odd interview. I dont know why, but I came away feeling like the Islanders are a puppet show that nobody cares about. I wish I couldve Tivod it but I watched it on Satellite w/ no record available. Billy seemed happy to be there and ask questions, but SNow seemed uneasy and tight lipped. Anyone else see the interview I’d like to hear thoughts…

  80. avatar billy says:

    i hope the kid PP clicks tonight, which should get hunter going i think.
    i’m so pumped that frans is back, but after all that time off i wouldnt expect anything from him tonight.

    With Tavares,Bailey,and frans we are gonna be set down the middle for a super long time.

    One last thing, no one is expecting us to win so play danis already, i like joey mac but im sick of him getting lit up all the time. That calgary game was atrocious, he needs a break. A lot of the goals have nothing to do with the d but him not smothering pucks or making the 2nd effort saves. The guy is exhausted and there is no reason for him to be playing this much, we havent played since thursday and he took today off of practice? The guy’s confidence is shattered right now, and i do question Gordon about this.

  81. avatar Matt says:

    Can’t wait to watch it!!! Sounds great.

  82. avatar Strummer's Army says:

    Thompson has had his butt handed to him in all but two of his fights. If someone is in a fight and has an old would opened up (which is really easy) it isn’t the same as someone creating a fresh wound. Please check youttube for all the numerous times Orr and Fritz has fought you can see a clear pattern of Fritz dominating him.

    Chris Botta, NHL Center Ice doesn’t show the pre or post game can you please give us a recap of what Snow says.

    On the trade today, it was boring to say the least. I forgot Skinner was even in the organization and if the guy they got ever plays for the Isles it will mean they are worse then they are right now. My hope is it is an idication that they’ll need an extra forward soon and guys like Smith, Joseneau and Colliton and Walter (who has been on a hot streak all year) will be getting extended looks).

  83. avatar Strummer's Army says:

    Mike what did Snow actually say?

  84. avatar ken says:

    anyone see logans blog.. isles talking to dubie? looks like DP will be shut down for the rest of the season.. A hot DP would be the only thing that could keep us from Tavares.

  85. avatar MiKe says:

    SNow was praising Mark Streit and very worried about Dipietro. He said GMing was more difficult than he thought and the season so far is very disappointing but with silver linings as far as youngsters playing well.

    I saw the interview once and came here to give my quick opinion. I would like to see it again for further review. But it was wierd because Jaffe seemed all casual and happy while Snow was seemingly tense and stiff. Jaffe also made a point of it to say how they hadnt seen/talked to each other since preseason. Maybe thats what was so odd.

  86. avatar Strummer's Army says:

    Thanks Mike. Most of what I have seen of Snow in the cameras is pretty tight. He gets more jovial when the cameras are off. Did he indicate anything about future plans?

    I’m hoping the Isles do the intelligent thing and shut Rick down for the year At this point we are told the swelling in the knee is the only issue, rest, rehab and maybe surgery will hopefully have him ready to go by next year. Dubie is a good option to have for the remainder of the year.

  87. avatar Jason W says:

    And now Joey Mac is hurt… We’re DOOMED!

  88. avatar Scott from Newburgh says:

    At this point you just have to laugh.

  89. avatar Jason W says:

    I was looking forward to this game all day and now…. ugh.

  90. avatar The Losers says:

    And this game is not on CenterIce?!?!? What am I paying for here? No Isles hockey on CenterIce for like a week now!

  91. avatar MiKe says:

    Screw it (the season). #1 pick here we come!!!

  92. avatar Strummer's Army says:

    I’m watching on centerice? What area do you live in? Is it blocked out because another station is showing it?

  93. avatar effin5 says:

    Snow did not look at the camera once during the “interview”. He praised Gordon for a good job, yes great job coaching us to last in the NHL. He did not even pronounce his own players names correctly. He did not seem a bit disappointed about how our season is going. I think the whole thing was an attempt to calm down fans who think the season is already over. I think its over and there is nothing he can do to change my mind.

  94. avatar The Losers says:

    I’m in Brooklyn, NY lol

    I don’t know man, I kept checking CenterIce up until I ended up using a streaming website (which I found when CenterIce didn’t show the Calgary game the other day) almost at the end of the first, watched the rest of the game that way.

  95. avatar The Losers says:

    P.S.; I know centerice blocks out local games, but I use my cousins (who lives in Chicago and is a Rags fan) centerice log in so I see Islanders games.

    Maybe I was blocked out because my cousin was also watching the game?

    Eh, anyways if anyone needs a decent-to-good quality NHL streaming let me know, I’ll gladly share (but I’m warning you, the website it self is ok, but once i watch the game my antivirus/firewall tells me that I should be careful with this website or something, I mean if your computer is well protected your good, if not I don’t know) Sorry for the long post

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