STILL NOT ON SAME PAGE: DP, JMac quotes illustrate Keystone Cops communication at the top
Really now, how difficult is it for a quartet (at most) of grown men to get on the same page?
On a Greg Logan blog entry posted last night, here’s Rick DiPietro explaining the “plan” when he was off the ice first at yesterday’s morning skate but didn’t start the Edmonton game:
“I think the plan all along was to let Joey play tonight, then have the extra two days off and then play in Calgary.”
And now here’s Joey MacDonald, saying he was only told after yesterday’s morning skate that he was getting the start against the Oilers.
“I was a little bit surprised. Every night I try to be ready. I came in and they said, ‘You’re playing.’ So I went on with my routine.”
MacDonald is the Jimmy Stewart character in this movie. He’s innocent - a terrific, stand-up gentleman playing his butt off for this team. I also don’t blame DiPietro. It’s his job to play, not direct.
Just about every team in the NHL does its best to inform their starting goalies the night before a game. It’s a tradition - it’s professionalism, it’s courtesy - that extends back to the days when goaltenders didn’t wear masks. The Islanders are run by a general manager and head coach who were both goalies.
This should not be that difficult. If there is any uncertainty whether DiPietro can start the next game, he should not.
Whether there’s some scamming going on or not, are any of the actors in this film talking to one another? Can someone take a leadership role so you can all be on message? Can you imagine what it would be like if this lack of communication was being covered by the press on a Yankees-like scale, instead of just Logie touring Western Canada by himself and posting on his blog at 3:46 am EST?
My wife and I have twin boys. They do a much better job of keeping their stories straight. They are 8 years old.
Where are the Islanders’ standards?
Comments.
78 Responses to “STILL NOT ON SAME PAGE: DP, JMac quotes illustrate Keystone Cops communication at the top”
Please Wait
CB at this point does it really surprise you anymore?
To be honest, I think this is the last of the Isles concerns. It is just very sad that they can’t do the simple things right, whatsoever. However, I must say even the little things are amplified within this organization, whereas other organizations would get away with it.
doesn’t surprise me…team communications have been vague at best. I think its best to assume that no one is playing each game and then be pleasantly surprised when guys actually show up.
its sorta funny
I see what youre saying… its not really about Rick not playing a game (which I have no problem with) its actually about the dopey way they handle things. I agree with you.
Really CB, with all the glaring problems this team is having, this is really a non-entity. If Snow/Gordon are having problems dealing with the larger issues this is a no brainer.
C’mon CB–Rick runs this franchise.
He has a 15 year contract he does what he wants.
Pardon my ignorance, but wouldn’t each goalie prepare for game day as if he was playing? Aren’t these guys paid to show up and give it their best for 82 games? I’d think that each goalie would want to be “fresh” in case the other got injured during the game.
I will never be able to look at Joey again without thinking of Jimmy Stewart’s studdering mannerism. thanks. sigh…
Just a typical day in Islander Land. The worst run team in professional sports - A joke!!
I’m not sure why the Isles take this approach. Maybe it has to do with hiring a GM that has no managerial expirence whatsoever. Hopefully they will learn from their mistakes and will be prepared if the team start winning and the rest of the media jumps on the bandwagon. I like what the Blackhawks did by hiring Scotty Bowman as an advisor. It would be nice if the Isles followed this example.
It’s stories like this that make me love this blog more and more every day. Keep up the great work.
“The Islanders are run by a general manager and head coach who were both goalies.
“This should not be that difficult.”
Shouldn’t this decision ultimately rest with the coach? Why would Snow have a say on who gets a day-to-day start?
I guess I can see him being kept in the loop b/c of the injuries, but it’s not like Snow’s a doctor that can offer any sort of medical advice.
They’re all Lielanders.
It seems like a non-story as compared to all the other follies over the years with this team. DiP said it was a plan for him to sit out against the Oilers. Maybe Joey Mac thought otherwise, but it was just a miscommumication. Or, maybe DP decided later in the day not to play, and of course, whatver Rick says goes.
No matter, Isles have a better shot at losing with Mac in net than DP. Gotta pile up the losses!
Enough of this garbage. DP should sit the rest of the season. what is he proving by playing this year? Give Joey Mac the reigns for the rest of the season, trade whoever has value and snag Tavaras in the draft.
i should be running this damn team.
I think you have to look a little deeper into this and see that they are all not on the same page and their is a comunication problem going on.
And that might be do to fact that Gordon does not make the final decisions.
And it just disgusts me that Dipietro acts more like an owner, instead of a player.
Great Job, Chris. Keep up the excellent work!
Mickey Mouse Operation!
It Starts with Garth Snow and the Puppet Scott Gordon and it trickles down to Mr. Franchise Rick Dipietro; What a Joke!
Last night’s game was insulting to me. I place all of the blame on the coach for this one. It’s his job to make the in-game changes necessary to get the most out of his team. How you explain us DOMINATING the 1st Period and then looking pathetic for the remaining 2 periods; Did Garth Snow come barging into the locker room after he found out that Tavares’tournament had just completed and did he complain that we actually looked like a team to be reckoned with?? We looked unstoppable; But for the latter 2 periods we were horrible, it was a disgrace really. Enough about the officiating, that’s not what lost us this game. The only real factored non-call was when Smith got crosschecked against the boards. I’m telling you right now, between Mangini and Scott Gordon, my 7 year old daughter can get these guys to play harder; Unbelievable!!
Didn’t anyone else hear the SILENCE of Doug Weight from the broadcast booth just after the tying and go-ahead goals by Edmonton? He was probably boiling up there watching the game.
Hey Chris,
loved the bit on Ullstrom… do you have any updates on what the brass thought of other Isles prospects at the WJC… like Petrov etc etc?
This act has gotten really old, Isles just need to be straight up with things.
I don’t blame the players (DP runs this franchise???) The players probably have no idea what they are allowed to say… I say play DP as though he was the back up.. can I order my #91 Tavares jersey yet???
To me, the real story here is not lack of communcation regarding who was starting. To me the story is - if this GM is trying to set some kind of dopey smoke screen around the goalie situation, as is so often the case - the story lies in the basic question - WHY? What’s the point? A lot of you don’t care because it’s not an X’s and O’s issue. But it says something about how this team is being run. And the goalies differing about who they thought was starting indicates to me that the GM couldn’t or didn’t even bother to make sure his scheme - not a very complex one at that - did its job. What the heck does that say? I know it seems like a minute issue to some, but I think it’s real curious. Something is driving all this bizarro stuff.
WHO CARES ANOTHER LOSS A LITTLE BIT OF A BETTER CHANCE FOR TAVARES. THATS ALL WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT…
Gordon will be on NHL Live today:
http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=616&id=21039
Par for the course. Worst team in the league. With the Cardinals winning a home football playoff game the Isles are the now the worst run team in sports for the last 15 years. Name me another team in sports that’s run worse than this? Now I know why they didn’t want their games heard on free radio. They didn’t want people hearing what a joke this franchise is.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
My final word on Gordon’s post game comments last night….(as cut and pasted from Logan’s blog)….
NOTE TO GORDON…
Dear Church Mouse…..
Ranting about officials TO THE MEDIA AFTER A GAME, is kinda like slapping a chastity belt on your 16 year old daughter after the junior prom.
Man up Gordon and go after the officials DURING the game.
You stood there and watched last night like a deer in headlights as Trevor Smith got mugged in a corner, an illegal goal was allowed, and your goalie was steamrollered by not one, BUT TWO Oilers on the same play.
Take a penalty, throw a water bottle, GET EJECTED FER CHRISSAKES, but let the officials know that you are ACTUALLY WATCHING AND CARE ABOUT THE FRIGGEN GAME.
And more importantly, LET YOUR PLAYERS KNOW that you will stand up for them DURING the game, and not AFTER the game, when the refs are long gone and laughing their way home …WHEN THEY DON’T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THE PRESS.
That was a piss poor performance last night Church Mouse, both during and after the game.
Just my opinion.
This is a serious question: is there anyone within the Islanders organization who has past managerial experience with another NHL organization?
It seems like anyone who does–be it head or assistant coaches, GMs, or even higher up– comes on board, stays for a few days to a few years, and then packs up and leaves.
There’s no way Scotty Bowman is coming here, but it might be nice to bring someone on board with a championship pedigree and a longtime understanding of the inner workings of the NHL.
Because right now, the Isles are treading water… about 10 feet below the surface.
What’s REALLY scary is this is just the tip of the ice berg. The dysfunction goes well beyond “who starts tonight”.
CB I’m glad you pointed out a “Yankee” scenario, the lack of media coverage benefits the Isles, they carry themselves like nobody’s watching, with any luck they’ll take their house of horrors out of NY & move to Seattle. Give us die hards a break, get lost Islanders, just GET. LOST. PLEASE.
What else can we do, root for the Rangers? *gag*
Petrov had 4 shots and zero points in 7 games….the update is he’s a poor mans trent hunter. DP could get 4 shots in 7 games in that tourney (if he wasnt hurt).
i just hope they hold back on informing Mac that he is playing till the day of so he plays like ass and we lose… This would at least be an organized and thought out plan. Sadly I’m sure it just happens cause Ricky woke up that morning and declared himself out, and everyone covers for him…
Ya know, wasn’t it a lack of communication about starting goalies last year that precipitated Garth to “raise an eyebrow”? Hmmm, on WFAN he was “shocked” the Head Coach chose to sit a very injured (as we found out later on)& a very under performing Rick DiPietro. Then the Isles org gets all twisted when they don’t get calls, don’t get coverage, don’t get FA’s, don’t get invited to play in outdoor hockey games. It’s a rudderless franchise. Free Agents know it, the media knows it, the fans know it…Wang & The Very Merry Quartet? They’ll be the last to know that’s for damn sure.
CB covers the Isles better than all 400 reporters who cover the Yankees.
Yeah, Tom, because real “die hards” want to lose their team.
Oh did I say die hard? Misspoke, I meant to say fair weather. Thanks for lookin’ out markey!
Hey TP from post 37…
“TP on Jan 6th, 2009 12:07:00 said:
Name me another team in sports that’s run worse than this?”
Detroit Lions are far worse. They never won anything…EVER!
Hey Darren, Lions won the title in their 2nd year and 3 more in the 50’s. Plus many playoff appearances in 90s. Plus they had a superstar in the 90s (Sanders) one of the best players ever. What superstar have NYI had since the 80s? Volek doesn’t count.
Plus I’m pretty sure the Lions never had trouble letting their quarterback know who would start. Capiche?
Go-Go just basically said on NHL Live that too much is made of the DiPietro situation. He said he has told DiPi to tell him when he feels ready and when he doesn’t, that he should let him know even after a pre-game skate, and they’ll make a change, no need to force it under the circumstances. Gordon also said he has told JoeyMac to always be prepared to play. So that’s it. They are being very careful with DiPietro, DiPietro feels his way back, and JoeyMac knows he might be in at a moment’s notice. Seems clear enough to me.
Quite on point CB, the devil’s in the details as they say and no one here is paying attention . The Real Plan was to play DP, but he didn’t want to fess up to Logan that he was not 100% after practice so he spews some corporate BS; never thinking that Logan might go to the team DOORMAT/ Jmac and ask for his side of the story.
Didn’t Jmac get named the Islander player of the month back in NOVEMBER in addition to being the NHL’s third star, but there was never any on ice recognition of this honor. In October there was a big deal made of the Islander player of the month. JMAC= Islander Doormat.
let’s just hope the islanders move out of new york so you cry babies can shut up.
It is time for the owner to give a state of the Isles address.
Mr. Wang put Snow in as GM and gave Rick D the 15 year deal.
We need to hear straight from the owners mouth, his thoughts on the current state of affairs.
At least they are keeping it interesting for us!
Gordon’s comments on NHL Live don’t clear up a damn thing. Ricky gets to “tell him when he feels ready and when he doesn’t”?? What happens if Joey gets hurt during the game? Then - assuming he goes in, and all - not only does Ricky “not feel ready”, but he’s then coming in cold, too. That would be good.
It was said at the beginning of the year, and it still holds: if Ricky’s not ready/able/healthy to play EVERY game, then he shouldn’t be on the bench. Period.
backup goalies are treated like the mistress while your starter gets treated like the trophy wife
thats just the way the cookie crumbles
dp (#40),
I’ve been asking around about the lack of a ceremony for Joey Mac. No one seems to want to address it. It could be something as innocuous as the corporate sponsor for that award (player of the month) bowing out. Or maybe no one wants to ruffle Ricky’s feathers. Hey, who would the POTM for December be?
Good point Jon #2. Wang needs to answer for a few things. The biggest query Charlie needs to answer is…why after 9 years of owning the Isles are they STILL the same exact embarrassment they were the day he bought the team? Why Charlie? Stop pointing fingers at everybody else, be leader & hold yourself accountable.
The things Isles fans were talking about almost a DECADE ago are the same things we are talking about today.
The lease, new arena, the need for a ’savior’ in the upcoming draft with the #1 pick…sound familiar? Charlie Wang needs to understand he is a complete utter failure at hockey. It’s ok though. Just hire an experienced hockey man as President of Hockey Ops. That’s it. Charlie needs to play within himself. Hockey success waved bye-bye to Charlie a long, LONG time ago. Let a real-deal Hockey man call the shots. Hire somebody Garth has to answer to. It’s the only way. Even the great John Tavares can’t help the Isles in that dept. Charlie must come to grips with the fact, when it comes to hockey, he’s got the IQ of a donkey. Computer software? Well now that’s a different story.
After yet another embarrassing NHL game I am suprised that this blog is about a goalie miscommunication. I would’ve much rather have read about how the NHL is a joke of a league and makes the great sport of hockey laughable most of the time. WITH, non-calls, inconsistency in penalty calls, refs taking over games because of perceived agendas, lack of a true marketing plan, disrespect by the sports world, ETC. IS IT NO WONDER that this league is the laughing stock of all professional sports? This isn’t about a few missed calls at the stinking Islanders game as this happens in EVERY GAME. This league is a joke.
The sensible move was to play JMac last night so DP could start Thurs in Calgary and again on Tues vs the Rags. This gives Rick his first two games in a row with plenty of rest between.
That being said, I don’t exactly have faith in the Islanders exicuting a “sensible plan” so it wouldn’t surprise me if they were thinking otherwise. Either way the org continues to live up to the “circus” label that the media tags on them.
I figure, if you wan’t to be totally dysfunctional, can you be more private about it? At least then, the fans don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of the teams mismanagment in the form of a joke written by some hack beat writer before the next game his home team plays against us.
Marc on Jan 6th, 2009 13:34:53 said:
Gordon’s comments on NHL Live don’t clear up a damn thing. Ricky gets to “tell him when he feels ready and when he doesn’t”?? What happens if Joey gets hurt during the game? Then - assuming he goes in, and all - not only does Ricky “not feel ready”, but he’s then coming in cold, too. That would be good.
Can someone answer this? Did we not read a couple of weeks ago that DP would no longer dress unless he was ready to start? I could swear I read a direct quote from the coach that other than a normal rest after a stretch of several games in a row, that DP would no longer dress as a backup.
The Islanders’ plan seems to be full of obfuscation, misdirection, and last minute decisions. It seems that as the NHL’s new injury policy goes (that is, be vague enough to not really say much), so go the Islanders. This makes me, a somewhat long-time fan who has “newly rediscovered” hockey in the last 3 years, want to ignore everything between post-game interviews and the next pre-game show. Why should I follow the day-to-day workings of the Islanders if it’s just going to frustrate me? That’s just my (last) 2 cents for the day.
Hey TP, The last time the Lions won a Championship was 1957. The last time they won a playoff game was 1991 NFC Divisional game and the time before that was 1957 when they won the Championship. SO I would would say the Lions are far worse…Capiche?
Ricky just wants to play. He’s been sitting around going stir crazy for months. As nervous as his tempermment is, not playing has to be torture for him. It’s pretty unbelievable that he hasn’t exploded yet.
Geez..good communication goin on around the office,..just another thing to show us all the bus is moving but who’s driving? I hear circus music playing as we speak.
But..I love my team, the guys go out an really do try an work it, it’s entirely the players fault this team looks like a joke..it’s also how things are run from the top office, and then you have things like this get out an UGG!
Moving on.. CB? you an your wife have twins!! how cute! and awesome! I cracked up when you said they do a better job at keeping their stories straight..lol! oh to be a kid again..
Have a great day all!
Ciao
Dmarie
oops let me correct myself.. it should have been… It’s Not entirely..etc) sorry…
You know the saying…..If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BS !
You really know how to rile up the masses CB…
hey “Islander505 post #28″
That was not an illegal goal under these rules. I do agree with you that Gordon should have complained DURING the game not whined afterwards. Complaining after the game is a scapegoat. Where was the effort or better yetr, where was the passion from the coach to make the adjustments so their big boys on the 4th line didn’t dominate us physically?
Also, on that goal by Strudwick, his foot moved after contact has already been made - not a “distinct kicking motion”. I have no problem with the call and after I saw the replay the first time it was clear to me.
Yes, if the rules were different, in a perfect world a goal like that should not count but under these dopey rules it does.
Onto Calgary boys!
I’m embarrassed to be an Islanders fan today. Not because of the teams play or because of the craziness in the front office but because of the supposed die hard fans of this organization. They come on here and bad mouth everything about our Islanders and pray for them to lose just so we have the chance to draft Tavares who could be a flop just like Stamkos. The draft is not a guarantee of anything. I can understand the frustration being an islanders fan. I have been a fan for 15 years but don’t call yourself a fan if you are not cheering on your team every night to win. CB I love this blog you do a great job. Keep it up. I am going to stop reading the user comments though all this negativity about my favorite team from their own fans just kills me.
We are the Detroit Lions on skates.
As Gordon Stated last night in the post game interview, “The Refs would not speak to me”, probably because he was barking at them and they had enough…
Just because everyone’s been talking about goalie communication bla bla and referees and whatnot, I’d like to comment on what really matters right now.
Josh Bailey’s pass to Comeau last night is a great sign of why he’s here, and what we can expect from the future. His passing has been what impressed me all season, and he was just waiting to get on a line with better hands than Hilbert to dish the puck to. The way he drew 2 defenders to his side, then threaded the pass through both of them, tape-to-tape along the ice, beautiful. We have to be happy for the future if Bailey and Okposo keep improving, because they are showing impressive flashes of talent right now.
This notion that I’m not a fan because I don’t cheer my team on every night is BS. I watch each game and look for improvements in the young players, but would prefer that the team lose often this year. I want an impact player on this roster and the only way to get it is to lose and garner the one or two pick.
In my mind there is nothing to gain from winning meaningless games. They are not making the playoffs.
Hey Darren, the Lions can be heard on free radio and have more than half of their stadium filled with fans. I said name another team that’s RUN worse - not just wins and losses. Capiche?
Carmine - correct. The draft doesen’t guarantee anything. With NYI’s luck, they’ll lose the lottery and pick Hedman who will decide to play in Sweden.
Carmine - I can sort of see your point, but disagree with you at the same time. As a die-hard fan, I hate seeing my Isles lose games. But in reality, at this point I just look for the good in each game. If we win, great. If we lose, hopefully the young players are taking the experience and learning from it. I firmly believe in the old quote that you have to learn how to lose before you can win.
Also - in regards to Stamkos. It is absolutely ABSURD to say that he is a “flop” already. Look back at previous 1st overall picks in their first season and tell me where they were at. Now, that’s not to say that there aren’t some who have dominated in their 1st full seasons, because there obviously are. But look at a guy liek Joe Thornton for example. He is a great player, but definitely struggled in his first year or two. My point is that a franchise player is a franchise player. And it is more than likely that Stamkos will be a franchise player at some point. The Isles need a franchise player probably more than any other team in the NHL right now. It is pertinent for the future of this franchise to end up with Tavares in June.
Final Standings Guarantees Us NOTHING as far as Draft Position; Yes it gives up a better shot but the bottom 3 teams all have a shot at Drafting #1!
Last night’s game was insulting to me. I place all of the blame on the coach for this one. It’s his job to make the in-game changes necessary to get the most out of his team. How you explain us DOMINATING the 1st Period and then looking pathetic for the remaining 2 periods; Did Garth Snow come barging into the locker room after he found out that Tavares’tournament had just completed and did he complain that we actually looked like a team to be reckoned with?? We looked unstoppable; But for the latter 2 periods we were horrible, it was a disgrace really. Enough about the officiating, that’s not what lost us this game. The only real factored non-call was when Smith got crosschecked against the boards. I’m telling you right now, between Mangini and Scott Gordon, my 7 year old daughter can get these guys to play harder; Unbelievable!!
Didn’t anyone else hear the SILENCE of Doug Weight from the broadcast booth just after the tying and go-ahead goals by Edmonton? He was probably boiling up there watching the game.
Hey TP,
Pirates, Royals, Raiders, Lions, Clippers, Knicks and you can argue the Hawks. All these teams has had steady ownership the past 20 years. We can’t say that about the Isles. You can make the argument that our present owner knows nothing about hockey but yeah…he try’s!
I disagree that Stamkos is a “bust”. Give the kid some time - it’s his first year and he’s on a team that might possibly be in more turmoil than the Isles. The situation there right now can’t be good for the ol’ development.
Actually the bottom 5 teams all have a shot at drafting #1.
A little overreaction, Chris, maybe? Its hard to know the whole story behind the quotes when the team is 2500 miles away. Aside from the injury policy, which was ridiculous, I’m not quite sure I’ve seen enough ineptitude to start calling Snow and Co. “Keystone Cops.”
It just shows disorganization at what I would think is the most basic level, inside communications. The reason it is unsettling is because it is yet another piece of ammunition for the name callers. It just erodes the hope for the future a little bit more. Way to go.
In reguards to post 67, I’d even throw MLSE in that mix of teams that have been run like a circus. Even though with Burke they may be better years from now, they are still suffering from the JFJ years and will probably miss the playoffs yet again with little to show for it.
And don’t forget the current Tampa Bay Lightning!
the comeau, comrie and okposo line is enough to keep me watching. I am looking for the little things this year. No need to keep bashing your heads against the wall. Like Parcells said - we are what our record says.
Yashin was paid millions and did not score very often. Now Dipietro is paid millions to be a backup. I’m sure the other guys on the team think that’s fair.
Carmine on Jan 6th, 2009 15:47:24 said: I can understand the frustration being an islanders fan. I have been a fan for 15 years but don’t call yourself a fan if you are not cheering on your team every night to win.
Carmine. I can tell your heart is in this, but, without knowing how old you are I am guessing I have been with this team since before you were on the earth. Do not presume to tell me - or others - how to be a fan.
GONG!!
Gregg on Jan 6th, 2009 18:10:30 said:
“Yashin was paid millions and did not score very often. Now Dipietro is paid millions to be a backup. I’m sure the other guys on the team think that’s fair.”
HUH??? What in the world do you think the other guys on the Isles think is “not fair” about Rick not being rushed back after an injury? How many hockey players HAVENT been injured before?
Man- just when I think people wont come up with any stranger theories, people go and prove me wrong!
Some players who actually play get paid less. It’s not good for motivation Chris TMC.