ISLANDERS STATEMENT ON WITT SUSPENSION
“We understand the League’s concerns”
UPDATED 5:50 pm – The Islanders have just issued a press release acknowledging the Brendan Witt suspension. It includes this quote from Garth Snow: “We are diasppointed to loss a player of Brendan’s calibre and character for this period of time, but we understand the League’s concern regarding hits to the head.”
It seems the Islanders aren’t miffed that Mike Mottau got only two games for taking out Frans Nielsen for more than two months, so maybe nobody else should either. It’s one thing if the Islanders want to be 1-of-30 and not take the low road, but why say anything at all?
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3:30 pm - …Brendan is guaranteed to not be injured between now and Wednesday’s trade deadline.
Three games more than Mike Mottau, eh Colie? It is wild that every time someone pontificates that this is the time for the NHL to take a stand, an Islander is up for a suspension.
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2:47 pm - The disciplinary hearing between Brendan Witt and the National Hockey League ended a few minutes ago.
The conference call regarding Witt’s elbow to the head of Niklas Hagman lasted approximately 20 minutes. On the call were Witt and Garth Snow representing the Islanders, discipline czar Colin Campbell of the NHL and Ian Penny and Glenn Healy from the Players Association.
Our take: Witt deserves – 2 games. Witt will get – 5 games.
Comments.
197 Responses to ISLANDERS STATEMENT ON WITT SUSPENSION
“We understand the League’s concerns”
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Dennis says:
3 game suspension……Was last night his last game as an Islander?
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Rick says:
Since there was no lasting injury to Hagman as far as I know (although he didn’t finish the game), Witt doesn’t have a rap sheet, it did not seem to be a head hunting trip on Witt’s part, he showed remorse and called Hagman to see if he was okay, I would expect a 2 game ban. But since this is the Isles, and Colin Campbell is the Czar, I could see it being 5 games.
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Terry says:
5 games. Somebody finally sang “The jaw bone’s connected to the head bone” to campbell
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Mikey Pants says:
Didn’t see it but being that it was Witter….3 games becomes 5 for him!
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Matt Brosseau says:
Witt should get no more than Mottau…who also led with this elbow but left his feet as well. Both were…I don’t want to say “dirty”…but fairly equally suspension-worthy.
Any more than two games for Witt is a travesty.
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Jack L says:
I would guess it will be longer than you’d think for the hit. I just feel as a fan of the Islanders the league is biased. We get harsher treatment for hits or if it’s our guy who was hit it is not enough.
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MikeF says:
2 games, it was unintentional, he’s old & slow, he obviously wiffed on the hit and his chin found his elbow on the cut to the middle.
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Larry says:
10 games, this is the islanders
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Ron from Lindenhurst says:
it just wouldn’t be an Islanders suspension if it were less than 14 games.
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bossy4president says:
Witt being an Islander + It was against a Canadien “original 6″ team + Colin making the final decision = 5+ games.
What a shame…..bad decision by Witt.
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John says:
If there is a suspension… based on Campbell’s previous rulings this year for things similar… one game… plus a fine… though it could very well be just a fine. Of course Campbell could go all Simon on this and make it a 50 game ban.
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Big Dog says:
My prediction? PAIN.
Seriously, smells like 3 games to me. Dirty hit, doesn’t matter than he had no stick.
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Mario says:
5 games and not another one in an Islanders uniform. I hope Witt does not get traded but I think he is done for us.
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Maydog says:
I’m guessing Mr. Unintended Whistle give Witt a 25 game suspension, basically killing his trade value. Colon is always making sure the Isles get screwed.
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rb says:
if it were me, I’d give him 3 games…Witt’s not a dirty player, and it was basically unintentional since he was without a stick and I think Witt raised his arm almost to protect himself…but at the end of the day you can’t elbow a guy in the head/jaw…since Campbell hates our guts, it’ll probably be 5 although it should be 3
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Chris S says:
Colin Campbell + Hit to head + Islanders = 5 games
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Ed J says:
Should be 2 games but Colin hates the Isles ( and yes CB he does as does that goddam replay booth in Toronto ) so probably 10games.
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leros says:
should be 2 maybe 3 will probably between 5 and 7.
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Cain says:
1 game.
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guerin13 says:
5 games – that’s what pock got for a somewhat similar play.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
I hope he gets 3-5 games and hes traded and that way he can not get hurt before he is traded.
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If they gave Pock 5 games for a panic, they will almost certainly give Witt the same.
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Cruicky says:
Witt will only get 3 games but it is these types of plays make fighting look good to everybody. There is no place for plays like this, slew-footing, ramming the d-man through the glass on icing. That’s Just dumb.
It is a play like this that is supposed to provoke the coach to make that tap on the shoulder of the tough guy. Not to go out and fight the other teams goon, but to go out and deliver a message to the guy that just about killed your player. This is the role of an enforcer. Not to go out and have a predetermined scrap with the other team’s goon after the second goal has been scored. Build team toughness and get George from Montreal. -
Tony says:
I concur with #17
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I’m sure Campbell is gonna throw the book at Witt. Brendan has called him out many a times in the press and I’m certain Colin is gonna be salivating to enact justice here.
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dally mac says:
It’s a 2-5 game thing I would think. My gut’s telling me 3, which would be perfect, Witt can’t get hurt like Weight before the deadline this way. I wonder what Don Cherry will say about the hit, he just loves Witt?
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UNH Steve says:
It should only be 2 but I’m sure it will be much more.
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Carmine says:
If there gonna let the Cam Janssen hit slide they should this slide if not Snow needs to pull a Milbury press conference and show the video of the Janssen hit lol
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Strummer's Army says:
FINALLY! You finally found a way to get Colin Campbell on the phone with you Brendan! Smart move elbowing the guy so he’d have to talk to you. Was it two years ago when Brashear punched you in the face (blow to the head) after the whistle with no on ice or off ice penalty?
You said some stuff to the press about how it was wrong and Campbell should have done something.
Campbell made some big statements to the press about you having his phone number and how you should have called him to discuss it between the two of you like men and not deal with it in the press.
You called him and sounded like ya felt bed ya said anything in the press AND HE’S NEVER PHONED YOU BACK!
Witt will get 8 games. He doesn’t deserve it but Campbell will wage his personal vendetta against Witt and all things Islanders. It will also help Campbell diminish Witt’s trade value.
What would be fair? Two games at most. It was a blow to the head for sure and guys can’t do that. However, Mottau got two games for a deleberate head shot that was much harder and he left his feat.
However, that scumbag Colin Campbell said he didn’t see a blow to the head no matter how much he watched it. Funny but the entire rest of the world did.
Colin Campbell needs to be fired.
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Tom says:
I think 2 or 3 makes the point. Anything beyond that is excessive. If it comes down as 5, I won’t agree, but I won’t be screaming for Campbell’s head either.
More than 5? Yes, conspiracy against the Islanders!
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Secmaster420 says:
I’d like to say zero because I was at the game, saw the play (I was watching Witt because he’d lost his stick) and we couldn’t imagine what the penalty was for. It just looked like he threw his body at the guy because, well, he had nothing else he could do with him. Saw the replay at home later, and it still didn’t look like anything. I’ve seen a lot worse that was never called.
And then Blake goes after his old friend Witt. They were joking around with each other all night on the ice.
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I too agree on “2″. Even the ref knew it was unintentional. Wow… everyone has such a definite opinion on Campbell.
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James says:
How many games are left in the season? That many. And maybe a few more for next season. And Campbell will probably tell him that if he doesn’t like it, he can go play in Russia.
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Giaco says:
Suspension Should be – 3 games
Suspension he WILL get – 7 gamesAt the hands of a former Ranger… the NHL strikes again!
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JKP in Halifax says:
I think two.
He’ll be contrite, and say something like “it was an accident and say whatever you give me is OK because I understand it’s not part of the game and not acceptable, even if accidental. I was wrong and should have been in better control of my elbow.”
Plus, Don Cherry really likes Witt, and Campbell won’t want Cherry calling him out on Coache’s Corner if he goes too hard on Witt.
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nyislanders93 says:
Agreed Tom (32). The hit does deserve a suspension. 2-3 games is what it should be. Witt is not a dirty player or a repeat offender therefore he shouldn’t receive a heavy suspension.
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mm30 says:
Lets Colin Campbell and the Islanders…100 games for Witt and a public flogging.
CB-Can you tell us what exactly happens in those things? Does Colie speak for 8 minutes and say Uh…Brendan…Uh…Witt..Seriously I am sure he’s a smart man but maybe he can take a public speaking class?
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kevin fitz says:
The NHL is a joke. 25 years ago if this happened someone on the Leafs would have gone after Witt and they would have fought and the whole thing would have been over. Today? Conference calls and lawyers and Union officials and a suspension. Wonder why this league is hurting to grow a fan base????
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JPinVA says:
Last night was the first game I didn’t TiVo in a long time. After the hit I was surprised by the match penalty. Go ask Dean McAmmond about serious, suspension worthy hits.
I’m not saying it wasn’t a penalty… and I think it is something the league should always review… but I don’t think Witt even initiated the contact. On the one and only look I had (through my blue and orange glasses) it looked as though Brendan raised his arm in self defense. I would guess 2 games at most. Anything more and people should start sending nekked pictures of sean avery to colin campbell. -
Keith says:
What he’ll get – 3 games
What he should get – 0.0
just wanted an excuse to use that.
This site rules! -
JP – raised his arm in self defense??? Are you kidding, defense of what The others guys chin. He was knocked out cold. Did you see the guy trying to get back up?? Self Defense, you should be hid lawyer. That’s funny.
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Kevin,
You’re exactly right. That’s why Don Cherry should replace Colin Cowbell.
I guess Snow and Gordon (aka The Ambiguously Gay Duo) are on the [back]side of justice and rightiousness.
When Simon was in process of taking almost $1M in fines through the catheter that is known as Colin’s Slush Fund, Garth didn’t raise a finger to stop it.
When Pock got hit with his suspension Garth couldn’t do anything more for his gracious master.
When Motteau flung himself at “Franzy” in Pearl Harbor fashion Gordon had the F-Bomb right there in front of him… and he left him “in the rack” because “he was cold”.
Welcome to the VHL… and I’m pretty sure you can figure out what the “V” stands for. -
Jimmy Mac says:
3 games…. he wanted to put the body on him. But Hagman zigged instead of zagged.
Last game on the Island… I would say yes.
I will miss him if he gets traded.
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Wedregast says:
Witt gets 8 games. Colin hates Islanders, will punish him waaay too harshly.
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Botta-Bing, a very interesting question has come up. Campbell has been sckrewing the Islanders at every opportunity for years.
Has Wang/Snow/Milbury just sat there and taken it or do they fight hard. Do they go around him to Bettman to try to get fairness?
Have they ever attempted to get Campbell fired? I would think Wang and a few of his owner buddies could do it.
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Original Rob says:
Colon Cleanser will suspend Witt for the remainder of the year. Not because the hit justifies that long of a sentence, but because he realizes that the Isles would probably like to deal Witt at the deadline for a prospect and pick.
Cleanser will then hire Tanya Harding to hit Bill Guerin, Andy Hilbert, and Jeff Tambellini with a tire iron, in an attempt to reduce their trade value. However, the plan will backfire when rival GMs claim that, despite the broken knee cap, their assessments of Tambellini’s trade value haven’t changed a bit.
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SS says:
CB:
Just curious… when referring to Islanderspointblank.com as “we” or “our,” i.e. “our take: Witt deserves – 2 games. Witt will get – 5 games” who else are you referring to besides yourself?
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IF Witt is suspended then who is going to play D? Is this when Andy MacDonald gets the call-up? Martinek shouldn’t be out it was a facial injury he can play through that but the Isles will definetly need one guy. A trade?
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Cruiky,
I didn’t say that’s what he did. I said at first glance, that’s what it looked like. When you’re about to get hit, and only have a split second to react, you’re first instinct is to protect your melon. You can’t do that with your arms down. TV is 2 dimensional, so I didn’t see him lunge towards the hit. He could have. That will come out in the wash.
After the scrum Witter was trying to go over and, I guess, apologize, or at least show concern… That was my first evidence that it was more “accidental” than “intentional”.
Unless Mottau happened to hit a spring loaded rut in the ice, his was INTENTIONAL… and he only got 2 games. Oh.. and hunter pinched his nipples. -
TIM says:
Def deserves a suspension,i say he’ll get 5 games
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Jp – I just thought your post was funny. I don’t think it was ment to KO him. But, it did. Witt is not a mean style player, however, if i’m the coach my goon is kickin his asscot….
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Chicken,
Sorry man. I meant no offense to your (or anybody’s) sexual orientation. I just couldn’t resist the SNL image of The Duo with Snow and Gordon’s heads super-imposed.
I understand that a good protion of the fan base, and players such as Sean Avery and Ryan Hollweg are very important to both Hockey and alternative lifestyle issues.
I meant no disrespect. As a matter of fact I’ve always wondered why there was no hockey player in the village people. -
This could be a good for witts trade value. They know he will be a bit refreshed if he gets a suspension.
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JP – on a role,
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[Leafs victim] + [Isles culprit] + [Campbell Randomness] = 5 games. If it were other parties: 2 games. If the NHL actually cared about deterring headshots delivered via elbow — even accidental ones: 8-10 games.
But they’ll never get that serious. And we’ll never see consistency.
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Witt lost his stick on the play. So when he went in to hit him he did not have his stick. I think that messed him up a little bit. his arms were not in their normal position when he went in for the hit. I wonder if he brought that up in his meeting at all. Not saying it is an excuse. But just something to be aware of.
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John says:
I’d like to hear Botta’s take on the incident. I was embarrassed and absolutely disgusted at Billy Jaffe’s reaction to the incident last night. I’m a die hard Islanders fan and anyone who saw the hit who has an objective cell in their body has to know that was a vicious and dirty hit.
Jaffe went on to defend the hit for 10 minutes afterwards. Hey Billy, take off the rosey Islanders-colored goggles. You’re an embarrassment to Islanders fans.
It’s one thing for some of these analysts to be unobjective to an extent. But there are no boundaries for Jaffe. Everything that this team does that’s a negative is defended by Jaffe, from a bad play by an Islanders player or goalie, to a dirty hit to a questionable trade. When’s Butchie moving into the analyst booth to take over. The Islanders games nearly unwatchable listening to that moron. God forbid there would be a former Islanders or NHL player analyzing the games. Send Jaffe packing for Versus and let him do the between-period interviews.
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On Edge says:
Should be 2-3 games. Will be 8-10. Just watch!
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Alex Kinkead says:
Just in 5 Games
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Marc from Troy says:
As long as one of the people on that conference call was named “Colin Campbell”, no way this suspension – and there will be one – is less than 5 games.
Stupid play, sure, and I agree with the comments re: Witt not being a repeat offender, past incidents w/other players, etc, but since it’s Brendan Witt, the Islanders, and Colin Campbell, no way this ends up being fair.
I hate you, Colin Campbell, and I’ll miss you, Brendan Witt.
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He was suspended 5 games.
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just announced. 5 games. 2 too much IMO. Last Islander game for Witt?
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I repeat myself. The NHL is a joke. Colin Campbell and Gary Bettman have successfully turned this league into a men’s league.
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Thanks for your years and tough play for the Isles!!! Will miss your toughness.
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Outside says:
New York Islanders defenceman Brendan Witt was suspended for five games Friday for an elbow to Toronto Maple Leafs’ Niklas Hagman on Thursday night. Witt had a disiplinary hearing with NHL’s Colin Campbell on Friday.
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BS – He deserved a 2 game suspension. This league is redicilious in that it just makes up suspensions on no basis. If witt gets 5 motteau should have gotten 15.
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So if he is traded he will miss his teams first 3 games since the Isles have 2 games until the deadline. I doubt that will bring his value down. Right CB? I am assuming whoever takes him cares about him more for the playoffs than the regular season.
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CB – Would this have any effect on witt being traded today, or closer to the deadline on wednesday.
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Mikey says:
Colin Campbell is a disgrace. Snow should hold a press conference tomorrow comparing video from Witt/Pronger/Mottau elbows. Our mangement and ownership need to stick up for the franchise. I am sick of this garbage.
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Chris M says:
Anything more than 2 games will just reaffirm that Colie hates the Isles.
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Can he appeal this? Anyone think this wasn’t coming? Did Roy Boe piss in Campbells cornflakes back in 72? What the hell is with this guys vendetta against the islanders? I’m not one for conspiracytheories but this is getting blatant.
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Matt says:
Don’t be surprised if he gets 5. Campbell has a thing for Witt so this is what I see happening. The elbow definitely deserved a look IMO. It looked pretty blatant to me so Colon will go after him. Although, he will def get more than he deserves, no doubt about it you can bet on it. Just like CB said at least he won’t be injure between now and the dead line.
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WITT GOT 5 GAMES. THE DECISION WAS MADE ALREADY!!
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Is there any objectivity in that office? Any foul by an Islander (Pock – 5 games, Witt – 5 games) is dealt with differently (Mottau – 2 games) than the league as a whole. If Campbell would just admit his ridiculous bias, I would at least regain a little respect for that weasel. Why did the Isles waste the phone call for the conference call since the punishment was already decided last night before Witt made it to the Isles lockerroom.
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Three games too long, but this should come as no surprise to anyone who has been following the Islanders over the last 20 years.
Colin Campbell reminds one of a tinpot Third World dictator who is less interested in justice and more interested in settling old scores. Shameful.
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Wow. What a farce this league has become with Campbell and his draw straws, throw darts, pull crap out of thin air approach to discipline.
Ridiculous. Any idiot knows that if you want to modify behaviour you need to be consistent in your application of rules and the consequences for breaking them.
So much for consistency.
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LOL! Thanks. At least I guessed right! Excellent! Campbell is sooooo predictable!
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If his name was Pronger the would have suspended the other guy for getting in his way. Campbell is a joke!
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valentino says:
rediculous…
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I miss Mad Mike for days like today. He and CB would be preparing a press conference with a Video tape of similar hits.
I’m sure if he gets a chance on the CBC or NBC he’ll give it to Campbell. Milbury always liked Witter. -
He is a goddam jackass!!!!!!!!
He deserved 3 max imo…
NHL hates the isles, nothing new but I really hope this rebuild works & lighthouse project gets approved so then I can look forward to new ways this team gets screwed from Colin the A_HOLE!!!! or maybe if that happened he would get fired cause then the Isles would have done what the NHL wants them to do…
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Maybe Mad Mike can do our press conferences for us Gordon doesn’t seem to have a grasp of it!
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jon says:
I realize the Isles don’t want to engage Campbell in a war of words, but has someone with the organization called him out on the hypocrisy? There have been hits, elbows, cheap-shots that have warranted ANY suspension (I look at Sid the Kid) and yet Witt gets 5 for an accident. It’s hard not to have a persecution complex when we look at the history. It makes little sense.
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I am so pissed at this I can’t see straight. Witt calls the guy after the game to see if he’s ok…5 games. Mottau laughs and jokes on the bench following…2 games. Can we change the logo so maybe Campbell won’t know its the Islanders when he is shafting us? Can we put half the team in Pronger sweaters and the other half in Crosby sweaters so we can get away with murder too? We can screw our own team up enough without the NHL not giving us a fair shake.
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The Express says:
I will have little faith in the NHL doing the right thing as long as Colin Campbell is still involved in any way, shape or form.
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Darren says:
I love it. Campbell is completely out of his mind! How does THAT hit deserve 5 games?
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you are freakin’ kidding me. Well, everyone called it. Glad to know the Islanders fan base was right again.
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SUCH CRAP…….Campbell is a JOKE.
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isles316 says:
When I heard this news via my friend in California I almost drove off the LIE on my way home from work.
What a joke. Pock and Witt with similar unintentional hits this year both get 5 games? Yet a player can charge (more than 3 strides) across the ice, leave his feet and lead with his elbow and injur a player for 2 months and get 2 games?
I would have found it acceptable if Witt got 1 or 2 games because he did hit Hagman with an elbow but 5?
Campbell is brutal.
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Izzy Franchise says:
Should we merge this with the Draft Day conspiracy that is sure to be on its way?
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TuxTax says:
Colon Blow!
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Well his first name does reflect being an a$$. So it really shouldn’t a surprise to us all.
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Phil C says:
CB – does the fact he’ll miss 3 games after the deadline affect his value in a material way do you think? 3 ghames out of 20 is not inconsequential i guess
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Brendan is making ~$3M this year. That’s $36,500/game… which means $183K more for the slush fund.
I wonder if that money is laundered through The Gary Bettman: Let’s Put Hockey On The Equator Fund.
How could he possibly get more than Mottau, who launched himself and caused a player to miss 6 weeks.
Once again, Ivory Snow takes it like a man!
Funny how when Downie almost killed McAmmond Clarke says, “The hit that Downie threw on McAmmond was not a whole lot different than the hits we all admired, including myself – that Scott Stevens used to do on open ice.”
I’m not saying that Clark is 100% correct, but how can a GM expect tooughness, when he can’t even defend his own players. Jeeze… I hope there is at lest a public statement comparing the Witt/Pock and Motteau hits.
I know I’ve been chirping htis for a while, but garth is tryingto bring an NCAA culture to the NHL… sorry man, this fan doesn’t want to see his team in bird cages. -
Izzy,
You hit it right on the head. The Isles are never gonna get the first pick. His guy has it out for this team. -
Mouthwash says:
I Like Jaffe. man, I hope last night wasn’t Witt’s last game as an Islander… well at least I was there if it was.
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It makes sense now. Six games from now we are playing in Toronto.
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upstatenyifan says:
nhl.com says the ruling is 5 games
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d-man says:
there’s a story in the ny times that basically makes witt sound like a serial killer… yet i just read in newsday that even the ref on the ice said it was accidental
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I really hate all this trade Brendan Witt talk, it sucks. I dont want to see him go at all. If he does, I think many of you begging for it will rue the day. I can already hear the same people complaining about why the Isles dont have a guy like Brendan Witt. Youre the same people who go on and on (and ON) about size and toughness but you want to get rid of the toughest guy we have? Sorry but some piddling pick isnt worth watching the Isles D get the everliving snot knocked out of them for the next 3 years while we wait for said pick to maybe possibly perhaps make the NHL.
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i would trade witt and park to philly for kukonen and lupul.
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Imagine this scenario: It’s 2013. The rebuild has been a success, and the Isles are playing game 2 of the cup finals against the Calgary Flames. Isles star defenseman Victor Hedman hits Jerome Iginla with an elbow, and Colin Campbell suspends Hedman for 5 games instead of 2. Isles go on to lose the cup.
If Snow does not stand up for this franchise NOW, then we will never never get respect.
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Joe says:
This was pretty blatent so Ill say its fair.
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106 id prefer tavares ahah
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Bobby says:
So Witt gets 5 games for his elbow, a hit to the head. Wed. night in Buffalo, Boulton elbows Getzlaf, breaks his nose,cheekbone & opens him up, yet doesn’t get so much as a fine? I am all for cutting down on high risk plays that cause injury, but you can’t pick and choose which ones you are going to discipline. Ridiculous.
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if colin wants to suspend witt for 5 games that’s ok – it was a dumb move by witt – BUT then mattau’s gotta sit for at least 10 b/c his move was far dumber and dangerous.
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Dan says:
Why does Collin hate the Islanders I mean its so obvious I don’t get it….
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I agree, Snow needs to stand up for Witt right now. Even if he for some reason is satisfied with what Campbell told him, he needs to go public and defend him.
It’s my biggest pet peeve with this team that they lack team toughness and it has to start from Snow.
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Jethro09 says:
Colin Campbell is an idiot. He and the rest of the clowns in the NHL Disciplinary Committee have no idea what the word “objective” means nor do they have any concept of the notion of “one set of rules for every team, every player”.
The Islanders and their players (and fans) get treated like second class citizens by the NHL. This absurd Witt suspension is just another example of it. How does Mike Mottau get two games for the same thing (that resulted in far worse injuries)? The answer is “different rules for different teams and players”. The league (and Campbell) ought to be ashamed of itself.
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Jon #2 says:
Witt is minus 31 for the season. Colin Campbell did the Isles a favor. Snow will be lucky to get a bag of used pucks for him.
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Guerin, I agree. I could handle the Pock and Witt suspensions if Mottau gets at least 7 or 8 games or Crosby gets 5 games for punching Valabik while he was on his hands and knees from behind in the groin.
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Tell Snow to make a trade Im getting bored and wanna see some moves.
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Pete M says:
And by the way is Hunter the last guy to get an instigator for retaliating after a questionable hit? LeCavalier didn’t get one for sucker punching Jackman after he took out Tampa’s goalie a few weeks ago and Blake didn’t get one last night for going after Witt after the Hagman hit. The double standard in the officiating with this team is enough to turn your stomach.
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Strickland says:
TMC (#104): I had a response all typed up, but I’ll defer to CB on this one: “2. If anyone around the Islanders believes they have enough draft picks and prospects to not consider moving more veterans, that strategy should be re-considered.”
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Typical NHL move on this… the only saving grace is that this won’t affect our improbable playoff run… opens up some time for a kid on the farm to evaluate or gain some valuable experience and won’t hurt Witt’s trade value if he is indeed moved.
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Amazing how some of you can categorize ANYTHING that happens with this team, regardless of what it is, as having occurred because of at least 1 of these 4 causes:
1. Wang is a crazy man who doesn’t care about his team.
2. Snow is still a backup goalie who doesn’t care about his team.
3. Gordon is still a minor-league coach who has no clue what he’s doing.
4. Tambellini sucks.
Thank you, JPinVA, for selecting number 2 with your “Once again, Ivory Snow takes it like a man!” and “garth is trying to bring an NCAA culture to the NHL” rants. What the hell does any of that even mean? And how do you know what was said on that conference call? Comments like yours – like you were there and heard Snow say “thank you, sir, may I have another?” – are just ridiculous. Anything to continue pounding us over the heads with your agenda.
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Garth has never been one to back down so I find it odd that he’s doing so now. I would agree that it’s time that he put up some fight and lead this team. Try to show the NHL that even though he’s new on the scene, he’s not going to take these unfair suspensions anymore.
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Bobby 109:
That was Denis Gaustad that hit Getzlaf, and it didn’t seem to me to be near the Witt-Hagman collision…it seems more incidental than that. Gaustad had his elbow up high but Witt actually led with his elbow somewhat.
Here’s the clip, see for yourself:
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streit02 says:
Good for Colin Campbell. All he did was increase our chances even more for the 1st overall pick.
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Colin Campbell does NOT like the Islanders. I’m not going to complain too much, it could have been worse. Plus Witt will not be injured while he’s still an Islander.
But there’s something Kooky with Soupy when it comes to the Islanders. That there is no doubt. When he talks about the Isles it’s usually with distain & unprofessionalism.
Whatever. It doesn’t matter, not this season anyway.
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Tony F. says:
This Campbell s**t is getting old. Witt deserves 5 games, but then Colon should have come down just as hard on Motteau and Boulton. It’s a blatant bias.
If we trade Witt this year, guaranf***ingteed we be wishing we had him next year and the year after that.
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Strickland (118): I maintain that the very same people who want to trade the toughest guy on the team away will nontheless fill this blog with 345893058 posts about how this team needs toughness and complain that they want to throw money at a player just like Brendan Witt. hey do dump him for another pick, we will see if I am right.
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Scott W says:
It is hard to make sense of this suspension when you compare it to the Pock and Mottau hits. The NHL should do itself a favor and just set the rule as if your elbow hits an opposing players head and results in a penalty that is more than 2 minutes, it will be followed by a 5 game suspension. Simple as that. No debating by the fans, might make guys think twice. The fans do not trust leaving this as a judgement call. The Mottau hits vs the Witt hit are the perfect example of why we don’t. It is hard not to feel that The Isles get a raw deal on all judgement call when we always end up on the wrong side.
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I want witt traded and I want toughness. I just think we should sign and draft toughness and get players who are 24yrs old not 34.
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I am sorry but that is Bull***T
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JohnnyC. says:
Izzy, my thoughts exactly. Just watch how out of the blue Toronto wins the lottery & gets to draft Ontario boy Tavares. Burke used to work for Bettman. Oliver Stone here is some good stuff here in the NHL for you
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#120 M from T – Good post!
You got two of standard responses.
Wang is a crazy man.
Snow is still a backup goalie.I leave out the part that don’t care about the team. They care, but caring isn’t there #1 challenges!
Seriously though, Charles Wang is nuts. Certifibly insane. He really is a total wack-a-doo!
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UIF says:
guerin13 – my thoughts exactly. Five is fine, but not with Mottaeu as precedent.
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TMC (126): I agree. But more than some toughness, this team needs to build towards the future. Will we miss Witt? Yeah, we will. But you don’t get something without giving something up. Witt’s presence will be missed, but the return we’d get for him means more to the last place Islanders than Brendan Witt does.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
@ Secmaster420 #33:
I was at the game to and it happend right in front of my seat. I’m not only agree with you, I going to scream out loud: It wasn’t an elbow! It wasn’t to the head!
It was a poorly acted dive concluded with 20 seconds “miracle” recovery! And I have no problem do defend my opinion.
I wonder if Mr.Campbell spent the whole night wathing the hit on replays (like he did with Mottau hit?!).
But, hey, it’s Colin Camobell. The man who can do anything he wants (including personal vendettas) and will not be asked to face any punishment foh his auctions.
Anarchy! -
Islanders1984 says:
People need to stop giving it to Wang on this site, if it wasn’t for Wang the Isles would have been gone 10 years ago, lease or not
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Jon 2 (114)
I guess you missed the CB article on how +/- is completely overrated?
TMC (126)
Considering you also said on another site that the Isles had NO CHANCE of finishing dead last, I’ll take you up on that wager. -
Moose says:
Witt was -29 about two months so if u must use +/- as a credible stat than he must be playing better…best player on the team other than streit
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CT Isles Fan says:
So who is on their way up? Will it be Andy Macdonald? Or will we see Kohn get a taste?
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mapisles2025 says:
Bill Guerin was removed from the Islanders’ website banner….trade to come?
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Matt #122….that’s my bad on Gaustad. However, if you watch the clip, he intentionaly brings his right elbow up and catches him square in the face. I am in no means complaining about Witt’s suspension, he deserves it. But this league is getting ridiculous with picking and choosing which players/incidents garner disciplinary action. An intentional blow to the head should land you in trouble. No matter what team you play for.
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I just hope that Garth doesnt make trades just to satisfy the extremely vocal pick freaks. If this team is going to give up nearly all of the guys here who can play in the NHL, I want better than half a dozen 2nd and 3rd round picks to show for it. A lot more. After all, this team cant forfeit next season and draft first overall in 2010, though I know there are ‘fans’ would actually prefer that they did. If that is what happens this team WILL have veteran players on it, whether some of you like it or not, only the Islanders are going to have to pay through the nose to get players who dont want to be here after dumping any of the ones that do.
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Besides the Mottau hit on Franz, there’s the dirty hits by the Leafs against Peca and Jonsson in the ’02 playoffs, each resulting in a paltry one-game suspension. Neither Peca nor Jonsson has ever been the same player since – it not only seriously damaged any chance we had of winning that series, it damaged two players’ careers. (In Jonsson’s case it could have been far worse considering his concussion history.)
It’s not like this is a beer league and there’s just one shot to get it right – Campbell has tape from four different angles and officials’ reports and trainers’ reports and the authority to pretty much insist on any cooperation he deems fit. This is another in a pathetic litany of dumbass decisions. Just because Witter got a longer on-ice penalty than Mottau, doesn’t make the hit necessarily worse – it’s like Campbell never saw it but just said, “2 min = 2 games; 5 min = 5 games! Justice!” Yeah, way to go there Solomon.
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TMC (126)Considering you also said on another site that the Isles had NO CHANCE of finishing dead last, I’ll take you up on that wager.
Wrong. I never said that. I dont need anyone paraphrasing and misquoting me, thanks. What I said- in the fall of 08, nontheless- was that there was no way that they finish last overall with Rick DiPietro in net. Now- do you see Rick DiPietro in net, whoever you are? I didnt think so.
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Who says it has to be picks, TMC? What if he gets Higgins? There’s a number of options other than picks. Besides, as much as it pains me to say so, this team is shaping up to be pretty bad next year, too. I don’t want it, but looking at it objectively, I see no other conclusion. It comes back to Ricky and after this season, who can trust him to be healthy?
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Bob Bassen says:
Campbell and his side-kick, Kris King are very arbitrary with their logic. I remember him explaining the Mottau hit saying that Neilson trying to AVOID the hit is why he got injured. ?!? WTF? And I suppose Moore *turtling* against Bertuzzi caused his broken neck?!? Pronger’s skate-stomping in the play-offs should have been 10 games. Period. I could go on and on. We all could. Hey, 5 games for Witt is fair but these jokers have very little credibility. Bettman is a mouse against the *old boy* fraternity in Toronto. Such a shame.
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Guerin getting traded is pretty much a given at this point. That most likely why he’s off the website banner. CB pretty much declared that last night.
I wonder if Guerin plays tomorrow or if the Isles try to avoid possible injury to him and keep him out?
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Nick says:
How about Witt to Pittsburgh for Eric Tangradi, Hal Gill, and a 2009 2nd round pick?
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Colin campbells bias makes me wonder if teh NHL will have a certain bias when it comes to that draft lottery in April
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Metal,
This team could have the board they use in between periods for the miracle shot, and they would still be in last place. They can’t score.
Draft picks don’t score goals either. So this is gonna be the same conversation next year.
Snow bought himself a few years. If Tavares doesn’t turn out to be in the Ovechkin/Malkin (I hope he’s not a whiney snot nosed pain in the arse like Crosby)class then Garth is in a world of hurt… so he’ll only have his job as long as the circus ringmaster keeps the team.
With any luck Wang will sell the team to Ron Propiel… and he’ll invent the Hockey Fishermen… The first hockey stick with a puck attached to a hockey stick rod and reel… He’ll make billions selling the HF, the Islanders will use them in practice, they will “REEL IN” a stanley cup and everybody will live happily ever after.
THE END -
jonw says:
Good point Bob Bassen(145) and you could add Glenn Healy to that rubber stamp committee.
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jonsson3 says:
What a joke! What else can you expect from a guy name Colin. He’s a colinhole. Neilsen misses 2 months Mottau gets 2 games . If Witt stays on the Isles guess what team they play when he gets back….you guessed it Toronto. Coincidence, I don’t think so. Thanks Colinhole
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cgs878 says:
5 games is nothing at this point. We don’t want to win these games anyway. With one less good D man around, I can see a 1-4 stretch coming on. Sounds good to me!
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Darwin says:
I am shocked that Colin Campbell is constantly allowed to get away with his slanted anti-Isles bias again and again. I know it is commonplace for fans to have a persecution complex of some sort, but the evidence couldn’t be any more clear. The fact that Gary Bettman and the NHL continue to employ this moron reflects extremely poorly on them and gives the league even less credibility than it already had.
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FIsles says:
It is a farce. Cam Janssen leaves his feet to hit Michalek in the head, a replica of the Downie hit on McAmmond a couple of years ago. No suspension. A couple of days later Witt elbows Hagman, a player who incidentally has recently missed games because of a concussion. Five-game suspension for a similar play that got Mottau two games earlier this year. Pronger got two games for a similar elbow a couple of years ago. This is just another example of the perverted justice dealt out by the disciplinary dictators of the NHL. Colin Campbell brown-nosing the Toronto media. It’s that simple. No wonder players in the NHL have no respect for each other when these clowns at the top have no respect for fairness and equality. This really ticks me off.
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"Semi-Dissillusioned Brian" in VA says:
Since the inception of “The New NHL” bad teams usually finish no worse than 10 games under .500 especially with the SO. Jeez, Snow has definitely put his imprint on our team. We are looking at 20+ games under .500 by seasons end! Man I am sure glad we have a GM like Snow!
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#139, the web site banner rotates players in and out depending on what the banner is used for (ads , or welcome to nyi.com)
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Plus its not like we have a “young team” age wise I believe the idioyts in Manhattan have a younger avg age. Snow is a joke!
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I believe David Blaine will be pulling the Draft Lottery Balls…And the First pick goes to……the Toronto Maple Leafs!
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Hey Brian try 400+ man games lost to injury!! and over 20 losses by 1 goal/EN goal w/o #1 goalie all year!! The rags have almost no injuries all year,Queen Henry in net and still have a good chance of missing the playoffs. The Isles are not that bad just wait till next year as long as the whole team(- guerin) doesn’t get hurt again!
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Willis says:
Yeah the 5 games is not fair but get your vents out and lets get back to some other hockey talk like trades and this problem with Tambellini’s wrister showing up only at odd times. It is obvious to any sane person how much of a biased dick-tator Campbell can be, but so far, astonishingly enough, NO ONE has bothered to do anything about it (other than complain on sites like this). In fact, no one even wants that WHISPERED in print. This post will probably get deleted. For whatever reason, the guy seems to be untouchable so we will be discussing something along these lines again soon, I’m sure. Sorry CB if off topic, off color, off base, whatever.
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drouin says:
It’s beyond laughable. Wang and Snow should be going ape doo-doo over this. Whether victim or aggressor the league continues to treat Isles players differently than all others. One more reason for free agents to turn the team down.
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John Keitz says:
I don’t think his elbow ever made contact with the head!
OK, I can’t say that seriously. I tried Colin, I just can’t do it. Maybe if he just wasn’t wearing that Orange and Blue? Yeah, then I could make that claim!
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CB – saw your addendum here. I think the bigger issue here is what wailing about the selective justice in public would have actually accomplished.
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admin says:
Then don’t release a statement at all…CB
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Ryan Tendrup says:
Sorry CB. I think it is worth 5. Clearly a cheap shot. Not that I think Witt is that type of player, but that definitely was a bad elbow… Mottau definitely deserved 5 too, that’s why I would say Witt should sit for 5.
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ny711ot says:
why wont anyone hit mottau?
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Rick says:
This just proves, yet again, that the NHL & Campbell especially harbor some serious animosity towards this franchise. Between the incredible disparity between when an Islander is up for a suspension as opposed to when another player is up for a suspension for injuring an Islander, to the fact that in it’s entire existence, the team has only opened the season at Nassau 5 times tops. Guess the canucks in the league office still haven’t gotten over that whole dynasty thing, eh?
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I realize it is tough for Snow to express how he really feels, but this shut up and take it approach by the islanders organization has to stop. If there not going to respect the islanders then the Islanders shoudln’t show any respect to them. And this isn’t just about campbell, I still feel mottau has a beating coming to him
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Joe in Massapequa says:
The Isles are just being politically correct. Making a stink about it hasn’t gotten them anywhere in the past so why try to do it now. There is nothing to gain from it. Lets just turn this franchise around (a lot easier said than done).
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4195mary says:
Anybody see Kotstopolous from Mont. elbow Van Ryn of the leafs earlier this season. He left his feet and elbowed his head into the glass. Broke his nose and jaw and caused a concussion. Van Ryn has played very little since then. He got 2 games.
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David says:
“It seems the Islanders aren’t miffed that Mike Mottau got only two games for taking out Frans Nielsen for more than two months, so I guess nobody else should either”. I have to disagree with this statement. I think the fans are the ones who should be getting upset and flooding Campbells office with letters and e-mails not the team. Campbell can’t punish the fans but he certainly can punish the team. It seems that the Isles have adopted a ‘bend over and take it’ attitude in order to possibly get on Campbells good side. Why make the man who already has it out for you more angry? This will continue to happen until Campbell is removed from his position. Hiring a former coach as a disciplinarian is a huge conflict of interest, once a Ranger always a Ranger it seems.
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David, truer words have never been spoken: ‘once a Ranger always a Ranger…’
If anyone needs more proof then what Campbell has done since ‘taking office’, see Don Maloney’s dismantling of the team circa ’94.
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Lastly it’s GREAT to see so many fans voicing their displeasure in how the league is run. I’ve been complaining about it now since the lockout but what can we do right? It’s a dictatorship and they have no clue how to attract more fans. They’re too busy turning them away! Someone mentioned the inconsistency in suspensions but it goes much further than just that. Inconsistency in suspensions, penalty calls, rule changes, advertising, etc. I could go on and on. The league is the worst run league in ALL of professional sports yet the owners won’t get rid of the problem. What a joke, is it no wonder the rest of the sporting community laughs at the NHL?
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I think we got some revenge for Maloney when Sather reeled in Trottier to coach.
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(171) David: How’s that “getting on Colie’s good side” approach working out? Instead of bending over, how about standing up for the franchise? Or, if not that, how about then just not saying anything at all? CB
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Not saying anything would have been the way to go. Tough to complain about a suspension when your player elbowed a guy in the head. Otherwise you sound petulant. “While we understand the league wanting to protect players, what about Mike Mottau”? Sounds like I’m arguing with my wife when she’s wrong. There has to be a way to address this.
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If the league is going to treat you like the red-headed step-child, then act like it.
Foot-stomping, yelling, throwing tantrums. The high road is great, provided that people don’t keep trying to knock you off it.
Sad thing is, we probably have seen the last of Witt in an Isles uniform.
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This the one situation where you want …. no I’m not actually going to say I want that guy running the team again but you know he would have something interesting to say
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I miss the days of Mad Mike bringing a video review right to the office of Colon Campbell. He’s incredulous. Five games for Witt? More proof as to why the NHL will continue to be a joke–it treats players, and circumstances inconsistently. I know it is crazy to insinuate a conspiracy against the Islanders, but how do you explain the consistently unfair treatment? Coincidence? I’m not that hopeful. I wish Garth would take a stand for his team, and players. What more can Colon do? No one his first name is another word for your rectum, because it is where he thinks from.
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leafs suck, not making the play offs, but got 2 more pt out of 5th, i dont want leafs in the lottery. wink wink
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The Isles have tried for years to get on Campbell’s good side and it hasn’t worked. He continues to skrew them at every single opportunity he gets.
I don’t understand this bend over and take it mentallity on everything. They didn’t protest Mottau’s weak suspension, they didn’t protest when Witt got skrewed a few years ago with Brashear and a million other things and they don’t protest now.
The approach of bending over and taking it and saying thank you hasn’t worked. Charles Wang and Garth Snow need to put together not only Campbell’s history of work against the Isles but more proof of his horrible track record with “NHL Justice”, which is a JOKE.
Not only does Campbell carry out personel vendetta’s he is incompetent.
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Garth Snow was a fiesty player but he’s a damn sissy as a GM.
The Isles don’t fight for themselves on or off ice and that has to change.
CB what is the deal? Is this Wang’s thing or what but it is disgusting.
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CB, I 100% agree w/you, BUT get ready for this…I’m going to give Snow a pass on this one. I can see saying “nothing at all”.
But actually taking a stand?? Slippery slope for the Isles. I don’t know, everytime the Islanders stand-up for themselves it comes across as “whining”. Don’t ask me why that is. Because 29 other teams CAN stand-up for themselves, but for some reason when the Isles do it, it DOES come across as whining. Although Mike Milbury played a HUGE role in the TO series and that was NOT whining!
But I’ll take a guess though in this instance…MEDIA COVERAGE. The Islanders don’t have an “organization friendly” contingent of newspaper writers, talking heads on the radio to echo &/or support the org’s feelings. For whatever reason it’s the Islanders vs. The World. IMHO, when you are out numbered, you are viewed as whining.
In fairness to Snow as well, I wonder if seasonal “burn-out” has seeped in. As a fan, I view this as “just another questinable call in a retched season.” Maybe Snow views the same & is picking his battles?
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Beacause of unfair suspensions such as this, is most likely why Islander players aren’t taking out Mottau. You all know damn well that Campbell is just WAITING for an Islander player to look at Mottau the wrong way before he throws the book at him.
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MickeyBoy7 says:
CB- when I first came upon this site a couple of weeks ago I e-mailed you privately about the league’s anti-Isle bias over the years (ie: Rob Shick). You replied to me that I was basically nuts. (You were nice about it). But I really believe that this is just another example of let’s keep this team down where we want them.
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As a fan, it certainly does feel like we’re trying to tear down the Berlin wall with a plastic spork. Strummer, you’re right that when you’re constantly down it just sounds like whining. The idea of NHL justice is a fantasy that may materialize, but first Rectum needs to be removed from his position because it certainly won’t happen while he doles out inconsistency.
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Jeez, are all of these posts from Billy Jaffe, because you all sure as sh*t sound like him defending that garbage dirty hit last nigh. Listen, I’m a die hard Islanders fan and at least I’m objective enough to admit that the elbow by Witt was blatant, not even a question. You guys and girls need to take off the Jaffe/Islanders-goggles. Watch the hit again on Youtube. Watch it closely. It’s as blatant as can be. Stop listening to Billy Jaffe.
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We are going to get Alexander Frolov
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CB, it doesn’t seem like it’s worked out so far does it. But who knows, maybe if they kept complaining like they did under Milbury Witt gets 7 games. Maybe the cheap shot in Jersey gets overlooked. We’ll never know but I would think that it’s not too smart to rock the boat when you need all the support you can get from Bettman and the NHL for the lighthouse deal.
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John I don’t think anyone is arguing whether or not the hit was blatant or that Witt shouldn’t have been suspended. The argument is (or should be) that he shouldn’t have been given more games than other players received for hits that were much worse.
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dalcy says:
Colin Campbell did add if Witt gets traded to any other team his suspension will be reduced.
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4195Mary, I disagree.
John, people aren’t drinking Jaffe’s Kool-Aid, just stating facts – the Islanders get hit harder then any other team when it comes to suspensions.
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ray 186
I dont believe that for a second… -
Chris Musto says:
This is a sore reminder of the absolute witch hunt being undertaken by modern sports leagues to “keep their game clean” to the point where it affects the game negatively. I’m sorry, but Islander or not, Witt’s hit was OBVIOUSLY accidental. You CAN’T throw the book at every accidental hit in a game that’s played at the pace and physicality that hockey is.
It’s this red-scare mentality that was created by the 7% of soccer moms that don’t even watch the game and call it a violent (insert negative barbarian comparison) sport with no class that has league officials soiling diapers annually and trying to get involved with every damn thing.
Don’t even get me started on people actually wanting to take fighting out of the game.
The bottom line is: Witt’s hit was obviously accidental, both players had no time to correct themselves, Witt is a classy guy off the ice that has a physical presence on it. You CANNOT rake him over the coals and expect this to not affect his game down the road. Maybe it won’t be a factor immediately, but say two years down the line (fingers crossed?) the Islanders are in the playoffs, same scenario and now Witt has in the back of his mind a suspension he served for a perfectly accidental hit. It might affect even just one play that could change the outcome.
JUST LET THEM PLAY should be the motto of every damn sport nowadays.
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a REAL hockey fan says:
*** GREAT POST Chris Musto ****
Everyone has become “brainwashed” by Gary BUTTHEAD Bettman and Colin NO CLUE Campbell — I cannot believe what they are doing to this game, i really cant.. KEEP PISSING OFF THE REAL FANS WITH THESE MAMBY/PANSY hits……………. There doing everything to attract the “P.C soccer moms” and everything to piss off the real fans… This makes me sick, — i dont want blood/brawls/stickwork 24/7 but i want some energy/passionate and sometimes physical ugly hockey, they are clueless in the NHL headquarters, they really are —– I will not, i will not pay $$$ for a 60 minute ice capades no hitting snoozefest, sorry let the boys PLAY!
Would not be surprised to see at least 7 games.
Campbell has it in for Isles and will stick it to them any way he can.