CAMPOLI CONFIRMS HIS GORDON-ITIS
Tells Greg Logan he wasn’t a fit with the coach
10:30 pm - Logie got Chris Campoli on the telephone tonight for his Newsday story. The departed Islander confirmed our report that he asked the Islanders to trade him. Campoli also confirmed our suspicions that he and Islanders head coach Scott Gordon did not see eye-to-eye. “From my perspective, I don’t think I fit in with what Scott is trying to do,” Campoli told Greg.
And with that quote, you officially have the first major decision of the Garth Snow-Scott Gordon partnership. As I wrote earlier tonight:
“You don’t trade a 24-year old defenseman – even for a first round pick – if the head coach is telling the GM that the player is a perfect fit for his style of play.”
Clearly, Gordon was okay with saying goodbye to Campoli. The responsibility for any trade ultimately falls on the general manager and the general manager alone. For better or worse, this is Snow’s deal. But if you needed more evidence that the Snow-Gordon alliance is here for the long haul, you now have the trading of a 24-year old everyday NHLer for proof.
Garth Snow will meet the press tomorrow. I will have a full report soon after. Comments.
75 Responses to CAMPOLI CONFIRMS HIS GORDON-ITIS
Tells Greg Logan he wasn’t a fit with the coach
-
guerin13 says:
oddly enough i actually think that campoli would thrive in this system if he had any hockey sense, which he doesn’t. i don’t think he’s going to do any better in ottawa. snow did the right thing. i would have dealt him even if he hadn’t requested the trade.
-
ISLESFAN999 says:
Lets keep building for the future. I would love for 2 more #2s or prospects for some more vets.
-
potvin05 says:
Why does everyone want to throw Hunter under the bus? He’s been playing hurt all year for a bottom team, and he never stops hustling. If he’s still here in year four of his contract, he’ll be one of the most important and respected guys in the locker room, and IMO, captain of a strong team.
-
Number 3. I have three words for you my man. AMEN, AMEN and AMEN.
-
I like Hunter but in 4 yrs he will be slow as hell. I would like to get good value for him now.
-
You would get nothing for him right now.
-
DonK says:
I think this all but confirms that Snow has targeted Gilroy — there’s now an opening on the blue line and the money to sign him. BTW: A friend went Gilroy’s his Facebook page, e-mailed him and was told by Gilroy that he would love to play on Long Island. Get to work, Garth.
-
Tom says:
Campoli doesn’t fit the system & Witt doesn’t fit the system. Neither player should feel bad, Bobby Orr doesn’t fit system either.
-
rb says:
Gordon and Jankowski real need to reward Snow’s faith in both of them…it’ll be two drafts now that Isles have a boatload of picks, and Jankowski has to come through…same with Gordon, this is just the start of the GM weeding out players who don’t buy in or fit what the coach is trying to do…it’ll ultimately be Snow who takes the fall if these types of deals don’t work out, so I hope Jankowski and Gordon really appreciate the responsibility that they are being given
-
Speaking of Witt, as much as I respect him, he should be the next to be traded. After this it’s got to be another second at the very least. I think with Witt, though, and Guerin for that matter, the longer you wait, the more value you might get for them. Especially if they play good.
-
CB, isn’t it possible that Campoli is not longer a fit? Yes the trade falls on the head of Snow, and the Snow-Gordon allegiance is set, but that doesn’t mean “you don’t trade a 24-year-old defenseman”. Yes you do if he no longer fits. You don’t keep young players for the sake of their youth.
-
I saw somewhere where it was said 24 is the new 32, but I could be wrong there.
-
I would like to trade witt for lupul. Same salary as lupul is making 2.9 mill. Id say its a pretty fair deal prob.
-
WOW!!!
Someone just told me the pick (25-30) in the first round has a 44% chance of playing 100 games in the NHL. I am still looking to verify this stat.
If this is true I think in the case of Campolli the best trade is the one you don’t make. You’re not gonna get a high first but he’s certainly not worth trading for a low first with lousy odds to play. You’re better off not trading him at all.
As i said earlier, Gordon was brought in here to develop guys like Campolli. It also sounds like Comrie wasn’t happy here either and wanted out.
So there are locker room issues resulting from a rift between players and coach.
NOT GOOD!!
-
admin says:
Ulster (12): Please read the sentence I wrote one more time. The point is you don’t make a trade like this unless the coach is 100% behind it…CB
-
beatlebailey says:
there are locker room issues because we s*ck. For better or worse gordon is the coach and this isnt the nba. The coach and gm decide who fits and who doesnt. Campoli was a nice player for us nothing more.
-
CB- When can we expect another trade.. And who will be next? I would have to imagine we will have at least 1 more trade right?
-
AM says:
This also gives Garth even more room to take in salary from a team with a bad expiring contract ala McCabe, while trying to get picks for doing so. That’s definitely getting overlooked.
-
wayne freeman says:
the fact of the matter is Campoli is an average player at best. And if a young guy asks out of a situation that is safe for him to play major minutes on a team. I don’t want him on my team end of story.
-
BTW: Caps got Mike Green with a pick that falls in the range of the pick the Isles got today. It can be done.
Watching Campoli this season, it was obvious that his play had hit a plateau. He wasn’t going to get any better under Gordon, so the trade makes sense.
Gordon has 2 years left on his contract. He gets a mulligan for this one — everyone knew the Isles would be lousy (maybe not THIS lousy, but lousy). I’d say that they’re expected to start showing some improvement next season — they’ll likely be adding Tavares or Hedman, have money to spend and a second straight draft with a load of picks (right now they have 3 in the top 31, plus Toronto’s).
I liked the Gordon hire when it was made. Now I’m not so sure. If the Isles are reasonably healthy next season and still having troubles, I think he might not make it into the third year (and buying out one year on his deal won’t be hard).
Right now, Snow and Jankowski are on the clock. But next year will be make-or-break time for Gordon as well — and if he can’t cut it, he might take Snow down with him.
-
AZS says:
Campoli, while I’m sure a nice guy, really never did anything for me …I’ll take a chance on a late 1st rounder for him any day. I respect that he played himself on to an NHL team after being a 7th round pick, but what team did he make it on? It’s not like the Isles are swimming in “D” prospects.
I think it’s a good move by Snow …and I hope the scouting team is watching everyone closely …because between the hopeful #1 pick the Isles will have a late 1st rounder and several 2nd rounders …plenty of chances to make up for the past blunders.
-
Matt says:
Comrie is gone thank God!!!!! But like someone stated above it seems like Gordon isn’t doing his job if he was brought in to “teach” these young players. The problem with this is who is going to teach Gordon? Post number 6 is a bit unusual. What kind of value do you expect to get for Hunter now? The guy is a bargain in my opinion at his salary. He is slow but positionally sound. He will bounce back when he is on the third line where he belongs. I don’t mind getting another pick especially first round even though it is late but I don’t understand why anyone else doesn’t find it troubling that we just traded a 24 year old defenseman for someone we don’t even know will pan out. Don’t get me wrong I didn’t think Campoli was awesome or any thing but he was still developing.Are we going to have to trade our young players because Gordon’s style sucks? If we are still talking about this there has to be some truth to that statement. When will the “re-build” end?
-
Isles1972 says:
Great trade by Garth. Anytime you are going through a rebuild, this is how you do it. At last years draft, 1st round picks were being traded for Tanguay and Cammalleri. The Isles got one for Campoli. Sorry, but you can’t compare.
I’ve met Campoli myself at a stag in Toronto last summer, and had about an hours talk with him. As CB stated, Chris does the extras off the ice, but from my conversation, he thought he was the next Lidstom. I hate to talk about people that way, but I walked away from the conversation just shaking my head at how he could talk this way. One interesting thing he did say was that he was very grateful to Milbury for getting to where he was.
Finally, anyone thing they trade this pick and maybe one of the second rounders for a young roster player next year? -
Pat says:
Jankowski will become the most important guy in the organization – esp. if Garth acquires more picks in the coming weeks.
I am disappointed it had to come to this with Campo. I hate trading young players – but still am disturbed that a 24 year old player is basically saying that he does not want to play with the Isles.
Campo is no Bobby Orr. I would accept a trade request from a veteran…..but this guy has to go – if what I am reading in Newsday is true. Good luck Campo, but don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Pat
-
Mike says:
I agree that Snow sent a message with this trade. Get with the program or we will make a change. Not sure what to think about today’s move. On one hand Campoli is young and still has time to develop into a above average defensemen. I think he will do well in Ottawa. But we have a few defensemen on this team in a the same mold. The true value of this trade may be determined if a player such as Hillen or MacDonald can develop to fill a similar role, and depends on what the Islanders can turn this late first round pick into. Can they trade it for value, or can they draft a solid prospect. I’ll wait a bit before deciding on this one.
-
rebuild just started…lol
-
I’d also like to note that some people think Comrie’s going to help Ottawa immediately or otherwise might flip him for something. His value right now has to be at an all time low so it is pretty amazing that Snow was even able to get a top 30 pick for him in a package. We don’t have to see the toe drag anymore either.
Comrie has 7 goals and 13 assists in 41 games this season. Obviously he was hurt for a bit but he has had 2 seasons where he reached career highs of 60 points.
-
The right way to re-build is by trading away 24 year olds?
-
#30 remember this guy asked out…big difference IMO and you dont want guys like that on the team especially when realistically we will struggle big time next year too
-
Spinner9 says:
First, I appreciated Campoli for what he was, a decent puck-moving d-man. Not great but a positive player on most teams. I am in the minority in also liking Comrie when he was right. His deficiancies are magnified on a very flawed team. When healthy he was productive. All that being said, I think this trade has the potential to be a good one for the Isle’s. With draft picks you don’t know for awhile, however it shows that Snow is truly committed rebuilding and not just giving lip service to the process. Whether we keep the pick where it is or package it for something else it appears to me, given the state of the franchise right now that its well worth the calculated gamble. We look thin right now on defense but for next year Meyer and Sutton will be in the mix and Lee, Callahan, Fraser and MacDonald are all having pretty good years at Bridgeport.
-
I shook my head when I read that Campoli asked to be traded. the question here is, was Campoli that stubborn to do what was asked or was Gordon just demanding too much. I believe last week Grodon said that Campoli had a lot of untapped” potential. Funny a week or so later he is gone.
Gordon is here to teach young players, but the young players have to want to get better as well. -
isles1972 – spot on…there is no way you get a 1st rounder for Campoli on draft day.
I’ll say it again, by the time the Isles will be playoff contenders Campoli will be heading towards unrestricted free agency…I never like to see homegrown players go, but Campoli is not a cornerstone.
-
beatlebailey read post 24 tahts why I made that comment.
-
Neil says:
Just another guy from Toronto who watches too much TSN and thinks he’s too cool to play anywhere but in Ontario.
To me Campoli’s “fit” is more at the AHL level than the NHL. But for being on the worst team in the league he’d probably be riding the buses. To me, the fact he even allowed “fit” to enter his mind shows me the talent may be there but his head is not, which explains a lot about his lack of hockey sense anyway. -
”I’m going to a place where hockey’s a big market and it’s a good hockey team,” said Campoli.
Gotta love it…
-
dalcy says:
he is gonna miss DiPietro literally and figuratively next year.
-
CB I did read that, but I don’t recall seeing when Gordon made those comments regarding Campoli. Did he make that comment at the beginning, middle, or now in the season? Thanks.
-
Strummer's Army says:
If they 24 (Camps) year old is not a very good player you get rid of him. THANK GOD! Comrie is only 28 usually you’d keep a guy like that for the rebuild. They didn’t fit in and it was the right thing to do. Better cap situation and a fantastic pick that will do more for this organization then Comrie and Camps combined.
I wouldn’t trade Bergy. I might trade Hunter but it depends on what for.
Someone wrote Gordon isn’t doing his job if Camps didn’t work out because Gordon is here to develope the youth. The youth with talent and heart seem to be doing just fine under Gordon (Okposo, Bailey, Comeau, Bergy etc). The Isles never won a darn thing with Campolli or Comrie. The Isles still have too many guys with weak character and it SHOWS. Anyone with weak character, not enough skills, or not a fit for various reasons needs to go. I’ll be disapointed in SNow if that doesn’t happen. I checked TSN and the Ott fans are complaining like crazy about losing the pick for Camps and Comrie.
-
I realize that since we’re rebuilding there is the thought that it’s a mistake to trade a 24 year old …but, in my opinion, just because he’s young doesn’t mean he’s any good. He wanted to be traded, he got his wish and the Isles were able to bring back a 1st rounder …if I told you that the Isles could get a 1st rounder for Chris Campoli, albeit a late 1st rounder, you’d think I was nuts …good move by Garth …
-
Isles316 says:
Potvin05, I like Hunter but I think a lot of Islanders fans have that homer mentality with him. Hunter plays hard and I respect that. I think the problem is that there can be a better player in his role than Hunter. We don’t need guys not scoring for 18 games when they are supposed to be a top forward.
-
shorty says:
Campoli was a 4 or 5th d-man, Hillen has looked better than him in the last 5 games.Garth getting a #1 for him is great.As for Comrie GOOD BYE
-
When did Ott become a good team? Chris Campolli should go online and check the standings.
Chris Botta what are you expecting from Snow’s meeting with the press tomorrow? It sure sounds like it will be more then about this trade.
-
StevieL says:
Gordon is a my way or the highway coach! I don’t know if that is great from a guy who hasn’t won a thing yet in the NHL!
I would keep an eye on the Penguins and their first pick which is currently 11. They might be willing to make a deal to get possibly a Witt or Guerin plus our other 1st round pick. They need to make the playoffs. A trade like that brings back probably a player and another probable top 15 pick! -
If anything, it seems like Gordon tried to encourage Campoli. If you read what Botta says, it sounds like Campoli can be a bit over confident or cocky? That can be a good thing on the ice but if that gets in the way of you listening to a coach and wanting to get better and then having the shoes to ask for a trade when you are CHRIS CAMPOLI then the problem is with Chris.
-
The trade is all it’s going to be about, Strummer. Garth will take the high road on Campoli, say any good GM consults on deals with his head coach and he’ll talk about how his scouts told him the draft is deep enough that having the late first and 3 second-rounders is important for a rebuilding franchise. When Logie asks him if he’s done shopping, he’ll say he always has oars in the water and he always is listening…CB
-
CB, this pick could turn into a middle first round pick. I’m telling you. The Sharks will get knocked out quick. They are the Ottawa Senators of 8 years ago.
-
I am also thinking that all these picks may assure us of drafting the top rated Goaltender in this years draft! Hey CB, any super talents at goaltender in the draft this year? DP is a major question mark!
-
CB, think they trade this first and player to move up?
-
Gordon is here to develop the youth, but every young player may not fit. It happens. It isn’t a sign of Gordon’s or that player’s failure. Some people don’t flourish under certain systems. Others flourish regardless. Campoli is not part of that second crowd unfortunately, or else this trade would not have happened.
-
SIR WILLIAM says:
One must consider that Snow has bigger fish to fry. People here keep mentioning Gilroy, but he is an unknown quantity who in fact may be a bust at the NHL level. Who knows?
The bigger fish is Komisarek who may have worn out his welcome in Montreal. Perhaps Snow is looking at making a play for him as he is a free agent this summer. Comrie and Campoli’s salary should go toward a big offer for Komisarek.
Deano will be traded at the deadline to a playoff team looking for a Mike Sillinger type player. He won’t play 10 games in an Islander uniform………SW
-
Anthony says:
A 20 yr old Rookie forward was playing the point over him with the first PP unit. That’s all you need to know about Campoli.
-
Islebethere4u says:
Chris, I know everyone involved is being the good soldier and saying all the right things but…a player that the Isles invested so much in, signed to a long contract by Snow, with Snow saying Chris deserved this contract and the Isles were very happy to have him “locked up”, how is it that said player suddenly asks for a trade because “I don’t fit in what coach Gordon is doing” and have this played accommodated so quickly? Inquiring Isles Fans want to know….what gives? Any more of these requests coming? (good trade by the way)
-
316, missed talking to you. It’s a damn shame, but, speaking about Hunter, you’re prob. right. Jackman has grown on me, but I’ve always liked Hunter. I feel if he was on the right team (aka: a contender) people would really take to heart what kind of guy he is. The guy get (rightfully) killed for his lack of speed, but it’s his intangibles, like hitting everything in sight, blocking shots and getting 30-40 points a season that I love about him. He had a great start to the season, but it’s been one injury after another, much like the rest of the team.
-
Well, after reading Campoli’s quotes it sounds to me like he was just sick of losing. I can’t blame him for that.
I’m sick of losing, too….SW
-
That very thought crossed my mind too SW.
-
If you’re sick of losing in the span of one calender year, see ya, Chris. Not that I’m on the team or anything but a lot of you are downright spoiled if you think this comes close to 1989-1992 or 1997-2000. This is only one season. It might not be much better next year, sorry for the reality check.
-
Wait until the Canadian media gets on him for something if he was sick of it here……oooh boy! Think A-Rod or Giambi gets it bad around here. They only have one sport, pretty much, that anyone really cares that much around there.
-
Unless we bring in ovechkin people are going to bitch about every trade.
-
Mick, as usual, I agree one hundred percent. Snow did great today. And the more I read about this, the worse Campo comes off. The fact he’s been injured at least once every season has been conviently forgotten by most.;
-
Campoli’s offense isn’t good enough to be that bad defensively. He sucks in front of his own net. I’ve been sick and tired for a while watching his man standing in front unchecked banging in lose rebounds and him just tilting his head up high after the goal. Good skater horrible on the defense side. Will be a 25-30 guy tops. Sorry for that kind of O you have to be much better in your own zone and you won’t get that with him.
-
He actually kind of reminds me of a poor man’s Tom Poti. Slightly above average d-man prone to moments of excellence and moments of doh! This is the kind of trade this organization needs to make if it wants to be better down the road. No one, who cares enough to post on an Isles message thread, should be concerned about this year or next. I’ve been smiling about the direction of the franchise for about a month now, and it’s the best I’ve felt in a couple of years. With the prospects already in our system (Ullstrom, Ness, Petrov, Bailey, Jonsseau, etc.) and this upcoming draft, you have to be excited, and I’m sorry, Chris Campoli wasn’t going to be a big part of that.
-
My gut tells me they are taking hedman #1 if they get that pick.
-
This trade could be a precursor, him and Streit as your one and two could make beautiful music. I still hope it’s Tavares, though.
-
KP says:
What’s this talk about Hunter? Your next captain of the Islanders? You don’t trade Trent Hunter. Ever. He played so well in the system when he was 100% early in the season, now the guy’s injured, plays every situation and I love the chemistry he has with Frans Nielsen.
By the way, the other thing this trade accomplishes is setting the market. Guerin is now officially worth a 1st rounder, and Snow has to find a way to get another one at all costs. Look at the standings in the West right now. It’s dead tight and some teams like Columbus, LA, Minnesota, Edmonton, etc are desperate to make the playoffs. For the right rental, they WILL pay top dollar. I’ll be shocked if Billy is an Islander beyond the deadline. He’s given a lot to the franchise, but I hope his last gift is helping the team return to its former glory and agreeing to a trade.
-
KP, me and you are 100 percent on Hunter.
The problem with Guerin is that he pretty much controls where he goes, and I’ve been saying, the best thing that can happen is that Boston panics and makes inquiries, because I have a feeling that might be the only place he would go. I think familiarity could help, and maybe Dallas (Richards just got hurt) or Edmonton asks (Hemsky could use a linemate) and hopefully he would comply. -
EdTurner says:
“But if you needed more evidence that the Snow-Gordon alliance is here for the long haul, you now have the trading of a 24-year old everyday NHLer for proof.”
======================================
If you need evidence that the Islanders are doomed, you have it in Snow (who may or may not be a capable NHL GM and in Gordon who is over his head as an NHL coach.
-
CJCB says:
Team just got a whole lot less physical, which is an odd statement since neither is really an overly physical player. Just goes to show how physicaly inferior this team really is?? This team needs a real Enforcer and a couple of players that really take the physical play to the oppostion and still play the game. Not that we dont still need more scoring but couldn’t Snow bring in a guy that doesn’t get wiped all over the ice in a fight??? You could hear a pin drop at the game the other night, it was brutally BORING and the highlights were the fights???
-
Thanks Potvin, good to see you on here. I do really like Hunter don’t get me wrong. He hits and shows up every night. You need that in your lineup. I just think as a player that we COULD upgrade there and although he brings that every night, someone could be doing a better job on the score sheet in his role.
-
4195mary says:
Getting a first round pick for a true over-achiever looks like a solid move to me. Campoli might be as good now as he ever will be. Remember, this is the worst team in the entire league. Let’s give Hillen a shot.
-
jellyroll says:
CJCB is right on. This team is to small. Please don’t turn us into the Rangers smurfs of the 80′s!!! We need Hunter for his size and he is the only player besides 13 who can pull the trigger (Bailey wide open in front of Lunquist and cant finish!My late Grandmother could have put that one in). Who is going to protect Tavares. If we trade Witt we better get someone with some physical respect back there. Some one know in the league like him, not a draft pick that will take 3 yrs to develop. He gets beat up to much by the fans and admittedly looked real bad 2 months ago but since he spoke up and since go go has “modified” his system he looks much better. Go go puts him out as 1st D on Every PK.
-
jon says:
I don’t understand why some people think that just because Campoli is 24, he should be part of the rebuild. Frankly, he’s been with the team long-enough, gotten his fair shake, and obviously thinks he deserves to be in a better situation. With all of the small, puck-moving defensemen the Isles have coming soon, he was expendable, and their upside is obviously greater. Frankly, I dont want anyone on my team who thinks he’s above learning a new system. If this was supposed to be a perfect fit for Campoli’s style, where were his adjustments?
-
Absolutely agree Jon.
-
Bailey can’t finish? He’s 19 for Christ’s sake. Give him a couple of years. He’s a boy amongst men so far and he’s certainly not embarrassing himself out there.
Just confirms what a good trade this was. If Campoli was not a fit he had to go and better to move him before this got out and lowered his value. Now if we could only trade hunter