GAMEDAY: The Class of Darcy Regier
Andrew MacDonald gets the call on D
UPDATED 12:20 pm - The Islanders have decided to go with one of their top AHL D prospects to replace the suspended Brendan Witt. Andrew MacDonald has been recalled from Bridgeport and will make his NHL debut tonight when the Islanders host Buffalo.
(You had to know MacDonald would get the call when we wrote in this space late last night that Dustin Kohn and Chris Lee were standing out in Bridgeport most recently. You’re welcome, Andrew.)
Going the prospect route, the Islanders were likely faced with a choice of MacDonald or Dustin Kohn. The 22-year old MacDonald was taken in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL draft at the suggestion of his former junior coach in Moncton, Ted Nolan. The 6-1, 190-pound defenseman is an unspectacular but solid player in both ends.
The Sound Tigers won in Philadelphia last night, 4-1. Jesse Joensuu had a goal. The third line of Michael Haley-Tyler Haskins and Sean Bentivoglio combined for four points. Kohn was paired with McDonald, Lee with 25-year old Jon Gleed, a former Montreal 7th-round pick out of Cornell recently recalled from Utah of the ECHL.
“NY Hockey This Week” will be live today from 1-2:00 pm on 1050 ESPN Radio. Bob Galerstein and I will be taking your calls.
If there’s a trade or a recall today, I’ll Blackberry it in from the city as soon as news breaks. Maybe Jim Balsillie can hook me up with a Blackberry sponsorship.
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Every time the Islanders play the Buffalo Sabres I think of Darcy Regier, the Buffalo general manager and one of the princes of this game.
In my early days with the Islanders, Darcy was just breaking into the hockey operations racket. He quickly moved up the ladder to assistant general manager. No matter how far his career progressed, he always had time for me. He will not take this as a compliment, but I learned more about the NHL and the game of hockey from Darcy than anyone in my 20 years.
Here’s one of my foremost memories of Darcy. It’s about 19 years ago and I’m just outside the offices of Bill Torrey and Darcy because, well, we didn’t have a lot of supplies and equipment. I’m trying to run labels for Islander News subscriptions off a machine that was behind its time – even in 1990. I’ve turned the chore into a slapstick, “I Love Lucy” episode.
Darcy Regier, a technology whiz ahead of his time, sees the trainwreck I’ve created. He calmly walks over, asks what the problem is, and then stays with me, threads the labels and doesn’t leave until the job is done. Might seem silly, but says a lot about the man.
That’s the kind of man the Buffalo Sabres are fortunate to have running the show.
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The stats did not peak with last Friday’s Campoli trade. Thanks to you, Point Blank is having its best week ever. And for the fifth complete month since this blog began, the average monthly Visits, Hits and everything else have increased in double-digit percentages.
So again – thank you, thank you, thank you. Just don’t bolt after the trade deadline. We promise to do our best to keep it interesting for the rest of the season.
Comments.
64 Responses to GAMEDAY: The Class of Darcy Regier
Andrew MacDonald gets the call on D
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Neil says:
No, thank you Chris. I check this site so many times a day, my wife is genuinely worried.
And do you get the feeling Charles Wang is going to attend the next ToH meeting in a KC Royals hat and a Tony Gonzalez jersey. -
Steve-O says:
We will be there for you, Chris, just as you are there for us. Thank you for your dedication and insight. I truly hope you are being compensated to your true value to the fans you serve.
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Pat says:
I met Darcy Regier at a game – gosh – 1988 – 1989 ? 1990 ? I forget – I am not sure if the son who I am visiting at his college was born yet or not – but I met Darcy in the stands at the Coliseum – I got to the game about an hour before the start of the game and he was walking around – and I recognized him – and asked him a couple of questions – and he was so gracious and patient with me – Forget what I asked him -but never will forget how he made me feel as I was important and the only person in the place.
He learned from the best in Bill Torrey – so not surprised he has done nicely in Buffalo.
Pat
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mouthwash says:
Thanks Chris! I check this site everyday more than I google.
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Rich says:
do you remember when it was between Darcy and Mike for GM? Mike got the Islanders and Darcy eventually got the Sabres and made the choices which got them to the Cup final. They have been competitive during his entire stewardship.
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I, too, check this site multiple times daily. So, my thanks to you, CB.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
CB, I probably don’t get as much work done during the day because I have your site up ALWAYS on tabbed browsing. Luckily I don’t have many that I need to answer to so it works. Great site and I hope it keeps growing at the rate it is. I go through withdrawal all summer and look for any news possible on the Isles and thankfully I now have PB that I can check a few times a day to be sure that I am getting the latest on the Isles.
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ben says:
chris, i love the site, but i will only continue long on daily if you can somehow get the team to change back to the old goal song. this new one is awful and the old one was perfect. i know that it is against team policy to have ever have a good thing going, but i think that we can break that rule just this once! see what you can do!
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I had the pleasure of meeting Darcy at the 97 NHL awards dinner and he was class act. Talked about Long Island and really just a genuine nice guy.
We’re going to need to add a d-man if Freddy the IVth is not coming back this season. Our AHL team is thin.
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BR says:
CB – Very interesting that you mentioned Jon Gleed. This is a kid (on AHL contracts) who has come out of nowehere a bit in this organization. I think he is someone worth keeping an eye on. A stay at home D, very good positionally, with some decent size. Like Danis, I think Gleed was an odd-man out in a Canadiens system with too many prospects in line ahead of him. And, also like Danis, I think this could be another case of Montreal’s loss is our gain…
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The Habs like those ivy leaguers eh?
Higgins, Danis, Gleed, O’Byrne
Congrats to John Tavares on scoring number 50 tonight.
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Strummer's Army says:
The Wrecker had a convicing win last night against NHL experienced Matt Clackson. A very good sign in his development.
Witt hit to the jaw (remember fols Campbell says that is not part of the head) 5 games. Mottau hit to the jaw 2 games. However, when Mottau did it the jaw was not part of the head but now that Witt did it the jaw is part of the head. I can’t figure it out.
Witt should have been suspended and ejected. I’m just complaining because Campbell talks out both sides of his a$$.
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Ryan Tendrup says:
CB, do you think Witt has seen his final game as an Islander?
Also, at the end of the regular season will guys like Okposo be sent down if Bridgeport makes the playoffs?
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UNH Steve says:
CB congrats on your continued success, as a reader from day 1 I’ve seen how this site has grown rapidly in popularity. It’s a true testament to the quality of information that is constantly posted and updated on this site.
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Josh says:
Hopefully Kohn gets the call. If Lee and Kohn are equals, you’ve got to call up the young guy that you’ve drafted.
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“The Islanders do not have a single prospect in THN’s Top 50.” CB, after all the draft picks last year, is this not an indication that the entire scouting staff, the GM, need to go. It seems Snow is just as bad as Milbury. The bad drafting is becoming a legacy of two generations. I know you have ties to the team, but for almost 20 years, this franchise can not draft enough good players. This franchise can not draft as well as other teams.
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Rishel31 says:
As a lifelong Islander fan in the heart of Sabres and Ranger territory, your blog keeps me informed. You do a terrific job at getting the fans theinformation they want, when they want it. Keep up the good work, and this fan will continue to visit religously.
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Coach B says:
No reason to worry Chris, there are plenty of important topics after the trade deadline. We rely on you for the latest news. Thanks again for all you do.
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Tony F. says:
CB, thank you for the great blog and all the great info. I think you’ve started something that will continue to snowball well into the summer. Keep it coming.
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Swan says:
Nice article about Regier, CB. It seems clear to me that the Regier/Ruff relationship is what Snow (and maybe Wang) are trying to model this franchise after. Buffalo has similar small market problems that the Isles have yet they have remained very competitive and consistent in this era.
Neil Smith has a very nice interview article today and I’m beginning to think the Isles would have been better off if he remained as GM (wasn’t possible at the time, I know). I’m curious on your thoughts. Perhaps an idea for a future entry.
CB, your site is exactly the type of drug supply us Islander fans will count on after the trade deadline and during the summer. Instead of bouncing one fan’s comments against another fan’s comments on a message board, there is a desperate need for a shooting gallery of real and informed general hockey and Islander news to get us through the summer until the free agent period in July. No worries, you got us hooked already. Bastard.
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isles72 says:
I like what I’ve seen of Callahan in his short stint thus far. He keeps it simple but throws the body at the right time
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Mario says:
As long as you write blogs, I will be here reading. CB, i’ve been to alot of SoundTigers games and Kohn and Lee are both ready. Lee moves the puck very well.
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beatlebailey says:
Hey CB Thank you. Nice to see the sponsor list growing. You are building the brand!
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CB – we,Long suffering Isle fans are pretty much addicted to this site, keep it up! Thanks!!
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hextall72 says:
man i remember trying before every game to get through to darcy regier on the call in show before isles games on sportschannel.. forgot what it was called? i was never able to get through!! thanks for the info chris
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Aim says:
Another one of Milbury’s proud moments….I beleived he fired this class act the day after Christmas
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You always have the best stories of days gone by, and the best information on breaking news. But then again, you are the best. And I’m sure you’re tired of hearing that.
Woo hoo… I’ll be in the car at 1 pm and can actually catch the show for a change! Will wonders never cease! -
Chris,
Your passion, hard work and first class reporting on the Islanders are what brings us back everyday. We appreciate everything that you do for us and the Islanders. -
Pete M says:
Thanks for doing what you’re doing here Chris. I’m not going anywhere.
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Well MR CB. Not much more can be said then what’s be said above, I agree with all the diehards above !! !I keep a copy of my browser running all day on Pointblank and hit the REFRESH button at least 50/100 times. Absolutely Great Job.
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The Losers says:
First off, I’d like to repeat what everyone said above, CB you’re the man, and thank you! In these tough times for us Isles fans your blog is a remedy! Isles fans need Pointblank like a fish needs water… I’m just saying
P.S. CB, the hits on the site are only gonna continue to grow, its already the only Islanders page that a lot of fans visit regularly, keep up the great job man!
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Matt says:
I will keep reading up until Wang begins his “journey” and moves the team to KC. I know a few “fans” on here will be happy for him because they want whats best for Wang. Anyway CB all of us will continue reading because you are the best writer and best info we got! Keep up the good work!
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You’ve got to be kidding. Kohn can barely play at the AHL level and now your considering him as a call up. Kohn’s fine where he is. Give a-mac a well deserved call up…
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goislesgo105 says:
Jonseuu nets another goal! I have high hopes for him. Hope he turns into a top 6 forward. He has the size. Comeau, Tambellini and Nielsen have been major disappointments to me. I don’t see any of them being part of the Isles future. No size and they can’t score!! Do they have 10 goals between them? I don’t think so.If I had to grade them, I would give Comeau a D, Tambellini a D and Nielsen a C-. Any thoughts??
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Tom says:
Just out curiousity when does darcy’s contrcat expire? IF I had a $150-180 million laying around I’d look to Darcy Regier or Craig Patrick, these two wouldn’t give “hope” of greatness, it would in the bag. If the Isles ever hired a real-deal GM, man, Isle fans just put your feet up & enohjoy Islander hockey. THAT would be the SOLE responibility of an Islander fan. Now Islander fans are expected to civic leaders & take on politicians so Wang can feel like king of the world.
Well Charlie, I don’t don’t have $180 mill at my disposal; I got 9 bucks in my pocket and MY dream is an Islander CUP. Make no mistake Choo-choo Charlie– MY dreams are far more important than yours, obviously.
You want to get your hands on a boat load of money…so do I. Hmmm…maybe our dreams are similar!
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gary says:
Any RUMORS via the trade route?
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Peter Puck says:
The organisational rankings on the Hockey Futures site put the Sabres at 21, the Rangers at 24 and the Islanders at 25. We know that the rape and pillage that has gone on in past years in the Islandewrs farm system is largely the cause of their low ranking but whats the cause with the other 2?.
(Not that I have anything against Darcy Regier) -
frank nyc says:
No one is going anywhere CB. Fortunately the hockey season lasts all year pretty much. With the draft, then free agency, Rookie camps, mini camps then the season. That ensures that their will almost always be something to write about.
GO ISLES! -
admin says:
Thanks to everyone for the kind words about the blog. Going on the air in 20 minutes. Other than MacDonald recall, no other news right now. Enjoy your weekend…CB
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Isles fan in CA says:
Wow! The Islander News. I think I still have a few yellowing issues back in my parents basement on the Island. Darcy was a great guy and always interacted with the fans at games. A class act all the way.
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cusi says:
Nice glad to see Andrew MacDonald in the line up. From what i read and other’s comments it seems to be the right choice. I have heard the most consistent postive press on him this year out of our young dmen in the AHL.
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Glad to see Amac get a shot. Heard good things about him from Capuano at your last point blank night. Lets see what he can do!
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Chris A says:
Let’s see how he does he has a few games to impress and btw thank you for the hard work we won’t bolt after March (or at least I won’t)
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He may get a longer look seeing as Witt may be traded during serving his suspension!
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4195mary says:
Quality depth. That is Regier’s forte in Buffalo. They have been up and down over the last several years, but under a cap Regier should thrive. They have lost a lot of good players( Drury, Campbell, Briere, etc.), but the quality results continue.
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christian says:
wheres hockey this week? its some stupid sportscenter show.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
The Curse of CB Strikes Again!
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Andrew says:
I second that Christian (47). I turned on 1050 to catch the end of the show… and I hear people talking about basketball. What happened?
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JKP in Halifax says:
another Nova Scotian! Woohoo!
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Should be an interesting game tonight.
I think if there was gonna be a free agent signing by Snow this summer Maxim Afinogenov has to be on that list. One of the few guys on the market that I see capable of playing Gordon’s system.
Sinca a 61 pt 06/07 his numbers have been down a bit. Snow could strike gold with this guy like he did with Streit. Could get him for bargain basement price as well.
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Finally got to hear 40 minutes of it. Well actually 22 if you don’t count the commercials and other normal radio filler.
nice job.
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Cruicky says:
I agree JKP, hope he plays well.
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I will interested to evaluate MacDonald.
I am pretty concerned if the Isles play Buf with no enforcer.
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Joe says:
Amen Strummer, although, theyll probably scratch Peters then Kaleta will cheapshot guys all night.
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isles316 says:
Glad that MacDonald, Lee and Kohn have been playing well lately.
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I had the leaf feed for the game the other night and they said that the isles we’re thinking of sending bailey back to windsor to finish off the season there (they have until march 4th to decide)
any scoop on this cb ?
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Islebethere4u says:
As I have said many times before and I say it again….Colin Campbell must go!
cb, any updates on martinek?…Any scouts for tonights game?
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Bob says:
CB, nobody is leaving the sight in my travels around the area everybody is ready your sight even if they are not posting…
On McDonald I think it is a good move he looks like he has the most upside of the D-men on the Bridge. Any movement on the Isles trying to sign Jackman (a real energy two way player) or Weight now before the trade deadline?
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guerin13 says:
apparently we sent 2 scouts to the boston/washington game today. i’m not watching it but those that are said it was mentioned by the caps broadcasters.
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AM says:
I would think Guerin would be an ideal fit for the Caps. Quality vet for that team.
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While we, as Isles fans, are suffering through a tough season, it is this site that has made the season enjoyable. Thanks CB for the insider info, the stories from your PR days, and everything in between, you’ve provided us with info that no other teams fans, in all of pro sports, have access to. As many have mentioned, your passion for the team, professionalism, and writing are second to none. You should be proud of the community you’ve built here. While the summer may die down a bit, you know we’ll still be here, ready and waiting for the upcoming training camp.
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Agree with Chickendirt(#51) about Afinaganov(sp.). This guy really has gobs of talent. But does he have a 10 cent head? Worth a shot.
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hathead68 says:
CB, hope you keep doing what you’ve been doing over the summer, next season, and beyond. This site has really become part of our lives and an invaluable source of information, insight, and entertainment. If you stop, you’ll leave an incredible void. I hope Mr. Wang and GMG appreciate what a great job you’re doing of being informative and FAIR in all your posts. Throgh this site, we as fans are connected to the team on a level unprecedented in sports. Keep up the amazing work! Let’s hope this season pays off with JT and some other draft day gems, and the Lighthouse Project becoming a reality !
Chris, I’ll still be here. Otherwise who will be the “legendarily geriatrical something or other” that you called me…..SW