NOTEBOOK: Lines remain the same,
Witt results, Tortorella, and another thing
Okay, back to hockey (mostly)…
While the Lighthouse meeting was going on, the Islanders took part in an up-tempo 60-minute practice at Iceworks before boarding their chartered aircraft from Farmingdale to Pittsburgh. The lines have remained the same: Comeau-Bailey-Okposo, Bergenheim-Nielsen-Hunter, Sim-McAmmond-Guerin, Tambellini-Hilbert-Jackman. Scott Gordon was back with the team today after missing yesterday for what the Islanders termed “personal reasons.” There is nothing to read into that.
I’m told that Richard Park (ribs) has every intention of returning to the Islanders’ lineup sooner than the four weeks the team projected for him. Would not surprise me.
*
We received several emails and Comments from readers looking for us to weigh in on the Rangers’ hiring of John Tortorella, presumably so they can too(!). I didn’t have much interest because the Rangers are not my beat. I wrote a few paragraphs about Tom Renney last week because it was relevant to my background as a longtime PR director and relevant to how the NHL teams and personnel handle media relations.
Since many of you were not readers during Point Blank’s first incarnation, I’ve dug up a story I wrote about Tortorella when he was part of the Islanders’ interview process. Unlike what I’ve seen written, Tortorella did not tell the Islanders he was taking a year off. He was not offered the position and the two sides ended their discussions amicably. Joel Quenneville did tell the Islanders he was taking a year off and took the Chicago position a week into the season. To coach Kane and company on the rise, no one can blame him for taking that job. Coach Q should have just given the Islanders a more honest excuse.
Here’s my story on Tortorella. As you can tell, I think he’ll do a fine job over time for the Blueshirts. And contrary to a lot of opinions, he will get along spectacularly with Larry Brooks.
Point Blank 1.0:
August 2, 2008
A John Tortorella story: It’s the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Lightning fire a shot before their first round series with the Islanders even begins. Lightning management has boxed the Islanders out of their chosen hotel in Tampa Bay for Games 1 and 2. Sniping on both sides in the media begins, and when the Islanders – a big underdog – earn a split in the two games it looks like the series is going to be a nasty one.
When the Lightning arrive on Long Island, they learn that payback is a bitch. Among other things, it’s about 110 degrees in the visiting team locker room at the Coliseum. They also find their room not stocked with many of the usual amenities, like soap.
I’m in the Coliseum hallway talking to my PR colleague with the Lightning. A very sweaty John Tortorella approaches. “This (crap) has to stop,” the Tampa Bay head coach says. “Any chance Mike Milbury is around? Can you see if he’ll talk to me so we can settle this like gentlemen”?
I go to Mike’s office and tell him Tortorella comes in peace and wants a truce. The Islanders GM is impressed. “Walk him down here.”
Tortorella pleads, “This is getting stupid, Mike. You’re a coach at heart, like me. C’mon, for everyone’s sake let’s put this behind us and act like pros.” Tortorella apologizes for any nonsense that went down in Tampa Bay.
Milbury apologizes as well, the two shake hands and within minutes the Lightning room is cooled. When I see Mike later he says, “That was impressive. He’s going to be a great coach in this league.”
It would be a stretch to call Tortorella’s move genius, just because his Lightning won the next three games to clinch the series and went on to win the Stanley Cup. But I was blown away by the coach’s take-charge attitude. Most coaches in this game would never march into the office of an opposing GM. Time will tell if he and the Islanders are a fit. What I do know is the next team that gets him will be very fortunate.
*
More than 170 readers have spoken so far, and verdict is split between keeping Brendan Witt an Islander past March 4 and trading him in a package that would include at least a first round pick. Read the story to see the trade scenarios offered and all of the fan reaction.
With the one-comment-only rule in the poll, it was nice hearing from so many different people who weren’t shy to join in. May have to do that more often.
There is no news on Brendan’s status. Conversations continue, and this could go all the way up to the deadline. I find the poll a fascinating study. I really believe if I posted the Witt poll after the Islanders dropped a few in a row - as opposed to the temporary feel-good vibes of the post-Campoli/Comrie 4-0 win over New Jersey - the results would probably be different. (Okay, I also quoted Brendan earlier yesterday about how much he loves the fans and the Island…that might have had an impact on voting). All you have to do is look at the Comments a few weeks ago to see what I mean. Thanks to everyone who has participated so far.
Comments. If you missed it, Lighthouse update and reaction below.
78 Responses to “NOTEBOOK: Lines remain the same,
Witt results, Tortorella, and another thing”
Please Wait
Once again CB - I love this site - I check it every few hours waiting for your next post - it is a godsend to those of us who love our Islanders.
You are superb at your job and I can not thank you enough.
I didn’t think it was possible, but I like Mike Milbury even less after reading that Tortorella story.
Chris, interesting take on the Witt poll. I was actually almost swayed, not by the win or the Campy/Comrie trade, but by the story you posted on Witt just before the poll.
A cyberstalker? CB you have officially “made it”! lol I am sure you have checked already but do you have any stats as to how this blog compares to other nhl team blogs- independent or otherwise? Yours has to be right near the top in terms of hits.
1 more game until the TavHedDuchCownSvens watch is on. Looking forward to some more good reads CB.
Tortorella is a class act and a great coach. I was hoping he would be our coach this year but I think Gordon is doing a pretty good job.
I always thought Torts was kind of looney, most Tampa fans really disliked him.
Thanks again for the Lighthouse updates CB.
Alex (5): Forgive if Im off a bit OTL-wise but I believe that one more regulation loss would all but eliminate the Islanders from the possibility of making the playoffs… so that would be somewhat of an appropriate time for it.
it’s going to be a lot of fun with torts here in ny … until he’s fired midway through next season.
I wrote a month ago that Tavheduch was retired until Game 60. Tomorrow night against Pittsburgh is Game 60. It shall return…CB
it will be very entertaining to watch torts at msg. don’t think he would have worked here. imo, he’s a coach you get for a team that’s ready to contend. the keenan style of coaching wears thin after a while so that’s not the type of coach that i want for a team in a rebuild. glad that park is ahead of schedule.
Wow CB, I’m so sorry to hear about your stalker, you’r blog is awesome and Islander fans all love it! I guess jealousy has shown it’s face, that must be why this dude does it, jealousy.
Now back to your blog post, I’d be sad to see a guy like Witt go, I hear all the reasons why, but nonetheless I think we need him. Comrie I didn’t mind, Campoli I felt was a decent player, he was young an still have time to develope, I don’t blame him for wanting change if he felt he didn’t fit in the system Gordon plays. I hope Garth does the right thing, tough call in ways.
Nice bit on Tortorella, and thanks for the updates on the LH project meeting, hopefully there will finally be an end in sight to all this mess.
Thanks for the back-up CB.
Gotta love Richard Park..:)
Hey CB, just think of the stats come March 4 then the day of the Lottery. I’m willing to bet these lead up to ridiculous, PerezHilton type #’s on July 1st.
Man, I wanted Torts as the Isles coach. Watch him lead the Rangers into the playoffs. The guy has heart and fire in his belly.
Unlike the “deer in headlights” coach we have now……….SW
to omplete the rags shake up they need to make a deal - guerin for prucha and a second rounder!
Great Torts story, CB. guerin(11), I don’t know about that assessment of him as a coach. I don’t think TB was really considered a legit contender when Tortorella took over there.
always with the negativity…
I can see the rags squeaking in under torts, but he certainly doesn’t have the same roster he had for his cup in TB.
I check the site atleast 10x daily. Thanks Botta
Like Torts as a coach but I also think not such a great fit with a younger team. I think he will do well at MSG and would expect him to get more out of the players than Renney did. At some point players turn off their coaches and they turned deaf on Renney - who is a good coach. Torts will burn out too as coaches like him do. Expect an entertaining three years over there lol.
Happy to have Parkie back soon. IMO, players like him are the keys to a success in the playoffs. I would expect a team or two to try to pry him from Garth.
Love the updates CB. I hope no other team wants Park, I dont want to see him leave. Beatle#17, I would do that in a heartbeat. I would take Prucha and Sanguaneti from Hartford. Seen him play against Bridgeport and he is gonna be a good d-man.
Back in the summer, my opinion on the new coach was between Torts and Gordon (of course, my 1st choice right after the Nolan firing was Pat Burns- I hope he comes back to coach in the NHL, regardless). Glad Snow picked Gordon to educate behind the bench.
Sorry, CB, if this may seem like i’m reading into Gordon’s personal day off but it actually reminded me of a question i wanted to ask you awhile back.
his family lives in Atlanta. how often, do you think (or know) he fly’s down to visit? It must be stressful.
If we weren’t doing a youth movement I would have favored Torts or Quenville but since they are rebuilding Gordon was the proper choice and you can see more development from our young prospects under any coach in recent memory.
Torts like’s him some rough and aggressive teams and Snow and Gordon would be wise to understand that the nice play between the Isles and Rangers that existed during the Renny years is over. Time to toughen up boys.
The recent 4-0 shut out of the increasingly hated NJ Devs, the prospects of getting Tavares and Hedman, the positive news on the Lighthouse project, the excellent Campy trade, the development of the young prospects is making me feel really positive.
If Snow continues to get good value for his assets and brings in some tough, skilled high character guys then it will be an ideal way to head into the summer.
Another brilliant MMM move: Basically handing the series to TB in 04.
how is that a bad mike milbury story? sounds like a funny sports rivalry thing followed by a class move by 2 guys
Yeah I dont get that either d-man. If Torts came in like that should MM have told him to eff off and left it 100+ degrees in there? Sheesh… Im sure the Islanders did it to teach TB a lessson and make them apologize, not literally to torture them and give them all heat strokes. I think its a good story about both Torts and MM.
I have a question for CB. I heard Buffalo is going to look for goalie. I know it will never happen, but if you had a choice to give up(trade) one of your back-ups, who would you choose: Danis or JMac?
What is the usual criteria the GM’s decisions are based on?
I’m probably totally off on this, but Tortorella just went through one experience where a player who had a direct line to ownership (VL), and he probably didn’t waqnt to get into another situation like that (DP).
What will be fun to watch is when SATHER pulls Avery off of waivers and shoves him right up JT’s…well… let’s just say he’ll be able to check for polyps.
I’m pretty sure Tortorella is on public record as calling Avery an (_*_). I just hope if it happens the colliseum people put that on the big board… like Boston played the Gordon Shuffle on their first broadcast against the Isles.
For all the BAD things that MM did while he was here just remember two things. He was entertaining (though frustrating) and he beat the hell out of a ranger fan with his own shoe… so the guy wasn’t ALL BAD!
Luckily, the Rangers left Garth Snow’s hunting grounds alone. There will be plenty of no NHL experience unproven candidates should Garth tire of Gordon.
I share the same sort of skepticism JP has here. Torts is a great coach, but the Rangers aren’t built for his style of play, and the huge contracts will make it very hard for them to tailor the team more to his style. I could see that getting ugly as easily as I could see it working out.
Glad to see the lines are unchanged - at this point you might as well keep the kids together and see what happens with the rest of the lines.
Also - did anyone else read Logan’s piece about McAmmond growing up an Isles fan? Might it be worth it to keep him around next year as a veteran leader/faceoff man?
how many were able to make it to the meeting today?
JP you are off on that in regards to DP. Torts loves the guys. I live in Florida and always get the Lightning broadcast in addition to having a close buddy who covers the Lightning. Torts has been quoted many times as saying something to the effect of Dipietro being one of the best players in hockey regardless of position. You could tell he has lusted after RIcky for a longtime, and he said something to the effect of Rick being the type of player in goal the Lightning franchise so sorely lacked. That is when they had the Bulin wall
Liked reading that again CB. MM was right wasn’t he. It didn’t take Torts long to hoist the cup.
I don’t think the Isles need to trade Witter, and think he’s getting better from his injury and the GoGo Tweaking.
I am shocked that MM actually showed some class. I would have guessed that he would have made Torts grovel, and then blanked him.
I don’t think keeping Mcammond around because he was an Isles fan growing up would be a good idea. Of course if his play makes our GM think about it(which I know you were probably saying Nick) then we should consider it. I guess we will see how these lasts games go and Snow will decide. I’d like to see Smith get a shot or Walter. Would have loved to see Tortorella as our coach but probably wasn’t a good fit with our re-build? He did say he would take it on as a challenge so who knows how it would have turned out. Have to agree with a few on here though and say I still would have rather taken a chance on Torts than have our present coach. Its been a while since we had a coach that holds players accountable for their play. When we first signed Gordon I didn’t think it was so bad but now that I’ve gotten to know him a bit I’ve flipped. Gordon seems like a lost puppy and I don’t like the idea of a coach learning as we go. After all isn’t the coach supposed to be teaching these young players?
I think Mike Milbury is the worst GM that has run an NHL team, but I don’t think Sather is that much better. Sather gets a free pass from criticism because he won five cups with a team gift-wrapped with Messier, Gretzky, Kurri, Coffey, Fuhr, Etc. in Edmonton, but I don’t understand why? He didn’t build that team, he was handed it.
Sather’s track record with the Rags is miserable. He’s been around 8 seasons, made the playoffs in three of them (four if they make it this year), has been average at the draft table, and downright miserable in his free agent signings (Fleury, Lindros, Kasparaitis, Redden, Naslund, Rozival, Holik, arguably Gomez, Drury, etc.). he’s hired one good coach (Renney) since he’s been there, and has fired four others, including himself since 2000.
How Sather still has a job is beyond me. Whats worse, It’s amazing to me that Sather never hears criticism from anyone in the mainstream hockey media about how poorly he’s done in New York, yet Mike Milbury got killed regularly and still does (deservedly so) from that same media. I know Milbury was bad, but so is Sather.
Yeah. Game 60 tomorrow. But I think it’s kinda tight to predict where we finish, maybe game 65?? The Isles should select no worse than 3rd overall at this point.
Tampa: 28th place. 52 points. If they win only 25% of their remaining games they finish with roughly 62 points. The Isles would have to win 10 of 23 just to tie at that rate.
Atlanta: 29th place. 48 points. If they win only 25% of their remaining games they finish with about 58 points. They would have to win 8 of 23 just to tie. OT losses not included.
Good news about Park. Even more significantly, however, has there been a Weight sighting? It’s more important for him to be back before March 4, if possible.
Sather gets his pass because he is the GM of the rags and has been around for a while. Also most of Sather’s moves were moronic moves through free agency where as Milbury traded away all of our A+ prospects away for pretty much nothing!! Pretty sickening isn’t it? Talking about it is turning my stomach. I think Milbury actually gets way too much respect in this league and should be confined to a cell for all eternity instead of being a commentator!!! Sather is an absolute googan though and has been getting blasted lately!
Jethro, can’t agree more!Sather has been the most overated GM in history! He owes everything to Gretzky and Messier!
Matt: i’m sure with 3,4,5 different ownerships, one going to jail, no one wanting to come here… that you would have done a great job as gm. mm made mistakes and good moves, i really don’t count much before wang came in… it was chaos with ownership. after wang some good moves, some bad choices… life goes on. maybe he’s a jerk… that’s the impression i get from chris. but i would assume most of these guys are. we sit and root for the teams and athletes when most of them really could care less about us… and they are probably right
19 ISLE in NJ 22- Winning 25% of games is almost unheard of. The Atlanta Thrashers winning percentage is .35 and then there are overtime losses. I’m pretty confident in saying that passing the Lightning is almost going to be impossible. With another couple wins from Atlanta I would say that we are stuck in last place, which is a good thing.
Strummer,
If DP was traded to Tampa during the Tortorella regime they’d have had a normal coach-player relationship. I really don’t think that relationship can be the same when you hire a coach after signing a kid who has never won a playoff series to a 15 year contract… especially when his backup is your boss.
Come on… Would you want to manage an office that had a sales director that was… eh… uuuuh.. DATING???… the boss?
that relationship may not exist… but he is 117-112-21 with the longest contract ever extended to a goaltender.
“Hello Mr. Strummer… this is your new director of sales, Ms. Plummer… she can type almost 15 words per minute, makes the best coffee in Nassau County, eats up 8% of your budget and is gonna be here another 13 years…. enjoy”
And this(IMHO), ladies and gentlemen, is most likely the number one reason why we are stuck with the 18-35-6 Go Go Gordon.
d-man yeah I think I could have done a better job and most GM’s and athletes who don’t care about there fans have no longevity in this league or any other. An example of a trade I wouldn’t have done would be the Luongo/Jokinnen trade. Would you have done it even back then? Didn’t think so. Maybe even you would have been a better GM than Milbury?
Also, what were his good moves?
Speaking of DP I hope we spend a high pick on a goalie. Is anyone overly confident that DP will ever be healthy again? Chronic knee and hip problems for a goalie? Slim to none chance he completes half of the remaining contract. His body mysteriously broke down and this guy used to be RIPPED. Must be a workout warrior.
Matt - I’m not defending MM but Jokinnen asked to be traded. MM scouted Gaborik, but never saw him score. Thought Luongo for DP was a wash. So thought he was basically picking up some needed scoring in Kvasha/Parrish for nothing. Again, I’m not defending him, just going through his thought process.
And I also don’t blame MM for some of the moves he made pre-Wang. If you have a cheap owner, you’ll lose good people - no matter how good of a GM you are.
My biggest problem with MM was his lack of patience and player development.
DMTH,
I don’t know how the relationship ended up, but when your coach questions you in a public forum…and benches you… well… I don’t think they were going out for beers at that point. the relationship most likely ened well.. they won a cup together…and Vinny is the most sought after player in the league that “might” be available. Torts pushed his buttons and helped him become a very wealthy man.
Look what happened the first time Melrose did it.
I’ve been told differntly, but it’s hard to believe that DP wasn’t in the posse that put the noose around Lavy’s neck. Come on, who wanted to go to the trap more than the new Marty. And it would be hard to believe he wasn’t crying into Snow’s cone when Nolan held him out against the Rangers last year.
Obviously those are just speculations on my part, but it would be hard to deny that the perception exists… in and out of the game.
Don’t Mind the Haters: very well said (written) agree completely… especially the patience
Sorry CB last post. You think DP and Luongo was a wash? LOL! Thats a good one. If he scouted Gaborik I don’t care if he saw him score, thats his job for Christ’s sake. You think we brought on scoring with Kvasha? Picking up Kvasha and Parrish for nothing? Not much thought into that one. Luongo is one of if not best goalies in the league! Honestly I thought Jokinnen sucked so I didn’t care at the time. But as previously posted aren’t GM’s supposed to know more than us? Doesn’t seem that way in this case. Not trying to argue here but all of these problems are related to his player development so I really don’t know what your point is? If you aren’t defending him than whats your point?
nyislanders93- So you see my point.
They are that close… but not close enough.
Basically the Isles would have to play close to 40% win pct. to have a shot at passing Atlanta … Isles currently win about 33%. Atlanta wins just over 33% and would have to win only 25%. However the Isles playing at 40% win pct isn’t that far fetched. (I wouldn’t be surprised if they do). Atlanta can totally tank .. unlikely … but I wouldn’t be shocked.
So I’m not 100% convinced yet the Isles will finish 30th b/c well … they’re the Isles.
Matt - my point was MM thought process **at the time**.
Luongo had a record of 7-14-1 when he was traded. Remember, the “best goalie in the world” only took his team to the playoffs once in his previous 8 years. (DP took the Isles to the playoffs 3 times in his prior 6 years).
If you scout someone, and he flops in front of your face every time you’re in attendance do you still draft him? And you scout another and they are a brick wall. Do you pass him up?
I’m not arguing either. But if you look at the facts that were presented at the time. You can understand the move.
Jim Develanno admitted he was disappointed when Torrey drafted LaFontaine, and he was left with Yzerman. Do you think he’s still disappointed?
Again, I disliked MM as Isles GM. But you asked about that one specific trade. And it’s easy to judge years after the fact. But you need to be more empathetic to both sides *at the time of the trade*.
JP - I replied w/regards to Torts and VL only because Bob McKenzie was just on the radio 2 min’s before I read your post and talked about how much VL loved him…
Anybody who sticks up Milbury should have their lips ripped off!!!
Speaking of finishing last (Tavheduch), Heres my dream. Isles get another #1 at the deadline, say #18-20. They finish last. Win the lottery. Atl 2nd. Trade # 18,30,46 and next years 1st rounder to Atl for #2 -whattya say??? Then I wake up and have to get on the damn railroad
Ditto what Vukota said.
19 ISLE in NJ 22- I see what you are saying with Atlanta. They really are not that far off from the Isles right now. Another 2 points would be huge tonight, they are currently up 3-1 on Colorado at the end of the 1st period. The worst case scenario is the Islanders passing Atlanta and losing the lottery to a #3, #4, or #5 team which forces our 1st round draft choice to be 3rd overall.
I just want to see Sim fire 2 more this week. The fans will actually want him back…..
Cruicky- I think I speak for many people when I say this but I don’t hate Jon Sim. I don’t think he is a good player, sure he has put in 8 goals this year but he doesn’t have a place on a rebuilding team like the Islanders. He is a slow skater, and has poor defensive skills. He also cannot pass the puck and doesn’t serve as a mentor to the younger players. He isn’t getting any better. I would rather see his spot occupied by an up and coming player like Trevor Smith, Jeremy Colliton, or Ben Walter. It isn’t anything personal against Sim, but he doesn’t fit in on a rebuilding team.
How can any true Isles fan defend Mike Milbury?? He trades Spezza AND Chara to Ottawa for Yashin when Ottawa was desperate to trade Yashin.Yashin had sat the year before and they were desperate to get rid of him. He then trades Luongo, a goalie HE picked in the first round to pick ANOTHER GOALIE!! Are you kiddin’ me??? And what’s his thought process for passing on Zach Parise to take R. Nillson?? Please explain that genius move. I can’t wait to hear you explain that one!! I hope MM burns in hockey hell forever for what he did to us.
I like MM. I really do. Did he have a great track record? No, but he had some questionable ownership behind him as we can still see. I like his fire—screaming at Ziggy to man up, feuding with the Rags, spitting at the cheap shot dman. I miss the fire he had…the islanders have so little passion, toughness and mettle it drives me mad. The pansification of hockey as MM says is part of of it; the other part is we have no character. Cut my lips of Mick, I miss him. Doesnt mean he was good. Just having a pulse works sometimes.
Atlanta and Ottawa both up 4-2 in the third!! Did we hit the 60 game mark yet CB???? Let’s start talking Tavhedovich, or however you spell it…. Draft Draft and more draft baby!!
When is the next islanders trade. Im getting antsy. Im hoping for guerin and witt to bring back a decent return!!! Maybe even weight can be traded for a B+ prospect.
Agree with ya @ 46 Beatle. We need a promising goaltending prospect in the pipeline. Use one of the 2nd rounders and sign a 1A to split time with DP next season. I like what I’ve seen from “Da-Knee” but I’m not sure he’s the solution to play 40 games next year to take the load off DiPietro.
I cheer for the local kids. Sim and Joey Mac. You can cheer for whomever you want.
Luongo, Jokinen and Heatley for DiPietro, Kvasha and Parrish. Worst trade in my NHL memory. Second only to Chara, Spezza and Muckalt for Yashin.
And I like MMM, just not as the GM of the NYI.
classic milbury tonight
pre game puck drop for bruins game tonight and a nasa astronaut drops the puck
during the intermission report , the nasa guy is in studio with Milbury and the host
Mike says to him ”you gonna get high anytime soon” ??
CB
Love the story about Torts and Milbury. How often does that kind of stuff happen? I remember when I took a tour of the old Boston Garden, the tour guide told many of those type stories.
SteveNYC
Say what you will, but MM kept this franchise together when it was on the edge.
Who traded for Aucoin? Blake? Peca? And yes Yashin?
When was the last time the Coliseum really rocked?
Oh, that’s right. When the team played Toronto in the best Cup playoff series since the Cup winning years.
Who put that team together?
Who hired that coach?
Yeah, MM had some “mulligans” as he called them. But people are quick to forget the Spano and the “pigs at the trough” days when MM held this franchise together with masking tape and hard work.
Maybe he wasn’t the best GM ever but MM poured his heart and soul into this organization. He gave it everything he had. And that’s all anyone can ask….SW
Chris, Let’s hear your opinion on the double M…..SW
Ron from Lindenhurst … I think Pat Burns has bigger fish to fry than coaching in the NHL … recent story’s say Pat is now fighting cancer yet again and he isn’t doing the normal routines of chemo and radiation to fight it… he’s been there and done that.
Fair assesment Sir William but don’t tell me the Toronto series had more juice than ‘93 Isles Penguins. Beating Lemieux and those guys without Turgeon was as good as it gets since the cup years.Hope the Isles can either trade up or sell the late 1st and early 2nd for a decent player. Gee Gags spend some more money on overpriced players coaches, etc.Hope they keep Sather for another 8 years
‘93 Series was exciting, but I don’t recall the NVMC rocking as it did in game 6 of the Toronto series.
It also ran out of gas, once Hunter blindsided Pierre…….SW
SW ~ I understand where you come from. Once Wanger was onboard I pretty much gave MM the benefit of the doubt … I didn’t envy MM’s position … yet I wasn’t going to have a parade for the guy… he was still unproven as far as I was concerned… and basically … he got “high” on Wang’s money and mortgaged the team’s future for a couple of years to buy himself time … time that he didn’t use well b/c things when down hill after that ONE time 7 game 1st round exit … Is that where we “Set The Bar” now? … JMHO.
LOL!!!!!
CB it can’t be ignored, Q tells the isles to go **** in their hat, Brent Sutter tells the Isles to go **** in their hat & Torts tells the Isles to go **** in their hat. In comes Flash.
Each & EVERYONE one of the above QUALITY Head Coaches gave the Isles the heave-ho, only to take another job shortly after. Brent I believe waited the full year to work under Lou the Legend. You think he regrets waiting instead of jumping on the ill-advised ‘committee’ bandwagon?
Granted, Snow’s ‘interview’ with Torts was just for show, Tortarella would never allow himself to be lead by a back-up goalie– who never accomplished anything of substance in the NHL.
BUT Islander fans have EVERY right to be concerned. Quality Free Agent players don’t want to play here, quality Free Agent coaches don’t want to coach here, how many quality General Managers turned down Charles before he picked up Neil Smith off the scrap heap, just to further scrape the bottom of the barrel & settle on a back-up goalie 41 days later???
The Isles got issues that are completely separate & 100% UNRELATED to the Lighthouse, to leases, to Mike Milbury & to Flash’s lame system. If you ever have writer’s block…tackle THOSE stories.
A great blog entry I love to see… is answer the question “Why are the Isles are in 30th place?” The trick is do it WITHOUT talking about an old arena, bad lease, the Milsteins or Mike Milbury. THAT’S where the story is. THAT’S where the root cause of the Isles being a perennial black-eye to the NHL resides.
Root cause. It ain’t Kate Murray. It ain’t Mike Milbury. It’s ain’t a crappy lease. “Why are the Isles in 30th Place??” It’s a question that IMHO, has gone unanswered.
Tom, “Why are the Isles in 30th Place”???
Leading the league in man games lost due to injures.
Period, Point Blank, end of Story.
WRONG.
Injuries. Riiight. The have 10,000 man game lost, yes. 9,920 are for crap players. Then you have DP & Martinek.
Fact is I’m not a hater. Yeah, injuries. Yeah I know. You buy that as 100% why the Isles stink? Ok. I don’t.
“The haters” who **** are they? People who want to know why not many if any reputable FA player, FA coach or FA GM wants to be affiliated with the Islanders? If that’s hater…than so be it. I can live with labels if you can, Ostrich.
Tom, do you have a better, logical reason for why they are in last place? If so, continue, if not seems they have you labeled correctly. If you’re talking fowl, call me a Goose.