Monthly Archives: February 2009
Brendan Witt is not asking to be traded by the New York Islanders, nor is he pleading with the organization to keep him.
“It’s business,” the veteran defenseman said after practice at Iceworks today. “Everyone knows that. You just accept it and see what happens.”
Listening to Witt at his stall today, seems if he’s traded he’d be saddest about saying goodbye to Islanders fans. “I really like our fans,” he said. “They are so supportive through tough times, it’s amazing. They’ve been great to me and my family. And they crack me up. When they booed that poor man from the Town of Hempstead office on Saturday night, how could you not laugh”?
He’d also miss the region. “My wife (Salima) and I love it here,” Witt said. “I think that’s obvious. Let’s put it this way: if we didn’t love it here, I wouldn’t have signed a contract extension.” He laughed. “I guess if I hadn’t signed that extension, I probably would have been traded already.”
Possibly. There’s two ways of looking at it: with every team in the league concerned about the economy and their cap number, the $3 million owed Witt for each of the next two seasons could be an obstacle to acquiring him. On the other hand, a team can offer up a good pick or prospect knowing they have Brendan Witt locked up at a fair rate for two more seasons – instead of just six weeks plus playoffs.
“You can see both sides,” Witt said. “I’ll say it again – it’s business. It comes down to what teams want you, how badly they want you and what Garth (Snow) wants back. This is a rebuilding situation. I totally understand that. Give Snowy credit. He got a really good return for Campy and Mike Comrie.”
Witt is amused that the brouhaha he caused with his criticism of coach Scott Gordon’s aggressive system is still alive more than two months later. (“Can’t believe that s- – t’s still brought up”). But he also acknowledged that the kind of alterations he asked consideration for have since been instituted.
“For more than a month now I really like how our D has played and the way we’ve competed,” he said. “The coaches re-evaluated how we were playing. Other than that loss to Carolina last week, we’ve either won games or we’ve made life tough for our opponents. When you’ve struggled like we have and had the injuries we’ve had, you have to compete. We have, and I’m proud of that.”
As the March 4 deadline nears, Witt says there is no suspense, no worry over where he and his family will be on March 5. It’s just the hockey business, and he appreciates simply being in it.
“A bunch of us were sitting around the locker room the other day and it came up how, with everything going on in the world, we’re so lucky just to be working,” said the 34-year old defenseman. “I hope people don’t think we take that for granted. We’re lucky to have jobs, and then to have a job in something you love to do…well, we’re really fortunate.
“You’re not going to hear me complain. I’m not asking to leave. It’s out of my control. Whatever happens, I’ll make the best of it and I’m sure it will be for the best.”
ETC: No news from practice today. Scott Gordon was out and assistant coach John Chabot ran the show with the same line combinations and D pairings that ended the win over New Jersey.
Your thoughts on Brendan Witt and a possible deal? In Comments. Coming soon: some possible scenarios for a Witt trade.
Today we take a look at the first post-draft seasons of the six players the Islanders selected in Rounds 4, 5 and 6 last summer. Here’s yesterday’s story on the draftees from Rounds 1-3, from Josh Bailey to Kirill Petrov.
* A reminder about our grading system. Please note that the grades are not judgments of the quality of the Islanders’ draft selection or a projection of the players’ potential. The grade is strictly based on the strides they have made this season. If Kirill Petrov’s grade is far worse than Travis Hamonic’s, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s not going to be a better pro. Less than one year after the draft, it’s too early to tell which draft picks the Islanders will eventually sign.
4. Matt Donovan (96th overall), D, Cedar Rapids (USHL): The 6-0, 190-pound defenseman (above left) may be the hardest case to judge because he is playing one final season in the United States Hockey League before starting his collegiate career in the fall at Denver University. Donovan is 15-21-36 in 41 games with Cedar Rapids and leads all USHL defensemen in scoring. All eyes will be on Donovan to see if he can take the next step at a top college program, but so far, so good.
Development Grade: B+
4. David Ullstrom (102nd overall), LW, HV71 (Sweden): The highlight of Ullstrom’s season was his strong play for Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships. Around that experience, the 6-3 wing has bounced between fourth-line play for HV-71 in the Swedish Elite League and first-line duty with their Allsvenskan (“first division”) squad. Outside of the WJC, he has not had enough icetime to make this a highly-productive year of development. He is 1-3-4 in 19 games in the Elitserian and has hopes to play in North America in the near future. Here’s our story with Islanders European chief scout Vellu-Pekka Kautonen while Ullstrom was at the WJC.
Development Grade: B-
5. Kevin Poulin (126th overall), G, Victoriaville (QMJHL): The Islanders took a mid-round flier on the talented 6-2 goalie and the results so far are mixed. Poulin is 16-16-2 with a 2.92 GAA and .909 save percentage in the high-octane Quebec League. No doubt the Islanders will take a long look at his play for Victoriaville in the playoffs, plus all of next season, before deciding if it’s worth it to sign him.
Development Grade: C
5. Matt Martin (146th overall), LW, Sarnia (OHL): The Islanders may not say this publicly, but Martin has become a late-round pride-and-joy prospect for the scouting staff. After a 38-point season on the third line last year, Martin is a 30-plus goal scoring captain this season. The 6-2 tough guy is 30-29-59 with 113 PIMs in 52 games. Here’s our article on Martin and his Sarnia teammates (and follow NYI draftees) Mark Katic and Justin DiBenedetto. We’ll have another story on Martin – the finale of our Chronicles of Sarnia trilogy – later this week.
Development Grade: A
6. Jared Spurgeon (154th overall), D, Spokane (WHL): If you can believe it, the Islanders have another undersized defenseman in the system – this one over-achieving impressively since draft day. The 5-9, 185-pound Spurgeon is 10-29-39 in 47 games this season with the Chiefs, and lately he has really taken off. A serious injury to blueline partner Jared Cowan – a near-lock to be a top 10 pick overall this June – has put all of the pressure on Spurgeon, and so far he has embraced it. For Spokane to defend its Memorial Cup, the Islanders’ sixth round pick will have to lead the way on defense.
Development Grade: B+
6. Justin DiBenedetto (175th overall), LW, Sarnia (OHL): The Islanders used the last of their 13 picks in the 2009 draft on DiBenedetto, a center with a few question marks around him. Skeptics believed he couldn’t continue his scoring pace without ’07-08 linemate Steve Stamkos, the first overall pick in the draft. But all the 5-11 DiBenedetto has done this season is prove them wrong, night after night. He is 39-40-79 in 51 games this season. That’s fourth in Ontario Hockey League scoring behind 2009 first or second overall pick John Tavares, Anaheim 2007 second round pick Eric Tangradi and potential 2010 first pick Taylor Hall. Here’s a story we did with Sarnia GM Alan Millar on DiBenedetto, Martin and Katic.
I can’t find anyone in the game with the guts to boldly declare, positively or negatively, what kind of pro the kid they call “DiBo” will be. That’s probably because no one knows. But say this for DiBenedetto – he couldn’t be doing more to earn his shot.
Development Grade: A+
The 2008 Roundup
An admittedly premature grouping of the Islanders’ draft picks of 2008:
Safe bets to play in the NHL someday: Travis Hamonic, Matt Martin, plus already-there Josh Bailey
Strong NHL upside, but Miles to Go: Aaron Ness, Corey Trivino, Kirill Petrov
Underdogs, but Definitely with a Shot: Matt Donovan, Jared Spurgeon, Justin DiBenedetto, David Ullstrom
It’s Early, but Still Lots to Prove: David Toews, Jyri Niemi, Kevin Poulin
Comment on Prospects here. I’ll be at Islanders practice today.
When asked on Saturday to describe the importance of the 2009 draft, Islanders GM Garth Snow said, “It’s huge – just like last year’s.”
With that in mind, here’s a review of the Islanders’ 2008 draft. With 13 picks to update, we will break this story into two installments. Today features the seven prospects taken in Rounds 1, 2 and 3. Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the six players selected in Rounds 4, 5 and 6.
* A word about our grades. Please note that the grades are not judgments of the quality of the Islanders’ draft selection or a projection of the players’ potential. The grade is strictly based on the strides they have made this season. If Kirill Petrov’s grade is far worse than Travis Hamonic’s, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s not going to be a better pro. Less than one year after the draft, it’s too early to tell which draft picks the Islanders will eventually sign.
1. Josh Bailey (9th overall), C, Islanders: You know the story - made the team out of camp, passed his 9-game audition, wasn’t sent to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships. Now centering a kid line with Kyle Okposo and Blake Comeau, Bailey has not posted good numbers but the projection of a second-line center seems accurate. The 19-year old has handled an adversity-filled rookie NHL season with the poise of a ten-year vet, which counts for a lot.
Development Grade: B
2. Corey Trivino (36th overall), C, Boston University: Battling injuries (knee, shoulder) and a steep learning curve as a freshman at a major program, the 6-1, 180-pound Trivino has stuggled mightily and has just 2 goals and 5 assists over 17 games of limited icetime. The Islanders hope Trivino’s apprenticeship under legendary BU coach Jack Parker will serve him well in his sophomore and junior years. The first post-draft season of this fast and talented center has been an unsuccessful one.
Development Grade: C-
2. Aaron Ness (40th overall), D, University of Minnesota: After an okay first month, Ness has been everything the Islanders could have hoped for in his freshman season. The small, puck-moving defenseman is 2-13-15 in 29 games and is starting to receive first-pair minutes and first-unit power play responsibility – unheard of in Minnesota. True, the great college program is having a down season, but the first-year opportunity for Ness has been tremendous. Read our profile of the kid from last month.
Development Grade: B+
2. Travis Hamonic (53rd overall), D, Moose Jaw (WHL): Playing on an awful team in Moose Jaw, Hamonic has embraced the burden of major minutes on the blueline. As his 10-24-34 in 45 games illustrates, the 6-1 defenseman is starting to add some O to what was previously a stay-at-home game. That said, he is what he is: an old school-style dman who never hesitates to take the body, block a shot or drop the gloves. Here’s our inside story of the drafting of Hamonic.
Development Grade: B+
3. David Toews (66th overall), C, University of North Dakota: The brother of budding Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews, David is not in the same class skill-wise but nevertheless still has a long way to go. His transition to the collegiate game has been a slow one, hampered by injuries. With 5-6-11 in 23 games as a freshman with the Fighting Sioux, Toews needs increased conditioning and confidence to become a strong NHL prospect.
Development Grade: C
3. Jyri Niemi (72nd overall), D, Saskatoon (WHL): What a wildly up-and-down season for native of Finland. An early-season injury led to a brutal start in Saskatoon, but after playing well for Team Finland at the WJC he has been exceptional. Saskatoon is contending for a WHL title, so the 6-2, two-zone defenseman (6-18-24 in 50 games) will receive invaluable playoff experience.
Development Grade: B
3. Kirill Petrov (73rd overall), RW, Ak Bars (Kontinental League): This season has been a disaster for the 19-year old Russian forward, rated by us at the start as the Islanders’ prospect with the most potential (since unseated by Aaron Ness). A broken collarbone erased the first third of his season. Although he was not close to being in playing shape, his skill level was high enough for him to claim a spot on Team Russia at the WJC. Petrov stood out, but for all the wrong reasons. One Team Russia source told us, “Incredible talent, but Kirill needs to learn about commitment.”
Petrov has one goal in 6 games in the KHL, playing most of the year with their second-division team. He is at least two years away from coming to North America and perhaps more from making an impact. The Islanders have intimated that having three selections in the second round and three in the third enabled them to draft the wild card Russian. Petrov, 19 in April, seems to be proving what a long-term project he may be.
Development Grade: D-
In Part II, Donovan, Ullstrom, Poulin, Martin, Spurgeon and DiBenedetto. Talk about prospects in this thread, the current squad down below.
10:05 pm, The NVMC - Barring the Islanders getting completely blown away with an offer they can’t refuse, Sean Bergenheim will remain with the team past the March 4 trade deadline.
A league source told Point Blank tonight that the Islanders are not seriously listening to offers for their former first round pick, who scored a first period goal tonight. Eight days ago, we speculated in this space that Bergenheim and Chris Campoli could be available. Although Campoli has been traded to Ottawa for a first round pick, do not expect the same fate for the scrappy and skilled left wing.
While the Campoli deal has mostly received praise from media and fans, it makes little sense for the Islanders to trade another young home-grown player while in the midst of a rebuild. Campoli, who asked to be traded, is a different case. Bergenheim has been consistent all season with Point Blank in his insistence that he wants to enjoy personal and team success as an Islander. After tonight’s game, he took it a step further.
“I want to make it work here, on Long Island, with the Islanders,” Bergenheim told us after tonight’s 4-0 win over New Jersey. “I really like to live on Long Island and I want to stay here. I consider this my home now. The Islanders drafted me into the NHL and I have never forgotten that and never will. It’s important to me that my NHL career takes the next step as an Islander.”
Could the Islanders’ knees be buckled by an offer of a top prospect and/or a projected top-15 draft choice? Sure, but Bergenheim – a very good young player, no doubt – just has not produced enough to bring back that level of bounty. Expect the 25-year old Bergenheim, who signed a two-year contract last summer, to remain an Islander for all the right reasons.
Which is how he wants it to play out.
“It hasn’t been an easy season, everyone knows that,” he said. “But the last month or so, I’ve started to feel real good about my play and even more so about our team.
“I want to tell you something, though,” Bergenheim continued after thinking for a moment. “We need to find a place on this team for me.”
That didn’t come out from Bergenheim as selfishly as it may read. I asked him, “You mean, like a set place with specific responsibilities, on a set line with regular linemates”?
“It doesn’t have to be as perfect as that,” he said, “but I hope the team and I can continue to find the right role for me.”
What about where he is now, on a second-third line with Frans Nielsen and Trent Hunter?
“Oh, that’s been great,” Bergenheim said. “That’s what I mean, a place for me like that. I really think the three of us have something good together.”
And to top off a good night for Bergenheim and the Islanders, he even played community activist. Besides his pursuit of a set role on the team, he added one more wish.
“I know it’s out of the players’ hands,” he said, “but all of us on the team really want to see the Lighthouse get done.”
It’s like Sean Bergenheim of Finland knew it was Town of Hempstead Night.
*
The Game: Well, how about that? A hockey team trades two players who didn’t want to be here, and the team plays fast and loose and beats the New Jersey Devils, 4-0. That’s usually the way it works in the NHL around the trade deadline. If the Islanders trade another veteran or two – whether they’d like to stay or not – count on them winning some games you’d wouldn’t expect.
The Lines: Comeau-Bailey-Okposo; Bergenheim-Nielsen-Hunter; Sim-Hilbert-Guerin; Tambellini-McAmmond-Jackman
Official Attendance: 15,174
About That White-Out: Something to remember about the call for fans to wear white, friends: it was created by blogger Nick Classic and a few other die-hard fans. It was not team-sponsored or run by the Lighthouse. The only way you’re going to get 15,000 people wearing white is by running a full-page ad in Newsday and using all the major resources. Without the team support, that wasn’t going to happen. So kudos to Nick and the rest for their efforts behind a project that means so much to them.
Scouts in Attendance: Montreal and Phoenix, plus Jari Kurri and a contingent from the Finnish National team – which could have explained the extra-extra jump in Bergenheim’s step tonight.
Next Up: The Islanders practice Monday and Tuesday before back-to-backs in Pittsburgh (Wednesday) and home to Toronto. A week from tonight they host the Buffalo Sabres.
Comments.
On this wonderful Saturday afternoon, we send out a huge stick-raised salute and thank you to Garth Snow and Bryan Murray, to the Islanders and Senators, Chris Campoli, Mike Comrie, Dean McAmmond, the American college kid the NYI will probably take with the 28th overall pick and especially to Islanders fans and our regular readers everywhere.
Yesterday, Islanders Point Blank surpassed its previous record high for Visits and Hits in a single day. Yesterday’s tally beat the previous high by an incredible 30%. And keep in mind that’s with a trade announced at 4:30 pm on a Friday, not exactly prime time for blog viewing. Let’s keep it going up until March 4 and for the rest of the season. I’m certain you will.
With each month the average Visits to Point Blank have climbed in dramatic numbers, despite the Islanders’ fall down the standings. Your allegiance to this site has been remarkable, and is greatly appreciated by me. Don’t forget: if you live in the region, Point Blank Night II is set for March 10. What other blogger thanks you with free drinks and appetizers?
Thanks again, everyone. Talk about tonight’s game in Comments, the trade in the thread below. I’ll make it to the Coliseum for some kind of postgame report after Don La Greca and I co-host “NY Hockey This Week” from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. We will be taking your phone calls…CB
UPDATED 12:10 pm, NVMC – Scott Gordon just did an excellent job explaining his take on the Chris Campoli trade to reporters after the morning skate, declaring that he had no problem with the young defenseman but that he was excited about the acquisition of another first round draft pick.
“I like Chris as a player,” Gordon said. “I think he does fit in (the system). I wanted him to want more of himself. I told him that I understood that when you have an All-Star defenseman (Mark Streit) in front of you, it can be difficult. But I had no problems with Chris. His play had improved. I had told him, ‘I want you to have more expectations of yourself.’”
Gordon also…
….said that Jack Hillen might be able to fill the hole left by Campoli’s departure. “That will come with time and confidence.”
…said “I’ve liked the way our defensemen have been playing, especially since that West Coast trip (in mid-January).” Gordon singled out Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek and Bruno Gervais.
…said that he loved Witt’s positioning and eagerness in front of the Carolina net on the power play on Thursday night. Gordon said he discussed the idea with the veteran dman earlier in the week and “his eyes popped out of his head.” He said Witt’s play was a “lesson” to his other players and joked, “If you don’t mind taking a puck in [the defensive zone], you’re not going to mind getting hit with the puck if it means getting a goal.”
Gordon was relaxed, confident – more than he has been in a while. Saying farewell to two players who didn’t love him might have had a little to do with it.
*
11:15 am, NVMC - Garth Snow just met with the media in Room 6 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. A summary:
The Islanders GM said yesterday’s trade of Chris Campoli for a first round pick is consistent with his team’s rebuilding plan. “Now it’s up to us to get a good player with that draft pick,” Snow said.
He refused to discuss Chris Campoli’s request for a trade, saying he wasn’t comfortable talking about private conversations he had with one of his players. Snow took the high road. “Chris Campoli is a good young defenseman,” he said. “We gave up a good player to get a first round draft pick.”
Snow acknowledged that Jack Hillen is the first defenseman the team is looking at to see if he can fill the void left by Campoli. “Jack will get that opportunity,” the GM said.
On the possibility of more trades, Snow said “the last week to ten days there’s been lots of conversations.” He also credited veterans such as Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Doug Weight and Brendan Witt for their role in the development of young players Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau. “That doesn’t happen without proper leadership,” he said.
Asked of the importance of the 2009 draft, the general manager said “It’s huge – just like last year’s was.” He acknowledged that the economy is a factor for his team and any team looking to acquire one of his high-salaried players, but added, “The No. 1 priority for me is to build a championship team. As tough as it has been this season to lose, we have to stay the course. We’re going to build this the right way.”
ETC: Dean McAmmond did not arrive for the morning skate but is expected at the Coliseum in plenty of time for tonight’s match against the New Jersey Devils. According to Chris King of Islanders Radio, expect Andy Hilbert to center Jon Sim and Bill Guerin and McAmmond to center the fourth line…The Islanders have recalled defenseman Joe Callahan.
*
Maybe They’ll Get Coburn: Amazing that all the intelligent hockey writers in Ottawa – well okay, let’s leave Donnie Brennan out of that group – actually bought into Mike Comrie being a key piece in the trade. I doubt even MC thinks he was a major piece of that deal. Ottawa GM Bryan Murray made a good trade for his team. He’s already picking in the top 10, so he could easily afford to give up a late, late first round pick for a good player like Campoli. But if the deal ended right there, Murray still would have done it.
Just throwing this out there to stir it up, and just in case it actually happens:
What’s your reaction if Ottawa turns around at the deadline and wheels Mike Comrie for a third round pick?
White-Out Tonight: In case you missed this post in all the hysteria of the Campoli trade…
The Inbox has been buried with emails to spread the word, so we shall. Islanders fans in support of the Coliseum property development want to be seen and heard at tonight’s Islanders-Devils game, which is Town of Hempstead night at the Coliseum.
There are plans for a “White-out for the Lighthouse.” In a nutshell, wear white if you’re going to the game. There will be chants and also don’t forget to visit the Lighthouse info tables. For details, read about it in Nick G’s blog here and all over the world wide web.
Hockey Talk on the Radio: Don La Greca and I are going live with our “New York Hockey This Week” show at 5:30 pm tonight on 1050 ESPN Radio. Going live means taking calls, so if you want to talk Campoli trade instead of listening to Renney rants stand up and let your voice be heard.
More later, if anything comes out of the morning skate. Comments. Guidelines.
12:20 am - The buzz about Chris Campoli’s availability - first rumored in this space a week ago – was still there on Thursday night when the Islanders lost to Carolina. With that in mind, I figured I’d add Chris to my award-winning “True Value” collection.
On Friday morning, I wrote the following story with the idea of editing and posting it on Sunday. Never thought for a second a deal would come down on the weekend, let alone Friday at 4:30 pm. Lesson learned. I blew it. Here’s what I wrote…CB
*
Our month-long series analyzing the value of available Islanders and the possibility of a deal before the March 4 trade deadline. Previous entries can be read on Doug Weight, Mike Comrie, Brendan Witt and Bill Guerin.
Player: Chris Campoli, Defenseman
The Story: A 7th round draft pick in 2004, Campoli has silenced his doubters and developed into an everyday NHL defenseman. Injuries (mostly shoulder-related) have cut his last two seasons in half and kept him out of 8 games this year, but no one questions that Campoli will play in this league for a long time.
There is some debate on Campoli’s upside. Talk to people around the Islanders and the NHL and you’ll get opinions as varied as “He’s a No. 5 dman, second-unit power play” to “He’s a 2 or 3″ and a first-unit power play guy. The whispers have grown louder over the last few weeks about Campoli’s future with the Islanders. When Billy Jaffe openly speculates about you on MSG Plus, that usually means there is smoke and fire.
Stats: In 51 games this season, Campoli is 6-11-17. In 228 career NHL games, he is 20-63-83. The most important stat of all, however, is that on July 9 he’ll only be 25 years old.
Pluses: Although he may just be entering his prime, Campoli would have the confidence to step into the lineup on a top team and be part of their power play. The young man from Ontario does not lack belief in his own gifts. For the team acquiring him, they would also know his best days could still be to come.
Minuses: As mentioned, there is the great debate on Campoli’s upside potential. If you acquire him, you are going to pay a good price. You better be right.
Trade Hurdles: None, really. Campoli is under contract for next season for the very reasonable sum of $675,000 – chump change in the NHL and very manageable in the current NHL economy.
The GM Sales Pitch: Actually, if you’re Garth Snow, you really don’t have to do much talking. Just listen and then set your price.
True Value: For the Islanders to trade Campoli, we’re setting the price at a first round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Whether you love Campoli or not, it makes little sense to trade a developed NHL defenseman for anything less. If you want to discuss some other pieces going back and forth, we’ll listen.
PB View: With Doug Weight injured – he could still be traded for a conditional pick – Bill Guerin owning a no-move and not much heat surrounding the other veterans, for us this could very well be the Islanders’ story around the trade deadline. If a few teams view Campoli as a far greater need for this season and better than anything the 25th pick in the 2009 draft could bring them, there will be offers. (Count on it). If the Islanders don’t believe Campoli is a first-unit power play defenseman, how can they not listen?
Prediction (as of Feb. 22*): If the Islanders get a first round pick, they do it.
You make the call. You’re the GM. No hedging. What do you do? Write about what an idiot I am, in Comments.
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