Monthly Archives: February 2009
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.
Now that I’ve had two hours to digest it, here are a few thoughts on today’s deal that sent Chris Campoli and Mike Comrie to Ottawa for a 2009 first round pick (it is the San Jose selection) and Dean McAmmond.
1. This deal is Chris Campoli for a late first round pick. That is all it is. There is no need to complicate your judgment by looking at the other parts. Campoli for a late first round pick, likely in the 26-30 range. Do you like the deal or not?
2. My strong hunch is that Islanders GM Garth Snow told Ottawa counterpart Bryan Murray, “If you want to do this deal, you have to take back Mike Comrie.” For weeks the Islanders hoped to listen to offers for Comrie. There was little interest. After last night’s debacle when Comrie (and plenty of his teammates) had nothing in a 6-2 loss to Carolina, whatever trade value he might have had was gone. The Ottawa GM probably told Snow, “Okay, I’ll take Comrie but then you have to take McAmmond off my roster.” McAmmond – if he is not traded for a late round draft pick before March 4 – has a month to show the Islanders if he can be a good veteran leader for them.
3. One Campoli teammate confirmed for me earlier this evening that Chris asked the Islanders to trade him a few weeks ago. I don’t know the reasons for Campoli’s request, although one source described his relationship with coach Scott Gordon as “rocky.” I doubt very much that’s the whole story. I will say this: 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. Funny how things work out. At the beginning of the season you would have thought Campoli’s play and Gordon’s system were a good match.
4. On a personal note, Chris Campoli is a terrific young man who gave up as much personal time as he had to promote the Islanders and help local charities. In a sport where most of the players are gold, Chris was a cut above. Chris is also known for his self-confidence. Some call it cockiness, but I believe you need it to go from 7th round pick to everyday NHLer. There is nothing wrong with his belief in himself. It seems to me he has high aspirations for bringing his NHL career to another level. Anyone who came in contact with him on the Island over the last few years no doubt is rooting for him.
5. In my first story announcing the trade, I gave the deal a B for the Islanders. Of course nothing has changed in the last two hours to want to alter it. Jack Hillen’s development can go a long way toward making the deal better. Even it means digging deep into dopey money, if the Islanders believe Long Islander Matt Gilroy is a top-5 defenseman they should make a big approach to sign him. But above all else, Ryan Jankowski and his merry band of Islanders scouts can’t mess up that late first round pick.
Late tonight: “TRUE VALUE: Chris Campoli,” written earlier today but never got a chance to post. Damn. Comments. Guidelines.
The Islanders have acquired San Jose’s first round pick in 2009 in a trade with Ottawa. The Islanders have sent Chris Campoli and Mike Comrie to the Senators. In addition to the late first round pick, New York gets veteran forward Dean McAmmond.
(I write this from Laguardia Airport, while a rough draft of “TRUE VALUE: Chris Campoli” sits in my laptop. That’s life.)
There seemed to be a lot of smoke revolving around a possible trade of Chris. I wrote a week ago of the possibility. Billy Jaffe had openly speculated about a Campoli deal on MSG Plus.
Then earlier today an NHL source told me that Chris had asked to be traded. By the time I could confirm the request, the deal was done.
On one hand, the NYI lose a developed NHL dman who will be 25 in July. On the other, they got more back for Campoli and Comrie than some would have thought. I would have liked to see the Islanders pick up a prospect in the deal, but you can’t have everything.
Chris Campoli wanted a change of scenery, so you can’t get everything you want in return. I’d give Garth Snow a B on this deal. Much will depend on the development of Jack Hillen, a similar puckhandling D.
For sticks and giggles, I’ll post that Campoli True Value later tonight. I’ll have more as details roll in. CB
UPDATED, 3:25 pm - Read the Newsday story on Environmental review, including Kate Murray taking a bow.
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 Saturday’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 (like our model Rachel Bilson) 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.
Talk about the Lighthouse and demonstration here, hockey in the next thread.
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 and Brendan Witt.
Player: Bill Guerin, RW and Islanders captain
The Story: Signed to a two-year contract in the summer of 2007, Guerin was named captain at his introductory press conference and – as has been repeatedly written in this space – has been as good a leader as the Islanders could have hoped for. Although his icetime has been cut by a few minutes with the Islanders’ focus on youth in the home stretch, the 38-year old Guerin is still averaging 17:21 a game for the season.
As much as his leadership remains highly respected, there has been the sense around the Islanders the last few weeks that the captain may be in his final season with the club. Guerin could be in demand at the trade deadline and the Islanders need to stockpile draft picks and prospects. Guerin also must be wondering if he wants to end an outstanding career on a team missing the playoffs two years in a row, and maybe more.
Stats: Guerin leads the Islanders with 15 goals and is third in scoring with 34 points. On the power play he has 4 goals and 10 assists.
Pluses: Leadership and experience in spades. He owns a Stanley Cup ring as a youngster with the Devils. On a contending team, Guerin would be an ideal fit on a second-unit power play. Durability is not a problem. He has accomplished the awe-inspiring feat of being the only Islander on this injury-plagued team to play in every game this season.
Minuses: Potential trade partners would make a case of his 38 years. That is, until they acquired him and then raved about how Guerin could be their “final piece.” And if any team was watching last night’s disaster against Carolina, let’s just say no Islander upped his trade value.
Trade Hurdle: We took a little long to get to this important little detail: Guerin has a full no-move clause. Those close to the veteran will tell you that as of mid-February he had little interest in being acquired as a rental. As recently as two seasons ago, he went that route to San Jose. Guerin’s confidants say his preference has been to sign with the Islanders for another season or two. Whether anything has changed recently or will as the March 4 trade deadline nears, we’re not sure. Guerin told Point Blank earlier this season that he hopes to play in the NHL past his 40th birthday.
Of course, two events must happen for Guerin to be traded: teams have to be seriously interested in him, and Guerin has to approve a trade to at least one of them. All of the cards are Guerin’s. For example, he’d be well within his rights to tell any team acquiring him that he’ll only go if they gave him a contract for next season.
The GM Sales Pitch: “You’re getting Bill Guerin. I don’t have to tell you what that means.”
True Value: Since it’s Guerin’s call, the Islanders’ asking price could be diminished. A first round pick or top prospect would seem out of the question. So you know what that means. (Since some readers get really irked every time I say an Islander is worth a second-rounder, I’ll end it there). And do you remember this Saturday afternoon conversation?
PB View: The Islanders should include Guerin and his representative in every step of the process. They should show him this respect not just because he holds the no-move and all the cards, but also because he is their captain and has given the franchise two solid years.
Prediction (as of Feb. 20*): Too much has to happen for this to get done. We predict Guerin ends up not being moved, and then is signed by another team in the summer. Because of the no-move clause – which the Islanders included to get Guerin to New York – they will receive nothing in return for him.
Until we hear that the Guerin camp and Islanders management is getting together to seriously discuss his future, that’s our prediction and we’re sticking to it.
*True Value maintains the right to routinely change our predictions between now and the week before the trade deadline.
Comments.
Perhaps we should have known it was going to be a joke of an Islanders performance when Scott Gordon placed Brendan Witt in front of the net on the power play. The Islanders’ power play.
Perhaps this is what happens when you lose the night before 3-1 to your fiercest rivals and everyone pats themselves on the back for a good effort. This is what happens when it looks like maybe only two players – our picks: Kyle Okposo and Tim Jackman – looked emotionally prepared to play a game 24 hours later.
Who knows for sure why that happened? The only certainty is that was a disgrace. When we left after the second to watch the rest at home on TV, we were far from alone.
Scouts in Attendance: Anaheim, Montreal, Rangers, San Jose
Some Forwards Who Did Not Get Power Play Time While Brendan Witt Did: Sean Bergenheim, Jeff Tambellini, Andy Hilbert
The Latest Injury: Richard Park (broken ribs), 4 weeks. Park’s absence has no effect on the trade deadline. The Islanders may have received offers, but they weren’t going to give up their best role player (under contract next season at a great rate) for a third round draft pick.
Maurice Comes to Long Island
For those of you who may recall PB 1.0, of all the candidates Garth Snow interviewed my choice for the Islanders head coaching position was Paul Maurice. This, of course, was not exactly met by Islanders fans with universal applause. Some people were so surprised by my stumping for the former Carolina and Toronto coach that they figured we were close. In fact, I had never met the man.
While acknowledging Maurice’s medicore record, I felt his experience, demeanor and teaching ability were most ideal for Year 1 of the Islanders’ long rebuild. His professionalism and candor in his media relations also would have gone a long way in this market. I ranked Scott Gordon No. 2 of Snow’s reported interviewees, and suggested that of all the candidates only Bob Hartley would have been a poor choice for what the Islanders needed.
Although the Hurricanes have not soared up the NHL standings since Maurice was hired (re-hired?) to replace Peter Laviolette, I stand by my choice of Maurice first, Gordon second and everyone else (except Hartley) - including aces like John Tortorella – last. With rebuilding comes a lot of torturous moments along the way, although no one banked on the Islanders’ injury plague. There are countless issues to navigate, including keeping the veterans happy while building up the kids.
Maurice would have done a real solid job for the Islanders in these trying times. Gordon will have at least a second season to prove he’s up for the challenge.
Catching up with the Lighthouse Commentary
The reaction was fast and wild soon after my 4:00 pm posting that, for the first time in a while, some serious business has been conducted on the Lighthouse Project. My reaction to a few of your Comments:
TM wrote that he likes Point Blank but that he’ll take Rep. Anthony Wiener’s over mine that the Brooklyn project will ever get done for the Nets. TM: I understand there is a major credibility battle between a politician and a former PR guy-turned writer on a team-sponsored blog. I’d say Mr. Wiener slightly edges me out!
I knew I should have never quoted that source referencing Barack Obama. Hey, I didn’t say it. I know how much people never want to see politics in their non-political blogs, and I can’t blame you.
Coach B asked if the news of the Kansas City pre-season game had anything to do with the shift to some constructive conversations. Not sure you could prove that one way or the other, but if the reaction from fans and media somehow brought the developers, County and Town together – even if it was to vent at each other for a while – then I would say it didn’t hurt.
Lawrence Teller asks how the potential of a shovel hitting ground affects how the Islanders spend on free agents this summer. This is just my take, Mr. Teller: I think the decision to go after a free agent or not should still be determined by hockey decisions. I don’t see why this should change anything. Even if there was a groundbreaking ceremony, you’re still years from a completed project anyway.
Mrlbem asked about my sources. They came from County, Town and developer.
The next few weeks are huge. In a coincidence, Town of Hempstead Night is Saturday at the Coliseum when the Islanders host the Devils. Read the Comments space for news from Nick Classic and others about plans for a white-out and Lighthouse chants. I still would not expect Kate Murray to drop the ceremonial opening faceoff, but you never know.
Finally, I have to re-emphasize that my report was about progress being made. A deal is far from completed.
Petrov Goes to China
Kirill Petrov has been named to Team Russia at the 2009 Universiade to be played from now until Feb. 28 in (get this) Harbin, China. Harbin is the home base of Project Hope, Charles Wang’s program to build ice rinks, provide coaching and bring the game of hockey to the youth of China. Petrov, an Islanders third round pick in 2008, was rated by Point Blank as the team’s non-AHL prospect with the most potential.
The Universiade is considered an Olympics for college students world-wide. Although the tournament is no World Junior Championships, Petrov is one of Russia’s better players on the roster and could use the icetime and increased responsibility after an unimpressive WJC. The hockey tournament portion of the Universiades was described by one scout as “university all-star level” and features players primarily 20-24 years old. Petrov is 19.
(Thank you to Islandermania for the heads-up)
Ice Breakers No More
Like the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Oasis and Nyiles, the Islanders Ice Breakers have been disbanded. The Ice Breakers were a dance team of women who strutted their stuff in the aisles during broadcast timeouts since the beginning of this season.
Although I was critical of the enterprise and then backed down like a wuss when I received a really nice email from a really lovely Ice Breaker (pictured at left), the break-up of the Ice Breakers did not have anything to do with their critics. Blame it, like just about everything else, on the economy.
Like Paul and Artie, the Ice Breakers could always reunite. Fear not: the Ice Girls will live on forever.
Comments.
The Lighthouse Project has a healthy pulse.
The developers’ goal of having a shovel in Coliseum property ground this summer – perceived by many (including this space) as a longshot – is still a possibility.
Positive momentum, if not flat-out good news, could be officially detailed as early as next week.
Over the last 24 hours, Point Blank received more than a half-dozen anonymous tips in our Inbox that business was being conducted over the plans to transform the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and surrounding property. When we finally connected with real sources on the side of the developers and politicians, the information was confirmed.
Make no mistake: an announcement that a deal is completed for the Lighthouse Project is not forthcoming this month. However, if everything falls into place, if both the developers and the community leaders complete their assignments, the once-dim prospects for the Coliseum re-development might finally gain momentum.
Stay tuned to Newsday and your local bloggers over the next week to ten days. The negative side is that if there is no news by mid-March, it could very well mean that the strong momentum blew up in the ugliest of ways.
But the people Point Blank spoke to today would have none of it. They all spoke in glowing, optimistic terms. One cited the Lighthouse Project as Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead’s “very own stimulus package.” Another was so excited that he quoted President Barack Obama’s call for change (I’m completely serious). The 60,000 Lighthouse-created construction jobs could have something to do with all the giddiness.
“Something changed over the last few weeks,” said a source. “If everyone does what they’re supposed to do, there could be a Town hearing soon. And if there is a Town hearing, reports that there was no chance of a groundbreaking ceremony this summer could turn out to be premature.”
ETC: Oh by the way, now Brooklyn wants the Islanders. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Lighthouse Project has a better chance of getting done than the Nets ever making it to Brooklyn.
The Islanders did not have a morning workout today on the heels of last night’s loss at the Garden. As of 4:00 pm today, there was no sign of a return for Trent Hunter, no word on any lineup changes against the Hurricanes. I’ll be with my children in Section 225 for the first period tonight, so stop over and say hi if you have a minute. Depending on how the game is and the quality of sugar rush my boys are on, I’ll eventually head home to work on a post-game report.
Talk about the Lighthouse and the game in Comments.
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