THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES…
Last summer’s Open Houses; Weight update
Doug Weight out 6 weeks with MCL sprain.
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Looks like we will continue this conversation on the rebuild into the night. While I commented twice in the rebuild thread, I figured I’d move this one up to the top in case you don’t read those.
To the fans looking for someone to pay or at least explain themselves for this 30th-place season, when it comes to ownership/management, remember something. The Islanders hosted monthly Open Houses from last May - September where they told anyone who’d listen exactly what they were going to do. I was still working there for the first one. (Okay, so was Ted Nolan).
The Islanders said they were going to build around the draft and develop players. They said they would augment with free agents (they signed Streit and Weight), but were not going to patch holes when times got rough - injuries, poor play. Their one mistake was showing a video at early open houses of the top draft prospects available, giving die-hard fans the impression they were delighted to be locked in at 5. I know I fell for it (I like Josh Bailey, but I’m still not sold on the move).
The entire enterprise was so uniquely up-front and direct, anyone watching Teddy’s body language at the first one - and then noticed he wasn’t there for a few - wasn’t shocked when he didn’t return for a third season.
While I’m sure they didn’t plan on all the injuries and being in the mix for the first draft pick, it is completely fair to kill the Islanders all you want for this season. Cripes, they have won 6 of their last 34 games; I don’t think even the Islanders Ice Girls will argue against you.
Some of the Open House footage may still be archived on Islanders TV if you weren’t there. You can’t say the Islanders didn’t come out and tell you exactly what they were going to do. We will get a better indication on March 4, at the June draft and again the first week of July, but so far you can’t say the Islanders have strayed from their publicly-stated plan.
Can we do another 100? Comments. Thanks to islesblogger for the photo.
104 Responses to “THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES…
Last summer’s Open Houses; Weight update”
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They also sold everyone (myself not included) into two year ticket plans. They did this in advance, knowing full well what was coming. It’s out of the ordinary for the team to sell that early. I don’t blame them. They knew it’ll be tougher to sell tickets for 09′, 10.
That being said, I don’t think they did a pretty fair job in free agency. Weight and Streit have been great. Love to see Weight back next year, but hope we rent him out for the final 6 weeks. If they end up with Tavares, you might even see increased season ticket sales.
the worst part was them telling us we would get a heavy.
This may sound crazy - and certainly this site helps because I feel so in touch with the team, with my fellow fans, with CB, and getting the NHL Network didnt hurt - but I am having a very good time thinking about the future, watching KO develop, and knowing that between draft picks and free agency, it SHOULD get better from here.
Speaking of developing young players:
I was just reading an interesting article on the success of the OHL London Knights producing NHL talent and how they run their franchise as a pro team. They have Tavares now and his head coach…Dale Hunter!
Actually Chris I’m not going to kill them, there are no suprises here. In fact, and I think I speak for alot of people, tired of seeing the team squeak in 8th place and get smoked by a vastly superior opponent. The only way to get this team back into serious contention is to gut it, take your lumps for a couple of seasons (see Pittsburgh, Washington) build through the draft and sprinkle in a few free agents.
Hey CB, knowing that the Islanders are way below the salary cap, can they offer Komisarek say a 6 year deal for 25 million and have the first year salary be 10 million so the Canadians cannot match or compete? That would give the Islanders the salary cap relief a few years down the road when Okposo and Bailey are restricted free agents. I am pretty sure this happened with Sakic between Colorado and Rangers where the Rags front loaded the contract. I think it was 17 million for the first year. The islanders need a #1 Offensive defenseman(Streit) and a #1 Defensive defensman(Komisarek) I just think the Islanders have the cap room and most teams are in trouble with the cap that if the Islanders get creative that they may be able to grab a big talent
Just to follow up the 8th place scenario, if Dipietro was healthy, he probably could have us sniffing around for a playoff spot, we’d probably wouldn’t get in, but just imagine if they did sneak into 8th and get destroyed by Boston, where would that get us?
Kevin whats a heavy
Lawrence and Matt I am 100% with you. I am actually enjoying this ride because I am tired of squeaking into the playoffs and then getting owned. I actually find this season more enjoyable because at least there is hope. When you are in 8th year after year it felt like a dog chasing his tail. Good enough to get in but with no real hope of advancing and in most drafts picking in the middle of the first your chances of an impact player are much lower. Games like last night with KO’s flash make the season worth it along with adding another stud young guy. For the first time in a long time it feels like were doing it right.
I agree with matt. I am much happier with the Islanders commiting to a rebuild than being mediocre again. Also, just the fact that they have so far done exactly what they said they were going to do is amazing. There is no second guessing, the only thing we have to think about is who we will trade for picks and prospects. Imo, this is good because we can have fun with the speculation, and we can only get better as the organization follows the plan they laid out for us.
Matt (7): I think the Islanders’ goalies are doing everything they can. A good 75% of the goals let in against the Islanders wouldn’t be stopped by any goalie. It is the defense that is our main problem that lets up those one timers from the slot, the easy breakaways, huge rebounds, and screens on the goalie. I agree though that getting into the playoffs this year really wouldn’t be good for anything.
a heavy weight. we were able to send in q’s and apparently a lot of people asked this and he said we were getting one for sure. some one should have asked him if we could get one for the full season and can skate better then a 4 year old
Logan on his live blog just announced that Weight’s out 6 weeks with an MCL sprain.
re heavy weight. who cares? are fans that desperate to see a team box when they can’t score goals?
30th place is 30th place no matter what happens in 60 minutes.
well no entertainment othr then young guys and streit and one is currently hurt. neilson got hurt because this team is a bunch of wusses and dont like to see this team be pushed around.
Wasn’t Pock and Thompson patchwork?
I like the flahes we see from Bailey, but I’m not totally sold either. I guess it’ll depend how Ness and Petrov turn out as well. Bailey can be really good, but he needs to beef up and us his body more to shield the puck. He gets knocked off so easily
I hate being such a bottom line guy, because I usually look at extenuating circumstances in my evalutions. But nobody has extenuating circumstances for 20 years. This ain’t a ride, this is a cannon shot into a brick wall and on the otherside of that wall is a back-up goaltender & more losses.
And for all the snobs that look down their noses at making the playoffs, don’t ever tell the NY Giants that squeaking into the playoffs is stupid…and just be on the safe side, don’t mention it to the Ducks either.
Whatever happened to the Islander organization? What an embarrassment. 1993 season never happens with a back-up goalie as a GM or a “wins & losses don’t matter” Head Coach. Tell Pierre Turgeon making the playoffs is stupid. Tell Ray Ferraro that. Tell Dale Hunter that, he’s so old he might buy it. Tell the Islander fans who waited at the NVMC to watch on the Jumbotron the Buffalo Sabres’ Uwe Krupp score the goal that put the Isles into the playoffs on the last day of the season. Tell them the playoffs are stupid. Tell Dubie he’s an idiot for making a save on Easter Sunday 2007.
You want to succeed in life??? There are only 2 ways– You play to win OR you become a back-up goalie with wealthy & gullable friends who own hockey teams. Either one works fine, obviously.
I know the jury is out on last years draft class but does anybody here really think Josh Bailey is a legit player? He is mega soft. We could have traded down and still gotten Boedeker (the guy the Coyotes got). want to be optimistic so bad but I honestly feel like I’m lying to myself. Bailey and Frans Nielsen are the same player.
i meant 0th. also i agree bailey needs to bulk up but i am looking forward to ness and petrov. the main reason to trade down was to restock the obliterated pool of prospects. and preffesionals graded us with an A i think. but hey, what do they know?
I have to say I’m happy with what I see. Yes we’re in 30th place. However, we’re not getting blown out in every game. We’re actually in every game till the end. There are maybe 4 or 5 games where we were not in it. To be in the games with such a young team, makes me look at the future with a smile. Once the kids get experience we’ll be on the other side of a lot of one goal difference wins.
i meant 30th jesus
there is something called team toughness. It does not require a heavy weight. If the team is boring, sorry, the Devs are boring at times too, but they are too far behind NYI in the Cup department and have done it a heck of a lot closer to the present day than NYI.
The Wings have Aaron Downey so indeed they do as well.
we just can’t seem to buy a break. weight would have gotten us a good return at the deadline. i say we re-sign him for a year since we can’t deal him. and chris is right, the team told us the plan during the summer and they have stuck to it.
the devs have clarkson and rupp and salvador. i stated before we dont have team toughness. ask motteau that. prime example. if no one will step up then bring in someone. getting one player is a helluva lot easier then getting a new team full of core players that stick up for one another.
Just because they gave us an A doesnt mean they are sure fire prospects. Mel Kiper JR, the NFL draft guru who knows all about all gave the 2007 Giant draft a C-. Any one who knows anything about football knows that was one of the best draft classes for the giants. All playing a key role for the Giants winning the Super Bowl. In short, the experts arent always right
Well there goes one trade-chip. Guerin, Comrie, Witt, Park, Hilbert, and possibly Joey Mac are the chips. You probably could throw in Tamby in one of these deals. Unless it’s a package, I don’t see us getting anything more then a second round pick for anyone except Guerin.
At the deadline, we have nothing really to lose. I don’t see why you don’t clean house with all of the above for picks/prospects.
Tom needs a hug.
Wow these comment sections have exploded in the last 2 months, I remember when 50 comments for one post was alot. Now it’s hard to even get your voice heard haha guess thats good news for you CB. I’m not sure if anyone has brought this up (probably has) but with all the 3rd line, 4th line, and prospect level players we have, isn’t there any way we could package them together and get a solid player in return from another rebuilding team? I know we are a rebuilding team and don’t want to get rid of young assets, but we have so many good players and not enough 2nd line caliber players. It just seems we should be able to get something back for all these forwards we are logjamming right now.
son of a mother! i pressed submit too early. last post. the devs are not boring. they are winning and play competitve games and have parise who is beasting it out. wait till they getr brodeur back. they are also in the playoffs and will go deep. not boring. and they stick up. there done
Blitz, team toughness is what the Wings say then they respond with “we’ll get them on the powerplay”. We dont do that and we dont have toughness. The Devils have 2 solid MW fighters and a HW with Rupp.
Downey is in the A. We should pick him up, he can skate a regular shift and he’ll provide some friggin entertainment. We barely hit, dont score, not much to root for. If we get Tavares, we better pick up a heavy.
As far as team toughness. I think its hard to be tough when you have the smallest team out on the ice night in and night out. Seriously except for Witt and Sutton (injured) there is no size on this team
Sucks for Weight & for trade possibilities. With that said, can an injured player be dealt? Regardless, NOT having Weight increases the Isles’ chances in the Tavhedonttradedown sweepstakes.
Tom, I do understand your frustration. However, it is what i is. Are you saying we are all royaly screwed until Wang and Snow are out of here?
With the Isles already possessing 3 2nd round picks, and with more possibly coming at the trade deadline, how many would be enough to package together to get another top-10 pick in the upcoming draft? As much as the Isles need to stockpile prospects, I would trade 5 2nd rounders in a heartbeat to get, say, the #5 overall pick. Basically trading 5 ?’s for an “almost” guaranteed NHL caliber player. Thoughts?
Snow should try now to get Guerin to waive his NTC and to what teams…He should work on this right away since Weight is gone
All those people blaming Wang for the current situation, I don’t really get. You can blame him for keeping Milbury at the outset, but Wang asked Bettman what he thought of Milbury (Remember, Wang knew nothing about hockey) and Gary the Great (lol) gave Milbury a ringing endorsement.
Was he stubborn in holding on to him? Yeah, probably. But Wang’s a stubborn guy. That’s sometimes to the benefit (Lighthouse, hopefully) and detriment (Milbury) of the team. Also, the team made the playoffs for a few years there and there’s no way that a hockey novice like Wang could have realized how much they mortgaged the future for those couple of years.
The damage was done by Milbury (sorry for the broken record here folks, but a lot of people don’t seem to get it) before and right after Wang got here. Do you think Wang realized who Luongo was when Milbury traded him a few months (or weeks) after Wang bought the team?
I can’t help but blame the poor ice at the Devils’ arena last night for Weight’s injury. Pucks were bouncing all over the place and the guys with the shovels and the buckets were picking up a large amount of snow during the TV timeouts.
I know it was warm yesterday, but this is a brand-new building. Still a lot of Mickey Mouse with that franchise.
Snow is doing the right thing here and we are going to suffer for the immediate future. However, there is light at the end of the day.
What Snow must do is a “Mark Streit” clibre player each year for the next two years. Komisarek should be offered the moon to come home.
Now, mix those players in with the high round draft choices of last year, this year and next year and we may begin to show signs of real progress in two seasons.
There will be lots and lots of very good players who will be cap hits this UFA period and the next. Snow has to choose wisely and bring in a couple of younger player who can play within the system.
One player that the Isles desperately need need is Chris Neil. He is an UFA and should be the second target behind Komisarek. He’s a great blend of talent and toughness and he should be very high on Snow’s radar.
This roster will undergo big changes next year. Half the forwards will be gone with only Bailey, Hunter, Okposo, Neilsen and Park coming back.
Bergy and Comeau will return only if Snow cannot sign replacements. I expect big changes this summer starting with the number one pick of John Tavares….SW
SW - i disagree with you on changes. The current crop, except the UFA’s will most likely be back. Maybe 1-3 UFA’s return. Otherwise, I doubt there will be ‘big changes’ as NYI hit the secondary UFA market to fill in the holes, meet the cap, and add players that can play with or alongside the current ‘core.’
I don’t know what people could have rationally expected this season other than what we’ve gotten. In ‘07, the Isles tried to go the UFA route after sneaking into the playoffs the previous season and not one of their top targets wanted anything to do with them. Smyth bailed on them. Gomez, Drury, Hannan, Schneider, etc. The list of UFA’s that refused Isles’ dollars, even if they were more dollars, is long and significant. So, they had to settle for second tier guys like Fedotenko, Guerin, Comrie, Sim (OK 4th tier).
Based on that summer, how can anyone sound surprised that the Isles didn’t expect to rebuild through free agency in ‘08? What does anyone expect them to do if no prominent UFA’s want to come here? Its not as if the Isles don’t want to sign and didn’t try to sign top tier UFA’s, its just that none of them wanted to sign.
I don’t think the fans can be pissed at the organization. I think they genuinely are doing everything they can to bring us a winner. Its just that playing in the dump they do doesn’t draw the top talent. They really have no choice but to build through the draft. And maybe that’s a blessing. Most of the top teams in hockey are teams that have been built through the draft and are comprised of home grown talent at their cores. At least this management is sticking to a plan, unlike its predecessor, who changed his mind and the direction of the team as often as he changed clothes.
So now that Weight is out, will we see a Colliton callup or are we going to see more of Tambellini? Or worse … Jon Sim?
Any thoughts on the play of Hillen and Callahan? I am not impressed by either of them. Too soft and not very good puck handling or passing skills (don’t think I’ve seen them shoot yet either). We have enough unimpressive D-men to begin with … can’t see us keeping two more with the team long-term. Perhaps they can be throw-ins in a trade.
This UFA period will be unlike any other with many team having to shed good players as the cap spirals downward.
The NHL is already asking to with hold 25% of players salaries next year in escrow. What does that tell you.
Players who once would not consider Long Island will be left with no choice but to sign where they fit in under the cap.
I am not talking about the Hossais of the world but the second and third tier players who can no longer be afforded by their teams.
Peter Prucha is a prime example. When the cap bottoms out, can the Rangers afford to keep him around at his salary cap hit?
Obviously not. Snow has to do his homework this year and target these type players.
You can disagree all you want, but I see change in the wind. Both this UFA period and the next…….SW
I hope this management will be sticking to a “plan” This is year one of a four year painful climb out of this muck we are in. Snow HAS to hit on last year and the next two drafts otherwise we will su*k until 2015. I think if DP comes back healthy and we can get one or two decent free agents along with further development of the kids we may be sniffing around a playoff spot next year which means we end up with the 14th pick. Keep on losing boys we need that premium pick this year!!
I resign Weight for next year now that the trade option is out the window. Bring both Guerin and Weight back for one more year. Trade Comrie for a 2nd rounder. Keep Witt unless you can get a 1st rounder
Chris, will they still trade Weight? He’ll maybe only be out another week or two after the deadline so some playoff bound team could be willing.
FOr the rest of them start trading now to ensure no more opportunities are lost.
I’d like to see Weight, Guerin, Hilbert, Comrie, Martinek, Witt, Meyer, Pock, Sim, Geravis,and probably Campolli gone.
While disapointed in how this team was managed in the past I don’t care. I do care how the team is being managed now and it is much better. My two biggest complaints are 1) Snow has had three years to make this team bigger and tougher and hasn’t. Does he understand it now? 2)Team and organization is soft and fine with allowing others take advantage of their own.
The only chance the Islanders have is for Snow to stick with the plan no matter how painful. (it can’t be more painful than it is now) There is nothing else to do but stick with it.
Is Weight still tradable, just at a lower asking price? What the juice on that?
SW: I disagree that NYI by trickle down cap’nomics are going to be a new go to destination. The new UFA’s may start taking ‘less’ to play on the cap crunched teams.
If players want the money, then yes, there will be certain teams that will have the space to include them.
However, NYI could just as easily take on via trade another teams cap problem, which would free up said cap to sign a UFA.
The usual spenders are not in a good situation with the cap. However, time and time again, if a team wants ‘x’ player, then they will do what they need to get such player.
Don’t forget that VAN and TOR have a lot of caproom this offseason. No doubt Burkie will go hard for JBo.
To the poster asking about trading up (#36?) - from what I hear about this particular draft class there is a lot of potential from picks 15 all the way through 50 or so. If I’m Snow I don’t know if I dump all my 2nd round ammo to take a shot at one mid first rounder. Seems like it might be a more prudent move to just take the BPA when our number is up especially since it’s looking like we’ll have a top two pick to start.
Sucks about Weight. Snow probably could’ve dealt him for a solid prospect or pick at the deadline. Maybe he’ll be back healthy next season for one more go-round.
That’s a shame about Weight.
As far as the rebuild goes, we need toughness, size, we need finishers, we need a true first line, we need better defense and we need a solid goalie who can back up DP and also perform as our number one for good if (I won’t say it) anything happens. Did I forget anything?There is still a lot to do. But I don’t feel too bad these days. I am prepared to wait it out and take comfort in the little things we see throughout the season. I am starting to trust that Snow and Jankowski can make some good decisions on a regular basis that will help our team. Garth tried to stock up the pantry last summer a little and that’s great, we needed it. We’ve seen Okposo progress and the other kids are hanging in there (but still question marks for me) and that’s great too. We’ve got a style of play for both our team and it’s AHL affiliate, also helps. All in all, they’ve got my interest and I look forward to the end result, a solid contender and the pride back where it belongs, even with it taking a few more years.
me i would try trade for tootoo or neil, somebody that can actually win a fight, and play.
Pay attention. The Isles are not getting calibre. I’ll repeat myself once more for those who didn’t get it the first time.
There will be plenty of SECOND and THIRD TIER players who will be victims of the cap. Many of these players will be better players than what is currently on our roster.
These are who Snow has to go after. Young players with a definate upside who got caught in the cap crunch. Most of the top teams are right up against the cap hit.
When the cap drops they will be forced to make decisions on who has to go. This is where Snow can pick up some very good players because he has a tremendous amount of cap space. The devil is always in the details but Garth needs to show he is up to the challange this year and next….SW
chris why does scott gordon get such a free pass ????he loses almost every night are our players that bad??is it both bad players and bad coach???or do we have some decent young talent but scott gordon just doesnt get them to win???
Good thoughts, polish (#51). I would just love to see Garth make a splash and trade up to get another impact player in addition to Tavares/Hedman.
Btw, I’m surprised by how many people did not see a losing season coming. Even w/o all of these injuries, this team was destined for a bottom 5 finish.
I’m also surprised at how many fans are so quick to bash Gordon. He’s a rookie coach taking over a young, short-on-talent team that has lost more man games to injury than any other team this season. He has a bright future behind the bench, and here’s hoping it’s with the Isles.
im going to say ted nolan was a man he carried himself like a man and overcame his demons .. i think scott gordon is a baby and is mentally weak losing doesnt seem to bother him enough losing the way the islanders do should make you deathly ill.he should be losing his mind by now but instead he jut drinks it up and continues to be perplexed…
I really can’t believe anyone is surprised with this season. Well, it may have been a little worse than expected so far with all of the injuries, but after watching KO last night and watching how well he has played in the last month…and seeing what we’ve gotten out of Streit…and watching Baily and Comeau come into their own a little at a time… I can’t really say that I’m dissapointed at all. Compare this to where we were 10 years ago. Sure, it sucks that we’re going thru bad times again, but at least there is some sort of comitment to doing it right this time.
So Gordon should be pulling a Bill Stewart and throwing a temper tantrum after each loss? The team is 30th in the league. The writing isn’t on the wall, it’s painted in neon green on the floor, ceiling, ice…
This is year 1 of a rebuild. He is giving 18 and 20 year olds significant ice time. Right now his job is grow these boys into men. From the looks of Okposo, et al, I have to give Gordon credit for what we are now starting to see from this team.
gordon gets the credit for kyles success???????????????????????????are you serious imagine what he would do on the devils
From the cup is half full department: I agree with an earlier poster that we all know that this was going to be a long year but despite a dearth of team scoring talent this team’s in almost every game. Lately they’ve been doing it without arguably their best player, Streit. Earlier without Weight for an extended time. Gordon must be doing something to keep this team from mailing it in every night. Oh, I almost forgot. We’ve played virtually the entire season with goalies from the AHL. Lets hope they are on the right track because my vodka comsumption keeps going up. Here’s to a light at the end of the tunnel next year and maybe a little more sobriety.
I have not made up my mind about Gordon yet. Having played the whole year without a number one goaltender, what did we expect?
I think he deserves another year. Let’s see how the young guns develop under him and what he can do with a roster that is not decimated by injuries…..SW
JOE RVC - If you want to fault a coach for a team’s failure, then you need to credit the coach for success.
I, like most fans on here, felt “success” for this season would be the growth of the youth. I think it’s clear we’re beginning to see that. Hopefully next season Gordon has more talented youth to work with.
So much for trading Doug Weight for anything, eh?
PS…anyone solely blaming gordon for this year’s debacle is missing something huge…he has little to work with. so not only is he coming into a new situation, he’s coming into a situation with very very little to work with.
I think Joseneau is a year away from making a big impact.
I am not in favor of getting Weight under contract for next year if Tavares or Duchene is the draft pick. Both appear NHL ready and Weight isn’t gonna be happy as the 4th line guy. If they take Hedman then ya another year of Weight wouldn’t be bad. Sucks he got hurt. Darn it start trading the others now!
The Snow plan to build with youth is the way to go. But when you have an opportunity to draft at 5 you can’t trade down for second round picks. I am afraid Isle fans will watch Filatov the way we watch Parise now! With a what if!! Bailey has 2 goals with tons of ice time and PP time. I am sure he will be a nice player, but, and I know I am beating a dead horse!, had we drafted Filatov last year, we still would be in a position to draft Tavares, add a Komisarek ( who might have been attracted to two young studs) and we turn this thing around next year! Instead we have to hope a second rounder pans out. Love what Ness is doing at Minnesota, but he is 5′10″ 160. Never make it in the NHL with that size!
Oh, I don’t want to see Sim in the line up again now that Weight it out. Get Collitton, Walter or Smith up here. Crap we start playing the likes of Philly and the Rangers soon so get Fritz up here. NO MORE SIM!
I totally agree with the comment that if we get Tavares, we need a heavy.. As a matter of fact, even if we get Hedman or Duchene, we need a heavy…. I know Hedman is a very big kid, but at the world juniors, lots of smaller players were going after him and he got a bit banged up… Whoever we take in 09, along with Bailey and Okposo, needs to be protected by a real heavyweight..
This team needs to get a bit bigger overall, especially on the blueline…
As far as Bailey….. Okposo was drafted higher and is physically more developed than Bailey, meanwhile Okposo was given almost two full seasons after he was drafted before he put on an Islander sweater, while Bailey was immediately rushed to the big club… With that said, I’ve seen Bailey make some passes this year that I haven’t seen an Islander make since Turgeon was around… Give him time… He is a natural playmaker… Those guys are hard to find!
I know….wouldn’t mind having Luke Schenn right now….a future top pair dman in this league for a long long time.
Nice 1/2 hour show right now on NHL Network called “Voices” about Howie Rose.
Not sure if it’s been on before, but lots of Isles stuff.
Robert @ 70 - I agree with you about Bailey. He seems to have great vision and playmaking ability. Seems like he was more confident for a stretch earlier in the season. I’m sure not being fully developed is also playing a part. Considering he’s only 19 I’m pretty happy with what I’ve seen so far.
Whoever said Chris Neil is 100 percent correct. Great blend of toughness and leadership with some added talent. Him and Jackman on the fourth line would be nice.
P.s. I agree with ya Strummer, if the last Ranger game is any indication, we definitely need Fritz up.
hey Tom (18) that uwe krupp goal got us Scott Scissons instead of Jaromir Jagr.
I cant believe that there are people here complaining again and again for months and months on end for Mitch Fritz to dress again… I really cant.
Doug Weight being out 6 weeks is the worst thing that could happen to this team right now besides losing Okposo or a kid.
That is just our luck. We could use all the picks/prospects we can get and now we just lost a chip.
so do you think the isles will call up Fritz?
Chris Me (#1)- As a season subscriber, I knew exactly what was going on when they offered the two year deal. They may well have to do it again. It’s not that hard to read between the lines. It’s actually fairly liberating to be in this situation. I can watch and enjoy any game on it’s merits (even the Rangers-I only switched 7 years ago). Sunday I’ll be at the Rock for Sharks-Devils. We’ll get playoff hockey–in Bridgeport.
I am not really surprised by this seasons outcome. Earlier in the year I predicted 56 pts and many folks told me that was too low.
I am content to let this thing take it’s course. I am quite tired of so called “proffessional sports writers” claiming this is the neverending rebuild. That’s certainly not even remotley true. This team has spent the last seven years thinking they could contend and “build” was never part of the plan.
In the end they wound up with a very soft not to mention limited team in terms of skill and toughness. It was painful to watch.
When they made the post season in 06 I had a feeling it would be a while till they made it back. They should have stripped down and began building after the lockout.
It’s more painful for a lot of fans now because they waited three seasons too long.
Last year Streit & Weight through free agency. Is it too soon to start discussing who is going to be available this year? And throw out some (realistic) names of whom the Islanders should be targeting?
If you stand back and look at the history of this team, from the loss to the oilers in ‘85 right thru to the present its obvious that there has been a curse placed on the Islanders. There needs to be a total exorcism performed at the coliseum with the whole organization present.
Two more goals tonight for DiBenedetto in the Sarnia game tonight. Could the isles luck out here?
You are so right about that first Town Hall meeting. Plans were laid out. Teddy was disinterested. Snow was adament.
Yes, let’s keep both Weight and Guerin for next season. They’re a good pair of vets that have lots to give on and off the ice.
(I just never want to hear Garth use the word ’sprinkle’ again unless he’s talking about cupcakes.)
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.php
Go ahead. Beauchemin in Anaheim, Cammaleri in Calgary, Samuelsson in Detroit, Havlat in Chicago, Cole in Edmonton, Gionta in Jersey and Ohlund in Vancouver are all players outside the top flight segment who I’d be willing to throw a little cash at.
I am SO glad that I didn’t bite on the 2 year season tickets plan thing. I think I’d hate myself after watching 33 losing efforts out of 41 home games in person at NVMC. 8 wins at home, is that a new all-time low? I’ll buy more tickets when they start winning 2 out of 3.
Ottawa is going to win again, so they will be 10 points up, just need atlanta to start winning
The only competition for the Islanders now is the Thrashers. Every other team is clearly a ton better than they are. I’m hoping that the Islanders can maintain last place but Atlanta is really challenging them for it. Ottawa won tonight, Tampa is up in the third, and St. Louis is also up right now. So far, today has been a successful day for the Islanders.
I am SO glad that I didn’t bite on the 2 year season tickets plan thing. I think I’d hate myself after watching 33 losing efforts out of 41 home games in person at NVMC. 8 wins at home, is that a new all-time low? I’ll buy more tickets when they start winning 2 out of 3.
Huh??
8 wins at home?
The Isles record at home today is 10-12-4.
With 15 home games left, they will probably wind up with about 15 home victories. Last year they were 18-18-5.
As a full season ticket holder since 2000, I am well aware of all the challenges this team faces. One of the biggest is trying to stay positive during a rebuilding period. I for one, am feeling more optimistic now than I have in the past few years. I find myself enjoying the games this year and watching the young players play.
Next year will be even better with a Tavares or Hedman.
Macch- i was very suprised Dibenidetto wasn’t on CB’s list of 10 ten prospects not in Bridgeport… I know he is 2/3 years older then most of the kids he is playing against in the OHL, but the guy has serious skill…
I will admit to not seeing either of them play, but from everything I’ve read, I feel DiBo has more upside than Robin Figren who was like 3rd or 4th on CB’s list…. I know the Swedish Elite league is tougher than the OHL, but Figren has two goals in 40 games… Why is eveyone so high on Figren?? If Figren was 3rd or 4th, surely there was a spot in the top 10 for DiBo..
There have been rumblings that Florida would like to move Nathan Horton. He’s turning 24 and has 4 years left on his contract. Any thoughts on whether we have what it takes to get him?
Rhett Rahkshani is one of the prospects I am most interested in. I hear a lot of mixed reveiws on the guy but many think he’s almost(not quite) as good as Okposo with a little less upside as well.
I read something about Shea Guthrie the other day too. He might be the wreckingball type player this team needs. Not a fighter but a big guy who can throw a hit.
Chickendirt: easy does it, pal…CB
I won’t lie, I was one of the vocal many that wanted this season to tank..now that it has, it would be hypocritical of me to gripe about it.
I hope I am wrong about DP, he comes back strong next year, the lottery goes our way and we start the climb back in 09-10
There is no reason to change a coach, nor would it be fair since he lost his #1 player to injury, and Snow gave me what I wanted, which was tearing it down and not being a eternal eigth seed.
the only place we need to see Fritz is selling dippin dots at the next home game.
I understood this would be a down year but I also thought DiPietro would return to form and the Islanders would be in the mix for a playoff spot. The one game he played against Toronto in late December he was great, far better than Joey or Danni. But if we can get a “franchise player” like Tavares can be, we can be a little like the San Antonio Spurs who had an injured David Robinson anf got Tim Duncan. One player doesn’t have the same impact in haockey as in basketball but it still helps. Like Denis Potvin, Guy LaFleur, Mario Lemieux.
The more I think about it, the better I think Bailey would be if they had let him play a year in the minors. You can’t write him off yet but he is green.
What is with all these injuries? Bad luck? Poor conditioning? Bad ice? Coach’s system is too strenuous?
too much on that last post cb?
I will almost certainly buy a season ticket next year since as a federal worker my job is pretty secure. The team is competitive at home and it is the only game in town
Any new thoughts on Blake Kessel or Jyri Niemi CB?
Jim Clark, people have been saying this since last summer but Josh could not possibly have played in the minors this season. It was the Islanders or juniors and thats that.
Tom is right you all have been hypnotized by the Bozo the Clown management! What management tells its already damagemed fans that basically “We won’t be trying to win for a few years.” Rediculious! As CB wrote this team’s talent pool is barren and its going to take four years to reap benefits if all goes right! Knowing the organization in the past 15 seasons we will be waiting for 20 more years! I for one enjoy getting into the playoffs becuase once you are in and get a shot anything can happen. As I have said before, I use to enjoy the Isles seasons but this year I just don’t care! I didn’t get Center Ice for the first time since its been available in Alexandria, VA! I still go to Verizon when the Isles are in town to get beaten by Washington! Other than that I follow this team by CB’s blog. It is the only positive coming out of the organization since Dubie’s run a couple of years back!
StevieL - Marc-Andre Bergeron 5′10″ 311 games to date in the NHL. Brian Rafalski - 5′10″ 669 games to date in the NHL.
Daniel Briere - 5′10″ Brian Gionta - 5′7″
Don’t tell me that kids can’t make it to the NHL because there 5′ 10″, that is just a ludicrous comment.
Dalcy (76) good point. However, the Isles did get the #1 pick in 2000 draft when they weren’t supposed to, so the two events sort of cancel each other out. Besides, the Isles couldn’t afford Jagr. In 3 years they won’t be able to afford Tavares either. But I’ll address that sad day when it comes.
The edict still remains, You play to win OR you pack your bags & move to Kansas City. Case closed. This is NY, maybe in P-Town where Gordon comes from wins & losses don’t matter. In NY, we don’t skip to work. We play to win.
We were told nine years ago, Wang ’saved’ the Islanders. Nine years ago the Isles were in 30th place. No new arena on the horizon. Non-stop talk of relocation. Fast forward to today– NINE YEARS later, 30th Place, no new arena on the horizon, non-stop talk about relocation. Wang saved NOTHING. In 9 years, Wang bought a hotel, fired some Islander garbage, replaced them with different garbage & then shoved a couple of cases beer under a tent in the Coliseum parking lot and called it “The Beer Garden”. That’s the sum total of Wang’s contribution to Islander hockey.
Charlie do me a favor, don’t save me. Seriously. Stop saving Islander fans. Please. I beg.