THE FORGOTTEN HOME-GROWN PROSPECT
For some reason, Colliton doesn’t get the call
He is 6-2, 205 pounds and has the ability to zip around the ice with plenty of speed and tenacity to excel in the Islanders’ forecheck. In Bridgeport, he centers the line that matches up against the opponents’ best. The coach of his undermanned AHL team thinks enough of his ability to send him over the boards in all situations, including the top power play and penalty killing units. And yet, on the rebuilding-with-youth Islanders, he has received the call for six games this season – only when the big club’s injury plague warranted it.
He is Jeremy Colliton, the Islanders’ prospect who seems to have fallen through the cracks.
The determined but humble good ol’ Western Canadian kid would be the first to try and put the breaks on this story. In fact, when I called the 23-year old forward yesterday, his only motivation was not to pump himself up but to underline (about a half-dozen times) that he’s happy to be with teammates and a coaching staff he likes in Bridgeport while fighting for a regular chance in the NHL. So let us do the bloviating:
Somehow, someway, the Islanders need to find the room in their lineup to give Jeremy Colliton at least the final 20 games of this NHL season. Isn’t that what rebuilding teams do?
Colliton was taken by the Islanders in the second round of 2003 and remains as advertised: a heart-and-soul, tenacious, big-bodied potential No. 3 center you can build teams with. (He also wins faceoffs!) He earned the honor of a roster spot for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships not once, but twice. Colliton won a gold medal at 17 as a depth center. Before his injury-shortened second term, Colliton was so highly-regarded by Team Canada coach Brent Sutter that he was placed on a line with Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron.
After an excellent first year of pro in Bridgeport (21-32-53 in 66 games), Colliton’s next two seasons included injuries and inconsistent play. This season, he has excelled in the new franchise-wide system and has been the Sound Tigers’ best two-way player. In limited icetime, he did not look out of place in his six games for Scott Gordon. “Scott’s style is fun to play and I think it’s a great fit for my game,” said Colliton. “Generating speed on the forecheck…I enjoy playing our system in Bridgeport and hope to get the chance to play it some more with the big club.”
With the Islanders already scratching two forwards nightly – Jon Sim and Jeff Tambellini – Colliton’s opportunity does not seem near. Another 4-6 week injury for hard luck fourth-line center Nate Thompson – whose waiver wire acquisition dropped Colliton down the depth chart – doesn’t appear to alter the outlook. It may seem odd to think there’s a logjam at forward with the league’s last-place team, but for now the reality is that there is.
Nevertheless, if the Islanders want to look like a rebuilding team, act like a rebuilding team, a roster spot for Colliton should be cleared by the March 4 trade deadline. We’re not saying a regular shift for Colliton is a season-saver, nor are we proclaiming him to be the next Brent Sutter. Colliton is what he is: a home-grown Islanders prospect who would bring size to a disturbingly small NHL team, has worked hard, fits the system and deserves an opportunity. He hopes it is in New York.
“My attitude is that you control what you can control,” said Colliton, who signed his one-year qualifier last summer and will be a very-restricted free agent again in July. “For me, that means doing the best I can for my team in Bridgeport. We have struggled to score goals the last few weeks, but that’s going to change. I really like our team , so – unless I’m fortunate enough to get the call – my complete focus and dedication is with the Sound Tigers.”
Discuss Colliton and other prospects in Comments. Our first response to the inevitable: Trevor Smith can wait. He’s a second-year pro who played in the ECHL last season and still needs to show consistent effort. Colliton is a fourth-year pro who brings it every night. Comment Guidelines.
72 Responses to THE FORGOTTEN HOME-GROWN PROSPECT
For some reason, Colliton doesn’t get the call
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UIF says:
Too much similarity between Thompson and Colliton, at least as far as I can see from the little I’ve seen of both. And Gordon loves Thompson.
Thompson’s injury probably helps Colliton’s case to center the fourth line, but signing Thompson in the first place probably hurt Colliton’s chances this year. But the fourth line is very crowded in general between Hilbert/Bergy, Park, Sim, Tambs, Jackman, and Thompson. Have to make some decisions on those guys.
I can live with Park-Colliton-Jackman, Bergy on the third line w/ Nielson and Hunter, and then trade/waive/don’t resign the rest.
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Dmarie says:
It sounds like a plan to me, it is at this point all about the rebuilding, hope they bring him up, he fits the glove, enjoys playing gordons way, we could use him, big, plays well, young.
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toorude says:
what?? a centermen that wins face-offs?? trade him immediately. we dont l1ike “that kind” around here.
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Mike from Philly says:
This teams seems to be made up of muckers and grinders through the draft and FA. There is very little pure skill on this team right now which is why this draft is so very important to this franchise.
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Matt says:
I agree UIF. I would like to see Bergy move up to the third line and get a chance with Nielson and Hunter. I actually think that would be a good line. I believe he has been wasted on the 4th line way to much. Colliton on the 4th line the rest of the way wouldn’t be bad, give the kid a chance!
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That is why Taveras is the right choice Mike from Philly. We need offense on this team even though our defense is thin. Can’t win if you don’t score.
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I agree with you Chris. In all his call-ups Colliton has bever really looked out of place, and who doesn’t want the one uninjured guy who has been consistently good on faceoffs taking them for the big club. I think this opportunity would be a year late, but as they say better late than never.
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Once some guys get moved, he’ll probably get a shot, even if it’s battling Sim and Tambs for the last lineup spot.
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Bridgeport fan says:
The Problem with Colliton is the fact that he will never be much more then a PK specialist with hands of stone.Defensively he is very sound and can play wing as well as center.He is pretty decent taking faceoffs but he is stuck behind Hilbert,Park,Thompson and a couple other players on the Isles.I would not be surprised to see Colliton get the call after the deadline passes if the Isles move any of there 3rd or 4th line players.
Colliton will never be much more then a 3rd liner at best but probably more of a 4th line role player.I have been watching Colliton since 2005 I think and while he has made tremendous strides in his overall game he is what he is a defensively solid forward who can win faceoffs, hit and hit the goalie in the chest when he shoots.
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Daryl C says:
Hey Chris,
I just went through this exact line of thinking myself recently while putting together a roster outlook for next year. I have Colliton slotted as the #3 center because the Isles need a big body that can win faceoffs (something the current team is having a lot of trouble with.)
Doesn’t make sense to call him up with 2 guys already healthily scratched but I will be perplexed if Garth does not clear a roster spot for JC by Mar 4.
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CT Isles Fan says:
Well you see with this offensive “logjam” and our recent Bridgeport call ups that aren’t too impressive (Hillen, Callahan) you might see a reason for Hedman instead of Tavares. We really need a stud D prospect. It’s hard to choose. I hope we get the #2 pick actually so the decision would be made for us and therefor we won’t have discussions in the future about “Oh thats why we should have picked Hedman/Tavares”
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I agree with Kevin. Tambs and Colliton may get more ice time if the vets are traded. But if both teams are playing in the same system, and Bridgeport is gearing up for the playoffs, wouldn’t you want your best prospects playing in a playoff atmosphere?
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admin says:
There are no big scorers-in-waiting in Bridgeport. There may not be any in the system right now. Still don’t see what that has to do with Colliton. Since the big club has a desperate need for scorers, that means home-grown intangible players shouldn’t be developed? I’m not saying this is what Colliton will be, but if the Islanders had a Bobby Nystrom in the pipeline, does that mean he wouldn’t get a shot because the Islanders already have plenty of grinders? CB
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Brian G says:
Just make some trades Snow
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thepolishprince says:
Colliton has been jokingly referred to as “the sweetener” on one Isles message board. He is always the final piece of any Isles trade proposal being bandied around by the posters to put a deal over the top. I get the feeling it isn’t a “bag of pucks” or “roll of tape” throw in type of reference by any means however. Colliton is as CB points out a solid two way centerman with size who plays his bag off every night, wins faceoffs and can occassionally put the puck in the net. Why shouldn’t he get a regular shot with the big club?
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mw147 says:
To me, Thompson and Colliton are more or less interchangeable. Add in Jackman, Park, and Hilbert, and that is a lot of 4th liners.
Colliton seems like a good kid, but I can’t get too excited about him. If Thompson can’t shake the injury bug I would be fine with letting go of him and having Colliton taking that spot.
I would also let go of either Park or Hilbert. They are also somewhat redundant. That would also help to clear space for Colliton to get a shot on the 4th line next year. I could see doing this – he might be an upgrade over what we have now. Especially if he can stay healthy, which would be kind of unusual around here.
I could see a 4th line of Jackman, Colliton, and either Park or Hilbert for next season.
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CB, I don’t think many are opposed to giving him a shot at all…but it comes down to preference. Park is the perfect NHL version of a “utility player” and should probably stay, Jackman’s looked great for what he is, Hilbert seems to be adored by every coach the Isles get, Gordon loves Thompson (hurt now, but above Colliton on the depth chart probably b/c of Gordon), Snow loves Tambellini and signed him to a one-way deal for some reason, and Sim is…well…why hasn’t he been waived and sent to the minors again?
Ultimately, it’s on Snow to clear out some fourth liners somehow to make room for Colliton there, imo.
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Strummer's Army says:
Reports out of camp were he made the team. He got bumped because Gordon found one of his own on waivers. I have always been a fan of his game and thought about why he wasn’t with the club yesterday when Gordon was talking about the loss of Thompson’s face-off ability. Collitton would easily replace that.
I hope there is a purge coming and when it does I’d like to see Collitton with the Isles.
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jonsson3 says:
He’s bigger than Hilbert and we need size. I agree with #13 keep him in Bridgeport for some playoff experience. Trade some of the small guys and give him a shot next year. We have to keep Park though, he is one of the most underrated players in the NHL. Ever notice when he shoots he hardly ever misses the net, he makes the goalie make the save. Good on PK and is one of 2 players this year not hurt!! He’s today’s version of Goring.
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Isles1972 says:
I would hope they give Colliton a shot more regularly. I would prefer to see Park on the wing and let Jeremy play the fourth line centre for now until they make some moves. If he doesn’t fit into their future plans, they let other teams see how he can play at this level.
The Isles should do all they can to see what they have in the minors and give the guys a shot they believe are ones to keep, so they can really see what they have at an NHL level. -
Angelos says:
There is a definite logjam at center.
Weight
Comrie
Bailey
Nieslen
Park
ThompsonEven if we trade Weight and Comrie, he’s still 5th in line. Also, if we do eventually get Tavares, Colliton’s situation just gets worse. I would only picture him on the Isles as a winger for the near future.
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isles316 says:
I just think over the last 7 years that the Isles have seen a lot of their prospects and players in general fit the mold of Colliton and it’s hard to get excited about him.
He is a nice player who tries but speaking for myself, I hope he makes it and can be a grinding forward but I’m not going to get excited over him. We still need the guy that can score 30 every year.
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JPinVA says:
It’s interesting thinking about how this team is going to look next year. I’m probably in the minority that would like to see Weight and Guerin resigned for one more year to keep the team competetive while it grows.
Park is signed for another year, so if you let the left handed Hilbert go, then the righthanded Colliton can fit in as a larger fourth line option. Other than that I don’t see him displacing anybody else on the current team.
He can definitely be an assett on the PK and adds size over hilbert (that’s not saying much).
I think we all agree that the roster spot in question needs to go to a UFA who can play 8-10 mins and DOMINATE scraps.
I don’t see that on Colliton’s resume. He had two scraps last year, one against Brandon Nolan… It’s always a good move to drop ‘em with the your potential boss’s son.
Why aren’t Sim and Tambellini playing in Bridgeport? It’s not like Snow should be afraid to expose them to waivers. -
rb says:
why am I left with the impression that he’s ultimately going to wind up with the Devils where he’ll be John Madden’s replacement and kill us for the next 10 years? and why is Tambellini even still on this team?
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MikkoMakela says:
I think Colliton may as well play loads of minutes a game in Bridgeport and further develop all aspects of his game then being buried on the 4th line playing 9 mins a game. It’s tough finding a spot for a projected 3rd line center when you already have 10 or so 3rd/4th line forwards on the pro roster…
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cgs878 says:
I hope that Garth and company get rid of lots of the veterans at the trade deadline (or after the season) so that Colliton, Smith, and other promising young talent at Bridgeport can move up to the NHL. Next season should be the first TRUE year of rebuilding, not of mixing veterans while the young guys sit at Bridgeport.
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I would love to see Colliton get his chance, but the salary cap floor is working against us as much as the logjam at forward. You can’t simply ditch all the vets because of the salary cap requirements.
Has there been any thought to moving one of the more versatile centers to the wing in order to free up some space for Colliton after the deadline?
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CB said: “It may seem odd to think there’s a logjam at forward with the league’s last-place team, but for now the reality is that there is.”
The continuing dilemma of a scarcity of high-end talent. Hope Colliton gets another shot for his sake – and maybe he has intangibles – but I’m so looking forward to the day when we have real offensive depth rather than a surplus of interchangeable third/fourth-line parts.
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Hey CB (and this is my last post on the thread), what would REALLY happen if the Islanders, or any team for that matter, go below the salary floor? Seems like a lot of hot air to me..
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BrassBonanza says:
What about Ben Walter? What’s his status? I would think he is the forgotten man at the center position. What do the Isles think of him?
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randy boyd says:
OK, i responded to the wrong place. Anyway, I think that the “it” which Colliton brings is already in abundance here. While I agree that the small stature of this team is a problem, the one thing we are awash with are “responsible two way forwards.” If Park, Hilbert, Thompson, etc were going elsewhere (unlikely for each, between Wang and Gordon favorites), then the need for Colliton would be pressing.
IMHO, what the organization desperately needs is to develop any scoring forward possible. Any guy in this organization who might fill that bill, whose development is ready for the NHL (unlike Bailey, but that’s another story) should be here, now, skating a regular shift. That includes Tambellini, btw.
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Mikey says:
I agree with CB 100% on this one. Although Colliton will never be a big offensive contributor, a player with his skill set can be an important part of a winning team. The Islanders do not have any other NHL-ready center prospects with size and face-off abilities. We do not have anyone in our current lineup that can fill this role either. Jeremy has been busting his butt for three years; It’s time to give him a 20 game tryout. The Eastern Conference is going to get bigger and tougher in the coming years (Bruins and Caps are huge, and Burke is going to turn the Leafs into a big, physical team). We need to see if Colliton can be part of our future.
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Mikey – OK, done. Question though – who on the current roster goes, and where does he go and how and when?
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frank nyc says:
hmm colliton is ok. I would like them to give him n extended opportunity this season and we could use the size. But is this a guy who’s all that different than what we already have?? It seems we have a good number of jeremy collitons already. In six games he has no points. Either way hopefully after the trade deadline we’ll have a spot for him, so we can really see what he can do.
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As salaries are prorated, the cap floor is primarily a non-issue with the March 4 trade deadline approaching. While it may have been a reason in November, the floor is not an excuse for the Islanders to not make trades in late February and early March…CB
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jbranny says:
Why is the Isles’ fan base always looking toward trading for drafting the next dream player. And every potential prospect or draft pick is going to change our world and be the answer. I have news for you all, there are very few “game changer” players out there, either on the D or O. 95% or more of every roster is made up of guys who have spent at least a year (usually longer) in the minors. If we are committed to a youth movement, promote the guys at Brigdeport that are proving themselves there and get rid of them if they can’t cut it inthe NHL. Ship out the Islanders who are not earning their keep.
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UIF – If they trade one of the vets, there will be a spot for Colliton until the end of the year. For example, if Comrie gets traded, they can shift Park or Hilbert up to the vets line and slide Colliton into the 4th line center slot. Sim shouldn’t play on the team. They gave Tambellini 40 games, and he’s done nothing. It’s time to give someone else an opportunity until the season ends.
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BeatleBailey says:
It is a shame because in limited time here he does look like he belongs. But Colliton sure does like a throw in player at the deadline because of Thompson. If i had to pick one to keep it would be thompson because of his willingness to get beat up by the other teams goons. At least with him and Jackman we have two punching bags with some ability
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You saw who Scot Gordon used in the shootout last nite, I think he’s on board with the youth movement. I would like to see the NY Islander’s make excellent trades with all their Vet’s, except, Streit, and Park. And they should be able to get quite a bit, for them. If they are smart they should come out smelling like roses, with these trades. And bring up Trevor Smith, Jeremy Colliton, and Jesse Joensuu. They hopefully will get John Tavares. Thanks Chris, Mark
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Mario says:
Do you really think its worth to bring him up and have him only play 8 mins. a game. I would send down as many players as we can and let Bridgeport try to win. I dont think having these guys play in LI really helps them that much.
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I hope when I check back later Fritz has been recalled and tonight the Isles have shown some pride and gotten some justice against NJ.
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Strummer, if Fritz was recalled it would be at the expense of Tim Jackman… and that would be so DUMB its unbelievable. I could see people calling for it back in October, but not now! Look at the way Tiom Jackman is playing- I DO NOT want to see him off that 4th line!!!
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Akeem says:
Perhaps the Isles are trying to avoid another Tambellini scenario – Rather than bring up a young guy and risk him not performing at the NHL level and thereby severely decreasing his value, a la Tambellini, they’re leaving Colliton in B-port, where he can perform, and his value will either stay the same or go up…
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Is anyone going to the Bridgeport game Friday night? I’m going for the first time since the lockout and looking forward to it. Nothing like a bar on a boat! Port Jeff Ferry!
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mrlbem says:
CB (#36),
So players’ salaries are pro-rated, but the salary cap/floor is not? So that means you can add a big ticket salary in March when you could not do that in November? Seems like a loophole to me. I didn’t know that the system could be played like that.
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Jethro09 says:
Is it just me, or is every Isles’ prospect a “depth player”? Every guy in the system is a filler-type guy, no impact prospects. I hope some of these guys from the ’08 draft pan out to be more than “depth players”.
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Isles4cups says:
Colliton may only be a 3rd or 4th line center at best, but he is a draft pick of the Islanders, and I think he deserves his chance. He’s got size, can skate, and win face offs while chipping in a few points to boot. I’m partial to the Canadian born kids too, so that would be another reason I’d like to see him up with the big club.
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mrlbem, That is true but look at the Rangers. They are in big cap space trouble if they pick up Avery. It wouldn’t work come next season especially because they have to sign about 10 free agents from their current roster. Many UFA like Zherdev,Prucha,Dawes…
They are in cap hell.
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Not to put this on Snow since he’s only ran the show for two drafts, but the lack of skill in the Isles’ farm system is alarming. The ’08 draft has the potential to yield some skilled guys (Bailey, Petrov, Trevino), but Snowy needs to draft some skill in ’09. This team has enough role players and depth guys.
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Jethro is right on target as usual. That’s why passing on Filatov got everyone crazed, myself included.
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drouin says:
Is he really big? 6’2″ but only 205. I seem to remember Nolan having an issue with his lack of bulk. I haven’t seem him play much so I can’t say whether he plays a big man’s game or not. Perhaps that is why they seem reluctant to bring him up
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kevin says:
drouin, that means that he is more solid than big but he is the biigest center after thomspon i think. even then, isnt thompson the same size? to me big is 6’3 and up and 210 and up so being 6’2 and 2 bills is solid for me. the difference between thompson and colliton for me is that colliton can contribute offensively more and thompson can fight.
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trading down was a smart move so we can restock the system, which is a problem evidently.
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I was, and still am, fine with trading down and not taking Filitov. I wasn’t sold on him then and am not not sold on him. I am sold on Josh Bailey, especially when I hear Mike Bossy repeatedly say he is going to be great. Besides Filitov is another tiny player and the Isles are pretty stocked on those.
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TrickyPete says:
I am hopeful that Snow and his regime are going to be able to turn this franchise’s poor drafting around. Excluding Okposo, who I believe will develop into a consistent 30 goal scorer either here or somewhere else, the last uniquely talented offensive player we drafted was Nilsson in 2003 and that’s not saying much. Going back as far as 1996 you can add JP Dumont and Tim Connolly to that list and that about wraps it up.
I think Bailey is special and I am hopeful that some of our other 2008 prospects prove to be so as well because the draft has to become the backbone of this franchise since it is proving hard to attract top FA names to the island.
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i actually have high hopes for trivino. he should be pretty cool and solid second liner
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Nick says:
colliton always plays well when he’s up…he’s better than thompson because of his size and speed…a sad truth is that it seems scotty gordon has mancrushes on all his former players
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leros says:
J.Co reminds me of a young Mike Sillinger.
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the bomber says:
CB said: “It may seem odd to think there’s a logjam at forward with the league’s last-place team, but for now the reality is that there is.”
see i feel the problem is not just that we have a logjam at forward, we have a logjam of checking, 2 way, good hockey -sense forwards. We have one second line, and three 4th lines on this team. Which is precisely why we are in dead last. So do we really need another 4th liner right now? We need to showcase all the other 4th liners we have and hope someone is dumb enough to take one in a trade. Then, if so, Mr. Colliton can slide in next year, and become a useful part of this team. Till then, leave him in Bridgeport and let him play.
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Tom says:
Garth has a plan. Snow has shown time & time again why he’s one of the most respected GM’s in the game today. As fans we may not understand all his moves right away, but his greatness is unparalleled. If you don’t believe me, just ask Charles Wang, the other hockey know-it-all.
Put Snow, Wang & Logan as the 3-headed monster of hockey ops. You know how many #1′s picks we’ll get? It’ll be AWESOME.
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tom your a jackass.
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Thanks for the update. I had NO IDEA!
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Pete DeBenedetto says:
CB….can you give us a list of picks and rounds for the upcoming draft???? How many selections are we going in with????
Thanks
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redz says:
there’s no reason why this guy shouldn’t be given at LEAST 20 games. Colliton brings something that the Isles don’t have (size, grit, youth, faceoffs, homegrown, proven winner at WJC) and that every team needs. Yes, he hasn’t been as offensive as expected, maybe, but he seems to have rounded out his game quite nicely and I don’t see how you can justify significant NHL minutes to Thompson, Sim, Jackman (alhtough he’s earned it) and even Tambellini (although they are supposed to have different roles) without giving Colliton a fair chance.
He’s worked hard, he hasn’t whined, I hope that the Isles would do the honorable thing and let him go, if he’s not in their plans.
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Mike says:
Other then Okposo and Bailey this team is 18 4th liners?
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FIsles says:
I agree that Colliton needs to be brought up this year for evaluation. I believe he is waiver eligible next year, and it only takes one coach or GM with a big crush on him for Colliton to become a former Islander. So yes, let’s have a good look at him this year, especially with Thompson now injured and everything. The ice time argument in favor of keeping Colliton in the AHL doesn’t really cut it for me at this point. He’s been there for three and a half seasons now. Ben Walter is probably in the same boat, but he might not have the size to make his skill count in a checking line role.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
Chris Could not agree more. Colliton should be the third line center next year. This roster will look nothing like next years roster and I think that Colliton will be one of the keepers.
Lots of the grinders will be gone next year. The only forwards that are locks for next year are Bailey, Okposo, Hunter, Neilsen and Park. Comeau and Bergy are 50-50 depending on what UFA’s are available.
Lots of very good players will be victims of the cap this summer. What you see today on this team is nothing like you will see next season….SW
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Cam says:
I think you’re wrong in terms of Colliton vs. Smith. There’s a reason he’s a four year pro and hasn’t stuck in the bigs.
Smith has more potential at this point and deserves a real shot this season more than Colliton who’s already played in 42 NHL games. I get that it’s a feel-good story, but having seniority doesn’t earn you an NHL roster spot. As far as Smith needing to show consistent effort every night, you must not watch many Sound Tigers games. Have you ever met the kid?
The Islanders would be better served giving those 20 games this season to Smith.
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Go Isles says:
Ok I get you asking us to forget Smith for the purposes of discussing Colliton. But then you throw Smith under the bus by questioning his work ethic which I cannot let pass by without comment since you are dead wrong and surprisingly superficial for you to write in this way. The kid works his butt off each and every shift, maybe you should see some games in person before summing someone’s career up in one sentence. He is still the team’s leading scorer and has the potential to be a top 6 forward if he gets the chance. As far as your comment about being in the ECHL last year..so what?…you could have also mentioned he had a few games in the NHL this year and scored a beauty in Calgary….come on CB you are better than this.
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Ed says:
The draft, the draft,we put so much infamous on the draft. I have seen better players coming into the league undrafted. If we all haven’t figured it out yet, this is all dirty politics. A team invests a lot of money in you and their stuck. A young kid comes along, twice as talented, no contract…who stays and who goes. I can tell you one thing, the man making the money isn’t going anywhere, the team is stuck with him. Over the last several years I have been so disappointed at the operational aspect of the NHL. If you’re not good enough, it’s time to move on. I’ve seen high draft picks rot on the bench or get lost in the farm leagues. As for some of these veterans, you’re time may not be up, but you may be better suited with a different chemistry of players. We’ve all seen it, kids move up in the system and never perform at that level that we all expect. Then they move on, and amazingly they begin to excel. That’s not a fluke…perhaps their skills are being better utilized somewhere else. We see our favorites rise through the system, just to be sitting on the sidelines. It’s not fair we say, “he’s better than that”. Well, we know it, but obviously, for some reason, maybe it’s financial, maybe it’s loyalty to a former player, and maybe it’s just poor management..the bottom line is Professional Hockey is a BUSINESS! Like it or not. Finally, I say, Islanders, take a page out of the Washington Capitals Play Book…get rid of the old and bring on the new. Bring in the energy, bring in the speed, bring in the new kids (and size isn’t everything, I would rather have a 5’8 kid with speed, than Fritz on my team!). Right or wrong what do we have to lose??
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B.P. says:
Here here Chris. It is sad to me when I see a guy like Fritz pulling on the sweater and yet a good kid like Colliton.
Not everybody plays on the top 2 lines. You also need guys for the bottom 2 lines and Colliton is a solid young kid that can fill one of those roles very nicely.
We need kids who can put the puck in the net. We have enough hard working players with hands of stone.