WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT WINS AND LOSSES, COACH?
Islanders 7, Devils 3; kids all over the scoresheet
After the Islanders returned from an oh-for-4 West Coast swing in early January, Scott Gordon declared that the development of the franchise’s young players was more important than wins and losses.
An NHL head coach says this when…
A. He sees a lot more losses than wins in his future.
B. His team’s PR platform needs to change from, “We’re going to win every game!” to “Hey, didja hear about our young players”?
C. He really means it.
For Gordon it was D, all of the above. The Islanders first-year coach made the remark one game past the mid-season mark. After 42 games, the Islanders were 12-26-4. Although the reality was the franchise had nowhere else to turn, Gordon’s sincerity was not in question - okay, except by three or four players no longer on the Islanders’ roster.
So forgive us if we pour just a little bit of cold water on today’s soul-stirring 7-3 triumph over the New Jersey Devils or any of the other impressive wins in the last two months. The coach was right to say it then and remains so today. Take Scott Gordon at his word.
These wins aren’t all that important.
Of course, what matters most - as Gordon said - is bountiful evidence of the kids coming around. No offense to good man Dean McAmmond, but if the Islanders are winning games behind the renaissance of a 35-year old checking center, wins like today’s wouldn’t mean squat. In fact, they’d be painful - the sort of just-our-luck cheap shot absorbed by the fan base should the Islanders “lose” a top-2 draft pick.
But if wins include Josh Bailey threading Turgeonian passes from behind the net to Blake Comeau, so be it. If they feature Jeff Tambellini fighting through traffic on his way to a goal, it’s all good. If players like Jesse Joensuu and Jack Hillen are coming up from Bridgeport and not looking out of place, savor the victory.
Another step in the possible rise to stardom of Kyle Okposo? Sweet.
Mike Iggulden driving down 95 for the afternoon to get two first assists? Sean Bergenheim with a hat trick? Now let’s not get crazy!
It’s the job of the players to win games. They could not care less about some 18-year punk in Ontario or Finland. Like they did today, they want to just win, baby.
Here’s the truly cold water part of this pour. As any Islanders fan of the last two decades can tell you, these games are a lot easier to play - a lot easier to coach - when you’re out of the playoff race. The die-hards can tell you about the three weeks Bergenheim-Yashin-Nilsson was the best line in hockey. They can tell you about a bad team in 1997-98 finishing the season 6-3-1, mostly behind shutouts by Tommy Salo.
Today was a lovely afternoon at the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike. After all they’ve endured this season, Islanders fans deserve to relish this one with a few responsibly-downed pints. If they didn’t have a game at 3:00 tomorrow against Phoenix, Bergenheim, Hillen, Comeau, Frans Nielsen and the rest of the boys who endured this season and are finishing it as men would have every right to join you. All of them, of course, except for the underage Bailey.
The Islanders dropped three straight close games after Gordon’s “losses don’t matter, development does” edict. But then a funny thing happened, maybe something even the coach didn’t count on: They’ve been 9-8-3 since.
Gordon said in his post-game presser today that he told his young players at the mid-season mark of “the opportunity to make this their team.” They’re getting there.
Two months later, Gordon’s declaration about what matters most rings with even more truth. Development, in the form of the prospects getting on the scoresheet, rules. The losses, and all these darn wins, not so much.
That is, unless we’re talking Thrashers and Lightning.
ETC: Trent Hunter is out for the year with a fractured ankle. The Islanders said the injury was suffered during today’s win over New Jersey and was unrelated to Hunter’s recent ankle injury. Hunter is the team’s current leader in goals with 14, now tied by Bergenheim.
Bergenheim said his hat trick compares as a memory with his first NHL goal. “This really is a dream come true,” he said. On a team level, Bergenheim said, “I think this system has grown on every player.”
Comments.
89 Responses to “WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT WINS AND LOSSES, COACH?
Islanders 7, Devils 3; kids all over the scoresheet”
Please Wait
Nice win, just hope they don’t blow a top 2 pick now.
ill take this win even though we’re are close and brodeur is on my fantasy team :\ but now its time to focus and lose like that south park baseball episode
Great win/game Kidlanders!!!
Thank you, Howie, for mentioning Billy Harris. A great, unselfish player; a bona fide #1. So long unmentioned…
As a fan since day one in 1972 who has seen it all in Islander history,the 1974-75 team might be my favorite Islander team of all because you could feel something big was going to happen.
This team is gonna win some games next year, I really don’t think we lost many games we weren’t really in this year. Hopefully we get Hedman or Tavares (Tampa is what is scaring me more than Atlanta right now) and this thing really gets jump started. Then sit back, and watch the bottom fall out of the cap after next year. Cheap pickens then folks. A new building and we are looking sharp for 2010-11 whether the building is completely refurbished or not. I don’t think Taylor Hall will be available to us next year, we won’t be this bad (wouldn’t it be nice though)
One thing for sure-The Islanders have the right coach to develop players and a plan to develop them in place for the first time in who knows how long. It is very refreshing to see.
Loved watching the game today. Very exciting to watch young players develop, and we are getting a taste of that. We still are 5 points behind (in front) of Atl and 6 with Tampa. A 6 game road trip starts Tues. Cant see us winning more than 2 of those, and at that rate, we are not gaining on Atl and Tampa. See everyone on Tues nite (im the old guy)
Great picture of ‘Fatso’ checking out the Ice Girl! It must of reminded him of his old babysitter and thrown him off his game today
Is it just me, or were they running a trap today?
I loved seeing all those youngsters on the score sheet. By the way, now Bergie ties the lead in goals for the team with 14. Here’s to more goals from him, and KO. If Bailey doesn’t score anymore this season, I want to see him keep up those gorgeous passes.
The Kids are alright!
Uh. Good win. I guess that’s all we’re allowed to say on this site.
…and the seed has sprouted into what looks like a healthy plant. Next year it bares fruit.
Hey Pez (2): Do you remember how that plan actually worked out for them? Keep it in mind lol.
Screw all that hoping to lose stuff- Ill take a game like today ANY time over that!
But on that note, remember this- even if the Islanders go 11-7-0 for the remainder of the season, they will still have more than a 90% chance of finiishing 29th or 30th overall. It is what it is.
Ted Nolan has got to be kicking himself. If he was a little patient he could have been enjoying this young team instead of being out of the league again. Same for Neill Smith. I would love to add Taveras or Hedman to this impressive young team. I’m starting to worry about the number 1 pick. Nothing we can do about it though. You cannot have this team lose on purpose.
josh bailey is the best passer this team has had in decades. (i recall turgeon more for his great goals than his passes, though he was great overall player until the headhunter). eventually he can be one of those guys who scores 15 to 20 goals but amasses 40+ assists. adam oates actually comes to mind when i watch this kid.
Is Joe Callahan trying to stick around for awhile? Nothing flashy but few mistakes.
Nice quote by Bergenheim about the system growing on the players. This is a good sign. Could it be?
i just looked at turgeon’s stats and sure enough he had 74 assists one year for the isles, and 8 years with 50 or more. incredible! but it was a different game then, and he played on some teams with multiple pure goal scorers.
Fair point on not getting too high about garbage-game wins late in the season. But today the kids showed the type of skill to make NHL defensemen (Loophole Lou’s defensemen, no less!) look silly, and that’s something.
They have no Cups and no playoff beards to their name, but they showed more speed and skill than has been possessed by the Islanders’ top six forwards for several seasons. They’re not Ovechkin or Crosby, but they’re not Miro Satan or Erik Cole or Gary Roberts or Michal Nylander, either.
Youth rules the NHL now; the Isles were due theirs.
Bailey makes some of the best passes, sometimes. i still think one year in the farm would have done him well but when i see this kid make the right passes, i’m glad he stuck around.
i don’t kow if i’m on a natural high (probably bc the Isles kids just showed Brodeur a seat) but i’m getting excited about the future of this team. for too long, this team was the ass crack of the NHL. Are good days ahead, really?
“And the sun will respect
Every face on the deck,
The hour that the ship comes in.”
I think as a fan this past week of hockey from them starting with the buffalo game last saturday shows that this team really has a plan in place and Gordon and Capuano down at the bridge deserve some credit these young players are really playing solid positionally and have not looked lost making there NHL debuts and the players who have been under gordon are really starting to shine. Keep up the good work boys we are heading in the right direction.
Just one thing to say, Jesse Joensuu is for real.Just got back from the game and this kid is really good in traffic and on the boards. Sean Bergenheim is trully turning into a bonafide power forward. And Josh Bailey`s vision is something special to watch for a true hockey fan. These kids are jellying very nicely and more importantly showing they have more guts and character then our supposed vets. Gordon`s success in Boston is starting to show here. It took a little while but the last 3 weeks have been a pleasure to watch. Wang needs to keep this team here and forget hick town Kansas.
“These wins aren’t all that important.”
Chris… is Kill Joy one word or two?
I dunno about you guys but i think our scouting got Joesnuu pegged dead wrong…I mean they said the Kid Could Not skate & his hands where not that good ???
WTF where they watching ? Joensuu is a BIG TIME TALENT BABYYYYYYYY -Finally Islander fans we might have hit the jackpot with this kid (FINGERS CROSSED) but let me tell you right now -he goes to the net harder then any Islander since Tonelli…If we get him a playmaking center (Taveras anyone?) WOW WOW WOW
Just back from the game - had a lot of fun. Its a real testament to Jack Capuano that his kids come down for a game at NVMC and look like they fit in - know what to do and contribute on the scoreboard ( Jonesuu, Wrecker and now Iggulden - like McLean and Trevor Smith before)
Fun game to watch. Great result. I think we could afford to win today - and so long as Atlanta and/or Tampa win too - we are ok.
A team that hustled and played hard for 60 mins. Great effort. Did not see how Trent got hurt. He will be missed.
Pat
Just got back from the game and I now need to get a new Islander hat.
I tried to toss it on the ice following Bergy’s hat trick but missed by a mile! At least I tried though lol
Older hockey fans this one is for you-Remember Tim Kerr? Mike Renberg (Legion of doom line in philly) how about Thomas Holmstrom ?? Well say Hello to there Clone
JESSE JOENSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
So what is the early speculation for who is going to take Hunter’s spot? Will it be Thompson if he is healthy or maybe the Wrecker for another game or two.
Good looking win today by the boys. Of course it means nothing but it is great to see some chemistry out there. Hopefully better days are ahead.
27 TheKidsMustPlay on Mar 7th, 2009 18:20:08 said:
he goes to the net harder then any Islander since Tonelli…
the guy who at times reminds of tonelli’s tenacious rockem-sockem style is bergy.
Inch by inch… step by step… slowly I turned!
I have to admit that over the past 6 weeks or so there seems to be light beaming out over the horizon.
I really like what’s going on with the team. It’s easy to say that after great wins like today and good losses like thursday. If this is what we have to look forward to next year, I’m already excited.
Steven (16) Apples and oranges. When you are brought in TO WIN and handed the disasters of the last two years, don’t blame the guy for not wanting to pin his career on the development of Jeff Tambellini and a guy who played 4 games this year.
I’ll give credit to Snow and gordon for STARTING to create exciting hockey on the island again… but I’ll judge ted and that group in that time and situation.
Congrats to everybody coming up from BP and thanks for inspiring tambellini. they must be bringing SOMETHING from conn. to get him going. Is there a great pizza joint in Bridgeport?
Time to lock up Bergie long term and cheap! Just like the deal they gave to Frans. Do the same for Hillen.
OK we can win at home (especially when there are plenty of people in the opposite colored jersey in attendance) but we had better keep losing on the road otherwise this season will be a waste. We have got to finish last… We need Tavares or Hedman and that is only way to gaurantee we can draft one of them.
Hey CB,
any news on who will be the next captain? K.O.? he looks likes he’s becoming more and more of a leader out there.
I never would have expected a Bergenheim hat trick before Kyle at the beginning of this season, but I couldn’t be any happier! A few weeks back The Hockey News published an article about how the Isles’ last five 1st rd draft picks have been busts (prior to 2006 I believe); Bergenheim one member on that list. I, for one, would love to see Bergenheim continue to develop into that #1 rd draft pick we selected him to be.
For the first time in quite a while, I can sleep well tonight. Gonna wear my Isles PJs.
Bergenheim was a pretty good pick in a weak draft 22nd overall and they got Nielsen in the third so that was a not a lost draft year-2002.
Imagine these lines next year:
Okposo-Bailey-Comeau
Joensuu-Taveras-Bergenheim
Chris Neil-Neilson-Hunter
Jackman-Park-Tamby or Igullden
Komisarek & Striet
Gervais & Witt
Hillen & Sutton
Callahan (7th d)
oops forgot Martinek…Over sutton any day
Martinek is so steady he’s just made of glass
gotta agree with 33 give them long term deals they both are proving their worth…hillen has a ways to go but hes making a serious case for himself
What a great reaction by Jaffe and Rose when Bergy had the hat trick and What a reaction by the bench, really seems that this team has some chemistry going for it. I like the direction of the team lets keep it going. Great website CB.
– “Just got back from the game and I now need to get a new Islander hat.
I tried to toss it on the ice following Bergy’s hat trick but missed by a mile! At least I tried though lol” –
dude I think I picked that hat up…thanks for the free-B.
But really…came in from Jersey to see the game (grew up in Hicksville). very impressed with the kids. This is exactly what they need…this is their team now, their direction. Let us not forget we do have a franchise goalie in the organization that hopefully will be healthy next season. One question for you all….was it me or is Neilsen looking a little soft? Avoided a hit in the corner in the 3rd period and the puck remained in the Isles zone for the next 2 minutes.
Hey, anyone know what time the replay is tonight? Preferably with Howie and Billy.
CB, any info/feelings on the new goal song? I thought it was a lot better than the two versions of it we’ve seen thus far through the season and the fans seemed to catch on pretty quick with the new WOOOOOOOO’s that replaced the HEY’s.
WildcatIslander (44): They were catching on because they had so much practice today lol!
replay at 4 am idk if its with biiy or how
ie
38 shots, nice game Joey Mac. Team is looking like they are playing as a team.
No need for superstars when you play as 5 man units.
great to see today.
3 am replay (actual time .. so just after 1:59 am, the replay will kick in.. stupid daylight savings)
Nice to see the kids produce and nice to have them winning games. But as Billy Martin once said about the Mets playing well in the second half of 1976 “Let me see if they can do it when the games count.” Hopefully with a couple productive drafts, that will be in a few short years. But do it right, Islander management. No quick fixes that backfire.
Sean Bergenheim is a greater Finn than Kimi Raikkonen!
WOW!! The kid Islanders drive future hall of fame goalie Martin Brodeur to an early shower!! The FUTURE IS OURS!!!! I am enjoying this win! GO ISLES!!!
Perspective in the TavHeD sweepstakes.
If the Isles play .500 the rest of the way for 17 games (they are very capable, as they have played 1G over .500 the last 20) … that would give them roughly 66 points.
Tampa (tanked late last season) is going to lose their game tonight and more than likely will get only 10 points out of the next 32 on the table for them… that would leave ‘em 65 points.
Atlanta may only get 10 more points also … that would give them only 64 points… get the picture?
Great game by the kids. As Gordon said, the wins and losses don’t count right, it is the development of the kids. As long as they compete hard and are in games (even if they lose) that is a sign that they are improving.
Huge kudos to Jack Campuano for preparing every player in Bridgeport. I don’t think there is one player that has looked out of place. It would be great to see the Sound Tigers do well in the playoffs.
Finally, nice to see the entire Bridgeport and the Isles playing the same system. We all see how much of a difference that makes!!!
Just watched the intermission show on Hockey night in Canada, Milbury was on saying that if Wang does not get approval on the Lighthouse by the Summer, he will move the team. He also said he has watched Wang walk away from deals in the past when he is fed up. The two announcers had no comment and did not seem to care. In any event I am hoping Milbury is just trying to stir the pot, hopefully he does not know something we do not…
Somebody should hit Milbury over the head with a shoe.
frans is the only guy we have that can win face offs.
MIlbury’s a jerk…I can’t believe a national TV company would employ him. He doesn’t know anything about hockey…
Well guys, this might be the first time ever that I’ll miss watching 4 games in a row. Today I was at work for #1 and the next 3 I’ll be in FLA for schooling which I’m not looking forward too. Hopefully I can find a hockey bar in St. Lucie.
Anyway, lots of encouraging things to talk about. Things are going in the right direction.
Tampa’s down 9-1 right now, and they want to investigate us for tanking it?
Milbury is probably among a handful of people in hockey that actually knows Wang. What he is saying sounds fairly accurate. Although I think Wang would sooner sell the team then move (at least if it is to KC).
Imagine this team with John Tavares!!!!
I think that Milbury was just trying to be the good soldier for his old buddy, who kept him employed much longer than he deserved.
I can’t wait till october!!!!!!
Well if you stay abreast to the lighthouse project via this website or the isles homepage you would know that what milbury said was accurate. The wang will move the team if he does not get what he wants. He has no plan on selling the team either.
Bergenheim looks terrific, in case anyone has been watching. 14 goals is a new career high and he is playing a great all around game. He leads our team in goals right now and he has not seen power play time the entire year. He has ZERO power play goals. Now that makes it even more impressive. 4 shorties as well.
Add a couple FA’s this summer along with Taveres/Hedman and this team is a playoff team next year. An absolutely different team since the campoli/comrie trade. AND they need to wear their third jersey’s next year as their main jersey’s. They actually look like the New York Islanders in those uniforms. The proud franchise from the 70’s and 80’s. And starting next year they can get back to that tradition.
That was a great win today. Nothing but respect to Billy Guerin (all ’round class guy), but this team is getting better and better the younger we get. It sure seems like Flash was the right choice by GMG. Hopefully a long-term relationship there.
Wins like this on the backs of the kids shows what a great near and longterm future the Islanders have … providing that three things happen over the next few months:
1) last place and first overall pick - hopefully Tavares
2) Lighthouse Project approval
3) healthy DP
Every Islander fan needs to hope for continued efforts like today, while rooting like maniacs for Atlanta and Tampa Bay!!! For those of us hoping for a shot at JT, if Tampa Bay wins the lottery, they would probably, hopefully draft Hedman.
Wang just said the other day that it was an option to move the team if his plan is not approved by July. He stated that the team could no longer play in Nassau Coliseum the way it is. He said he WOULD move the team Milbury for once was not talking out of his arse! It was on the pregame against the Rags the other night as well as in between periods. I hate to say it boys(and girls) this don’t look good. Honestly the draft should take a seat to this.
howie rose did a great job today.
a phenomenal job.
here’s to bert marshall.
I guess what surpised me about Milbury’s comments was he stated we will know by June/July if the Isles are staying or going. Looks like this thing will come to a head very soon. If the TOH pulls another delay tactic, it could be over. I have 0.00% confidence that the TOH will not continue to drag their feet ont this.
Re: (70): Mad Mike can say anything he wants, but Charles Wang said we need to know by the start of next season. He has also said in every way imagined how he does not want the team to move and that if this doesnt go through they would explore other options. Other options do not have to mean selling the team or moving them out of NY, there are already offers in other places like queens to keep the Islanders right here on LI.
what are the chances that the caknucleheads cant come to terms with the sedin twins and they become ufa’s
Hathead (67),
I’ve thought that for quite some time now, that we’re ok if Tampa wins the lottery, because they almost certainly will draft Hedman, unless they trade the pick which they might want to do - in which case the Isles, depending on where they draft, should package their pick and one of their second rounders for Tavares.
CB;
To address your comment about other islanders teams having great late season performances. I sat through all of those thinking next year the team was gonna bounce back.
Something about this feels a little different though. Those teams were clearly playing spoiler. Not that this team is very different in that regard but there were a lot of kids called up that just didn’t have it. You just knew it and it showed shift after shift.
This run is a little difffernt as it feels like the Isles are finally developing some depth with these players. The kids are answer the call and the challenge by Gordon.
Do I expect these guys to turn into all stars? Nope. But some of em look like they can take spot and others reliably depth guys.
Something is definitly different about this.
Sounds like I missed one of the best games of the season.
The way the are playing lately, will that help with getting one or two good FA’s over the summer d’ya think?
I think it might be another year or two before they can attract a grade A free agent. The top guys might want to come here till the kids prove that they can win a lot more than they consistantly. Plus, now there is the growing uncertainty about the arena and the idea that they might move
These wins are great. Okposo is doing great and has really impreased me. He has come a long way in a short ammount of time. I think that he can become a very very very good hockey player.
On the draft, if we do not end up with the number one pick, I hope that Tampa gets it. I can not see that Tampa would take another center. They have stamkos and Vinny. Maybey they would trade VInny and draft Tavares, but they could just keep Vinny and get a stud D-man. They need help on D and I think they would take Hedman. Then we can take Tavares.
So I want more of these wins, and Atlanta wins. I am happy now that we lost to Atlanta a couple of times earlier this year.
Finland? Must’ve missed that top-three prospect from Pori…
Just kiddin’ with you, Chris
Jackman, hillen, gervais, martinek, callahan and hilbert have all been real solid and deserve a lot of credit for giving what looks like 100 percent effort while playing within themselves and the Gordon system.
DOC
#71, there was no “offer” from Queens. Just a politician stating he would like for the Isles to move there.
Of course there was nothing official, there is no reason for there to be. But intrest was expressed. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for anyone to make wild assumptions that this team is moving out of this area. Nobody has said it, nothing has indicated it, and believing that is far more of a stretch than what I said.
if we play .500 down the stretch it’ll be 66 points
if tampa and atlanta play .400 it’ll be 67.8 and 67.6 points
Chris, your living in denial! Milbury probably has spoken to wang and assumed if the TOH drags their feet one more time, he will walk away from the whole project and possibly sooner than we think.
As loyal as Wang was to milbury… I doubt that Wang is sharing details of any sort or even talking to milbury anymore. That would be disrespectful to his current GM. I know that sounds old school…but I don’t think they’re speaking.
DOC
Isles72 … that is scary … because the last 20 games the Isles have played 1 game over .500 (and looking stronger each game)… so it’s very probable the Isles can finish with 66 points. Tampa has been playing about .350 the last 20 games .. Atlanta has played 1 Game below .500 the last 20 games. Way to tight to call at this time.
One thing everyone has to remeber, The team is not as bad as their record. Macdonald has played well in spurts, but that fact that he played pretty much every game during the horrific stretch of December and early Jan. has put us were we are. He is not a starting goalie in this league or will he ever be. The team struggled with the system and the veteran problems. And with DP out of the equation it made us appear much worse. Everyone should be excited about the future. Adding JT or VH would be awesome, but the development of our own youngsters is what will take us forward. Forget about signing FA, unless its a young player with great upside. Also don’t forget by seasons end we will have over 400 man games lost to injury… Lets Go Islanders
post #4 on this thread so this will be my last.
Atlanta and Tampa play each other 2 more times this season (including last of season) we gotta hope for a split (maybe) even better if both games go to OT to make ‘em 3 point games.
Atlanta has 13 games vs. top 15 teams, 5 of them vs. top 6 teams.
Tampa has 8 games vs. top 15 teams, 5 of them vs. top 5 teams.
Isles have 12 games vs. top 15 teams, 4 against top 5 teams. It’s going to be a wild finish.
When Bergy got his 3rd goal and the team went crazy, I swear it was the first time Ive seen Scott Gordon smile all season. And a prolonged smile at that
1) Guess the Isles didn’t get the memo that they were supposed to be tanking the season to get Taveras?