CONGRATULATIONS, MATT GILROY
LIer gets one-way, two-year deal with Rangers
As I wrote a week ago, the Islanders were not finalists. It looked like Toronto and Vancouver for the longest time, but I heard they backed off the insistence on a one-way deal from Gilroy’s camp. Best wishes to the pride of North Bellmore, who went from Boston University walk-on to Hobey Baker winner to the owner of a two-year, one-way contract from the New York Rangers. He’ll enter camp in September at age 25 and with a lot of people fascinated in his immediate transition from college to the NHL. Comments.
126 Responses to CONGRATULATIONS, MATT GILROY
LIer gets one-way, two-year deal with Rangers
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Kai says:
Of all the teams that wanted him – why oh why did he have to end up with the Rangers?!? Such a shame…
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islesphan says:
You can all laugh now all you want with Gilroy signing with the Rangers and how he is unproven and they paid 3.5 mil for him, etc…However, everyone on this board was screaming for him for a month. One of he only times the Isles may have had an in because of his Long Island background and he goes to the Rangers. Just another slap in the face to Islanders fans. Rangers are already cap strapped and make the move. Isles have plenty of room and Snow sits on the sideline. Typical.
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I think it’s a terrible signing. If he was that good he would not be a 25 y/o college student. He’ll wind up the next Jason Krog.
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mrlbem says:
I didn’t think the Rag$ were in the mix because of the cap issues they have. Interesting.
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Steven says:
Meh, I think it’s silly to get wrapped up in this. Good for a LI boy getting a shot in the NHL. This wasn’t going to make or break the Isles – there will be opportunities downstream to improve the blue line. For now, let’s focus on our #1 pick.
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Coach B says:
Unless you are sure he can play in the team’s top four, it is a better investment to draft and develop your own. I would not pay NHL money to an unproven player.
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Don’t think it’s terrible that the Isles missed out….but did it have to be the Rangers?!
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Isles fan in CA says:
Just happy to see another Long Island kid make it to the NHL. Though, it doesn’t necessarily mean he will be a future star. Look at the Ferraro twins who were both from LI and were drafted by the Rags back in the 90′s. They actually only played a handful of games at the NHL level and bounced around in the AHL and ECHL. Just saw them a few weeks ago playing for the Las Vegas Wranglers in the ECHL.
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Matt says:
maybe this is a sign that hedman will be an islander?
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Stan Fischler's Boy says:
Who cares.. I rather have Ryan Ellis – If Snow could some how trade up and get this kid.. it would be a better and cheaper choice..
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goislesgo105 says:
I guess growing up Gilroy was a Ranger fan. Congratulations Matt, break a leg!
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Two goals for the Islanders. 1-Continue to draft and develop and as we all know this draft is BIG. 2-Be in the best possible cap position for the summer of 2010-11.
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islesphan (2): The idea that “everyone on this board” was “screaming for him for a month” is a stretch (to say the least!) since there are many of us who havent really cared wither way where he wound up. But to look at this signing objectively, that is still a LOT of cash- and I am honestly surprised that the Rags ponied up that much scratch for a kid who has yet to prove anything at this level.
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drouin says:
That’s a far cry from 3-4 million per year. I say the Isles should have grabbed him and been willing to pay more. This team needs bodies.
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At 3.5 mil, the Rags are taking a huge gamble for a 1-way ticket to the NHL. As an Isles fan, I would rather go with AHL All-Star Andrew MacDonald of B-Port.
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Matt? How is this is a sign about Hedman. If anything it would be a sign about Tavares–signaling they would have their offensive guy in Johnny T!
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Doug says:
#9: If the Isles pick Hedman it will be a big mistake. He’s a soft player…
#11: He’s an Islanders fan according to a NY Times article a few months ago..
Too bad they didn’t sign him but the Islanders are a lousy organisation (and I’m an Islanders fan) and they’ll probably show it when they draft Hedman.
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Luke R says:
10, if we walk away with Tavares or Hedman and Ellis on draft day, i would be in ecstasy.
i don’t understand criticizing snow over this. who knows if he did take a pass at him. this is a 1 way contract, if gilroy is a bust, they’ve got nothing to do with him.
when the time comes to add the missing pieces on this team, we’ll have all the cap space in the world to do so. no sense taking an unnecessary risk on something like this, when Gilroy would absolutely NOT be the difference if we’re in the playoffs running next year. the rangers, on the other hand, shoot themselves in the foot once again. that 1.75 mil is precious to their cap space and could be the difference in signing their usual top free agents this summer.
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ItsGoodToBeRich says:
I’m happy with Jack Hillen. The Isles know what they have when it comes to defensemen. I wouldn’t think too much about this because he hasn’t proved anything outside of the college level. I guess we’ll just wait and see what happens.
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it would be nice to see our team sign some players that are hot on the market for once.
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The hypocrites on this board are amazing. If the Isles signed him to this EXACT contract, the people who are saying it is too much would be thrilled with excitement. You are all so used to losing it is now commonplace to accept it. The entire Isles fan base has battered wife syndrome. The Isles could not match this deal with all their cap room? Nah, I’d rather watch the Pocks, Callahans, and MacDonalds of the world. What do they have in common? They are all CHEAP players who make no money.
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17, if drafting hedman is a lousy move, there are a lot more lousy nhl clubs than just the islanders. i hope you’ve seen him play in person making remarks like that.
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Jack Hillen is 2 years younger and has played in the NHL already. I’m happy to have him too.
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bcarey says:
a shocking amount. it is WAY too much.
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for the record, islesphan, i never wanted gilroy. i rolled my eyes every time someone on this board listed him at one of the 2 or 3 moves we had to make this offseason to be a contender. its not much money, but maybe you should research the definition of a one way contract. i’ll summarize it for you: “this guy better be the real deal or you’re screwed.”
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BringBackJagr says:
This signing is asinine …..they are as stupid as they are blue.
The Islanders have 2 previous Hobey Baker winners making AHL salaries with Sound Tigers and the Rangers just signed him for 1.75 mil per year when he hasn’t even sniffed the NHL. That’s a 1.75 million dollar pylon for Tavares to skate circles around next season!!!!!!! -
KO21 says:
I have to admit, it kind of hurts a little but really, when it comes down to it, WGAC???
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NYICHAMP39 says:
Best of luck to the kid. But god does that sting a bit. I would of rather seen 28 other teams sign him other than us.
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so what does our D look like for next year.
streit, gervais, meyer, martinek, witt
not very good.
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25 – Thanks for your wonderful knowledge. No one knew what a one way deal was without your insight. What would we do without you? Please tell us though, why is a team with a 1.75 mil one way deal screwed if it does not work out? Send them to the AHL and they do not count against the cap. Why is that so hard? Is Sim not in the AHL on a one way deal? For a team like the Rangers who print money if he does not work out, you think they care? Stick him in Hartford. Big deal. Their owner is willing to take a shot. The Isles owner is not.
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there was a lot of buzz over this “kid”, too bad he didn’t sign with the isles, would have loved to see what he was made of. although, at this point don’t take a 4mil a year gamble. i really hope garth has some plans for the blue line this year, just for the reason that you can’t put all your hope on streit and an aging witt. the isles definitely need some help there.
is there any chance in the world that the isles land a big splash d man this year? komi or bow? is garth even interested?
i know this is a little off topic, but just wanted to throw this in there: islander fans, have no fear. john tavares will be drafted, he will put the blue and orange on with a smile on his face and become the face of this team. no matter what toronto says. garth has been “clearing cap space” the last 2 years.
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Potvinstyle33 says:
I think it is 1.75 per
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Alex O says:
First of all Kudos to Matt, LI hockey gets another reason to grow. Second, can we stop being such whinners. For Petes sake there are 29 other teams out there, he could have signed with any of them. Bless him and we move on. If most teams didnt want to give him a one way deal then our GM is in the vast majority of opinions on him. Im content with that. If he pans out great for the kid. If not then our scouts were right. Then again maybe he didnt want to sign with us. Maybe he grew up a Rag$ fan. Now we can officially start to hate him
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streit02 says:
Here comes another case of Isles fans being Isles fans. It was pretty clear there was a majority of people on this board calling for Gilroy for a while. Now people are backing off their statements and saying they’d rather have this guy or that guy and that Garth Snow sucks again. Cmon. He was a well sought after FA and the Rangers got him for a decent price. However, is he going to make the Rangers better? prob not. And its a 2 yr. deal. So if you have any biterness towards the deal bc of the money or that he went to the rangers just remember that by the time Gilroy adjusts and is able to make a significant impact (if he pans out)the Rangers will not be able to afford him anymore. Plus thats anoter 1.75 mil that takes away from the Rangers pis poor offense. I hate the Rangers as well, but it is what it is. No one is to blame here
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Rylan says:
I could really have cared less either way, but why the hell did it have to be the friggin rangers
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Speaking of BU, Colin Wilson just signed with Nashville. More playing time for Corey Trivino next year.
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TC says:
We all cant get caught up with him because he if from Long Island. If he was from Massachusetts we wouldn’t care. I would rather go after Mike Komisarek.
Remember it was Sather who was willing to give him a one way contract and pay him more then anyone else.
Snow signed Strait while Sather was signing his latest mistake Redden.
I wish him luck, but based on Sather’s recent record, I really don’t feel bad about it.
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nystrom23 says:
Lol let them have him all I can say is JT better be wearing an Isles jersey in June
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30 – He’d have to clear waivers 1st before being sent down.
Whatev… the Rag$ still don’t scare me.
Theodore better not be in net Saturday.
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TM says:
…as the Isles continue to live in NYR’s shadow. Snow was not aggressive enough. Or Gilroy didn’t want to deal with Wang/Snow/Gordon and wanted to have his folks hear his games on radio and get his contract.
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eric says:
now we can grab colton orr as a enforcer
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Mattias Ohlund and Mike Komisarek would be two free agent defenseman I would go after this summer while trying to deal Brendan Witt.
Ohlund, Komisarek, Streit, Martinek, Gervais, Hillen
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the1gwiz says:
30- Gilroy would have to pass through waivers to be assigned to the AHL. With teams like the Leafs out there, good luck with that. So yes, the Rangers are gambling that he produces immediately for them, no learning curve at the AHL level, for a guy who’s considerably older and considerably more expensive than someone who can be developed under the eye of an organization.
Also not getting the whole “I’m making a blanket statement that you all as fans wanted this, so you all suck” logic, nor am I getting the “the Isles took a shot and lost again” stuff. Can anyone confirm that Snow even had a serious offer on the table at all for Gilroy’s services? -
blitz says:
how was Snow not aggressive enough? or NYI didn’t land the kid.
Kinda funny how the fanbase was up in arms over the one-way deals to Tamby, McRebound that forced Dubie out, and the length of Nielsen’s one-way deal…
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Dan says:
Way too much money for an unproven talent in the NHL. They can have him for that price….
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Just heard Bob McKenzie. According to him the Islanders had little or no interest.
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lefty says:
Our defense is 2nd rate at best. At least the Rags continue to try and improve as Snow sits their like a deer in headlights.
If our kids don’t reach contender level we have nothing as Snow is incapable of making good trades.
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thank you, 43, beautifully said.
we don’t know if snow made a pass, its unfair to say he didn’t make an effort. we’ve made offers to lots of players that have beaten the deals they eventually signed for (see ryan smyth and kristian huselius). and again, not every islander fan wanted gilroy. we may get a player of equal or better talent without even trading up from our late 1st round pick.
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miketee says:
This was a classic “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. If Snow signs him and at $1.75 mil he doesn’t pan out, then Snow’s a moron who overspent on an unproven 25 year old who had a good college career. Snow doesn’t sign him and it’s as if we let a crown jewel get away.
Who cares what the Rangers do? We’re never going to compete with them on payroll or free agency.
Can’t we just let Snow do his job, draft the best players he and the scouting staff can find, develop them through the minor league system and then make a few astute trades/signings for proven need and with proven talent?
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mouthwash says:
Just another 20-something Long Islander moving to the city.
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Chris M says:
Honestly I knew Gilroy wasnt coming to the Island, and for that money on a one-way deal, I have no problem with Snow not signing the kid.
But I rather would’ve seen him go anywhere but to the Rangers…even Toronto wouldve been better
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If Islanders have their sites on one of the big D free agents they they were probably smart to pass on Gilroy. They’ll have to pay $5 Mill at least to land Komi…which is probably better than getting Gilroy for $3-$3.5.
I just hope they pick Taveras…what a boost he’ll be to the team…Hedman isn’t Denis Potvin, he’ll just take a while to be a top defenseman. Taveras I think is the real deal.
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BR says:
Just as TSN reported, I suspect that ultimately the Isles simply weren’t that interested in the kid. Snow has done a lot of recruiting in the college ranks, but he is not in the habit of giving big one-way deals to college rookies.
The Isles are flush with D prospects right now and more will be added at the draft. And it wouldn’t surprise me if they went after a d-man or two on July 1.
Congrats to Gilroy but really, it’s not worth spending anymore time on this…
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By college rookies, I meant players right out of college.
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Seth.P says:
i have a gut feeling right now that garth will get one of the big d-men in free agency and will go with tavares at the draft just my feelins on how things are moving right now
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John Keitz says:
I’d take Hillen over Gilroy any day!
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StevieL says:
With the tax situation out here on Long Island, 1.75 mil just doesn’t buy what it used to. What with todays economic climate, Gilroy will probably look to live at home and take the LIRR from Bellmore to the games. He can’t get to the NVMC by rail!! Good luck, matt!
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Bob Bassen says:
Yep, good for Gilroy…well done!
But other than that who the heck cares?!?
Go Isles! -
TSN has a good article on what the Islanders need…here’s the link…
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AK says:
Now all of a sudden Gilroy has become public enemy #1. The amount of time spent on Gilroy coming to the Islanders by fans was laughable. He was never coming here. Islander fans had this notion he would take some type of discount to play for them. Wrong again. He is not worth the money given to him and I would have said the same thing if by some miracle the Islanders signed him instead of the Rangers.
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john says:
BOOOOOOOOOOOOGilroyOOOOOO
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bergie20 says:
i’m skeptical of how good gilroy will be for the same reason i’m skeptical of justin dibenidetto – he’s an overager. for the type of contract he was asking for i’m glad that it wasn’t nyi that handed out the contract.
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Patrick says:
Dear Matt, I hope you never see an NHL game.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
If Gilroy is worth the apparent $3.5 million per year, what will Komi and Scuderi be worth this summer? It makes the the Streit signing look like a steal.
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rob says:
how can you guys like Jack Hillen ?
He’s to small and never going to be anything else then a #5 or #6 Dman.
on the otherhand .
Lets Gilroy go . 3.5 Mill is too much .
Good Luck gilroy . Have fun getting booed at the collisium.
HoME TOWN LOVE !
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Brother Rat says:
Wow, I’m shocked. My cousin Ben played hockey & tball with some of his family, and they were most certainly Islanders fans at least in the early 90s. But hey, can’t blame him for the $$ or for liking Torts. How do the Rangers sign everyone to huge deals? They always seem like they’re pushing the cap ceiling. Ugh!
I think the comparisons with Hillen are poor–out of college, Gilroy accomplished much more, and played a major role in turning BU into the best in the land. He returned, essentially, to win an NCAA championship, which he did. Now he’ll learn from Drury, another BU Captain and Hobey winner. Ugh…
It’s just a shame I now have to hate him.
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Well since he went to the Rangers I won’t be wishing him luck. I didn’t grow up or live on Long Island so that aspect had no meaning for me. However, I heard he grew up a Rag$ fan so screw him and the rest of that stupid team.
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Jimmy Sparx says:
I am not a GM of a hockey team, nor did I know that much about Matt Gilroy. So many wanted him and since I had no opinion I did not make one.
Is $3.5m too much for an unproven???? Honestly, I do not know.
Congrats to you Matt Gilroy and though you are a Ranger, good luck.
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JonnyBoston says:
The guy is 25…at that advanced age, it’s not surprising that he dominated the college game. And a one way contract, ha! In my book this is just another silly move by the Rangers. I would have liked to have seen Gilroy on the Islanders but I don’t see how you can have an unproven prospect command that salary AND be locked into a one way deal. Godspeed, Mr. Gilroy.
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jaf10 says:
What Id like to see is hunter for higgins and have comeau take hunters role of physical play
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mapisles2025 says:
Is it $3.5mil per year or total?
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Why are so many people down about this??? Maybe because I’m not from Long Island I see this as a sucker’s signing … I was intrigued by Gilroy … because a lot of people on here were … once I got info on him I was less than impressed knowing the $$ he wanted … so the Rags overpaid BIG TIME once again … this time for an unproven commodity … They will be right up against the cap … they already have about $40M committed with only 13 players signed …and that doesn’t include Gilroy’s big one-way chunk.
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Islander Fan in Boston says:
It would be nice to have Gilroy, signed to a 2 way contract and less money.
But that said, I grew up on Long Island and would love to play at home near family and friends. If the Islanders didnt want me, the next choice I have is the Rangers (it would kill me, but I am a fan). If you have a chance to play in the NHL and at home you take it. Playing for the Isles or Rangers both work.
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Tomas Kopecky
Mike Cammileri
Maxim Afinogenov
Marian GaborikJohnny Oduya
Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin
Mattias OhlundScott Clemmensen
Ilya Bryzgalovwho we should go after
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A line of
Afinogenov- Nielson-Comeau
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Steve S says:
#4 obviously knows nothing about Matt Gilroy.
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Would you trade……
The #1 pick, 2nd rd pick, and Tambelli
to Tampa Bay
For The #2 pick (Hedman) and Vinny Lecavalier
?
I think the Islander should draft Tavares and grow as a young franchise, but that is the one trade I would probably make if I was Garth Snow.
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only trade id due for tavares is with like the kings for Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson and there first
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I’ve been trying to call my teammate but he’s not answering. Ironically I shared the potential that the Isles had a shot at Gilroy about 6 weeks ago with him, he’s a BU alum & Ranger fan … he actually belittled Gilroy … Stating he’s not where a 25 y/o should be in comparison to the NHL level … that it’s easier for a matured 24 y/o to do well in NCAA … He reminded me of how we held our own against NCAA guys in pick up games in our late 20s. NCAA is a step step below Major Junior .. The Rags can’t send him down to the WP b/c of the one-way.
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jack bell says:
OK, so Gilroy signed with the Rags…just makes him one of the enemy…
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BUF didn’t make the playoffs with Afinogenov, who disappeared for the entire season, yet people want this floater dejure on your 09-10 NYI. Great move…
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Neil says:
John Curry
Matt Gilroy
Chris Drury
Jay Pandolfo(Even my man Mike Grier I’ve got to root against this week since he’s on the Sharks)
Does every one of my beloved BU players have to play for a team I can’t stand? All of them? Seriously? Seriously?
Colin Wilson just signed with Nashville, too. I’ll just keep saying it. “Greatest BU win ever…I promised g-d I would never complain about anything hockey again.”
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he needs a change. He’d do pretty good in this system
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84 – disagree. his best production and overall play were during the Briere/Drury’s best seasons in BUF.
When those players left and Maxim was faced with the burden of producing at the same level, if not a higher one to make up for the two departures, he failed miserably. Did Vanek follow the same path? Didn’t think so.
These are the players a team passes on, not signs.
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doc says:
I think that Gilroy can be sent down to the Wolfpack.
The “one way” contract just means that he gets paid as an NHL’er… not a two tier pay scale.
Am I wrong about this?
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NYI FAN says:
Now that Hobey jinx might be a ‘good’ thing!
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terry says:
The gilroys live in Massachusetts. The only reason anyone wanted him on the islanders is because he was born here. If he was from Saskatchewan no one would care. If he pans out, the Rags will have a good young defense with Sanguinetti, Girardi, and Gilroy. If not, they send him down and your cable prices go up. Did he sign for $3.5 mil total or $3.5 mil per? 1.75 mil isn’t THAT much, just to much for our blood.
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Mike Cammileri !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cammileri tavares okposo
LW C RW
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Justin says:
I would love to see Cammallerri on this team, but he’s going to break the bank after scoring 39 this season and I don’t see the Isles shelling out that kind of money. I’m sure about 20 other teams will be in on him as well.
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Blizzard says: Id take a flyer on Afenigenov if the price was right.
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lovin lethbridge says:
78 – I would not trade anything for a soon to be 29 year old, with two surgeries in the past 12 months, and an 11-year contract, with a no trade clause. That means when his body finally breaks down, if it is not already, ther eis no way to get rid of him short of buying him out (Yashin?).
as for post 75 and who to pick up – Francios Beauchemin is a good defenceman. doesnt make mistakes and can play top four minutes. I think a Komisarek is a stretch, as he is more likely to command a little more attention than Beauchemin. And maybe a Scott Clemmensen to play 30-60 games a season depending on DP’s health -
dalcy says:
How did they fit him under their cap?
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yea he was amazing this year. ( mike )
We aint going to throw $$ out people like that .
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John R. says:
First of all there were only a couple of people on this board acting as if Gilroy was the next coming of Potvin #2. Secondly, I can’t believe people have such a crush on this kid because he’s from the area, going as far as to already declare him an all star. I mean if the Islanders “lost again” this kid certainly has to be an all star right? Because if he’s just a mediocre defensemen in the NHL I would really like to know exactly what we “lost” out on. To the people who are mad we didn’t sign him and see this as a total Snow blunder I ask only this, please wait until the kid has played for a couple of years before making that statement again. If he turns into an all-star come in here and crow about how right you were and how the rest of us “drank the kool-aid”. But if he turns into a mediocre middle of the road d-man that was overpayed, like many of us believe he will be, will you come back and say you were wrong? Certainly you don’t believe you can see into the future and know exactly what will happen so why don’t we give it a couple of years before we start bashing our own management while praising the stinking Rags. Now I have to go and vomit.
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Doc, you are correct. A one way contract gurantees he will not be sent down to the minors. He had better be able to play or the Rags are stuck with him. It’s a huge gamble and Dolan has done a great job gambling so far hasn’t he?
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“Is $3.5m too much for an unproven”???? Oh my God YES.
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patrick says:
he is now just another rag playing for a crap organization that can’t help but always lose no matter how much money they throw at it
actually he’s a perfect example why they always lose even though they throw money around like the yankees
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Jerky says:
Does anyone truly believe Gilroy would represent an upgrade to our D? He has zero experience at the NHL level and we are saddled with average D-men to begin with. As someone previously mentioned, it’ll take him the two full years to come into his own (if he ever does at the NHL level). I’m happy with Snow and the crew passing on this one. Let’s focus on the prize (JT)!
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Pete DeBenedetto says:
Someone wrote “so what does our D look like for next year.
streit, gervais, meyer, martinek, witt
not very good.”IMO this is a decent defense with the addition of our regular goalie..if healthy of course. Throw in the fact that as soon as the Habs are out of the playoff race, the Mike K debate will heat up. Landing a top young D-man should be a priority as well as drafting wisely this June and July. Great for Gilroy….now just boo him each and every time he touches the puck….should be fun to watch Tavares dance around a walk-on college player.
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i’m glad the rangers made this mistake
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nickystix says:
Gilroy can’t play in the playoffs this year can he?
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Blizzard says:
Draft JT, sign Komiserak. Perfect for the rebuild. I wonder what the chances of that actually happening are. Or even Bowmeester. There will be some serious media Buzz going on around the Islanders. We might have some interest from some FA.
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mike says:
Didn’ Nick Vachon win the Hobey Baker and then played about 1 gm for the Isles?
Nuff said Hopefully this is ANOTHER sather F-Up -
Anthony O. says:
102, no he is not eligible to play for the Rangers this postseason, thank god. Screw the Rags.
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I guess the rags and toronto have a diffrent then the rest of the NHL?
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SinCityHockeyFan says:
first things first to the rag fan.. just as many posts were against the isles signing gilroy. as there were for signing him. and the reasons for not signing him have all again been brought up. the problem with was with gilroy signing with the rangers.. it’s a bad signing because it’s a an awful lot of money for being unproven, and never playing a game in the nhl. already being 25 at seasons start means he’s most likely about as good as he’s ever going to be or his upside is not much more then it is right now. more than likely gilroy will be your sim… player signed to a one way deal playing in the minors for top dollar. It’s also not a good sign not being invite to the w/c but i wish gilroy success in the nhl, regardless of the team he plays for.. because he is from strong island
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Jimmy Mac says:
Hall, Duchene both look amazing tonight.
You don’t even notice Tavases out there… he has to pick it up if he wants to be an Islander.
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DanNOLA says:
So what if he won the Hobey. He could be a bust just as easily as a star. Down here in New Orleans we have a running back who won the Heisman and it turns out he’s a lousy professional running back. Why? He hasn’t been able to adjust to professional defensive lines. It is very rare that someone in any sport comes right out of college at an older age and lives up to the hype. 1.75 mill is not an outrageous amount, but a one-way deal is absurd. He’s 25 playing against mostly 20-22 year olds most of whom aren’t going to play in the NHL, and it could be one hell of a shock going to the big boys with no way out.
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Wow after watching all these “great” D prospect play for Bridgeport tonight I’m even more convinced they made a mistake by not doing whatever it takes to sign this guy.
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db says:
108 i think tavares had a hat trick tonight and the game winning goal in overtime.
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why does every1 all of a sudden compare victor hedman to denis potvin. Look, as great as denis potvin was, he also had mike bossy and brian trottier leading his offense. Prob the purest of goal scorers in NHL history in bossy. Should we make an argument comparing tavares to bossy as reasoning to select him?
Tavares all the way -
Dave says:
Gilroy is no Islander fan. He is a fan of the green. The Rag$ have a history of overpaying for crummy players, especially defensemen…see Redden. I wish Gilroy no congrats and no luck. I hope all of his joy and accomplishment in hockey is behind him. The NHL is worlds different from college hockey and the Rag$ will see that when they are paying Gilroy $1.75 million to ride the bench in Hartford.
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dose says:
“… he has to pick it up if he wants to be an Islander.”
maybe he doesn’t.
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The ridiculous Snow bashing has to stop, especially when based on some ridiculous FA signing of an average level NHL player. So far Snow has been the best GM we’ve had in a very very long time. He has done everything right so far and is not going to make a miracle happen overnight. If you want him to act like Sather and just throw money at anyone its not going to happen. Do not fault Garth b/c Glen Sather throws money at any random player just for the sake of it w/o having any clue of what his team really needs to improve. Garth is on the right path. He is not going to throw $ at guys just b/c he can. Which brings my point that Garth is not in the same position as lets say a Glen Sather or a Brian Burke. Consider the fact of the rest of the leagues ignorance towards the Isles and how little they know about the franchise. That all translates into these ridiculous articles being written with no truth to them which is the only thing that people in the hockey world have to go off of to form they’re own opinion. Lets face it. If 90% of articles written say the Isles franchise is in turmoil and its crap, then what are people going to believe? There hasnt been one player who left this organization and said that they felt they werent treated fairly or that things were a mess. Every respected veteran that has walked through this organization has given nothing but praise to the way they handle theyre players and conduct business. So let the chips fall as they may and let Snow continue on his course. B/c backup goalie or not, he has a plan and hes sticking to it. And im not complaining so far.
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rb says:
from what little I saw of him I wasn’t too impressed…he got beat wide pretty easily in that NCAA semi-final game and it left me saying, boy what is this kid gonna do against NHL forward speed
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108 Jimmy Mac (108): yeah, Tavases really isnt cutting it. But theres this other guy who scored a few goals tonight, the rumor is that Toronto wants to draft him…
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My Ranger fan friend / teammate is paturbed by this signing … he feels it’s less money to spend on a proven FA D-man this summer … money ill spent and a roster spot tied up for an all-American college kid … but the NHL is light years ahead of Hockey East.
I’m usually critical of Garth … but I’m proud now he showed very little interest in this over-aged all-star… Gilroy should be peaking in the NHL at his age already.
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b-ri says:
Good for Matt. LI Boy, making it to the bigs next year. Everyone here making a big deal about his age is foolish. Defensemen take time to develop fully. He was obviously a late bloomer. NCAA hockey can be a good place to develop, and now we’ll see what he can do. Good luck guy. Maybe youll be good, maybe youll suck. PS I’m also glad he didnt go to toronto!
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Dan says:
Gilroy is unproven in the NHL. It is definitely a risk and we will see how it turns out. Money never seems to be a problem for the Rangers especially with Dolan’s deep pockets. I mean look how much money Dolan wasted on the Knicks (probably the whole Isles payroll). I would rather save that money and put it towards a known commodity. $1.75 million plus extra cash thrown in should get you a decent player.
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Islebethere4u says:
While disappointed that we didn’t get Gilroy, I’m shocked that the Rags signed him to a reasonable 1.75 per. I thought he would get more from a “bigger hockey market team” like TO, Vancouver or something like that. Sad. Very sad. I think Snow dropped the ball on this one.
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bob says:
Who knows what Gilroy will amount to, but right now, at this moment, Ranger fans think they got a heck of a player equivalent to having an “extra firtst round pick”. And that makes me sick.
I watched Tavares last night with his Trick and was proud. Then I hear them say that the nickname of some Russian kid is “Steal”….meaning he is the steal of last years draft. The kid was Grachev, a Ranger pick. Then I watch some young d-man on Tavares’ team flying around like Coffey. And they say “the Rangers are going to love him”. And I’m thinking, I watch Tavares, all happy, and I see two Ranger kids that look like phenoms. I though CB said we got the steal of last years draft in Petrov?
Then I argue with a friend about Trivino and Towes, two great young players from college…. and I hear that a Ranger 2nd round pick, Stepan put up more points as freshman than these two did combined.
And then what about this Russian kid in the AHL for the Rangers with 35 goals as a 20 year old?
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UIF says:
1.75…I don’t think anyone here would have been upset if the Isles got him for that price. I don’t think it’s over-paying at all, esp if we shelled it out since we were all talking about just getting to the cap floor about a day ago. How else will we get to the floor, another one-year contract to a 40-year old trying to resurrect a career? I’d rather take the chance on the 25-year old, personally. What’s done is done, but it’s sort of disappointing that a team with such desperate needs at forward and D sat on the sidelines for both college FAs that were significant enough for CB to profile for us earlier in the season. It’s not like the kid signed for 7 years or anything. If it didn’t work out it comes off the books in 2…or you just put him on waivers if he’s not worth it. Congrats, Gilroy, but as an Isles fan, I hope you’re all hype
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therain93 -- terrier fan says:
So, first — the signing is not a slap in the face to islander fans in any possible way. The guy might have chased money or grown up a rangers fan, considering that he was mayb 9 years old when the Rangers won the cup. This supposed entitlment is just ridiculous.
Second, as stated, the one-way contract is a bit crazy for an undrafted guy, regardless of winning the Hobey Baker, to come into the NHL. The signing is a product of MSG spending habits.
Third, and most importantly, the signing was GREAT for Long Island as it help to shine a spotlight just a little more on the hockey program that are there. Hopefully developmental hockey continues to fourish there!
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Jason W. says:
I hate Boston University as much as I hate the NY Rangers so it’ll be easy to continue to hate him.
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bob l says:
all this means is that they committed cap space to a guy who may or may not be worth playing…just because he wanted 3mil and got 1.75, people think its a “good deal”…only time will tell that
Interesting. Not that he was ever gonna be an Islander but, now we have something else to boo the Rags for