ENFORCE THIS: Once and for all, Islanders must acquire heavyweight protection for their youngsters
In the first half of Sidney Crosby’s rookie NHL season of 2005-2006, he was treated like a pinata. On January 18, 2006, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded a draft pick to Florida for an enforcer who would protect Crosby. That deterrent was a 6-6 defenseman named Eric Cairns, the former Islander who is back with the team as a scout and development executive.
Perhaps Cairns can talk about his experience with Crosby as GM Garth Snow and his staff finalize their unrestricted free agent wish list today and tomorrow.
Crosby had Cairns and now has Eric Godard. After a rookie season in which Capitals management tinkered with AHL-caliber heavyweights, Alexander Ovechkin was grateful when Washington GM George McPhee signed Donald Brashear to be his bouncer the last three years. The Islanders have seen first-fist that whenever one of them looks cross-eyed at Ovechkin, they usually end up speaking with Brashear.
When the free agent market opens on Wednesday, the Islanders will look for “this year’s Mark Streit signing.” Good luck with that. If it was that easy, the last-place Islanders wouldn’t have inked one of the very few value deals in the NHL last summer. If it was that easy, the Islanders would have had more than two long-term, beyond-expectations acquisitions between 2000-2006: Jason Blake and Trent Hunter. In his three years on the job, Snow would have more than Streit and - stretching a bit here - sparkplug Richard Park and Doug Weight to boast about.
The Islanders will look for a bonafide top-6 forward, but will more likely end up with a top-6 forward “try.”
They won’t dabble with Mike Komisarek for $4 million (and probably more) a year because it makes no sense to reach that deep for a good stay-at-home defenseman on an uptempo team when you already have Brendan Witt and Andy Sutton under contract and filling two of six spots on D.
And of course, they’ll listen if Scott Gordon has a player he insists is a perfect fit for his system and the Islanders’ rebuild.
Snow says he doesn’t expect to be a major player in UFA. Fine. What he must do is over-pay at two positions so his team has a fighting chance every night.
The Islanders need a No. 1 goalie, or at least a No. 1-B goalie they believe can be an A.
And they need to sign a tough guy who will answer the bell when an opponent tries to ring John Tavares’s.
Comments on this topic only. Stories on draft weekend below.
121 Responses to “ENFORCE THIS: Once and for all, Islanders must acquire heavyweight protection for their youngsters”
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You hit the nail on the head Chris with the enforcer issue. We all understand this isn’t the NHL of the 80s when there 3-4 fights a game guaranteed but toughness and the need to drop the gloves on occasion still exists. Now teams have someone (Tavares) to key on physically and he will get hit repeatedly if nobody is there to to protect him. I don’t know who the answer is (Neil?) but the need must be filled this time.
any chance that we go after Chris Neil or Colton Orr to fill the tough guy role?
I couldn’t agree with you more CB. They desperately need a full time enforcer and please don’t even mention Fritz or “the wrecker”
Carins come out of retirement!
my enforcer wish list
1.andrew peters
2.colton orr
3.brashear
goalies
1.conklin
2.roloson
Not Colton Orr! He can’t skate his way out of a paper bag. We need a heavyweight who can at least fake that he can play a bit. LOL I know it’s slim pickens out there when it comes to finding an enforcer who can actually play.
As for a goalie, I’d like to see Snow try to sign Anderson or if not, maybe Conklin.
Yes. YES! I couldnt agree with you more, CB. Those 2 needs are the only two I even care about- people can talk and talk about wingers and D-men and thats nice sure but those things are far, far lower on my priority list than these two.
I love the Wrecker, I genuinely do… and I think that he is going to be a legit enforcer in time. But he isnt one yet, he is still developing. The Isles need a tough guy. And a goalie. God, Islanders, please PLEASE sign a legit NHL goalie. Please, Garth.
I am not one to throw fan-threats around and I really dont want this to sound like one, but if the Isles do not address these two unquestionable needs, it will be very tough for me to enjoy this upcoming season. The Islanders have to learn from last season, they have to!!!!
How about stealing Antropov from the Rangers? He’s not an enforcer but hes a big dude who is a presence and can score, Is he considered a top guy this free agency because I feel like hes a bit overlooked and can really bloom with a team like the Isles.
I am all for Colton Orr as watching him play for the rangers, I saw he knew when to fight and when not to. Peters is a punching bag and never wins a fight. Orr is a tough SOB. Unless they can get the big guy out of Minnesota, I say go after Orr. It just sucks that Godard is exactly what we need but the Islanders gave up on him with nothing in return
Tim Jackman is a good back up enforcer. We need Chris Neil.
I would love Colton Orr. CB what do you think about the prospect of the Isles adding Francois Beauchemin?? Practically a younger version of Witt who would command way less than the 4.5 mil that Komi is looking for. Definitely would add some grit on the back line and he can drop the gloves if need be.
how long is Godard signed for?
what about Mitch Fritz? (ok that was a joke) but we all agree they needed a heavyweight last year and now they need one even more. When Pronger crushed Bailey and Tavares along the wall who is it going to be that stands up for these guys?
If it is Colton Orr , i will be miserable for the first part of the year because I always have trouble accepting ex Rangers.
I think the Islanders should make a call to the Flyers and see what they want for Scott Hartnell. He could play on the top line w/ Weight and Tavares. Im sure we could get him at a cheep price. Maybe a 3rd round pick or something: considering that they are desperate to move salary. Then, Id go after Orr. Play him on the 4th line. And get Anderson to play goal.
So the lines would be:
Hartnell - Weight - Tavares
Bergy - Bailey - Okposo
Hunter - Nielsen - Comeau
Orr - Park - Jackman
Streit - Bruno
Hillen - Sutton
Witt - Martinek
Anderson
Dipietro
komisarek would be a good idea, because he will get “less” now than usual as he had a rough finish to last year. also he can be under contract much longer term than witt and sutton, and will be popular as hell on LI because it’s where he’s from. they can deal someone like gervais or someone of the like for eric nystom and bring in his grit and fan appeal. snowy can talk all he wants about not spending money, but with no sillinger, guerin, or comrie on the books, he HAS to spend just to be at the salary cap floor
Guys forget about Chris Neil, he is a tough guy for sure but he isn’t a heavy weight. He could be singed to partner with a heavy weight but I wouldn’t expect it. Orr might be good. I’m honestly uncertain who’s available this year. Actually if I remember right Orr played for Gordon at Providence right?
I agree with TMC, Reichlecz is going to develope into a really fine enforcer but for this year it would be best to partner him with a more experienced guy. Wrecker can skate and do more then scrap so no complaints about getting him some ice. I know they mentioned how much they love how much “talking” he does to the other team. His teammates seemed to respond to him.
Boogard is said to be available from Minn.
Boston has a 6′5″ 230+ winger named Bitts. He was compared to Lucic because he can play the game as well as be a serious heavy weight. I’d make a trade for him. He and Wrecker would be amazing together.
More over, when I am making additons, I’d add fellas who can throw hands and play the game even if not a heavyweight. Kevin Bieksa, Ryan Kesler, Byfuglen, etc. Gotta be a total approach to it because the Isles have a lot of guys to protect now and the rest of the league has geared up for war.
Oh, Ryan O’Bryne from Montreal. 6′6″ d-man who can skate, has skill, hits like a truck and is a good scrapper. Perfect fit.
Did anyone else see one of the Islander staff memebers reading IslandersPointBlank at the Islanders draft table?
It was shown right before they picked DeHaan. Thats crazy.
Now you know the Islanders management is reading blogs and listening to the concerns of the fans. Not that they should do what the fans say, but enough to care what they think. Thats cool on the Org’s part.
Gotta push hard to get Neil.
Orr.
Just checked Brashear is also UFA.
I am all for having a player who can drop his gloves when the situation calls for it, but I don’t want to do it at the expense of having a forward who can take a regular shift. I liked Georges Laraque in his prime because he was an asset beyond fighting and deterrence. It goes without saying that I loved Clark Gillies and Bobby Nystrom.
If there is a conflict between acquiring or dressing (1) a fighter who cannot take a regular shift and (2) a good player who is mediocre with the gloves off, I’d go for (2) every time. I’d rather give big guys like Brendan Witt and Andy Sutton the green light to fight regularly than to have one of my 18 skaters be incapable of earning more than three minutes of ice time.
Scott Gordon’s system is best implemented with a team that can roll four lines. Being able to dress 12 forwards who can take a regular shift should be the first priority. If getting a great fighter doesn’t impede the coaching staff from rolling four lines and three defense pairs, we should go for it. Otherwise, the guys who aren’t known as enforcers should be asked to throw them down more often.
I don’t mean to say that opponents who take liberties shouldn’t be made to answer the bell. They should. I see this as an issue of who should hold opponents accountable, not whether they are held accountable. I’d rather lose some fights than dress someone who would be a liability whenever he steps on the ice.
Andrew Peters sucks.
Chris Neil, Colton Orr, Donald Brashear are all going to be available. Brashear is a decent player too, Id love him in an Isles jersey.
My realistic wish list:
Enforcer- Brad May or Mike Rupp
1B Goalie- Brian Boucher or Jason LaBarbera
Not Orr, hes a good fighter, and thats it. Brashear sounds good. I’m still pushing for thibault/khabibulin.
this year’s mark streit free agent signing award will go to the team that signs Maxim Afinogenov, he will most likely re-sign with buffalo, but if he comes at a discount Garth should jump on a one year deal in a heart beat….I disagree with the enforcer need, just take a look at the two best teams in the league Pitt and Detroit, there was absolutely no need for an enforcer in the finals, steve webb and eric cairns are retired….get over it!!! As far as the goalie situation goes, I think the need to sign a #1 goalie is premature, lets see the health of DP first, have we all forgotten he’s on a 15 year contract, we can’t have $9m a year tied up in goalies.
Lance, there were no need for enforcers in the playoffs. However, Godard was invaluable to the penguins especially when they played the rangers as Godard fought Orr every time he ran Crosby. Taking the playoffs as your example is looking at it half way imo.
I wonder if Daniel and Henrik Sedin would be willing to lead a group of young guys to the promised land. If they wanted to stay together, I could see them trying to play for a young hungry team.
CB, Preach on brother! JT is no good to us if his head is mush and body is broken! Streit was an amazing find last year, but it’s not likely to hit gold twice. Enforcer who can actually play hockey, goalie, and young scoring forward (wait, doesn’t every team want several of those?). Add a nice, 2-way DMan if one is out there. CB, who are the real candidates for these positions?
As for enforcers, what about Mike Rupp? Hes a free agent and Im sure he wouldnt be too expensive. Hes a big boy 6′5 230, and got into 16 fights last year. Plus hes only 29 so he could be around for a few years
I say no to Afinigenov.We already had him in the name of Miro Satan. Not worth it if you ask me. I’m all for signing Chris Neil and Craig Anderson on Wed. I still think Rechlicz should get a look this preseason. We have him for two more years, so I doubt it would hurt. Plus he is a positive in the lockerroom. Can Never have too many guys like that.
Please sign a big bruiser who can actually play some legitimate minutes. Watching Fritz last year almost made my head explode. Tim Jackman is a great second tier middleweight but lets not try to convince ourselves that he or Joel rechlitz are the answer here. The Isles made the committment to a young highly skilled cornerstone in JT. Now lets get him a little health insurance in the form of an enforcer. The conference only got tougher over the weekend Garth. Don’t let our boys get run over!
CB - You’re so right … as the saying goes … “If it were that easy …”
Back in the days when I was a reg poster on Loggies blog we used to plead for an above average skating enforcer to replace Chris Simon … As hanious as Simon’s actions were … the Isles also have been a different team without him… sucked the mojo right out of the team.
Anyone remember the game made by Long Island’s own Strat-o-matic Hockey? The Intimidation Score for Clark Gillies was awesome … and it works in the real game too.
*
Help Wanted!!!
Goalie Position … Level 1-B … experience necessary. Must have good health record.
Georges Laraque…..enough said
Montreal seems to have become frustrated with Laraque to the point where he barely played at all this season. While I know he is not the fastest enforcer, he is definitely effective at protecting the stars on his teams, and he can even score a few goals a season. I am unsure if he has a no trade clause in the three year deal he signed with Montreal, but it is worth inquiring. As for any other enforcers, there are few who could even think about playing in Gordon’s fast-paced, forechecking system. Godard would be great, but it would be very difficult to get him back. This is going to be very tough for Snow to answer, let alone us, the fans.
i think we should sign a backup goalie who can also fight. if not a sumo guy then maybe garth snow. kill two birds with one stone, and save money while making our literally insane owner happy (without his meds).
I could care less if the enforcer can skate/play. Just get someone who can do the job - take the starch out of anyone who runs our boys (ie - Franz last year). This will allow our kids to do their jobs without being intimidated.
hate to say but 2 years of extremely light signings by the isles gives me no confidence this year will be any different.maybe believeing this will make it easier if they suprise me with somebody. think the goalie will be the only signing though with fritz and wrecker around.(not that i think either is the answer)
My priorities for enforcer would be:
1. Orr - guy is a beast
2. Rupp - he had a great year last year fighting the heavyweights and can play a bit too.
3. Neil - more of an agitator than a real policeman.
Not sure I want Brashear on this team as I think he’s a bit past his prime. Would like to keep the Wrecker and Fritz down in the AHL as they just don’t have that intimidating presence yet.
Having Rupp or Orr on a fourth line with Jackman and Park would be great.
I agree 1000% with CB here - our team is way too soft and small. I know speed is an important part of our game right now but without size (especially in our division), it will be hard for JT and KO to operate.
Sign Orr. You also have Rechlicz and Haley in the minors.
Mike Rupp. Get him. Period. Chris Neil 2nd choice.
Watching Komisarek play against the Bruins last year changed my mind about him…Having Sutton and Witt is actually fine if not better.
Go Isles!
I’ve been saying this over and over this past year. We need someone to watch out for these kids. Either get Jackman some steroids or get a goon.
We have to legit enforcers that only have the inability to skate well enough for this system. i could care less if all the did was dump the puck in every time they got their stick on it.
Why not put 100% of their time into skating. How difficult can it be for someone at their athletic level to learn to skate a drop better. As long as they can keep up a little their fists will be their bread and butter.
CB you’ve got another good blogversation going and several of the previous comments are right on the mark. However, I think that as fans we are forgetting that the cap went up a paltry 100K and that means that there is a stronger likelyhood of the cap contracting after 2009-2010 and as such the Isles probably won’t be big players in the market in an attempt to fill the areas of need you have identified. Rechlicz is still a young player and should be at the prospects camp in two weeks - lets wait to see if his skating has improved before we start tying up financial resources in FA enforcers. A better backup Goalie is a must so long as his contract is structured reasonably with respect to both salary and length. Even with these signings we can’t start out expecting to contend for the Playoffs and we may yet end up in the Taylor Hall sweepstakes. For the Islanders the measure of a good season next year will again have to based upon the development of the young players and prospects in the system followed by a third consecutive good draft IMHO.
The Islanders should go back and give Brandon Sugden another shot, or they should try to grab Jon Mirasty who would become an icon on LI. There’s tons of elite enforcers in the AHL that they can grab for next to nothing
Ive been waiting for you to bring this up again. This is why im so surprised they passed on Kassian. Sounds like a modern day Clark Gillies (i know, enough with the comparisons). I honestly feel besides the goaltending situation this is the biggest need for the Isles this summer. They need a well known guy around the league who is respected and knows how to handle himself. I dont want some guy just coming in to the league trying to handle that role. Im a big supporter of Chris Neil, but i dont think he strikes fear in an opponents eye. Im not too sure who is out there via FA as far as enforcers go, but whether it be via trade or FA i think the Isles need to overpay if necessary to get a well respected tough guy in the lineup to protect our young guys. It happened last year with Frans Neilsen and i didnt agree with that. If it happens to Tavares forget about it. From Snows track record as a player im surprised he is not more inclined to have a player like that on the roster.
Sign Chris Neil. The guy has proven in the past that he can play real minutes and not just 2 minutes a game on a 4th line. Skate him on the same line as Tavares all season. This will keep him safe without turning it into a two player line. They can get their protection and 30 points a season if Neil plays all 82 games.
Maybe I’ve got my orange and blue tinted googles on but with Matt Martin in the system should we be that upset that the Isles passed on Kassian? The kid’s only 18 years old. Let’s not turn him into Lucic just yet.
Chris Neil please, at least he’s an enforcer with some skill
Rupp wouldn’t be bad at all! Wasn’t he an Isles draft pick anyway??
I would love to sign Chris Neil, but does Neil want to sign with the Isles? How much would we have to over pay him? Though with the minimal increase in salary cap, how many teams need to shred payroll besides the flyers?
Hopefully the Isles can get the proper backup required.
Neil is hardly an enforcer…. He’s more of an Avery type of player…
You all know my position on this - I want an enforcer, and I think this team badly needs one. However, I want an enforcer who can do other things besides drop the gloves. A Laraque/Neil kind of player would be just what the doctor ordered.
As for the Kassian stuff - seriously, guys, let it go. Not every player the Isles pass on is the next superstar, and I knew as soon as I heard work ethic and hockey sense were his question marks that the Islanders would look elsewhere. Matt Martin is in the system, and if you look on YouTube Joensuu is willing to drop the gloves at times as well. This was such a good weekend for our team; let’s not go looking for things to complain about.
Great blog CB, we need an enforcer and a goalie. Also, I thought this draft was supposed to be deep at F and D, and no so great at goalie. We have the first pick in the second round, no goalies taken in round 1, and only one other in round 2. Wasnt there a reason we stockpiled picks for this particular draft????
Has Matt Martin been signed? I know the other members of the Sarnia trio are under contract. What’s up with Martin and the team?
Wat about Ian Lapierrie…colorado doesnt want to resign him…hes always willing to drop them….a sean avery type that doesnt have a mouth and is willing to fight
how much of this is true, I don’t know. It seemed true during the time when Clark played, but this is straight out of “The Boss”: (not an exact quote, but what I remember)
Clark was the type of player that other teams had to learn not to get under his skin. If they got him mad, he started scoring goals. If they got him angry, it was time to see the trainer.
Clark was not the typical enforcer, he was a piece of the machine (and a top line winger), it was not like that team had any players that would back down from an intense battle. I’m not sure that the idea is to have one guy that will fight, a labeled horse, but a team that will hurt anyone going after anyone. Get me some Tonelli’s digging in the corner like a rabid dog, Steve Webb type of intense hitters. This is not a one guy thing, it’s an overall team attitude. Everyone should play tough, and train that way.
I’m not saying that we need to be a goon squad, but teams should feel it the next day and remember that the Isles are a tough - hard nosed team that will beat you with anything they have and leave everything they have on the ice every time they play.
Never take a night off!
Alright I’m rambling…this is what I think.
They need to tap a young, hungry player from the AHL as their enforcer. Brashear is entering his 18th season, and was smoked by Wade Belak last year. I’d rather have a psycho rookie patrolling the ice than a washed up goon
Yes… the immortal and iconic Jon Mirasty. That’s exactly what this team needs.
If somehow the Islanders are fortunate enough that the other 29 NHL teams don’t get him first… and we are able to sign him to a long term deal… I will sign up for a second season ticket package. I can’t wait.
DOC
Anderson, Neil and Afinigenov and off we go…
Peters can’t get in Buffalo’s lineup on a nightly basis even when forwards are injured. I watch the Sabres quite a bit as my fiance is a lifelong fan. Peters is an OK fighter that can do nothing else out there.
To Colton Orr’s credit, he took skating lessons during last offseason so he could contribute in other areas, so I’d look for him over Peters.
Neil is probably more of a Jackman+ than a true heavyweight enforcer. Don’t really know who else is available.
First time poster…
Fantastic job here Chris, this kind of coverage in unparalled given your past with the team and is the perfect place for passionate Islanders fans to come and be reminded of the awesome entertainment (for better or worse) that this team, and sports in general, is supposed to provide.
As far as veteran enforcers are concerned, I think another UFA that should be thrown in the mix is Ian Laperriere. Might cost a little more than they’d be willing to spend on an enforcer, but he has some skill, is a former A, and has been assigned to protect young stars before (granted, they all got hurt last year!).
I want Anderson, Orr, and Antropov/Afiniganov/Neil. Get me 2 forwards and Andersen.
Interesting…MAB is a free agent. Him and Streit on the powerplay could be wicked.
Garth Snow will get adequate protection for the kids, don’t worry about it guys. Some of you seem to forget how fierce of a competitor he was on the ice and that he managed to mix it up too.
CB,
Like I said Saturday, they should look to trade Sutton or Witt to Montreal for Higgins and sign Komisarek.I agree on getting Neil and a goalie.
#63 - I hope you are right. Garth and Gordon seem to feel there is no need for a full time enforcer, at least that’s what they’ve indicated in the past. With JT becoming an important part of the puzzle along with Bailey and Okposo I’d like to see a full time guy watching their collective backs.
don’t see them making any offers til the 1st wave of signings comes and goes… now if that’s good or bad ?????
and lets hope that they realize that just because you fight, doesn’t mean you are an enforcer, you need to actually win a fight time and again, not just have the willingness to drop the gloves
I am sure Snow will get a tough guy this offseason. One move I would like to see the Isles do is to offer Kessel a contract. Would fit in nicely on this team.
Donald B is the type of enforcer the isles need and since he’s not in his prime they can get him for cheap
How about we have our young guys hit the weight room and they can be men and protect themselves??? Wow what a novel idea. Why waste money on a goon that can’t skate? This whole thing about needing enforcers is a joke. We have Witt, Sutton and Hunter. How many big slow guys do we need?
We do need an established enforcer. I don’t want to hear anything about projects like Fritz or anyone else who cannot add some minutes. When you have a kid like Tavares and you’re playing the Flyers 6 times this year with what they added…you need a Rupp, Brashear or Orr type that can take some shifts, not be that much of liability and trash talk, get inside the other teams heads before they take liberties with our best player(s). And for anyone thinking that Orr cannot skate then you didn’t watch him or his transformation the last 2 seasons. The guy worked on his skating last off-season and did a great job for our cross town rivals…only reason he’s available is salary.
#63, even if we offered Sutton and Witt, they are not giving us Higgins. We are no getting Komi either as long as Sutton and Witt are here. Snow is also not going to sign a big-name offensive UFA because hat costs a huge overpayment, and this organization does not like to overpay. Although some offense will help, I don’t see Snow making a move for a good forward unless he is either an aging veteran we can get for a discount, or a young, speedy, cheap player - which does not exist]. I do think that Snow will get a big enforcer and a goaltender, but as for our offensive core, I do not see him signing a star to a one year deal for big bucks. Anyone he goes after will be an intended long-term addition to our core.
# 68, letting our young guys fight the toughest players in the league results in (1) injuries and (2) being off the ice for 5 minutes at a time. Not a smart thing to do. Hunter is a good hitter but cannot fight. No need for Witt and Sutton to have speed because they don’t rush the puck and are stay-at-home d-men. An enforcer is needed with all the young guys we have.
Colton Orr is my choice along with Conklin or Anderson…Colton Orr has improved his skating ability tremendously over the last year or so…He has a Iron fist who had broke the face of 1 opponent, maybe even 2…..He throws his body around as close to STEVE WEBB as your gonna get…WE dont need Brashear or Laroque, although for a big guy Laroque can skate pretty decent, but nothing would please me more then having ORR on this team bruising SEAN AVERY next season as he tries to intimidate TAVARES!!!! COLTON ORR IS THE TOP CANDIDATE….
1. Craig Annderson is an upgrade over Danis and MacDonald yet won’t threaten DiPietro’s job if he is ever healthy again.
2. Chris Neil is the perfect player to play with Tavares. He is tough and yet knows how to play hockey. He can put the puck in the net. He makes other teams uncomfortable out on the ice.
3. Colton Orr because he is one of the best fighters out there and he is an ex-Ranger. That is how you get even with all the stupid whistles and KC chants.
I’m not too worried about which enforcer the Isles grab as long as they make it a priority to get one I’m sure it will be ok. I think the team is weaker on the LW even though a lot of the better UFA’s are RW’s. I would target Eric Cole if I was Garth, he plays a good north south game and has a high compete level plus brings size and grit the team will be lacking. Cole isn’t a top notch skilled player but drives the net hard and should be reasonably priced.
This has always been a problem, and the fact that Gordon considers a Enforcer as a part time roll is also a problem.
This will change when there new prize Tavares gets battered around.
An Enforcer is needed on the bench and on the Ice for many reasons and hopefully its does not take an injury to Tavares or the rest to prove this point.
Logan’s column is offbase in its suggestion that the Isles might have been better off drafting Kassian for this purpose. For one thing, Kassian wasn’t going to serve that role this season, probably not next season and maybe not ever.
As everyone has suggested here, there are NHL free agent s and AHL players galore who can fill the role.
I do not think Neil is one, though. I don’t think he intimidates. If any eanything he might encourage players to take a run at Bailey and Tav.
Brashear is said to be considering returning to Washington or cashing in on a big offer to play in Russia.
I’d love Laraque. Would settle for Orr. And I am certain that a credible enforcer can he acquired via trade even if the Isles have to overpay slightly.
I agree completely that we need an enforcer to protect Tavares and our other youngsters, but we need one who is not a liability on the ice. There are only a handful of players that fit that description, and if one is available, we should overpay for his services. We have the cap space, and if they want a long term contract, they are always in demand at the trade deadline if we need to get rid of him.
What a novel idea, it’s not like this team has desperatly needed one for 5 years now. Of all those man game lost last year, I wonder how many could have been prevented if we had a legitimate enforcer prowling the cheapshot artists. We needed one for the past 5 years and if it takes drafting a golden boy to do it, m,aybe, just maybe the Islanders will wake up. It seems to me they always talk about the enforcer role being a wasted position come playoffs time, well my little pretties, you have to make it to the prom in order to enjoy the dance. 82 games of unanswered cheapshots will and always take their toll on a team, Jesus, last year we werent exactly loaded up with playmakers and were still constantly run over.
If Tavares is the end of the means in getting a legitimate tough guy in here then so be it, I’m sure Franz, Oakie, Tambi and the plethora of our smaller speedsters will welcome one with open arms (heck, he may get a few free meals out of it as well. Go Get Our Enforcer, not tomorrow, not today but YESTERDAY.
So youre saying we need a player on our team who can beat the crap out of anybody if they mess with our young guns…especially Tavares? I agree…but who? Brasher is old…Orr-maybe…Neil-could be bring toughness-which our current roster lacks. I would love to see Blake C get fired up more.
How about Dubie coming back to fill our goalie need?
If I was GM…I would go after Radek Dvorak.
STEVE WEBB!– STEVE WEBB!– STEVE WEBB!
The real answer is that Garth lied to you about not being a player and gives up the offer sheet to get Milan Lucic next summer.
Not going to happen… but that would take care of the toughness thing right there. Guy is a beast.
#43 you are on target
Cole’s good but he made 4 million last year, so he’s out I would think. Neil made $1.2 million last year so he might be a possiblity, Orr made $550K..he’s more of a possibility.
From a website (www.nhlnumbers.com) I found they are about at $32 million for 17 players that are under contract. I would think the Isles will come in about $41-42 million…the oly restricted free agents that would sign would probably be Comeau, Hillen and maybe Colton or Thompson.
I would love to see them trade Sutton (3.5 last year in contract) or Witt (3.0 per two years left) and either go after Oduya or Komisarek…plus the goalie and enforcer…
I would like to see Ian Lapierre (good suggestion) or Coltin Orr if we go the route of addign an enforcer. I also like the idea of some of our kids bulking up so they can protect themselves. Maybe not necessarily throw the gloves down, but get big enough so you don’t get tossed from blueline to blueline after you get run at. That Nielsen hit isn’t something any Islander fan wants to see again… if they can all put on some more muscle we won’t be so damn tiny anymore. That being said, it cannot happen overnight. Adding a guy like Lapierre or Orr can help solve this issue more quickly and adequately.
As for a goalie, my real #1 choice is actually Brian Boucher. The guy has done an incredible job playing behind Nabokov in San Jose, and I am sure he would be very excited to take a shot at the #1 spot with the Islanders. Andersen is a very close second, I feel like both of these goalies could come in and do a real nice job for us. Both I view as major upgrades over JMac and Yann.
The major thing for this season is just preventing injuries. Period. If we had HALF of the guys back last season that we were missing we would’ve won five-ten more games. Between learning Gordo’s “overspeed” system and all the injuries one after the other, we had a snowball’s chance in hell. Just stay healthy….. and JT will take care of the rest
I disagree with putting an enforcer on the same line as KO and JT because we want 3 stars on the 1st line who can score lots of goals.
I would be happy with Ore, doesn’t he block allot of shots as well as fight? I would rather our enforcer be on the 4th line and will be summoned when needed. Why waste quality minutes on an enforcer? Is that how the Pens do it with Malkin & Crosby, I’m unsure??
We need a guy who instills fear in the hearts of the opposition. Pronger is a dirty player and now he’s going to be targeting the Isles young stars, get a goon, who cares if he scores as long as he keeps our guys who are supposed to score protected. We don’t want another “Dale Hunter” type incident. The isles need to learn from their lessons.
I have a good source from a guy that owns a deli down in saskatoon that only sells bait and beef jerky, that Rich Pilon is training with Mick Vukota for a comeback to play for the Isles. They could be had for $50 and a box of those fake Duchene islanders jersey’s!!!!!!!
Craid Anderson would definitley be at the top of my list for FA, unless you can bring Back Eric Fichaud…..
I think Orr would be the best fit for us. He can fight and play the game. He is also familiar with the system and Gordon. For the 1B goaltender I like Conklin but think we have a better chance of getting Anderson. For a top 6 forward I would hold off and like to see someone from the bridge like smith or jonesuu get a shot.
keep rechlicz in the minors but tell him his place on the team is coming. keep haley in the minors. if you cant sign orr then trade for the boogeyman. actually, go for boogaard first. sign anderson or conklin
Enforcers don’t have to be dirty. I can’t stand Orr. I think he is a dirty player.
Not a true enforcer, but I think Shane O’Brien, 6′3″ Defenseman from Vancouver could add some size/grit to our blueline.
This is a guy that needs a chance. He’s an RFA in 09/10. Throws down (more than) occasionally and is not completely inept, (21 pts in 07/08) avergaging approximately 15 mins TOI/game.
Colton Orr. Get him, Garth. He’s perfect. He can skate a bit, won’t be a liability on the 4th line, and can take on any heavyweight in the league. Plus, you get to take him from the Rags. Its a win-win.
But whoever they target, they have to get someone, because last season’s team was small, weak and timid. I don’t want to see that again, especially with JT, Bailey and Okposo all on the roster (presumably) next season, young guys who will certainly be targets next year.
To Lance @24: there may be no need for an enforcer in the finals, but what about the 82 game regular season leading up to the playoffs before the finals? The Atlantic Division is a rough one and someone needs to serve as protection to JT, Bailey, Okposo and the rest of the young players. There’s a reason why Pitt went out and got Laraque and Godard when they did and a reason why Brashear was signed by Washington and it wasn’t for their scoring.
Yes, let’s worry about the regular season before getting to the playoffs!
Rupp is a good call - he is a decent checker, and doesn’t back down from anyone.
I’m on a goon fan but with so many young players i think quality enforcer is needed.
Bradshear and Neil are great options b/c bother actually can skate and contribute and that is important. When you are just a goon you find yourself riding the bench like Godard did for 2nd half of season and in playoffs.
Rechlicz in my opinion could of been NHL next rockstar fighter if he didnt turtle up against Laraque. Trust me if you can go toe to toe with Riley Cote you can handle old man laraque. I think he will learn.
to make team you have to be able to skate and hit too. I hate guys like Fritz. Doesnt help he is a bleeder.
Everyone needs to wake up with these wish lists. Garth Snow came out and said to CB that they wont be making a huge splash adding players bc he wants the young guys to play. So I think at most the Isles add 3 players, just like CB suggested, an enforcer, a goalie, and maybe a wild card on the wing. Theyre not adding another D-man, especially Komisarek or Oduya.
This team will look like this and we’re all going to have to be happy with it:
Bergenheim-Weight-Tavares
Okposo-Bailey-Comeau
Hunter-Neilsen-Tambellini/UFA Wild Card
Jackman-Park-UFA Enforcer
Streit-Gervais
Witt-Martinek
Sutton-Hillen/Meyer
DP-UFA Goalie
Not saying this is a playoff team but this is the team we’ll get and based on the second half of last year, it will be a fun competitive team to watch grow and develop as the season goes on.
all of you are missing the point. the best hgeavyweight in the market is brian mcgratton.
Enforcer is a must - been several years without one now and it’s pathetic at times. Some great suggestions already mentioned (Orr, BGL, LaPierre) but my gut tells me they’re going to be reactive instead of proactive. It’ll probably take Pronger to injure JT, KO or JB and then Pronger to beat down whoever tries to stand up to him for Snow and Gordon to give in to the obvious deficiency.
I say give me Orr or Rupp. This team undoubtedly needs to get tougher and I’m sure that it’s something that will be addressed July 1st as I doubt Garth’s idea of a rebuild is watching his promising young talent get drilled night in and night out.
On a slightly other note, I think Orr has become a good enough player defensively where you don’t have to worry about giving him 4th line ice time. Ideally we take Rupp because he’s actually a pretty capable player and is not at all scared of throwing down. I think he would work well in a complimentary role with Jackman.
As for the defense, I gotta say I’m more eager to make a move here than most. Andy Sutton and Radek Martinek cannot stay healthy for their lives. Witt wasn’t himself for about half the season and how much pressure do we really want to put on Streit and a still young Bruno Gervais? I think we need 1 more solid option on D who can eat away the minutes. Ideally somebody who can move the puck well and dish out some hurt too.
Team toughness to protect the young stars of the team is an absolute must. However, we also need to build our defense to protect the Rick and the mystery goalie we sign this offseason.
Chris Simon - How long is his KHL contract?
Wow - CB I posted a topic on NYIC yesterday regarding this very topic. Glad to see my ideas traveling the net…. no no, you don’t have to thank me…
#55 VanVoorhies, couldnt agree more. Im always hoping the Isles look to take the trade route for guys like Tootoo, Upshall and Hartnell. Im not pitching offers here, just saying those are the types of players that i would like to surround my superstars with. I think Bergenheim and Jackman are the only guys who fit that bill for the Isles right now (in the forward position). However, i feel the Isles are not that far in their development as a team and do need that one guy to bash skulls and keep other teams players in check.
Everyone needs to realize the Islanders don’t need to spend that much to get to the cap floor. They currently are around 33 mil…add on:
Tavares 3.7
(875 rookie salary & bonus - look at Stamkos contract)
Comeau RFA (725)
2 way contracts:
T. Smith RFA (700)
Hillen RFA (850)
Thompson RFA (525)
They already have their enforcers:
Jackman & the Wrecker (they can bring him up when needed)…also Sutton & Witt -
NO ORR, NO Rupp, NO Peters
NO Chris Neil - he already rejected a 4 year deal for 1.7 per….they Islanders are not signing anyone to a 4 year deal.
Possible Goalie signings in no particular order:
Gerber - 1 yr 600 (Streit’s buddy)
Roloson - 1 yr 2.6(could trade at d-line)
Biron - 1 yr 2.5(could trade at d-line)
Khabibulin - 1 yr 3.4(could trade at d-line)
Anderson - 2 yrs for 1.3 per
Conklin - 2 yrs for 1.4 per
Possible D Signings:
Beauchemin - 3 yrs 3.8 per
Seidenberg - 3 yrs 3.4 per
Zanon - 2 yrs 1.4 per
Ah yes Doc #57. I do enjoy your smarmy sarcasm and uber wittiness. You’re quite a card aren’t ya?
All I am saying is that Mirasty could be the next Tie Domi and his popularity could be greater than Steve Webb’s. He’s taken on everyone in the AHL and often man handles them in fights. He also already has a huge following not only in Syracuse, but all around the A.
Maybe when you pick up that 2nd pair of season tickets, you can also buy some new maxi pads for yourself
One thing I’m wondering, if the Isles get an enforcer, who centers a line with an enforcer and Jackman on either wing? I don’t think they’ll make Tavares a winger…why do that to your future first line center? But that gives them Weight, Tavares, Bailey, and Nielson down the middle…none of which are your typical checking center. Colliton would sure look nice between Jackman and an enforcer as a bruising fourth line.
UIF - I think I remember hearing that Jeremy Colliton already signed overseas though I can’t be 100% sure. Also, I would assume JT will play on Weight’s wing this season until he gets his feet wet.
Colliton did sign overseas.
We are 7.5 mil away from the cap floor, sign Brashear. Hes the best fighter of the past decade.
CB, I posted this over on hockeyfights.com, hopefully it got ya a few more readers.
For those calling for Sugden, you can forget it. Sugden is signed with the Hartford Wolfpack (Ranger org) and is the face of their website. Sugden did verywell as a enforcer in the ahl. If Orr is not signed you can bet on Sugden being in a Ranger jersey next season.
Thanks for the info PolishPrince and Joe. Stinks he never really got a shot…
I think Sugden is actually a UFA, I don’t know for sure though. If anything he’d probably go back to Syracuse.
Someone like Orr or Brashear is the way to go, guys that have mean streaks and really deter the other team from messing around with the star. I love Rechlicz but he would get hurt fighting the guys Brashear does in only 8 career NHL fights.
Couldn’t agree more CB. I thought that last year it was unacceptable not to address the issue and even more so this year. We can’t have Doug Weight getting into 3 fights this year for example. I love it that he does but it isn’t his place.
Last season, KO had to get all chippy after Nielson got hit, which is wrong…We cant have our young stars acting like enforcers…
I believe Colton Orr would be ideal for that role…
There are a lot of great comments here! That is great to see.
The way I see it, without Guerin and Comrie there goes whatever other toughness we did have aside from Jackman and the up-and-coming Wrecker. I dont care what anyone says about Comries play, for his small size he is a pretty tough guy. Guerin definitely held his own toughness-wise, as well. But the Isles dont even have THEM anymore, and even with them it still wasnt good enough! I dont want to see teams using Tavares’ face to zamboni the ice night after night.
No to Fritz. Absolutely no to Sugden. No, no, no. Let the Wrecker develop. Let Jackman keep doing what he does, I love it. Just get someone to keep the peace on the ice and hold the moster teams int he Atlantic division accountable. And a GOALIE, of course.
I like a guy like Neil alot b/c he can contribute more than just his fist. unfortually, Neil recently rejected a four-year deal worth $1.7 million a season from ottawa which means he thinks he worth more. Thats alot considering his stats have been on major decline. if he was coming off his 16 goal season maybe i would think otherwise. He had 3G last yr which would put him ahead of Jeff Tambellini LOL.
changed my mind on goalies. try thibault/biron
Mike Rupp
My free agent wish list for next season is:
D - A solid Defensive D-Man: One of Komisarek, Scuderi or Montador
G - A potential #1: Either
Anderson or Conklin
F - A primary scoring threat (to take the pressure off Tavares, Okoposo & Bailey) & an enfocer:
Scorer - Cammalleri or Havlat
Enforcer - Neil or Laperriere
Do I expect we will sign any of these guys - I don’t know, but I believe we need help in all 4 areas and Management knows we need the goalie, so I expect that we will make 1 signing at a minimum.
We have enough offensive D-Men on the team now - Streit, Martinek (when healthy - I know, I know) & Hillen and plenty of prospects in the system, so we need to find the replacements for Witt & Sutton, who, hopefully are more mobile and much younger.
On O, we need someone who has established themselves as capable of putting the puck in the net. Sign a 3-year deal with whoever you get and let Tavares develop without all the pressure of being a “savior.” Ans we all know we need some toughness, but I want it from soneone who can play the game and hope that KO, Comeau, Joensuu & others are willing to get involved when necessary - it about team toughness, not goonery. @#55-Van Voorhees you summed it up nicely regarding toughness!
117- Laperierre is not an enforcer.
I like the idea of getting a hungry kid from the AHL like Mirasty over a guy like Brashear who has 18 years in the league and isn’t as eager or as good at dropping the gloves as he used to be….
If not Mirasty, Orr or trade for the Minnesota kid that is a 6′8 beast!
Considering that the the teams future literally rests on JT bring able to skate every night he needs to be protected. At this point I dont care if the guy can skate at all. Hell, suit Mike Tyson up, put four blades on his feet, have someone hold his hand and skate him over to the guy who need delt with and presto.
Can Mick Vukota still fight? lol