UFA PREP, Part II: Defenseman
Sorry, folks…the lowering of hopes continues
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
UPDATED at 3:55 pm - As Twittered by the great James Mirtle, Mike Komisarek’s agent has announced that his client will test the UFA waters.
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If you really believe - or just want to believe - the Islanders are going to sign some stud free agents over the next week, then I guess you can call me an enabler. For Garth Snow, that is. Earlier today, at the risk of losing mega PB site visits during the UFA period, we warned against expectations of a major free agent forward signing.
Now it’s on to the defense! Don’t shoot the messenger.
Qualifying offers (1): The Islanders have QOed restricted free agent defenseman Jack Hillen.
Signed and Set (6): Under one-way contracts for next season and on the team are Bruno Gervais, Radek Martinek, Freddy Meyer, Mark Streit, Andy Sutton and Brendan Witt.
And There’s…(0): Just kidding. If 12th overall pick Calvin de Haan believes he probably needs another two full years of junior hockey, who are we to argue with him?
All But Gone: Thomas Pock is off to Europe - wipe away those tears, little buddies - while depth dman Joe Callahan will test the UFA waters.
July 1: With 6 defensemen on one-way contracts, Scott Gordon’s relative faith in puck-mover Jack Hillen and decent blueline prospects in Andrew McDonald and Dustin Kohn, the Islanders have their excuse reason to not sign a stud UFA defenseman.
Still, they are on a 1-for-1 hot streak with the value inking of Mark Streit last summer, prompting management to float whispers they’re looking at “another Streit-type move.” They might want to take the confidence down a notch, considering where the team finished last season with Streit.
Too bad Suffolk County’s own Mike Komisarek is not an unrestricted free agent next season. With rugged stay-at-homers Sutton (one year) and Witt (two years) still on the rolls, it’s tough to picture the rugged stay-at-homer Komisarek coming home. Oh well. Michael will just have to settle for the crazy $5 million a year long-term somewhere else.
Syosset’s Rob Scuderi would be a better value than Komisarek. Then again, the entire league watched Rob’s wonderful play on their TV screens in May and June. He’s going to get calls from at least 20 teams.
Considering the style Scott Gordon wants to play, Anaheim’s Francois Beauchemin is worth a call and an offer. He’s coming off an injury, but is also coming into his own. He’s a rare commodity in that he can move it and shoot it, and he has some bulk. Beauchemin is 29, so he wouldn’t mess up the Islanders’ rebuilding plans.
If they successfully woo Beauchemin - or surprise us with one of the top UFAs - being forced to move one of their original six like Martinek, Meyer or Sutton would not be a bad problem to have.
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My friend John Kreiser has put together an excellent top-50 UFA list for nhl.com. Sure, there are others out there beyond John’s chart, but hardly anyone who will make a significant impact. Johnny Oduya would have been nice, but Mr. Lamoriello was not going to let him get away. Oduya signed a few hours ago.
Kyle Okposo gets an invitation to U.S. Olympic summer camp.
The constant Comments harping on solid depth center Nate Thompson? Priceless. Really now, just not where the focus should be.
Comment Guidelines. UFA goalie preview up next.
65 Responses to “UFA PREP, Part II: Defenseman
Sorry, folks…the lowering of hopes continues”
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Honestly with solid, although not spectacular, defenseman filling up the roster, it really doesn’t make any sense to spend any money on a UFA blueliner. I’ll be happy if the Isles ink a goaltender with some talent and a guy who likes to drop the gloves when needed.
As for the defense, I’d love Komi, but its unrealistic. Sutton and Martinek are useless because they can’t stay healthy so they can’t be counted on. So the Isles need to sign at least one d-man to compensate for the full season they will be without one of Sutton or Martinek. I like Beauchemin and think he’d be ideal. He’ll probably come cheaper than Komi and will certainly bring more to the table than Martinek or Sutton.
For the record, if the Isles could find a team dumb enough to trade for either Sutton or Martinek, they should pounce on it. Guys that can’t play more than 30-40 games/season are useless, regardless of how talented they are.
would be nice to see Andy Sutton on the ice instead of all dressed up in the hallway.
The Islanders NEED to sign one free agent d-man! Yes, they have 6 under contract for next season but you can never have to many d-men and Isles most likely will give Hillen and two-way contract and he will start the season with the Sound tigers. Freddy Meyer is a #6-7 d-man at best.
Just because we have six bodies on defense does not mean we should turn down a chance to improve it.
I’d get a “BEAUCHEMIN” jersey to go along with TAVARES. In French, Beauchemin means “beautiful road,” which clearly is talking about the Meadowbrook Parkway.
While many of us bashed Sutton and his contract over the last 2 years, he surprisingly put up some decent numbers and was north of the +/- equator last year despite the injuries. Still, wouldn’t mind seeing him and even Witt moved at the trade deadline this coming season. We need better, more mobile defensemen. Their leadership and lockeroom presence is nice but we need to upgrade.
I like Sutton and love watching Fearless Freddy play, however you cant turn down the opportunity to add a piece of the puzzle because they are already here.
You might not get any takers and may have to keep 7 dmen until a trade opportunity shows its face but thats the price you pay. If Beauchemin is a player the Islanders see on the team for the next 3+ season then Freddy will have to sit for 2 weeks until Sutton gets hurt.
I still can’t understand Islander fans hate for Radek Martinek.
id like to trade one of witt,meyer,martinek and tambellini. makes room for other players and UFA’s.
Should plan on a replacement for Martinek. History has proven that he will be hurt at some point again.
Sign Higgins and Scuderi plus i heard they brought him in to play golf, and he is interested in playing on the island
2 of the 6 are often injured burdening the rest of the defensive corps and BST.
NYI really need to add a d-man because injuries are inevitable, especially with the same backline as last year.
Oduya’s multi-year 3 mil annual per NJ paper/online, seems like the floor for Beauchemin. FB is a solid top 3 d-man that stepped up when Neids and Pronger were out. He has a cup too…
ANA might not have the coin/space to sign him.
I think the Isles have a solid and “quite good” defense, but it certainly could use some “great” in there. Martinek, Gervais, Meyer, Sutton, Witt are all good trade fodder that could make teams lacking some defensive skill that much better. I think Martinek would be a good fit in Washington, actually.
Yes the Isles have 6 D on one-way contracts, but they have preached the past two years that you can never have enough bodies on D. Signing a top 4 D-man will make for healthy competition among Meyer, Hillen, and Bruno. Also, we won’t be in as bad shape if one of them go down with an injury.
Any chance of DiPietro being considered for Team USA 2010? If he has a good start and is 100% healthy? Or has his injury status already taken him out of consideration to make the team?
CB, the biggest problem I have with saying that Witt & Sutton are still around is they are ALWAYS hurt…will the team make a legit move for Kommisarek or Scuderi, no…but the roster should not be the reason why…overpaying should.
D is the least of the Isles worries, relatively speaking. Sure you can make a case that they need an upgrade on everything, and fine- but the truth is that they are not GOING to upgrade everything! It is simply not going to happen! D is where they need help the least- and I would bet good money that they dont do jack squat to obtain a D-man unless he is a Cairns-style enforcer. (sigh.) FA has got to be all about goal, a tough guy, and possibly a winger as a bonus. The idea of a dman on top of all that is IMO unrealistic.
And CB- WTG stickin up for poor Nate!
The kids only 24, he is like 6′1 and is built solid at well over 200 lbs, he can actually win a faceoff, has some speed, and isnt afraid of being physical- I dont see anything wrong with this kid continuing to develop in this organization. On a team that has had more than its share of injuries (and thats putting it mildly) you cant have too much depth. Plus, I honestly believe if Nate was drafted by the Isles instead of being picked up on waivers many people would have a very different view regarding his continued development and wouldnt be as eager to toss him aside.
I stand by my earlier post of Beauchemin & Nathan Oystrik as targets. Beauchemin, i truly believe, is going to be the surprise of this draft class. He can flat out play and has a nasty mean streak.He is the poor man’s Dion Phaneuf!
i meant free agent class, before i get jumped on in here!!!!
The Isles might have 7 d-men signed (or are about to) but how many of them are healthy at any given time (i’m looking at you specifically Sutton and Martinek).
Adding another solid defenseman should be a no-brainer if the price is right. And don’t forget that Gervais, Meyer and Hillen really have no business being anything more than 6th or 7th on the totem pole anyway.
I’ve been a huge supporter of the LI Boys but alot has changed. Komi’s gonna ask for too much $$. Scudsi had himself a great playoff. Had the Pens been knocked out early, Scuderi would’ve been a bargain at $1M. Now it’s going to take $3M to sign him. Beauch was VERY good during the Anaheim playoffs a few years back. He may be the best fit on this team. No need to open the checkbook this summer, although a D man would be Ideal. Next year is when the real fun begins.
You can only reliably plug in Streit, Bruno, Witt, and Hillen right now. At least Bruno and Hillen are young, cheap, and still developing. Sutton’s a great presence, but hasn’t played more than 60 games for the past three years. Meyer’s a journeyman who has reached his plateau. As much as I love Martinek, he’s always injured. Signing a younger stay-at-homer and shopping Sutton would help, as well as signing an offensive D. How about a second coming of Adrian Aucoin–older, but still 34+ pts and over 75 games the past two seasons and was a leader for rebuilding Chicago?
I like that Aucoin idea from Brother Rat. I loved him on the Isles.
Regarding CB’s comment on Nate Thompson: Yes. Depth. Like, really deep. On a good team, a guy like him is like the 3rd or 4th guy called up from the minors, not a guy getting 10-12 minutes with the big club.
Eh, I see your point on focus, CB…but if FAs are not forthcoming, then the focus is I guess on the roster, and I continue to believe if Thompson is on that roster, it’s a mistake. Whose center position is he taking…Weight, Tavares, Bailey, Nielson, Park? If he doesn’t mind playing in BP all year…coming up only if the parade of injuries continues, then that’s not a bad thing I guess. Wasting an NHL roster spot on him serves no purpose though.
i understand nate thompson’s not the biggest challenge facing the islanders this season, but i still think i’d rather see trevor smith or jesse joensuu take his place. much more upside potential.
We do not need dmen right now, use the money for a goalie and an enforcer
Many said Garth will wait for the market to slow, well with the goalie I dont think he can. I expect some action from him on a goalie right away.
With Bergy, Weight, Park, Comeau, Tavares, Okposo, Tambs, Nielson, Hunter, Jackman, and Bailey, there is only one open roster spot anyway. If we get an enforcer through FA (or I guess if they settle on “the Wrecker” for that role), then there’s no more room for Thompson, Sim or anyone else anyway. The only person I see possibly not being on that list when the season starts is Tambs. Again, if it’s just depth, then hooray for Thompson. If he takes that last spot in lieu of an enforcer, it’s a waste.
you’re right cb, our focus shouldn’t be on nate… it should be on DP and/or FA goalies… with similar netminding to last year, expect about a 5-6 point jump in the standings just from JT, with injuries held to a reasonable level another 5-6 points, and if DP were to actually play 40-45 games (in close to 100% form that is) you can pick up 7-9 points… that still leaves us in a best case scenario of 17-21 more points than 08/09… which means still picking in the top 10 next year… that’s reality folks (at least in my view)
Does anyone think DeHaan could possibly make the lineup on D? I know he’s probably a longshot, but I hope he at least gets the 9 tryout before sending him back to Juniors
Issue with our defense is that most of the guys are VERY injury prone - Martinek, Sutton, Witt. We need a quality NHL defenseman on this roster who can soak up big minutes - think Beauchemin or Mara would be good fits here.
Robert….They wont rush him so I would say no, with a guy that has as much promise has he does, you do not rush him into a role
Remember this is a rebuild, so we will improve a particular part of our team this season, then see what our weakenesses are after next season and then addresss them. That is how you rebuild
Francois Beauchemin is only dman i woudl be interested in. Problem is he is not that much of diamond in the rough as streit as many teams would like him.
If Sutton can stay healthy, Since his weightloss he has been a great dman.
You Martinek haters are crazy. You find me as good as a defender as you for $1.4MM next yr. the Answer: you wont find him. He might be the most well rounded dman we have.
Post Campoli trade Grevais has really matured. I think defense is just fine if Sutton is healthy.
I think we should sign 1 dmen out of these guys;
Montador
Seidenberg
Mara
Beauchomin
Eminger - might be my favirote bc hes only 25! and starting to become a good player…
bob (26), mostly agree, but one thing you might not be factoring in is improvement from some of last year’s “young guns”. I’d expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 goals from KO (up from 18…I think that’s a reasonable learning curve esp given his pace in the second half of last season), possibly 20 from Bergy (thought he had it last year until he got hurt late), and probably some more points from Bailey. I would not be surprised if Nielson opens some eyes either…not 20 goals or anything, but maybe 10-15 with a healthy number of assists.
I really want Komi or Beauchemin.
What does Qoed mean???I have no idea what you’re talking about here and its been coming up allot lately, please explain…
TIA
QOed is Qualifying Offer as Restricted agent. If RFA does not get one he is free to test free agency
I agree with Kevin #9. Please explain how we fill the minimum payroll by taking no new contracts trades or ufas? Are we going to field the same AHL+ team, expect to fill seats. get media attention with only JT and get enthusiasm for the Lighthouse? Looks like we may get the #1 draft pik next year too. Then we can cheer for the KC Prarielanders the following year. Sounds cynical? Yea it does but unfortunately this scenario is saddly possible. Would love to hear other points of view.
Given a Qualified Offer.
UIF, very fair point
lets hope! but the ?? i pose now is this, just because KO gets 7 more goals, does the TEAM end up netting 7 more goals ? or does he simply eat someone elses goals (say guerins)
This defense sucks! I can’t remember the last time the Isles had a good defense. I want at least three new d-men. This is the true weak spot of the team. You have a bunch of youngsters up front and Ricky coming back from injury. Ricky has been forced to be over active and expend more energy then a guy like Broduer who plays as many games because he has to compensate for the poor defense. Not to mention the defense is a bunch of sissy’s who won’t protect their netminders no matter what happens.
If we are ever going to start seeing the Isles winning again the defense will look much different.
I love the Critique here! and it really opens the eyes to the fact that outside of Tavares the Isles have alot of holes to fill.
I just hope with all that you said CB, that Dipietro will be ready and healthy.
Because without a healthy DP all this UFA stuff is secondary.
Although a poor season could lead to another quality 2010 draft.
Why the hate for Marty? Good D-men. Stayed healthy through the whole 2nd half of the season and began to chip in goals. Trading him would be a mistake.
We have to sign players. We need to get to the cap floor. I don’t know the exact number but it’s like $7 million, isn’t it? So even after plopping a million or two on the best 1B goalie available, we still need to eat cap space.
While we seem to have relatively full rosters, I don’t see why the team can’t make Meyer a frequent visitor to the pressbox and hit another home run on big name D-man… barring that, on a left winger, but I’d rather spend Mr. Wang’s money on defence..
Snow’s position is that he doesn’t want vets to take up valuable ice-time from our youngsters.. to me, that’s mostly referring to our young forwards.. so adding D makes the most sense to the stated strategy.. We can add D and not take time away much from Gervais and Hillen..
So the Islanders are bringing back virtually the same roster from 2008-9? Anybody know who are the leading candidates for the 2010 number one draft pick?
Our defense was horrible this year. They need to add another skilled dman to that group. This is the time to do it, I just checked the UFA list for next year and it is bad there’s only a few good dman on that list. Tons of great forwards though. Add dman this year forward next year.
CB- I always see talk of FAs not wanting to come to the Isles due to the Coliseum. I am inclined to think this is Islanders propaganda. Would a FA rather go to Edmonton to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, or sign in some other one-horse town like Columbus, Ohio or Phoenix? Lets be real here- the Coliseum is garbage but this is still the NYC area, and there’s more going on in Rockville Centre or Long Beach than there is in all of Edmonton. NYC is one of the world’s elite cities- isn’t that enough to attract FAs? Just because Smyth didn’t want to stay here doesn’t mean this is an unattractive place to be. What are your thoughts?
Agree 46. UFA’s do not want to come to the island not because of the building but because they think they cannot win. Billy G was quoted in the Pittsburgh paper as saying he almost forgot how fun winning was. Thats why players will not come here. Number 1A priority for FA’s is money. 1B is winning. Some have those in the other order like Ryan Smyth. Its more islander propaganda and excuses for not putting a compeditive product on the ice.
No hate for Marty, Kevin… Really like him, just get’s old watching him sit out.
FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN & JORDAN LEOPOLD, move sutton and martinek.
I doubt Snow overpays for Komi or Scuderi to please the LI-fanboys.
Beauchemin is a better overall player than Komi and will be cheaper. Mara could be an alternative.
Scuderi played well, but he’s got too much Malone/Whitney playoff good will rolling into his UFA deal. No thanks.
I don’t understand why there’s any confusion or frustration over the teams stance on free agency. Considering we’ve known for quite some time now that the team will be building through the draft with youth, and has only had one season of rebuilding so far, it seems absolutely ridiculous for anyone to be upset that we won’t be chasing down high end free agents. How many times does Snow have to say they’re staying the course before people believe him and accept it? I say we’ll go through two more seasons before the team knows what they have and decides to make some runs at big players.
DPS yea it is obvious, players want to win. PERIOD
The way we do it right is we build and prove we can win FIRST, then the FA’s will come
All these posts about oh I hope they get this guy and that guy, not happening. Expect a goalie and an enforcer and that is probably it. I have no issue if that is how they do it, its a rebuild, do it the right way and dont screw it up by rushing it.
LouD - Well said. Jokes aside, we are indeed entering the 2nd year of Garth’s re-build. This is not a time to be adding blue-chip UFAs. It’s a time to have a good look at how the current prospects are developing, both those with the big team now, and those who may be ready to make the jump in 2010-11. Next summer - when we’ll have several spots open and when many other teams will be dealing with serious cap issues - that will be the time to try and make a big splash to get some finishing pieces.
11, I don’t think the Islanders are allowed to bring Scuderi in to play golf, that would probably be considered tampering…
Gervais, Martinek, Meyer, Streit, Sutton Witt, and Hillen. WHEN Witt and Sutton get hurt who are you going to put up against the big guys on the other team? I went to a game against Washington last year and the size differential was ridiculous. If they bring in anyone, size and toughness matter. I like Scuderi’s game but the price will be too high. Otherwise, Montador or Bouchemin would look good. How about Paul Mara on the cheap?
I agree with CB on our defensive situation. We have 7 guys. Its difficult to picture another d-man being brought in unless we move one of the others.
The D needs to be overhauled just like the forwards. Witt, Martinek, Sutton, and Meyers all need to go. Problem is how? It will be difficult to deal them because of their salaries and injury history. They may be able to trade one or two at the trade deadline if they show they can remain healthy this year. I would agee with keeping these players in place up to the trade dealine and then try to trade them for more 2010 draft picks. Plus having the above players on the roster till then will increase the Isles chance at being a lottery team again in 2010. This will help the rebuild.
I see our current contract commitment to (7)NHL level defensmen … OK … some may still consider Hillen on the cusp … I’ll conceed that … but it still doesn’t change the fact that the Isles are already committed to some contracts … Unless Snow can get an above average mobile but rugged defender for favorable terms I still can’t see anything BIG happening on the blue line this summer.
We have some good BPST’s to fall back on coming into their own… and this may be the last year to get a good look at some of them should callups be required.
Once again I agree with ya CB … I think the Isle’s stand pat on defense…. for now.
Carmine (45): You say our defense was horrible this past year, but they were all injured- ALL of them! The Islanders didnt play even one single game with their team together on the ice.
John Boychuck with a 2 way for depth
To Alex @14
There is NO WAY DP should play in the Olympics. DP owes it to the organization and the fans to be commited to the team and to stay healthy. In all likelyhood, under best conditions actually, DP will be playing half the season. Much lower than his usual work schedule. He cannot go play in an international tournament during midseason and risk getting hurt.
I would love the Isles to sign Scuderi but as CB already pointed out he’ll have plenty of other offers. He’s already won a cup so maybe he gives us a hometown discount (no chance in hell I know but I can dream). I’ll probably be flamed for this but when healthy is our “D” really THAT bad?
I agree 53. I think we need to be a little more patient and continue the rebuild this year. I think next year we will be more active in free agency. With JT on board and if the Lighthouses passes combined with a ton of cap space, the Isles will be in the drivers seat. The Isles are going to have to turn away Free Agents soon enough.
I agree with the Irish Isle that DP does not belong on the Olympic roster. If DP wants to make it to Vancouver, he’ll have to paint his face (and crutches?) and wave a flag in the stands like the rest of us.
As for Ds, we cannot throw out the same lot as last year and expect things to change. The old folks are a year older and Sutton, Martinek, and Witt still remain injury prone. Adding 1-2 D men would not cut down playing time for Hillen or Bruno, so why are people worried that this will somehow hijack the rebuilding process? The rebuilding process seems focused on Fs anyway. We have the cap space and need to protect our fragile franchise goalie.
The Isles need to sign either Montador or Bouchemin. Both will be cheaper than what Komisarek or Scuderi will get. If Hillen is the best BPST has to send up, we’re screwed. Marty is a great d-man, but is now better suited as a 6th or 7th depth guy on a more skilled team. He’s not durable enough for the minutes needed on the Islanders. Witt and Sutton are physical guys and will get hurt at some point no matter what. If the Isles could spend more time on offense, they wouldn’t have to block as many shots which also lessens their durability. Andy’s injury was a fluke. He showed up last year in the best physical shape of his career.