READER Q & A WEEK: Get your questions in
Will answer everything we can on the NYI
Just moving this to the top of the blog in case you missed it. I’m starting to go through the questions posted in the thread on Wednesday. If you have anything you’d like to ask me, post it in this Comment thread. Hope to get to some over the weekend. With the draft still two weeks away, we have some time to kill. I will try to engage, entertain and inform. One Q per Comment please. Draft conversation continues below. Thanks and enjoy the weekend…CB
49 Responses to READER Q & A WEEK: Get your questions in
Will answer everything we can on the NYI
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Pete says:
If DP cannot come back next year, do you think that we will finish in the bottom five again we the goalies that we have?
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Erik says:
CB,is there any word on the islanders signing Matt Martin?
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beaker says:
if the isles take tavares (lets pray for it), and presuming they finish near the bottom again next year, what do you hink they will look for in the next draft or two?
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felix says:
what is the opinion on free agents such as Hilbert and the rest of the crew?
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shappy says:
Where is robin figren on the depth chart and how many years away from the isles is he?
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Mattie C says:
Have you been informed about what players will be attending the draft party?
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB … I asked 3 questions on the original thread … but here is a 4th … so you can chose to scratch out one of the other questions …
Logan has an interesting piece on his blog about The Stanley Cup possibly coming to Long Island … of course the headline is tongue in cheek … it means Guerin has a shot of bringing Lord Stanley to Bill’s Oyster Bay home for a party…. Now I’m sure that Bill still has friends on the Islanders … but what’s the chance he invites any of them for a party … or .. the chance of any invitee showing up… If I was a player … there is no way … I would go to a party where the Cup is … kind of taboo. If I was a player I’d send my congrats to Bill with a few cases of his fave suds to drink from the cup … but that’s about it.
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mtrico says:
CB, what is the up to the minute info about the status and future of this blog (a.k.a. the greatest blog in the history of the web)?
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mapisles2025 says:
CB- Any chance Justin DiBenedetto makes the team this year?
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Paul says:
Your take on the former Islanders playing for the Penguins?
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tm says:
Two parter:
1) Is there anyone available in that 15-26 range in the first round that could step in and contribute immediately?
2) Of the prospects already in the system, which are the most likely to play significant roles with the team this year?
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What positions, if any, will the Islanders look to address via free agency, aside from goalie? Will they look to make a “splashy” move like going for Jay Bouwmeester or Mike Komisarek?”
What RFAs and UFAs do you see the Isles trying to retain, and which will they let walk. Specifically, on which side of the line does Andy Hilbert fall?
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AM says:
Can you give any info on Ray Ferraro’s son and his chances of being an Islander?
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blitz says:
(1) In your opinion, if NYI draft a FWD at #1 overall, should NYI bring in some veteran offense to ease the pressure of production off of JT/MD, Okposo, Bailey, etc.?
(2) Rough estimate on how much NYI will have to spend to meet the cap floor, including the 1st overall pick in the NHL next season.
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M Howard says:
CB,
Are there any plans to create a transportation hub at the Lighthouse? I feel it is essential for attendance, that the coliseum be serviced by public transportation; much in the way the Mets and Yankees parks are. A bus stop but preferably a new LIRR stop, I feel would benefit the team more than a renovation. Your thoughts?
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Bryan says:
Chris,
After the lockout the Islanders lost a lot of key players (Aucoin, Jonsson, Hamrlik, Peca and Scatchard). In their place Milbury brought in Satan, Zhitnik, Lukowich ect.
This was obviously a failed experiment with Yashin at the center.
My question is what brought this major overhaul upon the team. I realize after the Toronto series this group never performed up to par but if you ask me the list of guys that were voted off the Island were the only players over performing during that period.
Can you please provide some input as to what the teams thought process was for reshaping the franchise?
Thank you,
Bryan -
mt275 says:
CB…
Why did Wang keep Milbury after he bought the team? -
Dank516 says:
Is there a chance of the Isles exagerating DP’s injuries in order to tank a few seasons and refill the roster with a better team in front of him instead of finishing 24th with him in net becouse of his abilities?
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Blizzard says: Taking into account available free agents, and the fact that the Islanders last year were said to be minimal players, Do you see any potential signings by the Islanders? Maybe this years Streit?
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I want to work on the lighthouse project! If and when it gets approved will they have open jobs for us TOH residents or will they attract more professionals and 40 somethings with tons of experience?
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Assuming the Isles pick Taveres and we have better year with less injuries, what will the roster look like with all the centers next season?
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Tool123 says:
Who do you want the Isles to take 1st overall in the 2009 draft?
;O)
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Strummer's Army says:
Mr. Botta Bing,
You and Logan said based on conversations with the Islanders they now understand they need to get bigger and tougher and will do so in the draft. That makes me feel great (if they do it)but how much of that will carry over in to FA and trades?Also, with the cap set to be in flux the Isles appear to be one of the teams that can afford FA’s if Snow feels he is paying a fair price. Do you think this summer Snow will start being a better option to some guys because other teams just can’t play ball? Certainly Komisarik would appear to be in a position to want to listen to Snow’s offer, Gaborik might and it is reported by some Canadian newspapers (for whatever that is worth) that the Isles are one of the few teams who could afford the Sedin twins. Not sure about them. The LW would be nice but Isles are kinda overloaded at center after they pick Tavares.
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Dave says:
Being as specific as you can be, how do you expect this offseason to look for the Islanders?
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alex says:
CB,
there have been rumors going around that Nikolai Khabibulin might be interested in coming to the Islanders. I just wanted to know if u think thats a possibility/likely and if it would be a good move?
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john says:
think the team has any interest in recent team USA goalie Robert Esche? he was a number 1 goalie and Gordon was a coach on his team.
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NYISLES83 says:
Any good stories you can share about Mick Vukota? He was my favorite. I know about the story of him telling Milbury to go back to his room or else.
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Nick says:
If the Isles take JT what are the likely terms of his 1st NHL contract? And, how long after the draft will it take for these negotiations to be complete? Plus, it’s fair to assume that JT is a 100% lock to make this team directly out of camp, right? If so, is he our 1st line center opening night? Finally question (not sure if there was a limit), what are the chances that the Isles move Josh Bailey to wing and play him with JT and KO?
Thanks,
Nick
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KO21 says:
I was very impressed with “Kyle Okposo” in his 1st full season, especially in the 2nd half and some injuries slowed down his progress but I really enjoyed watching him develop…
Why type of a player do you see him becoming and in whaty caliber?
Who do you compare him to?
How many goals/points do you see from him on avg per season?
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jonw says:
Cb, If drafted I believe JT would better be suited on the wing on a guy like Weights line rather then centering his own.It is not a knock at his defensive responsibility or “lack there of” according to some scouts,but more of a pasenger seat learning experience to one of the better all around centers in the league(albeit past his prime).It will also allow him to play a little more loose and agresive.What do you think?
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RichM says:
Why was Peter Laviolette fired?
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Staten Islander says:
Any truth to the rumor that Milbury had job security pictures of Wang and how did Wang get them back? Seriously, an update on what the kids, Josh Baily in particular are doing to maybe bulk up a little
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Frank D says:
CB Lets say the TOH gives the approval for the Lighthouse Project to move forward, do you see Charles Wang opening the purse strings and signing some quality free agents? Can you also see him luring a basketball team to come to L.I.? You need winners and nightly venues to pay for the project and give back big returns to investors.
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patrick says:
hey chris
i would love to know your opinion on snow trading geurin for a 3rd round pick when he was a huge part of winning the cup
seems like a bad trade
he could not get a 2nd?
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KevinT123 says:
Do you think DP is a bust?
If you could cut one player who would it be
any shot at the playoffs next year?
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kevin27nyi says:
who are the top 5 players the isles will
a) target
b) seriously go after
c) have the best chance of signing -
BrianAlbany says:
CB,
Obviously a lot has been said about Milbury, his “crazy” personel moves, and eve “destruction of the islanders”….
How fair do you feel some of these comments are and what is you opinion on Milbury’s choices affecting where this team currently is and was then?
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paul says:
What’s the percentage the Islanders do not move?
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John G. says:
Whats the deal with the goal song? We had like 3 different ones this season. Personally, I like the one they had made.(the “LETS GO ISLANDERS!” one) Do you think they’ll go back to that one, or another song? I say use “children of the grave” by sabbath. \m/
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TimQ says:
Billy Guerin was incredibly classy in the post game thanking Charles Wang and Garth Snow for giving him the opportunity to win the cup
I also wanted to thank the refs for letting them play old time hockey tonight. No sissy rules in game 7 made for incredible hockey.
How great will it be when the Isles are playing in June?
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JAS says:
Chris, thanks for taking our questions. You put heart and soul into this website and it’s appreciated. Here’s my question. We heard alot about Scott Gordon’s system in the AHL and the success he had. We’ve now had 1 full season to see it at the NHL level. What are people around the team and league saying about the system? Will Gordon and his system be around after season 2?
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Question 2 – Since the Isles have so much cap space available, can they go back and restructure the Yashin buyout to accelerate the remaining 16 million coming off the books faster rather than the 2.8 million per year over 6 more seasons? I feel like if the Isles get real good over the next 3 years Yashin’s infamous contract can continue to haunt us. When you’re at the cap limit that 2.8 million can go towards a key player at the trade deadline. Is it against the rules or has Isles mgmt even thought of this?
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Question 3 – Will the Isles go after Boumeester July 1st or sooner via trade? Yes he will be highly sought after but the Isles have such huge cap room I think they can offer a contract that probably no one else can match. Boumeester wants to win badly and he would be an outstanding addition with Tavares. I think if he really wanted to be in Florida he would’ve signed already. Am I dreaming to think the Isles GM is that dynamic enough to pull this off?
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Irish Isle says:
What assets do the Isles have to make a trade?
What pix might they give up?
Do they have players that have worth come draft day?
What prospects migt they trade>
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Andrew T says:
Do you have any updates on whether or not this blog is going to continue through to next season?
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Josh says:
Are the Islanders thinking about bringing back Mike Peca for the right price?
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Jeff says:
I really think the Islanders should heavily consider moving up in the draft. Any chance they can get Minnesot’a number for number 26, number 37 and a top prospect (Corey Trivino), after hopefully picking Tavares, a center like Trivino becomes expendable and the Wild do not pick until the fourth round. This should be pursued I feel. Then maybe Gart hcan turn around and trade number 12 to Florida move down 2 spots like last year for number 14 and their second rounder. Any chance Garth does something like this, move up, then move back 2 spots to regain a second rounder?
With the state of the salary cap in such flux over the next 10 months is Snow likely to pass on any big FA acquisitions this offseason? It seems he would have much more leverage with even more room next season to absorb a salary or overpay a bit for the right player.