REPLIES II: Craig Anderson, recruiting UFAs, vintage jerseys, more DP jousting and (no way!) draft talk
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
One thing before I get to more of your questions. It was almost stunning, and rather telling, how Penguins owner Mario Lemieux completely singled out the greatness of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in his postgame comments on Friday night. I loved his honesty. He gave credit to the entire team, of course, but could not have been more clear: the Penguins won the Stanley Cup because they have two of the three best forwards in the world.
In case you missed it, here are the first group of replies and subsequent throw-downs.
dp: Any whispers as to who the Isles are thinking of going after for our backup goalie? Who would you make a run for?
Point Blank: Backup goalie? The Islanders need a starter.
On July 1, 2001 the Islanders called Garth Snow and basically said, “We’re signing you.” At 4:00 pm that day, I was sitting with my son at International Delight Cafe in RVC when I got a call on my cell from Maine: “Hi, it’s Garth Snow. I’m one of your new goaltenders. Look forward to working with you.” (Little did we know…)
I don’t know if Craig Anderson is a true No. 1 NHL goaltender or just a solid 40-game guy who’s clearly far superior to the Joey MacDonalds and Yann Danisesesesseses. That said, if I had my way, I would make my first call on July 1 to Anderson’s agent. I would tell him Craig will play a minimum of 40 games and as many as 60. I would then ask what would it take to have him under contract to the Islanders by the end of the day.
I learned one (good) lesson from my colleague of 40 days, Neil Smith. If you really want to sign an unrestricted free agent, you bend over, say yes all the time and keep on faxing your offers until the agent has no other choice.
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mrlbem: 1. If I don’t think that Ricky’s play to date lives up to his reputation or hype that the Islanders organization is responsible for, how does that make me or anyone else who feels that way a “DP hater?”
2. How does Garth Snow convince a true 1A goalie to come to this team in light of Ricky’s contract?
Point Blank: 1. There are the critics, of which there are plenty for very good reasons (starting with costing his team goals by wandering from the net he’s supposed to protect). Then there are the people who get over-lathered by DiPietro. Yesterday I tweaked that maybe 25 guys don’t like him because their girlfriends do. By the end of the day it was, “Botta says Islander fans don’t like DiPietro because he’s good-looking.” Oh brother, was I on the wrong end of a freak-out. But no – no one’s obsessed with DiPietro. (Hey, this blog would extra-suck if I didn’t occasionally write stuff you really, really hated).
Again, DiPietro didn’t move mountains to draft himself first overall. He didn’t trade Roberto Luongo. He didn’t give himself the 15-year contract. He certainly didn’t try to injure himself. In his last two seasons of 63 and 62 games, he played behind a defense I would not consider top-20 in a 30-team league. He did make an all-star and an Olympic team. Before Mark Streit and eventually Kyle Okposo, he was the only really good hockey player your team had. That’s all I’m saying.
2. That’s easy. Point out that DiPietro played five games last year and that he’s still limping. For a goalie looking for a No. 1 job, there aren’t many opportunities like this around the league.
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9599: What current Islanders stay/live on Long Island during the off-season?
Point Blank: Rick DiPietro.
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Rob: Do you have any news regarding the Isles plans to introduce a vintage WHITE jersey?
Point Blank: If the Islanders get approval to make their vintage Third Jerseys their primary beginning in 2010-11, they will need a white one to wear on the road. In the mean time, they cannot introduce another jersey of any color beyond their current primary (home and road) and Third royal blue vintage. Guess what I’m saying is, they cannot have a Fourth Jersey. (Note: I know the white jersey modeled here by Shania Twain is not what you’re looking for. I just needed a picture of a white jersey).
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Jason: Anything else on Jankowski? I hear he is a respected scout in this league… anything to back that up?
Point Blank: Sure, he’s respected. Works hard, young, diligent, intelligent. Dad was a successful scout for a long time. Like most scouts, he’s been a part of some hits and some misses. He missed Evgeny Gratchev last summer and probably had to watch him play 20 times this year when he was checking out Matt Duchene. All comes down to the ratio over a fair amount of time and we don’t have that yet from Jankowski. This will be his fourth draft as director. I always hear good things about him from people in “the scouting community.” But all of the above and 50 cents might get him a bagel in Point Lookout. The young man’s gotta have a good draft in two weeks.
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Quez: Could the Isles parlay a few of their picks (late 1st, 2 2nds) into Phil Kessel?
Point Blank: Unfortunately for them, no. Not for a 21-year old who scored 36 goals last year.
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mapisles2025: Any chance Justin DiBenedetto makes the team this year?
Point Blank: A good first year of pro for Justin would be to make the Sound Tigers, stay up all season without being sent to the ECHL, play on one of the top two lines and score at least 20 goals.
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Danbury Islander Fan: How much is Wang and the rest of the Lighthouse group willing to scale down the project if needed? If the town tells them to scale the project down by 50% will they stay or will they go?
Point Blank: Pictured at right is an actual-size model of how much Charles Wang is willing to scale down. Just kidding.
Only Wang and Scott Rechler know the answer to your question. My hunch would be not much – maybe 10-20%, just enough to show good faith, be in the spirit of cooperation and get the deal done. I’d be disappointed if they made many concessions. They’ve been working on this for years, spent a fortune on it and have already scaled down the tower and made other adjustments. The current scope of the Lighthouse Project is what The Broker and Nassau County wanted and approved 16-2. Wang is already on record saying he’ll listen to anything the Town and consultants have to say. He’s just looking for a response.
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Ed J: Is Billy Jaffe locked up with the Isles broadcast for a bit? I would hate to see him get sent to the Blueshirts:
Point Blank: The Joe Micheletti thing was unique, so I don’t think the Islanders broadcast booth is the Rangers’ announcer farm system. Joe should be at the Garden a while. If I remember correctly from when I worked for the NYI, Billy might be entering the final year of his deal. I like his work and hope at the proper time they’ll get together on an extension.
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John G: Do you think the player drafted at 31, whomever it is, would be an immediate starter?
Point Blank: Not a chance. And even if the Islanders move from 26 all the way to 15 – a long shot to move that far – that player won’t be in the Islanders’ lineup in 2009-10 either. If they rush too many prospects, the rebuild will fail.
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MHChanel: Where would Steve Stamkos and Drew Doughty be slotted if they were coming out this year? How do they rank as an Islander fit against Tavares/Hedman?
Point Blank: Some people missed this when I first wrote it, some didn’t want to hear it. For all the fair hype for Hedman, it’s not hard to find a scout who now would rather have Drew after watching him for a year in the NHL. Stamkos would make it a top 4, anywhere from 1-3 (I wrote the same thing yesterday about Taylor Hall).
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We end with – what else? – a quartet of John Tavares Qs…
Nick: Do you think the Isles understand what the Fans want and understand the backlash they would receive from them if JT is not taken?
Point Blank: Absolutely they do. But that will not factor into their decision.
Chris A: Would the drafting of such a high profile guy like Tavares wind up convincing a free agent or two to come to the Island?
Point Blank: No. Building a competitive team, winning a few playoff rounds, “transforming” the Coliseum and most of all being one of the highest bidders will convince major free agents to come to the Island.
Dave Chyzowski: CB, did you tell our boy Johnny T that he should read this blog as the draft approaches so that JT can see the opinions of us Islander fans?
Point Blank: He knew a little bit about the blog and has read it. Eighteen-year old hockey players, no differently than some 38-year old hockey players I know, regularly read what is written about them on the information superhighway.
Dan L: Do you think the Islanders would take into account when considering Tavares the fact that he is an extremely marketable player, as well as an amazing hockey player? I would think that a team that has lost a significant amount of money like the Isles would have to think of the business side of a player like Tavares as well. Aside from improving the team, I feel a marquee player like Tavares could improve profitability as well as potentially help the Isles towards the Lighthouse dream.
Point Blank: I’m sure Snow and Jankowski will take the kid they feel is the best hockey player. How do we know John Tavares is an extremely marketable player? As for the Lighthouse, it is so deep in politics and so far down the road that it’s beyond the arrival of one potentially super hockey player. Whatever has held the project up – if you believe the project has been held up – it’s not going to be cured by an 18-year old hockey player. This is not the Penguins winning Sidney Crosby (and a new arena) in the lottery.
Comments and questions.
78 Responses to REPLIES II: Craig Anderson, recruiting UFAs, vintage jerseys, more DP jousting and (no way!) draft talk
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Strummer's Army says:
It appears the ice girls could be used help sell Mr. Anderson on joining the Isles.
CB, do you see the Isles making any moves draft weekend that don’t involve draft picks (trading for players)?
Also, with Komisarik having a really bad year and Montreal having not the most stable situation right now, do you believe the Isles chances of signing him greatly increased?
If the Isles wanted to package the 26th pick and a player like Hunter or Witt how far could they move up?
Thanks! Everyone please click the banner ads so we can keep this site forever. We don’t want to go back to the time before this blog!
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rb says:
CB, feel free to post pics of Shania Twain modeling any version of an Isles jersey, home, away, third, vintage, alternate, second alternate, vintage alternate, Fisherman, wave, game worn, etc.
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Matt says:
good stuff Chris. craig anderson would be a welcome addition here. the thing i like about him is he never gives up on a play. (not that any nhl goalie does) but the guy looks like a warrior in net.
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KevinT123 says:
how many picks do you think the isles will trade/keep
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hathead68 says:
CB, do you think DP reads this blog? If he does, I hope Rick understands that the “DP Haters” are the vocal MINORITY, NOT the silent MAJORITY. Don’t want him being down on the Isles fans. No mancrush on the guy, but give him a break.
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PS, Who gives a crap if he’s arrogant or not? Billy Smith wasn’t exactly the most pleasant person to be around all the time from what I understand. All Rick has to do , besides being healthy, is stop more pucks than the guy at the other end… then all the “haters” will shut up.
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Mike79 says:
Poor DP might read. It is only the minority…sounds like a bunch of liberal morons. Now DP is being compared to Billy Smith. STUPIDITY AT ITS FINEST. ROFL!!
Many Islander fans are obviously too stupid to realize that he will never be the same.
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Good column otherwise.
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Irish Isle says:
So who pantsed JT?
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Dan L says:
CB just wanted to throw out a quick thank you for putting my question up in the Q&A blog. I only disagree with you (absolutley respectufully of course) on the question you raised of “how do we know Tavares is a marketable player?” Maybe I am wrong but I feel that I have seen the overwhelming majority of Islander fans, on this site as well as others, that seem to have Tavares as the consensus, most desired, overall pick. That is the only reason that I feel that he is an extremely marketable player to the Islanders fanbase. That being said thank you again for your much appreciated insight on the matter!
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john says:
think they will name Weight Captain/mentor(temp 1-2 years)if they draft JT? They are hyping the draft party big time, this would be a perfect place for them to do it.
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Jordan says:
As I have said before, I am high on Hedman. So how mad would you be if they traded down to 2nd, or even 3rd and picked Hedman, gained another top5-6 pick, then drafted Kane or Schenn as well.
Do you think (Schenn/Kane and Hedman) are better then Just Tavares? -
The PolishPrince says:
Awesome picture !!! lol. IDC in Rockville Centre, I haven’t been there in years. Is it still there? Jordan, yeah I think Hedman + Kane in the long run are > JT alone. IMO the Isles don’t have 1. the assets to make it happen or 2. the time to let that develop.
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Just out of curiosity anyone care to hazard an honest guess as to what percentage of teams have JT first on their board? I understand the drill , best player available regardless of marketability, etc. Just that this team’s history of going against the grain gets me nervous. I’m figuring a good 75% of teams have JT first on their boards. I hope Snow and Janks feel the same.
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Joe says:
CB, I read that Chris Neil was going in to free agency, Would you say the Islanders might go after him? I thought he would be a solid addition to the third or fourth line.
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db says:
larry brooks article today on isles has them taking hedman. hes usually wrong but its still scary.
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now hockey futures draft preview has the isles taking hedman. do they know something we dont know. im hoping this is like last year when everyone said we were taking filatov and we trade down twice to draft bailey. still scary.
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Nova Scotia Isles Fan says:
[quote="9599"]What current Islanders stay/live on Long Island during the off-season?
Point Blank: Rick DiPietro.[/quote]
/argument
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
CB- Answering the DP question made you a lightning rod on such a polarizing topic with fans. I got your tongue in cheek comment about girlfriends … found it funny … Some fans are just frustrated about goaltending since Luongo … My issue with DP is he wanders from the net to much.
Strummer … you’re one of my fave posters … but measuring a player by how many times he’s traded is way off base… HOF players have been traded. ie: Esposito, Gretzky, Dionne, Messier, Roy, LaFontaine .. and even great journey men like Sillinger. Need I go into other sports? Fact is some players get traded b/c they are valuable assets.
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CB does the ny post and hockey futures hedman talk change the snojanks percentage or is it all hot air. since pittsburgh won the cup with two offensive stars you can make the case the isles should follow that formula and draft tavares. looking at pittsburghs defense you have gonchar who is very similar to streit( i think at this stage of their career streit is better) then you have orpik who is similar to witt just younger. gill = sutton. scuderi is better than gervais. letang is more established and better than hillen but similar upside. and then you have mark eaton all in all it is very similar to the isles. if the isles add komisarek you can make the case the isles d is better. tavares all the way!!!
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CB, what is the likelihooh the Isles resign Hilbert and Thompson?? I would not be upset if they let them go and bring up Iggy and possibly Colliton…
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Another validation supporting CB regarding Tavares as first pick.
I received homework at my last coach’s clinic. Charting the last 2 rounds using color coded zones. My eyes and NHL’s game tracker came up with this.
75% of quality chances originated from passes within the Orange & Red Zones (Face off dots in). >84% of ALL goals were from inside those two zones … Tavares is said to be among the best players from top of circles down. Wouldn’t that alone make him a prolific scorer??
Disclaimer: I couldn’t see every minute of every game so these stats are approximate.
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another notch in taavares’ belt 18 of 20 draft picks made by garth snow have been north american so if its close im sure he would lean towards tavares. im done for the day. sorry im sure theres a rule against 4 post before 10:10 am lol
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BB says:
Just on the note of what players stay here during the off-season, I did see Sean Bergenheim at Celebrity Diner in Syosset about 3 weeks ago. Is there a reason he’d be here at this time?
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John says:
Chris…
I’ve beat the Rob Schremp drum before, but as a Restricted Free Agent do you think the Islanders would consider offering him a one-way deal to get him to sign with them as opposed to Edmonton, where he’s only had a cup of coffee with the team. He’d be a dynamic player riding shotgun on a line with Tavares or better yet with a passer like Bailey.
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Anderson seems like a good guy, I would be happy with signing him- if we have no chance at Conklin.
Mike79 (8): What do presumptions about everyones political leanings and calling everyone stupid have to do with this article? Rick was not compared to Billy Smith in the way you are stating- it was simply pointed out that Billy wasnt Mr Happy-Faced Sunshine himself and that he too was often called arrogant. Thats as far as the “comparison” appears to have gone here. Theres nothing to argue over in that and its no reason to break out the all-caps group insults, you know?
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Ann Aquarian says:
I wouldn’t be too concerned about hurting DP’s feelings. More than enough people tell him how great he is all the time, and if he reads this blog, I’m sure his ego will get a boost reading messages, posted mostly by men, discussing how dreamy he is.
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Quez says:
#(27) I think we already have our version of Rob Schremp…it’s Jeff Tambelini.
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dose says:
rb on Jun 14th, 2009 00:40:16 said:
CB, feel free to post pics of Shania Twain modeling any version of an Isles jersey, home, away, third…y-y-y-yeah. anytime.
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Mike L says:
#26- I think Okposo spends most of the offseason here. He went back to Minnesota for a while, but I’m pretty sure he’s back now. I used to see and talk to half the team at the bar down the street from me. Even drove Bruno and Kyle home one time (long story). But yeah most go back home, but I’m surprised Bergy is still around.
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Noomz says:
i think i saw DP this week… walking a black dog. The guy was walking briskly and – good news if it was him – there was NO noticeable limp to his gait.
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C.J. says:
I’m not sure of this Craig Anderson character. He seems to be an all or nothing goalie. Either shutting you out, or getting shelled.
Also, we shouldn’t base this UFA upon how well he plays against us. That’s often a mistake of teams (look at the Yankees and Burnett).
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isle5 says:
We never won a cup with the 1972-78 today’s classic 3rd jersey. Why don’t we go with a winner 1979-94 orange at the bottom of the jersey & 4 cups. Remember we were considered chokers with the white flag at the bottom of the jersey. Honor the Dynasty wear their jersey.
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If Rob Schremp hasn’t made it in Edm who started it’s youth movement years ago I not confident he’ll flourish anywhere else.
19 interesting group of players you mentioned there. Lafontaine we all know was traded because of contract demands (I know nothing more on that so not taking sides I wish he would have been an Isle for life). Gretzky was done soley to grow the game and the NHL.
Roy you might remember pitching the mother-of-all-hissy-fits during the game. Yelling at the coach and going up to the GM and telling him he’s played his last game and he wants to be traded and the GM saying OK.
Sillinger is just a valuable asset but not one so valuable he won’t be moved.
Messier got dealt when he was older and Edm was in trouble.
Roberto’s contract demands (has many commentators have agreed he puts himself way ahead of the team, give me all the money and I don’t care if there is a team around me) have led to him being traded and to him possibly being dealt again. That is part of it.
The other part is he is not a good teammate.
The other part is he’s an above average goalie but not as good as the media hypes him to be.
I saw for my own eyes what a selfish coward he is. I am thrilled he’s not an Isle I just wish they would have gotten a fair return for him.
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jonw says:
Messier was 30 when the Rangers dealt for him
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Cain says:
*CB,*
Question for you:
In your opinion and with information you have gathered, what is the probability (by current roster player) of being traded or packaged before next season?
IMHO, I see the likes of Sim, Tambellini, Comeau, Meyer and Martinek as possible. And while we recognize that Hunter, Witt and Sutton could be upgraded (separating we like them), I think for cap reasons they remain.
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D-man says:
Ann Aquarian: where di you get the information that people tell dp how great he is all the time? just curious of your insightful thoughts and where they come from.
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KO21 says:
I wish I was that Jersey Shania’s wearing…
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Now Strummers Army is bashing Roy, lol. Maybe the greatest goalie of all time.
Thanks for the laughs.
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i have no problem with DPs contract, i know he had no choice in getting injured, and will be a bargain if he matures enough to become the goalie his ability could make him. but no comparisions should be made to billy smith in regard to his attitude… billy’s attitude was all based on his job… keeping the puck out of the net. to him it was money out of his pocket when the puck went in, so you wouldnt see him wandering away from the goal the way DP does. sometimes it seems to me that to DP, the WAY he does it is more important than the result, and that is a maturity he needs to find. ole battlin billy wouldnt be impressed with DPs attitude. DP could be great but even with injury has shown a little too much selfishness, down to playing when he was injured and shouldnt. maturity is needed to go with that attitude, and that atttide has to be more focused on keeping the net protected. I love DP as a goalie, but have not been impressed with his maturity level so far… but that could, and should, change as he gets some more play under his belt.
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dedshark says:
cb, what ufa defenseman do you think the isles have the best shot of obtaining come july 1?
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Rob76 says:
Db – i saw the same stuff as you with us Picking Hedman. I’ve said it many times – there is nobody who is more pro-Tavares than me. But my gut feeling has told me the whole time that they will pick Hedman – now most of the media seems to have that feeling too. i hope that they are all wrong but i have a sinking feeling…:(
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#41 I didn’t bash Roy. I restated the event that caused him to be dealt it was a scene I’m sure it’s on youtube. That was to illustrate my point that great playes don’t get dealt unless there are other reasons.
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Frankie Boy says:
#26 bergenheim was still here bc his friends from finland were here visiting, then they left all together.
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D-man: My insightful thoughts come from paying attention to people say and write. Announcers, bloggers, & fans are constantly going on about he’s one of the top goalies in the league.
Not really a whole lot to decipher there. It’s not insight; it’s observation. Try it some time.
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Julie says:
On NHL Network (on NHL Live) Gilles stated that he thought the Islanders were going to take Hedman.
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Sound Beach IslesFan says:
Great article on the Islanders and the Lighthouse issue from Larry Brooks in today’s NY Post. Have a look on the Post web site, it is a very good read.
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K-Rob says:
Who are some players that the Islanders might move up in the draft to pick and what prospects that are already in the system have a chance to make the team next season.
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James says:
hey where are some popular spots for the boys(islanders) to kick it? i’d love to have a brew with some of these guys.
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Jim M says:
Hey CB, I think I recall Snow saying that the team will look very similar next season and dont expect to be huge players come july 1. With the amount of cap space we have seriously why not go out and try to sign a top tier foward/dman even if it will look like a Redden contract
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Did the Isles make any overtures to sign Jonas ‘The Monster’ Gustavsson??? He seems to be someone who would be a good fit for this team in net.
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Brad says:
CB you comment about the islanders not having good players while DP has been on the team before streit and KO are kinda crazy. Remember Jason Blake was a 40 goal scorer in 2006-2007 thats pretty good. Satan scored 35 in 2005-2006. Brendan Witt was a pretty damn good defensemen (and still is). Mike Peca was good to name a few great players with out having to think about it.
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admin says:
I should have been clearer, Brad. I meant these last two seasons. Send my best to your dad…CB
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art says:
An early indication of how Wang feels about the LH going forward will not be the draft but rather how much he will be spending on UFAs and trades in July 2 months before the Oct. deadline. If he stands pat then that would be a bad sign. I predict we will be happily surprised and look forward of team reconstruction to go along with the new construction of our arena in the near future.
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CB forgive two comments in a row. but I just reread yor assesment of Tavares as bringing about the LH on his own. Your correct however if this pik with a big addition of supporting high quality players as I mentioned in my previous thread led to an exciting quick start this fall with huge publicity thru the media politicians might be caught in the enthusium and push the project ahead.
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Mike79- Dude, based on your insightful response to my post, it sounds like you know a great deal more about hockey than me and many Islanders fans. If hurling insults is all you’ve got, sounds like you’re the moron, dumba@#. Wasn’t comparing him to Billy Smith other than to say , I repeat, who cares whether he’s cocky, confident, or arrogant, as long as he stops the puck, which is something that, up until his injuries, he was pretty damn good at. He also seemed to be maturing as well, except for the occasional gaffe. I haven’t heard that he’s a bad teammate, and until I do, I’ll hope for a return to good health for him because the Islanders are a much better team with him. His ability to play the puck works perfectly with the system Gordon likes to play. If you disagree with me, fine, I’m a big boy and can handle it, but at least come back with something intelligent. I mean “bunch of liberal morons” and “stupidity at it’s finest” …WTF? Gimme a break!
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Has NBC apologized to the Red Wings for placing Mike Milbury in the Wings locker room prior to game 7? Thanks for the weekend of Q and As CB, but the big one that you have not addressed is the status of Point Blank, you sticking around for another season? For me and I am sure many others, this site has been the best thing since the Bates penalty shot!
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dalcy says:
they are going to over think this draft, as usual, and pick Hedman. drafting a player to sell tickets is not wrong. give the people what they want. teams are a business. simple as that.
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fwb says:
CB, do you think the Isles would take on a bad contract (Daniel Briere for arguement sake) along with either a good prospect or pick coming along with that player? For example, a team like the Flyers has alot of money tied up in forwards and already has shorted there goaltending with the cheap Emery – they really need an offensive dman like Bouwmeester, but can’t afford even half of him. The Islanders, with alot of cap room – get a good prospect or pick with a player – the other team gets cap relief. Think that might happen/work?
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Lance79 says:
So CB what do you know that apparently the Isles don’t? We need a goalie for 60 games? Assuming DP’s injury is in fact much worse than the team is making it out to be, then doesn’t whoever we sign by default wind up playing 50 games minimum?
Not that I’m hoping for Ricky to be done – incidentally as a thought experiment for the DP haters, consider the scenario that DP is in fact done and we’re forced to rely on free agent signees until we find another franchise goalie – would you take that scenario?
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Was watching Hockey Night Live tonight on MSG (it was a season wrap up). Butch Goring said he spoke with Ricky D the other day and he was doing real well and could not wait for season to start – take it for what it’s worth. Also for another what it’s worth – Goring and Dave Maloney pick Hedman – Danekyo picks Taveras. Think show is on re run right now, matter of fact.
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Brian B says:
Hey CB…have you tallked to anyone in the league that you really trust that has been right on many occasions that thinks we are leaning one way or the other? You seem very confident we are taking Tavares. I think we are…I hope we are!
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Defensewins says:
Idea:
Why don’t we give DiPietro one year and not go after any big money UFA goalie and just sign a fringe Danis type, and if he proves that he is done this year, go after a Luongo or Nabokov in free agency next year?
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steveO says:
Speaking about Lemieux completely singled out the greatness of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, it was Billy Guerin that got them over the hump to get the Pens into the playoffs and where they are now…
With the goalie situation if we go after a goalie like Ozzy a true #1 Garth better say we pay you this, for 41 games IF DP is 100% healthy.. thats the best way to do it…DP better say nothing after missing a full season
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Bryan says:
One thing I noticed when scanning over the final results of the 2008-2009 season was that the Atlantic was one hell of a division. I know the team was pretty bad this year, but they played 20 games against four playoff teams in their division. This may help them in the long term, because it will help show the youth what it means to be a winning team.
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kjh (#59) … I was thinking the same thing. When I saw Milbury on NBC doing that faux pre-game speech to the empty Wings’ locker room… My first thought was Ohhh Brotha!! What a horrible bag of negative Karma that has just polluted that locker room.
And CB … kjh brings up a great question. What is the status of Point Blank? PB really has been the best thing for the Isles since Bate’s penalty shot goal.
Regarding these media hockey “expert” picks of Hedman over Tavares …. These guys know nothing of who Snojanks is going to pick. I have a feeling that the pick is a more closely guarded secret than the formula for Coca Cola.
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shane molloys mock draft on tsn has us taking tavares and ferraro. there also is a good write up on each prospect in the first round. i feel alittle better now.
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Staten Islander says:
for what its worth, on hockey night live last night, goring and maloney thought they should draft hedman and danyko thought they should draft JT
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
We are taken tavares. This draft is so much more obvious than all the media is making it.
But its creating a buzz.
I really hope DP can play this year. If not, we will be in the Tyler Hall Hunt next year.
CB – can you touch on the UFA we have this year. I pray we dont resign Hilbert. Great guy but if you get the playing time he has gotten last 3 years and you cant produce. sorry, Give those extra minutes to Bergenheim and you’ll have 25+ goals.
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I know you guys are really wanting Tavares, but I dont understand why your acting like its the end of the world if they choose Hedman. Regardless who they pick (I think Hedman is the best choice, alot think Tavares) both players are going to be Superstar potential, and the backbone of our team for many years. One this I dont understand is why some want Tavares just for marketing. Isnt that a bad thing? I dunno about you guys but I am sick of his non-playoff/non-contending stuff. If choosing Hedman loses a few “Bad fan base” I could care less. I just want to be excited about watching the games, and see them win. Both Tavares and Hedman, or even Duchene will do this so whoever they pick I will be stoked. I would love the thought of a 40 goal scorer a year, and see some highlight reel goals, but watching Lidstrom for the last 10-15 years has me wanting Hedman, because his play has far exceeded Lidstroms so far at his age, and he is much bigger.
Something else I have a question about is, have you heard anything else about this Detroit rumour I a few people have been saying? A deal involving Datsyuk coming here for our 1st overall pick. They are said to be in the hunt for Hedman because Lidstrom is retiring this year or next. Detroit wont lose anything because they will sign Hossa back(who they are losing if not because of no cap room). I thought it was just stupid at first but then it started making a bit of sence now that I think of it. I would want something else in the deal too like another prospect though. What do you think? -
doc says:
As a fan of the Islanders since 1975, and as big a fan of Potvin’s as I was (am) I never tuned into a game or went to one to see Potvin exclusively. I went to see the Islanders win… but was always waiting and anticipating when Bossy or a Bourne would step onto the ice… anxiously awaiting Bossy’s classic run down the right side boards with a slapshot in full stride through the “5″ hole… or Bourne’s end to end rushes etc.
Those are the memories… the special goals, the winning… etc.
But it’s the excitement, the anxiousness of anticipation of when an offensively gifted player touches the ice and gets the puck.
No offense to Lidstom… but he doesn’t have that. He’s a great hockey player no doubt. But he doesn’t inspire great anticipation.
Today’s Islanders need both a “Potvin” and a “Bossy”. The fact that you get a potential face of the franchise and the offensive excitement of goal scoring in Tavares makes drafting Tavares a “NO BRAINER” and a must.
It’s not a bad thing to get the “marketing” of a Tavares. It’s not as if he’s NOT a great hockey player.
I’m sure Hedmen will be great too. But I’m just as confident that Tavares will be also.
I know nothing of the two other than what I’ve seen in highlight reels and what i’ve read on various web sites but let’s grab the obvious offensive star… and develope our defensemen and a defensive system that will build a winning team.
DOC
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Here is Question #3:
Any chance you can interview Stamkos. Get his thoughts on the days leading up to the draft. The expectations of playing as the #1 Pick. His thoughts on prospects he played with/against?I know he has zero obligation to us, but you never know.
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bob l says:
cb, what’s with all these loooooong posts?
jordan, it’s obviously not the end of the world if we draft hedman, buts it’s close, i think you take the guy who calls a teams unofficial blogsite to quell rumors about him not wanting to play for them, i think that kind of character, for an 18 year old, should sell anyone… i wanted him b/c he was the best goal scorer in the draft, i wanted him even more after he flat out said he wants to help rebuild a champ on the island
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I just think Drafting Hedman at 3 (Colorado will trade up for sure to insure Duchene, because they want him %100) will get us enough assets to get another top 5-7 pick. I think Hedman and either Kane/MPS/Schenn is better then just Tavares. With the stock pile of picks we have now that wouldnt be a problem at I wouldnt think. Theres word that Brian Burke will aquire that 5th overall pick Anahiem just got, so I dont see it being a problem getting that plus more for moving down to 2nd(if toronto got the 2nd from tampa), then something from Colorado for going to 3rd. Then we draft:
3-Hedman
5-Kane/SchennBoth Kane and Schenn will be superstars and will put up slightly lower numbers then Tavares, but play a much more all around game then he does. Im just salavating about getting 2 top 5 picks in the deepest draft in years lol
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IslesHostage says:
From 19Isle #21:”Strummer … you’re one of my fave posters … but measuring a player by how many times he’s traded is way off base… HOF players have been traded. ie: Esposito, Gretzky, Dionne, Messier, Roy, LaFontaine .. and even great journey men like Sillinger. Need I go into other sports? Fact is some players get traded b/c they are valuable assets.”
The Isles shopped DP twice and overvalued him with Boston and Atlanta. Boston courted DP and Milbury wanted more, Atlanta wouldn’t make a trade for (I believe) Lehtonin. I believe the combined talks amounted to three possible trades that never materialized.
SO…DP could have been among those great names and been traded if Osgood only took a pay cut after his 35 win season and we didn’t ask too much.
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Ryan says:
What ever happened to the orange Islanders jerseys from a few years back? Why not bring them back and make them their primary jerseys? Talk about unique! those were the most unique jerseys I’ve seen.
good post we really need to sign a decent goalie because i doubt dp will play more than 40 games if he plays any at all