Monthly Archives: July 2009
So that everyone gets in, this is a ONE-COMMENT-PER-READER thread. Please show respect to your fellow fans.
As I tried to prepare you yesterday morning, the Islanders did not sign any forwards at the grand opening of the free agent store. As predicted later in the day, they didn’t sign any defensemen either.
We all knew the Islanders would sign a goaltender. In Dwayne Roloson, they signed a No. 1 goaltender who has played more than 60 games in two of the last three seasons and led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final. Two years of Roloson – even at 40 – is better than Craig Anderson, Ty Conklin, Scott Clemmensen and some of the other options. The difference: those guys strive to be No. 1 goalies. Roloson is one. As we await the latest update on Rick DiPietro, the Islanders at least have security for two years and a bridge to their super-sized European goalie prospects.
Today opened with a post about the annual tradition of media and fans freaking about the teams that didn’t do anything, and the ritual continued today. It’s always a bummer to see so many good hockey players go elsewhere, but I will say this: there wasn’t a single contract done today where I thought the Islanders were dumb to not bid more. Not four years at a mill each for Colton Orr, who would have been good for the NYI. Certainly not four years at two mill per for Chris Neil, who would not have been. The Islanders need a fighter who could play a bit, not a guy who doesn’t fight much and thinks he’s a player.
Still, the lack of size and intimidation on the current version of the Islanders’ roster is alarming. Actually, it’s a joke. With the increase of enforcers and bullies on just about every team in the East except the Islanders, the hole in the team’s heart, psyche and collective cojones is so gaping…well, Garth Snow must be doing something about it. There’s no way he and Scott Gordon send this lineup chockful of kids, finesse playmakers, veteran welterweight Doug Weight and 18-year old franchise player John Tavares on the ice as is.
Joel Rechlicz could become a Steve Webb agitator/folk hero, but he is not a heavyweight. Even Travis Moen, who Logie says the Islanders have not contacted, does not fully get the job done. I don’t know when Snow makes his move for protection – would probably have to be a trade now – but he will. He has to.
This is a one-comment-per-reader thread. Those looking to still mix it up with more than one can continue in the next thread.
Feel free to start the Night Shift of UFA Commentary in this thread, aka Fight Club.
6:44 pm: Just wrapped up a media conference call with Dwayne Roloson. The highlights…
On why he left Edmonton: “It was strictly the extra year. It’s the same deal we proposed to them. They didn’t want to do it. I got the deal I wanted.”
On what he has left: “I didn’t play a lot when I started, before I went to Edmonton. I don’t have the mileage some other starters have. Physically, I’m still healthy.”
On Rick DiPietro: “I have a relationship with Rick that goes back to when he was in college. We shared a goalie coach back then. We’ve met at PA meetings. We talk about everything. No matter who plays, we’re going to get along great.” Roloson added that hasn’t asked DiPietro about his health.
On playing for the rebuilding Islanders: “My mindset is to help our team win. Whether I’m playing or on the bench, I’m going to do my best to help the team.” Roloson said he thought the Islanders played well for half of last season, but the loss of DiPietro hurt.
One thing was very clear on the conference call, which included as many reporters from Edmonton as New York. No doubt by the time he throws on the Islanders uniform he’ll be well past it, but Roloson was deeply disappointed the Oilers did not give him what he wanted. “It’s a lot tougher than people might imagine,” he said.”
Comments.
Roloson talk here. All other UFA discussion continues in next thread.
The absolute right move. The best goalie they could get for the shortest term. $2.5 million a year for two years for Dwayne Roloson, who was Edmonton’s MVP last season. He will be 40 when the season starts, but keeps himself in great shape and is known for his intense focus. In his last three seasons, Roloson played 68, 43 and 63 regular season games for the Oilers.
Last night, with Edmonton still not having signed him, we listed Roloson as the top goalie available on a short-term deal. Well done by Garth Snow.
Roloson just told TSN that the second year was the stumbling block with Edmonton, that he knows Rick DiPietro and he’ll leave it up to the coaching staff to decide who’s playing how much.
Comments on signing only. UFA talk continues below.
UPDATED at 5:55 pm – Here’s a theory. Islanders were never major players for Mike Komisarek, for reasons outlined the last few days on this blog. Everyone thinks today the Islanders are going hard after him. Brian Burke doesn’t like it. Blows away Islanders for Komisarek with mega offer. Toronto offer probably two years and a few mill more than what the Islanders would have signed the LIer for. In other news, Burkie is still telling anyone who’ll listen the Islanders are drafting Duchene and trading for Vinny.
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As always, Islanders discussion only in the Comments thread.
Welcome to the opening of unrestricted free agency, a time when fans and media freak out as teams lose players or fail to sign any.
July 1, when the sky will fall in several NHL cities. “Why does that team sign everyone”? “How could they possibly have the cap space”? “Is my team going to do anything”?
Like in 2007, when the Detroit Red Wings added Brian Rafalski and a great team got greater and won the Cup. And then there was…I mean don’t forget about…uh…
Ryan Smyth to Colorado.
Todd Bertuzzi back with Burkie in Anaheim.
Chris Drury and Scott Gomez on celebrated mega-deals to the Rangers.
Michael Nylander to Edmonton, I mean Washington.
Jason Blake to his dream hockey town of Toronto.
Hammer Hamrlik at 22 million for four years to go to Montreal.
Paul Kariya to rebuilding St. Louis.
Petr Sykora, playoff healthy scratch, to Pittsburgh.
The agent for Michal Handzus and Ladislav Nagy packaging the buddies together and finding a buyer in the LA Kings.
The Islanders patching up holes with Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Ruslan Fedotenko and Jon Sim. And then later on, Andy Sutton. Guerin & Co. were signed to the tune of combined 2007-08 salaries of $14.4 million. What did it get them? Where did it get them?
Interesting. $14.4 million today could help you rip the savior tag off John Tavares.
Comments related to this story and any Islanders news ONLY. We’re all on TSN and nhl.com. No need to post signings by other teams. Thanks.
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