THE POINT BLANK POWER 25
The most influential people in Islanders Country
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
Entertainment Weekly does it for Hollywood, so it’s time we looked at the most powerful people on Wang Island. Use the Comments section to share your personal write-in candidates or start arguments. It’s not a perfect list. I’m sure I left worthy people out. I approached it like the Hall of Fame: if I had to think about it long, you didn’t make it. No offense intended. Let’s begin.
25. Billy Jaffe, MSG Plus color commentator: Emerging as one of the best analysts in the league, Jaffe gets his points across and they often foreshadow team decisions.
24. Eric Cairns & Sudarshan Maharaj, Development Assistant and goaltending consultant: By the across-the-board raves from the many prospects that improved over the last year, it’s clear Cairns’ impact has been felt. Maharaj was sent to Finland to scout Mikko Koskinen and rubber-stamped his drafting. Now he’s responsible for the goalie’s Islanders career.
23. Michael Bair, President of MSG Media: Runs the division with the people who run the Islanders’ telecasts, decide what they will look like and determine which channel they will be on.
22. Ken Morrow, Director of Pro Scouting: With free agency starting at 26, the dynasty defenseman has a more important role than ever. His team needs another Mark Streit-calibre recommendation next summer.
21. Rick DiPietro, goaltender: His influence on management is mythical and his potential for impact is not what it was, at least for now. Nevertheless, when you are a U.S. Olympian, All-Star and No. 1 goaltender with a few years left on a long-term deal, your attempted comeback is noteworthy.
20. NYI Fans and Bloggers on the Internet, true Orange-and-Blue: You better believe it, folks. Between Islandermania, Islanders Country, HF boards, the comments section on Newsday.com, the Blog Box, Puck Daddy, SB Nation, this thing and (just about) everywhere else on Al Gore’s Internets, never, ever underestimate your voice. Even when they pretend not to, the Islanders are reading and listening.
19. Kyle Okposo, top prospect: His complete development is vital to the Islanders’ rebuild.
18. Islanders Alumni, Long Island heroes: When men like Bob Nystrom and Clark Gillies have something to say, you listen. They earned this respect not just with Cup rings, but with their genuine interest in the health of the franchise more than two decades after they last wore the uniform.
17. Bryan Trottier & Mike Bossy, legends-in-residence: Trottier is in player development while Bossy develops corporate relationships for the franchise. These are usually the kind of jobs where Hall of Famers mail it in, kiss babies and collect a paycheck on their names. Not these two.
16. Hank Winnicki, Newsday sports editor: Being top dog in Sports at Long Island’s newspaper means Winnicki gets the ultimate call on how much coverage the Islanders get in the print edition and on the web. He also decides the back cover, who writes when and how much. Now more than ever – with the Islanders still a one-paper beat in the Tavares era – this makes Winnicki a very powerful person.
15. Jack Capuano, Bridgeport head coach: When you are in a youth movement, the head coach of your American Hockey League affiliate is almost as important as the NHL guy. Capuano is responsible this season for Jesse Joensuu, Robin Figren, Trevor Smith, Mark Katic, Justin DiBenedetto and Mikko Koskinen, among many others.
14. Doug Weight, mentor and power play point: Had breakfast with Tavares and just happened to run into Matt Duchene on the golf course. If management thinks enough of Weight to set that up, he’s obviously more than just a 38-year old center entering his second year with the team.
13. Howard Saffan, Sound Tigers President: Besides running the AHL franchise, Saffan is also responsible for the renaissance of Islanders Iceworks. Word has it he has spent a lot of time in the Islanders’ sales office this summer.
12. Mark Streit, defenseman: The man who should be the next captain.
11. Kate Murray, Town of Hempstead Supervisor: Strictly a coincidence, but Murray started acting more like a true community leader when her candidate for this November’s election was announced. (Funny thing: we haven’t heard from Kristen McElroy since). Murray is the gatekeeper to the Lighthouse’s plan for mega-development in Hempstead. She’s powerful, all right. Tell her what you think on August 4.
10. Islanders Sponsors and Season Subscribers, stakeholders: If you are financially and emotionally committed for 41 games of Long Island’s only major professional sports franchise, the Islanders will always be interested in what you have to say. This is power you should not take lightly.
9. Ryan Jankowski, Assistant GM/Director of Amateur Scouting: When it comes to the draft, it is all on Jankowski. His work can be judged in a few years on Bailey, de Haan, Ness, Trivino, Hamonic, Petrov, Ullstrom, Martin, Katic, Donovan, Poulin, DiBenedetto, Cizikas and taking two goalies last month.
8. Chris Dey, President: Building a fan base while the team is in a rebuild and the fate of the franchise is up in the air is quite a challenge. Not sure what anyone could have done last season with a team out of it before Christmas. This year should determine whether Dey’s innovative Islanders Business Club moves the mountain of tapping essential corporate support for the franchise.
7. Scott Gordon, head coach: Time will tell if Gordon is the table-setter, like Glen Hanlon was in Washington, or if he has the ability to see the rebuild from beginning to end. Talented, diligent, creative, smart, stubborn.
6. Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner: An easy target at times, but in the final analysis he’s done his part to keep the team where it is. After the arena stuff gets sorted out, owes the Islanders one last thing: participation in an outdoor game.
5. Scott Rechler, Lighthouse co-developer: His name is not in the Islanders’ directory (for now), but as Charles Wang’s partner on the Lighthouse Project, Rechler has a huge chunk of the franchise’s future in his hands.
4. Tom Suozzi, Nassau County Executive: The Lighthouse Project – or as Suozzi insisted I call it years ago, the “Coliseum Project” – is almost as much his as Wang’s and Rechler’s. It’s on The Suozz to see it through.
3. John Tavares, No. 1 pick: No pressure, kid.
2. Garth Snow, General Manager: As much as this year is about the Lighthouse, ultimately Snow must build a contending hockey team. He has the complete support of ownership, so he’s getting plenty of time to get it done.
1. Charles Wang, owner: The Man. Whether or not you agree with my contention that the team wouldn’t be here any more without him, there’s no question that everything about the Islanders starts at the top.
Comments.
31 Responses to THE POINT BLANK POWER 25
The most influential people in Islanders Country
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CB, you’ve got to be on that list. You’ve done more for the team and it’s fans than ANY other news or media outlet.
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miket239 says:
Rick Dipietro should not be considered an All Star. Or he is the least deserving All Star in NHL history. Sorry, just my opinion. And UGH, Howie Rose is a Rangers fan at heart with a face for radio. Again, just IMO.
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Tavares #1 says:
#26 Chris Botta.
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db says:
That dude Chris Botta should be somewhere on this list (and in a high position).
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This was a good read…I think if you do your revision in a year and a half-2 years, Josh Bailey will on it and towards the top!
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Bri on Li says:
Wang Island. Sounds like a reality tv show. A really scary reality tv show.
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MickeyBoy7 says:
I have to disagree with pick # 16…This pick belongs to the idiot Dolan family. Remember who owns Newsday and the Ranger$. If you think this guy Winnicki controls the Isles coverage you are dreaming. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Dolans hire Larry Brooks away from the Post to lead the anti-Isles charge in print. They already control TV & now radio and print. Oh what a web we weave.
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vigs says:
Where’s Kerry Gwydir? He’s got to have some pull, no?
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Irish Isle says:
I am still not convinced on Gordon, as you said he is stubborn. I just didnt like the way he dealt with the veterans. Sure the team is in a rebuilding phase, but you have to treat all players with respect. What is going to happen when the kids have a few years in under their belts and he still treats him like kids?
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Isles6 says:
I am glad to know that the team reads everything, which I assume also includes the comments section on this blog…so to that I say to those that be, this blog is the best money you have spent to keep your fans in the know…NEVER let it end. Sorry CB, I know you might want to retire someday, but you are out of luck.
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Warren says:
HEY CB Don’t you feel you should put yourself on the list. I say your 1A because its your list and deserve some credit.
P.S. If you have Billy Jaffe you should put the other voice Howie Rose. -
Willis says:
I’ve thought about Streit as Captain and for some reason I don’t get the impression he’d be comfortable being THE man. Maybe a CO-Captain though. (Just a personal feeling based on what I’ve seen of his personality. I could go on about it but I won’t)
I see Doug Weight as the leader this year. Doesn’t matter to me in the least that we would have a new one the following season. The team is changing and the “type of captaincy” they need at a given point in their rebuild is all part of it.
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Battfist says:
Jaffe-the guy sucks! Youre giving him too much credit.
The Ice Girls are #25th.
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cgs878 says:
Hey, Mr. Jaffe is one of the good guys. I think he needs a better partner to play with than Mr. Rose. Did you see that Mr. Papa’s contract was not renewed?? Mrs. Placey is over at MSG, and we lost Mr. Papa + Mears/King. Who’s gonna do the witty banter between periods and such? Maybe Mr. Loose?
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Carp, I meant Mr. Luce.
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SCLI says:
Very insightful and extremely interesting. Now I’ll know who to blame the 09 and 10(future) entry draft on when most of these guys fall off the radar. Jankowski? What’s his background? Construction? Is he also responsible for passing on Filitov & Schenn, among others in 08?
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uncle jr says:
I have a feeling Chris King will replace CJ Papa this year. He loves the islanders and will want to stay on In some capacity.
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flatpoint says:
Chris Botta should be number one on that list. IslandersPointBlank not only made a last place overall season tolerable, it made it downright enjoyable. This is the best hockey web site out there. During TSN’s free agent special, the hosts had their laptops on this site, as did someone at the Islanders draft table, both clearly visable on camera. John Tavares’ name would not have been chanted at games at the end of last season, and there certainly would not have been close to 10,000 people at the draft party if not for this site. The most influential person in Islander Country is clearly the founder of Point Blank.
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hathead68 says:
#1- CB, it’s just your modesty that prohibited you from including yourself on the list.
#2 – unfortunate but true, the Dolans have an influence on this team
#3 – add deHann to the Jankowski list. -
beatlebailey says:
Agree that the ice girls should be on the list. Last year they never disappointed on the ice unlike the team
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
CB- Interesting thread … I can’t argue any of your points or rankings … you know better than we do for sure.
How about for honrorable mention … Gov. Patterson and other state politicians … and developers near Citi Field??? Although at this time they don’t play a significant role … since Murray ATT is a huge impact player … it only serves to acknowledge that outside infuences hinge on the Murray adminstration’s decision.
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Akeem says:
CB, interesting how you put Jack Capuano on there, but not Dean Chynoeth and Scott Allen – they have just as much to do with the development of this team’s young guys…
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This is a really interesting read, CB. Honestly, I agree with others who have said that you should be on this list as well.Remember the Metro-ice challenge? That was rectified (as much as it could be) because of you, Chris. Believe it or not that meant a LOT to me and many other fans on principle alone. And remember that was before things took off in the way that they have now!
Battfist (14)- if youre the poster I read regularly- Im kind of surprised. I would suggest not that you simply change your mind and agree with CB, the NHL, the majority of fans, etc and appreciate Jaffe, but that you simply re-evaluate Jaffe for yourself. I hope that you go into this season with an open mind and form a new opinion of him as he is now. Sure you still might not like the guy, but I think that you might see a much higher quality analyst than you presently feel him to be. I really think that at the very least you might see that the guy really does not “suck”.
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Josh says:
You and Greg Logan should be on that list. I understand you want to be modest but you have to include Greg Logan.
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german islesfan says:
Chris Botta on top in this list.
Nice read. -
art says:
I think we underestimate Bettman’s power in the league. He is hated by the players, disliked by much of the canadian fans and their media [i don't mean the habs!] and yet survives. He is close to Wang snd wants the third NY area franchise to survive. He is responsible to date for slowing down the Phoenix move to Canada and wants that huge market to have a presence their with the three other pro franchises. If Wang gets a KC offer look to him to try to find NY area new ownership. The league is having lots of problems with the new middle america sites several of which are failing. CB you have him in the right order but he could end up next to Wang if the LH deal does not go thru.
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ChrisTMC-”suck” might be too strong of words…but at times last year-him and Rose were awful to listen to.
I miss Jiggs. -
ME says:
Jankwoski should be #3 on this list. He has all the power when it comes to the draft. For this organization and it’s direction, that is a HUUUGGGEE responsibility. It was his influence to trade up for Bailey and passing over five players who were ranked higher than Bailey was and it was Jankowski’s decision to trade down and basically give away the house of picks to get DeHaan.
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Battfist (29): Glad o hear you dont feel that harshly about Jaffe, battfist
But as far as last year goes, the team was injured almost beyond recognition and last in the league… how much great stuff can you expect any pair to come up with under those conditions? Who could make that sound fun???? When the Isles give them something positive to talk about and the guys have something good to comment on, thats a much better position in which to judge them. Know what I mean?And honestly I love Jiggs too, I think he has done an admirable job filling in (moreso in the last year or two than thand his previous fill-ins) but the guy is like 75 years old and doesnt live here anymore. Plus he fills Howies role anyway, not Jaffes.
CB, What about Howie Rose towards the low end (power-wise) on the list. One would think he still has some pull with this team.