NOTEBOOK: Adventureland, Captaincy, Back-Lashoff, Stadium Game and other thoughts
UPDATED at 9:00 am – A pair of follow-up thoughts to the notes below. Make no mistake: Saturday’s game will be a sellout, maybe even before Saturday. And with Doug Weight likely out for at least the opener, would not be surprised if the Islanders handed out more than two As. This would open the door for both Richard Park and Brendan Witt, plus maybe a youngin.
11:15 pm - A series of notes and observations while in Boston for my paying gig…
The Islanders are hosting a fundraiser on Sunday at the legendary Adventureland. (I mean, what Long Island kid doesn’t have a memory from that joint?). For 15 bucks, you get access to the rides from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. From 11-12:15, players are available for autographs. (Season ticketholders get an extra hour before that). I took a few kids there in August for my son’s birthday. Cost me $25 a head, so even if you don’t get anywhere near Tavares, if you meet a few fourth-liners and FMIV and go on a bunch of rides, that’s not a bad value. Follow the link for ticket info or call 1.800.882.ISLES on Friday. Tell them Botta sent you so they understand people still read the blog.
Since the Lighthouse lease press conference is Thursday, I would think the Islanders will announce their new captain on Friday at practice. I have it as Mark Streit edging out Doug Weight, which is as it should be. Weight will be the ideal alternate and sounding board for Streit. Personally, I’d give Richard Park the other A (and give him another year on his contract when they can), but Garth Snow and Scott Gordon could choose someone else.
As far as I can tell, surprisingly no one has picked up on this. The Yankees hosting a college football bowl game at the Stadium between Christmas and New Year’s for at least the next four years would seem to take the Bronx out of the running for an NHL Outdoor Game. If it’s any consolation, the NHL wasn’t picking the Islanders for the game anytime soon – a disgrace, but reality.
The Islanders sent out a press advisory tonight to announce that there will be no printed version of this year’s Media Guide – at least for the media. Press box bozos like yours truly will only receive the media guide info via flash drive.
The season opener on Saturday night – the NHL debut of John Tavares vs. Crosby, Malkin and the Cup champs – is still not sold out. Getting aggressive, today the Islanders announced a package for the game: purchase a “Lower Bowl VIP” ticket and Tavares Rbk T-shirt for $149.95. The team says this is a value of $205. That must be some t-shirt; if yours doesn’t fit, send them my way for the kids. Email customerservice@newyorkislanders.com to order.
I understand the Nate Thompson stuff. Spit, Nate Thompson understands the Nate Thompson stuff. Fourth-line grinders on last place teams get guff. That’s life. But it’s funny to read the Matt Lashoff stuff. Sure, the Islanders need upgrades at talent and toughness more than anyone, but today the entire friggin’ league passed on the chance to acquire Matt for nothing. Since he couldn’t break the Lightning lineup, now he plays for Norfolk of the AHL. Forgive me for not getting worked up about passing on Lashoff.
C’mon, admit it. I know what you’re thinking. With Calvin de Haan returned to junior, you’re gonna miss what could have been months of my obsessive “They shoulda let CdH go to the WJC” rants.
From the press box of the Boston Garden, I’ll be live blogging/chatting during the season opener on Thursday between the Bruins and Capitals. While we can’t make it all about the Islanders – no really, we can’t – I hope you’ll join me at NHL FanHouse.
66 Responses to NOTEBOOK: Adventureland, Captaincy, Back-Lashoff, Stadium Game and other thoughts
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Benjamin K says:
man do I miss adventureland
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Streit seems like the logical choice for captain, Weight getting the nod wouldn’t be a surprise, though. Is Sim gonna crack this lineup or what?
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Strummer's Army says:
I pulled up the current roster in an attempt to see if there was another player that could be a better fit for the second A other then Richard Park and NOPE! I’m going to agree with Botta Streit C, Weight A, and Park A. Witt hasn’t been good since Nolan left, Sutton hasn’t played in forever, Hunter…not sure he has a longterm future and he’s said to be a quiet leader….the rest of the defense I don’t even want on the team much less wearing a letter.
The only option is rewarding a Okposo or Bailey and showing the direction of future leadership but I wouldn’t want that to happen too soon.
I am hoping Snow swings a deal before the season starts.
Chris Botta when will we see teams start dumping talented players to get down for the changing salary cap situation?
Do you see Snow making any moves soon or is he really enamored with Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler?
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
i was thinking the same thing. Guys on here were acting like Matt Lashoff the answer to all our problems. Too funny. Schremf at least could be impact player. I Love how everyone is the ultimate GM.
Same people that wanted Snows head for taken DeHaan now love him.
Looking foward to the season to begin. Odds are its another long season. But we moving in right direction.
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Marc says:
Agreed that Streit will & should get the “C.” He’s also on the NYI home page next to Sidney promoting the home opener.
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MT says:
Yeah and we can go on the website now and ask him questions for Friday. Good for Streit
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Schremp is wearing #13. Can Riechlecz please have a real number now?
It would be a huge blessing if Tavares wins NHL Rookie of the Year.
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Marc from Troy says:
You really think the Isles need to be reminded people still read this blog, CB? I’ll bet they know.
Any follow up to the Lighthouse poll?
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Islesin2010 says:
Good stuff CB. Ill be tuning in the game tomorrow. Cant wait for hockey to start, especially the real hockey Saturday. Streit should get the C, he really took some big strides last year and just looks like a natural leader.
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All thats left for the season opener are random single seats and pairs in the $140/seat section. I tried to get tix, but I simply cannot afford $140 a pop even if they DID give me a t-shirt. So, we got tickets to three other games instead.
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rb says:
I like Park, but I would give the other “A” to Okposo. He’s leads the young guard on this team with his play on the ice.
And if the Isles don’t know we read this blog, then they’re idiots. And they should pay you to keep it going as a sideline to your Fanhouse gig. We really have no other coverage. (I’ll refrain from commenting about Newsday.)
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battfist says:
I really wish Witt would of stepped up and played like his old self. The old Witt would of been a perfect captain for a couple of years…that is until KO is ready.
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Viper says:
Adventureland or not, we are still with this blog 100%! Onward and upward!
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Eric says:
There better be atleast 16,000 at the game or I am ganna be pissed. Any true islander fan reading this blog that doesnt have tickets to OPENING NIGHT(need I say more) but the debut of John Tavares versus the Stanley CUp Champions of all teams!! Come on whoever does not have tickets that reads this site and you live in the metro area….please purchase tickets and lets get a sellout. The year after the lockout, the game was far from a sellout. When I say far from, there were probably 800 empty seats. If you have 200-300 empty seats its not so bad although I dont think there should be an empty seat in the house for an opening night or a game against the ranger$! So if you do not have tickets, lets buy some and sell this place out and make it loud!
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Danny says:
I 100% agree with Eric (14).
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examiner says:
For the record I will be there and I would love to see a sellout but in reality the majority of the seats still available are the high priced ones. Very tough to part with over 100 dollars for a ticket to watch this team.
Don’t lose site of the major reason why we do need a sellout: to show the everyone else that long island supports this team and its hockey future.
And did they really take down the looping star?
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Still not sold out…I’m sorry but can’t help but laugh. Sales rep spoke of a sell out as if it were a guarantee. My many tickets for the opener and flex plan would have been purchased had they have taken care of this site and us fans. Thankfully CB is so good to us…
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Chris..GREAT READ LEADING UP TO THE OPENER…this site means the (hockey) world to so many of us…keep it up…PLEASE.
I am so excited for the upcoming season and even more so i look foward to your words/thoughts before and after each game and on all non game days your site keeps my Islander “fix” satisfied ….Newsday has been so much better the last year or so but nothing compares to logging on and seeing a fresh posting from you.
I dont understand why or how the team we root for hasnt recognized how important your insight and opinions have been to all of us.
Thanks for everything and remember how appreciated you are by all of us here.
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!
LETS GO POINT BLANK!! -
TM says:
I agree 17. I’d have gone to Opening Night if NYI had radio coverage and sponsored this site. And gotten an enforcer, legit d-man and veteran forward or 2. Ya know, if they gave a damn. If they don’t think here, radio and quality players are important enough to spend on then NYI isn’t important enough for me to spend on. We have our own Adventureland in Uniondale for sure.
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MattyB says:
Hard to sellout in a shit economy. Especially when we finished last. Tavares will put people in the seats, but the team must show some improvement. On another note, Adventurland was a great childhood place. Haunted House with King Kong at the end lives on!
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UIF says:
I cannot speak to Lashoff as I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play. I’ll pop in for Bruins-Caps conversation, but was thinking of checking out Leafs-Habs tonight also…two teams that might have almost as many question marks as the Isles.
I think it’s admirable that fans stuck to their guns and refused to buy tix b/c of this site and the enforcer issue, etc. Unfortunately, I just don’t think that message will sink in with the team. They’ll simply take it as more of this “LI is not a viable mkt without a virtual amusement park surrounding the arena” thought process that I really don’t agree with.
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bossy22 says:
Thanks for keeping this site going CB. Striet would be a good choice for the “C”. The other player I would consider is Witt. Need a player that will lead by example.
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CJCB says:
I ask the Islanders for a guarentee Rechlitz would be in the opening day lineup,couldn’t get get it so i’ll watch from home. I used to go to every opeing game till one year they had Godard on the roster and dressed Papineau instead? I dont pay BIG money to see guys like Papineau play. To boring and a waste of money.
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john from ATL says:
Adventureland: I threw up there 30 years ago.
Capt: Streit; A-Weight A-Park.
If the Islanders can’t sell out out J. Tararves first game, Home opener against the Stanley Cup Champs. There is a serious problem here.Matt Lashoff who?
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Merrick says:
A slight digression…I know this would be very hard to pull off, but for those attending Saturday night, may I suggest a boycott of all concessions. This is totally outside the Islanders’ control, but prices have been raised considerably across-the-board, well in excess of inflation for food or any other price indices. As someone said in an earlier post, a beer, hot dog and soda now costs more than the Islanders spent on new acquisitions in the off-season! Enough is enough!
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Joey303 says:
I for one, renewed my seats. I have been going for more years than I should have. Not being a sellout for opening nite? Well what can the Islanders expect? No legit free agent signings, sky high prices for lowers, Lighthouse problems, etc. It SEEMS (operative word here) to the casual fan that the Islanders dont care. Its all about the Lighthouse and the grumblings of KC, Hamilton, Bklyn, etc. Can we as fans, really expect to support by going to the games. Taylor Hall talk, etc, and realistic expectations of last place again, will not bring out the crowds. Win some games, look legit, and the walk-ups will start coming. I go every year, have been going, and will continue to go. Why? I honestly dont know – the Isles are a way of life for me from OCt- Apr. Wish April would turn into June someday again!!
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Has Lashoff fallen that far so fast? Just because everyone else passed on him doesn’t mean he can’t play. All you have to do is look at all the undrafted players that made a name for themselves. There have even been players who have passed through waivers and still eventually made it. The fact that the Islanders are rebuilding with youth and Lashoff is a 22-year-old former first rounder who has size and plays D, I thought it would have made a nice match. Who would have lost a roster spot? Freddy Meyer? I don’t think he is really a bulding block for the team anyway. It’s not like Snow would have to give up draft picks or another young prospect in return. So yeah, I’m a little disappointed, but that’s about it.
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Leviticus says:
Not going to the game because no guarantee about Rechlitz playing??? Hahahaha… Now THAT made my morning!!
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doc says:
If you want to watch IDIOTS pummel each other to a bloody pulp you can get pay-per view for that BS “ultimate fighting” crap that you thirst for.
This is hockey. Fights happen. But “the Wrecker” playing or NOT playing is not the reason to go or NOT to go to a hockey game.
DOC
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318J1 says:
this Adventureland thing SUX! for a while now there was an event at the start of the season where season ticket holders got a chance to get autographs from the team for a few hours, at these events you basicly had the choice of meeting DP or a bunch of other guys, this year they wont be doing this becuse of (from what i hear) costs??? instead season ticket holders only have one hour before general public can come crowd the lines! and to make it much worse they set this thing up the morning after the season/home opener, drinking, tailgating, drinking, screaming, drinking, celabrating? and its a sunday so there is the football factor to add in, AND (in my case) there is the futbol factor to figure in with Liverpool taking on (fukov) chelski at the bridge for top spot in the prem broadcasted live on fsc @11am, ill be watching the beautiful game…C’mon u REDS!!!!!
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C-Marquee (Streit)
A-W8 (Weight)
A-Kenny Wu (Park)Streit is our best all around player,
Weight is teaching T-res (aka: Tavares),
Park is a good choice for this year,
Hunter would also be a good choice,
Witt is past it,
Radekal (Martinek) could break,
K.O. or JoBa (aka: Bailey) to soon,
Jack (Jackman) would be good,
Bruno Gervias would be interesting lol,
the rest are obvious…and i just checked the teams website they have Park and Witt listed with A’s
…but if DP gets and stays healthy this year then maybe next year…
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Staten Islander says:
I had the same thought when I heard about the bowl game at Yankee Stadium. No problem, do it at Citi Field, right next to the future site of the Lighthouse and the Isles’ NEW arena.
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onesinceforty says:
#14 I won’t refrain from commenting about Newsday. I keep checking her Blog in the hope it will have something interesting. Occassionally it does so that keeps me coming back like Pavlov’s dog but I had hoped for much more from a “Full Timer”. Information this year was as bad as I can remember since they invented this thing called the internet to distribute hockey information. I thought with JT there would be more daily coverage and it is just not there. I need more from our only paper than saying they sent CD down. You can get that from the wires the old fashioned way. What did he think about being sent down? Did he break any sticks? More scoop, less lazy.
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Makela24 says:
Captain should by guy that is on ice at every critical juncture of game (power play, penalty kill, last minute of game). Only guy who qualifies is Streit. However, only one good year under his belt. Make him prove last year wasn’t a fluke. In the meantime, Weight should get it as he has the career to backup the responsibility that goes along with captaincy. What is the difference if you have to name another one next year….we haven’t had a record of consistent captains lately anyway.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
CB, you said “C’mon, admit it. I know what you’re thinking. With Calvin de Haan returned to junior, you’re gonna miss what could have been months of my obsessive “They shoulda let CdH go to the WJC” rants.” So is this a little hint that the blog will be alive for at least this season? Unless I missed an official announcement this is very good news.
I will be at the home opener somewhere in the 300s (don’t have my tickets here) but I expect a nice old barn welcome for JT – JOHN TA-VAR-ES!!! JOHN TA-VAR-ES!!!
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nystrom23 says:
CB….we all expect to see you at the game..any chance you may share with us where your sitting to stop by and gave a hello?
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cb, sorry that was so long…please keep it posted.
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come on #20! I do agree with you about radio situation, it is micky mouse and disgraceful in every way but if the lighthouse does get approved I do expect changes. I would like an enforcer as well, but if you dont make it to opening night, when will you go?? Support your team no matter what and espcially right now when we NEED to sellout the first game. I dont want to hear about the economy and that we finished last, last season. Look I dont expect anyone to pay $150 to see an islander game, I sure dont spend that in 2 games let alone 1, but you cant use the economy as every excuse. Lets put it this way, how many football and hockey teams did not or wont sellout there opening game? Very few. IF you dotn want to spend the money in March when we are 10+ pts out of a playoff spot, thats fine. This is a new season right now and right now we need the support so its not our last Opening Night. And I hate saying those words bc Opening night is very special to me!
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And if any New York team is like the Yanks its the Isles! we have both had Dynastys and the Yanks original name was the Highlanders…sounds like?, you guessed it…ISLANDERS!!!! …if the rangers are tyed in with any local team it would be the jersey giants becuse the rangers were supposed to be called the giants but the name changed when the New York press nicknamed them “tex’s rangers” after there original owner tex rickard who grew up in texas the place all REAL rangers call home.
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Keep the Islanders on New York Islands!!!! …move the rangers to texas!
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StevieL says:
I will be there Sat. night and I expect the old barn will be rock’in!!Tix prices are out of control!!I would expect it is going to be a real tough year to sell-out except for the Rags, Ovechkin and the Pens!! Can’t pay Rolls Royce prices for a Subaru!! Streit will get the “C”.
P.S. Calvin DeHaan needs a nickname!! -
Mick Vukota says:
Tough economic times notwithstanding, not to mention all the Lighthouse shenanigans, I would be very surprised if they did not sell out Saturday. Heck, they sold out last year’s opener against the Blues and that was right when the stock market began to plunge.
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#27 what a beautiful post. I couldnt have said it better myself. Its a way of life from oct-april but we want to see may and june.
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45 StevieL, DeHann Solo!
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Dan from Westchester says:
Looking forward to opening night on Saturday. .
Without a dedicated radio team, what does this mean for the post – game at Doolin’s Pub? Would be a shame if there was nothing there. . Always thought that was a great way for Isles broadcasters / players to connect with fans.
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Pete says:
Can someone please translate post #32
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hale says:
to post 24…PLEASE TELL ME YOUR JOKING…ahahahah that was a riot..no i don’t wanna see tavares…GET ME THE WRECKER!
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JayK says:
Dan — #44 — This site posted earlier that Chris King would host the post-game radio show, but didn’t mention whether it would be at Doolin’s. That would be the logical site for it.
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Ed from Philly says:
Are people here really boycotting the opening night because a 4th line goon isn’t in the lineup???? Wow.
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Doug says:
CB,
I disagree with you in regard to the ISlanders playing in an outdoor game against the Rangers. I’ve been an Islanders fan since 1972 and until thsy have a good team, it will never hapen. I would bet in 2-3 years, they will play the Rangers at Citi Field.
Doug
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Dack says:
#27 I’m assuming you have good hockey knowledge seeing that you,ve been going to all the Islander games. You should understand why the Islanders didn’t go grazy and sign overprice free agent this year. We need to let our young players play and develop chemistry. Signing free agents at this point would be a quick fix. Snow is developing and building a team the way it should be done. We can’t sell or jeopardize the future so we can be a bubble playoff team for this year. Although i do beleive they will suprise.
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art says:
Two random obsevations. #1 In the 6 to 7 am hour on WCBS they ran a story that the Isles were staying on the Island until 2030 and also mentioned the LH. Can it be that they have completly misread the county lease story? #2 According to the NY Post TV-Radio guide for up coming pro games {the one with the logos} WBBR 1130am will be broadcasting the Pen game. If this is accurate and holds for the season, their signal out of Jersey is very strong and easily is heard in all of Nassau and all points west. CB can you check this out?
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#52 – in my post, I was referring to my opinion as to why opening nite is not sold out. Not questioning what the Isles did or didnt do. Read it again.
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Blizzard says: ….again I would like to thank CB for continuing the blog in spite of having a paying gig. I echo the sentiment that the Newsday blog is not what us Point Blankers are used to.
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Since72 says:
@42 StevieL – Often players will just put a “Y” or “ie” sound on the end of a teammates name (i.e. Batesy, Blakey) but I can’t see that happening here: Callie, Hanny – whoa.
I am thinking Hondo, DH,or just D
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VanVoorhees says:
I think that Trent Hunter should be the Captain. He’s been the distance, career Islander, has the tenacity and grit of a warrior,and I believe ready for the challenge as a next step in his career. I know he’s got the respect of the team, and even if he’s quiet, may step it up because of the honor. Streit is a second year man, Witt – a good candidate but not gonna be there 3-5 years down the road. DiPi would be a good choice, but a goalie is not a good choice for a captain but maybe an A.
That’s my opinion, but who’s gonna listen to a guy living in Williamsburg VA? What do I know about the world’s greatest game?
Whish I could be at the Coli for the opening, saw my first Rush concert there! (Hemispheres)
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Matt Scordato says:
Chris, so Saturday’s game will be a sell out? Is this one of those instances where there will be obvious blocks of empties around the Colisuem and the team announces it as a sell out anyway just to save face. They aren’t fooling anyone.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB- You certainly covered a lot of real estate in this thread … so I’ll focus on one point you made.
Captaincy ~ It is my personal belief that Gart and Gordo (GnG) shouldn’t make anyone captain this season. I think it should be a AAA thing. If you give the ‘C’ to Streit and an ‘A’ to Weight then you have what I feel an inferior of a superior in ALL aspects of veteran leadership. Don’t get me wrong. I think Streit is a great candidate … but I think you have a chance at undermining him when Doug has a much longer proven record of experience and winning. Players will naturally gravitate to Doug … I know I would. The ONE thing against Doug is he’s a one year man…. the only negative you can bring up about giving him the ‘C’ … a big negative at that.
So my Solution is to give both the ‘A’ … and make the 3rd ‘A’ up for grabs every 2 weeks. The player that shows the best on / off ice leadership over the course of time at GnG’s discretion gets the third ‘A’. This builds leadership among the youth corps.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22, i think i changed my mind now to agree with you!
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Stumpy32 says:
The game will be packed, and it will be loud. I’m not terribly worried about that. However, you get what you pay for (including me). The Isles are rebuilding, and we all get that and approve of it, but at the same time, you need to show some respect to your fans. Right now, even more-educated fans like those on this board see Garth Snow as a guy who has effectively signed off on another season of limited movement, all in order to secure a terrible record and a top draft pick. To me, that’s unacceptable. I don’t want to sign another crop of Guerins to clog up ice time, but hell…we couldn’t make even a decent play for some young FAs out there? It wouldn’t kill us to have some major league talent once in a while. I look at this team, and I see the mid-90s teams, which had better young talent (Bertuzzi, McCabe, Jokinen, Chara, etc., etc.), but could never get over the hump because they were both (a) rushed to a level they were ill-prepared for, and (b) not surrounded by any examples of how to conduct themselves like NHL-level players. You can’t just have a group of peach-fuzzed 20-year olds learning together at the same time. I love Doug Weight. Ditto Park, Witt, and Hunts. But c’mon…can’t we scrounge together some Wangbucks for even one real quality veteran? Because right now, the rebuilding we all approve of is going to take light years longer.
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west coast isles fan says:
to poster above; yes talent may be comprable to mid 90s team (i think the upside of one specific player a smidge bit higher) but there is one very big difference:
We dont have mid 90′s rules in effect any more. No more clutching and grabbing allowed
Why do you think some of the younger potential superstars in this league have been having big time years so early into their careers? They are being allowed to skate around the ice and dictate in a way they would be unable to in the past
So i see us having the open ice horses in an open ice system that will lead to some real exciting hockey
Winning hockey i think will come over next year + with the defensive maturity of some of the undrafted fa’s and older (2006-2007) draft picks making the move (with the exception of de haan..who i think will be up here by middle of Next season).
Exciting hockey..definitely think this team will have that
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Isle_in_LA says:
Calvin DeHaan=DeCal
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I'm In A NY (Brooklyn) State Of Mind says:
Shanahan just left the Devils.. He would fit nicely on the Isles. Can help Tavares…
CB, totally agree about Lashoff. I don’t understand everyone getting upset over someone the entire league passed on.. for nothing! That tells you basically all you need to know about him.