POINT BLANK Q & A - Playoff talk from Richard Park
Mears to Pitt…Deb returns home…camp cash-out
News bulletin: Rick DiPietro skated with pads, but did not face shots. John Tavares, recovered from the flu, practiced.
I spoke yesterday with Richard Park, a player I respect as much as anyone on the Islanders. When he says his team will compete - and specifically outlines the reasons why - the opinion has credibility. Here are some excerpts from our conversation…
What’s your reaction to having most of last year’s team back?
Keeping everyone is huge. Having stability, having a system, is crucial. We have a coach coming into his second season in the league and with us, and essentially the same group is with him. That steadiness is so important when you’re building a team. There won’t be a transition for Scott and the team like there was last year. Scott will be even more confident in his teaching and his leadership because of the challenges we faced last season.
As someone who’s now been in the league a long time, how do you address the low expectations most of the forecasters have for the team?
(Laughs) You don’t read them! Look, all that stuff is fine. The media has a job. They dissect and analyze, and many of them do it well. But they are not psychics. I really believe in our group. No matter what’s said about us outside our room, our expectations are rising.
Besides the stability factor, what gives you reason for optimism?
Our goalies alone will give us a chance to win on almost any given night. That’s not a slight to Joey (McDonald) and Yann (Danis), but they were players at different stages of their careers than the veterans we have now. I played with Dwayne (Roloson) in Minnesota and he is outstanding. He’ll also be a top leader for us. I didn’t know Marty (Biron) until this week, but I’ve faced him enough to know he’s a top-quality NHL goaltender. Having both of them is a huge plus for us.
I’m also counting on being a healthier team. That was crazy last season. If our D can stay healthy, they’ll show everyone how solid they are in all areas.
You’re in the last year of your contract. Would you like to stay with the Islanders and be part of the process?
This is where my loyalty is. For my family, Long Island has been terrific. We love it here. Loyalty grows, which is why it’s exciting I’ve been able to stay here and why I believe it’s the right thing keeping this group together. It makes you want to be a part of it and see the job through to the end.
Can this team be successful this year and beyond?
I know I mentioned last year’s injuries because that was off-the-charts, but there really are no excuses for not winning. There are many different formulas to be successful, but I know we can do it our way. The number one thing for us is stability, adding a piece here and there and growing together. I’m very optimistic.
Are you convinced the Islanders will be competitive this year?
I don’t think you can ever say how a season might end, but I’ll give you this: when April comes around, I expect us to be in position to compete in the playoffs.
*
Mears to Pittsburgh: From change comes opportunity. Steve Mears, out when the Islanders dumped their radio team to simulcast the TV broadcasts, has landed on his feet spectacularly. He’ll be the lead voice on a HD radio network created by his hometown Pittsburgh Penguins. Among his many roles, Steve will host a daily radio show on the Pens. Amazing team, new arena next season, working with one idol (Mike Lange) and for another (Mario Lemieux). Fair to say life worked out just fine for Steve, who deserved it.
Deb Returns Home: Point Blank has learned that the reason Rob Carlin is the sideline reporter only for Islanders road games is because Deb Placey is returning to the Coliseum to take over the home games. Welcome back, Deb.
Camp Windfall: The Penguins are having their training camp at the Igloo. The first four days are open and free to their fans. The Flyers’ camp is at their nearby South Jersey training facility (I’ll be there Monday and Tuesday for Fanhouse). Check out the week-long lineup of Flyers fan-friendly events. Washington’s camp is at home, free for all fans. The Wild are practicing in front of large crowds in Minnesota. The Devils are in New Jersey, the Rangers are in New York. The Bruins are in Boston, serving breakfast to fans at camp. After hosting an 8-team prospects tournament in Traverse City, the Red Wings open camp this weekend . Tix for fans - including a Red & White game on Tuesday - are $5.
By now you get the point. Without question, the Islanders are making some good money this week with camp in Saskatoon and some games in the West. The revenue might even cover the price of a seventh defenseman. However, you have to wonder what the Islanders are losing. If good marketing isn’t important, how come so many teams with ticket sales at 99% capacity continue to do it?
Cue the chorus: “When the Islanders get the Lighthouse Project…” C’mon. (Talk about serving up artificially-flavored fruit drinks!). I’m as pro-Lighthouse as the next person, but you can’t explain everything away on the lack of a new arena. Only the Islanders and Florida Panthers are far, far away from home. If it wasn’t for Newsday spending the money and Katie Strang blogging and Tweeting her brains out in Saskatchewan, no one would know Islanders training camp existed.
Maybe the Islanders can give their die-hards a good show when they return from the Canadian Prairies. In the mean time, it’s quite remarkable how all these teams win Stanley Cups without traveling thousands of miles from their fan bases for training camp.
A Note to Readers: While my trip to Flyers camp will prevent me from hosting live interactive Comment-ary with readers during the Hockeyville game on Monday, I still will be posting stories throughout the week. To talk about the games and enjoy day-long conversation with fellow fans, if you don’t know by now, Islandermania is one of the best places to be. For up-to-date news, Katie will have it all from Saskatoon and elsewhere.
Comments.
48 Responses to “POINT BLANK Q & A - Playoff talk from Richard Park
Mears to Pitt…Deb returns home…camp cash-out”
Please Wait
Lets hope the Isles D will look as good as the Jets D has looked so far today.
I can’t wait for tomorrow night.
Hockey is back!
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
Its silly for them to be training all the way out there. They have a practice facility on the Island, they should do it there. And I hope they keep Richard Park around after this year.
it’s kind of sad that the Islanders are not having camp on Long Island where a majority of the fan base is. everyone is well aware that the coliseum is not a good building but how about iceworks?
There is no doubt that the islanders got better this year. The thing that scares me is the east also got alot better and alot bigger and nasty. Can they weather the storm and win those close 2-1 games is gonna be key to this years success. On that note. Oct 3 can’t come soon enough. I got my tickets and jersey ready to go
I think the reason to not have the camp at NVMC is a big “F-You” to SMG. The Islanders can cut a sweetheart deal with a market that has zero access to NHL teams, and keep a higher percentage of money from those games than they could at NVMC… in addition to the fact that it makes people more aware of the possibility that the Islanders may leave if politicians don’t act to keep them.
PLEASE keep Park as an Islander!
CB I’d just like to thank you again for continuing to provide your insight and all this precious islanders info. We all really appreciate that you keep this site going.
Love Point Blank! It’s still the only place on the web to find any Islander news.
I’m hoping Katie Strang gets better but it’s 4:10pm on the first day of camp and the best she’s provided is a few tweets. Logan would have had tons of in depth posts on what actually is going on on the ice, who’s in what shape, line combo’s, who has stood out etc. To this point it’s like trading away Chara (all-star, complete d-man, Norris candidate) and replacing him with Thomas Pock….same position, same team but……….big drop off!
I am a Park fan, I don’t know how anyone couldn’t root for the guy. HUSTLE! I do think the Isles could be a playoff team this year but not with the defense, not gonna happen with that unit, that has needed an overhaul for years and hasn’t received it. Snow has again miscalculated what he has there or he wants to stick with the rebuild and he knows this defense will assure him a top 8 pick.
Also, can’t cound on injuries going down because many of the Isles injuries last years resulted from dirty plays from oppossing teams and that won’t decrease this year.
Thrilled Deb is coming back, she does a great job.
Steave Mears, not continuing the relationship with Chris Botta & Point Blank, Training camp all over (still hoping the next one is here in Florida but word on the street is next year they are having training camp in China-lol), their overall marketing efforts, the lack of any real content on their website it’s a pattern. I don’t feel the Isles always hire the best people and IT SHOWS!
The choice to have Howie and Billy do the radio games is HORRIBLE. I feel so sorry for anyone that has enjoyed listening to the games on the radio in the past (excellent announcers)to go to Howie going off on his tangents about his childhood or how much Jaffe likes to eat…(Yawn). Even watching the TV broadcast you want them to stop and talk about Islanders hockey.
The Isles should have at least paid Botta to go to camp and report because at this point from the first day of camp all I know about what happened is Tavares and Roloson joked around
Guys please keep clicking the ads on this page, it will help us keep PB around!:)
i hope we keep richard park. he wont fetch anything good enough to replace his role on this team. this team when healthy would be playoff bubble so playoffs arent out of the question. aaannnddd they should definitley train here. normally i think road trips for any team is great to bnd and stuff but this team is new, young and should play here.
Some of my most fun filled hockey memories growing up were that of attending some pretty outragous pre season games at the Coliseum. Yes, it sounds strange but if you ever went to an islander/ ranger preseason game anywhere from the late 70’s to the Mick Vukota days you would recall some pretty spirited, physical and games that were fun to watch. Hey it even happened recently with DP dropping the gloves. The point being that even though as an adult it is difficult to attend 4 or 5 preseason games (especially when you have 41 regular season games in front of you) BUT 2 or 3 isnt so bad.Heck,you dont even have to go to all of ‘em but at least you have a few to choose from.
It is also preseason for the fans and these preseason games also give the fans a game to check out a prospect that might have been drafted #1 overall or to see the new free agent golieS that you signed but most of all it helps you remember, in case you forgot, how much you love hockey and hate the rangers. Its what is designed to do:get EVERYONE ready for the regular season.
Cmon on ISLANDERS…give us a $5 rookie game at Cantiague park like the good ol days…give us a $10 game vs ANYONE at the Coliseum….its hockey season and even the fans need time to get into game shape!!
I like Richard Park, I hope he stays healthy this year! He might be a bit overly optimistic for this season, but I like the enthusiasm nonetheless.
Hockey fans should we give Mr. Park a letter “A” or “C” he gives you 120% in a 100% game. I feel he’s worth it. Let’s also give him an extension.
As for Steve I’m glad he got back on his feet.
Now for Deb welcome back the Island thats where you belong.
As for us Islander fans remember watchout this year something might happen and keep your faith with the team.
Park is a classy guy, top notch hustler hope he stays around. Glad for Mears but we seriously need a radio voice. This years radio broadcasts are gonna be horrid(if your even able to get reception that is)
Welcome back Deb…I missed her commentary last year. Lets get back to the norm.
Glad to have Deb back on board! A real pro. And can someone please tell Katie Strang to stop putting those lame smiles and frowns in her blog entries? OMG, we’re not all BFF’s, ya know?
I don’t get this training camp schedule at all. Physicals on LI, fly to Saskatoon, one day practice, fly to Podunk for Hockeyville, with 6 games in 9 nights. Where is the practice time?
As for Coach Scotty, I hope the emphasis is on defense and cutting 50-60 goals of the GA.
Love Richard Park, the guy just gets better every year and is a true steal. He’s one of those under the radar hustle guys that does all those little things a team needs to succeed, hes my only Isles jersey and I hope he stays around after this year. Heres for a good 09-10 Islanders season!
I cant agree with others…but I can be a hater at times…but Im not glad to see Deb back.
Katie’s coverage of camp blows….we dnt care what youre wearing at the airport.
Park is a stand up guy. He is right-the Isles had sooo many things going against them last year. This team can only get better-by how much….we’ll see. As I said before minimum 10 more wins than last year.
great interview Chris. i love richard park and what he brings to the team. i am happy he thinks this team can get into the playoffs. it may be a long shot but who knows.
I am sure the local officials are thorwing some $$ at the Isles and making some good rapport with Wang. Remember Sasakatch is a place looking for a team too. Wonder what Katie is doing right now to try and derail the whole we need an answer by 10/4/09??
Parks (as my gf used to call him) is a keeper. You can’t have a team full of just grit, heart and character players; but having a few of them definitely helps. The guy plays his balls off…always.
I guess that MSG gig did not work out for Deb, but glad to see her back for the home games.
As far as camp in Saskatoon goes, KevFu (#5) nails it in my opinion. When was the last time the Islanders held camp on LI? This is not a Lighthouse issue, it’s about revenue and generating interest. Where are you going to get more interest in a NHL hockey team than in Canada?
Great piece from Parky … he eminates his competitive spirit even in interviews.
**
CB - I’ve asked myself time and again why the Isles hold camps far away. I thought that Moncton, NB and Yarmouth, NS was way far … but Saskatoon, SK is almost as far away as Salt Lake City.
I think it’s excellent good will to the life blood cities of hockey … and I have nothing against having games there … but CB as you’ve said … you’d never know camp started … It’s kind of melodramatic.
Oh well … looking forward to updates from you from Flyers camp, and your other articles later this week. Katie’s been doing a good job so far too, so not a total loss.
Have fun at flyers camp, sounds like fun. . .too bad I’m an islanders fan.
I for one am NOT glad to see Deb Kaufman Placey back (whatever her name is this week), I find her extremely annoying. Always flipping her hair every 10 seconds etc. valley girl wanna be. I Will miss CJ Papa.
So I am assuming the Islanders will not have an enforcer this year. Terrible Terrible Move. With the team we have we need something to cheer for and signing Peters would have been a good move. Anyway maybe we can trade someone for a fighter. I wouldnt mind trading Park for a young enforcer who can play a bit.
#23 I agree with you, there are plenty of guys the Isles could move that we’d never lose sleep over. Snow had to improve the defense and enforcer play and did neither. That is his choice and he’s responsible for it. They are playing many of these tough Western teams this week, what results from it could force Snow to improve the toughness and talent level.
What is scary is he says he understands his team has to get bigger and tougher but does nothing about it? I’m not even sure how to read that but it upsets me.
Park is the man. Unlike Hilbert, when you give this guy mins he produces.
Cant wait till tonight preseason game. its unfortunate we wont get get a first glimpse of Tavares.
Another vote for Richard Park to stay here. The guy has been the most consistent player in his role since he got here.
I wonder if wang had the folks at CA do software demos on the Appalachian Trail?
The faster this team moves to Queens (if it’s an option), increases it’s value as a stand alone entity and IS SOLD to someone who honestly has their heart IN THE GAME… the better.
Wang didn’t know a thing about hockey before he bought the team, but he knew about financial opportunity. In 2015 the team will have a great opportunity to once again be a player financially in one of the richest markets in any sector… and we’re all going to still be talking about the financial disaster the LightHouse was.
too many eggs in one lighthouse. PERIOD.
PS: Great job on AOL CB, loved the Balsillie piece… Gary Bettman is to the NHL what Charles Wang is to the NYI… no wonder they get along so well.
I like what Park brings to the team. He is a consistent contributor and can do so many different things. I too am drinking the kool-aid a little. I think with the addition of solid goaltending every night and the maturation of our young/rookie players last year, this team has a good chance to contend for a playoff spot, call me crazy.
Does anyone know if MSG or PLus is showing the game tonight? It isn’t showing up on my guide for 7 p.m. tonight but the website said it will be on.
Very good news for Steve Mears. But does anybody know why the HD radio network for a team would need to have a different voice than the normal radio network? That one has me a bit baffled.
Deb is back? Worst news of the summer. Time to memorize the position of the mute button.
CB- You keep giving Katie Strang props and it really nice how your trying to encourage(?) the fan base to support her - but seriously - her coverage has been nothing but vain and an smiley fest. If you want the fan base to support her, give her a quick less on ion reporting including the following:
1. The fans care about the team, not the reported.
2. Smileys - BAD
3. Twitter is not the newspaper. You work for the Newspaper.
I love Deb and Park. He’s on my third jersey! I really hope he sticks around. I’d love to see him get a couple years extension.
I like Park. He brings it game in and game out. Also MSG sucks….lol
Honestly didn’t realize just how much I liked Deb until she was gone. Very happy to have her back.
Count me in as someone who can’t stand listening to that talentless, shrill shill Deb Kaufman. It’s the main reason why I DVR the games rather than watch them live. This way, I push a button and Kaufman disappears. That won’t be a problem this season, however, as I will not watch one minute of Islanders hockey as this soft, undersized team sissies their way through another losing season. Wake me up when they grow a pair, (or at least sign someone who already owns one.)
I am wondering who the Isles are going to play tonight in this internationally televised game? From Katie’s report she mentioned Poulon, Biron, Roloson, and Koskonon were all on the ice. Which would mean they aren’t travelling and playing tonight. No offense to Munroe and Lawson but they are the two guys with probably the shortest future of the goalie on the Island. This is what the Isles never understand they are missing a fantastic marketing opportunity. I understand not playing Biron or Roloson but how about letting the fans take a good look at Poulin and Koskonin? How about starting to market them on the international stage? Instead of using tonight as a chance to show your fans all over the world who the prospects and some of the new guys are I have a feeling they are going to fill their roster with guys who mostly will never play for the Isles and that is disapointing and a lost opportunity.
To Strummer and the rest of you pissing and moaning that all Katie is doing is providing a “few tweets”: I know the changes made to Newsday’s web site aren’t great, but are you really having that much trouble finding Katie’s blog? It’s called “Isles Files”, and she’s posted multiple entries each day since camp started. Yeah, you might not find a full “newspaper-style”, in-depth article every day, but she’s giving us as much as we can expect. Oh, and one of her “few tweets” already this morning - also on the blog - says that DiPietro is not only skating, but facing shots. Get that anywhere else? Give her a break, already.
I hope that Park is right about competing for a playoff spot. If nothing else, I know he will give 100 percent trying.
yes best of luck to andy b/c i want him as far away from Isles as possible.
Bryan (35) and other hilbert fans, Midseason when you are scatching your head to why isles are scoring more goals and wonderin why bergenheim has 25 in the net, Just remember its b/c 19 productive Minutes were made available for getting rid of Hilbert. He gobbled up so many mins it was terrible and nothing to show for it. Seeing him, Comrie, and Whine Campoli go were the best news.
Park is the man.
Also, does anyone believe the katie strang DP is taken shots in another facilty stuff or does that sound like complete BS. All DP is doing is waiting on line at gamestop for NHL10 to come out and he can play with DP in the video game.
Good for Hilbert — I always liked him, but he always seemed to hit the post (would take him over Thompson)
Is anyone else all sorts of giddy for the preseason game tonight? I really hope the end of last year was a gauge on how we’ll do this year.
Game will be on MSG Plus tonight 9/14 at 10:30pm new york time
I can’t wait to watch some Islanders hockey tonight. Some guy in the office just asked me who I like in the Monday night game and I said the Islanders. He looked at me like I was crazy.
#36 I can find her blog and tweets just fine but there just isn’t much depth to her writing. Hopefully she’ll improve but it’s a huge drop off from last year when we had Logan and Botta.
I agree with being thrilled Hilbert, Comrie, and Campolli are gone that makes the team better right there.
They need to have Butch Goring as the guy who interviews players between periods and walks around the coliseum floor. Deb stinks and so did CJ Papa. Im not sure which of the two were worse. Butch, however, is the man!
Short Response Today:
Deb K / R.Park / PBlank all Rock
CJ Papa / MSG / Newsday all Suk
Any Questions?
Hey Ugly Joe… good riddance. Way to be a fan of “YOUR” team.
Spartiarti… What did DiPietro ever do to you?
And to many others… I like Park as much as the next guy… but really… he’s not that much different than Andy Hilbert. Both work their respective butts off… make opportunities for themselves in the offensive zone with hustle, determination and team play and both play responsible defensively.
Hilbert hits a few more posts and misses a few more open nets than Park does… that’s about the only difference.
DOC
Welcome back DEB!! We missed you!!!
Great interview and news. As I always say, without the CB IPB pipeline I would be cut off from the Isles. Thanks! Glad to see the new gig is working out. Nice work! Thanks & GOD BLESS you & yours!!!
Good, I couldn’t get used to CJ Papa’s gooffy smirk and his uneducated hockey questions. Deb Placey talks out the side of her mouth but at least she knows the sport and the Isles.