Monthly Archives: October 2009
11:15 am – The morning after, Charles Wang clears the air with Newsday. He also says, “Let’s play hockey.”
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10:45 am – Jim Baumbach of Newsday tweets the truth: “Make the mistake, the Lighthouse folks were intentionally hiding last night. I know cause I emailed/texted/called cells/homes. Why hide?”
9:45 am - As fans are calling the Islanders offices today, team reps are telling them the Lighthouse Project has not been scrapped. There are also plans for a statement to be released later today. Wonder what took so long?
12:50 am - Newsday writes that according to a source close to Charles Wang – “not the developer himself” – the Lighthouse Project has not been abandoned.
Assuming the source is reliable, it took the Lighthouse Development Corp. more than six hours to respond to a report that they were closing up shop. Even when they did respond, it was via a source who would only confirm the project has not been abandoned. Like all reporters trying to get the story right, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi also claimed he could not get Wang or any of his representatives on the phone to clarify the situation.
By their actions, the Lighthouse Development Corp. gives the impression that they liked having the story out there. Whether that’s true or not, I give the LDC and the New York Islanders a big thumbs down for how they have handled this so far.
Lighthouse executives readily available when they have had agendas to push disappeared. Islanders fans were left twisting in the wind all night, and still do not have solid answers. That’s not how you treat your fan base, especially when it has been so supportive of every real estate move for a decade while the hockey team wins nothing.
Nevertheless, while Wang and his executives stayed silent as Islanders Country freaked out waiting for answers, many fans continued to profess their undying loyalty to the Islanders owner and the project. Many fans appear to be cranked up again – ready to call the Town of Hempstead, ready to make up the more than 40,000 votes Kristen McElroy will need to defeat Kate Murray on Election Day. (Good luck).
You’ll have to forgive me. For the way the LDC chose to go dark with the residents and fans through the media – in the case of this site, a place that has been a proponent in over 100 articles over the last year – I’m just not feeling it right now.
7:30 pm - Three hours since the LI Press story was posted, still no reaction from the Lighthouse Development Corp. Multiple calls and texts from this writer to LDC executives have not been returned.
It’s still early in the night, but my understanding is that the LDC has yet to speak with any reporters. Personally, I’m not getting on Kate Murray tonight. (By the way, if you think she’s not getting re-elected…well, you’re wrong).
IF – and that’s a big IF because it’s early enough – Charles Wang or his staff do not provide a response to Islanders fans tonight with any media outlet, they would be making a big mistake. You do not toy with the emotions of your fanbase at this serious a level. You just do not. I hope they get this right.
Back later tonight.
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5:05 pm - The Long Island Press is reporting that Charles Wang has abandoned his plans for the Lighthouse Project. Point Blank has reached out to three top officials on the development and the calls went to voicemail. Let me put this right out there: if they are not returned tonight, that would be the definition of “weak.”
My take as of 5:00 – developers Wang and Scott Rechler are making a point. As we’ve pointed out several times over the last year, everyone has games to play. Just remember, the focus should be on hockey! Riiiight.
I’m travelling and will do what I can. Hopefully the mainstream can continue to declare how Brooklyn is not an option and the lease prevents the Islanders from eventually moving. Stay tuned for Kate Murray’s response, only in Newsday.
Contrary to what Scott Gordon – and by extension, Garth Snow – might say and maybe even truly believe, there isn’t anything standing in the way if the winless Islanders ever choose to tinker with their roster.
What’s the worst-case scenario – the Islanders lose one of their many non-scoring forwards or third-pair defensemen on waivers, and that player thrives somewhere else? Really now.
The Islanders must 1. Determine if a player has had enough fair chances to show what he can do, 2. Decide whether he has the tools and mindset to excel under Gordon, 3. Be bold and decisive and 4. Understand that if, heaven forbid, a released or waived player went on to fame and fortune elsewhere, management can say they did the best they could.
On Tuesday, the coach spoke of the unplanned-for emergence of Matt Moulson as a top-9 forward and acquisition of Rob Schremp on waivers causing a logjam at left wing. Gordon was right in saying those were/are/could be happy surprises. But let’s keep it real: neither are planet-shifting additions to a franchise hoping to become a consistent contender sometime in the next decade.
The Islanders currently have three – yup, three – rock-solid pieces to the program. They are John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Mark Streit. They have a few other strong prospects like Calvin de Haan, Travis Hamonic and Mikko Koskinen, but they are between one and three years away before potentially making an impact. As for a few other skilled youngsters such as Josh Bailey (20) and Frans Nielsen (25), they have more time to show what they can do at this level. Trent Hunter is also not going anywhere. They are not part of this equation.
Let’s take a hard look at several current Islanders and the chances of at least one of the other 29 NHL teams grabbing them on waivers if given the chance. Remember something: of course, a few teams would take a Brendan Witt or a Radek Martinek on their team, but it’s not as simple as making a waiver claim. A roster spot has to be available, a salary – in a league where many teams are against the cap – has to be paid.
This may not be pleasant, but it is realistic.
Defensemen
Andy Sutton - 0% chance of being picked up on waivers right now. Sutton is coming off an injury-filled season and makes $3 million this season. If he improves, there could be some interest in him – for a mid-round pick or on waivers – in late February. Before then, not a chance.
Brendan Witt – 0% chance. $3 million this season, plus $3 million next.
Radek Martinek – 10% chance. Highly unlikely, not when he’s making $1.4 this year and $1.9 next season. Another team would have to have a strong belief in his game and the utmost confidence they can help keep him healthy.
Freddy Meyer – 5% chance. After bouncing around the waiver wire, FMIV is on a one-way contract for this season and next season. Although the compensation isn’t a crusher (575,000 and 600,000), there won’t be a line around the block to add a 6-7 defenseman on a one-way deal.
Bruno Gervais – 25% chance. On a one-way contract – 800 this year, 900 next. Not off to a good start this season, but teams like his right-hand shot, mobility and reputation as a low-maintenance fifth defenseman.
Forwards
Jon Sim – 0% chance. Already cleared last season. Has this year left at $1 million. Like Sutton, could be picked up closer to the trade deadline.
Sean Bergenheim – 100% chance. Retains the crown of the current young Islander most likely to succeed elsewhere if it doesn’t work out for him here.
Richard Park – 25%. Irrelevant because he’s staying for now. On last year of his deal paying him $800,000. Islanders will have to make a decision on him around the trade deadline. Park might also have his own thoughts.
Tim Jackman – 3% chance. Islanders gave him a one-way for this season ($550,000). A scout at the Garden on Monday night was asking me about him. “I really like him as a fourth-liner,” he said. “My boss (the director of player personnel) disagrees.”
Jeff Tambellini – 10%. At some point in the next month, the Islanders need to make a firm decision and stand by it. If they Schremp him, as Edmonton did, all they need to do is wish him well and not look back.
Nate Thompson – 5% chance. On a two-way deal. Likely will be in the organization all year and maybe beyond. As long as he improves, he can be Gordon’s kind of player. Coach’s prerogative.
Blake Comeau – 50% chance. Second to Bergenheim on the list of players other teams think they could mold.
It should also be noted that the Islanders are a smidge over the salary cap floor and about a Lighthouse Project 20-story building under the salary cap.
No one is suggesting the Islanders give up on this season. No one is advocating placing a half-dozen players on waivers, getting them to Bridgeport – or losing them – and making a massive recall of Trevor Smith, Jesse Joensuu, Matt Martin and Andrew McDonald from the Sound Tigers. Let’s face it: Bridgeport is not exactly a who’s who of The Hockey News Future Watch issue. On the other hand, with the exception of Bergenheim and Comeau on the list above, there isn’t a single player the Islanders could lose on waivers that would cause the Country to toss and turn in its sleep.
What I am saying is that it’s completely disingenous of Snow and Gordon to say all these one-way contracts are getting in the way of fielding whatever 20-man lineup they’d like. It’s either that, or they may simply just be wrong. If the Flyers can waive a good defenseman like Randy Jones to get under the salary cap, a bad team like the Islanders can use the Collective Bargaining Agreement to get better – or at least field a lineup more representative of a rebuilding franchise that’s willing to experiment.
Read the CBA. Make determinations on your players. Move on.
Comments on this post only.
12:08 am - After Scott Gordon spoke this afternoon about giving Sean Bergenheim the option to move from left to right wing and perhaps pick up more icetime in the process, I asked the player for his view. After taking some time, Sean sent me the following statement late tonight, saying it was important to him to clear the air with Islanders fans.
“Just to clarify to the fans, I cherish every shift I get in the National Hockey League and have never declined to play any position. I have only said that I feel most comfortable on the left wing because that is where I have played most of my professional hockey career and that is where I feel I can help the team the most.
“I am working along with my teammates and the coaches to get the results we all want. I will always play as good as I can in whatever position the coach or team wants me to play.”
12:50 pm – Rick DiPietro said today’s session was his longest and most active since beginning his “rehab protocol” (everyone in the organeyezation chants that phrase like monks).
Any skepticism aside, the smile is back and DiPietro is clearly optimistic. “I feel like I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “I hope it continues.” When asked if there is a date circled for an NHL return for DiPietro, both the player and Scott Gordon say it’s still too early. I’ll stand by my longtime projection of Thanksgiving if all goes well.
Some notes from a sit-down with Gordon (and Newsday columnist Mark Herrmann) in the upstairs coaches office:
- Reviewing the tape of yesterday’s game, Gordon counted two odd-man rushes and six offsides that negated odd-man rushes.
- The next video session will be at Wednesday’s practice.
- In the best-case scenario, Frans Nielsen could play a game next week. He would not play back-to-backs.
- Joel Rechlicz, sent to Bridgeport today, could be back before you know it.
- Sean Bergenheim was offered a chance to play the right side and perhaps increase his minutes. He declined. (Point Blank prediction: that could always change).
- Asked to confirm that a shakeup was not coming before this weekend’s games, Gordon admitted that the Islanders’ current contract situation makes it difficult.
Although I believe it would be not be a major loss if the Islanders put a player or two through waivers – and lost them – Gordon is not ready to give up on anyone. At this time, he believes every player up with the big club deserves the chance to prove they are worthy parts of the program. I wonder if the Islanders should take a cue from Edmonton, which lost Rob Schremp for nothing and haven’t spent a second fretting about it.
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11:50 am - On the morning after, a quiet one at Iceworks. The coaching staff decided to make off-ice workouts mandatory, but on-ice practice optional.
Only six skaters are on the ice: Josh Bailey, Sean Bergenheim, Frans Nielsen, Nate Thompson, Jeff Tambellini and Jack Hillen. When you think about it, there really was no option for the latter four.
Dwayne Roloson and a fella named DiPietro played goal. In his final act on ice, Rick faced a series of breakaways that ended in wrist shots from each skater. He stopped each one, but it was notable that no one could deke or really test his side-to-side movements.
After playing a total of six minutes over the last two games, Joel Rechlicz was sent to Bridgeport. The winless Islanders’ next game is Friday in Buffalo. On Saturday they host San Jose.
CB at FanHouse on the also-winless Maple Leafs
4:25 pm - As the emotion from the sold out home opener died down nine days ago, we discussed the Islanders’ ability to match their performance when the stands are less than packed and the defending champs are not on the other bench. Throw it on the board as another thing these rebuilding Islanders are going to have to learn about.
If the Islanders won today, they would have been unbeaten in regulation in their first four games. Now they are winless in their first four games. I’d say the Islanders are what their record says they are.
Three days of practice until the next one, at Buffalo on Friday.
MINUS: A dismal 58 minutes at the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike. No way around it. Butch Goring and Billy Jaffe said the Islanders played well. I respectfully disagree and would like to see the bar higher than a 2-1 home loss to Los Angeles. Very little pressure in the third period until those final two minutes.
PLUS: Kyle Okposo showed on the penalty kill today that he’s an all-around very good hockey player. Is it too early to talk about a six-year contract extension?
PLUS: Sean Bergenheim’s energy, passion, determination.
MINUS: Sean could add 5-10 goals this season just by taking a straight path to the net with and without the puck.
PLUS: Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, thanks for stopping by for your one game this year. Good stuff.
MINUS: Islanders management sent the message through Newsday during camp that they just refuse to have “one-dimensional” enforcers who play four minutes a game on their roster. So in the last two games they have Joel Rechlicz play two minutes (vs. Boston) and 3:30 today.
PLUS: The Scott Gordon candor when asked about the difference in this year’s more efficient power play. “We didn’t have the right personnel last year in terms of rights and lefts (shots).” Oh, baby. Gotta believe it was a lot more than that.
MINUS: Gordon saying, “We’re a team coming off a 30th place finish. We’re a team everybody expects to finish in 30th this year. We don’t expect that. We’re trying to get better every day.” Scott would be best served not bringing up 30th place and leaving that for the bloggers. Besides, not everyone picked them last!
PLUS: The Islanders can simulcast, but it’s always good to hear the invaluable Chris King anchoring the radio shows. For matinee games, he’s on 1100 WHLI.
PLUS: Andy Sutton, better.
MINUS: Blake Comeau needs to keep his game simpler. Rob Schremp has to get off the perimeter to continue to earn second-line icetime. The Islanders don’t have nearly enough top-six forwards and today had too many grinders playing like they think they’re finesse players. “A lot of shortcuts,” said Gordon. “Circling themselves out of position.”
PLUS: Lovely touch having kids interview the players after warmups and the first and second periods. Classy of Tim Jackman to tell his interviewer, “That’s a good question.”
MINUS: Apparently not convinced it was a scary-bad idea by the non-response at the home opener, the Islanders brought back the Raise Your Cell Phone pre-game extravaganza by unpopular demand. We counted about 15 in today’s Kids Opener crowd of approximately 11,000.
PLUS: Loud crowd, young crowd.
MINUS: For home game No. 2 of the John Tavares era, not a good crowd. The Islanders still fail to make these Kids Opening Day games feel like a major event. There’s plenty of buzz around Tavares, some around the team, but none around these games. Quarter-page Newsday ads saying “4 Isles Beats 4 Kings” just isn’t going to get it done.
Off to the city to write about the Maple Leafs for FanHouse. Stay classy. Hope to be at practice tomorrow.
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