PRACTICE: 10.15.09, ICEWORKS
Live chat Friday, lines, Gordon notes
12:45 pm - It’s a Friday night game, but with everything going on, I think it’s time for a live Islanders Hockey chat tomorrow at 7:30 pm. Game will be over by 10:00, so the night will still be young. That work?
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Moulson – Tavares – Okposo
Weight – Schremp – Sim
Bergenheim – Bailey – Comeau
Park – Thompson – Jackman
Tambellini
Streit – Martinek
Witt – Gervais
Sutton – Meyer
Hillen
Roloson
Biron
Had a brief talk with Scott Gordon after practice on a few subjects:
Bruno Gervais: The coach acknowledged the defenseman is not off to a great start, but sounded very confident he’ll turn it around. “I know Bruno can be better and will be better,” said Gordon. “It’s just a matter of getting him back to where he should be. It will happen.”
Jeff Tambellini: He’s the odd forward out for now. That could change. PB take: if a few players don’t step up Friday, you could see him on Saturday against San Jose.
Matt Moulson: Gordon provided some background on the signing of Moulson . Kerry Gwydir, the assistant to the GM, ran a list of free agents – potential “call-up” players from the AHL – by the coach. Two of the names were Greg Moore and Matt Moulson.
“I knew Greg Moore as an opposing coach and had him at the AHL All-Star Game and I knew Matt from facing him so many times in Manchester,” said Gordon. “I felt both were good players who needed opportunities.” As part of the recruitment process, Gordon called Moulson and Moore.
The coach described what he likes about Moulson: “He goes to the traffic areas, goes to the net and shoots.”
His team: “We were not off by a lot, but it was enough to make us look like a different team,” said Gordon. Over the last two days of practice, the coaching staff worked to fix it.
More later, probably.
43 Responses to PRACTICE: 10.15.09, ICEWORKS
Live chat Friday, lines, Gordon notes
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beatlebailey says:
sounds great CB! We need one after this week!
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Patrick says:
With Tamebellini is it a case of his not working hard in practice? Otherwise I don’t understand how he doesn’t get more than one chance to crack the lineup. I agree he has been underwhelming and a bit of a disappointment up until now, but at this point in a winless season isn’t it time to maybe at least let him dress for a second game and maybe get some PP time. What is there to lose? Drop Sim to the 4th line, scratch Thompson and let him play LW with Weight on Schremp’s right.
Nice to be discussing hockey.
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2277 says:
Can they please play Hillen and Tamby and sit down Sutton/Meyer and Thompson/Jackman!
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Bill says:
Sounds great for tomorrow night. Thank God for hockey.
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Steve says:
If this team doesn’t come out with more energy and passion, there’s a problem.
So, Gordo addresses the issues in his practices. Let’s see how the team responds.
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Daryl C says:
Perhaps a good way to improve Gervais’ play would be to get him off the pairing with Mr. Minus.
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Shoogah says:
Live chat tomorrow is perfect! I’m working late and won’t be able to see the game so I’ll be counting on you guys to keep me posted. See you in the chat!
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They need more discipline on the ice. The biggest stat, and I noticed it at the game even before CB pointed it out, were all the potential rushes negated by off-sides. They also need to adapt, since the Kings began standing them up at the blueline and they kept trying to carry the puck in, only to either have it taken away or be forced offside. At least things like that can be fixed.
As for Moulson, his history with Tavares also had to have something to do with his signing here.
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Alex says:
Why did they split up Streit and Gervais after Gervais was playing so well with Streit at the end of last year? Has Gordon given any reasons for the change in pairings so far?
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Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Ahhh hockey “on ice” news. Feels so much better than politrix.
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Marc from Troy says:
Probably as simple as wanting to break up a pair of mobile D and a pair of relatively immobile D so that – in theory – the pairings are more balanced.
Not sure it’s gonna work, though.
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Geno says:
CB- 7:30 tilt in Buffalo. Game will be over by 10:00. Gervais would be an AHLer in most organizations. Too small, gets outmuscled in the corners, and just not quick enough. No first step.
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OK, so Bergie is on the left side for the 3rd line. It’s not likely he was gonna replace Okposo on Tavares’ right side, so…..
Maybe he’d replace Sim on Schremp’s right wing.Here’s the messed up part… If Weight is gonna move positions, why wouldn’t he play the right side and let Bergie play the left. Then, there’d only be one player out of position.
The bottom line is… WHY CALL OUT BERGIE????? Weight might have said he prefers the left side, but he wasn’t mentioned by name.
Sorry, Gordo. I see right through ya.
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As much as I would love to attend the live chat. I will actually be at the game! My seats are pretty close to the ice. I am in the corner behind the net where the Isles shoot twice. So if you see someone jumping up in the first and third periods WHEN the Isles score, that’ll be me!
Anyone else going to the game?
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jbranny says:
Chris,
Why didn’t you ask Gordo about Witt’s performance? He appears to be the problem. Whoever is paired with him gets tagged with minus numbers. Is Witt untouchable? I can’t imagine having to endure this and NEXT season watching him.
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Perhaps Bruno should sit out a few games like Tambs to realize what he is doing wrong
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jeff says:
Can someone please tell Gordo to stop saying that the Isles aren’t a “dynamic offensive” team. Didn’t this guy ever hear of a self-fulfilling prophecy?
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Brian from Bay Shore says:
There was an interesting article in the hockey news a few issues back. It was about guys that are too good for the AHL but not good enough for the NHL. I think Tambellini will be stuck in this category until he learns how to use his speed and beat guys on the outside. He has a nice snapshot which we have seen in shootouts. I hope he gets it going but I think his time is running out. Hope he doesn’t turn into a player that as soon as we trade turns into a 30 goal scorer!
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Chris Mc says:
I honestly think the window on Tambellini is closed. You can tell me hes only 25 and all that, but we’ve been talking about him showing what he has for 3 years now. He’ll either never become what people thought he would or he’ll be one of those feel good stories when he’s 30 and makes a team as a non-roster invite.
I like the Bergenheim-Bailey-Comeau line. Bergy and Comes were buzzing the past couple games, maybe they’ll inject some life into Bailey.
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NickyL says:
Sim should not be on one of the top 2 lines. Oy. Also, Bailey needs someone on his wing he can shoot/score. I’d move Bergy up to the second line and have Tambellini on Baileys line.
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Im just curious for everyone that tells me that Tambellini is a ‘scorer’. Blake Comeau has more career goals then him in 30 less games. Sean Bergenheim had more goals in 59 games last year than Tambellini has in his whole career. And Jon Freekin Sim in 49 games last year almost matched Tambellini’s career total. The guy is an AHL’er and thats all hes ever going to be.
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No perhaps bruno should grow a pair. Sorry to come off that way but I like the kid but I see no toughness out of him. He doesn’t have to play a tough-guy way that he’s not but at least show competetiveness and some aggressiveness to make a play.
I’d rather see Tamby too. I had hope for this season and with everything going on its slowly fading. Something needs to happen to get some life and direction into this.
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Sally Williams says:
Why isn’t Gervais paired with Streit? His play improved so much paired with him. This makes no sense to me….Witt and Gervais..huh? Still not convinced with Gordons system!
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D D And More D says:
We need two NHL caliber defensemen to replace Sutton and Meyer. Simple as that. Our ability to cope with pressure in our own end sucks, largely to the rather thin depth of our defense.
That happens and the Islanders will win more games. Playoffs? No. More wins. Yes
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Isle4Ever says:
Honestly, whatever the D pairings are doesn’t matter to me. IMO there no the problem. Overall our D is slow and cannot keep up with fast teams-going to be a big problem since were not getting faster. The play of the whole team in the defensive zone is awfull, they either stand around or chase the puck-needs much improvement. And with Schremp at center now I think were a little overloaded up the middle with small finness players and no muscle on the wing- just an observation.
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Gutty34 says:
I agree that Tambys time with us is up. Sometimes a change of scenery and different expectations make a difference. Tamby has the pressure that he must score and develope into a top 6 forward to crack this lineup. Maybe another team says all we want is for you to be a threat on our 3rd line and he works himself into the 2nd based on performance. Its just not gonna happen here because I think he wants it but has totally psyched himeself out. Same issues with Bertuzzi. Fans and Milbury made him out to be the next Gillies and he couldnt develope here into that. Once he left it all came together but it wouldnt have if we didnt let him go. I truly believe Tamby will blossom but not with this org. Let Schremp move into that role and see if he can do it. If not we have others in the system that we can give a shot. I really want to see Joensu up here. Sometimes I dont understand our thinking. We rush some but others who should maybe be here we dont rush??? He is a classic example as is Smith. I kept watching preseason and saying who is 77 – he was all over the ice and creating. Going to the net and corners. Seems like a big body as well. If we are really rebuilding than I say each of these guys should get some playing time
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Joe B says:
#4 are you serious?? Sit down Jackman?? He is the only guy on the team with some size and that is more than willing to drop the gloves!! We need more toughness out there not less!!
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CJCB says:
Bring up Rechlitz!
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Willis says:
Sally Williams (above) said Gervais should be paired with Streit because he played best with him, and I agree, he did.
But now I’m thinking, if he really learned from Streit then shouldn’t Gervais be able to carry that on with any other partner? At least somewhat? Or was Streit’s responsible play what made Gervais look good? Does Gervais have any real talent?
So maybe this is a test. I’m okay with that if so.
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John from ATL says:
Why play Thompson over Tambellini? Everything about this team needs to be about the future. They need to play Tambellini in order to decide if he’s part of the future or not. If they have decided already and he’s not then cut him. Tambellini has more of an upside(potential) then Thompson will ever have. Thompson is a 4th line center on a two way deal. Make Park the 4th line center, send Thompson to Bridgeport and play Tambellini.
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billy says:
a few things regarding tambs and bailey
first off, get tambs in the lineup, i personally dont think he’ll pan out but id rather have him in the lineup than jackman!!! my proposal is to give tambs 5-10 games of solid 2nd line minutes and 1st pp. Having him sit will only set him back further if he does finally get to play because of the rust. This will give him more than enough time to prove himself
Secondly, Bailey looks dreadful. Either give him more icetime with offensive players or send him down to bridgeport because his confidence is completely shot right now. He was eventually skating on the 4th line against kings on monday. Let him go down to bridgeport and have him rack up some points and then bring him back up.
i trust in snow and gordon but comeau and bergie also need to be given some offensive time too.
heck, we’re rebuilding, this is the only time we’ll ever have to force feed these players minutes and show what they can actually do. We’re supposed to be bad so experiment away!
either way, we have WAAAAAAAY too many players on one way contracts
oh yeah get hillen in there too
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Jim M says:
So we have Tavares-bailey-schremp-park down the middle for tommorrow night’s game? Talk about small. Does anyone else think Weight moving to the wing is a dumb idea?
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Thompson*
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ML says:
Very well said # 32
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Streit is the only d-man worth keeping at this point.
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Snowman – i think its time to make a smart move and contact detroit – give them one of our goalies and a d-man. Maybe even a winger. Get a real prospect in return.
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doug says:
CB,
Wang says “Let’s play hockey” ? Tell him to get some NHL talent on the team so we can see some hockey…
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Strummer's Army says:
How many years does Bruno Geravis get to turn it around? He had a very good first year and then not so much. Trade him and play Hillen your instantly better.
How the hell does Jon Sim get 2nd line minutes and 2nd line PP minutes?
I am sure Snow is trying to showcase certain guys to try to establish any kind of value or temptation for another team but how long must these same issues drag on?
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matt says:
sim is not a second line player or even a third line player we need another good winger
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Cs says:
I still don’t understand why Thompson (or Sim) for that matter are playing over Tamby..everyone keeps saying how he’s had his chance for 3 years..well those first 2 years he barly played…he’d come up for a game..than be sent down…last season he finally played and yes he didn’t do that well..but he was getting better towards the end of the season. Either way, forgetting about last season..The thing i’m not understanding is how this team is about guys developing into great players…Tamby played well the first game..and how is he repayed? gets scratched the next few games? Thats gonna kill the guys confidence..I’m intrested to see how he plays when he does play again since his reward for playing well last time was nothing.
This is why i think we need a new coach..yes Gordon is here to help the young guys..but the thing with Gordon is we know he plays favorites..I noticed it last year, and you can see it again..he’ll help players (like an AHL coach is supposed to do) but he’ll only really try with the players he likes.
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Im falling asleep looking at the lineup? Boring does not begin to describe this team.
let’s play some hockey.