PRACTICE, 10.19.09, ICEWORKS
Tavares and Okposo broken up, for now
CB for FanHouse on Sharks’ defeat of Rangers
3:40 pm - Saying, “We have to find some secondary scoring,” Scott Gordon has broken up the talented young duo of John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
A big part of the change also has to do with the expected return of Frans Nielsen. The head coach liked the way Nielsen and Okposo played together last season.
“You wrestle with breaking up what’s not broken,” said Gordon, referring to the impressive play of Tavares and Okposo. But his team is winless and scored just one goal last Monday against LA and Saturday against San Jose.
Besides Matt Moulson’s claim on a roster spot and with only Trent Hunter sidelined by injury, Gordon said, “What we have right now is what I thought we had at the beginning.”
Here’s your likely line combinations for Wednesday at home against Carolina:
Moulson - Tavares - Weight
Bergenheim - Nielsen - Okposo
Tambellini - Bailey - Comeau
Thompson - Park - Jackman
Rob Schremp and Jon Sim are on the outside looking in, for now. Asked about Schremp, the coach said many aspects of his game have surprised him in a positive way and said he met today with the waiver pickup. “I told him we need more from him.”
*
1:55 pm - Islanders appear to be wrapping up the formal part of practice. Scott Gordon leading a team talk along the boards at center ice. A little longer than the typical one.
Charles Wang and Garth Snow are watching practice.
The lone media member here is Mark Herrmann of Newsday. Mark regularly updates Katie Strang’s blog when she is out. Follow Mark on Twitter at http://twitter.com/markpherrmann
As reported by Mark, Rick DiPietro practiced with the full squad for about 15 minutes.
107 Responses to “PRACTICE, 10.19.09, ICEWORKS
Tavares and Okposo broken up, for now”
Please Wait
Thanks CB. In 3 years when we are competing for a cup..:-)…you will remember days like today where only you,a single newsday writer, and a small (relatively) but fanatical bunch of fans on your blog cared about this team! Go isles! andgod help us all!!
CB,
Any reason Wang and Snow are at the practice?
CB,
i love this site. its one of the best things to happen to the isles since 1990 or so. But I can’t help but notice your new attitude. its quite obvious that you no longer want the best for the organization. im not saying i blame you, not one bit, but it sucks for us, just like nearly all else in islander country.
DP to the Rescue? Save the Season?
Lead Playoff Rush? Cup Run?
Is there a rule against mid-day monday day-dreaming on this site? If so it was just severly violated…………….
Yay, some good news. Hope Rick comes back nice and healthy. I think he is a fine goalie when healthy and on top of his game. Now about that defense (or lack thereof) of ours….
Yeah CB, is it typical for Wanger to be watching a non-game day practice, or any practice for that matter, with Garth Snow?
DP would definately bring some stability back to the team and the Fanbase if he comes back healthy…with that being said DON’T RUSH IT!!!!!
Now what happens when DP is cleared to play? Do we rotate 3 goaltenders? It figures the one who has played poorly, Rolie, is the one with the 2 yr deal!It is going to be a problem soon!
CB is free at last!… i think it is great CB..you have been freed from the dysfunction and wackiness of this organization and can call it EXACTLY how you see it without fear of reprisal. Keep telling it like it is. Us islander faithful have no other independent outlet because newsday BLOWS. Everyday Mr. Logan is remebered as a pulitzer prize winner compared to the college level coverage we get now…ugh
Use DP as our shootout specialist ! Even at this point, he has to be better on breakaways then Rollie.
No question, Rollie is usually a very good goalie during games, but as we all know horrific in shootouts.
Yeah, why is Wang watching practice? I thought all he cares about is Real Estate????
Why do people even question it? He’s been watching practice ever since he owned the team.
Maybe when DP comes back, we can trade one of the goaltenders for some talent. Any talent. This team is HORRIBLE right now, really unwatchable outside of Streit, Okposo and Tavares. If they can’t trade a goaltender for any talent, maybe one of the goaltenders can suit up on defense. He can’t be any worse than what we’ve got now outside of Streit.
yahoo DP coming back is starting to look realistic. Seriously though the curse he got when he signed that contract has moved on to Luongo when he signed his ridiculous extension.
The proof? Luongo has been awful and DP is not having any setbacks.
Gordon is on a short leash. I would think if not a win soon he will be dumped and Laviollete will be hired. We can only dream……..
I would take a tandem of Biron and DP instead of Roli and DP, but it is far too early to even consider the DP tandem. I hope Gordon has some kind of plan to win some games soon– that plan better not include the 1-minute Wrecker.
DP practiced? Great news. Has it been lost on everyone that the last 2 years that DP has allowed fewer goals than every other goalie in the league? We’re saved.
Wang really needs to get a different hobby other than hockey.
actually I am very happy Mr. Wang took an interest in hockey. Islanders do not exist today if he didnt. I just wish he would have put more capable people in charge of the franchise..ie a monkey who didnt trade luongo or chara and drafted gaborik and parise. Just those four moves and we are a completely different franchise.
Does Wang even know what Icing is? that would be funny if a reporter would ask him that.
My question is…When DP is healthy and ready, shouldn’t he have some games down in Bridgeport? I know this will kill his ego but won’t he have to get used to Gordo’s system? He hasn’t played too many games for him. And how well does he know the defense? Streit is new, Hillen is new Sutton has been out for a loooooong time. So i think there has to be some kind of adjustment. Just wondering if he is going to be thrown back into the mix or eased into it?
You are right in the fact that without Wang the isles would probably not be here. The problem is that he thinks he knows hockey. Looking back at his management decisions with the Isles it is hard to believe that he is such a successful business man. Hopefully the LH will be approved and he can spend his time with that. Then he could leave hockey to the people who know it. ( the jury is still out with Snow)
just wang being there should send up a signal that something is up
Bomber (#3) — With all due respect, that is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve heard on this site in a while. How can you say CB doesn’t want the best for the team?! I think you need to reassess that opinion.
I also think a ton of people are forgetting about the stellar play of Matt Moulson. He has proven he does not mind going to the net, and that will continue to pay huge dividends in this league.
As for Roloson, he has been fine in all of his games with the exception of the shootout. Is it a weakness, or is he just struggling? His two-year deal allows Koskinen to develop properly and move to the NHL either at next year’s trade deadline, or to start the following year. Biron will bring back good value when he is traded to Chicago, Detroit, Tampa Bay, or any other competing team who is struggling in net.
Why do people say if it wasn’t for Wang, the Isles wouldn’t be here? They aren’t going anywhere until maybe 2015. Just like back in 2000, they weren’t going anywhere until 2015.
Someone else would have bough them for if Wang didn’t. The previous owners would have just lowered the price until the team was sold.
Do not underestimate the return of Frans Nielsen. If I recall correctly, he had excellent chemistry with Sean Bergenheim and Jeff Tambellini - back at Brideport. Maybe they can recreate the magic and give them the secondary scoring they need.
Mielson was developing quite nicely. My only question about the lines that CB posted is putting Bailey as a third liner. Bailey is supposed to be a second line center who has good hands and can set up scorers. Put KO on his wing and see if anything comes from it. Nielson at this point in the year should be the 3rd line center…
should be Nielson, not Mielson. Sorry.
For the love of God, enough of Nate Thompson. He’s not an NHL player. Schremp can’t give you more from the stands.
Schremp needs talent on his wings. Why bench him? Playing him with Sim and Park is a waste of time. See what happens when he’s with skilled Okposo and JT.
im not sure how often Wang and Snow attend practice, but I can’t say I remember hearing this before! (especially on a non game day) Maybe Gordon is on his last chance here, with a winless start after 6 games, a last place finish last year, and tons of injuries (idk, could it be a result of Gordons style?) Wang and Snow may be thinking change? return of Laviollete?
Great to hear the gr8Dane (Frans) should be back for our next game. He is a good player at worst!
Also id rather Thompson sit then Sim or Schremp! And was Gordon reading my post last week on breaking up K.O. and T-res on the 5on5? (but not PP) and keeping T-res with his friend Moulson while adding his housemate Weight? lol I doubt it but cant say I didnt call it
I REALLY hope DP can come back stronger then ever so we can trade one of the three goalies we have, along with some non-core player(s), pick(s) for a real good/great player we can add to the core!
Have you all lost your mind (I mean that in the nicest way possible) why wouldnt you keep DP out for the ENTIRE season? We are not going anywhere this year. Lets make sure he is 100% for the start of next season? Just my opinion!
Frans is a lot like Bergy - not in playing style, but in potential…looks like he could be more than what he’s shown, but hasn’t gotten there yet. He’s getting a big opportunity playing with one of our only two good forwards, and with everyone concentrating on Tavares, that line may be able to put some pucks in the net.
I guess Gordo is planning on a game over 60 minutes since our OT specialist Thompson is back in the lineup…
For a guy that many on this site say is only interested in the real estate, he attends a lot of practices, a lot of games, and sits at the table during drafts. Now, I’m not saying that Wang at the draft table is a great idea, but how many owners actually do that? Sure, he’s into the real estate side, and rightfully so, but saying he doesn’t care about the team is insane.
Why is more needed from Schremp? I thought he played fine the games he was in. Put Schremp Tamby Neilson on a line and have them skate around.
Why tell a guy (schremp) that he needs to show more and then sit him?? I know his rep and what not, but am I the only one here who’s seen his name and heard his name be called on ice more then Tambellini and Thompson combined?? The guy seems more recognizable in actually trying to contribute on the ice more then those to.
Schremp needs to be in IMO
Either bench Tamby or Thompson. I think Schremp has been good since arriving. He skates well given he hasn’t scored yet but I am sure that will come.
I admit that Scott Gordon and Garth Snow have forgotten more about hockey than I will ever know… but here’s the best analogy for why Gordon sucks as a coach.
If he was a chef he’d look in the fridge and see 3 lbs of beef and a quart of beer and say, “Ahhh Coq au vin!!!”
When I look in the Isles fridge I see:
Moulson-Tavares-Okposo (Why would you want three left handed shots on the first line, this works, why break it up)
Bergenhiem-Weight-Comeau (Until Hunter comes back Comeau is the best option)
Tambellini-Nielsen-Park (I’d rather see Schremp as the LW here, but I can live with this for 3-5 games… but if Tambellini is 0-0-0 in those five games… WAIVE BYE BYE to a legacy)
Sim-Schremp-Jackman (I want Schremp to be avaiable for the second PP unit, and Sim has been far more productive than Thompson, plus he’s on a one-way)
Odd men out… Bailey, welcome to Bridgeport where you can work with your future NHL linemates. thompson, head down to Freeport and see if anybody needs a clam shucker.
When Hunter comes back Comeau slides down a line, Park slides to fourth line center, and Schremp is back on the LW.
In the meantime, I hope Wang has sat down with Gordon and said, “Son, we need more from you.”
do we all really think DP will ever be back and if so, for how long will he even stay healthy… i think it’s time to make sure we are planning for a solution that is NOT roloson/biron… (i.e. koskinen or another big time goalie prospect)
Nielson will be the spark we need.
Ughh, once again, Gordon has me scratching my head. I like that he split KO and JT up. That was needed to even out the top 6. But to put a cold, off injury Nielsen with Kyle isn’t what I expected. I agree that Tamby should be getting a chance, but I would’ve put him with Nielsen. Why is Jackman a constant?? I give him credit for making some changes but he’s making the wrong changes. The lineup against Carolina should look like this:
Moulson - Tavares - Weight (he got this one right)
Bergie - Bailey - Okposo (could get JB on track)
Tamby - Nielsen - Comeau (might be what both Blake and Jeff need)
Schremp - Park - Smith/Thompson (ability to roll all 4 lines)
Screw the conventional wisdom of a gritty fourth line. If these guys are going to play Gordo’s system, have enough guys that can play so that we can roll 4 lines. If you’re going to make a change, make a change that makes sense (to Gordo’s system).
I’m no scout, but I think Schremp has been one of our better players. That’s not saying much, though.
Hey Kyle, #24, Leases get broken all the time. The lease states that the NEW YORK ISLANDERS must play all home games at the NVMC. If the team is moved, they are no longer the NY Islanders, if they are sold to a new owner and renamed, they arent the NY Islanders. Thats the easy out on this IRON CLAD LEASE. Leases are a joke, and anyone with half a brain can get out of one, even if its as UNBREAKABLE as SMG would love to think. The legality of the whole thing is open to interpretation. All depends on the judge who makes the final decision. Dont think for even a second that the team CANT leave Long Island. They CAN and most probably WILL.
I have to say, given what we have, I’m on board with #38’s lines and thinking for getting 4 lines adequately running for an entire game. Give overspeed a chance to fly relentlessly.
#38 - good call on rolling all 4 lines. Maybe the reason we are flat in the 3rd period is we’re playing 11 on 12 all game. But don’t count out one useless goon (AKA, Wrecker) getting called up Wed AM and taking a spot. Frankly I’d take Thompson 7 days a wek and twice on Sunday over Rechlitz.
That being said, no problem with the line changes but why break up the Bailey-Bergy-Comeau line when they played reasonably well last game, and that was their first game together.
Really looking forward to having Nielsen back - he’s a player.
The Tavares line will be fine. They should play a second line of Baily- Okposo- Tambellini. I think Tamby will be fine either way.
Does anyone remember WHY Charles Wang bought the team in the first place? It was a favor called in by fellow rich dude Alfonse D’Amato! Charles Wang had no interest in Hockey or even sports of any kind for that matter, until big Al called and asked CW to do whats right for his beloved ISLAND, not ISLANDERS!
Good lines, for now!
HORRIBLE!!!! This is the dumbest move. “Let’s split up the only line creating any offense throughout the game.” I love Gordon but what are you thinking. Are you watching the same games that I have been. Juggle with the rest of the line-up don’t mess with what works. Has Todd Maclellan broken up Heatley and Thorton. NOO. We are not losing because of that line we are losing because of the other three lines. I hope it only take Gordon 1 period of hockey to see the error of his ways.
I think Gordon is afraid to bench Witt. LOL
Ok, I’m only half-joking.
Potvin Rocks…I think you are going a little crazy. The JT-Okposo line is the only one doing something. so why not split them up? Okposo ahs proven he can play with anyone…and to me Tavares looks like he’ll be fine. There’s nothing wrong with the move.
I was hoping to see Bailey set up Okposo…I like Kyle as a finisher as well as a puck possession guy…KO, does it all and I don’t like him on set up duty for Taveras…As much as its nice to have JT and KO on a line together I just dont believe it makes sense to take away KO’s finishing ability…
Put KO with Bailey! Anyone agree with my assessment?
@Potvin Rocks #44
Gordon had to break up that line to try to get the others going. JT and MM will be fine without KO. Kyle might actually be better on a different line. Remember, most of their points are on the PP and that won’t change. I think it should’ve been done from the beginning. Only problem is that KO should be with Bailey. That would give Josh a jumpstart, in my opinion, and make a formidable 2nd line.
He liked the way Nielsen and KO played together last year? I don’t remember those two being on the same line all that often.
WHATEVER the reason Wang bought the team for, I’m glad he did.
Looking forward to Nielsen’s return and a rejuvenated lineup on Wednesday.
I thing that is clear what happens here.
What ever every one, draft slaves says, the Bergenheim - Nielsen - Okposo was the most dangerously line last year, when played together.
This team has not exactly been a winning team has it. Well it wasn’t last year when Nielsen was out. When he return last year it was a boost for the team. I am sure the team home it will be the same this year.
Well I am not saying that Nielsen was the reason the won, no the reason were rather that there 3-4 OK centers instead of only 2-3.
That again mean the team is not better than the weakest link.
The real question is how will Moulson - Tavares - Weight work, hopefully almost as good as with Okposo.
Anyway I think it will work better as a team as all, even first line is clearly weaker.
Wang and Snow at practice? Watching what, Gordo and the “system”? That’s the blind leading the blind, watching over the blind..3 left-handed shots on the first line? Adda boy Gordo, that will definetly shake things up, especially in face offs and breaking out of our own zone. NOW he’s going to “fix” what aint broken and split up the first line, six games in and the ONLY positive thing that has looked good is being “gordonized”,
priceless. AND not a peep on what he plans to do about the defense and the bad start to our saviors in net. “THIS” will get much worse..
UNDER/OVER attendace for Wed/CAR 6K, living and breathing bodies, not the usual inflated number.
sad to see the Tavares Okposo Moulsonn line broken up, but for now it is probably the best way to get scoring on other lines. hope to see them back together sometime
How about sitting Comeau for Scremph! Comeau has been invisable!
Goaltending, both of our so called #1 goalies have been a Huge disapointment. No big saves when we have needed them. It proves how bad they need DP back. December can”t come fast enough.
what?
is there a timetable now????
Without Okposo the first line will be slow to the puck. Lack of speed might hurt!
Breaking up the MTO line reminds me of when Ottawa decided to break up the Heatley-Spezza- Alfredsson line last year. They thought because only that line was really producing, breaking up the line would spread production. The plan backfired and instead of having one productive line they had none. Let’s hope this has a different outcome than Ottawa
we need like three okposo’s
you can’t necessarily spread out chemistry,
talent’s, talent to some degree,
o.k., i’m out,
botta hook me up with a new post:):)
Didn’t they say Dp would be back by Thanksgiving.
I can understand wanting a bit more from Schremp, but I think he has played pretty well, certainly better than some of the other guys. I know Goron said right away that he had to be a top 6 guy, but I think it has been too short to say he isn’t. He has been getting better every game, and I think if we are splitting up Tavares and Okposo to get some secondary scoring, I don’t think its fair not to give him a chance with one of them.
You know, if Gordon’s system was showing progress you could maybe cut him some slack for keeping his AHL boy Thompson on the roster. But when the system is slow to develop and you 2nd tier youngsters (Comeau, Tambi, Bergy) not showing any significant gains, the Thompson roster spot really starts wearing thin.
Its for the best splitting up the two. I think Tavares will be even more productive with Weight to his side now. As for Nielsen, I think he is the most under-rated player we have. This guy had 24 assists in his first “full” shortened nhl season with just 59games. This guy has the potential to put up 40 assists a season and I am really excited to see what he can do with okposo. For God’s sake though mix up this defense, put Gervais back with Streit they had a great second half last year.
hallelujah frans is back!!!!!
We miss the swagger that DP brought to this team. I hope he comes back, plays well and gives the team a spark. I think the Islanders deserve some good luck for a change.I am not writing this season off as its far from over. Frans will provide a jump too and add some speed to the lineup. Nice to see Tambs in the lineup too. See ya Sim don’t let the door hit you…
Change the only thing that’s been successful.
Our coach is clueless. It’s not the personnel, it’s the AHL system we run. There is no energy left in these guys legs by the end of the game. He plays a system of moving the puck as soon as you get it, yet we have guys like Bailey, Okposo, Tavares, Comeau, Schremp, Weight, and Streit who need to hold the puck and slow the game down, let the play develop and read it to make the play.
Garth, cut our loses and replace Gordon.
Probably spreading out the scoring is all Gordon can do right now … the first few games allowed the opposition via scouting to focus on cutting down the chances of the top line since the 2nd and 3rd did little as far as opportunities … now switching things up a bit might be what the Dr. ordered. We’ll see … I’m hoping this opens things up for the 3rd line too.
Amazing how much support there is for Ricky seeing as most of the people commenting on this blog were saying see ya Ricky after his opening night no-show. I’m glad he’s on his way to coming back. Still, this team isn’t losing because of terrible goaltending, maybe against Buffalo, but that’s really it. His comeback will add a jump no doubt but it will also bring some problems, so let’s see what Snow is forced to do since every GM in the league knows he’s the desperate one and they are in the driver’s seat of whatever deal is proposed.
Frans is a huge part of this offense and defense. A solid two-way center, I hope he stays healthy and learns to FINISH. I look at too many players on this lineup that do HAVE skills but lack the finishing ability of good players: Tambellini, Bergy, Comes… the list goes on and on.
No surprise Sim sits. Saturday was by far his worst performance in the first 6 games, he was ridiculously slow in all 3 zones. Boy how great it would be to see an offensive spark, especially from players other than Moulson, KO, and JT.
Also, there was a lot of Jack Hillen bashing that has been silenced after his strong play the last two games. Good for Hillen, he is still a very young player, that is an above average skater. I’d like to see him become part of this team’s defensive future. Witt and Martinek, Streit and Gervais!!! Come on Gordon, Wake up, these were the two most comfortable pairings last year, why you deciding to switch them is beyond me and hopefully many others.
Do we think Garth could have got the same deal from Minn that Boston got for Trent Hunter? If so i would have done it in a heartbeat.
If Gordon wants secondary scoring, he better petition Snow to sell a kidney for a scoring forward. We just dont have it. We play a bunch of 4th line AHLers regularly and expect production. How many chances can an organization give these guys to step up and make impact? Most these scrubs wouldnt even make it past final cuts for other nhl teams. Im tired of hearing his mindless mongoloid like banter about how these guys can dominate. Stop. Outside of JT, Okposo and Streit no one else is an NHL caliber starting player. Produce or sit. Its very simple. I dont see any accountability with anyone involved in this franchise. Not from Gordon. Not from Snow. Not from Wang. Someone needs to stop waiting for something to happen and start making something happen.
Great move by Gordo. Breaking up JT and Okposo means that we’ll have no scoring lines. I swear that this guy would have broken up Bossy and Trottier in order to cover for his ridiculous system. Here’s a better idea: Go back to playing an NHL style game, or even better yet, get a real NHL coach!!!
This guy is clueless.
I am a huge supporter of Frans Nielsen. He plays with speed and is not afraid to handle the puck. If I have to watch one more player aimlessly throw the puck into the zone, I am going to go insane. He reminds me of Scott Gomez in the way that when he gets the puck he will push the play.
However, this has to be indicative of how far Bailey has fallen in not only the eyes of the fans but in the eyes of the coaches and GM. I figured Bailey and Okposo would be reunited, to at least spark bailey. They must be very down on him right now.
How can Scott Gordon only yank Schremp out of the lineup and tell him that he needs to produce more? That must be a long line outside his office. In fact, the only one’s not on that line are Tavares, Okposo, Mouslson, Weight, and Hunter. Every other forward on the team has either no pts or 1 pt.
Hey Scott and Garth, maybe you should send Bailey, Tambellini, and Thompson to Bridgeport since they’ve done didly squat. Maybe Smith, Joensuu, and Moore will produce. Sort of like Moulson! Wake up!
Gordos 1st scoringthi line for next game……KO-Biron-Witt! think its funny….just wait!
Dont bring DP back until after New Years. Hopefully Biron or Roloson raise their trade value. Then hopefully a playoff contender could use a goalie and trade Roloson preferbly.
Moulson-JT-KO is the only line that is consistently working right now. Breaking up this line doesn’t strike me as a good idea, especially only 6 games into the season.
The Isles best chance of winning is to send Bailey to Bridgeport and have centers JT, Weight, Nielsen, Park in that order.
Weight is a HOF center and the best playmaking forward on the Team. Moving him to wing is silly.
Vealchop, Biron and Roloson have a trade value now. Chicago and Detroit are desperate for a goalie and have the prospects too. In fact, Hawks have a kid named Jack Skille that they just sent to AHL because their team is already stacked with young talent. He’d be perfect for our team. Biron or Roli are huge upgrades over Huet. Fans are ready to run Huet out of the Windy City! He sucks!
The only problem is that we have a backup goalie and not a GM running the team. What he is waiting for, I don’t know! We capable goalies in AHL to backup the one starter we keep. NYI=FUBAR
Gordon tells Schremp he needs more from him and then puts the biggest waste of all back in the line up, Tambellini..Yea makes perfect sense…. Come on Chris This Tambellini thing is a JOKE….Its not like Schremp cant play wing so thats no excuse….
I like that first line, Tavares has been generating so many chances I think it will help to have a Vet like Weight to help put some more home. The second line could be really fast paced and exciting, I can’t wait to see what happens, I hope Bergie stops getting so many penalties. The next two lines are junk, I would rather they send Bailey down and have him work on things in the minors, he just looks frustrated out there and putting him on the third line surely wont help things.
My lines for the next game:
Moulson-JT-KO
Bergy-Weight-Tamby
Schremp-Nielsen-Comeau
Thompson-Park-Jackman
Streit-Hillen/Gervais
Witt-Martinek
Sutton-Meyer
The main problem with the Isles is the lack of 1st and 2nd line talent. Couple that with an abundance of 3rd and 4th line underachievers and and non proven NHLers, and you have an anemic offense. Snow’s got to dump a few of these guys already, especially when Nielsen and Hunter return.
#73 thats excactly what I was thinking. I would have loved that deal.
@81 RobD - Chicago cannot take on the cap hit of Biron or Roloson. The reason this kid (Skille) is sent to the minors of non-game days is to save $$$, and for no other reason. and his cap hit is 1.25 million. Both Biron and Rollie’s cap hit is larger, and they cant be sent to the minors without clearing waivers.
I think it’s time to say that the Tambellini experiment is over. He’s been given enough time and opportunities, as well as line mates.
post 50 totally agree, everyone is getting on Bailey, he has no one to play with. Put him with KO and he will start to put up numbers
So our scoring will come from the dominant line of, who now?? JT, KO, and Moulson have something called chemistry. Maybe Go-Go has heard of it? It means that together they are better and more productive than any one of the pieces individually. When he breaks up this line, its a guarantee that all of their productions go down. KO and JT are immensely talented, but haven’t developed enough yet to truly make an impact alone or carry the weight of a line by themselves. Splitting them up is a horrible idea.
Thompson is playing? THANK GOD! I was really worried for a while
#89, the problem with Bailey is not only his lack of production. It is his relatively poor defensive play and his inability to win puck battles along the half boards and in the corners.
He skates figure eights between the circles like a 20 year old kid that is afraid of getting hit by grown men. Which is probably about right.
I don’t think Tamby has been given a fair shot. Gordo doesn’t give him any chance to put some Ice time on. Let him develop this year and lets see what he can do after all this team has nothing but time this year. Fit him in. He is no worse than anyone else on this team but at least he is fast.
#86 I think Garth hides behind his comments that he likes his players and that is his excuse for not doing anything. Did he know Minn was looking for a RW? Would they have made this same deal for Hunter? They got a decent prospect, a tough guy and a 2nd.
Not sure why he would bench Sim. The guy plays hard, fights for the puck and shoots (and can actually get it in!) Not sure what else they expect him to do.
Witt needs to be scratched. His play has been horrible so far. And Sutton hasn’t been much better.
I agree with post 75. Hate, hate the move to split KO and JT. It’s time for some of the kids, like Tambellini - Bailey - Comeau to step-up and get their noses dirty, or take a seat. If Jason Blake played that way, they can too. I love Bergie, but no points yet and minus 5. May need to take a seat soon too.
Shremp is better then anybody on that fourth line. Get him in there.
I’m with you Fred, Schremp’s gotta play. He’s been the best forward outside of the first line.
Moulson-JT-Weight
OK-Bailey-Bergy
Scremp-Neilsen-Comeau
Sim-Park-Jackman
Meyer-Streit
Martinek-Gervais
Hillen-Sutton
I don’t agree with three names on the forwards roster. This is like the kids game of look at this picture and tell me what doesn’t belong. What doesn’t belong is jackman, thompson and comeau. what does belong is Shremp, Sim and…well, we’ve got better at the bridge than those three. Please sit Witt for a couple and leave Hillen in there. And puuleeeze, Gordon!! Were do you come off saying you need more for Schremp. You’ve only had him a few games and he has played much better than comeau, jackman, thompson, tambellini, and even Bailey(his 1st 4 games anyway)!!! You’re supposed to be teaching your young guys to be better players, not just players who play your “system” well. The only player that has shown growth in his play and skills has been KO. If this play keeps up you are going to lose them as a group. It almost happened last year, and I don’t see it far away now. I hated to say it. So please, show us it isn’t so.
OH, just one more comment to make about something that’s been buggin me for a few days. What coach worth anything asks a player if you want some extra ice time would you mind playing a different forward position for a while and see how it works out, and then have the player refuse based on the players idea of where he is best used. Hey coach….just tell him where YOU want him and see if it works. THATS YOUR JOB!!! If the player doesn’t like it, find someone who will do what he is asked. Remember guys, its still a privledge to play in the NHL, not a right.
Scott Gordon is one of the worst things to happen to this franchise since Milbury. He is literally the worst coach in the NHL right now. He has no idea what he is doing. He comes up with these phantom “explanations” for things that don’t need fixing. He has us playing this system that results in nothing, the players don’t respond to a thing he says - and I’m predicting we don’t win our first game of the season until November with this guy behind the bench. You get what you ask for. You turn down proven winners like Maurice, Hartley, Tortorella for guys like Gordon and this is what you get. This is a BETTER team than what we are seeing out there every night.
Gordon works for free compared with those other coaches. That’s why Wang hired him. Snow couldn’t hire an acomplished coach because Wang tells snow that we are paying the minimum since it’s the islander way. No islander coach ever got more then the minimum since Wang arrived
Some observations:
Gordon is afraid to bench Witt.
Gordon is overwhelmed at the NHL level.
At least some of Gordon’s players lack faith in him.
Wang won’t spend anything until the Lighthouse is settled.
Snow is still a bit green as a GM.
Thompson should not be in the lineup over Schremp (or anyone else for that matter).
Our D after Streit is horribly average at best.
We’re a one-line team.
Roloson couldn’t stop ME on a breakaway.
When will Reich return from injury? I’d rather see him than Jackman. And Thompson needs to be replaced by Micheal Haley (not sure if he’s still injured). When we went down 2-1 to San Jose someone needed to spark the team with a big hit or cause some kind of ruckus. The Sharks turned the game around when they started to become more physical and we had no answer. I like seeing Weight with Tav & Mo.
You guys really have to take i easy on gordon. isles win wed and thurs and you guys will suddenly be saying what a great coach he is. I like the schremp benching. he given tambellini a chance to show him up. If tambellini doesn nothing its back to riding the bench if not being put on waivers. I like the Test. Schremp has been good so far but best other player not on first line has been Bergeheim Hands down.
So the TSN power rankings, which have us justifiably at 29, tell us that at least we have “a sense of optimism coming from a first line of John Tavares, Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo that has combined to score 20 points.”
Well…not anymore!
Splitting up Tavares and Okposo is a bad idea. This team is not built to win this year. Anyone who thought otherwise is a fool. This year is about development. As an Islander fan, you want to see Tavares and Okposo become future stars, Bailey, Moulson, Bergenhiem and Gervias develop in to NHL caliber players and DP come back healthy. You also want to see them lose and get that first pick one more time. Next year you add Taylor Hall to this team, bring up De Haan, and hope Trevor Smith, Hamonic and Joensu are ready to contribute. Throw a lot of $$$$ at Kovalchuck, bring in a good defenseman and some size up front and then expect to contend for a playoff spot. Don’t stunt their development by splitting them up just so you can potentially win some meaningless games now. They should be together for the next 15 years. Patience Islander fans!!!!! Remember, Dynasties take time to build.