PRACTICE NOTEBOOK: How the C was won, who’s out, why Rechlicz is here and other issues
1:40 pm - Notes from after practice…
Captain: Here’s what we learned about the vote for the captain and his A’s. Garth Snow and Scott Gordon decided to make it a team vote. Each player was instructed to write down the names of five choices for leaders and place a C next to the one they wanted as captain. Gordon admitted that while his team has other leaders, he was hoping the choice for captain would be Doug Weight. He also revealed that Weight received about 70% of the votes for captain.
The coach said Weight will guide and create a path for future Cs in seasons to come - naming Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo as just two of the possibilities. Weight: “It’s a privilege to be in the league, let alone get to captain two franchises.”
Weight is a possibility for tomorrow’s lineup.
Schremp Out: The Islanders have lineup decisions to make for tomorrow’s opener. Gordon said the only one he was sure of today was that newly-acquired Rob Schremp would sit out on Saturday. This gives the prospect two days of practice this week and three next week before possibly making his debut in the team’s next game on Thursday.
Hunter, Okposo In: Cleared to play, rusty from lack of game conditions, but will play.
Tavares Debut: “It doesn’t have to happen for him overnight,” said Gordon, citing the starts of No. 1 picks such as Vinny Lecavalier and Joe Thornton. He added that he continues to be very impressed by the 19-year old’s desire.
Lighthouse Distraction: To a man, everyone in the locker room and coaching staff said that once they step foot in the rink, it’s all about the game against the Penguins. Richard Park, old school, was more blunt about tomorrow and the Lighthouse: “I don’t want this to offend anyone, but we don’t care. We can’t.” If you know Park, he wasn’t being blind or cold-hearted - just a veteran player trying to control what he can control. He’s right to. Said Weight: “It’s out of our hands. We want to put a good product out on the ice.”
Joel Rechlicz: Gordon made the observation that the raw fourth-liner has the unique distinction of probably seeing as much icetime as the NHL level as he has at any other level of pro hockey. The coach also volunteered that Rechlicz will someday see more minutes in Bridgeport. For now, he’s with the Islanders. “We want protection for our players,” said Gordon, who said he liked Rechlicz’s speed, hitting and attitude on the bench. He also said he was improving as a fighter.
Media: Only folks at practice on the eve of the season opener were Katie Strang, yours truly and a writer from Toronto in town for a story on Tavares.
The Final Word: “We’re not going to out-skill anyone this year,” said Gordon, adding that his team will over time as players develop. “We have to out-work everyone.”
*
11:45 am - Full Islanders team practicing the shootout.
11:11 am - Scott has just kindly requested that his players shoot the puck.
11:03 am - Here they are - as always, subject to change by Go-Go:
Sim - Bailey - Hunter
Moulson - Tavares - Okposo
Tambellini - Park - Bergenheim
Rechlicz - Thompson - Jackman
Schremp - Weight - Comeau
Hillen (because I’m tired of putting Jack last)
Streit - Gervais
Witt - Martinek
Meyer - Sutton
Roloson
Biron
76 Responses to “PRACTICE NOTEBOOK: How the C was won, who’s out, why Rechlicz is here and other issues”
Please Wait
i like how u call NVMC the Lighthouse site now CB!
Can we please waive Freddy the 17th for the 17th time so Hillen can develop properly?
It’s time to give Meyer a chance.
Eh, I like Meyer, but I think I’m one of his only fans. Decent positioning, not afraid to hit, and a decent skater. I’m sure there’ll be injuries on defense soon and Hillen and even Andy MacDonald will get plenty of ice time.
Put Meyer on Waivers. Also im glad that the Wrecker is playing.
I really like this team. Gonna be a fun year no matter…
Except for Tavares, everyone here is a Pro and to a certain excent needs to *stick-up* for themselves physically sooner or later.Period.
Having said that, the Thompson/Wrecker/Jackman line is gonna be just fine. Yep. I said it.
Go Isles!
PS. CB freaking rules!
Soft team.. NO size what so ever !!. JT has a line of Smerf’s..Stranger’s and Flyer’s will toy with us…..JT is a BIG investment?
The intriguing line here is the Comeau-Weight-Shremp line. I know its practice but if that were an actual line itd be interesting to see what they produced.
That said its also interesting since Weight is injured and its listed as the 5th line. Does that mean Blakes back in the doghouse or am I reading too much into this?
I wouldn’t mind those lines in a game, very well balanced.
does this mean schremp is a healthy scratch
Limbaugh #7…Moulson 6′1″ 210, Okposo 6′0″ 200, Tavares, 6′0″ 200…Line of smurfs?? Not sure what hockey league you’re watching.
CB its Schremp. its only fair we spell his name right since he an Islander now.
I do like the balance of the lines. Tavare with Kyle is sweet. Love it.
How great will it be to have Tavares score in first game.
Leviticus -
I agree. That’s respectable. Perhaps our BIGGEST line.
No Andy Hilbert?
Ughh, I don’t like those lines at all.
Bailey’s line will be very slow. I really don’t like the idea of KO & JT together. The Speed on Park’s line is nice, but they really need to spread that out. Meyer? I’m a fan but, as Move on said, time for Hillen to continue development.
If I was Gordo, I’d go with the following:
Schremp/Tamby - Bailey - Okposo
Bergenheim - Tavares - Moulson
Hunter - Park - Comeau
Sim - Thompson - Jackman
Scratched:
Joel Rechlicz
Either Schremp or Tamby
Mark Streit Bruno Gervais
Brendan Witt Radek Martinek
Andy Sutton Jack Hillen
Scratched:
Freddy Meyer
looks like 1 good ahl team! man, this is going to be a crappy season. it’s the 90’s all over again.
Im ok with 90’s teams. especially if they become the 93 team.
Derek. Great lines. I can see them migrating that way. Hunter is a RW though. I would put Comeau on LW. he more versatile.
So funny that Moulson starting season at top 2 line. I hope he is legit and its that the adrenaline or Fairy Dust doesnt wear off.
to post like #16..what do you expect..its going to take time..lket’s call this year two of “snows plan” it took the blackhawks caps and pens 5 years to get where they are now
So with 15 forwards and 7 Dmen I assume Hillen rests as well as Rechlitz, Tamby & Weight on the IR and Hunter is activated from IR for tomorrow night. I like Bergy with Moulson & JT better than KO as there is only one puck and JT needs someone to hit and pester for him.
CB,
Robbie do any of his crazy shootout moves?
I like our odds…in a shootout…seriously though, I am super stoked for Saturday. Heres to the emergence of (assistant)Captain KO and Bergie as true stars and the introduction of Tavares to the NHL
Why didn’t we keep John Erskine? Any thoughts CB, we could use a guy like him.
@Sparti #17
Based on Gordo’s 2-player line combos, I think this might be the best way to go. & Thanks.
#11
I’ve been an Islander’s season ticket holder since 1972 young man…how about a line of Gillis, Bossy, Trottier…thats size/toughness/competivness…
Thanks for the update CB,
Robbie pull any crazy move yet on the shootouts?
I like Freddy Meyer a lot. He’s a solid d-man.
Does anyone know if Andy Hilbert made a roster anywhere? I know he had a tryout with Minnesota. Never heard anything more than that.
Hilbert was signed by Minnesota and sent to the AHL yesterday
Excited to see the season start.
Excited to see JT play
Excited to see the rest of the young guys play, grow and see who develops into a stud
Excited to see the Isle upset some playoff bound teams in the spring.
Excited to see what draft picks we can get for Witt, Sutton, etc…..
PS - listening to MM on NHL Live, I hate that guy. How does he have any job in hockey. He should give 25% of his pay check to the NYI.
that money should go to billy jaffe… yesterday hes in boston for VS, and today, hes LIVE doing color for the chi/fla game right now.. and then he has to fly back here tomorrow for our game… damn what a crazy schedule.. give him his paycheck now!
Vealchop - I respectfully disagree re: Milbury. He should give 25% of his income to Isles fans for pain and suffering.
Fine
25% to NYI fans
25% to NYI org
25% to Billy Jaffe
20% to Charity
5% to MM
Some how he has like 7 paying jobs right now.
Why would you put ANY Dmen on waivers? The islanders have the worst defense in the nhl! Trust me if its not dead last its in the bottom 3. Right now Hillen isn’t even that much better if at all than Meyer. NO reason to put Freddy on waivers. By the way Dimitri Kulikov playing for florida and looks good!
Eric, you’re insane if you think this is the worst defense in the league. Streit would have been nominated for the Norris if he played anywhere else.
This defense is 10 times better than the Rangers. Can’t wait to see them get blowtorched tonight.
Maybe we should trade some of the kids for a couple of middle aged guys, so we can sneak into the playoffs?? (Joke, like MM )
Snow is doing it the right way, as for an enforcer, he must have a lot of confidence in the Wreckers ability to take a punch.
I’m looking forward to see this little smerf from NY play.. i her he is a flashy stick handler…
Once everyone is re-activated from IR…I will be curious to see who gets sent down. I count 25 players at practice…but they can only have 23.
Weight named captain of the Isles, kinda surprising
Opps, getting ahead of myself, I meant to say tomorrow’s game.
how does schremp look?
Really liked that Bergey, Weight, Tavares line. Think they should be a soild first line. Lines overall arent that bad. The only thing that sticks out is Sim. Why is Sim playing with two potential all-stars. I can’t say I have watched a lot of Isles preseason but I have seen Sim’s stats. Has he really changed that much that he has gone from B-port to playing 1st line wing with the big club?
“Kindly requested??” LOL!!
100% of the shots that you don’t shoot … Don’t go in.
Eric, the think I noticed about Kulikov during the draft was that the guy looked NHL-ready…not as skinny as a lot of the other guys picked. Curious to see how he does in Fla.
Wouldn’t it be funny if Tavares doesn’t dress tomorrow night…
CB, I would guess Rechlicz will see alot of NHL time, I believe they signed Trevor Gillies for B-Port protection, can you confirm?
Were 0-0 and looking good!! Lets go Islanders!!
I totally understand that Gordo doesn’t want to put any added pressure on Tavares, but come on. When I hear about expectations of Tavares’ rookie season, I want to hear it compared to Kane (72 points) rather than to Lecavalier (28 points) and Thornton (7 points). Anything resembling the latter is a HUGE BUST, IMO.
Come on Gordo, time to expect a little more from your players.
Good post practice notes there CB … I like the method that they used to choose a captain and associate captains.
70% … That is huge considering those that were selected as associates.
yes! we are still undefeated so far this year! lol
“We’re not gong to out-skill anyone this year,” said Gordon,
well the coach isn’t delusional, so we have that going for us.
I like our team this year…just thinking we have added T-res (Tavares), Biron, Roli, and Shcremp, and we let hilbert go…if we can stay healthier this year and if DP can come back healthy and in good form then 1 of the 3 golies can be traded along with another non-core player or two for a top player…that could put us in the playoffs! if we can make the playoffs then we CAN WIN THE CUP!!!!!
T-res is horrible. Please stop saying that.
I sooooo can’t wait for tomorrow…Tailgate anyone?
derek (46) If Tavares winds up resembling Lecavalier or Thornton that is a huge bust? :0 Thank god you are not the coach!
Comeau needs to be on a line with either Bailey or Tavares.
I don’t know how Joel Riechlecz will be getting minutes in Bridgeport at any time unless they acquire a lot more toughness because other they cannot send him down.
They gave Sim and Tambs big minutes in the preseason and to both’s credit they performed well, I wonder if they could be traded now or at least have someone claim them on waivers?
Looking at the roster there are many great names and I’m starting to really see the future on ice but there are still too many AHL players.
Joe (44) - Yes, the Tigers have signed Trevor Gillies. Check-out Fornabaio’s blog.
The last New York team to have a former Oilers captain as their captain did OK. Islanders win the cup in the next 3 years.
Let’s not get carried away by Trevor Gillies please.
Well Johnny you know the Isles are the only franchise to a build a Stanley Cup champion through the draft lol
Rangers 94 cup was more like Edmonton’s’ 6th, I mean the Isles could win a cup if we got Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Fleury too right? lol
I’m really beginning to question whether Gordon is all there.
You pick up Schremp, then play him. Throw him into the fire. They’ve had him since what, Tuesday? And they can’t get him into the line-up by Saturday? Yeesh.
Also, why are the players picking the “C”? It’s a nice thought, but the coach and GM should be making that decision.
And we’re not going to “outskill” anyone? There’s no grit in the line-up, so we’re not going to try and “out-tough” anybody like Toronto. But we’re not going to try and outskill them either? Why admit this? Why not just apply for admission to the AHL now?
This team - regardless of the thin line-up - better tighten up on defense and appear better coached or the questions will grow about Go-Go.
wow derek, in your world thornton and leclavier may be busts but in the real world, thats called being an allstar
Limbaugh, so you’re comparison is a line of has-of-gamers? Age does not equate with wisdom… We may be small overall, but the line you are referring to is not made up of smUrfs, nor does anyone on that line play small…geez
And btw, Battfist wherever you are, my apologies. You seem to have been correct about Moulson!!
@Chris TMC & Kevin27nyi
Sorry, I should’ve clarified. A 28 or 7 point season out of Tavares this year is definitely a bust. I wasn’t comparing 10 years down the road, I’m comparing rookie seasons, as Gordo was in that quote. My point is that JT has had high expectations placed on him for nearly a quarter of his life and has fulfilled + those expectations. I’m sure he can handle his coach pushing him a bit more than a point every 3 games or so.
Can you guys honestly tell me you wouldn’t be disappointed if he scored at the same clip as Vinny and Joe did? To me, if his Rookie Season resembles their rookie seasons, JT’s rookie season is an absolute bust. That being said, I’m expecting over 25 goals out of him which I don’t think is so far fetched.
quite a few young first round picks on this team.
hopefully these guys can develop together and
grow into a playoff team. Don’t know why a lot of people are
complaining. We are building with youth. a lot of young talent on this team.
Let’s drop the puck already… We have meaningful games for the fist time in 9 months. JT and KO are 2/3 of our top line of the future. All we need now is a LW… Hey look, Taylor Hall plays left wing.
Double W…How meaningful can they be if you’re already looking at Taylor Hall? lol
derek sorry about my post but to me its not all about points. i would be dissapointed but wouldnt label him a bust.
Schremp cocktail - They are meaningful until the olympic break. After the Olympics, we are going to be out of a playoff spot (IMO).
But as of today, we are a half a game out of first in the NHL!!!!!!
derek (62) thanks for clarifying. Like kev (66) said, I would be disappointed to see that was well- but those kinds of players teach us ALL a valuable lesson- putting a ‘huge bust’ label on a young kid who is still learning is ridiculously short-sighted. There is a huge difference between hoping for a quicker start for a player and demanding it or else a ‘bust’ label gets thrown on his forehead, you know?
#33 you dont really think the Islanders have a better dmen than the ranger$ do you? The ranger$ are underrated defensively. Lets forget about the young players they have coming up playing D who are suppose to be good. Lets look at our top 4 vs.the ranger$. Believe me I hate the ranger$ with a passion but there D is above average. They can block shots. Staal(good young player), Girardi(solid shot blocker), Rossival(good offensive dmen)Gilroy(suppose to be a good player with offensive skills) vs. Sutton(horrible just horrible gets too many penalties)Marinek(solid), Streit(all-star), and Witt(not as good he used to be, has lost a step but is a #3-4 dmen). Im sorry, but I think the islanders are a bottom 3 team in defense. Not ONE dmen was signed during the off season. What we did not have enough injuries on that end last season? This is not Nolan’s team 3 years ago with Witt in his prime, poti playing well, Hill busting his a$$, and Martinek.
Leviticus-apology not necessary. Someone else pointed out the signing of Moulson…and I did some research on him. Moulson is a goal scorer…referred to as a smart player. But once I read he was good friends with JT and that those two practiced together-I thought he had a good chance in making a team which lacked scoring (unlike our faithful blogger). As we all know-management is trying to make everything as comfortable as they can for JT.
As Isles fans-we cant judge JT by his point total this season. Let the young man adjust his game first before we start judging him…
See ya all at the game- Section 107!
Go Isles!!!!
Im excited about this young team…we are heading in the right direction. Thank god KO is ok!!!! He is by far our best player.
Please dnt compare any line to the Bossy line…that was one of the greatest lines of alltime!
I’m trying to give Katie a chance over @ Newsday, CB, but I just read through the transcript of her chat from this afternoon, and when someone asked her who she thinks will make up the 1st PP unit she included Hillen. Call me crazy, but if he’s the 7th D, that probably won’t include a lot of PP time.
And something isn’t right if there’s even a chance that Comeau is a healthy scratch tomorrow.
How much longer till we can complain about the goal song?? 24+ hours and counting… LETS GO ISLANDERS!!
It must be hockey season. I went to the gym today and strained my groin running. Really took the slogan “We’re all islanders” to heart.
But seriously, lets wait a month before discussing Taylor Hall. The team must be better than last year or I will be concerned. Specifically I hope KO opens the eyes of some more people nationally.
I don’t know why but I have a GREAT feeling about schremp. I can’t wait to see him play.
Shremp is gonna play with Comeau i guess since he said they had chemistry from their junior days. Bailey should center both of them. I’m curious to see JT Kyle and Matty. when franz gets back he’ll prob center hunter and bergie. so if u think about it, we’re pretty deep
Comeau needs to be in this line up. Could be Katie looking too much into it, but I would love to know what the deal is with Gordon ad Comeau if he sits out tonight.