PRACTICE, 10.7.09, ICEWORKS
Scratches, PP units, plus the best of Gordon
12:45 pm - Not announced, just by observation: the Islanders’ healthy scratches tomorrow will likely be Nate Thompson, Jeff Tambellini and Jack Hillen.
Scott Gordon Quotes
On Doug Weight’s return: “He might be one of our older players, but he treats every game like it’s his first.”
On Tavares in Ontario: “If there’s anyone who’s prepared for it, it’s him. He’s been under a microscope for a long time.”
On Okposo’s performance on Saturday: “Anyone talking about Kyle on Saturday as if it was a surprise didn’t watch him in the second half (last season). Nothing he does surprises me.”
When asked if he liked having four days between the opener on Saturday and Ottawa game on Thursday, Gordon took three reporters through a breakdown of the schedule differences between this time last year and now.
In summation: in ‘08, Islanders played three exhibition games late in the preseason after returning from Moncton, then opened the regular season with games Friday, Saturday and Monday afternoon. “There was also the Ricky stuff and all the injuries and all the injury policy stuff,” the coach said. To which I replied, “What stuff”?
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11:45 am: A 70-minute practice in preparation for the game Thursday in Ottawa ends with a concentration on the power play. The two units:
Moulson - Tavares - Okposo
Streit - Weight
Schremp - Bailey - Hunter
Gervais - Martinek
48 Responses to “PRACTICE, 10.7.09, ICEWORKS
Scratches, PP units, plus the best of Gordon”
Please Wait
Need to give Schremp some PP time because that is where I think he can generate most of his points and use his creativity. I like these lines.
I like those PP Units. Marty getting a chance = Win.
I like the two PP units. I hope Comeau gets a look there too during the season. People can question many aspects of his game, but he does have good vision, and could probably use that attribute more effectively on the power play.
If Gervais plays the second game like he played the first, then it might be time to sit him for a bit and see what Hillen does with the opportunity. I’m a Gervais defender, but I think he lost every single battle along the boards on Sat., and even worse, noticeably pulled up when going into the corners.
Any chance Okposo will be reunited with Bailey?
we do lok good on the PP! and in net! and the kids! and the vets! the D? the PK? idk … if we stay healthy we will impress and surprise alot of people!
4 Forwards on PP1 I am guessing that KO and Streit will play the point while Weight crashes the net/cycles low. That seems like a gamble but hopefully it pays off.
I like those lines. I still wish they’d move KO down from the point though. He always seems to do his best work on the PP when he’s playing down low on the left side.
Bergenheim needs to be on one of those units. Get Matt Moulson out of there please.
Looks like KO is up front, Weight on the point the way CB listed this. I like this first unit. I know KO can play the point but I like him better down low. And Weight is very accomplished on the PP point.
The second unit is interesting. It has to be better than the second unit from the other night with Park and Sim.
Interesting that they spent time working on this, as the PP was strong the other night. I hope they spent more time on defense in their own zone, which clearly needs work based on that 3rd period.
4- Why reunite Bailey with KO when he has shown a developing chemistry with JT and Moulson?
6- I think they are going to put him down low this year. Last year we saw both KO and Weight at the top but I am assuming Streit will be getting fed those tape-to-tape crisp passes by Dougie on the blue-line. Especially since MM-JT-KO have been gelling well down low.
This team will be a contender when Trent Hunter is no longer a power play option.
#6, what do you mean? Matt Moulson has been one of the better players on the team. He drives to the net and he creates scoring opportunities. Are you watching the same team that I am?
KO should not be on point. Weight plays well there.
Moulson deserves PP time b/c that line of him tavares, and okposo were our best line saturday.
Trust me moulson being watch closely, he slips and he not only will be off that line and PP, but he will probably be back in AHL.
Will whomever keeps mentioning Hillen please stock. aside from skating he is terrible. He has no business being a dman. Meyer is alot better than him and i would actually prefer even McDonald over him. He is next guy i would like to see not on this team.
For those of you interested hy isles look better in just first game alone. Its also b/c Andy Hilbert wasnt there wasting 18mins in a game. Good riddens.
Typo - its Whomever keeps mentioning Hiller please STOP.
#6 is definitely smoking crack. I agree with #9 as Moulson has been explosive on offense and keeping the top line intact on the powerplay will give JT, KO and MM some extra time to mesh and create scoring chances. I expect great things from Moulson.
So glad Weight is back. . He was solid at the point on the PP last season.
Seeing Tambellini at the point on one of those late PP’s opening night made me sick.
That first PP unit (KO, Tavares) had some pressure that was the best I’ve seen from any Islander PP in a long time on Saturday night. Very exciting stuff.
Why is gordon ramming schremp down our throats. He’s a small third or fourth liner at best. Bergie for now and thwn eventually comeau or nielsen should be on that second unit.
Hey Spartiarti…lay off the sauce and get on the spell check
looking forward to seeing what Shremp can bring to the table…and I like Wwigh on the PP with Ok playing forward as indicated by CB.
Schremp is most definitely not a 3rd or 4th liner in terms of talent and he does not do that job well
Anyone else get the impression that we have far more passers than shooters? KO’s a bit more of a passer than a shooter, same with Bailey, same with Weight and from what I understand same with Schremp… don’t really know if that’s a problem, but on the #1 unit it’s fairly obvious who will be your shooters and it’s somewhat easy to zone in and snuff out the PP that way
Reminds me of when we used to have Aucoin and Parrish, teams used to defend the former’s shot and the latter’s net presence…or how team’s always knew to play Tim Connolly for the pass… hope we find a way to keep teams guessing
Okposo knows when to shoot, he’s a great all around player.
wait, are we reading that right? Is Martinek given PP Time now? About time someone noticed Marty’s hard shot that has a 1 in 3 chance of causing injury to someone…
To Signit -
Is Martinek himself included in those odds?
I’m sure all of you were either at the game on Saturday or at least watched…
Kyle Okposo is turning into a very very dirty player. Him and JT together is awesome.
And i hope you all understand what I mean by dirty.
@22 Signit
1 in 3 chance of causing injury to himself.
I am in a totally different state of mind from you guys. While JT & KO should be on PP1, I hate that they are together at even strength. JT is going to make other players better, just like KO will. I think they should be seperated and balance out the potential scoring lines. Bailey will struggle without KO, unless Schremp can bury some chances.
#16- Playing the point on the PP is where Tamby scored most of his goals at Bridgeport. I wondered why Gordon would sit Tamby after a good first game, but seeing how it seems like Schremp will take his spot, I guess this is a way of trying to get the two to start battling harder for increase ice time. I hope this little competition will bring the best out of both players and not make either lose confidence.
CB,
Any idea of the line combos?
I guess this is what happens when you have a team stockpiled with good young talent, that other than a few are unproven at this level. I have no doubt that Schremp, Tamby, Bergy, and other can help this team on the PP, but unfortunately right now there just isn’t enough spots for all of them.
I think Bergy earned himself some PP opportunity with last years finish, no pun intended. He was certainly one of the brightest spots the second half. He has solid hands, good shot, strong on the puck, I think if one of the forwards on either line struggle, Gordon should look to him to fill in.
I wish there wouldn’t be so much bashing of players on this early in the season. It’s a young team people, give them a chance to get some chemistry, everyone isn’t at the same level of talent as KO and JT. It’s going to be fun watching this team get real good THIS SEASON.
I like the first PP combo, as I am a big proponent of keeping lines together for the PP. But I would definitely like to see Bergie, who has definitely EARNED PP time, get the nod over Schremp who just got off the plane.
Schremp may turn out to be something good for this team, but he is still just Robert Nilsson reincarnate right now… let him earn his spot.
So I hope you’re wrong on that CB.
I’d also like to see Weight taking the faceoffs with KO starting at the point… if they win the faceoff Weight can cycle into that position in the flow of play. KO proved he could play the point on the PP last year, and Weight is definitely a better presence on the dot.
Isles in 2010 @ #28 - Uh. It is a real shame that “young talent” such as Nate Thompson and Jeff Tambellini have to sit. As much as I’d like to believe that the Isles are chock-full of this young talent you speak of, I look at the roster and see a ton of mid-range prospects who could just as easily be misses as hits. And Tavares, Okposo, and Bailey. That is our team right now.
Wait wut? Well at least Sim wasnt on either of those PP line combos. FWIW I would rather see Sim scratched than Tamby. Just my opinion.
just a guess here but seems logical. I Believe Bergeheim not playing PP b/c his increase role on the PK. Both he and Park were our best Shorthander players. Both had multiple goals SH last season. thats why. So i dont think Bergie getting overlooked.
Schremp is just getting his chance to show he belongs. I can imangine he and Tamebellini competing for start as mention by someone here. Loser goes to bridgeport. I like some friendly competition.
Hopefully everyone can stay healthy now. *knock on wood*
When is Robert Neilsson coming back?
Its about time Thompson is a healthy scratch. I dont know what he brings to the table at all. Nice to see Shremp get a shot.
Developing chemistry between Moulson and anyone is ridiculous. The guy played one game. ONE, yes you read that correctly 1. So enough with the chemistry crap. Okposo and Bailey had chemistry the last 30 games last year and so did Comeau on that line. Now I wouldnt separate Okposo and Tavares just yet, but i wouldnt mind seeing a few other guys playing the other wing on that line. Lets not get ahead of ourselves and call Moulson the next best thing. Hes 26 and struggled getting time on a weak Kings roster for 2 years.
I have no idea why they keep sitting Hillen. Send him to Bridgeport if he isn’t ready yet. Him sitting in the stands is the last thing he needs at this point in his career. Definitely not sold on Gordon yet.
“What stuff?” Did Gordon fail to reply because he knows it has been discussed ad nauseam in the blogging and journalistic communities? Sometimes it’s okay NOT to dig the nail deeper.
It’s refreshing to be hearing who the healthy scratches are instead of the Bridgeport call ups.
Let’s take a step back. 3 legit top 6 forwards….JB, KO, JT… Bergenheim? Maybe… Moulson….not likely, but we’ll see. Comeau? No chance. Schremp? Maybe. We need to recognize this season is for figuring out who is and isn’t…. Next year? Figure out if Joenssu, Martin, or the 2010 first round choice is a top 6. Hopefully be then we have 6, cause we have a bunch of good (cheap) third and fourth line players. Defense? Another story… Streit and de Haan top pair D, Hamonic? Maybe. Klementyev? Who knows. After that lots of uncertainty. BUT it is fun watching the rebuild take shape!!!!
Why is everybody high on Schremp?
He got released by Edmonton.
It is not like they are Cup Contending team.
Busts are a dime a dozen!
Moulson not a top 6? All-American at Cornell. Averaged over a point a game over 4 year NCAA career. Was Big Red captain on team that took NCAA champs (Wisconsin) to triple OT in Regionals. Manchester was best PP in AHL, over 25% last two years. MM put up top 10 rookie numbers (G&A) in 22 games with Kings in 2007-8, mostly on fourth line. Injured last year, Kings mishandled him, Gordon coached against him in AHL and knew it. Islanders stole him. Give them credit.
Thanks 42! I’ll take that and run with it. I have high hopes for him as well. Still ranked last by most, these Isles may surprise!
Jury’s definitely out on Schremp no question but the guy’s had a whopping 7 games in the NHL largely because Edmonton wouldn’t give him a chance.
Not that I’m making this comparison directly between the two but asking why we’re high on him would have been like asking Vancouver why they were so high on Bertuzzi 10 years ago when he couldn’t cut the mustard on our less-than-juggernaut offense then…ditto for Jokinen when we dumped him off to Florida or Torres to Edmonton, etc etc
Think we’re high on Schremp because we don’t think it’s his talent holding him back from sticking in the NHL and talent at forward is something we sorely need.
Plus I’d like to believe it’s someone else’s turn to mismanage talent and our turn to find the diamond in someone else’s rough. Hope his and Tamby’s mutual underachievement cancels out instead of compounding each others’ further…
OK, thats fine. Lets just hope we dont go to a sootout, as JT is the best we got for that … right Scotto?!
We looked great the opening night!! We will be fighting for a playoff spot no doubt.
oh yea and i love richard park. he is so under rated
Schremp deserves pp time if he is showing something during practice. It isn’t the place he is most likely going to score, because we have NO basis for that kind of speculation. I hope Schremp works out, but if he doesn’t how many Schremp fans will start castrating Garth for picking him up?