SAN JOSE 4, ISLANDERS 1
Post-Game Plus/Minus by Kevin Schultz
10:45 pm – Joel Rechlicz, after playing a little over a minute tonight and about six minutes over three games, has been returned to Bridgeport. The Islanders do not play again until Wednesday. Last time the Islanders did this, they brought him back the day of the next game. Rechlicz is on a two-way contract.
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9:50 pm: Well, the better team won tonight. There’s no doubt about that. The Islanders played well but they were, in fact, outplayed. The following are my final plus/minus for the night.
Minus: 1:08 of ice time for Wrecker is a joke. That’s not helping him or the team.
Minus: MSG Phas a poll asking viewers who will be Islanders’ MVP this season. John Tavares, nowhere to be found. Um, really?
Plus: A solid effort from the troops. They were simply outplayed by a better team.
Minus: Would have liked to see them take advantage of a sluggish start by the Sharks more.
Neither here nor there: Announced attendance was 11,287. Kinda upsetting for a Saturday night against one of the league’s best. Then again, the Yankees are in the playoffs and the Islanders are winless.
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8:50 pm: Well, that was a quick and decisive turnaround for the Sharks. Two nice plays by the Sharks, one missed offsides — funny how the TV commentators up in the booth saw it — and Martinek catching an edge result in two goals for San Jose. Doug Weight rung a nice shot off the post at the end of the period but close doesn’t count so the Isles head to the third trailing by one. Thornton and Marleau made nice plays and I’m trying not to be a homer, but I think those were two bad breaks for the Isles.
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7:45 pm: Hello, folks. It’s been a while but I’m back to fill in for CB as he’s in New jersey for NHL FanHouse – where we work together. I’ll be chiming in during the intermissions and after the game with my thoughts. In the meantime please feel free to let me have it/agree with me in the comments.
Plus: The Islanders came to play tonight and were the better team in the first.
Minus: The Sharks have not arrived as of this moment.
Plus: Sean Bergenheim is never short on energy or effort.
Minus: Didn’t have the luck of the draw to be paired with Mr. #1 but ya gotta get on the scoresheet someday, kid.
Plus: Kyle Okposo.
Plus: The Islanders have the makings of a legit first line.
Minus: The Islanders don’t have anything else too exciting.
Minus: Please, let’s stop with the “Fire Gordon” stuff. The addition of John Tavares should not make the coach’s future the “playoff-or-else” kind. The failure of this team is not a complete indictment of his system, philosophies or abilities (and if it is, remember we’re only 5 1/3 games in). Furthermore, who is out there that will do better?
Comments on tonight’s game.
125 Responses to SAN JOSE 4, ISLANDERS 1
Post-Game Plus/Minus by Kevin Schultz
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Welcome Schultzy … I agree with all your plus and minuses … although I’m not ready to condemn Gordo yet … I think he’s gotta make adjustments with his game plan late in the game or 3rd period collapses will become as much a trademark of the Isles as late comebacks have become a trademark of the Yankees.
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Blizzard says: ….Ill say one thing Tavares is going to make all the losing almost palatable. He seems to look more at home in the NHL every game. Great chemistry with KO. Star in the making right in front of our eyes.
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shinkdew says:
I don’t think there is anything Gordon can do about the 3rd period collapses. I think the reasons for the collapses is the defensemens lack of puck handling skills. When the other team is down and increases the pressure on the d-men, they fold up like a cheap lawn chair. Their puck handling goes from bad to worse, the turnovers increase and the puck ends up in the Islanders net.
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With all those great chances the Isles had on the power play at the start of the 2nd not one shot recorded on goal … that just shows you how important that stat is. LOL!
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TuxTax says:
Welcome back…upset the Isles let in that second goal, but so happy to see a childhood friend score his first NHL goal…so conflicted(oh yeah and where was the tripping call on Thorton?)
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eastonhockey says:
Gordan has to go I am sorry. If a team is going to spend no money on talent upgrades like the Montreal expos, Pittsburgh pirates, they need to get a coach who emphasizes the boring defense first (trap). The isles Simply can’t be in last place all season, have a big draft party in June, then spend no money again next summer and come back with Gordan again. Thats unaceptable.
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Bri on Li says:
Can someone give me some insight as to why Radek Martinek is playing as if he’s a 40 year old with a bad back?
Otherwise, I feel pretty good about this team, at least for the distant future…
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Islesfan_in_Vancouver says:
gotta say…Martinek is having a brutal night. Gave away the puck for the second goal, and then screened Biron for the third. I have no idea why he decided to move right in front of Biron on that pk.
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as to #7…we had a trap coach in Nolan and that was some of the most boring hockey I’ve watched in a long time. I’d much rather see them skating and learn to be creative offensively, even if it hurts us at times. The trap is not fun hockey and it’s not the way to develop young talent. It’s a way to hide your lack of talent behind a boring style of play. I hate watching it and Tavares would have a hell of a lot less points in that kind of system.
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NYIFAN09 says:
Why waste a line-up slot on Reichlicz when you can play Tambellini or even recall JJ or Smith from BST?
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i say send rechlicz out there right now and have him sucker punch thornton, of course im saying that now after a few beers…Lets go Yank..I mean Islanders
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Will C. says:
Something about Gordo has me worried. This team doesn’t seem to be entirely bought in.
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Jim M says:
hahaha I can’t believe this team is going to be worse than last season. I don’t even bother getting mad with this team anymore its just too funny and sad.
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I think the experiment with schremp is just about over though. Bring up Trevor Smith, waive schremp and move weight back to center.
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tom t says:
how much more of this is it going to take before Gordon starts feeling some heat? I hear Ted Nolan is still available.
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garik16 says:
This might be the worst team i’ve ever watched. Worse than last year.
We have one line that’s pretty good and 3 lines of just awfulness. Poor Richard Park is surround by dregs, and 4 D men are just AWFUL.
please, can i get some relief.
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The Ice Man says:
How and when will the Isles get some quality D-Men? What is the timetable for the guys in the system? We need big, yet mobile, D-Men who can take the body, block shots and make break-out passes. They exist as other teams have ‘em, why don’t we?
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BringBackNyles says:
When do we play the Leafs?
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NickyL says:
Wow…the boos were loud at the end. Well, sadly, they deserve it.
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gino says:
when does the draft edition of the hockey news come out? if the rangers have del zotto and gilroy, how come we can’t have de haan and harmonic?
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Brian in VA (visiting the parents in MD) says:
Found the game on channelsurfing.net… Maybe I shouldn’t have… 0-3-3… My prediction of not winning until 11/7 vs. ATL might actually happen.. This is by far the worst team I’ve watched in years… Those mid to late 90′s teams at least had talent. McCabe/Chara/Palffy et. al. This team had one line and 1 defenseman…
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George. Dyker Heights.Brooklyn says:
Unfortunately we will probably lose against toronto. I want to hear Gordo tonight-We had good chances on net- can someone slap him besides the head.
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Strummer's Army says:
Preach on #18, Amen!
Plus: Isles fans at the game booing and letting the team, Gordon and Snow know thier efforts are far from enough.
Minus: Several guys on a team without a win floating and not playing hard.
Plus: Okposo, Tavares, Moulson, Bailey, Bergy, Comeau.
Minus: Why is the Arena entertainment crew playing soft music like Pink and other “POP” performers? Let’s create some intensity.
Minus: Gordon cutting Rieclecz and Jackman’s ice time without reason. He certainly doesn’t know how to get the most out of his players. Perhaps a fight earlier in the game could have woken the Isles and the crowd up. Then he sends Jackman at the end but not Riechelcz. Gotta have a really strong mind to not have Gordon kill your confidence.
Plus: The “Did you know feature”. That is so much better then Egg Levine.
How long can Garth Snow sit on his hands?
I am thankful for youtube so I can continue to remind myself how great Taylor Hall is and thankful for pointblank that provides superior coverage to the Isles own website. These things make the pain of watching a team that hasn’t even competed the last few games easier.
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beatlebailey says:
i was at the coli left in third when we were down 3-1. Maybe 11k at best in the house. We are worse than last year. The defense is HORRIBLE…walk in the house and the angels tie the yankees…WTF!!
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I hate to say it too cause I thought Gordon had the team progessing toward the middle to end of last year, but he has got to GO! Anyone have Laviolettes number?
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I know it is still early but watching the Isles is getting boring. I find myself channelsurfing now, I would never do that during a game. Some guys rave about this system we are playing and say it’s exciting, Where!! As much as I can’t stand them I catch myself sneaking in ranger games to hopefully see if they are losing, but unfortunately not, they are exciting to watch though. Yea, Tortorella sucks.
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GARTH MUST GO!
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battfist says:
They dnt have the players yet.
Our first line can compete…but Gordon is scrambling to get production from a second and third line. Im smelling trade once DP is healthy…multiple players.Hillen has earn more games…
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brian b says:
I’m sorry. Did I miss something? Were the isles supposed to be a contender this year? Why are we all over gordon? Another coach will make no difference. He might eek out a few more wins but what does that do? Gordon isn’t going anywhere and he shouldnt
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Blizzard says:
….well…….who is this Taylor Hall kid?
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Screw Taylor Hall, we need a D Man.
Also, if i see Tim Jackman on the ice for a PK ever again i’m going to find Gordon and hit him.
Just plain awful. WHY?! WHY?!
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ds says:
I honestly think we should boycott going to anymore games this season. We need to send a message to wang that we as fans are not total idiots. We understand when an owner is trying to sell us a lemon. Why pay for this product we are being sold? The only problem is that I’m sure wanger will blame “the building” and use the horrible attendance to push the pipe dreamhouse project. Shame on you wang for what you are doing to us fans and JT we are sorry you have to play with this AHL caliber team.
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Gordon stinks. Our D (except Streit) stinks. Many (thankfully not all) of our forwards stink too. So basically the team stinks. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the team, but boy are we hard to watch. Really, the team’s defense needs a complete overhaul. Maybe when Hunter and Nielsen return and if Tamby can ever get into the lineup our offense will score more consistently, but for now our top line is really good but the secondary scoring is non-existent.
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BillyBC says:
I just dont know why this team cant rebuild while putting a solid team together, many teams do this. We could have picked up a few FA’s and put out 2 solid lines with a bigger defense….
Just mismanagement in order to save a few dollars
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The New Isles GM says:
It’s sad that I chose to save 16 dollars(student discount) and stay home and watch the game. I wish as a fan I had more confidence going into the games. I can only imagine what Okposo and Tavares are thinking right now….I feel bad for them.
PS – Why is Jackman fighting if Rechlitz was brought up?
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pritchett54 says:
should we take taylor hall or this russian kid who is supposed to be terrific, i dont want a defensemen. I always feel that great defensemen can be found in FA and later in the draft, the really great offensive players are always picked top 5. I want more goal scoring.
Is this Moulson for real? Does he now have more goals than tambelinni as an islander?
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Dominic says:
I blame Gordon 100%. It is the job of the Coach to find a way to win and stop the blood. These guys have some skills. If they can put together a decent 1st period than they should have no issue sustaining it throughout the game an maintain some consistency. Sorry but it is sissy hockey! He should be on these guys to finish there Checks and play with some grit…instead he has them all chasing the puck with no rhynme or reason like first year kindergarteners on a baseball team.
Sorry but we did better with Nolan and less talent on the team! -
Jim S. says:
Gordon has a team with a fragile psychy. He needs to learn when to call timeouts. They were doing well until SJ scored and then were outshot 9-1 until SJ scored again. He needs to call a TO there to settle the troops down and try to get them back to the way the were playing earlier in the game.
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Newsday just put up a story that Suffolk wants the Islanders if LHP fails and talk of building an arena on the Pilgrim Psych Grounds.
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The Long Beach AppleCore Squirts during the first intermission were more exciting. GO LBAC!
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NICK says:
I was at the game, and the isles played a great 1st period, and then for the 2nd and 3rd they came out like a whole different team.
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marklawrence says:
This could have been October of 08. Explain.
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mike 8 says:
Bailey is struggling big time and so far it seems the money should have been spent on a forward or dman instead of two goalies. Bring back Danis! lol.
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TwistedWrister says:
I think a roster shake-up is in order. At this point our “veterans” are not helping us in any way. It’s been all kids thus far. So why not send a few to the press box and give a young, hungry kid a chance? Martin/Joensuu/Smith/etc.
Gotta be better than giving Wrecker 1 minute and watching Park on the PP. -
isles316 says:
Plus: the first period
Minus: everything else, especially Rechliz playing for 2 shifts. Why!?
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Mike says:
We should start something new. Post your 3 most invisible players for the night. Mine are: Richard park (did he play?) rechlitz sutton. I thought meyer was horrible. Setoguchi mad him look like a statue in the third.
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Tonight, was bad, even I said it but they did play San Jose who is about 10 years ahead of us in their rebuild
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just got home from the game.I want a refund on my season tickets, I want Witt to Bridgeport, now… Two silly penalties that cost us goals. JT + KO = Future… The rest of the team can go screw themselves including coach and owner. I believe if he had a resources, Snow would’ve get a couple of D-men and a Forward or two. So far Islanders sucks and I didn’t expect that to be honest.
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Merrick says:
Tonight’s crowd was bigger than I thought and was into the game. There was only one LH ad on the jumbotron–right after the pre-game skate. Btw, the pre-game skate music is about as lame as could be.
Not much to add beyond that noted already. The depth on this team is so incredibly weak. Apart from Streit, no one on the blue line is better than a 6. I even believe Chris Campoli would look good right now.
Plus: Tavares, Okposo, and Moulson
Minus: In only six games, we have lost in every imaginable way
a) OT
b) Shootout
c) Blowing a three goal lead
d) leading in the 3rd
e) coming back to tie in the 3rd
f) leading after one
g) leading after two
h) scoring first
i) trailing the entire game
j) day game at home
k) night game at home
l) night game on the roadPlus: We have not lost a road day game
Minus: we have not played a road day game.38 more home games to attend. God help me.
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Cs says:
Im useually not one to get mad at a coach..but truthfully..something has to be done about Gordon…I understand this team was not going to be a contender this year..we still have young guys that need to develop..but i am seeing NO progress at all! Gordon’s system is failing misreably…this is not a system to play in the NHL..i don’t know if maybe Gordon wants to be differnt with his way of playing..but theres a reason why other teams are winning, and we are not (with the exception of toronto)..i really don’t want to go to any games..and this is a season when they need fans to go..they need the isles to stay on long island and fans showing up shows just a little bit more how important it is. I don’t understand why Gordon has not changed the lineup at all! Besides moving Weight to Wing when he’s been a Center his whole career! Recliez should not have been playing, especially after his stupid penatly he took last night..there needs to be more discipline!
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Joe says:
Im beginning to hate this team. What kind of nonsense is 1:08 of ice time for Wrecker? What is Gordon thinking? When the team needs a spark in the second, thats what hes there for.
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Bobnystrom711OT says:
Adda boy Gordo, way to use that TIMEOUT as your team had the lead, and you witnessed the usual breakdown right before your eyes..
What a darn shame this is happening to us AGAIN, right from the top to a lousy head coach. Almost looks like they are losing on purpose, seriously. This stinks…
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islesfan999 says:
Trade Park already. Trade Sim. Bring in some size!!!! We need some toughness and size!!!!
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Michael from Toronto says:
To be honest, with the exception of the last 2 games, they haven’t played too bad. With some luck, they could have started 4-0,but that is how it goes.
I really think this team needs to desperately upgade the defence (IMO Hillen looked good) and also get some scoring from other lines. The first line is set and has been great. Bergie, Bailey and fine (although they have not produced), but they need a right winger with size and who can score. Park should not be playing with Bailey on the second line. He belongs on the 4th line with Jackman and Thompson/Tabellini/Scremp/Sim.
Sorry for long post CB, but as a long time die-hard fan it is getting frustrating to see another attempt at a rebuild that may never get the finnish line.
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nyislanders93 says:
Plus: Kyle Okposo, John Tavares, Matt Moulson
Minus: The rest of the team
This team is looking awful off the start. The offense has NOTHING aside from the top line. Their defense is garbage. Witt looks worse than ever. Martinek is playing terrible. Streit isn’t where he left off last season. The team lacks toughness, size, and grit. Aside from Moulson, not one player gets to the front of the net and battles for rebounds/positioning/screens. It looks like another bottom of the league finish.
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art says:
DP may be a bigger factor than thought just a few weeks ago, The two starting goalies are not entirely to blame but they up to now are no better than our two guys last year. If DP can come back and stop pucks, remember he also has a way of rallying the players and the fans.
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Merrick, I couldnt have said it better myself! Do we have 12 forwards? or just 3 forwards and 9 plastic hockey men from bubble hockey?
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rob d says:
Minus: Kevin Shultz’s analysis of game!
Minus: Scott Gordon’s coaching!
Minus: Garth Snow as GM!
Minus: Charles B. Wang owning team!
Minus: NVMC!
Minus: Every excuse I’ve heard about NYI!
Minus: Josh Bailey! He is a bust!!!
Minus: Witt! He doesn’t want to be here!
Minus: Roloson!
Plus: Okposo-Tavares-Moulson
Plus: Biron
Minus: every d-man except Streit!!
Minus: This season!
Plus: The #1 pick at 2010 Draft!
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billy says:
plus- hillen, tavs, KO, moulson,
minus- martinek, sim, jackmanplus- bailey has shown some effort in 2 straight games
minus- catching an edge or not, martinek doesnt play with confidence anymore and tries to avoid any collisions into the boards because of his shoulder injuriesput tambs in already, i’m sure even at his worst he’s better than wreckers 1:08 icetime
we HAVE to trade for a good dman or draft one, our current d is really holding us back
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61- How is Jackman a minus?
Besides the first line and when the fourth line tough guys are hitting or fighting, there is no heart, thats whats wrong.
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streit02 says:
Teams in a tough spot right now. I was about to post that after 25 games some major decisions need to be made on certain players, but after thinking quickly, if anyone is moved there is no one to take their place. Trevor Smith will eventually get his shot this year, but theres really no one else in Bridgeport thats ready to step in and play. Plus, the players who need to have decisions reached on them hold no trade value. Looks like we’ll be stuck with this team until the trade deadline. Its pretty alarming that besides the first line of Okposo, Moulson and Tavares, there are only 2 forwards on teh team that have more than 1 point after 6 games. Hunter and Weight who each have 2. More alarming is that out of everyone on the team(besides the 1st line) not one person plays with a sense of urgency or intention to be a difference maker. No one is skating hard, no one is opening anyones eyes with physical play, everyone is just coasting. I understand this is not a good team, but theres no excuse for a methodical approach to every game. Everything must be earned.
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Jim says:
I am forutnate enough to have been “in the house” during all 3 home cups wins. And I have seen many, many exciting games over the years. Unfortunately I have not seen very many meaningful games over the last few years and my trips to the Coliseum are getting more and more boring. Maybe I’m getting old but at tonight’s game I had trouble staying awake! I see one good line that took at least 2 years to build. So I guess it will take 4 more years to build two more lines then do we start on the defense? By that time Okposo and Tavares might be free agents whom we can’t afford. I fear I will never see another contending Islander team.
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Matt says:
i love the islanders but this in fact is a mickey mouse organization.
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Alan says:
At the game tonight, I knew the Islanders were going to lose coming out of the 1st period up 1-0. They had a bunch of chances that they couldn’t bury and against talented teams like SJ that’s not going to cut it. Our defense cannot hang with anyone in the league. Witt and Sutton are slow, and the rest are small. None of them have been able to shoot, including Streit.
For those of you saying Gordon should be fired, I would like to ask…who should replace him? Everyone in the league is trying to play this style. The Islanders have nobody, outside of the first line, that can do anything right now. Guys that Snow counted on like Bailey, Comeau, Bergenheim, etc…have sucked. When Jon Sim is on the 2nd PP unit, you know things are bad. Guys like him, Park, Jackman — those are 4th line players, and they’re getting big minutes.
I read one reader’s comments on a different post his take on why the Islanders have been bad. Rightly so, he blamed Wang. Something has got to give here. Do the New York Islanders have any sense of organizational direction? — from the looks of it…no.
Let’s hope this Lighthouse fiasco gets resolved soon so Wang can focus on putting a better product on the ice, because as we all know — this is not going to hack it!
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oh yeah, why is there this anti-gordon sentiment now? look what he has to work with, the fact that we are in any game is pretty phenomenal if u ask me.
this team would be entirely different if we just had quicker, smarter passing defenseman.
to say that gordon should already be fired is saying that you expected us to win the cup this year. come on guys, we arent going to be a serious threat for awhile, no matter who coaches this collection of players.
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Chris Mc says:
Im going to stop reading the comments because you guys are ridiculous. And there is no need whatsoever to attack Schultzie. If you dont like it, stop reading.
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ant says:
Its the same story every game our defense is awfull and after our first line we have an average second line and nothing after that.Why is Sim on this team and enough with this Scremp.He was released by the oilers and now I see why send him down give Martin,Smith or Joensuu a chance.Park on our play please Gordan and Snow come on wake up.Get rid of some of some of this dead weight and bring up kids with size and grit.End of last yr we saw improvement now this is just unbearable to watch.
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Question: Did anyone here expect the Isles to make the playoffs this year?
Question 2: If you answered logically by saying no, why are we getting all crazy that they lost again?
I know its tough to see that they haven’t won a game yet…but there’s no doubt they were gonna have a streak like this during the season, and will probably have a few more.
Gordon is fine…he’s doing his job…the only thing I wanna see him maybe do is mix and match lines during the game. I know Moulson-Tavares-Okposo has been great, but if we are losing in a game and need a spark, why not switch things up and put Okposo with Bailey and Tavares with Weight?
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# 57 Rob d, your’e right on the money could’t have said it better.Yesterday’s womens hockey on hockey channel was better watching. And for all you guys who are still talking about get rid of him pick up that one, WAKE UP we had our biggest chance in the summer and did not do anything because the whole franchise is up in the air.
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There is no point calling for gordon’s head. He was the only one willing to take the job. Do you think any of the other candidates who were interviewed were willing to work for the clueless dream team of wanger/snow. Do you think it was an accident we got the least qualified man for the job?
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remember it was Wang himself on Mike and the Maddog, who said that this think tank with Garth and the gang would prove a success and if not, he was to blame.
Well Charles, it’s been three years, and it’s been a disaster..in the words of Mad Mike, is it “off with the head?
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Zarley Z says:
To those of you calling out Schremp, I didn’t think he had such a bad game.. I thought he actually made a few nice passes on the powerplay that just weren’t converted.
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max says:
cant everyone see the future
Hall-Tavares-Okposo
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corey says: and welcome mr schultz
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stopthepain says:
Watching tonight it occured to me – we are the Detroit Lions of the NHL. Perpetual rebuilding…
About Bailey – He is NOT a bust at all. If you watch him play, he actually does make great passes and sees the ice well. They drafted him to be an Adam Oates type of player. Problem is, the guys he is passing to are not finishers and don’t have second line skill.
The first line has major potential.
Streit (who actually had a bad game tonight) is our only legit D man. Witt, Sutton, and Martinek are past their prime. I think Witt is already -9, or something like that. Hillen looked fast, but needs to be teamed with a skilled partner to cover his lack of size.Tyler Pyatt, here we come.
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Zteller says:
minus: being on msg plus 2 2 nights in a row
plus: taylor hall -
Good one #73..Milbury = Matt Millen.
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jonsson3 says:
# 40 Right on the nose!
This team was playing great until Witt lost his stick and took a really lame interference penalty by hugging a shark!
SJ scores on that power play and it was all over.
This guy is stealing $ from the Isles.
Plus: Tavares, Okposo, Moulson,
How long are we going to give Bergy and Bailey before they start looking like even 1/2 of what Tavares and Okposo are. These guys really have to step it up or go to Bridgeport. moulsen and schremp come here for 6 games and they look better.
Hopefully Fransie can help this team wake up.
Tie 3, Lose 3, Now win 3!!!!!!!
Lets go Isles! 1940 forever!!
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@#68 No didn’t think we would make the playoffs BUT in the last three games we have NOT SHOWN UP! This Gordon system is a JOKE! Additionally, we have a Mickey Mouse GM and Coach… Even if the LH is approved the Isles still have Snow as another clueless GM. This rebuild will take Years meaning 10+ because we are a running NHL joke… Why do my favorites teams torture me year after year! I will still be loyal…
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Ajax says:
minus – Optimum claiming to have ALL NY sports teams in HD
minus – Gordon. Thisis the best coaching the man has to offer, theteam needs better, esp the kids
minus – the goaltending, I can’t help but to think it is THAT much better than last year … just costs more
minus – 80% od our D
plus – JT, Kyle, Moulson
plus – #1 draft pick next year
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Mike for Philly says:
11,000 is not disappointing. This team sucks, who the hell wants to waste their money and drive to Uniondale on a night like tonihgt when the Yankees are on. This franchise is really in a bad spot, I have been a die-hard forever yet I find myself not caring anymore. 15 years of crap will do that to you, the Islanders have become so irrelevant in NY it is disgusting. I have no faith in management or ownership to ever do the right thing. Outside of Tavares and Okposo the rest of this lineup is laughable.
Rant Over….
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Tim F. says:
Plus: I didn’t have to watch any of this awful game, because I was assembling my new leaf sweeper in my garage.
Minus: That I’d rather assemble a leaf sweeper than watch the Isles. I suspect this is a feeling that will be spreading if the Isles don’t win a game soon.
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Jamerson says:
Lots of minuses, no need to repeat them. However, looking forward, I think we need to mix up the bottom three lines. I thought each of Bailey, Bergenheim, and Comeau had some positive moments, but as a line they aren’t putting it together. I’d be curious to see something like the following, with veteran presence on each line:
Bergenheim – Bailey – Weight
Park – Schremp – Comeau
Tambellini – Jackman – Sim -
Stu B. says:
Fiasco? Mess? Insulting to one’s intelligence? Pick your negative adjective, they all fit. Hard to watch this and for someone who’s been through the start, the beginning, the glory years and all the ups and downs since, this is shaping up to be the biggest nightmare since 1974. There is ZERO to be happy about, other than Tavares. KO may be a nice 2nd liner sooner rather than later, but that’s about it. Bailey is a 3rd liner at best and that’s it – the rest is waiting to develop, IF they actually develop.
Those of you who wish to look at things with the glass half full, I commend you for the ability to do so…but this? This is a waste of time, emotional energy and money – that is if you are brave enough to actually go to a game.
This is sad, sad point in Islander history, both on and off the ice.
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Plus – JT’s underrated playmaking ability; KO’s determination; ONLY 76 games left in the season
Minus – A defense thats needs major rebuilding; Getting teased by the reto jerseys (they better become perm. next season)
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Doug says:
Brendan Witt just gets worse every game. He’s slow, isn’t as physical as he used to be, and takes bad penalties. I used to love the guy, but it’s time for him to go.
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Lets Go Isles says:
Where do I begin…Wrecker only playing 1 minute maybe even less is a total joke. We were man handled at certain times during the game and it is obvious that the lack of size needs to be addressed. This NEEDS to be addressed…answers certainly not easy but it’s gotta be addressed.
Sutton, welcome back but please get better so we can trade you for picks or something. Too many times tonight did I see him out skated by men his OWN size!
Bergie, I love the kid but can we teach him how to come into the offensive zone directly and stop trying to over finesse. Oh and shot the puck!!! He goes out of his way to come into the zone and is either offsides, causes his teammates to go offsides, or has the puck taken away.
Okposo you never ever disappoint me! He played unbelievable again! He’s definitely gotten better and tougher!
JT we need to get him some support out there and feed the kid he’s getting pushed off the puck by the bigger guys out there! He’s going to be a great player as will Moulson but we’re a long ways from being a consistent team!
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Staten Islander says:
they need another line to score besides the tavares/okposo/moulson line
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I suggest Gordon postpones practices for a while, gives the guys some time off and have them practice shooting in their driveways and have them use their mother-in-laws put on the pads. Hopefully they’ll get better with shots on goal.
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Lance79 says:
I think we’re all frustrated because there’s a lot of deadwood on the team. Moreover, it’s not like every game it’s a 5-0 deficit after one period, we’re in the game… I listened to the SJ feed for the first period and 5 minutes of the second and they were RIPPING the Sharks saying the Isles were all over them. We’re frustrated by what we see as flashes of dominance which is actually a good sign.
If we’re still playing hard starting off this game after losing the previous 5 in a row, I don’t think Gordon’s doing too bad a job; playing Rechlitz for two shifts when Tamby could use some confidence and some games, now that’s another matter.
We get teased into thinking we’re better than we really are and tricked into forgetting we’re likely headed for a dead last finish.
And man did some of our veterans get bad in a hurry; the D and goaltending which I thought would be our strengths have been non-existent; what the hell happened to Witt?? Martinek?? Sutton?? Even Streit hasn’t seemed himself. No offensive pressure better than 3rd line finisher talent beyond the top line. If we need a shakeup, it’s on the back end and in goal.
I’ve said it before, beyond the top line we’re a bunch of PASSERS: Weight, Schremp, Bailey…we need someone who can score off a good pass but we haven’t one yet. BTW for those getting on Bailey, Nikita Filatov this year has a whopping ONE goal on a much better Columbus team.
With guys like Ness, Harmonic and DeHaan still years away from prime time, we need real stopgaps and it’s painfully evident that on our current D, only Streit and perhaps Hillen are worth keeping. Free agents would be nice but I’m certain that there’s no way we sign big free agents until we figure out the arena situation one way or the other. Can we start the “we want Ricky” chants yet?
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Mike (82) is right. I have no desire to go to a game, living out in Rockland. I just don’t want to give Wang my money. I catch the Isles when they play in NJ but that’s about it.
And maybe they can’t control this, but not showing games in HD and letting themselves become part of Dolan’s marketing ploy…give me another reason not to tune in ..brilliant.
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Apologies to all the guys who love their mother-in-laws
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gcman says:
I didn’t think it was possible but they are significantly worse than last year. Hopefully Ricky gets back before the trade deadline then we can trade Rolo and Biron and bring up whatever goalie looks the best at Bridgeport, because frankly it doesnt matter whether we lose 4-1 or 8-1. If toronto wasnt so darn bad I would say that we are assured the 1st pick next year…
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Starscream says:
Okposo had an amazing game tonight, and JT looks more comfortable every game. Gordon is doing the best he can with what he’s got. Until he has a decent team can’t say he’s a good or bad coach. Bailey needs a finisher to play with, it’s time to put him with Okposo and Comeau, and move Weight to the first line. Yes, the TOM line is great, but no secondary scoring equals losses. We need a one-two punch and moving Okie down will do that. Our D is awful, but Snow can’t do anything about that until DP is healthy and we can package Witt or Sutton with Biron or Roloson. No free agent Dmen were standouts anyway, and we didn’t have the coin for Gilroy (Snow tried).
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Starscream I thought Gordon was brought here to bring the best out of these guys like tamby. It hasn’t happened yet, I guess he isnt the best then for this job
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One last word then I’m done. Despite the 0-3-3 start, I maintain that things are better than last year; we’re still burning away in the crucible that started last season purifying the team… no more Comrie, no grouchy Campoli, no more sulking Guerin and if Snow has any sense soon no more Witt or Sutton or Martinek, guys who were odd men out once we went young and we ditched Ted Nolan.
JT’s here and he’s looking awesome, KO’s getting better, Moulson’s a nice surprise, and Bailey will get out of the sophomore slump… as for the 2010 draft, who knows? Best of all, that LA game aside we’re playing really really hard and flat out dominating in stretches (albeit only stretches). NIce to have no expectations no?
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Eastonhockey says:
I think the fans who still give Wang money by going to games while he cuts payroll to lowest in hockey are helping islanders lose. Wang has no incentive to spend millions on free agents any more. If I am Tavares I’m already asking my agent about how he let me sign with this organization
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As far as vault the guys not good now. Stats don’t lie for a finnese player. Vault is unable to take shots on net isn’t strong and won’t get asists since Wang won’t sign free agents. They shoulda kept bill guerin for baily. But bill guerin makes more then shremp so we get the shremps of the world
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91
Filitov has been a healthy scratch for several games because columbus is a much better team… For what its worth I’ve seen Filitov play at the AHL level and he reminds me of Mogilny but smaller. -
doc says:
Hillen is our best D-man. Good for Jack Hillen… bad for the Islanders.
Sim was brought in to agitate. The only people he’s agitating are Islander fans… and hopefully the GM and coach of this same team.
Someone else said it before me… but Witt does NOT want to be here no matter what he says.
OUT with Sutton, Witt, Sim, Wrecker.
GOOD NIGHT ALL.
DOC
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Islesin2010 says:
I’m not going to make excuses for this team… Gordon, Snow and the players don’t deserve sympathy. At the same time, I am not turning in any white flags 6 games in, maybe I should, but I love this team too much.
KO and JT are extremely talented. That first period was highlight reel opportunity one after another. However, if you look at both players the rest of the game, they as well as the rest of the team looked completely spent, as if their legs physically could not churn any faster. I blame this on Gordon and Snow:
Having Rechlicz on this roster makes no sense. All he does is ruin the system Gordon has implied. His players have a hard enough time maintaining the same energy rolling 4 lines all game. When you have that waste of space on your bench playing 35 seconds a game you are essentially asking your players to complete a task that is impossible. With all these young kids in our system, there is no reason to not have them getting a shot, Jackman is our enforcer, deal with it folks.
I don’t want to get rid of Schremp. Hillen was the best defenseman on the ice… AGAIN tonight. Sim’s opening night shine has officially tarnished into nothing. And I am a firm believer Martinek’s strong skating will makeup for his miscues, he’s a good player, we know this, give it time. I thought Biron was solid tonight, none of the goals were his fault, made a couple sparkling saves. Bailey looked petrified out there. His shifts are short, he keeps the puck on his stick for .2 seconds at a time, and he shows panic anytime he puts himself in a good position. Wouldn’t call him a bust yet, still hasn’t played close to 100 games, give the kid time.
Lastly, the Islanders have to do a better job making these games better for the fans. I was there tonight and the Lighthouse/ cell phone crap was embarrassing. They had a video of Sparky hitting Jaws with a hockey stick, still no goal song that excites anyone. People need to get their act together, attendance will keep dropping.
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Look we all know this team isn’t any good, and we knew that going into the season. My issue with Gordon and Snow is that while guys like Jesse Joensuu, Trevor Smith, Andrew McDonald, Matt Martin and Calvin DeHaan are playing elsewhere, I am being subjected to watching 6 guys that have an ok chance at scoring while the others are just there because you have to have 21 men. I don’t understand why on a team that stinks, we have anyone only playing 3 shifts. I get it if you are down 2 goals in the 3rd. But theres no reason to not play all 4 lines in this league. Look at the Rangers. Brashear’s line scored 2 goals for them tonight. Bring some kids and give em ice time dammit
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One more thing – the most frustrating part of being an Islanders fan and the reason I compared them to the Detroit Lions is that for a portion of almost every game, we watch as the Islanders “jump” all over someone, but then the other team is almost always able to wake up and bury this team. That gives me a sense that we don’t even know how bad the Islanders really are, as other teams have yet to put in a 60 minute effort. Going to be a loooong rebuild folks…
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John C. says:
“Neither here nor there: Announced attendance was 11,287. Kinda upsetting for a Saturday night against one of the league’s best. Then again, the Yankees are in the playoffs and the Islanders are winless.”
I’m guilty, I was at the Yankee game
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Islebethere4u says:
minus – coaching
minus – team defense, not just the D
minus – Rechliz and jackman, don’t need either one
minus – gordon’s system, d should not have to face constant 3 on 2′s and 4 on 2′s because forwards keep getting caught playing too deep. -
Jim Clark says: Saying 11,287 were at the game is the kind of propaganda I’d expect out of Kate Murray. Please. My untrained eye says 6,000. Few lines at the bathroom, moving around the concourse was easy.
Game got off to a bad start because the Sharks came on the ice before the two Ice Girls with the banners got a chance to skate up and down the ice.
Plus Taveras are pretty good.
Minus Witt is atrocious
Plus Bailey made some nice passes
Minus Islanders not skilled to convert
Plus Visiontron showed Derek Jeter’s
Home Run
Minus Biron and Rolanson are worse and
more expensive than McDonald
and Danis.
Plus “Crowd” gave a loud applause,
cheers, standing for the
wounded Corporal Melendez.
Minus Goal score song is worse than ever.I left after the 4th Shark goal. Will be back for more punishment Wednesday
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thepolishprince says:
With regards to the 1st line comment the exect same thought went through my head. We have 2/3 of a nasty first line, so/so goaltending and NOTHING else. Bottom 5 here we come.
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I’m guilty of channel surfing between Isles in SD, and Yankees on FOX in HD … after the 4th goal I stayed with the Yankee game …. I’ll say this at the risk of sounding like a broken record.
Minus- The Isles’ roster isn’t chock full of NHL skilled players … the defense is already worn down 6 games in. I think Witt, Sutton and Marty are trying to relearn how to play a position they played for decades due to Gordo’s overspeed system.
Minus- There are way to many gaps between the defense and forwards b/c of this. Opposition penetrates the nuetral zone with impunity.
Minus- Over 6 games the Isles are outscored 4 GA to 2 GF in the first period. Even worse, they are outscored 10 GA to 4 GF in the third period as they break down.
Plus – They outscore opponents 7 GF to 6 GA in the 2nd period.
Huge Minus- Both NHL starting goaltenders’ save percentage is below 90%.
Plus – JT, MM, KO.
Promising – Bailey & Weight.
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joe fred says:
So Colorodo was supposed to be terrible this year and they are off to a 6-1 start! Sorry CB coaching is a big part of the equation, Gordon has not put the pieces together, the Av’s are not exactly world champs on paper when you look at their lineup but they are getting it done!
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bcarroll25 says:
anyone notice the vast difference in size throughout the two teams lineups? at one point in the third gordon had weight,sim and park on the same line, the little kids from long beach between periods looked bigger.and for the love of god please get someone here who can fight and take a regular shift before jackman’s face wears out the knuckles of the rest of the league.
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pat devlin says:
I really think Gordon should be canned and the Isles should bring back Laviolette he was a great coach and i am not a bit impressed with Gordon at all
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First we deffiently need DP back. The defence doesnt even make any effort to do their job, and they look like they dont know what to do. When the isles are in the other zone, there is NOBODY infront of the net. Thats redicoulas. And it all has to do with Gordons system. For the 2nd and 3rd period, they just kept dumping the puck in the sharks zone, and not even making efforts to chase it. This is getting redicioulas, and we need to make a change. We do not need Jackman or Rechilz, Do they score any goals? All of the isles fans poured out of the coliseum after the 4th goal.
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Steve says:
Another day off for this lazy team!
Priceless…
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The Truth says:
Avalanche – another win Atlanta – another win Islanders -another loss – DISGUSTING
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hockeynut says:
whole team sucks,exept a few young guys this rebuild could take ten years with these jerks running the team GO RYAN VESCE
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Its one thing to be upset about the effort of the team. Its another to start saying fire this guy, release this guy, trade that one, bring in this one, Snow and Wang are clueless, etc…The effort put forth by this team is not acceptable. However, people must realize that the Islanders have no options of bringing people in. A lot of the young guys on this team needed a good look. They are now getting it. I feel this is a lot of guys final chances to show what they have and decisions will be made on them. Although I am not impressed with these players (Comeau, Tambellini, Gervais, Schremp) filing their roster spot with a FA who is not going to make this team a contender would be pointless. And no Josh Bailey and Sean Bergenheim are not on that list. Bailey is still 20 years old and 3 weeks into his 2nd NHL season. If hes not showing improvement in his 3rd and 4th NHL seasons then there will be cause for concern. I believe a lot of changes will be made by the end of this season, but its still year “2″ of the rebuild. Its not 3 or 4 or 5 its 2. Rebuilding is using what you have at the time and draft high for a few years. Not signing FA’s to get your team to the middle of the pack adn just barely miss the playoffs every year. This team can not and will not be built around Free Agency. Please stop with all the finger pointing
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There wouldn’t be finger pointing and the beginnings of “fire the coach” rants if there was some sort of resemblence of a progression of play.
There is chaos on ice… incomplete breakouts out of the defensive zone, dump-ins without a forecheck, defensive zone laziness, breakdowns of effort, etc.
Loses are somewhat acceptable when you can see “outright” effort minus the desired end result of a win (during a rebuild) but there isn’t even a clear effort or organised playmaking.
DOC
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i think that bergenheim could be a star if hes on a line with goal scorers i wouold like to see bergy with tavares and okposo for one game even though moulson has been good. And why in the world does doug weight play the point on the powerplay that should be where hillen should play. Hillen is good
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Concerned Citizen says:
I don’t know what to say about Witt that would be nice, so I wont write anything at all.
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rich says:
gotta shake things up a bit. need more offense. okposo and bailey had some chemistry last season. maybe mix them up a bit to try to get 2 lines going. tavares will have moulson who really work well together. might as well try something. bailey needs a finisher not a 3rd line role.
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With the first pick in the 2010 NHL Draft The NY Islanders pick,left wing Taylor Hall.
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Jamie says:
I have nothing against Scott Gordon he’s a good coach for the AHL. His system is fine for the AHL not the NHL. I want him to do well but after the worst season since the very first year in 72, there’s something have to give. And as well as everyone knows you can’tFire the team the coach is always the first to go.
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geduffer says:
#40 – That would be the perfect place for it
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
we really have to stop being so negative. Even SJ said. Isles are a fast team. We just have not put it all together. 1st period. isles looked great. Would be nice if goaltending and defense could keep us in a game. I see a big isles in happening in one game this week.
The excuse of not signing big players doesnt cut it. Look at Toronto, Montreal. they both spent plenty. and they worse than us.
Hey Schultzie, nice to see you pinch hitting. Who do you think the first call up at forward is? Smith? Martin? Joensuu?