PRACTICE: Iceworks, 11.19.09: Witt Returns
Tambellini…Lines…Kill Filatov…How to get respect
12:30 pm - Brendan Witt will re-join the Islanders in Minnesota. He has not skated in a few days, so Andrew MacDonald will remain on the roster and could play in place of Witt against the Wild on Friday.
On behalf of the Country, I asked Scott Gordon what Jeff Tambellini needs to do to get back in the lineup. “He has to make sure that when he gets back in the lineup that he doesn’t give me any reasons to take him out,” said Gordon. “When you’re not scoring, you have to do the little things. He got a little off his game.” For now, Gordon is happy with the crew of forwards bringing home victories and points every night. No reason to change a thing.
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11:35 am - Before the Islanders leave this afternoon for Minnesota, Scott Gordon is getting a lot of teaching and fine-tuning in. After all, this is the team’s first complete practice with the full roster since last Tuesday, November 10.
In honor of the newest New York Knick…Practice?!!! Over-rated.
The lineup:
Bergenheim - Nielsen - Okposo
Mouslon - Tavares - Park
Sim - Bailey - Hunter
Comeau - Thompson - Jackman
(Schremp, Tambellini)
Sutton - Hillen
Streit - Gervais
Meyer - MacDonald
Roloson
Biron
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Darling Nikita: Somehow, many residents of Islanders Country are filled with glee and boasting about the tribulations of Nikita Filatov, who has chosen to go home and play in Russia for a million dollars rather than reside in the Columbus press box, Ken Hitchcock’s doghouse or Syracuse. Somehow, Filatov is cast as an underachieving brat. Somehow, Josh Bailey getting 25 points last season and being a fine young man translates into a brilliant move by the Islanders for passing on Filatov.
There are several holes that can be easily punched in that argument. When you consider the Islanders got extra draft picks to pass on Filatov and Luke Schenn, it’s a fun discussion that could continue for a decade. But I would suggest that some of the natives take it down a notch with the I-told-you-sos.
Do you think Bailey would be on the 20-man roster of the Columbus Blue Jackets this season?
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Fight the Powers: There are still a lot of Islanders fans who don’t seem to understand their own power. While this blog receives an insane amount of page views, while this blog’s readers inspired a major company like AOL to keep it alive, it’s time for Islanders fans to throw their weight around.
Over the last week of the Islanders’ month-long rise, I’ve received over a hundred emails complaining about a perceived lack of respect toward the franchise in the hockey media. Some are ticked the Islanders’ don’t rank higher in NHL power ratings. Some can’t believe John Tavares was recently snubbed on some TV panel. Some think it’s a joke the Islanders aren’t getting more coverage. Some are seething that Pierre Lebrun doesn’t have Kyle Okposo on his projected roster for Team USA.
I have a few reactions:
1. The Islanders are two games over .500 in a league in which somewhere between 21 and 25 teams will finish above .500, so it’s a little early for the Rodney Dangerfield stuff
2. Okposo needs to be on Brian Burke’s list, not Pierre’s
3. Whoop-de-damn-do
But most of all, instead of writing me or Katie or any of the Islanders’ bloggers out there, take your case to the media outlets that tick you off.
Want the Islanders covered? Write the sports editor.
Some ex-player mailing it in as a broadcaster doesn’t know about Tavares? Write the network website.
Everyone is reachable these days. Just yesterday, I realized I’d misplaced an agent’s phone number. I started to reach out to everyone I know in the business for help. Then I went to Google and typed in the friggin’ guy’s name. Bam! His direct office line was in the first link.
I kid about not caring. Of course I do. But if you want to make an impact, take your beef straight to the source. You might be surprised at the outcome.
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From the PB Press Box Throne: For the second consecutive day, the Islanders have run an ad in Newsday that says they play home next Thursday. The Thanksgiving games, of course, are on Wednesday at 7:00 pm vs. Philadelphia and on Friday, Nov. 27, a 2:00 pm matinee against Pittsburgh. One theory: they included the goof on purpose to generate calls to the office. If that’s the case, I bow in awe for the genius.
Live Chats Friday and Saturday: Win or lose, they’ve been fun and increasingly more populated. The only challenge for me has been keeping up. See you then.
This Bailey, Filatov, Schenn argument will go on the next 3-5 years. There are other variables to consider, such as how the players the Isles landed with the extra picks turn out. Way too early to declare anyone right or wrong.
bailey would have been in that world junior tourny like you wanted if he was on Columbus, lol
kyle has time to prove his worth to team usa and
cb, do the isles have anyone up watching this exhibition series, petrov is the C of the russian team and getting in his ear about coming to N.A. may not be such a bad idea for management…
CB - do you have any insight as to why they continue to sit 2 youngsters in Tambs and Schremp and play Sim? I’m not Sim bashing, I just want to know if they is a rationale…
I watched the game last night and Petrov looked really good. Definitely the best player on the ice for the period and a half that he played. He got 1 goal (Which was a beauty) and 1 assist. He left the game early not sure why and it didn’t look to serious because he left on his own so hopefully he’ll be in the lineup tonight.
You guys should take Bottas advice. You can email writers of major media outlets so easily now. I do it all the time and most of the time they answer my inquiries. At the end of every article in the papers the writers leave their email addresses. Make your feelings know. Let them know we want to see some better coverage and I’m sure you’ll get an answer
CB - dead on again, with lack or respect issue. If the Islanders want to make a statement, go out and win 4 out of the next 6 and everyone will be talking about them…and there would be a big buzz…then maybe they will get some more fans in the seats. Right now no one knows if they are for real or not.
I don’t understand your slobbering over Filatov, CB. The kid sends his agent to go out and say that he “prefers” a more offensive system than what Hitchcock plays. Now granted, Hitchcock is a PIA and an easy target, but what has this kid accomplished that allows him - a 19 year old - to judge the team’s style of play?
I seem to recall Modano and Hull and others making out okay under Hitchcock. And look at Parise, Gionta, Elias, etc. under the Devils defense-first system. They played complete games.
Filatov might be a likable kid, but he seems very immature and selfish. And he doesn’t seem like he wants to make an effort to compete. Maybe that came out during pre-draft interviews.
And I DO think Bailey, whatever his limitations, would be in the BJ line-up over Filatov. The kid competes.
Well put CB, to early to start planing a parade just yet, but can you blame us?
actually I do think Bailey might be on that roster, with Hich’s low risk system, Might be.
Hey what about Witt, Park & Sim for Filatov??
There’s alot of moving parts regarding Snow’s draft day moves over the past years.
1) Plenty of time to see what Bailey is….I think some time in Bridgeport might serve him well-I don’t see Shremp as a downgrade-at least today)- Never liked the trade down
2)DeHann-better pan out….and the Big Goalie with Hip issues too. i would have handled the Goaltending issue differently
3)One of those 3 #2’s need’s to pan out. Ness and Trevino are off to slow starts….but Hamonic was drafted to be a shut down defender….grows 2 inches, 20 pounds and is a top D man scoring wise (I know he is older than most competition though)- Why don’t the Isles sign him now so they are not up against the clock when the season ends. Heck-Isles are one injury away from an needing an emergency call up….it would be nice to add him to the recall list.
Speaking about filling the seats. In today, in LI Biz Sec. and they’re saying if the Isles not many will lose much sleep if the Isles leave LI. That is depressing to read
Bailey would probably still be in Juniors if he was on Columbus. I know they passed on him the last time but if they have a chance to get someone with this much talent I say why not. If they could get him to play this year, I would consider trading next years 1st rounder for him. It would speed up the rebuilding process.
If Bailey was on Columbus he would have spent a full season in Syracuse at which point he may have been actually ready for the NHL.
I don’t think it’s so much that they’re two games over .500, it’s more that they started the season winless in their first six games games - and have since proceeded to compile an 8-3-3 record, beating some of the league’s best teams in the process. If the Leafs did that they’d be planning a parade down Yonge Street…
Thanks CB for finding out about Tambs. Its funny how everyone wanted him out of the lineup and then when he came back and started putting the puck in the net people are upset hes not in the lineup. But I too ws wondering what he might have done, or not done, to be sitting.
CB, first, JB just might have made the CBJ lineup, but even if he didn’t he wouldn’t be whining and running off to Russia because he doesn’t like the style and doesn’t want to be in the AHL anymore. I will say it again, under 6′0 at 170lbs, running off to Russia, a winger who can’t/won’t play in the corners…I don’t care how well he can skate around kids his age, he won’t make it in the NHL, and he is now HIGH RISK for anyone. It would seem that maybe you really want him to succeed more than JB…is that possible??
What the heck…. Could someone explain to me how Tambellini got “off his game a little”? So scoring doesn’t matter? Being up by the net and “looking” like you are “all over it” most of the time doesn’t matter?
I call BS. That’s not right. Guarantee Tambs is not the only one a tad off his game. And how many times was he off? ONCE????
I better stop there. But Gordon needs to just tell it straight. That stinks of favoritism.
I’m still unclear exactly why Gordo has it in for Tambellini. Tambellini is third on the team in goals, while playing in only 13 of 21 games. But even more importantly, we’re talking about a shootout specialist on a team that has lost 4 games in the shootout. He needs to be in the lineup for that reason alone.
Although the Bailey + picks vs. Filatov debate will not be decided for a few years- in the spirit of CB’s question about Bailey making the Blue Jackets roster, how would Filatov be doing on Isles “go-go” up-tempo offense? Seems like Gordon’s offense would be better suited for him. Would he still be playing in the US if the Isles took him? Just something to think about, although again it will be a long time before the jury is back with a verdict on the draft.
I’ve got no problem with the Isles staying under the media radar for the entire season.
Nothing is more dangerous than a team playing for “respect” and maintaining that hunger.
Equally dangerous is a team who starts reading too many press clippings praising their accomplishments.
mm222- Bailey was ineligable to play in the AHL last year because of his age. It was juniors or NHL. He could play in the AHL this year. I like bailey, it just seems he’s been making more mistakes this year than last, which doesn’t really make much sense to me. I’m willing to give the kid time though.
I know what Gordon is saying about keeping Tamby out when the team is winning, but look at the team before this recent 4-game stretch. They were still playing pretty darn solid, why change then? I think Tambellini has proven he deserves a spot. Maybe he’s a streaky player/goal scorer. If he can put up 6 goals in 5 games every 20 games, who wouldn’t take that.
thanks CB, although break dancing Gordo’s comments still make me scratch my head.
After the hattrick tamby disappeared, not going to the net, floating around the periphery, not making plays not pursing the puck. This season he’s a one game wonder. Me thinks thats why he’s on the bench
The organization should just trade Tambellini along with one of its veterans (Witt, Weight and Biron) to acquire a Dman.
Tamby did start to plsy soft again after scoring a few. Its very upsetting why this guy does not get it yet. You need your A game every night. I know he is not a big guy, but Jason Blake was no King Kong. Blake was alaways in the corners getting his nose dirty. This Tamby story is getting old. Time to move him.
Chris, Do you think acquiring Filatov might help convince Petrov to make the jump to NA? Might be some value there.
Didn’t get the Knicks reference. Did they get Iverson?
Love the Witt hit on Tank pic.
Ouch. Nice elbow, Witter.
I’m probably going to miss this game live, the wife wants to see New Moon and if we can go on premier night, she’ll be pleased. Hope to tape it though. Last year the Isles looked dreadful in Minny, I’m interested to see the difference this season.
I don’t think that filatov is an issue for this team. He might be worth a 2010 or 2011 draft pick (with some additional players) but the Isles will not be the highest bidder for this guy, and for good reason. They have much higher concerns right now.
1. They need top four defensemen that are under 28. Nobody on the current roster fits that description and only deHaan and Hamonic seem to be in the pipeline… and there are no guarantees there.
2. They still do not have one single proven top six forward on the team. Yes, tavares, Okposo, Nielsen, Moulson and Hunter may be able to post a year of success(25+ goals, 50+pts) on their resumes next year. Most likely we will only have two of those players reach that level, and they need SIX. The addition of one this year might have boosted the number to 4 or 5. they will definitely have to add one at the deadline or over the summer to be a true contender next year. Filatov does not get them there.
3. As much as some of us think that we have “arrived” the reality is this team still has almost no depth. The fact that Josh Bailey is in the NHL speaks volumes as to the level of talent throughout the system. On the defensive side, as much as Andy mac COULD BE the next BRUNO GERVAIS… that just isn’t going to cut it.
Snow may have done a good job upgrading youth and depth over the past two years, but he has a ways to go before he can start squandering draft picks on question marks. he already needs to make up for possible overpayment for deHaan and a goalie who may never see north america picked with the first selection of a relatively deep third round.
Sorry for the wordy response to a simple question… but as a great sailor once said, “I ams what I ams”
Let’s go Islanders!!!
Does anyone know why Witter left for “personal reasons”? Is it a health-related issue or an issue concerning someone close to him?
Also, I agree with CB about the I-told-you-so crowd regarding the comparisons between Bailey and Filatov. Its absolutely absurd to say that Bailey is better than Filatov now because Bailey is able to make the Isles’ roster while Filatov can’t crack Columbus’.
The decision to trade down and pass on both Filatov and Schenn to take Bailey and pick Petrov with the acquired pick can not be accurately analyzed for 4 years at least. In four years, Schenn and Filatov could be NHL stars while Bailey is a journeyman and Petrov is still in Russia. How would the trade look then? Truth is, there’s a reason why Filatov and Schenn were drafted ahead of Bailey and why Bailey was a projected middle 1st rounder. Time will only tell who got the better of the deals.
Even outside the tradiitonal sports media there are potshots regularly taken against the Isles. In an article in today’s Newsday about the financial status of the team there was a disturbing quote. John Meindl, president of Sportsbrandedmedia Inc., a sports marketing company in Rockville Centre, said that if the Islanders left, “there wouldn’t be a lot of sleepless nights.”
Maybe its time that the Point Blank Army takes the offensive and lets people like Mr. Meindl know that they don’t know what they’re talking about. A simple google search gets you their email address and phone numbers.
obviously it is important to see how Bailey turns out as a player but it is even more important to see how our other picks that we traded for turn out. Guys like Niemi, Petrov, Donovan ect.
Thanks CB for asking about Tamby. But he was still playing well after the hat-trick game. He was going to the net and screening the goalie which led to goals, he was still hitting (J** S** averages less than a hit per game more than Tamby), getting assists (is 3rd in goals and 5th in points). How many coaches bench players that are top 5 team leaders in scoring?
I don’t get all the Tambellini love. The guy is not an NHL player and just because he has put up points after being invisible for about two years means nothing. He still refuses to go into the corners and fight for the puck and his best asset is he is good in the shootout. That is about it.
Switch Comeau and Bergie.
no way Bailey is in juniors with columbus…can we leave the kid alone and let him play third line center…geezus you can see glimpses of top notch skill from the kid and he plays a responsible game….check back in a couple of years when he is a 70 point guy….let the kids develop
CB: great shot of Witter smashing fedecrapko
It’s not so much the Tambs love as it is the Sim venom. When you put up 3 points in 20 games and are one of the few minus guys on the team, getting valuable 3rd line mins on the wing of the team’s top playmaker over a pure goal scorer who has been scroing goals it’s a bit tough to stomach. I don’t love Tambs and would sit him over most Isles forwards, but I would not sit him over Sim, Schremp, or even Comeau for that matter.
From what I’ve read about Filatov going to Russia, it doesn’t seem to be on the worst of terms and the Blue Jackets loaned him to the KHL. I was all for Snow drafting him and I’m not going to do a 360 now. I’d have loved him to be on the team and I would still want him. He will be a player and he said it himself that there are things he needs to work on with his game to be an NHL regular.
Maybe I was watching different games, but I didn’t see Tamby shying from contact or not going to the net after his little offensive explosion. I still believe Gordon plays favorites when it comes to sitting people down. He should be playing the left wing on one of the top 3 lines. I feel the kid can’t fart on the plane without Gordon sitting him.
TimQ from post31, you said it, that newsday article really chaps my @ss off. To say that there won’t be many sleepless nights if the Isles lose is absolutely insulting to us die hards.
If I was 170lbs I wouldnt be going into the corners either, Filatov didn’t belong in the NHL yet…they must have known this as he was hardly playing so why did he come out of the AHL in the first place? The blame cant be completely on him, as a developing player he needs to actually play and not ride the bench. I personally think Bailey should be in the AHL but at least he is getting a good amount of playing time regardless of his struggles. I think some people are being a little too harsh on the kid, at least he tried to come over and didnt sign a brand new 3 year deal with the KHL ala Petrov.
Am happy with Gordo lately but don’t get the Tamby comment. He can’t score a hat trick every game!! His play wasn’t any worse than Comeau’s, S-m’s, or Bailey’s and he seemed to just be getting his confidence.
I don’t understand scratching him when he seems to possibly be coming around.
Nolan benched Tambellini as well. Maybe he is not that good. Why did Snow give him a 3 year deal?
Snow’s draft pick results are iffy once you exclude Tavares. Lots of “smartest guy in the room” picks which may or may not pan out.
As far as Isles coverage, what is up with the Lighthouse? This blog and Newsday were all over this and now dead silence. What gives here?
Most fans asume baily will work out because he was a 1st rounder. To me, I see most 1st rounders never amounting to anything important. Even then if you need for them to be 22 years old to be evaluated…why pay them as a teenager? Baily should of spent 2 years at juniors n then signed n put in ahl for 2 years. Baily junior points r worthless in the NHL. Every NHL 4th liner put up great junior numbers.
It was obvious Tambeliini wasn’t doing enough of the “other” things that Gordon wanted him to do. Some people will say that even putting the hat trick aside, he was going to the net more and being more physical etc….and thats all great, but maybe its more than that. We don’t see exactly what Tambellini does on every shift…and hockey is much more complicated than that…I mean if it were only so easy as to just go to the net right”? Obviously he is falling into bad habits and not doing what gordon wants him to do…and I trust Gordon…and considering they aren’t having trouble scoring goals its probably the right move.
And you can’t give the shootout argument…what if Tambellini continued his bad habits, that if he played for Sim, that maybe instead of shootouts we ended up losing those games by one goal?
Hey CB, Hope you and PB can survive the troubles at Aol.
I think one of the reason Sim is still in is b/c he is a quite agitator. He gets under players skin, he draws out penalties. He’s a hard skater too. Also I have to say that last season, after Bill G. was gone, he was the one really hyping up the team the few times I was able to be down at the locker room area before the games.
I think we all know that there are a lot of small parts guys are filling in on this team right now, even the small stuff counts.
I also think Tamby has not played all that poorly. After a slow start he put up points in 7 out of 9 games played. I thought he was taking the body better in the corners and going into the tough areas in front of the net. Hopefully he will find his way back into the line up. Maybe when Weight comes back they put the 2 of them back with Bailey.
Seeing how the careers of Bailey and Filatov are in their 2nd year I don’t think that it is wise to talk trash. You should also remember that the Isles took a Russian player that has been demoted from the KHL and hasn’t even seen the light of North America yet.
CB, tremendous points on keeping our reaction tepid to the Isles early success.
The other thing I would add is that we have games in hand on NOBODY behind us: just by evening out the number of games played we could be out of the playoff picture. The key thing is to remember the goals for this year:
1. Get all the young guys (Tavares, Okposo, Moulson, Bailey, Tambellini, Comeau, Bergenheim, Hillen and even Schremp) to grow further into sure-fire NHLers.
2. Get DP back fully healthy and dump the 3rd wheel on our goaltending bicycle
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t discourage making the playoffs but hitting the other 2 goals this year is more important. Ditto for the Olympics and whether KO makes it.
I didn’t get the Tambelinni benching either. Benching him the first time made him hungry and determined to work on all the things we all knew he needed to work on. So he did it and started contributing, and he gets benched anyway. It won’t always have the same effect…eventually he’ll probably just get discouraged.
Gordon is sure hard on Tamby. Hope the tough love works and Tamby develops into a player. Garth didnt only pass on Filatov and Luke Schenn to take Bailey, he passed on Tyler Myers who was also available and taken by Buffalo. Myers is a 6′7″ monster D-man who could turn out to be better than all three of them(Filatov,Bailey and Schenn).
Speaking of the Bailey draft, Luke Schenn is having problems of his own right now. An article out today even talks about Schenn’s “every mistake end(ing) up in the net. His ice time is diminished; his confidence shattered.” And I’m sure he too will bounce back. There is something to the sophmore slump. There must just be that much more pressure and expectation. I think Bailey just needs to play smart positionally and stop trying those blind passes and he will be OK.
Too long between games, will see everyone here friday for the chat and Islanders win.
Tamby was starting to grow on me, nice smile too. Oh well
I’m sorry. I know he underperformed in previous years, but I think Tamby has been screwed by Gordon this year. The kid has played in 13 games and has 6 goals. He is third on the team in goals scored! Gordon says when you are not scoring, you must do little things. You can’t honestly tell me that bergy and bailey are doing all these little things that tamby isn’t. Give the kid a break and put him on one of the top three lines for an extended period of time. He deserves it with the start he has had.
to #50. something to the sophomore slump? tell that okposo and stamkos
I agree with 52 about Tambellini. I thought in the games following his scoring binge he was still noticeable, getting opportunities, and making plays, even if the puck wasn’t going in the net. I can’t understand what Sim has done to earn his spot in the line-up over Tambellini, especially factoring in that Tambellini is hopefully at the beginning of his NHL career.
I honestly don’t think it will be possible to compare the Isles taking Bailey by dropping down and skipping over Filatov … #1 … Bailey is a different kind of player than Filatov … #2 … The Isles acquired other draft picks, and have since that time rendered those picks in other ways.
I was never a fan of Filatov … I was a Colin Wilson fan … so if there is any comparison by me it will be that of Wilson vs. Bailey.
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Regarding the negative or overlooking of the Isles by the media … I’m at the point where I really don’t care anymore. It has no effect on how I feel about the Isles, and it doesn’t affect their performance … the only real negative that may happen is the perception of the Isles by other players … which could hurt during free agency.
I get most of my Isles info here so that is fine by me.
I can’t help but think that Gordon’s moves of Tambellini are calculated and precise. It is obvious that he is finding the net but you have to know that the coach is not going to do himself in. Gordon’s plan is working as it seems that he has contributed 9 points in 13 games. Perhaps he sees the little intricacies better than anyone else. After all he is the coach and his methods do seem to be working now that he has a pick of people rather than an emergency supply. The competition can only help fuel Tambellini’s fire at this point. If he is going to play on Gordon’s Isles he will have to work his tail off like the rest of the team to earn that spot in the lineup. What is so funny about this situation is that he has the amazing shot but after a little while he stops moving his feet. I can fully understand why Gordon pulls him but I can also see what he can contribute if he were at his best every shift. It isn’t hard to see that he could surpass Jason Blake in terms of fan favorites and stats if he could work as hard/consistently as Jason did.
I think every Islander fan has earned the right to gloat a bit about the Filatov situation. Had he been an Islander and this happened there would be plenty of derisive mocking coming our way from all corners of the hockey world. Witness the DP contract. Just shy of his 25th birthday, a healthy DP who was on the verge of all star status signed that deal. People mocked us. Were it not for injuries that deal would be a great one for us. Look around the league…a 30 year old Luongo just signed a 12 year extension, no mocking. A 30 year old Hossa signed a 12 year deal in CHI, no mocking. Mike Richards in Phi at the age of 22 signed a 12 yr $70 million deal, this coming off 10 goals in 59 games the year prior and 14 goals by december that season, no mocking. Would Bailey have cracked the CBJ lineup this year? Maybe. It’s not like they’re loaded with talent at C. Besides, he probably would have spent last year in Juniors and played in the WJC. He would have come to camp with a shot to make the club and if he didn’t he’d be in Syracuse playing on the top line and developing his game. Some think Filatov would fit the GoGo system. Really? Let’s see, slight of frame, excellent skater, goal scorer by nature, doesn’t battle in the corners, perimeter player criticized for not doing the little things. Don’t we have somebody kind of like that whom Gordon doesn’t seem to like. Oh yeah, Tambellini.
I don’t understand Gordons logic (other than playing favorites)..i have Tamby on my Fantasy Teams so i see how he does every game..even the games when he didn’t score or get an assit, he got at least 3 shots on net..if not more…everyone has been saying how he’s been playing well..and seriously..9 points in 13 games..Does Gordon expect him to get a point every game? cuz if he goes by that than there are alot of people on this team that should be benched..it just makes no sense…and i do agree that if there were other players playing better than him, than ok bench him..but theres not!
I’m tired of hearing people say “well the teams on a roll”..we won a game..and we were winning when he was in the lineup..not to mention our scoring is coming from Tavares and Moulson…so if he messed with the 3rd or 4th line..i reallly dont see if affecting anytihng.
Gotta love the Islanders marketing department!
Isles fans seem to complain a bunch. But it’s time to put up some effort, go to games, start making contributions, visit other media sites, where your Isles hat to a bar, etc. Fans are just as important in making our team relevant again. It’s our job too, to make the Islanders known, not only here in NY, but around the league. Get yourself to the game next Wednesday, you’ll have plenty of time to go out to the local watering hole after a W.
Could care less about Filatov. Drafting players in sports is often pot luck. You are dealing with young kids.
Except for a few games, Tamby is soft. I do not expect big hits from the guy, its more about doing the dirty work and playing with an edge. I agree with others, that he has been no worse then Bailey or Simm, but something gets him the coaches (Gordon, Nolan) doghouse.
I hope this is not too soon but if the Islanders win the next three I will be wearing my Islander Jersey to Fordham University on Tuesday!
Well, I didn’t think the Isles should have drafted Filatov because I didn’t think he was “signable”. Had the Blue Jackets picked Bailey, he would have remain in Juniors last season. I would like to have seen Bailey go to Bridgeport earlier in the season to work on his game.
63 ur absolutely right. i wear my islanders sweatshirt everyday and whenever i play i wear my islanders shirts. only 5 islanders fans in my school that i know of and we are getting them known in connecticut. i think
It’s not all about scoring fantasy guy. Like others said, he stops skating, useless against the boards. His last couple of games he was getting back to the old Tambs. Gordon is making sure he earns it. The NHL is nothing like fantasy hockey…
There is no reason to bash on Bailey to prove a point.
His stats we improve once he plays with a finisher.
Who said the Islanders are lacking the media’s respect? Matt Moulson just won the NL’s cy young today :P.
Metalcoconut (59) I think you make very good points!
I’m kind of disappointed that Gordon would sit Tambellini for “going off his game” a bit, but he lets Jon Sim play every night? What the hell has Sim done to deserve a spot? Sure hasn’t done enough “agitating.”
63 Rich hit the nail on the head. Question every Isle diehard should ask themself , if the team does move did you do everything you could to keep them here, including going to every game you could ? Marketing dept should be partially blamed , terrible…
tambellini had 5 goals in 2 games. he’s inconsistent at going to the net. all he needs to do is watch Moulson, take some notes, and imitate. he just loves the perimeter though.
Here is my problem with Gordon’s handling of Tambellini. The kid wasn’t playing up to his capabilities, so Gordon took him out of the lineup, which can’t be argued. Tamby then came out and scored 6 goals in 5 games and was the Isles best player for a solid 2 weeks. Then the Isles drop a few games, where oh by the way Tambellini was one of the only bright spots in those games, and Gordon benches him again.
We have seen the potential we’ve been waiting to see for the last 2-3 seasons. If Tambellini started going back to his old habits, then its Gordon’s job to sit him down and show him what he’s doing wrong to get him back on track, NOT put him in the press box. I understand it’s difficult to change the lineup in the middle of a winning streak, but I don’t think we can just forget about how much joy every Islanders fan got from seeing Jeff succeed. He needs to be given some confidence from the coaching staff that one bad play or even one bad game doesn’t mean he’s going to be sitting out the next one. That isn’t how players grow in my opinion.
Folks really should not forget that Filatov, who does have some skillzzz, has an upward battle to fight in the size department. Sure, his chances nowadays of becoming an impact player in this NHL are better than they were 10 years ago, but he’ll still need to add a considerable amount of meat and experience to become a player.
I can’t see CBS wanting to trade him at this juncture. It is gonna be mighty ironic for CBS fans to see both Zherdev and Filatov in the KHL, considering one was deemed expendable after having acquired the other.
As for us, before being injured, Petrov was looking pretty good in the Subway series, a great sign for a guy who looked to be falling off the map a bit.
I totally understand what gordon means by benching tamb. We saw him catch fire then suddenly went scoreless in two games. Why? B/c he reverted back to what he did last 2 yrs. Instead of driving to net he once again allowed the dman to push him wide along boards leavin him with no options. Then tamb just tries a low quality centering pass. Good message to send early. Why he is still out is b/c we are winnin games. If it aint broke. Don’t try to fix it. Its frustrating that comeau and tambs need constant fire under they @sses. Very lazy.
#74 Duff, it’s not that simple. Would Moulson have ten goals if he wasn’t playing with tavares? You can’t guarantee that because he has had no prior success.
#56 - just saying there are many players who have decent rookie years and then have a letdown in the second. Doesn’t necessarily happen to every player. Kyle Okposo is currently 101st in NHL scoring. He’s not Cam Neely yet.
(75) You KNOW they have been negotiating behind closed doors since they “stopped” talking to the media. (Murray is like the fat girl in class that NEEDS to tell someone that she is going on a date with SOMEbody)Before the end of the year, a deal will be reached. They have to have Mangano elected and on board first. Then they will hail this as a REPUBLICAN brokered victory in the Town OF Hempstead. It will be slightly scaled down, but will get done.
As for Isles fans going to games, when the Isles were playing well in 2001-2002, the games were usually packed. People want to see a competitive team. Doesn’t have to be elite, but at least middle of the pack, and hard working. Isles have been more exciting this year. The people will come if they buy into that the Isles are a legit playoff contender. We’re not there yet. YET. If they are in the 7th or 8th spot come march, watch how packed the games will be. Isles fans have been beaten down for FAR too long. Basically since 1994 when that awful thing occurred. See how happy they were when Tavares was drafted? Imagine the reaction around here should they make the playoffs this season.
i can totally understand why gordon benching tamebellini. Same reason he benches Comeau. They become complacant very easily and refer back to their lazy worth ethic.
What i mean, Rather than the goal scoring Tambellini that has 5-8shots and drives the net he went right back to having the dman drive him to the outside and he was force to just throwing a bad centering pass instead of having options.
Reason why he still hasnt gotten back in is they team is winning. If it aint broke, dont fix it.
Just curious, what exactly is Jon Sim doing to stay in the lineup over Tambellini, Tambellini’s output was higher in 1 period than Sim’s entire year..puzzling at best.
The Sim experiment is over..he is useless, let’s stop wasting his spot.