TWELVE REASONS FOR THE RISING
The Islanders didn’t get to 8-6-7 by accident
Adam Gretz with some FanHouse/SI.com love for the NYI
CB on Ovechkin’s return tonight
12:05 am - This is not about maybes, players possibly coming on as reliable contributors or any other uncertainties. At the quarter-pole of the season, with a few days on Long Island before the next flight on Thursday, the New York Islanders are 8-6-7 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They’re even winning games in regulation now!
One man’s view of the 12 biggest reasons why, in no particular order:
1. Matt Moulson is no longer the nice little surprise of the Islanders. He’s one of the ten best stories in the National Hockey League today.
2. Health. The Islanders have their injuries, but it’s more on a par with the rest of the league. They need the good luck and everything else to keep it that way.
3. Even while he still works on his finishing touch, Kyle Okposo is the Islanders’ best all-around player. Islanders Country is going to love having him around for at least the next ten years.
4. Head coach Scott Gordon has implemented a system and everyone on the current roster has bought in. He no longer has to stop practices every five minutes. With the system in place, no one has to talk about the friggin’ system anymore. The focus is where it should be – on the hockey players.
5. Oh, and Gordon also has a pair of assistants in Scott Allen and Dean Chynoweth with him every day at the rink who work and research and teach with enthusiasm. Now Gordon is the reverse-Mangini. In year two, he’s more relaxed and everyone else is starting to realize he has a clue.
6. Andy Sutton is not back to playing like he did in Atlanta. Sutton is playing the best hockey of his career.
7. An improved power play, brought to you by John Tavares. Watch the respect even the league’s best defensemen show Tavares on the power play when he has the puck. Pretty amazing for a 19-year old. He’s going to score 30 goals this season.
8. The Islanders have earned points in 11 of the 12 games Dwayne Roloson has started. His best may have been last night in Boston. The perfect July 1 signing for this team.
9. Quietly, two 20-somethings most of the rest of the league has not heard of – Frans Nielsen and Jack Hillen – have developed into reliable, every-day, all-zone NHL players.
10. Mark Streit may not be at the level he was last season, but he’s still been a top-pair defenseman and outstanding leader. In 21 games, he is 4-7-11, plus-3 and averaging almost 26 minutes of icetime. Imagine if Streit really starts to click.
11. Role players are excelling at their roles. At the top of this list are Richard Park and Nate Thompson, who have given their all to each challenge the coaching staff has thrown them.
12. Garth Snow’s acquisitions of Moulson, Roloson and Martin Biron. Including Mark Streit last year, the GM is 3-for-3 in UFA signings – with Moulson as the off-the-charts golden bonus. Charles Wang should have confidence that if he allows Snow to dig deep into the wallet for skill and character at any point over the next two years, his GM has a darn solid batting average.
Because this is the endless NHL season, the team has a long way to go before converting any other believers outside of their locker room and the Country of Islanders. It was around this time a year ago that the Islanders were 10-12-2, before injuries, some dissent and the roof caving in. They’re a better team this season, but they’re currently a few wins out of the top spot in the East - as well as a few losses from landing out of the top eight.
The challenges continue. The wonderful news is that it looks like this is going to be fun.
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141 Responses to “TWELVE REASONS FOR THE RISING
The Islanders didn’t get to 8-6-7 by accident”
Please Wait
Chris,
Good analysis…my thoughts are as follows:
- I did NOT like the Roloson signing but he has played really well so Kudos to Snow on that signing
- Park has zero scoring touch but he sure seems to be fiding otherguys who can score, anoter player I have been hard on who has played above expectations
- Moulson the guy gets it done but sticking to something we have’t had anyone do since Mark Parrish and that’s pu yourself in front of the net, I wish more of our players would do that..
- I still stand by the fact I do not like Gordon’s defensive system, in watching this team we ALWAYS have a harder time clearing the zone versus other teams (and the goal Boston scored tonight was on a terrible clearing attempt. Guys are still standing around too much, waving their stick with no real purpose as the other team has long stretches in our end, and the guys coverig the pointmen STILL stand in no mans land, unable to stop the cross ice pass or get the puc around the boards..we give up WAY too man screened shots from the point and you can’t ask the goalie to bail you out every single night…
Completely agree on Tavares, Okposo, Streit, Sutton, Neilsen and Hillen. My only criticism of Tavares is he seems to lose the puck of his stick a lot for a skilled layer, but he sure does knowhow to put himself in the right spot.
Clearly weare above expectations, and the reality is we probably should have another 4-5 points..I hope this continues going forward.
I had called Nielsen having a breakout year before the season began, but how about Jack Hillen?!? I think he has been the Isles best surprise. Sure Moulson has the points, but it is so refreshing to see a young D man make heads up plays EVERY time he touches the puck. He easily is playing like a top 2 NHL defensman. Perhaps a Brian Rafalski junior in the making? He’s gotta be one of the quickest guys on the team, as seen in his rush up the ice leading to the Isles’ first goal tonight, and he always manages to strip the oncoming forward of the puck and sends it right back up the other way to an Isles forward. He gets my vote for best all-around player who has flown under the radar so far.
As far as your “In Garth Wang Trusts” comment, I completely agree, but will it be a matter of trust? or a matter of the Lighthouse? I hope it is the former, because if the Isles can somehow lock up Kovalchuck this off-season by outbidding most other teams who will not have the cap room to pay for his services, they will have quite the offensive firepower next year. Factor in a mature Hillen, an extended Sutton, healthy Martinek, De Haan, and a UFA D man, and they should be shooting for home ice advantage next season…who knows, maybe even DiPi will be back by then!
Great Analysis Chris… now if only the Lighthouse had some positive news and i’d be in heaven!!!!! … that’s the only thing raining on this parade!
Man, reading that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You have no idea, I just got this huge smile on my face. We’re for real, now, and it feels great.
No one should have any criticism. If you could have guessed the record one-quarter of the way through would you have said this? Enjoy the ride, I am 3-4 nights each week I love what I see. From #2 Streit to #91 JT. I have absolutely no complaints after 21 games!
i’d be ‘all in’ if it weren’t for the uncertainty surrounding the team’s future on Long Island. hopefully this can get sorted out, they can build a new facility in Nassau County and then we can all watch this team continue to grow HERE on the island.
Is The Mighty Okposo really going to be in Islanders Country for another ten years? Will there be an Islanders country in the year 2020? I hope so on both accounts.
I’m just so happy. As a Mets Jets and Isles fan its been hard to smile…but these Isles play hard and give me hope. LETS GO ISLANDERS
Hey Chris, I think now that Wang has put a clamp on talking publically about the Lighthouse, the players don’t have that BS looming over their shoulders… Looks like they’re playing looser and they’re gelling. The focus is on HOCKEY!
That was a disgrace having that deadline on Opening night; I think it really took away from what should’ve been a joyous re-birth of a franchise. You were right; they shouldn’t have had a politition (adding to the gloom) dropping the ceremonial puck…
Anyway, I’m thrilled at the thought of watching meaningful games past January this year… (It was awful trying to drag people to games last year!)
Streit needs to improve if the Isles are to make a serious run. I know it feels good to be above .500 but i want more and that starts with Strei skating and clearing the puck out of his own zone. He has been terrible and perhaps thats because he had such a good year last year. He does not look intense And does not skate well and clear the zone. LOVE Hillen. Great poise.
Thanks for the timely response CB, I appreciate that
I agree with everything you said in your post. The goaltending has made a huge difference and we have more scoring than we did last season. That is making the difference and if we could just learn to win in the shootout we could really be on a roll. Sutton has been an animal this season, Hillen has been really solid too.
Funny thing is, we still haven’t played a truly great game this season and yet we are 8-6-7
im loving the recent offensive surge, my only complaint is obviously that we hang on to more big leads like we did tonight. dont see how tambellini is not playing yet sim is in there every night. i just dont see any sort of contribution from him. moulson is the man hopefully he can keep it up all year and what are our potential chances of making any sort of trade for a big name during a run later this season?
“Charles Wang should have confidence that if he allows Snow to dig deep into the wallet for skill and character at any point over the next two years”
When pigs fly. I’ll believe it when I see it.
On the rest of the blog, easy there. It’s Nov. 17 not March 17. While admittedly enjoyable until now, this is NYI where we always expect the other show to drop. Shhhhhhhh, don’t jinx the good vibe.
After all my rantings in October, I’ve decided for the time being that I know nothing about playing hockey, coaching, player development, or systems, or play-by-play/color announcing. All I know is how to buy a ticket and to enjoy the ride as long as it lasts.
I live in Edmonton and Roloson was the Oilers best player by a mile last year, and was great every year except the year after the cup run. Thanks for the site Chris, it is a godsend for us out of town fans.
It was great watching come up with the big save all night. Key point was killing off that 5 on 3 for almost 2 mins. Also the pressure on the forecheck that played a huge part in 3 of the 4 goals. Yes this is a step for the future but either lets make the playoffs or lets get a great pick because it is all about upgrading the talent level. I also hope everything is well with Witt although I think we all get on him from time to time. He might not be the hockey player he once was on the ice he is always an all star off the ice.
moulson makes potheads everywhere believe they can play in the NHL.
Agree with most points except snow. He’s still a terrible GM.
#13: How good is SEAN BERGENHEIM? The guy influences the game’s momentum by himself at this point. That’s two penalties drawn to completely swing the pendulum of the game, the key being with 3 minutes to go. He’s cut down completely on the stupid penalties. Looks like we have ourselves one of the League’s premier third liners. Not to mention he’s playing in a PERFECT system for him.
I do believe overall Biron has been more solid in net. If you look back, the Islanders just can’t seem to find the back of the net as much when he plays, as opposed to when Roloson is in. I hope they give Biron a couple of starts in a row, should get him going as well, can’t let him sit to long.
Overall, my response to tonight’s win….
“What the hell is going on?”
Cannot deny any of what CB wrote but still this team needs more. There are many prospects to be excited about but outside of De Haan, Harmonic, Neimi, and Ness not on D and they’ll need help sooner….LIKE NOW.
Not near enough toughness. I was impressed with the win against Boston tonight, except seeing Jackman get pounded. Boston had way more guys who could have thrown down too and that is without Lucic.
Isles can take a Boston in one game but being such a small team a big team like Boston would physically breakdown the Isles over 7. Even if they took a series from a team like that they’d be beaten by the next just because of the first series.
I don’t believe this team is too far away. I’d like to see a big, talented, nasty 4th line center.
Martin, Joensuu, De Haan, Harmonic, the goalies etc develop.
It would be fantastic to have Taylor Hall or Cam Fowler but doens’t look like it. If they are going to take themselves out of contention for a player of that caliber and make the playoffs then the team needs to be prepared to compete in the playoffs and right now it is not.
I’d like to see two big, mean, skilled, nasty d-men.
Then the Isles are pretty set. Sooner Petrov gets over the better and this Ullstrom kid is exciting.
What is nice is you really see Tavares, Okposo, Bailey, Bergy, Nielsen, Hillen, Moulson coming on, Hunter finally looks like Hunter of several years ago.
Pretty interesting all this is going on without Weight. If they are good now watch out when DiPietro comes back, he’ll take them to a much higher level.
Props to Sutton.
many positives, but the size, toughness and weak defense still hang over their heads.
PS: Milbury and Campbell SUCK!
Want to know the biggest thing this team has done for me this season? Made me WANT to spend money on them!
For the first time in years, this out-of-towner actually flew into Long Island for the home opener (dropping well over $100 for a seat) and then another $169 for the NHL Gamecenter online. If this keeps up, I’ll be shopping for an authentic blue & orange jersey in the very near future.
There are many of you who spend a whole heck of a lot more $$$ on the team than I do but the point is this….build it correctly (the team, the lighthouse, the draft, whatever) and the fans WILL show up and spend!
REASON 13. More photo spreads of the oppositions captain on game days!
great analysis. i was hoping to see bergie along with frans and hillen. suprised to see he wasnt. hasnt been producing like he probably hopes he would but he has been balls to the walls, playing his heart out. takes a few penalties but draws just as many, maybe more with his speed.
last thing i have to say is, i hope next free agency wang lets snow dip into the bank. hard to imagine he wont. its nice to get guys who slipped through the crack and really do well on this team i.e. streit, weight and moulson but next year could be the year where we really contend and it would be nice to support that idea with a few beneficial signings.
I am a believer now and it feels much better than being a gordo hater….
I agree with all your point. however the #1 reason in goaltending. And agree health is next biggest. Our goalie situation last year wqas horrid. Good goalies steal games. Roloson did that last night
I think u did leave out honrable mention to bergie. Guy while not a score sheet has been running over everyone, providing a spark and probably responsible for drawing 75% of our PP’s
I’d like to believe in Gordon, honestly I would, but what exactly are these blown leads caused by? Coaching is still a small problem.
1 - MM, he is a great surprise. Very unassuming on the ice. Never notice him unless he scores.
2 - Health - dont jinx it CB
3 - KO, True Dat. Love watching him.
4 - Gordo, doing well. Dont understand some of his personel moves, ie benchings & Shootout lineup
5 - Assistants - Good for them and Gordo
6 - AS, Wow! He makes 1 or 2 moves a game that surprise the crap out of me.
7 - PP, in the NHL you need to capitalize on the PP opportunities.
8 - Rolo playing well. Still like Biron better.
9 - Frans & Jack. I knew Frans was good, but Hillen is playing great.
10 - MS, Stud. Love watching him handle the puck.
11 - Park/Thomp, Add Jackman to that mix. That 4th line is good.
12 - Snow, FA’s A+++. Draft? I wasnt so impressed with the 2009 Draft. I was fine with trading up for DeHann, but to follow that move up with a GOALIE at 31, terrible. Ryan O’Reilly should be wearing the Islanders Crest.
Overall, great and entertaining season so far.
every one of CB’s 12 points is great. maybe it’s only 1/4 of the season, but man was i wrong about these guys. i looked at this roster and literally thought they’d be one the worst teams ever. it wasn’t just me though. there have to be a lot of surprised and impressed people looking at this team right now. i especially can’t get over how sutton is playing. and hillen really is the smart, quick and helleva passing d-man they said he’d be, and getting better. cb’s point about his points being ‘in no particular order’ says a lot, and what makes this so fun to watch is that the contributions are coming from everywhere, but this group of coaches leading this thing is obviously onto something here.
great post as always Chris. for someone that is learning on the job, Snow has done a good job. the next thing Snow should be judged on within the next year or so is how the players he drafted jump into our lineup. signing major free agents would be nice but nothing beats having some home grown players that contribute on a nightly basis.
CB great post. This can’t be the same NYI that practically everybody would be a repeat of last years disgrace.(although it’s the reason we have JT…. from darkness comes clarity) I truly believe if we had signed Seidenberg our d would be pretty solid wight the emergence of Hillen and Sutton. Hope the boys are having as mch fun as I am watching them… Steal of the offseason Matt Moulson
CB you hit it on the nose with your last comment. “Its going to be fun” is exactly what every game is. I understand that we give up leads, but we get them back also.
Everyone, “ENJOY THE RIDE”
Matty Ice Part Deux and the Franchise really pumped me after last night’s game. They work so well together. And even though I love Parky, I wonder if this organization, whether on the big club, in the minors, in juniors, in college or overseas has a winger to complete the line. Jack Hillen has also made everybody forget about Mr. Inconsistency Chris Campoli.
the reason for my beloved islanders turn around this season…..
1.better goaltending /roloson biron
2.superstar tavarez
3.neilsen okposo hillen sutton playing great.
4.moulson great free agent signing
5. garth snow doing a great job trust in him with the youth moment.
6.all these factors should result in a playoff spot.. lets go islanders!
Enough time (21 Games) and enough signs to see that this team can Compete and is good, and most importantly Fun !!!!
Amazing how everyone’s mood changes with a few wins, including my own. However, we still gave up 2 pts in almost 2/3 of the games we played. There is still a long way to go to be one of the better team in the league and a lot of questions that need to be answered. It’s nice not to be at the bottom of the league in pts, though. Will Snow be a seller at the deadline and how will that affect the team? How effective will DP be when/if he gets back? Will Moulson keep up the productivity all year? …and so on. That being said, I think this team has been exciting to watch due to the factors you mentioned CB whether they win or lose. Also, can’t help but see the players are having lots of fun this year. And I’ve got to add, Moulson is a hilarious interviewee. I hope he keeps it up.
Great post to read this morning. . helped me realize all this wasn’t a dream
I’d like to add one more reason. .the end of the Joel Rechlicz / Mitch Fritz / “3 min per game” guy on the 4th line. How great it must be for Gordon and this system to have the ablitiy to confidently roll 4 lines throughout the entire game.
If all this keeps up, the Coliseum should be rocking when they return home next Wednesday for the Flyers!
Park is my BOY! What a great season so far for the Isles… This was the last of my favorite teams I thought of having a good season… They have now pushed past the Jets in my hypeness (not a word)… As My Jets season ended Sunday at 351p… My Isles are pushing hard… I am believing again! Man Oh Man!
A huge smile broke out across my face reading and thinking about JT scoring 30 goals this season.
Moulson is right out of the cast of Dazed and Confused.
Lets Go Islanders!!
really love what Gordo has done with this
team. hope all is well with Witt…
love watching this team. hard working, great goaltending, and they seem to play with confidence…. i just wish they knew how to clear the defensive zone. the last 10 mins of the third was a disaster!!! wasn’t anyone else watching??
Fun season so far. I’m keeping my expectations in check though. Things always seem great during a hot streak! The team still needs secondary scoring desperately. Bergy and Nielsen are playing very well, but you’d like to see them finish a bit more. It’ll be more critical later on I think. Moulson is on a 40-goal pace right now. I don’t know that he’ll finish the season with 40! If/when the pace slows down, someone will need to pick up that slack…hey, hopefully KO finishes more chances at that point. Either way, it’s good to just enjoy good hockey while it’s being played, whether it lasts or not. Been a while since we’ve seen skill and hard work at the same time on the Isles.
13. Islander Chemistry - (Starting with Garth-Flash-Asst.Coaches-players…there is something cooking on the island).
Nice play from Moulson!
Is it me or does he look like a lost Jackson 5 brother?
garth snow has done a terrific job. he got rid of anyone that didn’t want to be here..comrie,guerin,campoli and now has a team that competes every night with the lowest payroll in the nhl sooner than anyone thought and they are only going to get better.
I’m always skeptical of guys that play “the best hockey of their careers” in contract years, but Sutton has been a pleasant surprise. Streit is not playing as well as last year, but he’s still playing good hockey. He’ll improve and get his game together.
If this team somehow hangs around a playoff spot by the deadline, Snow’s got to try to get an impact d-man, or at least someone who can log top 4 minutes. The trick will be to get that guy without morgaging the future. Maybe flip Biron for that d-man when DP is healthy?
Overall, pleasant first quarter of season to watch despite the putrid start. The team plays hard each night and they’ve been fun to watch.
Roloson, Roloson, Roloson, Roloson. The one good thing about our goalies last year is… it got us, John Tavares. The good thing about our goalies this year, at the quater mark we are in the playoffs. Don’t hear many jokes about the Islanders hiring a “back-up goalie” as our GM. Those days are over because ever move he has made has worked, even Ryan Smyth. Because that helped us make the playoffs and then when he didn’t sign, made us focus on the youth movement. And I don’t see Edmonton really benefiting from the players and draft picks we gave him.
i have ALWAYS loved park. he plays above all expectations . . he is THE essential role player . . CB talk to Garth and get him rollin on that extension please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. sutton . . wow . . never liked him but i can’t help it anymore . . the hits . . the heads up plays . . if he keeps this goin you can’t NOT give him another contract we NEEEEED size on defense and he is absolutely perfect for us . . hope he stays healthy
Ok, so now these guys have my attention again. Is it possible that Martinek was the guy keeping us down throughout the bad times?
I actually feel good again about being an Islanders fan and not the Hapless Islanders Fan.
Moulson has hand of feathers.
Time to bitch about something else now. Is it me or has Tim Jackman lost his skating touch that he acquired 2 offseasons ago? He doesn’t seem to skate the same this season as he did last season.
I’m pleasantly surprised with Hillen, Meyer and Gervais as well as Gordon’s boy, Nate Thompson.
Now if only we could get rid of Jon Sim and Witt and I think we have a legitimate shot at the Number 8 Slot in our Conference.
Now I’m glad that I Stubhubbed those tickets for December & January back in Early October!
Imagine if we didn’t blow some of those 3rd period leads where our record would be?
one of the keys of this team, clearly is that it is TEAM first - and giving guys opportunities who have TALENT and HEART but don’t necessarily have the credentials is a winning formula
Attention Omar Minaya….
Gotta love what the team has accomplished up until this point, we just have to keep expectations in check. Enjoy it while it lasts, but don’t be completely shocked if there are some more lapses along the way - the team is still raw, but certainly showings signs of good things to come. Gordon and co. have done a great job with the personnel they have and hopefully that continues.
For those of you expecting even bigger things once the Rick returns, how much better do you expect him to perform compared to what Roloson has brought thus far? Considering all the question marks surrounding his long absence, and how well Roli has played, is it realistic to expect such a telling improvement?
This post is the 2nd best way to wake up in the morning. I don’t know who found Moulson or how he found him, but I’d love to thank him. He and JT are on a pace to push the 40 goal mark which is amazing since they didn’t have a guy crack 20 last year. When DP comes back, they should IMMEDIATLY try to flip Biron to Chicago for one of their young D-men. I don’t know if this is gonna last, but I’m lovin it so far.
Thanks for another great read. I’ll be interested to see how we do now that teams are not going to take us for granted. I was never a big Hillen fan but he moves very well with the puck, still gets squashed in the corners but I’m learning to deal with it. Another big mobile defensman would be nice.
Now if we can get Tamby and Josh Bailey to play well enough to be added to that list…..look out!! GO ISLES
I also wanted to say, as Tony F just said, that we’ve met many team’s backup goalies thusfar (Danis for NJ, Raask twice, etc.). Most likely won’t happen so much anymore with the Isles playing solid hockey. We’ll see what happens.
Alan - “Matty Ice” FTW. Great nickname. It’s a lost art these days.
CSK - don’t get me going about Minaya. Ugh. Having JT toss out the first ball at a Met game - the oft-injured Isles sending their future to the oft-injured Mets, even for one pitch… we’re lucky his arm didn’t fall off on the windup. I really think they built Citi Field on an Indian Graveyard or something.
This team still makes some shocking blunders, but they also make some gorgeous plays… JT to Sutton and Sutton’s finish against Atlanta… last night, I think it was Comeau getting crushed behind the Bruins net but still coming down with the puck, made a terrific centering pass… KO’s goal against the Canes to win and his laser from the point to tie Florida…
They look like a hockey team again! I haven’t been this happy since they traded Kvasha.
Garth has done a good job with his “fixed income budget”
(oh man, FMIV is terrible)
When we get a healthy Doug Weight back, our team will be that much better. Have to like the direction we are heading in. Still find it funny that a guy like Park can be the right wing on the first line one night and the next night he is centering the fourth line.
An enjoyable season thus far, aside from blowing many 3rd period leads and getting our butts handed to us in fights.
Moulson, Sutton, and Hillen are the biggest suprises. JT and KO are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Streit hopefully will improve. The goaltending has been better than last year but has been letting in more softies than I would like.
I’m not sure why everyone is making such a big deal out of this. IMHO, they’ve been underperforming. The team wasn’t bad last year. If the entire defense wasn’t hurt last season, we wouldn’t have been in last. Whatever, things happen for a reason and now we have Tavares. It took a couple weeks to get the team together. In that time they were getting points. It should be no surprise that they continue to get points. As I said in Sept. If this team can stay at .500 come the Olympics, they will be in the playoffs.
Can’t say enough about the kind of rookie season Tavares is having. Kind of makes you wonder why there was any question of who the Islanders should draft. Some said he was not the elite caliber of player who would make those around him play better. I think Matty Moulson would disag. Keep puttin’ the biscuit in the basket Johnny!
Gordon is a good coach. Period. As CB stated he has his own assistants and has weeded out the misfits. AS the talent level increases this could be fun. Who cares that we are only 20 games in. I am enjoying the heck out of each game. Let’s get at least 4points in the next 3 games fellas! Go Isles…and Park is kicking a## on the top line!!!
Love the way the guys are playing right now, they battle for each other, finally have an identity, and are looking like a real playoff team. However, I still don’t understand WHY Sim is making the lineup every night on a line with Bailey (Sim is superb for Josh’s development………) while Tambellini sits in the press box. Tambellini plays just as physical and tenacious as Sim but with a scoring touch. Tambellini with 9 points in 13 games and he sits the whole road trip?? Common Scotty.. give Jeff a friggin chance!
60 - as we speculated at the time, it could just be paralysis by analysis. Tavares had been in juniors for a long time, and he barely missed the cut for the 08 Draft. When you spend that much time watching a great player in junior, you can’t help but nitpick.
I’m enjoying the games so far, and I’ll just enjoy it for as long as it continues. I hope we can find a permanent place for Tambellini (I’d get rid of Jon -), and I noticed the marked difference in our D’s speed with Witt out and MacDonald in.
The kids have played well, though there’s room for improvement (Bailey, Bergenheim). Moulson and Hillen have been pleasant surprises. Let’s see where this takes us.
You gotta give Garth Snow some credit for passing on Filatov last year… Like most, I was screaming bloody murder. However, whether or not Filatov goes back to Russia is immaterial. He is a bust. Was Bailey the best pick? I don’t know. Luke Schenn would look awfully nice on that blue line!
#22 well said, I am going to NY over thanksgiving as I always do. This year I am attending wed and sat games. i refused to order center ice afte last years debacle and all the ot losses when it was the free preview. I just ordered it yesterday for rest of the season.
We don’t have to be cup contenders, all I ask is for a team that competes and with that I will spend my hard earned $$ on this team.
Gordon has done a good job of having everyone on the same page, playing a team concept….also rolling 4 lines. The true test will be next week when they have to play Philly, Pitt, & NJ - better teams
DP should continue to take his time coming back, and even do a full conditioning stint at Bridgeport b/c the tandem of Roloson & Biron have been very Solid.
Only Disappointed that Sim plays and get time on the powerplay.
Picking up another D man is becoming more of a Priority - A guy like Niklas Wallin on Carolina may be a fit.
It’s a bit surreal looking at the NHL goals leaders and seeing Moulson tied with Crosby and Selanne with 10 goals apiece.
And maybe Garth also gets credit for drafting Bailey too. Even though JB is still developing, the kid is taking a regular shift in the NHL, plays responsibly for the most part and shows flashes. Filatov can’t crack Columbus and might be sent back to Russia, Hodgson flamed out in his second training camp and was sent back to juniors again, and Schenn is having a miserable second season after being overhyped last year.
The Isles are bigger this year and are playing bigger. Guys like Hunter enable our smaller players like Tambellini to get respect and score.
Great read CB,
I think the biggest reason for our success this year is simply karma.
After what milbury,etc, did to this team, everythings coming back around. Our drafting seems better(okposo,bailey,tavs,de haan), we’re signing good players(streit,rolo,biron,hillen), and we’re finally getting a castoff(moulson) who is becoming good for us rather than the alternative ie.bertuzzi.
i think its just our turn for success, in the preseason comments i said we were a playoff team, based almost on just having biron and rolo in net, and theyre both starting to play like #1 goalies. Obviously Tavs being a wunderkind is just icing on the top
wins,sch-mins, isles are technically tied for 5th in the east based on points. yahooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s great that you can list 12 positive things about this team, and there are probably 12 more. The fact that either Gordon has tweaked the system, or his players better understand what he has been shooting for is best news so far.
There were a lot of us frustrated with Gordon, but I can only speak for myself. I was tired of watching a team be over agressive for 40 minutes with varied levels of success and then fall apart.
With that scenario behind them (hopefully) I think we can all embrace Scott Gordon as the guy to take this team to the next level.
I think that more than an epiphany by Go Go, the recent surge is due to the emergence of a healthy number two center in Frans Nielsen, shut down defensman in a healthy Sutton and the ability to play 10-15 games with basically the same lineup.
This is what a lot of us expected from this team. It’s a bonus that Snow/Gordon recognized the potential in Moulson rather than spending for Tanguay or Prospel.
Hopefully Snow will upgrade the team’s RW(Okposo/Hunter) and D(Streit/Sutton/Hillen) status with their strength at C(Weight/Schremp), G(Biron/Munroe)
and to a lesser extent LW(Sim/Tambellini)
I hope Kyle is here for longer then 10 years. I want him to start and end his career with us. I hope everything works out so this can happen.
LETS GO ISLANDERS.
keep up the hard work boys
Chris,
Great article. I agree with everything exept the part about confidence in Garth. I agree he has made some great signings with Streit, Moulson, etc. But lets not forget he signed Dipietro to a 15 year contract! That contract may be an anchor on the Islanders for a long time if he continues to have injury problems and never returns to form.
CB, great post. Sutton has played great this season. I would give him a 2 year extension right now.
It’s been said on this blog a dozen times, so I’ll do it one more time. Charles Wang signed Rick to the 15-year contract. The negotiations began about a year before Garth became GM. Like it or love it, the idea and the offer were from the owner.
As for those citing UFAs that didn’t work out, I thought I made it clear in the story I was speaking of Snow’s most recent signings.
Giving extensions to players off 20 terrific games = mistake. Keep them hungry. I’ve seen that go bad too many times before. In the case of Yann Danis, he started playing crappy once they started talking money.
Yes, it’s true Nikita Filatov is headed back to Russia. What’s not is that he is a bust. Ken Hitchcock has been great for Columbus, a nightmare for Filatov. It happens. He’s a kid, an incredibly talented kid. He’ll be back, probably after a trade.
The Islanders are off today. Enjoy the day…CB
Right on all counts, CB - while I agree we’ve yet to turn in a truly GREAT game, last night’s came awfully close in some respects; it may have been Sim’s best of the season and that combination poke/bodycheck by Meyer was highlight-reel worthy. LOVING MM; as I said on the Lighthouse Hockey thread, he’s decidedly changed the karma of those initials and his post-game comments really make it feel as though Ziggy were back on LI - does resemble him a lot - (but with much better English:) Dare I say so, but to quote one of my keystone songs, it does feel like the first time, a combination of ‘74-75 and ‘77-’78 in some ways….didn’t feel like this even with the ‘92-’93 team.
I agree with everything CB again said in post #75
I also was listenting to Billy Jaffe on NHL Live and he brings up a great point about Biron. While it is natural that some of us fans want to talk about Biron being traded and try to analyze what his value will be; it is all unnecessary because we all must first see how DP comes back. Snow is in a position of power because now finally we do not have to rush DP back because we have good goaltending to cover us for now. When he comes back and proves he can stay healthy; then and only then do we talk about trades values and the such.
Chris,
I would have to completely agree with your 12 points. The system, which is largely based on high pressure forechecking has really suited them and they are all bought in just as you mentioned. I truly am thrilled with Tavares and Moulson and agree that Okposo is still the best all around and my favorite player as well, but it would be nice if he would just finish a little more. I know that will come though so I’m not too concerned. Of all the reasons I would have to say #6 may be my favorite. I’m more of an appreciator of offense, but Andy Sutton has been exceptional, so much that I look forward to seeing the games largely impart for him because of his defensive prowess and physical presence. I hope he can keep it up and stay on board past this year.
Now maybe the fans will come to the game huh? It’s a disgrace that all the ” If they don’t draft 91 I’m not going to another game” aren’t going to any games. Show your support!
So far so good. Young players are maturing, everyone’s healthy, for the most part. I think the Isles have enough offense to compete all year, and make a good run, but they need another top 6 d-man, and overall team defense needs to improve if the Islanders want to be in the playoffs.
Moulson = Ryan Smyth lite ??
CB, do I sense a change of heart?
Health is a major contributing factor to the Isles success year to date, no doubt.
I don’t remember being this excited and enthusiastic about this team for some time, they can put the biscuit in the basket and their level of play is entertaining! Agreed with the above, Moulson’s only 20 games into his career with the Isles, keep him hungry and see how he develops. Guys won’t leave a good organization, or will at least think twice about it, when they’re playing on a line with Tavares, Okposo, and the guy Nielsen, who is developing into a great treat for us fans. The Devils, for example, have kept a core of key players/contributors, not because they throw dollars at them, but because they have a desire to hang around and win 40, 45, 50 games a season–every year possibly making a run to the cup. Keep building a tradition of strong play, and you’ll have guys wanting to stay, and others wanting to hop on the wagon. Just wait. I like what Garth’s done, he’s no fool and he’s one of the boys, he played the game and still has fire in his belly to win and be the best.
The only negative i take out of all of this is that after this impressive start we are techincally only 1 point ahead of last years pace
How many wins will it take for this team to get some press? I realize it will take some more consistency before anyone really gives a hoot, but as of right now we are tied with the Rangers. Going to be interesting to see if/when the bandwagon pulls into town should the Isles keep it up.
With the talent we have it blows my mind the situation we are in. A 19, 21, 24 year old first line that is ripping it up. I love the way Thompson and Sutton are playing too. Sutton looks speedy out there lately lugging the puck.
rob76,
At this rate the Isles are on pace for 89 points. They finished with 61 last year. I think we will not be surprised if they fall short of 89, but by the looks of things it will not be the likes of last year. There will be slumps, but not as long as last year. (10 games winless was it?)
They are in playoff contention for now. We’ll see where they are at the Olympic break.
Nice blog entry.
I think I’ll just bask in the happiness for a little while.
Yay Islanders!!!!
I posted several times before in not so many words, “Parky is a better offensive player than Simmer and that they should switch roles” and Botta agreed with me on live chat. Sim’s an energy guy and Park is an all around sold hockey player who is good on both sides of the ice. Ted Nolan used him on top lines because he’s so smart and responsible and when he was given top line minutes he didn’t disapoint. He is very good at making a nice feed from behind the net to set up goals, I’ve noticed. Kids a solid hockey player, end of story.
I hope KO can start putting more pucks in the back of the net. He’s my favorite player and our best player, even if he doesn’t score as many goals as we would like him to, IMHO. I still believe he’s a 40 goal guy but I he can get 30 and play solid all around hockey in all situations he’s doing more than is shown on the score sheet. Like guys of said, KOs a beast!
This is an exciting time for us and I hope the LHP gets done or none of this really matters, anyway.
CB, I double posted this same post in the thread before this by accident. Meant to be here
posters who are saying Baily is doing better then his draft competion have to keep in mind that getting playing time for the Islanders is like getting playing time for the Pittsburgh Pirates…alot easier lineup to crack then the avg baseball team like say Cardinals, or something. Isles had no choice to give Baily playing time, they needed a “youth movement” centerpiece last year. Moulson is here because Wang didnt want to pay a top 6 foward. In fact, if there was no lock out and salary cap minimum, its very likely the Isles Payroll is 8 million less then it already is. (they would of dumped sutton/witt/etc if at all possible. this is my oponion but having seen what Millstein did, and how Wang cut every penny possible and raised ticket prices this is not a absurd assumption.
come on CB…without moulson and THE J.T. we are the same as last year, oh wait u mean if u add goal scorers to your team youll score goals, wow amazin..besides i think moulson and streit were luck..(thank god , we finally get a lil luck)..please if any team offered streit a fair deal he would be in another sweater, its not like snow said “steit is my guy and im payin top dollor for him” it was more like “hey well make him a crap offer and if he takes it great”…all the credit for this years team can go to beanpot booger, because if he wasnt so bad, maybe we wouldnt have come in last and gotten THE J.T.
P.S. please ask moulson to drop the u from his name..he is from CANADA and that is one hell of a beer = and i smell an endorsment..cheers
Attendance is still poor, we can critique or commend garth , go go , and the rest of the powers that be but the only real thing we can do to help this team as fans is buy tickets and go to the games. Who cares what your opinion is about Gordo’s system or whether or not Tambs should play over Sim if you don’t actually attend as many games as you can. The organization needs to revamp their marketing department , free chili ? I was recently in Tampa and there are billboards all over promoting different players and the team.
it’s been a fun ride. i don’t know how long it will last but this sure beats rooting for last place. i think the biggest reason for our success is that everybody understands gordon’s system. that wasn’t the case last season. adding jt, roloson, moulson, and a healthy sutton sure haven’t hurt either! and now garth looks like a genius for not drafting filatov. there’s too much risk involved with drafting russians in the first round right now.
A friend of mine has been a Rainjizz season ticket holder for years. He admitted this morning that his favorite team to watch is….the NYI!
You are absolutely wrong on this Streit thing, tond24. Garth Snow most certainly did not offer Mark Streit a “crap offer” in any way shape or form. In fact, most of the NHL was laughing at Snow for supposedly paying too much and giving him too many years. Thats because they accepted Montreals analysis of him as absolute fact.
I have been critical of using Park on the ‘first’ line, but he played a great game last night. I would prefer a different winger with JT and MM, but as long as they keep winning, keep the line intact. Coach has them playing terrific. Only positive comments this week!
Snow did NOT offer Streit a “crap” deal. Many, in fact, thought Snow way overpaid for Streit… So obviously Snow did see something that he liked in Streit. Low miles for a verteran, good speed, poise, and much more physical than any of us knew.
Like Howie Rose mentioned last night
Moulson = Poor Man’s Mark Parrish
comparison is dead on
#86 - Streit signed a 5-year, $20.5 million with the Islanders. While Streit may not be the highest paid defenseman by a long shot, this is not a paltry deal.
The reason he was available was b/c many teams feared he was all offense and no defense.
since starting off 0-3-3 the isles ares 8-2-4 with points in 13 straight games. Its hard to complain right now
You can’t rip Garth when things he does don’t work out( Ryan Smith) and not give him credit when things he does do (Steit, Moulson). Be fair. As an Isles fan, I am hugely excited about this team.Every move that Garth makes won’t all work out. But as long as he makes enough right moves we’ll be fine. I love building through the draft and signing players that other teams miss. A budget is a good thing. Just throwing money at players is not how you build a consistent winner. Look at the Devils. They build through smart drafting and signing the right players. The Rangers on the other hand consistantly sign overpriced free agents and year after year it gets them no where.Keep up the good work Garth. Something special may be happening on the Island !! Go ISLES !!
Someone mentioned signing Kovalchuk next season…
Granted, next year is a long way away, but I couldn’t agree with the need to sign that guy more. In fact, I remain convinced that the hockey gods took Kovalchuk away from us as a pennance for the four straight cups, which is why we lost the number one pick that year despite having the worst record in the league. Kovalchuk is a prolific scorer with a mean streak, as well, and damn it, he’s rightfully ours! And besides, it’s clear that we’re no longer in the Taylor Hall sweepstakes. SIGN KOVALCHUK!
How many points usually makes the last playoff spot on the East?
2009 - 93
2008 - 94
2007 - 92 (Dubie Dubie Doo…)
2006 - 92
2004 - 91
2003 - 83
I am not going to try to calculate records but to be safe let’s say the Isles need 94 points to guarantee themselves a playoff spot this year. They have 61 remaining games to get 71 points. Is 34-24-3 (or some sort of similar record) possible for the remainder of the season? I say yes if they remain healthy and there is no goaltender debacle when DP comes back…
Isles not getting respect of league yet. They faced another backup goalie. Martineks injury hant bitten them badly -Yet! At some point they will need to bring in a reliable defender. Regarding the recent surge let’s remember they didnt face ovechkin,kovalchuk,gaborik,savard etc… This is a rebuilding year! Okposo gets better every day
Actually #92, we lost to the Capitals in a shootout without Ovechkin in the lineup, however we BEAT them a week before with him in.
What seperates this year from last:
-Tavares + Moulson
-goaltending
-NO INJURIES
Can we be stopped?
The team has been playing great of late, but to sniff the playoffs, we need to get bigger. We need at least one more big winger, an enforcer and another big D man. Most likely will not get all three, or any, this year.
The reasons why the Isles are winning:
-JT is a real man
-Moulson is robin to JT’s Batman
-Andy Sutton finally realized that he is bigger than almost everyone else on the ice.
-We have 2 guys who can you know…goaltend
-KO is a man beast
-We are FINALLY getting some secondary scoring
This team is fun to root for again! The patience is paying off.
….have to give credit to Garth. Second year in a row where he has signed a gem.
i don’t like posting simply to take exception with another’s comment, but someone up there suggested it is the responsibility of the fans “to help this team …by buying tickets” and that that is “the only real way.”
this is bogus, and hearing this stuff from other fans has been bugging me a long time. i love this team and have since the beginning, when i did go to a ton of games, and i hope like hell they get a new arena and become a power again. i appreciate that the owner’s heart has always been in the right place and though i’ve had problems with some of his decisions and tactics, i also appreciate that he’s dropped a substantial fortune to keep this team here. but that does not mean it is my responsibility to blindly pour money into a half-ass product year after year after year to support a non-competitive team. and let’s face it, that’s we’ve had for almost all of the last 8 years. fandom is a two-way street and regardless of whose fault every detail is, at some point it becomes the team’s responsibility to earn or win back the respect and loyalty of disenfranchised fans that have grown weary of the losing and all the other nonsense. i still believe there are enough fans to support this team if they play in a sump as long as the product is worthy. i was duped into thinking a corner was turned a few years ago under nolan, even after the wang-smith-lafontaine circus act. i am still a little wary, especially in light of the LH situation - but what’s happening now sure feels like a beginning of the real thing to me. on the other hand, if it turns out to be just another mirage, or if the worst happens and we lose the team entirely, it won’t be because fans didn’t care.
94 how can i be wrong, when you agree about but the crap offer..and why would we take THE HABS assesment of him? dont we have our own scouts..ur wrong like somany of islander fans are wrong..he shouldnt get credit for anything until he does somthing…he traded up for bailey de hann and took ness and 2 goalies..if those guys check out great if not he failed…striet and moulson were luck.
Matt Martin & Joensuu will bolster the offense with size and toughness someday. DeHann seems almost ready, although not physically. If we could upsize the D and get another sniper and we would be a serious contender.
I cannot get too high about this year just yet because it is a long season. Not sure the playoffs are possible. However, we’re all seeing some dividends as a result of commiting to the rebuild.
and as an aside, being in brooklyn for 16 years and without a car makes it tough for me to get to games. but if a LIRR/LH bus-shuttle is part of a deal, you can bet your ass i’ll get there more.
I’ve been trying for days to remember how I felt about this team last year when we were playing somewhat competitively during late October through Thanksgiving. I remember that I saw a lot of old vets logging a ton of minutes, and thinking that this was all smoke and mirrors, and they’d start crashing soon. And they did. I see a totally different look from this team. While I still don’t expect them to make the playoffs…or get out of last place, due to the division we’re playing in, we’ve made gigantic steps from a year ago to now. The team is remarkably competitive, pretty much every game, we’ve found decent, not spectacular, offensive pressure on at least 3 lines, great goaltending, and a real belief that we aren’t even close to peaking.
Just look at what we’ve done so far…OT loss and win at Boston (up 3-0 in the loss), two OT losses to Cup contender Washington (both where we had leads), OT loss at Montreal, win vs Buffalo, win vs Rangers. Even more impressive, to me, is the start of this mammoth road trip. For a young team to get points in all 4 games…even with the old system in place, we still would have been 2-0-2 (the 2 OT losses would have been ties) with points in all 4 games. Damned impressive. I was hoping, praying, for a 3-4 trip to build on. Now, I’m looking at the December schedule (no travel farther than MSG for 22 days) and thinking that we can really make some noise.
It’s fun again. And you feel now that even if they lose a few, there’s talent here. Nice change of pace.
It was fun to watch last year because the young guys left it all out on the ice, but with this year they are getting rewarded for the work effort and the efficiency at which they are converting scoring opportunities. They aren’t dominating teams which makes them so much more entertaining. Great Goaltending, JT, Okie, Moulson Golden and my newfound respect for fourth liners. Gordon has a luxury this year to balance TOI which will really help out in the long run.
Hope they can keep it up, Let’s Go Islanders!!!
The Islanders have lost 13 of 21 games on merit. But they are better/more entertaining than last year’s team.
111…Why can’t you give Snow some credit? What exactly does he have to do to in order for you to consider him having “done something”? Moulson has been a great find and Streit has been a brilliant pick up. If it was Ken Holland(Detroit) or Lou Lamoriello(NJ) who picked up these guys it’s likely you’d be offering it up as evidence of their superior skills as GM’s compared to Garth. Biron and Roloson were great signings for this team and provides us with stability in net and a possible trade chip at the deadline. Great moves. Tavares may have been a “no-brainer” but then again we had a GM who traded Luongo then drafted Dipietro(though I like DP, I wouldn’t have made that move).
116…I don’t consider the shootouts as losses. It’s a skills competition that has nothing to do with the actual game. Prior to the shootout those games would have ended as ties. They wouldn’t have been considered losses. Not sure how a skills competition that has zero reflection on how the game went can be considered a loss on merit as you say.
It was only 12 months ago that many on this site (myself included) were hoping the Isles would lose every game and land in 30th place to have a shot at JT. So nice not to see a repeat of that in the comments section for TH in the 2010 draft. I will never root against my team again! They may not make the playoffs this year but I think everyone can see the year-over-year improvement and excitement/passion/pride coming back.
Looking forward to catching a game at the Coliseum next week when I’m back on LI for Thanksgiving!
CB - thanks for keeping us transplants in the know about Islanders hockey. Much appreciated.
CB Your plus/minus format is spreading! Great work.
CB’s best points are that Gordo has a healthier team, better personnel for his system, and assistants that are on board with him and his system!
Garth has done a good job but he could do more. We could use a good veteran d-man to stabilize the blueline, especially since Radek is done for the year. Or, good could wheel and deal Biron for a good young player from a good organization, Detroit or Chicago. Well, once Rick gets back to 100%, if that is possible.
cb when the isles traded down from 5 to 7 i always thought snow was trying to get filatov at 7 because they thought like i did that hitchcock and columbus would not take another chance on a russian kid after the zherdev experiment ended so badly. thinking columbus would take wilson or boedeker. instead filatov went to columbus we started scrambling trade down again to get bailey. and then said bailey was our guy all along. we will never know but is there a chance the isles thought filatov would be available at 7 and im assuming if he was the isles would have picked him immediately what do you think?
dose #110 I agree with you, but full houses capture the attention of the media, ownership, the politicians, and fans and can help keep the Isles here.
Looking around the internet today im starting to see the Isles getting some attention.
A pretty good article about JT’s emergence on CBSsports.Com
Also on fanhouse Adam Gretz gives the Isles some props.
One more thing im starting to notice the Isles are moving up in the assorted power rankings all over.
Nice to see the isles get a little respect
plus(peering into my crystal ball)-garth trades some of our young talent in the minor or college ranks plus a pick for a top 4 dman signed through 2011 and the word rebuild drops from our vocab for the next 10 years
Great read… the article and all 120+ posts.
CB why don’t you have a facebook page for Pointblank?
If you took a poll during one of your live chats on who is on what social network, you would be able to spread “The CB Gospel” to more Isles and hockey fans in general. Get your page, profile,info,etc. on those most favored. You will find that the same person, like me for example: would be on linkden, facebook and twitter but have very little overlap of “followers/friends/contacts” since we use each for a different reason (for the most part) and were introduced to each twitter/facebook/linkden at differnt times of most of our lives.
I already Retweet your articles and more than likely would post your facebook fan page to my profile page, if you were on Facebook. The page is kind of like a Retweet but much more “social friendly” and gives you more opportunity to get Pointblank in front of young and old Islander fans… especially locally. Use Linkden to find the right business connections to help grow this site whether it be tech, ad sales, etc.
Lets go Isles! On Versus tonight they showed the Standings of where they are today. It was nice seeing the Isles! Then they said that last yr at this time a quarter through the season, that of those 16 teams, 13 (it may have been 14) ended last season in the playoffs!
We have DaHaan, Ness and Hamonic coming up on the defense and Rhett Rhatt—– whatever his last name is reporting to Bridgeport next season. Sprinkle in Trevor Smith and Jonesuu, Martin, looking like a bright future! R_E_S_P_E_C_T!
Before we anoint Garth Snow and Scott Gordon as the next Bill Torrey & Al Arbour let’s win a playoff round please. Look…I’m as big a fan as anyone here but I’m not sure these guys are the answer yet. OK…I admit to seeing improvement…but most of it is by default. DiPietro’s injury forced the signing of these two goalies. Horrible team has allowed the drafting of Taveras. I still wonder why Gordon refuses to let a guy like Tambellini bloom while he allows non-factors like Sim and Gervais among others get big minutes.
It’s nice to feel optimistic for a change but I’m afraid your article today is very premature. I know someday Josh Bailey and JT will lead us to the promised land…but right now we still have a lot of 10 goal scorer types. I mean how many times do I have to see Richard Park on the ice in the final minute when we need a goal? And when was the last time we saw some SUSTAINED offensive pressure? I know I have seen sustained pressure against us all the time. Every game we go through stretches where we are running around in our defensive zone chasing after the elusive puck while the opposition controls it for 3 minutes at a time.
So let’s enjoy our little streak of improved play…but let’s not go overboard. We can easily fall into an extended losing streak. I hope we don’t…but my eyes tell me that with the talent and experience level we have…we will.
Excellent piece as always CB.
A Dozen Random Thoughts:
(1) That nasty 7 at the end of the NYI’s record notwithstanding, not to mention a couple of stinkers (San Jose, Buffalo and Montreal, to name a few), I must say the season has been a very pleasant surprise thus far. And as guilty as some of us are of having visions of a raucous NVMC come April (So who else looked at the standings this morning and saw that if the season ended today the NYI would be up against the Capitals?), we need to remind ourselves that we’re only at the quarter pole.
(2) I wonder if Richard Park was killing time at the hotel prior to last night’s game by reading some of the comments on PB about him having no business being on the first line. Boy did he show you guys!
(3) Matt Moulson - Ummm - Wow?!?!?
(4) Kyle Okposo - The guy’s a beast. I really hope to see him on the U.S. Olympic team. Nothing better than country vs. country. And if he’s fortunate enough to land a spot on the roster, let’s hope Mark Streit takes it easy on him. Team U.S.A. just happens to open against Switzerland.
(5) Trent Hunter - Underrated. Underappreciated.
(6) The forecheck sure looked good last night. It’s also nice to see the team buying into the system. I have never criticized Scott Gordon on this forum. Let’s be honest, he was extremely unlucky last season. As CB noted, this team is going to be fun to watch under his guidance. And one more thing: Of all the great coaches out there, Team U.S.A. picked SG as one of the assistants. What does that say about the guy?
(7) The PP has impressed even without the services of Doug Weight.
(8) The PK looks good, and what a huge kill of a 1:30+ 2-man advantage that was last night.
(9) While I’m overly content with the GF total thus far, I’m definitely concerned about the GA. Paging Mr. Chynoweth …
(10) At some point I’d like to see Jeff Tambellini back in the lineup. And at some point I’d like to see XXX XXX take a seat in the press box.
(11) Anyone else worried about how the team, namely DR and MB, will react when DP returns?
(12) And finally, what an absolute blessing it is to have John Tavares on our beloved team. How long have we been waiting for a player like this? Need I say more?
Being a transplant of LI now living in Omaha, i have to rely on Center Ice these past 10 years…boy im glad i renewed this year…Our Isles are starting to remind me of the 79-80 era team, seriously…i see this team competing well past the first round. we have the core, we have bargianing chips to deal when DP comes back and all we have to do is shore up our game is winning SO’s…i dont know about you guys, but i very excited about this teams/organizations gameplan…Were Back.
What a great positive post. Very accurate as well. Couldn’t have put it better. Especially about Roloson, tavares,Okposo, and Sutton. And Moulson!
I didn’t think we’d be able to even actually have that many stories worth mentioning at this point.
Amazing point about Garth’s signings…another shot or two to help the squad would be encouraged as I truly believe things will remain for the most part where the team fights to get in one of the last 2 spots.
Article on fanhouse is awesome too…so curious to see the fallout. I’m supposed to comment there but its late and still need to register on there.
This article was a great way to end my night.
Sutton has been unreal. He is becoming a monster out there. The way he has improved this year, it shocked me when I found out how old he actually is. But man, I hope he sticks around for at least 3 more years, and is delivering bone crushing hits at the blueline in the playoffs!
Let’s also not forget that even though not consistent yet, Tambellini has shown signs of life this year. Not much negative about this team so far this year. There has only been one game that was brutal to watch. The rest have been great hockey.
Chris, please don’t jinx our team by mentioning Mangini’s name. LOL
I’m proud of the team and the heart and hustle they have shown. And I’ll say it again, Moulson is a breath of fresh air. Not only is he a damn fine hockey player, but he just seems to be enjoying the game like anyone who loves the sport should. Not to mention he seems to be completely down-to-earth. You can’t help but root hard for guys like that. He is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
And JT has been as advertised. I remember when they were touting him as a 14 year old and I hoped that someday the Isles would get a player like that. Well let’s just say I’m thrilled we landed him and I hope he’s an Islander for life. If he keeps it up, he’ll easily win the Calder Trophy.
And I think Okposo is our future captain and heart and soul player. Like another fan said, the kid is a beast, and us fans love him.
And a hats off to the rest of the team, old and young! Go Islanders!
its been a good 21 games, heady stuff. we are a 500 team. better then last season. but its a long season, and our depth is vey thin. if it all holds up, we are a borderline playoff team. i like our efffort and style of play. kudos to management. i think they are doing a solid job in signing players, and avoiding mistakes.
CB, I have to disagree with your take (and that of a reader) with regard to Filatov. My understanding is that the reason he was draftet 6th and not earlier was because 1. The uncertainty about his commitment to play in NA, and 2. His slight size (just under 6′ and at most 170 lb, along with concerns about his ability/willingness to play in the corners (he is a wing) and play D. Now that all of those have been shown to be true, I think you overestimate his trade value. A skilled junior level player does not equal a successful NHL player. Putting this all on Hitchcock is silly. And, with regard to Bailey bs Filatov, while neither has played to their offensive potenntial Baileys defensive responsibility has kept him in the league as much as anything. No comparison.
I’m as happy as the next guy, and have been on record as saying that this year has a 1975 vibe to it - but let’s not buy our playoff tickets yet. I’ve been tracking (and now posting) what the standings would be without pity points and shootouts… the Isles would be an improved but not world-beating 7-9-5, and they’d be tied for ninth in points with Ottawa, not in a playoff spot. And Ottawa would have more wins and three games in hand.
(I mean, it could be worse - Carolina is an old-school 1-14-5, which is horrying, “1973 Capitals” bad; Toronto would barely be better.)
Of course the NHL has turned into a Garrison Keillor, all teams are above-average fantasy world, and by that measure they would give the Isles that playoff spot - that’s all that counts in the end - I’m just saying that a truer measure of the team’s results would give a more accurate picture. They’re improved and competitive; they have more guys picking up goals in the high-traffic areas, better finishing, and goalies who stop pucks. They need a top-pair D guy with Streit and a forward with some size to really take another step forward.
maybe the thing i like best about this team right now is how hard they’re playing. and winning a few games grows that even more. i’m no hockey tactician but you can see how the coach’s system forces the opponent into mistakes and turnvovers, especially opponents who don’t play as hard as they do. they are becoming a real pain in the neck to play against and that’s a big asset.
I have been reading alot of positive press about our boys, hopefully it doesnt go to their heads.
If anyone is going to discount the OT losses then they should also discount the OT wins. The team is 5-6 in regulation. Feels good to be off the bottom of the league standings but we are no where near the top.
TradeUp - to be more clear, I’m not discounting the OT losses… just considering them losses, not ties. Overtime is still hockey. OT wins are wins and need no discounting; nor shootout losses, since a tie would be the same point given either way. Then shootout wins become ties as well. The team is 7-9, with five games going to shootout; that’s basically the idea behind my version of the old-school standings. (7-9-5 instead of 8-6-7)
To date, the league’s record is 293-216-77 overall. That’s goofy. The league is actually 241-241 in games decided by actual hockey, with 104 shootout games.
#65, about wanting Luke Schenn instead of Bailey. Have you seen Schenn’s #s so far this year? Has 2 points and is playing about 15 minutes a game. Granted, Toronto is terrible, but no one thought they would be this bad and Schenn was expected to be a big part of the team this year.
I think Garth Snow has done a terrific job as the GM, and it is way past the time for people to be making jokes about him and questioning his ability.
Snow is a legit NHL general manager.
I must admit, I do question the pick of Koskinen at #31, but that’s a wait and see. The Isles weren’t the only ones to pass on O’Reilly.
Snow has done a great job just picking up so many picks from the 08′ and ‘09 drafts, and I think we’re going to see some good talent to come (especially Ness, Hamoic and DeHaan).
But to this point, Snow has been patient and has picked his spots well when making a move. Everyone wanted Tambellini gone (including myself), but the kid gets a hat trick a couple weeks ago and has shown promise.
Snow has shown that he is clearly not cut from the same cloth as Milbury — thank god!