Comments on: WEDNESDAY NIGHT NOTEBOOK: Gordon picks best game…Roloson…MacD stays…Tale of two Prospects

By: justin

justin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:52:48 +0000

The Saga continues! Martins head coach Dave MacQueen(ex Tampa ) in Sarnia said it best “Matt Martin would not be denied” referring to his work ethic and character to wanting to be a Pro hockey player.

You make it happen Matt!

By: 19 Isle in NJ 22

19 Isle in NJ 22 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:15:47 +0000

I think in the final leg of this road trip the Isles can put an exclamation mark that they are not to be taken lightly. I believe if they took advantage of these off days they can come into Friday’s game recharged and ready to surprise another home team.

KO’s home turf … looking for a break out game for the consistently good winger.
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Good news about Martin … not so good news about Figren. I think there is nothing wrong with a player getting some instruction and confidence in the ECHL.
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Love it that JT is so dedicated to working on his game … I can relate to those solo exercises with the puck … come on… how many other fellow hockey players on here smashed up their parents’ garage door shooting pucks and stickhandling in the driveway?!

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:49:20 +0000

@Gutty34(#34) Who’d we get for Okposo, or is he just a healthy scratch in your scenario?
Figren: Why is it such an easy decision to send Robin to the ECHL when there is very little happening in the AHL? I ask that because the same scenario has not even been considered by management for Bailey, whose demotion could vastly help, not only his development, but that of the Tigers’ players as well. Who knows, maybe even Robin. While Schremp is still on the roster I think it would be beneficial to move Bailey from a third line NHL center to a first line AHL center. This is almost a no brainer when Weight returns… why would you return him to the RW when you have KO, TH, Comeau and Jackman there already… not to mention Park. I still say bailey will be a fine NHLer, I just think he’d be a lot more help in Bridgeport right now.
Martin: I’m looking forward to seeing Matt in the NHL. There’s a sea of mediocrity above him though. The organization definitely has some decisions to make when it comes to what direction they are headed.

By: bob l

bob l — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:32:58 +0000

read the fowler piece, good read chris, would be nice to get him but it looks out of reach at the moment…

shame about figrin’s lack of progression, but he’s still only 21, not lost yet!

By: mrlbem

mrlbem — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:23:43 +0000

Two things. Someone said that the draft this year is lousy. That is wrong. It is stacked, at least through the top ten picks. It is the draft after the 2010-2011 season that the scouts feel will be the worst since the draft where we had four first round picks. Second, unless Gordon believes and can convince Garth that Filatov is a perfect fit for the system, why would we trade for him? We had the chance to get him for nothing two drafts ago and passed.

By: mmm22

mmm22 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:17:36 +0000

I think this team when healthy could probably get the 7 or 8 seed but if any of the key guys, Tavares, Okposo, Moulson or Streit go down for a couple weeks plus then forget about it. Even if they are in position to take the 7th or 8th seed I can’t see Snow being a buyer at the deadline (especially after that Smyth debacle) and without help on D the isles will get killed by whoever they meet in the 1st round. In any case I hope they keep it up, there is no reason to tank the season if they are in position for a higher pick, 10+ just trade it with Biron for Filitov (Garon is not going to keep up those numbers and something is definitely wrong with Mason)

Anyway I hope they keep it up this is the best hockey the team has played in a long time.

By: Gutty34

Gutty34 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:53:30 +0000

Whatever happens with the team this year i think our expectations have all been exceeded – regardless of what happens here on out. We are seeing Kyle mature. Tavares is as billed. Moulson another stellar diamond in the rough find. Neilsen growing. A 4th line emerging. Some secondary scoring now coming in from Hunter and a few others. Bergy despite the lack of points has been a spark plug. Tamby growing up despite sitting. Some parts growing in the Bridge. A few young dmen getting a chance. Streit solid as always. One and done in the playoffs would be fine by me IF that happens. Experience is invaluable. Cap space for 2010-2011 season can be a huge advantage. Finally positive hockey news. Glad to see (although it is killing me not knowing anything)that the lighthouse bullsh_t has kept itself away from all of this so we can enjoy it. Not so sure where we fit Weight in once he returns. I know you all say Sim sucks….Sim must go. But he does do a lot of little dirty things that should not be overlooked. I would like to see Weight play on the 1st with Moulson and Tavares. Park can move back down to 4th to complete that line again. Neilsen centers Bergy and Comeau. Bailey centers Hunter and Tamby/Sim??? Nice balance. Amamzing that we talk about how to fit everyone in vs who can actually fit in like last year. Love the goalie depth. Arguably the best in the league right now.

By: Leviticus

Leviticus — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:51:59 +0000

I think management will know whether we should move players by the deadline. By then it’ll be obvious to all. Now, let’s just enjoy. As for Figren, and everyone else, makes a neat story, but let’s just see. Different development times for different kids. Not sure the motives of whomever CB got the story from anyway (since I’m sure it’s not from personal scouting). Interesting, but certainly not gospel.

By: Gutty34

Gutty34 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:44:26 +0000

Sutton was our best D man last year prior to getting hurt. He was hitting, blocking shots etc…he was a huge loss when he went down. He was slow to start this year but that was expected. Now that he is healthy and in game shape – the guy has been a monster. I would say with confidence that he is one of the best dmen out there at closing down the side walls. His hits are brutal – keeping arms down and tight – punishing guys and they are thinking twice about maling moves to the outside.

By: Giaco

Giaco — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:32:02 +0000

Love the way the team is playing but…. We’re not following the Pitt Pens Plan (PPP). They bottomed out for a few yrs and got top draft picks (one lucky draft slot) and developed. I hate to halt the development by squeezing into the 8th spot and being eliminated in the first round ala a few years ago. We get a mid to upper pick. I say leave the team the way we are, then trade Weight, Park, Sutton to playoff teams in Feb.

By: TimQ

TimQ — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:21:53 +0000

As competitive as the Isles have been I still struggle to see them as a playoff team. I hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see enough talent here. IMO, we need three more quality forwards, and 2 more quality d-men.

By: UIF

UIF — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:48:35 +0000

I agree with the Bruno criticisms. I was a defender last year, but I’m a big detractor this year. It’s always a decent play followed by an awful one. He beats a forward to the puck, but fails to clear the zone. He clears the zone, but he ices the puck. He angles someone toward the boards, but lets him get around easily with a light and pointless shove. He pinches nicely to the high slot on offence, but puts a harmless wrister off of a defender. I also cannot recall him winning a single battle in the corners this season. Seems like a great guy, and he’s a good skater, but he’s the worst of the lot defensively.