NOTEBOOK: Bailey…JJ…DP…Webb weighs in…Springfield memories…goal song funnies
CB at FanHouse on the goalie trade market
Building a Rink at Fenway Park
What We Learned After Practice:
12:55 pm - Josh Bailey is far from set as a left wing on the line with Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. Scott Gordon said he was looking at a lot of combinations and had his reasons for putting Bailey, Nielsen, Okposo and Jeff Tambellini in blue (wanted to give Bailey some wall work, wanted to give Rob Schremp more reps at practice, wanted to give KO fewer reps). Stay tuned tomorrow.
Gordon would not even commit to Blake Comeau playing on the right side of Matt Mouslon and John Tavares. Comeau did tell me that he’s had a few more conversations with the head coach lately about his role and expectations. “If I’m playing with those two guys, it doesn’t change,” said Comeau. “I have to get in on the forecheck and play physically. I have to play the way I did in Toronto.”
Jesse Joensuu will play Saturday, even though the kid played the humble card after practice and said he was uncertain if he would.
Andy Sutton will play against Boston. Although Jack Hillen had a slight limp walking out of Iceworks today, Gordon said Hillen will play tomorrow and probably be re-united with Sutton. Andy, who told reporters that he was completely miserable missing the last two weeks, said playing 8 of 10 at home is huge. “We weathered the storm half-decent on the road,” said Sutton. “Now it’s time to dominate at home.”
Gordon said Sean Bergenheim should be out at least a week. Updated at 5:00 pm - Tim Jackman is now out 1-2 weeks with the hip pointer, downgraded from day-to-day.
Doug Weight has done some skating on his own, but has yet to resume practicing. My take: you’ll see Weight back after Christmas.
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DiPietro tonight: AHL rehab start No. 2 for Ricky D takes place tonight in Bridgeport. Check Point Blank after the game. We’ll try to put together a report from Springfield.
Speaking of Springy…As an aside, this brings back memories of when the Islanders had their AHL affiliate in Springfield. With the Indians - as they were known then - on the verge of winning the Calder Cup, Bill Torrey okayed then-Islanders PR director Greg Bouris and I to host a few New York hockey writers at the game. Torrey even threw in a stretch limo so we could bring the reporters in style (oh, what a different time).
That team included Bill Berg, Tom Fitzgerald, Rob DiMaio, Wayne McBean, Marc Bergevin, George Maneluk, Greg Parks, Dale Henry, Jeff Finley, Richard Kromm and a future assistant coach named Dean Chynoweth.
Springfield won that night. Two post-game memories: the odd sight of goalie Jeff Hackett - dominant in the playoffs but injured for the clincher - coming out to accept his playoff MVP trophy in street clothes. Then there was the emotion displayed by longtime minor league defenseman Chris Pryor, later an Islanders scout and now player development director with the Flyers. “This is the greatest feeling ever,” Chris told us on that night almost 20 years ago. “For me, I know this is the top.”
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Yeah, Right: I’m very grateful for any new readers Point Blank has picked up over the last few months. To those of you who emailed me yesterday about the latest droppings from Ruth Buzzi, I respectfully ask that you please check the Comment Guidelines. I also recommend that you don’t waste anyone’s time - especially yours. Thank you very much.
The Long, Chartered and 5-Star Hoteled Road: Surprising to read Coach Gordon make any kind of deal of his team’s month on the road - “It’s been such a constant, us being on the road. I think we’re all kind of worn out,” the coach told Katie Strang on Wednesday. Ask Doug Weight what the traveling life was like as an Edmonton Oiler. Even with playing 14 of 17 on the road - with off days and time back on Long Island - for competitive purposes the Islanders have one of the most cake travel schedules in the league.
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Goal Song Hijinks: The Islanders ran a poll on their official team website for the next goal song. Fans were only given four choices, as selected by the team. They even included the current Nickelback song that had about a 2% approval rating. This way the organization can say they went with the people’s choice, although that would not be true.
What the Islanders also didn’t tell fans is that if they were honest enough to provide their accurate personal information in order to vote, they would be called at home and hawked ticket packages. (I received a whole bunch of emails from fans on that maneuver). To keep the, uh, marketing going a little longer, the Islanders narrowed the vote to two songs and asked fans to vote - and reveal their email addresses and phone numbers - all over again.
And they still won’t have the song their fans want to hear.
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Webb’s Vote: Interesting, spontaneous moment on Wednesday night at PB Night as the crowd cheered for guest Steve Webb. As several fans called out for a full-time heavyweight, Steve - former Islanders player development staffer, current NHLPA divisional rep for the Atlantic division - made it very clear he believed his Islanders should have one.
I wonder what Steve’s close friend and current Islanders development staffer Eric Cairns thinks of his team not having a player like the fearsome defenseman. After the Draft Party reaction to the pick of John Tavares, Eric’s pounding of Shane Corson into the ice in Game 6 may be the No. 2 Islanders image of this decade.
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11:00 am, Iceworks - No, they are not a blogger’s. They are Scott Gordon’s today at practice:
Bailey - Nielsen - Okposo
(Tambellini also on LW in Carolina blue)
Joensuu - Schremp - Hunter
Moulson - Tavares - Comeau
Sim - Park - Thompson
Comments.
78 Responses to “NOTEBOOK: Bailey…JJ…DP…Webb weighs in…Springfield memories…goal song funnies”
Please Wait
Dont care where they put Bailey as long as he gets an opportunity to play with offensive minded and skilled players. Hope Joenssu makes the best of his chance. Sutton plays we will win. We need one bad
Good to see them shaking it up a bit. No reason Bailey has to be a center.
“Reaction?”
I feel dizzy.
why are they trying to accommodate Schremp. He hasnt done anything.
I guess trying Bailey on line with KO is nothing to complain about.
Bailey is a center and plays like A Centre. Centres have to do more on defensive side.
could be gordon given schremp some serious looks before we determine whether to keep him or dump him?
Tamby is as good as traded for a D Man, hopefully we can throw Gervais in the trade, even if its for a few extra waterbottles we win…hopefully Hillen is all healed up before tomorrows game, be great to have Sutton back as well
I actually like that Schremp Line. It will be interesting to see what the Isles do with a little size up front.
i think bailey and KO is a good combo..clearly bailey has the skill set to be a very good 2nd line centermen and putting him with our top foward/ best play maker could take the attention of bailey and let him showcase his talents in games. I think it might just work.
I’d be shocked if tambs is worth anything in a trade, but I think it may be time to move him. Gervais isn’t worth anything other in my opinion. I think the only way we manage to deal for a decent top four defenseman would be to trade picks and prospects. I’d expect snow to make a move for a depth defenseman and surrender as little as possible. Sutton coming back should be huge though. Interesting lines, but I don’t like comeau with JT. I’ll be interested to see what it looks like though. Any word if KO is off the point on the PP? He’s not effective back there and teams know he won’t shoot, and they send extra pressure at Streit. Hillen would be my choice to play the point with Streit.
I really like the Bailey-Nielsen-K.O. line…K.O. will break his goal drought tomorrow, but at least the kid continues to put up points
Honestly though..i gotta say it just sucks that JT and KO and so good together, yet when you separate them they dont have that special chemistry with everyone else
Well, you’ve now seen the last, best, hope for Blake Comeau in an Isles uniform. If he can’t generate opportunities on a line with our two best scorers, then I can see him either being waived or shipped out in a package for a mid-level pick, or alone for a low-level pick.
Mabe we can get the same magic that KO and JT have with a combo like Bailey and Taylor Hall since they carried their team to a title in junoirs
Love it. At least Gordo realizes something has to change, with JT scoring the team’s last 5 goals and the Isles going 3-7 in their last 10 games. Good to see Bails on a line with more offensive players. The tandem of Joensuu and Hunter flanking Schremp should allow Schremp to be more productive, and putting Comeau’s hands and puck patience on Tavares’ right side looks great! Maybe Ted Nolan came up with that idea.
Bailey and K.O. played great together last year, and had good chemistry..I think they will be fine again this year
That Schremp line has blazing speed!?!? Could work though, Jesse and Hunter are good along the boards.
Its about time to give Schremp a chance. He is supposed to be skilled so id give him 20 games to see what he can do. Put him on a top 9 forward line and see what he can do. He is definitly skilled and looks decent. Give the kid a chance. I would rather play him then sim and park.
I would’ve put Nielsen on Bailey’s wing. Oh well, what do I know. It’s about time Bailey plays with KO again, I bet they both get going. I’d rather see Tamby on the left with Bailey and KO. Again, who am I though?
I like Comeau up with JT and MM.
CB any chance Gordo reads this site? Swap Joensuu & Comeau and I think he is on to something
Very interesting… let’s see what becomes of this.
CB, many kudos for always having the up to date info. Cheers my friend. Newsday who?
My favorite aspect of these combinations (as well as the pre-Joenssu call-up) is that he is keeping Park-Sim and Co on the 4th line
any lineup with Sim off the top 3 lines, is a good one by me.
“I think Go-Go just might take a look at Bailey on the left side. You have to admire the attempt.”
I agree. Scott Gordon has stepped up to the plate this year & is genuinely making an effort to squeeze some points out this barren roster. Will it work? Who knows, but if it doesn’t can’t blame the Coach, the GM & the Owner will have to answer for the mounting losses.
just give schrempie a fair shot
claimed him for what ?
Moulson-Tavares-COMEAU??? After being a healthy scratch for most of the games, Blake’s being promoted to the firstline? Wow.
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo is interesting. I like that line combination. Let’s hope all 3 of those guys get points tomorrow!
you know what, its about time they try something new with Bailey. i fee like we’re slowing losing this kid and he is invisible almost every game this year, not good. I hope Gordon continues to get Bailey some confidence and options. is it not an option to send him to the Bridge?
The Bailey situation, that we passed on very solid other players in the draft, is not looking too good right now. He has the skills and the knowledge, but he needs something to help his development. Can’t always focus on KO and JT.
I love that Gordon is tinkering with things. We have not played well lately, but hey I think most of us expected that this would happen sooner or later. It is not really a detriment to the team. Whatever happens this season is all gravy, if we still get a top 10 pick, that is great for the future too. There is no doubt there is promise with these young players.
I also want to give props to the Isles fans here on IPB, because I have seen many more positive posts lately, realizing that we are still rebuilding and very few posts chastizing this team anymore. It is a great thing to see the fans starting to get behind this team in a more positive way, regardless of their record.
Baily and KO had some chemistry going towards the end of last season if I remember correctly. Should be interesting.
i like see jesse get a shot u here. we are definetly too small. jackman going down is much bigger than people think. hopefully im wrong
Expect a real nice game from franzy.
Indeed #27, indeed. Lots of positive talk. We’re not winning the cup, but we’re moving in the right direction. Patience. we look better than the last 10 years combined.
to post 18 when i saw coach gordon in bridgeport about a month ago he was on his laptop during intemrission on this site
Hey, Chris, that’s something that’s a great idea for a post on Point Blank! You should do the Top Ten Islanders images of the 2000’s, that would be a great read.
I’d say that Bates scoring on the Penalty Shot would be the Islanders image of the decade behind Tavares’ selection. Maybe Carin-Corson at #3.
We talk about our rebuild and the fact that we are weak on reserves in Bridge. On the other hand the NJDs loose lots of players but consistently bring up young guys from the farm that not only fill in but keep their team on top. What are we doing wrong?
Islanders need to get the Gary Glitter Goal song back - they need to do something right for once and listen to the fans…instead of trying to fool us.
For the people that were at game 6 of the Toronto series…No one will forgot how loud the building got at the start when it said on the scoreboard…Do it for Michael & Kenny
i was wondering how the hell they got my email
TKO ERIC CARINS!!
What is with this blog’s obsession with the “you suck” song? A lot of fans like the song, but I’ll bet some percentage of those fans would like a song where Wade Dubielewicz does scat singing and the scoreboard tells the crowd when to punctuate it with “you suck.”
The team is doing the right thing by not using a song that tacitly encourages the fans to do the inane “you suck” chant. The fact that the did the wrong thing by harvesting email addresses and phone numbers for marketing shouldn’t obscure that fact.
Haha never thought I’d be so happy to hear Sutton’s coming back!
JKP i like that idea. get a clip of dubie on the jumbotron pointing and laughing at the other team’s goalie while the words “YOU SUCK” flash on the screen, in rhythm with the music of course.
Ha! That’s funny on the Goal Song vote followed by the gimme yer money phone call. Islander fans BE NICE! Being an Islander Customer Service or Ticket Rep is the hardest job in Pro Sports, bar none!
i like the lines. I say tambi sits. think about it, once we get jackman, bergi, and dougie back… we have reasonable depth on this team. having sutts back is def huge, our blue line can at least be respectable. Sit BRUNO
No way Bailey is physical enough to be a legit winger! I just don’t see him digging in the corners and muscling the puck away from Defencemsan. Might just be a wake up call from Gordo to Bailey to pick it up!!
im worried about bailey. 3 assists in 30 games for a playmaking center? something isnt right.
So we get size and put JJ with Hunter - the only other forward with good size?
And I think I’d like to see Gordon commit to Tambellini, Schremp, or Comeau for 15 games instead of constantly shuffling them in and out of the lineup. The pressure of “this is my chance” can be useful but it’s not a fair way to evaluate a player.
“cake” schedule or not, traveling is tireing
Regarding The post being more positive I think it has to do with most of us believing this team would be last or damn close. With that said I would love a top 5 or 10 pick to stockpile our prospects… And would not be mad if we made the playoffs and be one n out or just missing the playoffs. My thinking for that is just think of the confidence these kids will have knowing they made or just missed the playoffs with the team we have now. Our kiddie pool may not be to deep but our future for sure is bright with our current roster. Excited for JJ coming up big hopes for him.
If MacDonald isn’t sent back to Bridgeport then he will likely be playing on Saturday and Gordon will have to scratch either Bruno (preferable) or Freddy. If Bruno continues to be rewarded for his awful play then it has to be as trade bait so other teams don’t see him scratched on a team with many AHL caliber players. If Bruno can’t crack this lineup regularly then his trade value is truly less than a bag of pucks.
Bailey is fine. He just should not be in NHL. He should have started his NHL career next year.
The “TKO Eric Cairns” moment is number one in my book, not only because of TKO itself, and the NUMBER ONE finger taunt, but the little fist bump by Bates for standing up for him… because it was Bates and Corson that started it, then mother Tucker had jumped in for [I think] his brother-in-law. THIS TEAM NEEDS THAT… haven’t seen that since Simon went after a heavyweight who was trying to late shift Drew Fata in his first game as an Isle. Maybe Gillies needs a cup of coffee for some of the division games.
MM-JT-KO… They are the best line the Isles have iced in a long time… don’t deny the home fans that.
JT-RS-TH…tambellini has to start thinking JASON BLAKE… or look for another job.
JJ-FN-BC… this should be the line with the most defensive responsibilities.
JS-NT-RP… a home for Mr. Sim until he finds greener pastures.
Dead Horse… no Bailey. You have five centermen to give Josh a chance to play a NUMBER ONE role in BP.
Doug Weight: HIGHEST PAID NANNY ON LONG ISLAND. And he’s worth every penny!
Just a random thought…. we could use Baumgartner, Vukota and Pilon’s spread out through our lineup… maybe then when JT loses a tooth there is a little payback… we had exactly no one who could step up to Pronger or pretty much anyone else.
It must make Cairns sick to see the crap going on and Snowgor doing nada. I know it does me.
Please leave Okposo and Tavares together, it’s working, it’s one of the few things on your team that is working. Hopefully Gordon learned from earlier in the year when that line was unreal hot and Gordon broke them up and they cooled off.
The only problem with Josh Bailey is he plays with garbage wingers. A smart organization would have a vet winger and a talented younger player with him. He gets stuck with some crap from the garbage pile like Sim, Schremp, Tambelleni, etc. Guys who have no business on an NHL roster.
I am glad Sutton will be back. He and JJ will be a huge help but really call up Martin and Riechlecz. They can get plenty of ice time in the NHL. Just dump the trash from your roster.
If the draft were held today the Isles OWN THE #5 PICK….THEY ARE A LOTTERY TEAM! No point talking about the playoffs, we’ve all seen they don’t have it this year even with the massive goalie upgrades. Snow chose not to add the size, toughness and defense the team needed so play for the best possible draft pick. Stop letting guys who have no future here eat up ice and PP time.
Maybe Webb should have more say. I wish we had an enforcer. I wish we also had more size and strength. We need 2 big tough forwards… EX- Eager and Orr. We could use 1 more nasty dmen.
I wasnt liking that Bailey had about 8 min last game. I agree with post 50 that technically, Bailey can be looked at as having to start his NHL career NEXT year. So, let’s be patient with him. Not everyone jumps out too fast from the starting gate. At least he seems to have the fundamentals down.. he’s on the PK and PP..
I love these lines. I love the fact that Sim is actually on a checking line and kids actually have a chance to play on top lines. I wonder if Sim will still get PP time. Lets see if Gordo sticks to these tomorrow. Guess It’ll be Bailey, Schremp, or Tambellini as the healthy scratch
Melrose talked about the Islanders lack of toughness in his chat on ESPN yesterday. It is getting bad. I assume the Islanders will react instead of act. By that I mean they will wait until Tavares gets seriously injured then work on the problem beforehand. Snow is still a joke imo
I’m not saying that the Isles *don’t* need an enforcer, but sooner or later the *Kids* are gonna have freaking stick up for themselves too! Look at Crosby, Parise, Bergeron, Kovelchuck…they don’t always have to *drop the gloves* to make you pay! They all have a take-it-too-ya nasty side also! Remember Rich Pilon? Not that great of a fighter but man, oh, man he would C R U S H you with a legal hit every time! The problem as I see it is not that we need a Mitch Fritz. The problem is that the Isles are a VERY soft team, top to bottom. I actually think Reich will be fine for the time being.
Go Isles!
WEBB FOR GM!
…Regarding Baily, lets remeber he has 3 assists playing a lot with Jon Sim. Enough said.
only an enforcer who can actually play should be sought after. the wrecker nor the past fritz could have any upside. someone like Neil or McGratton would work.
If Al Arbour could find a way to mix a goon like Mick Vukota into the lineup and still win a hockey game..then Gordon shouldnt be coach if he is telling Snow he cant win if he dresses a goon.
Tommy Fitzgerald … that’s another one we let get away
Im SO sick of hearing we have to have an Enforcer that can play? Yawn Yawn Yawn ZZZZZZZ Just get an Enforcer that can skate a little better than Fritz and we are golden, He does NOT need to score, there are really only a handful of Enforcers that can really play and it does NOT seem to be a problem for the other teams that theres cant play. We NEVER seem to take advantage of the other teams Enforcers being on the ice, how come we dont score crazy goals when another team has thers on the ice? How come we didnt win the games against Philly and Toronto both much much much more physical teams than the Isles????
I agree. Toronto dressed Orr and Mayers and were able to beat us. That is two goons who can’t really play. I feel like we can have one lol
#1 image this decade to me is the Shawn Bates penalty shot. I was there for both the fight and the penalty shot, the penalty shot wins in my view, it was such a HUGE goal and the place was one of the loudest I have ever heard it.
The Wrecker is off IR, he is skating and learning. After all he is a kid, too… hopefully in time the Isles will have their enforcer in him. Gordon and Snow are both pretty high on him. Lets give him time to cook up into what we need.
….I second the goon. Need one. That being said JT is showing that he can handle himself pretty well. What did he do after Pronger pasted him against the boards with a cheap shot? He went and scored a goal. That my fellow Islander fans is a sign of greatness. It certainly wasn’t lost on me. Having seen him play in the NHL thus far a few observations.
Not a graceful skater, however he doesn’t need to be. He is sneaky quick.
He is holding up pretty well with his boards play, for a 19 year old playing against men he will only get better.
Strong on the puck.
His play making skills believe it or not where underrated IMO.
He has a bit of an edge for a 19 year rookie.
He has unbelievable hands.
Its been a long time since I as an Islander fan have seen a player of this caliber wear the Jersey.
I have no doubt in my mind he will be a 50 goal scorer in this league.
He has a lot of desire.
I can only hope we can somehow make him an Islander for a real long time.
I wish we had Steve Webb and Mick Vukota.
Great work CB….love the reads
If we play well at home…..
13, Comeaus “hands and puck patience?” I honestly don’t see either. I seem to notice him either coughing up the puck to avoid taking a hit or taking a long, no chance shot. He plays smaller than he is and I do not understand what the allure is here. Poor Tambellini gets benched when he was approaching the team lead in goals,in half the games played, and yet the whole organization keeps looking for the silver lining in a guy who does nothing offensively, is a defensive liability, and won’t even stick up for himself (remember that Atlanta game last year) much less his teammates.
Gordon should leave the top line alone, since it actually works, and leave Comeau in the pressbox where he belongs.
or it could just be we dont have much luck with our enforcers when they are out there. not like much goes right for us anyway wouldn’t be a shocker
Orr is actually a better player than the wrecker. he works on his skating and isn’t terrible for a enforcer. Mayers, ok yea hes pretty bad but i still don’t want to give playing time a goon if he’s a liability.
Re: goal song… just back from Europe (can’t BELIEVE I missed a Moulson hat trick) and I watched a German hockey game… when Berlin scored, they played the Can Can. Just so you know it can be worse.
CB-
I voted on the goal song…
I did get a call and an email…
I didnt think about that.
Funny people are mentioning Shawn Bates today of all days- I just read that he is going back to the AHL!
71, toughness describes neither Tambs or Comeau I doubt either has much of a future on this team. Definitely a shame with Tambs because he has great wheels and a great shot but is often invisible on the ice. Comeau shows brief flashes of talent but hasnt proven himself at lower levels the way Tambellini has.
45 he has had Simm on his wing all season, 3 assists is a lot..