Monthly Archives: January 2010
7:25 pm - He’ll forfeit $158,536 and 59 cents in salary.
My weekly Monday NHL column debuted today at AOL. Should be enough here to pique the interest of Islanders followers. As always, appreciate the support at FanHouse…CB
12:45 pm – “It’s going to be Rick and Roli,” was the key quote from Scott Gordon, but he didn’t necessarily mean in that order. The coach has spoken with Martin Biron, who despite being out of the rotation will continue to smile while awaiting a trade.
I asked Gordon if Rick DiPietro was starting a game this week. He said, “Yes.” I then told the coach I defined “this week” as the home games this Tuesday (Detroit) and Saturday (Buffalo). Gordon countered that he viewed the week to include next Monday’s home MLK day matinee against the Devils and Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
So there. Isn’t this fun? It’s only hockey. Look for DiPietro to start one of these next two home games.
“We’ve gotta get Ricky going,” said Gordon, “but we’ve got to be smart about it.”
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The Sean Bergenheim/roster limit story is even more fun.
To be sure, the Energizer Finn is healthy enough to play. Both the player and his coach were honest enough to confirm as much. Bergenheim, classy to his core, did not want to say anything else other than he had no complaints and would wait for his chance to play when the team makes a roster decision.
Asked about Brendan Witt’s doctor appointment (see below), Gordon didn’t seize the opportunity to build a case for the defenseman going on Injured Reserve. Bless his can’t-tell-a-lie heart, Gordon revealed that Witt was simply struggling with some calf tightness and his injury was not siginificant.
The Islanders surely know they can’t carry this 23+1 mini-scam much longer. You know it’s gotten crazy when even the media is hesitant to report anything that might get the team in trouble.
The Islanders will finally, mercifully, make their roster move by the game against the Red Wings.
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11:35 am, Iceworks - More to come in the afternoon. After a one-hour practice, Scott Gordon has them working on the shootout. For now, here’s the lineup:
Bailey – Tavares – Okposo
Moulson – Nielsen – Hunter
Sim – Schremp – Comeau
Weight – Park – Thompson
(Bergenheim, Tambellini)
Streit – MacDonald
Sutton – Hillen
Meyer – Gervais
Roloson
DiPietro
Biron
Brendan Witt had a doctor’s appointment for an evaluation on his leg. Maybe the team will get an Injured Reserve permission slip from the doc, too.
Comments.
Travis Hamonic will not join the Islanders or Bridgeport in April, for good reason. Within the Western Hockey League, he was traded on Sunday from by Moose Jaw to Brandon. What’s so special about Brandon? As the host team of the Memorial Cup, Brandon is an automatic entry in the four-team Canadian junior championships. His shoulder will be strong well before then. Additional good experience for one of the Islanders’ top prospects.
The Birth of Tippett Time in Islanders’ Win
Strange days in the Country. Rick DiPietro is back, and so is all the overheated pro-and-con chatter that accompanies his every move. There’s the Sean Bergenheim roster issue. There’s the matter of young, slumping John Tavares getting treated by opponents like a pinata with little physical response.
And then you look up the recent results and see the Islanders are 6-2-1 in their last nine games – shootout wins band-aiding blown leads be damned – and figure there must be a lot of people doing something right.
As the Islanders take the day off after getting four out of six points in their Western swing, I thought I’d take this Sunday to answer a few more questions from our holiday-time Ask the Editor segment.
Joe, 24 Bayside: CB, what do you feel is the better option for the Islanders long-term. Making a push for the playoffs or another top 5 pick? I wouldn’t mind Hall (preferably), Fowler or Kabanov on the Islanders for the next 10 years. And as always thanks for everything that you do!
CB: Thanks, Joe. As I wrote the other day, the reality is that it’s out of everyone’s hands. First, consider the mediocrity of the Eastern Conference. Shoot, now it may look like Boston doesn’t deserve to be included as part of a Big Five. Three or four teams are not going to run away with slots 5-8 for the final playoff berths. Now consider the Islanders’ penchant for picking up points, even in games when they blow three-goal leads in the third period.
So to answer your question, I don’t think it matters what I or anyone else thinks. When the Olympics are over, the Islanders are still going to be in the playoff race. The experience will be good for them and Garth Snow may have to continue his slow, but sure-handed rebuilding of the team without a blue-chip prospect. Of course, if the Islanders are ten points out of eighth in mid-March, they should Fowler up as much as they can.
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Pat from West Islip: What is up with Wayne Merrick? Have never seen him around the team in recent years.
CB: Wayne used to be one of the most visible former Islanders. Back in the late 90s, when I resigned from the radio booth to run the PR department, Wayne replaced me. He lived on Long Island, worked for Met Life and used to be one of the alums you could always rely on to attend charity games and events.
About five or six years ago Wayne moved with his family to Ontario. For the Core of the Four dynasty reunion, even his closest friends and Bill Torrey – a father figure in his life – had trouble reaching him. What we were told was that this was not a health issue, nor was Wayne anti-Islanders. The mystery of his decision to keep his distance was never solved. His friends and former teammates have understandably chosen to honor Wayne’s request for privacy.
I ask PB readers that if you have something you’d like to share on this subject, please send me an email first instead of posting in Comments. Thank you.
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Jethro9: I just want to know if the Islanders have any intention on trying to acquire a legitimate enforcer, someone to go out and protect these young players. Opponents are taking liberties with the Islanders smaller and younger players and nobody is there to hold the opponents accountable. And when I mean “enforcer,” I don’t mean a human punching bag like Jackman or an AHL guy that can’t play hockey like Rechlicz. I mean a legitimate NHL enforcer who can take a regular NHL shift and be at least serviceable doing it. Thanks.
CB: No, I do not, Jethro. For one simple reason: if they were going to, they would have by now. When Matt Martin is deemed ready, which could be at least another year away, he’ll be the Islanders’ top puncher. Matt is not a true enforcer, but can do the job in a Nystrom sort of way and get 15 goals – which will be a sight for many Islanders followers (and players) to behold.
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Brian G: CB, with all of the great work Billy Jaffe does with Islanders games on MSG+, NHL LIVE and VERSUS, I hope he doesn’t leave to pursue a different TV gig after a season or two. Would you know how long he has on his contract and if the Islanders/MSG will sign him to an extention? I have the NHL package and watch many different broadcasts of games and Jaffe has to be one of the better NHL TV analysts and has good chemistry with Howie Rose.
CB: You raise an important issue, Brian. Although I don’t agree with everything he says – such is the nature of color commentary (and blogging) – Billy Jaffe is one of the best analysts and home-team broadcasters in the NHL and one of the finest in New York. He is in the final year of his contract with his employer, MSG Network, and there has been no word of an extension. The possibility of losing Jaffe on the Islanders’ broadcasts is real.
From being around the team as an executive and now a reporter, what I can tell you is that The Jaff loves it on Long Island and cherishes being part of the extended Islanders family. In one of those small-world things, Billy’s wife’s parents live out East. As you can tell from his broadcasts, he is extremely supportive of the team and has a good working relationship with management. As much as some media and fans like to fantasize about former Islanders in that position, I can assure you it would be a significant downgrade no matter who replaced Jaffe.
My hope and reasonable expectations are that, with the Islanders’ wholehearted blessing, Jaffe and his agent will be able to work out a new multi-year contract with MSG Network for him to stay here.
No more questions please. Still plenty I haven’t gotten to and we’ll do another round during the Olympic break. Your Comments on this post only, please. Thank you…CB
10:45 pm – The Islanders turn a gift into their eighth consecutive one-goal game. The Coyotes rallied after Dave Tippett’s brutal mistake and scored three times in the third period – two on a power play after an accident high-stick by Bruno Gervais – to tie the game.
In the shootout, Robert Lang and Lauri Korpikoski scored for Phoenix. Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey scored for the Islanders to send it to extra shooters. In the sixth frame, Dwayne Roloson stopped Shane Doan, Matt Moulson scored for the second point.
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9:35 pm – In one of the most bizarre periods you will ever see, Dave Tippett turns a five-minute penalty kill into a ten-minute circus, a 2-1 deficit into 4-1 in Tippett Time.
After looking demoralized, Coyotes finish the second period strong. Perhaps if Tippett walks into his team’s room and rightfully places the blame entirely on himself, Phoenix will be motivated and get back in the game. This should be in the bag, but the first five minutes of the third are key for the Islanders.
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9:20 pm – On Twitter, I broke down the incredible mistake by Dave Tippett, who I’m sure will apologize to his team. Mark Streit scores his first goal since Nov. 13, first by an Islanders defenseman in eleven games (Andrew MacDonald on Dec. 17).
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8:43 pm – Summary: Slow start to the period for Islanders. Nate Thompson takes penalty. Jovocop scores. Scott Gordon roars behind the bench. Blake Comeau scores late in the period off a nice dish from Rob Schremp. After Jovanovski nails John Tavares with a dirty elbow, Kyle Okposo scores on the delayed penalty with 17 seconds left in the period. Jovanovski gets 5-minute major and game misconduct. Islanders will start second period with a power play for 4:43.
Islanders of the Period: Comeau with the goal scorer’s goal against a great goalie. Kyle Okposo best player on the ice for both teams.
Question: Ed Jovanovski was kicked out, but will the Islanders retaliate against Phoenix?
News Story: On The Plus pre-game show, Billy Jaffe raised the bar on what the Islanders could get in a trade for Martin Biron by talking about Garth Snow possibly getting “a dman back” or “size up front or, in particular, down the middle.” Then The Jaff talked about the Islanders’ cap room: “Maybe you can get a player that can help you right now.”
I’ll stay on the record saying I really doubt it. Let’s see if this become another Billy Guerin, “Of course, they’re definitely gonna get more than a third-line player and a second round pick!” scenario.
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7:15 pm – Per Katie Strang, Sean Bergenheim stays on IR. He’s healthy. Scott Gordon says team does not have “roster flexibility.” You’d think these were the 2008 Red Wings.
6:30 pm - Brendan Witt is scratched, Freddy Meyer is in. No CoveritLive game chat tonight. I’ll post something after each period. You’re encouraged to talk about the game in the Comments space. Rick DiPietro is not playing tonight, so please talk about Islanders-Coyotes only. Thanks. Enjoy…CB
FanHouse: DiPietro loses in NHL return
This is DiPietro’s New Mask
Join Point Blank on the Interadio: I’ll be on with the incredible Alex and Steve on “Hockey Night on Long Island” at 3:00 pm TODAY. Alex and Steve went to high school in Plainview with my equally-overachieving nephew, are currently freshmen in college, have hosted this show for years and will probably dominate Islanders coverage as professionals by the end of this decade – if not sooner. Listen to the show here. I’m told they will take calls for people to ask me questions or yell at me or whatever. Should be fun.
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Late last night I received tweets from pals James Mirtle of the Globe & Mail and Scott Morrison of Hockey Night in Canada pointing out the brilliant performance by Buffalo’s Tyler Myers. The Sabres’ rookie defenseman had two goals, one assist, two blocked shots and a team-high 24:48 of icetime in his team’s 3-2 win over Toronto. Yes, it is true: if you didn’t have Myers ahead of John Tavares three weeks ago on your Calder chart, now there can be no argument. Matt Duchene, too. Still, the season is only a little more than half-over.
Tavares does not have a point in his last seven games. He has one point – a slam dunk goal off a perfect feed from Blake Comeau in Toronto on Dec. 23 – over his last 13 games. He’s also minus-9 in that span.
Is there any cause for alarm here? No. Any doubt Tavares is going to be a significant NHL star? None. That doesn’t mean the Islanders won’t ignore his proper development.
Short of a breakout, two-goal game in Phoenix, a game off on Tuesday could help John. He’d get to watch the Red Wings’ stars – the ones still standing, of course – in a Coliseum suite. By missing Tuesday, Tavares would also get a full week between games.
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Courtesy of Twitter must-follow statman Eric Hornick, Rick DiPietro has a three-game assist streak…with each assist occuring in a different calendar year.
The goalie was every bit as rusty as you could expect last night, but he wasn’t helped by a lineup in which half his teammates had poor games. No reason why Scott Gordon can’t give a little shake to the lineup against the Coyotes. Maybe they’ll even take Sean Bergenheim off IR. Nah…
Next start for DiPietro? Try next Saturday at home vs. Buffalo or two days later against New Jersey. Dwayne Roloson deserves the start Tuesday at home against the Red Wings.
One thing is for certain: Richard DiPietro is good for blog ratings. Welcome back, kid. Stay healthy.
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Final Thoughts: If the Islanders send Andrew MacDonald to Bridgeport to unclog their roster, they would be making the easy decision and their team weaker instead of, you know, showing proper management and making tougher decisions. MacDonald was +1 and played another 20 minutes last night. Brendan Witt played 11 minutes last night, Bruno Gervais 15. Again, if you want to know what a coach thinks of his players, go to the icetime column.
Way to go to 20-year-old Joshua Bailey, a terrific young man who works his tail off, focuses on what’s important, treats everyone with respect and has seven points in a five-game point streak (4-3-7).
Comments on tonight’s game and this post.
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