Comments on: UNSOLVED MYSTERIES: NYI EDITION – DP gets game this “week;” Biron out of rotation; Bergie still on “IR”

By: thomas

thomas — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:42:55 +0000

Neo,

That’s my point. He IS a 4th liner however Gordon puts him out there WAY too much. I’m not going to “let it go”. If he wasn’t sniffing the ice in close games and was an alternate PK I’d have no issue. Stuff like this makes me wonder what Gordon is watching. How about playing Nielsen and his +12 in the final minute of a game? That’s a novel concept. Instead we continue to blow leads with Park and Thompson a combined -35.

By: Chris in DC

Chris in DC — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:44:53 +0000

#66, I realize some of us are bashing Thompson pretty good, and I agree with you the guy has spirit and heart, and he tries, and I’m sure he’s a good dude, but this is the NHL and I don’t think he has the talent to stick here. I do not think he matches up to players on other teams who play a similar role, as you claim that he does — not with 1 goal and limited skills, he doesn’t.
I wager this time next year, Thompson will be this year’s Andy Hilbert (off the Isles and in the minor leagues).

By: Chris in DC

Chris in DC — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:10:16 +0000

Thomas, I wonder why CB hasn’t even touched the possibility that N.Thompson should be one of players to go to alleviate the glut. It’s bewildering. The -14 is certainly appalling and the guy’s offense is clearly limited. I did see Thompson get into a couple fights earlier in the year and he did well, but it was against marginal scrappers and I don’t believe Thompson at all scares the better NHL middleweights. The best middleweight in the league in my opinion is former Islander Arron Asham. For those not familiar with Asham, check out his YouTube clips of beating Jackman to a pulp twice last year, and his one-punch knockout of former Islander minor league d-man Matt Spiller.
Asham would be great with JT right now. He has a great shot and puts up 10-12 goals a year. He scares opponents and is one of the best throwers in the league. The Isles can use a guy like that. Not an AHL retread like Thompson. I don’t mean to be so harsh on the guy, but the numbers dictate we make a move and to me he seems clearly the most obvious to go.

By: Strummer's Army

Strummer's Army — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:42:58 +0000

Bergy needs to take Sim’s place. Sim needs to have a seat. I also think Tambs is bringing more when he plays then some of the regulars.

If Snow wanted to add an enforcer, Bergy back in, a big tough center (like Gaustaud), and 3 new big tough d-men with skill I’d be more then happy! Until then Garth is not my HOME BOY!

By: neologizer

neologizer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:41:02 +0000

Nate Thompson is a fourth line checker/PK no more no less………….
Every team has a Nate Thompson (defensive, agile checking line center who does what his coach asks him to and is paid next to nothing). He was hired to check/kill penalties/ and make no serious mistakes. He generally does this and for his price (lowest salary on team), role and 2way status you can’t seriously expect much more.
You don’t develop young by putting them in Thompsons position.
In conclusion:
Isles current success or lack isn’t due to Thompson or replacing him, upgrades at other positions would be much more effective so let it go.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:18:24 +0000

Chris in DC I am dubbing this Andy Hilbert disease..I think it comes with the #11. People acted like Hilbert was saving the world last year, and not surprisingly he is effectively out of the NHL now. He’s played 4 games for Minnesota(and would have been 2 years ago if not for the Islanders)

I 100% agree with you and I think a majority of the posters agree with us (even if CB doesn’t). The 2 goals isn’t even the problem, it’s the fact that Gordon uses him like he is the defensive player of the year when in fact his +/- is awful and he has been on the ice for more than half the PPG against us. This is NOT an accident, especially on the PK, he’s just way too slow, and doesn’t press anyone into a mistake as Comeau, Nielsen, or Okposo do. People complain about Gervais constantly and Thompson’s +/- is even worse (-14 vs -10). I hope the only reason he is here is the fact he is one of the few players who will drop the gloves, but either way he shouldn’t sniff 10 minutes a night, and too often is playing 14+

I am OK with Park being the odd man out, he too is on the ice for most of the PP goals and is an ATROCIUS -21, even worse than Brendan Witt. This is one year the +/- is dead on, The 4 aforementioned are the worst defensively on the team.

By: Chris in DC

Chris in DC — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:43:58 +0000

I’m sick n’ tired of posts complaining that people are picking on Nate Thompson. Folks, we’re not talking about Claude LaPointe or even Rob DiMaio here. Thompson is on target for what, 2 goals? He is not the prototypical 4th line Islander that many people here seem to proclaim. He’s an AHL talent at best.
And the Islanders have plenty other players to fill the 4th line role. Snow says he’s building around young talent. Well, time to play the young talent with potential (Tambellini, for example), and see what they’ve got. We’re not going to go anywhere if people are crying about losing a Nate Thompson.

By: JP

JP — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:01:29 +0000

I totally agree with post #19. Dipietro, once the face of the franchise, is now a distraction for a team that seems to be moving in the right direction. Biron is a soild backup that is certainly much more durable than DP. What if the 40 year old Roloson gets injured? Ricky certainly can’t be the #1 at this point!

The Isles should wait until the Olympic Break to get a clearer picture of how they stand. Seriously, what is one more month without Dipetro? Let him get more playing time in Bridgeport. If he does well and remains injury-free (a BIG if!), they can then decide to put Biron on the market when he will have even more value to another team fighting for a playoff spot.

Seriously, there should be no knee-jerk reaction here. Let’s wait and see!

By: Islander

Islander — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:28:06 +0000

Ijust want to know who nominated Thompson to be Tavares’ protector. I happen to notice other players who should also be protecting the #1 so why is Thompson the only one critizized for not fighting for Tavares. These bloggers are definitely not fair to many of the players. I guess you cannot please all of the people all of the time!!!!!!

By: miket239

miket239 — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:23:26 +0000

Hmmm seems Gordon wants to play for the Playoffs. Give DP every 3rd or 4th game, but let Roloson lead the way like he’s been doing so well. As an Isles fan I’d want dead last only or Playoffs. So go for the gusto, be ultra slow with DP and let Roloson play because he has proven himself. Dipietro has over a decade in his contract anyway right? OK good I just convinced myself. Play Roli, Rick can sit.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:20:44 +0000

CB – Who’s call is it usually on what happens in these types of situations and in other similar situations. G.M. or Coach?

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:56:03 +0000

I understand the whole Begie argument and I can’t wait to see him back on the ice. But reading some of the comments you would think they were on a losing streak right now. It just seems like the complaining will never stop in Islander country.