PRACTICE: NVMC, 1.15.10: More on Kovalchuk
DiPietro’s next start…Witt’s wounded knee
Chris Botta on Twitter
1:00 pm, NVMC: With the Posting of one credible trade rumor, Calvin de Haan went from blue-chipper to trade-his-ass.
This is the unfortunate by-product of rumors when they are not immediately squashed. All of sudden cherished prospects becomes The Expendables.
If Garth Snow had immediately told Larry Brooks what he told Newsday three hours later, parts of the Country would not have pondered life without question marks like de Haan and Kirill Petrov. Many would not have dreamed of Kovalchuk scoring 50 goals a season on a line with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
Still, although it was three hours later - and almost undoubtedly, after speaking with a voice from above - Snow did the right thing by silencing the buzz. The feel-good fortnight of the World Junior Championships was starting to fade away, replaced by rotisserie talk. Hey, it was fun while it lasted. This blogger would like to personally thank Larry Brooks for jazzing up a sleepy Thursday in mid-January.
Snow was in a tough spot. If he goes around shooting down every rumor, where does it end? As he has done a lot this season, the general manager got it right. All the yuks about the former goalie-turned-GM, all the concern about the inexperience, no matter how this season ends, have been put to rest.
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1.800.882.ISLES: Scott Gordon was presented after practice today with an opportunity to announce when Rick DiPietro will make his first start in front of the die-hards at the Nassau Coliseum. Everyone, including the head coach, understands officially announcing DiPietro’s home game comeback could result in the selling of an additional stack of tickets for one day. Gordon, for now, is not opting to go there.
“We’re not going to base a hockey decision on that,” Gordon said, referring to marketing.
More than perfectly understandable, that way of thinking is 100% correct. However, since Gordon and Snow will know 24 hours out when DiPietro is starting - whether it’s today for Saturday night, or Sunday for Monday’s matinee - you might as well help the sales staff and your franchise’s bottom line by getting the word out. Much excitement over the team has been generated, but good seats remain very, very available.
Later on, Gordon told a story about playing a season in Knoxville and sharing the nets with Manon Rheaume. In an effort to sell tickets, team ownership - not the coach - announced that Manon was starting a game. The coach was not happy. His team trailed 4-0 after the first period before the goalie switch.
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Lineup News: The same line combinations and D pairings that blew out Detroit were featured at practice for the second straight day. DiPietro took one net, while Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron shared another. I was told this means nothing because DiPietro and Roloson have alternated since Rick’s return.
As Katie Strang mentioned in her blog today, Rob Schremp is moving into a new apartment. This is important because it means the Islanders told him to move out of the hotel, which is important because it means the Islanders have told Schremp they consider him an everyday NHLer.
With this in mind, I asked Gordon if Andrew MacDonald has been told to move out of the team hotel. Gordon said he didn’t even know the Schremp news until today, so he wouldn’t know about AMac. He did, however, continue to sing the praises of the young defenseman.
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Talk is Cheap: Gordon was asked if he was concerned about his young team becoming a little too over-confident. In the last two practices, the coach stopped a few drills soon after they got started. Gordon was not worried about over-confidence, but said he still needs his team to communicate more on the ice.
“We’re not a shy team off the ice,” said Gordon, “but we’re shy on the ice. We don’t talk enough. It’s the easiest thing to do.”
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Hurting Witt to Rest a While: Although the team has talked of calf tightness, Point Blank has learned that Brendan Witt tried to play through a knee injury for several weeks before Garth Snow, the team’s medical staff and the veteran defenseman made the decision to shut him down for the foreseeable future. Although surgery is not likely, Witt will be out of the lineup beyond just a one-week stint on the IR.
Comments.
76 Responses to “PRACTICE: NVMC, 1.15.10: More on Kovalchuk
DiPietro’s next start…Witt’s wounded knee”
Please Wait
this seems like a mystery injury to me in order to not cut Tambellini
I love the islanders
Regarding Brendan Witt: Love the guys heart, passion and intensity but age and the system have made him a liability on D. Take your time getting healthy Brendan. And out of curiosity, what do you call a traffic cone with a bum knee?
That’s so true! Blue chipper to trade his ass! That’s funny because I say that all the time!
It’s funny, a friend and I were trying to figure out which game DiPietro would be playing this weekend so we’d know which one NOT to attend.
everyone show support and show up to tomorrow night’s game - plenty os tickets available….look everywhere from Islanders website to craig’s list….for all you students their is loudville and the student discount
While I am hoping for some a nice crowd tomorrow and Monday, I do not think Dipietro starting is going cause people to rush out and grab a ticket.
Chris, while it was great to see the NYI beat the stuffing out of the Wings the other day, I can’t believe the “over exuberance” many are seething with on this message board and elsewhere. Let’s not forget we beat a beleagured Wings team that was returning from a long road trip and was also missing several key players due to injury. We kicked a dog while it’s down. Would there be the same slobbering if we eeked out a 3-2 or 2-1 win? I think not. I am pleased as much as anyone to finally see things coming together for the NYI, but a true litmus test of the team’s mettle will come this weekend as they face three upper echelon Eastern foes, three games in four days. If they can pick up 4-5 points, now we’re talking. Lose all three and well you know…
Hope Witt is okay. Love the guys guts and respect his career accomplishments. Hey it was fun while it lasted. I had people ask me at work about the isles and kovi who never talk about the isles. They ask me because they know i am one of the few and proud of islanders nation.
Actually I think if it was announced that Rick was playing tomorrow it would be close to a sell out.
Lived in Knoxville from 1993-95. Saw Scott Gordon play for the Knoxville Cherokees of the ECHL. In a football town, Saturday night games would draw ~5,000.
it is highly unlikely the Islanders sell out regardless of who starts in net. It is a bit like the Jacksonville jaguars, young team, doing well, except in this case there is a TV contract backed by a cable conglomerate that is pumping in the $$ to the franchise. I stand by my statement that if fans won’t sellout the last few saturday night games with a young team has being playing above expectations, who is kidding themselves into thinking they will the next 2 or 3 saturdays leading into olympics?
The fair weather fanbase will show up in the playoffs, much like most of New York’s teams. Just so happens the other teams have larger “core” bases, that can withstand the hit of not having fair weather types show up till the very end.
OT: sharkies bruins was a dandy last night at the tank.
At this point of his comeback I don’t think Rick gives the team the best chance to win. I’ll be at the game tomorrow and I hope Roli starts even though DP is my favorite player. Why can’t the rotation stay the same as it was. We all know Roli earned it
Themass, I agree, but Roloson has played the last 2 games, it just so happens we have had an extended rest this time around. In a 5 game spread of games that are closer together, I think Roloson gets 4 starts and DP gets 1. When you have that #1 goalie playing so well, there is no reason to rush DP back anymore than that.
Wang, Snow, and Gordon is a hell of a lot better than Wilpon, Minaya, and Manuel. Happy to have them.
To elaborate on my comment above, I just mean that the extra layoff we have now, will allow the Isles to play DP sooner then they would have in terms of games
I would prefer him to play at home Monday vs New Jersey as the 1st part of the double-header. Let Rollie play tomorrow vs Buffalo and Tuesday at Pit
What scares me more than anything is that DP is the franchise player, he is signed for another 11 years, I just hope Gordon doesnt rush him back at the sake of his health and at the sake of Rollie. Rollie deserves to stay the #1 goalie and to me his great play allows the Isles to ease DP back in slowly, hear that slowly Gordon. Dont overplay DP
Get better Witt.
Go Isles!
Wonder where Shremp got his apartment. Good to hear he’s finally getting some job security as he deserves it.
The NVMC will fill up if DP is announced for the same reason people watch nascar, nice to see the win, but a crash is much more exiting. Yee-Haw!!!
Good for Robbie! We like having him around! I’m sure there are a lot of readers with illegal “top floor of a cape” apts that would give him a great deal!
Roli has earned the #1 job and it’s his, but that doesn’t mean that he plays every game, we need him fresh for the playoff push!!!!
CB - is Witt’s knee injury related to being run down by an SUV a little while back? I don’t think he was playing well before that incident but curious nonetheless. If that’s the case, I respect Witt for trying to play through the injury but we all know it tends to hurt the player in the long run.
my predict is Roloson vs Sabres and in Pittsburgh DiPietro against the devils.
IS THERE even a Marketing Department over there anymore?
Wonder what the figures are on those Monday afternoon games…just from my memory I feel like the Isles lose most of them. If that’s the case, I say put DP in there. Love DP but he needs some serious time to re-develop, and the kiddies in the seats tend to lose focus after a while..
*Happy Birthday S
The lineup on Tuesday was the best the team has to offer. It’s no surprise it was their best performance in 3+ years.
PLEASE DON’T CHANGE A THING!
I’m guessing that the same demographic that is checking to find out which game DP is starting is also hitting [CTRL] + [TAB] to toggle between NYIPB and HannahMontana.c0m.
Looks like I was right about Brooks being irresponsible. The whole Ilya thing just doesn’t make sense. He should of at least said we were in the market for Cam Barker(just as realistic, but more in line with what they need).(98)
Not going to fit the popular sentiment here.
I love the tenacity, but Witt hurt the team by not shutting down weeks ago. He marginally keeps up with the team’s speed and is an almost liability when healthy. Injured, he is even worse. If your level of play is hurting the team, you don’t play through the injury. ‘Nuff said. Warrior, shmorrior. I call it being selfish.
Personally I want to see roleson in every game till isles are eliminated. Age is only a #. if the isles miss plaoffs by four points and dipietro numbers are bad with dipietro playing 1/3rd of remaining ges…then isles will have nobody but themselves to blame for missing playoffs. Teams don’t go 30 years without winning a playoff round by accident… They have to make bad decisions…winning should be the priority allways.
i am a huge Witt fan and i’m glad the news of his Knee injury came out. lots of people were gettin on Witts case this season and it was clear he was playing hurt. i hope he gets back to 100% an we see the Witt we came to love back on Long island and with an extension. he should retire an islander.
I know at least two people who are waiting to hear if DP is starting and if he is will buy tickets for tomorrow. As for me, if I hear that it is not DP, I am likely handing my tickets off to someone else and going to a friend’s party in CT instead.
yeah the guys saying trade DeHaan are out of their minds. I cant believe after the the years of torment and days of milbury and guys now would want to derail the plan to get kovachuk. Taveres in few years will be scoring just as many goals as Kovalchuk. Stick to the plan.
Its like when some people got excited when we got Yashin. We gave up Chara and 1st overal pick. how did that work out for us.
NO TO KOVALCHUK. isles need another top 4 dman. Not a scoring foward. We have been scoring plenty this year.
I am not trying to be crass but Witt should take all the time he needs to get better and then some. With the way he was playing this year the D as currently constructed is the best the team can offer. When Witt does return, he needs to get back to his previous form b/c frankly, he has been a liability this year.
*Whoops, that should be Congratulations Shrempy!
I’m just glad that I didn’t get a chance to read Point Blank between 2pm yesterday till just now. Whewwwwwww!!!
No more Ryan Smyths … I know some people still think that is a good deal … and no matter how the chips used to make that trade pan out … my problem with it was NEVER that Smyth himself wasn’t worth the trade … my problem was that the trade was made without guaranteeing that the Isles could extend his contract. We still are impacted by that trade b/c we have nothing to show for it. That piok and those two prospects could of been used for a more sustainable prospect / draft pick.
No use in debating what isn’t going to happen. Just glad Garth cleared the air.
I dont think DP should play tomorrow night - this team is playing well and hasn’t lost a Roloson start in 2010 and he just had a shutout - usually in the NHL a shutout gets you a start in the next game - especially if there are 3 days off between games. DP can start monday as its an afternoon game which gives Rolo only a day and a morning of rest between starts. Either way - i expect a big crowd both nights.
Talking about those Monday games, and whether we usually lose them (as somebody alleged here): anyone remember a game that the Isles played on either MLK Day or President’s Day in maybe ‘96, ‘97, against the Blues (I think and Turgeon was on the Blues), where the Isles were so bad that Milbury actually made them practice after the game?
I still think that the Islanders should be sellers at the trade deadline and then throw money at kovalchuk and a dman at the deadline.
“Why can’t the rotation stay the same as it was.”
because they need to see what DP has to know if they can cash in the biron chip. that’s pretty apparent, isn’t it?
Much as I’d like to have him, I’m glad is staying the course and doing the rebuild right. After Yashin, and I know I shouldn’t think this way, Russian players make me nerveous, Ovie, clearly the exception
Just for the record I am opposed to trading for a rental in the case of Ilya. However if you look back on the Hossa deal that the Penguins made; you could use that as a measuring stick for Ilya. So looking back the Penguins gave up Colby Armstrong (1st round pick # 21 overall), Erik Christanson (3rd round pick), Angelo Esposito (1st round pick #20 overall) and their 2008 1st round choice. Penguins got Hossa and Dupuis. So lets say if you had to match that. Tambellini (1st round pick #27 overall), Rob Schremp (1st round pick # 25 overall), Petrov (3rd rounder that should have been 1st rounder) and this years 1st round pick. In theory that should land you Kovalchuck with or without a throw in. Question is would you make that move if you were Snow? And as a fan would you like that move?
CB - You missed a fantastic opportunity to display a photo of Manon Rheaume. Now I got to go out an google a pic of her. If memory serves…she was easy on the eyes back then.
The Smyth trade remains a successful trade for the Isles. For the current rebuild to be successful, the Team needs to play meaningful (i.e., playoff) games. Kovalchuk would accomplish this.
An absolute no-brainer to try and get Kovalchuk. On my list, only JT and KO are untouchables. Any other player and prospect are available for throw-in.
Kovalchuk would immediately be the best player on the Isles. Taveres and Okposo are unlikely ever to match his skill, his game or his stats (career or annual). We are the smallest market team in the NHL, coming off a last place finish last year but we don’t want a true franchise player (Okposo is not, Taveres maybe). Silliness.
You dont sit a goalie after he shuts a team out and its not the first game of a back to back. Let Dp play monday or tuesday.
They only ‘fans’ that want the Isles to be sellers at the deadline, while still firmly in the playoff race, are people who don’t support the Team by being full season ticket holders.
deHaan’s benching in the third period of the finals at the WJCs was enough to tell me that the Isles gave up too much to get him last summer. Might have still been there with the original first round pick from the Campoli trade (24?). I know that it was just one game, but he was on the bubble for even making the team.
Donovan looked good though, and if Hamonic would have been in the game, we Canadians might have gone to bed a little happier. Not ready to see deHaan traded for a rental, but I am not expecting the next Potvin either.
Speaking of “missed opportunities”. 37 posts and nobody asked how knoxville did with TWO FEMALE GOALTENDERS? (Insert rim shot here)
jimfromstjames: you’re rooting for dp to get hurt? wow. new low for isles fans
…when you are talking about a talent like Kovalchuk, you take a blue chipper and …well trade his ass. No disrespect for de Haan of course. But seriously.
garth for christs sake get a legit enforcer in here,this is the direct reason tavares has declined.He cant play his game because he knows no one has his back.Frans nielsson got injured last season because brendon sutters cheap shot,and gordon doesnt even retaliate.Everyione knoiws the isles are puppets ,bigger stronger teams like the flyers feast on us game in and game out.Get some size and toughness in here we need it desperatelt this is our number one deficiency.Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase,i said please!
Let’s Go Islanders!!! We need to put together a nice winning streak, regardless of who’s in the lineup. It’s just nice to see the team competing in every game. Gotta be excited about the development of our young guys and the fact that everyone is stepping up and playing their roles. Finally feel good about the direction that we’re heading.
Tavares is getting pushed around too much, other teams are taking liberties against him bc of our lack of a response. We need to help him play his game and give him some room on the ice to make plays. Without Jackman in the lineup, we don’t have anyone that will drop the gloves.
Get Bergie off the 4th line and move Sim ther where he belongs.
dominla, No way!! I’m not his biggest fan, but you never want to see I guy go down like that.
I was at a game a few years ago when he came out of the net & grabbed the puck at the left face-off circle, he then Deked past two guys to get the puck out, amazing.
I’d like nothing more than to see him do that & mature as Goalie.
ON a side note I was lucky enough to see a game as a guest in the sky box next to Wangs in Oct, ran into DP in the Elevator. He genuinely seems depressed when I asked how he was feeling, have to feel for the guy. My wife asked him to sign her Jersey ( an original from 89′ ) and nobody had a pen, he told us to hang on, went into Wangs suite & I think borrowed a sharpie from Snow came back out & signed it.
Him & Roli can be an awesome pair.
Ah, I do not think most people took the Kovalchuk rumor too seriously. I think we all know that Garth is not going to pay even fair value, so it is not likely to happen. It has been fun to play what if, even knowing the chances were very slim of anything happening.
Witt can be a decent third line dman to a team who’s system doesn’t focus on skating. He would thrive on a team like the Predators who use a trap system.
I’m glad Rob Schremp has finally turned the corner in his development. I think we really snagged a great player off of waivers.
I guess that we’ll have to live without Ilya Kovalchuk. We don’t have anyone close to that kind of talent, but in 3 years time we would be in salary cap trouble anyway with his contract. Gordon seems to like rolling 4 lines, so that’s 12 forwards to invest in.
I think Roloson should play Saturday, Dipietro Monday, and Roloson again on Tuesday. If anyone’s goaltending should be filling seats right now, it should be Roli. Every time I go to a game it’s like he makes a whole new highlight reel.
#46 - I totally agree. The elbow Tavares took was proof positive of that. It really looked like Jovo was looking to send Tavares a “Welcome to the League” type of message. I know Sutton is really focused on improving his game, but until Jackman is 100% back or Snow finds someone else, Sutton is basically the biggest Islander and should throw down. Especially when it’s blatant like that.
If the Isles are to get Kovy why not just pay him big over the summer? With another solid draft and a good trade or signing the Isles could eventually come to look like the Blackhawks do right now. Top flight talent all around, pushing for a President’s Trophy, and a solid cup contender. Why make a trade that could spoil that?
I’ll share a net with Manon anytime, and I’m not even a goalie
thanks for the pic
#44: just to correct you, it was Mottau who hit Nielsen, and then Hunter “fought” him but showed that he doesn’t know how to (at least he tried). Sutter was the dude who got knocked out by Weight’s hit.
Roloson should start tomorrow. He is 7-0-1 in his last 8 and is coming off a shutout. He has earned it. Roloson Saturday. Rick on Monday. Roloson on Tuesday.
Hope Schremp keeps it up!
lol to post 12 im a islander and jaguar fan….suxx hahaha
The way that they handled DiPietro’s first start should be an indication to when he will start next, which will be tomorrow. They will have a pre game skate and it is at 7pm and a day off afterwards. Mondays game is early and Tuesday is the second half of a back to back when the team is traveling, which means no morning skate. Goalies are creatures of habit and a full day of preparation is what DP needs the most. Look for him in the pipes tomorrow night… if his team plays like they did against Detroit and not against Dallas it won’t matter who is in net.
And please everyone stop about Kovy… i dont want to be upset again if we trade for him and walks as a free agent.. if we are still in it look for Snow to trade for a D-Man or a depth forward that can either kill penalties or score power play goals… two things the Isles need improvement on.
If DP remains healthy, the only trade Snow makes before the deadline is Martin Biron for a 3rd to 4th round draft pick. Take that to the bank!!
honestly i’m gong tomorrow; i really hope DP plays. He wasn’t an Olympian by accident. He sooner than you think will be an elite goalie again. And this team is going to be good. Pittsburgh eat your heart out the Isles are on your tail.
Nice to know that the writers, who make a career and healthy living about writing about the errors and mistakes of athletes, when make a mistake themselves dont have to have it discussed by the same media clowns for 2 weeks. Ooops, I made a mistake, lets move on to the next story. Could you imagine if a player said in an interview, ooops I made a mistake now lets move on to the next game? Far be it for me to have a soft spot for the athletes however the writers (who think they are coaches) get a free pass unjustified in my opinion!
I still have a bug up my @#$% about Ricky’s playing time at the NHL level. Ricky needs to prove himself before he take the reigns again, sorry that’s show biz. You cant start someone based on name, notority and what you hope they will be. Please Isles, for the sake of the fans please please make the right decision for the team’s best chance of winning rather than the fore-mentioned.
Not that I think Ilya Kovalchuk would ever be here but truthfully keep him and all others away! Build up the D a bit more but let these young guns shine. There is some talent here and they will grab this team by the horns. And please put the C on Okposo already
64- totally agree.
KO should be the C of this team. Hands down.
I’d rather see the Isles throw money at someone in the offseason. Let’s keep our prospects please!
Hey CB…can you maybe do a piece of Kevin Poulin? Since Patrick Roy had such good things to say about him..he has sparked my interest a lil more.
Well that sums up the recent lack of form for Witt…just wondering did the incident in Philly have a role to play?
If Witt’s injury is because of that accident with the SUV, then Colin Campbell needs to take action now, 5 games for the SUV and nothing less
Congrats Schremp… I hope it all continues to go well for him out here!
if the isles got Kovalchuck id honestly go to every home game for the remainder of the year. Bring in the Russian, hes every thing we need a true sniper… Dehaan is no Chara dont compare 1 botched deal to a potential franchise player for us if we could sign him long term.
Going to the game tonight vs the Sabres and realy hope that Roli is in goal. Does he not give us the best chance to win every game with the way he is playing right now? DP who?
Staten Islander and Chris A, that is a very interesting thought about Witt. I never thought of it that way but I am sure he was hurting well before the incident. Not for anything but it isn’t like his play took a sharp decline after it happened.
As far as this nonsense and DP proving himself? The man has nothing to prove on the NHL level. Hey has shown what he can do when he is healthy. What he needs to show now is that he is healthy enough to be a capable BACK-UP. With Roli here and playing the way he has, he gives us the best chance to win every time he starts. The object of any sports franchise is to win every time you are out on the ice, field, court, etc. and Roli does that. If DP can play every 3rd of 4th game from now till seasons end and that keeps Roli sharp, so be it. And if that gives us the best chance to win night in and night out, so be it. I just don’t get all the bashing on DP. You root for the laundry, not against the names on the back of your laundry…
Congrats to Robbie Schremp on moving into his new appt. I hope you call the Island home many years. I am sure it beats where you grew up in Syracuse.
And as for Ilya, if the right deal comes along, you do it. But I am on board with many on IBP - you only do it if you agree to an extension. Garth and co. seem to know what they are doing so in Garth I trust. Party on!
LGI!
Have to start Roli tonight..please!..figure we had a better than even shot at losing monday so throw the tin man in net and then back to roli on tuesday
Kovalchuck is not everything we need. We need size and toughness on the wings and defense. We’re not contenders with or without him.
I don’t understand why they can’t just leave things alone. Islanders played the best game in 3 years the other day. Keep roli in tonight (They are playing one of the best teams in the league) keep Baron as back-up and let DP get more conditioning. The only game we lost in 2010 has been the one DP played and quite frankly i think we may have won that one if Roli was in goal (and be one point under the RAGs in the standings). Why not let things alone until after the Olympic break, to see what our chances are for the play-offs. If are chances are poor, let DP play as many as he wants, but with play-off hopes, my money is on Roli all the way!
I would keep my starting goalie secret as well if I were Gordon. Preparing with DP in net is quite different for a team. You have to work on your soft dump INS in order to keep Dp from handling the puck. When the opposition does not know who is starting it makes for double the work. Go Isles!!!
Seems like having a player of kovy’s talent would be a no bainer, but I’m curiuos what the effect a superstar would have on a developing team. It would change from a group of young players who have to figure out how to win, to a group of young players learning how to feed the puck to the star. Doesn’t seem like a path to the cup to me.