Comments on: SNOW’S GOOD YEAR HAS ISLANDERS IN THE RACEFocus stays on meaningful games, not draft dreams

By: SuperFan

SuperFan — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:41:10 +0000

The Isles have the 2nd worse goal differential in the league. They are not ready to contend. It is not defeatist to be realistic. This thread is completely delusional. They have 18 wins and 26 losses and they are frankly a bit lucky that their record is as good as it is.

By: John from ATL

John from ATL — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:37:34 +0000

All in all Garth has done a great job. The Moulson and Schremp pick ups were great and at little cost. The Mark Streit signing the previous year was clearly the best FA signing in the league. Hiring Gordon has worked out. Roloson this year has been great and now with DP coming back, he has a trade chip in Biron.

I was hoping for a top three pick but, its been fun thinking before every game they have a 50/50 chance of winning. Not bad for a punch of kids and a few old guys. I just hope Garth doesn’t make a short term trade to make the playoffs this year at a cost of the future just to lose in the first round.

By: James

James — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:37:23 +0000

I love the Islanders and I love our fans and I love the fact that after the torturous “leadership” we (as fans) endured for ten years, we can bicker 130+ comments deep about the merits of a [Bettman-league-where-everybody-gets-a-point] .500 team in ninth place.

To better days ahead, Islanders fans, I tip a glass to thee.

By: Nova Scotia Isles Fan

Nova Scotia Isles Fan — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:54:00 +0000

I echo the sentiments of anyone who is thrilled to death about the season so ar and I [pass gas] in the general direction of those who nay say my boy, Garth.

IMHO, Garth has done very very well; far better than we had any reason to expect.

We will have to wait and see on the draft picks — NO one really knows how they will turn out.

The Smyth trade was a reasonable thing to do at the time.

The FA signings, given the constraints he’s operating under, have been very very good.

I am constantly amazed by commentator and fans who think that a team requires someone to “step in and fight” in response to a hit or to use fighting to make room on the ice, a la Dave Semenko or Donald Brashear. A Clark Gillies would be nice, but toughness is a state of mind and I think our boys are plenty tough.

Party on, Garth

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:28:38 +0000

True true true. I never would have thought this bunch would play so over their heads. Maybe Garth is a genius.

By: Benvi

Benvi — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:12:40 +0000

This might be one of your best posts yet. Everybody in the chat last night of so-called islander fans rooting for the team to lose should get kicked out of the country. Islander country that is. I for one know this team is more than capable of making the playoffs. Dare I say they have not even peaked yet for this year. Thats right better things still to come

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:37:16 +0000

How could anyone criticize the Ryan Smyth trade? They got him for nothing. While he’s not here anymore, it was worth the roll of the dice.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:56:42 +0000

The Isles are in a great spot right now. They’re improving, they’re competing for a playoff spot, they’re gaining an identity…
And being under no false illusions, if they did slide late, the so-be-it… a little luck in the lottery would be great (ala Patrick Kane, drafted by a team who had the 5th worst record but won the lottery)
BUT rooting for loses at this point is ridiculous…

By: beatlebailey

beatlebailey — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:41:37 +0000

i was thinking it too…Duchene may end up being better than JT. What is up with JT? Does he have bolders in the skates or what? Garth aka the Monkey is an incomplete for now. Gordon has been great some questionable early shootout choices aside. Gordon is getting every ounce of effort out of these guys. I never feel like I wasted my money going to a game because the team is always working. That’s all you can ask from a coach – motivate the players to work hard as they can. More talent over the next few years will prove Gordon to be as good a coach as Lavi was/is.

By: tond24

tond24 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:29:21 +0000

sounds like i cant be happy but what exactly did snow do..roloson, great pickup but he signed 2 goalies and drafted 2 more somthing had to fit, JT, went out on limb there, moulson, seems hes only good when JT is hot…lets go islanders but snow gets no love from me till he does somthing

By: ars9x

ars9x — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:16:16 +0000

i loath these “fans” who root for losses, it’s insane. Someone like STRUMMERS ARMY writes as if the the guys should just go out there and skate around for 60 minutes and not touch the puck! That’s a great way to build up a team, suggest they are just not good enough so don’t play hard so we can get in the basement and get some good guys on this team next season. Foolish!

Get over it and root for your team at all costs, hope they play hard every game and go as far as they can for isles country!

By: Staten Islander

Staten Islander — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:15:54 +0000

one and out is only productive if they win a round or two the next year, i think we’ve learned that already