OTTAWA 4 ISLANDERS 3
NYI crash into the break with a heartbreaker
When the latest in an endless series of topsy-turvy Islanders performances forced me to stop writing a timely postgame entry, I shut off my laptop, departed my press box perch and watched the final minutes in the stands.
As the home team’s final gasp at a tying goal came up short and I made my way through the Coliseum stands, the pain among the beautiful faithful was palpable. Tonight was a reminder of how being a New York Islanders fan can often result in having your heart ripped out and stomped on.
Scott Gordon said the momentum swung when the Islanders failed to cash in on a 5-on-3 at the start of the third period.
Dwayne Roloson: “Unfortunately, we made some mistakes in our own end that wound up in our net.”
Andy Sutton on playoff prospects after this brutal setback: “It’s a huge challenge. It’s going to take us being one of the best teams in the NHL for 20 games. We’ve done it before.”
*
You have to admire the camaraderie. You cannot say these young Islanders don’t enjoy being around each other.
Despite the opportunity to spend a week apart after an intense five months together, half the Islanders’ roster is flying to Mexico on Monday for a five-day vacation. Among those scheduled for the trip are Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen.
A few friends from opposing NHL teams are coming as well, including Luke Schenn of Toronto and Maxime Talbot of Pittsburgh. Recent teammate Nate Thompson might be a late addition.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Nielsen. “Our girlfriends are joining us. It’s just one large group with a lot of close friends. We’ll take it easy and just relax and we’ll be ready to hit the ice as soon as we get back.”
Kyle Okposo will spend the week back home in Minnesota, as will Jack Hillen. John Tavares is going home for some rest in Ontario.
*
One more Plus/Minus before the Olympic break as the Islanders cough two points up to Ottawa, 4-3.
Minus: If you had the Islanders losing 9 of their last 11 games before the Olympic break – and Martin Biron getting the two victories – you won the lottery.
Minus: The first ten minutes of the game looked like Canada (Ottawa) versus Norway (the NYI). The Senators looked bigger, stronger and faster. They actually are all of the above.
Plus: And then, looking like a team with a system they can rely on, the Islanders found their legs and it was a different game for the next period and a half.
Plus: Blake Comeau with the first two-goal game of his NHL career.
Plus: Good things happen when Jesse Joensuu goes to the net and Comeau shoots the puck – especially when they happen simultaneously. A first period that looked liked it could have been the Senators’ ended 1-1.
Plus: Oh my, Andrew MacDonald looks like a very good NHL defenseman.
Plus: Jack Hillen will be back after the break.
Even: Will Andy Sutton? A Blackhawks scout took my vacated press box seat for Saturday’s game and was back tonight. So were scouts from a half-dozen other interested teams.
Plus: Dwayne Roloson played in his 500th NHL game. Unless Garth Snow is blown away with a trade offer, expect Roloson to stay an Islander. With so many solid goalies available on the free agent market on July 1, Snow should work a Roloson deal hard. The take-back could be vital to a rebuilding team.
Plus: The final 20 games of John Tavares’ rookie season will be a fascinating watch.
Minus: Another third period where the Islanders looked behind the pace and without confidence, until the lead was blown.
Minus: The concept of team defense often seems lost on these Islanders.
Minus: From a team and business perspective, a dreadful way to head into the two-week break.
Minus: Now that I’ve done this for a season and three quarters, you’d think I’d wouldn’t be so stupid as to start writing a lot in the second period. Wrong.
Minus: A pair of early starts on a holiday weekend. More than 10,000 unused seats.
Plus: A well-officiated game by Eric Furlatt and Rob Martell.
Plus: Building the game? Overrated. Great exposure for two weeks on NBC? Yeah, we’ll see about that. Winning new fans in non-hockey markets? Yeah, right. The NHL should send its best to the Olympics because these are the best players in the world and they want to be there.
Plus: A month ago I wrote that even if the Islanders went on a big losing streak, they would still be in the hunt for the playoffs. Oops, I didn’t see 9 of 11 coming. They enter the Olympic break six points out, with four teams between the Islanders and eighth place Montreal. No matter how you look at it, your team is still in the race with 20 games left in the season. The majority of the Country would have signed up for this in October.
Plus: His team still being alive will not stop Garth Snow from doing a little selling.
We’ll continue to talk Islanders hockey – and only Islanders hockey – all week. These are the Comment Guidelines.
68 Responses to OTTAWA 4 ISLANDERS 3
NYI crash into the break with a heartbreaker
-
valentino says:
sell sell sell Garth Snow…then sell some more
-
Blizzard says: …snow shouldn’t go anywhere. And neither should Gordon. As CB said a majority of the country would have signed up for this in October. Although the losing streak is disheartening, I feel that Gordon has done a fine job with the players he has been given. I am tired of the never ending rebuild too however this is Snows rebuild and I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt…..for now.
-
Strummer's Army says:
I know what the standings might reflect that technically the Isles could be in the playoff picture but it is a mirage and has been all season.
Minus: What was Gordon thinking putting Bruno Geravis out there at the end of the game? You look down the bench and Bruno is one of your top 6? I think Gordon has been scouting the top 5 available in this draft and realizes he’ll win a lot more games in the future with one of them.
Minus:Bruno’s horrible play on the goal.
Plus: The hitting and push back of Matt Martin. A few sweet offensive plays too.
Plus: Tavares and Okposo
Plus: Comeau, Sutton, Park etc boosting their trade value.
Interesting Isles play the Blackhawks the day before the deadline and they’ve been scouting the Isles so hard. Has Rolo and Sutton already played their last?
Minus: Finding a way to lose.
Minus: Yes, Ott like every other team in the NHL is bigger, tougher, stronger, & faster but that was Garth Snow’s choice.
Plus: you can see a few guys games rebounding and growing.
Snow must sell at the deadline. He must squeeze every drop of value out of the players who do not fit moving forward.
-
dmen77 says:
My heart wanted a win today but my brain was content with the loss. The WORST thing that could happen this year is finish as the 9th-12th seed only a few pts back of a playoff spot.
There have been way too many games this season like today where points were had and lost.
Snow should move any vet to a team willing to take them. As far as valuable ones go like Roloson and Sutton, a prospect/young NHL player and a high draft pick is a MUST in any deal.
Package them both together to a contending team and get all three, a prospect, a young NHL-ready player and a 1st Round pick.
The rewards of a trade will be greater than still “being” in the race with 20 games to go.
-
Michael P. says:
4- i agree with trying to see what they can get for veterans, the overall big picture is they have made improvements this year(individual young players have gotten better) and hopefully next season they can compete for playoff spot. This is the time to start to think about who belongs and to see what we can get for the ones that don’t belong.
-
LouD says:
+ JT getting more chances and hustling in the offensive zone
- JT still struggling defensively. Leaves his man wide open in front of the net for the winning goal.
+ Comeau playing with confidence now lets see some consistency
+ Okposo with some sick moves -
Should we sell Bergy. How does he figure in the plans and will he ever score? Sutton, Roloson or Biron, who ever gets us more, maybe both, hunter, park, tamby who needs a new start and coach, park, witt, weight and sim if someone wants them. Next year is the year for the playoff and a sixth seed. Get to work Garth.
-
It was a heartbreaker, but at least it was a hard fought game. It’s sad when all you wished of the team was play physical and score some goals regardless of the win.
-
mtrico says:
These guys gave us a nice tease to start the season, but they are still a bad hockey team. They need sell everything that’s not nailed down at the deadline and get in the best draft position they can.
-
I would be worried about their struggles holding leads if it weren’t a common symptom of young teams in every sport. They’ll learn but boy is it painful watching and waiting. I also can’t blame Gordon when I knew we were lacking in experience and/or talent going into the season. Our special teams is run by a bunch of kids, unfortunately those kids are the best chance we have at scoring. I just can’t use Gordon as a scapegoat to explain why a team in the second year of a rebuild is mediocre when there are so many other contributing factors.
-
Terrible! No excuse for blowing all the 3rd period leads this year and no excuse for horrific special teams. The PP has been awful since the French asst coach left for another team years and years ago.
Pierre? anyone know the coach I am thinking about? -
4theisles says:
A lot of people want to get rid of some of our best players for piks and prospects – but then we post a team of ahl talent next year yea we get younger but do we get bigger and tougher without Sutton? No! We end up with another season like this one, Is this rebuilding?
-
Brian G says:
Sell..Sell..Sell
The Blackhawks should do what ever the can to get Roloson, he is the best goalie available…and they WILL NOT WIN a cup with Niemi & Huet..and they should go for it now before they have to breakup their team. What they give up in a trade to the Isles would not break the bank or mess up their roster b/c the Isles are not looking for roster players.
-
eastonhockey says:
I wonder if Wang understands that a team can’t go from NHL Basement to Stanly cup in three or 15 years without raising the payroll. Or is Wang under the impresion he can build a winner with the lowest payroll in the NHL?
-
eric nystrom says:
Anyone else notice that Tavares did not play the final 5 minutes of the game!?
-
BringBackNyles says:
I don’t buy into the six points back. If we were in 9th place, fine, but we have to leapfrog 5 teams…in a league were three point games have become all to common.
Also, Mexico looks an awful lot like Aruba..:)
-
Mike from Oceanside says:
CB – Give yourself an “Atta Boy” for this one: A well-officiated game by Eric Furlatt and Rob Martell. Many fans are quick to lynch the zebras when angry…it’s only fair to point it out when the third team on the ice deserves a “plus”.
-
I hope there are a few more players in the system or the draft who can and will do what Matt Martin does. HE is a large piece of the cornerstone. Loss was due to inexperience, and inexperience will probably get us another high pick. Great, but as a very long time fan, this is the last year I want to see how low we can go. I fully expect a playoff spot next season. If Garth did his job the players are [if not Snow goes]. If the players are well coached we make the playoffs, if not Gordon goes and we look for experienced coaches.
-
Plus: A spirited and entertaining game.
Plus: Matt Martin delivering some bone-jarring hits. The boy will be getting some attention from other tough guys around the league.
Minus: The Powerplay
Minus: The Powerplay
Minus: The Powerplay
Minus: The Powerplay at 5 on 4
Minus: The Powerplay at 5 on 3
Minus: Bergie landing on his butt just as he stepped out for the pre-game skate.
Minus: Anytime someone named Spezza/Chara/Parise/Luongo does soemthing to defeat us.
-
Minus – Blowing another lead.
Minus – Special teams are still dreadful.
Minus – Gervais has had a rough season to put it mildly.
Minus – Gordon’s treatment of Tambellini is just sad.
Minus – Okposo going on vacation instead of playing for the U.S. team.
Minus – Gordon’s coaching and line-ups lately.
Plus – The team does have some nice young players to build around.
Plus – Olympic hockey is here.
Just a thought: I wouldn’t mind seeing JT put on the wing to free up some of his defensive responsibilities and dropping Schremp in between him and KO. I think it’d make a nice line.
-
Les Beaver says:
+ Matt Martin slamming Matt Carkner, popping off his helmet and then skating across the ice to lay another nice big hit.
+ His smile as he skated by some Ottawa players towards the Isle’s bench.
+ Martin can actually pass the puck to a teammate, something a lot of these guys cannot do. He has me won over.
- Bergie. Enough already with this guy. Great energy, but he’s detrimental with his stupid penalties and awful “passes”.
+ Comeau. If he brought that effort every night, he’d be a star.
- Coaching. This 3rd period meltdown has to end, and the coaches need to figure out how, and ensure the plan is executed.
+ Getting some goals.
- Put Tambellini in for God’s sake. Or trade him. He doesn’t deserve to waste away like that.
+ JT – the slump is almost over. He’s right there. -
Well lets see. Last season Isles were terrible…this season they are terrible…camp opens in 7 months. WHat will they do to avoid being terrib.e? Probably nothing. Same Coach, same owner, a new defensmen when Sutton leaves, and a winger making 3 million a year to replace Dead WEIGHT..I mean Dougie Weight. So how does the team not be terrible next season without major renovations? Tavares will be better? HAHA The guy disintigrated before our eyes..30 game slump players should not be 1st line centers in the NHL. Looks like next season also last place in the division for sure.
-
MickeyBoy7 says:
That 3rd period was so predictable. If we were a real team with an owner who wanted to win this coach would be toast. But this franchise is now just happy to be in sniffing range. Well take a sniff. Get the Lysol.
-
rb says:
It’s hard to imagine this team ever winning consistently under Gordon. I like Gordon but his system just doesn’t fit the players who we’re building around.
Tavares, Moulson, Martin, Joensuu, et al, are not speed demons, and I think they’d fit better with a system more like what the Devils play.
Call Bob Hartley in time for next year’s training camp?
-
Walt says:
This team will do no better down the stretch after the break. Snow must trade before the deadline, this is not a playoff team. Trade Sutton, Rolosen and Biron for the most you can get. Comeau, Hunter and Bergenheim should also be shopped. Gervais, Park, Weight, Sim, Tambellini, Jackman, Witt and Martinek should be traded for late picks or cut at the end of the season.
-
Matt S. says:
matt martin should take the Visor off.
-
Thomas says:
For the millionth time when will someone in the Islander organization realize this zone passive defense does not work anymore in the NHL? How many times do I have to watch the same thing over and over..NO GOOD TEAMS PLAY PASSIVE IN THEIR OWN END..Gordon please buy a clue. The worst par is we play this passive prevent defense yet guys are wide open anyway directly in front of the net, and the guys finding them with a pass have an hour to figure it out…Awful way to go into the break.
-
Captain Crunch says:
Plus: Matt Martin channeling Steve Webb. And reminding me of what having a wrecking ball on skates was like for one of the few times since the Spring of 2002.
-
Snow should use his assets to retool this team with some big wingers & some bigger D men
-
yashin for president says:
Too Rude, Totally agree. Even though the Isles are losing we are still seeing good progress from our prospects.. You have to be excited of what our team is going to look like in september no matter what happens this season.. We have to Sell if the right deal comes along, its such a tough call for garth becasue DP still hasnt proved anything physically or with his play.. But the isles would really benefit from a top 5 pick this year.
-
jeff says:
Let’s sell all the vets and then next year we can use the “still very young” excuse for losing.
-
1972 means i'm old says:
22: Excellent points. Too many times season this team resembles their coach: meek, constipated, joyless, and anal retentive. These young players (Tavares, Okposo, Bailey) shouldn’t be chained to a rigid system with this overall roster.
Again, I hate the very dead past, but our first-ever #1, Billy Harris, buried the puck 28 times on an absolute nightmare of a team as a rookie in 1972-73, when the NHL was a low-scoring league.
Let ‘em skate unchained for the final 20 games, Coach Gordon. Let some youthful joy and freelance ability EXPLODE.
-
eddie says:
minus- What in God’s name is Bruno Gervais doing out there on the last shift of the game!
-
Jim Clark says: A choke job in the third period in the “Islanders biggest game of the year”. We won’t have so many third period breakdowns if Ted Nolan were still the coach. But maybe that is Snow’s plan: be terrible for a few years, get great draft picks and then find a good coach. At least I hope it is.
-
Mike from Sarasota says:
Crazy to think about the playoffs when you rank, in a thirty team league:
27th in Points
28th in GF/G
25th in GA/G
27th in 5on5 GF/GA Ratio
30th in PP
28th in PK
30th in Regulation Wins
27th in Goal Differential
24th in Save %I mean, Really?!
-
29-Gordon’s system is up-tempo, not constrictive like Lemaire’s in Jersey. I just don’t think we have enough players to play Gordon’s system yet. In reality probably 80% of teams play similar system to Gordon’s.
-
goislesgo105 says:
MINUS: The POWER PLAY!
MINUS: The pathetic POWER PLAY!
MINUS: The pathetic, putrid POWER PLAY!
MINUS: The pathetic,putrid,powerless POWER PLAY!
MINUS: John Tavares. He’s a goal scorer??
MNUS: K.O. Will HE ever score???
MINUS: Another 3rd period collapse. Is anyone suprised??
MINUS:Having 3 goalies but no #1.
PLUS: Blake Comeau
PLUS:another loss puts us closer to the 3rd pick in the draft.
MINUS: another loss puts us closer to the 3rd pick in the draft.
Enjoy Olympic hockey! U-S-A, U-S-A! -
Irish Isle says:
+ Falling asleep during the second intermission, team up by two, with the team poised to enter the Olympic break on a modest 2 game win streak
- Waking up to reality
Yes the team is ahead of where we thought they would be at the beginning of the season. However, they are not at the point of being serious contenders. Hopefully Garth is able to use the assets the team has in order build for tomorrrow.
And JB, stay away from Jessica Simpson while you are on vacation.
-
BillyIsle says:
CB…Any True Value segments coming our way?
-
Spartiarti-RVC says:
i thought the isles played a good game. sleepy at the beginning.
Tavares is due for hot streak after break.
The difference the isles making the playoffs or not is the PP. Our PP is terrible. that is at least a goal or two we never get during game. that is the difference.
PLUS – Andy McDonald is at top 4 nhl dman. Now he needs to work on his slap shot.
-
Bob says:
Re Sign Sutton we need the big D-man If he does not agree then trade him, Park, Roloson, Bergenheim & Hunter if you can get value. We Need not to have Gervais out there at the end of the game Moulson (the leading scorer on the team) would have been the better choice.
-
Ethan K says:
I don’t like the “take the visor off” comments. Toughness and ego aside, a shot up there can end a career, or worse. Imagine that Ovechkin slapshot hit 3 inches higher on Jack Hillen and he wasn’t wearing a visor. Sure, Matt Martin would look like a “tougher” player, but in the end, it’s still a game, and there’s still the safety of a 20 year old at stake. If I were GM, visors would be mandatory, and they’d be bigger too.
-
And as for the playoff hopes… well… don’t hold on to them too tight.
We have 20 games left, and we currently have 58 points and 25 wins. We would most likely need 88 points to get into a playoff spot… and even that isn’t a guarantee. That means at least 15 wins in the last 20 games. Games that include the Blackhawks, Devils (2x), Penguins, Flyers, Kings, Flames, and other teams that can outplay us. Do we really think we can win 16/20 games in the final stretch? Our best stretch of hockey this whole season was 8 of 10. And if we miraculously pull that off… we scrape into the playoffs in the 8th seed, to play the Washington Ovechkins. That team really wants a cup this year. I hardly think it’s worth the effort. Let’s aim high (high up in the draft lottery). Sell Sell Sell, Garth!
-
Was Moulson really not out there? I just watched the game now but didn’t notice.
Anyway…while heartbreaking, I choose to only note the positive, which somehow I ended up seeing a lot of and feeling good about.
+ The wheels Nielsen showed just prior to Moulson’s goal.
+ speaking of wheels…I like what I’ve been seeing from Kohn, but mainly his skating – very quick and smooth.
+ JT. Everyones either hard on him or making excuses but there’s no denying he’s looked a little like the player we want. More aggressive, a bit quicker with decisions – I hope its encouraging going into the break.
+ I don’t want to gas up Martin anymore, but he’s very neccessary. I love having this type of player on the team. Maybe someone said it before but shades of Steve Webb when he slammed Carkner and then Michalek (I think) right after. If the crowd wasn’t absent/heartbroken that series of check by Martin could have actually made a difference.
+ Andrew MacDonald is looking really really good and improving…wow! Good for him, strong season thus far.Wait…one minus – I would’ve liked some retaliation on Carkner breaking Jackman’s orbital bone.
Damn, one more – very sad at reality setting in about Islanders being sellers. Roloson and Sutton have been 2 of my favorites.
-
isles316 says:
minus- 3 defensemen at the end of the game and no moulson.
-
Isles Revamped says:
On the officiating…I did not have a chance to comment on Kerry Frazers bogus call the other day. Its seems that old age has finally hit the Leggo hairstyle ref. It is time Kerry hang’em up. You Ghost calls are really bad.
-
Mike says:
SELL? SELL? SELL? Just what do you think Weight, Hunter, Bergenheim, and Park are worth? 6th round picks?
-
To the dreamers and reality kings…This team has given us much more excitement that we all thought or had hoped. It is time to think about next season and how the team is one step closer to future success.
Plus side: (Keepers)
Okposo, Tavares, Bailey, Martin, Mac D, Hillen, Kohn, Moulson, Schremp.Even: (Keep or Trade)
Weight, Biron, Sutton, Sim, DP.Minus: (Trade)
Tamby, Park, Roloson, Meyer, Witt, *Martinek, Gervias, Hunter, Jackman, **Sutton.* I know Martinek is on IR but Garth needs to let him go. To much of a liability injury wise and getting older.
** Sutton is on Keep and Trade b/c I want him to stay but he could net the Isles the best return come trade deadline. If we are out garth should give him a much deserved chance to contiune playing and win!
-
#46 separately they are worth probably a 6 rounder. Together it may be higher.
-
MorDraftPicks says:
Garth has 2 weeks to do some serious homework. With Chicago scouting the Islanders, One question that I have is….what do they have to give for Rolo/Sutton? If they dont want to break up their core of players, a first rounder would be in the 26-30 range. Not exactly bad, but not great. And a 2nd rounder would certainly be closer to a 3rd, so why bother trading Rolo/Sutton to them. As for improving the team, if the Panthers ownership hates their players so much, there certainly are a few that would look good in blue and orange. Horton especially!!
-
jim says:
Call Ted Nolan, see if he’ll come back.
-
Greg says:
Plus: Watching the game DVR’d and being able to fast forward the garbage this team calls 3rd periods.
Plus: Martin turning into one of my favorite Islanders (why did we hold out so long on this kid)
Minus: Tavares
Am I the only one concerned that Tavares looks slow and not confident at all. Ph and did I mention that he certainly doesnt look like he is the goal scorer we all thought he was. It hit me harder when we play Colorado and i saw how agressive/fast and skilled Duchene is.
The only reason im still hanging in with Tavares is how Stamkos looked pretty bad his first year as well.
-
billy says:
Thank god i didn’t watch that sens game yesterday, but i still laughed when they folded. It’s terrible that you can expect it to happen.
I love this team and am optimistic, but clearly we overacheived this year, which is nice, but this roster won’t win us a cup.
Snow has tough choices, can we win 10-15 games after the break which is what we’ll need to? Or shoud we strike while the iron is hot and rip off a few teams for rolo and sutton? i say we keep sutton, because we need him, but roloson is 100% expendable as is biron, which they both knew when they signed here.
I’d prefer to have ricky get most of the starts after the break to get rid of his rust and then he’ll be 100% to start next season.
That being said, i want to see us in the playoffs. It’s tough being a fan right now….what should we do?
-
pritchett54 says:
All i want is a top 3 pick. Is that so much to ask? Hall, Seguin or Fowler would look nice on the Isles next year.
-
dose says:
“The Senators looked bigger, stronger and faster. They actually are all of the above.” – CB
that’s it. they’re loaded and they’re on a phenomenal run. it could have been 4-1 or 5-1 going into the third and they still would have come back.
sutton looked sluggish to me. he looked like he needs the break, wherever he ends up.
whoa. bettman was just on with carton and esiason and said “at some point charles wang is going to decide on something different.” first time he sounded resolved the LH ain’t happening. he also didn’t sound to hyped about brooklyn. -
SJM says:
The Islanders have overacheived this year and it was good while it lasted. But the reality is that this team and rebuild has a long way to go. Last year we won 26 games all year; this year we’ve won 25 with 20 games remaining. Year 2 of the rebuild is going as can be expected. Trade at the deadline, get a top pick and stay the course.
-
bf51 says:
Anyone that thinks the Isles are going to be even better in year 3 of the “rebuild” is delusional. Without raising the payroll we will have to sit and wait and pray that our draft picks turn into NHL players. Our best hope to accelerate the process was JT turning into a stud and that does not appear to be in the cards.
-
John from ATL says:
Year II of the rebuild on schedule. Snow needs to make the best deals he can for Sutton, Roloson and/or Biron. None are part of the long term rebuild. They need to be used to bring back more assets. Hopefully prospects, not draft picks.
Year III’s roster will not be much different, just overall a little younger. Jounsuu, Martin, Kohn fighting for roster spots. No FA except maybe one Vet foward if Park doesn’t come back.
After the trade deadline, the focus shifts to the draft. Hopefully a top three pick. Not sure who the four to six picks would be. If the Isles end up with the 4th pick that would stink and would make for an interesting debate on who to pick.
Next year I see the Isles being a little better and in the playoff hunt a little longer but still missing them. Look at the growth of players like MacDonald, Hillen and Bailey this year. Next year hopefully, Tavares, Kohn, and Martin take similar steps.
Next years trade deadline trade bait, Gervais, Hunter, Bergenhiem (not part of the long term rebuild).
Maybe the playoffs in 2011-12.
-
IslesRock says:
PLUS:I saw the first two periods.
PLUS: I went out to dinner with the family and missed the third. Was in shock when my kid gave me the score from her phone.
PLUS: I know he is in a slump, but I am feeling good about JT. Working hard and getting chances. Needs to work on leg strength and foot speed in off season.
30-40 perennial goal scorer.MINUS: Fans calling for Gordon’s head. Look at the roster he has. No super stars, young kids and 4th line vets.
-
Not to break any rules, regarding multiple postings but…
Minus: All the empty seats. It would be nice to see more support in the stands.Patience: As long as this year is better than last year and next year looks better than this year, things are moving in the right direction.
The payroll is not the issue. The players on the roster are. They will be young and cheap for now. Don’t rush the rebuild by bring in someone that might just slow the rebuild down. One or two big ticket players won’t help in the long run. Look at Chicago. They are the model. Make a playoff splash first like they did last year and then add the big FA (Hossa).
-
Ice Girl Dad says:
Tough loss!!! but very predictable. If Garth is exploring all trade options, Bergy has to be part of a package. His stupid penalties,inconsistant defensive play far outweighs his aggressive penalty killing. A major question.. is Bergy part of the rebuild ?
-
50 in 50 says:
Plus : Matt Martin is exactly what Tavares and KO need on their line.
Plus : I have 2 weeks to let my Islander ulcer heal
Plus : Hopefully Gordon can learn something at the Olympics
Minus : Gordon is the Asst. Coach for Team USA
Plus : We are 2 pts. closer to a top 3 draft pick
Minus : Yet another 3rd period where we allow 3 un-answered goals
Minus : We let Nate Thompson go for free and we still have Richard Park -
thepolishprince says:
I have to agree with #62 regarding Bergie. If you can get anything of value for him trade him. He’s got great speed and is a tenatious forechecker but he still hasn’t learned to stop taking bonehead penalties. Oh yeah, and he’s got hands of stone.
-
JP39 says:
Plus: I know this has been said before, but I feel like it needs to be repeated…Kyle is a BEAST…an absolute BEAST…The fact that he was not selected to Team USA is mind-boggling. But, it is what it is.
Plus: JT will be just fine. Look at Stamkos last year. Now look at Stamkos this year. A world a difference. The same will hold true for Tavares.
Plus: Despite yesterday’s loss, this team is still in strinking distance of a playoff spot. Although it will be tough to make the playoffs and it might not happen, who would have thought we’d be this close going into the final 20 games of the season?
-
as much as I knocked the coach for yeseterday, looking where they are at in the standings, what teams ahead of them are the isles better than on paper?
-
Fist of Gillies says:
Obviously the team is better than last year but to say “the majority of the Country would have signed up for this in October” is a polyanna perspective.
The Islanders have the 4th worst record in the NHL. The fact they are still in the playoff hunt is an indictment on the league and the new point system, it has little to do with the Islanders deserving to be “in the hunt”.
-
islesfan999 says:
trade sim, sutton, park, witt, biron or roloson ( BOTH)….. Prepare for next year.
minus- coaching. the gordon honeymoon is over. special teams and another collapse cost us more points