GORDON HAPPY WITH ISLANDERS’ DIRECTION
“We’re not re-tooling. Still trying to find the tools.”
12:30 pm, Iceworks: Islanders head coach Scott Gordon is extremely comfortable with the direction of his team.
Asked by a reporter after today’s optional practice about the differences between the Islanders and Saturday’s opponent, the New Jersey Devils, Gordon – while respecting the Devils’ championships and annual competitiveness – said it’s a case of apples and oranges.
“The Devils are re-tooling. We’re trying to rebuild with a master plan of winning a Stanley Cup,” said Gordon. “We’re not re-tooling. We’re still trying to find the tools.
“With all the changes in coaches and managers here, there hasn’t been a stretch of continuity. We haven’t deviated from the plan. Garth (Snow) hasn’t traded any players in a panic. We haven’t given up something that we’re going to miss.”
Gordon has seen improvement in the core of his team’s approach from last season to this season.
“I see a level of consistency,” said the coach. “The power play and the penalty kill…there’s no question we’ve got to get better. Five-on-five, we don’t give up a lot. With a young team that could use a lot of practice time, and in a year with a condensed scehdule where there hasn’t been much, I’ve been happy with what I see in our work.
“You have to remember, the roster didn’t change a whole lot – except for the goaltenders. Now, for me, it’s about finding a few missing pieces to fill in.”
Finally, Gordon was asked if the Eastern Conference standings board still hangs in the locker room like it did in mid-January, when the Islanders were still in the playoff hunt. Affirmative.
“Look at the standings and know what a lousy feeling it is,” said Gordon, referring to his players. “Remember this day.”
Comments.
83 Responses to GORDON HAPPY WITH ISLANDERS’ DIRECTION
“We’re not re-tooling. Still trying to find the tools.”
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Sadly some of the “tools” he needs are going to the hospital on Monday with “Bob the Builder” Schremp. Nice write up.
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Jim Clark says: Is Coach Gordon using Kyle Okposo in front of the net on the power play instead of at the point as he previously did? That’s been my general impression…with Doug Weight back from the injured list. That makes more sense to me to use The Mighty Okposo in front of the net.
The team has equaled its point total from 2008-09 so there has been improvement. But the big question remains: How much can the Islanders count on for the next 12 years from the face of the franchise: Rick DiPietro?
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beatlebailey says:
Gordon will win somewhere..hopefully it is here. The one area we do not have a problem is with the coach. We do have problems EVERYWHERE else though…
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rb says:
I still don’t think he should get an extension until we see where the team is headed through next season, but Gordo’s comments are spot on.
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battfist says:
I believe in Gordon.
Snow-give the guy some tools.
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Isles8 says:
its always darkest before dawn, i know its hard and i get just as frustrated…iv placed some anger comments on here in the past myself, but this season is done and we can begin focusing on next year. Lets hope for a nice and busy off season. I’m just sick of hearing the same old answers to every question. Its not hard these days to look into what a team is going through outside of what the owners, GM and coach say. Hoping the best, once this thing turns around it’ll be worth it. GO ISLES
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Schultz39 says:
I like Scott Gordon – he is a keeper. Now we need to either get him the horses or wait for the horses we have to grow up.
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2277 says:
I like it but did he really say the roster hasnt changed except the goalies from last year?!? hello….Moulson/JT are big upgrades over last year!
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Jon #2 says:
Nice of him to give himself a pat on the back after finishing last in the league last year and close to it this season.
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IslesRock says:
I also like Gordon. He seems more in command than last year. He needs an extention of at least one or two years. Bottom line, look at his roster. Not sure if any other coach could get more points out of such a young team that is supported with fourth line vets.
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Pete says:
After watching his interview I immediately went to youtube and typed in “Steve Shields Snow” and watched Shields kick the snot out of Garth. I felt better. Does everyone who becomes a higher up in all fields instantly become a political face and lose their personality? We’ll see what he does. he should have traded Roloson to Chicago. He shouldn’t have traded for Smyth unless he had a long term agreement signed. I hope they keep losing so they get a top 3 pick. I don’t trust them with anything lower than those top 3 can’t miss type guys.
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Tony says:
I’d love to drink whatever Gordo and Garth are drinking.
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He is right, the team has been consistent, but not in a good way. And Gordon has to share the blame when it comes to the special teams’ atrocities this season, not to mention his penchant for putting checkers everywhere but the fouth line and his love affair with over-the-hill veterans and his vendetta against Tambellini.
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scottd says:
I think Scott Gordon is doing the best he can with what he has to work with. He deserves a contract extension this offseason and deserves a chance to see this rebuild through.
Speaking of which…The LA Kings are often mentioned here as an example of a rebuilding team that has done things right (a sentiment I agree with). They are also often mentioned as a team that has moved through their rebuild faster than the Islanders have. But lets look at the facts.
The fact is the Kings have not made the playoffs since the 2001-2002 season. (The Islanders have made it three times since that season.)That may be unfair as you might say they only began rebuilding with the 2006-2007 season. Still, the last three years they were 14, 11 and 3 games under .500 respectively. Didn’t make the playoffs once. Now in year 4, they have finally taken the next step.
So the question I have is, how can we applaud their rebuild in one breathe and dismiss the one taking place here in the next?
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Isles Fan From Maryland says:
We are exactly in the same place as we were last year.
1. Need goaltending. DP will never be a NHL quality goalie again. Rollie is great. 1 year left. lets find someone to back him up for next year
2. Need defense. Jack, Andy Mac are quality guys for the future. Mark S. is top teer. Need 3 new, big bodies with experiance.
3. Offense: dump: Sim, Jackman, Park (who last year was great and this year disappeared. The caption needs to be left behind, old, slow etc. Don’t understand how he can get PP time. Bergie, Hunter are done. Need proven guys that can score.
4. New coach. If your power play and PK are at the bottom on the league and you keep playing the same guys expecting a different result then you don’t really have a clue. I have to say if tamby is such a shitty player that we are better off with a goon who plays 5 minutes and loses a game for us, it is not fair to keep him in limbo. Either play him (which i believe we should) or cut him loose. It seems pretty disrespectful of the organization. And that we let a quality guy like nate t. go for nothing because we wanted to keep him.We are at least 6 guys away from winning games consistantly. Yes the young guys are improving but the holes that need to be filled are extremely large.
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John says:
Gordon has done the best job that he could possibly do with the talent presented. That is why this upcoming season is so important. He will have his trio – Tavares, Okposo and Bailey – back and a year stronger. The team will have up to 10-15 million to spend in free agents and a top 5 pick, hopefully top 3 so we can land Hall, Seguin or Fowler. Year 3 of the rebuild could be the breaking point to Snow and his coach.
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EdTurner says:
So the coach is happy coming in last place last year and a bottom (2-5) finish this year. Well, I guess in his mind that is progress.
I like the progress that Colorado made.
I still do not see this team winning with Scott Gordon as it’s head coach. Reading interviews like this just reinforce my beliefs.
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John (post #12) I can’t disagree with you more. Gordon has gotten NOTHING out of this team. A case can be made that his “system” is wiping them out and we would have won more games if the players had the energy to play 60 minutes.
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Matt S. says:
“Look at the standings and know what a lousy feeling it is,” said Gordon, referring to his players. “Remember this day.”
or remember last year, or the year before that, or the year before that, or the year before that…. John Tavares was 2 years old the last time the Islanders were a real team.
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znatokhokkeya says:
how coach could be happy with team finishing in the bottom 3 two years in a row is beyond me
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80/90 percent of the USA Olympics team offense (success) was based on the go-go system. That shows with the right personal that Gordo’s system DOES work. He has done a good job with JB, JT, KO, AMac, Hillen, MM, and some others on this young team. In the next few years even more good young players will be playing for the Isles. I would have to agree with Snowy that he has done a great job.
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
Guys think of the feeling you had when isles beat 4 of the best team in nhl and had one of the hottest streak of the year.
Thats what you have to look foward to. Team will only get better. Bailey was in position of Tavares last year and look at the improvement. Comeau finally woke up and realized if you shoot more you score more. KO is becoming more dominate with each game.
Our Defense has some bright spots and more help will be on the way.
Its in best interest right now to tank and get one those top 3 guys in draft. Any one of them would have immediate postive effect to our lineup.
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Ed: While I am disappointed with the way that this team has performed this season, this team is way outmanned by some of the elite teams in the east. There is a significant difference in talent (speed and size) between us and others in the East, and that blame falls on the shoulders of Snow and his scouting staff. The way that this team is presently constituted, can you honestly say that this team could physically play with the Flyers, I cant. Hamonic, Petrov, Martin, Joensuu and another big body or three could be a start.
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It’s obvious Gordon has been guzzling the Kool-aid.He can do all the ,”re-tooling” he wants, the team is not that talented!
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dan says:
I like gordon, just get him a better defense to work with. He can work with out offense, just get a better, faster, bigger defense.
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ny711ot says:
He gets next season to turn it around. I can understand the thought to not extend him, because if the Isles dont improve dramatically next year he is a goner. On the other hand I cannot fathom a lame duck coach for this lame duck franchise. Hey Scott, Tambellini could have helped last night dont you think? Why is this guy on the roster if he is not going to play?
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Gary9-19-22 says:
For once can we keep a coach that is good and not blame him for the lack of talent he is given.
PAY ATTENETION.. We have let go of 2 very talented people in our organization that have went on to win cups, Laviolette and Blysma.
KEEP GO-GO!!!! Give him 2 year extention.
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Isles19 says:
The draft watch should expand to 4 as the defensemen Grudbrnson is moving up fast and some scouts consider better than Fowler!!!
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John says:
Gordon has done well with the cards dealt him. But he has made some moves I disagree with that has hurt thteam. First, he never plays Tambellini who can score.
Second, he played Schremp with non finishers most of the year. Put Schremp with Tambellini or Tavares and see if a great tandem is born. Gordon never gave a combination of Schremp with Tambellini/Tavares any significant time to see what could develop. But hey, he played Weight and Park all season together. -
The New Isles GM says:
And what Gordon means by still trying to find the tools, he means a top 3 pick, 2 hard hitting defenseman, two scoring NHL caliber wingers and a goalie who can stay healthy.
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Ideally, we would get Seguin or Hall at the draft – to play with JT and sign either Hamhuis or Volchenkov in free agency. With 5 pick in the first 3 rounds – no goalies. Then, we can truly judge Go-Go
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JackB says:
We have the most boring GM/Coach tandemin all of sports!
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RD says:
Again, you can’t get pissed at Snow and Gordon. They are picking up the pieces left by Mr. Eurotrash himself, Mike Milbury. The guy who had to have Kvasha and Yashin has the audacity to refer the Russians as Eurotrash. You can find to finer examples of Eurotrash in Kvasha nd Yashin! Hypocrit! He left this organization in complete shambles. Snow did the right thing. He started over. He started fresh and now it is going to take time. We are impatient fans, but for a legit reason.
I think it is only fair that you give Gordon 2 more years to see what happens with this team. How you can expect much with inexperienced talent surrounded by oft-injured captain and other vets like Jackman, Sim, and Park. Roloson, Streit, Hillen, and Macdonald are the sole reason this team is not on the bottom. They’ve kept the defense afloat. They’ve been outstanding.
Get a top 3 pick that will jump right to the NHL. That is what we need. There is nothing wrong with the coach or GM. The problem is that we lack size and talent.
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Rich says:
In typical fashion, Islander fans are never satisfied. When there were no prospects in the organization and little hope but to squeak in to the 8th spot and get bumped in the 1st round, everyone whined that this is not the direction to go.
Now Snow/Gordon are actually trying to rebuild from the ground up, and the whiners are back out that we are finishing in last and progress isn’t fast enough. This is year two of a ground up rebuild and yet some people expect change to happen overnight. Yes, the team is better the last year, yes the plan is working, yes people will still complain no matter what.
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Brian G says:
He needs to modify his system – some of the players looks tired
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Mad Pete says:
I think the go-go system is a good one, and worth the price of admission, as you saw with team USA. However those are all the best of the best from the U.S. for the most part. The islanders do not have the best of the best from anywhere, Okposo and Streit being the only arguments. You really think Tavares is built for a fast system? it looks like someone forgot to take him off instant replay, plus all the other rebuilds we’ve heard about include fast, strong, physically mature talents that provide a lot of offense, ours do not. You think free agents want to join this circus?, think again, im pretty sure we have tried to sign good FA, but they would rather play in other places, can you blame them. It hurts to say these things, and hopefully im wrong, but these seem to be recurrent trends for the Islanders. Again I hope i’m wrong, cause I want this team to succeed more than anything.
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Bill says:
It’s really up to Garth to give him the players. If there is no improvement in personnel then why would there really be any improvement on the ice. I know the players will be a year older but it’s not like that is going to make a huge difference. With the defense that the Islanders are currently putting on the ice I can’t see this team being any better next year. If anyone should be in the hot seat it is Snow. Oh, and yes, I know he’s not going anywhere.
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I like our young guys, I feel they will be very good at some point. I am all for the so called rebuild. That does not mean we can’t add 1 big, young D-man and 1 more player a little older than 19 to bury the biscuit! This, combined with 1 more high draft pick along with the maturation of our core guys, should make for a very competitive team. THE DRAFT ALONE WILL NOT DO IT! Help our boys, they are working their tails off, Forget Kovulchuck, or any other player that requires 70% of the payroll, just bring in some N.H.L talent–like chicago, like the Avs, like any rebuilding team that truly wants to win!
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anthony says:
I like Gordon, but he also needs to adapt to the NHL game. I remember when Bill Belichek was the Giants great Defensive Coordinator in 1986. He was asked, “You completely shut them down in both halves; how do you do it for four quarters against that level of competition?”
His answer: “We change our game-plan at half-time. We know the opposition will read what we did and they’ll adjust; so we keep them off balance with a different look”
Gordon’s system don’t work for 3 periods a game, 82 games a year. How many 2 or 3 goal, 3rd period leads have we blown the past two years… too many. His system “could” be effective, but he needs to learn a perverbial “change-up” too…
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JSExpress says:
I’d like to see more passion out of Gordo on the bench. He constantly looks either shell-shocked or disinterested to me.
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Maydog says:
I’ll take “Quotes from Loser Coaches” for $500 Alex…Somewhere, Steve Sterling is smiling
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1972 means I'm Old says:
Beyond Gordon and Snow, you can’t build a house if you don’t know where your house is and if you allow very few to get to it.
—Resolve the arena issue. I know people who’ve stopped following the team because of the threat the team may relocate far away. I know one old Hartford fan who doesn’t want to go through this twice.
—Resolve the goalie issue. I feel bad for DiPietro, and I’m sure he feels worse than anyone about his condition, but we need an honest assessment from him and the team. Makes me appreciate, in retrospect, Bossy’s honesty to hang up the skates early because he couldn’t give a fraction of his ability if he continued collecting paychecks.
—Think BIG MARKET. Think of the eventual marketing of Tavares. Think of finding some way to provide timely public transportation to the NVMC. (The potential is there: the other day as I walked across 23rd St., there were more Islander caps on than Rangers.) I give more $$$ to the Devils than the Islanders each year to see my team because they had the common sense to build an accessible arena.
—Give Streit the “C.” Give it to KO when Streit’s contract runs out. He’s done wonders with the Swiss Olympic team—a nation of only 8 million people competing quite well with teams that have much greater populations. He’s doing something right in the leadership department.
—Consider a 7:30 starting time. A lot of people commute to NYC from LI. People are working longer hours. No wonder weekday games are sparsely attended. -
Not to knock Byslma, but he was not a proven coach prior to being handed a team with Crosby, Fleury, Malkin, etc… Sometimes it is what team you have.
I’m glad for Gordon that he’s pleased, but can he please raise his expectations (especially for next season). Happy to have only lost in a shootout or only lost by 1 goal is sad. If you expect A work, then you have a better chance of getting that work. If you expect C, then that’s all you will get.
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Bob says:
The re-tooling should start with the 3 biggest tools of the franchise….Wang, Snow and Gordon.
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Honnold says:
Peter Laviollete: A-
Snow: B-
Gordon: C+
Jankowski: C
Ted Nolan: D
Milbury: F -
Eastonhockey says:
Pay me 200 grand a year I can drink the kool aid with everyone else!!
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El Exigente says:
We have tools… they are all in managment.
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50 in 50 says:
WoW, I have seen the light. Gordon has washed away all my concerns and sorrows with that brilliant statement.
Yes we have been consistent and it’s sad to say its just been bad. We have improved in points from last season, God Bless the shootout and loser points or we would have 30th place locked up.
I must agree yet again with “Flash”. Even strength situations have been great all season, the only problem is that we are consistently in the penalty box and have a PK that sucks. If we are on the PP we suck. The “NEW” NHL is all about special teams and ours are horrible.
The dry erase board needs to be erased and SNOW/WANG/ and GORDON need to each write I’m sorry to the 21 guys in that room. Forget the standings unless your Garth Snow hoping for a miracle playoff push.
I have a feeling from reading some of the above comments, that a few posters are either true believers or pull on the Blue and Orange pajamas a few times a week. Either way guys grasp reality. The ONLY Way the Stanley Cup will get back to Long Island is when we have our 75th celebration or Wang either sells the team or puts some cash back into it.
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C.J. says:
The best thing about Gordon is that he doesn’t often sugar coat things. He tells it like it is, either in words or with his heart on his sleeve.
He knows he doesn’t have the horses and isn’t shy about telling the media such things.
Step up Garth & Wang and SPEND you cheap bastards!!!
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jonsson3 says:
Keep #91,#12,#51,#13,#57,#26,#21,#7(size),#38,#2,
#47,#56,#30. Bring up M.Martin,JJ, Top 3 Pick, Then go get 5 free agents to fill the roster.Dump #8,#16,#93,#44,#43,#39.
On the Bubble…#10,#24,#28,#42
Get size, size, and more size!!!!
And PLEASE, ALWAYS put someone in front of the net!, especially on the Power Play.
Just sayin’. Just beat Rags and lose the rest!! GO ISLES! 1940 forever!!
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hollywood says:
Can’t blame it all on the coach. I haven’t seen that much improvement from Baily and Okposo. I do believe that they will be very good players down the road. Someone made a comment about Okposo in front of the net on the PP. That’s not his game. I personally think he’s better from the point on the PP.
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tond24 says:
when we got smyth we were 4 years away….when we got billy G OUR CAPTAIN we were 4 years away….when we traded down to get josh (im not a top 10 pick) bailey we were 4 years away…and now after Johnny T’s first year you guessed it we are 4 years away…i love that our time table clock has no hands and our leaders have no clue and our fans have no XXXX’S…
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bobice says:
im not saying gordon should be honored and he is doing an amzing job but come on. who do you think would have this team being competetive arbour? this team was built for a dead last finish. look around the league everyone has a better roster than us.
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Islander86 says:
I think it would be better for the quality of hockey if they’d implement the English soccer’s system.
2-3 clubs that got the least point get out of NHL and play in AHL.
By the end of AHL season, 2 best clubs get to NHL. -
BD Hendo says:
50 in 50, you don’t have Islander pj’s? All us die-hards do!!
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UIF says:
Good quotes from Gordo. I like the one at the end about hanging the standings in the locker room.
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ziggymeup says:
I see a level of consistency too Mr Gordon, it’s called not scoring enough goals to win games.. The same problem we had last year, and did absolutely nothing about it in the off season.. Don’t expect anything different this year either… Let’s see, 26 wins last year, 26 wins this year (so far).. Last year we scored 201 goals, this year 172.. We have been better in GA, but look at our goalies this year compared to last year.. Please stop the BS, both Gordon and Snow have not built a thing that resembles getting better.. I don’t see it, boring hockey is why the fans stay home… Give me a reason to spend my money Charles, until you do, the TV is where I’ll watch the games.. That is until you take away those rights as you did the radio broadcasts..
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steve says:
so many unemployed future GM’s and coaches. its not a fantasy hockey team.
superstar goalie, scoring machine at wing, set up man for wing, gritty clutch stanley cup winning foward for grit and experience. young fowards and defenders coming into their own. meet the nonplayoff NY RANGERS. your not gonna argue lundquist, gabroik, drury, callahan, delzotto, and the rest of those garden guys are well paid, skilled and out of the playoffs? the devils were in the playoffs when they got their big time scorer, and they really havent improved. its not fantasy hockey. its a tired discussion. you build a solid base, and when you get close, you strike for the player to get you chance for the Cup.
when it was uncapped, the richest franchises, the leafs and rangers, didnt get it done with throwing money. the baseball yankees needed to develop good players, and then gun for the $ free agents. fire the coach for not winning with a team having one 20 goal scorer. yeah, thats his fault. RM and BW basically MIA all season at the blue line, and the most expensive player, 10-15% of youe salary, has missed most of the season with another bad knee. just some simple facts. now, continue blaming the coach, the hamstrung GM and the owner losing over $20 million a year. -
Mike P says:
They need to get 2 NHL d-men this offseason, dump Gervais who might have a mid round pick value and let kids like Hamonic, Dehann, even a kid like Reese battle it out with Martinek and Witt for the 6 and 7th spots. They need to add another scoring top 6 forward along with a legit enforcer and a 4th line center who can win faceoffs and kill penalties(in a perfect world he would be at least 6’2 220 also) and they can at least compete for a playoff spot.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
You can’t make filet mignon out of chuck steak no matter how much marinade you use!
Fact: The guy’s two “snipers” are an AHL journeyman and a 19 year-old kid who spends more time on ice (literally, ON the ice) than Johnny Walker Black! His best all around C (Franz) is in essence a #3 being given top line honors.
If he added Barney Fife to the blueline the aggregate size would increase!
What have we seen? The development of 2 young D in Hillen and AMac, and Kohn too has proven that he is a serviceable NHL player.
What else? Improvement from Bailey (who was rushed prematurely to the NHL) and Comeau.
You need someone to blame on the ice? Try the “young veterans” like Hunter, Bergy and Thumbalina, who needed to pick up their games while the youngsters developed!
You need someone to blame off it? Try the owner, who hasn’t given his fan base a clue of what’s on his mind for months!
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Ajax says:
(61) very true, but it is THE COACH that IS to blame for who gets on to the ice for shootouts, who gets how much ice time, who is on the ice for the PK & PP, lack of gameplay passion, and finally, being happy with the direction of the team right now.
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Jzimm says:
This is a pretty good year to suck like this. Next year is a horrible year to suck, as scouts are seeing it as perhaps being the worst draft in the history of the entry/amateur draft.
Top 4 or top 5 is said to be safe. We have so many needs on this team that walking away with Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, Cam Fowler, Brandon Gormley, or Erik Gudbranson should be enough to keep us happy through the summer of 2010.
At some point, we have to turn the corner. I hope we start next year. Just so long as we improve from year to year for the next season or 2 following this one, I’ll be pretty happy.
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My biggest concern with this “rebuild” is that by the time we are a playoff team all the key pieces will take their bags and paychecks to go somewhere else.
I don’t think a coach anywhere in any sport can right this sinking ship. I start at the top and work my way down with blame, but as far as optional practices, I blame the coaches 100%. Losing is not an option and practices shouldn’t be either. It’s not like we are saving ourselves for the playoffs, or our PP and PK have been outstanding. Scott use this time to develop systems to use next year. Don’t allow the cards your dealt to determine the work ethic you portray.
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gary says:
“hey I have an idea! let’s have the worst teams fight for a final playoff spot so they can play longer and prolong the season and the misery!” – Snow, seriously, this is ridiculous. How about shooting for the top of the league. 16 playoff teams is enough already. If you can’t be in the top 8 out of 14, do you really thing you deserve to keep playing????
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brian says:
The difference between the Devils and Isles is: the Devils can win and rebuild at the same time. With Lou Lamierello at the helm, the Devils will ALWAYS find good prospects. And you will never hear them making excuses such as “remember, this is just Year 2 of the rebuild”.
I still do not understand why some people feel it is etched in stone that the Islanders have a good future. Just because they are an embarrassment and will once again finish with one of the worst records in the league, does not guarantee that the player they pick in the draft will become a good player. There are busts every year.
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Ray's Team says:
Figures we have a coach with a system and the main component of the system is finding a way to lose the majority of your games….
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Julie says:
I do like the idea of building a core through through the draft, and then adding to it via trades/free agency. So in that regard I do like what Snow is trying to do. Although time will tell if he does add impact players. However I really believe that the biggest reason for the small improvement in points this year is due to Roloson. He has kept the team in games that they had no business winning. When was the last time an Islander goalie did that on a somewhat regular basis?
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Snow’s proposal for the playoffs is like lowering the water rather than raising the bridge!
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Strummer's Army says:
Why couldn’t Snow sign the 6’4″ college d-man Tor just did? For once can’t they outbid or out sell someone?
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kelly says:
mr wang snow and gordon are all liers.Gordon said im happy with the direction.well hes trying to establish himself in this league what do you want him to say knowing full well his contract will not be renewed.
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Bob says:
Imagine, if you will, the Isles showing a 10-15 point improvement this year, postponing the December swoon to February, and then landing Cam Fowler at the draft, which is a distinct possibility now. A reminded of what Chris said about Fowler is here:
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/draftwatch-2010-cam-fowler-the-kid-who-said-no-to-notre-dame/
Really, that’s improvement. It might even be called a perfect season. My only complaint is that we continue to lose games late and the special teams are horrid. I don’t quite get why we haven’t made adjustments there. Otherwise, the facts suggest we are on a good path. I think Gordo is right about trying stability for once.
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Tom says:
Gordon sounds Nolan-esque with his take on things.
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geduffer says:
Gordo is right.They are sticking to their plan. My problem is with the business side of the franchise and the way they’ve treated the season subscribers. That’s why I’m not renewing my tickets. I can watch on TV and when they suck, I can just change to another game.
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Madchef says:
so I guess Gordon should have said this team blows, a the GM gives me nothing to work with and the owner should mind bhis business out of hockey. Really people, are we making a mountain out of molehill. What else is he gonna say. I like what Gordon has done. They should resign him. Stability in our coach is something we have never had outside of you know who.We all know they are better than last year maybe next year if they can knock out some of CB bullet points from the other day they can be a playoff team next year.
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Jay says:
Does Islander management look at Colorado and cringe??? Heck, even Phoenix and LA to some extent. The Avs cleaned house last year and appointed new coaching staff across the board. Instilled cup winner Sylvain Lefebvre and character guy like Konawalchuk to assist on the bench. Couldn’t hurt Gordon to get a new brain trust to assist him with these god awful special teams. Last time I can recall our pp being even moderately impressive dates back to Aucoin blasting from the point with Parrish depositing the change…and Kvasha picking up his ‘hockey hat’ in no man’s land…uggghhh. I know it’s the players that must execute but we had healthy roster for most of the first half of this year, minus balsa martinek.
Avs didn’t even make any major personnel moves on the roster but for some reason that coaching staff is getting 110 percent out of their young core, and that Duchene can certainly skate. Here that Johnny??? Off season conditioning, hit the squat machine, and for christs sake stay on your feet for a full shift.
With Sutton gone and Amac down just bewildering to see snow’s non action. Places our furthering defensive woes squarely on the shoulders of guys like dylan reese…jesus
Oh yeah, Garth. Pleeeeaase…for the well being of all us fans dont make us watch watch bruno plod along in an isles uniform next year. It belittles our intelligence ( which apparently you’ve gotten quite comfortable with ) continuing to dress this clown hoping for more than what he truly is…a permanent bridgeport resident.
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Chris A says:
In Gordo We trust
In Snow We Bust -
Jim M says:
I think whats making everything seem as bad as it really is that we have no idea what the future holds for this franchise as far as location and/or a new arena. It goes in hand with the fact that until something changes not a single top tier prospect will want to come here. JT,Okposo,Bailey,Moulson,Nielsen,Comeau,Schremp are a good start upfront and Streit,Hillen,Macdonald on the blueline but we sorely lack size and depth. We need to see some serious progression with our top prospects through the summer and next season and find out what’s exactly in store for DP’s future to really start thinking about playoff runs. OR, they finish last place next year too, Wang sells the team, and they move to Kansas City…..
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Tom says:
everyone relax, we all wanted them to rebuild, it takes more than 1 or 2 seasons…”get younger” we are younger, “get faster” we are, “get bigger” (working on it), we all need to give them more time, at least another season, be realistic, lets go isles!
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I’ve supported this team my whole life, and feel like I’ve been robbed between the Fishsticks era, the Hextall days, the “our owner is going to jail becuase he has no money and he bought the team”, Milbury, Wang, no arena, 15-year contract for DP….I mean, how much can we take?
Put me out of my misery so I can root for the Devils and the Quebec Islanders…. -
4195mary says:
Look, Washington’s best players were drafted. Pittsburghs best players were drafted. L.A.’s best players, also drafted. St.Louis too. How did they get in position to acquire these current and future stars? They all cleaned house and re-built. Simple as that. Unfortunately, that always involves a few years as a bottom feeder. I think the upswing has begun. Building blocks are in place. Patience is the mantra. Do your research people. That’s the only way. You have to get the high draft picks.Sure, sometimes you can get a Streit or Moulson, but stanley cup champs aren’t built around these guys. They are built around Bossy, Trottier, and Potvin.
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Diane says:
Regarding the standings board being up still and Scott’s comment “know what a lousy feeling it is”, I say WHAT???!!??
With all that is wrong within the organization, why do you want these players to feel BAD? Isn’t it your job to make them feel good about any progress they’ve made? Okay, so you don’t have all the tools yet. Create a checklist and use the remaining games to focus on one or two goals the team can do better. You’re not getting into the playoffs so here’s what we’re gonna be ready for next year. Give them a reason to feel like they WILL be a force in more than one area coming into next season, give them a chance to feel proud and WANT to do even better.
With all of the Lighthouse/PR/Radio/not signing real help/etc problems within the org., why do you also want the players to feel like crap?? How is that going to help anything?
Aside from that, Gordon is low on my “problem list” for the NYI.
It all starts with our owner.
The “direction” has been SOUTH. I’m glad you like it Gordo!