ISLANDERS at COLUMBUS, 7:00 pm
Klementyev up; Rakhshani’s Denver days over
Chris Botta on Twitter
Since he was the only remaining option in the team’s view, Anton Klementyev has been recalled for tonight’s game in Columbus. Klementyev, who turned 20 on Thursday, has been scratched for as many games as he has played (28) in Bridgeport this season.
The 6-1, 200-pound defenseman was a fifth round pick in 2009. He has some ability and was a member of Team Russia at the World Junior Championships. Although he’ll get by for a game or two, he just isn’t ready for the AHL or the NHL.
If the Islanders put Brendan Witt through re-entry waivers, the team that grabbed him couldn’t use him this season. However, they’d have Witt for 50 cents on the dollar next season, while the Islanders would have to pay him $1.5 million to play on another team. They do not seem to be okay with this.
Per Katie Strang, Andrew MacDonald could return in time for the Rangers game on Tuesday.
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Rhett Rakhshani is now available to begin pursuing his professional hockey career in the Islanders organization.
This is not the way he wrote the script, but Rakhshani is free to sign with the Islaners after his Denver University team was upset in the first round by RIT on Friday, 2-1. A favorite to win it all, the Pioneers lost their last three games of the season. RIT’s goalie Jared DeMichiel was the difference.
“You’re getting your chances, and he keeps stopping you,” the Islanders fourth round pick in 2006 told College Hockey News. “I’m sure there are things I could have done differently, but things happen so fast.”
For his take on the game, I asked my FanHouse colleague and College Hockey News writer Bruce Ciskie. “Denver did what they did all year,” emailed Ciskie. “They let an inferior team score first, only this time the inferior team’s goalie was good enough to make it hold up for two and a half periods. Denver won 20 of their 27 games by either one or two goals, so they were never a dominant team, and it burned them in the end, because the good luck they had in a lot of their wins didn’t come their way today.”
The 5-11, 185-pound Rakhshani was 21-29-50 in 41 games this season at Denver. He was sixth in the Point Blank ranking of top Islanders prospects a month ago. The Hockey News recently ranked Rakhshani tenth on the team. Most scouts max-project him as a third-line right wing with the ability to maybe score 15-20 goals at the NHL level.
Give him a look with the big club, bring him to Bridgeport or whatever is decided is in the 22-year-old’s best interests. Rakhshani should have plenty of hockey left in his young legs. Begin his professional development now and see what he has to work on.
Comments on this post and tonight’s game.
77 Responses to ISLANDERS at COLUMBUS, 7:00 pm
Klementyev up; Rakhshani’s Denver days over
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Well as Chris already stated, Klementyev hasn’t played in enough games to make a difference’ Ive seen him play in every game he did play in and he does have potential. He really needs a full year in the minors. He’s been through a lot this year and it cost him. First it was his transfer agreement, then having trouble with the isles system, and then an injury. When he finally got into a game he made the common mistakes any 19 year old first time pro makes. Once he got in a few weeks of work he started to look more comfortable, but then a little injury and Clear Day came and he’s been a healthy scratch ever since. He does have potential and I liked what I saw from him when he was consistently playing but he should be no where near the NHL this year. It’s ashame it had to happen this way. We have a guy named Jon Gleed down there that is fully capable of handling NHL defense for the time Gervais is out. Ashame the Isles didn’t give him a shot. Looks like a long night for Streit and Hillen tonight. Sorry for any spelling mistakes, I’m posting from my blackberry.As for Rak, sign him up NOW!
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Smokey a.k.a. Botta is God says:
Rakhshani is by no means a lock to ever see a regular shift in the NHL. The pros will be a rough transition for him.
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Jon in Chicago says:
The Isles really need to sign at least 2 competent NHL defenseman for next season. Streit, Hillen, MacDonald and I think Martinek (until he gets hurt) is all we have for next season. Meyer is OK as a No. 6 guy but Gervais, Kohn, Reese, Flood, etc. just aren’t going to cut it if you want to take the next step. I’m assuming Hamonic won’t be with the team next year either.
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Michael says:
I really don’t understand why we haven’t put Witt through re-entry waivers. What do we have to lose? As slow footed as he is as this age he has to be better than this kid we’ve brought up. Witt is not part of the rebuild. It would be foolish for him to be on the roster next season. We can let him rot in Bridgeport for $3.0M. Buy him out for $2.0M or give a team a shot to pick him up and pay him $1.5M. If nothing else, the latter seems like the fiscally responsible thing to do at this point.
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50 in 50 says:
Michael that is exactly what I have been thinking and saying since the annual crumbling of our blue line corp. Bring Witt up, it wouldn’t be any worse then bringing up a kid still wet behind the ears. Unless there is a problem between Witt and Management.
I believe he sat down with Gordon and told him he was unable to adapt to his “system” and magically he disappeared to Bridgeport.
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Lance79 says:
They must be ready to buy out Witt. Would cost $1 million over the next two years as compared to $1.5 mill next year if he got taken on re-entry waivers. Either we badly need that extra $500k for a FA or we are really that cheap
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Dan says:
I guess they clearly could have brought up someone else besides Witt. I know who cares at this point if we lose him but let it play this offseason. Maybe it is a bad contract for a bad contract trade. So taking off a player on the BP defense will not help them in the playoffs. It is important that BP continues to play as long as they can to get these rookies as much ice time as possible. By the way are they thinking of having a BP playoff game or two at the coliseum? Sign Rhett too and let him develop. I do not think that many scouts would have said that Moulson would have scored 30 goals in the NHL.
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ItsGoodToBeRich says:
Streit-Hillen
Meyer-Reese
Flood-KlementyevWow. This is very scary and needs to be addressed ASAP.
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Examiner says:
Let Witt sit tight for now. If they try bringing him up and he gets snatched by another team then they would have to call up yet another D-man. That means the Bridge would be down 2 more d-men. They have a shot at the playoffs, not the Isles.
Would love to see A-Mac back this year. Otherwise, only 8 more games till Golf.
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Bob says:
The Isles need for defenseman couldn’t be more evident. No matter where they pick in this year’s draft, a stud defenseman has to be the logical choice. Looking at next season with Streit, Hillen, a healthy Martinek, a free agent defenseman, McDonald, and Hamonic, deHaan and Fowler fighting for the last 1 or 2 spots, the team should be much better.
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Staten Islander says:
Might as well let him get some real NHL experience. can’t hurt at this point, its not like they’re making a cup run. And while they’re at it, sign Rhett and Donovan.
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wang_must_go says:
Yes #6. We really are that cheap. Wanger has given up on the pipedreamhouse project so just scriping dimes till he sells.
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eastonhockey says:
This is what happens when a team trades the 2nd best defensmen for a late 2nd rounder so it can save $$. Its like watching a cover band at a concert. This my friends…is not the “real” NY ISLANDERS…I grew up watching…This is the Wang version.
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BB says:
Cheap, the islander’s would sign a high school defenceman for one game, but the kid would not be able to get his working done fast enough. Plus the fact he would be expected to drive to ohio, why spend the money on the flight. CHEAP,CHEAP,CHEAP !!
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DRIVE45 says:
I would agree that we need a defensemen in the draft but if we get a chance at Seguin or Hall with a top 2 pick, you have to take one of them.
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JTonelli says:
I will bet you that the Isles will be better tonight with McDonald back in the lineup. He actually IS a solid D-Man, and we have been worse since he left. As a matter of fact, the team has suffered ONLY when injuries have struck. Yes, it shows that we have NO margin for ANY injuries, and are paper thin, HOWEVER, I believe that we are still not that far off.
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Nobody says:
#12, the LH was a pipedream unfortunately. Wang should have known a dying NIMBY community like LI would never go for it. But, I wouldn’t count on him selling the team. No evidence for that at all!! I hope we spend when we it’s prudent and the $$ will help not be an anchor to a drowning person… Hopefully we continue to pass on the Kovalevs, Orrs and Komisariks of the world and find more Sreits and Moulsons…we do need a couple of D, but please let’s be smarter than the Rags and Leafs…
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AJAX says:
I wish him the best! Go get em’ kid!
($50 buck says he gets injured)
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isles72 says:
I guess there buying out witt
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Lorne says:
Would be nice to see MacDonald back for the final 2 weeks.
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Julie says:
I’m really disappointed in the Islanders’ treatment of Witt. I don’t believe it’s about the money. The guy deserves better.
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Strummer's Army says:
Cb is there some sort of regulation or rule that is preventing the Isles from using Gleed?
I think the Isles should sign and insert Rhashanski into the line up. I’d like to see him with the Isles. He’d help Bridgeport out too.
Fact is we just do not need Sim or Tambs.
Klementyev I guess had to play in the AHL if he came over due to age, not sure why he couldn’t play in UTah of the ECHL but…..only Snow knows.
I totally understand the Witt thing. If some team wants him for next year then they’ll need to give the Isles something. Snow doesn’t have to do any teams a favor.
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znatokhokkeya says:
it’s been a while since last Russian played for the islanders
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Darren says:
I agree Witt cannot play the go-go system but he would have been a better option than any of the d-men brought up.Everyone in Gordos corner has to be able to see that this guy is horrible @ utilizing his personnel.Witt would be a perfect 6th d-man.You cannot continue to misuse players and expect things out of them that they are not capable of doing.These scouts are wrong more times than right and in Isles country we know this all too well.If this kid they bring up does well then screw the report he needs development.What the hell are they saying about Brutals’ mistakes???He’s ready to play in the NHL but Klementyev is not.Give me a break.I’d love to know what the scouting report on Mark Messier was when he was drafted in the 3rd round by Oilers??I’ll bet he was not projected to do the things he did!!Enoughs enough.Lets believe what our eyes see not what we think should happen.W/ that said time to move past DP.Rakhshani could be no worse than Bergy,Hunter,Park,Sim,Jackman,Gillies.One more thing..Whats w/ this organization and these injuries???Someone up top has to be questioning these strength and conditioning coaches.
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I’m thrilled I don’t have to watch Bruno playing (trying to) in an Isles uniform. Hopefully I never will again.
I’m pissed that it appears Tambs is in again tonight and not Gillies. Why does Snow love giving us what we don’t want to see?
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islesfan999 says:
I think we have an all star defense. If we were in the ahl we might be top 5. All kidding aside top 3 pick baby!!
We currently have 2 nhl dmen on the team. Streit and Hillen.
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Ray's Team says:
time to start losing some games here-need to secure that top 3 pick
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joeRiverside says:
For those calling for the Isles to draft a D-man: I say only if he’s the best available athlete on the board. With the holes this team has, they have to draft the best available player. If that’s a D-Man…. fine, but it’s a winger, go with the winger
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I really have nothing to add so I’ll just take a wait-and-see approach with these guys. Hopefully they can be solid contributors someday. Some of these recalls leave me scratching my head though not unlike Snow’s drafting.
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Oh wait, I have something…..maybe that’s what 3-D meant, as in we have only 3-Dmen.
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Candor says:
Hopefully he’s not physical. We like getting pushed around. Its the Gordo system. Radio edit…
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Chris Mc says:
Everybody has been clammering for Gervais to be gone. Well heres your chance. You all said hes a traffic cone so how much worse could Klementyev be?
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Jim Clark says: Look with wonder and awe upon the mighty organization that four years of Garth Snow has built. Those Rangers fans packing the Coliseum next Tuesday will be so jealous of what Garth has wrought.
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va says:
Sign Rhett up, let’s see what he brings to the table!
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In response to #6, the cap hit would only be $1M per year for two years but we would still be paying him $2.0M as opposed to the $1.5M hit we would pay if another team claimed him on re-entry waivers. The only reason to buy him out would be to have $500k less of a cap hit for 10/11. It’s not like we’re going to go out and spend the cap so I don’t see the point of a buy out. The logical thing to do is to put him through re-entry waivers. It’s win – win. Either he clears and we put him back on the blue line instead of johnny no-name or he doesn’t and we save half a million cash.
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cgs878 says:
It always seems like Islanders fans are gung ho to spend Mr. Wang’s money for him, eh? How would you like it if your inlaws told YOU how to spend money on your house, car, family, etc.? Hmmmmmm.
I’m hoping that the Islanders give Columbus a chance to earn their 2 points tonight. Columbus needs the points to stay ahead of the Islanders in the Halseguler/Halsegowler/Halsegfow sweepstakes. Here’s hoping for a Rangers loss too. -
Isles Revamped says:
Say Witt is still an Islander after the draft? Does he have to clear waivers to play with the big club next year?
Also remember when the isles left Sim in the minors and he did not complain last year? Kinda of a knee rehab without NHL pressure? Do you think that maybe the Isles are doing that with Witt? Otherwise it truly makes no sense of keeping the poor guy in the minors? right? I mean you don’t hear him complaining in the papers? Whats the real story?
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Mario says:
Anton is a pretty good defenseman. Remember he is just a kid. Throw him in and see what happens. People want them to lose, so why not try the kids. Just dont kill the sound tigers chances for the playoffs. When I worked the penalty box in bridgeport, witt came in and was joking with us. He seemed ok, kind of making the best of it.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
The tank is on. Isles won pride back with win over calgary. Flames might be out of playoffs. I thought wotton played pretty well.
Bringing this russian kid only means one thing. The tank is on. He can’t crack ahl
Reason why witt not up is b/c he has not done anything in ahl. He is not even evem standing out there. At least sim worked his backisde off to get back in lineup. Witt doesn’t care.
Hall or seguin is what isles need. playoffs or bust next year.
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Looks like the Pens will handle the Flyers today. Don’t look now but a Philly loss to New Jersey tomorrow coupled with Islander wins at Columbus and NY Rangers sets up a game at the coliseum vs Philly on Thursday in which a win moves us four points out of a playoff spot with five games left. Realistically we need that top draft pick but what I wouldn’t give to see bonus hockey this April.
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mike says:
Nothing says TANK more then the non recall of Witt. I am surprised the league is not looking into the Isles tanking the season for a lower draft pick. How great will it be if they win the lottery? How will Edmonton feel after losing the pick to a team that took a fall the last few weeks of the season? And to think we play in the now defunct Fort Never Lose!
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battfist says:
Im with Mike-Tank job.
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Russel Ginart says:
TANK but no THANKS, this team scored 61 points last year, this year they are 70 with 8 games to go. They go 4-4 to end the season they will finish with 78 points. Call it a good 2nd year of the re-build. 17 point improvement playoffs would have been icing on the cake. 1972 Isles, NO playoffs, 1973 Isles NO playoffs. 1974 On…..playoffs every year and 4 cups thrown in the mix. Draft? BPA!!! Keep developing this team, no ifs, and or buts. IMO
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MickeyBoy7 says:
What a surprise. More personnel problems with our roster. Maybe someday all this Garth has us in the right direction crapola will cease and desist.
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Islesrock says:
I know we have had some injuries on D and the Sutton trade, but the lineup for tonights game on defense is totally embarrassing. I think they would be better off playing a forward, like Bergy or KO. Could they do any worse than a borderline AHL defensemen? Great way to sell season tickets!!! I really hate to say it, but the Isles are becoming a joke.
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BillCt says:
In the one Sound Tiger game that I saw AK and Witt play together, AK was the far better player. Calling him up must also help the case for Petrov to decide to come over.
I hope he makes all you doubters change your minds. -
John from ATL says:
For a team that some say are tanking it, they are 5-5-2 since the Olympics. That doesn’t sound like tanking it to me. They got caught short handed on D after the trade of Sutton because of a rash of injuries at the end of the season.
Not sure what Witt is doing down in Brigdeport but, maybe he’s helping them make the playoffs. Right now that is more important than wins with the Big club. The prospects need ice time and the playoffs in the AHL is important.
I guess Snow still thinks he can get something (6th-7th round pick) for Witt over the summer.
Not sure if Rakhshani needs any time in school before he can sign but, signing him and giving him a taste (2-3 games) in the NHL and the AHL playoffs could only help. Remember how Hillen used it to see where he was in his development and how much and what he needed to work on to make it to the NHL as an everyday player. -
The team is not tanking. They do not want to lose. The only people talking tank are Islanders fans. And I completely disgree Mike, saying that not recalling Witt is the biggest sign of a tank job? Did you watch Witt play this season? He does not fit the system, end of story.
And the NHL or Oilers have no gripe at all foe what you perceive as tanking. Remember, there is a lottery. This is not the NFL, no guarantees. Isles won ‘big’ in 2000 when they won the lottery and look at how that played out. Much rather have DP than Gaborik or Heatley.
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In all fairness, as depleted as the defense is, they have done a halfway decent job besides the Rangers game. The Isles have held a lot of teams to 2 or less goals.
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Pritchett54 says:
Am I alone in thinking that our rebuild is going well? Okposo, Tavares, Bailey, hamonic, Martin, dehaan, petrov, 2 goaltending prospects and this yrs top 5 pick. All that from 2 drafts except KO. We also have 2 second rd picks this year. I think snow is building this team the right way. The same way Pitt, Washington and Chicago were built. Be quiet and let him carry on with the good job he is doing.
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Jeff Kuntz says:
Just took my seat at Nationwide.. Lookin forward to the game!! Go Isles!!
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Quagmire says:
Awesome 1st period – Cam Fowler will look great in a CBJ jersey!
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Cuillzy says:
When is this MSG contract up? I watch every game and since I have FIOS I never enjoy it in HD and MSG direspects us when we’re not winning by broadcasting a crappy picture. Its never easy being an Isles fan. My favorite player scored at least.
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Booten326 says:
I second Pritchett and think this rebuild is being done the right way.
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4195mary says:
Let’s forget Sutton. As good as he was, he’s way too old for the rebuild ( Witt too). Why not let Rakhshani have a chance in the bigs. Don’t forget how promising Hillen looked against the Rangers as a raw rookie. Remember, these are college players, not teenagers.
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Bailey disapeared when he went back to center.
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matt says:
I’ve only seen the second period, but jt looks great tonight. hes had plenty of scoring chances in only half a period. if he works on his skating over the offseason i have no doubt we’ll see a 30-40 goal scorer next year
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Blizzard says: ….Its gonna be fun watching these kids mature. Tavares play has picked up. Its exciting to see.
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The Tavares line is all over the offensive zone. I feel like its just a matter of time before one of them put it in the back of the net.
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James says:
I am pretty excited for next season
This team will finish with 75-80 points and still garner a top 6 or 7 pick; is that really a bad thing that we don’t get the top 2 or 3?
Also don’t be surprised if Snow uses that extra 2nd round pick to move up a few spots in the 1st round to maybe try and get one of the first 3 picks.
Either way with how these kids are improving; add another season to them; re-sign Schremp and Moulson. Re-sign Biron as well so we can have a solid goalie tandem next season. Trust me when I say this, free agents will like the direction the team is going, so don’t be shocked if Snow snags a forward and defensemen this summer to go along with the kids that are maturing.
It is next season we begin to take the next step, but remember it took Chicago, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles 4 to 5 years to get where they are now.
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as much as i would love a top 3 pick, i still cant find it in me to root against them. before the game i was hoping they’d lose, but while watching the game, i cant not root for them
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Billy-no-not-Jaffe says:
Wow the Tavares Comeau Tambellini line looks great. Great puck possession, pressuring the net every shift. Could this be the beginning of something good?
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JT does look good and Comeau skates like the Wind while carrying the puck. I think he’s developing into a solid NHL winger.
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Hey Nooowww!!!! says:
The Jaff is right about Roli. His style is a thing of beauty.
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I think we need a lot more color on the Witt situation. Sure he isnt in his prime but you cant argue that he is worse than these ECHL players we are bringing up on d. This must be personal. I think ill side with the league respected vet ahead of this mickey mouse organization.
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ISLANDERS WIN!!!
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Of course we win. Unreal, bye fowler, hall seguin, hello crapshoot. Picks 5-10.
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IslesNation says:
Relax Pritchett, Toronto won also and Carolina will finish with a better record. The Isles will still finish bottom 3
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isles316 says:
It’s nice to see the team celebrate the way they did. It’s obvious they care about each other.
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Lorne says:
The players do not care that the fans want them to tank the last remaining games for draft position. However, I will be happy if we get anywhere from a 3rd to a 5th overall. No chance at a top 2.
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Chris A says:
We win Rags blow it I don’t mind
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Mike from Sarasota says:
If we are going to win and take ourselves out of drafting in the top 3, we best atleast end the Rags season on Tuesday. It would piss me off to beat Calgary and Columbus and lose both Rag games.
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I am happy that Bailey and okposo scored and that jt91 has looked very good of late but it us just so important for this team to add another star like the top 3 guys this year. It would mean so much to the future of our franchise. If we had lost on thurs and tonight we would be tied for the 2nd slot.
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Post 74(Mike from Sarasota) your comments are right on the money.
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Jzimm says:
Wow, this is so backwards… but we can’t panic after every win. Don’t worry, there’s still time to get passed by anyone in the 25th through 29th position. The bottom of the league is all clustered up. We can still finish 29th… but can still finish 22nd. I still think that there will be a lottery winner this year (meaning that the Oilers won’t necessarily be picking 1st). If the Islanders don’t pick 1st due to lotter, I hope no teams scheduled to pick behind us win and bump us back a spot. Lottery will be just as much full of nerves this year as last year. I just don’t want to bet bumped out of top 4. Hall, Seguin, Gormley, or Fowler; in that order will make me happy.
Anything has to be an improvement over Bruno Gervais even after his shanked shot was the winning goal..