FREE AGENCY LIVE BLOG: Kovy…Volch…Sutton…Hamhuis…Martin…Lombardi…Frolov…Corvo…Nabby…Ash…Foster…Ny…Michalek…Jurcina…
NHL FanHouse Top 50 Free Agent Tracker
Lebda…Leopold…Tallinder…Lydman…Park…Jokinen…Sim…Kariya…Bergenheim…Whitney…Mitchell…Turco…Theodore…Lalime…and on and on. I don’t know what the rest of the week has in store, but the Point Blank 2010 Free Agency blog starts…now! Thoughts on today’s events in free agency ONLY are welcomed in Comments.
9:55 am: In about seven hours, it will be nine years from today. My cell phone rang. “Hi, it’s your new goaltender. They told me to give you a call. Look forward to working with you.” My, what time has brought in those nine years. Today, that former goaltender has the responsibility of spending the money and cap floor space (about $6-7 million) to fill the Islanders’ four or five holes to make the playoffs in 2010-11 – and in the process, not hurting the slow and steady rebuild.
Garth Snow is at the Coliseum, with Kenny Morrow and a small handful of staffers at his side, ready to make his moves. As I wrote the other day, this won’t be a two-day process. Could take the entire two months before training camp starts.
10:15 am: If the Islanders cannot get one of the top defensemen available in the $3-5 million per year range, there could be a reunion with Andy Sutton. The contract would almost certainly be for just two years or one, and for less than he signed with the Islanders three years ago. While Andy is 35 and his return would not exactly be a forward-thinking move, at least the Islanders would know what they were paying for. Scott Gordon is also a supporter.
11:25 am: I’ll be interested to see where Sean Bergenheim ends up. I believe that if his agent is on top of his job, he should be able to get a good one-year contract to prove himself in a new setting. New Jersey could be a good place for him.
11:35 am: Andy Sutton texts, “I would love to be an Islander again.”
12:35 pm: Martin Biron to the Rangers. Starting around the Olmpic brean, there was a 0% chance he had the Islanders were going to do another year.
12:40 pm: Alex Tanguay back to the Calgary. I thought he might be a good cheap fit for the Islanders last season. I was wrong.
12:43 pm: Sergei Gonchar for three years, $5.5 mill a year at Ottawa. Amazing how a deal like that gets done within a half-hour after opening of the market.
12:53: The Islanders will not get big boy Jesse Winchester. Re-signs with Ottawa.
12:55: Paul Martin to Pittsburgh? Update: No, not yet. They are in the mix.
12:57: Gritty-gutty, Rangers-connected Steve Zipay reports that the Blueshirts are $11 million under the hard cap. They will spend some of it, even if they are committed to youth.
1:11: Pittsburgh signs the very reliable Z Michalek from Phoenix. Volchenkov still available.
1:13: Garth Snow gave Martin Biron permission to negotiate early. He went next door and got two years. Good for Garth and Marty.
1:20: Paul Martin is looking for five years. He’s young enough. Should be able to get it.
1:35: Colby Armstrong comes off the list. Three years at $3 mill a year to Toronto.
1:36: Antero Nittymaki, who wasn’t in play here, signs with San Jose.
1:40: Sean O’Donnell to Philadelphia for one year.
1:48: According to a report, the Islanders have contacted the agent for oft-injured free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo.
2:25: Manny Malhotra to Vancouver. Dan Hamhuis will be signed in the next few hours.
2:27: What you usually see the first day is that most fans rip on every team’s signing – they over-paid – until their team signs a guy.
2:30: Winning a game eventually in Pittsburgh just got a little harder, unless the Islanders make strong improvements this season: Paul Martin is a Penguin.
2:37: The Boogeyman is a Ranger.
2:58: Toni Lydman gets over-paid – like everyone else! – by the Ducks. Three year, $9 mill.
3:17: Ray Whitney to Phoenix for two years.
3:25: No news to report yet on discussions between the Islanders and Pat Morris, the agent for Andy Sutton. The Islanders are likely focused on their top targets for now.
3:55: New Jersey signs Henrik Tallinder.
4:00: Kurtis Foster comes off the list. Signs for two years with Edmonton.
4:01: As long as Volchenkov is still on the list, the Islanders have a shot.
4:20: Agent Jay Grossman tweets that Anton Volchenkov is on his way to New Jersey on a six-year deal. Dan Hamhuis to Vancouver for six years.
4:25: Jeff Tambellini to Vancouver. Player personnel man Lorne Henning is close friends with Steve Tambellini, which is purely a coincidence.
4:35: Looks like Lou got Volchenkov for a manageable $4.25 million per.
4:40: Chicago losing more salary – this time Andrew Ladd to Chicago. Hey, Stan Bowman got good value in the Byfuglien trade. Would have liked to have seen Islanders get in on Versteeg or Ladd, but many disagreed.
5:13: All the D are flying out now. Jordan Leopold gets three years from Buffalo, hurting after saying goodbye to Lydman and Tallinder.
5:15: And to think, some of my cherished readers we annoyed that I had written about - but to be sure, did not stump for - players like Sutton, Nystrom and Asham the last few days.
5:20: Katie Strang reports that she has just checked in with the Islanders again and “nothing is brewing.”
5:28: New Jersey signs Johan Hedberg.
6:55: Catching up after dinner and a few beers – Tim Jackman gets two years from Calgary, which is really great news for a solid guy. Matt Cullen going to Minnesota on a three-year deal. Dallas gets Point Blank favorite Adam Burish, who would have been a blast just for the trash talk.
7:02: As you might have seen if you follow me on Twitter, agent Allan Walsh tweeted that he is speaking with Garth Snow about a number of clients. Of those still available, his best is the concussion-healing ace defenseman Willie Mitchell. Allan also reps Miro Satan. Allan also likes to do his best to make his friends on the GM side look good. There’s nothing here that would classify as major.
7:15: I’ll be here until about midnight, writing for FanHouse and waiting on an Islanders move if one comes. We made it this far; will start new thread with Day 2. Thanks for continuing to stop by.
7:20: On conference call, Lou Lamoriello says Volchenkov brings something “in our own zone” the Devils haven’t had since Scott Stevens.
7:55: Great, great news for Eric Nystrom, who signed for three years with Minnesota. Very happy for him and his family. It’s not the East, but Minny gets him a lot closer than Calgary.
10:10: If you follow me on Twitter, you might have seen my reaction to the blame being thrown on decrepit Nassau Coliseum. The short version: ridiculous. Paul Martin got $25 million for five years to sign with a team led by Sidney Crosby and run by Mario Lemieux. The overrated Dan Hamhuis got $4.5 mill a year to play on a contending team in his home province.
Eight hours into free agency, and we’re blaming the Coliseum for not signing players? What does that say about the guys who do sign in the next few days? More later.
10:58: The Islanders are not going to extend an offer sheet to Marc Staal, you have to understand that. Anyone who knows the relationship between the owners of the Islanders and Rangers knows why. And do you really want to leave yourself open to revenge from one of the deepest-pocketed franchises in the NHL?
11:52: Nine minutes to go and nothing to report. Will start a new thread with Day 2.
1,411 Responses to FREE AGENCY LIVE BLOG: Kovy…Volch…Sutton…Hamhuis…Martin…Lombardi…Frolov…Corvo…Nabby…Ash…Foster…Ny…Michalek…Jurcina…
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islesfan999 says:
Im looking forward to 1 nice signing 3-4 million and a few under the radar signings. Hopefully we can add some size and skill and make the playoffs this year and keep improving the rebuild..
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Staten Islander says:
Party on Garth, bring us good things
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Bob says:
Over-pay, and try to get Volchenkov or Kubina. At this point, I can’t see how the Isles even reach the cap floor without overpaying for at least 1 player. Money shouldn’t be an issue to sign a player. The player being a good fit and wanting to come here should be enough. There’s more than enough cap room. Go get one of the big named defensemen, a scoring 1st or 2nd liner, a 3rd or 4th line player who can throw down, and then I think the team can legitimately call itself a playoff contender.
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Eric says:
#4 I would not want to give up Joensuu Rakshani AND a pick for Versteeg. Hes got skill and hes good, but not that good. I do that trade for Byfuglien. Even for Sharp thats a bit hefty.
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a REAL hockey fan says:
.. The Isles can use a scoring foward (who cant?) and a Dman with some skill and SIZE (Who cant lol) Kubina might be a ok ‘fit’ as well
.. I also like Aaron Asham alot he can fight (really good btw) can play D, and chip in with 10+ goals and provide some veteran L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P!!
.. I said it before and ill say it again, if Eric Nystrom WAS NOT A NYSTROM, 75% of this place wouldnt care so much, hes a ok player (im not slagging him) but hes NOT that tough or that good, seriously hes not!
.. Hockey “TEAMS” need all types of players, grinders, scorers, leaderhip/experience, and Asham would be a nice lil piece of the puzzle ==== PLUS HE CAN “TUTOR” Matt Martin alot better than Nystrom can imo.
.. Cmon Garth bring us more talent and goodies, lets go Isles!
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caber09 says:
Today is the day we get to see where every goes, Wang isnt at Coliseum, means nothing will get done/approved, not that we woudlve signed anyone substantial anyway.
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admin says:
Friends, this is not an open Q & A. It is a blog to discuss the day’s events in free agency – not anything else. Thank you…CB
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SCLI says:
Why would we let Park and Sim test the Free Agent waters and then offer them contracts? I have to believe that since we let them go this far than they arent in the Isles plans. At least thats my hope.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
I truly hope that something on a positive note gets done today by Snow. Perhaps Derek Morris?
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BIG BOY says:
No to Sutton
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I can’t believe that Randy Robataille led the Swiss League in scoring this year – maybe we should bring him back?
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Sutton was great last year in a contract year after being barely serviceable the two years prior. One year only for him.
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KK says:
I’d have no problem welcoming Andy Sutton back to NY. He had a great season in 09-10 and lord knows we need some size on the backend. His snarl would be useful.
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john says:
Michalek or Volchenkov (1 will suffice)
CB:
I keep hearing the name Mark Streit being bandied about. What’s up with that? Is he really on the block -
Add me to the No to Sutton list. I loved what he did last year, but he’s 35 and has a habit of getting hurt. I was amazed he stayed healthy last year
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ed says:
Wonder where Boogard lands? I bet the Rangers are going to be in on this as they have not re-signed Shelley. Sather loves the goons
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Nick Pezzotti says:
Plan A= Volchenkov
Plan B= Kubina
Plan C= Sutton -
Pete says:
Honestly, I hope Snow passes on the Day 1 (and Days 2 through 9) festivities, and just waits for a good value signing.
Anybody signed in the first 10 days will come with a huge market premium, and there’s no one player on the market that will put the Isles “over the top” so why set back the rebuild with a foolish overpayment of a 2nd pairing defenseman or a 2nd line forward?
Snowy should save his powder for the next 2 years when Okposo, Tavares and Bailey all should be due long-term extensions. Let’s put the Yashin-Peca strategy behind us.
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ars9x says:
Excited to see what will go down today. Sutton coming back would be fine by me. I didn’t like losing his last season. He was playing some of his best hockey and basically injury free…wow.
I read something insane(imo)this morning about Mark Streit maybe going elsewhere. I can’t believe that,giving up our best D. But reading it on UFA day makes me nuts.
Party on Garth! Keep up the great work, Bring home some more goodies!
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John says:
Asham and Nystrom would make a nice pair of third/fourth liners with grit… and gives the team the luxury of having Matt Martin gain more experience before he makes the big club permanently.
It’s be nice to pick up a defenceman as well… but I’d stay clear of Kubina… the Big Z from Phoenix would make a nice fit.
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PFR says:
Its possible the Isles do sign a level B player later in the afternoon, but I expect the bigger splashes to come from other teams. And when we look back this time next year, that will probably turn out to be a good thing.
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sheppy says:
I agree about Boogaard. With Shelley on his way out apparently, the Rags will be after Boogaard. I would HATE to see them sign him, which means they will. Not only is he the best fighter, he is a heckuva hitter. He probably is not a good fit for us, especially with Gillies already here, but he would add some excitement to the team. No chance he is coming here.
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matt says:
excited hope we make a boig move
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jeff says:
CB: Can you explain how the Isles have only 6-7 million to spend to reach the floor? It seems like with all of the players gone, it should be much more.
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mrlbem says:
Just curious if Sutton has any hard feelings about his time here. I remember when he came back to the Coliseum with Ottawa and had that meltdown, took a game misconduct and threw a punch at Nielsen as he left the ice. What was up with that? Regardless, he’s a good back up plan.
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People stop getting your hopes up, this will be the same as every other summer since firing Neil Smith, rinse repeat, signings of the cheap and desperate just to make the cap minimum
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nyi fan says:
Sutton is going backwards.
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Eric Nystrom says:
Why not go after Ilya? We are 7 million under and need to spend the money, why not on him.. Offer 5 years at 10 million.. If he rejects it, then at least Snow tried. Ilya is in the prime of his career and would be a nice mentor to the young Russian core.
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jimisles says:
Everyone is talking about adding 3rd and 4th line players. Do we even have 2 top lines yet???????
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Not a big fan of resigning Sutton. But if he replaces Gervais, I am all for it. All I want is to get someone that can put the puck in the net and take the pressure off the young guys. Weight does not fill that role
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JtorBust says:
I just want Boogy or Shelley , not getting any blue chippers and I am ok with that. I am ok with being mediocre and not winning cups , I am not ok with getting manhandled.
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rich says:
Why is Sutton Backwards?
Not many Dmen with his size and hitting ability that can also skate well enough to fit Gordon’s system. Our D is undersized without him. Who else you going to get who really wants to be here? -
Chris R says:
Sutton played very soft in 08 and 09. No Thanks.
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I guess we shall soon see whether the mantra of some (including the GM) that no premier FA’s will sign here is valid. We have to spend money to get to the floor. Will that money go to a premier UFA or are we overpaying for someone?
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I just want Boogy or Shelley , can’t understand why anyone would think we are going to make a splash with a blue chipper. We will sign a defenseman and a goalie to get to the floor. Then we will hear about DP’s comeback some more, such a circus. I think Burke reads this site as well.
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Julie from FLA says:
Boogard is a top notch enforcer, but very injury prone.
Asham and Malhotra fixes our 3rd line. Add Lombardi and the 2nd line is also set, giving the kids another year of development.
No mention of Olli Jokinen anywhere – any guesses where he ends up?
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HubieMac39 says:
I think nabbing 2 of the 3 from Martin/Corvo/Foster combo would be an excellent start. I think D depth is harder to fill than F depth. There’s a better chance of coming good on Moulson type signing than finding one on D.
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As for backup G, how about a S Valliquette reunion. Not great, but comepetent and used to not playing for long stretches at at time. Also not likely to cause any issue if/wehn DP is ready to return.
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RHL Vin says:
27 year old Ilya Kovalchuk who is by far the best unrestricted free agent to ever hit the market. The New York Islanders clearly in need of a superstar to get this team back on the map and PLENTY of cash in this salary cap era. Yet, there are no plans to even make an offer for Ilya. Snow has done a great job in this rebuild all while keeping the cap extremely low. If the Isles dont make a push for Ilya now when will they ever push for a player close to this magnitude.
Mr. Wang….show the fans that you are committed to the NY Islanders and get involve in the Ilya sweepstakes. Do it for John Tavares. Get him a stud to play on his wing to help put up the numbers we know he is capable of. Even if you dont sign Kovy atleast it shows you are committed.
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There really isn’t much out there as far as top 6 scoring types are concerned, Kovie isn’t coming here, so whats left?
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rpp says:
lets hope that snow can sign one of the top free agent dman with size, but sutton for 1-2 years would be a good backup plan
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joe says:
volchenkov,asham,nystrom and frolov
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Adam B @ #34 – I wasn’t asking about Olli because I want him back on the Isles, I’m just wondering how he went from highly-regarded two-way forward to oblivion so fast.
Asham fills a need, and while I’m not big on signing Sutton, he’s a solid fallback if we don’t get one of the physical d-men.
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vukotaismyhero12 says:
I have a feeling Garth will make a move today to address the d-issue….wouldn’t be suprised if the isles offer tanguay a 1 year deal near the start of training camp
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Nyles says:
On Ilya – he wants to win, not make money and rebuild. That is why he left Atlanta when he was offered record money.
He does not want to come here.
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jason says:
RHL, the isles r not making a move @ kovachuk. And there is no way he’d ever sign here anyway.
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tony dee says:
In reality the Isles can only target certain players. None odf the big names are coming. So 2nd tier players that might come:
Colbly Armstrong
Raffi Torres
Manny Malholtra
Eric Nystrom…as far as d-men sutton bring size and toughness or try to find an Ahl-er ie: Carkner of Ottawa -
terry says:
I say sign JOHN SCOTT he is big plays d and is cheap to sign made 550000 last year. That would making the rags possibly signing boogaard easier to handle.
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Nick says:
Sutton…solid…doesn’t block de Haan or Hamonic or Donovan or Kessel or Ness…In 2 years they can reevaluate and move forward accordingly.
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Mario says:
28 minutes. Get ready garth.
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El Exigente says:
No re-treads please. No more third and fourth liners either. Get some solid D-men who put fear in people and make them think twice as they are about to cross the blue line.
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The Real JD says:
Bergie in NJ…… So he can torture us, no thanks.
Hopefully Bergie lands in the west. Scotty Bowman always liked him, maybe Chicago.
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AJAX says:
Sutton.
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Andre says:
Isles need to be after Michalek, Kubina, and Malhotra. No interest in Lombardi as he will get overpaid. No to Sutton and Asham as the recycling of former players has to stop. Plus spending money on players on the downside of their careers makes no sense.
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Steve from CT says:
I bet Sean Bergie ends up in Chicago
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Gutty34 says:
Guys – you are all crazy. Sutton was huge for us this year. Huge. He was arguably our best D man the previous year before getting hurt also. He had 2 solid years and I would gladly welcome back his size for one or two more years. No more than that though. We dont need Witt part 2.
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ny711ot says:
There really are only two impact guys out there, Kovie and Volchenkov. Admittedly I havent seen much of Michalek. For those who want Kubina; The guy is 6-4 250 doesnt hit and rarely plays hard. He will drive us crazy. Although I like guys like Colby Armstrong, Asham and Nystrom and any of the three would be good signings, none excite me and will only serve as complementary guys obviously. That being said Malhotra fills a real void on faceoffs. I only hope that we are not pressured to continue to be the home for wayward 38 yr old veterans….A signing like Guerin, or Kariya will really tick me off.
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Manhattan Mike says:
Sparky the Dragon to Edmonton.
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Martin the french Canadian says:
Sutton had no respect for his former teammates during his games against the Islanders last season. He will bring discord into the team and his only good season was motivated by negotiating a new contract. No to Sutton
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Brother Rat says:
Who does Asst. GM Kevin Connolly think we should take? That could be the key to this whole FA plan. T minus 15!
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Jim Clark says: I am sure Mr Snow will stick to his steady and slow rebuilding plan on his ninth anniversary as an Islander. Happy Canada Day to our neighbors to the north.
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27Tonelli says:
Frolov and Michalek and I will be estatic !
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#40 you are spot on….Money talks. The Isles would surround Kovie with much more talent then he had in Atlanta. And his deal will be for 7 years minimum. Not to mention if the Russian kids pan out he will lead a team of potential superstars within 2 years. Its very easy to say ” he won’t come here” when you don’t want to spend the money to bring him.
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Rumors of Biron signing with the Rag$
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Jim M says:
If you could sign Paul Kariya up for a guaranteed 20 goals would anyone want him to a 1 or 2 year deal?
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EdTurner says:
As long as I know they at least made an offer to Lebron, I’ll be happy (why not, everyone else is)
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@ Nyles #46.. fine you might be 100% correct, but can it hurt to make the offer?
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More Sutton.
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I would be happy to see Sutton come back and be an Islander again. 1 year or MAYBE two, absolutely nothing longer than that or soemthing Id otherwise be happy about would tick me off.
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potvinrocks says:
Snow’s first fax is to Nystrom, then to Hamius, the to Karya at 2.5 million.
Top 6, Bottom 6 & top 4 addressed. -
#68 Are you an expert?????
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
Julie (#37) “Any guesses where Jokinen ends up?” My guess is the 1st “All You Can Eat Buffet” he sees!
I don’t see any real value in any supposed top two line Fs. What we could find are two 3rd/4th liners to fill specific needs….a PK checking center (i.e: a younger Sillinger) such as Malhotra or Belanger and a W who plays with an edge, such as Ash, Raffi or Armstrong.
If we’re going to spend some big $$$, lets make a strong effort to get one of the top D.
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Potvin you do realize that Kariya is consistently hurt, has had 20+ goals twice in the last six seasons and needs 20 minutes of ice time to be effective? It would be a terrible signing.
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drive45 says:
I want LeBron as our backup goalie.
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Lebron won’t come to NYI.. he can’t wear #23
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Jokinen is going to KHL.
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beatlebailey says:
Bring back SUTTON!..loved this guy…btw what the heck is canada day?..i mean no offense but another made up canadian holiday sheesh!…
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Spartiarti RVC says:
also much as like Sutton, it hink its time to switch it up a bit. I wouldnt be upset if he did. He did help move up in draft to get Brock Nelson.
ALso i know snow wont overpay him or sign him for too long.
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Not UFA news but TB trades andrea mesajros to philly for a second rounder…next!
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NOOOON!!!!!
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Martin the French Canadien….I remember one time where Sutton went absolutely ballistic on Sim for turnover in his own zone..It was justified…I want my 6’6 d men to be intense. I dont think he caused any rifts in the lockerroom….
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Vas says:
HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
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JT says:
I agree with #40. Why not try to lure Kovy with some big $? A 40-goal guy who is only 27 years old. We become a playoff team and get much more media attenion with Kovy and Tavares leading thts team for the next 7+ years.
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purify says:
as thp rangers to make first splash??
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Biron to the rangers for 2 years 900k per. Best of luck to him but, he is now an enemy.
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IslanderFAN says:
Biron just signed with the Rangers
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Islesphan25 says:
Biron to the Rags….2yrs 900/per
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Ron says:
Biron to the Rag$ for 2 years at under 900k per year. *sigh*
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sean b says:
I cant see how people would not want Sutton back. I can hear the argument of injuries but everyone complains we are small and not physical, he adds that. How much better do people think someone like Volchenkov is? not much…
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Biron to Rangers ???!!??
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biron signs with rags,yuck.
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rangers sign biron
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IslesFaminFlorida says:
ugg rags and biron. boooooooooo
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Tampa traded Meszaros to Philly for a 2nd rounder…I would have liked him…
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blumpkin says:
Nhl live talking about a possible trade between flyers and bolts
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Greg says:
with E from Entourage apparently in the front office now, will our top line feature vinny chase, drama, and turtle?
on a serious note, no Sutton. of his 2 and a half years here, he was good for half, hurt or playing small the rest. NO THANKS.
im on the kovie bandwagon. the guy is 26 and still has tons of good years infront of him. throw him 10 mil a year for 5 years and still sign one good d-man and i think we are looking quite good. plus i agree that kovie might be something that lets the young russians we have step their game up and change attitudes. worth a phone call at least…worst he can say is no
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I second the call for Kariya and/or Kovalchuk. Kariya is in the last half of his career but has only missed significant time due to injury in 2 of the last 11 seasons. His goals dimmed in St. Louis, but he’s still a top 6 F who can pass, bring leadership, has experience, etc. Def worth $3 mill per for 2 seasons. Kovy for all the reasons (talent, Russian, mentoring) mentioned above–show him the money. Both bring legitimacy to our rebuild.
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James says:
Biron wasn’t going to be re-signed by the Isles, so who cares where he ended up?
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Possible ranger and flames trade regier for staal…
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LongIslandHockey says:
Biron will haunt us next year. We don’t need him but he is a good backup and even number 1 at times.
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Joe says:
Come back to LI, Andy!
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JoeRiverside says:
Isles still a couple of years away from serious Cup contention, so attracting a top line UFA will be tough. I hope Snow:
1. signs a veteran scoring forward (kariya?), whose creativity will help the development of the Isles young guns (JT, KO, JB, etc)
2. Signs veteran d-man to bring stability to the blue line (Sutton ok for 1 yr).
3. Avoids any long term contracts for aging or average players (we don’t want another Witt on our hands a couple of years from now).
4. Only go long term on a young bona-fide quality player. May be difficult due to where the Isles are in their re-build, but hey…you never know….money talks.Tall order, but with so many teams with Cap problems, I think Snow will be able to pull off a couple of good transactions, whether via the UFA route or trade.
Good Luck Snow
CB- great work -
WM says:
How I wish we can sign Bobby Ryan to an offer sheet!
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hyedray says:
Biron going to the Rangers sucks in a way—but they are the Rangers….they will find a way to screw-up. ’94 was a fluke.
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I would give him a year possibly 2 the most.
I would agree with Kovie but thats not happening…
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Brian says:
LI Hockey: Biron will really haunt us as he plays 15 games for the Rangers.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
No bites yet? LOL
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Lance79 says:
What does everyone thinking of signing Pandolfo? Decent penalty killer, cup experience; wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize if we lose out on Eric Ny or Ash.
As for D, I want one of either Hamhius, Volchenkov or Michalek. Doubtful though…
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@ny711ot: Do you remember when Sutton put his gloves on the Frans Nielsen face ?
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Even Yann Dennis beat us last year. It happens. Biron wasnt coming back.
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97 I dont remember that one…But now with Meszaros Philly who was leading to sign Hamhuis cant do it….He is in play..
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Isles get fleeced again! Shows how much Biron did not want to be here if he takes 900k per from the rags! Nothing changes! We are a piker franchise!
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David says:
Marty Biron has gone to the dark side…pray for his family.
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Russel Ginart says:
NO to Asham, 3+ years ago he was part of the problem, today he is NOT part of the solution.
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Biron to the Rags….see ya! Seems like a great character guy…not much of a player from years of me watching him in Buffalo as well. I feel like he’s kind of useless on the Rags though.
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tom says:
fleeced? did u watch biron play lol he stinks
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Biron to the Rags, sounds good to me, he’ll give up 1+ soft goals everytime we play agaisnt him!!!
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Alex says:
We’ll finally get the Rollie vs. Biron match we’ve been waiting for since training camp last year.
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James says:
Gonchar signs with the Senators
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Gonchar to ottawa…today could get interesting
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WHOA! Gonchar to OTT for $5.5M for 3 yrs
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rangers lock up christensen.. no big moves yet!!!!
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Swan says:
Someone is not paying attention. Biron is a huge upgrade for the Rags, based on what they had the past few years.
Capable of being a temporary #1, if the Queen goes down with injury. Makes the Rangers better. Sucks for us.
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we need a very good backup…i was never a fan of Roloson and he cant play 50+ games this year his age will catch up to him
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gonchar to ottawa
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Conchar signs with Ottawa
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Gonchar to the Sens….XM
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to much and to many years for conchar his d play sucked last year
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The only Nystrom I want to see is if Bobby Nystrom comes out of retirement. I’d rather sign the father than the son.
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and he gets a no trade clause… wow
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Gonchar $5.5M per year for 3 years.
He wasnt for us anyway. Sign ASHAM! SUTTON!
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I dont know how people can say Biron signing with the Rangers is going to come back and haunt us or it sucks for us?????? He will play 14 games tops next year
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Mike says:
ottawa overpaid.
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If Gonchar is worth $5.5 mil, then what will Volchenkov get?? Wow.
Philly trades for Meszaros at $4mil per, and re-signed Coburn so it looks like they’re out of the FA sweepstakes.
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JerseyBoy says:
Biron moved for minutes, not money
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Tanguay signs with Calgary
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Biron to Rags is no big deal… Snow obviously allowed Biron to take care of business before the FA deadline began since the signing occured 2 hours ago.
Biron wasn’t coming back … he was insurance.
It’s time for us to move on and see who we churn up in FA.
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That OTT deal for Gonchar says adios to Volchenkov.
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That OTT deal for Gonchar says adios to Volchenkov. He is gonna get 6+!
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Gonchar is a real quality veteran … not worth close to $5.5M … Ottawa is pushing up the market b/c they know cap space is tight for a number of Conference competitors. Smart on that end for them … but they’ll be paying for it for 3 years.
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Rags did not have a backup they could depend on. Lundqvist was forced to play more than desired, because the Rangers had must win games down the stretch and didn’t trust anyone else.
The fact people think that Biron will get into about 15 games already means that Biron has helped that team. Sucks for us because it makes the Rangers a better team. Isles and Rangers are in the same division.
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Tanguay to CGY.
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Frank says:
Gonchar is all offenst, Volchenkov is all D – Volchenkov is going to get 7.5 per I think.
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Roloson is much better than Biron. Biron let too many soft goals last year. Roloson was the reason we weren’t eliminated until the last week of the season. I don’t understand the same money for Biron, but the Rags get an extra year. This is not fair. We got robbed!
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Healy says:
Vas, respectfully, how did the Isles get fleeced by Biron signing with the Rangers? We had 3 starting goalies, no one was happy about it and one had to go. Biron was the one that wasn’t under contract so its not as if the Islanders even lose anything. By piker do you mean Hempstead?
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Marty Biron to Rangers. While he going to the enemy im happy for him. He one of the nicest must humble guys out there.
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versteeggone says:
Don’t understand why would could not have gotten versteeg with a package that TO sent CHI.
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Gonchar is a more valuable player than Volchenkov. I think Gonchar deal sets lower $$ bar for Vol
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Stumpy32 says:
Why in the hell would Biron go to a team where he’ll be even more of a backup than he was last year? He could have stayed with us for that amount of cash and the 15-20 games he’ll play next year. Lundquist might be the best goalie in the league…and he wants to back him up?
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You know with Meszaros now Coburn has to be considered in a trade…He is an RFA…Go get him Garth…
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Coburn re-signed with Philly
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Coburn resigns with Flyers.
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I don’t think Snow will make a big splash today. We simply don’t have the money give a lucrative contract, plus no one wants to play for us, even though we are going to be very good next year.
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(ny7110t) Coburn has resigned for 2 years 3.2 mil per
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gchnyc says:
129. he knows he will be a backup and not be worrying if he’s dressing as backup? Starter tonight? or am i sitting in the press box b’c rick might be back playing.
Smart move for biron. -
Quagmire says:
Stumpy32: my guess is he read the market and saw he wasn’t getting big money from anyone or a starting job. Snow couldn’t give him away at the trade deadline and there are lots of goalies avaialable. He was the last one standing at the end of the musical chairs game last year and he probably just wanted to be sure he got a 2 year deal from someone.
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Coburn resigned; 2 years 3.2 million per season.
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Snow is after Volchenkov
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Steven says:
I think Biron was very unhappy with how he was handled here, but is a class guy and said nothing.
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kallur says:
Chris;
I’m sorry, but you unintentionally, I think, put the finger on the problem when you write, “this won’t be a two-day process. Could take the entire two months before training camp starts.”
Exactly. Why? Because the Islanders have no plan and don’t seem to have had one since Snow took over, a person you seem curiously swooned by. They are going to see how the cards fall; they are going to wing it (and center it). You have as much money (and time — more than a year) to see what the needs are and what’s available, it shouldn’t take months, it should take a day or two. Max. -
I love how we lose Biron to free agency and we are a “piker” franchise. Shallow and Narrow much….
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NoMoreDraftPicks says:
Looks like Volchenkov boys.
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Joe says:
Come on Snow sign him!
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Do fans really think Garth was going to resign Biron? He was a stop-gap till DP got back … an insurance policy. I think Garth has so much more confidence in Rollie playing a big load, and the fact that DP will be coming back healthy … and if there are issues … Then he’s confident in Lawson filling in to take games when Rollie needs a rest.
I never for once thought Biron would be back before even last season’s camp began.
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Anthony says:
If Snow can pull off Volchenkov, it would be unreal!
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Biron and Avery in the same room. LOL
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I hear Biron didnt wanted to relived the goalie situation from last year.
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Dont worry Garth & Co are at Borelli’s or Friendly’s for lunch, they will eventually get to the fax machine.
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And watch Bergenheim end up in Detroit. They’d know what to do with him.
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brogers says:
Isles/Volchenkov is a rumour from the site that shall not be named. Never know, even a broken clock is right twice a day, but I’ll believe it when I see it…
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Jim Clark says:
Biron wasn’t going to play behind DiPietro and Roloson. Maybe Tortorella can use him in the shootout…either in goal or as a shooter.
Why is it defenceman are so coveted as free agents/trades but not in the amateur draft?
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#139 we go and give Tim “toothless” Jackman 750-800k and you don’t keep Biron.
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Tanguay is only 1 year. 1.7 mil. Tanguay is terrible anyway.
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can only imagine volchenkov asking price??? thank ottawa.
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I’d like Lombardi in our colors.
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CT Isles Fan says:
I’ll believe Volchenkov when I see it…
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Matty Funk says:
Need a d-man with a physical presence. He fits the mold!
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If we pay 5 mill for Volchenkov Ill throw up
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Pretty much done 3 years.
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I don’t know which website your talking about but I’m talking about TSN. Is that a good enough source for you??
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#170. I am with you on that one! I hope it happens but we shall see.
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Niteislander says:
#147 yes how will we ever do wihthout Marty’s less then 90% save percentage and over 3 GAA average. Rollo was much better than him and they never planned on bringing him back.
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Same chance the Knicks and Nets have!
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RDS reports the Islanders are pushing hard to sign Volchenkov
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Biron has played w/ all 3 ny teams now. He obviously wants to be in the area. He was never going to stay with us and the situation we had last season was a MESS! The $$ he got was fine for as much as he will play.
Roli is much better when he is allowed to play more consistently anyway.
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Jim from St James says:
Why not Kovie? How many teams can offer to put him on a line with a Tavares type Star in the making?
Tampa? Pitt?His style will fit Gordo’s system, and Visa-versa
He be living 1/2 hour from one of the biggest Russian neighborhood in the US ( Coney/Brighton beach)
Very light travel in the Atlantic div.
We have the cap space.It’s a 8 hour flight to Russia from NYC
He’d be a gate draw in NY.
Imagine what he could do for Kabanov/Petrov?
5 years/10 mil would work for both, if in 5 years the Isles are still not there yet, he can go to a contender a la Hossa at age 33?
Wang has shown in the past that he is not afraid of Boffo contracts ( yash, anyone?)
As for Sutton? sign him for two years, He can show Hamonic how to destroy guys shooting up the boards, the way he showed FM III
I think the Arena talk is BS, giving players hope, line mates, accesability & money is what works.
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Go Garth! Volchenkov would be an excellent addition for this team.
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I hope Volchenkov for 20mil/4years similar to Streit’s deal.
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If Asham is available, then the Isles shouldn’t definitely try to get him back. He’s a middle-weight Joey Kocur, can fight, but not at all without goal-scoring skills. Asham (with Tavares?) should easily net 20 a year.
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Lightning has a couple offers out there for d-men… Habs want Ellis, but weighing options… Matthew Lombardi getting lots of interest
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Ethan K says:
Giving Kovalchuk 10 mil makes trouble for when Tavares, Okposo, Hillen, MacDonald, Bailey, Comeau, and all of our other youngsters need new contracts. They won’t be making 1 million dollars forever.
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The arena talk is BS, Nolan/Smith were able to sign UFA’s in 2006, before this wonderful rebuild and bright future began
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There is a better enforcer out there than Boogard. He’s younger and will come cheaper. Take a look and you will find him. Hint. Go west young man
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Biron’s career is over.
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if Volchenkov sign with the same numbers of Streit…they wont keep Streit for long anyhow Streit wasnt very good last year..i said trade him gets some off. player
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richie66 says:
Sutton & Volchenkov = pipe dream, but a good dream it is
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Niteislander, you are correct on Biron! For all of you crying about loosing Biron get over it and turn the page! He had a one year contract, that’s it!!
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admin says:
Folks: if it’s TSN, ESPN, Sportsnet or other legit places, you’re welcomed to bring it. As for you-know-where, keep it far, far away. Thanks.
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Gotta spend some money to just reach the cap floor. Lets Go Garth!!
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TSN reports that Paul Martin to PIT is a real possibility; deal not done yet however
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McKenzie saying that PIT has inside track on Paul Martin.
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Strummer's Army says:
Sweet Biron went to the Rangers! Isles will score a lot more goals on them the next two years. Biron was terrible last year until the last few games when he was playing for a contract.
Philly giving up a 2 for Mejaros is a bit crazy. He’ll improve their defense but they overpaid.
Volchenkov, Scott, Carkner, Milacek if Isles land 2 of it will be huge, three WOW but I think they’ll have to trade for at least one d-man.
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RDS is also legit they are TSN (french version)
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TSN Bob McKenzie says Paul Martin might go the the Penguins.
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Clearly that would rather have one of the younger goalers be the backup and learn from Roloson. Of course we have no clue what is up with Rick DNP.
Where are you guys hearing Volchenkov?
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Mikey Islanders says:
It’s no secret Volchenkov is the big signing Garth is trying to get done today. With that said, Anton will have plenty of offers. At the end of the day, he is likely not to come here. Everyone needs to keep their heads clear, this happens to us every UFA.
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kurvers28 says:
RDS has Isles leading Volchenkov CB……….
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Examiner says:
Biron might actually get less starts next year than he did this year playing behind Lundqvist. Hopefully Torts plays Biron against us a few times this year, thinking he will have added incentive to play well. Rather face him than Henrik.
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Doesn’t matter. Volchenkov to Isles doesn’t make sense. Much better teams for him to go to.
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Eric says:
WOW Gonchar wouldve made us a playoff team..Garth’s gotta make some moves before all the players are gone. LETS GO ISLES!!!
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#190 You think Volchencov is signing the for the same amount as Gonchar. Whatever you are on I want. Try 5 years 32-34 mil.
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crazy right now i have like 4 sites i just keep hitting refresh every 3 seconds lol
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Im doin the same thing #214 is lol
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214….so do I…
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John says:
It is amazing how fast this free agency period goes compared to the NBA.
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Lorne says:
Sometimes these players go where the money is, not because of the arena. Maybe we can get Volchencov if Garth throws money his way.
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Biron is a good match for the Rangers and Biron … It will allow the coaching staff of the Rangers more flexibility and options to sit Henrik more … I think that will be a 55 Game / 27 Game split … Biron like most goalies play well when they get games … however … it’s the Rangers’ defense that might give him fits. They are not much better if not worse than the Isles’.
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Volchenkov is 28 and one of the toughest d-men in league. Gonchar is 36 and way past his prime.
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Winchester stays in OTT, 2 years 750K per year
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CB- Do you think with Gonchar going to Ottawa that opens the door for Martin going to the Pens? I think that move by Ottawa changed the dynamic of the FA defenseman options race.
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ken says:
ditto on 214 and 215. not getting any work done today.
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One of major selling points along with big money is should Volchenkov come to isles also inherits two new nephews, Petrov and Kabonov. Snow will grant permission for him to discipline them. lol
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Jaymz27 says:
#185 – Jim from St. James…
I couldn’t agree with you more. Adding a 27 year old superstar to this young core group makes all the sense in the world. You could probably get Volchenkov here also. Get it done Garth!!!!! -
Hockey1919 says:
Martin St. Louis 4 more years with Tampa. So it look like they would be looking for help on D with the remaining money or a stable goaltender.
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starz31 says:
Any rumors on where Kovy is headed? Will it drag on? I’m not anticipating a Islanders courting.
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Mike says:
TSN reporting that Yzerman has come to terms with St.Louis on a 4 year extension. Excellent signing. He would’ve look great riding shotgun with Tavares.
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Spartini makes a GREAT point. He has value as a mentor to two youngsters that they have high hopes for. That and his game prowess make Volchenkov very valuable to the Islanders, makes a ton of sense to me.
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^5 Spartiarti … I like the way you think.
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St Louis signs a 4 yr extension with Tampa
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Sportsnet reports its Pittsburgh and Tampa vying for Martin
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Paul Martin signs with the Pens…4 years 5.5
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@233: Really?!?
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5.5 million for Martin!? WAY TOOOOO MUCH!!
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Michalek goes to PIT
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admin says:
To save time, let’s skip the jokes about Jon Sim and LeBron and all the other funnies. Thanks.
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michalek to Pittsburgh
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According to Dreger: Michalek to Pens is a done deal.
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theres noting about Paul Martin signing
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Pens sign Michalak says Dregger
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mtrico says:
DarrenDreger: Z. Michalek to Pitt. Done.
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Z. Michalek to Pitt. Done.
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please dont overpay for volchenkov!!!! martin for 5.5million is insane
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Michalek to Pitt apparently also
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Can’t really compare Gonchar with Volchenkov: very different ages, styles, experience levels. Gonchar, while an upgrade with our D corps, is less of a fit than Volchenkov.
The Kovy front’s been awful quiet!
Michalek to the Pens. (TSN)
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Pitt got Milachek according to NHL LIVE and Dreger
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Check that, McKenzie.
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Rob says:
Z. Michalek to Pitt is done
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#233: TSN says it’s Michalek to Pitt.
Unless they got 2 of the big FA defensemen (which I doubt), Martin is still available.
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Paul Martin 5.5 per year? Darren Dreger said they just signed Z. Michalek, the Penguins.
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I dont see anything about Martin going to PIT
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Michalek to Pitt. They one guy I were hoping would be availbel, but maybe he’s available because the Islanders made the psuh for Volchenkov.
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DaveyD says:
Nothing on TSN about Martin but mackenze just said michalek to the Pens is done
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So Pitt loses Gonchar, and gets Paul Martin AND Michalek?
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5 years 20 mill I believe.
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Bah… bummed about Z.M. to Pitt.
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Wow they overpaid nicely too…4 mil per
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5 years/ 20 million for Michalek
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Michalek 20mil/5years, wow!
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Hud says:
We know the Islanders will not sign anyone today, when does that ever happen? Free Agents come to the Islanders when all other choices are gone.
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Scratch Martin for now…sorry….but is still believed to be going to the Pens
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TSN said that the Pens signed Michalek because they couldn’t get a deal done with Martin, who is looking for more.
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Hud – Roloson and Streit came to the Islanders on July 1st with other options on the table.
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Michelek to pitt…tsn
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Where do Pens get all this cap space????
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Please do not sign leftover crap, remember back in 2007 with Blake and Smyth bolting we settled for Comrie, Guerrin, Sim and Fedotenko.
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Very good signing by the Pens, IMO – bet Volchenkov gets a lot more than $4 million a year.
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Who is the Mark Streit of 2010????
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Also the Isles raised ticket prices for season subscribers and took away free parking. Therefore, they better do something special to justify the increase.
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The Islanders are NOT signing a top free agent. Why do you guys do this to yourself every year? You will all be very disappointed.
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CB who are the RFA’s most likely to be dealt?
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Got to think Volchenkov is looking for looking 5 to 5.5 mil per.
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bill perweiler says:
Michalek to Pittsburgh 5yrs / $4million per
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#271 – can u blame Wang. If he had an Arena deal he would open up the check book.
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rumors saying that if we got volchenkov we would trade streit. that would make no sense at all. Get a hard hitting dman and lost you most talented dman that was 8th in league in scoring (tied with Lidstrom and Kaberle). I hope its just that. Rumor.
Think about. Streit signing for 4.1MM a year two years ago was great. -
NYIChooch says:
Please. Why do we fans even bother getting excited on July 1st?. We should do this on July 15th, when our Free Agency period really starts!
Weak FA class…weak pockets for Wang.
I will be SHOCKED if anything newsworthy happens today in Islanderland.
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BTW CB — You forgot to mention Fanhouse as a legit outlet.
What’s a good minimum FA play for Garth at this point to make sure we stay above cap floor? Maybe over pay a little or security in years?
Vochenkov at 6 years ($40M)
Nystrom at 3 years ($4M)
Frolov at 5 years ($30M)
Torres at 3 years ($7M)
Martin at 5 years ($15M)
Kubina at 3 years ($10M)Just throwing up some numbers and players to see what sticks. I have no idea what they made previously… just trying to guess fair market value considering age, production and overall league need by position and role, vs. what the Isles need.
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Good points about Roloson and Striet Examiner, Streit I believe they paid alot more for then anyone else would have. Still a great signing, maybe they prove me wrong today.
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We may to resign Park and Tambellini for $3 mil each just to reach the cap floor the rate we’re going.
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277- Martin will be 5 yrs at 25ish…definitely not 15.
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Post 279, relax there is still a lot of time left.
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3 teams going after Ray Whitney….1 offer on the table according to Darren Dreger
Wonder if the Isles are one of them
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#281 – I know – just tempering my expectations so I don’t get angry and kick the dog like the past 3 or 4 years…lol.
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Id rather over pay for Martin the Volchenkov. Younger and all around dman
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RickyRed says:
RHL, I believe Volchenkov is younger..
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Go for broke with Volchenkov.
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TSN: Auld to Montreal.
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Alex Auld to Montreal…3 teams vying for Ray Whitney …1 offer on the table…Could it be us? Hope not
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Probably not getting either #283. We are cheap asses.
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Just make the offer to Ilya 4 year 48 million , if we don t get him , at least you tried and demonstrated to the fans and league that we are a real organization. Paying a vig to put us back on the map is investing in the franchise.
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James Duthie – Auld to Montreal, 1 year- 1 mill. Guess that means Ellis is still in play.
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Please no Whitney but he fits the mold of the over the hill come out to the LI pasture for one last payday and maybe get traded to a contender.
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Hahaha gotcha 284.
Realistically, the Islanders are going to have to overpay for a guy like Volchenkov, anyone who says they shouldn’t overpay is crazy. That’s just a part of free agency.
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pattyL16 says:
colby armstrong to leafs.
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2277 says:
Colby Armstrong – 3 yr deal with Toronto per TSN
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JerseyIslander says:
Wow… Alex Auld got MORE than Marty Biron… That’s a little bit humerous.
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Nittymaki to the Sharks per TSN
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Colby Armstrong sign with Toronto
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Islanders will sign somebody by 3 oclock. Just PLEASE dont trade Streit! We have no other reliable puck moving dmen. Hillen is imrpoving but he cant do it alone.
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Tim F. says:
Wow, Ottawa gave a 3 year deal at over $5 million per to Gonchar and his balky knee? That is a huge risk.
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3 yrs 3 mill for Armstrong…Burke is at it again…Nice player but thats too much.
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Ninny a Shark
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MvKenzie – Nittymaki to SJ. Small downgrade from Nabokov.
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beatcha to it Examiner!
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Nitty is a huge downgrade.
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Tony says:
Amen, NYIChooch @277.
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If by some miracle, we sign Frolov and Volchenkov, that would be something.
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Sean O’Donnell to PHI, 1 year — Bob McKenzie. How old is he by the way?
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Yeah and if my Aunt had ____ it would be my uncle!
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RDC says:
I really, really hope the Isles avoid Volchenkov. The cost and term he’s looking for coupled with the style he plays and I can see the Isles having a 5 year injured, expensive headache.
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MikeD says:
#278 – Martin is 29 yrs old and made 4.5MM last year. You have to double the money in your estimate to overpay him.
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How does Nitty make 2 mill a year?
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O’Donnell sign with Flyers – TSN
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I’m not confident that Martin is worth $5M per … Good all around d-man that makes a contender strong on D … Not a cornerstone player … and @ $5M per ($5M just over 8% of NHL payroll cap limit) … Nahh!
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mfio says:
do you think the isles were in play on colby? i mean 3m for 3 years seems very reasonable
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mfio – that’s 3 mill per year. i think that’s a little excessive for a bottom six guy.
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317 comments and Isles havent made a move yet….
-
Manny Malhotra to Vancouver, 3 yrs / 7.5M no trade AAV 2.5.
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#316: Armstrong’s deal is $3 million per year for 3 years, which is way too much.
Sets the bar for Lombardi, unfortunately.
-
Malholrta to VAN – 3 years – McKenzie
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admin says:
According to a report, the Islanders have contacted the agent for oft-injured free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo.
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Another ridiculous signing: Malhotra to Canucks, $7.5 million for 3 years.
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Giaco says:
Carlo who lol? Jeez….
who we targeting for backup goalie? or are we going to wait until the music stops and see who’s left – ala Biron
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Great, thanks CB. All we need, more oft-injured players.
-
Is it me or is it that the B and B+ free agents are coming off the board first! Anyone?
-
That would be a bad signing
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dman says:
Carlo Colaiacovo? too many vowels
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That sounds right up our alley CB
-
lmao, we would.
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MJS says:
Colaiacovo could platoon with Martinek in the 5 or 6 d spot if they stagger their injuries in the right way. That would be genius.
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barney sti says:
Oft-injured??
No thanks. We have enough of our own.
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EAF says:
Carlo??? wow. that’s a big splash
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This may be one of those rare occasions where if we dont sign anyone I wont be to disappointed. We need to get to the floor level and use our remaining cap space wisely
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bossjones1 says:
No more injury prone Dmen please…if they do at least sign Sutton who can hit.
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Maybe Carlo can job share with Martinek. I just wonder if it will count as one roster spot or two.
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(Sim)ple says:
Derek Morris close to staying in PHO. Good, don’t want him.
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If Carlo Colaiacovo is the best we can do, then this team wont attract any top free agents until 2015 when they get a new arena one way or the other.
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oft-injured defensemen is not a need, it is one area this team has tremendous depth.
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Lance says:
Just what we need an injury prone dman.
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Brad says:
Yay! Maybe he can split time on IR with Martinek and we may get one d-man out of the two.
-
we better don’t sign anyone than Carlo
-
CB … Lucky for you that you have the Fanhouse gig … It enables you to concentrate on the whole league’s activity … Katie is probably nodding off waiting for Garth to pull the trigger on a deal … or maybe Garth is nodding off by his phone waiting to hear back from some player agents.
My expectations are low for anything done by the Isles today … but I figured I’d give to 2pm for some surprise action. Maybe I’ll find a surprise after dinner.
Have fun everyone… and great work CB … always with your ear to the ground.
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And this organization is shocked that the building is half empty
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CB is that the only agent Snow has contacted? lol
-
hahaha – #340 beat me to it.
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I hope this Carlo thing is just another example of CB’s wacky sense of humor
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Colaiacovo had a major concussion in 2006, but has recently played well for the Blues. He’s only 27 yrs old. May be another diamond in the rough for Snow.
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Z says:
Because we don’t have enough injury issues? What is Garth thinking? I agree that a change of venue for some players could be a good thing, look at Gaborik. But seriously, when did Garth make this call, two hours after free agency opens?
Has he even tried to make a deal other than this?
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Strummer … That was Hilarious!!! … but yet sadly so accurate.
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Derek morris to Phoenix
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TSNBobMcKenzie:
Hearing Derek Morris signs for four years, $11M in PHX. Working on confirmation. -
Colaiacovo= Good bye Meyer and Gervais
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Strummer, to be fair… we need the backup in case Martinek can’t stay on the IR.
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Great moves by Garth so far not to get into bidding wars and overpaying big time for players. Stand pat and wait Garth. This is ridiculous so far. Mihalek 20 million for 5 years. Way too much! Gonchar 5.5 million for 3 years for him. No way. Colby Armstrong 3 years 3 million for 10 or 11 goals he had last year. Are you kidding me. Manny Malhotra 3 years 7.5 million for a third line center with a no trade clause. What is all this. This is ridiculous. Wait til teams throw away all their money and then bid for what is left. It will be good enough. This is MADNESS.
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goislesgo105 says:
Don’t be too dissappointed Isles fans that the Isles have not made a big splash so far. Would you rather be Toronto? They sign and trade for all the big name free agents, spend their money like drunken sailors and they are worse than us!! Slow and steady. Go Garth Go!
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OK … hit my 2pm limit … Maybe I should make a post for the Isles on Craigs List’s help wanted section and forward it to Garth’s Attention.
LI NY – Help Wanted … Big, mobile, physical defeseman that can also move the puck … and if you have any friends that can play upfront and score … bring ‘em along too.
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Coli has played 2 less games then Volchenkov in the past 2 seasons..so hes injury prone but Volchenkov is not?
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Lafontaine16 says:
Guys Carlo Colaiacovo can be a really good player when he’s healthy. Watched him quite a bit in Toronto and he can be good – especially on the cheap. Former 1st rounder of the leafs.
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Madchef says:
do we really care what they spend on these players. It is not our money. I hope the reason Volchenkov hasnt signed yet is cause he is looking to come here. Maybe we will get lucky next week with the leftovers, as per every year I can remember now
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Actually has played 8 more games sorry.
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Why does anyone care how much these players get paid? As a fan, and season ticket holder, I want a good team. The market is what it is. When the Islanders decided to go for the payroll floor instead of the cap, they didn’t lower ticket prices. They need to pay up for talent. Period.
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morris stays put
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@350…..good enough does not cut. Some of us want to win.
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Derek Boogaard may be on the move, @NHLSourcesSay guessing Islanders or Rangers. We need a deterrent on the ice to protect the kids.
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dedshark says:
are you kidding me with these signings? i dont blame garth for not signing anyone yet
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Isles81 says:
Andy Suttons text message to CB looks better every minute doesn’t it?
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Please Please get the boogy man
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JD says:
can’t blame Garth for not doing anything yet. These contracts handed out so far are insane. I bet half these guys will be bought out or waived before these deals expire.
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I agree, we NEED to put something on the ice. CoCo can’t stay healthy, much like our entire roster for the last two years. And some goaltender we signed for 15 years. We need healthy bodies with good track records.
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Ladies and Gentleman, Your New York Scrap Heap Pickups!!!!!!!
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Good for TB! They got heir goalie finally!
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Dan Ellis to Tampa Bay per TSN
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#370 i know what your saying but we say this every year! Maybe it’s just the way it is and deal with it and pay the damn money!
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Jamie says:
Guys, Colaiacovo is not a bad D-man! Played 67 games last year and had 7 goals and 32 points. The year before played 73 games! He is not injured like Martinek.
He is the kind of guy we are going to get! Good player but with some ? about him as well.
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Isles should sign Kurtis Foster and Shaone Morrison for defense and Asham, Zherdev and Nystrom as forwards..
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Garnet Exelby? I like it ! Tougher than anybody on our D corps!
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All this talk about asham and nystrom…I’m upset toronto signed armstrong he was probably the best hard hitting bottom six guy that will fight if need be. Great signing by burke…wish snow would have made a push for him
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Michael Delman says:
So far this seems like a repeat of the past two offseasons.
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Ellis to TB to take over for Nittymaki – LeBrun
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misterpink says:
manny to sharks, so much for those faceoff wins. Not like we really needed another center ..
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I totally agree with dedshark & JD. These signings are ridiculous. And I just cant agree with the whole, “Just accept it and throw piles of money/long term deals/NMCs/etc at these relatively average/mediocre players. Id rather the Isles pick up someone later who went relatively under the radar than to overpay for someone right now just because!
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err, to vancouver
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9 million for three years isn’t a reasonable bottom-6 signing. Carlo Colaiacovo is average size, and can give 40 points in a healthy season. Could be a good signing IF he’s not paid too much and if they sign another defenseman with some size. Colaiacovo will not be the difference between lottery and playoffs.
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Dan says:
Failing to see what contract given out today has been that insane!
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Billy C says:
#377–Please check your information. Colby armstrong has never had more than 2 fights in a year. Isn’t he the same player as Comeau? Actually, Comeau had more points.
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Paul Martin could end up in L.A. or Pitt. Hamhuis is also in the mix in PIT.
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Jakeisles says:
Boogard and Gilles on the same line, don’t mind going into Philly or the Garden with that line.
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Do you guys want to win? What do you care about how much they spend? It is not your money.
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Matt LA says:
I like the Carlo signing if they do it — assuming its not a big $$ deal. Coming off a season in which he had 7G 25 assists in 67 games. He was also a +8 on a mediocre St.Louis team. He’s 6-1, a former 1st round pick heading into his 27th birthday. He’ll even drop the mits on occasion.
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Jody Shelley to PHI, 3 years/1.1 per
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PHI signs Jody Shelly, 1.1 mill per year for 3 years. Replacing Asham???
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We signed Gillies. While not a great fighter, do we really need another enforcer?
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Jody Shelly to Phil @ 1.1mil
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DarrenDreger:
shelley to Flyers 3 years, $1.1 As per bob Mckenzie. -
@383 if he lays someone out he will own up to his actions and drop the gloves with that teams goon
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Jody Shelley to PHI on a three year deal worth $1.1M per year.
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$9M for Armstrong? $26M for Gonchar? $20M for Michalek???
I’m glad Snowy is sitting this one out. Like someone said above, half of the contracts signed today will be bought out before their expiration.
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# 388 yes we do need another enforcer , Gilies is a total laibility on the ice and who needs a guy who is out there for 3- 4 minutes and when he does fight he is ok.
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Not at the table Carlo(the hangover) He sounds like good fit. good size. but only averages about 65 games. It think someone said it best. Maybe he can split time with Martinek.
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Dropped koivu when with pitt then dropped his gloves with sourey…bottom line is that the kid can hit and hits hard plus puts in around 10-12 goals…all I’m saying is he would have been a nice gritty player fit
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#391–Isn’t his game hitting? I am not sure that i understand how Colby Armstrong never fighting equates to him standing up for a hit. I would much rather Asham who will hit and fight. But this teams needs Boogard–asap.
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Hollywood says:
Why do we even bother caring about FA. It’s always a disappointment. It’s not Snow’s fault, until they get a new building and start winning it just won’t change. Just sign Sutton and Nystrom and deal with it!
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Rangers will probably get Boogard because they lost out on Shelley
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So we sign Boogaard who has 14 pts in 255 games to go along with 550 PMs? Sounds like a bad contract to me.
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They need him now with teams getting bigger around them
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Unlike years past we are not seeing Redden/ Nylander type money being thrown around. $5.5 mil for Gonchar is not bad but the 3 years is too long for a 36 year old!
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Everyone saying a Hamhuis decision is coming soon. Willing to bet big $$ it’s not the Isles.
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Peter says:
Please no Carlo Colaiacovo! He’s terrible…grab Sutton and Asham please!!!
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MattyB says:
will this team ever get a scoring winger?
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Dan Ellis with Tampa
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Don’t let the Rangers get Boogaard, Garth. There is not many guys that can match his toughness.
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You could knock me over with a feather if we sign Booger.
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streit02 says:
What is carcillos situation in philly? Is he an RFA? I think hed be a great fit on the island
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It is going to be fun going to that first game against the rags after they sign the boogyman. Our kids are going to be too worried about whether or not he is on the ice to know there is a game taking place.
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Yashin for President says:
I say sign Asham, go hard for Volchenkov and be in the mix for Kovalchuck and i would be a very happy camper
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Frank James says:
Martin also to Pens
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I think sitting back on these insane contracts has been smart. Too much $$$. Bring Asham/Sutton home. Good D, good prices.
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Steve M says: It’s hard being an Isles fan. But, keep your hopes up, anything can happen….
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Danclemens says:
To those who are saying what do you care what they spend, what happens in 3 years, when the rebuild is promised to have taken off, and Tavares, Bailey, Okposo, Moulson, and every other young offensive talent we have is in need of a contract? When we have a bunch of schmucks signed for 5 years at 5 million a year, it’s gonna be awfully difficult to get that done.
Also, what’s the point of signing Boogaard if we just committed two years to Gillies? Do we really need TWO guys who will only be put in against the Flyers/Rangers? Plus I’m a huge Gillies fan, I don’t understand the need to replace him, especially when he’s such a force in the locker room.
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Jay Onrait on TSN inferring Penguins landed Martin.
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Damn Pitt. Burnside says Martin to Pens
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Martin to Pens….theyre looking good.
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paul martin to Pittsburgh
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StevieL says:
Geez! Carlo, Nino, Bruno etc. are we fielding a hockey team or opening a pizza joint??
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JD (e_godard) says:
Better make a play for Sutton while we still can. No more then 2 years at 2.75 per.
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@419 The idea that anything can happen is a haunting image for Isles fans. Can we say 15 year contract? Trading big name prospects like Heatly, Chara, etc.
Hope for the best though
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Danclemens brings up a great point, what will happen if we sign too many big name free agents and then we dont have the cash to give Okposo, Tavares and the other core kids a new deal
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er @420
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admin says:
Let me jump in here a sec, because I see this a lot. Worrying about the Islanders signing guys because you think they have to pay big dough to Josh Bailey down the road is a little bit silly. Sorry.
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Chris, does Garth Snow have any intention on making this worthwhile or should I give up and go live my Thursday?
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Schultz39 says:
Pittsburgh defense looking good – replacing a shaky in his own zone Gonchar with Martin and Michalek.
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#421–Gillies is on a 2 way deal. Gillies is 2010 Jackman. Is Gillies even a definite on this team? Boogard is Legit. Matt Martin needs to be up too.
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I second 430′s sentiment.
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how are the pens staying under the cap
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Pedro says:
I agree with 421. The Isles will definitely sign a few FAs either today or in the coming days, but this team was never going to go from outsider to contender through free agency … at least not at this point in time. The Isles will sign a few guys to move us closer to being a playoff team, but our progress will be through the draft with supplement through FA once actual on-ice progress is made. The reality is that the high-demand FAs were not going to come to the Island … it is the lesson learned from Smyth and the lesson that led to the current rebuild plan.
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DarrenDreger:
Boogaard to the Rangers is done. -
omg Boogard to Rangers we r dead men skating!
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admin says:
Mikey: I believe I set expectations realistically in this space during the last week. I even suggested to one guy on the live chat that he not take the day off from work.
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Brian says:
boogard to rags is done
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Boogard to the Rangers. D’oh!
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Boogard to Rags
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What did I SAY. I told you earlier Bogard to NYR because they lost Shelley.
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Called it
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You knew that was going to happen , great job Garth , Gillies is no match for the boogyman and our kids will get pummeled another year. Pathetic
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Rangers signing Boogard probably just guaranteed Trevor Gillies about 8 games on the Isles roster next year.
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@434 I totally forgot about the two way deal part. Good point. And I agree about Matt Martin.
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He is good for what he is but Shelley is better not one dimensional like Boogard. With that being said…Where is our enforcer?
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rb says:
I know he’s a tough guy, but Boogard hasn’t scored a goal since the Eisenhower administration.
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Nice–So who steps up for the Isles against the Rags with Boogard? Flyers with Shelly? Leafs with Orr? What a joke. Good luck Johnny Tav–You think you got beaten up this year?
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Let the Rags overspend for goons … worked out beautifully last season for them. If they signed someone who could score, then I’d be more worried.
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How will Garth address competing in the most physical division in the NHL, which just got even more physical?
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I think we are going to have to look forward to draft lottery 2011. Garth Snow has done a great job but I can see why his hair has turned grey. He is trying to get good free agents to compliment the youth but people just dont want to come here.
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who cares about Boogard he wont play must of the time…look the rags signed last year Brashear and they got rid of him
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1.65mil a year for Boogard is a joke
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Sutton is the only answer to this that makes sense.
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@Tom…no they got one of the best fighters in the league, and our team is pathetically soft.
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Big deal, the Rags signed their yearly goon. Last year it was Brashier. They’ll stink again this year, Torts wont make it to New Years day
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Oh no.
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anyone who is upset at the rags wasting 1.65 per for 4 years on boogard is out of their mind… he is this years brashear
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in my twitter feed i have all these tsn guys and espn guys spitting out news and signings, then i see a NYI Tweet: “Questions for Josh Bailey and Andrew MacDonald? @ us with them for a Twitter Q & A during their visit to the #Isles Team Store tonight.”
That’s a NYI Free Agent Opening Day right there….
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Gillies is the Isles enforcer. Next.
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CB, would relish more of your thoughts, I know you are probably extraordinarily busy but would love more from you!
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JP91 says:
If anyone is seriously concerned that the Rangers signed Boogaard then there’s something wrong. WHO CARES?!
Let’s worry about our team.
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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Umm–Does Garth realize is is $13mill under the floor? Any time he wants to make that up on decent players he can start. Maybe he took a long lunch at Hooters on Hempstead turnpike
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Hockey is as much about physical intimidation as any other sport out there and if you think 19-20 year old kids don’t get intimidated by these goons you should stick to watching baseball. They should have signed Boogard just so the rags didnt. Get a clue
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can Gillies hang witht he boogie man. Im not so sure. than again i didnt see Gillies lose any fights in isles uniform last year.
Guys Face it Rechliez is a bust. he cant even perform in bridgeport. Gillies is our enforcer. thats it.
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And Garth still with his PUD in his hand! Keep it close to the vest Garth! LOL
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@ Jakeisles – 4 years for Boogard is an even bigger joke.
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Tell Tavares and his missing front teeth, courtesy of Pronger last year not to worry about more goons in his division!!
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#467–Go to Hockey fights–Boogaard has knocked Gillies out cold in their two fights.
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Martin 5yfor 25m – overpaid with Pits
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Tom M says:
McGratton to combat Boogard!
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David Volek says:
Typical Glen Sather move. Boogard is a great fighter, but can he play hockey? Dont you think the Rags woulda been better off with Shelley? They can have Boogard, but im refreshing this page every ten minutes in the hopes that Garth makes a move. Its not easy watching teams like the already amazing penguins signing 2 of the top 5 UFA d men.
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466…
You don’t give 4 year deals to guys who havent scored since reagan was president… get a clue
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Mike from Sarasota says:
Boogaard is, at best, a 4min a game player. He also has’nt scored a goal in nearly five seasons. But I’m sure Gillies is’nt thrilled with the prospect of fighting that monster 6 times next season.
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Steve M says:
Boogard is a goon. Sure he can fight, but he hasn’t scored a goal in the past FOUR seasons…
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Steve M says:
Boogard is a goon. Sure he can fight, but he hasn’t scored a goal in the past FOUR seasons…
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With the limited cap space the Rags are dealing with, that is a HORRIBLE signing. 1.65 per over 4 for that cement head? Oye vey!
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Riechlecz is not a bust. He handled many bad dudes last year including Brashear. Young kid going toe-to-toe with a long time NHL vet doesn’t equal bust. He had injuries last year (like many other Isles and prospects). He can skate and hit too.
Gillies flat out cannot handle Boogard. Isles must immediatley go out and get Boogard’s former teammate John Scott, which would make sense on defense. Don’t mess this up Garth, Scott won’t break the bank but is a good NHL d-man and a very good fighter. You can youtube Boogard crushing Gillies if you don’t believe me. It was sad.
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Just you tube the Boogard/Gillies fight and watch how Gillies gets wrecked. If we can’t get scorers, we should at least get the best enforcer imo. Teams around us understand the need for an NHL enforcer, our Gm thinks any AHL one will suffice. Completely idiotic
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Shawn says:
Billy C,
Boogaard KO’d him once. -
475–Boogaard isn’t on the ice to score. Understand that he is just as important on the bench as on the ice. You don’t want to lay someone out and have to worry about his shift.
Also, anyone claiming Gillies is the Isles enforcer needs to stop drinking the Kool aid. Boogaard vs Gillies is the equivalent of Tyson circa 1989 vs the old blow up punching bags.
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Maybe the Isles are gearing up for Volchenkov and Kovalchuk??
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Boogaard isn’t invincible. Dude could never beat Laraque, Brashear, Simon or Godard, besides seeing him wearing that Ranger uniform makes you wanna punch his fat face even more! Rangers still suck!
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Charles,
I need the key to your wallet, NOW!Yours,
Garth -
Why do we care so much about goons?
I’m not in any hurry to relive all those godawful Cairns-Purinton-Godard-McKenna scraps from the early 00′s..
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I like Boogeyman, but do we really need him? I don’t think so. Rags = Goon City.
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Gillies got his face broken by Boogard a while back. Doubt he will drop the gloves with him again.
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JayOnrait:
Brooksie can’t get this through his head RT @NYP_Brooksie Rangers have no space yet spend it on Boogaard, a guy who cannot play. -
475 We ll talk after the first time we play the Rangers and our whole team is skating around on egg shells, no one throwing the body and when one of our guys does get run at everyone stands around and makes believes like nothing happened. Gillies has been knocked out twice by this ogar , and every player in both lockerooms will be very aware of it.
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Gillies did get knocked out by him before, but he has also beaten him, Gillies can hang with ANYONE in the NHL.
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Jerky says:
The Isles need some major size upgrade and a real enforcer to defend themselves (even more than previously thought). Boogaard to the Rangers and Shelley to the Flyers is unbelievable. Both teams already had plenty of size and continue to get bigger … very scary.
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The skilled guys on the rangers are very happy right now. Please Garth we need toughness.
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If any of you guys are dentist, call Mike Bossy and become the official dental providor to the NYI because Philly increased their toughness, Rangers cannot be stopped (thank God McIlrath won’t play there this year!) and Pitt has Goddy and Rupp. All the pretty little prospects are going to need a ton of dental work.
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geduffer says:
As usual, everyone goes everywhere else and Garth does nothing. I could hit Powerball tomorrow and I wouldn’t pick my season tickets back up. Now I have to find a team to root for that believes in trying to win.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Amen Peter (485). Let them overspend on way too long contracts on bums like Boogaard. He won’t be on the ice when the top two lines are on the ice anyways.
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oh brother 1.65 a year x 4 for a fighter who cant play. please let sather be their gm forever lolol
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jmo16 says:
C’mon Garth- give us something to talk about other than the Rags!
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lol thats an awful deal. He is tough but hasnt scored in 4 years and he just took up a decent chunk of what they have to spend over the next few years
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It’s funny watching everyone freak out that Garth hasn’t signed anyone else. Its been 3 hrs folks.
Rangers are still going to suck ass. His total minutes for the whole season probably will total Tavares’ minutes for 1 game.
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Seriously impressed with Pittsburgh. Great signings for those two defensemen.
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#494—Not really sure Gillies can hang withanyone. Don’t you think there is a reason why he is 31 and prior to this season, played only one game in the NHL?
We all want to see the Isles succeed, but people need to understand that guys like Pronger, Phaneuf, etc take advantage, try to spook the younger guys because they don’t have to fear retribution. They need a legitimate enforcer. Not a “goon.” Enforcers still play an important part in the game. Would you classify Clark Gillies as a “goon?”
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So if we dont spend money on Free agents to reach the cap floor do we have to pay all our current players DOUBLE!
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Mike P says:
I mean the enforcer salaries are crazy, how much better is Boogard then Shelley to get 500k more a year and in reality how much better are both than a minor league guy like Gillies who we are going to pay the minimum to be our enforcer. I rather spend the money on players
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I would have paid him simply not to play for the Rangers.
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Fan says:
Just as expected. Nothing to be excited about half-way through July 1st.
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No one out there in “hockey land” (that I am reading) has thought that Boogard is a good deal for the Rags. Too much and too long.
Seems Slats wants a team of goons who can’t score. -
Kovalchuck is going to LA no question…big market, big money
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Pretty easy to lure Martin and Michalek when you have Crosby and Malkin on your team.
Isles need an impact player on their team to lure FAa
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DarrenDreger:
Lydman to Anaheim. 3 years, $9 million. confirmed -
btoh teams in the finals didnt have legitimate enforcers playing. we dont “need” an enforcer. we need guys who can play
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LYdman signs with Ducks
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Isles need to do what they do at the draft. Target their guy and go get him. If they have to over pay so be it. Every team overpays for FA’s Isle overpay on draft day so overpay today.
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Rich says:
CB have you heard anything about us having interest in Kurtis Foster? He’s like 6’4″ and scored 40 something points last year he would be a great fit here
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Enforcer kill valuable ice time. Their hasnt been a enforcer in stanley cup finals in years. When Pitt won, Godard was benched from mid season.Laraque was bought out in Montreal.
Boogard will just make rangers slower and less skilled. and eats 1.6MM in salary.
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From @SI_sarahkwak
“When I heard Boogaard wanted 4 yrs, $1.65M few weeks ago, I laughed. When I heard he got it, I threw up in my mouth a little bit.”
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Still a few viable targets available:
Hamhuis, Volchenkov, Tallinder & to a certain extent Mitchell
Frolov, Whitney, Kariya, Nystrom
Maybe a trade with Philly to alleviate their cap issue. Maybe swing a trade for Gagne?
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The only guy that would have been nice would have been Michalek. Other then that I don’t care Isles didn’t sign anyone else. However, it was said Isles were one of the two final teams for Boogard and Snow couldn’t get him. If your worst enemy is not in good cap position and is bringing in a monster like Boogard you need to beat them when you are so far under the cap. Mostly Snow has been right in not signing certain guys over the years. He manages the cap well and he drafts well. Thus far on trades he is only good at getting picks back. FA’s he has managed to sign guys like Roli, Streit, and Moulson but he also signed Biron and Sim. Pretty good job overall but we need to see him target and land a guy. For instance, what is preventing him from signing Volchenkov, Scott, and Carnker? It’s not money. Does Snow need to improve his sales techniques?
Hopefully Boogard continues to have a bad back.
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494, I tried posting a link to a fight where Gillies beats Boogie but it wasn’t permitted for some reason. Make no mistake though, there isn’t a guy in the league that Gilles can’t hang with when the gloves are off.
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Here comes Andy Sutton because that’s all that’s gonna be left! I am picturing Garth scratching his pud with that stupid look in his face! What a piker!
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Wait, are people here really upset over the Isles NOT giving a FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT to a goon who can’t play more than 6 minutes per game?
Everyone here needs to relax..Boogaard is a healthy scratch for 30-40 games a season, has a history of concussions and we’re crying the Rangers gave this guy four years??
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3 million a year for Lydman is astonishing. Volchenkov is going to cash-out BIG time. Our miraculous chances of that signing are now gone.
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Donna says:
I’d like to think we sign Hamhuis, Asham and Weaver- -think we have the cap, I’ll check back this evening
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“Garth has managed the cap well” Yep thats why we are 10 mil below the cap watching everyone else get better.
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Brooks Simpson says:
“What you usually see the first day is that most fans rip on every team’s signing – they over-paid – until their team signs a guy.”
Then, 31 minutes later:
“Toni Lydman gets over-paid – like everyone else – by the Ducks. Three year, $9 mill.”
LOL!
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Jim Clark says:
It would be great if the Islanders sign someone who can help us win and not just to get a headline or tweet. I’m sure Mr Snow knows this and will follow the steady and slow rebuild plan.
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.. Cmon NHL hockey is STILL a physical game (no matter how much Bettman tries to make it euro hockey) and you NEED physical players to make a team
.. Boogie is THE REAL DEAL, he is a presence and intimading force on the ice, Rag$ fans will like him. Hes NOT PAID TO SCORE GOALS PEOPLE!! Maybe he was overpaid but hes still wearing a Rag$ jersey, at 6’7″ he is a presence on the ice!
.. Isles just need to make sure they have some size and beef/muscle on the roster thats all!! and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont lecture us about not needing a physical presence/enforcer, hats just NONSENSE!!
.. Taveras played SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER with Trevor Gillies in the lineup, that was obvious + a fact!
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#523 I could care less about Boogard. But those mid level FA’s that CB was talking about are disappearing faster than the LH project. Garth can’t close a deal for S@*T!
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#503, Gillies could be champ if he gets his chance. He’s that good.
As for getting to the show at 31, sometimes it’s being at the right place at the right time. Wait and see. -
#527–Isles aren’t 10 below the cap. They are 10 below the floor!!
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Totally forgot about Lombardi. His speed would be a welcome addition as well.
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Amazing how Pittsburgh can afford all of these guys. Wonder if Godard has room on that roster and could be had in a trade. They also have Rupp to handle the rough side
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Yeah I’m really confident Jim Clark. Yeah all is well. Sure. Great. I wonder what instills all this “confidence”, can’t be past accomplishments, I’ll tell you that.
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#526 Or patience will be the death of the team!
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I checked out the UFA list and there were 34 centers, 21 right wings, 28 left wings, 56 defensemen who had contracts over $500K in ’09-’10. The list looks longer for players under $500K.
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Whats Volchenkov really worth? How much do you pay a hard hitting defensive d-man?
In my mind NO more that $4.5M-$5M per year for 4 to 6 years. -
CB did call it ladies and gents! I don’t know why I am getting so upset! I am only pissing away my damn money on season tickets!
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According to capgeek.com they are only 5.3 below the cap.
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Twitter
DarrenDreger:
Ray Whitney to Phx 2 years, 3 mil per -
Whitney to Phoenix
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these contracts are silly. im glad we have stayed away thus far. $3m for lyndman? 4 years for boogard? $3M/year for colby armstrong???
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Give Volchenkov and Sutton 5 million a year, who cares? This team is going to have no cap issues until they become a contender again.
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Whitney to Phx 2 yrs. 3 mill per.
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Kubina mulling over Isles offer
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#538 You are right but are you telling me Mark Streit was worth the money we gave him when we signed him! People thought we were nuts! Andy Sutton got 3.5 from us! Why shouldn’t the A-train get 6 mil.
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whitney to pheonix 3 mill for 2 years
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Remember Fritz guys its important to have a fighter but not one who plays no other role on the team. 2 million a year for an enforcer is stupid, Gillies is our man. When he isn’t playing he is a positive influence in the clubhouse and on the benc and while he did get KOed by Boogaard it was 5 years ago. 5’9″ Mirasty used to hang with Boogaard, he is not some mythical fighting god.
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to say gillies cannot beat boogard in a fight is silly, in any given fight the opposition can win so calm down please. some of these contracts are garbage that are being handed out. Also is it me or does it seem katie strang is almost always negative when writing about the Isles? Still some quality to be had maybe the isles can steal one or two. I would however like to scream, and kick rocks with how we never jump on Free Agents
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#541–You have to look at the Islander drops down. The only have a payroll of 31m. The cap floor is 42m. Also, they still have 59m as the cap, it is 63 this year
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this is getting to be a long day with no signing from the Islanders but then again 2 years ago Streit signed in the evening, this is not a deadline day it takes time and patience.
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JJ says:
How in the world do the Pens have the cap space to sign both Michalek & Martin!?
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#530, that definitely is a valid point, but the truth is any FA (be it premier, mid-level, or downright goon) is going to be overpaid if they sign on the first day.
Someone said it best above, is this about making our team better or getting a brief Twitter headline?
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Mike from Philly says:
Being an Islanders fan on July 1st is like being a jewish kid on Christmas Morning. While everyone else is excited and opening gifts, we sit here with a dumb in our mouth spinning a dradle!!
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@545: Where did you hear that?
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The funny part is the Yotes are bankrupt and are signing players! What does that say about us! Can you say busted!
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Check that, meant to type 549.
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islandersfan4ever says:
Thanks WM@ 525!I second that sentiment.
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Steve M says:
I agree with you, Mike from Philly #558
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Pavel Kubina? Are you kidding me? 33 years old and 30 points, and numerous mental mistakes with the Leafs. This is just the type of signing you’d expect from the Isles.
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Can we please reserve judgement until after the first day of free agency is over? It doesn’t matter that the Isles haven’t signed anybody yet. There are plenty of good players left.
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Give us another yr to prove we are on a consistent rise and mean biz. Let’s not pretend that players have to WANT to come to a team. Are we all naive to think that does not factor in to some of this? It must, no?
Also, do these deals seem much higher in $$ than expected? I’m blown away by some prices. -
Frankie D says:
Its hard to sign someone if they won’t come here regardless of the money. That’s not Garth’s fault. Blame Wang and Murray and that stupid Lighthouse project. Wang needs to stand-up and make a commitment to Queens or Brooklyn.
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Kubina would be an excellent addition–in 2004
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Mike from Philly:
HAHAHAAHAHAAHAAAHHAAA!!!!!
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2 players id like the Isles sign its Eric Belanger (15 goals) very tough guy and Matthew Lombardi (i would prefer him over Frolov)
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Matt says:
Garth, napping in his office
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what about belanger for a forward signing? I always loved the guys that would spit their teeth out on the bench and then get back in the game? Plus he can put up decnt numbers.
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Jon in Bpt says:
I feel for Gillies… He’s going to have his hands full with Boogaard
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JayK says:
JJ — 556 — they said goodbye to Gonchar and Guerin, so that’s part of it.
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IslesHostage says:
Yeah….it’s the concession stands doing it, not the performance of our front office over 16 years plus. Free agents ask about the concourse amenities and bathroom lines all the time, #568.
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Islanderfan@571 you beat me to it with belanger
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# 571 – you make those two signings and you can have fun checking Adam Larsson’s stats.
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Frankie D I could not agree with you more. This arena situation is killing the franchise and will continue to do so until it is resolved which could be by 2015. Nobody wants to come to a uncertain situation.
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being an isles fan on July 1st, is like being a jew on christmas morning.
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Boogie is a force but that contract is unreal.
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#577 Kinda both, you’re forgetting about the yearly sewage spills in the locker/training rooms. NVMC is falling apart.
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Guys the lack of a new shiny arena does to an extent effect the Isles ability to sign FA’s but not that much. If the money is right a FA will sign. Like I said before I do not want to overpay for marginal crap but target good players and sign them for fair money. Snow seems to think he should pay some players less because it is a privalege to play for the Isles.
Kubina? He’s still in the NHL? I thought he retired?
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Would love to know which “top targets” the Islanders are working on…
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Gillies has to play every game now against our divisional rivals. Shelley, Boogard, Godard, and even PL3 from the Devils are all in the same division now.
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Ilya Ilya Ilya , just give him a blank check….sorry I pulled a Garth and fell asleep at my desk. We can still pay Yashin and Witt but can’t sign anyone , party on Garth.
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#572 he is napping cause you know what he was doing 15 minutes ago! It is a tiresome process! haha
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Joe says:
Its almost unfair the thought of Boogard going after Taveras. It seems like it should be a crime, like some kind of child abuse. This guy is a monster.
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I don’t think its about not wanting to take up future cap space so we can’t resign our guys but more so, keeping flexibility open until our team improves these next 2 years and having the cap space to ADD players to this team. No reason to sign big money for 3,4 years and then having that salary bogging us down in 2 years preventing us from being active in the F.A. market.
Garth is only looking for 1-2 year deals for the kind of talent he wants. We do have to sign $8 million in talent just to reach the floor.
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Boogaard touches Taveras and Gillies murders Gaborik!
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CB – who are the 2011 free agents that could land with us come trade deadline day and does that have an impact on what Garth is thinking today?
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Stop using the building as an excuse, it didnt prevent Neil Smith from signing decent UFA’s 4 yrs ago.
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Tobi says:
Most of the ones I was naively hoping for are gone now, hoping there will be a signing to feel excited about today.
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#589 That’s funny! I am just picturing Boogard with his mouth open skating around trying to eat Tavares! HAHA
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wow! You wait all day for this!.. I mean havent we all learned anything for the last million years
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@Mike Islander – clearly you dont know Belanger and Lombardi but i guess in your mind the Isles should signed a Kovy or a Frolov 2 guys with talent but dont play hard each night, we dont need guys like that.
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ecairns says:
I wasnt expecting kovy but I was expecting a top tier fa defenseman..we have the money and we need to spend it to get to the cap floor. I know we are only a few hours in but im pretty disappointed
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#577 you missed the point. #580 got it, read that post.
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admin says:
Islanders need Belanger and Lombardi, but don’t need guys like Kovalchuk because he doesn’t play hard every night? Really? I think this blog needs a signing.
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Something i wouldnt be surpised its Jose Theodore ends up signing with the Isles.
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Brian in VA says:
You guys crack me up!! You really thought we’d sign key FA’s C’mon… I don’t know how Garth is going to keep the promise of the playoffs this season signing Vasicek and Berard… But they are character and community guys… lol
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Right on CB
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isles71 says:
you know who you want are the 2nd-3rd tier guys anyway….do something. You have $12-20 million to work with, go & get someone…or are we in a bidding war for Eric Nystrom (you know, to keep the dynasty going???)
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I hardly care about a goon, JT is going to get knocked around by anyone bigger than he is, which will be most of the NHL unless he adds some mass.
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I’d rather Garth Snow do nothing today than something stupid. The free agents that have been bought today are out of the Isles price range and would handicap them going forward even if they could afford them. It would be nice to show improvement next year, but 2 or 3 players isn’t going to make this team a Cup contender next year.
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CB, I salute you on post #600. I shake every July 1st since Al Gore’s internet caught on. I swear so many people sound like the class geeks rationalizing why they wouldn’t go out with the prom queen anyway.
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HYSTERICAL!!!
From ESPN
Scott Burnside: Ah, it wouldn’t be free agency if the Rangers didn’t inexplicably blow their brains out and so we give you Derek Boogaard and his four-year deal worth $1.65 million annually. Ha, ha, ha. Worst contract of the day by a country mile. And the day’s only half over. Take a bow Glen Sather, your reputation remains in tact. -
Maybe if Snow stops looking for Bargains and opens the checkbook he could actually sign someone of consequence.
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Why is everyone so worried about Snow overpaying for a play? Do you honestly think they will get too close to the cap?? They need to spend a a lot of money to get to the floor!
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Nyslefan says:
If we wait for only the “bargains” or more appropriately priced players, can we make the floor? Do we NEED a higher priced signing to make the floor?
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@Botta….LOL! Thanks for taking the time to run this live thread.
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Danny says:
Doug Weights name is no longer on the islanders roster on the website any reason why? I’m pretty sure he just signed a one year deal a few weeks ago correct me if i’m wrong
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Hockey1919, No one is out of our price range. We have to spend to reach the cap!!!!! NO one
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CB we don’t want Kovalchuk. We need size and grit. Garth will wait till things shakeout and come up with the right combo for what Gordon needs. So far, the signings I’ve seen for the money is not worth the bother. Boogard for the money the Rangers are paying? That’s rediculous for a part time player.
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Volchencov, Sutton and Frolov.
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i didnt said the Isles need Belanger or Lombardi but you honestly think signing a Kovalchuck for 10 millions per year (which he will get around that) thats means youre in trouble with signing long term guys like Okposo, Tavares….Kovy his not the guy who show up each night, christ…Bob Hartley in Altanta bench him in a game for the entire 3rd period because he wasnt working hard and Hartley lost his job because cry baby Kovy complaint about Bob.
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Does everyone realize that only about 10 or 11 teams have actually made signings? Meaning there are about 20 teams that haven’t done anything YET. IT’S LESS THAN FOUR HOURS INTO AN ENTIRE SUMMER OF FREE AGENCY! You are all making it seem as thought the Isles are the ONLY team that hasn’t signed a player today. Everyone, RELAX! wow lol
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Does anyone know what the “penalty” is for not reaching the floor?
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Jisles says:
In past years I wouldn’t expect a major signing but with the team needing to spend close to 10 million just to get to the cap floor I am expecting Garth to make a big signing. Hopefully, volchenkov. He is really what we need on D. Tough and physical. We have the cash now it is up to the players. After that I think we can sign some quality forwards I would like to see Raffi Torres(grit, toughness and can score), Afinegenov(he can score and would open up the ice playing with tavares) this is the talent level range that the islanders play in, but Garth really needs to get Volchenkov that would be the only big ticket for us. The rest would be good solid players that are affordable and fit the team. That is the plan has always been the plan and Garth is sticking to it. So here are the signings. Volchenkov, Torres, Afinegenov.
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!
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I don’t understand how Philly can be so active or will they have to trade guys to make roster space. While I don’t think they are the best players in the world by far Philly improving their defense in adding O’Donnel and Mezaros, resigning Corburn, having Pronger etc that gives them a very large, very physical top 6. Say what you like about them and they are flawed but they are way better then Geravis, Martinek etc.
With all the cash you figured Mr. Snow would have improved the defense some how by now.
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The Cap floor will be reached. The way not to reach it is by carrying Yashin like cap hits. It isn’t about just reaching the cap floor for this season, but the how long the contract runs.
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IslesRock says:
At this point, I would be happy with Sutton, Nystrom and Asham. Three guys that want to play with us.
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Ryan says:
@Manhattan Mike, those 3 would make me a happy man. Call it a summer if we sign them.
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Chris, is there anyone in the Isles office who would entertain the notion of striving for a dynamic player or are we jilted by the past dynamos we got burnt with?
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@615….Sorry, I am more concerend with what the Isles do than the rest of league.
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and I don’t mind signing Andy Sutton, but we need another D man to go with him…otherwise we’re pretty much where we were last season with D and that’s our biggest hole right now.
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Hey guys – can i go get lunch? I dont wanna miss anything.
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How do you know Nystrom wants to be an Islander?!?!?!?
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Laugh all you will about Asham and Sutton, but it looks like Calgary is leading the back to the future movement … Jokinen and Tanguay. On deck: Doug Gilmour and Lanny McDonald. Boy, will that tick off the Leafs!
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Teams only have be at/under the salary cap the day before the season opens. Teams can announce as many deals that puts them over the cap and then have rest of summer to shred payroll. However most bouns payments are due by July 15 so that’s what teams like Chicago were agressive in moving already.
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Steve M says:
#613, I would be very surprised, yet pleased if we signed all 3.
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cgy rumoured in getting jokinen back,lol.
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Tony says:
Volchenkov… C’mon!
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Olli back to Flames
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Martinek is actually a pretty good when healthy(whebever that is?).
The Philly pair isn’t anything special, one is past his prime and other is a nobody along the lines of Carlo Colaiacovo.
Please no Carlo!!! -
Hey guys – can i go get lunch? I dont wanna miss anything. ***
Just as long as your back by Christmas
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Tallinder to New Jersey.
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Tellinder to the Devils, 4 years
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The eastern conference is grabbing all the D. Did the west coast wake up yet?
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Opus says:
This just in – the Islanders just had pizza delivered and that’s the only thing they will spend money on today.
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Isles81 on Jul 1st, 2010 15:47:20 said:
Does anyone know what the “penalty” is for not reaching the floor?
**********
Banishment to Kansas City. -
Foster to Edm 1.8 per /2yrs!
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614 — true, but now every other team in our division has made a signing with Tallinder to the Devils. Of course, the Rangers deal might actually hurt them, not help.
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Foster to the Oil.
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Why couldnt we get foster?
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Anyone who thought Snow was making noise today and signing top guys, you must be new to being an Isles fan.
Do you guys believe these Jokinen to Calgary rumors? He was HATED there. Seems like he’s made enemies everywhere he’s been since FLA.
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GPMD says:
I can’t help but think the Isles are in the process of being used for leverage by Volchenkov and will come up empty handed in terms of viable free agent D.
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GPMD: agreed.
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caber09 (593): There is definite revisioninsm going in regarding Neil Smiths UFA signings. Does everyone really think he was throwing all this money at big name players on July 1st?
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nice sign for edmonton
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@648/649: Never thought of that. That would suck if it is true.
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MORE BREAKING NEWS FROM THE ISLANDERS OFFICE … SPARKY WILL BE IN HICKSVILLE ISLANDERS STORE TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS WITH JB AND MCDONALD. That is all.
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garths sleeping says:
I heard the isles contacted the agent for kirk muller
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648 – Isles will at least get Sutton.
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Guys! I just got a call from Snow! He offered me $15 bucks an hour!
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Foster to the OIL
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Doug says:
Foster would have been a good pickup for the Isles…
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CB, please get this VAS dude off this blog.
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Just checked Katie’s blog … From what I gather out of her last update … She appears to be ready to start her holiday weekend early … inferring that we should expect him to find some bargins in a few weeks, rather than going crazy on the first day.
In retrospect … I find myself agreeing with that logic. Seriously … is there anyone one or two players available that is going to vault the Isles into contender status?
He’ll definitely make it to the cap floor. Garth’s not going to get stuck with a 5 year $25M deal, when infact we can expect Isles to be flirting with some real deal FA’s in a couple of years to solidify a contending team.
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I would have signed foster for that price. I like him alot..
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Hey CB–Have you heard anything about the Isles atleast speaking to Volchenkov today, or is the other guy who shall not be named throwing darts at a board again?
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What a steal EDM got on Foster. 2 years for 1.8 per is a great deal
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The Simtuation says:
Seriously lets get Volchenkov, Lombardi, Frolov and Torres
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Chris Botti says:
I just don’t understand what Snow is doing. We need to sign people. There is no choice, we have to get to the cap floor. We are going to end up paying big bucks for no bodies.
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Boogard deal is a joke…the 2 prizes are still out there…keep the faith.
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CB: How and Why was Neil Smith able to sign UFA and bring them to Islanders while Snow has to wait for the desperate leftovers?
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Sutton, Hamhuis, Volchenkov, Kubina, Corvo… gotta start making good offers.
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bob l says:
foster had nice value at that price, but very fragile, we can do without some fragile, Russian Bear please, just not for longer than 4 years if he wants more than 5M
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we must be too busy making travel arrangements for Ilya.
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Kurtis Foster at 1.8MM a year is good value signing. big dman, big shot. Suprise we couldnt pull that off.
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isles08025 says:
Volchenkov would be nice
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Like the least Snow could do is sign Volchenkov and ignite just a little bit of excitement into this franchise durin the summer for the first time since 1983.
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steve says:
We will get something done. Slow and steady.
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RDS told the Isles are amongst 5 teams that interested in Eric Belanger.
Hamius to Vancouver
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bossy22 says:
Relax…lots of talent still there.
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Joe G. says:
Pitt could sign Martin and Michaelek. What the hell is snow doing?? WAKE UP!
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Dan Hamius sign with the Canucks
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Hamius may be going to Vancouver
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Hamhuis to Canucks is official.
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From Larry Brooks on Twitter: As of this moment, Rangers will be cap-charged with $3.05M for Boogaard and Brashear.
3.05 mil per for goons, 1 who isnt even on the team anymore. Laughable.
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I’m hoping for one big FA signing it would at the least be a signal that Wang wants to make this team competitive. Vol and Sutton (along with Streit) would make a nice core for the kids to come up with and learn from. I doubt they get him but i’m still hoping.
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Per TSN now that Van have signed Hamhuis they cannot hang onto Bieksa who would look darn good in an Isles uniform and at this point not cost much.
Can anyone confirm Garth showed up at the office today? Perhaps he has overslept?
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Hamhuis to Vancouver
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John says:
for such a crappy team, WITH CAP SPACE, we are awfully quiet. OH, thats right, SLOW STEADY REBUILD. REALITY CHECK: CAP FLOOR/MINIMUM. go to work SNOW.
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Any word on the quality of Garth’s nap?
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With Fraser…There goes the open checkbook, old building, crummy team excuse Snow has been feeding us.
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Hamhuis takes pay cut to go home. No one will give Snow a discount of any kind.
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Funny how people think that Snow & Co would be very active today. The Islanders are rebuilding. They will sign some players, but let’s be patient here.
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Sather is getting eaten alive for that Boo signing. Pass the salt please.
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Volchenkov to NJD — disappointing, but not surprising
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@isles316 Belanger soft??? lol is there another Belanger in the NHL we dont know about.
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Dreger says Volchenkov is close to 6 year deal with Devils. Uh oh, Garth.
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nyislanders93 says:
Maybe it’s time to take on big contracts from teams like the Rangers or Flyers for solid prospects or picks?
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Darren Dreger says Volchenkov is near a deal with the Devils.
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Cross the A Train off the list: Dreger says Volchenkov is very close to a 6 year deal with the Devs.
Lamoriello alaways comes out looking like a genius, doesn’t he?
sigh.
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Had to expect Devils to make move like this after losing Martin and, likely, Kovy
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I think some pepole’s expectations are way too high. Isles biggest needs are depth and size. It’s hard to fulfil these needs fully paying top end prices. The core of the team is already in place. Can we at least see what the rest of team loks like on Oct 1 before we jusde id we’re “excited”?
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RDS is saying also the Russian news said Volchenkov is close to signing with the Devils..damn!
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Sam says:
TSN says NJD is coming close in signing volchencov…. sucks
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Volchenkov to NJ
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This is kind of depressing.
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Belanger is indeed soft.
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Volchenkov to Devils
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JB says:
Volchenkov, looks like a 6 year deal with the devils.
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6 year contract the way that he plays? He might be out half the time.
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Bill says:
Just read that Volchenkov is a done deal 6 yrs to the Devils! What a surprise…the Islanders just sit back and watch the world (and the division) pass them by. Snow may not have any restrictions on payroll, but he sure knows how to throw away good opportunities….He cannot live on the draft alone! This is getting ridiculous..I am glad I didn’t renew for the 2011-12 season…this is my 20th and last season!
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Eric Belanger is not a soft player..ask any hockey specialist…he plays tough and hard.
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the isles are holding tryouts saturday at iceworks!!!!–no experience nessary
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Guys, We are going to be in the draft lottery again. They have no chance in the division. With Volchenkov going to NJ, Isles are going to have major problems. I have a feeling Wang is not allowing Snow to spend money.
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Every team got better, except the Rangers in their division today. I don’t know. Patience is something we have been told as fans now for 15 years. Besides 01-02 when we were good its been nothing.
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Bryan says:
It is not going to be easy to get to that cap floor.
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THIS FRANCHISE SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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SLOW & STEADY. I hear you Garth. Wake me when the rebuild is complete.
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Spud 31 says:
Salary caps don’t fix anything. The Islanders clearly never intend to compete. I hope they lose all 82 games this season and then lose the draft lottery.
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Another no frills off-season for the isles. There is no rebuild, the Isles resemble the Charlestown Chiefs
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Ryan says:
Who’s to say he’s just letting these guys pass by??? Anyone think that these players don’t want to sign here…I’m sure Snow had contact with all these players, almost all the top defensemen went to contenders, which at the current time we are not, some people need to really calm down
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time for andy sutton to sign here, great…
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The Islanders are a joke……I have had enough! Anyone want season tix….cheap, just like the team we root for!
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It is fairly hilarious that people are blaming Garth, as if he is just sitting in his office all day watching reruns of The Office. I think it is safe to say he’s been in on all of the players he targeted and offered fair money (i.e., similar to signing amount). When your team has not won much of anything in a while, it is hard to convince guys to come. Thus, the rebuild through the draft. I say hang in there Garth … we’ll get a few.
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mm30 says:
Isles saved money…and so did I. No packages being bought this summer…haha..f off wang,,,got to queens
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Why can’t this franchise do anything to excite its fans? We have been rebuilding for 10 years. One big move can make a difference on this team.
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thank goodness for the comic relief on here (intended or otherwise) or else it would have been hari kari many July 1sts ago. all we wanted was a forward and a d, was that too much to ask for???
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Eric says:
WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD ROOT FOR THIS GOD FORSAKEN FRANCHISE?!
OH MY GOD!
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@709…..and he might not. The bottom line is that the division is improving, but not us as ususal. We can forget the playoffs again.
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This is disgusting.
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Doesn’t mean garth isn’t offering contracts to free agents, these players are getting better offers elsewhere.
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RDSsaid Kovalchuck looks more he will sign with the KHL.
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Dan from Hicksville says:
on Puckdaddy: jtbourne: Jeff Tambellini signed with the Canucks Tamby’s deal is a one year thing. Not comfortable asking him about money.
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Ilya is STILL available!!!!
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Steve says:
Just another awesome free agency summer from the NYI’s. Everyone else gets their guys like its Christmas morning, and because our owner cant build his Lighthouse Fortress we get nothing!!
Can’t wait till we resign Asham!
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RAMen says:
blah
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Doug says:
Yet again Islanders do nearly nothing on defense. Most of the top tier and secondary defensemen worth anything are gone. Yet again, draft day is the day to look forward to. I really hate this team sometimes.
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zeike says:
Tambellini just signed w/ Vancouver. It would be amusing if the Isles didn’t thoroughly disappoint today
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#713, Wang let Snow get Name Brand chips and Pathmark soda. That should prove he’s willing to go somewhat over the top in spending.
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Brian says:
I wonder what will happen in a few years when our young players will need to be resigned? Will Wang & Co. spend money then?? Scary thought. Brings me back to Palffy…
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Ryan says:
Why did I wake up feeling optimistic? Somehow Mr. Wang will blame this on TOH.
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Tambellini said to be signing with Canucks
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Hey Kool-Aid drinkers, if Neil Smith could sign a few good free agents as Isles GM, why cant Garth Snow?
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the “core” players you all preach of arent enough to win alone…they just aren’t that talented. you need at least a few of those really special guys in the lineup to be a serious team. stop with all the patience talk. you want to be patient, be my guest and spend absurd amounts of money to watch this team lose yet again.
suck it, charles
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with the 1st overall pick in the 2011 nhl draft, the islanders select…..
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No one worry about Volchenkov. The first Isles/Devils game when he blindsides and lays out Tavares or Nino or Baily, etc, we will have Trevor “The Beast” Gillies to stand up. So sad.
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HOW LONG SHOULD WE WAIT GARTH, HOW LONG? YOU’VE ONLY BEEN HERE A FEW YEARS, MOST OF US HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH THIS FRANCHISE FOR OVER 15 YEARS. WHY WAIT FOR THE BARGAIN? YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE CAP FLOOR! YIKES. AND YES I’M YELLING.
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I wait all year around for the islander to do something special.. wow they can draft players, but what about having a team that can get us into the playoffs…. such a disappointment. Thank you Garth and thank you Wang for wasting my time.
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Tambellini to Vancouver.
Gooooooooooood luck! -
oh wait, its July 1st, AT LEAST TAMBELLINI IS GONE!
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50 in 50 says:
So far we haven’t done a thing in the way of adding depth. Granted the market is only open for a few hours and I’m sure Snow and Morrow know what they are doing, but its hard to sit here and watch the RAGS and Devs signing guys while we stay the course. I believe the NHL might have to step in since the cap floor is getting farther and farther away.
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Pat says:
East is loading up with hard hitters Isle forwards are going to take some lumps this season… OUCH!
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ouch. volenchkov off the board.
Philly, Devils, Pitt, Buff, Capitals, and most like Boston playoff teams next year. that leaves 2 remaining playoffs spots.
Tampa, Atl, and Florida have all improved in off season. Ottawa still seems to be in mix all the time.
With only one NHL dman in Streit, i dont care if Tavares scores 40, okposo scores 30, moulson scores 25 and Comeau and Hunter score 20.
We would still miss the playoffs. -
I love all the defenders…God bless you all. Seriously. This franchise will abandon you in a second.
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It is becoming impossible to support this team anymore. How dare they to raise ticket prices. Wake me up when this team is ready to contend. Perhaps in 2015-2016 season.
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Loooooooook out for 180lb Calvin DeHaan coming off of shoulder surgery(sarcasm). Considering this team can’t sign anybody so every single player on the roster will be from within the organization
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GD says:
Bob Mckenzie: Jeff Tambellini signed with the Canucks.
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I think Clarence “Screaming Buffalo” Swamptown is still available . . .
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im also tired of hearing “what will happen when our young guys need to be resigned”…..they havent developed into anything that will earn them big player money, so i think you can relax with that chatter until they prove they can be winners and put up big numbers, which none of them have done
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Good luck to former Islanders all over North America, Jeff Tambellini in Vancouver and Olli Jokinen in Calgary.
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Les Beaver says:
I got a $20 saying Freddy Meyer is about to get a phone call!
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pedro #720 You really think so? If Snow were offering these FA’s decent contracts do you think everyone of them would choose to go elsewhere? He’s low balling like he always does. I guarantee it. Otherwise we would have a signature on a contract. These guys go where the money is.
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What now o’ wise CB?
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Tambellini GONE! WHY? We could have had him! Garth, whats wrong with you? Are you asleep? You just let Jeff Tamebllini slip through. I am DONE with this franchise
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Steve M says:
*Que sinking feeling in my stomach*
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Yep. Garth Snow finds a way to shove it right up the shiner. Not only do we lose out on the guy we really needed, he goes across the Hudson to the Prudential Library where all 35 Devils fans can root in unison.
Can’t take much more of this.
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Gabe says:
Stop worrying people.
Freddy Meyer made huge strides last year.
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Gillies or not, our kids are going to get abused this year.
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Kevo says:
I’m so sick of this team. Everyone in our divison besides the rangers got better. This team is a joke. Screw Wang and his fortune cookies. Another losing season ahead of us. No more season tickets for me. You just lost another season ticket holder Wang!
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IslanderFAN,
He had about 47 hits in 76 games, Tambo had 47 hits in 36 games… -
This was the one UFA I was excited about(for real) since 2001. Our chance to land a top D-man. God,
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I’d rather have Garth sitting on his hands than to have Slats or Sutter running the show.
Jokinen back to Calgary. 2 years $3 mil -
20+ years of lousy hockey (with a couple of short joyrides in between), I’ve had enough! TONIGHT I AM JUMPING OFF THAT BRIDGE . . .
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All the teams with Ds leaving reshuffled D men. Aaaaaaaaaand once again, the Isles are shut out of the first few hours of big names. Again we go 0-for the big Ds. Sheesh. Very disappointed. And Kovalchuk to the KHL?!? When we get nobody, I hope Garth has the decency to tell us who he was in on (if anyone).
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Brian says:
Lets not kid ourselves. Even the Rangers got better. Just having Biron able to spell Lundqvist a little more makes them better. Can you imagine Lundqvist with a little more rest, I don’t want to. And I think we are over estimating the impact of Boogeyman. If he sucks they can just buy him out for very little. Biron spelling Lundy scares me though.
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This is the guy who let: Smyth, Kozlov, Blake, Poti and Zednik all walk on the same day.
What did you expect?
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Barney Stinson says:
I’ve never seen so many comments here before.
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Tambs to Vancouver
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With Vol gone now Sutton moves up to top priority hahaha got to love being an Islanders fan.
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WE HAVE NO DEFENSE!!! Why couldnt we sign volchenkov Hamhuis Michalek, or even Tallinder??? we are the most boring team in the NHL!1 Chris what is going on???
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Jeff Tambellini went to VAN
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Guys….I dont know why everybody does this…forget free agency…forget the season…get back to what we live for…what matters…the DRAFT!!!!
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Hamhuis to Van not final.
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jokinen at 3 mill is a good signing
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schnip says:
sick and tired of the rich get richer in the NHL… I need a new GM and a new area asap. Seems like our biggest problems on July 1st. Stop saying gems in Streit, Roloson and Moulson. Teams typically can get all 3 in one year.
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Loserfranchise says:
Isles likely will play 8 million under the floor by using bonuses players will never reach. So they won’t be spending any big money
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Billy H. says:
streit-hillen
mcdonald-gervais
martinek-meyerif that D corps does not scare the East I don’t know what would?
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Our division is now the toughest division in the league. Better keep your heads up boys.
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The draft is horrible this year….
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Hamhuis still not finalized… maybe there is still a chance!! come on Garth
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Any heavy hitters still out there, why is Snow so reluctant to sign some big guys to protect the kids.
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msolo says:
what happened to spending money for a top dman
this is effefed up garth , fans werent asking for much one young dman to grow with young core and one forward
will bbe now watching games from home
no reason to watch another possible so close season because were missing two pieces – nice garth , very nice -
Great day. We are now favorites for the #1 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Cant wait.
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Sutton and Corvo… please?
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this is a dark day, the darkest day since we traded the original Tambellini man. yeah right.
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hale78 says:
cb can you calm these people down…please i don’t know what people are expecting here?? look at the players we are talking about…orr messier gretzky and robinson are not available..everyone calm down…ask chicago how much they love campbell and huet or rags about drury and redden…most of these deals come back to seriously hurt the franchsie…just breath everyone..if Volchenkov is the reason your not re-newing your season tixs then good luck and godspeed..we won’t miss you..
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Some serious crybaby fans. Totally fairweather…how lame! Maybe you all should abandon the Isles and go buy your Boogaard Ranger jerseys.
Remember Phoenix last summer…didn’t we improve by 18 points? -
Fred — #774 — Kozlov is in the KHL, Blake was a major bust with his four year deal, Zednick was never going to be more than a rental. Poti was a loss. As for Smyth, the Islanders offered more money than the Avalanche. I am disappointed today too, but I am very glad that we didn’t drop four years and millions onto Jason Blake that year.
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2nd most cap room of all the teams and clueless snow and wang stand by and watch the other teams get better. a complete joke!!
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Isles sign Berard… LOL!
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Your telling me Garth could not sign Volchenkov for 4.5 million dollars. What a friggin’ joke
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volchenkov deal is off with nj
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#733! That is the funniest Sh&*t I have ever heard!
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joking… But Snow is a master GM!
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Very sad. We’ ll hear the spin about responsible payroll but the fact is wangs not spending. I don’t think they made any offers otherwise you’d hear about it.
And its eric not ken belanger. He is no steve webb in the hitting dept but they have similar shooting ability -
nevermind
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$4.25M per year for Volchenkov on a 6 year deal with a NTC.
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shlo says:
The Islanders do not have the money to spend regardless of what they say .
It seems that the first day everybody is overpaid.
Take it easy, things will work out. These long term first day deals are almost always a bust.
We’ll have a top 5 pick next year too.This is what a rebuild through draft means. -
WOW VERY UPSET YOU CANT BUILD A WINNER THROUGH THE DRAFT YOU NEED SOME VETS
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Volchenkov paid 4.25 mil per year for 6 years. Not ridiculous. Why isn’t Garth offering more? We have all this cap space and the free agents are disappearing. EVERY team in our division is at least TRYING to get better, and we don’t do anything.
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AaB @ 761 — I have a hard time believing that Snow is out low balling people. He has not done that in the past in signing Roloson, Guerin, Streit, or Comrie, etc. Moreover, he has a cap floor to reach and know he has money he has to spend. With the exception of Foster to EDM, all of the big FAs this far have gone to teams that have won or are close to winning. If they can get even money, I believe players want to go somewhere they can be assured of winning. The Isles are getting there, but aren’t there just yet.
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Im amazed at some of the responses on here. DID ANYONE THINK THE ISLES WOULD BE LURING TOP UFAs HERE???? Come on people……….its the reason why they started this rebuild. Players dont wanna come here…….simple.
Its obvious that Wang is losing money and is not allowing Snow to overspend. Its also obvious that you cannot attract top UFAs with bargain prices. Welcome to Islander country.
Lets just hope that Sutton isnt signed elsewhere, because our defense is in desperate need of some size.
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WOW, just WOW. I just hope CB was right about this being a long term project to get the “right” players. I hope. Very much. Hope.
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Andy says:
I just dont get it…He let Volchenkov go to NJ for 4.25 after seeing Pittsburgh and Toronto make some quality additions. What the heck is he waiting for? Or is this a case where NOBODY wants to play for us?
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To hear that Volchenkov went for 4.25 makes me pretty mad. We will probably end up paying 4 for Sutton.
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IslesNation says:
Very disappointing to see Garth do nothing with all the “playoff” talk and willingness to spend. The Isles will now have to overpay for mediocrity to reach the floor, which makes no sense.
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Jethro09 says:
Another July 1 comes and goes with the Isles on the outside looking in, with players they could use who fit their needs signing elsewhere. This is becoming a recurring theme. Its also getting old.
I have this funny feeling the isles will get nobody of significance while every division rival has improved, they’ll re-sign junk like Park and Sim, and try to feed the fans a bunch of crap that it was the plan all along, that “Nino” is the missing piece and this team will make the playoffs this year.
I don’t buy it. This coming season will be playoff-less, just like the previous three.
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also has anyone here put two and two together and think..hey MAYBE these players don’t want to play here??? its the players choice..you think lebron is thinking about the clippers or the bobvats?
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4peatsake says:
has there be a Major League type movie but done for hockey instead of baseball? can we supplant the Clev Indians with the Isles?
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Andrew Ladd traded…. not to the Isles.
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#785, I have been wondering the same point for years. Looks like JT will be missing a few more teeth by the end of next season.
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Why couldn’t we sign Volchenkov for 4.26 mil per yr. Come on Garth!!
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I saw snow n Wang at dollar store five minutes ago inmassapequa
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Steve M says:
well we didn’t sign Moulson on July 1st last year, and he turned out to be a 30 goal scorer….there’s hope…..LOL JK WE’RE SCREWED.
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Players are signing in Toronto and Edmonton and they have no better chance of winning than the Isles do. Its money nothing else
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Well I have to admit after the draft I really figured that this was the year the Islanders made some noise in free agency and addressed our terrible defense with an upgrade or 2…but low and behold here I am again on another July 1st disappointed…the reason other teams rebuilds dont take 17 years is because they sprinkle in free agents with their drafted prospects…as we’ve seen for the past 17 years, the slow and steady rebuild simply doesn’t work when you rush your prospects to the NHL level because you don’t sign free agents. Good luck reaching the salary cap floor with the sorry crop of FA that are left. I don’t see anyway that they can do it unless they make a trade to bring on salary because there simply isn’t enough roster spots to fill with 4th liners and 7th dmen making the league minimum and reach the cap floor…what a joke this franchise is
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Let’s sign Sutton so we can be the exact same team as last year at the deadline, less our backup goalie.
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bs says:
Isles sign Brett Lindros. He is making a NHL comeback!!
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the draft is important, but if we can’t win the lottery what is the point of sucking? there is always going to be some smartarse GM/scout pulling tricks from his pocket trying to show how much smarter he is than the common folk – ya know, us and the CSB.
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If that is what Volchenkov got then it it is obvious that these players want to play for winners and will take less. The Islanders are not winners nor do they have a winning culture. On top to that the arena situation compounds the problem. It is time that the fans DEMAND Wang to give the fans who spend their hard earned money an update on all the options regarding the arena. Otherwise we will be in the same boat again year after year.
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We all knew the Isles weren’t going to spend. After getting burned by Yashin and DP and with no LH in sight it was obvious that only “C” level or lower free agents are going to be on our shopping list.
The franchise screams this with every move it makes so why are we all suprised? We just have to hope that they bulk up the team in a big way, our kids are goona trampled this year with all the size coming to the East.
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Garth will wind up with crapola, watch and see. Nemchinov will be back. Wang will only reach the cap floor if Bettman puts his head in a vise.
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The Islanders right now, have to be ranked as the 30th team in the league. I hope they move and the sooner the better, this way I can just cut ties ASAP.
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820- to be honest the Devils are much more attractive option then we are at this point
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We signed Doug Weight!
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Anyone know who might be left on D that snow is “targeting”?
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Colby Armstrong signed in TOR and Fosters signed in EDM — those are not the top FAs everyone one this board is clamoring for
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I am somewaht disappointed that we haven’t signed anyone yet, but I do believe the vast majority of the guys who have signed are being overpaid. So, perhaps it is best to sit this one out for awhile, add some bargains as the free agency period goes on, and go from there. I think the only time you should overpay is if it’s the only way to get the guy you want and he will put you over the top. We simply are not there yet. But, it will not be fun watching this team getting beaten up physically again this season.
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WOW! Lamoriello is the man Volchekov for $4.25m per year I think thats cheaper than DP…
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Nystrom, Kairya, Kubina are still available. Just don’t let Wang sign Nabby to a 13 year deal.
Chris is on a conference call with Versteeg on NHL home ice, another one that the Islanders slept on. -
Another horrible showing from the Islanders on FA day. Isn’t it easier to buy one of these guys then tank a whole season to get a good player? That Neil Smith Debacle still resonates through out the league
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….the Flames are embarrassing themselves more then the Isles are.
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Fine don’t sign an FA! Make a trade u Piece of Sh&*t GM! U piker! U shanty! Fleece the fans again you a-hole charging $7 for parking and $9 a beer at the draft party! Who is the loser? Me for buying into this garbage! What’s the difference between Wang and Bernie Madoff? Nothing! They both f’d u out your money!
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Jason says:
This is an absolute disgrace. Volchenkov, Gonchar, Michalek, Hamhuis, Foster, Martin, etc… every single one gone already. And Volch goes for 4.25 a year, are you kidding me. I dont care if he had to offer 5.5 or 6 to him, you get him signed. That price the Devils got him for is proof to me that Snow is not even trying. There are literally no more top 3 or 4 d-men left on the market.
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Not to worry Isles fans. My son will be born in 3 weeks. Drafted in 17 years. Im his agent and the Isles are our priority. I give you my word.
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Jay22 says:
A lot of these comments are terrible! Go Isles go! Overpaying for mediocre players is not the answer, signing the right players is. Can’t believe I’m reading comments like “this franchise sucks”. Come on guys, Garth is no fool and we should trust in him. Free agency lasts all summer and its only been going on for five hours. We all should be excited about this team, not slagging them down. GO ISLES!!!!
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Dan says:
Great.
Nothing going our way yet again.
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Come on they needed to get one top dmen or decent dmen. I would have taken Tallinder or Tony Lydman from buffalo. They are both top 4 defensemen! Come on Snow get SOme defense!!
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For everyone chiding those worrying, what do YOU plan to do to get to the cap floor? Signing a big FA like Volchenkov was a great option for that – so either nobody wants to come here or Snow sat on his behind. Now unless you’re willing to pay Mark Streit salaries to Arron Asham and Andy Sutton each, we can’t reach the floor. We’re in trouble..
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Here come the famous Isle’s one year deals…
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How does Olli Jokinen get $3M a year? What on earth…
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B says:
Patience fellas, we will make some good moves in the coming days.
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On a serious note, for those blaming the building and whatnot, Neil Smith had little problem sign decent FA’s for the month he was here… I blame Snow… Hey Snow prospects don’t make playoff teams, a few vets sprinkled in do!
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jonsson3 says:
let’s get niklas grossman from dallas and re-sign dubie
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No one wants to come to Islanders because we suck, obviously… How can we get any better if no one is willing to take the risk and just join us?? Whats better…. Joining an already established team and winning a cup? or join a “not so good team” and taking them to the cup??? Im down with the underdogs… What do you think?
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why hasnt kovalchuk signed yet? hmmmmmmm Yeah Rigght!!lol
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Everyone says be patient. Name 3 players that are left that can really help our team.
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The fact that Neil Smith was able to sign a slew of good UFAs 4 yrs ago, along with the fact that players are going to places like Toronto and Edm after their seasons goes to show just how bad Snow/Wang are.
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So after weight, who is the next oldest on the team (and how old)
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smith31 says:
25 year Isles fan (i.e. jaded with low expectations) and I am in shock that we’ve done nothing. I don’t think I can watch another year of putrid defense….
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Shremp Co 13 says:
Garth you absolutley failed us
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All can be forgiven if Snow just signs Kovy….
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Their not sitting around scratching their nuts, there is a strategy and probably has been for quite a while. Snow, Gordon and Wang will tack on some great additions and our team will continue to grow.
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Has it occured to anyone that maybe Volchenkov would have rather been a Devil than an Islander or that Hamhuis wanted to go home to B.C.?
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to post 851 tom poti and good do not go in the same sentence
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Now sign Kovy and we don’t need you to sign anyone else.
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Otter says:
The team cannot continue to make under the radar deals and expect to compete. What does Garth think he knows that ever other GM in the league does not? Billy Beane he is not.
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Hoping for Kovy
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Listening to everyone dive off the “islandesr fan bridge” is absolutely hilarious….Did anyone really expect the Islanders to sign anyone good today. C’mon people are you even Islander fans with those expectations. We didn’t sign anyone good, we never sign anyone good, and we won’t sign anyone good in the future. Consider Matt Moulson gods gift to the Islanders
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Dadi says:
Take it easy, guys – Comrie, Sim, Park & Hilbert are still available…
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quote from garth snow”oh i thought free agency started on july 2″ sorry islander fans
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Any hope for Frolov?
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battfist says:
Relax my fellow Isles fans…we survived the Milbury era…
Asham and Nystrom
Make it happen Garth.
Did anybody else notice how big Brock Nelson’s hand is as he held that hockey puck?!!! (photo-on Isles website)
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Steve M says:
If we sign kovy…well you know what, I shouldn’t even care what i would do because it’s not going to happen.
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Bags says:
I can understand not signing anyone but the fact that Chicago is pretty much giving away proven players and Snow has done nothing bothers me. Versteeg should of been traded for and now Ladd for a pick and a prospect. These players easily make the Isles a much better team… They bring experience and they are still young. Versteeg is a or was a perfect fit, 22 years old.
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I’m less concerned with Garth’s lack of signing (as if we expected more) … and much more concerned with the impressive improvements of Philly, Pitt and NJ in our own division … As far as the bench marks go … Philly, Pitt and NJ put more space between the Isles and themselves. NJ locked up 2 really good defenseman for the next 4/6 years. Atlantic divsion teams upgraded… The Rags & Isles …. not so much.
Looking at the Conference as a whole … non-playoff teams like Toronto, Atlanta and Tampa also moved up a few pegs.
So far all the Isles have done this off season is shed a couple of borderline NHL players. Nino and the rest of the 2010 draft class are not close to NHL ready. Where is the talent and the cap floor $$$ going to come from? Overpaying for 2nd and 3rd tier FA’s?
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#854 that’s true! But I have a better shot of banging Jenna Jameson!
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John says:
W H I F F !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at what’s left, not much in the way of help.
Do you get fined as a team for not hitting the cap FLOOR?
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Garth Snow was too busy watching the coverage of the Lebron sweepstakes and Billy Dean’s
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B on Jul 1st, 2010 16:48:00 said:
Their not sitting around scratching their nuts, ********************************************And you know this because??????
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isles83 says:
With all the teams in the East and our division getting better, I’d like to know what Garth is smoking saying we are a playoff team next year. It must be some good stuff!!!!!!!!
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Chris Botti – Corvo, Sutton, Kubina, Asham, Frolov, Kovalchuk, Stempniak. Good?
Hey it could be worse. We could’ve just signed Derek Boogaard to a 4 year contract. He might score 1 goal on that contract, and that’s not exaggerating.
We HAVE to sign players… it’s not an option, so we just have to wait a bit. Most of the teams in the NHL have yet to sign a player in the 5 hour period so far.
Maybe we sign one great defenseman like Kubina and put Hamonic on the NHL team, and add Matt Martin to the bottom 6, and sign one or two other players. No big!
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wonder how Tavares, Okposo and Bailey must feel watching every good D man come off the board. Must give them a great feeling that this team is trying to win and want to hang around after their 3 years!
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What a horrible day. I can’t believe this managed to happen to us, again. Why do I always fall for this.
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Laughing stock. Mickey Mouse. Lightweight. Yes these are your NYI’s…(opening night intro), or may it will be: la la lala la la lalalalalaaa. (Smurfs theme song)
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Jerry says:
Alright we needed to sign one quality top level defenseman – Volchenkov, Martin, Hamhius, or Michalek and offer him a long term contract. I don’t put Kubina in that category,,,we could have matched those salaries Martin would have been perfect..a veteran guy. I’m crazed we lose out on Versteeg (a Gordon protege) and Andrew Ladd,,,,both in my opinion top six guys on our team,,,,what is the problem????
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Just optimism and theyll have to spend the money…
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Maybe we can get to 1,000 comments.
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#869 im dying laughing
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Cody says:
Streit – MacDonald
Hillen – Hamonic
Gervais – MartinekAdam Larsson is gonna look great on our blueline soon. Spectacular even.
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#874 – no but I noticed he wansn’t smiling while wearing and Islanders Jersey
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C.J. says:
Anyone who spends a dime on this team in terms of attending games next season seriously needs to have their head examined….
what a joke.
jerked around another year.
let the b.s. begin from snow in terms of ‘we tried’ and ‘we’re rebuilding’.
Clown shoes.
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Hey, Kovy said he likes NY, wishful thinking we sign him.
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Jack says:
The Isles will wait and sort things out, meaning that they will low ball some middling player and claim they got a great player for a great deal.
This has gotten so old, what’s left to look forward to, a top 3 draft pick again in 2011?
And does anyone think JT and the like will stick around and play for this organization if they don’t start addressing their needs ASAP.
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So the top Dman are gone but, if the Islanders can bring back Sutton and sign one of Willie Mitchell, Pavel Kubina, Kim Johnsson, it would atleast upgrade the D.
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SERIOUS QUESTION:
Can we be kicked out of the NHL for not hitting the cap floor?
And for those of you idealists who keep defending Garth on his decision to not overpay FAs…you’re out of your mind. $4.25 is standard for a top 3 defenseman. Please!! $1.8 million is good value for bottom 2 defensemen with offensive upside. I’m all about loyalty but please start thinking critically for a change!! You’re embarassing yourselves!!
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I’m not worried, I expect Snow will make a few good free agents deals like he has the past few years. Overpaying for average to above average players is not what this organization needs to do.
None of the guys that have signed today have been a crushing blow.
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nearly 900 comments in about 5 hours.
imagine if we actually signed anybody. -
i heard snow is targeting turco, mason and every other goalie out their to get us to the cap floor
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pj1212 says:
I must say, it may be time for garth to go. every year we watch every other team make moves to improve. while garth sits there and does nothing. thats a horrible message to send to kyle, jt and jb. there is no way they stay here when there contracts are up, they will go to teams, that want to improve. it will not kill you to make one big signing garth.. wake the hell up, or re-sign if you dont want to improve the team…uggh so fed up lol
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its offical. we lost Hamhuis
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#875, you hit the nail on the head. Everyone got so much better. The Islanders haven’t improved. That’s not me jumping off the isles wagon, it’s just fact. This team is just as far behind if not farther than last year.
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I hope Garth sees the light and understands the Isles need a top 6 forward. Hopefully he is talking to Andy Hilbert’s agent right now.
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Some here are making it sound like Neil Smith brought in the top-level talent in July ’06. I don’t think his sigings are any better than Garth’s since then. Smith signed Witt, Poti, Sillinger, Simon and Hilbert. Not Chara, not Savard, or Kubina, Blake, Jovo? Witt played well for us for a few years, and Poti was a nice pickup, but stop making it sound like Neil Smith had huge success in the free agent market in 2006. I remember being fairly disappointed then, too. Still some big names out there, but I’ll admit that this feels too familiar.
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Mike from VA says:
Hamhuis is officially a canuck….wow we missed the boat on the top D-men. I don’t see anyone (of real importance) signing with us until we actually make the playoffs or completely overpay.
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I’d be thrilled with Frolov, Johnsson, Sutton right now…
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@853, the only differnce between you and me is 7 years & 4 cups, but otherwise I feel your pain. I mean the Isles haven’t won a playoff series in my 12 & 16 year olds’ lifetimes so its kind of hard to pass the torch.
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He apparently turned down more money to sign with VAN. Clearly wants a cup
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CB, admit it. You are both surprised and disappointed as well.
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It’s time to start considering that either Snow is over his head or Wang wants to teach the TOH that he will not re-invest in this team without the lighthouse. Makes me sick. He better have something up his sleeve or I am not ordering the nhl centerice, not going to games or investing a nickel for a jersey or hat or nothing.
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@#845…..this franchise does suck. What have they done in the last 15 years?
A lot of todays signings were not just average players.
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Still some hope here for a good signing Frolov, Matt Cullen, Saku Koivu, Pavel Kubina.
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Can’t wait for October to get here. No whining from me, its the first day and Snow has a history of staying quiet. A lot can happen between now and when the puck drops so I am taking a wait and see approach. I don’t think the UFA thing will change until either Wang gets a new deal and the greenlight is given to over spend or we have a team going deep into the playoffs where the big UFA want to play. Till then we improve bit by bit.
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When Ryan Smyth was the only UFA to go elsewhere for less money, that started the ball rolling……..players dont wanna play for a rebuilding team, with the worst arena/facilities in the entire NHL.
Its gotta be frustrating for Snow to be denied time and time again. Theres no way he wasnt trying to sign anyone of those top UFA dman.
As for Kovalchuk………..are we really serious??? THERES NO WAYYYYYYYYY HE SIGNS WITH THE isles.
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Some people are so impatient! It’s day 1 of a below average free agency. Just a week ago everyone was loving Garth at the draft pulling off kabanov in the 3rd rnd. Garth knows what he’s doing give him time. If our roster is the same come training camp then we have something to complain about.
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I have an idea lol, lets stop typing names of players, every time some onetypes in a players name, that player gets signed elsewhere lol..let’s just vent without use of names LOL
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Jon in Chicago says:
Slow and steady rebuild…very slow and steady, meaning we are a 13th or 14th place team again next season. It’s all well and good to draft well but that’s not enough, you also have to make deals and take chances. What trades has Snow made – the Smyth deal, the Campoli trade and Sutton for a pick? That’s not much of a resume. Funny how the Devils are always smarter than everyone else, the Rangers are dumber and the Islanders are silent.
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Well said 910 … this overreacting happens every year
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Rich says:
Wow, lots of fair-weather fans it seems. How many of you complaining now would be giving Garth absolute hell 3-4 years from now when the team is stuck under one of these overpriced contracts that other teams gave out today?? Just because a team adds a player, doesn’t mean that team got better automatically.
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Blizzard says: sheesh I can understand everyones frustration but come on. How quickly we forget Snow signed Streit and Moulson. And not on the first day of free agency either. I am wondering however how the hell we are gonna get to the cap floor though.
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I’m going to class…. This sucks. I bet i can come back and the Isles still haven’t done anything
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LeBrun says Rangers talking to Frolov. That would ice it for me.
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#911 Maybe you were loving Snow last week! A nutless monkey could have taken Kabanov in the 3rd round!
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I knew the Isles weren’t going to do much, but I am starting to feel disappointed. Pitt and NJ got better today, and we’re standing pat
There are, however, some good players left:
Stempniak
Mitchell
Frolov
Lombardi
AfinogenovLooks like we’re gonna bring back Sutton. Maybe we could sign Afinogenov on the cheap? Wouldn’t be a bad 2nd liner for us… maybe he’ll have a renaissance?
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#916 Matt Moulson is A B- player! I want an A god damn it!
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@902, they were live bodies, they were signings, they were known NHL quantities. Compared to nothing or some ex-Providence Bruin . . .
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t-minus79 for 1000! no not Yashin
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Everyone in our division gets better. That’s really where I’m upset. I can’t blame Snow, he can’t force someone to sign here, but it’s frustrating.
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Smith signed Witt, Poti, Sillinger, Simon and Hilbert. The first 3 were very important to making the playoffs in 06-07 had he been given more than 3 weeks wed prob be a playoff contender every year.
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FourCupsin4yearsnot60 says:
This is playing out just like Garth wants. Wait a day or two and sign Ponikarovsky and Sutton, both of whom could be signed for a bargain, and I will be very happy.
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Wow. I am not that surprised that they didn’t do anything and won’t do anything, but how does this franchise have the BALLS to raise ticket prices?
Unreal.
Can’t wait to hear the quotes tomorrow…”We can’t lure free agents because of the arena, blah, blah, blah..”. Maybe it’s because we MISS THE PLAYOFFS EVERY YEAR?!!! Hmm, maybe that’s the reason? Could I be on to something…???
You know what? If it’s the arena, then MOVE! Don’t wait for Fat Murray. Do something, anything!
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More of the Same says:
B #908 – great job of cutting and pasting from ESPN, however Frolov is the only one who is under 30
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#923 Yes you can force someone to sign here if you blow him away with….. MONEYYYYYYYYYYYY and lots of it!
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#923 Yes you can force someone to sign here if you blow him away with….. MONEYYYYYYYYYYYY and lots of it! That’s what happens when you have Bernie Wangoff as an owner!
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Nick says:
Some of the comments here are unbelievable. No wonder CB turns them off so often. Have faith in snow & co, they don’t have much to worth with. No money to throw around, no one wants to play at the worst arena in all of professional sports in North America, and no one wants to play on a team that is still in a rebuild with all young players. Its just fact, unless he overpays a shitload, he won’t be getting the top FA. This year, its not a good idea to overpay for mediocrity. Look at next years FA list, there are many QUALITY players that that warrant some overpayment to get them to the Island. Everyone breath, this has been a losing team for 15+ years, we’re not in the position to make HUGE splashes on july 1st yet.
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Rags thowing money at Frolov so he may come off the table soon. Even if we don’t sign top tier talent please get some protection for Tavares, Moulson, Okposo etc. When you have assets you have to protect them…
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Hey wait a minute! I thought Lady Gaga saved our free agency! Didn’t she sell out a few dates and that would enable us to spend more dough on free agents?!!!!
What we need is a Miley concert. Miley can save us!
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Been quite day on Isles front. Only an early rumor the Isles were trying to land Volchenkov…. Still, there is a certain level of trust I have for Snow. Many teams did nothing today—and all of them are rebuilding teams. that is the way its done!
We will be more active in free agency once the core settles—plus—we have to spend some money at some point anyhow. I would still look for any number of solid possibilites
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SuperFry TNT says:
Have any of you ever seen Groundhog Day?
Every Isles FA opening is like this every year.
You overpay to get some mediocre player or two that nobody cares about late on the second day. Then, everyone talks about how bright the future is, and how close to competing the team is. Then, next season, you finish with 65 points and the fifth overall, pick a non-impact player, and await free-agency.
Then, you start again.
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anthony c says:
What is garth doing? Doesn’t make a move for any UFA’s, and didn’t make any offers to chicago for Ladd, Versteeg, Sharp, or Byufglien (probably spelt his name wrong). I can’t see this team making a serious run for the playoffs this coming season with the current roster. Cause this is the same roster that finished just 4 or 5 points out of the eastern conference basement.
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Looks like CB was wrong on the Isles having a top 4 D-man on their shopping list. Perhaps on them having a shopping list at all.
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Frolov is apparently too rich for the Rangers blood right now. That means Frolov is asking for something Garth Snow can’t possibly provide. Lombardi time?
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Leopold to Sabres. D continues to go.
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Patience nothing. This is not a slow and steady rebuild. This is slower than slow and not steady at all.
I cannot tolerate Gervais on defense.
Terrible. Awful. There is not much left for us. Very sad as usual. -
Obs says:
I think after all this clears we will learn that a few of the big names were offered more money to play with the Isles and turned it down to play somewhere else.
Think about it, if you were Volchenkov, would you take 4.25 per to play with the Devils or 5 mil per to play with the Isles? -
hey @935/Nick . . . Cap floor much? We actually need to spend. Why not spend it on something that improvves our chance to win, not just take up roster and cap space?
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Lombardi wants $4M/yr – that’s hefty for 19 goals
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B says:
Keep the faith!! Garth and co. have done well in their short tenure, lets not rush to judgement until all the cards are dealt.
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Lets face it, we are not very attractive to free agents. They want to win and get the cup soon. We will hopefully pick up some more Moulsens and Streits, guys who have something to prove to themselves plus some guys who want to be here.
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Rangers signing prospal. all these teams with little or no cap room still making deals and the clueless one is sitting there with his thumb up his *** waiting for bargains!
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944 – There were a few that stated they would play here, still … nothing
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I am out of here @1000 (without a sgining). call me fair weather, but I think 20+ years is long enough. Meet me in KC. Hopefully Vegas.
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Who would have thought that Tamby would have been a day 1 signing?
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Here’s who they sign….
D Carlo Colaiacovo
D Willie Mitchell
F Lee Stempniak
G Andrew Raycroft -
@935….please, the excuses do not cut it. Snow is not doing his job, that arena excuse is just nonsense.
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#941, he had 52 points…Tavares had 54 and led our team. how much would you give him.?
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Forget Willie Mitchell, the Van GM said just the other day that Mitchell is so messed up physically that he cannot even think about training to play hockey much less play hockey.
I need to know why Snow couldn’t sign Volchenkov? It was a very fair contract and Snow could have matched or beaten it. Despite the aging Broduer, NJ isn’t that great, they have a rookie coach, Paraise and not much else, so had Snow slightly bettered their offer Volchenkov should have been an Isle.
Every team in our division and conference has improved today except the Isles. I do agree the simple act of allowing guys like Tambelleni, Sim, Jackman etc to leave is an improvement.
Snow always talks the good game of how much cap space he has, how he’ll take advantage of teams, how well positioned he is to get a vast haul for Biron etc but he never ever gets it done.
Only hope of improving this defense is signing Scott and Carnker and makes a trade or two.
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Avin says:
It’s one thing to draft young talent, but they will get murdered on the ice without some help. The defense is crazy bad, no size at forwards, and everyone else is getting bigger. How the hell are these kids going to learn to play when they are getting destroyed all the time? This is what drives me nuts, they talk about a slow, steady rebuild and invest money into the young talent but they don’t PROTECT their investment.
Asham, Sutton and maybe one other player – ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
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dose says:
the inactivity indicates to me we’re still not close to any decision on the LH or an alternative. i think if wang had any strong inkling, they would have gone after SOMEONE by now.
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chris says:
once again the islanders will get second rate players as allways..
Its such a shame. SPEND ALREADY!!!! -
in other words, the holding pattern continues.
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Sutton, Corvo, Asham, and Lombardi. That will make me feel better.
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Just want to get a comment in before we hit #1000……lol.
Did the Islanders sign anyone yet??????
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Everybody rips on Snow. Are you guys kidding me. Everybody other than Tallinder and Hamhuis got overpaid. Let’s face it, Hamhuis signed with Vancouver for 4.5 because it’s his hometown and got offered 5 to 5.25 from other teams and turned it down. Yes, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New Jersey all got better today but at what price. These teams are trying to win the cup next year. Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Pittsburgh will all have huge salary cap issues after next year and the Islanders can be beneficiaries of that. Let’s be honest. All Islander fans were hoping just to make the playoffs this year. Do you sacrifice one year for 10 great years. Yes, it is frustrating but Snow is doing a GREAT job. Think long term.
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Sutton, Corvo, Asham, and Lombardi??????
Ya kidding right? -
All I want to know is how is Paul Holmgren (Flyers) able to trade or sign half the NHL? Aren’t there cap rules that prevent overspending, they have to be significantly over the cap!
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Tony F. says:
And with the first pick in the 2011 draft the Islanders take….
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Kaberle?
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Hey at least the Isles didn’t go out of their way to sign Ollie Jokinen for two more years… As weak and strange as the things that the Isles do on occasion seem, the Flames are taking over as kings of the awful decisions/contracts for a little bit.
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i don’t know whats worse for wang. is it having every available FA say know to Long Island or the upcoming TOH press conference telling him they happily approve 10% of his lighthouse vision.
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The Islanders, the only team that has a New York badge but is run as if they play out of Kansas City.
We Suck!
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@955 Explain your point, how is the arena “excuse” not a legitimate argument? I think it has a HUGE effect on free agents wanting to sign here, and that is a sentiment shared by most professional NHL writers, agents, etc. What I talked about aren’t excuses they are factors that our franchise needs to deal with, snow is doing his job of that now, he is doing what he can. We are not a team that sign day 1 FA. Did you see PHO making big day 1 moves before last year?
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IsleFan73 says:
CB, thanks for all of your hard work, but you are free to go spend time with your family. “Nothing brewing” what a joke. Why do we Islanders fans put our selves through this every year?
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Dutch says:
Nothing is brewing – Charles, Garth and company…go sit and spin, you bunch of posers. Loser franchise, loser GM, can’t call Wang a loser because he built a software empire, but you are a meddling jerk of an NHL owner.
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that should read no not know.
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I could go for some Frolov and Lombardi action right now… Also maybe Kubina, Sutton, and Asham… I would love to have at least one signing today just to see it. I’m pretty sure there’ll be a few Isles signings tomorrow and into the weekend.
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CB, What are your thoughts on this? I am out of steam!
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I really, honestly think that the Islanders should give Kovalchuk a huge amount of money for a 1, or even 2 year deal. The Kings say they want him, but they haven’t done anything yet. Not many teams can afford him. Being in New York on a line with some good young players for a year might end up being a good option for him.
Hedburg to Devils. Whatever.
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its the same deal every free agent year.
We always get the none productive signings. i really dont understand our front office -
Since the Isles knew that they weren’t going to spend big money – why didn’t they go after the Suttons of the world right out of the box today. My guess is that by waiting they are tryiing to drive the price down and get these types on the cheap. Once in a while you get a steal that way but often your left empty handed.
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TuxTax says:
Wake me when something interesting happens…
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Wow, why is everybody so down? All I see is a bunch of mediocre defenseman shuffling around at dollars way above above their usual pay grade.
The Flames? A joke. The Rangers? Even a bigger joke, and that includes the Biron signing with all the goaltenders floating around. The Leafs? They added perennial third and fourth liners at way too much money because Burke can’t afford to finish bottom five again and watch the Bruins use another pick on him. The Devils? If they lose Kovulchuk, they can sign as many Talinders and Volchenkovs as they want and they still can’t score playing that stupid box with forwards from 2000.
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doc says:
Got to be honest. I’m not concerned. Devils lose Martin and gain volchenkov. Are they improved? Penguin lose gonchar and gain michalik… have they gained?… I know there’s more to it than that…. but these teams also lost good talent too… and a lot of teams didn’t get to sign volchenkov…. only one did. Etc.
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I said it last week. Corvo will be an Islander.
Maybe Sutton returns.
No major forward signing here. Maybe Nystrom.
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Steve M says:
@ TuxTax:
Dude! Wake up! “woah…what?” yeah… it’s five years later and wang moved the team to KC. -
Wang will never allow Snow to improve the team until the LH project is resolved. I dont care what Snow says.
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I actually wouldn’t mind signing Sutton and Asham. I think Sutton was our best defenseman last year. Asham, I think, has become a better player with the Flyers, and would bring some solid Cup Finals experience with him.
That said, those two players fill nice roles, but they’re certainly not going to push us into the playoffs w/o stellar seasons from Tavares/Okposo/Bailey/Moulson.
Isles NEED to add at least one additional, impact player. Let me repeat, IMPACT PLAYER, in addition to solid role players.
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ron says:
rabble rabble rabble
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do we all agree we need a goal scorer???
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wow, Devils keep getting better..
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982–I agree they probably haven’t improved that much but they also didn’t have the deficits that the Isles do. Basically in the end they didnt get better but we still stink. I dont like it.
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
No reason to get all bummed out here – very few players in this UFA group who are really going to resolve any long term problems we have here – plus – I want to give our ice time to our younger players anyway. Eric Nystrom is on the board, Kovalchuk – as of this writing – is – though I am not sold on him being the answer. This is not the year to be freaking out about UFA’s – plus – no resolution to the Arena situation is not helping. Its all Kate Murray’s fault !
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Tom NYC says:
This is hilarious. The less the Islanders do, the crazier everyone gets.
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kevin fitz says:
Unless they are going after Kovalchuk I don’t see how they are going to get to the cap FLOOR at this point. They still need to spend about 10 million after the Weight signing becomes official. I guess Brendon Witt will be with them this year. He has to be, they can lose his 3 million against the cap. FML.
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CB–How do they make up this money? How about next year’s #1, Frans Neilsen for Spezza? I am really at a loss here.
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Why does everyone want Sutton and Asham so badly. What the hell did we win with either player?
Why don’t we coax Peca out of retirement and look to bring back Yashin, Weinhandl and Kvasha.
Hell, I think even Brad Lauer’s days are free…
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RB, stop trying to justify why the Islanders have not signed ANYONE today. Volchenkov, Hamuis, Michalek, Martin are all more then just “mediocore” D-men. As for that stupid box, it puts them in a position to win a stanley cup year in year out…
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To all of you kool aid drinkers Snow had a job to do which was improve our d through free agency. He failed. Case closed. Volchenkov was there for the taking. 5 mil at 6 yrs would have done it.
I agree that their is nothing left that I would overpay. -
Hey you never know, maybe we will pick up Lombardi, Frolov and Sutton in the next few days…
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IslesFanInTN says:
Don’t have much to say since I didn’t count on the isles doing anything today. Just trying to be #1000
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Let everyone else keep spending money (hopefully LA will start to), because we will soon be the only team able to afford Kovalchuck!
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I feel like we always shop in the 99 cent store. its pathetic.
I would welcome a move to anywhere already and or wang just sell the team -
Bart says:
At this point we should give Ilya Kovalchuk a 1 year deal for $20M.
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Sign someone!!! 1000!!!
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Just throw 11 mill per for 3 years at Kovalchuk and move on
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Something is about to happen.. I can feel it..
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1000?
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wish Wang didn’t own the team
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1. Kubina
2. Sutton
3. Corvo
4. Colaiacovo1. Lombardi
2. Kariya
3. Frolov
4. Nystrom
* Kovalchuk -
Bang! Garth continues to do nothing!
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How could you be happy with sutton that is just last years team….1000!!
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OOOOOOOOH MAN!!!!! 999!!!! nice job CHOOCH!
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Lol…#999, we both missed by 1! Grats Eric Nystrom!!!!
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I hope the rangers stop talking to people. slather needs to leave dolan alone so lebron can come to the knicks lol…i think snow should go for corvo, and atleast make a pitch for frolov.. i want sutton back, but not our only d signing
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Take a Wang walk off a short pier.
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Islander Pride says:
lol….islanders rep just left a message at my house about season ticket..TOO FUNNY
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Congrats Bart
1000 Bart on Jul 1st, 2010 17:34:07 said:
At this point we should give Ilya Kovalchuk a 1 year deal for $20M. -
It’s interesting to see people go from the highs of draft days to panic today. Face it: at best the target this coming season is a first-round upset, nothing more. This is not an extremely talented free agent group, and there’s no need to extend multi-year offers to only decent talent. Just relax.
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Did anyone really think they would sign any of the top players today? I mean come on….Snow will pick up his players off the scrap heap like he has done in the past. Guerin, Comrie, Fedotenko.
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Maybe the phone lines are down at the coliseum. Perhaps a storm blew through. No, that was a tumble-weed.
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IslesAl says:
Those that wanted to draft a defensive d man- this franchise will not be able to sign a bona fide UFA scorer until it wins a playoff series. Oh wait, that Ilya on the phone, someone wire him a hundred million please!
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Doc….did we catch up to those teams? No we did not. If most of our draft picks do not pan out, this team is going nowhere. That is not a smart plan.
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Islander Pride @1016 are you KIDDING!? you know that’s funny.. a Rep called a friend and told him to watch the free agency frenzy that there was going to be big news..
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This post is getting funnier and funnier! PLease CB don’t shut it down.
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nick says:
Hey CB, you think isles will sign kubina?
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Kubina and Sabres close. Excellent
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I think Garth is trying to sign King James!
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Vas that was funny at around comment # 250
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islestyle says:
Talking with Garth Snow of the NYI on whole range of players.
-Allan Walsh (the crazy agent’s twitter.) -
Section 320 rocks says:
I expect one of Nystrom/Asham
and am hoping for 2 of Kubina/Corvo/Sutton uhhhh I think everyone else has been signed
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islz says:
If Garth signed a player for six years you all would be having a fit. Relax ! This is an unconventional franchise who has to do everything in an unconventional way. Rangers and Flames have made some head scratching moves. How will we get to the cap floor, by the way.
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1024 posts about nothing, funny.
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The minute Garth Snow starts running his mouth about the playoffs and stanley cup this year I SMACK HIM! This defense is at least three players short of being an NHL defense.
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Brooks Simpson on Jul 1st, 2010 17:36:20 said:
It’s interesting to see people go from the highs of draft days to panic today. Face it: at best the target this coming season is a first-round upset, nothing moreThats horse crap..You make a few great elite signings and this team can go very far
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U got something better? Didn’t think so!
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watching you guys panic and cry is so worth the two minutes i spent reading it… thanks for the laughs
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What’s the over under on how many post?
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Garth, now that I have made the 1000th post, you can go ahead and sign Kovalchuk so CB can start a new topic. Thanks for waiting.
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Keepin the Faith says:
It’s pretty sad that the only free agent news reported on Islanders’ own website is former Islanders goalie Biron signs with the Rangers.
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we might become the first team in nhl history to not reach the salary cap floor. witt may make the big club this year just so his 3mill counts against the cap.
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Which players does Allan Walsh represent?
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Wow. 5 1/2 hrs into the ufa/fa period and already so many fans in here committing seppuku. Plenty of time and players out there to help make differences. Teams will also be moving players around.
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@ EN 1021 yes …on here when the called came , I was drink water and heard him leaving a message ,I almost spit the water all over the computer ..lol talk about bad timing
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another season out of the playoffs.
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MSA says:
This team is patient when it probably shouldn’t be, and we missed some real marquis help on D.
Let’s face it, we aren’t gonna ever spend like Dolan, nor go for the gold like Lou M. At least not with Wanger around. I think he is still having nightmares about how much he paid (and is still paying) Yashin, and others…
Sutton will be back, and you know what, he is a great guy, he showed up big, and deserves to be back…not exciting free agent stuff, but worth having on the ice and in the locker room. We all cry for toughness, so expect Aaron too…
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Sorry, Walsh reps Willie Mitchell, Petr Sykora, Toni Lydman among other non UFAs
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Adios Saku Koivu! Scratch that one off the list!
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Koivu signed with the Ducks.
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Is vas short for vasectomy?
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Nystrom, Sutton, Asham, that’s the best this crowd will see. Why expect more?
Next year we shoot for 80 Points!
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bleedingblueandorange says:
This has got to stop. Every year, we stand pat and nothing gets done while every team in our division gets bigger, faster, and stronger. But, unlike past years, we have a strong core of good young players, a scarsity of veterans and we have a TON of cap space. I’m sick of hearing from Islanders’ brass that they’re doing everything to put our beloved franchise back to respectability. Waiting around for all the solid free agents to sign with teams that are our opponents is disgusting. I understand that Wang is tired of losing money every season, but you have to put together a complete team that’s exciting to watch to get people to fill the “old barn” and I just don’t see that effort from Wang and Snow. Perhaps we should pray somebody who thinks with his heart and not his wallet buys the team with the intention of keeping them where they belong: HERE!!!
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With our top 10 pick next year, here are the top players for the 2011 NHL draft.
1. Sean Couturier—Forward—ND 6’01/158
2. Adam Larsson—Defense—Skelleft 6’02/201
3. David Musil—Defense—6’02/160
4. Daniel Catenacci—F
5. Colin Jacobs—Forward—Texas 5’10/160
6. Justin Sefton—Defense—Thunder Bay 6’01/165
7. Markus Granlund—Forward—Laser HT 5’05/124
8. Shane McColgan—Forward—LA 5’10/160
9. Brett Benson—Forward—Weyburn 5’10/140
10. Michael St-Croix-Forward—Winni 5’10/152There they are.. One of those young men are destined to wear the Islanders uniform next year.
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Very Original!
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How could any NHL team sign Tambellini, he’s an ahl’er at best. anyone how much they’re paying him to be the next Chris Campoli
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Thank god we still have our 1st round pick next season, could be a top 3
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1044 HAHAAAA
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i feel a “comments guidelines” post coming any minute now from admin.
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Lance says:
#1045, you are forgetting a very simple fact…players don’t want to come to the Islanders.
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I really don’t understand the logic of doing nothing. Does Mr. Wang think that TOH will give him the go ahead because he won’t sign any players unless it does? Does he think that people will come to the games because he won’t put a real roster on the ice unless they do? Do you buy a car because they promise to make the car better next year if you buy one now? This is no way to run a business.
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John says:
Hedberg is a good pickup for the Devils. They’re doing very well for themselves today.
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Anybody wanna go for a drink, we can have Snow page us when he signs someone.
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#1045, you are forgetting a very simple fact…players don’t want to come to the Islanders.
I dont think isles brass try hard enough
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Volchenkov signed for a very fair price, the Islanders could’ve afforded that, but if a player has the option between the devils and the islanders…which team would you go to?
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Michael says:
Sign Nystrom, Higgins and Sutton and call it a day.
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snow please just someone…i just wabt to see u sdo something lol….there are decent cheap players left do it now…makes us proud
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Woah, can’t believe how many comments. Imagine we actually did something.
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i think garth thought that everyone had off for Canada Day so he didn’t come to work.
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So who exactly is backing up Rollie next year? Ricky and his Vegas crapshoot health? Nathan Lawson? Billy Smith’s old chest protector? Or are Snow and Gordon going to unretire and platoon in the back up role?
These and several questions still remain after a very disappointing day 1 for the Isles in the free agent market.
I think I get it now – it must be Snow and Gordon unretiring! How else are we gonna get to the cap floor?
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CB- I’m interested to hear your opinion on this Day 1 nothingness… I know you said this is going to be a process longer than July 1 but let’s be honest here, Snow has seen top players signed by division rivals and hasn’t made his team any better. Now he’ll have to reach the cap floor with inferior talent. In your opinion, has Snow dropped the ball here? Can the Islanders really add a player or two that significantly changes next year’s roster from last year’s roster?
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mike"thesuitcase" sillinger says:
please. do. something. for the love of god
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I understand that free agents don’t want to come here. Thats where a good GM and owner offer a great contract and a great future. We have one of the best young groups in hockey. I just think that Wang has handcuffed Snow financially regarding free agency and knowing how quiet Garth is with the media, he would never let them know this. I guarantee that the islanders will BARELY make the cap floor by opening night. I hope to god that I’m wrong. This is just plain disgraceful.
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Could be Preissing and Willie Mitchell…
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From IslesNation..Can the Islanders really add a player or two that significantly changes next year’s roster from last year’s roster?
Yes thats the GM’s job to make a team better every year.. We do not have a GM we have a Goalie
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303Joe says:
Man Garth, Morrow and his handful of staffers better take a breather after the hectic day they put in today.
Come now you didn’t really think Garth was going to do something today did you? It’s Ok all the Atlantic who was already got better and bigger. Maybe they talked about the top 5 in next years dra ft.
Would love to haves Snows job only GM I know that his team can finish last for several years in a row and he’s not in jeopardy of being fired.
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@Chris 1031. Thanks for your restraint. Lots of “elite” players out there, right? And of course they will come here if Snow just lets them.
Maybe you’re upset about Tanguay and Jokinen.
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JSExpress says:
How can “nothing be brewing?” Isn’t it Garth’s job to ensure that something is brewing? What if you walked into Dunkin’ Donuts tomorrow for a cup of coffee and the employee told you that “nothing’s brewing? Ridiculous.
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BD Hendo says:
Am I glad I did not buy or renew Season Tix, CW is in charge, not Snow & he will not spend a thin dime till he gets what he wants in Uniondale. And if he doesn’t? He will do what he did in Plainview, after all it is charles way or NOTHING & we get nothing. SNAFU
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I cannot wait to hear Snow’s spin.
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Snow+Wang=bottom of division every year
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Uh oh…….lol.
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Performance bonuses count toward the cap> expect moulson reese kohn, etc to be provided with some unattainable perks. This is how the isles will meet the cap floor.
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dlk1 says:
Bank it: Lottery team again next year.
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It will be curious to see what Raffi Torres gets…
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Jim Clark says:
On Tuesday Chris Botta posted the Islanders shopping list was…
One potential top-four defenceman
One reliable, experienced, tough, third-pair defenceman
One potential top-six forward
One reliable, experienced, rugged, penalty-killing, bottom-six forward
One low-maintenance back-up goalie
Size.Six hours into free-agent signing the list remains the same.
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Steve M says:
“SNOW INTERVIEWED ON HOCKEY NIGHT LIVE”
according to the Isles’ website, Snow will be on hockey night live tonight at 10:30 -
Phil says:
Asham and Sutton are not the answer. These guys are retreads whose best days are now behind them. The nonaction today was totally foreseeable, but that doesnt take the sting away.
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Mike says:
There is still allot of scoring talent out there but I really thought we would be a player for a top four D but the cream of the crop is gone. There are still a few that are upgrades though. I would have to think Sutton is a lock to come back at this point.
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Bill Scanlon says:
Just got home from work! Who’d we get?
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Burish to Dallas
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Steve Nada, Joe Nothing, and Jack Sh*t
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Said Tambellini on twitter: “I can’t wait to put that jersey on.” can’t wait to see how isles fans react to him playing well in vancouver or badly…
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What message does this send to the current boys in Orange & Blue if management will not do anything to improve the club via the free agent market?
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honest opinion from people here: would you really want to bring back sutton and/or asham?
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I would love Sutton back for 1 or 2 years. I’ll pass on Asham.
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Kyper is saying tough guy Ivanans and Tim Jackman to Calgary.
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Yeap, pass on Asham, Im OK with Sutton back.
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I really hope that Russian who bought the Nets buys this team from Wang. New arena or not, having Wang as an owner is not helping at all. I can’t believe the only Islanders news today is that Tambellini and Biron signed with other teams
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@1076….NO ONE.
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Mark says:
Jackman to Calgary. At least there’s roster turnover.
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I hope they didn’t overpay for Jack Sh*t.
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Name one player that would choose to come to the Islanders over any other team?
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Hey ed #1085
Tambellini and Biron gone? To me that is improvement by subtraction!!! -
Brett says:
I wouldn’t mind Asham. Especially with who is left on the market. I mean, we’re not winning a championship next year, but we still need a phyical veteran prescence, even though Asham isn’t exactly defensively responsible.
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Nobody says:
Still not sure how anyone KNOWS that snow didn’t ‘try’ and good or even better offers weren’t made and turned down?
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Pete says:
Its now been 6 hours since free agency began with plenty of role players still on the market, did anybody really think we would pick up the big UFA’s? The contenders always grab the big players, when the islanders are ready to contend then watch the islanders be the big ufa players, that is NOT this summer people, stop complaining and watch our homegrown talent blossom, then see the UFA’s pour in to join them, we are not ready to be throwing big contracts at players yet. If this makes anybody feel better the Rangers get quality like Gaborik only because they play in NYC not because they are a quality team, and yet they still suck.
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@Steve M – Did I miss anything while…OH MY GOD it’s 2015 and the KC Err-lander’s won the cup! Nah, it’s still 2010 and Snow is still sifting through his rolodex and a short stack of chips. Don’t care that much as long as they pick up at least a healthy solid defenseman. Tick Tock Tick Tock…
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I’d take Asham and Sutton back. Hope we’re not getting to the floor by giving DP a raise.
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Matt says:
Some people just don’t use their brains. Do you honestly think snow didn’t go after some of these free agents? Don’t you remember when Drury and Gomez were on the market and the Isles offered them both more money then where they signed? The Island is not a prime destination yet. I personally wouldn’t want to extend 4 or 5 year contracts to any of these players. When the Isles are on the brink in a few years you don’t want these huge contracts holding you back from actually picking up someone that will help them win a cup. Just my opinion. But everyone needs to step off the ledge.
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Mark #1087
Journeyman Jackman to Calgary? Dam we are going to miss those 5 goals or less per year. what will we do now? -
Matt Cullen to the Wild
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Cullen to Minny
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Cullen to the Wild
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I really want Frolov….
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Not surprised by today..but still dissapointed. Snow is doing the best he can I am sure. If you are a free agent and you have the chance to play in LI and make 8th seed, or go to Penguins and try to win cup (even though its less money) what would you honestly do. These guys make tons of cash, and extra million may not be enough to lure someone here yet.
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I’m sure Snow is making calls, and getting no results so far. There were quite a few quality guys taken off the board today and most to our division rivals.Not a good sign.We are still not a great option for FA’s, what else can it be. Still some good players out there. I guess all we can do is kick rocks for now
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Bring Back Sim!
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Frolov 5 years 20 million?
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Garth does know that there isn’t a June 31st, right?
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A couple of able bodied defensemen to upgrade the AHL kids we rolled with last year and a couple of modestly talented wingers to upgrade Sim and Park and this team will be significantly better. I really thought we’d make a huge splash on D today. It didn’t happen but there are still some guys who can help. There is a ton of offensive talent that I’d love to add. I hope we see something today.
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Where is the Jackman news??
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IsleofNJ says:
Think back to the movie TOMMY BOY
Garth Snow (played by Chris Farley)
I’ve….got….a….planThen Garth walks into Kovalchuks room with road flares taped to his stomach !!!
Sign with us or else ! -
znatokhokkeya says:
when is the next draft party? this is just pathetic. That’s exactly the reason why I did not renew my season tixs
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Well it is pretty obvious no one wants to play here AT ALL!! I think it is a combination of the team just isnt even close to winning anything and the islanders over the last decade, under Wangs direction have built a stigma that they are run unorthodox and unprofessional. I think Garth has made some headway on this front but until the team starts to win, and continue to stick with the plan things can gradually change. I believe this. Losing Volchenkov today was a gut punch. The islanders had to spend today and they still could not land a top dman. To let Pittsburgh get 2 top dmen is a disgrace. I dont know what Garth’s selling point is or if it matters at all. The only way to turn this around is for the young kids to make names for themselves. They have to look in the mirror (JT, KO, Bailey, Mouldon, Comeua, Hillen etc) and understand that it is up to them to turn it around and bring the team to respectability. Only time will tell. Garth will make a quality signing before the season starts but they really needed a top d man who was physical and there were plenty out there today and we couldnt land any of them. Today was a big blow to the Islanders and their rebuild. This team is going to get the crap kicked out of them. They better get some attitude and toughness or else they wont make it a full season. LETS GO ISLANDERS!
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1087 Mark on Jul 1st, 2010 18:15:03 said:
Jackman to Calgary. At least there’s roster turnover. -
woohoo says:
0ver 1000 comments!!! this has to be some sort of record.
still nothing? is sutton still available?
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Frolov, Lombardi and Sutton…thats a nice upgrade and nystrom or someone like him…
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Russel, I hope your not suggesting that I’m upset by the move.. I clearly said roster turnover is a good thing… yikes.
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If we can get 2 of Frolov, Lombardi, Stepniak or Torres Plis Sutton that would be awesome.
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Mark, NOT upset at all, kind of glad, he is gone. I just cut and pasted you info for ed #1105 who was asking.
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I think we will….I am upset as everyone else that we didn’t land and of the top 10 D-Men…But you know who else didn’t…The Kings and they are alot closer than the Devils and Sens….
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Why do I have the feeling that the only person Snow spoke to on the phone today was Marty Biron to wish him well across town?
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Jackman to the Flames? Ok, now sign Nystrom and call it a trade
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I would actually really like Stempniak. He’s a little streaky, but I like his upside and he’s a bit younger.
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#1114, but the kings look like they may sign kovy… so who the heck cares if they dont sign Defense. I’ll take kovy over defense any day.
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Frolov? Sutton?
Man, this is a desperate franchise. I presume that is what we will get, but man, that SUCKS.
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#1118…..They really wanted Dan H. and took less money to go to the Van.
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Sutton should not get more than Biron got from the Rangers.
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If Snow is talking with Walsh, I hope a few of you saved your Satan and Parish jerseys. Throw in Asham, Sutton, Torres and son of Nystrom and we can have a full-fledged re-union, if not a hockey team.
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Garth Snow to be on HNL on MSG tonight @ 10:30.
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Surprised that the Kings, Isles, and Caps have been quiet. Still there are lot’s of questionable signings today which teams may regret in the next year or two.
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That should be good….bets on his poker face look
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Raycroft to Dallas
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Just do something!!! Anounce we got a new Zamboni, painted the concession area, resigned Billy Jaffe…but for the love Pete…DO SOMETHING!!!!!
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should seen the writing on the wall a few months ago when the isles signed harmonic and de hann…they want the kids to play, and maybe save a buck?
its still early, but he isles cannot go into the next season with the same 6 or 7 guys on D, we saw how well that went last year. trade maybe?
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#1118. I didnt think the isles were going to get D.H. he seemed like he really just wanted to go home to B.C. No one wants to come to Long Island. We everyone wants to go to a team that is already established and has a chance to make the playoff/cup. Yes the isles would have a chance if they sign some vets to go along with our high talented rookies/ young players, but no one (besides Sutton, lol) wants to risk coming here and not making the playoffs
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We haven’t been quiet on this blog!!!!!!
Over 1,100 comments about nothing….lol.
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*P.S. I would LOVE to be proven wrong
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I was feeling so happy after the draft. Sigh!! I was actually optimistic about this day. Did not want or expect much, Just 1 big, puck (and player) clearing D-man, a strong forward who could bury a few, and maybe–just maybe, find someone who will protect our guys so the new HUGE eastern conference does not kill them! I just don’t understand why we are always left in the dust. We have been rebuilding for ever. What’s up boys??? I spend a total of $5,000. on this team last year, which, might I add is more than our management spend on players today!!!!
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Steven says:
I would have loved to see the Isles land Vochenkov but I’m not surprised it did not happen. I rather the Isles not panic and sign some bad contracts that blocks the path of a young talent. We have to face facts the Isles are not a prime target for FA’s.
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It’s easy to blame Garth but it’s not Snows fault that nobody wants to play here. It’s just so frustrating that we can’t get a decent player to sign.
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Danbury Islanders Fan says:
I would take Andy Sutton and Eric Nystrom, since they would give us size upfront and on the blueline.
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the isles have no choice but to offer “bad” contracts jsut to make the cap floor.. the problem is with the cap going up the rich teams were able to spend in free agency instaed of beign forced to dump players, allowing htem to sign all teh key guys leaving cap teams like us screwed b/c theres nobody left to sign and if we do sign someone, we are forced to voerpay just to reach the cap floor..
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As bad as our arena is we all know. Why wouldn’t you want to come to long island? Most guys who come to the island love it and end up raising there families on the island. Ya its expensive to live on the island but no prof sports player should ever complain about money. All of them are over paid to do what they love doing.
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THEY HAVE TO SIGN SOMEONE, THEY HAVE TO MEET THE CAP FLOOR.
DO WANG AND SNOW KNOW THIS ?????????????
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Leftovers on the AOL Fanhouse top 50 FA’s is downright depressing.
Anyone for Billy Guerin again?
Owen Nolan perhaps? If I had a hot tub time machine.
Kariya?
Comrie again?
Maybe a Ponikarovsky? See what kind of points he could put up with this juggernaut.
I’d sign on for Lombardi (doubtful), Nystrom, & Sutton (for 1 year)
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pritchett54 says:
I am perfectly content for them to wait it out and get some value free agents later this weekend. As CB was saying all along, Snow is waiting to see who falls through the cracks. I was just looking at the list of signings today and there isnt anyone on there so special that it upsets me. Could we use some of these guys, sure, but there are plenty of players left.
Be Patient.
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Tim Jackman signs with Calgary 2 years
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@1126:
Got a new zamboni, painted the concession area.
Hahahahahahahahaha
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please garth just give me someone. im dying to over-hype someone!
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Why jump the gun wait it out and see who’s there for a reasonable contract. Were not making a run for the cup this yr anyway we have plently of time before camp to get our guys. If were in the hunt im sure snowy will make the proper trades come deadline.
Do we really just want to throw money at anyone look at our problem with DP and yashin in the past i think snow knows what he’s doing. -
ralf says:
we suck!!
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CIsle says:
Lots of guys are gone, but a lot of them are getting money and years that is/are just unreasonable.
Although many are gone, still seem to be a lot left!
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Don’t worry everyone, Doug Weight is still a really good guy and that makes everything in Islander land fine. Watch for the puff piece on what a good guy Weight is soon, since they have no other news to report.
Anyone who thinks the Isles are or were getting Kovy is kidding themselves. They never were in on it and never will be. He isn’t coming here and he doesn’t want to play in a system just his way. He is a defensive liability and we just drafted a guy that compares favorably to him in Kabonov.
Ryan J. deserves most of the credit for the draft and Ken Morrow for the FA signings like Moulson, Streit, Roloson. What does Snow really do? It is his job to sell FA’s on coming here, it is his job to make trades etc and he doesn’t really do any of it.
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I am taking a deep breath, and I will wait a few more days to see what shakes out before killing Snow and Wang. Still some talent and size out there. I do think the bad arena stuff is a bunch of BS. LI is a great place compared to some other cities. Hockey players just want a slab of ice and money. How much of their day do they spend at the arena? Being a contender does help the cause too.
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Thank you Matt @ 1094…
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Shawn says:
Bad.
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Steve says:
Hey you cant blame Charles an Garth and company…its up to the player to make a decision to play here….nobody wants to come to LI. Just move to Queens already. Take us out of our misery.
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some teams find clever ways to go over the cap or beat the cap…. the isles are finding clever ways to stay under the floor…. but still i love.
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Blizzard says:
….I wonder of Snowang read this blog…? There are a lot of unhappy fans in Islander nation..lol. Maybe Wanger is getting ready to sell the team and has told snow not to spend and devalue the team.
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Reich, Jeremy LW NY Islanders to Boston n/a 1 yr
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oh no we lost Riech to Boston. Who cares…….
Volchenkov is going to have at least 8 opportunities to line up Tavares, Okposo, Nielsen etc.
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Reich, Jeremy LW NY
from Islanders signed w/ Bostonlooks like he’s taking a flight back to boston
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The next news from the team will be how they can’t wait to see how the kids perform in camp. Everything always seems to go back to our yoots.
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Days like today confirm just how important the draft is for this team. It is the only way this organization can land top-end talent. Let’s face it, Streit was not considered a top-4 D before he signed here. If he was, he’d have gotten plenty of offers to sign elsewhere. And no one offered Rollie the 2nd year which he got here. Top guys have shown little desire to sign on Long Island. I hope that changes in the future becuase you need to suppliment the drafted players with some vets. But at the moment we are not on top of anyones wish list. And with who is currently left it’s safe to say the team won’t be making any drastic improvements next season unless Garth swings a major trade or two. (And even there the best bets were the Hawks salary dumps which went elsewhere). No offense to Nystrom or Asham. Love the way both of em play the game. Just need a helluva lot more than bottom-6 forwards. Volchenkov or Michalek would have been prefect fits.
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#1169 devaluing the team in my mind would be doing what they did in the past signing all has beens.
I see the isles being what the bhawks were when they were 3yrs away. 1st they made u think there gonna be good.
Then they made playoffs and did well.
Then win the cup.Theres hope
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we’ll get some leftovers eventually
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Rich M says:
The comment about just signing anyone to overhype is HILARIOUS! I just took an hour to read all these posts and it makes my head spin. Wait till tomm Snow. Get your man. Didn’t Botta just say Snow would get his man in a post heading the other day. CB oh CB I am disappointed in your sources.
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EDM has signed Colin Fraser to two-year deal
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I agree with 1154!
Other than the NVMC, Long Island is a wonderful place to live and play. I don’t hear any current or past Islanders complaining about living on the coast of the North Shore. How awful?! haha
I could see that we’re not quite cup contenders, but we’re on our way. Plus, I think it would be fun to play with all the young guys on our team!
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please people, its not the fact that noone wants to play here…its the FACT that we have idiots running the show. GET RID OF THE DAMN OWNER ALREADY.
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Chris Chelios is still available. C’mon Garth. I think he is 48 or 49, but who cares – we need defense. He is not expensive
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THis was the most depressing 7 hours of my life. This team just can’t find a way to keep a good thing going. Ever. It’s absolutely astonishing.
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Guys, besides Volchenkov who signed that we wanted? Im disappointed also, but lets take it easy.
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rpchief2 says:
Guys stop ripping snow. None of these guys want to play here. It doesn’t make sense to overpay just to get one of these guys here. A slow and steady rebuild for those who have not been paying attention. He will sign someone if to fits that. Should we go crazy with free adgents and then when JT is up for a new deal we are stuck because we gave Tallinder and Whitney and Boogaard crazy contracts. Garth and Wang are doing this through the draft. There’s no smoke streen here thats what they said two years ago. A team get into trouble when they change their mind two years in. So just relax. If you jump ship the die hards will always be here to welcome you back in a few years. Let’s Go Islanders
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Rob76 says:
I spent the day playing golf, and just got in. to no surprise a lot of names off the board and we haven’t even made a minor move. Thank Goodness i didn’t stay home like i normally do on UFA day and watch TSN. Garth needs to at least give Ilya a courtesy call IMO
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rpchief2 sum’d it up.
End of story. -
1. Don’t sign any worthwhile free agents
2. Have an awful season
3. DRAFT OUR FUTURE FRANCHISE SUPERSTAR
4. Promise this year to open the checkbooks and sign worthwhile free agents
Go back to 1 -
He’ll have nothing to talk about!
“Tonight at 10:30, watch New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow on a special free agency edition of MSG’s Hockey Night Live. Snow sat down with MSG’s Bill Pidto to talk about the team’s success at last weekend’s draft, what’s to come for the team in free agency and about the goals for the 2010-2011 season.Check your local providers for updated programming information. “
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Why didn’t Ken Morrow get the job over Snow?? I will never understand this. Islanders have 4 guys signed away today, no one anyone cared about, but the point is we haven’t even added an AHL depth guy for defense. Looks like Wang is going really cheap before he sells. No doubt
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VanVoorhees says:
I pretty much expected this, we’re not black friday buyers. Hold tight. Garth has been pretty good putting together the pieces he thinks will be the future of the Islanders. I’m brushing up on my Moving Pictures album, can’t wait to see RUSH this summer, keeps me positive.
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Snow is going to say he was in on every free agent. Results over hot air Snow. Would like to see it once
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I agree 1184. If the young players develop like they should were going to need the cap room to sign them. The Devils and Wings won through the draft. Chicago won through the draft. The Rags have flopped in large part due to free agency.
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Refillmore says:
The isles already reached the cap floor. They just need to tell one of the recent first round picks that make the team that they get 7 million bonus if they score 100 goals this year. Now the team has met the cap floor. That’s what isles did this past season with baily n Tavares.
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If we’re doing a slow and steady rebuild, like, say the blackhawks: lets look at some of the key hawks who won the cup this year, not saying we could do that this year:
kane – draft
toews – draft
versteeg – trade
sharp – trade
hossa – UFA
campbell – UFA
hjarmalalassosnson- draft (actually from us in the karpotsvev trade)
byfuglien – draft
sopel – UFApoint being, we need to add via trades and free agency as well. and it also shows its not a terrible, terrible thing to overpay i.e campbell
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The same guys who would be praising snow for signing Volchenkov right now if it happened would be the guys bashing Volchenkov if he was fragile sutton when he was out the 1st 2 yrs of his contract w/ isles.
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Drouin says:
Another down day in the country. With the D he had going in you’d think Garth would be a little more aggressive and willing to overpay to bring back one of these guys.
Its kinda like ground hog day except instead of winter we get another 9 months of losing. -
Maybe we can reunite the “core 4″. Geurin, Comrie, Sim, and Fedetanko. Somebody kill me.
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@#1184…..nothing is ever Snows fault…..well here are the facts, there are worse places to play than here, and they sign players. I am glad you are alright with the fantasy that most of our picks are going to pan out and be top notch players. Wang and Snow are the problem.
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Ranger prospect Krieder now weighs 220lbs after being drafted last year. Tavares and De Haan were drafted last year, how much weight has the Isles strength and conditioning program added to them? What about Trevino? Nielsen? Comeau? Hillen? For some odd reasons only certain Isles players/prospects add muscle once drafted and that is usually the guys who train on their own.
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For all of you who are looking to watch nhl live tonight, and hoping to see how Snow explains his failure of a day, read carefully what it says on the isle website. It says he SAT down. SAT down as in past tense. Its going to be a taped segment. You don’t honestly think he has the guts to face live tv after today?
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No more season tickets.
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steve says:
i dont understand a few of the deals today. 500k/year costs the devils PMartin. the rangers/now the flames, are always good for a funny. we have alot of money to spend. not certain where we are gonna spend it, unless its in taking on contracts, or front loading contracts, or signing our rfa’s to more/longer term then Q-offers?
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We have ONE player that might be a star and get paid top dollar, so in the mean time we should just stand pat. lol! There is no real desire to win with the fans or management.
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You think Garth cares what we have to say? He’s not allowed to spend money, it’s not like he is sitting there like “I’m not spending money”. He’s going to give us the usual, I’m a loser backup goaltender remarks. “We made offers, we wouldn’t go much higer” Blah Blah blah.
AKA, we are a 3rd rate organization for a reason. It’s not hard to understand why we are about to move to Kansas City. Looking forward to the 5,000 weeknight games again.
Seriously, at this point, pack up the moving truck and move the team. I don’t care. Not even a little.
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It is not true most guys don’t want to play here. Guys that the Isles would be interested in signed with a rookie head coach in scenic Newark, NJ.
Snow’s sales pitch either sucks or he isn’t willing to pay what other teams are. I only care the Isles didn’t get two guys today and that is Volchenkov and Michalek. Snow could have promised loads of ice time, pointed to Streit and Hillens development, the beauty of LI and easily matched or bettered what those two guys got. Guys want to play here we here them say it all the time. An arena would help but if you think anyone is turning down a fair contract because of the NVMC your wrong. There was even that poll of players last year that named LI as the 5th best place to live for an NHL player.
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I think the reason why people have gone ape about no signings is because once again the Isles’ management have done a poor job managing expectations …
Garth has said on a few occassions that because of the Isles’ situation being below the cap floor he’ll need to spend some money, mentioned need for a top tier defenseman, the need for size, the inevitable turn over of players turning to UFA’s, the fact that Garth let Bergy go UFA, that Wang has NO restrictions on him spending and Garth added that he plans on the Islanders making the playoffs next season.
I think that the sum of those facts told the fan base by default that he was going big in free agency. Especially since this season’s draft will not yeild an NHL ready player.
With what is left on the board … I don’t see anyone, aside from Kovy (and that isn’t happening), that will improve the team enough to qualify for the playoffs.
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Thank god were done with jackman we never should of put him back on the ice he was totally a waste of space with the shield on.
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Steve M says:
Stempniak and Frolov maybe?
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Today is 7.5 hours of my life I’ll never get back !!!!!!
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Sounds like Higgins might be the next to sign. Dreger says ‘teams interested are trying to make room for him’ so that means we’re out. We already have room.
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Steve M says:
I just got this E-mail from “Coliseum Connection” :
Don’t Miss…Sesame Street Live “Elmo’s Healthy Heroes” oh god… -
admin says:
The MSG segment with Garth was taped on Monday.
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of course it was
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CM says:
No problem. Did anyone have their heart set on anyone in this free agency? Don’t tell me Volchenkov was a deal breaker for us.
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Last time I heard an interview with Garth (Draft week) he talked a lot and said nothing.
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Did the Rags re-sign stall? If not I would give him the moon. P.A Parentau is also a free agent. He was the only rag-doll that was able to score consistently every time they brought him up. Show him the money! Garth, I know you are a smart guy, I have to believe that the only reason you did not sign anyone of value is because you were not allowed. I can’t for the life of me see any other reason.
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Eric Nystrom to MIN. Sorry eric nystrom on this board. 3 years per bob mckenzie
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Being so far under the cap and seeing how volchencov signed for 4.5 a year, how does clueless garth not offer 5 million a year??? Volchencov was an obvious need. I just dont understand it……also, i know the isles arent in on kovy but why hasnt he signed yet? he was supposedly signed sealed and delivered with LA. what happened?
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Nystrom to Minn
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Richard Christy says:
so long to Nystrom… seems to be a pretty reasonable deal
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Steve M says:
They can’t even sign Nystrom….so pathetic. I hope I eat my words tomorrow.
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Steve M says:
They can’t even sign Nystrom….so pathetic. I hope I eat my words tomorrow.
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Good to see Eric go to a normal organization. His Dad probably told him to avoid the Isles like the plague.
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Garth may have offered $6M for Volchencov for all we know. Nobody wants to play here. End of story.
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We cannot even get EN. Amazing job by the Snowman.
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Habs sign Dustin Boyd to 1-year deal.
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good for Eric. would have liked to have seen him here but at least he gets to play before a packed house every night in MN.
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this one hurts.
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Islanders to sign Ruslan Fedotenko.
I mean, I can’t believe that Snow has the balls to even make this signing.
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Volchenkov’s deal was reasonable, from a dollars sense. However, it’s for 6 years and he has a NTC. Don’t think I would have gone for that, either.
BTW, don’t be surprised to see the Tank back on the island.
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Bob Nystrom has seen Wang and Snow’s clown show in person. There was no way he was going to let his son sign here
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Mikey – where you hear about Fedotenko?
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It’s so disappointing. He was already a fan favorite and Snow never made a move for him. I guess it’s our own fault. Not enough fans go to the games, Wang is losing money so he makes sure that Snow has NO money to spend. This sucks.
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Year 3 of the rebuild= year 3 of the fraud!! There is no spin that can be put on today!
CB, we have to know! If Snow had money to spend with Wangs blessings, he should be fired tonight. If Wang refuses to spend, he has an obligation to the fan base to tell us the truth about what is going on! Which was it?? We have not improved 1 inch beyond last years lottery team! A joke!! -
I think Bobby told Eric … “Look son … After the commitment I saw today to make the team better you’re better off in Minni … take the offer son.”
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DRIVE45 says:
It’s sad. The Isles will lose money anyway so why not lose a little more money and sign Kovalchuk and Lombardi. I’d settle for Laraque to protect the kids.
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I thought Bobby Nystrom couldn’t have been any clearer that he wasn’t coming here.
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Ok so honestly who the hell is left out there? Someone give me a list with the exception of the usual suspect like Comrie and comp.
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Sorry, but you all have no idea what is going on behind the curtain. Stop saying Wang isn’t letting Snow spend the money – he HAS to spend money just to get to the floor. Stop saying Snow is napping – for all we know he was on the phone with everyone that we wanted him to sign today and offered an extra million than anyone else. Not likely, but possible.
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Radek says:
If everyone who posted on this board brought four friends to a game next season, we’d beat the average attendance for a game last season.
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I don’t know what the truth is but two years ago Trent Hunter said “no arena, no free agents”.
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Everyone needs to relax. We HAVE acclompished something today….
this HAS to be a record for comments.
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@Mike….maybe if the team did not have a circus like atmostphere under Wang and Snow, people would want to play here.
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Per Katie and Paul Martin’s agent – Snow offered more money than Paul Martin signed for and was very aggressive.
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hathead68 says:
After loosing out on every other D-man we all were collectively hoping for one of, I at least was really hoping we’d sign Eric Nystrom. Was he even on our radar? WTF? Jheezaloo! At this point I’d gladly welcome back Sutton on a 2yr deal.
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Yeah I don’t believe half of Katie Strang’s tweets. She is their new PR girl.
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Katie Strang reports that the isles had offered more money to Hamuis and Martin then what they had signed for. How depressing..
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Can you say inept franchise!
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NYICHAMP39 says:
Not at all surprised by today. Anyone thinking the Isles could land a big name free agent at this point in the rebuild is insane. Why would a defenseman or forward in their prime, looking to win a stanley cup, come to a team that is still at least a year away from even being a playoff contender? Doesnt make any sense. I dont blame them either. Once this team gets seriously competitive then we can expect to land someone big via free agency. Maybe in like 2 years or so.
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john scott to chicago.
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You can blame Wang for a circus atmosphere but none of it is Snow’s fault. I think he’s done a hell of a job, especially given that team stigma that you’re referencing.
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Snow also offered more money to Hamhuis…. same story different year. Nothing Garth can do. Sutton and Asham here we come! This franchise NEEDS QUEENS in the worst way.
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MattNC says:
BAMBOOZLE!!!
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Isles Fan says:
Disgusting that they couldn’t even lure Eric N. here. this franchise is a joke. We will sign our past rejects like Satan, Asham, Fedotenko, Sutton,Valiquette…. May as well bring back Yashin, we’re still paying him and Garth can be the back-up goalie.
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Ari Haanpaa says:
To get to the cap floor they are going to have to overpay some scrubs at this point
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1210, my sentiments exactly. I’m getting all worked up over guys I didn’t want us to sign, but I just want to see some of our needs addressed–as we do not have enough guys in our org under contract that can score, have size, have leadership/experience, and have grit. Kovy, Mitchell, Kariya, Stempniak, Asham, etc. Or trade some picks or dead weight for a good player someone’s unloading! Weight can’t mentor 20 other guys by himself.
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Yipp – I agree, I wouldn’t mind Corvo but we absolutely need to add one more D-man. As for offense, there is allot of talent still out there and it’s not all going to be gone tonight. Have faith.
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They will sign four absolute bums because the NHL has a salary cap floor. The next stop is the league taking over the team and selling it to the Russian guy who owns the Nets. What happened today is a disgrace.
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The biggest Dman on the roster most likely to be in the opening night lineup as of now. Bruno Gervais 6’1″ 205. You be the judge..
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Travis Hamonic is shaking in his boots! These poor kids are gonna being fed to the wolves!
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@Mike…..bashing Dubie as he left was not Snow fault, or tipping his hand on Guerin days before the trade was not his fault? Not knowing how long Petrovs contract was, is not his fault? I am sure this is plenty more.
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Jim M. #1257 That sure is scary.
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Jim M with the scariest stat of the night haha. Wow I just checked this out and you are correct assuming Kohn doesnt make the opening roster. That is absolutely terrifying. I hope Rolli has really good health insurance. He is going to get destroyed in the crease this year.
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I hope John Scott did not sign with Chi. Isles need him to counter Boogard and if Chi can afford him so could NYI.
I am glad to hear Snow was aggressive and offered more money with Martin and Hamhuis but Hamhuis was only going to Van. Someone even posted here weeks ago they met his Mom and she siad that is where he was going. I hope Snow was as aggressive with Volchenkov.
What I hate is Snow constantly talks up the trade deadline and FA and then nothing happens. There are no FA’s signing not named Lombardi, Carnker, and Scott. How Snow gets to the cap floor I am not sure. I don’t think even reupping any of the young guys is a need or plausable.
I think the only way the Isles get to the cap floor is to take on salary via trade. Defense is screaming for help (for the past I cannot tell you how many years).
Maybe trade for Bieksa, sign Carkner, Scott, trade for Bobby Ryan?
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If we give DP & Yashin another 4 million each, we MAY hit cap floor!!!
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Islesfan In Vancouver says:
@ lance
we got petrov in the third round BECAUSE he had the long contract.
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I don’t think it’s Snow’s fault at all. I think it’s a composite of reasons for the lack of signings.
Negative club reputation, arena situation, middle of rebuild, lack of playoff hopes in near future in a tough conference and lack of on ice stability.
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Funniest/Sadest tweet of the night: Katie – Isles are likely done for the night. Even though most of it wasn’t their fault, not sure they got started.
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I just had a sudden thought. Tambellini will probably make a pretty good Manitoba Moose.
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the Blackhawks had no problem signing Brain Campbell when they were terrible and yet we can’t get someone who played in Jersey!
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NYCDavid says:
I think Sutton will be back for another tour.
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I think its worse news to find out they were really trying to get the big D men and couldn’t, then to find out they weren’t interested at all. Even if they weren’t interested, it would be frustrating, but we could at least hope there was some kind of plan. Now we know that there was a plan, people just don’t want to play here, even for more money….so now what?
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We couldn’t even sign John Scott? Throw me a freaking bone Garth! I know the guy is too big and too tough and doesn’t fit the Isles model of a d-man. I know he could beat Boogard in a fight and I know he doesn’t cost much money, I guess you had really good reasons not to sign the guy, he would have put you over the salary cap and hurt the development of Radek Martinek and Bruno Geravis (cause they are only getting better-lol) how could you not get that done? I don’t want to watch Boogard send Tavares off on a stretcher and then knock Gillies out.
It is so hard being an Isles fan. Last trade deadline we are suppossed to get a 1st rounder for Sutton and we get a late 2. Today we are suppossed to get Michaeck, Volchenkov, Lombardi, and Nystrom and we get nada. CB reports Isles are one of 6 teams in on Sutton but it’s depressing either way if they sign him you say is this the best they can do and if they lose out on him you realize Sutton is a BS artist when he said he’d love to play for the Isles.
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If I could slap that look off Snow’s face I would! Then I would take my beating!
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Just because we did nothing today, it is funny how we are all declaring mutiny on the team, and are ready to jump off a bridge.
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Why sutton would come back here when he could go to Washington or any of the other teams on the list Botta put up on twitter is beyond me. He is getting up there. Money means alot but Sutts seems like a guy who wants to win like most players. I’d put my money on Washington since they didnt get Volchenkov.
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I’d like to thank Kate Murray for making it another year of free agents dying to come here, it’s great when your team offers more money than others to a player and they STILL say no, awesome.
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john says:
Snow read the market wrong AGAIN. This isn’t major league baseball or the NBA. Guys like Dan Hamhuis and Paul Martin want no part of the Island, so offering a few bucks more wouldnt matter. And all I heard and read after the season was “PLAYOFFS”. I feel like Jim Mora – “You’re talking Playoffs”. Go get Kevin Bieksa from Vancouver. Trade for him now.
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the sooner the arena situation is settled the better. its pretty obvious free agents don’t want any part of this uncertain future. Even Paul Martin’s agent confirmed Isles offered more and were agressive in their attempts to sign him.
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At this point we need toughness signed to one year contracts. Yes toughness plural as in more than one.
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Steve M says:
Everyone was just excited because of the great draft this year. There are still great offensive talent to come tomorrow, But…we still need D. If they really need to, sign Sutton, but I say go for Corvo first. Like I said in an earlier post, I REALLY hope I eat my words tomorrow.
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isle in NYC says:
I don’t get this the Isles HAVE to spend money….Could they be saving it for an offer sheet to Bobby Ryan?????
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Plan “B” – Sign 4 goons to literally beat the sh*t out of everybody we offered more money to and didn’t sign. I bet we’ll have more luck next year.
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how do islander fans feel about carlo colaiacovo?? seriously.
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@1270….it is 15 years of failure.
@1262…..we got him because of the fear of not being able to bring him over. When Snow was interviewed, someone mentioned the length of his contract, and Snow did not even know.
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Hey Dudley, relax…the sky isn’t falling.
Not that we should expect anything momentous but one can wish…probably see some familiar names coming back a la Sutton & Asham. At least some fans will get more mileage out Aaron & Andy jerseys! C’mon Garth….we’re waiting…. -
I’d rather have Kubina or Willie Mitchel but I’ll take Colaiacovo. Pretty much any two that we bring in would be an upgrade.
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sutton and corvo would address our weakness on defense without costing a fortune, mitchell is a no go as he’s still suffering from the concussion he had mid season.
I’d be happy with corvo, sutton, frolov and asham, then see where our prospects fit at training camp
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Islesfan Vancouver – I would agree that those four would be an upgrade to the four we have to replace.
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I’m still waiting on that ToH version of the Lighthouse Project that will only lead to more questions about this team’s future.
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See # 1244 shows that it’s not Garth. Guys dont want to play here YET even for more $$. That WILL change eventually. No matter how much of a rush us fans are in to hurry this rebuild up, it’s not going to happen in just 2 yrs. we have more to prove before UFA/FAs want to play here.
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If in 3 years … The Isles are close to being a contender, with a new arena under construction (renovation) and big dollars available for FA … and these players who rejected Snow’s better offers come a-knockin’ for Wang’s money … Garth should say … “ahhh … 3 years ago … Yes … you were worth over paying for … Now? Not so much.” … and then he should sign the players selling themself to him the best.
It works both ways … some of these players and agents have to sell themselves to a team on the cusp, even take less money than what they’re offered to play on a top team, but with limited cap space and funds and limited roster space on some clubs in high demand must mean they get the bulk of the agent calls on July 1.
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AM says:
Katie Strang is not stating anything groundbreaking…and bringing up the facility, + other excuses again. Yeesh.
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Joe I says:
Chris, any idea how the Isles can spend enough $ to get to the cap floor, based on the F.A.’s left?
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pete debenedetto says:
since when is Eric Nystrom a major loss for not signing?????? He’s a 4th line guy….MAYBE third. You wanted to see younger guys making this team, well, get over it….the team will be younger, and perhaps tougher. Still plenty out there to be had.
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We need two solid D-men to be competitive. It doesn’t take much offensively to upgrade Sim and Park. Goaltending is a concern. Biron is gone. Allot of goalies gone today. Who do we get to back up/supplement Roloson? Marty Turco, Jose Theodore, Toskola, Lalime, Emery, other?
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wow, so both Martin AND Hamhuis turned down Islander offers for less money with other teams. This has happened before, and it will certainly continue to happen in the future unless they can get some sort of arena deal done. It is pretty upsetting.
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For the love of all that is good in the world please don’t sign M. Satan.
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upstatebackstop87 says:
Its all good fellas, because tomorrow Snow will add Willie Mitchell and Andy Sutton to our blue line as well as a 20 goal forward. Then we just need sum bottom 6 grit and Patrick Lalime, and we’ll be in the hunt all year. You heard it hear first.
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Joe I #1285 How embrassing is our team. I can see it now. Management pleading their case to Gary Bettman as to why we can’t even get to the minimium cap because no one wants to play here. Never in the history of NHL salary cap has this ever happened to a team. We aren’t Charlie Wang’s team we’re Charlie Brown’s team. We may need to pay guys like Andy Sutton 5 mil just to get to the league minimum.
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I heard NYI is one of six teams who are interested in Sutton. The deal is supposed to come by Friday morning. If Snow is serious I don’t see how he signs elsewhere. If Sutton signs elsewhere I’ll assume that Snow has two “better” D-men up his sleeve and all but locked up. Buffalo was a big player for Colaiacovo but appears out of the running. I haven’t heard who else aside from the NYI has invested interest.
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So what happens when on on Opening Night we’re $10M below the cap floor?
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Do we really somehow think this is a recent development that we’re not an attractive destination?
I think it actually is a bad idea to let it leak that we were offering more money and got nothing – this was the same story with Scott Gomez, Ryan Smyth and now Dan Hamhuis and Paul Martin. No of course I don’t advocate pointlessly overpaying compared to staying the course with youth.
But what message does this send to any other free agents? What does this say to Tavares, Okposo or even guys like Nino who just joined the organization? Snow and Wang need to take a good look in the mirror and sharpen the PR knives – any more nonsense about how no new arena is warding off free agents should earn them a stabbing – think the statute of limitations on that lament is long gone.
Are we destined to be an NHL Siberia forever?
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bryan says:
Once again disappointed by the management. Haha I hope Garth reads this blog and realizes what a failure he is to the fans, the people who all of this is for.
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Is Derek King available?
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Brent says:
Isles should sign Mitchell to a 1 year deal. They should also look at trading for Kevin Bieska out of Vancouver.
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Keep in mind that we still have to sign the five RFA’s we qualified, as well as get Weight’s deal on the books. Add a few other UFA signings over the summer and getting to the floor will not be an issue.
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we have to sign someone at some point. Hoping it’s some talent from Hershey or other 20 somethings. Our problem is D, we need to score a couple of solid D men and I don’t mean boys. This is crucial to our future development. We need a couple of Blueliners with skill, at the right age and the right price – no pressure Garth, but to make the playoffs, this is the trick. Get Busy, out!
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I know the idea is to get younger, but giving a couple of olderish D-men 2 year deals would buy time for DeHaan and Harmonic to play in the Bridge
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I hear ya Staten Islander … There is NO way DeHaan or Harmonic should be seeing ice time in the NHL until they’ve proven they can handle the rigors of the AHL first. Especially since both of them were injured last season.
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if we’re below the cap floor i think we forfeit…this is ridiculous
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stever says:
sign Alice Cooper !
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19inarow says:
Really people. Other than Kovy who out there is a game changer. None of this is a real big deal. Players will now shake loose from teams at the cap cieling. Patience people, this rebuild is being done the right way.
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Don’t offer Marc Stall an offer sheet! If the Isles start doing that than the Rags and their deep pockets are going to do the same whe Okposo anf Tavares become restricted free agents.
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Frolov, Torres, and Afinogenov are just a few of my favorites.
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Eric Nystrom signs with MIN…3 years 4.2MIL…god help us
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Bummer that Nystrom got signed. I think he would have looked good in his dad’s #23. Yeah I get the fact that perhaps he is a 3rd or 4th pair but he would be an upgrade over Park/Sim and younger than Asham.
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Maximus says:
Please sign Matthew Lombardi, Joe Corvo and Sutton.
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Kovalchuk is still out there Garth. Jump in and steal him with a good offer!!!!!!
They have control of the Coliseum, have Isles Entertainment, raise ticket prices and parking, charge us to park at the draft party and they still don’t spend money!! Every team in the east is getting better except the Isles. Garth needs to surround these young kids with capable veterans or it’s going to be the mid to late 90′s all over again.
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#1300 exactly who I want too….Add Sutton and I am very happy…..
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corey says: #1299 ur absolutely right. couldnt agree more with you
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It really is tought to be a fan of this team. A complete disaster and almost all of it brought on by the org itself.
Personally I don’t buy the no one wants to come here because of the arena crap. Snow isn’t allowed to spend squat – period. They will cobble together a bunch of “c” level junk to get us to the cap and not go a dime over it.
If they blame the arena – well if not for someone’s giant ego they could be playing in a new arena right now. So thats self inflicted.
We will go to war with what we’ve got right now. I like our kids but this was the summer to add to the core via a few well picked “B” free agents. The kids are going to get trampled this year – it’s hard to see this team making the playoff’s this year. They have really aliented an already angry fanbase.
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onesinceforty says:
How precient were Trent Hunter’s words? “No Arena, No Free-Agents”. I am an Islander Optimist but this has been a tough day even for me. My wife just laughs at me when I tell her, “No, REALLY, they have great young players and they are going to sign a bunch of good players and I really think this could be the year”. She always says, “Yeah, OK, how long have you been saying that?” It is a F…g Painful truth to be sure.
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Darren Ingersoll says:
Good Grief folks. Settle down. Talk about the expectations that instant access to sports news brings. There is still a long time and players, trades and other moves that can be made.
I have very little reason to doubt Snow and rushing to overpay for a generally weak crop of UFAs is probabaly not in our long term interests.
He has demonstrated a real ability to pull out value and to have beleived he was going to ice a playoff team as a result of the 1st 10 hrs of free agency is not fair to anyone. By August I suspect we should feel much better about things. Even then the season does not start for a couple of months. -
Relax everyone a lot of teams have not made any moves yet: Quebec Nordiques, Hartford Whalers, Winnapeg Jets!
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18EddieWestfall says:
i was thinking all week, that I would watch the Wild this year. So many good players, and very underrated. Now that Eric Nystrom signed with them, I will DEFINATELY watch their games on Game center. At least it makes my subscription worthwile. The Islanders are such a waste of time.Made me sick all year.Hard to see JT get his teeth knocked out by that f wad Pronger, and not one teammate stood up for him. Big puss KO lets it happen, and fans want him named Captain?Pathetic.The only decent player all year was Sutton, and we lost him!Doug Weight, what are YOU good for? not much…Isnt it amazing that players flourish when they LEAVE this crap team?I blame the owner.You suck, Wang, and your kid needs a trainer!What a LOSER!Just when the team cannot get worse, you make that happen.Get out of this business you know NOTHING about!The only reason you own it is the possibility of developing land.YOUR PARTNER is in the slammer! Why did YOU escape?I think you know nothing except for Dollar signs.Garth, what a sad puppet you are.You were a crappy goalie, too!Borrow little Wang’s trainer,you looked VERY puffy at the draft table.Give it up, it is too painful to watch anymore!But of course,Scott Gordon will be blamed for everything, and fired.I am sure this is what happened with Ted Nolan.He got out Just in the nick of time. I am sure your hands are tied by your self serving owner.I am Giving up (MY tickets)just like you all are!!
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I like the Kevin Bieska idea, he is worth looking into. Missed the boat on Versteeg, maybe garth can help vancouver or Philly (gagne?) with their cap issues. Give Garth some time
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Somebody with access to Pravda, please check and see how many comments have been posted on Bethpage Bette’s site and report back here. Thanks.
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We did this last year. I just don’t get why he wouldn’t sign an asham or a nystrom, or even a sutton on the first day. very strange.
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@Darren…..the players left are not so hot, and Snow is not known for making great trades.
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I expected very little and hoped for the best but I never thought it would be closing in on ten o’clock and there would be no news out of the Islanders front office. Chris Botta is rocking the blog until midnight but are we wasting our time to do the same?
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BrianProvidence says:
I mean this in all serious, although I never thought I would have to ask it..but, what happens if we really don’t make the cap floor?
I know anyone with reason will say that would never actually happen because they would just simply find a way to do it, but without filling holes with the scrub stopgaps remaining, its more likely than I ever thought it wold be…SAD
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Well, y’all, it was fun hangin’ around here all day. I think we need some patience.
I know that’s a sore spot with this team, how many times have we heard that already?
But, I believe it’s the truth.
Good night, and suit up.
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Calaiavaco is a solid d man and so is Kubina when health. Martin’s unhealing broken arm worried me. deHaan and Hamonic need seasoning. Just a 2 year deal with Sutton and Kubina or Calaiavaco. Please we need something other than “We gave it the old college try”
What about an offer sheet to Bobby Ryan? Gordon knows him. He is top end talent. He is young and a stud. -
#1311 Pravda – good one.
She has 4 comments on the “Free Agency begins” article, and none on the more recent “Snow Can’t Hook Top Defensemen”.
CB kicks butt once again
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frankgeno says:
Well the good news is that all of these people care enough about the Islanders to voice their concerns on a July day/night. Come Garth, wow us. Keep working.
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I’m bored. No other teams fans continually have to put up with this stuff. It’s so frustrating.
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There are still plenty of FAs out there that can help our team…not necessarily the caliber player signed by other teams today, but then again signing a top tier FA was never a realistic option this offseason. We finished 26th in the league last year and although we ARE in the midst of building a competitive team, we are not there yet. Top tier free agents are usually looking for a team that can win now. We may make the playoffs this coming season, but we aren’t in a position to make a serious run at the Cup. We will get there. Snow seems to know what he is doing. We are a home grown team and when we win, it will be with a core group that has been together throughout the process. When you buy a contending team it gets dismantled quickly. Building from within lasts longer.
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Desperately hoping for some good news before bedtime.
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So snow outbid other teams for Hamhuis and Martin but lost. What else can he do but build through the draft and try to see who else falls through the cracks?
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At least we didn’t sign Derek Booggard to a 4 yr deal…..couldn’t they have just done the same last year with Colton Orr and saved themselves the embarassment with Brashear?!?!
I really hope I wake up tomorrow to some sort of news.
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Stevie10703 says:
Build a winner and the better free agents will come to the Island. UFA’s don’t want to come here, not because of an old arena but because we’re not a team that is winning. Why do you see guys signing with Pittsburgh or New Jersey? Because year in and year out you see those two teams on top of the standings with 100 plus points. When we start doing that, you’ll see UFA’s coming to the Island..or Queens..or Brooklyn…lol.
Good luck to Tambi in Vancouver and Jackman in Calgary. Hope Tambi can turn his career around over there.
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We are going to get Cheechoo and whoever else no one wants. Our only hopes is to assemble a team of desperados with the us against the world mentality. We should be greatful to Yashin , Witter, and DP for getting us closer to the floor. I hope the season ticket reps are open all night to handle the calls. Make Ilya an offer he can’t refuse and let’s save this franchsie.
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You’re right Shultz39. Thanks for the optimism. We could have spent $6M on a goon with two career goals.
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Anyone else hitting the F5 ‘refresh’ key over and over again hoping that we grab something good in free agency?
That’s normal right?
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gordy lane says:
Even though there are still a few decent free agents out there and maybe another sleeper like Matt Moulson laying in the weeds. There were rumors that Bobby Ryan was possibly available. I am sure there are other players too but the main question would be what would be the cost to acquire him or others.
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Been doing that for about 615 minutes today. I must have refreshed 3,000+ times already.
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Darren says:
Lombardi should become an Isle…unless Garth screws that up.I watched the Gillies/Boogard fight and yes Gillies got caught but he was taken advantage of being it was his 1st game up w/ big club.2cnd fight looked more even.Can’t worry about goons.Its looking like Lombardi/Frolov are in the ballpark for Isles.Our D is going to have to come from within.When Isles do become contenders screw the highprofile FA’s.Do it w/o them.Can anyone tell me how the Pens became such a model franchise after coming w/in a wisker of moving???The Isles have been suffering for years and yet the NHL jumped to help the Pens.Screw ‘em all go Isles.
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It’s not just the arena. This team isn’t as good as Pitt or Vancouver, which is why Martin and Hamhuis chose to go there. To their credit, they turned down more money to play for a winner. In a few years, we’ll be in a much better position to attract free agents.
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admin says:
I’m back. Updated with short post on my reaction to the blame ALREADY being placed on the Coliseum issue.
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Mike in Bohemia says:
I’ve been checking in all day, but this is my first post.
On the positive side:
1. This is a replay of last years July 1st, and as bad as it seemed, we still improved by 18 points.
2. Even if high end fa talent is dwindling, it can still be attained via trade. With cap issues, trades may be more prevalent this Summer.
3. By virtue of the 09-10 team’s youth, we should improve more than older teams just from the experience gained.On the negative side:
1. Garth has indicated he can spend the money & their goal is to make the playoffs in 2011. I have a hard time believing that.
2. It’s disheartening to hear players are accepting less money to play elsewhere.
3. Last year, we were told to wait for July 1, 2010 when the time would be right to dive into the fa pool. I’m afraid they’re going to push that off another year. It will be interesting to see what he has to say on MSG tonight (in about 15 minutes).I’ll try to remain optimistic, but today was disappointing.
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Any chance we hear some news out of the front office or are we likely shut down until morning?
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I think we are missing an important element in the discussion. I keep reading the thought that if we have a new arena then players will sign here. Look at how Pittsburg did it. The strength of the team ON THE ICE was the MAJOR MAJOR force in pushing the new arena. The city would have burned if the team moved. I feel like if we could just construct a winner then that in and of itself might start a sort of critical mass and jump start the processes necessary toward actually constructing a new arena.
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giants/yanks/isles says:
Garth, if you are operating a sucsessful buissness regardless of what it is you need a product that will sell. you wont sell tickets to that dump with krap on the ice, thats the bottom line. whatvever is going on behind closed doors needs to be put on hold . spend a few bucks get a good team and the crowds will come . if you build it they will come
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What channel Garth on Cablevision?
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1324, like the Wild, but you are the loser! I hear you about the Pronger hit on Johnny T, but don’t blame KO, C’mon man, you’d NEVER say that crap to his face! Steady team, this is day one. Something HAS to happen, chill.
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NYI IN 10 says:
Maybe Moulson has a twin brother.
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jpa says:
I’d rather have the cap space for our core in a few years then have a Wade Redden-like albatross contract because we have the cap space now.
People need to see the big picture. It’s been 10 hours. There’s still a hundred days before the opening night roster hits the ice. Smart > quick.
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this really is a tradgedy. 1350+ comments about nothing. oh wait, one of my sources tells me we are saving it all up for Kovulchuk.
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Harris says:
Chris, thanks for the wonderful job you do covering the islanders, we all appreciate it. I was wondering if it you had any insight on this interview that was supposed to go down with Garth Snow at 10:30 it is no longer on the front page of the isles site.
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The interview was recorded earlier in the week.
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Why does the Islander site have a picture of Roloson in an Edmonton uniform up?
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Maybe Snow traded him to Edmonton for a clue.
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Chris in DC says:
We didn’t miss out on anything big today. Garth is doing the right thing by building thru the draft. I still hope for a couple of the following — Asham, Frolov, Torres and/or Corvo.
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Hextall72 says:
Chris, not for anything but it’s not the last 8 hours of blame.. It’s the last 3-4 years where players have walked away for less money..
You can’t tell me that if a player tours tampa, florida, toronto edm and the NVMC, they aren’t going to scratch us off the list immediately? -
This is quite a group…wow. Hope tomorrow makes people a bit happier.
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Heading to bed. Frustrating day but thats the norm in Islander Country. Lets see what Garth can do tomorrow. Just deleted some harsh comments about Mr Wang. Too tired to fight.
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csk says:
people..people….
overreaction
we are in a great position to make some trades and pick up some inexpensive pieces
bring back Sutton, trade for another goalscorer, and we’re just fine
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I am wondering how Snow can reach the cap floor, it isn’t going to be easy. Lombardi & Carkner via UFA, Scott and Bieksa via trade. I am seriously wondering if he can’t trade for Bobby Ryan since ANA is having such a hard time resinging him. Sutton has his 1-2 good hits a game that I love and is a good d-man but he won’t defend any teammates. I guess signing him would feel like getting back with an ex-girlfriend that I wasn’t that into and she put on 10lbs since. Nothing to get excited over.
Snow said on NHL LIVE that De Haan almost made the team last year and would get the chance this year, he signed a deal when they had time so you know they are serious about De Haan playing this year. I think the Boogard signing eliminates that. De Haan is too fragile at this point despite his tremendous talent, if Boogard catches him with one of those massive checks he’ll kill the kid.
Hamonic might make it.
One positive from today is that we never have to watch Jackman get beat up again, no more Sim, no more Park, no more Tambs. Why we still have to watch Weight I have no idea but hopefully Geravis and Martinek are gone soon. Can we trade Hunter for anything?
So the addition by deletion is positive and the prospects are very positive. The rest……….not so much.
I would seriously like to know why Snow cannot sign any FA’s or make any real trades?
It is pretty tough to be an Islanders fan sometimes. Like the season, the playoffs, trade deadline, FA. Draft Day & prospect camp seems to be the only days we can all feel positve.
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Asham is an upgrade over Sim and Park but I’d much rather add somebody with better hands.
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Steve M says:
CB has a point with that last paragraph of his. Makes me feel better about the position we’re in. Thanks CB.
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You know who I feel REALLY bad for? The poor Islanders sales reps that actually have to BS people and try to sell season tickets and other ticket packages for this debacle of a franchise.
As bad as Islander fans feel right now… As angry as you are, think about those poor SOB’s who rely on this franchise to meet their mortgage and car payments. Talk about trying to sell a bridge in Iowa. Good luck with that.
And to blame this situation on the arena, I say ENOUGH. That spin has made us dizzy for years. Keep insulting your fans Islanders. Keep pushing us away.
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Hey #1317,The rags will sign our players to an offer sheet as soon as someone to their liking is available. Go after Stall!!! Good solid D-man. Will only get better. Go after Gagne. He is big and talented. Their teams can’t afford them anyway. Someone will benefit—-just for once, why not us?
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Charles in Charge PLEASE sell to the Wilpons they will build a new rink keep them on LI and spend some $$$$$$
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Pat says:
Let’s face it folks. Nobody who is any good wants to play here. We are a joke.
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And another thing, if the coliseum is such an issue, and Charlie thinks so highly of this team and wants to build a winner, then build a new arena! Why does it have to be a metropolis? With the new deal in place to get more $$$ out of NVMC, why would JUST an arena be such a bad thing?
It just leads me to believe that Wang NEVER wanted an NHL team, he wanted an excuse to grab land and build. This was nothing more than a ploy and a smoke screen to become a BIGGER land grabber. He had a deal in place with his boy Suozzi and it backfired big-time.
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The guy has lost over $200M since he bought the team. Don’t bust his balls for wanting to make some back.
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A 5 year $55 million offer to Kovalchuk gets us to the cap floor. Not to mention how a 27 year old superstar added to this young core makes this team legit. Add Sutton and a Torres or Asham and they are a playoff team. Kovalchuk would take some of the pressure off Tavares and Okposo and playing with someone like that helps their development. Not a bad player to have when you have two young talented Russian kids you consider a big part of you future. He puts this team on the map in the NHL and in NY. At $11 million a year, he is the highest paid player anually in the league. Wang makes more money with more people in the arena and some playoff gates. It is only a five year deal so when the young core is ready for free agency, Kovalchuk’s money will be freed up (unless they resign him). If they make these 3 moves, they are still way under the cap.
Kovalchuk makes so much sense for this team at this time. That’s why the Islanders WON’T get him.
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The Islanders wont get him because he wants to win
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Holy overreaction, batman. Its only eleven flippin hours into FA, this lasts til the fall!
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mike says:
The Islanders just got laughed at on Hockey Night Live on MSG for making no deals today. We are a laughing stock!
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Lombardi/Frolov/Stempy…that’ll have to due when these teams need help come playoff time hold out for 1st rounders period.That is Isles only hope.If lombardi signs lock him up.He’s our #2 center.Go Isles.
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Brian says:
i like Snow and like what he’s doing with the team but the are some major areas that needed to be addressed and at least one should’ve been done by today. i mean GOOD GOD GARTH… even Tambellini and Jackman were signed by teams today!! and what did we get? Snows doing a good job so far but Wang needs to spend some more money to make more money.
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jon says:
i will be extremely dissapointed if we sign ex islanders. I dont want satan, geurin, torres, asham. I will take sutton. I want some new faces ala lombardi or afinagenov.
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There is still a ton of talent available. Lombardi, Frolov, or Torres would be great on this team. A Couple decent d-men and we’ll flirt with a playoff seed.
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jon from nj says:
bring back raffi torres.
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The for wisest words spoken here all day. Thank you Jon.
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I don’t know what I can’t believe more…..the fact that 1386 people have responded today, or I’m responding at 1386 at 11:18…..and will probably check in later tonight.
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Give us something Garth! Anything! Perhaps we re-twined the goal nets? New pucks? Fresh paint in the locker rooms? Something! Anything!
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The Isles aren’t flirting with any playoff spot. They are by far the weakest team in the division and also the softest. I don’t see how in the 9 away games they play at Pitt, Philly and NJ how they come away with more than 3 points. The Isles could have made a name and a splash for themselves by signing a solid top notch D man today and weren’t able too. The only other guys left are not difference makers and wont get them to the playoffs. It’s going to be a tough season unless Garth addresses toughness, defense and goaltending immediately.
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Don’t forget everyone, this will be year 3 of a three year rebuild… That means we finally get to win some games and compete!
I know how things look right now, but don’t worry, Garth promised the team would be competitive this year, and if it isn’t, he will definitely be held accountable, and changes will be made, because our ownership won’t tolerate losing, or being made a mockery of.
You know what? Wait… I’m sorry. I’m all mixed up… So confusing, I can’t tell if this is this year or last year or the year before. It’s probably next year, is what it is.
Anyway have fun guys. I’m sure the big news concerning this team, whatever it ends up being, can wait until tomorrow, or next week or, October, for that matter.
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Good point on Witt. I would have thought that we would have bought him out but we likely would have done that by now if that was the plan. I find it hard to believe that we would pay him $3M to rot in bridgeport when we could have bought him out for $2M.
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Doubting Thomas says:
Add Sutton and a Torres or Asham and they are a playoff team
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
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We were a playoff team last year until we lost our entire D corps. Two solid D-men and offensive players to upgrade Sim and Park and this team will flirt with an 8th seed.
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Add Kovalchuk, Sutton, Torres or Asham and they are a playoff team.
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Huge overreaction going on here. Like I said earlier, Isles didn’t miss out on anything. 4 years for Boogaard?!? Nice job, Glen, per usual. Strummer Amy, De Haan has been playing hockey since he was a kid; I’m sure he’s not gonna hang up his gloves caused a tough guy has crossed over to the Eastern conf. Isles are gonna be tougher this year than last, for sure. Addition by subtraction already; sign Corvo/Asham/Frolov/Torres and we’ll be fine. Also not sure the clamoring for Lombardi. Guy’s a center and that position we’re okay at.
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justin says:
sigh……
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Jim says:
How about Willie Mitchell and Andy Sutton? Size, leadership, and talent all in one. No reason not to throw a large chunk of cash at Kovalchuk. Might as well. Wouldn’t be the first time we embarrassed ourselves if he said no.
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Garth will find a way to polish it up and I’ll buy it like I always do.
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I don’t blame the Coliseum either, I blame an egomaniac wacko owner who nobody in their right mind would want to play for. Sumo goalies, trips to China, cheesy B-list TV actors calling out draft picks (still gagging over that debacle)etc….
Enjoy JT and all these young draft picks while you can, they won’t be here very long.
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Islebethere4u says:
I’m disappointed. This free agent year was slim pickings at best. We have two to three potential ‘walks’ beside Biron and 6-8 mil in cap floor space to fill. I’d like to know if Garth even made any serious offers to one or two FA’s. Just how many times can he “go to the well” of castoffs, has-beens and never-were’s and pluck gems? I don’t think you can sign enough entry level contracts to reach the cap floor and why would you want to try? Bringing kids in too early can kill careers. Any light at the end of this tunnel CB?
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No matter what the team does fans will always be on them. A lot of people sound like Jerome from Manhattan on the Fan complaining about the Yankees.
There is a reason CB was writing articles about the likes of Sutton, Asham, Nystrom and not Volchenkov, Martin, and Gonchar.
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2Bit says:
Wanted to chime in before the day closed. What a disappointing one in Islanders country.
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@1406….do you realize that this team has not won one round in 17 years, so comparing them to the Yankees, makes no sense at all.
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Brian G says:
Wang & Snow are a joke…what was the reason to raise ticket prices? …are they too busy getting ready for the 2011 draft party
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720 Minutes. I’ve been glued to the internet since noon. 12 hours and not an ounce of hope to show for it. Let’s hope July 2nd yields better (hell… any) results.
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admin says:
Day 1 thread closed. New one starts NOW with a bit of a rant. Thanks for playing…CB
Just add the few players we need. I want the kids to show and the rebuild done right. Good luck today garth and hope we get every piece we need by Oct.