KYLE OKPOSO OUT FOR 2-3 MONTHS
KO needs shoulder surgery; Mottau signed for the D
3:20 pm: Katie Strang tweets that Okposo needs surgery for a torn labrum and will be back in December.
2:10 pm: As first reported by Katie Strang, Kyle Okposo needs surgery on his right shoulder and will be sidelined indefinitely. At this point, with details not fully released, all that remains is the hope that Okposo’s prognosis is not equal to the full tears of Mark Streit’s left shoulder that will keep the defenseman out for approximately six months. In other news, the Islanders have signed defenseman Mike Mottau to a two-year, one-way contract at $800,000 per. Comments thread closed.
177 Responses to KYLE OKPOSO OUT FOR 2-3 MONTHS
KO needs shoulder surgery; Mottau signed for the D
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IzzyFranchise says:
When it rains, it pours.
What’s the draft look like this season?
#1 here we come.
awful.
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Benjamin K says:
unbelieveable…our luck cannot get any worse….Mike Mottau signed to a 2 year 1-way deal
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VA ISLES says:
I bet we wish we’d dug deeper into the FA pool now, eh Wangow?
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upstatebackstop87 says:
At least……maybe if snow can….if the young guys can just….(sigh) this feels so surreal
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Chris M says:
And with the first pick in the 2011 NHL entry draft, the New York Islanders select Adam Larsson.
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doc says:
Oh boy… probably the two guys they could least afford to lose for any significant time are potentially out for the season. Where’s Mike Mottau when you need him…
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Kevin says:
Didn’t Mottau cheap shot Frans and nobody did anything bout it. Figures he would be coming to the Isles. The news just keeps getting worse.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
Welcome to the NHL, Nino!
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Please, please get well SOON Okie!
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They probably already have the MRI results of Hamonic’s shoulder… hence the Mottau signing.
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Giaco says:
1. Too early to start the “Who’s going number 1″ talk??
2. Sad for Kyle… thought this was going to be his breakout year
3. Why was Motteu not signed by anyone? Played 79 games last yr – seems like a stay at home defenseman -
Staten Islander says:
With this team, when it rains it monsoons. Will Mottau apologize to Frans Neilson for that hit he put on him 2 years ago?
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Brian G says:
Mottau? isn’t he a #5 d-man. does he even see the powerplay ….CB – any contract terms?
I could Honestly see the Isles sign Owen Nolan, 1 year 500K
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Isles16 says:
And i was actually really excited for this season just 1 week ago, ugh. I wonder how the loss of these two will affect gordon come seasons end when his contract runs out, can’t really expect to not be a lottery after this.
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booten says:
please stay healthy Johnny T! I need a reason to convince people to go to games!
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Mike says:
You have got to be kidding me.
I hope the team steps it up.
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Frank says:
If they signed Mottau, who is the old man out? Gervais?
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Jim M says:
This is a sick joke being played on us right? It has to be a dream….
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bob says:
This news seriously upset me
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Jake says:
We should have held on to Bergie, he is fast and kills penalties, Okposo killed penalties too
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
told you the hits not done. yet.
I guess Nino Staying with Isles.
where else we going to replace 20-30 goals from KO. -
bossjones15 says:
Two of the top 5 players on the team are already gone and zero games have been played. This is going to be another tough season…
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shlo says:
Did anybody bother to check the boards in the NVMC? maybe they should “give ” more. Or, the Isles should have a no contact camp……this is sick. Start a lottery who is next…
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greg says:
Best dman and arguably our best forward, done before the season even started. More Fantastic news out of isles country.
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Seth says:
Im just going to assume today is April Fools and when i wake up tomorrow evreyone on the Islanders will be healthy and ready to win games…….sadly i just got woken up and its not April Fools ):….In all honesty this really kills us and its looking like easily another top 5 pick this year…..What a shame ):
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John "Z-Bo" Zabroski says:
bruno gervais gone, i guess…
chris: it is a one-way deal for mottau?
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IslesYanks says:
At least dipietro is still healthy… for this week…
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Darryl says:
Streit, Okposo, Hamonic…..where is the team buying its shoulder pads?
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Jeff says:
Now commencing operation “Free Petrov”
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Joe says:
So now that Streit and Okposo are out indefinitely, who are the two alternate captains? You have to assume Hunter gets an A, but who else? Tavares? Moulson?
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Ezdoesit says:
Figures. This only helps snow n Gordon though because it’s no lose situation. Even healthy they were coming in last on the division.
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Blizzard says: …oh man I cant believe this. KO and Streit? And shoulder to boot? This is freakish. I was so excited for the season now I am just bummed. Wrap JT’s shoulders in armor please. Better look for a place Nino.
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Oye Comeau Va says:
Is it too late to go to China??
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As posted yesterday, Garth luvs these Ranger cast-offs (I know Mottau has been with the Devs recently but started with the Rags). Let’s toast to the #1 pick. See everyone at the draft party in June. IT CAN’T GET ANY WORSE!
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Andre Minassian says:
Game, set, match. If Okposo is out for extended period of time then season is over and we have to look forward to draft lottery AGAIN! I think the Isles need to find a way to get Petrov over here. What else can go wrong with this franchise.
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strummer's army says:
oh boy, here we go. This makes petrov not coming over and :abanov not being mature enough even bigger blows. Not sure the point of having so many subpar dmen is? ?ino will now play with jt and jb until kyle returns. It is too much of a coincededence that the isles go through periods of all having the same injuries. Cb please write something on what this all means other then draft lotto.
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NHL fan says:
Time to bring out the Shaman’s, priest’s,rabbi’s buddhist monks..etc…etc…and exorcise the demons that plague this team….
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Donna says:
I’d say this has been the year of the shoulder in more ways than one. I was psyched for the season, now I’m hoping this is the year Ricky turns it around, we need some good news. Locker room mood must be great
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Hockeytime says:
Trying to be patient with this team but it gets harder every day. This is sad news for Isles country as I think most of us believed including the team that we could open some eyes up around the league. Now with the current situation it wouldn’t surprise me if we were a lotto team again. Hope some guys step up their game and prove everyone wrong.
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pat says:
i had a torn labrum surgery. at least they’ll come back good as new. My arm is stronger than its been in yrs.
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orngfan says:
this franchise is cursed!! does anyone know any witch doctors?!?!
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TuxTax says:
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
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brendan says:
Okposo was our chance. he was gonna pull through and be the go to guy. thats out the window now. Time for the new guys to show us what they got.
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Chris Mc says:
Jeez we haven’t even played a preseason game and all of you are talking about being last in the league. What kind of fans expect the worst before a single puck has been dropped? I know losing KO and Streit is huge but at the same time this is a team sport. Two guys aren’t going to make a break a season. And hopefully Kyle will be back sooner than later. Time for the rest of the team to man up, and I believe they will. Lets Go Islanders!
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isles316 says:
This news deflated the rest of my balloon going into this season. It really is unreal. Only the Islanders get all these injuries in practice it seems.
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Eric says:
@Post 47: “What kind of fans expect the worst before a single puck has been dropped?”
I’m guessing you haven’t been an Islanders fan for very long…
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German Islesfan says:
this trainings camp is just horrible…two key players two shoulder surgeries unbelievable
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JJ says:
Ugh… I really thought they were going to turn the corner this season.
It never ends with this team
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IslesUlster1992 says:
The Streit news disappointed me for what I hoped was a promising season, but add in this Okposo news and I am not as optimistic as I was before. Right as the team is getting where they need to be.. that damn injury bug hits. Here’s hoping Martinek and DP return to form.
I don’t think the Isles are looking to be last in the league (the team is still competitive), but losing 2 top guys can really hurt the season (look at Detroit early last season after Zetterberg and a couple others went down).
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AJAX says:
Good thing Garth made the great FA signings over the summer, otherwise we would be screwed!!!
Oh, wait … -
jimisles says:
Scrimmages my butt!!!!!! Only the Islanders could pull off injuring two of their top five guys…..lol.
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rc says:
Mottau = Workhorse.
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t-1 sella says:
Wow……just wow….if you look on the bright side…we have moved on from nagging hip injuries……..still think we will be competitive…….Gordon has a good system….lets all hope we have enough players make it thru straining camp to execute it
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UIF says:
Not sure how Mottau makes sense. He can’t “replace” Streit, and they were OK on depth with Wiz, Hillen, Eaton, Jurcina, AMac, Martinek, Gervais on one-way contracts, Reese and Kohn at Bridgeport, and possibly deHaan and Hamonic waiting in the wings. If they brought in a good PP defenseman or something like that, it’d make more sense. But another depth guy? Eh, just bring on the season already while we can still kind of ice a team
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RV says:
Lets hope these injuries aren’t debilitating and the guys get healty soon, but good lord this sucks beyond belief.
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Big Dog says:
You know i was so looking forward to hockey seasons..
This is horrible news and we need offense
Sorry i think souray we should go after.
if our pp unit stinks our season is gone.
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Michael Delman says:
Unreal….so disappointed. All that work KO put in over the offseason was a total waste.
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I still remember Mottau’s hit which broke Nielsen in half. Interesting, how this going to panne out.
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gary9-19-22 says:
OMG!!!!!
Can one good thing happen to this team!!! Just one good freak’n thing is all I ask!!!!
I think I’m gonna cry…
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Steve M says: Souray > Mottau – at least Mottau is better than Gervais
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If streit and okposo come back by february and the team floats around .500 until then we could go on a good run and still barely make or barely miss playoffs. If Paranteau, Comeau and Bailey hit the 20 goal mark, moulson has a simialar year, and tavares puts up 35 goals, well be in good shape.I am worried about the defense but it is still better than last year. good job snow grabbn a solid dmen like mottau
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StevieL says:
This is absolute madness!!We haven’t even played a game yet!!Something is not right here!!
does this mean it is time to re-build our re-build? -
IslesRock says:
Get well KO. Garth, please sign another goon. Our young guys need protection. This is going to be a long year of hockey. At least lets go down fighting, and not be a soft team as in past years.
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EdTurner says:
Hopefully Islander fans will treat Mike Mottau as well as Ranger fans treated Donald Brashear.
Once again, Garth shows us that he is out of his league.
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stu oppenheimer says:
must be selling tix like hotcakes now, huh? i guess the guys in sales will start letting up on the insessant sales calls.
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Honnold says:
Someone wrap J.T. in bubble wrap, and let’s try again next year.
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Quez says:
Wow…the barrell of my shotgun tastes different than expected.
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Ted says:
I think the team needs to start drinking milk.
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the bomber says:
well it looks like nino aint going anywhere…
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Scott W says:
Bailey and Comeau need to take the next step fast. KO will miss about 20 games, where our schedule is tough. May open up an opportunity for Niño or Martin. Tough break early, but no reason for so much negativity. Let’s play some games first!!!
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”
Someone wrap J.T. in bubble wrap, and let’s try again next year.” lol. That’s the truth. -
eric says:
Its starting to get embarresing that we didnt even have a preseason game yet and these injuries are piling up. Okposo and streit are out, now I am hearing Hamonic is out as well with a upper body injury. Mike mattau isnt enough to fill in streit’s role as a powerplay quarter back. Snow needs to wake up fast and realize we have a huge problem
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PotvinRocks says:
So lets start looking at the possibilities of the 2011 Draft. What is the TavHedShane watch going to be this year?
At least now maybe we can lock Okposo up in the cheap. 3.5 mil for 5 years sound good?
I guess the Mottau signing means they don’t want deHaan with the big club this year. And I guess it helps us reach the cap floor. -
SCLI says:
The Slow and Steady Rebuild just got Slower and UN-Steadier.
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Rather have Motteau then Souray
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IslesNation says:
I wonder what this does to Nino’s future… The Isles have just lost 100-150 points potentially with the losses of KO and Streit. I would love for Nino to get some NHL experience, but is it worth taking a year off his entry level deal to be on a team without its two best playmakers??
Right now, I tend to side with the philosophy that Nino should play 9 games and then go back to develop and come back next year with a better team where his role won’t be so heavy.
Thoughts?
Really distraught over this news, KO was ready to have a huge year, 30 goals 40-50 assists in my mind.
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Adam says:
What about Hamonic? Any update?
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David says:
December aint to bad hopefully he does comeback then we can put in a good run the sky isn’t falling yet
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Healy says:
Hey guys, this is Kyle the Beast. He beat swine flu in a day. Here’s hoping he has another freak recovery and can be back in the line up a lot sooner than projected.
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First, all the best to Streit and KO.
Second, I don’t understand – despite Snow’s statements otherwise – why the owner refuses to be willing to invest any new money into this club. I’m not saying to go out and bust the cap. . . but, just add a few solid personnel upgrades (apart from just the the Wiz) would be a nice gift to loyal fans who have eaten an awful lot of garbage since the glory years.
It is super frustrating to me to strive for 8th in the East. This is the same franchise tthat won 4 straight cups remember?
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Spinner9 says:
Obviously very bad news about Okposo. However most of you are glossing over a pretty solid signing of Mottau. They obviously can’t find another Streit at this juncture so Snow went the other way and got a pretty good defensive zone D-man. And he did it without having to relinquish any prospects. I’m disappointed with the two key injuries but kudos to Snow for bringing a D-man who played a lot of minutes on some pretty good squads.
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Mike says:
I can just forsee the future.. UPDATE: Harmonic out 4 months with torn labrum. Will require surgery.
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Hockey1919 says:
Islander Hip please meet Islander Shoulder. I can’t fathom how the two are connected, but these injuries sure do come in bunches.
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Stevie10703 says:
Looks like another long season in Islander Country. 2 main players and both out without even having played a real pre-season game. This can only happen to the Isles.
I have a feeling either Nino or Ullstrom will stick with the big club now. I hope we don’t rush Nino though and not force him on the roster if he isn’t ready yet.
Its going to be a LONG season.
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jim says:
December? yeah right, I had a minor tear of the labrum and it took 8 months with no surgery. Let’s be realistic!
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Signing Mike Mottau to a two-year, one-way contract at $800,000 per – SEEMS LIKE A PANIC MOVE BY A ROOKIE GM
What is this guy going to do for us that Dylan Reese or the other 7 defenseman we already have can’t already do (we also have De Haan & Hamonic, who I guess are not ready) – don’t we need an PP QB/offensive D-man …not another stay at home guy, we have enough of those already:
Eaton, Jurcina, Martinekyou mean to tell me, we could not sign this guy to a 1 year deal…Snow had to give him 2 years. Where is Brendan Witt when you need him. Did Sim secure a roster spot now?
This is shaping up to be a great season -playoffs here we come – those $65 seats in the 300′s must be flying out of the box office
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Snow could have signed Marc-andre Bergeron to run the powerplay and signed Petr Sykora to bang in goals next to Tavares. Both could be had for 1 year/1 million. Then Snow could just trade them when Streit and Okposo come back. If only we had the cap space…oh well!
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JerseyBoy says:
Sigh…this all happened ’cause I talked the wife into buying 4 tix down in sec 102 for opening night. Good thing we bought NHL 11.
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hale78 says:
to post 77…mottau he’s a thir pairing d man will not sniff the power play…that will be hillen and wiz
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The Mottau signing was actually pretty decent. Another guy that can stay at home and protect the net. The Isles defense is actually better this opening than last opening night without streit. When he comes back, the Isles defense should be around average in the league as opposed to awful.
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This team is falling apart faster than NVMC!
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Jeff says:
Are the Isles using the same training staff as the Mets?
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@Post 51 “I’m guessing you haven’t been an Islanders fan for very long…”
Eric, Ive been a fan for 24 years. But I guess the keyword here is fan. I don’t sell the season down the river at the first sign of adversity.
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1972 means I'm Old says:
This week has been more than a season killer. It’s a franchise killer. It’s a season for blogging about the #1 pick for 2011; the low ratings that put the Islanders on some obscure MSG-owned outlet with pre-Uncle Miltie images; and a NVMC that will only draw crowds for Ranger games; and jeers of “Kansas City!” cannot be discounted.
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Tim F. says:
New Islanders team policy: To avoid any more injuries, all players must wear one of those giant inflatable sumo costumes.
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James says:
Ok every lets relax
Only Islander fans could overreact to bad news so much as to say something about putting a gun in their mouth.
The team will be fine, yes the injuries suck, but it is not the end of the world.
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Breaking News: Scott Gordon announces the Isles will now be playing the trap this year
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well said Chris MC, It is nuts that people are already talking lottery
I mean seriously? No optimism whatsoever
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Kevsboy says:
Its a Kate Murray kind of day.
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Wang just annouced he is raising the price to park to $30 to make up for the lost revenue on tickets this year
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vrinqueens says:
Injuries happen but on a team with so little depth its devastating. Glad to hear Snow still has plenty of money to spend but is waiting for that perfect F.A. signing.
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“he beat swine flu in a day” hahaha that’s hysterical. that was something else alright.
this is terrible though…it’s grim out here on the island. but JT and Nino will rise to the occasion. I’ve been using them in NHL Slapshot for Wii, and they’re incredible. I’m trying to find some way to be positive about this. I’ll be crying later I’m sure.
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therain93--terriers fan says:
First Streit, then Okposo. Who’s next? Tavares? Bailey? Moulson? Place your bets….
This is a Rangers Fan’s dream….
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CB- when will the 2011 Draft coverage start? We have time to go over a few rounds
just trying to be funny, bring a little light to the dark day
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Danbury Islanders Fan says:
Well on the postive side DP isn’t the first player with a serious injury this season. Just going have to watch the season and see how they regroup after these losses.
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brian says:
Wonder if this all wouldve happened on the great wall of china. season looking grim
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nolaislander says:
WTF grrr unhappy face unhappy face
hey at least dp seems ok,
is that a good thing again been so long since i’ve seen him play?
i can’t wait for the recovery rumors to start on streit and okoposo two years from now -
John from Atl says:
Not sure where Mike Mottau fits. I don’t understand this signing. He’s not a top pair Dman to replaced Striet.
If there’s another injury (at this rate, its just a matter of time)maybe but, until then; who sits? And why two years for Mottau. Maybe he’s getting ready to cut Gervias? I don’t get it. Is Mottau better than Jurcina? -
doggyondown says:
the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train!
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Jim Clark says: My tickets just came in the mail today and now this???
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Tyler says:
can the isles just cancel all practices and scrimmages from this point forward – we cant afford to lose any more guys.
Why is it that all the big Mets and Islanders players always get injured?? Is there something in the Long Island-Queens air???
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Tom says:
I’m not sure of the odds, but it looks like the lslanders have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs on Sept. 28
“If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all”
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I was just thinking how far under the cap we are now because if I remember from the past, if a player is out with an injury, doesn’t his salary go off the books until he comes back? For some reason, I remember something like that happening when Yash was injured. If that’s the case, Mottau’s $800K salary just covered KO who was set to make $765 K. Streit is set to make $4.1 million but, I’m not sure how much over the cap we are, if we even are over the cap.
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JD says:
I think our “motor lodge” is mad at Garth.
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Two months is a helluva lot better than six! Nino’s nine games takes us through the 1st month, then fill in with from amongst Rakshani, Joensuu, Martin, etc.
Let’s just hope Katie didn’t get this timeline from the Mets’ doctors! -
Long-Term Injuries:
A player expected to miss at least 10 games and 24 days due to injury can be listed as a long-term injury (LTI).
An LTI can be covered by replacement players, as long as the replacement salaries do not exceed the salary of the injured player.
If the replacement salaries would push a team over the salary cap, the team is allowed cap relief, but only for the portion of the salary that exceeds the cap.
When the injured player returns, the team must immediately comply with the normal terms of the salary cap. -
MattyB says:
This is absurd. I’m not even gnna bother with this team this year, they’re top two players are done, one for a half year and one for whole year. Playoffs? Playoffs?….I’ll be happy if we win a game, maybe two. haha…what a joke
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Steve says:
As much as I hate to say this, and as long as I have denied it, the Islanders are really a crap franchise. We play the least amount of pre-season games in the entire NHL, and our players are still getting hurt.
Mickey Mouse organization gets Mickey Mouse results.
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LIT says:
going to the Devils game tonight.. maybe something will spark.. doubt it.. I was there in 2003, in the locker room no less and still love the Isles!! why!!!???
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Ct 1970s says:
Why are we signing all these castoffs? The last seven signings are a leap backwards. I’ve been here over thirty years, but now I’m getting discouraged. Is this “systems guy” going to change to fit the “new squad” or do we run with THE system that still does not have a playoff game? Al Arbor had us winning playoff series by this time. He had Islanders playing hockey, not merely systems. I don’t know why the rash of injuries but it doesn’t speak well of on or off ice management. First milbury, now this…
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Stumpy32 says:
All this talk about if we can replace the player under the cap…I’m not exactly sure how that applies to us. We’re at the cap floor, not the ceiling. We now need ownership to spend cash on a dwindling number of free agents out there that might be better than the garbage we have at the bottom-end of our roster. It’s both unlikely that we’ll find that player, plus that a player worth having will be given the money that will allow us to get him.
Just assume the usual Isles company line…”We will fill that position from within.” Think Steve Stirling, but as a winger and defenseman.
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sean says:
Hey sh** happens move on people!!!
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geduffer says:
Ugh
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Mike from Sarasota says:
Really!? This can’t be happening. Has this franchise not endured enough. Was a deal made with the Devil to secure those 4 straight Cups?
And holy crap what is it with this team and shoulder injuries. Seems like we have at least a half a dozen every season. Many under bizarre circumstances.
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4theisles says:
Mottau – 6ft 190 lbs fits right in with Snow’s undersized corps.
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Paul says:
I know this sucks but come on everyone. A lot of teams have to go through this. We will be OK. I mean were you really thinking we would make the playoff’s? If we did do you think we would go that far. This will open up some room for someone else to make an impact hopefully. Hey you never know why these things happen but sometimes its for the better.
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I cannot buy this timeline for KO. Lets just say I know a great deal about his type of injury, often called a SLAP tear. If it is this type of tear, he will be in a sling for about a month with range of motion exercises. Then comes the rehab part. A normal person could resume activity, tennis, golf, in about four to five months. I just cannot see a hockey player getting back in two to three months, unless the tear is small and does not need dissolving screws.
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Chris Stephenson says:
The season is over before it started. This team can’t absorb this type of injuries – most teams can’t. But when you’re as thin on NHL capable talent as the Islanders are, you really have problems. Never easy with this team.
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Sneekypete says:
I had my labrum surgically repaired and it took 6 months of rehab. Maybe my tear was worse then his but it takes a long bit of rehab atleast 4 months.
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Mike says:
This season is OVER and with another lockout in 2012 alot of the youth will be RFA in the next couple of years on top of 2015 deadline we might never see the rebuild complete?
Hamonic second shoulder injury in 2 years not good.You know DP and Radek will be done by Thanksgiving it is going to be a LOOOOOOOOOONG season. -
Yes, these two injuries are very damaging at the least. I’ve been a fan since I was at that first game in October, 1972 against the Atlanta Flames, and I’ve seen many bad injuries in the last 38 years. Let’s not give up. We wouldn’t want the players to give up. There may be a few surprises in store for us and some of the younger players may push their development ahead faster by playing in the NHL earlier than expected. Without a doubt the loss of Streit hurts the most and he can’t be replaced. But, Okposo has not yet shown he is in the top tier of NHL players. Nineteen goals last year and another 50 shots over the net. Let’s say the glass is half full, not half empty. Maybe, players like Nino, Martin, Ullstrom,or de Haan will take up the slack. Sure would have liked Petrov to be here. Don’t give up the ship quite yet.
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isles14 says:
holy crud.what the hell is going on .
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Nyichamp39 says:
April fools!!!!! Oh…wait a minute….
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Chuck says:
the Isles sold their souls back in the 80s and got 4 championships out of it, now we suffer the consequences…this team is cursed
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Diane says:
2011 draft talk??
Way to DISRESPECT the players who are going to bust their ARSES out there this season. Way to show them we fans are behind them.
Draft talk..sheesh.
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Boy am I glad we have Jon Sim back in the fold
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drive4five says:
Just have to keep plugging this gives some young guy a chance to come in putup numbers…. the season hasnt even started yet i know these 2 injuries hurt, butcome on we have put up with way worse teams and still showed up and cheered and been hopefully the first couple months, lets just hop we stay in it until KO come back then we can make some noise!!
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Jim says:
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what Islanders fans say at this point, because we’ve earned the right to say and feel whatever we want. 15 years of suffering gives you that right. Let’s just hope something positive happens this season, because frankly, it has to. How much more can this organization, the players, and the fans take?
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battfist says:
What a bummer.
Get well boys…
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Steve says:
Unbelievable. Bad luck continues to sting this team. I don’t like Mottau signing either.
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Brother Rat says:
Christ almighty, what the hell? Just heard this. I don’t know what to think. Nice about Mottau, but KO….what can you do but shake your head at our luck. Let’s hope he heals fast and 100%, and gives us a shot in the arm upon his return. Simply ludicrous.
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NYINetherlands says:
Guys come on! I know losing Streit and Okposo is huge! But don’t write the Islanders off yet!
With Eaton, Jurcina, Wisniewski and now Mottau they added experience, size and depth to a very young Islanders defense.
Pair up Wisniewski with MacDonald, Eaton with Hillen and Jurcina with Martinek and they still have a better D than last year. Don’t rush De Haan and Hamonic. On the powerplay Wiz and AMac are solid, and also Hillen gets better and better. (as Gordon said during training camp AMac is going to be a part of the powerplay)
Tavares is going to make a huge step forward, with or without Streit and Okposo’s passes. Bailey, Hunter, Wiz, AMac, they all can pass. Johnny T will get (especially now) significant PK time as well, which helps him develop being a better all round player.
When Nielsen and Bailey stay healthy, they’re going to make strides again.
And let us all hope that Ricky is back for real now. Than there is pretty much to be exited about this season. And if a young group without Okposo/Streit can hang on in the playoff race, there is no doubt the Islanders are headed towards a bright, very bright period! With Okposo and with Streit!
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Savvy says:
Kudos to all the fans that realize the season isn’t over
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Isles4Ever says:
You gotta honestly look at the positives. This will give Jack Hillen, Bailey, Comeau, JT and the new guys a major oportunity to step up. You know they will, this team works very hard and I think they’ll wnt to prove that they can win without their best two players.
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Seriously, With Okposo and Streit they were going to finish 14th overall in the Eastern Conference according to THN. So now they finish 15th.
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I for one have waited too long for hockey to return so there is no way I’m throwing in the towel now. Yes I’m upset, and angry, and a bunch of other negative terms, but this team is still better and more exciting than 1995-2000. Arguably they are on par with the team from the past couple of seasons.
The same people on this board knocking everything under the sun about this organization today and joking about 2011 Draft will still be here commenting throughout the season, good or bad.
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DavidNYC says:
Our team MVP out for probably most if not all of the season and our future captain out for several months stings, it sting bad. What a horrible way to start the season! That being said, I am still excited for hockey to start. I expect our team to compete hard and band together even tighter to compensate. Call it wishful thinking but what else can we do? You cannot blame this on Wang, Snow, the players, or the trainer! It happened and we need to move on and back our team. I doubt the players have written off the season already, let’s see how they rise to the challenge. I am trying to find some optimism and hope a really great story comes out of all this, one that is a product of guys getting a chance they wouldn’t have otherwise and making the most of it. Let’s Go Isles!
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billy says:
i’m as optimistic as they come, but KO and Streit are our 2 best players. Thank god we got the NHL caliber D depth during the summer.
i’m so stunned today, this cant be real, we havent even played a friggin game yet!!!!!
It’ll be a crazy battle for us, if Ricky and Rolo are healthy we’ll still win games but i was ready to personally guarantee a playoff spot but now……..
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Merrick says:
I think bringing Nino on board this year would be a total waste. Okposo and Bailey are already entering the final years of their entry contracts. Why burn a year on this guy? Is it really worth it?
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Brian B says:
You know this does stink but it does give some guys another opportunity to take a spot on this team. If the Isles can just stay competetive for the time he is out than what a huge plus it would be to get him back.
Also the Isles players seem like they are the type of guys that could rally around this sort of thing being that their two best players are out.
Lastly, Okposo is tough…he’ll be back in Nov…you’ll see
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jpwjr1199 says:
Someone said, “The season is over before it started. This team can’t absorb this type of injuries – most teams can’t.”
Actually, this scenario is exactly what seperates the prepared franchises serious about winning in any sport and franchises, like the Isles, that are really not. In 1996 (after the NFL went to a salary cap in their CBA), Bill Walsh spoke of contingency planning: “I have always believed in the absolute necessity of having a comprehensive plan for achieving organizational goals that MUST DEAL WITH AND ADDRESS EVERY REASONABLY FORESEEN CONTINGENCY” (p.208), and, “Things DO go wrong, all of the time. If you don’t prepare for those serious reversals of fortune, you easily end up overwhelmed by them” (p.339), and most directly, “Although injuries are an inevitable part of the game, a team MUST be prepared to play games when key players are injured. Players in a supplementary role must have adequate skill and the expectation to perform at as well, if not better, than the man he replaces. Make sure your players understand that the team’s expectations for success will not change” (p.372). All citations are from Walsh’s thesis ‘Finding the Winning Edge’. -
19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
So basically … Media Day was the last good day of this new season.
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Sorry for the typos. I meant this scenario is exactly what seperates the prepared franchises serious about winning in any sport FROM franchises, like the Isles, that are really not
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The good news with the current situation that the Isles are in is that it gives Snow the opportunity to evaluate the young players and make a determination of how the rebuild is actually going. This is a critical year for Bailey and Comeau as well as Hillen. Can they get their games to another level. I would like to see both De Haan and Hamonic make the team and see what they have at least for 9 games. The question is does Gordon get a free pass and hence a contract extension if the team does not do well because of the injuries.
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Dreu Theran says:
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t wait to hear Howie Rose yell, “MOTTAU, MOTTAU, MOTTAU!!!!”
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Isles Fan 81 says:
Thanks to general groin pull…Gordon and his crazy system running them till they drop…well stupid they are dropping
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Obs says:
I would like to see the kids play at this point. Not expecting much unless DP & Rollie play lights-out.
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kallur says:
What was Stalin’s line? One death is a tragedy; a million is a statistic? I’m feeling this way about this news. Okposo out a few months, Streit virtually for the year: time to see what some newcomers like Parenteau and Konopka can do, time to see Bailey and Nielsen and Comeau step up, see what youngsters Martin and Ullstrom and Marcinko are made of, and time to not even think about playing de Haan and Hamonic and Nino this year. There’s absolutely no reason to. I am definitely of the opinion that rushing Bailey hurt (no WJC!) not helped him.
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manowar says:
The good news is, the Isles havn’t had a “GREAT” player since Pallfy. So no matter who is injured, they arent losing a “great” player. Most teams have 1 or 2 “great” players. Not the Isles. Everybody was ripping Streit last season saying he took a step back.
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drive45 says:
this sucks, but its time for the rest of the team to step up.
Eaton, Wiz, Mottau, Jurcina, Hillen, Martinek, MacDonald…Gervais. This is an ok defence if Radek stays healthy. Streit will be back in time for the playoffs.
Okposo will be out a few months, other guys will step up. Time to rally boys. -
joe says:
tthis just sucks!
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“I don’t like the Mottau signing.”
Very educated of you all to say that about one of the more underrated defenders in the game. GROW UP, IT’S A GOOD SIGNING. I’m not happy about what he did to Nielsen either, but he’s an Islander now. Suck it up and move on, I’m sure Frans will.
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Maybe this will somehow get the Isles to spend what it takes to get Petrov here. I know this team usually goes against conventional thinking, but really, how can they not try to get him out now? Pay whatever, let him play here on the NHL level and go with it. They aren’t going to get anything else of serious value via a trade, they shouldn’t play around now. Get him here now!
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JTorBust says:
No need to worry we inked Andy Hilbert. KO wishing you a quick recovery -
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matt says:
Are you serious? Its not even the real season? why the hell did our 2 best players get injured like this, how? i say fire the strength and conditioning coach…. too many injuries even last season. Im really shocked and upset
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Bring me Petrov!
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the sad part of all of this is snow will say at the end of the season that we finished last because of the injuries but the goal for the year after will be to make the playoffs. yeah right. i realize snow has very little cap space left. lol. but lets see wang spend some $$$ to get a top foward. dont worry you will see a 4th line scrub signed any day now.
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Cary says:
Not sure how anyone could take positives ot of this. It’s bad and everyone – including the team – knows it.
This was the year to make the playoffs and without our top 2 players and leaders (sorry, not a fan of JT so far and Dougie Weight ain’t what he used to be) it’s going to be VERY tough.
I’m still gonna watch, still gonna root, and hope the team comes together until at least KO comes back, which of course shouldn’t be rushed AT ALL.
Bailey, Schremp, and Hunter need to make some serious improvements in O over last year if we are to have a shot.
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D in BIG D says:
WOW!!!What the hell happened?Ko ko’d himself or what?The Streit injury is far worse for this team than the overrated KO.Maybe now this will force Gordo to utilize Comeau the way he should’ve last year instead of scratching him every 2cnd game.Then when he did play he bounced him all over the place.Put Comeau on 2cnd line and watch the results.He just about outplayed/produced KO last year in far less games and w/ lesser talent on his lines.As for the d-signing I think its time to rebuild it totally and thats precisely what Garth has done.Leave the kids down for @ least 1-2 yrs.Hell they still need to develop physically.If they play they’ll be injured and busts in no time.For what its worth….go isles….
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beatlebailey says:
hey season tix holder here and I know we islanders fans love to slit our wrists in self pity but c’mon!…i honestly didnt think we were a playoff team with streit and a full season of okposo so we just deal with it..fan=fanatic right..wtf i am all in with my boys! Let’s Go Isles!! I will be there this saturday for the first preseason game! oh and…
F the Rangers!!!! ( sorry CB) -
Bob Bassen says:
Get Well Soon, KO! Wow. More than anyone, including JT, I was very excited to see KO’s game this season.
If Snow was gonna sign one of our *Public Enemy #1′s*, I would have preferred Phanuef. Is Mottau really THAT good that to get him Snow HAD to sign the guy for two years?!?
Gordon has credibility now and prolly could find *work* elsewhere w/o the Isles but gonna be even more interesting now watching the first 20-25 games and to see if Gordon gets/signs an extension. -
jmont6 says:
This is an amzing run of bad luck nothing more. Its human nature for guys on here trying to blame it on someone (Moulsen, Gordon etc.) But its just a run of crap luck. The silver lining may be Nino deHan get exposure to NHL sooner than they might have. Anyway on my way to Saskatoon tomorrow and will report back after the game. Go Isles!!!!!
Great there goes our season