de HAAN WILL deVELOP THE RIGHT WAY
Also: Matt Martin sent to Bridgeport, for now
1:25 pm, NVMC: With enough depth on defense – bolstered by Garth Snow’s wise signing of the reliable Mike Mottau – the Islanders have done what’s best for the development of Calvin de Haan and returned him to Oshawa.
The 2009 12th overall pick also has a great chance of playing top-four minutes for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Buffalo beginning Dec. 26. It should be remembered that a shoulder injury limited the 19-year-old to just 34 OHL games last season. Also keep in mind Scott Gordon’s comment at the start of camp that youngsters de Haan and Travis Hamonic should only be kept around if they could crack the top four.
“The depth we have on D is a lot different than we had last year,” said Gordon. The coach added, “He had a slow start, and Calvin would tell you that himself, but he really came on during camp.”
In a mild surprise, Matt Martin has been sent to Bridgeport. He does not have to clear waivers. Martin, who missed a few days of practice with a foot injury, skated with the Islanders the last two days. There’s a great chance you’ll see Martin’s youthful energy and toughness on Long Island by the end of this month.
“We have some other things we want to look at with Nino, and with (Michael) Grabner coming in,” said Gordon. Matt didn’t do anything wrong.”
Goalie Nathan Lawson, expected to be the Islanders’ No. 3 this season, has been placed on Long Term Injured Reserve.
2010 fifth overall pick Nino Niederreiter, who just turned 18, will be in the lineup for your New York Islanders when they host Dallas in the season opener on Saturday. “One game at a time,” said Gordon. “There isn’t any rush to make a decision.”
2010-11 NYI Opening Night Roster
Comeau – Tavares – Parenteau
Moulson – Nielsen – Hunter
Bailey - Weight – Niederreiter
Gillies - Konopka – Sim
Grabner (who primarily plays right wing, will likely sit out the first two games as he gets acclimated to the team’s systems)
Defense: Eaton, Gervais, Hillen, Jurcina, MacDonald, Martinek, Mottau, Wisniewski
DiPietro
Roloson
Notes: The New York Times writes about the death of recent NHL uniforms and logos, quoting yours truly, painfully.
Nino Niederreiter was overjoyed about making the club. I was disappointed that he didn’t say his usual line, “It’s just fantastic.” His family is coming in from Switzerland to catch his NHL debut. Niederreiter will be the youngest player to get in a game in Islanders history, beating out David Chyzowski.
Michael Grabner: “I didn’t have a very good camp in Florida. I worked hard in the offseason, but I didn’t really do much out there. This is another opportunity for me.”
Comments?
Up Next: A video commentary that I think you’ll agree with, disagree with and probably enjoy.
132 Responses to de HAAN WILL deVELOP THE RIGHT WAY
Also: Matt Martin sent to Bridgeport, for now
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2Bit says:
How is it that the people who moderate the Isles website don’t even know the positions for each player. To quote the website … “Martin, 21, was the Islanders’ fifth round selection (148th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-3, 210-pound. [B]defenseman[/B] from Windsor, ON, made his NHL debut last season, “
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Oye Comeau Va says:
Now I know a lot of people will freak over this. I assure you, I am as a big a Matt Martin fan as there is, but I think this is the right move. We know he will be with the team, but I don’t want him out there after not playing in 2 weeks because of a foot injury. Let him get back into game shape and regain his form while at the Bridge.
Now… without furhter delay… let the unfounded Sim bashing begin.
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Joe says:
Glad they kept Gillies. I’d prefer Sim got the boot over Martin, the guy was never an agitator as people said he was. Guess if Nino goes after a few games then Martin will come up.
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the bomber says:
good for dehaan. i wanted to see martin on saturday but id imaging nino is keeping his spot warm for a few days.
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Staten Islander says:
I was hoping el Nino would go back to juniors because of his age, he still might after 9 games. I also hope that Bruno spends so much time in the press box that it gets renamed “Bruno’s kitchen”
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EAF says:
PA Parenteau who was waived by the other team is playing on the first line. Wow! Only on Long Island.
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Eric Cup says:
Any word on the nature of Lawson’s injury?
It will be interesting to see the 6 defensemen they go with on Saturday.
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IslesFanInTN says:
Given the injuries, I like this roster. The only change I would rather see would be Martin instead of Sim. I am not bashing Sim, I just like Martin and like the energy he brings.
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mm says:
Gillies – Konopka – Sim is by far the worst line in hockey, its so bad you have to love it
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Pete says:
They made the right moves today. Let’s see if they do it again after Nino’s 8th game when it should be apparent whether or not he should be returned to juniors or not.
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Josh says:
Sim wont play when Grabner comes back. Which d-man are getting scratched. Jurcina, Gervais?
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I think that once Schremp comes back (barring any injuries) that either Nino goes back to juniors or Sim goes to Bridgeport.
Well I hope he goes instead of Gillies. -
I’m thinking that Gillies-Konopka-Sim should all wear horn-rimmed glasses and put on the foil
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PPUGS says:
I agree with everyone…would have rathered seeing matt martin up…but he could easily come back up in place of sim…glad to see they are going to give Nino a shot
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hockeytime says:
I have to admit that I like this setup. If Nino doesn’t stick I am sure we will see Martin called up pronto. If PA looks bad after a few games then we can give Grabner a few looks too. Just want the season to start already. Let’s go Islanders!!
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Strummer's Army says:
Isles management talk about guys earning their spot but then award spots to career AHL guys. It doesn’t make sense. Like someone wrote above how do guys cut by not so good teams like the Rags end up playing with one of the top young players in the NHL? I can’t believe we are going to be forced to watch Sim and Bruno again!!!! I cannot believe how bad they suck! They are an embarssesment.
Nino needs to be here all year. It is disgraceful Martin was sent down. He and JJ deserve to be here.
I am still holding out hope of some trades before the season starts but when Snow forces Sim and Bruno down our throats it is hard to be excited about this team.
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Giaco says:
Sim over Martin is the same reason DeHaan is not with the team. Martin needs to be top 6 in order to make the team.
Nino might have to score a few in his first 9 to stay with the team with Grabner and Shremp back soon.
Also, dont see the point in having 2 fighters in the same game.
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mm30 says:
Hey EAF…he was a free agent signing. Not too mention he scored some of the biggest Ranger goals in the shootout last year.
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5fourFightin says:
#10 Konopka is not a terrible hockey player. I doubt you’ve seen him play much. And as much as I despise Sim. There are worse players in the NHL. For now, that 4th line can reek some havoc.
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Smart choices in deHaan and Martin.
deHaan needs more time.
We will see Martin soon on callup.
Nino will be getting a cup of coffee and will be back with his Jrs team 10 games from now. And FWIW, Botta certainly called it on Sim making the team. Ill just never understand why that is such a problem to some people. -
JD says:
I have no problem with these moves. CDH has missed too much time with his injury so another year in juniors won’t hurt him and Martin IMO looks a little raw yet and needs some time to play more minutes then he would get with the big club. I think PA will have to produce pretty quickly to justify being on the top line.
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Chris in DC says:
PAP wasn’t waived by anyone; he was a free agent wisely signed by Snow. Rangers loss is our gain.
It’s been said plenty, but what are we going to do with 8 d-men? CB, have you heard who’s likely to sit or be scratched?
Chef Bruno seems like a wonderful dude, but I think it might be time to send him down or package him elsewhere… -
77 forever says:
I just made a fool of myself at work by laughing out loud after reading #14.
I do think that having PA play on the top line is absurd, and having Bailey on the 3rd line is just wasting his talent.
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StevieL says:
Is it just me or in year 3 of Garth Snows master rebuild, does this team look like a total experiment? They should put a revolving door on the locker room this year! There is going to be a lot of coming and going!!
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tbox says:
What’s wrong with the Gillies-Konopka-Sim line? As long as they f-things up for opponents and are not defensive liabilities things should be fine. And Martin will be here soon once his foot heals up. And again, I don’t see an issue with two guys who will fight. Early last year we didn’t have anyone, no offense to Thompson and Jackman.
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bossjones15 says:
PA’s skating makes Tavares look like an Olympic speed skater. That will easily be the slowest top line in the NHL, and they don’t even have size! But like 24 said this is all a big experiment and the lines/rosters will change constantly this season.
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Mike from Sarasota says:
Thrilled de Haan will get to develop properly. He played all of 38 games last season(34 w/Oshawa & 4 at the WJC). Let him play a full OHL season and a full WJC.
Also have no problem keeping Sim over Martin if it’s in a 4th line role. No use in having a youngster play 5 minutes a night.
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Andre says:
I think the Islanders will struggle big time this year. I really do. I just don’t think the defense has an impact player on it. With Streit out, the special teams will struggle a lot. Of course, I am assuming there is no impact trade. Do you realize that Wiz is the best offensive defenseman on that team and he is really not an offensive defenseman. MacDonald is probably best offensive defensman and he is going to have to step big time if this team is going to function well on the powerplay.
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Hopefully the Isles are smart with Nino. If after 9 games it’s evident that he’s not ready for the NHL send him back to juniors. Nobody is coming to a mid-week game in January to watch Nino play 5 minutes on the 4th line.
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JJ says:
Hate to be a debbie downer, but I think the sad, sad reality is that the injuries to Streit and Okposo will kill this team.
This year should have been the year we finally made it back to the playoffs. Now, I’d be thrilled if we finish in the top 11 of the conference.
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Brian G says:
Agree with #10…the line of
Gillies – Konopka – Sim
is the worst in the NHL…I guess the competition level for roster spots was not that high in this training camp. How do they not keep Martin if he did nothing wrong, how much did Gillies do right to beat him out.I am guessing after the Ranger game Martin will be back and Gillies will be at the Bridge after a meaningless fight against Boogard.
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Rich says:
I can’t even begin to describe how much I hate that Jon Sim is on this team again. The silver lining to the end of last season for me was watching what I thought was his last game in an Islanders uniform. He is hands down the least talented player in the NHL and I’m not exaggerating…he is that bad. I can not stand watching him skate into the opponents goalie every shift 5-10 seconds after the whistle blows. He is an embarrassment to the team and the league and it figures that the Islanders would have to be the team that keeps this loswer employed…what a joke.
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Hollywood says:
DaHAAn just isn’t ready. He has a long way to go. As for Sim, I don’t think he’ll be here for long. Once Grabner is ready they will shake things up. Lets just get this started and hopefully the team can manage to keep themselves afloat until Okposo and Streit come back.
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Worst 4th line in the NHL? I think we’re being a little harsh.
The Isles are pushovers last year and finally we’ve got guys with a bit of beef who can skate and throw and now it’s a problem. Some of these posts are head-scratchers… -
Hock says:
Funny #22.
While we are experimenting, why not try Grabner on the 2nd line and move Hunter down to the 4th line and bounce Sim out. Although, you have to admit Sim is like sandpaper and his hits are not much less effective than Hunters, given his much smaller stature.
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NYI says:
Our rebuild is taking so long because we had to tare everything down from the mess Milbury left! I think Snow has done quite well with the moves he has and HAS NOT made. Snow’s challenge is that much more difficult because no free agents are coming. If he was able to grab one or 2 of the top players that way we would be much farther along. We have to be patient as touch as it is sometimes.
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Blizzard says: ….alright now I am gonna go ballistic. Sim over Martin? Barf…I dont agree with anyone who thinks Sim should start over Martin… Bunch of BS IMO.
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Interesting how the so-called “least talented player in the NHL” managed to score 13 goals last season…
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I glad the development of the so called prospects is making its way up the ladder to the big club ….oh wait Gillies and Sim are on this team…Glad to see them as part of Snow’s rebuild in year 3…how does that happen…these 2 guys would not be on any other NHL roster….you have to love this youth movement
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Matt says:
I agree with #30. Some wierd comments. The 4th line is exactly what a 4th line is suposed to be. They are supposed to be high energy, agitator types. They are supposed to get the other team off it’s game and that is exactly what Sim is trying to do when he runs into the oppositions goalie. They are gonna get two or three shifts a period and do their job. There’s also a good chance that Gillies will get maybe one shift a period and the other times the 4th line is out there someone else will be playing with Konopka & Sim.
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Jim says:
I have to agree and say Sim should not be on this roster. If not Martin there has to be someone, somewhere that is a better fit/NHL player than Jon Sim. aaaarrrggghhh
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Lance79 says:
Congrats to Nino! I guess we hang on to him until Schremp comes back *knocks on wood* barring further injury…
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Mark In Ottawa says:
“Niederreiter will be the youngest player to get in a game in Islanders history, beating out David Chyzowski.”
Here’s hoping this is the last time you compare the two. It’d be nice if they were polar opposites.
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Brother Rat says:
I also have to say that I like the makeup of the roster, and that some of the kids were sent back for proper development. With our luck, there’s no way this is our lineup in 6 weeks (or may be 2 weeks…) so the kids will see NHL time–and we have more depth at each position now than we did last year. Sorry to hear about Lawson’s setback–I hope he can battle back. Let’s go Isles!
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Ice Girl Dad says:
The team made the right decisions as other regulars return from injury the roster will be reshaped.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
Exactly when did Matt Martin become Brett Hull?
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Isles72 says:
Niederreiter and Martin should not be on the team.
9 games is fine but he is 18 and needs to develop properly.
Martin is a LW and unless you convert him or convert Comeau (who I must admit plays way better at LW) then there is no room for him on the roster. Giving a 21 year old kid fourth line minutes isn’t going to help him develop into the player we all want him to be.
Have patience with the kids and they will reward us for that patience in due time with far superior play.
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I thought Sim was going to be gone, too, but how many other teams had a 4th liner score 13 goals last season? And I have no complaints about him buzzing the other goalies; that’s his game. It sure happens to us from other teams. Most teams have at least 2-3 guys who are agitators and can mix it up. The Pens, for ex., have Asham, Godard, Cooke AND Rupp. Those guys will cream us if we don’t have our own people to send messages back.
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Jerky says:
Gervais still on this squad = joke.
Gillies & Konopka … of course we need them both in the lineup against teams in the East, its a no brainer.
While Sim may be the least talented player in the league, he showed a lot of heart last year and I prefer him over Hilbert. With a two-way contract, he’ll likely be up and down as needed based on injuries.
Finally, there were some difficult and not so difficult business decisions that should have been made this offseason by Snow. Buying out Gervais’ final year and getting nastier overall on defense were so obvious. He dropped the ball for no clear reason when plenty of good and nasty d-men were available for a reasonable price. Very little done of offense either – lots of low risk/high reward moves (Parenteau, Grabner) which is fine from time to time but seems to be the only avenue he’s explored for the past two years. It’s time to take a little more risk for an established goal scorer Mr. Snow.
Nonetheless, I’m pumped for the season to begin this weekend.
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sean says:
Come on Bruno sucks I don’t want him on this team I wish he would go away a be a cook instead!!! The 4th line is a funny combination.
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Peter says:
Matt Martin won’t be in the AHL for long and will probably grow into being a David Clarkson type player.
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battfist says:
CB- good call on Sim. I didnt he’d make it.
But Im with the group that says Martin should be on the team. If he is supposed to be the future he should be getting used to playing with guys he will be playing with for a long time.
But I can see Martin being called up as someone to add energy to the team.Thanks for the info.
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Nino!!It will be fun to think that our 6 ft 2 in, 205 pd winger was 8 months old the last time the Isles won a playoff series!!Just putting it in perspective!! Patience is turning into lifetimes! Go Isles!
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Relax people, you can be sure this will be the last stand of Bruno Gervais. Also, Martin will be brought up early in the season.
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Merrick says:
I’ll go one more than a few comments and say that the Gillies-Konopka-Sim line is arguably the worst line EVER assembled for an opening night in the history of the NHL.
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Mike says:
it always scares me when people say de Haan will develop the right way by going back to juniors – does that mean that Tavares, Bailey and Nino will develop the wrong way. I know that defenseman take longer to mature and hopefully when he comes up he will be able to make an immediate impact – I do not think there is a right way or a wrong way to develop talent – the individual is either ready or not. Here’s hoping that both of them have great years and are ready next year to help the team make great strides.
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Anyone that doesn’t think the Islanders roster has taken a step backwards in year 3 of the rebuild is kidding themselves.
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#56 I think the right way and wrong way to develop a prospect is dependent on the prospect. For example sending Tavares back to junior where he had nothing left to prove would have been the wrong way for him. Sending deHaan back to juniors where he only played 34 games last season and allowing him to mature physically is the right call on him. I still believe that rushing Bailey to the NHL was the wrong way to develop him but I guess only time will tell if he turns out to be a career 3rd liner.
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Geezette says:
36, I can’t remember how many times I heard or read that Chizzer blamed the Islanders for ruining his career by bringing him up too soon. I never could understand that reasoning other than as an excuse.
Like nearly everyone else, I don’t think the Isles are going to set the world on fire this year. One thing though, this team won’t coast. They will give you the best they have. As a fan, that’s all you can ask.
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LetsGoISles! says:
I can’t wait for the new season!!
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yeah i totally understand how Matt Martin didnt make the team but veteran jon sim did, especially when you are in a rebuild! how does bruno gervais keep sticking around!?!? ugh. at least andy hilbert was sent down.
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Rich, but I don’t see how the roster took a step back. Injuries aside, our D is the best it’s been since Snow took over. Goalies (as of this typing) are healthy. So where did we take a step back? You can’t hold injuries to Streit, Okposo, and Schremp against the GM. Once Okposo and Schremp are back, and Martin gets to 100%, look how different the lineup will bethen.
Last year Sim was definitely not releated to our 4th line. Last year we had guys like Nate Thompson, Bruno Gervais, and Richard Park playing every night. So this team is worse? I just don’t see it.
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Brian says:
Anyone else think Gillies is only playing until the first Ranger game to handle Boogard, and then he either gets sent to Bridgeport for Martn, or rides the pine in favor of Grabner?
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steve says:
Rich 33. I realize that as a ticket holder you pick which players you like the least so you can boo them, but Sim the worst player in the league? He may be among the least liked, and I’ve seen two incidents that make me think he may not liked by some of his teammates, but he drew an amazing amount of net penalty minutes and scored 13 goals. That’s not the stuff of worst player in the league. But I will agree with you that the younger and maybe more complete player Martin deserved the first shot. But am I upset? No. Sims a good 4th liner. Martin I can see on any line, as well as the power play.
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Dadi says:
#33…thank you very much…
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Petey Pete says:
Rich #58, the Isles took a step backwards because of the injuries to Okposo and Streit, not because of any personnel decisions.
In 3 years, Snow’s brought on Josh Bailey, Travis Hamonic, John Tavares, Calvin de Haan and Nino Neiderreiter. That’s 5 top flight NHL youngsters, 3 of which are getting big minutes in the NHL (or will be).
The Rebuild hasn’t gone entirely perfect: the botched (IMO) selection of Miko Koskinen with the 31st overall, with Ryan O Reilly taken right after/the Kabanov-Petrov headaches..but overall, this rebuild is where we should expect it to be after Year 3.
Honestly, I’d be happy if the Isles have a relatively healthy developmental year, and end up with another top 3 pick. That’s the only way this team will become the Blackhawks (probably our best blueprint for a rebuild).
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The Simtuation says:
No reason to see Martin up if he gets Sim like minutes, Gillies would be the scratch over Sim anyway. I don’t think Gillies could score 13 goals in a season anyway. Give Martin time to mature into a Trent Hunter like player (with more speed and more fights). Nino should get sent to junior when Schremp comes back and by the time Okposo comes back we’ll know what we have in Grabner and Parenteau. It’s not the bottom 6 I’m worried about, as they will be good, it’s how well our very young top 6 perform without Okposo and Streit.
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Same-O; Same-O. Although the D, without Streit, is better, I see not much scoring. Who, other than Tavares and Moulson can hit the back of the net? Now, instead of losing 5-2, it will be 4-2. Let’s hope that Nino suprises everyone. Sim on this team….let’s not beat a dead horse….should be working at Sonic where he can deliver food on roller skates. In the Islander’s first season (72-73) they won 12 games. By their third season they won 33 and made the playoffs. That’s what is called rebuilding. Torrey knew how to build a team and it’s not with players like Gervais and Sim. Snow has reached his level of incompetence. It’s called the Peter Principal. Islanders, make me eaat my words Saturday night.
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Hockey1919 says:
Now that Sim is no longer a threat to get PowerPlay time, I think they made the right choice in retaining him. The right side currently has only Trent Hunter that has played more than 50 NHL games. Martin can easily be recalled once a decision is made on Parenteau, Grabner and Nino. Otherwise he would be a healthy scratch for 10 games. DeHaan’s time will come soon enough when he is a top four.
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Matthew Dillner says:
Addressing Comment #7…
About PA, being waved and playing on the first line on the Isles.Remember what happened last year. Matt Moulson was not wanted, but the organizatoin saw talent. SO… he was paired with Tavares and it resulted in a breakout year.
Yeah, its an attempt to give a talented kid the best chance he can get.
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Dr. Generosity says:
The Chyzzer reference scares the heck out of me. Lord, we deserve a better player than Chyzowski out of last season’s finish.
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snuff78ca says:
If Sim is on the 4th line it is no issue. The problem was last year he was not on the 4th line, he was on the 3rd, 2nd and sometimes first line, even seeing some PP time. That cannot happen again.
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Martin over Sim. Possibly Gilles too. This “agitator” label is so over valued. Is he irritating…yeah, to us fans. He barely draws penalties let alone a response from other teams.
An effective agitator will not only aggravate teams, he’ll draw penalties, and occasionally fight.No point on going on forever about this but its a bad move.
I see no point in keeping Gervais too. If he’s a regular healthy scratch I guess I understand. CDH developing…fine with it, but I feel even though he wouldn’t be in a “development” role here it sounds like he can contribute. I can wait for top 4 status though. -
cm2747 says:
only real mistakes..not keeping martin up and god help us.. if gervais dresses
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Zarley Z says:
All the Sim hate is a bit overblown. The guy is going to play MINIMAL minutes on the 4th line as a spark plug, which is something he is rather good at – Just ask Blake Comeau and Ricky D. Let Martin get back on track post-injury at the Bridge, re-evaluate, and let Sim draw a few penalties while he gets under the opponents’ skin in the process.
As for the Gervais haters – yes, the guy doesn’t belong in the starting 6, which is exactly why he’ll be in the press box as a reserve – make that reserve #2 behind Jurcina. So accept the fact that his name is still on the roster, but enjoy the fact that it will be as a healthy scratch. There’s really nothing to complain about here either.
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Gilmoregirl says:
Look at Tavares line mates. I’m sure his agent will try n talk Tavares into not resigning when his contract is up.
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MorDraftPicks says:
2010-11 NYI Opening Night Roster
Comeau – Tavares – Parenteau
Moulson – Nielsen – Hunter
Bailey – Weight – Niederreiter
Gillies – Konopka – SimDefense: Eaton, Gervais, Hillen, Jurcina, MacDonald, Martinek, Mottau, Wisniewski
DiPietro
Roloson
Want a reason why I didnt renew for the first time in 8 years? See above
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IslesRock says:
As of now, I think Snow gets a D+ for the job he has done. Yes the injuries hurt, but as of now, our top three lines are small, soft and not overly talented, other than JT. The defense seems a bit better, but undersized. With all of the 4th line forwards and sub average D men Snow signed, we could have added a legit player or two. Please, no BS about using the building as an excuse. In pro sports, money talks.
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Brian @ Work in DC says:
Wow! What a great lineup! I am now so jacked to finish 15th in the East! Face it guys this rebuild is stuck in neutral.
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isles71 says:
Agree that de Haan was not ready and that he should start in Jrs. Bruno Campoli should be out with Jurcina as 7-8 d-men. And all this talk about Sim is hilarious!!! In his entire hockey career, he has never had so many words written about him…fantastic!!! Do think that Martin needed to make the team over Barney Rubble-Sim, but as long as he isn’t -12 by the end of the month, let Martin get some minutes in the AHL. We talk about Sim like he was Gary Howatt, Ken Linseman or Pat Verbeek…just like they say…any publicity is good publicity!!!(just ask Lindsay Lohan!!!)
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Honestly, I’ll take 15th in the East. I’d rather we get a 2nd overall than a 6th overall. That’s the difference between drafting a first liner or a second liner for the next 6-10 years.
Don’t believe me, would Jonathan Toews be the same with Kyle Turris or Sam Gagner instead of Patrick Kane?
With Okposo and Streit out for a good chunk of the season, I would say this is not the worst outcome.
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matt says:
Listen I know we are all questioning the Sim decision right now. Did you ever think that he may have “earned” his spot on this team in camp? He has. He is a pesky forward who will work his butt off and protect the younger players.
I am ready to go to war with this lineup, and hope we can tread water until robbie, kyle and eventually streit come back.
pumped for saturday night!
LETS GO ISLANDERS!
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cjcb says:
I LOVE 2/3 of this 4th line, would rather have Martin in and Sim out but LOVE having Gilles and Konopka on the team, long time coming. Its going to be fun watching the Isles even if they lose at least. My god i might have to buy tickets again to an Islander game, i didnt plan on this! I hope i can fit it in the budget, no i WILL fit it into the budget!! Can it be true the days of weak frail Islanders teams is coming to an end!!!!
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Thanks islanders for not making me intrested in going to opening night – Plenty of seats available
In 2015 will Snow & Wang be saying:
“this is only year 7 of the rebuild, you need to be patient”by that time it will cost $100 to sit in the 300′s and Wang will still spend up to the cap floor on the roster.
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I think the Islanders will outwork a lot of teams and will be a surprise team in the NHL.
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David Volek says:
How is anyone chirping the Gillies/Konopka/Sim line? Granted Gillies is a pure fighter, but Konopka is great on draws, and Sim puts in the occasional goal. Its not like that line is set in stone anyway. When Okposo, and Shremp are healthy again, the lineup is gonna get changed.
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bcarroll25 says:
#69
torrey wasn’t drafting 18 year olds. different era. -
Steve M says: Grabner > Sim =/
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Doug says:
i think if this team doesn’t start to take off, we are going to lose some of our “talented kids”. I watched something on the Maple Leafs on NHL Network the other day, with Dion Phaneuf as the main guy in the show. There was a scene with Johnny Tavares.. yes our OWN JT sitting at a table with Phaneuf laughing over a joke. I literally said “what the hell is that all about dude!? Lunch with an enemy!?”
Johnny loves Toronto, and the Leafs are his childhood team, Burke wanted him from the get-go… scares me to think what could happen when his rookie contract is up.. common Isles, lets keep these kids interest and start winning!
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good -gillies and sim on same line-now we have someone to protect sim
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ant says:
Its a shame Martin did not make this team over Sim,and I don’t see him coming up anytime soon.When Schremp returns and Grabner gets in the lineup where will there be room for Martin?How does Sim make this team over Martin.I would rather see Martin over Hunter also.I thought he was part of the rebuild.Bring the kid up and lets see what he brings to the table.
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Jeff says:
Continually playing Nielsen on the same line as Hunter and other slow/no transition players (example: Moulson) is killing Nielsen’s offensive numbers. Nielsen’s speed and shiftiness through the neutral zone could create so much offense, but we waste him by playing him with Hunter, whose game is built around cycling down low (which is tough for Nielsen cause he’s small).
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LAnce says:
This is not an NHL roster….
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anthony c says:
someone explain to me how sim is still here. and el nino is on 3rd line. I don’t like how these lines are set up. Moulson should be on 1st line with Tavares as well as Niederreiter. From what I have seen from Parenteau I am not sold on him being on 1st line. I’m missing Okposo and Schremp even more
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john says:
Who do the Isles have for a backup goalie for Rollie when Ricky D goes down after making a routine save on opening night?
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can we see if ricky gervais is availbale instead of bruno gervais
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sheppy says:
Gillies may not be the best hockey player on the team, but he plays with intensity and heart and that is more than I can say for a few other players. Sure, he’ll be a healthy scratch against some teams, but I predict he plays the majority of the games this season. The Islanders need a guy like him.
To the guy who predicted he will get sent down after the Rangers game, are you the same guy who predicted he would get cut today? If so, you need to work on your predictions.
The Gillies-Konopka-Sim line is a decent fourth line. In Konopka, we have a guy who can win a face off when the game is on the line. For a fourth line scrub (I say that kiddingly), he is going to see a lot of time on the ice if the Islanders are taking key draws late in a game. Sim is actually a good fourth liner. The problem last year was that he was playing too often on the second and third lines. Regardless, Sim is not this team’s problem. If they need to send him down because there is someone better to fill his role, they will. He is on a two-way contract.
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NYICHAMP39 says:
WOW I never would have thought that our D would be our strongest asset going into this season. Unfortunately, after viewing those potential lines, that appears to be the case. Really wish Okie and Schremp werent injured. They would give us some semblance of an NHL line-up. No other team in the NHL is putting a forward line-up like this on the ice on opening night. Sad…
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The defense is NOT good at all without Streit. I hope the Dipietro and Roloson are ready to stand on their heads. It is going to be a long season. I am starting to seriously question whether or not this rebuild is working. It did not take Chicago, Pittsburgh, or Washington this long to completely turn their franchise around. There are no siginicant signs that the Islanders are about to make that turnaround. Just read all the publications and their predictions for the Islanders.
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Jim Clark says: With Bruno Gervais as our top blueliner, I’m looking forward to a season with a lot of spectacular saves by Roloson and DiPietro.
Send Niederreitter down after 9 games to get fully developed
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Tony says:
Wow, that is a pathetic opening line-up… no Streit no Okposo, and this team looks awful… really, how does Wang get away with putting an AHL team on the ice (don’t even try to argue otherwise) and raising ticket prices… I don’t care if you’re losing money because you don’t have your brand new arena.. now you’re going to lose even more money when this team wins NO games and NO one shows up… really disappointing to see this line up, injuries or not.
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Jeff says:
Please don’t tell me that Gordo is going to split up JT and MM to start the season.
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Chris Mc says:
Jeff, what planet have you been on? Moulson hasn’t played with JT all camp and hasn’t even really played with him since the middle of last season.
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Hockeyboy says:
Not a lot to get excited about here. Missing opening night for my kids travel hockey game. Not a bit upset about that.
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IsleFan73 says:
I am shocked Martin did not make the team. I can only guess that his foot is not 100%. If he is healthy, it makes no sense that Grabner and Sim are on the roster over him. This team desperately needs size and guys who play with an edge upfront. Too many small finesse forwards. Our best power forward is an 18 year old rookie. CB, I hope the lines you posted are not cast in stone. They are horrible. JT’s line is a joke. I would put Niederreiter on the right side of JT. More speed and JT will have someone on the ice with some grit to protect him.
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brian says:
If DaHaan looked like he belonged, he’d be here. Isles have no problem rushing players. He just wasn’t very impressive and he was cut.
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Sea_Cliff says:
I like how you say…Calvin D will develop properly by staying another year in Oshawa…Christ…you dont get better by playing against the same peers you were playing against the previous year, Calvin was ready to make a step up, granted the isles have a bunch of good healthy young defensmen, but Im sorry thinking that the defensemen the isles are brining in now, expecting them to be superstars just wrong, we could have used Dehann instead of one of the journey scrubs…
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Andre 100 – sorry but you’re way off. The D is defensively sound this year with veteran, stable, stay-at-home D-men. They may not score as much as any of us would like, but they will do their job of providing sound ‘defense’.
And it took teams like Chi, Pit, and Wash this long to rebuild. Actually, it took longer. Caps finished last in their division 3 years in a row (would’ve been 4 if no lockout). Pit finished last in the division 4 years in a row (would’ve been 5 if no lockout). And Chi, well I couldn’t recall them being good since the Belfour/Roenick days.
And in Snow’s defense, he didn’t get an Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby served to him on a platter. The fruits of Snow’s rebuild are only partialy on the team, some are in AHL, but most are still in CHL, NCAA, overseas, etc. It’s been only 2 years and 3 months here.
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Bob says:
My preference would still be Martin over Sim and De Haan over Gervais but that is just my opinion….I agree with the development front for De Haan but I still cannot the regular gafs that Gervais makes….solid guy but he looks lost and scared out there at times.
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Jim says:
The home opener is a morale-booster. It sets the stage for the first month of play. It’s gotta be Rollie in net. DP has played a total of 8 games the past two seasons. And we CANNOT put him in there against the Rags just to have Avery or Boogaard “accidentally” fall on his head. It’s gotta be Rollie for AT LEAST the first two.
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jon says:
I hope Gordon has figured a way to improve the PK this year, and it looks like he may be giving JT some time out there. The coaching staff has to motivate the players better on the road, especially keeping them confident late in the game.
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dynasty23x4 says:
hockeyboy- too bad your kid didnt get a camp invite, i hear theres roster spots open.. might be too big for the isles already though
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Examiner says:
Sea Cliff: de Haan didn’t play that much last season. He missed lots of time with Oshawa and lost time with Canada at WJC, both with injuries. Let him put in a full year before he is thrown into the fire.
Let his body fill out before he starts playing against men, not boys.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
I can’t crtique or praise Nino for making the team. I haven’t seem him play for even one second (sans the MC hatchet job) during the pre-season. However … if he’s truely good enough to crack the roster than so-be-it. Just as long as he gets minutes to develop. He’ll get nothing out of sitting on the bench.
I suspect that after 9 games Gordon / Snow will decide if it’s best that Nino spends another year at Portland and insert Grabner and bring up Martin. We’ll see.
So I guess it’s time to get on this Roller Coaster of a team again. Strap in everybody… It’s going to be a lots of ups and downs.
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Michael says:
This team is still better then last years team. The D is so much better! I hope they surprise us all!
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Matt says:
The Isles were 34-37-11 last year and they have a better defense. If ricky stays healthy they have a better goalie situation and they a bunch of young talented forwards ready to prove themselves. Tavares is pumped for the season. Mouslson is determined to prove that his 30 goal season wasn’t a fluke, and bailey, comeau, and nielsen could all score 20+ goals this year, and for all we know Nino could click with the team right away in the NHL and have a great year. Maybe we’ll start off slow cause of the injuries but i think things will come together. And you know that when Schremp and Okposo come back we will be even more improved. Oh and don’t forget that Okposo will probably be itching to get back and will be TOTALLY fired up when he does. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tore it up right out of the gate when he comes back. I just don’t understand some of the negative stuff people are saying. Oh and to the Jon Sim bashers, the guy is a gritty, gutty player that lays it all out there every night and will agitate teams like crazy. Not too mention that he will be playing strictly on the 4th line and can put in 10-15 goals a year. Somehow people think that he’s the worst player in the NHL? I don’t get it. In any case, I know some of you will think I’m crazy but I don’t think its out of the question for this team to win 40 games this year and sneak into the playoffs. We made an 18 point improvement last year and I can only see us improving again with the better defense and an extra year of experience for our young forwards.
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look at the bright side. at least we are a shoe in to be in the same draft position when we got j.t. guaranteed nino will be here after 9 games, even if he is not ready. gm wang doesnt care about proper development. he just cares about selling a few extra tickets. there is no way in the world bailey should have been here his first year. it hurt his development but again it went back to selling a few extra tickets regardless how it effects a players development.
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BIGSAVE says:
I felt that this team would be ready to challenge for a playoff spot too, until Streit and Okposo went down. With Bailey on the 3rd line and JT basically playing by himself this could be a long, long year. I hope they prove me wrong but I would not be surprised if we finished last place in the eastern conference.
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Madchef says:
I love all the haters are you guys Isles fans. THe team addressed two of the bigger problems in offseason with toughness and defense. Yeah they are not top 10 players at their position but this team can definitely be in the race late this year. Injuries are a bummer but we have way more depth and this team is primed to be big next year when the guys who almost made it do. If you cant get excited for the start of the season and already playing debbie downer well they need to play the games first before we finsih 15th and get a lottery pick. why not relax and enjoy an improved team that plays as a team and has some young hungry talent.
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Savvy says:
I’m hoping (probably just like everyone else) Nino and Grabner really come on strong this year. There’s so much potential on this team, it’s driving me crazy! Even with the injuries, this team is loaded with potential.
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Isles fan in Fla says:
I agree that if Sim is 4th line only, that’s fine. Though dont expect 13 goals playing with Gillies/Konopka. But I worry they’ll use him more (like they did last year) Not worth it for Martin to be playing 4th line minutes. Also, if you look at the line combos, the entire 2nd & 3rd line I would switch. Schremp (though Weight for now) is a 2nd line center, Nino should be a 2nd liner or be back in juniors and Bailey is a 2nd line forward.
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Drive45 says:
I’m not kidding but Jon sim is one of my favorite players on this team. He is what u want on the fourth line. He puts in 13 goals and is annoys the he’ll out of the other teams players. He was asked to do to much before on this team. Now he can play on the fourth line where he should be.
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bayduvinislander says:
look up “Nino Smash” on Youtube, I hope he sticks around long enough to lay a hit like that on Cammalleri. He is fantastic!
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Sim does not play pretty, but he gets results. I hope Bruno plays well, I really do, but if he does not drastically improve—OUT. Moulson showed lots of chemistry with his pal, J.T., so why not let them play together? I would put Weight in between 2 young wings, like Nino and Grabner or Bailey. Unfortunately, this team has not really had much of a preseason, so I don’t think they had time to develop chemistry before opening night, but as the season goes on, I am quite sure we could be in for a few pleasant surprises.
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isles72 says:
Couple of weeks/month in the ”a” wont hurt martin , especially since he missed a chunk of camp with foot injury.
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reaper81 says:
Damn i love reading all of this! so excited for the season, all you guys have some great point throughout, Sim’s getting hammered too hard i think, its a 4th line and the reality is that this is only an issue because of inuries…truly believe that CDH returning to OHL is best for kid, 1 year flys by and before we know it he’ll be back even stronger and mor egame experienced etc…so many great points so little time but RELAX…puck hasnt even dropped yet, lets wait a bit if PA is next Moulson or next Justin Papineau etc, time will tell
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kallur says:
mm writes: “Gillies – Konopka – Sim is by far the worst line in hockey, its so bad you have to love it.”
You know, I think you’re on to something.Line of the day.
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And I have to say, again: to Garth: what is the PLAN? Do you even have one? I get it; waiting for some of the young talent to develop; but that’s like doing nothing with the house while waiting for the landscaping to mature. You don’t just wait; you make things happen. YOU HAVE A PLAN. And once again, with his appalling lack of a major signing, with the signing of these castoffs, Garth shows nothing. Talon showed a hell of a lot more by releasing Grabner than Snow did by signing him — and he’s in his first month!
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mike writes: “it always scares me when people say de Haan will develop the right way by going back to juniors – does that mean that Tavares, Bailey and Nino will develop the wrong way.”?
In a word, yes. -
The New Isles GM says:
129 kallur – As much as I wish we surrounded Tavares with a skilled veteran or two….I think Garth’s plan is to wait it out until these guys (Tavares,Okposo,Bailey,Nino) get their long term contracts. Then fill the voids with a free agent or two. It’s basic accounting. If we all think these kids can be legitimate goal scorers one day, then one must prepare for that. You look at teams like Detroit and New Jersey. They do things the right way, hence why they are competitive year after year. That’s the only way to build a core and keep the core. Everything else is like putting sprinkles on the cake. The cake is now made….sprinkles is the easy part. Remember, guys like Brad Richards and Zach Parise will be available. Imagine adding one of them to the core…..?
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New Isles GM (I liked the old one (Torrey))
So many issues raised: for starters, I mentioned this in another thread: what are you thinking of paying Bailey and Okposo and Tavares and Nino (Nino–already??? He hasn’t played a single NHL game!) You plan on breaking open the vault for Okposo? He’s a very good player, no more, maybe even a little less. Okposo will never, never score 40 goals; you plan on paying 5 mill for that? Bailey? He is a 25-goal, 80-point man. One day he may well be the NHL’s best third-liner, but thinking he’s a five-million-man is delusional, I think. Tavares… sorry. I don’t care how good his hands are, his sense, his skating SUCKS; he makes Mick Vukota look like Bob Bourne and if it’s this bad so far along in his career, it ain’t getting much better. Even if teams bother with putting a shadow on him which I doubt, an Essa Tikkanen would have no trouble containing Tavares, while scoring more than a goal or two on his own.
As far Brad Richards … too late for him. And Parise? Ain’t going anywhere. He is the next Stevie Y, his entire career will be with the Devils.
And by the by — Arron Asham is a great pick-up by the Pens, better than their getting Guerin two years ago. He’ll score 20, and keep everyone honest.
I would have preferred to see Martin on the team over Sim, but I’m guessing Martin would get a lot more playing time at Bridgeport then he would on the the 4th line with the Isles.