POINT BLANK REPORT CARDS: PART I
Grading the NYI defense and goaltending
The 4-9-3 Islanders have lost nine games in a row and are in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, six points out of a playoff spot. Help should arrive in the next few weeks (Andrew MacDonald and Milan Jurcina) and next month (Kyle Okposo). For now, one-fifth of the way into the regular season, we can only grade them on performance based on individual expectations.
Today, we start with the defense and goaltending.
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Eaton (B-) – A smart player with a good stick who has earned Dean Chynoweth’s confidence enough – and yes, the depth chart has been shortened by injuries – to play more than 27 minutes last night. You just wish Eaton could contribute on offense (no points in 16 games) and play more physically, but that’s not his game and the Islanders knew what they were buying. Highly-respected among his teammates.
Bruno Gervais (C) – A healthy scratch for the first nine games of the season, he played the tenth as a fourth-line forward. For game 15, back on defense, he was the extra attacker as the Islanders tried to tie the game late in Anaheim. When everyone is healthy, Gervais is No. 8 among the team’s eight defensemen on one-way contracts. He’s the Jon Sim of Islanders defensemen, a target of fans despite residing nowhere near the top of the organization’s list of failings.
Jack Hillen (C-) – The still-young defenseman was Comeau-ed from almost the beginning of training camp and is just now starting to show signs of finding his game. Possessing great wheels and hockey sense, Hillen should be successful. Only trouble is, when Jurcina and MacDonald return – and if everyone else stays healthy – Hillen and Gervais are the overwhelming candidates to head back to the press box.
Milan Jurcina (B-) – As Providence’s Shawn Bates was to Peter Laviolette, this previously under-achieving big dman is to Coach Gordon. The coach likes him and the player is inspired to play better than he has anywhere else. Jurcina is a third-pair dman, but could be a good one for the Islanders. On a blueline without any size, Jurcina is valuable.
Andrew MacDonald (B-) – The Islanders have not won a game since he was injured, but that doesn’t disguise the fact that MacDonald was only okay for the first seven games of the season. With Mark Streit out, the Islanders asked more of MacDonald than he was ready for. Still, the potential is there to be a quality 4 or 5 dman for many years.
Radek Martinek (B) – Sixteen games down, and Martinek isn’t. He is what we remembered he was.
Mike Mottau (B-) – For those wondering if the veteran would be exposed outside of the Devils’ system, the answer came quickly. Nope. The Devils miss him badly. Smart move by Garth Snow getting him to sign for two years. The -11 is not pretty. But again, because of the lack of depth on the blue line, Mottau is being asked to do more than should be expected.
James Wisniewski (B) – The Wiz has been better on the power play than perhaps the Blackhawks and Ducks wanted to give him credit for. Defensively, Wisniewski needs to step it up. Overall, he remains a great find for Snow. The Islanders could use a lot more of the Wiz’s energy and emotion. After the loss in Anaheim, he looked like he was either going to scream or cry before cutting off his session with reporters. It was beautiful to see.
GOALTENDERS
Rick DiPietro (D) – The good news for the comebacking goaltender is the season still has at least five months left, and DiPietro continues to work hard with coach Sudarshan Maharaj to reclaim his status as a No. 1. But we can only judge him on how he has played so far, not what the Islanders hope from him after he gets game-sharp. So far, as his 4.21 GAA and .854 save percentage illustrate, he’s not there yet. Not even close. Making life more difficult for himself and his team, DiPietro confoundingly continues to over-handle the puck. As I said on “Islanders Interactive” on Thursday, give the project another week or two before beginning the discussion of a stint in the minors. Starting the year there was never an option in this management’s eyes. Maybe, just maybe, DiPietro will pull out the stops.
Dwayne Roloson (A) – It was shocking to see the TV broadcast last night call the decision to start Roloson a “surprise.” To get out of an endless losing streak, is there really any other choice? Despite playing on the NHL’s 28th-place team, Roloson has a 2.10 GAA and .924 save percentage. If he keeps this up – and the Islanders don’t start playing over NHL .500 hockey to stay in the playoff chase – Roloson will be one of the few gems available at the trade deadline. Worth at least a second round pick, although it’s still too early to go there.
Your comments on the D and G and these grades are welcomed. If you haven’t lately, please familiarize yourself with the site’s Comment Guidelines. There are no exceptions. Thank you.
75 Responses to POINT BLANK REPORT CARDS: PART I
Grading the NYI defense and goaltending
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Is it possible to give Roloson an A+++ ??
The guy has been absolute money for a team that has only won 4 games in the first 16. He’s got a competitive edge and plays with heart every minute of every game. I know he’s 41 years old, but he plays like he’s 31. I hope he’s back next year. He should be the clear cut #1 guy in the net for us, with DP as the clear cut #2.
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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Wiz has been really good same with Eaton. Everyone else has been so so. DP is a F. And Roloson deserves a 2 year extentions. I don’t care that he is 51.
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this team is so bad.
i miss watching KO and streit.WIZ would be even more refreshing if streit was around, but his personality along with his above average shot are the reason i like him.
whats sad is that none of the guys listed play physical. and wiz is too valuable to let him off his leash.
the islanders are a joke, i wish we can keep the team in LI and move wang to saskatoon
DOWN WITH WANG
DOWN WITH SNOW -
No grade for Streit, CB? The fact that he’s injured and hasn’t played a game means he’s last among Dmen in minutes, points, hits, PP production, PIMs, etc., sure, but his plus/minus of 0 would be second on the team next to Andrew McDonald’s +1! And no turnovers!
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it is blatantly obvious that DP should be back-up till he can put together consecutive good starts, Roloson got us that point last night and kept us in both games this week. Defense is down 3 starters so what can you do. Saturday Night Win might get me to go to the game Wednesday
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Roloson has been very good…not great. His play is just magnified by DP’s aweful showing. Problem is we cant score. Havent been able to ina long time.
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You are a generous marker. Wish I had you as a professor in college.
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@ Blizzard – Roloson has been great. DP’s play has nothing to do with the way that Roloson has looked, to be honest. His 2.10 G.A.A and .924 Save % are both currently Top 10 amongst all NHL goalies. On our team with 4 wins in 16 games, I’d say that’s a pretty great season thus far…
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An awful lot of those d men were graded B-The team stinks, lost all these games, how do they even come close to a B???
Maybe C- would be a gift. -
I like DP and hope he can become what he once was, but I would have to give him an F. Other than Wiz and Martinek, the rest on defense I would have given at least a half grade lower as well. I guess the real bad grades will come with the mostly invisible forwards.
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Good stuff.
Can’t wait to see the forwards grades. Sure those will be interesting. Maybe one person gets over a C.
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CB, when you average all the defenses grades together they get a passing grade… how is this possible on a 28th place team? Are you straight out saying the offense will get all failing grades?
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Gervais’ game is a comedy of errors. I’ve never seen a player mishandle the puck so regularly. Even worse is that MAYBE 1 of 4 of his clearing attempts actually clears the zone.
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Chris, if this Isles team, with Dipietro playing 30% of the games, would they be the best team in the AHL do you think
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Truth be told, the Islanders season is basically almost over, so I guess this would be the time to “grade” these guys(?) It smacks of being a bit irrelevant to be honest.
Let’s face it, another loss in their next game, and you can blow taps for this club. That leaves one question:
Where do the Islanders need to go from here? They are a last place club in year 3 of their rebuild at the salary cap floor with 18! expiring contracts. In other words, something may very well be smelling foul in Denmark -
Report card day was never a good one in my household growing up…LOL!
As far as the grades, I would move Wiz down a click because of his defensive lapses, but the rest are about right. -
The “D” grade for Ricky is charitable. I have to believe that some type of roster move will happen soon. I mean, there has to be *some* reason why they’re carrying three goalies at Bridgeport, no?
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I cannot wait for Macdonald and Jurcina to return to the lineup.
To me Dipietro has merited an F..
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How bad would a goalie need to play to be a F? Dipietro is twice as bad as Oliver Perez is for the mets. This roleson excitement is odd at best. Was anyone watching last year? Rollie was great last year.
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If we are done by New Years trade Rolosson and let the Kevin Poulin Era begin on Long Island!
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CB – trade Rolie at the deadline????? Heck I want to sign him up for another year or two. I honestly don’t see DP coming back to anywhere near what he was prior to his injuries. Everything I read says with the surgery DP has had he will never regain his form. I see DP becoming the next “Yashin contract” not because of performance or attitude but because he just doesn’t have it anymore.
If Rolie keeps these numbers up he could be a number one on most teams. With his ability,professionalism, and team attitude I could see him staying on for 2 more years and taking whichever goalie excels in the minors under his wing and grooming him for the number one slot. -
You are like the teacher I always wanted but never had, dishing out easy grades. If my teachers in college were like you, maybe I’d have a diploma. What does DP have to do to get an F?
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Chris,
Awesome grades. Is there some soft of weighting system you are using? I think you are very generious. I like Wiz a lot but feel like he skates in mud sometimes. Eaton and Motteau have shown me nothing to get the grades they got but if you think about who would be filling in for them then I guess you live with it. Martinek is holding us together. I think he is the most steady one of the bunch. As for the goalies, I know DP has an endless amount of rust but a D is very generous with him. Joey Mac or Yan Denis probably would have better numbers on this team than him. -
You know who else is over handling the puck Roloson! He took himself out of position several times the past two games that almost led to goals.
No way DiPietro deserves a D!!!! THAT is BS! He’s coming back, Isles have a horrible defense and he’ll be fine. However, I think I did notice a set back after the TB game, you know the one where the Isles let him get run repeatedly? Not just Rick you noticed when teams are getting desperate to score they are running Roli hard. They know they can do this because no one (haven’t seen Wiz do anything yet) on the Isles defense is going to do a darn thing. Only Martin, Konopka and Gillies will do anything. Gillies is scratched even when the other teams badly outsize the Isles and dress their heavyweights that neither Martin nor Konopka should be asked to try to handle.
Brutal gets an F. He’s horrible. How did he get a C. C would mean his play has been average and it has not.
Isles have plenty of talent at forward and goal in years ahead but only Hamonic and De Haan being added to a brutal defense.
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CB grades on the bell curve!!!
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If C is average all these guys are rated too high. Martinek and Wiz have been average, everyone else below. The problem and the concern going forward for me is that there was clearly no thought about potential pairs or putting together a good defense. Instead Snow went after the best, and cheapest talent regardless of the fit. That’s ok for the first year of the rebuild but its been 3, its time for a plan!
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The defense has given up way too many goals and therefore deserve a below average score (C- at best) as a group, however, it is hard to single out any one player. It’s been more of a team defense issue.
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No one on the defense deserve a B
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If Bruno is a C, Jack Hillen is an A. Sorry CB , Chef Bruno is a F for sure every time he is out there i’m looking for a goal for the other team. Hillen is smarter, has better quickness and blocks shots better.
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I think overall, Martinek is our best defenseman. I noticed Hillen is getting better last night.
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Chris, why can’t you write an article on how the fans are being held hostage, whether it’s intentional or not intentional?
This product is just so bad that sometimes I wonder why we even discuss it? This is a team that’s FIVE games under .500, and there’s really no chance in hell they will come out of it unless there is a complete 180 at some point. What indications are there that there would be any chance of that happening?
Charles Wang needs an entire article dedicated to himself, by YOU. Call him out! It’s not like a relationship with him matters, but it is time to get very critical of this organization.
It is better to walk alone than to walk amongst others. You are a standout journalist Chris, you have a bigger voice than I think you even believe – sometimes. Use it to start putting pressure on the guys that make decisions on what is put on the ice.
You might have a bigger response than you might initially think. Chris, you are our only outlet. Speak for the fans, represent us. Get answers.
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Jaff said it well for AMac too. Not spectacular but I think he’s a key component. I’d really like to see Hillen back in the mix and playing like he did last year, skating all over the ice. He just doesn’t seem the same.
I didn’t know Wiz got some emotional after that loss, good for him! I wonder how everyone else reacts, I get so sick of hearing these boring responses of how its a long season this and that. This team plays better fired up. I’m watching the Pacquiao fight Saturday, this team’s play isn’t doing well for my spirits.
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Just like the other night in Anaheim, I mentioned that Marti should have an A.
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I have nothing to add. CB, you hit the nail right on the head. For now, we must deal with the cards that have been dealt. No chance Snow is looking to upgrade outside the organization. Not yet atleast. …. Although, rumor has it Boston might have to shake things up when their IR’s are healthy. So you never know…
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Wow, so how did DiPi avoid the F grade? Because he’s still trying in practice?
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Not that CB needs to be defended for his grades, but he clearly states “…grade them on performance based on individual expectations…” Take Bruno, the expectation is that he plays like an 8th d-man, not a number one. So giving him a C is not that far off
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Little G – Post 22,
I think the only thing that DiPietro can do to earn an A is to retire. To earn an F, stay in the lineup without any production.
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Hey Chris,
I’m not sure if this was part of the plan, but if you could also grade the coaching staff, it would be appreciated. Thanks.
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CB, I think your ratings are fair but I’d like to see you take your opinion to the next level and opine on whether you think the Islander D has improved from last season (based on a limited 20% sample from this season of course). I know Streit is injured which makes it a bit grey but do you the current crew is a step up over Sutton, Meyer and the gang from last year?
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Hard to disagree with anything you mentioned. Would like to see more physical play from Wiz. He started the season with more omph with his hitting, and seems to have stopped doing that.
Completely agree on DiPietro. Should be waived and sent to BP indefinately. No worries — no one will help us out and claim DiPietro. Problem is — who comes in as backup?
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I think you’re being a bit too generous in rating DP. If he gets a D, which is a passing grade, what would he have to do to fail (gradeF)?
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I feel like Eaton doesn’t get enough respect. 12th in the league in blocked shots, and 9 ahead of the next closest Islander. I’m not that worried when he’s out there, relative to, well, everyone else. As a second pair defenseman with, say, AMac, considering the first pair would be Streit and Wiz, I think Eaton’s a good addition…better than Mottau who seems to get more positive comments.
The Isles D needs to be more physical, but that’s not Eaton’s game, and since players like Gervais get passes for being miscast on a thin roster, then Eaton too should get a pass for not throwing big hits when it’s not, and never has been, his game. For what he was advertised as – a steady stay at home dman that blocks shots – I think he’s delivered.
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Mr. Dipietro. 0.0
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Boy I wish I had you as a teacher. No one on this team deserves better than a C, no one.
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I would give MacDonald a B+ because he has been consistently meeting or exceeding our expectations for him. He is clearly missed on this team. Roloson will hopefully continue his A+ play and give us a chance to win games. If that isn’t enough, trading him at the deadline seems like a smart move. We are still a few pieces away from being anything better than average.
Wang and Snow get F’s for their overall handling of the offseason.
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Gotta admit, I’m moving into the “Send DP to the Bridge” camp. Love what I’m seeing from Mottou and Wiz.
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DiPietro has a better won-loss record than Roloson. Clearly he inspires his teammates to play better, or as well as a 28th place team can play.
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All fair grades although none of them are tough like Sutton or Witt. Can’t wait to see if any forward (12 goals in the last 9 games, 3 in game 1 of the slide) gets above a C-. At this rate, we will safely secure our 15th point by New Years Eve in Detroit.
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for a guy who missed most of last season i am real happy with the way Martinek has been playing, by far our best d-man. Rollie sure looked awesome last nite (40 yr old playin back to back games … guy def deserves his A)
on a side note …. how bout Butch magling Pavelski’s name in the 1st period. Howie couldnt contain his laughter. I miss the Jaff. -
post 31: Mikey- this team all ready HAS done a 180, why can’t they do it again. It is way too early to call this season over. They are 6 pts back of a playoff spot- I’ll help you all do the math, that’s 3 wins!! If you think that’s enough to call it quits then I never want you guys on my team. As for the D grades, I don’t see what Eaton brings (besides being liked in locker room I guess), Mottau has been very good, Martinek the best and most consistent, Hillen seems to be rounding into form the last couple of games, and Wiz is what he was billed- an offensive upside but needs work in his own end. And yeah, the defense hasn’t been horrible considering most of the goals come from no back checking, give aways in the neutral zone and flat out uninspired play (a lot from the forwards!)
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Disliked the Eaton contract the day it was signed. Nothing over the first 16 games has changed my opinion of the player.
Mottau and Wiz are both solid. They have been overexposed due to a poor supporting cast hence the horrific +/-. -
I don’t really understand this talk about Hillen playing better now. Hillen made some decent plays last night but he also took two dumb penalties, one of which led to the tying goal. 48, if we were to break down the grades a little bit everyone would get an F for toughness. Last year everyone would have gotten an F too, except for Sutton (Witt was tough back in the day but I think the injuries caught up with him last season).
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By the time I finally like Rick as a human, he’s as bad as I’ve ever seen in net in a professional game. Sad. I have no issue with the D given he has zero cartilage left in his knee and is rusty and thus doesn’t merit an F for overplaying the puck and laying on his back all game.
I hope he can retire with dignity.
Martinek gets an A because he plays a la KJ – ALWAYS the correct decision (even the fight!). Wiz gets a C+ because he’s been AWFUL on defense. Rollie is an amazing 30 year old…..never mind 41. A+. -
Very generous on some marks CB. Couldn’t agree more with Marti, Roli, and perhaps Hillen. The rest I see as C’s at best.
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Sim and Bruno are lower line players. They are not the main problems for the Isles.
Top two line players who are not playing well or should not be on the top two lines (e.g., Comeau) are the main problems. What Sim or Bruno do with their 8 minutes per game are not.
Hillen is the Team’s worst dman. By far.
I would sit Comeau before touching Sim, Weight, etc.
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CB this is the first time I have to adamantly, wholeheartedly disagree with you. How anybody on this team in the midst of a 9 game winless streak can get a B is Bull you know what. And to make excuses for guys that they are being asked to do more than expected is just that excuses. Didn’t Eaton play in two stanley cup finals winning one cup and logging over 20 min a game with Pitt but now he is with us and we are asking him to do more than expected? Isn’t this the defense that is last in the league in +/- and gave up 13 goals in back to back games? If this type of play warrants anything close to a B then I should have been valedictorian. Laughable. I am not a believer in giving grades out to players when it is the team that needs to be graded as a whole and I think everyone here can say the Islanders are not getting it done and it is time for these players to put the excuses away, adapt, overcome and find their games and start winning some hockey games. That is what winning teams do!! I’m tired of hearing about the excuses that are being made for this team. Just stop it. None of these players can honestly look at themselves and say they have played well not one.
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CB – Have to disagree with you re Hillen. How would anyone know how good he has been when he is only given 12 mins per night and no PP or PK time. Hard for me to say Mottau, Eaton and Gervais have been better according to your grades. You are dead right in saying he has been Comeau’d right from the start. I am sure his confidence isn’t what it was last year but based on his performance last night and the last few games it should be building. Good reports CB.
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They all need therapy! I’m available.
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DP is an “F”
Roli needs to be traded by deadline. For all the crap this team put him though, it would be nice to send him off to chase the cup for a contender and get a pick out of it. Everybody wins, well, except the team in 9 games so far. -
The only thing I would add is maybe an A grade for the 10k or so fans left on the planet that actually still care about this organization. Chris you get an A too for your unbelievable coverage of this team. Thanks!!!!
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By the numbers, the team let up 31.9 shots/game last year (7th most) and 33.5 shots/game the year before (2nd most). This year, so far, it’s 28.6 shots/game, good for 10th fewest in the league. It’s an improvement. I won’t say the d has been spectacular, of course, but a lot of the damage to numbers such as +/- was done on those two games against Philly and Carolina, when I think we’ll all say goaltending wasn’t as sharp as it could have been. Yes, the team played bad as well, but with even average goaltending, the damage isn’t as comically bad as it was. Also, the losing streak would have ended if the forwards could, I don’t know, score. The D should actually be the highest graded aspect of this team outside of Roli, in my opinion.
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Roli has been great…Do something GARTH…Obviously we need someone who can put the puck in the net..The guy can’t stand on his head every night…making save after save…To sit and do nothing is not an option…Especially since you were close to signing Kovolchuck!
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CB….Enjoyed the post, but a D for Rick? If 4.21 and .854 is not an F, then I don’t know what is! Are we waiting until he officially shoots a puck into his own net to give an F?
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I agree with the relative grades, though I’d drop them a whole letter except for Martinek, and maybe Eaton. What I have noticed is that it seems like Rollie and the D-men are starting to communicate a little better and are helping each other out more. Two issues I’d like to point out regarding the Isles performance so far:
1). DP left the D and everyone else in a rough spot. Unfortunately 5 other guys had to be on the ice during his disasterous play.
2). This schedule has been terrible! More back to backs than any other team save the Devils, and all these games on the road.
Maybe we should hang in there a bit longer…just in case. -
Why are people asking Garth to do something. i.e. find a goal scorer?!? NOW??? News flash. Who the hell do you want him to get?!? Who is available? In the off season their was noone worthwhile to get and why over pay someone like a Tanguay or Jokinin to come here. The team is what it is till next season. Players should be developing and working hard. 9 game losing streak is unacceptable no matter what or who you are. Coaching change needs to happen. To me it seems like the players are done with Gordon. As a fan I certainly am.
I do agree with other posts. Garth and Wang need to come out of the shadows and start being accountable. I think the off ice product (low attendance, lighthouse, Jank gone, Trots gone, Jaffe gone, fans calling out management…) is now affecting the kids.
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Worst Defense in the NHL
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(63) – I’m not sure that Snow can do anything right now. I could very well be wrong. I was thinking the other day that if we didnt have the severe injuries right nowm if we had the FULL squad, I’d say we would have 18 points at least. If that was the case, would we still be saying Snow/Wang did a bad job? I’m just as upset as anyone here, but what if…No injuries…we wouldnt be ripping on them all day. I’m curious to find out myself, but it may have to wait until latert this season or next.
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I’m so tired of hearing anti-Wang rhetoric. This guy is running the world’s most expensive philanthropy. Go lose $20 million dollars per year for ten years and see where your 401k’s at. This team would NOT exist were it not for Wang. For better or worse, I’m riding with Charles.
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I think you are a little generous with the defensemen. I agree that Martinek and Wiz have been the best but neither desrves better than a B-. All others are a C at best. I completely agree with dealing Rollie at the deadline. There is only so much abuse one person should be subjected to.
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Steven 69 – to quote Chris, “paranoia, insecurity and a pathetic desire to control” describes your hero. Leading to the results we have today. You’ll still be happy when they lose 45 games in a row with 12 people at NVMC.
BTW, NYI doesn’t exist anymore, they’re just an unreasonable facsimile of an NHL franchise now. Thanks to Wang.
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Cb. Can my kids go to the school you’ll be filling report cards? They will end up at harvard. Very generous grades
which seems to be based on importance rather than performance . -
Please can we just release Gervais!!! Wiz fast becoming one of my favorites on this team. Noticable every game, has the fire 75% of the team lacks. Also have to say I know for sure i wanted Martinek outta here almost as much as i want Gevais gone now. I coulnt have been more wrong on that one, i think he has played really well so far this season. Rest are all just avg for me some games good some games bad. Maybe a little more toughness(Hamonic)and size(Hamonic) on D is needed and missing Streit doesnt help. Roloson #1 DP bridgeport bound???
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post 31: Mikey- this team all ready HAS done a 180, why can’t they do it again. It is way too early to call this season over. They are 6 pts back of a playoff spot- I’ll help you all do the math, that’s 3 wins!!
Three wins? It has taken them a week to get three goals!!!! When is the next lockout to cancel a season, it would save all of us the aggravation.
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Sorry CB I strongly disagree w/ point on Brutal not being a top organizational failure.Just the FACT that they still dress and play this clown says this organization is a joke.PERIOD!!!





Islanders Organization: F-
A quality job by Snowangdon… Sorry just speaking the truth!