SNY POINT BLANK TV: TSN’S DARREN DREGER
Snow still in strong position for an upgrade trade
As the team attempts to end its losing streak at 13 games, TSN’s NHL insider Darren Dreger shares his thoughts with Point Blank readers on how the Islanders might turn their struggles around. No doubt you’ll get a rise out of one of Darren’s suggested coach candidates. Won’t happen, so…NEXT! Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the interview and the game tonight. Comments regarding this interview are invited.
50 Responses to SNY POINT BLANK TV: TSN’S DARREN DREGER
Snow still in strong position for an upgrade trade
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Bryan says:
hahahahaha… could you imagine.
Garth Snow appoints Kirk Muller head coach, Isles still waiting for him to report.
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John says:
Kirk Muller? BWAH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Oh man, that’s rich….wow……HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Ohhhhh how I hate Kirk Muller.
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Isles fan says:
Once again great piece, Thanks CB.
NO way to Kirk Muller. Ken Hitchcock would be great !
Can you let us know any trade rumors ? Who can the Isles get ?
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Kirk Muller??? Sure, of course he will get the job. After all, don’t the Islanders only employ people who do not like the team, you know…so they don’t get to attached, and god forbid, have an opinion! —–Hoping, praying, wishing for an end to the losing streak.
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Hollywood says:
Nice interview, Dreger is one of the best in the business. As a fan Kirk Muller is NOT an option. This team needs a guy with a track record. I would prefer McTavish over Muller. Hitchcock’s system is not going to go over big with the young kids we have. The issue with Snow is the evaluation of talent for what they currently have. I don’t know how Comeau because he played 17 good games last year became part of the young core. He’s a 3rd liner! The line combination’s are just very poor. We all know that Tavares needs a wing who can get him the puck, why not move Schremp to his wing and see what happens. I would also play Bails with Moulson and Okposo when he get’s back. I also don’t understand the logic of playing Hunter over Gillies. Gillies is a better skater and brings more to the table. These kids need to start showing promise before it’s too late!
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NHL fan says:
Dreger said it best at the end of the interview…..the widow of oppurtunity is closing…you need to develope the young kids properly. Capuano is not the right guy, so the Snow can’t waste the season and another year of development without a qualified head coach.
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bossy man says:
I have a simple trade. Marty Biron for Garth Snow.
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Kevin says:
Muller is not from Boston or China so he has no shot. Thank god for that. That would be the last straw. Who would be next GM. Don Baloney?
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Oren says:
The Orginization puts so much good effort and time scouting and drafting these players and it is baffling why they would not hire a steady hand to coach this team. If not Hitchcock that’s fine, but someone with experience to guide the players they have invested soooo much time and effort into. Because if they fail with this rebuild it will put the Isles back another 5 years. Please Snow and wang: Grab a steady hand!
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Hock says:
There is too much season remaining to just stand pat. The most important thing (in the big picture) is to continue to development the kids. Wang & Snow need to make some key hires in the way of management and coaching. An upgrade in player talent would be a plus, too, but not as essential. However, with the injuries on D, maybe we do need a pick up there. 8 is not enough.
How did we ever let Chara go? And I miss Uwe Krupp, too.
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JT91 says:
#5! You took the words out of my mouth. That was the most important thing he said throughout the 8 minutes. Spot on bud!
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Shred Instead says:
Kirk Muller ?! HAHAHAHAHA I’d have to get my Big Baby costume back out of the closet.
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PotvinRocks says:
So no one told Darren about Kirk’s love affair with the Islanders. That is rich.
If Maloney wants to trade Yandle, he can have any one of our centers, except Tavares. Yandle is one of the most under rated Defenseman in the league. He is on the level with the Branden Coburn’s and the Jack Johnson’s of the league. Unfortunately Maloney is no dumby, and probably walked away from the Islanders game seeing no value in the talent of our players besides the money price tag of those players. -
Dave says:
i’m being realistic there finished! I can’t bare to watch this team anymore and go to games until they win and i mean make the playoffs! You can say what you want snow may be the manager but wang owns the team and has the final say. He is a hands on owner eventhough he doesnt know to much about hockey just real estate and the structure of a building.
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Chris18 says:
When they got Yashin & Peca, they had the NHL’s respect. That exploded.
When they got Neil Smith & Ted Nolan, they had the NHL’s respect. That exploded.
When they got Ryan Smythe, they had the NHL’s respect. That exploded.
When they got Tavares, they had the NHL’s respect. Is the explosion happening before our eyes? They need a coach who will not accept this losing culture. Period. I remember Muller’s failure to report, and absolute misery on LI. If he comes in with an attitude, that would be fine with me! These players need someone who will change the atmosphere. If Captain Kirk could do it, I’d forgive him. But as Kevin (#7) pointed out- no Mass or China connection. So forget him. -
ronbuzz69 says:
heres one out the blue cb . hire messier as coach from a pr point and stick it to rangers also!!!! lol
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Wang is a fool, turn it around charlie tuna enough!!!!
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Arbour Day says:
If anyone believes that the Islanders will turn it around with Wang as the owner, then I guess you will stay up late to see Santa’s arrival on Christmas.
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Tony says:
The last point by Dreger is probably the most important one… this is a very volatile situation with the Islanders right now. I think everyone can agree that we’ve got a lot of young talent, and depth will come in a few years if we continue to draft well and accumulate picks, and losing streaks like the one we’re in right now will not happen. But this is a volatile situation with Jack Capuano coaching these kids, and we have to pray that they develop properly or this whole rebuild takes a huge step back. There isn’t a solid veteran presence guiding this team, not on the bench and not on the ice… and because of that this whole situation is liable to blow up… and I’m not talking about a losing streak. Capuano cannot coach the rest of the season. There needs to be a solid hire, and soon.
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Brian G says:
Will Bailey be scratched tonight? what is the point…why not give him some confidence playing on the 1st line with Tavares….instead of wasting time with Parenteau…he might be slower than Hunter
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shlo says:
It is not the players .The core players are fine. It is a non professional management.
The sport business is too complex for one man to handle. Most teams have probably twice as many scouts as the Isles and more support personnel than the Isles. That is why they cannot do a decent job. You can talk about cap space as much as you want. We have to be careful not to be in Chicago’s, Bostons’ and others position when long term deals are needed for the core players getting out of entry levels contracts. -
admin says:
Please keep the Comments on-topic please, which in this case is the content of Dreger’s remarks. Go to a message board if the spirit moves you to discuss the status of PA Parenteau today. And please, just because I’m banned does not give license to anyone to post unfounded rumors, profanity or racist remarks. Thank you…CB
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Bob Bassen says:
Chris, you’re incredible. To take your site UP a notch since the totalitarian regime tried to silence you is remarkable! Well done! Dreger…very cool.
IMO, any legitimate coach will only come here if certain demands and structure guidelines are agreed to and I’m just not sure the Totalitarian Regime would be WILLING to give those. Think about it. In addition to the glaring on-ice short-comings of this team the front office is even worse!In a small (albeit odd) way, I’m actually glad the Islanders tried to silence you because it once and for all exposed their extreme insecurities, incompetence and oppressive behaviours for all the world to see. Now we know.
Happy Thanksgiving, Chris and everyone else!
Peace on Earth… -
toorude says:
Wait, is Arbour Day suggesting there is NO Sanata Claus? This just gets worse and worse….
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ClarkGillies says:
They might as well cut out the middle man and put Wang and Garth behind the bench , coaches have been on a puppet string since Nolan left anyway.
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Randy Wood's Porche says:
#26 said it…NYI coaches are on a puppet string. Garth has a Napolean complex and will never put a coach under him of any caliber because he feels it will threaten his existence as GM.
As for Wang, I love him to death, but he is in way over his head. He needs a GM who will be the architect of a winner. It’s time to fire the GM, Charles.
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campion101 says:
CB, loved the look on your face when he said Kirk Muller! Priceless!
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Staten Islander says:
If Kirk Muller didn’t want to come here then, why on earth would he want to come here NOW? I like the idea I heard yesterday about the Chicago assistant (I forget his name now)
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joey bagodonuts says:
i know the notion sounds funny, but if kirk muller is the best man to turn the ship around, then let bygones be bygones. it would be tough to swallow at first, but 17 years changes a person.
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Isles Fanatic says:
I loved th Dreger interview…keep it up…I understand why he suggested Muller, as he is ery respected or his work as an assistant coach. Unfortuately I also understand why he will never coach for the Isles.
The sooner we get the coaching situation resolved…the better.
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Mike says:
The coach is already in place. Capuano is under contract NO way Wang Chung pays another guy to lose games Capuano has the losing down already.
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sorry cb, but we are all frustrated .. i would luv tu see some ex isles around to run the show. maybe bill torrey or jimmy d!! these guys have got tu turn it around snow and wang that is … thanks again cb for all you do!!!
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Phil says:
Snow is not smart enough to pull of a major trade that helps the team long term.
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CM says:
Snow/Wang hire a frickin coach already!!! Unless we are surpised I have not heard any rumors the Isles are looking. Window in developing players is closing. Punishment to AHL for Bailey is not the answer. Lack of coaching skills is one of the biggest problems for a young team. Getting the right vets was screwed up over the Summer. Oh well it does happen. At least try to get the right coach in ASAP.
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Jim Clark says: I have sometimes wondered about having Kirk Muller as coach, more as a joke than anything. I’m not sure how often hiring a coach-hated-as-a-player has happened. I remember Rangers fans denouncing Trottier as coach because “he was an Islander” and Mets fans denouncing Randolph “he’s a Yankee”, although Randolph did play for the Mets.
Certainly his behavior as an Islander counts against him. But part of that was because he spent six years as a Devil when they were bad and figured he did his time with a bad franchise. Would he approach being a head coach differently?
Is Scott Scissons available?
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StevieL says:
Kirk Mueller is my #1 most hated player to ever wear an islander uniform! He showed zero character when he was here! No way we can bring him in!
I just think as you point out CB, we need a guy who has done it before! No young guys looking with their first coaching job looking to make a name! If you are going to do that you might as well keep Cap and see what he can do! -
Uncle Deuce says:
Pathetic team. Hearing Muller and Maloney ballyhooed on a true Isles fan site gave me shudders of disgust. But the excellent Darren Dreger always speaks the truth. For my money, this team needs a fuller hockey ops department and an experienced NHL coach. Andy Murray would be a good coach to right the ship for a year or two. You cannot go the Bylsma or Boudreau up-from-the-AHL route since the Pens and Caps were much further along in talent and stability when those were done. A hard ass is needed to establish a professional, no-nonsense culture that maximizes — not coddles — the young talent. And they really need a talented veteran that is productive and part of the top three lines to lead this team, not the classy, but worn down Doug Weight. Sort of like the young veteran leader Patrick Sharp has become for the Hawks. I think Michael Ryder could potentially be that guy since the Bruins need to deal someone. Ryder might look at coming here as a chance to step up his career. Maybe see if Ottawa goes down the drain and would be willing to deal Mike Fisher? I just want this team to do something.
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Damian says:
lets hire kirk muller right now, let him tank as a head coach so he doesnt ever get another chance to coach in the NHL again and then finally we islanders fans will have our revenge lol HAHAHAHAHA
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Battfist says:
I always enjoy Dreger’s insight-
As much as Im frustrated (beyond words)about this season-Dreger is right-there is a nice group of young players being assembled on the Island. Im not sold on Coach Jack taking the Islanders to the next level. Please Garth-stop wasting time and get a coach (a true leader) in there ASAP who is going to lead these youngsters. Im on the bandwagon-experience is a must.
Let go Islanders.
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Adroc says:
Love the Dreger interview.
Still wont go to a game until CB gets his pass back. -
Strummmer's Army says:
First of thank you very much Darren Dreger for the interview. Intelligent hockey guy, who is very well connected. Hope to get Darren’s insight on a regular basis here.
Kirk “the jerk” Muller I doubt will ever be Isles head coach but with Wang and Snow who knows………
We are starting to get a better list of names as potential Isles coaches. I am thinking NHL assistant with a stacked resume is the best way to go. The Chi assistant that was brought up during the SNY segement sounds like the best fit but starting to get more encouraging names.
One way or another while as Isles assistant coach or assistant to the GM, we need to hold onto Dean Chynoweth. Good coaching credentials from a great hockey family and was even GM. If he’s not staying on the coaching staff after the year then he needs to be moved upstairs to assistant GM.
Love to see the Isles get an experienced President.
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Steve says:
Given Kirk’s history with the Isles, he should NEVER coach the Islanders.
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Brad says:
Kirk Muller as head coach…with Dale Hunter and Darcy Tucker as assistants. HA!
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Sidd Finch says:
I have trouble seeing good players making the move to the bench in any sport. Trottier and Grestzky could not make it work. Ted Williams was absolutely hated as a manager. I think there are a handful of NBA coaches that were good players, but in this era, the players who had good careers made so much money that they don’t need the hassle and the headaches. In the NFL, its the guys that beat the hell out of themselves like Bill Belichek that make it big. They have to work their way up the hard way and that’s what makes them so good. I also think that a coach who was better than most of his players ever will be intimidates them (see Ted Williams). My wife is more likely to be named head coach of the Islanders (based on some posters previous criteria). Hitchcock would be a good choice, but I have said repeatedly in the past that Dean Chynoweth should have gotten the job. But the way things are going, the Isles are more likely to make Kristen Chenoweth the next coach!!!
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mrlbem says:
I don’t think that an established head coach is ever coming here. Everyone knows that there is too much interference from the owner. Would the Islanders under Wang ever hire some good people to run hockey ops and let professionals hire the coach? Kind of like the Mets are doing now? That’s what this franchise needs.
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JP in NJ says:
Harrah’s, huh CB?
Nice.
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PC says:
Is this guy for real? Is he trying to poke fun at Islander fans or does he really think we are that stupid?
Kirk Muller and Don Maloney? Why not just suggest Darcy Tucker for player development and Dale Hatcher to replace Ryan Jankowski, who was doing a wonderful job and was let go for it!
Dreger you are unbelievable and everyone on this blog should stop praising CB and his job just because you think you have to. This site is suppose to be a place where the BS stops not continues. The coolaid counter is at nhl.com, lets talk turker for the holiday.
The isles are in a jam because of the neglect every offseason and if management and GM really wanted to build a winner they would have fashioned the several models in the league that have subsequently won Cups recently.
We are lame ducks waiting for the worst in four years and counting. Thanks Uncle Chuck.
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I meant Dale Hunter in the previous post!
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Jim says:
Bob Hartley might be a good choice.
John Tortorella, anyone? We all know he’s going to be fired in January, and then the Rags will hire Scott Gordon, and then win the Cup.
Great video and always interesting. Darren Dregger always has some valuable things to say regarding any aspect of hockey.