STRUGGLING, BUT NOT SPLINTERING
NYI coaching staff and players are in this together
In the Islanders’ 30th-place season of 2008-09 there were fractures in the locker room created, in large part, by breakdowns in relationships with captain Bill Guerin, Chris Campoli, Mike Comrie and Jon Sim. The first three were traded, two of them later than they should have. Sim later humbly admitted to Point Blank that he struggled after a season sidelined by a serious knee injury and was happy to heal any miscommunication with Scott Gordon. The grinder and the head coach continue to work together well now, and Sim was recalled today for the West Coast trip.
Last season, a dedicated and happy lineup may have been short on talent, but for the most part worked together and battled all the way through a season-ending, comeback, overtime loss at home to Pittsburgh. Only the strange and unfortunate ending to the career of Brendan Witt – publicly critical of the team’s style of play, while struggling so much himself on the ice that he is retired today – marred a professional atmosphere.
Needless to say, it’s way too early to know if this year’s squad – already challenged with the adversity of a bizarre training camp schedule and injuries to frontmen Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo – will make it through the season Gong Show-free. But as someone who personally witnessed about a half-dozen team breakdowns over the years, including the Whinefest of 2008-09, it’s worth noting that this coaching staff and this lineup may have headed south in the standings the last seven games, but at least they are all pushing in the same direction.
“We would go through a wall for each other and the coaching staff,” veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson told Point Blank after practice today. “There are peaks and valleys in every season when you have such a young team, but nobody should think we’re anything other than completely focused on the task at hand. We’re going to come out of it and be better for it. The team I was on in Edmonton that made it to the Stanley Cup Final – this team has the same comraderie, the same positive attitude, the same belief in the coaches. We just have to learn from this and put some wins together.”
The last two weeks have been challenging. Josh Bailey hasn’t registered a point in seven games. After a hot start, Blake Comeau has not played well. Jack Hillen was buried on the defensive depth chart, only revived when the injuries piled up on the blue line. Bruno Gervais was scratched for the first month of the season, making his debut for a game against Montreal as a fourth-line forward. The goaltending rotation has been questioned by fans and writers. They have lost some important players to injuries.
And yet I haven’t witnessed any excuse-making, in-fighting or disrespect towards the coaching staff, like 2008-09. I haven’t detected any tension, like Steve Stirling’s shortened second season when a handful of so-called “leaders” pouted their way on to other teams, to the minors or out of hockey. (As a veteran NHL head coach said to me recently, “It’s always the players who can’t get a contract the next year that try to send a coach out on his ass.”)
For the faithful who pour their hearts and wallets into the hockey team, there is little consolation in knowing the Islanders’ locker room has not become the Titanic. But it is important to know that the players and coaches are torn up, not torn apart, by the pain of a seven-game losing streak. There’s a huge difference.
“When things aren’t going well, your true character comes out,” defenseman Mike Mottau said at Iceworks after practice today. “You find out how good of a teammate guys are. You learn a lot about yourself. This is a young team that is impressionable. The players take direction and appreciate all the work Scott and the coaching staff puts in. There is a lot of frustration these last seven games, but not with each other. The last game against the Flyers, there was enough to give us something to build on. We have to go out West and start winning hockey games.”
It has to start Wednesday in Anaheim. The Islanders may be flying across the country today, but the medicore Ducks are playing in San Jose tonight. We may know by the end of the first period on Wednesday if the Islanders are ready to turn the corner. After what he witnessed in his rookie NHL season, the third-year head coach has a deeper belief in his current squad.
Said Gordon, “The difference between my first year and this year is that now, everyone is playing for the team.”
Notes: Jon Sim has been recalled for the West Coast trip because he played well in Bridgeport (five goals), the status of Zenon Konopka (foot injury) is still up in the air and Sim will give the coaches some lineup options for the three games. Konopka practiced today. The lines stayed the same.
Stay tuned for details on the debut of our Islanders Point Blank fan call-in show, scheduled to shoot Wednesday at 11:30 am at the SNY studio.
Comments.
74 Responses to STRUGGLING, BUT NOT SPLINTERING
NYI coaching staff and players are in this together
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Mike says:
Jon Sim is back?
Great start getting those Stanley Cup rings made up. -
beatlebailey says:
Congrats on the call in show CB!…the new king of all (islanders) media!
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Cold Spring Harbor says:
Thanks for the excellent commentary and insight, can’t find that kind of content anywhere else. Ok, I will go to the Tampa game when they return home.
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The New Isles GM says:
I hope this west coast trip is where they can turn it around. Whatever lines and goaltenders they choose for our next win should be the theme until we lose. I’m tired of constant switching and tinkering. Let the team mesh for once. The more they practice and play together, the more they will communicate and trust one another. That goes a long way in winning games… I hope that we can turn the corner now and not in December. Let’s take it one shift at a time boys….forget playoffs right now. Just focus on your next shift!
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jim in 226 says:
Great. Wonderful. Everything is rosy. Now how about winning some damn hockey games?
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Eric Cup says:
Keep the negativity coming. Let the Sim bashers have their fun. This is our team folks. I love the positive attitude. It seems like they are on task. Despite the record, it’s still only 14 games into an 82 game season. You want to jump ship now? Go ahead. I know I will be staying up late this week to watch my team play. Something tells me we won’t be questioning their effort. Who’s young? JT, Blake, Bailey, Schremp, Grabner, Hillen, P.A. There’s time to turn this thing around. Call me crazy but I believe.
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Mark in Ottawa says:
The photo confirms Scott Gordon does indeed blow …..
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Michael says:
@ EAF: Tavares, Bailey, Martin, Okposo, Grabner, Schremp, Comeau are all under 25. I’d say that’s pretty young. Maybe you don’t consider that young in age but in my opinion they are “young” in quality experience.
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Jim Clark says: The Mediocre Ducks of Anaheim are 5-1-1 at home. Islanders are 2-6-1 on the road. Is it necessary to watch this game to know the outcome? Besides the return of Jon Sim?
Yes, because we are fans.
Look forward to your call in show, CB
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CM says:
Players most always defend the coach. Remember how bad the Chicago players felt when coach Denis Savard was fired and replaced by Quenneville? I don’t think they have regrets now. Still feel Scott Gordon is not the right coach. Team needs a wake up call. Players will have to blame themselves if Gordon is fired. Need to string together some wins before I have any confidence. Gordon needs to call out some players and tell them to pick up thier socks or be benched. Gordon seems too soft. My opinion.
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I didn’t realize P.A was 27 – that’s young to me but a little older than I thought.
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NHL fan says:
The locker room might not be the Titianic but the rest of the organization sure feels like it.
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Brian G says:
I hope this road trip they can win 2 out of 3 but at the same time I could see them losing all 3…this team needs to play with consistency before any talk of playoffs
Still think a minor trade or bringing up another forward besides Sim to create some competition is the only answer
this is not Gordon’s fault
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PotvinRocks says:
Just because there is no in fighting does that mean that Gordon is a winning coach? Denis Potvin says that you pretty much know what type of team you have by American Thanksgiving. If they are below .500, then I think they will have to evaluate the Gordon systems.
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BB says:
It’s not just the system which is at fault. It’s a GM still in training, taking his marching orders from an owner who knows nothing about hockey let alone how to run a sports franchise. The make-up of the team is at best mediocre. Today fans are rooting for the team colors not the organization. It’s a sad day in Uniondale.
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Bob Bassen says:
Great stuff, CB! Always good perspective. Kinda psyched for a *West Coast trip*. Maybe its me but there doesn’t seem to be as many *WCT’S* as years ago.
I like Sim. Good guy, leaves it on the ice. Least of my concerns. -
Brad levine says:
The Isles should have good vibes in the lockeroom. Half of them wouldnt be in the NHL if the Isles folded tomorrow. There is no panic on Long Islanders, because losing is something the team is very familiar with. THe fans expect it, and can live with it. The fans that get annoyed with losing stopped comming to games years ago.
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bob says:
Sure its good to hear the players aren’t at ends with the coaches or their peers, but at the end of the day when your team doesn’t have the same skill level, its going to be a problem. Throw in that the compete level of this team hasn’t been where it needs to be in the last 3 weeks, and you have a major problem.
I support this team because I love the game and I love the players for the most part. There is still plenty of hockey to be played and I am hoping these guys will start playing for each other and begin producing when it counts.
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IslesYanks says:
Martin already leading the team in hits… love him! He better not get sent back to bridgeport – this guy is more of an NHLer than a lot of guys on this team… Speaking of which, trent hunter – it’s time to go. Martin hits harder, scores more and plays with a lot more energy and smarts. Hell, I bet you even jon sim will score more than hunter… Top-6 forward? On what planet? He’s gotta go! Can’t wait till we get okie back, seems like his presence goes a long way in settling things down.
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bossjones15 says:
Wait if the Ducks are mediocre what are the Isles????
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Joe NYC says:
What is a WCT? An article like this gives me a bit of solace in knowing that it’s not a complete monkey show. You have to remain realistic about this team and figure they will be at or just below .500 this year. Stay the course, keep Gordon in place let this develop.
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Andre says:
When is the sugar coating going to stop! When! This is fine and dandy and if the players are going through the wall for each other and the team, then the talent level is lacking. Maybe Josh Bailey is nothing more than a third line player. Maybe Blake Comeau is nothing more than a third line player. Maybe those guys would be better players if ownership spent money to bring a proven scorer to play with them. Bottom line is that there there are too many maybes and not enough results. At this point for a diehard fan like myself and others, there are NO more consolation prizes. It is about time this franchise turned the corner once and for all, and not have to suffer until 2015 when the fate of the franchise is known and a new direction is taken. By that time there may be no fans left.
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chrism says:
Looking forward to call in show. The screeching noise in the backround of that video made my cat go crazy.
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StevieL says:
thats the thing about the Isles. They are on an endless time frame. It is nice that they all like the coaches and that Gordon has made them a team after 3years but the bottom line is wins. Mr. Gordon has produced next to nothing in improvement in his entire tenure! I am tired of this young excuse also. At what age or point do we decide that these players are as good as they are or aren’t going to get? Aren’t Skinner, Kane, Fowler, Sutter, Stamkos, Pietrangelo, Doughty, Eberle, Ennis, Carlson, Subban, Duschenne, etc.( not even counting the Crosby and Toews, Kanes etc. of the world)young players? They seem to be making a difference! Seems to me we have a problem in player evaluating and development and I’m sorry, but a lot of that is coaching! Gordon has this aura of being a great coach, I just don’t see it!He has done nothing as far as i am concerned! CB next I await your Snow piece where we can really unleash!!
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Albuquerque Mike says:
Of course John Sim scored 5 goals at Bridgeport. It’s the AHL and Sim is an AHL player. When he goes back he should take Hunter and Gervais with him. On second thought, take Gordon with him too.
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Julie says:
In the interests of full disclosure: I am not now nor have I ever been a believer in Gordon or his “system” (quotes because frankly I don’t see the “go-go” much in evidence this season). But my observation here is not so much anti-Gordon as it is anti the “if-you-are-willing-to-fight-for-each-other-you-will-win” philosophy. Sports history is full of teams who did not get along and won together…and presumably (although they are less likely to make history) full of teams that got along while they sunk. Sorry, but I don’t buy the implied ipso facto here–just because there is no disension in the ranks this season does not mean the existing formula is a potentially winning one.
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Stumpy32 says:
I’m glad the team is all together as another Isles season sinks far too early. It usually takes until the new year for me to get angry over these puff pieces about how the team is so lovey-dovey. Whatever. I’m just happy that they can break bread together after getting manhandled. That must be nice.
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Tony F. says:
I’m not sure why there is so much Hunter hate, it’s not like anyone else is tearing it up in games. At least he has size and throws a body check, which is more than I can say for 95% of the team. I know he’s slow but outside of Nielsen and Grabner who is. The real problem with this team is the men at the top.
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Cruicky says:
Schremp scored no goals at the Bridge, is he not an AHL player. I am sorry, but I have not seen him go anything in the NHL yet.
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admin says:
Do some fans still not understand that the coaching staff is working with by far the lowest payroll (of players actually ON the team) than any in the NHL? And the difference that makes when you’re trying to be competitive against franchises fielding complete major league lineups? To blame the coaches, in my humble opinion, boggles the mind. CB
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Cincy says:
Chris – It’s often been frustrating to watch as Islander management has treated Point Blank with less than the respect one would expect be given to the place most frequented by the loyal base of the team’s fan support. But posts like this one are a reminder of the benefits to be gained from being an “alternative and independent” outlet for Islander news and analysis (see “About NYI Point Blank” in the left-hand column). As such, the benefits to fans of receiving such substantive and candid information and analysis are well worth the price paid in lack of respect.
I understand that circumstances surrounding the blog in 2008-2009 were much different than they are today. And I appreciate any explanation for events during that season, even if received two years later. I can only assume that receiving insight into the team locker room dynamic in ‘real time’ rather than hindsight is a function of the increased independent backing of the blog that’s come with increased viewership and recognition.
Glad to see you putting your hard-earned journalistic leverage to work in this excellent post. Thanks, and well done.
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isles71 says:
I played hockey for 31 years at alot of different levels. Over that time, I played on a few really bad teams. To this day, from those teams, there are many great guys who I still enjoy getting together with to drink beers, play golf or watch a game with. Because they were good teammates and friends doesn’t mean that they didn’t suck at hockey or were good for the team. I said it before… winning teams and frachises ACT like winners. The attitude starts at the top starting with the owner and filters down. Try explaining to a non-Isles or non-hockey fan how the Isles reached the cap FLOOR, and gauge their reaction to see what others think about this franchise. I will still watch and cheer and spend my money to see a few away games…but I refuse to drink the Kool-aid any longer…the party line is getting VERY old. go isles
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CB, I totally agree with you. You can’t blame the coaching staff at all. It is silly. But when is this franchise going to give the coaching staff a full deck to play with? 2015, 2016? Before that? There is no way they could go that long without trying to make major additions to improve the on ice product. Why would Tavares, Okposo, or even Bailey want to stay with the the franchise when they know the ownership won’t spend on payroll to improve the product. They will either hit UFA or about to hit UFA by that time and gladly will leave.
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kevO says:
The coaches are absolutley not to blame here. I like Scott Gordon but when Wang & Snow give you nothing to work with it’s impossible to be a contender. The problem with Isles is ownership and management. Mark my words…the islanders will NEVER win a playoff series with wang as the owner or snow as the gm…its gotta be one of the worst ownership/managements in sports
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4theisles says:
I don’t get it: If Snow has or had the bank bank balance and the OK from Wang to get some vets in the draft or by trade that he claimed he did, was he lying or was there nothing available?
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gary9-19-22 says:
I said this yesterday and it needs to be repeated…
We field a team ~15% below the salary cap floor. You know what happens when you stock your roster with developing talent, career minor leagers and marignal NHL players… YOU GET 4-8-2!!!!
Gordo is a good coach. We already let Blysma and Laviolette go after many fans were happy they left.
Take a step back and really look at this franchise. We have cut funding for assistnce to the GM (Snow has to wear way too many hats), we have cut payroll on the ice (actually cheated the system in reverse), we cut scouting and player development.
If I ran my business like this I would be virtually out of business… just like the Isles are.
For the love of all that is holy Wang should stop playing games and either fund the resources to enable Snow to run a hockey organization or just sell the team.
Plenty of people would love to buy up a franchise cheap and move them to Queens or Brooklyn. I for one think Wang is not capable of making us a winner. He is the exact opposite of Steibrenner.
Dont blame Gordon, Snow or the players. They are doing their best with what they got.
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I agree with you 36 gary9-19-22 that this team needs to be sold. Wang is running the team into the ground. There has to be someone who would buy the team and move the team to Queens, Brooklyn, or be content to just build a new arena in Nassau or Suffolk especially now that the lease has been reworked and the new owner will get more revenue.
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Pablo says:
#31 CB, I agree but the situation is the situation, I suppose the blame can keep going around in a circle. At what point and where does the blame lie? or should we be happy with losing all the time? Furthermore it was the isles organization toting around that they are ready this year, from interviews to the opening montage at home games.
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CB, It doesn’t boggle my mind to blame the coaches when you look at the other team come in to the zone and see 5 guys look at the puck instead of picking up people coming in to the zone. It also doesn’t boggle my mind that the forwards are way too committed to a forecheck to backcheck effectively. I also don’t think the kids are being developed right, compared to their counterparts our “prospects” are far less successful.
As far as the minor league team we ice, that entirely rests on Wang & Snow and it’s pathetic that we’re icing 30 mil in salary any given night considering what the rest of the league is doing. Still, Gordon isn’t off the hook because everyone likes each other, the fundamentals need to be followed, not in spite of the weak line up, but because of it.
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Winning is not tied to salaries. So what if were below the cap. Team should not be on a 7 game losing streak. Someone needs to be accountable. Unfortunately the coach is the scape goat. GM and owner will always be last to admit fault. Would’nt you? Team needs shake-up. Do it early before its too late. I don’t care if we miss the playoffs, I just want to see us get close and see improvement in standings from last year. Were already in 29th place.
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I don’t see any difference between players like PA Parenteau, Schremp, Grabner, etc and a coach like Scott Gordon. They all were bright stars shining in pre-NHL leagues that had/have potential but never proved anything in the NHL. I understand what you’re trying to say CB about not blaming the coaches, but how do we really know this is a good coach? When Isles hired him, lots of good coaches were available including Tortorella. I think the isles have much better young players and overall team characteristics than the rangers do, but somehow this coach is able to get the most out of them as long as he’s been there. I like Gordon, but with little proven high-level success (his go-go system didn’t seem to work too well at the world championships with a better team either) I think it might be time to review our other options….
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Brian @ Work in DC says:
You could probably make some serious coin betting the Isles to lose according to Vegas… Problem is you would have to bet large to make any money because the Isles opponents are always -200… This organization is purely awful… I will be surprised if they don’t come back 4-11-2 or maybe 4-10-3…
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CB, you’re right the team isn’t talented enough to produce consistent winning results. But if that’s the case, why are you so firm on Snow not going anywhere “for a long long time”.
Someone has to be accountable for this team’s failures over the last 4 seasons and if it isn’t the coaching staff it must be on the GM. Sure he’s made some nice acquisitions but he’s also made some pretty bad ones too, and hasn’t learned from them.
This slow and steady rebuild excuse can be never-ending. It eliminates all accountability from Snow, and who knows if the results will ever come!
My lone point is this: If Snow were a credible GM he would not want to work for Charles Wang and have limited to no freedom to make the moves he feels would make this team competitive. A credible GM would come in and say “this is what I need to make this team a winner” instead of Snow doing whatever it takes to put this team together through waiver wire acquisitions.
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AJAX says:
CB, It doesn’t boggle my mind at all to put blame on the coach. I don’t agree with his line shake ups, I don’t agree with his starting goaltending choices or his choices of managing his goaltenders, his use of time outs, his inability to “tweek” his system to adjust to the “low payroll” team he has. He shows little to no emotion about his team. I feel as though he should be replaced.
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admin says:
(44) I think you answered your own question, Bob. I didn’t say the GM deserved to be here a long, long time. Just that he will be. This is a fact. You can hold me to it…CB
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Michael from Toronto says:
I totally agree with you CB. Look at the other coaches in the league who are from the AHL. Columbus, Tampa Bay, Washington and St.Louis to name a few. Those teams all have legitimate NHL talented players on their team. As I stated in a response yesterday, how many of these players on the Isles roster would have spent time in the AHL. Tavares may be the only player to make it straight to the NHL.
Isn’t Wilson in Toronto in the same situation. You can’t win in a professional sports league without talent.
The Islanders may get there, but hopefully they do it fast.
Snow is totally at fault here for not providing his coach with more NHL calibre players. Parenteau, Grabner, Gillies have not even played a full season in the league. Tavares, Moulson, Bailey, Okposo, have less than 3 years of NHL experience and these guys are counted on as the top six and your go to guys!
Learning on the job is tough, as many players are finding out, but Snow played in the league and should know what it takes to compete in this league! -
brian says:
I see the “young team” excuse by Roloson. The Isles may have some young players, no more so than a lot of other teams. But there are plenty of vets on this team. Nothing but vets in goal, a veteran defense. Plenty of vets on the forward lines. No excuses.
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JKP on LI says:
Gordon just kind of annoys me. It’s silly, petulant, and egotistical to storm out of interviews and press conferences because you don’t like the questions. The guy needs to grow a pair and learn to be professional.
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Honestly every fan of this team should know by now Snow is a puppet and is not allowed to spend extra money on the roster…so if you think a trade is coming, its not – Trevor Gillies is on the roster..he would not be on any other NHL roster
Wang and Snow are a disgrace….If this team loses 2 out of the next 3…be prepared to see the smallest crowd ever at the Coliseum vs. Tampa Bay when they return…
More fans should just stop going and spending any money – that is the only way to send a message to them
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50 in 50 says:
Jon Sim is back, Thank God. Call Gary Bettman and tell him to wheel the cup out. Skip the rest of the season and hand it off to Doug “dead” Weight.
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CB, I hear what you’re saying about the coaches, and I do believe the deck is stacked against us – and Gordon – financially. However, most of us are not criticizing him because they aren’t winning several in a row in dominating fashion. None of us expect that. All that we request is that there is consistent effort on a nightly basis, and that the players learn from mistakes. There is talent here. We’re not talking about a team of 35-year old retreads. While they are definitely young, they are also definitely talented enough to learn from mistakes and take to coaching. We’ve seen their talent come through in spurts. But a 7-game losing streak – actually several 6-7-8-game losing streaks – are not acceptable on any level, and with any talent base. Remember…while we are at the salary floor, the salary floor isn’t the Milstein-like “lint in pocket” payroll. We are spending at least $35M on the current players on the roster. Not great, but not refusing to keep Richie Pilon’s $1M/year salary around bad. This team should NOT be losing seven straight…ever. That’s on Gordon. There’s a ton of blame to go around, but Gordon should absolutely get his.
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How this site and Fanhouse are getting denied for intervieews is beyond me.
There isn’t a more truthful and healthier statement out there than this above.
(Thanks to the reader yesterday who shared the newsday mobile site flaw. I may not be as eager to read it after this post’s article)
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mrlbem says:
Chris, I don’t blame the coach and I also don’t blame the GM. I blame the owner. It’s frustrating as a fan, however, that no one in the press, other than the occasional Larry Brooks comment in Slap Shots, calls out the owner. This team could have made a Chicago/Atlanta type of trade to bring in good young veteran forwards in their mid-20′s to play with Tavares and Co. and who would have been good fits for this so called rebuild. Instead we get PA Parenteau and Doug Weight.
Add to this the fact that this owner only hires people who are beholden to him (experience and skill are not required here, thank you) and it makes one wonder whether this organization will ever compete at the required level
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hockeytime says:
We interupt this program for a NEWS UPDATE (beep beep beep..beepidy beep)
The New York Islanders are struggling again. It has come to light that the Islanders have a league low payroll and a marginal NHL lineup. According to multiple sources, the reasons are clear now. Lack of attendance equals less revenues, which in turn equals a lower payroll. This team is in a bind now because apparantly winning equals revenue and the Islanders are not winning.Tune in at 10pm, we will discuss how the Islanders start winning with minimal investment. This one has our experts scratching their heads.
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Luvs19 says:
When the team denies that the coach is going to be fired, that’s when the coach is about to be fired. God only knows what Wang and Snow are thinking and who they will bring on to replace the not-yet-fired Scott Gordon. Too bad the fans can’t fire those two clowns as well. Charles B. Wang needs to get a new hobby, like buying another company to run into the ground.
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Unfortunately, Snow will not fire Gordon, because he’s under contract through the end of the year.
Unfortunately, Wang will not fire Snow, because he’s under contract, and Wang has a teamwide policy that he does not fire GMs under any circumstances, and even if they choose to resign, he puts them into an ill-suited sales position just so he can continue to pay underperforming employees rather than potentially overperforming players.
Unfortunately, we cannot fire Wang, because it seems clear that he’s going to wait until 2015, and then bolt somewhere. Maybe even with some semblance of a franchise still left by then. And their five remaining fans.
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TM says:
It’s nice that they sing Kumbaya in the locker room but the bottom line is winning and things will never truly be hunky dory with wins until an owner spends money.
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Matt says:
We’re not that young a team. We are still filled with retreads and bargains — Mottau, Jurcina, Eaton, Sim, Konopka, Gillies, Weight, PA etc.. not to mention holdover vets like Hunter and Marty.
According to nhlnumbers.com our “young Isles” are actually the 12th oldest team in the league. Average age 27.928. For comparison, the oldest team is Detroit @31.018 and the youngest is Los Angeles @25.813.
Granted, our best players are among our youngest, which gives us some hope..right?
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Jerky says:
I’m going to cry BS on defending Snow or Gordon for this mess. Plain and simple, they should be a better team at this point. I expect to see 100% effort from every player on the ice game in and game out. Anyone not giving his all should be benched, traded or waived – this is a PROFESSIONAL league. If Wang is not allowing Snow to spend money and Gordon has to ice a team with what he has and it’s not working after two-plus seasons, then Snow and/or Gordon would be better off resigning their post to save their reputations from sinking any further and preserve what’s left of their pride and dignity. Anything less than their resignation, as a fan, leads me to believe they are complicit in running the organization into the ground and I have every right to be critical and demand answers. Snow can’t say he has the green light to spend from Wang, expect to be a playoff contender, and then give the fans what we have today. Either he’s straight-out lying to the fans or he can’t get anyone willing to play on LI, which I find hard to believe. Either Wang will not ok spending money or Snow is a liar and an inept GM … it’s one or the other. Gordon is just caught in the crosshairs of this, but he’s shown me very little to warrant my support.
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Steve says:
Hopefully the Isles can get out of struggles in their 3 game road trip. Anaheim should be ripe for picking.
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Sure, you can blame the coach. If he pushes a system that the players are unable play….it’s his fault. If he is unable to motivate his players….it’s his fault. If he is unable to teach young players….it’s his fault. See Wade Phillips of the Cowboys. Stubborn to the extreme, like Gordon.
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mb says:
things look bleak so it may be time to blow off steam and send a message to ownership. why not start chanting “Wang sell the team” at home games or organize and wear paper bags over our head? I say send a message to ownership, or just boycott the games. i am so annoyed, i gave up my season tickets and now only buy way below face. i won’t even park in the lot to that Wang does not get my $10.00.
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CB it is important to remain positive and have an upbeat team in the locker room.But the team is incapable of competing in the NHL with there current lineup.The fanbase is tired of the rebuild process year after yearHow do you buy into any of it, when deep down inside you know the team is not that talented and the coach is subpar at best ?
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NYIFAN10 says:
Sim actually plays tough. He is a fine 4th liner. Hunter should be the one to go and then rotate in PA, Gillies and Grabner as needed.
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Orange&Blue says:
Different year, same old BS!
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Blizzard says: ….I cant believe I am saying this but I’m glad Sim is gonna play.
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Let’s face it, Snow got the G.M job because he cost the least and was willing to go along with whatever Wang wanted–no other candidate was willing to do that. that being said, he is not doing a bad job, except as an actor, when he tells us he has free reign to spend. That is hysterical, and sooo not true! I think hockey has become Wang’s new toy, but just like a kid, when it does not work anymore you just toss in a corner. He needs to listen to hockey professionals on how to run this team, even Snow could help–but he does not say what he thinks for fear of losing his job. I still see some good talent on this team, but they need a shot of confidence to take the next step, I think it has to be outside the organization.
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I can’t believe people are saying this team isn’t young. What is the average age of the top six forwards? That’s a lot of pressure on those guys at that age. Take away Roloson, and Weight and the overall average age of the team changes.
This core is young and the team goes the way they go! -
hollywood says:
CB is correct. How can we blame Gordon or Snow. To be honest I just don’t know what we can expect from Wang. We have had the Comrie, Fedotanko, Guerin’s and so on. What did it do for us, nothing? Last time I checked he spent the money on Peca and Yashin so I don’t think it’s about the money. He tried to sign Ryan Smyth but like most upper tier players he declined. It’s just a reality. They need a new facility and yes Wang should be looking at the Queens option but I sincerely think he wants to keep the team on Long Island.
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D in BIG D says:
CB,I think most fans dissapointment w/ the coaching staff is their inability to coach up the talent that they do have and their inability to tweek or alter the teams system to the players strengths.Also not being able to change or adjust during games to other teams strategies.You will never be able to justify to me playing players like Weight and Gervais.What about the line combos?I’ve read on this site many possible combos that we have yet to see.Why?I’ve questioned Gordons decisions on when to play certain lines during games.I think he’s horrible @ managing during games.Who are the fans to blame for those decisions?Garth may have signed these players but Gordons got to know when and how to use them.Just my opinion.Go Isles.
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anthony c says:
well I was thinking of catching an Islanders game when I go to NY for the holidays since I haven’t seen one in 2 years, but after reading that sim is coming back up I won’t be going anywhere near the coliseum.
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jbassman says:
I’ll be getting my 5 game ‘back to the basement pack’ early this year…and with the todays great news looks like all those Jon Sim bobblehead dolls in storage will indeed be unveiled next week. So glad the team is getting along, makes the countless hours invested into rooting for this subpar product easier to handle. We had two weeks of success then the all the wheels….scratch that, the whole engine fell out. Where the hell is Snow????? Beyond tired of all the hiding and bs excuses from this org. We deserve a HELLUVA lot more as diehard fans. Win the next three Gordon or get lost.
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cjcb says:
ANy chance SIm can replace Gervais on D? If not send him back, he can dominate the AHL. Its where he belongs!!
I don’t understand why everyone keeps saying that this is a very young team. Who is very young on the current roaster outside of JT and JB?