“THEY’LL BE IN THE PLAYOFF RACE UNTIL THE END”
Scouts’ Poll Season Preview, Part 1 – The Standings
PLEASE BE SAFE THIS WEEKEND AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILIES. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK…CB
There’s no question in my mind. The Islanders are competitive again.
This is what one of four NHL pro scouts told Point Blank this week for a preseason poll. Four out of four scouts surveyed were confident the Islanders will contend for a playoff berth in 2011-12.
“They’ll be in the playoff race in the East until the end,” said another. “I don’t see more than five teams running away with playoff positions by the start of March. All of the teams that didn’t make the playoffs got better in the offseason. I think this will be a wild playoff race. I wouldn’t be surprised if as many as 9 teams were fighting for the final 2 or 3 spots in late March. For the Islanders, it’s going to come down to how well their D and goaltending hold up.”
That sentiment, of course, was also unanimous among the four NHL pro scouts. These scouts are tasked by their clubs to spend most of their time on the road following the National Hockey League and American Hockey League. They are responsible for filing pre-scout reports for their head coaches and providing guidance to their general managers on trade acquisitions, waiver wire pickups and future free agent signings. All four have followed the Islanders and the Eastern Conference religiously for at least the last three seasons.
To a man, they believe Islanders fans will be engaged in the upcoming regular season from the beginning until the end. “The days of being out of contention way before the All-Star break are finally over,” said one.
That said, none of the scouts were prepared – at least in late August – to declare the Islanders a bonafide playoff team.
Summarized one, “I’ve got three concerns for them: lack of depth and experience – especially on defense – their history of having over 300 man-games lost to injury per season, and the competition in the East. The Islanders are getting better and they will be better, but I don’t know if they’re good enough to close out one of the playoff spots in the final quarter of the season.”
With a key roster upgrade or two, they certainly could. Looking in awe at the Islanders’ cap space, the scouts know general manager Garth Snow has the cap flexibility, resources and assets to add a key player when needed.
“Snowy is not done,” said one scout. “I know he tried all summer to add a dman, but the (Christian) Ehrhoff thing went bust because they wouldn’t give him a blank check up front and he hasn’t been able to connect on another deal like he did with Wisniewski last summer. There’s still time left. Good players will be available during camp in trades and on the wire. A quality player that an Edmonton might not want to spend for could be snapped up by Snowy.”
Said another, “I know for a fact that Garth offered a training camp invite this month to a pretty good veteran, but he turned it down for now. To me, that’s a sign Garth is trying to do whatever he can within his limitations. He has to know he needs more if he really wants his team to finally make a big splash this season. It’s good for business and it’s good for arena negotiations.”
Point Blank Take: There’s probably little above that the most ardent Islanders follower would disagree with. My biggest concern is the team’s lack of depth. The forward corps is strong, but many players still have a lot to prove in crucial game situations. The goaltending rotation is certainly deep and will be a fascinating study from the first day of training camp. The health of the team’s current top six on defense has been well-documented here and elsewhere. (An educated guess at the veteran who turned down the camp invitation ”for now” – Long Island resident Bryan McCabe).
I expect the Islanders to have a very good start to the season and create some much-needed positive buzz for the franchise after the disappointment of the referendum. The schedule is favorable early and the talent is there. But the long NHL season can be cruel for teams that are not well-stocked at every position. Reality could hit for the Islanders in the second half. There are too many teams in the East with far more consistent goaltending and defense.
Unless the Islanders manage to reverse a trend and limit their man-games lost to injury to under 200, the excitement could very well last into March, but as currently constructed the team is more destined for 10th place than the playoffs. That’s if Snow isn’t finally able to make his first major impact transaction of 2011.
Still, as the pro scouts have forecasted, it’s going to be an exciting season from start to finish. Being in the battle late in the season will show marked improvement. After four years of the slow and steady rebuild, legitimate playoff contention will be welcomed. Important hockey games are back at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum this season.
In the coming days, Point Blank – with some assistance from our pro scouts – will take a position-by-position look at the Islanders in 2011-12. Your as-of-now thoughts on where the Islanders will rank in the East are welcomed in the Comments thread. Thank you.
114 Responses to “THEY’LL BE IN THE PLAYOFF RACE UNTIL THE END”
Scouts’ Poll Season Preview, Part 1 – The Standings
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Chris A says:
Im curious to see what the Isles are doing in terms of fitness, given the amazing amount of man games lost…an investment in all forms of physical training surely must’ve been at least considered. That being said a fit squad coupled with a possible mid-season move can ensure a playoff spot.
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rob says:
Thank you, Garth Snow.
Thank you, Chris Botta.
Now you two guys go get a room and work it out.
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Kenny says:
I think the Isles have had more than 400 man games lost the last 3 years and not all of it is because of Rick. Like you said, unless they’re going to be last in the league in the one category it’s good to be last in (man games), I don’t see them making the playoffs.
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M Lawrence says:
Goaltending and D win games and we don’t have enough of either when it comes to stability. We will push for a spot but we won’t have enough in the end.
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Patty says:
I love the positive outlook from the scouts and CB and agree with just about everything here. But making the playoffs when Snow could have done more in the offseason (maybe he still will) would be unacceptable.
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CC says:
A little sunshine before the hurricane. Good column.
8th place.
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Steve says:
Thanks for the take, Chris. Finally important games to win and not lose. We might be close, but I think more is needed as well.
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Sean says:
Last place is in our rearview mirror but 10th isn’t going to be enough to make me happy. Being in the race in March isn’t enough. Every team in the league except for maybe 4 teams were still in it in March.
I do appreciate the positivity though.
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Strummer's Army says:
Everyone knows the glaring need is the defense. It won’t be when DeHaan, Mayfield, Donovan, and Pedan are ready for full-time duty but Snow could easily land a top-level d-man and a solid d-man both with an edge and secure a really good playoff spot. That defense will only get better when the named youngsters are added.
Forwards are loaded and will continue to be more so in the years to come and same for goaltending even if it may be a transition year there.
Warning to all of you up the coast, do not take this hurricane lightly. Look up the steps online to prepare because the most reliable path has the worst part of the storm hitting Nassau and Suffolk Co. I wonder if the ole’ barn can withstand the winds?
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Zarley says:
We only have a chance to make the playoffs if Streit plays 80 games and is better than ever. Unlikely but I can dream.
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Josh says:
Interesting take, CB.
I have the Isles currently slotted 10th in the East. However, the depth question is an interesting one, especially on D. The Islanders have had remarkable depth where there should be none, at defense. Hamonic and MacDonald have established themselves as top 4 defensemen in one season. It will be really interesting to see if someone goes down early, if de Haan, Donovan, or dare I say, Ness, can establish themselves as well as the prior two.
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The new isles gm says:
Actions speak louder then words. I remember Scott Gordon declaring we were going to get bigger on D last summer and we didn’t. Still think we need two more moves to get us over the hump. I see us as a bottom 5 team if we’re going to call Ricky our starter. Still excited for the new season as always, but we just don’t fit in, in the Atlantic Division. Come on Snow…make a bold move.
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BIGSAVE77 says:
I agree with everything posted above. I think we will squeek into 8th place with the roster we have now as long as Capuano plays the best player available in net. Goaltending is the key to our season. I cannot remember ever being so excited for the upcoming season than I am now. I can’t wait for October, but I am still enjoying summer and the NFL preseason. LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oops. Forgot to add my take on the goaltending. The Islanders have enough [expletive] to throw against the wall that something will stick. Poulin was promising, Montoya had a winning record, Nabokov has a history of winning, and DiPietro, well, maybe he could go .500 for a start.
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Bassen says:
YOur take about the fans agreeing with the scouts is probably dead on. I guess there’s only one man who doesn’t think the team needs improving and thats Garth Snow. I heard Wang on WFAN say we were going to win the Cup this year. I guess Snow has him conned again. Next summer we’ll hear about how Snow built the 20th place team in the league on the 30th payroll. Yippee.
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drive45 says:
One part you didn’t mention was coaching. I’m not a big believer in Jack Capuano. Last year was the easy part picking up the pieces after the Gordon era. But Capuano hasn’t proven anything at any level. The stakes are for real this time.
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JT says:
I have a hard time picking a team with Rick DiPietro as its opening night starter to make the playoffs. You didn’t either, CB!
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Brian says:
I completely agree with everything in the article. Not a playoff team yet, but will be in contention.
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Nick says:
Let’s re-group on October 1 and make our picks for real. There could be a trade. There could be more camp injuries. But I did like this story. Thanks for still writing Islanders hockey in August.
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Mission9000 says:
I agree that the team is almost there but not ready for the playoffs just yet. If we can snag a top 2 d-man before the season and can make an impact move at the deadline if we are in contention then I say we sneak in at 7 or 8. This year’s draft is stocked with high end talent on D and a few fowards (Yukapov) that I wouldn’t mind taking another rough year for.
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PotvinRocks says:
Not sure if I’m on board with the Isles being a playoff team. Last season they were 12 in goals for, solid group of forwards, but they were 29th in GA. DiPietro had the worst GAA and Save % in the league. I believe a healthy Streit, McDonald, Hamonic, Mattu & Eaton is good enough to get them into the playoffs. But there will always be accidents if you put the keys in a teenagers hands.
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Marc says:
I hope you and the other experts are right but can you blame fans for being skeptical? Many of the teams in the league made significant upgrades — on paper. Unfortunately, the referendum disaster will negatively-affect attendance. A fast start to the season will hopefully turn that around and get positive movement towards a local arena deal. I’m looking forward to an exciting season, watching the young core develop, and MSG HD (switching to Cablevision shortly.)
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Piper (in DC) says:
Trade for Cory Schneider (VAN) and a top four D-man and 8th spot is reachable. If not another top 5 pick. Not being negative, but without at least one upgrade in each of those positions they most likely will be outside looking in. Make a quality trade and give us long time fans something to smile about.
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Blizz says: If Cappy plays the BEST goalie we certainly have a shot IMO.
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Jay says:
CB,
Why do you think Mccabe wouldn’t give it a shot? I’ve always got the impression he would have loved to be back here for the above mentioned reason. I’m sure playing for the Rags was good for his home life. Maybe he’s holding out to see if they want him back first?
J- -
Ed from Hempstead says:
CB and the scouts are more optimistic than me. That’s a first.
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Thomas says:
Before we did next to nothing in the offseason except improve 2 bottom 6 spots, I was ready to pick us 7th.
We didn’t come close to making the moves even a diehard like Compton said we had to make.
I say 10th at best.
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Anthony says:
6th place, 1st round upset
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Dan from Westchester (was Roslyn) says:
I agree with the people who say just competing for a playoff spot is not enough. Snow likes to say at the end of every season that its unacceptable when the Isles don’t make the playoffs. It really will be this time and it would be on Snow and Wang as far as I’m concerned.
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Billy the Kid says:
Nice to hear that the Kenny Morrows from the other teams think we’re getting closer.
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Daniel says:
Welcome back Chris! This is pretty much what I expected. Nobody can guarantee the Islanders are a playoff team with all of the question marks around defense and goal. Regardless, I am excited. I expect big seasons from Tavares, Okposo, Hamonic, and Bailey.
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Nyifan11 says:
6th place 43 wins, 91 points
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Cary says:
Frustrated that we didn’t upgrade JT’s winger; be curious to see if they try Grabs there.
Also think we could use another solid D-man.
I still have a glimmer of hope we’ll make a somewhat significant upgrade to the roster before the season starts.
If not, I agree with the questions about the second half.
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jzruggie says:
Biggest issue has to be in goal. Montoya was very impressive last season. I think he showed enough that he could be the #1. But let’s face it …if DP is given the top job out of camp and goes 1-8-1 in the first 10, we’re screwed.
On the other hand, it really looked like Cappy was going with Montoya when he was playing well last season, and if he is unafraid to go with the best player, I think the team will shock the critics this year.
Michael Grabner is the real deal.
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Staten Islander says:
The injury factor is going to be key. Can they stay healthy? I mean besides Ricky.
I hope the scouts were honest in their assesments and not just being gracious.
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Ryan says:
I agree with CB…as of right now, the Isles are probably not making the playoffs. They should be close though, and an acquisition, either before the season or during, could be what they need to get in. There is also the chance that Tavares makes a giant leap forward, puts up 40+ goals, and leads the team there, with the help of repeat 30 goal seasons from the likes of Grabner and Moulson. I also believe it is the season for Kyle Okposo to take the next step, and maybe put up 50 – 60 points while playing a great overall game. I’m ready for the season to start tomorrow…
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BryanG says:
Garth will make a good deal at the deadline like his Smyth move and we will clinch 7th during the last week of the season.
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The Stanley Cup should be the one and only goal. finishing 2nd or 9th or 10th still means you are not the best. We have been conditioned to look foward to possibly being good enought to make the playoffs. as if thats some great accomplishment. Win the whole effen thing ffs. thats what this club needs. these kids do that and the arena will be built the day after.
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bags says:
If we make the playoffs, which of the top teams aren’t? I count 7 teams that I see us no way having a better record than.
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walsh says:
When are we going to get a real GM and our dream owner like Buffalo got?
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isles516 says:
2 posts in 1 day!!!
Tenth place is right.
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William says:
Writing that the Isles will contend for a spot and have an exciting season is not enough to get your credential back. You should have picked them for 3rd in the East, CB.
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Winning says:
If dipietro plays more then 15 games the isles stand zero chance of making the playoffs. It would be like the yankees making the playoffs if aj burnet started three games a week for the yankees. Its simply impossible. The stats are concrete, never mind teams with the lowrst payroll usually dont make the playoffs.
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Battfist says:
JT gets 46 goals
FnGO line puts up 80 goalsD stays relatively healthy
Someone steps up in goalWe’ll make the playoffs….7th seed.
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James J says:
100% agree. The Islander scoring last year was sufficient. All we need is a top 4 d-men.
As far as playing in pressure situations – look at Tavares in the World Juniors and OT.
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Michael Delman says:
Nice article. I think 10th is a bit conservative and I thought your prediction last year was too optimistic….I think 8th place is where we will end up, but it will have a different feel to it from our 8th place finishes of the past.
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Erika says:
I love our forwards. We can flat out score, and in my opinion that is the most important. i am a little suspect of our defense, since I have never seen CDH play and we don’t know how Streit will do coming off a major injury I am a bit worried, BUT…I am glad Snow did not break the bank with mediocre players. Hey you never know, the defense could click and stay healthy, Poulin or Montoya can prove they are quality net minders and….we could be in the playoffs this year. Hopefully, if we are in the playoff hunt in March, Snow can finally get us the Goring player of this decade! Doesn’t sweet Lou owe us for taking 5 mil off his hands??
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Tom D in NJ says:
IMO, I believe the Isles need a move or two of some significance to be a legit play-off team contender, otherwise I see them running out of gas at some point down the stretch. We really do need to make the play-offs this year and prove that there can be a winning culture again on the Island. If DiPietro looks slow and rickety at the onset and the team continues to waste time believing he can be our #1 goalie, that will create a real negative morale factor, which is something we do not need. Montoya exceeded expectations last year, but In my eyes Poulin looks like a winner. I hope he is healthy. Thanks Chris for getting us back in the swing!
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So many variables, so many question marks….the team will be competitive, no doubt about that, but right now they are a dark horse to make the playoffs at best.
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Jim Clark says: How many points out of 8th place on March 1st is “competitive”?
Maybe I am a nattering nabob of negativism but the only team I see the Islewangers better than is Ottawa. But then last year I picked us for dead last and look how wrong that was. -
Paul says:
They will not make playoffs. 5 years of Snow and NOTHING.
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@Jim….because the team was so far from last. LOL! It is amazing how low the bar is set.
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frankie d says:
one thing to say………make it two
WELCOME BACK CB WELCOME BACK
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Isles473 says:
Leave Dehaan in Bridegport. We dont need another Bailey. When a Bryan McCabe doesnt even want to play here there is no way Snow will be able to do anything more this season. There is always next season.
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Isles Fan in VA says:
Chris
without even reading the comments, i just need to say how wonderful it is to have you and IPB back.
You are part of my morning routine, and things feel “normal” again. I hope you understand and appreciate how much Islanders Nation relies and needs you and your insight.
Now I’ll go read the comments!!
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Mike says:
Concerns me a bit to learn that CB was reporting Islanders were making statements after the Roloston move that they were “a hockey move was in the works and that the fans would like it” and then there are comments from scouts about how Garth has not been able to pull off a deal. It’s that kind of stuff that infuriates me about this team. Their silent, then make a bold statement like that, they don’t execute and then there’s analysis that suggest nothing but Erhoff and an invitee was eminent. Makes the management and team look like a bunch of amateurs…..Oh wait, I forgot he was our back up goalie before becoming GM. Silly me for being optimistic about the immediate future of this team. Don’t believe the hype.
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I agree isles fan in va I was getting bummed everytime I opened up point blank with nothing new reported. I don’t know what I would do if this site ever shut dowm.
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MoreDraftPicks says:
Im not drinking the kool-aid yet. We need to make an impact move for a top 2 Dman, the goalie situation needs to be better, and we have to stop fantasizing that everyone will be automatically better because they are a year older. The rest of the league is a year older also. Temas in the conference have gotten a lot better on paper than the Isles did. Im sorry to say unless a MAJOR move is made, we will be 10th or 11th with a possible top 6 pick AGAIN –UGGH!!!
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NYI FAN says:
Goal tending depth? Duh? These guys are paid for this? If we can get past DP’s 2-3 bad goals per game we got a shot.
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Bob E says:
great to hear some postive buzz. Truth is at least the scouts prediction. Most publications just copy and paste what happend the year before.
THen suddening if isles break out this year, All the them suddenly knew this would happen.
I really think if healthy isles can turn alot of heads.
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Jeff from Smithtown says:
Because of the 3 point game just about everyone is in contention till March . Unfortunatley I agree with you CB for 10th place.
1 Weak Goaltending
2 most of the forwards have reached their ceiling. Except for JT I do not see any improvement from last year to this year.
3 Lack of toughness on D
4 Lockeroom Z leaving will be felt
Only upside Streit for entire year. -
jeff w says:
With all the depth at goal….we cant wait out DP…something will need to give before we can talk playoffs…….I think DP will see the job slipping away and suffer an ‘injury’….the door will open for someone ….poulin, monty or nab to grab it and hold on!
oh and we need a sekera or gonchar as a pre-req
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ENV79 says:
Good article Chris. I agree with the consensus that goaltending and our depth on D is a possible weakness. A minor concern would be if our forwards actually *over*achieved last year when playing with house money in the second half.
As for McCabe, these generous scouts predictions aside, with our lousy perception league-wide, him committing to us will clearly look like desperation on his part. Who else could this be other than McCabe? Craig Rivet? Paul Mara? Our old friend Chris Campoli? Nick Boynton? Steve Staios?
How about this reason to be optimistic – could our apparently “recurring” bad luck with injuries have been due to Scott Gordon’s system of “overspeed”? If we stay healthy, add 1 more defenseman and if we can ride Nabby, Montoya or a resurgent DP, I’d agree with the scouts. Part and parcel of all of this is that if our offense is no longer a weakness it’s because Tavares and Okposo both will have stepped up this year.
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hangover3 says:
The Islanders injury situation is their own fault. If they knew how to hire good players/coaches/G.M’s, they would know how to win games. THen they would have money to pay players that are not injured all the time. In other words, since they have no money, they are forced to hire cripples. Dipietro, Doug Weight, Martinek. THis was not by accident. Its really no different then poor people breaking down on the side of the road driving to work cause they are driving a car thats 12 years old. I understand martinek and wieght are gone but lets not act like the isles always have bad “luck”. Its poorness that causes them to sign these bums to begin with. Every other team in hockey would buy out dipietro ten days a week.
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Irish Isle says:
Im sorry, I just dont see it. The Islanders have the same problems this year as we did last year: lack of depth and lack of experience. And those were the two key factors that led to losing 20/21 and not Gordon.
And the most important areas the Islanders needed to improve on, front line defense and top 6 forward, they didnt.
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Rob T says:
Difference from this year and last year is that the cheapest season tickets arn’t over a thousand. Go Isles.
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PFR says:
I think the uncertainty in goal could result in a slow start. I’m hoping the goaltending situation resolves itself very early in camp so its not a carousel during the regular season. I’m still confident someone will be added to the defense. The Isles started out in Oct-Nov well last year, its those 20 game losing streaks that kill you…
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avann says:
Hey chris, Do you think our injury problems are connected to the building and ice quality? Otherwise why is this a problem for us every year.
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JimfromStJames says:
Scott Gordon’s system could probably be blamed for a good portion of the injurys ( Hip & groin ) so having capt’n Jack from the start of the season will help with the man games lost.
Thinking bailey might be traded, some of these kids will have to go, but if the teams stays healthy and Garth does nothing, it should still be interesting till the end. ( and wow, won’t the Isles/Pens games be pretty good, No? )
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JTizzle says:
9th
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Glens says:
First off welcome back CB, hope all is well. I see the Isles maybe getting in as a 7 TH or 8 seed if three thing’s happen:
1) Stay HEALTHY(less then 100 games lost to INJURY)
2) NO DP cancer when he’s around the team.
3) Although the line up looks pretty much set I think GS will tweak it a bit during training camp i.e waiver P/U or a trade for #4 give or take D-man, just my opinion. Feel free to add and lets go ISLANDERS….. -
Orange&Blue says:
You would think the Islanders are long overdue for a healthy season. How many years in a row can you lead the league in the most devastating category?
Those scout reports are accuarate. I know when I talk to my friends and family who are predominately Ranger and Devil fans, they think the Islanders have a lot of good talent. The problem always comes down to goaltending, which means DiPietro. He really sets this team back further than it should be.
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isles14 says:
This season’s results will come down to two things: health and goaltending.
I’m not worried about the experience of the D. Eaton, Jurcina, Streit, Nottau are all vets. MacDonald plays like one. Hamonic will be fine. But if these guys can’t stay healthy we’re in trouble.
As far as the goaltending, I agree with whoever said we can’t wait for DP. We need to go with the hot hand, period. We have enough talent in that position to be solid as long as Cappy goes with whoever’s getting us results, regardless if it’s DP or Poulin or anyone in between.
Bottom line, this team as constructed will score goals up front, has the horses to get the job done on D, although an upgrade via trade will certainly improve our chances, and has enough talent in the goaltending pool to hang in. This is, of course, if we stay relatively healthy. So if we do, my prediction is a competetive season wire to wire with a 9th place finish and invaluable experience to the youngsters as to how to play in meaningful games. That will carry over to 12-13, when we will make the playoffs finally.
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Chris says:
I don’t see a playoff spot with our G & D-Men By far it is the worst in our division & that puts us last again, after the other 2 division winners we will be fighting for 1 spot. With no improvements moving foward it look like 12th place.
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frankgeno says:
Here are the keys for the Islanders:
1- Stay healthy. God knows we are due for that. Often when the team is not successful Murphy’s law takes over but hopefully that’s not an issue.
2- Let Ricky “condition” in Bridgeport despite the contract. He needs the work but it shouldn’t be at the expense of a playoff run. Let Nabokov and Montoya battle for #1. Poulin, I feel is a little behind those guys.
There are very few “perfect” teams out there. Everyone has a glaring weakness somewhere. We will be fine! -
As long as mr. glass (dipietro) is on the team and we are wasting 20 games a season with him in net we have no chance. They need to bury his contact at bridgeport like the rangers did with redden and just hope he retires.
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James from Swindles says:
Not worried about the forward corps… they just keep getting better and better. They’ve now got two very good scoring lines, one decent scoring line, and a good, tough fourth line.
But the defense and goaltending. Every year, the defense and the goaltending. Inadequate and fragile. Streit, AMac, Hamonic are all good. Everyone else is essentially borderline NHL talent. And if the Isles trot out the 2010-11 version of DP– a step slower than the rest of the league–night after night, then this team is doomed to mediocrity.
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Jmig15 says:
Playoff Race?! They must have meant for the first month of the season only.
With this defense the way it is and looking at other defenses in the east(rough,gritty) this team will not last.
Garth needs to get a big crease clearing D man. At least one -
Bob Bassen says:
Theoretically, the Isles might be able to *fly under the radar* a bit and surprise enough teams to be in contention, etc. but this team is pretty soft and inexperienced. Hockey down the home-stretch and into the playoffs is tough and intense. Who, I ask, (besides Moulson )out of the Isles top six forwards can NIGHT-IN AND NIGHT-OUT bring nasty, intensity and Down and Dirty? KO? PA? Bailey? JT? Comeu? Be nice to stick a Chris Stewart in the mix unless of course Martin makes a big leap forward. Grabner may yet still have a another great year but Teams now know who he is, though, so expect him to have to battle quite a bit more for ice space.
JMO. -
Oh and if Mccabe is the one who turned it down who does he think he is. He is more washed up than some of the houses on the south shore.
The only reason he is wanted back is because he is basicaly a long islander and it would be a nice move to bring a vet like him back-not because he is any good. -
isles83 says:
We are still 2-3 yrs from making the playoffs. Not being able to figure out how to keep guys on the ice rather than the press box will kill us again. We’ll finish from 12-15th.
BTW:
Enough about Snow trying to do something. We’ll all giving him credit for trying? How about him actually making moves that will help us out. Too many teams got better in the offseason in the east for us to contend. By Christmas we will all be for tanking games to get a decent pick in the draft. -
DD says:
Personally I’d rather they start out slower and end the season on a roll but I don’t think it is realistic. Look how well they started out last year. Then the big letdown.
Its too early for me to predict playoffs or not but I do think this is another transition season. Sort of a two-steps-forward-one-step-back year. If they end up 8th or better it will be wonderful
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Al L says:
Bassen #16! Come on now! As enthusiastic,be it sincere or disingenuous, as Charles is,he never claimed his Isles were going to win The Cup this upcoming season. The only thing I heard from him is;”we’re going to be great!”
If indeed it was McCabe who turned down a tryout here,that would be most discouraging,since he resides on LI! The only thing that would stem my lousy feeling about this,is perhaps he is considering retirement.
Considering the enormous Cap space the Isles have available,I cannot understand why Garth is having such a difficult time finding a trading partner. Unless of course he isn’t trying as hard as we think. It doesn’t take an expert to see the need for a large,impact, minute consuming defensive anchor. -
Chris A. says:
Before we get too excited, lets remember last year was supposed to be our breakout year but we lacked the depth to overcome the injuries. I think the big wild card here is goaltending. Is the best man going to get the starts or is it just going to be DP as the starter all the time regardless of how poorly he plays?
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WavepooL says:
With the lineup as it is now… we defiantly have a chance to sneak in. The goal tending is the biggest question mark, I hope nabo and Al hold it down.
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Pablo says:
After all these years of Rebuilding all we hear now is that the Islanders are going to be Competitive AGAIN! Is this what 4-5 years of a youth movement brings?
“I’ve got three concerns for them: lack of depth and experience – especially on defense – their history of having over 300 man-games lost to injury per season, and the competition in the East”.
Well you can blame the Injuries on the fact they push,push, and push these kids to the brink and have a lack Of DEPTH!
This has been going on for years and mistakes by this club continues to show these results.
They are still paying Yashin, they have a HUGE contract with Dipietro in the 4 ring goalie circus and Charles Wang who is at Fault for all of this is still not putting his money where his mouth is to put a CUP Contender on the ICE.
Now where just COMPETITIVE!
After all this Time! -
Stumpy32 says:
I feel very confident about this season. Not Cup-confident, or even high-seed confident. But the talent is there to make the playoffs and perhaps win a round, setting the stage for even greater success next season.
All of this will not happen, however, if we don’t start exceedingly strong. Everyone is just waiting to say how the Isles played fast and loose when there was nothing to play for late last season. If we can fly out of the gate and show that it wasn’t a pipedream, then I think our confidence and the league’s respect of what we’re doing will snowball.
For this to happen, we need the following, in no particular order:
(1) One goalie to grab hold of the starting spot and run with it. That person will not be DP.
(2) Mottau and Eaton need to play strong veteran minutes. They’re so much bigger on this team’s success than we would think.
(3) KO and Bailey need to start strong – goal scoring, etc. Can’t expect PAP to be like last season. Can’t expect Grabs to be a surprise anyone. But KO and JB have room for major improvement.
(4) Crowds. If the Coli has 10k on opening night and goes down thereafter, it would be hard to get up for these games. Need fan support early and often.LETS GO ISLANDERS!!! Make a memorable season in Uniondale, regardless of how many we have left there.
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Kevin says:
This team was a playoff team last year, however, the enormous plague of injuries (at all positions) was too much to overcome. If reasonably healthy, this team will qualify for the post season this year.
We absolutely need a top 3 veteran d-man and a top scoring forward, in order to escape another first round exit.
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jdun89 says:
I don’t understand the negative comments here. It feels like for the first time in years we can really be excited about the team we’re going to battle with in the upcoming season. We could have a handful of 30 goal scorers next year and maybe even a couple 40 goal scorers. We are going to have one of the most electric offenses in the league. I truly feel like these young forwards are just itching to come bursting out of the gate this year to show everyone what they can do. We’ve all seen what Montoya and Poulin in goal, Nabakov could regain form, who knows, maybe DP will even put up some decent numbers. I know how far-fetched that sounds, but the season hasn’t even started yet and optimism is much nicer than thinking the season is a failure before it even begins. On D, I really feel we’ll be better off than some think. Let’s be honest, with all the injuries last year, we never really got to see our full Defensive Corps with all its real, true working pieces. I also don’t get all the bashing of Snow. He’s puttng together a team that is going to be a powerhouse in a few short years all while being extremely responsible in terms of cap management. Jut think about it, last year we had five 20 goal scorers with two of those guys eclipsing the 30 goal mark yet somehow Snow has been able to keep us at the cap minimum, somehow people complain about this? Its as if they’d rather us be right up against the cap ceiling, unable to sign our young guys. The pieces are coming together and so far its been at a very reasonable price. Stop complaining.
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kabbage19 says:
jdun89. I totally agree with you. Spoken like a true Islanders fan.
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UIF says:
I think there’ll be close race for the last two playoff positions among the “7-12″ teams. I’d put the Isles as the least likely of those teams to grab a spot, but at least they’ll be one of those teams with a chance.
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If Isles fans are complaining, it’s because the goaltending and defense have been the Isles’ weak link for the last three or so seasons.
In short, they’ve got an injury-prone and now subpar goalie who seemingly never needs to earn his starts; a disgruntled former holdout; a former 1st rounder who has not yet proven he can perform at the level he did last season; and then a whole bunch of green prospects. And while Poulin and Montoya look promising, until they convert that promise into performance and someone unseats DP (or he returns to his mid-2000′s playing level), then fans have a right to be skeptical.
And the defense? Until Garth signs or trades for a LEGIT top four (preferably top two) defenseman, then this unit is a weak link. On a legitimate contender, guys like AMac and Hamonic are your #5-6 defensemen; not because they’re borderline NHL’ers, but because they’re young guys who should be eased into the lineup. Instead, they’re your #2 and #3 defensemen, having easily outplayed the likes of Mottau, Eaton, and Jurcina. The latter three guys are mediocre at best, in the 25 or so games they can stay healthy.
So until Snow improves that group as well, fans have a right to be skeptical.
This forward group is easily one of the most exciting in years, that I agree on. But the rest of the team still needs some tuning up.
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I feel a surprise 6th place finish and a first round win. I can dream cant I? We are going to have a dynamic offense this year and if Grabs finishes just 10% of his breakaways, he should notch like 75 goals! I think JT hits 40 this year, maybe Moulson too! Dp will record 20 shutouts, still dreaming!
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JP91 says:
Jdun89 and kabbage19, I couldn’t agree with the both of you more!
I think sometimes, actually A LOT of the times, people like to complain for the sake of complaining..
We have a very solid young team and something to be excited about, let’s keep it positive! Barring injuries, we have the talent to be a playoff team. Let’s support the boys, get out to the Coliseum, and enjoy the ride!!
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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Nice article….simply stated.. injuries and goaltending will make or break this club.
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islesfan999 says:
Completley agree. I think it could go either way.
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save-the-isles says:
Cant have a long losing streak..that was last yr problem…we avoid that we wil be fighting for a spot in march for sure.
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Chris18 says:
If they change strength & conditioning coaches, I can see a 6th place finish. If they stick with the s&c coaches who have miraculously kept their jobs through the last 6 seasons, when the Isles have been in the top 5 teams in man-games lost to injury, I see the lots of Isles lottery balls in their future.
I understand not everyone will always be happy, but do people HAVE to rip Snow in every comment thread? Referring to him as the “backup goalie” all the time has gotten old. If he had never played, people would complain about that. He’s the guy who has picked Moulson & Grabner off the NHL scrap heap the last 2 years. Combined 3 seasons and they’ve got almost 100 goals. What other GM can say he’s made waiver signings like that? Certainly not LA & Florida’s. They let those guys go for nothing. And for those who say he could “easily” add a top 2 D-man, how? If it was so easy, wouldn’t every team in the league be doing it? The D in place would be good- if they could remain healthy. The 3 goalies would be pretty good (in order of Nabokob, Montoya, and then DP), IF they can remain healthy. DP won’t, so hey, they’ve still got 2 good NHL goalies with Poulin waiting getting experience in Bridgeport. The forwards- people are still complaining about PA Parenteau. He had 20 goals last year. Is that terrible? He looked like he had good chemistry with Moulson & JT to me. But hey, I’m not watching the games through grumpy-vision glasses.
I look forward to a fun season! -
Dazed and Confused says:
Im not buying into Snow is trying as hard a possible to make a deal. What he is trying to do is get a deal with out giving anything up. He gun shy. Afraid to pull the trigger on any deal that has even the slightest bit of risk. The season is around the corner. The team you see now is basically the team you’ll see opening night. Count on NINO being there.
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vrinqueens says:
“300 man games lost to injury per season”….until guys on this team stop missing games due to hang nails or colds they’ll never compete. ya gotta want it and I don’t see them wanting it, as for Snow and gang waiting for the waiver wire for that nugget………….
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A lot of people are citing the 1 win in 21 games streak from last season as a basis for this upcoming season. I’ve been watching the Isles for almost 20 painful years now and that was one of the most awful stretches I’ve ever seen the Isles make. Luck was not on their side (do you remember the faceoff goal against DP?). Weight, Hunter, Streit, Mottau, Jurcina, DP, Okposo were all out with injuries. The kids had no one (veterans)to go to get them out of the rut. Aside from that terribly unlucky stretch, the Isles were relatively competitive last year. I do not see a stretch like that happening again. Replacing injury prone Weight & Hunter with more steady replacements in Rolston & Reasoner makes a big deal. Just remember how well they played in the 2nd half and give this kids a chance. We have a few wild cards that could break out at any time (Nino, Bailey, Martin). Have faith.
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upstateIsles says:
jdun! Thank you for taking care of what I almost had to. I went on a rant yesterday in response to some negativity directed toward our team that I’m excited about (frans specifically….OH AND BTW, if a certain someone who was bashing on Frans at the end of yesterdays comment section wouldn’t mind going to NHL.com and looking at the NHL Re-Draft that some analysts published today for fun, you’ll see Frans went in the 3rd round..guess I’m not so crazy huh)
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Dazed and Confused:
C’mon. The guy that made the Ryan Smyth deal is gun-shy? The guy who was going to give Erhoff a near “blank check”? Am I sold on 100% of what Snow has done? No. Do I believe him when he says that he is under no financial restrictions? Absolutely not. But to say the guy is gun-shy is ludicrous.
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Isle Be Damned says:
I think they can place as high as 7th or as low as 12th. Even if they stay healthy, there’s just too many solid teams in the east who will contend for a spot to say the Isles are a lock. Anyone of the Isles, Devils, Rangers, Sabers, Leafs, Hurricanes, Panthers could be in the final 2 spots. It’ll be a dog fight.
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as for the man games lost. crummy ice is a big reason why that’s happened.
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Any chance this hurricane wipes out the Colliseum and Nassau will than have to build a new one? Or maybe they would probably still refuse…
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barney stinson says:
@Kevinz
I was thinking the same thing.
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#65(hangover2), really? Why do you even bother getting on this site? With all the injuries with this team you use Dipietro, Weight, Martinek as you examples? Then you refer to them as bums! Bums? What do you do for a living, besides being a “computer side walk commando”? If Doug Weight is a bum, then I will now strive to be a bum as well. For the real Islanders fans keep your head up remember Redwings sucked in the 80s and once they stuck with their youth things changed.
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sorry I mean hangover3
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#107 we can dream.. Would solve a lot of problems. lol.
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Thank god! It’s about time we are in contention for something other than last place!