PANTHERS 4, ISLANDERS 2
A 10-minute Effort in Sunrise
This isn’t the kind of game that a team is going to be able to get away with most nights. Somehow, the Islanders managed to keep this game to a one-goal game until the Panthers sealed the win with an empty net goal late in the third. The Islanders spent the vast majority of the game back on their heels in their own zone. They let up a ton of shots through two periods — getting out shot 24-10 in that time — and didn’t have very many spots of sustained offensive pressure.
The Islanders had some good pressure in the final half of the third period and certainly had their chances. Unfortunately, a 10-minute effort isn’t going to get the job done against a team that has proven itself competent thus far this season. With a 5-on-3 advantage with two minutes to go in the game and a subsequent 6-on-4 with Nabokov pulled, the Isles put a lot of pressure on the Panthers but were unable to find an equalizer.
The power play was the only unit that was really able to get anything going. A minute into the game, the Isles went on the power play and almost immediately Mark Streit fired a shot from the point that beat Jose Theodore, putting the Isles up 1-0. Midway through the second period, the Isles would get their second power play of the game and again Streit fired from the point, a shot John Tavares would deflect home. It was practically identical to the first goal, except John Tavares for the deflection that gave Tavares his sixth of the year.
The problem was that in between those goals — roughly 30 minutes of game time — the Islanders weren’t on the ice. They managed only 10 shots in the first two periods and barely held the puck in the Panthers end for long stretches. Meanwhile on the other end of the ice, the Panthers basically skated through the neutral zone, over the blue line and did just about whatever they wanted.
The team finally seemed as though it would wake up after the Panthers took a 2-1 lead in the second, which is what led to a penalty and ensuing Tavares power play goal. That was more or less short lived, as the ice seemed to tilt back towards Nabokov’s net after the tying goal.
As for Nabokov, he had a solid game again. Nothing amazing but solid considering the amount of shots and pressure he faced. He had a few bad rebounds, one of which led to Matt Bradley’s goal although Steve Staios is equally to blame for not being able to find the puck under his feet. The third goal was not his fault at all, with a few defenders standing around and watching the play.
One of the lone bright spots for the Islanders that didn’t reach the score sheet was Michael Grabner. Although Grabner was unable to convert a breakaway on backup netminder Jacob Markstrom in the third, he was flying around the ice in one of his better performances of the season.
Now the Islanders are 3-3 heading back to Long Island for a home-and-home with the Penguins next week. They’ve played well in three and they’ve played poorly in another three. We’re going to get a very good idea of this team’s character and how they respond to adversity when they play a tough division rival after some bad losses on the road.
About Kevin Schultz
Kevin was formerly an NHL blogger for the now defunct AOL Fanhouse and was the creator of the hockey comedy blog Barry Melrose Rocks. He now covers the Isles for Islanders Point Blank. You can follow him for instant updates on the team and talk hockey with him on Twitter @schultz88. View all posts by Kevin Schultz →128 Responses to PANTHERS 4, ISLANDERS 2
A 10-minute Effort in Sunrise
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streit02 says:
Id say they played poorly in 4. Just b/c they won against Minn doesnt mean they played good in that game. Coaching staff needs to take them out of the crib and stop pampering them. Efforts like this over and over again should not be tolerated. Extremely alarming to me that the coaching staff is allowing efforts like this to happen on a consistent basis.
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Grandma's Boy says:
Couldn’t agree more. They are not good enough to turn it on and off when they want to. The scary (and frustrating) part is they look really good when they do turn it on.
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Tom D in NJ says:
Dissapointing…..already time for a Drouin/Parise move.
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This team plays well when they have FOUR lines rolling. Dressing Gillies and his 2 minutes of ice time per game does nothing. Sadly, given next 2 opponents are Penguins, I fully expect Capuano to leave him in the lineup.
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10 minutes is being generous. 90% of the team should be ashamed of their performance tonight.
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billy says:
We need something.Not because of the lost.Garth still has to make a move.
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WM says:
Pathetic. Where’s the effort? Bailey, Okposo, Comeau – our young core – need to go.
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Strummer's Army says:
REALLY sad to see such a lack of effort for most of the game, happened to often last year and too often already. You’d think with all the vets they brought in this wouldn’t happen.
Isles need to get some d-men that will step up and hit forwards trying to enter the zone. Make life difficult for them.
Wasn’t a very exciting game but I am sure the next two will be and the effort will be there. If the effort isn’t there for the 120 minutes vs. The Pens something needs to be done.
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Dean says:
Same old Isles. Let’s start looking at top 5 draft picks. Streit & the top line can score, the rest of the team pretty much stinks. Nabby kept us in the game. KO & Bailey are awful. This team did nothing to improve this summer. What did you expect.
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Winning says:
I saw Wang at the protest ralley in wall street tonight holding a sign “I can’t compete against these filthy rich owners who can afford good NHL teams!”
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It seems that there holding back for some reason.Only one line working,comes on……..
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Steven says:
Garth needs to make an impact move before Tuesday. He did not do enough in the offseaosn and this is the result. Cannot have guys like Eaton Mottau Rolston Pandolfo playing every night. Commau and Bailey need to go as well. Still too much dead weight.
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Stephen says:
Once again it was Tavares, Streit and not much more offensively. If the 2nd-4th lines aren’t going to produce any offensive pressure we might as well pack it in. Outside of Grabner’s 2 great chances, the bottom 3 lines didn’t do much. Real problem in my mind is Okposo. We aren’t, at least I’m not, expecting much from Bailey or Comeau, but if Okposo can’t start chipping in on the offensive end we will have a serious problem.
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Potvinismyhero says:
Where are the Okposo apologist tonight?
This guy is awful. He and Baily to Columbus for a 6th round pick and better plexiglass for the barn. -
Wes says:
This team has no balance. Dead weight was a good way to phrase it. Half of this team wouldn’t be on any other NHL roster. This is going to be another long year with another gop 5 pick.
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They better do something fast.I know its early but I don’t are playoffs again.Not because of the lost, they just don’t have it.How come we couldnt get Richards,he would have been perfect.I don’t know why we got those devils players they suck.
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Nick L says:
People please, calm down. It’s only 6 games. Was I happy with tonight? No. But it’s a long season. I get the Baily hate, even though the Isles screwed his development up, but the Okposo hate? He missed half of last year. I think he deserves a break.
I love how people want to trade away players so quick. Do people not remember our history of trading players? Besides, who will you replace them with? You better have a good Plan B b/c if not, Top 5 pick here we come!
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caber09 says:
Watchout 3-5 is just around the corner before having to play the Sharks next Saturday…Isles are very to 3-6…same crap different year, same old isles.
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mike says:
lol lol lol its the same old story with this team. snow did nothing in the off season what makes anyone think he will do something after 6 games we can lose the next 10 games and snow will still do nothing. he loves to blame the building for not doing anything. this is the same guy that says every year that he can spend all he wants as per the owner.its going to be a long year and no playoffs
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Candyman says:
I think everyone is overreacting, but there are a few alarming things. Okposo is lost, Bailey is a waste, and Haley is a joke.
Please bring back Haley. Please release Reasoner. Please keep DP on the shelf.
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NYISLES001 says:
Okposso desrves no break. Stop the young and injured execuses. He is 24 now.
Had enough crap and excuses now for 20 years. Zero tolerence as a fan.
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Correction – Gillies is a joke. bring back Haley, at least he can skate.
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Well said 23. Mark was out all year and he is bringing it and Bailey cannot use the rushed excuse forever. What is Comeau’s excuse? Garth better wake up and understand he cannot just work on Draft day.
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Mike says:
A week from tonight they will be 3-6 and we will be talking about a top 5 pick!!!! DIFFERENT SEASON SAME CRAP TEAM!!!!!!!!
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Again, I’m still waiting on hearing the Plan B for the team, since people want to dump Okposo, Bailey, Comeau and others.
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Not going to win much when ONLY Streit and JT show up!!!!!!
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Okposso is exctly like Bergenheim. He skates around like a chicken with his head cut-off and misses the net by 10 miles and can’t lift the dam puck over the goaltender. The kid has terrible shooting accurancy and hands. He cannot and never will be a finsiher. Etiher you have or you don’t by his age.
Baily is very weak on the puck and has no forechecking ability.
The reason everyone is beating on Okposso and Baily is beacuse they were top 10 draft picks and Snow reached for them. In other words they were not ranked that high, but idiot Snow and scouts thought they were smarter then everyone else. So now it is backfiring.
Meanwhile teams like Detroit keep pulling out gems in the draft finishing at the bottom.
Enough of the BS excuses. How many high picks have they had the past 10 years?????
On top of that, all Snow can sign is washed-up has beens whehter it be forwards or Defenseman.
Lastley, people are sick of the excuses from Wang, put a a good product on the ice and fans will come.
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I’m not looking to move KO but it is not going to take much of a plan b for Bailey and Comeau. There giving the Isles nothing. Nino should be back soon and give a guy like Ullstrum a look. Guys like Bailey and Comeau are not in the long range plans with some of the prospects on the way.
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Kevin says:
I think we need to wait and see what happens after the first 15 games are complete. That is sufficient time to analyze who should be traded/moved, without jumping the gun so early in the season.
Making a brash move before then would be foolish.
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I see zero energy or guidance from the so called “vets we brought in. Sit them all, and bring up Haley, and Strome. Where is NINO??? God, Matteau and Staos are awful! Why was Fla able to sign Versteeg, but we could not? Can we please get some quality players for a change..you know.. someone that can actually play?
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Steve M says: Okposo – bad
Comeau – bad
Bailey – bad
Mottau – badwell let’s just say that everyone besides Tavares, Nabby, and a few others, the team is very BAD right now.
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Well said 31. 37 and 38 year old vets are not going to cut it for the Isles. They need 29 and 30 year old vets. Isles had enough money to lock up the kids they should have enough money prospects and picks to trade for decent vets.
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Isles look small.
Isles look like a small team.
I like Nielson, but the kid is too slight. I notice, the Isles have guys over 6’00 but they are not physically imposing.
Also, they continue to flub passes and breakouts in the defensive end. They have a lot of problems comming out clean with passes. This has been the case for years now. The book on the Isles is pressure their fowards and defenseman and they will not be able to the puck out of their zone, which leads to a turover and goal.
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Okposo (Will miss the grand canyon with a shot)
Comeau (Will run from contact)
Bailey (Can get pushed off the puck by most people’s grandmother)
Mottau (His pass is sure to find the opposing player) -
It’s funny how everything with this team is always unpredictable on an annual basis.
Goaltending was supposed to be the big question heading into the season, not the offense. Now it is the opposite.
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goislesgo105 says:
Tough loss tonight. Other than JT, Striet and the goalies, everyone else has done nothing. 3 goals in 6 games from our 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines in 6 games is unacceptable. I guess the good news is that despite the way this team has played they are 3-3. Could easily be 1-5. Could easily be 3-6 by this time next week. Ouch!!
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It’s 2 weeks in and I’m Losing Intrest it is VERY hard to be an Isles fan!!!!
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RY says:
This team has not looked well coached the last two games.
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Not every player “has it” by the age of 24. Moulson and P.A are both good examples of that.
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IslanderFAN says:
Unbelieve to read some of comments here…suddenly we have trade everyone…has to be some of worst fans in the league
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Sean says:
We are not gonna make playoffs if Tavares and streit are carrying the team. Nabokov is good but I think he will be moved at some point because he wants to win and that idiot Dp will be playing soon.
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Stevie10703 says:
The next 8 games are not easy ones either with Pittsburgh twice, San Jose, Winnipeg, Washington,Boston, Colorado, and Vancover. These games will show us where we stand and if we continue to play bad hockey, we can easily go 1-7 or 0-8 in this stretch. We better wake up because we will need 60 minutes efforts each night over this stretch.
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The new isles gm says:
I think our problem is we don’t have a 1-2 punch down the middle. Tavares cannot and should not carry this team every night. Honestly, I think we should take a run for Spezza. Sure he’s over paid, but he’s a legit 2nd line center and better than Neilson n Bailey. Ottawa is in full swing with rebuilding mode and no teams are lining up for Spezza’s salary. We have ammunition now. We could grab a draft pick to since we would be taking on such a big contract. If Spezza can’t get Grabs n Okie going then I don’t know who can. The guy is a pure playmaker.
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what we saw tonight is what we will see for the rest of the year. when snow and wang did nothing to improve the team and just added over the hill washed up 4th. line scrubs, which is exactly what i said they will do, this should not surprise you. people were saying that fla. will not improve this year but with the moves they made, plus with the deep talent of young kids coming up, the future looks very bright. fla. spent money to show the fans they will build a winner. wang and snow show you they are cheap, arragant and dysfunctional. as other teams spend money plus get the type of players needed to compete in the nhl, wang and snow will never spend money and never have a proper system to draft and develop the right players to compete with the other 29 teams. they are small and not physical. to have gillies play 2 minutes a game is a joke. he should not even be up. bailey is another joke but since wang and snow ruined his career, i cannot blame him 100 per cent. you will hear how wang and snow are so disappointed that the isles did not make the playoffs again or even be able to compete but come next summer with a top free agent market, the only thing wang and snow will do is what they always do. they will sign the worst and cheapest 4th, line scrubs they can find to reach the bottom of the cap floor. nothing will ever change as long as these two cheap and clueless clowns are running the show and continue to run the once greatest nhl franchise ever into the ground.
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fudgywudgy says:
I am the eternal pessimist…..but its too early yet…give them fifteen games, then we will talk..If they cant beat the crosby/malkinless pens the we have serious problems and the making of a long season….again….
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ernie says:
Take away JT and these guys are 0-6. Can’t wait for the 2012 TSN Draft Lottery Special!
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Joe says:
Same old islanders. This team blows. Okposo and Bailey are jokes. F this team
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jmig says:
ok people-can we panic now! this is sad hockey..these are the islanders we know
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Agree with #47. Let’s not throw our team over the bridge just yet. If in another 8 games or so they do not seriously improve their game, then we can start ranting. Right now, as seriously disappointed as I am with everyone not on the first line, it’s only fair to give them a little more time. The good news is that the Rags lost 2-0 to the Oilers with their big acquisition and all! I like that JCap let’s them play their game, but he needs to start cracking the whip. No effort, no play!
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Onesinceforty says:
The Blue and Orange are a tough team to love!
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okpososcores21 says:
I feel like the team was left in uniondale. The team was definitly a no show tonight. The forwards need to forcheck and back check alot better, it must of been 3 or 4 times a panther was able to penetrate through their zone and the neutral zone without any coverage. That is totally unacceptable you have to make guys earn every inch of ice not let them coast to your blue line. I thought Nabby played great and made the big saves when he had to. Kept the boys in it. The Islanders need to have better break outs, way to much of getting out of the zone and pushing the puck back to the panther defenders. Just for them to make quick passes back into the zone. Another thing our defenders have to make quicker decisions getting out of our zones way to many times they curl back into the zone allowing the panther forwards to get back in the play. You want to catch those guys deep in your zone to create some open ice for your forwards. They need to be better in the transition game especially since we are a team based on speed. Comeau comes back and was noticeable out there made 2 or 3 scoring chances for himself. These guys have to give 100 percent and use there speed and skill if they are to win hockey games. SO far its been very inconsistent Hopefully the leadership and the coaching staff can give the guys a kick in the butt to stop playing lazy and keep the feet moving.
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Isles83 says:
This team looks lost,slow and uninspired. Where’s the forcheck? The opponents have way to easy of a time getting out of the zone. One pass and there out. Can we string 2 passes together??? And Wang then wonders why there are 5000 people in the stands at the Coliseum. Everybody brush up on the 2012 draft class. Can we please have a lockout next season so the fans do not have to be put through this year in and year out. Here comes our looooooooooooooong losing streak of the year!!!!!!!!!
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NYI says:
We still beat the Rangers. Time to put DP in net.
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Anthony says:
These games are brutal to watch.We have no energy or passion. We are 3-3, but we have played only one good complete game.Our defense is soft and no one besides Martin finishes checks on the offensive side. Seen enough of Pandolfo,Reasnor,Mattau, Eaton. They are invisible out there. Dont even see leadership from these guys.Bring up some kids, at least they will play with some fire.Sick of watching old washed up vets come to this team and do noting.They remind me of Sim and co.Lets get rid if Sim and Hunter and replace them with other old scrubs.I don’t get it.Same old story just a different yr.I really hope I am wrong and we can see some exciting hockey.
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Nick M says:
This is starting to fall on Garth snow. At some point you have to ask yourself if he has done anything to improve this team. Forget the draft forget these waiver pick ups. Every team has the opportunity for that. INTRNTIONALLY when was the last time Garth has add a piece that made you say Oh wow! Awesome! He’s really good. This team needs a change. We have a LOT of piece which can be moved. A lot of players waiting to come up and a lot of players current on the roster who can be trade. Snow has to do something NOW. Capuano also has to light into this team and let them have it. Like John tortella does to his team after a loss
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Claude says:
What do expect? Besides Streit and JT, everybody else on this team would be a third or fourth liner and or career minor leaguer anywhere else. You can’t make gold from a bag of lead
At this point if we finishing 10th in the Atlantic would be a minor triumph -
Bob Bassen says:
For now, I’m actually fine with Reasoner and Pandolfo.
The Defense, even with Jurcina is sort of *Meh*, though.
It’s Bailey and Okposo, obviously.
Those two dudes are SOFT and they’re offensive abilities are dubious, at best. Always have been.
Our first line isn’t *incredible* either, imo. Solid? Yes. But opposing teams can concentrate just on them and shut them down 5 on 5 no problem as long as the rest of the team plays soft.
The Gillies *thing* is indeed perplexing. I’m sure he’s a great team mate and the guys love him, etc. but he ain’t no Shawn Thorton or Mike Rupp.
The Isles have had an extremely strange *role* for tough guys and 4th lines for some time including the Gordon Years, imo. -
DPS says:
It’s not about effort, it is about talent and we just have a lot less of it than everyone else in the NHL. But we know that, look at our payroll. When Wang is serious about winning he will invest in the players to do so, not just troll the cap floor.
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DWC says:
I wouldn’t want to be too drastic, but a minor shakeup is necessary. I think the move to make is to send Bailey down again. I know he has to clear waivers but the two year deal he got might make it thru. If he was claimed, I think I could live with it. Bring up Ullstrom.
When Nino returns, he should be on the second line with Frans and Grabner with Okposo moved to the 3rd line.
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stevedepot says:
Matt Moulson had ZERO hits last night yet again. in 6 games this year, Matt Moulson has finished 2 checks. That is unacceptable. We are playing soft pond hockey. Only overly skilled teams can get away with that. We need everyone finishing checks to gain confidence and force the opposition to hurry passes and create turnovers. Waving your stick gets you no where. Matt Moulson, wake up, stop the twitter nonsense and watch your shifts and count how many MISSED checks. Now start earning yours. Pathetic effort. Kudo’s to Nabakov for keeping us in it.
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Jack says:
No real first line again this year. Fowards till lacking size and grit and no depth. KO will never score if every shift is spent on the boards. No real first pair or depth on D. Streit can’t do it alone. Nino and Strome may be the difference makers up front but that’s two years down the road and the D will be bad til they start drafting for size and toughness.
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Oh, and Nabbys been a starter most of his career and won’t steal games by playing one out of four games.
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Mike From Oceanside says:
Wow…It took 22 comments before I read the word “joke”. That must be a record following an Isles loss.
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jo says:
What happens if the future of Strome and Nino is as mediocre as what we have seen from Okposo and Bailey?
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IslesFan says:
I agree we should wait a few more games, before making predictions on where the Isles are headed, but so far, it does not look promising. I don’t think they have enough proven talent to compete with most teams in the NHL. I can’t say the Isles played all that well in any game this season. The win over Tampa was really due to Rolson having a bad game. The win over the Rangers was helped by the 8-10 power play opportunities the Isles had.
As for all the trade talke, I think its pointless. You are not getting anything of value for trading Bailey and Okposo.
IMO the Isles ruined Bailey. No question. I would keep him for a 1 year and half or more and see if he comes around. As far as I am concerned, the Isles organization owe him that much. I would give Okposo at least the season to prove what he can do healthy….so far, not much.
The thing that I can’t help thinking about is what would happen to the team if Tavares suffered from a Crosby like concussion. This team would be decimated. Moulson and PA would not produce like they are now (sort of).
IMO Pandolfo, Rolston and Moutau should not have been signed. I am sure they are great guys in the locker room, but their careers are over. I’d actually rather have Trent Hunter over Pandolfo and Rolston.
I cannot blame Wang for not wanting to spend money until the arena issue is resolved. Why should he lose $20M per season trying to make a team competitive when the county in which play does not want the team? If I had $200M, I still would not throw $20M away like that.
The Spezza idea is actually a decent one. I thought of it last year, but I don’t see it happening. It’s a pipe dream.
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dudley leiwicker says:
Bailey never should have been drafted, though tio bwe fair that was an awful draft year. He was mediocre in the OHL. Not a good skater, doesn’t handle the puck well, shuns physical play, has zero heart. A decent AHL player, a disaster at this level. Okposo on the other hand simply doesn’t want to play anymore. And the old guys Garth brought in are to a man abysmal.
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#58 Can’t make gold from a bag of lead!!!! Thats Great I have to remember that!!! LOL
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A Real hockey fan. says:
.. I think there is a “theme” with this team and that is the have and have nots..
.. There are guys who r talented and bring it and there are those who are not – its that simple
.. The problem is that most nights the ‘non talented’ guys are not bringing it!!! and the IT is effort!! They dont hit, backcheck and play with ANY grit or energy. We have 2 many guys like this on the roster!!
.. However there are some good things with the team (Goalies have been ok, D has been ok so far) but the fowards have to create more on the ice.
.. I hope some leadership steps up in the lockerroom and soon and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add some grit/sandpaper on this team ASAP! PLEASE they really need it!
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MadChef says:
6 games people really, stop the whining. This is what the team is going to be ups, and downs. If we won every game we would win the presidents trophy. Did anyone think that was going to happen this year??? The team is not getting blown out and despite the less than stellar effort we could have won last night as well. Tuesday is another game they are home and I’m sure they will put in a good effort against a penguins team we dont particularly care for.
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Matt says:
More alarming is the spelling and grammar in the posts. Complete debacle
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Ricky T says:
You simply can’t win in the NHL, even the “new” NHL, with all of the soft players the Islanders have. They don’t fight for the puck, they don’t finish checks, and they certainly don’t have the size on defense to make it hard for opposing players to keep puck possession. The Isles may be the easiest team in the league to play against. Doesn’t mean that they have less talent, just less desire or the willingness to sacrifice to get the most out of their talent. I
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hangover3 says:
A BIG part of the problem, is all these guys got multi million dollars guaranteed..they don’t want to pay the physical price to get BETTER. Okiposo? His preference is to never get another concusion, and go his entire career without getting into a fist fight. I don’t like this guy on my team any more. Bailey? He was never a NHL player to begin with. I am not positive he gets picked up in waivers as the team would have to keep him in the NHL I believe. Grabbner? he is another softee…like the other poster said Moulson hates throwing checks, at least he lets people hit him when he goes hard to the net. But time to clean up the top six, and add some good old boy CANADIEN men that play dirty and score 15 goals a year instead of the MR softees who score 15 goals a year (bailey /okiposo)
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shlo says:
There are many first round picks that did not make it, it looks like Okposo and Bailey will be part of this group. Grabner should devote his time on practicing how to score one on one.
Look what Talon did with a pathetic team from last year in one summer. He has more clout than Snow and managed to get some very good players.The Panthers are not a playoff team yet but they are better than us. -
Fee-Show says:
Many years ago NBA great Bill Russell was an analyst on ABC’s basketball telecasts. I recall a line during from a terrible Pistons game, “I guarantee if there’s a loose ball, Detroit won’t get it!”
Substitute Isles for Pistons and puck for ball and Butch could say the same thing!
A truly Pathetic effort. More people standing around than on the sidewalks of the Thanksgibing Day Parade!
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Steve J says:
I don’t mind Gillies in the lineup against the obvious teams but he looked defensively clueless on that 3rd Florida goal. The coach should get the blame for putting him on the ice that late in the game. This organization has no pressure to win from the top and that philosophy goes right down to the players. Too many players collecting an NHL paycheck when they should be in the AHL or not even in the league anymore. This team goes through the motions in the same way its owner does in running this franchise. Clueless efforts all around.
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slsangus says: Those begging to “bring up” Strome… he was returned to his junior team in Niagara. Since he’s of junior-age, he cannot play in the AHL. Junior-eligible players must do one of three things. They can stay with their NHL team all year (Tavares, Bailey), stick around for a 9-game tryout (Nino) or go back to junior without playing in the NHL (Strome).
He’ll be back next year.
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Bryan says:
If not for JT and the goaltending, we would be winless. Our 3 losses were awful games, could barely watch them.
Our defense looks small and slow-bad combo. Our offense is a joke, no shots, bad passes, and nobody crashing the net. How about we try to throw afew hits sometime this year, only Martin hits occassionally.
Considering Comeau had been benched, he showed absolutely nothing- if he was having trouble getting on the puck, then he should start hitting so he can be involved.
At least our PP looks good…until the end of the game when we need a goal.
I was so excited for this season to start, now I just want it to end. There is alot wrong with this team. -
You said it 74. No pressure to win just talk. Young guys are not going to respect 37 and 38 year old players with nothing left.
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O'Neill says:
While I certainly agree that most of the team, excluding Tavares and Streit looked weak, I think the comments to trade KO are absurd. KO is never going to be a 30 goal scorer. He is a solid second line player that will pot 18-25 goals a season. He is a notoriously slow starter throughout his career. It is a long season, give him time.
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RE: last post. You’re optimistic about Okposo. No way he even scores 18 – 25. Probably more like 12-15.
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I’m done with Bailey, Down on Comeau and Down on Okposo…..Cant wait for Neidereiter to take one of their spots!
Enough waiting already…Produce!!
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Brian G says:
Snow needs to finally make a trade, instead of waiting around …
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nyi fan16 says:
Are we still sure Reasoner was an upgrade over Konopka? Isles seem to be lacking grit and energy. Reasoner and Pandolfo are slow and boring, Motteau is awful to. Bailey..well the first 80 posts covered how I feel about him.
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4theisles says:
They did not play well in three games. The win against the Wild was lucky.
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I think the changes this offseason affected the energy and edge of this team. Pandolfo and Rolston are done. Reasoner is ok (I was hoping for Arnott) but lacks the grit, energy, and leadership of Konopka. I like Gillies but at least Haley has some skill and checking abilty. The defense is too small and soft….bring up Ty Wishart again please. So basically not enough energy and not enough size and grit. And over-the-hill vets (especially slow soft ones) do more harm than good.
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UIF says:
Someone, anyone, needs to start shooting the puck. I can’t believe how far this team goes into periods without getting more than one shot. Two straight games like that.
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After the Pens game last year, the team had a confident swagger and team toughness. They seem to have lost it completely.
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isleopine says:
The first minute of the game, I had hope.
They started with some gusto…but then where did it go?
This is the biggest problem that Capuano faces: How do you get these guys to maintain intensity.
So far I will agree with most of you about Blake, JB and KO, these guys had better pick it up.
Grabner has to learn how to convert some of those breakways he gets, if he does, he will score 40. I hope the next two games with the Pens will get their juices flowing or its going to get late early. -
Vato Kakes says:
There are certainly issues we in Isles Nation should be concerned with already…Like showing no heart and desire the past several games equals loses of a couple games then to a few more then 10 to 15 in which low attendance will kick in and then bam KC here we (OR THEY)come talks will creep in..I have faith in you Captain Jack to right this sinking ship.
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justin says:
Martin 22 takes on a 33 yr old. Good stuff
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KOkid21 says:
Cut Mottau, and trade Bailey IMMEDIATELY !!!!!
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Dr Phil says:
Be afraid! Be VERY afraid. Could this be the start of a regular Islander 12-game losing streak? Okposo and Bailey….a waste! Minor league coach on the cheap with puppet GM. Pucker up Garth. Wang is waiting.
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I thought this was an NYI fan blog? Didnt hear anyone complaining after the Ranger game. And many people wanted KO as captain and now he stinks? Maybe NYI fans stink.
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jdun89 says:
As an Islander fan, its sad to say, but based on these comments here we have some of the worst fans in the world. Never in my life have I seen more so called “fans” trashing their own team and players like this. You people are pathetic.
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bossjones15 says:
I think people are jumping off a cliff a little too soon, still I think some adjustments could help. First is getting rid of Mottau, he is way too big of a liability at this point in his career. Second, I would like to see someone up who could spark the team a little bit either Haley or maybe give Dibo a shot. At the very least Dibo annoys the other team enough so Gilles can actually get a fight or two in.
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Will says:
i jumped ship after we beat tampa at home 5-1
out next win is gonna be 4-1 over dallas on dec 3rd 0-17-3 untill then -
Oh...Marrone says:
You people telling the nervous,upset,frustrated fans to calm down, must have just became fans of the islanders this year.
You cant be a true fan and not be frustrated at this point. It’s the same story every year. So stop drinking the kool-aid garth and wang provide you. It has all the makings for a long year-and yes only 6 games in. -
Numbers65 in Ohio says:
I definately can’t remember the last Okposo shot that had a chance. Doesn’t seem like he knows how to shoot. It is either way wide, over the net, or looks like a hard pass to the goalie, but never anything that would have a chance of evading the goalie unless it were to be aided by a freak bounce.
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Battfist says:
Why cnt the Islanders get shots on net?
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John in Oregon says:
team played awful and I’m writing it down so: this comment is not awaiting moderation
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cjcb says:
I LOVE fighting in the game Heavies, middies, lightweights, all of it. Love it, they know its part of the game and they get paid big bucks to do it. But their is NOBODY on Florida i would want to see Gilles get into a fight with(he would destroy anyone on that team i think) so i agree this was not a game Gilles needed to be dressed for but he is FAR from the problem on this team. Its kinda funny that people think he is the problem, denial??? He will come in handy this coming week with Pitt coming in with Engelland and Asham and possibly BIG Steve MacIntrye(if called up). As far as Haley goes bring em up but i think he basically brings what Martin and Hamonic brings and i get why they would want to go with Martin at this point. My only problem with Martin at this point besides lack of scoring is that he just doesnt seem to get under the skin of the other team all that much. Even with his fight he skated along way for that one. I want to see him make guys come after him MORE!!
But i agree with everyone about getting rid of these over 34 deadweight players that really never brought leadership to the team they played for in their prime. I mean NONE of these guys were “the guys” when in their prime. I think their is a difference between being a good lockerroom guy and being the leader of the lockerroom. we need some leaders that still have something left!! Lets go Islanders!!!
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Some of our young guns have certainly regressed. Maybe the pressure of playoff expectations has gotten to them. Alarming dropoff in play of 51, 21, 57 and 12. Anyone notice Reasoner centering 3rd line w/ Bailey back on wing? Time to shift Bailey to wing, he never leads the play up ice, or the 4th line. Haley has some jam. Something is wrong and must change. The 3-3 record is misleading. JT has been amazing in all zones, but when Matt Martin has been our second best forward, something is very wrong. And sometimes stats are misleading, PAP Smear has 8 pts but MICK VUKOTA would have 7 assists on JT’s wing too. We need a 3rd line center; I hear Yashin is still available
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Paul says:
#96…..the Isles have not accomplished a thing in close to 20 years. They are lucky they have any fans at all. This team does not even put in an effort. They deserve criticism.
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hollywood says:
Nick L#19 is correct, Kyle missed so much time we must be patience.The only players excluding goalies who have brought it each and every night have been Tavares, Martin and Hamonic. This must change!
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islesrock73 says:
Bottom line, this team has too many soft, undersized players, who consistantly play with no spunk or heart. It’s been a common thread of this organization through the Mad Mike era, and now the Snow era. What team in the NHL is afraid to play the Islanders? Can anyone answer that question? Many of our upset wins in the past years are due to the other teams taking games off. The Islanders roster contains only one player who initiates and completes a check it, and that’s Matt Martin. Bringing up Haley would be a very small step in the right direction.
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Mark from massapequa says:
Obviously this isn’t the start we expected. However I agree with the waiting till game 15 or so to really start to analyze. We aren’t going to get anything in return for Bailey, Comeau or Motteau so the trade talk about them is pointless. I would like to see some sort of trade where we acquire a solid vet like Spezza from a team looking to start to rebuild. Doesn’t mean it will happen but it would help I think.
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Dan says: Everyone that is saying oh don’t panic its only a few games in. Well you don’t wait to fix your brakes on your car when your don’t have any. The time to do something is now not fifteen games in when a young team has to then feel the pressure if playing catch up. Maybe a trade isn’t the answer but a few guys getting benched for a look at some prospects can’t hurt. If you see a problem you fix it immediately not when the problem grows info a cancer. Also guys we are all islanders fans and have different opinions and may disagree on things but in the end we should all get along. Most importantly the rangers suck and we can all agree on that. Hey give gillies a break man if you don’t know what it is like to know you have to be ready to brawl at.gamenight then don’t put the guy down. Im sure he knows he isn’t Crosby.
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I love how everyone thinks it’s the end of the world. We lost two games in a row. Guess what, at some point this season, the Penguins, Caps, Red Wings, Bruins, etc. are all going to lose a few games in a row. I will agree that the Isles have played poorly in a few games, but you people act as if we have lost 15 in a row. I just think the people who comment on this website should know, people who use other hockey blogs laugh at you because of how much you bad mouth your own team.
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Orange&Blue says:
This is how its going to be as long as we have guys on the team who do not contribute. Comeau and Bailey are awful. I dont care what they did last year and when they were drafted. They are passengers along for the ride. A major shakeup is needed but Garth of course wont do it. He talks playoffs but his actions indicate lottery pick. They need to be swift here and statement has to be made to players who do not perform. Funny how both players are the one’s who always seem to have contract issues. There are players in Bridgeport eager to be NHLers. I think Comeau and Bailey have had enough chances. Time for a change.
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Last I checked, Okposo plays hard and is exhausted after each shift because he gives everything. Did Bailey and Comeau even break a sweat? Also, I think people are putting way to much of a goal scoring label on Okposo. They guy is not a terrific goal scorer. If anything, he is a grinder for his talented linemates, Nielsen and Grabner.
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Trade for Turris…Make a multi player trade with Columbus…send Gillies to the bridge and bring up Dibenedetto or Ulstrom….anything Snow
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Rich L says:
The motto of this team should be:
I used to get lost in the shuffle,
But now I just shuffle along with the lost. -
Talking about how soft many of the players are, and the refusal to check, anyone else notice that when an Isles player does initiate what looks like a check, he is only checking the opposing players stick along the boards,this team has players that if they had a pocketful of eggs, they would come away off of the boards without one egg getting busted, and i’ve been advocating for Okposo to go since he arrived,and Bailey needs to go also.
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Paul on Oct 23rd, 2011 19:35:53 said:
#96…..the Isles have not accomplished a thing in close to 20 years. They are lucky they have any fans at all. This team does not even put in an effort. They deserve criticism.CAN THIS COMMENT BE FORWARDED TO WANG,GARTH AND COMPANY?
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Hey JDun…this is new york-the best fans in the world/toughest sports town around..whne our team plays like crap we let them know about it..shape up or ship out
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Jerky says:
I can’t add anything to the criticism already provided in this thread but do agree with 99% of it.
Looking ahead to the next two games against Pitt, there are a few scenarios that could play out:
1) The thought of playing against Pitt, where the team woke up last year, will light a fire and they’ll start to click (both the quality of play and physically).
2) They play half-hearted and take a physical beating from Pitt which throws the team into a vicious tailspin. This team appears fragile, so this scenario is a disaster waiting to happen.
3) Nothing changes and they play up and down hockey the rest of the season like they have the first six games and we’re constantly pissed at the inconsistent effort.
I’m also wondering when DP gets his first start of the season.
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I think “the best fans in the world” as you put it stick by their team in good times and bad. Yes there are obvious flaws with this Islander team. But losing two games in a row does not warrant such negativity. I understand that if the problems with our team can be fixed tomorrow as opposed to two weeks from now we should go ahead and fix them right away. But what I don’t understand is why so many so called “fans” are already talking as if the season is lost and we are already done. We had a great homestand where we won three in a row including a great win against the Rangers. And now we had a couple of tough losses on the road. It happens. It happens even to the best of teams. Let’s see them play a few more games and see if they can bounce back before calling this season a lost cause. Again, I have never seen a fan base be so negative towards its team than I have on this website. Especially so early in the season. Its sad. Have some faith in your team.
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Dan says:
Hey jdun89 I understand your point and agree somewhat. We as fans need to stick by our team. I always will. But you take the situations the islanders have been through the past few DECADES. Not just losing but the poor drafts poor coaching poor gm work owners that fell through and injuries and terrible drafts players refusal to play here and where will they play? We as fans are tired! With the price of tickets or even a authentic jersey we have a right to be pissed. If this went on in any other part of the world the fans would be reacting the same. So yes I agree I will support who ever has that jersey on but I don’t have to be happy with the final product
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Billy the Kid says:
I believe that this team will play better than what it has so far shown. They do have some weaknesses and are not a big, physical team, but it was shown the second part of last year that they can play good, winning hockey when they settle down with an identity and play with a purpose. We did that with revolving, untested goalies and defensemen that were just out of juniors and the AHL, no Mark Streit. This team is no worse, and in many regards better. They need to recapture that energy and swagger.
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Bob E. says:
0-2 on the road. only thing that can make it better? Two wins vs Pens.
We need a shakeup. Tavares cant carry this team for 82 games.
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Junior junior says:
Travelling in India and I finally get my isles update, I have to say that people are a bit too quick to bash this team- we will see what they really have against the pens this week – I agree we need a top dman and the bialy thing is dissapointing, okposo will produce-
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islandersfan4ever says:
Read all the comments, now my turn.Have been a fan since Day 1 of this franchise. I thank Goddess for having seen the dynasty,will never happen again.(Those teams were made of men, not little boys.)As for the Present team, every damn move is made by the allmighty dollar or whatever the currency of CHINA is. We have a cheap owner, who will sell it all if he doesnt get his way, and his real reason has always been REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT. Please blow away the smoke and put down the mirrors, and remember that $$$$$ is the ultimate goal.Not HOCKEY Goals.Wait for the lease to be up on the old barn, then see what WANG does. I am sure that Garth is just there, to make it LOOK like we give a Crap about a team.It is all about the money.
The cheap owner doesnt REALLY care about this team. He has untalented players, who lucked out and made it to the NHL, because they could be had CHEAPLY.You can call out KO, Blake,Bailey etc, but they have reached their talent potential. They are just mediocre players, and if this league didnt have so many damn teams, they would NEVER be in the NHL.They kind of lucked out, really!
Just the fact that the Isles have a scouting staff of 1 should tell you something! Why was Bryan Trottier: Hall of famer, let go? He probably,no, I am sure,opened his mouth and spoke the truth to Wang and Snow, then, bye-bye Bryan!
The offseason moves of getting veteran players on the team is some more lowballing Bullcrap to divert the real issues. These guys WERE good players, whose carreers are OVER. Have not seen any fire in this team since Zenon Konopka left.Why didnt he stay?We didnt need to add to our roster of over the hillers! We have Doug Weight to mentor,be an RA at Camp Isles, and set up the video game consoles on his couch and provide the snacks. (if the boys played the game as passionately as they do their video games maybe we would win a few…)Or maybe this is as good as they CAN DO?
Same $#!T, different decade with this team.The owner is to blame for all of the ailments.All due to his quest for real estate supremecy. Dont forget this, and mark my words. Hockey is an afterthought for this terrible owner, who is the joke of the league, and the fans who really do care are thrown under all the county buses on a daily basis. -
If you weren’t traveling in India and had seen the last two games, you’d be bashing them as well.
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I have been a fan since 1979 so any suggestion that because i sometimes make statements about the team and the direction or lack there of as not standing by my team i think is totally ridiculous. I want nothing more than success for this team. And i feel after 32 years i have a right to be critical of the team!!!
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The fan bashers are missing the point. It’s not that the team lost 2-in-a-row, it’s the way they lost. I definitely criticized the team and Snow’s decision but at least it was constructive and looking back still makes perfect sense to me.
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All I hear anyone talk about is how the team has been bad in the past so they now have the right to bash anyone on the team for any reason at all at any time. Get over the past people. The past is the past and there is nothing that any of you can do to change any of it. we are 3-3 THIS season. There is still every reason to hope that this season will get better. AS fans, you should all be hoping for that. But all I see in here instead is people complaining and whining and saying some of the most incredibly irrational stuff. Get over the past. Root for your team. If any of you think that the level of animosity that you show here towards your team is the norm everywhere else you are sorely mistaken. I am a fan that recognizes that we have problems with this team. But I can also acknowledge that fact without exclaiming that the entire team is garbage and needs to be traded like some of you think. The biggest problem people have with this website is that one day everything is perfect in Islander Country and everyone here is praising everything about the team. And then the next day every single one of you is saying that we have the worst team ever. Losses happen. To every team. We’re not 3-20 right now. We are 3-3. The level of overreaction to everything here is so ridiculous. I honestly can’t even believe I’m putting in this much effort to defend a team from its OWN fans. There are times when the team should most certainly be criticized. It is not infallible. But not when they’ve lost only two games in a row, one to a team who was in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, in this young season. And especially not if all you fools are gonna do is clamor about how Garth has no idea what he’s doing and is the worst thing to ever happen to hockey, and KO needs to go, Frans is terrible, etc. etc. etc. Some of you seem so pathetic. “Blah I’ve had to watch a lot of years of this team being awful blah blah blah, so now I get to be a miserable idiot, whine some more, complain some more.” Every fan of this team that is old enough to not be in diapers has seen them struggle. But I don’t take those past struggles and project them onto this year and assume the worst is going to happen. I have faith and I believe in my team. When they lost these two games, I was disappointed in the fact that we had a couple tough losses. But there is no way I would have the type of reaction that most of you people are having. And its a little disheartening that so many of my fellow fans feel this way.
That was painful to watch.