PRACTICE REPORT FOR OCT 17
News and Notes from the Coliseum
John Tavares will not be Player of the Week. He was beaten out by Toronto’s Phil Kessel.
Andy MacDonald did not skate with the team today along with Nino, DiPietro and Jurcina.
Matt Martin skated on the fourth line today with Pandolfo and Reasoner. Gillies rotated in.
Rick DiPietro was cleared by team doctors and skated on his own this morning along with Milan Jurcina. Jack Capuano did not rule him out for the road trip this week. Cap on whether or not DiPietro could play this week:
“Yeah, I don’t know. I have to wait and see what [team doctors] say. It’s the first time he skated… It’s a good sign that he was on the ice for sure.”
Capuano on the decision to scratch Blake Comeau Saturday night:
“I’m going to keep that between the player and myself.”
On Comeau possibly moving back to the left wing:
“[Comeau] and Rolston, I know they talk quite a bit about switching left or right. If they feel more comfortable that way, then so do I.”
On the penalty kill:
“The guys take a lot of pride in it. For me, we made a lot of mistakes on the PK Saturday against the Rangers. Your goalie is your best penalty killer, Al and Nabby have done a great job for us. It’s the little things, we’ve cleared pucks, we’ve won some key faceoffs.”
On Nino replacing Parenteau when healthy:
“I don’t really think about it. I think day-to-day obviously. Nino is progressing well but when he comes back we’ll decide at that point. Obviously the last few games Parenteau has played real well.”
John Tavares on being physically stronger this season:
“I definitely feel stronger. I’m a little heavier this year. I do a lot of things, I do some yoga in the summer too that helps with flexibility and strength as well. When you’re reaching and off balance, if you develop strength in the right areas, sometimes even in those awkward positions you’re able to keep your balance and keep pushing yourself through checks, giving yourself an extra inch or couple seconds of room that allow you to make a better play or give you a better opportunity.”
On being able to complete the hat trick Saturday night:
“It was nice you know those are big situations. You’re up by a goal late in the game and the coaching staff trusts me to go out there — that’s a big responsibility and I take a lot of pride in that. Getting the goal was just a bonus but it was a special way to finish the night.”
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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 →56 Responses to PRACTICE REPORT FOR OCT 17
News and Notes from the Coliseum
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Strummer's Army says:
Ah, well always will lose out to a guy playing on a Canadian team. John Tavares deserved it.
Reasoner, Pandofo, even Rolston hasn’t played that well. I’d sit any of them to ensure JT & the rest are protected and feeling safe enough to play their best.
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Kills me that they won’t recognize Tavares when it is clear it is due to him being an Islander. If he played for Toronto he would have Crosby like praise. Even NHL.com has the weekends best yet Tavares isn’t even there. They of course have Reasoner being hammered by a Rag….it drives me nuts!!!!!
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Will says:
#2 how can you possibly say that reasoner, pandolfo and rolston havent played well….. have you even watched the 1st 4 games? they’ve been our best players outside of the 1st line. you think striet and grabs are the only reason weve given up 1pp goal against this year? im pretty sure Capuano put out reasoner rolston and martin in the final minutes of the games against the wild and the rags to protect the lead theres a reason for that and its not because they suck..
bleh sorry im just tired of hearing how the older vets are usless on this team and how the should be sat for guys like gillies and haley who cant play the game.
Is Amac sitting just precautionary? i know they rested him in the preseason also hopefully there just giveing him some rest
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MikeInNYC says:
There is no need to play Haley and Gillies. If there is a need for muscle to protect tavares, Martin needs to fill that role. As a plus, Martin can actually play the game.
Taking a roster spot away from guys like Rolston Reasoner and Martin to play guys like gillies and haley (who will play 5 mins each and contribute next to nothing offenseive or defensively) is a mistake.
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2Bit says:
Seriously, the NHL’s conspiracy against the ISlanders continues. Yes. I can deal with Kessel getting the star of the week over Tavares. That’s to be expected when it’s a Maple Leaf vs an Islander. However, how come the NHL never did 3 stars of the night on Saturday? I was waiting to see if they’d give it to Tavares who had 4 points with the hat trick or RNH who had his first NHL hat trick. Yet they never even picked the 3 stars, in which JT could’ve had his 2nd 1st star of the season. B.S.!
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Swan says:
Pandolfo and Rolston have been among the best Islanders so far this season (haven’t paid that much attention to Reasoner, yet). Pandolfo is a key reason why the Isles PK has been excellent, so far, and Rolston has done well on the 1st PP. Special teams are vital, if this young team will make noise this season. Cannot count on dominating 5 on 5 play, yet from this Team.
If one counts all the games played, I can make the argument that Pandolfo and Rolston have been the two most consistent Isles so far. JT, MM, Streit etc. did not play well in the first game. These vets are fine. No coincidence that the Isles are now keeping leads into the 2nd and 3rd periods. Their clock and ice management skills are noticeable when they are on the ice.
Sit Comeau if we want Gillies/Haley on the ice occasionally and then move Martin to the 3rd line.
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Garthsnow says:
I still think Haley is a much better fit than Gillies. Feisty and can skate.
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martin says:
I still believe Nashville is where Comeau will end up. They have a plethora of young Dmen, and I would love to get my hands on Jonathon Blum. Ryan Ellis is too small for my liking.
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Gillies vs Haley is a wash for me, for now. Gillies is more experienced and a much better and intimidating enforcer. Haley is a much faster, better skater but they are both defensive liabilities in whichever line they are put on.
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Mike P says:
When Nino is ready, DO NOT replace P.A. with him on the 1st line. Don’t mess with the chemistry. Nino with Bails and Comeau 3rd line. Why screw up the run JT, Molson and P.A. have been on since last season ?Makes no sense to me. Scratch Reasoner to make room for Nino.
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#4 Will, I said that because I watched all 4 games and none of the three is playing any where near the levels I have seen them play in the past. Not saying they are terrible at all just saying they are yet to find their groove (or hopefully not lost it).
Gillies and Haley isn’t a wash. Haley is a great fighter but he is not a heavyweight or even a middleweight. He can fight some middleweights because he so strong and skilled but he isn’t the nuclear deterrent that Gillies is. I think Martin, Tavares, and Hamonic have been the Isles best skaters by far. Streit, Moulson the next and moving up fast. Martin has a tremedous impact and deserves to be on line three. If they let him get his groove he’ll put up numbers like he did with Stamkos.
One thing I noticed from the preseason games is Gillies given the ice time was throwing some major hits.
The road trip will teach us a lot about the Isles. Capuano has done a masterful job of keeping teams best players off Mottau and Eaton. See what he can do on the road. I think when all the injuries have healed then it is going to force/enable Garth to make a move or two to improve the D.
Interested to see what kind of message is sent to Tampa. No way in heck can you allow them to rough up Tavares like that, should have been dealt with then but has to be now.
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RWM says:
Gillies is our only Heavyweight @232. Martin 210 and Haley 198. Martin can play and hit, I think he will be in top 10 of hits for the year if he gets enough minutes. Haley can play above all 3 and shoot a few goals too. Gillies has a positive energy for the team, a motivator on the bench and his presence is more intimidating than Martin and Haley combined. In fact neither intimate at all. Martin did not ward any of the shots thrown around in the TBL game. All three have their place on the roster in different situations with different opponents.
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Nick M says:
PA stays 1st Line until he under performs. Nino should play on a line with bailey and rolston. (Comeau is a piece that will have to be moved for a defender) Martin reasoner pandolfo are the 4th line. We r a talented team and we don’t need goons taking away any of the starters playing time. Martin is big enough kid to tangle with anyone is this league. Oh btw the 4 line is just as important as the first BC if the PK isn’t as good as it is we don’t win 3 straight games garauntee.
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Madchef says:
Team s playing well together, still think rolling 4 lines keeps the legs fresher than having Gillies snarl from the bench for 90% of the game. Yes you dont want teams taking liberties, but I don’t see who you take off the ice. Comeau has only had a small sample size to say he sits, the guy is streaky anyway. Agree the road trip will be a good litmus test. Keep putting up wins and teams wont be concerned about gooing it up they will be trying to catch up. And for the teams with a goon on their 4 lines then Gillies gets in. Matrin and Hamonic can throw the lumber and last I checked not every team employs a goon game to game outside of a few. All I know is this team looks good and am enjoying every minute of it. Thursday cant come soon enough. Oh and can we please find a way to keep DP off the ice????
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okie21 says:
So the guy who left for Toronto as a RFA is gonna be given the nod over the guy who decided to stay with the team who drafted him. Suprise suprise. I mean like that genuis Jeff Blair from FAN590 in Toronto asked CB after the JT contract “Why did John Tavares do this?”
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JP91 says:
This is all great stuff…
JT looks absolutely much stronger on his skates and in the corners than he has over the past two seasons. Along with his production on the score sheet, this is just another sign of his emergence into on of the league’s top players…gotta love it!!!
Let’s keep it rollin’, boys!
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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UIF says:
Nice entry today. Any idea what’s wrong with AMac?
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John says:
I’m assuming Macdonald is precautionary?
The whole Nino thing is really frustrating. We were told it was day-to-day and he still never skates and we never get a timeframe. I think he is exactly what the 3rd line needs to really get going.
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Mike says:
Of course JT is Snubbed for a Leaf, PLEASE NO DP!!!!! put Comeau back in and leave PA on JT’s line WHY mess that up?
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BanGarth says:
All the Gillies / Haley haters need to grow up. A team needs to stick up for each other , only so far a team that doesnt can go. The message needs to be sent, JT is our superstar , any cheap or unnecessary hits will not be tolerated.
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Oh...Marrone says:
Should of asked JT how it feels to still take cheap shots from other teams..AND NOT HAVE ANYONE STICK UP FOR YOU!….that is still a huge problem.
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I agree Gillies vs Haley is not a wash in terms of the enforcer role. Gillies is a true heavyweight and a one of the best intimidating fighters in the game right now. Just meant that Haley will still add an element of toughness and what he lacks in fighting relative to Gillies, he more than makes up for his speed and his ability to forecheck and pressure the puck.
Personally I am a big believer in having an enforcer on a hockey team and would dress Gillies everyday if it was up to me.
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Nino may be just the spark the 3rd line needs to get going. Or maybe he can be on a line with Grabner and Nielson, call it the Euro express! That leaves Okposso with bailey and Commeau, which if I remember correctly had some chemistry 2 yrs back! Do not mess with the first line unless they significantly cool down.
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rpchief2 says:
I know you guys love KO, but I see Nino fitting in with Nielson and Grabbed. KO should go with Bailey and Comeau. I also agree a trade should be made for a dman. Eaton and Mottoe are not going to cut it.
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John in Oregon says:
Calm down. Tavares didn’t get snubbed. there are no conspiracies. The team just won 3 in a row, enjoy it. Kessel played 3 games and tavares played 4 games. Tavares is the real deal the team is on the upswing we need to continue to play well and as a fanbase we should stay upbeat and positive and not wait for the other shoe to drop. two big games against the penguins next week florida trip this week. lets enjoy this we’ve waited a long time. this comment is awaiting moderation
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Tony says:
#11 I totally agree. Stick Nino on 3rd line with Bailey, it might get him going. Although I think Bailey will be traded soon. Whisper is he doesn’t like the Island or his playing time.
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Orange&Blue says:
Tough break for JT. We all know he had 2 hat tricks in a row. I dont know how the NHL officials missed that one. Maybe Mr. Magoo is reviewing goals. A 6 goal week would have given him the honor. The important thing is that we went 3-1 on our homestand. Hopefully, we can return the favor to the Pussycats on Sat. night. on their home ice. Stinks that our team has all this time after 2 great games. But, I guess it is good for Nino, who we are all eager to watch.
Tony, I hope your right. Bailey doesnt fit in here. The Island and its hometown fans dont like either. He should go play in Europe where his soft play will be appreciated. Doesnt like his playig time? He is lucky he is on the team!!
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Bryan says:
I don’t mind them not dressing Gillies or Haley as long as it’s a non-divisional game. Any games against our division, we Need to dress one of them. We can’t get pushed around in our own division anymore. The teams in our division will key on JT when they see what he can do, we need to protect him. The defense is really lacking size, other teams drive our net with ease when they want to. Other than Hamonic, nobody makes them pay for going to our net.
We started off well last season too, but we all know how the season went after that. They need to play with a purpose every game, I think they can and will. Let’s take it to TB again on Thurs!
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GeneF says:
JT was amazing but to be fair we have to mention that one of his goals was scored by Hedman.
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Islebether4u says:
Biggest problem here is the number of bodies. At times a good problem yet at others, a real headache. Too many goalies, too many forwards. Personally, I like montoya and nabby. But it becomes harder with up to 5 extra forwards. I don’t envy Cappy. IMHO, the new vets are doing exactly whats been asked, provide stability, leadership and better team D. Where does that leave the muscle and the kids? Who knows. Respect be dammed, RDP should be down in the B until he either breaks (again) or finally proves durability. Sorry but enough is enough already. I don’t care what the players say publicly, but RDP must feel like an anchor around everyones neck when he is around. Sorry Rick, nothing personal, just being real.
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Dan C. says:
@#9 There is no way the Preds would trade Blum or Ellis for Blake Comeau. Ryan Ellis sure would be fun to watch playing on the Isles, though.
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@30 Yeah, Hedman scored one of JT’s goals, but–
A) If you go to the net, good things happen.
B) Those kind of fluky goals get balanced out by flukes that break the other way like Lundqvist’s unreal save on JT during the 5-on-3 the other night.
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Tom D in NJ says:
Isles dont necessarily need Haley or Gillies in the line up, but they need a couple more guys who can hit and are not afraid to get their noses dirty or drop the gloves if they have to.(Like Harmonic). Hopefully Nino will be one of those guys. Okposso could show a bit more of that and I doubt that Bailey or Comeau
ever will, which in my mind makes them potentially expendable. -
RA says:
One thing that I think will make this team better is competition. We have three goalies who are fighting for game time. We have forwards that are healthy scratches. THey’ll have to earn their playing time. We haven’t had this level of depth in a LONG time. THis is great for the org. and will drive the team harder in the short term.
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i dont care if j.t. is not player of the week. what i care is what i mention over and over that j.t. will continue to be used as a punching bag by the other teams and cheap and arragant wang do nothing about it. at the very least since they are to cheap to add a top physical d man, haley should be brought up over gillies. its funny how snow said last year the isles would not have a enforcer on the team that could not play but then they brought up gillies just because he is a cheap player as far as salary goes. at least haley does have some talent and he should be a regular 4th. line player to put j.t. and the other kids at ease.
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Adam says:
#11… don’t confuse chemistry with tavares being a star. That line’s production has everything to do with tavares and little to do with chemistry. When you have a guy as good as tavares, you put your talent around him and you will really rack up the points. Nino goes to the first line. I wouldn’t care if it was PA or Moulson. Moulson is a 15 goal scorer without tavares.
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Jim Clark says: I don’t care who won Player of the Week. What I do care is we are 3-1, baby! It’s a long season but it feels good to have a good start and see JT mature.
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Billy the Kid says:
Hedman may have put that one in for JT but the shot was a laser of the kind I have been waiting to see from JT.
So hot that Rolli couldn’t handle it. It’s a sign of things to come from JT….+ speed, +strength, +wicked shot = elite scorer. -
Matthew says:
Can we all please start buying our tickets for the next Rangers game november 15th so that so much rangers fans dont show up again!
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Avann says:
Gaborik was quoted in today’s daily news article saying that the Rangers dominated the game when it was 5 on 5. I was at the game. The Isles clearly out played the Rangers. If it wasn’t for Lunquist, it would have been even worse for them. It has to suck being a Ranger fan. They can squeeze in to the play-offs often but they will never do any real damage. The best teams in this modern era of hockey are the ones that build from within. (Pens, Caps, Hawks, Kings, Canucks, and soon the Isles)
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hmmm... says:
I think what happened was that Hedman realized how great a player Tavares was and decided that Roloson was not good enough to stop him, so he decided to right the world
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Tavares evolution is a thing of beauty. It’s gonna be really fun to watch him over the next decade.
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Ny711ot says:
Adam
Getting pretty old bashing Moulson and Pa.
Call it what you want but that line is working and you dont mess with whats working. Especially with a 19 yr old kid who is going to need to learn how to play a power game in the nhl.
And I really disagree with Moulson assessment. How many 30 goal seasons do you need? The guy is Derek King+…he knows how to score…and Pa is starting to make me believe…he really has excellent hands and vision. Ninos time will come…just no need to force it -
The Haley Hammer says:
Anyone who things that Martin can handle the rough stuff really need to go back and watch how much his fighting style has changed after getting punched square in the cheek last season by Tanner Glass. He now shys away from the punch and tries to protect all through out the fight. I’m not taking anything away from the kid, but do you really want him to fall into the roll of protector? Let him play his game, which is banging and fore-checking and not have to worry about dropping the mitts every night. Haley/Gillies needs to be dressed every night – our kids are too valuable to be put in vulnerable positions.
All that being said, Go Isles!!!
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Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Come on, no Player of the Week for JT, he was in on 4 of the 5 goals in the TB game and every goal in the Ranger game, come on…
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Puckhead says:
If you have a star, you have to protect him. Gillies is a must…I think Haley should dress and sit Bailey. I agree with the poster that said he should go to Europe….Haley showed he could play and Gillies is just plain mean man! Reasoner/Bailey for Gillies/Haley. Once Gillies gets thorn out of a game, we still need someone who will go nuts like Gillies…the only guy like that we got is Haley…. Sorry DP….it doesn’t look good…
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Juniorjunior says:
Fourth line for philly, rags, and pens games: gillies, Martin, haley.
The brass knuckles.
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jeff w says:
Its not a ‘canadian team’ thing or islanders bashing why JT didnt get player of the week. Kessel was the best player because he put up numbers in all three leafs games in the week. Dont forget tavaras didnt get points in the first two islander games! So perhaps he was player of the weekend…but this aint football.
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Paul says:
#30 Moulson’s goal should have been credited to JT. Everything is fine in net now. No more DP, please!
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justin says:
Being team tough does not not mean you go goofy every time someone hits your players. Martin plays the game team tough,hits,plays hockey,scraps if needed. Most importantly he has a on ice presence. Love gillies and haleys also but what Martin brings is team tuff stuff.
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Bob E. says:
who cares if he didnt get player of the week, he going to get player of the month.
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I am not sure I agree that we need to have guys “Step Up”, when we have people for that role. Do you have a barmaid or a bouncer take care of rowdy drunks and break up fights? Look at it this way, a lot can go wrong in a fight very fast, so who would you rather sit out 30 games for a broken hand? Martin, Hamonic, Okoposo, Vets?
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Meant to add Haley or Gillies.
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IslesFan says:
#25. I think you hit the nail on the head with the line combinations. If Nino is going to be joining the team, but him with Grabner and Neilsen. Call the European line (Denmark, Austria and Switzerland), whatever.
Put Kyle back with Bailey and Comeau….those guys played so well together a couple of years ago, why break them up? Doesn’t anyone remember this?
Leave PA with Moulson and JT unless PA under-performs.
Reasoner, Rolston and Pandolfo 4th line. Done.
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the lines should stay as is until a trade is made which would send the extra forwards we have to obtain a top 4 dman. players include comeau, bailey. with gone the lines can properly align
MM-JT-PA
MG-FN-KO
MM-Cizikas-BR
TG-MR-JP/MH
Even though the numbers were the same, Tavares was far more important to the team than Kessel was. Take Tavares away from those two games, and the Islanders would have one goal.