THURSDAY’S NEWS AND NOTES:
A’s Named, New Goal Song and Waiver Debate
Quick publishing note: Hello all, you may know me as CB’s occasional backup netminder here at IPB and former FanHouse colleague. SNY has asked me to take on some of the writing duties here for the time being. As always, questions, comments and complaints can be directed to me on Twitter. So let’s get this ship sailing in the right direction, eh? CB’s comment rules still apply. Stay on topic. First up, a look at today’s top stories.
ISLANDERS NAME ASSISTANT CAPTAINS, MIX OF YOUTH AND VETS
The team named four assistant captains to help with the duties of yelling at Kerry Fraser conversing with the referees when captain Mark Streit is unable to do so. Up and coming youths John Tavares and Kyle Okposo got the nod along with veteran new-comers Steve Staios and Brian Rolston.
Before the Islanders named Streit captain, you would have had to consider both Tavares and Okposo potential candidates for the captaincy. Still, they’re certainly incumbents somewhere down the road and giving them an ‘A’ at this point in time is a no-brainer. Out of the rest of the youth on the team, the only admission here would be Frans Nielsen who certainly has supporters here on the internet. Okposo’s clearly a heart-and-soul kind of guy, while Tavares is the undisputed face of the franchise (sorry, Ricky). When you get down to it, it’s not really a glaring omission.
Rolston and Staios are different stories in the short term but if you look at what the team has done in the past with veterans like Doug Weight and Bill Guerin, it fits the mold. Both are on the other side of their primes and a good veteran presence to have in such a young and — here’s the key — inexperienced locker room. Rolston should come as no surprise, having won a Cup, a World Cup and a silver medal in 2002. Once he was acquired, you had to know this was coming. As for Staois, he’s certainly the surprise of the bunch. Having a tryout at camp doesn’t usually equate to ending up on the team and having an ‘A’ but not having seen camp, I imagine he made an impression. When you get down to it, it’s hard to knock a team for giving a 15-year vet a leadership role.
The team will be switching As back and forth between home and away games, which is a bit wonky but not really anything new. The way injuries happen, you might as well have guys already in place rather than having someone step in at a moment’s notice. This team now has five designated leaders, something I can’t remember an Islanders team having in quite some time.
THE SEARCH FOR A NEW GOAL SONG BEGINS AGAIN
For the second year in a row the Islanders are searching for a new goal song. Last year’s was picked by the now departed locker room personality Zenon Konopka which was met with mixed reviews but, I think, most fans ended up not minding it too much in the end. With Konopka gone, there’s a hunt for a new song and the team has turned to its fans to pick from four choices on their website. Unlike the Mets, there’s no write-in option so sorry, internet, you can’t write in Rick Astley.
The choices, well, they read as though someone called up WBAB and asked what the last four songs played were. “Kickstart My Heart” by Motley Crue, “Hell Yeah” by Rev Theory, “Heaven Can Wait” by Iron Maiden and “Crowd Chant” by Long Island’s own Joe Satriani. As a hockey blogger, I’m not going to pass judgement on music — something I’m totally unfit to do.
The one interesting note is that the Islanders, as with many sports teams, a few years ago moved away from Gary Glitter‘s Rock and Roll song because of his conviction for child molestation. Kickstart My Heart, as it so happens, is an ode to Nikki Sixx‘s heroine addiction and starts with the lyrics “When I get high, I get high on speed” so if moving towards something family friend was the initial intention, I think it’s safe to say we’re not on that path anymore.
The last thing I’m going to do here is to preach morals to anyone — KMH is an awesome song, it rocks hard and is full of energy — but it’s certainly a different direction. Anyway, if you’re not familiar you may remember KMH as the song the Islanders take the ice to many nights that begins with the sound of a motorcycle revving. In the end, it’s probably all a moot point since we’ll grumble and debate whatever is chosen but in the end, get acquainted to it by the end of the year. Let’s just be thankful it’s not the Let There Be Lighthouse song.
THE GOOD OL’ WAIVER WIRE DEBATE
After picking up Rob Schremp two years ago and Michael Grabner last season, it’s no surprise that when Eric Nystrom crossed the waiver wire today a lot of people’s reaction in Islander Country was to yell “pick him up!” For the Syosset native and son of legend Bob Nystrom, there’s no doubt having Eric as an Islander would be a thrill for both player and fans. That being said, it’s hard to find a spot for him given what the Isles’ opening night roster might look like. If Jay Pandolfo hadn’t been signed or Matt Martin wasn’t ready for the show, I’d say go ahead. But unless it’s to play in Bridgeport, unfortunately, this homecoming isn’t destined to be.
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 →48 Responses to THURSDAY’S NEWS AND NOTES:
A’s Named, New Goal Song and Waiver Debate
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BillyBC says:
First comment in some time! Glad to see a familiar face on here Kevin. Good points, enjoyed the read. I am indifferent to the celebration song, just as long as its played lot this year! Go Isles!!!!!
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Darren says:
Aaah. Thank you Kev!
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Mht says:
Kevin it is awesome to have you back !
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joeconte says:
hey kev, glad to see you’re gonna keep pointblank’s good name strong. good luck
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Big Van Vader says:
I dunno. I GUESS KMH. None of them are really good goal songs except for Satriani and that is the Hawks song. I still love Rock and Roll and a bunch of teams out there
(including the Devils) still have it as their goal song and have no problem with it. (its a goal song;quit with the moral high ground b.s.) As an awesome alternate song, how about “Walk” by Pantera? The hook is PERFECT for our team.RE…..SPECT!!!!!!
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Jimmy says:
Thanks for the article kev, good luck with IPB, great start.. looking forward to a great season LETS GO ISLES!!
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Mark from massapequa says:
I like the alternates. Any new goal song would be a welcomed change. As for Eric nystrom , if he’ll go down to Bridgeport I day it couldnt hurt. He’s decent a good waiver wire pick up .
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MIKED043 says:
I really want Rock & Roll Part 2 back. I wish they would play the Gary Glitter version but I would settle for the Tube Tops 2000 cover. I remember a lot of great goals with that song during the Peter Laviolette era.
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T-bone says:
Good to have you here kev. As for the goal song the only decent song that makes sense there is Hell Yeah!….they are all really suspect…do the players even narrow it down to these four-or are they just saying that? i have to figure the players have better ideas than this
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Daniel says:
Great write-up. Rock and Roll Part 2 is the obvious choice. People don’t literally want to sing along to a song, they just want something simple. I guess as long as we hear the song a lot it won’t matter though. I will sing just about anything if it means a consistent string of wins.
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Stone Cold says:
hell yeah by rev theory should be the choice. nothings gets u more amped. and the lyrics are simple…give me a hell, give me a yeah
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Whaaaaaaaaaaaat says:
Are they using 4 alternates per game? Or are they doing a home and away thing
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Doug says:
Welcome back Kevin, it’s good to have you back. In regard to the waiver pickup why didn’t the Islanders put a claim in Brett MacLean?
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Staten Islander says:
Welcome back Kevin. At last there is a voice here. I don’t care what the goal song is as long as we get to hear it alot.
I’m wondering if we’re going to get a hidden gem surprise like we have been the last 2 years (Moulson, Grabner).
BTW, love your site too, even though I rarely post there.
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Numbers65 in Ohio says:
IPB is back on! Thanks Kevin! Please keep it up! I like the Alt Capt choices! Just got my Center Ice Package and am ready for the puck to drop!!
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!! -
Rob Mc says:
Goal song? I think the campy popularity of “Bird is the Word” by the Trashmen would work. It does in NHL ’12 for the PS3.
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John says:
Welcome back IBP. It’d be great if you stuck around for a while Kevin.
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wilky29 says:
cemetary gates by pantera!!!!!!!
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jonj77 says:
I voted for “Crowd Chant.” That would be so fun to chant along to after a goal and everyone will be able to follow it. I think that or KMH would be best…
Anything but Heaven Can Wait… that song makes no sense as a goal song!
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Matt says:
A very “C.B.” style post. The first one in a long time. Keep ‘em coming.
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BIGSAVE77 says:
Big van vader I love your choice for goal song. Pantera’s walk would be so cool. Thanks Kevin for an article I am hoping for more content if you can provide it, as we were pretty spoiled with Botts. I was wondering if you had press credentials
Kevin if so that would be alright. -
Jim Clark says: Nice that comments are finally allowed. I have no interest in what goal song is selected if it’s not the Triumph March” from Guiseppe Verdi’s
“Aida” -
nyc dork says:
We need a HOCKEY Goal Song Anthem. Not Music. Music gets boring and played out. We need something to Chant along with after a goal that sounds like a celebration so we pump our fists-Not listen to a song over and over again and pretend we are singers.. The best catchy beat theme is the Old Canadians Goal song, 2000-04. Please listen and consider it (link below).The whole thing can be heard at L’Oreille’s site, http://www.loreille.com. Or look into some Soccer/football Goal Themes.
see it on youtube watch?v=90nfG4d_MAI -
Billy the Kid says:
Great to have IPB operational with someone who knows and cares.
Eric Nystrom> than Jay Pandolfo. Forget the last name, E Ny is a younger, faster, harder working body bangin’ energy guy who can slot up to the 3rd line in an emergency. He will drop the gloves if needed (nowhere in the same league as the old man) but he would be a nce addition to that 4th line. Matt Martin/Reasoner. E Ny sounds like a god 4th line that can deal some grief to opponents and chip in a few goals also.
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Don says:
As Kevin notes, regarding Rolston & Staios given A’s, “if you look at what the team has done in the past with veterans like Doug Weight and Bill Guerin, it fits the mold.”
So its easy to see why Snow would want to go in this direction, given all the recent success of the team. Why break the mold and go in a different direction when this approach has worked so well?
Yes, this is a great Garth Snow philosophy, to pick up these grizzled vets off the trash heap who no one else wants and put them in leadership positions where the “kids” can learn. Learn how to milk it from IR.
Looking forward to another great season from the Wang/Snow dynasty!
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IslesWin86 says:
Thanks Kevin
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Garyfromeastnpt says:
welcome back! Lets play hockey!
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Scott says:
You know nothing of the Crue. Not only have they played the Coli a million times (all sold out shows) you know nothing of this particular song. This was from Dr.Feelgood when the entire band was sober. It is a salute to getting an adrenaline rush without drugs you DumbF@cK. Keep your know nothing opinions to yourself A–Hole
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Oren says:
Will my comments be allowed?
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jt says:
Thanks Kevin, great post, nice to have original content back on here! Keep up the great work! Lets go Islanders!
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paislesfan says:
My vote is for Chelsea Dagger (Amstel Light commercial song). Believe the Blackhawks use it. Lots of energy, family-friendly sound (obviously leaving out the beer reference!).
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OJK says:
I think it would be awesome to have Eric on the Island and on this Team. Would give the Fans something. And Lord knows, us Fans haven’t had something in a long time. Last October it would be a no brainer to claim him, I can’t see how the team is that much different now, where it still doesn’t make sense.
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Man… anyone else even more excited for opening night now that IBP is back?!?! LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
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AFIsle says:
YESSSSS thought this site was dieing a slow and boring death.
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Hockey Guy in Canada says:
None of these songs is suitable for a goal song. I understand the desire to appeal to the 18 to 30 crowd but you must go classic rock. You can’t improve upon it. At least have the sense not to associate the Islanders with the music of those showboating, drumstick twirling hair bands that I had hoped were blown away for good in September of 1991 along with Jagr’s old hairdo.
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Danielle says:
Ugh, I’m not a fan of any of the goal song choices. Lame.
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MikeInNYC says:
the players picked the finalist goal songs…not the team.
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team = front office/management
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Erika says:
Thanks for the vintage post. As for the song, why don’t we go back to the original one we had a few years ago, either that, or let the players decide…if they really like it, they will want it played as much as possible!
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kennynyc says:
Welcome back Kevin & IPB, just in time for the season. Let’s go Islanders!
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Honnold says:
That was funny. Kerry Fraser is a terrible ref and perennial Islander killer. Didn’t he finally retire and get a league job? Figures.
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NikolaiHusky says:
I’ll continue to push for the Fat Albert Theme Chorus to be our goal song..
“Nah Nah Nah Gonna Have a Good Time, Hey Hey Hey (repeat). -
soundtiger says:
Can’t wait for opening night. would rather not hear my young kids chanting “hell yeah” however.
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D in Big D says:
Nystrom should be given a shot on this team.No one is untouchable and I really don’t think our lineup is so great that we couldn’t provide him an opportunity.The name on the back of the jersey alone is worth the signing.Isles very easily could upgrade the roster through some wire signings.If they don’t then maybe they are not as commited to winning as they claim.Look @ the payroll its pitiful.Nonetheless I’m looking foward to a new season of hockey.Go Isles
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@45 please explain who nystrom is more valuable than on our roster
Obviously no one on the first 2 lines
Comeau(no)-Bailey(is not as good offensively and has a lot more potential)-niño(no
Rolston(provides veteran leadership he cannot)-reasoner(no)-pandolfo(see rolostonAlso he’s not a kid anymore and has had many shots to keep an NHL roster spot
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I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
Welcome back Kevin,
Its good to have a semi-regular voice for the country again! Keep up the good work……we all appreciate it!