BRUINS 6 (EN), ISLANDERS 2
Defense Can’t Keep Up In Fast Paced Game
Tonight the Islanders defense got exposed for what it is: slow, not physical and not very good. The Bruins and their talented offense — which is now officially and certifiably clicking after a rough start — ran roughshod up and down the ice all night long in what was a fast paced game. The Isles defense would have been less exposed doing a Playboy centerfold.
The first goal was a terrible misplay in their own zone. Milan Jurcina sent a pass off the boards behind the net to Mark Eaton who wasn’t on the other end. Instead it was the Bruin’s Pouliot on the receiving end who got the puck past what may have been a sleeping Nabokov. It didn’t get any better after that. I counted one goal that didn’t leave the goaltender out to dry (the second). From Steve Staios getting absolutely roasted by Milan Lucic to Jurcina/Eaton not getting within five yards of Nathan Horton’s parking spot in front of the net at 5-on-5, it was a rough night. That’s not counting two gimmies the Bruins shot into the side of the net during the scoreless second period.
So what happens now? It’s time to say for sure that this doesn’t cut it. For much of the season, the Streit/Staios combination has been serviceable, nay solid, with Streit coming to the aid of his training camp signee partner. Tonight that did not happen. The Jurcina/Eaton combination is not working. Mike Mottau, a healthy scratch again, would not be an improvement. The problem is that these are veterans with contracts that do not allow them to be sent to Bridgeport. If you part with them, you’re parting with them for good. Not a problem if there are guys on the Bridge who are ready to go. There’s no Travis Hamonic banging on the doors this season — at least not yet. There’s no one in Bridgeport that is ready to go. De Haan, Donovan and Ness are not ready. With all due respect, Dylan Reese is not a significant upgrade. The Islanders are now stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to their defensive lineup.
NABOKOV’S FAILED AUDITION
If the Islanders started Evgeni Nabokov as an audition for potential suitors in tonight’s nationally televised game, it went about as bad as you can get. He gave up three goals in the first period on 12 shots. As previously mentioned they were not all of his own volition but he still looked like he was among those not ready for the puck drop tonight. CB reported on Twitter earlier today that Snow’s asking price is and has been a 2nd round pick. Good luck getting that now.
#TEAMMONTOYA
We had an Al Montoya sighting tonight as Coach Capuano called the hotline (1-800-BIG-CUBANO) after Nabokov’s troubles in the first. Montoya came in and made 24 saves on 22 shots, a solid performance behind a porous defense. If not for a Staios’ glove save and a few missed nets by the Bs, he would have given up a few more even though it would have been hard to blame him what with all the odd-man rushes buzzing around him.
SWISS CHEESE IS AN APT ANALOGY
The Bruins, the Defending Champs and the Beasts of the Northeast showed us most if not all of the Islanders flaws tonight and placed them front and center on the dinner table. Composed as this team currently is, it’s hard to imagine them going very far. As you can see, I’ve written almost 500 words without mentioning the forwards. We’ll give them a reprieve for a night where they were a story, not the story.
CAPUANO CALLS EM OUT
Not specifically, of course. But the coach who usually doesn’t have a whole lot to say positive or negative, had some sharper opinions than usual on the players tonight.
“We just had some guys that didn’t show up. I was real disappointed in some guys’ work ethic tonight…I’m not going to name names… But that’s why some guys were -2 and -3.”
A brief list of players who were -2 or -3 tonight:
Mark Eaton
Brian Rolston
Milan Jurcina
PA Parenteau
Frans Nielsen
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 →181 Responses to BRUINS 6 (EN), ISLANDERS 2
Defense Can’t Keep Up In Fast Paced Game
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Tiler Durdin says:
First rule of Fight Club…
Isles will be in the draft lottery!
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Grandma's Boy says:
Sadly, I think you may be right. It feels like I have been watching the same team for a long time.
However, I thought Bailey was pretty good tonight. And I would like to give Okposo the benefit of the doubt since he only played like 25% of the year last year. Comeau is the Isles enigma du jour.
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hangover3 says:
This team, is no better then it was 3 years ago at winning hockey games. people like Bailey okiposo and comeau wont crack 15 goals this year. THese are core players supposed to lead the Isles to a cup. Do you think teams coach’s worry about these three? Do they tell their own GM..”find me a 12 goal a year scorer so we can keep up with those Islander superstars”
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Second rule of Fight Club…
Islanders never have a NHL caliber coach!
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Rob h says:
Fire Cap bring in Andy Murray!!!!
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Third rule of Fight Club…
Islanders never have a competent GM.
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Fouth rule of Fight Club….
Islanders Suck!!!!!
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Mike P says:
Ugh, here we go again witha a looooong and painful season. Call me crazy, but wasn’t this team better on D last half of last season with Katic, Reese up last year when Eaton, Mottau were hurt ?? Bring up DeHaan and some other kids. Won’t hurt a bit, I promise. This D needs 3 others to pair with Streit, Hamonic and AMac. Also, trade Nabby and set a solid rotation in net already. Stability starts there Garth !!!!!
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In reply to the pleas to focus on the positives:
1) Man, do the Islanders miss Rick DiPietro. It’s tough to blame the team for not putting out their best performance when they are not playing in front of their one time all-star and U.S. Olympian.
2) That Scott Staios in sure strong! Did you see how hard he pushed that net? He knocked it over!
3) Kudos to the New York Islander Strength and Conditioning Program. Once again, they Islanders made it through a game relatively injury free.
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Juniorjunior says:
It all comes down to money. Wagner is done spending any more than he has to. Team will be sold. Shame.
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Quentin Jones says:
This season is getting old and ugly already. I am losing interest. same thing year in and year out. no heart, too many old worthless vets, too slow. hey cappy, how about pulling goalie at the beginning of the game.
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islesrock73 says:
You nailed it Strummer. How do we all see the problems, yet the Bozo’s that run the once proud organization remain inept?
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ben c. says:
who are the dp haters going to blame tonight now that he didnt play and we still lost? maybe it’s the team as a whole, and not the goaltending thats the major issue
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Strummer's Army says:
In what messed up world does Matt Martin only deserve 8:43 of ice time? He played less then everyone else tonight. He out plays so many people. Think his size, hitting, desire to win might make difference against a team that is so much bigger?
OK lets have it everyone slam Nabakov the way you do Ricky even when he doesn’t deserve it.
Every single year Snow assembles a defense that lacks skill, toughness, and size, he has a forward group that lacks size, he signs dudes that have no business being in the NHL and if not for the Isles would not be, he assembles a team that lacks courage and toughness, we are told this is the year Isles will make the playoffs and they don’t. We get happy around draft time. We keep hearing with all his cap space he’s going to steal players from other teams who cannot afford them and all that got us is Wiz and Roloston. EVERY YEAR! He dosen’t win anything with this formula but he repeats it EVERY YEAR!
Wanna know why Isles don’t win on the road? Cappy cannot get the last change to try to protect his clubs weaknesses. That is why they are worse in period 2 on the road then the rest.
Couldn’t even interview coaches this summer and have a wide open coaching competition. Not saying Cappy isn’t the right man but it would have been wise to hear what other coaches thought of your team and what it would take to win. Tonight on the Versus broadcast I learned that Cappy, like Snow & Dunham all went to the same college.
Make some trades. PA Is such a HUGE D-LIABILITY.
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Snow has to make a move. How can Haley do any worse than Bailey and Comeau? He cannot!! With all the money Snow wasted on some of these over-the-hill, and walk on players, he could have overpaid for one quality player. KO is playing like a stiff too. The announcers on Versus said KO does not have his legs yet. Last time I checked, he hurt his shoulder.
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KaiserVanIslander says:
Hey Garth we need an upgrade and I’m not talking about this years #1 draft pick. Worst team in the east what happened to us making the playoffs. Can’t blame this one on injuries.
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islandersfan4ever says:
I agree with everything.
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LIT says:
The only PLUS about tonight’s game was not having to listen to Butch and Howie..
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Whats really funny, is if the Isles were in the AHL with this team, they would win a little more often, but still get physically beat down and destroyed on a nightly basis.
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nyc dork says:
im sick. im sick of the team snow puts together. i know snow is a smart wise man but he doesnt produce. he could have signed better mobile 4th, 5th 6th dman to help the club. I would have picked up Avery and let him play his game with success. (at least i would laugh at his antics)
on the positive side, i did see the isles throw some consistent checks though out the game. funny thing is that the B’s didnt even seem to play a hitting game and still beat them with their speed.
im sick. sick sick.
why must i see this drama every season. i want answers mr wang/snow. -
Tom NYC says:
This team is awful to watch. I can’t imagine there’s a team softer then them in the league, regardless of what Joe Thorton says. Except for Martin, no one on this teams throws a hit. I don’t know if Okposo is afraid of hurting his shoulder again but he’s not throwing his bod around. At one point, Montoya got run over and no one went after the guy, they just stood around. Grabner got elbowed in the head in the corner by Chara and there was no call and no retaliation and the Bruins come up the ice and score. I think Konopka was a bigger part of this team last year then people are giving him credit for. He would be the first one to drop the gloves and the only one with the balls to stand up the media when they called the isles “doormats”. So it makes sense that we would show him the door and resign Gillies.
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Anthony says:
This team is slow,small,soft and old. Enough of these old vets they have brought in.They have brought nothing to this team.When the versus announcers mentioned all game how the Islanders have 8 guys who are over 33,the most in the league.They are taking spots from guys who are young,full of energy and can bring a spark to this team. Please get rid of Pandolfo,Rolston,Reasoner,Eaton,Staois.At least two of them and I would be happy. This team needs some sort of move. How does everyone see this but Snow.What a joke!!Embarrassed on national tv.
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exactly! How does everyone see this but Snow. it make me sick!
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IslesFan says:
Yes, I heard that from the announcers too. The Islanders claim to have a young team, but they have more players over the age of 33 than any other team, with 8 players over the age of 33. The Devils and Panthers have 7. It is one thing to want leadership and experience, but maybe the Islanders went too far.
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The New Isles GM says:
So I hear this Yukabov kid is supposed to go #1 in the draft…..being called the next Alexander Mogilny.
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Bill a says:
Please stop trying to sell us a bill of goods. The team sucks and management has no desire to make the team better. The fans are the stupid ones for paying to see this minor league team. And that is giving the minor leagues a bad name!
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Ken Hitchcock notices that top 4 teams in the nhl all play the same system and that he will use the same system with the Blues.
Yet Cappy has his forwards supporting his slow foot D thus retarding the forwards skating game. Obviously Cappy’s system is not working for us. I wonder what an established coach could do with this roster. i’ll just keep dreaming and wishing.-
Pleasseeee fire cap
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Tedge77 says:
Wang is a meddlesome owner. he has nothing better to do than tinker and not let Garth run the team. Garth was a tough hockey player who stood up for his team. Wang does not like fighting. He was the only person who did not like what happened with Pittsburgh last year. Even the alumni said it was about time. Konopka begged to stay here it was wang who let him go. They will not be happy until we lose tavares to injury because someone took liberties. The Pittsburgh game is meaningless now. Any respect they had after that game is long gone. Im a fan for over 30 years so you short timers who say im whining can stick it. I know how this game needs to be played and this aint it. Mike bossy got hurt because Gillies and Nystrom got old and could not protect him anymore. They were never replaced and Duane Sutter was a middle weight. Mark my words he is going to get hurt. Any responses?
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I hope wang just leave my isles alone and just sells because he makes me sick too.
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That was not why Bossy got hurt. Bossy developed bad knees and he put more pressure on his back to relieve the pressure on his knees. After time, his back gave out. He said this in an interview.
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justin says:
Strummer, your right about the Martin thing but in all fairness tonight he lost the whole 1st period after his fight that got the team going. It took 8 mins to get a whistle once his fighting pim was over then when he left the box the Isles got a pim so that period was gone for him, only 39 sec ice in 1st. Notice him out front again and we hit another post. Imagine how many goals if he was used reg. He still managed 4 hits
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Isles4cups says:
I disagree about about your leader comment…John Tavares is clearly the leader of this team.
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Damian in Buffalo says:
lackluster effort, i want to see more of montoya, where the hell has he been? Boston was due for a breakout of course it had to come at the hands of the islanders. I agree with previous posts that the older players are slow and useless and without konopka this team is just too soft compared to last year. It’s like a roll over and die attitude with the exception of tavares who is a breast so far. Need more effort than just the tavaras line everynight. And milbury is still clueless, tell me how is was the islanders GM for over a decade?
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Tom D in NJ says:
What can be said that hasn’t been said already? Snow and Wang should be totally embarrassed for letting their fan base endure this horribly mismanaged operation.
It will all come together a few years down the road when Wang can get top dollar to sell and another city will actually see a good team. Although we showed some pace tonight, the D is terrible, half our forwards are useless and our best goalie sits out for two weeks. Why wont we just bring up the kids already, they will play hungry every night. Start benching the stiffs who dont score, dont hit and dont do anything. This culture of loosing is simply un-believable. -
We have 3 decent D-men. The rest are just pathetic. This team is exposed night after night. I thought they really played hard tonight, but our awful D combined with a shaky Nabakov start killed us. This team is just not good enough to compete with the big boys. The Bruins were shrugging them off with one hand. And please, please, get rid of Rolston, Pandalfo, Staos, and Reasoner. Every one of them needs to retire. Sorry, I have been looking for a pulse from any of them and simply can not find one. Garth needs to be smarter about sprinkling vets in the line-up. Montoya kept them in the game in the second period. I actually liked the way the forwards played, but the D just killed us! He better start the next 3 games! You want to showcase Nabakov? Put him in the press box and show video of his shark days. By playing him, we are exposing his many flaws. We are getting nothing for him, mark my words!
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I mean Montoya should play the next 3 games. Sorry, my editing tonight was as bad as Staos!
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Jim Clark says: That start dropped Nabokov’s trade value to what Lindsay Lohan’s movie career is worth. Time to launch “Operation Yukabov” and play DP full time. We are 5 points behind the Blue Jackets.
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BillyBC says:
Man this team is frustrating. For once I get to watch a game and they disappoint.
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Ryan says:
It stinks, but I have to agree with all the negativity on this board…this team is brutal. The bottom 3 defensemen are absolutely horrendous, the forwards are incredibly soft, and if Tavares isn’t putting up multiple points, they basically have no chance of winning most nights. I have to say that so far this year, I am most disappointed in Kyle Okposo. Bailey is basically pitiful, and Okposo’s play has been right there with him. This is a major issue…what is wrong with this guy? He isn’t hitting, he’s timid to shoot, and when he does shoot, he has hands of stone. The team is seriously going to be out of it by mid-December yet again…and I’ll keep watching year after year. What a shame.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Did anybody expected a miracle from the Cap floor team? I’m just sick of SnoWang trying to invent a triangle wheel year after year. It will NOT work!!! Also, screaming on every corner: “The time is now”, “Playoffs, playoffs, playoffs” will piss you fanbase big time when you can not back your s?@it up.
Since when pro organization allow GMs to dictate the goaley to start each game. Capuano just showing everyone how desperate he is by pulling netminder with almost 4 min. left. I really feel for the guy, but guess what, nothing is going to change. Trust us, we know… -
Lum_NY says:
Only caught the last half of the game. Looked like the B’s were on the pp the hole time. We can’t skate w/ these guys. Small,slow n soft. Something has to change! Get rid of the old n bring up the kids and some muscle.
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Winning says:
When do we get to have alexai Yashin and mariusz chysowski kip miller night? Ah the good old days when we had softees who could pop in 30 goals instead of softees who score 12 goals a year. Seriously we may never see the isles as good as the Yashin years again. Very likely 4 years from now we have the lowrst payroll still.
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Nick M says:
Honestly this team is soft. The old guys gotta go. Toughness is needed. And multiple trades are needed to improve the defense. Once the defense can support itself the goalies will play there game and the offense will be able to go all out on Offense without worrying about defensive liabilities
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Darren Juhase says:
Same old same old.Team looked slow & out of place.WHY is it other teams find it so easy to be creative against us?Talent is my answer!Had a bad storm in big D tonight & I lost 1/2 of he 2cnd & 1/2 of the 3rd.By the time I got the game back it was 5-2.Lets be real people will a new building really cure the ineptness of our upper management & ownership?I feel @ this point we should go w/ the kids on D or maybe change our style to the dreaded trap.Youth that needs to go or be put where they belong is as follows..KO,Nielson,Bailey,A-mac(this guy is almost as overrated as KO).PA @ least plays w/ heart.Staois,Eaton,Mottaeu,Rolston,Pandolfo,Reasoner must be gone by years end.If we tank this season @ least move the #1 for a 2cnd line center & top 2 D-man period.Nabby should stay DP is done.A solid NHL caliber coach,GM & owner wouldn’t hurt either.So tired of watching this team lose every year.Also agree w/ ice girl dad post of no leader & identity on this club.So many issues & the clock is ticking.No one wants to support a loser & thats what this franchise has become.
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isles316 says:
Just hope they actually make a move before it’s too late. Saddest and most frustrating thing to me is that they can’t let Rolston go because they would be under the floor. He gives less effort than any Islander I can remember. Guy doesn’t even stride when he skates, he glides everywhere. It’s pathetic.
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Also, is it too much to have an extra forward up with the club at practice so maybe some of them feel a touch uncomfortable ? Pathetic.
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Michael Tinney from Farmingdale, says:
You guys just say Comeau and Bailey…. Okposo is worse with more skill.
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cockbag willie says:
it is what it is
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that team got me into hockey too, they should be honored, if it wasn’t for them the penguins could of been the last dynasty instead of the islanders.
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BringBackNyles says:
The bar is set pretty low…heck we had a night to honor a conference final losing team.
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That team was liked a lot by people too young to experience the dynasty, myself included. That team got me into hockey.
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Cm says:
Isles losses all fall 100% on Wang now. Culture of losing is now coming from him. Needs to sell. Why bother having an NHL team if it just constantly loses.
Embarrassed I followed this team for the past 20years.
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Cold Spring Harbor says:
Good thing we let Martinek go even if he is still hurt at Columbus and Hillen and …Shame Milbury didn’t suit up, he could have cracked the top 6 tonight. Same old story, it’s going to be a long winter if this keeps up.
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I would have kept Martinek or Hillen over Mottau.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
Mottau? He was in the press box!
He also is in the 2nd of a two-year deal while Radek and Hillen were FAs.
Besides, these guys are just as soft. Unless Snow makes a deal (don’t hold your breath), we won’t see anyone with any physicality on D until Pedan and Mayfield (hopefully) arrive.
Of course, if they’re too tough Chuckles the Clown will demand they be traded!
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I understand that Mottau did not play last night. My point was that I would rather have Martinek over Mottau. The signing of Mottau did not make the team better. I also understand that Martinek was a free agent. The Isles could have resigned him, but did not make him an offer.
Mayfield is probably at least another year away after this year.
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Nobody is expecting miracles but they should show improvement and build on the success they showed at the end of the season. Thats hard when you changed half of the team through Free Agency and demotion. Remember Rick was coming to the aid of a teamate. A goalie should not have to do that.
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You remember that story incorrectly. It was simply a case of Rick being a 4 year old and wanting to start trouble with Cooke. Cooke did nothing wrong that game that needed retribution.
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Not true at all. Isles were bullied that entire game and no one had the guts to do anything about it except Rick. Rick didn’t challenge Johnson, watch the video by the time Rick is skating to the crease, Johnson is already there. Even Johnson admitted he skated down ice and challenged Rick. Never should have come to that but the Isles ice such a soft team (ya even the stars) someone had to do something even if it didn’t turn out well at least Rick showed courage unlink the rest.
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Joe says:
So, you guys still want to keep these awful lines? Eaton and Staios are old and very slow. I really hope Al Montoya starts next game. I didn’t think Nabokov was the reason they lost the game though. Is it just me or the islanders as a team aren’t very good at passing?
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I wonder if the team will have any thought of bringing De Haan up. If this kid has any talent at all, he HAS to be an improvement over Mottau or Staios.
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I posted last night i was listening to Caps game on XM. The first 10 minutes was the Caps feed. They had so many negative comments about the isles it was making me furious. They just don’t care what others feel about the way this team is run.
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Danfromouteast says: Like what?
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jbassman72 says:
Pin two goals square on Jurcina/Eaton’s shoulders. Their coverage on fourth goal was inexcusable. I thought Eaton was turning over a new leaf this season but not sure what I was drinking. Does Jurcina know he weighs 240 pounds??? Throws one hit then calls it a night. Okposo looks awful…just awful. Bailey was semi decent tonight. Matt Martin plays all out and has earned WAY more minutes. Comeau showed flashes of what he can do but as with most on this roster consistency is hard to find. What kills me the most is the absence of Haley. Hard enough to lose Konopka’s physical presence but then you cut the guy who almost singlehandedly was the catalyst for our greatest win of the season? Pandolfo and Rolston are more deserving? This mgmt is downright embarrasing.
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upstateIsles says:
agreed…wheres mikey? he can play…hes like a more controlled sean avery when he was in his prime…sean earned a role for multiple clubs for his ability to play and antagonize, haley has proved he can fight anddd score in the NHL (not a garbage goal for those of you who dont recall..mikey got a nice one by driving hard to the net and displaying his hands we never knew existed)
bring him up! this team wont play flat if hes on the bench
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gdmike says:
Can’t get over what has happened to okposo. He has lost all confindence. Just shoot the puck kyle..stop thinking.
Comeau skated and hit tonight, but needs to find his offense as well.
The team needs to take some more sharp angle shots. Throw it at the net, not every goal needs to be highlight reel. -
Worst game I’ve seen Jurcina play as an Islander.
Montoya looked solid. Should run with him for a while, but not blaming Nabby or DP. -
okpososcores21 says:
I thought the forwards had a decent game tonight. Its funny how the tables have turned and now when the offense is generating chances and scoring the defense flounders. It will continue to all season long unless they do something about the current group and pick up a 2nd/3rd defenseman. Kevin said it best that our weakness was exposed on defense. They are To slow and old to keep up. Also the power play looked horrendous tonight as well. That being one of our strengths in the season, it did not show tonight when they needed it most. I would say this game was one of those big games of the season to see where the islanders really were at. Playing a Boston team who have been firing on all cylinders of late. We have our result and it doesn’t look good. I thought the isles would hover around to possibly be the 7th or 8th seed but after tonight i don’t believe they will make the playoffs with the current defense corp they have employed. Its just not gunna happen
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Becareful if we speak out to much we will be banned from the Coliseum like Billy Jaffe and Chris Botta. I love Butch but listening to him is like listening to an old drunk at the end of the bar.
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mark from massapequa says:
yup! he is awful.
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NYI says:
So are there still people who think they should not play DP??
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Doesnt matter who is in goal when they play like this
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This is not about the goaltending Rick!
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rick says:
So now that nabokov and montoya each let in 3 goals tonight, it was the defenses fault they lost? but if it were dipi in there, you guys would not have 1 complaint about the defense, it would have been all his fault. This is why i get angry everytime i read the comment section on this website….
You people are ridiculous. Nabby basically let in a goal that a 10 yr old could save, but if it were ricky “off with his head!!!”
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Paul says:
When DP puts up career numbers anywhere near Nabby let me know. DP is cancer.
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I agree..everyone on this site generally gangs up on ricky…I thought the first goal last night was worth pulling Nabby out right then and there. If it was Rick thats all we woulda heard about all morning…its the truth point blankers..dont dis Rick the whole summer and complain about him and then disappear when he starts playing decent and then let the other tenders off easy.
AL is our number 1 if anyone thinks differently your hockey knowledge is flawed..he finds the angles and the niches between screens to make the big saves.. he absorbs pucks and has shown his reboudn control has improved over the summer. He’s a big boy takes up a lot of the net in tight and he challenges the shooters adequately..biggest mistake we made was not riding him out longer when we were 3-1 . not that we lsot games because of the other goalies, but with how well he was playing let him keep it rolling Cappy!
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Anth says:
UGHH This is going to be a long season! Thank god I did not get season tickets this year!
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What did you expect Snow is a terrible GM with a bad attitude.
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Jerky says:
This team flat out sucks. Major step backwards in the rebuild.
I can’t believe a few people think Bailey had a good game. The guy was non-existent on the ice and looks like he belongs playing street hockey. Comeau may have been skating around and threw a couple of hits tonight but he also gave up the puck a dozen times and doesn’t know the meaning of coming back and helping on defense. Okposo is flat out lost and I don’t know what it’s going to take to get him back on track. The old guys look like they’re enjoying a fully funded retirement.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If Wang is pulling the strings and not allowing Snow or Capuano to do their jobs, both Snow and Capuano should walk away to save what’s left of their reputation. Otherwise they are complicit in fielding this joke of a roster. Grow a pair and bench these lazy or underachieving players and bring some energy up from Bridgeport immediately. Why would anyone want to be knowingly associated with this loser of a franchise?
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Onesinceforty says:
Well, I really liked Capuano’s tie the way it matched the color scheme of the jerseys. Other than that, not many positives. Was Hillen’s 800K really going to break the budget? My family laughs at me every year because every October I BELIEVE. Pay to the floor, play to the floor.
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itsuksbeingislesfan says:
after last nite , whens draft day again
eaton , mottau , pandolfo, reasoner and possibly jurcina got to goi’ll take wishart, reese , katic (but hes hurt) and hillen( hes gone) over these guys anyday and bring back haley already
trade that disappointment bailey(along with some of the above listed) to toronto for frasor and gunnarson
defense to slow and sure tyler seguin is great especially when we have a defense that escorts him to the goal instead of showing him a seat like others do to our forwards
this team has no passion or intensity like the team of last year for the last 40 games of last season
pride , commmitment , i’m sorry i havent seen it yet -
Mike says:
they are relying on 3 forwards and 3 defenseman..they will go no where if there are not changes..”Insanity-doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”-this sums up the islanders over the past couple of years.
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Tony from NB says:
As per Dennis Green
“They are who we thought they were”
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cjcb says:
If Martin is all we have for toughness its going to be a real long season. Team is awful boring and right now i think the KHL is offering a better watch. Sell the team Wong! Fire Snow!!
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Jim says:
You know if they get rid of Capuano the next coach will be Weight. He fits the bill perfectly, no coaching experience.
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Yeah, that’s what I am afraid of too. If Cappy goes, Weight will be made coach. Bad idea. Very bad.
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Ny711ot says:
First this new reply format stinks.its less user friendly then the old.
Secondly this team stinks. And I don’t mean just rolston and reasoner…moulson and parenteau have been painfully awful as a result of bonehead plays and lack of effort. Streit, hamonic and macdonald have been trouble with the later two turnover machines. And I recall that game last year against the rags when tortorella mouthed the words bush league coach about Cappy…Offended then today I would call that undue praise…He is in waaaaay over his head.
The konopka thing once again shows Snows insecurity. And this is Snows team…he owns it…I think the fans deserve how he plans to fix it..getting late early…..Wang if you even care a little bit take control and BRING BACK NOLAN! -
NYISLES001 says:
Again how many high draft picks have the Islanders had the past 12 years.
The GM and scouts have been terrible for 20 years now, even if you take the spending out of the equation.
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moonshine says:
this isn’t a very good team, but with a decent coach imo they’d be better. the capuano in-game interview was a joke of tech-talk by a guy who doesn’t seem able to organize a team the proper way. pulling the goalie down by three is another joke. this isn’t game seven of the cup finals.
i don’t get why so many people love montoya. he held on to the puck tonight instead of the usual rebounds, but boston missed two open nets in the 2nd with montoya nowhere in sight, and the back-to-back goals in the 3rd literally flattened him onto his back.
the islanders need size. to make up for that they’d have to skate up and down the ice for sixty minutes. but an older team can’t do that, and even guys like tavares or moulson aren’t speedy.
as long as they’re losing anyway, i’d bring up a couple of kids and let them grow into the nhl. as long as the kids aren’t put in harm’s way physically, i’d rather lose that way than with old guys. after all, you don’t ‘rebuild’ with a team loaded with over-30′s.
i’m done with okposo. i’m more patient with comeau.
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hollywood says:
Pretty sad night. Nothing that happened last night was news but that’s what happens when a team can’t sign NHL caliber FA’s. Milbury may be an idiot but he nailed it last night, what’s with the old has beens on this young up and coming team.Time to send Pandolfo home, trade Reasnor and Rolston(if possible) same for Eaton and Staois. I would much rather have Hillen back. Trade for Sutton. One positive from last night was I thought Baily was very involved. Time for changes but we all know that Snow really has no cards to deal. He will not and should not trade his core for anyone except a legit top ten scorer!
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If they don’t want to do a major overhaul, at least bring up Wishart and Haley. But the “Too Old, Too Slow, And Too Soft” mantra has to go, and go soon.
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Bob E. says:
we’ll be lucky to get a 5th rounder for Nabby now. I think we stucks with him now.
Jurcina had aweful game. Staios we already know is terrible.I cant believe Staios (an NHL player) took a slapshot and hit a guy standing upright right in the face. I would have never thought that would be catalyst for boston to kick our butts too.
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Real hockey fan says:
.. Il be the first to admit that Isle fans can get “2 hi and 2 lo’ in the same week (sometimes the same day) but in this case its deserved!!
.. I have B!TCHED about the Konopka move from day one, day one! His intangibles are worth more than just points/goals – the Isles GOT SMOKED on the faceoffs last night and Konopka even has more points than Reasoner, lol what a joke!
.. This team is LIFELESS ZOMBIE ROBOTS, its time to shake it free and get something going, Sit some guys, have some healthy scratches, get peoples attention!
.. And please bring Haley up, theres no buzz with this team. Marty Reasoner and his whole 1 point (as much as DP) can sit his ass down. PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!
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Arbour = Leader says:
Kanopa would help the games be less boring, but they were 5-18-5 with the “Great Konopa”. They won’t bring in a REAL NHL Coach & they won’t upgrade roster.
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mike says:
While things look real bad an frustrating, the last 2 games have been against the Stanley Cup champs and the top team in hockey and they split. Its early but they have games in hand as they don’t play until Thursday again. They can take these 2 on the road as neither team is overly tough – West Conference, and thats why the Isles play the west so well. 500 after 13-14 games isn’t terrible and would put them right in the middle. While Boston has been slow to start they seem to have found their stride again.
The Old guys have to go. Not sure why Cpaay and Garth are holding on but my guess is they make the move 2-3 games later than they should as they did with the line changes.Sit Bailey for a game or 2 and try to wake him up. Pull up Ullstrom, sit KO as well when Nino returns. In my opinion his is not even worthy of an NHL slot right now. He is the worst forward on the team right now. Can’t hit (for whatever reason), worst hands I have ever seen, and turns the puck over almost every time he touches the puck.
Martin should be playing 14 mins agame. Put him on the wing with BC and Ullstrom in the middle. BC needs space – Martin creates it.
Put Nino on the wing with Frans and PA. Nino goes to the net and both those guys are outside guys that feed the puck. Nice fit.
Roll 3 lines and through the 4th line out every few rotations. Reasoner, with Haley and or Pandolfo/Rolston.
Eaton and Mottau need to have played their last games as NHLers and Islanders. If you don’t mind having the third pairing get their doors blown off each night might as well have the kids play that have some upside. Wishart and maybe Reese – who looked good in preseason.
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ChasCT says:
Kevin, you are so right on with this anlaysis. You could have included AMac and Ham as slow and bone-headed. Chalk it up to guilt by asociation.
Milbury reprised his role as GM last night, critical of “too many vets” on the roster. And for the first time since he climbed into to the stands at MSG and beat that guy with his own shoe, I agreed with something he said or did. -
Terry says:
The team is 3 d-men and about 6 forwards from limping into the playoffs.I don’t think playing anybody from the bridge could make this team any worse then they r now. Bring up Haley,Gillies DeHann Donovan and Katic ,Ullstrom and whoever else can’t get worse.Waive Eaton Mottau,Pandolfo,Rolston,Comeau they r terrible and lets see what happens either way it looks like a top 5 pick again.
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BobbyNy23 says:
This is the softest team in the history of hockey. Shame on you Garth for not having any heart and soul guys. Martin has to take a beating when he should be on the ice. Rolston barely going through the motions to collect a check is sad. Lose the old guys and bring up some kids who might care. The versus broadcast was a breath of fresh air as I didn’t have to listen to butch read a script. I never thought I would say this but mil bury hit the nail on the head when he questioned all the old guy acquisitions and how cappy prefers younger energetic guys, looks like Garth and Wang are really insane with control.
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NYI FAN says:
I enjoyed the Major League coverage on Versus last night. The after game videos on how the Isles were out of position in many cases makes me rethink that Capuano is the right coach for this team. Wow, how many here would want Ken Hitchcock run this team after that intermission interview!
Just sayin’ -
Brian G says:
Milbury & Pierre said it last night, for a team rebuilding they have the most players in the NHL over the age of 33 (8)…..they need some young energy players. I’m sorry Rolston is terrible, and was there really that much of a need to sign Pandolfo. I would put Pandolfo on waivers and bring up a forward from Bridgeport….
Maybe our GM will stop sitting on his hands like he does every year and make a trade. Make a change of Scenery trade with Columbus.
Anything Snow….we are already last in the eastern conf!!! we will have to dig out of another hole -
Kaszycki's Krew says:
Why don’t they put Rickey on the blue line as a defenseman ?
I think he would be an upgrade on Eaton !
It’s getting late early again ! 18 years of LOUSY hockey ….
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exSection307 says:
…It’s no longer the Milbury legacy
…It’s not the buildingAt this point, it’s the mgmt. Owner -> GM -> Head Coach. Charles Wang saved the team, not arguable. But, at some point, please soon, he has to realize that he isn’t a hockey person and needs to get some professional hockey management. There is some talent here, but Capuano is not ( at least at this point ) an NHL head coach. Our players aren’t getting good teaching at the AHL level, either. The Joe Louis Arena is old as well and yet the Red Wings are in the mix every year. It’s management. Something needs to change. It wasn’t even as close as the score last night. We didn’t even belong on the ice with the Bruins.
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jeff w says:
This was the first real fast paced game played all season. The ice was so crisp, when the islanders moved the puck you swore the game was an msg broadcast in fast forward…but alas it was millbery in rewind taking the piss out of us and rightfully so. He called our D, coaching, oldies and goalies out when they were due for a scolding so good on him. But his excuses for trading chara…please mike don’t go there. A positive should be that montoya is now our number 1? He looked like it…as far as our rebuild….dont be fooled, the oldies are there to fill holes till the rebuild is really over in a few few years and by that time …you never know if they will even pan out, look at the oilers! they makes garth look stupid…btw the oilers building is as old as ours:) can we get our own hitchcock?
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well I’m not buying NHL Network this year….
p2p4u.net streaming from the Droid to the Flatscreen will cut it for me this year…that way it’ll be a little choppy and a little less painful on the eyes to watch.
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one more thing…too many soft US college boys on the ice, on the bench and in the gm box….its not a frat party its a dam hockey game.
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Where is Garth? Him & Yashin are counting their cash. In April Wang will treat them to a night out in NY City. Cheers
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smith31 says:
We knew the defense would have some tough games but how do Okposo, Bailey and Comeau have zero goals. ZERO GOALS! If the goaltending and D move from above average to average and we can’t get secondary scoring, we’ll be battling BlueJackets for last overall. Unreal. Real dissapointed.
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Tony says:
Hey Kevin,
What happened with the pluses and minuses for each game?
That was one of the best things about reading your articles (versus Chris Botta’s articles) for the first couple of games.
Please start doing that again – pluses and minuses in game recap – especially for the times when I miss the game. That is a great feature!
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Kevin Schultz says:
Thanks for the feedback, Tony. On nights I don’t have a specific story to write ill def have +/- going. I know Keith does them in most of his recaps. I’ll def keep them in mind! There were just so many minuses last night… Haha
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I’ll help you out, Kevin.
+ Not having to listen to Butch!
- Everything else!
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caber09 says:
The building did not stop Neil Smith from putting together a playoff team in his 3 weeks as GM….Hey Kevin is Garth on the hotseat yet? lol We know the answer to that, He is the safest GM in the NHL…this is year 5+ for Garth, team going backwards…since he inherited the 06-07 playoff team from Neil Smith
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I must say, I have always been a supporter of Snow giving the circumstances however I blame Snowflake for not upgrading the 5th and 6th spots on D which is the very least he could have done.
Neil Smith brought some respectable players in his 3 weeks of work. Goes to show you the difference of respect an established GM can bring.
The more I think about it the more I disliking Wang. I think I’m going to be isles sick again. brb
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islesfan999 says:
We need 2 tough dmen and 1 tough forward. I am sick of watching this team be so goddam small and wimpy.
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Pick up Fraser on waivers and get rid of eaton, mottau and jurcina
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Hector Marini says:
Kyle Okposo, Josh Baily and Blake Comeau can not be part of the core. KO and Baily are absolutely not NHL caliber player and 57 was a one hit wonder.
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it’s early yet but this season needs to get better or it must be deemed a failure and Garth should go. 5 years is enough to judge a GM. I was shocked we have the most guys over 33 how did that happen? Where’s the youth? What happened to DeHaan, Haley and Nino? Time to bring up the young guys.
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Top 2 pick again this year!!!!!
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G says:
So as a Verizon Fios customer, I was pumped to watch this game because (A)it would be in HD (B) I wouldn’t have to listen to Butch and also (C) No DP in net.
Boy what a disappointment.What I found out:
– we are old
– we are out of position
– we are not taken seriously by the national media (OK, I knew that)
– Tavaras is a beast and a cut above the rest
– The NHL does a terrible job promoting. Some of my Isles fan friends had no idea the game was on VS.
– Blake C. has to go. Does he ever skate with 2 hands on the stick?
– Okposo and Baily are over their head. They are either out of shape or not as good as we thought.
– The team looks like they’re already going through the motions.
– Nabby was sleeping.
– Milbury isn’t as bad as we think.
– we are soft and don’t really have any pressure to care to change that.Bottom line, I’ll follow and watch this team, but my expectations again are extremely low. I won’t buy tickets and again look forward to Sunday football and spring training, again leaving a passionate hockey urge unfulfilled.
Disappointing since 1993…..
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Scotty says:
I like it better when I could blame it on all the injuries…
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sid says:
In addition to all their other problems, the Isles are awful without the puck. Okposo and Bailey actually looked good last night — with the puck. But there’s never anyone to toss the puck to. With the horses Capuano’s got — very few — you have to have a system and it doesn’t look as if he’s got one.
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Until Wang gets an arena or some remote support…. it doesnt matter who the GM is if the owner is willing to spend the money above the cap floor…
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I meant ISN’T willing to spend the cash….
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Irish Isle says:
A brief list of players who were -2 or -3 tonight:
Mark Eaton
Brian RolstonWhat a shock
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ed says:
I thought Garth was an idiot when he passed over Stu Bickel on waivers to keep Staois. This says a lot about Snow as a man if he is willing to be Wang’s puppet. Please someone start a Snow must Go movement! Snow picked the players and coaches. He fired Nolan and we have been in a horrible spiral, and picking in the top of the draft for the past ten years for christ’s sake. How can he keep having a team that refuses to play a physical game? This isn’t tennis for christ’s sake. How is that Okposo extension working out Garth? Getting late very early for Islanders.
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Snow should have been fired for the Rolston trade the second it was made. There is a reason they didn’t want CB around. He called Snow on his BS
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just for the record, CB didnt shoot down the Rolston trade…go back and look if you need to, CB said it got us to the Cap Floor and he was an upgrade from Hunter and will be around 1 year so it doesn’t matter that it didn’t look like a trade that did anything for us…at the time it was an added Vet that can play better than Trent (who is encountering Veteran Age just not the Veteran accomplishments)
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I’d rather have Trent Hunter.
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JTizzle says:
Embarassed on National TV.
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BanGarth says:
Garth is in way over his head , he is terrible. A real GM would realize that a rebuild involves youth , not taking on golfing buddies to reach the floor. Wang is the kid with the cool toys on the playground who just wants to be liked. They need to clean house asap starting with Garth, he is not a real NHL GM, send him to Bridgeport and let him learn about more than being a backup goaltende.
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hows that Chara Spezza for Alexie Yashin trade looking now? Nice try Mikey Milbury..trying to cover your tail on National TV last night for that blasphemy…”we only drafted him based on tape blah blah blah so we didn’t know better”…well put Chara aside, SPEZZA too!! I mean Ottawa had to have been like..”well folks, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”…
better yet was the nhl pre draft interview in 96 with Chara when Milbury said he asked him if he was tough?…Chara responds “better not to screw around with me”
I WILL TAKE ANYONE and add them to this roster that can say those 7 words and mean it
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That was actually scary….they drafted Chara by watching tape. They could not go and watch him play…..how sad.
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Cdu says:
We need an NHL coach. Some one with Experience to lead and most importantly motivate them. I see no energy on the ice. Seems like the team operates in slow motion and is always out numbered. This team is worse than previous years. Rebuild project – Big Fail.
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MarioGazz says:
Guys, I have seen every home game the Tigers have played and I am being truthful here. NO ONE in Bridgeport, d-men, has the size to play in the NHL at this time. The 3 young d-men are awesome skaters, passers, shooters, and puck handlers, but THAT is all. They bring no physical game whatsoever! The only person with size is Wishart and he is soft!! We have to make a trade, no other way around it.
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shlo says:
On paper Rolston was a good move,in reality its a different story,He is better than Hunter and we needed to get to the cap floor.I am really puzzled how bad we are. As most fans -the gut feeling to resign Kenopka was the right move and Snow did not.
I do not see how Reasoner is an improvement.
Tavares, Hamonic Streit Montoya Amac and Martin are the only decent players. -
If we had Neil Smith and Nolan, our landscape would be much different now. patience is one thing…downright stubborness is quite another. We keep on doing the same things that have resulted in failure. The 4 teams that finished below us in the standings last year had no problem adding solid talent to help their young core. Why do we go to the graveyard to get our leadership? We could have had such solid management, but when our owner insists on shooing away the likes of Lafontaine and numerous other hockey gems, well…this is what we get! I love my team and will stick by them always. I am just tired of always defending bone-headed decisions made by this organization. I feel Mr. Wang does care about this team, but his judgment on who to trust regarding his hockey decisions are atrocious!
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Well said Erika…Head to Nail!!
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Hockey mom says:
And to think that I skipped Dancing with the Stars for this sad game. Anybody know how Hope and Maks did? Now that would make a nice D pairing. If they get the boot this week, let’s give them a call!
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kevO says:
This is what happens when you sign scrubs as your veteran leadership.
eaton = scrub
mottau = scrub
jurcina = scrub
staios = scrub
rolston = scrub
pandolfo = scrubThese guys are awful. Top 5 pick here we come AGAIN! Good job Snow & Wang! Go ahead blame the coliseum being the reason why we suck
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Hock says:
These veterans have experience and can help in the locker room, yada, yada, but they have already played their best hockey. What we are lacking is a veteran who can still produce and lead by example ON THE ICE!!!
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fass16 says:
Jurcina is no scrub. He’s a bottom 6-7 pairing defenseman who can contribute with a canon of a shot. The others I agree. They can probably waive all of them with the exception of Rolston because he helps makes the cap. Bring in the young guys and get this team playing like a team again! That’s the real missing component- guys who played for each other out there.
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Wondering if Snowflake regrets letting go of Martinek. at least he could skate! great job snowflake.
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AdRoc says:
Islanders need a defensive upgrade – if they are at all serious about contending this year, they need to make a trade for someone legit that isnt too old. Wouldn’t mind parting with a younger forward (not Okposo, Tavares Grabner or Moulson) and a mid level draft pick for a solid guy with 1-2 years left on his deal after this season. Someone out there must be getting overpaid on a team going nowhere?
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Islanders have to offer deals for top forward and top Dman. Any one can go except JT Grabner hamonic Martin Amac Streit Nielsen
Dead weight(no value in trade) pandolfo reasoner rolston
KEY chips in play (you have to give to get)Moulson, Okposo, Comeau, PA, bailey, Dehaan, Nelson, dibo, Nabokov
First trade made because nash is under contract and cant leave in july.Proposal for top winger (Nash)(Parise less value Bc impending FA)– Okposo, bailey, Nelson nabakov & a 3th rounder
Top Dman suter or weber must sign before coming to NY. Nashville can’t keep both.
Moulson, Dehaan/dibo, PA/Comeau 1st or second round pickProjected lines
Martin net front presence-JT-Nash/Parise(natural side)
Grabner-Nielsen-nino
dibo-cizikas-Comeau/PA (whoever is left)
Rolston(cant be moved)-Reasoner-HaleyNext year strome steps into 2nd line nielsen goes 3rd cizikas goes 4th as reasoner rolstons contracts expire.
And competition for button 2 lines forms within organization -
The big issue is this team isn’t playing with a chip on it’s shoulder like the end of last year. I didn’t think losing Konopka (on the ice anyway) would be a big deal, but he defended this team with his mouth and his physical play on the ice. They have not replaced that. When our d-men get the pound along the boards, they get pounded by opposing forecheckers. When opponents get the puck they get stick checked, this is HUGE as the other team is so relaxed when they get the puck they make better percentage plays.
We need someone to publicly tell these guys they suck and they’re bottom feeders. Let’s see if they react, apparently that’s what they need. We also need the coach to make some changes now and these include:
1- do NOT sit a hot goalie (best on the team) for two weeks after going 3-1! You said you ride the hot guy, do it.
2- the camp invitee experiment is over. Lose Pandolfo and bring up Haley- some grit and attitude this team clearly lacks. Even Gillies fires these guys up but doesn’t have any hockey skills.
3- If this is the best Eaton and Mottau have, waive them and start your rotation of young guys gunning for the job. At least they’ll give 100% every night.
4- Bench guys who don’t want to play!! To many gliders out there last night and no skates moving except for JT line (which looks good with grabs), PA (every night he shows up even if he does some stupid stuff).
I know Cappy’s hands are tied somewhat by contracts and political BS but something has to be done fast or this eason is OVER! These guys need motivation again, because after all these contracts got signed they’re all playing lifelessly!
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terry b says:
until the owner is willing to spend some cash on some top nhl talent this is what we are in for,this team is hard to stomach as it is,jt and martin are the only bright spots
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fFedUp says:
Hey Fans, do you not see this year in year out? If not your fool along with Charles Wang and Garth Snow.
As a matter of fact this is exactly how the Islanders been playing ever since Wang made Snow a GM. The proof is in the results every year.
And i will say this again and you can take it for what it is worth in dream long island land. Charles Wang has made a HouseHold name as the Islanders into a complete who cares about hockey club. When i was young boy here on long island the Islanders were IT! A household name and a Winner all the way around. They were on billboards, and back page of the newspapers sport section, they were respected on long island and all over the world. Now the people of long island except for maybe a few dont even care weather they stay or go and thats how the tax payers voiced their views.
Blame it all on Charles Wang for he is the one to make these results.
The Islanders play in the most Lucrative market in all 50 states of America and he can not produce a Winner.
Years ago Hockey and the Islanders were HouseHold Names and NOW you can put Baseball, football,BasketBall and soccer all ahead of thi club.
Thank you Charles Wang for you and only you are the person who can change it.
You can mark my words that if the Islanders do not change and start winning Somthing you can Wave goodbye because Tax payers dont care about them. Such a shame for local entertainment that was a Winner years before Wang purchased them. Yeah I know he saved this club right. LoL! Well he’s drowning them now. The Results are there year in year out and now nobody care but few and thats the outcome Wang has produced. -
one more thing Capuano is not to blame your only as good as the team in front of you. When you have a GM who really is not a GM (back up goalie) and a owner that dictates everything to him these are your results
Snow should be fired and a real GM hired.
That will never happen because Snow is just the Voice for Wang!This has been going on for to long and the Teams results are only the actions of the Owner, Charles Wang! -
We still have a nice core of young players, but we undoubtedly need a big horse on D. I would love to see someone in the mold of Dustin Penner to add size and skill to the top 6 forwards. I am still pissed they didn’t do whatever it took to sign Bfuglein 2 summers ago. Him and Streit on the pp would be sick.
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Right on gdmike, I was begging for them to sign big buff. He was and still is exactly what we need! I feel if Atlanta/Jets can sign him, why couldn’t we? he is tough and crashes the net every chance he gets.
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Bean322 says:
Someone fill in the blanks:
We ____! We ____! We ____!-and stop calling me to buy tickets….this franchise has been turned into a pathetic joke!
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Michael from Toronto says:
It says it all when the only games the Isles have won so far this year are when P.A. Parenteau has recorded two points or more (4-0 when that happens).
This defence desperately needs some young blood. Also, hopefully Nino will bring something that can help. In the end, this team has a lot of work to do. Snow does definitely need to make a move.
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Charles Wang and his insinstance on playing friends (dipietro) hiring friends (snow), keeping friends too long (milbury), and hiring only the lowest paid coaches, lowest paid GM’s, and lowest paid players in the NHL are the reasons I voted the lighthouse down. I didn’t want to watch another 20 years of this BS. I want the islanders back.
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The Haley Hammer says:
The New York Islanders “Where washed up players are welcomed with open arms to end their careers.”
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Bob Bassen says:
-Snow is Wang’s *Boy King*.
-Wang stole his money from Computer Associates shareholders and employees.
And thanks to those 2 pathetic creatures, I became a hockey fan FIRST and an Islander fan SECOND!
Psyched to watch the Oilers tonight! -
And two weeks after “The Fumble,” the infamous game on Nov. 19, 1978 – the lowest moment in Giants Stadium history – fans burned tickets in a makeshift toilet bowl in the parking lot before a game against the Rams. The next week, a plane flew over the stadium during a game against the Cardinals with a banner, “15 Yrs. Of Lousy Football. We’ve Had Enough.”
Do you think we’ve reached this point? I do.
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I say we do it! sign me up!
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Seb says:
Why doesn’t Snow have to answer to the fans??? Im sick of this!!! Who’s gonna show some countability…haven’t u all had enough of this torture? Watching this team literally ruins my mood its amazing No one in media cares so Wang and Snow are getting away with failure.
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JP in NJ says:
I said it before: Matt Martin can be like Dustin Byfuglien was for the Blackhawks a couple years ago. He shouldn’t be getting into stupid fights that take him out of the game for five minute.
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you my friend are crazy to think martin will be anything near the player buff is. Buff is probably the biggest guy with the sweetest hands in the league. No offense but Martin is a fourth/ third line player tops, who will only score dirty goals throughout his career
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Danfromouteast says:
This team sucks. I look at my 1972 year book before even al arbor was coach and think this team was so prideful and full if heart and in a few years tradition as well. Now it’s all gone. Amazing what an unintelligent hockey owner can do to a once great team. Sadly want even stripped away any hope the fans had. Wang should be ashamed for what he did and snow for being his puppet. At least Neil smith saw it coming and said later. Wang you can’t keep selling something that doesn’t work. What makes you any different than spano.
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Danfromouteast says:
It is so depressing to watch all the bad teams improving and the islanders getting worse. I knew want might be slightly learning impaired (to put it lightly) when they got rid if laviolette.
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Danfromouteast says:
With no trades in sight maybe I can dream
moulson- tavares-grabner
Martin-nielsen-parenteau
Ullstrom/colliton-dibenendetto-nino
Gallant/gillies-cizikas-haleStreit- hamonic
dehaan- Macdonald
Olson/jurcina- donovan
Montoya-? -
Sean says:
It’s not happening this year no playoffs, they are not there yet. Eaton, Motteu, Pandalfo, reasoner are just a waste of space. Bailey looks like he is lost, Kyle is way off from what he use to be. They talk about commitment, so far its to losing. The other problem we have is we can only get has beens and c rated free agents to sign or to tryout contract.We are last on the list for a top free agent to come and play for us. I also feel Nabokov will be out of here soon also and that even if we do trade for a top d man or forward they do a kirk Muller on us. You guys remember that. I am not trying to be doom and gloom but you have to look at the facts and plus what’s gonna happen with our arena situation. I have stuck with this team forever and just want to win a cup and be respected franchise again like every one else. Run it like the red wings do.
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Danfromouteast says:
With Olson and gillies in you have size toughness and haley and cizikas more toughness and grit. They are all young dehan and donovan. Dibenedetto and nino ullstrom they are all young and hungry not old and lethargic an d know its over
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RICH L says:
Hey Kevin,Thanks for deleting my post here, did Wang, or Snow order you to get rid of it? There are many more post’s denigrating the Owner, GM, Coach, and players but I surmise you deepsixed my post because I dared to question Tavares’s intelligence in signing a long term contract with this team, so for being honest my post was deleted,tsk, tsk, it’s no way to run a sports blog.
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Kevin Schultz says:
Your post was deleted because unlike the others, you used a racial epithet when describing the owner. It doesn’t matter how upset you are with the team, those kind of words do not belong on a sports blog no matter who they are directed at, whether it’s me, the owner or another commenter. And yes, I think that is the way to run a sports blog.
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Danfromouteast says:
Agreed
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50 in 50 says:
Move Baily, K.O and Nielsen. They aren’t producing, haven’t produced and will not produce in this organization. Enough of the Hype, lets all look at reality. Over rated, under talented players. I can count on 1 hand the amount of body checks each has thrown this season. I can also count on 1 hand the amount of times they actually hit the net when taking a shot. That will wake the team up and make room for Hales and Nino to come up from the Bridge.
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Danfromouteast says:
This all stinks of poop!
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Isle Insider says:
Charles Wang has Disrespected us Islander Fans for to Long Now!
extremely High ticket prices, costley conssesions at the coliseum and parking prices through the moon, for WHAT!A cap floor team, with know quality FA’s and a GM who was a Back up goalie who has pulled off NO Quality Trades.
Heck, I can not even afford to buy Beer anymore to numb myself to watch this Hockey club play!
He has made the Ilsanders a NoN Event on Long Island! And continues to seek Fans Help for his dream building and in the meantime he keeps Disrespecting Islander Fans. Who does he think he is Kidding! Nobody but himself! -
plain and simple, the islanders had a lousy off-season and we’re seeing the results.
the off-season, of course, is entirely in the hands of management. -
Kevin please explain what this means:
KatieStrangESPN: #Isles Asked Capuano why Montoya went long stretch without playing: “To give you a concrete answer is tough for me to do.”I read it as Cappy is being forced to play DP
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Kevin Schultz says:
I want to say that’s what it is but he gives so many non-answers it’s hard to tell. I have no problem with each tender getting their reps through the first month, but Nabby’s start on Monday reeked of a higher power. Will be interesting to see how this goes forward.
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Danfromouteast says:
Poop I say.
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hermanhysteria says:
Look
This Team is ‘system starved’.
It’s a joke hearing Milbury(he is the biggest joke) talk about the Islanders system
The D has issues but the F can’t play the game the way it’s played today.
Mottau/Jurcina/Eaton-whatever and whoever is back there when your goalies S*** you have ZERO Chance/. -
Hey Kevin, In my disgust with the team, as I have been a Islander fan for 39 years, I probably got a bit carried away, but because it is condoned by another thread on Topix, so I will not make that mistake again.
Enough of the old guy experiment.