Win now.
That’s Ted Nolan’s philosophy, and after nine seasons out of the NHL, it’s easy to understand why. The most important thing for Nolan to do as part of his coaching comeback with the Islanders was to reestablish his credibility as a coach and the team’s credibility as an organization where players can be successful.
If he was going to gain control of the locker room and implement the gritty style that has been successful wherever he’s been, Nolan and general manager Garth Snow, as well as former GM Neil Smith, knew it would be necessary to create a strong veteran presence to support captain Alexei Yashin and take as much pressure as possible off goaltender Rick DiPietro.
Now is not the time for Nolan to also try to develop the organization’s top young prospects at the NHL level.
Jeff Tambellini had such a terrific training camp that it forced Nolan to reward him with a start in the Islanders’ first game. But his plan all along has been to let the best prospects develop together and get all the playing time they need in the minors the way the old Montreal dynasty did.
Not that the Islanders are another dynasty in the making. In fact, that’s part of the point. They don’t have young players the caliber of Pittsburgh stars Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who can step in and take command no questions asked. In Nolan’s view, players like Tambellini, Robert Nilsson and Chris Campoli, all of whom spent significant time with the Islanders last season, are better off spending the time together in Bridgeport along with such prospects as Blake Comeau, Jeremy Colliton and, eventually, Ryan O’Marra. Sean Bergenheim, of course, will get the competition he needs in the Swedish Elite League.
If there’s one thing Nolan understands, it’s that turnover is a constant in professional sports, and the opportunity to win is fleeting. There’s plenty of time to give the prospects some NHL experience later this season if it all falls apart for the Islanders. But right now, it appears this veteran group can compete for the Atlantic Division title. So, you do that and hope the prospects make the most of their time in Bridgeport.
If it turns out that some of them can’t handle the situation, then maybe Nolan and Snow will have learned something about who has the mental toughness and desire to give the Islanders what they are looking for in the future.
Comments (42)
Great topic. This was on my mind and was a perfect side story to momentum that has been building lately. The one thing that is a bummer is that Nokie had the one year before he got hurt where he was always mentioned in that list of top prospects. I hope he can find it again, he seemed like a very gritty player when he was up with the Isles. Glad to see you mention Bergy :-)
Greg got a question for you and would be grateful if you could possibly answer it in your next post. Now that Yash could be out for 12 games is it worth trying to trade for a goal scorer that can assist the team and replace Alexei's production. I realize that 12 games in the grand scheme of things is not that many. However, Yash adds alot to the offense; and the isles currently have a chance to take and maintain a lead in the Atlantic.
greg, how can you say dipietro played a great game vs the pens on tuesday night? he was out of position on the final 2 penguins goals. if he is in position, the isles win 2-1.
I think Ted, by sticking with so many vets, is making sure he doesn't end up on the unemployment line like Sterling did. We could still be near the top and still mixing in our good young ones. We got rid of Sopel & the other pylons so give us some speed and youth. Building like the Habs did in the minors is not a sure thing in 2006
I really believe that Robert Nilsson could help this team. This guy is pure skill and given the chance could flourish in this league. The one thing that does bug me is the player taken a few slots after him is having a very nice season in Jersey (Zach Parise - 18 points).
I can't argue with the result as the Isles are playing solid hockey. It's amazing how many games you win when the goaltending is good, but I really would like to see some young players with the big club.
Bruzzer, Stirling was fired because he was in over his head as an NHL coach. His problem was that the team didn't believe in him, not that he gave young players too much playing time. If the young players would be called up to take the spot of the 4th line grinders, they're better off getting a lot of minutes in the minors. Besides, you can't argue with results, and the team is doing well this year, so for now, I trust the plan.
Hey Nobody; In addition to being well named, I've got Santa holding on the line for you. Wake up for heavens sake, that's not a plan ted has; it's job security.
Stop complaining miggsey. I think Coach Nolan is doing a great job in assessing this team.
edgar - one goal was a deflection off a skate. How is that his fault? It's a fluke.
Another goal was a rebound that he lost sight of. It happens.
Jeez, what does the guy have to do, shutouts every damn game? Nobody does that.
By the by, take a look at Luongo's numbers this year. Not much better than DP. Same for Ryan Miller.
Great post, Logan! Hopefully this will help silence the self-proclaimed Jack Adams candidates here who are kind enough to tell us what Nolan should do with the lineup. Bottom line, you don't screw with the chemistry on a winning team because some Internet arseclowns are afraid the young players' feelings will get hurt.
BTW Ed, last I looked (a couple of days ago) Ricky had slightly better SV% and GAA than Miller. Other than the disastrous first three games, his numbers have been up there with the league's elite. If he keeps it up, and everyone else maintains their commitment to solid team defense, the Isles will be a shoe-in for the playoffs.
Darth:
Getting to the playoffs is like being the youngest guy in the grave yard. It doesn't mean much if we haven't built a team for the long term.
Ed,
The Isles have had problems with rebounds the last few games. DP has given up rebounds, lost sight of the puck, and then let in bad goals or given up nail-biting chances. That's not to say it's his fault. The defense needs to call out to him so he can get in better position. This is something the defense really needs to work on, and will help us deal with the Yashin injury.
Sorry, but "playing the kids" and "building a team for the long term" are not synonymous. The best place to build a solid base of young players is in the MINORS, not by giving those who obviously aren't ready for NHL action a feel-good callup and then icing them for 6 minutes a game.
Bruno Gervais,
Elite goalies shine when the game is on the line. That third go was simply awful.
PS Your playing great.Keep it up!
I mostly agree with what Logan writes. The one exception is Campoli. He was, in my opinion, the Isles' best defenseman last season, and can no longer be classified as a prospect. In essence, he and Gervais have simply switched roles this season, with Gervais being the hot young D-man making an impression in the NHL, and Campoli being "not quite ready."
ed, on the pens winning goal, DP left the post too early to defend against the cross ice pass and it bounced off his skate and in. a fluke goal? yes but if DP were in proper position with his skate against the post then it's still a 2-2 game. proper hockey positioning has his left skate against the post until the pass is made. on the 2nd pens goal, he was NOWHERE near the net. i'm not asking for a shutout every night, just sound positional play by everyone - goalie, D and O. i don't think that's too much to ask for for the next 15 years, eh?.
6-2-1 in the last nine!
I understand there is a lot of pain and the wounds are deep. But, the defense has been excellent and the goaltending just as good.
Ladies and gentlemen sit back and enjoy this team while it lasts! We haven't seen this kind of effort day in and day out from this team in years!
Edgar, you never talk about DiPietro's glove. Why is that? He has made just as many great saves as mistakes and it can be frustrating. But I don't think we are 6-2-1 without him in there.
I don't like the way he reacts after being hit or bumped into. i think he acts to much and I think that will go away eventually. But his glove is very, very good!!!!
isles are playing great
i hate how wang didnt let bergenheim play this season just beecause he mised the first day of training camp
the isles should bench bates and play nillson they need that thunder
RICKY KEEP ON ROCKIN THE POST MAMMI
Blaming DP for the 2nd goal is insane. Crosby made such a ridiculous effort to knock that out of the air and into the slot that no goalie would have saved it. The 3rd goal hurts, but it happens. I think people should stop complaining about DP and wonder how the Isles will score 3 a night without Yashin. And Andy Hilbert played great, seems to be coming out of the shell of late.
We need some passion in Isles games--fights!!!!!!!
Darth: Is Ted a moaner or a screamer?
JJ is right. Simply stated and right-on. The borderline players on this team play with so little passion and that passion's been missing from this organization since the return of the lockout. Sure they've surprised me with the record they have this year, but I'm not optimistic. Someone else said it in another posting that it's the guys like Scatchard, Cairns, Wiemer, even Webb back in the day and Colley with their big hits. Those are the bruiser players who played with 100% heart and the fans loved them. Heart is just as important as talent. The Isles have a handful of talented players, but the borderline guys with lesser talent on this team don't play with heart and true grit is what will hurt them and has hurt them. That's what cost them last season and it's what's going to cost them again this season. I'm a season ticket holder and watch all of their away games even if I have to tape them, but even I have to say they are a boring product to watch.
Miggsey, is Campoli a moaner or a screamer? How about Davey, your alter-ego?
As for Ted, I imagine he'd be more of a cryer if he read the insanity posted here by degenerates such as yourself.
hey huge if your not as talented as everyone else then you have to play a style the may be construed as "boring to watch" But i'll take the early season hustle and boring play as long as it develops into W's
Huge, last year's team had 2000 fights but missed the playoffs but was never even a serious threat to make the playoffs, let alone do some damage. Heart counts, but a team full of Webbs isn't going to win anything.
Miggsey and huge_fan_but_not-optomistic are right on with their thoughts. The brief bit of success we're having should be looked upon as momentary lapse of reason. It can't sustain with some of the so so playere we've kept.
Anonoymous should really learn to understand the game of hockey before he or she (???) commnets. Sitting up at 2:51 AM to write this blog reeks of a toilet paper fest gone bad.
I don't think the Isles are lacking in heart. Blake is one of the most passionate players around, and Trent Hunter is playing with a renewed spirit. Nolan has already said as much. Bottom line: I'd put the energy that 3rd and 4th line guys like Hilbert, Park, Bates, and Asham provide, up against any 3rd and 4th line in the league.
Not to mention the fact that Bates will always have a soft spot in Isles fan's hearts for scoring one of the biggest goals in franchise history (almost up there with David Volek).
Okay. I'm a New Yorker born and raised, so I'm accustomed to the instant-gratification disease that often infects us. But...
GIVE ME A BREAK! There's a fine line between criticism and just plain negative, pessimistic opinion. There's a lot of the latter on this blog and I can't understand why. I'm at work (or making believe to work) so I can't go crazy on this but there is nothing but signs pointing towards good times ahead. We are moving steadily and solidly in the right direction in all aspects. Could we improve? Of course, but the overall negative tone from a lot of you guys is unfounded drivel. We're going places boys and girls so enjoy it! This isn't the circus of the mid/late 90s anymore.
Danny from TN...you should know better than anyone that the wounds are deep in Islander country. Hell two of our most recent owners are in jail for goodness sakes.
Yes, I agree with you, sit back relax and enjoy a good start to a season. We are headed in the right direction and we have some good youth in the organization. It could be a lot worse! We could all be Ranger fans, yikes!
Miggsey, if you think anyone stays up until the wee hours to argue with brain-dead Internet trolls, you're almost as deluded about your own importance as you are about your knowledge of hockey (or lack thereof).
FIGHT!!!!!!
Darth pulls Miggsey's sweater over his head and starts with a round house right hand!!!
The crowd errupts!
dipietro sucks
POTVIN SUCKS
Great. The rags dorks have discovered our blog. Hey Greg how about a bit of censorship please? I don't wanna look at this.
Hey Ziggy, I'm with you man. The 90s were god awful. But I'm hopeful now.
Ziggy, judging by Miggsey's posts, he's had the "sweater over his head" for a long time! The lack of oxygen has resulted in an apparent brain-dead condition.
Darth and Ziggy is ONE hillarious person....NOT
Get back to flipping burgers or serving your slushies because your hockey knowledge on how to build a real time blows. Thank the heavens above the majority of real Islander fans want a long term fix. Back to MSG you Ranger trolls
The penultimate troll is accusing me of trolling? HAHA. Make sure you tell Nolan that his method of building a real "time" blows so he can laugh and send you back under your bridge, where you'll return to your catatonic state mumbling "play the kids!!!" and pounding your head on the keyboard.
You should go apply for a job with the Phoenix Coyotes, I'm sure the Great One would love to have you on board with that ingenious development plan of discarding solid veteran presence in favor of minor-league players. Since you were likely born around the time the Islanders last won a playoff round, I'll give you a pass on knowing not what you speak.
Miggs, your insults and the attempt to associate me with the dark side in Manhatten ring on deaf ears.
You should understand that I too want long term success. Coming off of an eternity of bad years I am simply enjoying the first 20+ games of the season. It is not wrong to enjoy sucess in whatever form it comes in just as long as you realize it wont last forever.
Miggs with your penchant to do nothing on here but complain suggests you would be perfect to build a long term hockey team on the Island. You claim to have great knowledge and based on your experience in building a dynasty I am positive you would be a great success!
MIGGS FOR GM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Darth: Even a broken clock is right twice a day so I must give you your dues. Yes, of course a few of the vets have played well but too many of them are just drawing their last NHL cheques. There's likely some common ground where even you'll agree they're just not cutting it. Let's start mixing in our good youth now with the good vets. Talk again at game 40
Great blog guys, but I'll tell you the real problem is that mike milbury is still riding coat tails, is he ever going to be rid of. Guys of the past are dying at a chance to grab the reigns, guys who have proven heart goes a long way but they are only given P.R. jobs???? Billy Smith was turned away after one of Rickys best seasons and is replaced by a no name (sudsy) great he can teach all the goalies to ride a bike and be in peak fitness but what about game situations some one who has been there had some of the best angles and game sense EVER! One thing I do know is that Sudsy will never be stopped at the airport metal detector with 4 STANLEY CUP rings in his pocket. Bring back some of the old fire and give them a chance guys who know what it takes to win and played for one of the greatest coaches ever and no it is not terry simpson!