Everyone says Jason Blake is a pain in the you know what. Sometimes, even his teammates might agree with that assessment. Hey, he didn’t do me any favors the other day when he refused to discuss his contract situation. Just laughed and pretended not to know what I was talking about.
No doubt, Blake is on the hottest roll of his career with 20 goals through 34 games, which is just eight goals short of his best full season. Presumably, talking about it might upset the hockey gods who control these things, and what’s the point of jinxing himself?
Coach Ted Nolan has another theory. He suggested Blake’s competitive zeal has rubbed off on Alexei Yashin, whose playmaking ability, in turn, has shoveled coal into the fire in Blake’s belly, fueling his desire to score. The symbiotic reaction generated by Nolan’s decision to pair them on the top line clearly has been one of the major reasons for the Islanders’ transformation into a legitimate playoff contender.
And to think Blake complained the first week of training camp in Nova Scotia that he left his hands in Minnesota. But right from the first workout, no one skated harder or faster than Blake. It only was a matter of time until his hands caught up and his scoring took off. He set the prime example of the work rate and grit Nolan wanted from his team, and the Islanders’ new coach rewarded him with a key role on the first power-play unit, as well as the Yashin pairing.
All the goals Blake has scored this season would make a nice highlight reel, but some of his finest moments had little to do with scoring. The bright spot of the Isles’ dismal 6-3 loss in the opener at Phoenix came when Blake was flattened twice by Coyotes defenseman Nick Boynton, and twice, he picked himself up and reclaimed his turf in front of the crease. The way Blake persists in annoying opponents is obvious to the point of being almost comical at times.
When the Islanders’ season-worst losing streak reached three games against the Kings in Los Angeles, it was Blake who turned inward and spouted about the Isles’ need to stop taking so many stupid penalties and start playing smart hockey. Blake might be loathe to explain his success or discuss his contract, but when things go wrong, he never shies away from holding himself and others in the locker room accountable.
There may be limits to how much the Islanders can afford to pay a 33-year-old forward, but he’s certainly shown no signs of slowing down, which management recognized recently in making a couple of trades to clear more than $5 million in salary cap space for future moves. In fact, it almost seems as if Blake is just getting started. He might be a pest, but Nolan and general manager Garth Snow want to make sure Blake remains their pest.
Comments (8)
Blake has clearly been the Isles best player for the past 3 seasons. I've loved his energy and desire and I certainly agree with Nolan's assessment of Blake's affect on Yashin. But Snow must be shrewed and foresighted in his negotiation of Blake's contract. Give him a good contract, but make it a short one - 2 years at most. If he continues to produce in spite of advancing age give him another short one when it expires. With the Yashin and Dipietro contracts, the last thing this team needs is the potential for a long-term ball and chain strapped to an aging vet who's not producing.
Blake rules. I've been saying for 3 years that we need to clone him and have 5 Jason Blake's on the ice at all times.
Way to go Blakey! I have to laugh at all the fans who were saying we should trade him because he is "selfish". Real smart guys.
A good barometer of blake's eventual value will be how well he contains himself when he hits his first extended dry spell. It's clear from the comments of teammates and analysts that he can be somewhat difficult to get along with. So once his stick cools a bit, will he revert back to a more unselfish style? His goal last night was a beautiful shot and very reflective of his current hot hand. But in the first 2 periods he took quite a high number of low percentage shots when yashin was open for a pass. He'll be that much better if he understands when to ride his hot hand and when that hand has cooled off.
I remember when the Isles first traded for him and everyone was ripping Milbury for getting the "wrong Blake" (meaning Rob)....
Boycott WFAN until they get that piece of feces off the air; he makes Russo's anger-management problem look mild. The NEW YORK ISLANDERS deserve respect, Schmoozer.
yes. you're correct. boycott the FAN. i ripped up my PC Richard card and sent it to them and said i won't but their products until Steve Sommers is fired.
Come on. Don't let Sommers get under your skin too much. He's a great listen - especially after a Mets win! I can't love him because of the Mets and hate him because of the Isles. At least he'll talk about hockey. ESPN employees aren't allowed to mention the NHL without making a snide remark immediately after (someone has to get that memo and expose them!) The ESPN website has NHL listed not only below NFL, MLB and NBA, but NASCAR, and AUTOS.