If I had $100,000 (my asking price) for every time I’ve questioned a player about hearing his name in trade rumors and was told they can’t worry over things they can’t control because “it’s a business,” I could retire right now. Ask Randy Robitaille how easy it is to uproot your family at midseason and send them home to live in Ottawa while you take up residence in a hotel for four months and try to find a niche on a new team while wondering about your future.
The point is that when a player finally reaches a time in his career where he is set to become an unrestricted free agent after working his way up from third-line penalty killer to top-line All-Star, as Jason Blake has done, he has an obligation to himself and his family to get the best possible deal for all the years of hard work and sacrifice. Just as players understand it’s part of the business when they get traded, management has to understand a player’s right to look after his own interests.
In Sunday’s Newsday, Blake said he plans to test the free-agent waters if the Islanders don’t sign him to a long-term contract by the Feb. 27 trade deadline. No doubt, some will criticize Blake for his timing with the Islanders in a playoff push or call him selfish. But look at it from his perspective. He’s given the franchise six seasons of hustle and hard work and has become a consistent 25-goal scorer over the past four seasons.
This is his time to get the best contract of his career, and time is running short with only two weeks left before the trade deadline. When negotiations didn’t heat up as quickly as he was hoping, maybe he worried the Islanders would trade him because of his contract situation. Maybe he needed answers, a sign of commitment, before allowing negotiations to drag beyond the end of the season. Maybe he’s just trying to protect his business interests.
Was general manager Garth Snow upset by Blake’s comments? Yes. Snow has different business interests. His job is to make the value judgment on Blake’s worth to the franchise and then to make the best possible deal from the team’s standpoint. It’s the eternal conflict between labor and management but on a multimillion-dollar scale, which makes it really serious business.
Many fans naturally want to simplify it, to put a white hat on one side and a black hat on the other side. It’s not simple. It’s complex, and Blake and Snow each have a lot of factors to take into consideration. There are no bad guys here, just two people who want the Islanders to win but who have to make a business decision that will determine how the team moves forward.
The good news is that I’m certain both sides will negotiate in good faith on Blake’s asking price of five years for somewhere in the vicinity of $18 million. If you look at the financial aspect and where Blake should fit on the Islanders’ payroll, they’re in the same ballpark.
The question for Snow is the length of a contract. How many years can he risk on a player who turns 34 in September but obviously keeps himself in top shape, has speed the Islanders need and competes as well as anyone on the team? The question for Blake is how much he’s willing to bend to fit within the structure Snow and coach Ted Nolan are trying to build to contend for the Stanley Cup. Does he believe this franchise is on the right path after several years of mismanagement?
They have a lot to think about and not much time to come up with an answer.
Comments (46)
It's always interesting when a player sends subtle and in this case not so subtle reminders about their contract through the media. While I agree with you Greg that the player has an obligation to get the best possible deal, I don't like the fact that Blake voiced his opinion in such a public forum. All it does is elicit a stern comment from Snow and Isles management and create some mixed feelings among fans. Blake is an interesting player in that I believe fans are very divided on him. I have friends that love Blake and want to see him stay with the team, while my other friends, myself included, feel that he is not worth the contract he's looking for and he should be moved. Now granted he is having a fantastic season this year, but he's never scored better than 57 points in his career and to give him a 5 year deal worth somewhere between 3.5 or 4 million a year is too much. He was one of the few good moves made by this organization in getting him for a conditional 5th round pick. My vote is for the Islanders to try and move him. What do you think?
Hey, Love Jason Blake and what he has brought to the Isles. I remember when Mike stole him from LA but I wouldn't sign him for anymore then 2-3 years. He has to understand that. If he insists on more years or having the deal done before the trade deadline (thus using up most of our cap space and our chances to upgrade our team...SELFISH!!) then we need to trade Blake. Send him to Pitt and let him play with Crosby, Pitt would in turn have to give us huge center Staal, who has only 4 fewer goals then Blake and is an amazing PK guy and a true number one center which we lack. Getting him would enable us to part ties with Yashin and save even more money. If not Staal get me a Jack Johnson, Shea Weber, or Erik Johnson a true elite franchise d-man that we don't have and don't have in our system. Not too mention all three of those guys will beat the crap out of just about anyone. Look, it is no gaurantee we even make the playoffs this year and if we do the playoffs are about grit which we have and special teams which we don't have. Blake takes up all our money we won't. You wanna fix that PP get yourself better d-men to run it. I love Hill but when Hill is running your PP you got serious issues. Other guys I would like to see us pursue are Towes, Getzlaf, Greene from EDM, Mike Komisarik, Kopitar etc. Guys who we should trade now are, Martinek, Robatille, Bates, Hill, and anyone else on a one year deal. Park is expendable. Prospects who are untouchable: Bergenheim, O'Marra, Oksopo, Comeu, Nok, Nilsson, Collotton, Tambelleni etc. Prospects you can trade to make a deal would obviously be just about anyone else but especially these guys, Kohn, Tunik, Volkov, and most of those other Russians. Time to get real, we have a ton of very gifted, hard working Nolan type forwards already in our system and close to playing. We don't need to give them up for rental players. Let the young guys take over next year and complement them with some vets like Hunter. Blake your holding a gun to our head and not being reasonable. You told us if you get to free agency your gone so you brought this on yourself but not understanding Snow is trying to add to the team now and take care of you this summer.
George, I agree with you that I would trade Blake, but there is no way we're getting Jordan Staal, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Shea Weber or any of the rest of those young players that you mentioned in your post. They are basically untouchable in their respective organizations and I can't fault them, they are young, a low cap hit, and have tremendous upside. For Blake, I'd take a 1st rounder and an established veteran player or two. But I'm not sure what his value is to the league.
As a fan, I do not care how the team spends its money or to whom they spend it on, as it is not my money and I want the best possible team on the ice. Having said this in a salary cap world, a team needs to slot players into salary categories more than anything else and a poor signing can affect its ability to become a contender more than ever. The organization presently has 2 contracts that bind them long term and they should not go looking for a 3rd. To sign a 34 year old that has spent most of his career playing on third lines, to a five year deal worth $18 million, would amount to sheer foolishness, and I do not believe Snow is the foolish sort. Having said this, I am not convinced that Blake not willing to bend on the issue.
Blake's comments come at a most inopportune and selfish time, which makes me believe, he wants out, and is trying to expedite the move by making public comments. In today's age, athletes are coached not only on the game and its tactics but on the media and how to use it as well. Why else would a player come out in such a manner while his team is fighting for their playoff lives, if he did not have ulterior motives, such as being traded?
I get that he is looking for a big payday, and that he believes that he is worth it, but I say, trade him, rather than loose him for nothing, do not sign any 34 year old to 5 years and get what the market will ask, probably a 3rd round pick and a minor league prospect is the best they will get for him.
Oh please... put away the violins and spare me the poor hockey player's sob story. While Robitaille partakes of the minibar in his Mariott hotel room counting his 600G's per year a single mother of 3 struggles to put groceries on the table on $9 an hour. The last thing we need from you, Greg, is a lecture on how "hockey is a business" and "there are no good guys and bad guys" in this situation. Don't think those of us with half a brain already know that? Give me a break. Obviously Blake should negotiate for what he thinks the market should pay him and Snow should weigh those demands against the Islanders resources (money and other players) and needs. If Blake demands more than his perceived worth to the team, let him walk. Otherwise sign him. No hard feelings.
So spare me the soap opera of how difficult it is for the average player to figure out where to invest his upper 7-figure salary. I want real details about Jason Blake so that I can formulate an understanding of his worth to this team. For example, is he disliked by his teammates? Disliked by management? If so, why? He's the team's only all-star, yet he doesn't have the letter C or A on his jersey. Why not? What do players from other teams say about playing against him? Is he healthy? Any chronic injuries?
C'mon Greg. Give us some information. Give us some real reporting.
you know what, as much as i love blake, snow is right. its obvious jason's head has not been in it lately, and his comments are proof as to why. sure he's been the heart and soul of the team but i dont think he's the guy we build the franchise around. besides, he's no spring chicken, and to commit to twice whats he's earning now for another FIVE years might not be the best decision for the club. as much as i'd like him to stay in ny, i'm disappointed he's letting this distract him. the team comes first, and its unprofessional to be crying to the press about it mid-season.
offer Blake 3 years, $10 million. that should satisfy him. if he doesnt accept such an offer, see what other teams would trade for him. a first round pick and an established veteran are a good start
3 worse players to don an islanders uniform:
3. eric fichaud
2. paul kruse
1. craig janney
who are your top 3 worst islanders?
If they can get a top draft pick or even a proven prospect for Blake; do it as fast as you can Garth. If you sign him, a two year deal tops. We've seen enough long term deals to last a life time.
As Greg said,it's a business.
Blake is something of a pre 9/11 Rudy Guilliani. People love his grit and commitment--but the same personality that brings out the best of those traits also brings out the worst in others--such as likeability and impolitic bluntness.
Alas, from a bsuiness standpoint, in a league whose revenue growth is quetionable--a five-year commtiment is way too much.
This is now a league whose salary structure and cap will yield lots of turnover of players similar to Blake in talent. The best teams will be those that piece together these types of players in complementing their mix of less expensive young players and capped superstars (assuming the kids and superstars have real talent and value unlike we have in Yashin)
All I can say is Thank God Blake is not part of the Milbury led Boston/New England Mafia--or else he'd be getting a seven year deal!
I have to agree with most of the posts on this blog. Jason just threw the rope over the pipe with those comments. Ship him back to a western conference team, for a conditional first rounder, subject to change to a second rounder if that team doesn't sign him). Just like Parrish, you get value that way and can compete on the open market for him if you want him back. I doubt we could get more than that even for our leading scorer (HA!) with less than 30 games left on his contract.
I like the list of expendables that George posted with the exception of martinek. I want him as a core defenseman for a long time. I think he's key to becoming a cup contender in the next two years. He just may be the best all around "D" they have.
I also liked Merrick's NE Mafia comment. Mad Mike's consiglieri seems to be "making" guys (DP, Dunham, Poti, Meyer) every day... hopefully he has the cajones to "whack" Mr. Bates. Maybe he'll send him and yashin fishing with Campoli... "Hey Chris... don't forget the canolies"
IT WAS THE WRONG TIME FOR HIM TO BRING THIS UP. RIGHT NOW THE FOCUS SHOULD BE HOCKEY AND PLAYOFFS!!!
Campoli stays - he has looked very dependable since Marty went down. He takes the body the best he can and i like the fact that he tries to inject some offense. "Leave the gun, take the Campolis"
As for Blake- let him go i think with a little work Tambellini can be the next Jason Blake. he has the potential with his work along the boards and his speed.
Although the timing of Blake's comments were a bit odd, coming from a player not known for complaining about such things, I can't blame him. What disturbs me was the comment Snow made about how Blake "should just worry about winning hockey games." Please. If there's one guy on the Isles whose work ethic, desire and commitment to winning you never have to worry about, it's Jason Blake. I see another Parrish situation (going home to play in Minnesota) developing here and that concerns me tremendously. Don't get me wrong. Overall, I approve of Snow's job performance to this point, but why further antagonize a player who is already frustrated? If I didn't know better, I would have thought good ol' Mad Mike (still lurking somewhere in the shadows of Nassau Coliseum) had said this. Blake isn't the kind of player who is going to create distractions in the middle of a playoff race, so he is obviously really bothered by the team's apathy toward his upcoming free agency. Also, although the GM should be focused on improving the team and making deals with the deadline approaching, he should also be mindful of keeping the assets he already has in the bank secure. If not, a very important one might be laughing all the way to a bank in another NHL city this summer.
Blake is the best the isles have--if you trade him, then be big time sellers overall---The isles arent competing for the Cup--so, build for the future.
Thank you Scott.
"What disturbs me was the comment Snow made about how Blake "should just worry about winning hockey games." Please. If there's one guy on the Isles whose work ethic, desire and commitment to winning you never have to worry about, it's Jason Blake."
I could not have said it better. Plus I'll add to Greg's comments by asking what Snow is talking about. Is there a time when you should not be thinking about your family's future? This is a sport where you are one knee injury away from done. I can't blame Blake for worrying about his, and his family's, future. It has been reported everywhere that Snow has not been negotiating with Blake (not the other way around). Maybe Jason was just telling Snow, "crap or get off the pot, but don't keep me in limbo." I can't blame Blake, even if his timing was bad. I blame Snow for forcing Blake's hand.
By the way, I agree with others here, if Blake goes, "fire sale." Move Kozlov, Poti, Hill, Satan (if we can get fair value for his salary), Dunham and Simon. The first 4 could bring back some solid prospects/draft picks.
By the way, even though I understand why Blake made the comment when he did, I cannot side with him on that demand. 5 years is too much. 18 mil is too much. Even $3.6 mil/ year is too high, but not out of the ball park. 3 years is more realistic. He'll get that on the open market. Heck, we gave 38 year old Mike Sillinger 3 years. $3 mil/year is fair. $3.25/year if that will get it done.
If Blake sticks to that demand Logan stated, he has to go, but Snow can't know Blake's bottom line unless he talks to him. Get cracking Snow.
This is why having Garth Snow as your GM is a bad idea.
heeeeeere we gooooooo. who the hell knows whats gonna happen now?! Blake must be frustrated on every level to come out and voice his discomfort. I think Blake deserves at most a 3 yr deal. Maybe $10M. He is a very good player who busts his ass game in and game out. 5 yrs is just too much of a commitment for a 34yr old. Saying that, I think JB is a goner. I just hope Garth doesnt get snow-jobbed on the deal. Someone call Bill Torrey!
Hopefully Blake and the Isles will work out a deal soon. He's made himself a heck of a player as an Isle and should stay an Isle.
A fair deal can and should be worked out and hopefully soon.
Later Jay...... he is noot worth top line money and should be delt. I don't know how anyone posting here can justify his wanting to get $$$$ for his family even. Negotiations happen behind closed doors!!! with the GM NOT IN NEWSDAY! Jay is playing games and I would be surprised if Nolan has not already asked Garth to start looking for a replacement.... Nolan is totally team oriented and Blake's public cry was NOT!
Later Jay
I know that this would've been (and maybe still is) sacrilege in Islanders fan circles, but I always thought that Blake was something of a selfish player. He's always circled around and dipsy-doodled with the puck when he should pass. I think that he's resented and looked down on many of his teammates because he believed (in some cases correctly) that he was working hard when they were taking shifts off.
I don't begrudge him looking for a payday, but I suspected before he made these comments in the press that he might want out of the Island. I'd be more than fine with moving him for a player of commensurate value.
I guess the conversation is harmless, but the LAST thing I want to see is a FIRE SALE. There are two or three players that need to be "voted off the island". After that there are 5 that can eventually be replaced from within the organization, or by free agency, to improve the team. There is also a good core of players here. Move Blake if you can get quality value because Tambellini should replace him in the lineup over the period of his next contract. Yashin can be bought out if he can be replaced through F/A. Hill is on the bubble, love the guy, but 4 mins a game for obstruction penalties may open the door for a guy like Fata (more of an Eric cairns type guy).. that's a tough decision because Hill has been a key player in the Isles TURNOVER this year. Gervais has shown some signs of being a solid defenseman, but not enough to warrant an "UNTOUCHABLE" tag. Sometimes I think they kept him in the lineup in October because he was the only one who could talk to, and read the French media...He's like the token frog with Bouchard out. He makes a good fifth guy right now... Campoli and Marty are the only "untouchables" on D, But they can't make the playoffs without Poti, or an NHL level replacement for him. I definitely don't want to see them starting next year from scratch...
PLEASE DON'T SELL THE FARM!
Excellent observation on Gervais. I couldn't figure out having him ahead of Campoli for the life of me.
What in the wide, wide, world of sports is goin on here?
The Islanders leading scorer and only all-star, a player with the reputation of irritating his teammates, starts throwing an "I want outta here" crying fit just 2 weeks prior to the trade deadline, and all we get out of Logan is violin laced "it's a business" melodrama about how difficult it is for a hockey player to sit by his lonesome in his hotel room and count his $600,000 salary while trying to figure out how to work the mini-bar. Give-me-a-break. Tell that sob story to the single mom trying to put food on the table for her 3 kids on $9.50 an hour. That's what "worrying about your family" really is all about.
Give me some worthwhile information for a change. What is Blake really like in the lockerroom? He's the top scorer and only all-star, so why doesn't he have the letter C or A on his jersey? Do his teammates appreciate his talent? How much is he affected by Yashin's benching? Has that created any bad blood between Blake and Nolan? Let's go Greg. Inquiring minds want to know.
Why am I being censored?
1. KIRK Muller...Hands down the worst Islander of all time
2. Eric Fichaud
3. Alexi Yashin
Keep Blake for the rest of the year. the guy is happy on Long Island and will end up accepting a fair contract...3 years at 3.5 per. His family loves the Island and so does he. With him, the Isles can make a run this year, but without him theyre done
only a moron would pick Yashin as 3rd worst Islander of all time.
Enough with the name calling!
Yashin's contract and the players given away simply for the right to enter that ridiculous contract (I hated the trade from day one) earns him the right to be called one of the worst Islanders of all time--period.
But on to better news. How about DP tonight! I'm with the rest of folks regarding his contract and the too frequent wandering and mishandling, but even with decent play most of the year and truly fine play of late--it still struck me that he really had not stolen a game all by himself the entire season. That ended tonight and all of us should give real credit where it is due. Way to go Ricky!
Oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh yyyyeaaaaaaahhhhhhhh... hey fellas... I just got through watching the game on tape.... deeeeeeeeeeee peeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....!!!!!!!!!!!!. Wow... what a game... toronto took it to us and we still came through with two points... I feel great (it may be all the becks I drank while watching the game). When my father says its time for blake to go.... then its time for blake to go... I strongly believe he doesn't want to play for us anyway... trade the jerk off to nash. For erat. Ohhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhhh... once again.... dddddeeeeeeeeeeeee pppppppeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, did Jason Blake's agent write this blog entry? Or did he pay Greg to write it? Talk about kissing Islanders a$$.
great win by the isles in TO last night. gotta start winning games in regulation vs other bubble teams. isles need a MINIMUM of 10-11 points on this upcoming 7 game homestand to stay in contention. think about it - isles are going to need 92-94 points at least to get in the playoffs, with 25 games to go, that's 15-10 record. achievable but it also depends on the record of other bubble teams and the isles head to head vs. those bubble teams. EVERYONE - get out and support the isles on this 7 game homestand. NO EXCUSES. football is over.
I was at the game and believe me, we robbed the Leafs blind. DP stood on his head and getting one point was larceny never mind the SO win. Nolan is definitely burning out Hill and Witt. By the end of the second period, they were dragging big time. He needs to bite the bullet and trust Campoli, Gervais and Meyer.
Like the rest of the posts last night and this morning, I was extremely happy to see the outcome of that game last night. DiPietro played the best period of his life. I can't believe how dominated the Isles were in that third period. They gave us one shot on the score sheet, but that shot was Hunter from the blue line. As great as DiPietro was last night, he's going to have to play at a level similar to that for the Isles to qualify for the playoffs, if they can't score. How bad is the offense?
Like Merrick said, DiPietro had yet to steal a game for us and after the first two goals it didn't look good, but he rebounded in the third and turned in a great game. Hopefully it carries over into Thursday's game with Boston and the weekends games agains NJ and Pitt. See you at the coliseum.
I fully agree with Champ's comments. I wasn't at the game myself but we need to elevate the share of responsibility for all the players. I think Tambellini, Neilson, Campoli and Gervais need to "learn" now so let's get them wet. The Leafs, the Penguins and other teams aren't so selective of situational matches or shortening the bench night after night. A few bumps now will pave the road for future successes.
Just think how great it would be having Nolan's twin brother as a GM...
Pretty easy to see the size disadvantage the Isles D had compared to the Leafs. Especially the Sundin line. Especially after the 2nd period when Witt and Hill were spent, the over-match was that much more obvious. I think the lack of shots in the 3rd period was reflective of the Isles dependence on the D to get involved in the offensive rush. They were too busy holding off the Leafs' size and didn't have the energy time to contribute offensively.
Does anyone else think that Kozlov had a great game last night? He was so much more physically involved than usual. He was a real leader out there.
great observations cincy and couldn't agree more, although i didn't notcie kozlov that much. yeah we robbed the leafs blind coming out of that game with a point let alone TWO?! hats off to ricky.
I was in Toronto last night for the game and DP was nothing short of exceptional. Once again, Ted is burning out Hill and Witt which is even more evident in person. I think it's time for Snow to sh*t or get off the pot on trades. We're close enough to take a shot ( The Rags did it) so speak now or forever hold your peace Garth.
Now is the time to make a trade for the Islanders. Do it now. Let's forget and bury the Blake trade now. He's staying. The Islanders now have three solid lines with the great mix of Tambellini Kozlov and Satan. Blake needs another scorer, when Yashin returns for the top line. The Islanders have the next 7 games in a row at home, and need some firepower on that top line. DP is at his best right now, and the Islanders are ready to break out and pass a few teams for a playoff spot. If Snow wants to make a move, Let him do it now.
I think the answer is pretty simple. Snow will have to make a decision before the deadline. No matter what Blake says, he has nothing to gain by NOT TESTING the F/A market. If the Isles want to keep him they are in the best position right now. If they don't have the intention of keeping him, snow should be shopping him hard. I just don't think the rental market is there for a trade. He's worth more than what Parrish was last year, but I don't think there is a Tambellini AND Grebeshkov out there for the taking. I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed that they come to some resolution quickly.
I think a big factor in whether Blake stays, is whether or not they are going to keep Yashin and Bates... and of course, what the status of Nilsson(AHL), Bergenhiem(EUR), Comeau(AHL) and O'Marra(OHL).
You want to see some turnover next year, but not six rookies in one season. Hopefully we get to see one more this year (NILSSON) and two more starting next year (BERGENHIEM/GREBSHKOV). With a F/A or two sprinkled in... maybe one MAJOR F/A to complete a top line... god knows they have the cap room now.
I'm not going to even comment on the racist remarks but to get on the convo about Ricky ...
I'm still, and probably always will be, somewhat shocked about his contract length but his play this year has been outstanding ...it's one of those things that we have to get over with ...the contract is signed and it's something that can only truely be judged over time ...let's atleast give Ricky credit where it's due ...sadly you seem like a child and won't do that anytime soon but will be the 1st to chant "DP" at games ...typical front runner ...hey, congrats on using the word "perpetual" ...pretty advanced for a 4th grader ...
Some random musings:
I. On DP:
Too early to pass judgment on the contract, sorry. If he plays until he's 30 as he has been playing recently (a BIG if), it looks like a steal. Under normal circumstances, a bona fide #1 goalie playing at this high level will command a hell of a lot more than $4.5M per year when he's unrestricted, and I guarantee he wouldn't be getting it from the Isles.
II. On Blake:
The guy will never have any higher value than he does now. How many of you righteous posters on this blog would skip the chance to command the best money you will ever make in your life? Hmm? Didn't think so. If the Isles see fit to sign him, superb. If not, I'll be p/o'd, but I won't blame Blake.
III. On the "3 Worst Isles ever," I'll sort it by era:
1970s: Brian Lavender
post-Cup 1980s: Mikko Makela
1990s: Brett Lindros
2000s: Bryan Smolinski
Honorable Mention:
Ari Erik Haanpaa
Scott Lachance
Scott Scissons (who's that , you say? He's the guy that the Isles drafted right after Jaromir Jagr, when they made the playoffs on the last day of the season in 1990 and drafted 6th, right after Pittsburgh picked 5th)
Dave Chyzowski
Tommy Salo
David Volek (one playoff OT goal does not a career make)
Has Nolan tried to put Blake on a line with Hunter and Sillinger. That would give us two very good scoring lines. I know Sillinger's line is doing a great job shutting down the opponents but there should be other guys who step up and fill in that role. A third line of Hilbert, Robatialle and Asham could do that.
Hopefully Blake is just doing some negotiating with his public demand of 5 years $18 million. $3.5 million a year sounds about right to me, but I wouldn't give him 5 years. I would offer him 3 years but maybe up the average to $3.8 million a year.
I hope we keep him. But if we're not going to, then I hope Snow decides soon. Because if we're going to be sellers, then lets be sellers. There are some valuable trade pieces on this team. Witt was traded for a 1st round pick last year. Hill should fetch a good pick or prospect too. Don't get me wrong, I like the team and its chemistry but these 2 guys aren't going to be around in 3 years. Just the nature of the beast.
In my opinion, we're only 2 or 3 guys away from being serious Cup favorites in the coming years. But we need that 1 guy that will take us over the top. If the Islanders become sellers they should trade the verterans with any value to acquire picks and prospects. Then package them to move up to a top 5 pick or get someone else with that potential.
It's not that I want to trade Blake or that I want to be sellers at the dealine (since that will mean we're out of the playoffs). But let's keep an eye on the future. The Islanders can afford to lose some of the older verterans so that it will create some continuity and chemistry for the younger guys who will take us into the future.
I think most of the pieces are there. But we haven't had that player that can take a team to the Cup since Bossy and Trotts. We need a Sakic, a Modano, a Yzerman, a Crosby or an Ovechkin.
i love jason blake the hockey player