On the Islanders Beat

LOGAN IS ALIVE!!!

Now I will read the blog.

Welcome back Greg, we were starting to get worried. We thought you jumped ship!

I am just hoping to have a reason to watch the Isles on Sunday. You look back at all those points we blew throughout the season and wonder what might have been. Even though it's likely we would get pounded by the Sabres in the 1st round, it would be a big boost to the team to make the playoffs.

Just proves Dubielewicz would have given us points in those wasted games Nolan started Dunham. If we don't make it, you can point to that.

Greg, all due respect but imgine where the Isles would be if Colin Campbell did not screw our club all season. Last year's club had only a -25 disparity between pp's and pk and were awful.

This club is over a minus ninety. Expansion clubs do not get screwed over this much. On top of that Campbell needed four days to rule on Simpson when players suspended in other league can play in their new league all the time?

On top of that joke video review with the puck in and Campbell calling out Witt and letting him take a Brashear sucker-punch when a few days later a sucker punch is a five minute penalty and a suspension?

In that Devil game that invented calls on Yashin and Hill so the Devils could get pp goals meanwhile Sillinger is tackled with three minutes left from behind and no call?

And Campbell's boys handed the Rags another pp in overtime last night, the puck was next to Witt when he pinned Cullen, poetic justice having Campbell try to influence the final outcome like the last game.

That what I am imagining, that why we are where we are today.

Is there one beatwriter on the Isles side or are all of them middle-age life long Rag fans?

And yes Greg Logan has done a good job but he is also a former Ranger beatwriter at Newsday.

Wallace Matthews sounded like somone employed at Msg today with that pro-Rag, anti-Isles spin.

The Isles should not be sad when they miss the playoffs because they would be CRUSHED by Buffalo.
The stretch has been marred by injuries and bad luck...but, whats more disturbing is the lack of hustle and toughness. How many fights have we had vs other NHL teams? Very few...bottom ranking and it shows. Simon being gone hurts, but, others need to step it up. Smyth trade is senseless and he's not worth 6mm!!! Not even close. Last time we did a dumb contract was the noose around the neck Yashin deal. Bottom line, Wang is a schmuck and a half---heres the reality folks: we lose Smyth and Blake or pay up too much for Blake. Then, we keep Yashin because those guys are gone. I can see it clearly--the future sucks. Think the fans care? No sellout in 8th game vs Rags?!! C'mon! And, there were TONS of rag fans...Isles suck. Period.

All I have to say is the rangers better show up thursday. Let's see if they can help out a fellow new yorker.
And who cares about these writers. They write their hockey column but most of the time they're not even at the game. So to actually pay attention to what they write is a waste of time.

I just want to thank the Islanders for stepping up and playing like that last night. GREAT GAME!! and Good Luck

Chill is a trader and cry baby. If you had a clue the game last night didn't sell out because the Islanders hold tickets back when the go on sale mid season to do package deals. And don't release them until a day or 2 before the game. Learn how to run a business moron.

IC, it's easy to fall into that trap and lay the blame on all different things. Frankly, if this ends up being a lost season there are three major events to which we can point:

1. We had a stretch where we coughed up too many points by falling apart in the 3rd period and either losing in overtime and regulation. That's at least 6 more points if the team could have shown a killer instinct.

2. DP challenging Begin on the breakaway. I maintain that it was not a selfish play and it was the right thing to do. However, DP's injury took the life out of this team and exposed both our lack of depth on defense and our sore need for more depth at the goaltending position. Hopefully the team can get younger and faster on D next season.

3. Simon. 'Nuff said. I disagree with you, IC. I think Wally Matthews was dead-on in saying the Simon stick-swing caused a major rift in this team that forced them to take their minds off hockey for a few games. It was then compounded by DP's injury (let's hope this concussion history doesn't follow DP....we have a lot invested in the guy).

As they said during the historic Battle of Bosworth Field (when England's King Richard III died in battle after his horse threw a shoe): "For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost." It's a shame that the whole season, which after the Smyth deal was filled with dreams of Lord Stanley, could have come down to roughly 15 seconds of playing time.

That having been said, I'm very excited about this team. Buying out Yashin will be the first step (maybe just re-structuring his deal? Would that help our cap? Cincy, where are you?!). Then, we need to make the commitment to Blake and Smyth (who, by the way, was an absolute BEAST last night). Okposo is waiting in the wings, and as a Boston University alum I'm a big Hockey East fan. Let me tell you, Trevor Smith from UNH is a stud and will make a difference on Long Island very very soon.

I'll be at the game tomorrow wearing my Isles jersey with pride, just like I have many many other times. It's do or die time, and our team made it to the top in the dynasty years by never saying "Die."

Let's go Islanders...someone help me hold up a huge sign saying RYAN DON'T GO!

Oh and, as for Thursday, LET'S GO RANGERS!

(I have to go punch myself and throw up now...)

As much as I love to hate Yashin he seems to get a point in games that matter...never carry the team on his back but...gets a point. Still not worth 7.6 M obviously. Ryan Smith tried hard last night, but his Shootout attmept was AWFUL! It was nice to see Lundquist get razzled by Smyth and Silli going hard to the net. Nice put down on Avery Poti! Seemed like we gave it our ALL and still looked VERY Mediocre...to have a MUSt WIN come down to the shootout...not good.

Hey Greg Why no info. on why Zednik fell off the face of the planet? He's not making Garth look good at all!

Not for nothing, but I think Logan needs to send me a check. He pretty much reposted everything I said after midnight last night.
That being said... GREAT WORK GREG!!! :-)

IC, I agree. I am not a conspiracy theorist, or supporter, but the current NHL regime has DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help the franchise, while they spend most of their energy on trying to make the sport work in the south.
I live in VA, so I am grateful that there is hockey in carolina, but when hockey can't get an ESPN contract because of these bafoons, they need to be held accountable.
I will reiterate... they allowed a series of owners to suck the franchise dry while they had the BEST TV CONTRACT. They can't even run a background check on a potential owner with a net worth in the single figure range. But they can put NHL Hockey in Nashville... WHERE IT BELONGS... MORONS!!!
Hey... while I'm on the soapbox... and I'm sure nobody is reading this.
Will somebody stand up and give Milbury some credit for Jason Blake. Even though I am still not sure the series of events were in the franchise's best interest, the DP thing didn't work out too bad.
10 years of bashing the guy (I include myself in that, though I was on a rollercoaster with him).

Every game is sold out at Nassau--its all because of the "hold back" and its a conspiracy theory of mine. Im going to march in the Easter Homo parade--anyone wasnt to join me?

When the team stinks, I don't follow them. The first game that I went to this season was the Fan Appreciation game vs. Ottawa. I got lots of cool stuff at the game to put on my desk at work!! I even bought one of those cool orange foam fingers, just so I could wave it around and show my spirit!

Hey, if the Islanders don't make the playoffs, I'll just enjoy rooting for the Rangers or Devils instead. Both of those teams have been awesome in the last 2 months!! I couldn't care less about individual players and what they have or have not done for a particular team - they're all just hired henchmen anyway, willing to jump ship to whomever is paying them $1million or more next year.

I find this blog interesting. Some of you really get into this BIG time! God, it's only hockey... not like it really matters who wins or loses. I have a feeling that the Trophy is going back to Canada this year. They really deserve to bring it back home after it was stolen 3 years ago by Tampa. Gooooooo Canucks!!!!!!

Huh? The Devils have been "awesome" in the last 2 months? Which Devils are you referring to?

The Cup hasn't been in Canada since 1993 except for day passes when it visited with individual players, by the way.

JP:

I'll only ever give Mike Milbury credit for three things:

1) Beating a Rags fan with his own shoe

2) Saying at his introductory press conference, "Screw the Rangers and screw the Devils, I work for the Islanders now."

3) Not letting the door hit him in the a$$ on the way out.

His term in the front office on Long Island was one unmitigated disaster after another. In the last 15 years, the franchise has gone from proud (David Volek!) to awful (Eric Fichaud!) to average, which is where we are now. Mad Mike has his fingerprints all over the bad times. Granted, a confluence of factors led to the lean years between Volek and now, not just Milbury, but the proof is in the pudding.

The Blake trade was an obvious win for the Islanders, but there were enough losers in there to offset it, the worst being Yashin for Chara-Muckalt-Spezza and Luongo-Jokinen for Parrish-Kvasha.

MIKE MUST GO!

JP ~

Logan owes us all checks...With all due respect at least three of us had his whole blog written the second the game ended.....He has banned me from writting 4 times already so I am going for a record fifth today! LOL

I appreciate his blogs, but come on....He has been in "Quit" mode for over a week now and this is what he comes up with???? Does he know what PLAGIARISM is??? lol

Milbury and many more BOBBLEHEADS must tumble for this horse to be happy! Every good organization starts at the top and we got nintendo playing business men!

Man, this blog has been hoppin' the last few days.

Last night's game was exciting to watch! Dubie was good, and the Rangers seemed to be "blah" all night. The mistakes (cross-ice passes that were intercepted + D that didn't play their man) didn't hurt the Islanders that much. I hope that the Leafs play the same lackluster game tomorrow night! MAB needs to step up and do SOMETHING tomorrow - he was nearly invisible last night.

OK, I've bored you enough. Let's go ISLANDERS!!!

Nick,
DP going out to challenge Begin may have been a good play (I think it wasn't, but because I would have let Hill take the hook rather than gamble with an open net). But it was HUGE in that Dunham was finished, and nobody knew it because Nolan refused to play him in some meaningless games along the way. He could have started against STL or one of those games when DP warranted a break. I'm not throwing Nolan under the bus for that... one bad decision among many good ones. If Dunham performs as he had in the past the Isles are int he playoffs and everybody is concerned about DP's health... BUT HAPPY.
As far as Simon goes. This whole thing ticks me off. There is no defense for what Chris did... but let's see what we have there. A guy who notoriously runs people from behind. He has caused multiple injuries, but is NEVER SUSPENDED for it. He got a 5 minute penalty for INTENT TO INJURE on a similar play a few games later... not reviewed by the real "BOBBLEHEADS". Hollweg laughs after the incident that he was just happy they got the two points. Simon suffered a concussion on the play. In my opinion Simon should have got the standard dog and pony 5-10 games. No... that wasn't good enough. Let's set precedent that WILL NEVER BE DONE AGAIN.... let's give a guy a MINIMUM PENALTY, and NO MAX. 25 games, but if the Ilses play 35... then it's 35... if they play 15, then it's still 25. WTF???
and for what. NO INJURY WAS CAUSED!!! I've looked at it a 100 times... and I swear it looks as though he hit's Hollweg in the chest and the stick rides up into his chops.
And the Simpson issue is a whole other story.

p.s IF you ever give Mike Millbury credit for anything again you should be banned FOR LIFE......Are you kidding me?

DP has worked out ok....Wouldn't you rather have Luongo like we had and used that pick for HEATLEY?

Blake is great, but does he wipe out the whole Ottawa team that would have been US, along with a few other absolute all stars on other teams....I am not going to bore the readers with the names b/c we all know them all to well!!

PLEASE never say that again.lol..I'll give you a mulligan! HE is the WORST GM IN HISTORY !!! HISTORY and that include Harry Sinden!

How does Blake tie into Ottawa? He was aquired from LA

Steady,
I knew I was opening a can of worms... and I don't have time to go over the whole debate... but a case can be made for MEDIOCRITY when it comes to Milbury... and he did beat a ranger fan with his own shoe... so I'll still buy him a drink the next time I see him.
Things to ponder:
1. When talent was passing through the Isles like mexican water through a touristo he was just a scapegoat for ownership that was sucking money out of the organization to fund his Florida fun...then it was an owner that was using the funds to bankroll a failed bid for the washington redskins. I'm not making this stuff up.
2. I agree with you that I'd have rather had the talent we gave to florida and the first draft pick, rather than DP. But DP's don't grow on trees. They should have used those draft picks more efficiently... but money, and development was still an issue. Goalies are a much cheaper option.
3. I hated the Yashin deal when it was made, and yashin's inability to live up to the biggest contract in the NHL made it worse. But it was an attempt to bring talent back to the Island. Unfortunately Milbury should have factored into the equation that Yashin was going to be hated by all of canada, and every...YES EVERY non-russian player in the NHL.
He really hasn't been all that bad, he's just not $70M for 10 years good... those are gretzky/Lemeuix numbers... That contract was made worse by the salary cap, because he became CAPTAIN ANCHOR.
The trade, at the time was debatable... the CONTRACT was deplorable.
4. I'd also argue that most of the poor decisions made to give up talent, or not resign fan favorites was made by the talent itself. NOBODY wanted to be a part of this organization. Most of that was brought on by 15 years of POOR OWNERSHIP. Wang changed that. He may not be the most hockey savvy guy, but he is trying. He's throwing INTO the pot, rather than sucking out of it.
5. there were plenty of moves made by Mad Mike that were pretty good. Blake, Bates, Aucoin, Goddard, Hammer, Kenny Jonnson, Scatch, Ozzie, Peca... even in the dark days there was talent brought in... they just wouldn't stay... Again..that's a Wang change.

So.. my argument is not to put MM in the hall of fame, but to give him a stay of execution.

for a guy who's "done with this team" you sure do post here a lot talking about them ...

Are you done with them or not? Cause you can't like them one day then not the next ....

He's an Islander fan, why can't he!!!

After last night's performance, I'm SO done with this team!

...and the only reason I'm making the MM argument now is because the same thing is going to start with Snow.
When we look back at the season and the moves made from his office there are going to be some debatable clunkers. Zhitnik was a killer, though most of us were okay with it because it cleared cap space for a positive move at the deadline.
Teh Smyth deal is a HUGE LOSER if they don't make the playoffs AND they don't sign him. I was on the fence with it, and then really liked it. In retrospect I wish he would have bargained a little better... but I'm sure glad I got to see him play in an Islander uni. I bet they could have got him for any two of the three components... but time was an issue.
Not dealing Blake will become Huge if they don't make it. Especially considering they failed to sell out the mausileum vs the rangers for arguably the most attractive game of the year. As an outsider to that situation, that is pathetic... If I was the owner of the team I'd seriously consider relocating the team to Queens or at least to someplace that has mass transit accessability.
BUT... BERGERON WAS HUGE. By far the best trade since blake.
I think he did an admirable job as a rookie... but I anticipate him being crucified by some fans...
Nolan will get the same treatment. But I really think he is going to be a huge part of the franchise's turnaround if they give him a chance. He should have been on the Island 5 years ago... I bet if he was in the "comittee" when the Yashin deal went down he would ahve been a thumbs down!!
Who knows... maybe Milbury will tick him off and he'll leave too. Every day is an adventure with this team.

I am new to blogging. I want to say that these years have been very painful indeed in regards to the Islanders.

I think that Nolan/Wang/Snow can turn this thing around if given enough time. But I feel that most would be players around the league simply do not want to play for the Isles. Milbury stunk up an already smelly situation. Remember ex-owner Pickett? Don Maloney? Kirk Muller? Wendel Clark? Trevor Linden?

A fan from 1977, I used to be a season ticket holder when I lived in LI. We "the fans" need to support our team and get to as many games as possible. We should have at least 75% or more of Isles fans at a Isles/ Rags game. Shame on us for not supporting our team more over the years.

Lets Go Islanders!!!

I'll bet the Coliseum would sell out if the beer was cheaper. Cheaper beer = college kids + single guys. Plus, cheaper beer is good for throwing on the Rags fans.

HE WANTS MORE SINGLE GUYS THERE?

STRANGE...

HE MUST BE A RAG FAN

AZS ~

No one on this forum listens to a word you say...Stay off like you have the past week...Cincy~ Merrick ~ Miggsey~DP ~ John ~ etc. have all been posting with me and have had lots of fun and learned a lot....We do not always agree with each other but have learned to keep it civil and respect each other opinions.

You are pointless and clueless and are trying to start arguements...ADD something or stay off like you did when you QUIT on the isles a week ago!

Sorry I have been right and you have been wrong...I never quit on this team...YOU DID...I was negative b/c I saw the writing on the wall....You did not....AGAIN "add" something to the conversation or go on home!

Chris S and AZS are back b/c we won.....Type of fans we do not need nor want....

Single guys? College kids? should we be getting you some help there pal???

I think your on the wrong blog....try the one with the rainbow sticker on it as it is probably more your speed!

"Not that there is anything wrong with it" seinfeld!

Chris S.:

I almost went to Hofstra because it was walking distance from NVMC. (Almost.) I'm shocked more students don't go, actually.

These days, most of my in-person hockey watching is at Scotiabank Place, the Senators' rink. They serve Molson Canadian, which puts the beer served at American arenas to shame.

Although nothing beats the Utica Aud, where the ushers let you BYO, as long as it was Saranac (or Utica Club if you were slumming it)...some college buddies and I used to go and watch some great minor league action--this was back in the day, my sophomore year was the last for the Utica Devils of the AHL.

What a great old building that is. They filmed some of Slap Shot there (as well as at the nearby Clinton Arena, where I played often). Also they would do laser light Pink Floyd shows from time to time.

I'll bet the Coliseum would sell out and I would get more if the beer was cheaper. Cheaper beer = YOUNG COLLEGE STUDS + SINGLE GUYS. Plus, cheaper beer is good for GETTING UNSUSPECTING VICTIMS REALLY DRUNK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM!

Wow, TODD figured me out. With the way "everyone" complains about how the Islanders need more fans, you'd think that any type of fan would be welcome. Sorry to disappoint you gurus & diehard hockey phanatics.

I have season tickets ...I'm at every game ...I'm a bigger fan than some of you whinners ...and if any of you would like to meet me before the Toronto game (I'm sure you won't because you're too busy sitting on your computers whinning to actually show up at a game and support the team you claim to love) I would love to take the time to talk with you face to face ...

I will be outside the box office entrance wearing a Potvin jersey ...anyone who can talk so tough on a computer I'm sure will have noooo problem coming down to the game to say something to my face ...just come up and ask if it's me and say who you are ...

I have a feeling none of you will be there ...

typical pussies

To those so called fans that have been bashing the Islanders and talking trash about them, maybe you should look in the mirror and ask yourself what kind of fan am I. A true fan sticks with your team through good and bad. Dont give up hope, it is a long shot but there is still a shot at it. Also to those guys that say we have no depth in goal. When they sign guys like Dunham ofcourse we dont, hes over the hill and not worth it, But Dubie in the other hand has given us hope and proven he belongs in the NHL. If you disagree maybe think about the last 2 games as he has kept us in both and given the team a chance to win. What more can you ask for????

AZS:

Felix, Jean or Denis?

WOA THERE TOUGH GUY.

WHOSE TALKING TOUGH NOW?
KEYBOARD GANGSTA HUH?

GOT ONE FOR YOU...
HEAR THAT WHISTLE, YOU KNOW THE ONE!

POTVIN SUCKS!
YOU DO TO!

I would love to meet you face to face. But, not for the reasons your thinking.

XOXOXO

No shock half the postings are the same old rantings about Milbury and not current events because so many never follow the club daily and have no confort unless they are talking about Milbury.

Funny how no one is noticing how good Yashin has been since he has gotten healthy, every game he is in on a goal or making a play to lead to a goal. More than Smyth, Sillinger, Hunter or Blake.

But, hey why pay attention when there is Wang-Milbury bashing to be done, for those fans it might as well be summer already.

Wow, lot's to catch up on. But I'm a CPA and it's April. Do the math.

Steady - if Isles take the next 3 and get help from the leafs and our manhattan boyz, I'll call you the "maven" any time. And I think your Campoli observation yesterday was dead on - good hockey sense, no body to go along with it. Too bad. 6th D next year, at best. Sorry Migs. He needs to bulk up.

Miggsey - Geervais has more upside than Campoli. He's still a skinny kid and will fill out. He's stay at home now because that's what he's being asked to do. The kid has a great 2-way future.

Upstate - great post about the ref's inconsistencies. If that game last night had been played in the beginning of this year it still wouldn't be over.

Matt - ease up on Lundqvist. You gotta admit the guy is great. He's no DP, but he's great. He lost last night because the Isles played better, not because he played worse. But he can be rattled. That's why I think DP will ultimately be a better netminder. DP feeds off the game as it gets crazier.

Steady - please take back the Parrish/Smyth comment. You can't be serious. I agree that the Smyth WE'VE seen looks somewhat overrated, but you'll be whistling a different tune next year when we see him over 82 games. I know you were just blowing off steam.

Was Sillinger wearing #11 last night? I sware he looked like Indiana Jones in the snake pit.

Hill played huge last night. The whole team hadn't played that physical since February. I just hope the refs let them play like that in the next 3. If they sit back they're dead.

It can happen. It can be done. Three and then to the first round. And Buffalo can be had. I can see it now... the "Maven Steady"!!!

I'm going to have to give credit where credit is due. That guy Andy Hilbert, for all the missed open goals he's had this year and failed to conect, played as hard as anyone last night with one arm. He's making the league minimum, and played his ass off. Now we see where he fit with this team, a fourthliner.

For all the crap we give Sean "over the" Hill, he played like it was do or die. That's just to name a few we've bashed this season. Where the HELL was this desperation this month, they can't just get up for the Rags. All is not lost, and there is still a chance. We beat Toronto - Rags beat Montreal. Then we beat Philly - Toronto beats Montreal Saturday. Then it's simple - beat Jersey, then we get smoked by Buff. Wouldn't it be great though to get in, if just for the team to gain confidence going into next season. Knowing that they left it all out on the ice, no regrets. Also, I work at the Collie in the parking Dept. There was more Rags fans coming in, but they where for the most part respectful last night. A lot of yapping going back and forth from the Rag fans and Isles fans car to car, but all seemed reserved. Then the game started and some girl was spit on by a Rags punk, who then got whooped on, and dragged to security. Let's show up for the game Thursday and keep this going.

we would have been sitting pretty right now if we had Dubbie as backup from day one this year. DP had about 10 outstanding games this year and about 5 clunkers. the rest of the time he was above average to average.by no means should he have been put in the class of broduer/roy and started every single game come hell or high water. Dubbie would have given us a viable second option and therefore set up a much healthier goalie competition, where if DP had a bad night, the next night he might not play. with a career slug as a backup, he knew that no matter what, his job wasn't in jeapordy. Blake is the best/most important player on this team and DP was only awsome in comparison to Dunham.

IC - Yashin's been putting up some points, I can't deny that, but my opinion is other than those particular plays where he scores, he is virtually invisible. It's being picky on my part, I know, but a player with those kinds of expectations is going to be playing under the microscope always. I still think he gets pushed off the puck way too easily, and seems terrified of getting into the boards to dig for pucks. He's had decent games, to be sure, but not captain/leadership quality at all. Mostly, he likes to sit there along the boards near the hash marks, and when he gets the puck, he tries to walk out and shoot - but the book is out on that move, I think, as it's not working as effectively as it did earlier in the season.

Comparing him to Sillinger and Hunter is way off, I think. Those guys have a primary responsibility to combat the other team's top line. When Yashin finally turns to the chapter on defense in the Idiot's Guide to Hockey, then maybe such comparisons can be made.

Besides the point, with the salary cap, and the amount of cap space taken up by Yashin, he pretty much has to be better than any two players every night to be worth what he is getting. That's probably not fair to him, but that's the reality of the salary cap.

All of that being said, may Yashin score 10 goals in the last three games and carry us to the playoffs...

IC,
Not fair. I brought it up as a sidebar.
Yash was having a career year before his hiatus. He has been solid since his return. Unfortunately his return coincided with the begining of the team's demise. So did the Smyth trade. Sometimes irony can be so damn ironic.
I've never really been a Yash basher, but I really would like to see him and Kozlov use those mack truck frames to finish a check once in a while. Actually at the beginning of the year he was finishing checks... and that put him on the DL.
Look at tambellini. He usually takes the worst part of his own hits, but he finishes whenever he can. If you put his heart into Kozlov's body you'd really have something.
I just want to see one of them DRIVE THOSE TRUCKS THAT THEY'RE IN... it's like being in an F150, but driving like you were in a Z3. Could you imagine if they drove to the net once in a while... SCARY!

Cincy: We'll have to watch this one develop but I can't see any way that Gervais has more up side than Campoli. I think he's as good as he's going to get right now. He won't hurt us much and he's a number 5 or 6 stay at home defenceman. Nothing more and nothing less. Don't get me wrong, there's a place and a role for him but with the miniscule numbers our D have put up, I know Campoli will serve a bigger role on the team once Flynn and crew realistically assess the stats and play Campy with the right partner. Gervais and Meyer have both been paired with vets this year while Campoli has had the German recruits, Meyer and the Bridgeport follies. We'll all have to watch this story develop.

Cincy:

Henrik Lundqvist is going to have to put together more than two above-average NHL seasons before I'll start calling him "great." He has proven NOTHING--neither has DiPietro, for that matter. But at least Rico has a playoff win to his credit.

I'll stick by my opinion that he is an above-average goalie, unquestionably top-ten in the NHL, and leave it at that.

Now go pay attention before you get some poor fool from Great Neck audited because you were posting comments and not carrying the 1. :)

Cincy~Miggsey:

Never thought I would say this but where have you guys been all day? lol

There has been nothing but rookies, threats, gay proposals, etc... etc....

I say we send MERRICK to see AZS...Both are season ticket holder and both want to drop the gloves....

AZS ~ GROW UP !!! I will say what I have told some in the past...I travel 3 1/2 hours to see my Isles, I have season tickets Jets, and attend many Met games and live in MASS......THAT IS A FAN!!! Who cares who is more of a fan anyway...IF you have season tickets than you should have more hockey sense and not write ignorant comments!

Bear: we all love what Dubie id last night and it is a nice story...Do not get crazy though and talk about him in the same breath as DP...Not even close!

Cincy: You are correct that I am venting about Smyth...He needs to STEP UP though...You can obviously see his hockey sense, his great penalty killing, his leadership and smarts, BUT where is the scoring....I have not seen one tip in...I have not seen him truly bother any goalie??

I realize how good he is, but maybe Edm. was on to something when they said NO to a 5 mill. deal!

SIGN BLAKE FIRST and admit the mistake of Smyth if you can only choose one of them!

Steady: You can look after yourself okay but Cincy and I ( the same person...lol)can bail you out when needed. I'm still scratching my head on your Blake over Smyth theory. It had to be a weak moment because it's not even close between those two. Smyth in a heartbeat.
As for tomorrow, we beat my local boys the Leafs and then worry about the weekend. Raycroft is brutal most nights so just keep shooting and he'll buckle.

Steady - I agree that Snow needs to sign Blake first. Show him some loyalty by re-upping him ASAP. That would also prevent him from being influenced by the numbers that are thrown at Smyth. If we get Blake for under $3.5 million over 4 years it should be a deal.

I love Nolan, but I'm starting to have a few doubts about his decision-making with his heart rather than his head. Putting Smyth in the SO was borderline stupid. And when viewed in light of the Dunham debacle it starts to raise question marks.

I want to see the same amount of weight thrown at the Leafs tomorrow. No excuses. I loved how Avery was bashed at every turn. I hate that pest. Of course, I do wish we had the skank on our team. But then again, I'd always feel like I had to take a shower after every game.

Migcincy,
Blake,34,$3.5M/yr
Has not taken off a shift in 6+ years as an Islander. Was an exceptional PKer, but now is a PP contributor. Interested in being a Sabre.
Smyth,31,$6M/yr
Heart and soul of Edmonton and Team Canada 11+ years.
Smyth is still playing on both ends of the rink and on both special teams. Would prefer to play in Alberta.

Both guys should give you 25/30/55 or better type sesons for the next 5 years. Blake wants to keep his family on the Island. Smyth will have his family in Alberta.

We can possibly sign both, but that would mean no Yashin or Kozlov (most likely)... and (poti + a UFA defenseman) is not an option.

many questions... but the debate is not so one sided.

Team dynamic wise I think Smyth is a better option.

Bargain wise Blake brings a little less to the table for a lot less $$$.

I said in an earlier post that I slightly leaned towards Blake if I had to chose, but wouldn't be disappointed (actually would be very happy) if they only signed Smyth.
But who cares what I think...

JP: A couple of thoughts: If loosing Yash and Kozlov would allow us to keep Smyth and Blake please show me where to sign. There's little doubt Smyth has western Canada ingrained in his heart but I hope to high heavens that the "bobbleheads" (Thanks Steady) didn't give up all those picks without a near perfect plan or backroom deal already in place to sign Smyth??? Nobody could be that stupid.....okay well maybe they are.

Miggsey~ I will give you the benefit of the doubt on Smyth....Being from Canada you have seen and know a lot more about him....I am going on a 18 game body of work and highlight films....BLAKE has been the heart and sole of the isles and the only pure goal scorer we have.....Who would be our go to guy if we lost him??? Hilbert and Park ...LOL

Next year if Asham is on this team I will bet any amt. of money he kicks the living snot out of Avery the first time we meet them....Healthy hand !!!

Snowing hard here in MA. Freaking depressing .... so much for golf and fishing season....Opening day at Shea catch some strippers under the Throgs neck then dock up at Flushing and catch the game...THAT MY FRIENDS IS HARD CORE !! lol

Cincy-miggs,
Bite your tongue! There are a lot of guys around the league that I feel that way towards... but Avery is C R A P.
I turned off basketball for ever when the Knicks signed Sprewell, and I'd turn off the Islanders for as long as that guy wore the uni. NO DOUBT!
The spearing, the diving, the goalie abuse... UNNECESSARY... Even his own teammates hate him.
Why do you think the rangers got him so cheap.
He's in a good situation now because the drunken blue section is in a honeymoon stage... but wait until other teams start tearing apart Lundqvist and other stars as retribution to his antics.
They had better make a roster spot for Dale Purintan... because that is going to be the caliber of player that will be beating the hell out of guys like Callahan... One game fourth line roster moves are going to be common place against the rangers next year.
I'm not a big fan of gratuitous hockey fights, actually I think there should be 1 game suspensions for the "talk about it during the face off and drop the gloves for no reason what so ever" fights... but I would pay good money to watch Avery get seriously beat down by a 230 pound guy that was just there to do the job.

Miggs~

I will take your word for it about Smyth....I have only an 18 game body of work and some video to judge him on....Being from CA. you have seen a lot more of him...Blake has just been the heart and sole and deserves to STAY ON LI !!

ASHAM is going to destroy Avery game one next year if we resign him and his hand is healthy..Guaranteed!

By the way I had to switch computers b/c I was BLOCKED again...What the heck did I do wrong now??? Does this happen to anyone else?

p.s You want to laugh your a$$ off....Go on the other blog site where the guy asked peeps to send in what they saw about Lundquist and the ice girls....IT IS HYSTERICAL what people wrote back....You will pee your pants what this poor guy got said to him!

JP: I agree with Migs (I always agree with myself). I'd sign that deal in a heartbeat. But I don't agree with your premise. Full freedom comes with a Yashin buyout. It represents $5.5 million of cap room. So you can consider Smyth's cap dollars a replacement for Yashin's cap dollars. Taking Zednik out of the pie frees-up $2 million more. I think that leaves enough room to sign both Poti and Kozlov. And there still should be room to re-sign Simon and Asham. I know that leaves Hill on the outside, but he's 37 next year. And we need to start thinking about inking Hunter long-term.

I'm with you in some regard about yash/kozlov for Blake/Smyth... but you have to be careful what you wish for. Two people do not make a team.
Kozlov came up big this year. A yashin buy-out makes sense to the fans, but not so much to the guy who still has to pay him $20M to do nothing, just to buy room to spend more money. Why doesn't anybody see that. I really don't think that is going to happen.
What I'd rather see is the Isles be creative with Yashin. But the REAL Bobbleheads most likely won't let that happen.
You see it all the time in other sports where one team will eat a portion of a guy's salary and send him on his merry way.
A team with cap room to spare, would give up a few draft picks or a "D" prospect for Yashin @ $4M/per... the Isles eat the rest of the salary and cap hit and everybody is happy. Yashin makes his money. One team gets Yashin at close to his true worth. the Isles essentially buy him out for half price, plus they get a little bonus in return.
especially one of those teams playing in the sun... most of those fans just go to the games because NASCAR ain't runnin' durin' da week... and it's a great place to keep your beer cold when it's 95 outside.

Steady,
That other blog is just wrong. I am trying hard not to even go in there. I would love to give that guy my two cents...then again maybe I already have! LOL

JP: I know that sounds good on paper, but there's no way anyone would take Yashin for $4M/per. At least I don't think so. Even if someone would take him under those terms, you're still paying out 10.5M over 4 years instead of 17.5M over 8. That's 7M in actual dollars, but it only equates to a difference of about $4M in present value, since the amounts are paid out over time (you'll have to take my word on this one). So, to save $4M under your scenario, you might gain some value in a draft pick or a D man, but you'd also lose the extra cap room gain on a buyout.

So, realistically, a buyout is essentially equivalent to a reasonable trade deal.

It's really not that bad. 4 years left on his contract, $7.6, $7.6, $6.4 and $4.8.
Wang owes him $26.4M over 4 years and he gets a player that is probably worth 2.75M on the FA market.
If he buys him out for $13M, he gets SQUADOOSH... but the TEAM gets to spend an EXTRA $18M if they chose over the next four years, but are hindered for 6 years after that by a $2.5M cap hit.
I know my numbers are off, but my premise is solid.
I go to a restaurant and pay $50 for a steak. It looks okay, but it's not a $50 steak... I see that there is a Topeka's across the street and they have $25 steaks... and theirs are good...maybe better...maybe not.
So I sell my uneaten steak back for $15. I'm still hungry, so I go over to Topeka's and I get a $25 steak. Now i've spent $60 for a $25 steak... that I had for $50.
That only makes sense if you're not the guy spending the money.
People just need to get some A1 and enjoy their overpriced steak... Maybe get a nice bottle of wine, and some rice pilaf instead of a baked potato.

NOW I'M HUNGRY!