The Islanders took a major step toward recovering from their losses in the free agent market this afternoon when they signed right wing Bill Guerin to a two-year deal worth $9 million that includes a $2 million signing bonus in the first year, according to an NHL source. If Guerin is in the fold, then, center Mike Comrie might not be far behind.
The two free agents spent part of the day talking to each other about the prospect of joining the Islanders together to make sure they are coming to a team that can remain competitive for a playoff spot. Guerin previously told the Islanders he wouldn’t come unless they could add offensive help. Comrie had the same reservations. In essence they could sign almost as a package deal.
Earlier today, Comrie’s Edmonton-based agent, Ritch Winter, said the two players “are talking about things like what they need to do to help these guys [the Islanders]…Mike has been buoyed up by their commitment to go out and get guys.”
After learning of the Guerin signing, Winter said he expected negotiations for Comrie to continue tonight. Comrie is prepared to accept a one-year contract, Winter said, “for the opportunity to establish himself as a first-line center.” Landing Guerin, he added, makes it a more attractive destination for Comrie because “he would have a 35-goal scorer on the wing to pass the puck to.”
The 36-year-old Guerin had 36 goals and 56 points last season while playing for St. Louis and San Jose. As one Western Conference personnel expert said, “He proved he had a lot left.”
If Comrie joins the Islanders, he might center a top line with free-agent wingers Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko, though veteran Miroslav Satan also could be in that mix. Should Comrie sign by Friday, he might have company. Although the Isles have shown some interest in free-agent defenseman Sheldon Souray and his 26-goal slapshot, they are more focused on adding a defensive stalwart. Detroit free agent Danny Markov might be the leading candidate along with Nashville’s Vitaly Vishnevski and Colorado’s Ossi Vaananen.
Comments (98)
Now THIS is progress! Good job Garth!
Gotta do it. Sign Comrie.
Well done Garth! Guerin is a great signing and adding Comrie would really make my day!
Have patience Islander faithful.
where are all the complainers now. its august stupid. nice job garth if we get comrie.
Looks like we got Comrie coming our way as well...great news....i would love to see the islanders add one more forward who can net us 20-30 goals...furthermore..i would love to see the isles sign andy sutton as well
Hey Garth, nice job!
Now get Comrie and a solid d man in the fold!!
Things are starting to look up.
haha comrie!!!...4 teams have already givin up on him for cryin' out loud. yea, he's the key...3rd liners aint gonna cut it isle pukes. enjoy mediocrity, 8000 fans a game, a head case of a goalie and the east chompin' u up.
7 million this season for Bill Guerin?????? Oooooookay!! I guess he got rewarded for his 0-2-2 in nine playoff games, LOL!!
No matter what the Isles do, I'm happy Greg Logan's covering them. :)
Good job on the scoop about Comrie and Markov.
As for Guerin, I wish it were a 1 year deal but hey, beggars can't be choosers.
-Dom
BRING BACK MCCABE!!!
Congrats, Garth! We're behind you all the way (at least, those of us who never left).
uncle TJ, your mommy called. she said to bring more milk home tonight when you get out of therapy.
2yrs/4.5million per for guerin
so jason blake signed a 5 mill a year deal. and guerin signed a 4.5 mill a year deal...u call that smart?..its 500k more, lmao!!
With the Guerin signing and Comrie hopefully not far behind, I really am excited by the dynamic the Islanders seem to be going for. Next thing we have to do is shore up our D.
Let people underestimate the Islanders. With Nolan behind the bench, I know the Islanders will be bringing everything they have every night. Greg Logan, thanks for being on top of things as always.
Guess you didn't notice the 5 year deal part. Typical Rags fan can't count.
About the money. It really doesn't matter that much now with all that salary room. As long as the contracts are no longer than two years, it's worth the risk.
As for Comrie. I think Snow should consider giving him more than 1 year. What if he establishes himself as a 1st liner? 3 years, please. It's worth the risk.
Hey TJ, so us going after Comrie is worse than spending 7 mil on a 13 goal scorrer? Enjoy yet another season of underachieving, we'll enjoy YET ANOTHER season of proving all you idiots wrong
TJ biggest moron who keeps typing worthless garbage...
Guerin 30+ goals 6 times, 20+ goals 11 times...
Blake 30+ goals 1 time, 20+ goals 3 times...
I get that Blake is younger (only a few years), but Blake was not well-liked and Toronto can enjoy his turnovers for years to come...
MSG,
i did, i also know that blake is 3 years younger than gurein. and is a better player right now.
Andyman,
I have a feeling Snow would want to sign him for longer than a year, but I'll bet it's Comrie that only wants a 1 year deal. I'm hoping the Isles sign him, but I hope he's not going to use the Islanders as a stepping stone to another team after the year is over
add comrie, peca, berard and mccabe..
but the money matters when THE "RAGS" sign players...ur all friggin' hypocrites..its a 2 way street my freinds
Since we lost smythe on Sunday I have been hoping for Guering. Im glad he is here. Comrie is going to be a very big part. The islanders are putting a team together that can roll 4 lines everynight(see buffalo,ottawa, anaheim etc see the pattern)other teams will not be able to match up against any of our lines. That is what Garth and Nolan are building. A solid playoff team that starts with character,toughness,leadership, great goaltending, defense and guys who can work and put the puck in the net. All the other FA we missed out on have these qualities also but we have not had them on long island for a long time. Last year was the start with guys like sillinger and witt. We added this year with Guerin, fedetenko and most likely mike comrie. Thank you Garth and Nolan and lets kick some A**. Lets go Islanders!!!
WHAT ABOUT ME? HELLOOOOO
How can you compare me to Guerin. The guy is just as fast as me and has been scoring goals his entire career. I on the other hand had a fluke outburst. Mostly because I hog the puck. Go back to Retardville TJ.
ISLANDERS SIGNING MIKE COMRIE
It's a 1 year deal that will be announced tonight or tomorrow. I don't have the terms for sure, but my source says its either 3 or 3.5.
The Islanders are also in negoshiations with Danny Markov. Looks like he will sign a 2 or 3 year deal. They are also talking to Osi Vannanen and Vitaly Vishnavsky. Thjey will announce one of those by tomorrow or sAturday at the latest.
"negoshiations"
HAHahaHahahaHHAHahaHHAHAHA
LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
lmao at comrie/gomez comparison. gomez has won 2 CUPS!!..played in a defensive system. he was "trapped" by the system he played in. he is a "passer" first. he is 27 and entering his prime.
on the other hand, comrie played out west. where offense is more so. 3 or 4 teams have already rid themselves of him.
"rags" will sign the elite of the leauge, while the isles sign the hasbeens and never weres...ENJOY!!
Yes yes yes yes, thank you Garth!!!
See, we just needed one quality signing (Fedotenko) to reassure the other FAs, and now Guerin's in...Comrie's on his way...and a D-man...fantastic...
I am happier to see that we *can* find the players that Garth & Ted feel can fit in our system...I had doubts before. In the scheme of things, Sim is a great complementary addition, also.
I'll admit I despaired, but things are looking rosier.
Cheers to Greg Logan for his diligence!
TJ!!!!!!
Come back!
We need our leader!!!!!
ROLL 4 LINES EVERY NITE!!!..LMAO...yea they gonna roll four 4th lines every nite
Even if Comrie signs a one year deal it will be fine.
If he can prove to produce Snow will pay him the big money the year after.
TJ,
Please watch your mouth.
We have always taught all the retards to be nice to others. You stupid retard.
Gotta sign Vishnevsky. That kid can play!
I am tiny! I have no friends! Nobody will play with me, waahh wahhhh wahhhhh!
I want a hairy man to hold me!
Anyway, all idiot comments by Rag fans (who as yesterday proved are the most ignorant, racist fans in hockey) aside, this is a fine move. And Comrie, look at his numbers...he puts up more goals per year than most any of the "big signings". Only 26 years old, already has 5 years of 20 or more goals, 2 years over 30. Compare that to Gomez, who only has one year of over 20 goals. I'll take it. Comrie is exactly who we need to fill Kozlov's shoes. I'll take Guerin over Blake anyday too. He comes slightly cheeper, is a proven winner and leader, is VERY well respected, and has a much more proven record of scoring many goals.
You know, you Rag fans can't even see good HOCKEY moves when they happen right infront of you. Keep paying 7 mil for a 2nd - 3rd liner.
uncle TJ, do you need me to help you with your math homework tonight? just how many years have you been in summer school now. at least you get to have those yummy cupcakes at lunchtime every day. I like nap time the most. we call it third period.
"rag" roster
hossa-gomer-jagr
straka-drury-shanny
avery-cullen-callahan
PRUCHA-betts-orr/hollweg
rosie-malik
tyutin-mara
staal-girardi/pock
prucha is a 1st liner if he were playing on the isles
isle roster
guerin-comrie?-fedetenko
hunter-sillinger-satan
sim-nokelainen-tambellini
bergenheim-bates-whoever
witt-bergeron(who i like)
martinek-vaananen?
markov?-meyer
umm, THE DEFENSE RESTS!!
ill even give u that the goalies are even, but with head issue to DP its tilting to the "rags" (2 vezina finalist honors btw, 1 gold medal)
I would like to see Mccabe on the team. He wants to play here. His contract has 5 years left on it that would bring him to 36 yrs old. He is a complete and number dman. He can go and shut the other teams top players down. I dont want to see the islanders force a trade for a player who does not want to be here ie JOvo or Morris. Markov is nice but he is a stay at home dman we have that. WE need a dman who can play in every situation and shut down the other teams top lines. We do not have a dman of that caliber. Mccabe is that. He puts up points and is strong defensively. He is a plus player his whoel carreer. I think Satan should be traded to get rid of some more salary so we can use it in an arbitration situatin. Mike Ryder comes to mind.
for those sad ranger fans who seem to need to prove something by posting on islanders blogs.... from hockeybuzz.com...
The Rangers are like your family member with an addiction problem. They get better for awhile, long enough that you think they're back to normal, but soon enough, they're back to their old habits. The Rangers addictions are big name free agents. They just can't get enough of them and will pay any amount, no matter how ludicrous to get what they need. After hitting rock bottom by making Bobby Holik a $9 million third line center, the Rangers emerged from the cap with a different philosophy. They trimmed all the fat, and quietly built a competitive team, making smart deals that Lou Lamoriello would've been proud of. But just as we thought the post-cap Rangers had turned the page, we see them tie up their resources for 7 years to 2 players who are very good, but definitely not superstars. With Jagr, Drury and Gomez taking up so much cap room, the Rangers will be in similar constricted territory as the Tampa Bay Lightning with their big three. If you think the Rangers won’t be too badly affected, one need only look to restricted free agent and franchise goalie Henrik Lundqvist, whose contract negotiations have already hit a bump and it's looking like the Rangers will force him into salary arbitration. The next hurdle for the Rangers will be retaining Brendan Shannahan who fit in beautifully for the team late last year. Not only did he provide great production, but was a leadership force, sticking up for his team against no less than Mr. Donald Brashear. Shannahan has publicly stated he chooses the Rangers over retirement, but you have to wonder if fair compensation can be provided, and a competitive team be maintained, with the scraps from the table.
and this doesnt even include avery who seemingly will also choose arbitration.
It doesn't matter who we sign. 90% of the teams in the conference have more talent than us. It all comes down to #39. Lets go Ricky!!!! I have no doubt that he will carry us back to the playoffs.
Great beginning to the recovery from "Black Sunday" (so much for the areana preventing prominent free agents from wanting to sign here). However, we're still short on talent. Here are five guys the Isles should go after now:
1) Mike Comrie
2) Jeff O'Neill
3) Jason Allison
4) Glen Murray (via trade)
5) Andy Sutton or Danny Markov.
Signing these guys would round out the roster nicely and give us a competitive team for next season. All are character guys with lots of talent.
TJ, the problem is that the Rags have no heart. The Isles play with heart, with feeling...you won't know what Jagr will show up, as he needs his ego coddled before the game. Nolan's got a squad of warrior who will give 110% and who have chips on their shoulder.
Next up we'll sign Simon back up, so he can finish the chin lovin' he rendered to Hollweg.
blake,
nah man not proving anything...im just trying to ruin ur parade like "sauce" (aka-cincy) among others did, when we signed our guys. just a lil payback is all..no hard feelings guy
considering we get Comrie, a solid number 2 defensemen..my only other concern would be toughness...we need a heavyweight who will protect the relativaley small islanders team...i like Simon but I would prefer to get the sickest fighter in the league back. Eric Godard.
read where guerin and comrie were talking together and if guerin signed (which he did) comrie would be right behind him,so comrie would have a legit scorer to pass to,they also said the two would like to get the isles back to the playoffs and playing for nolan that can be done I LIKE THE MOVES SO FAR
Here's an idea, let's go find a few Rangers blogs, with postings from morons named 'TJ' (clearly too stupid to change his name on an isles site so look for the name on a rangers site) and ruin his blog with comments about how the isles rule.
let's all do that within the next 24hrs...
DIE HARD
TJ, Hate to mention, but your lineup has your RFA's and Shanny on it. You honestly don't have enough cap room for that line up on opening night. Honestly, there's a decent chance that you aren't gonna keep Shanny if Lundqvist signs a 6mil+ contract, and Avery and Hossa are no locks either if you sign Shanny for 3mil and Lundqvist signs for 5. They now have only 9mil or so to play with.
So, while we have room to add more players to our lineup that you put up, you can't even ice yours.
lol rat,
u condone wat simon did i guess?..a black eye on the sport, made by ur player, yea that really helps the NHL
"rags" have no heart?...only one example necessary...this years playoffs. the rangers "overcame" the adversity of terrible officiating, where the isles crumbled. fans throwin' stuff on the ice, potentially injuring there own players.
Oh, and PS. You smell, TJ!
haha, funny. Put my name up there. That's great guy.
lol die,
i keep the same name cuz im not hiding behind "fake" ones like some do.
i can take it, dont worry bout me.
dan,
shanny WILL be signed. avery WILL be signed (arbitration).
hank WILL be signed..slats has it covered..we dont lose our best players, like u do
f*ck the rangers they like hairy tushies
TJ, nothing would make me prouder as a fan than to see a dead Ranger on the ice of the Coliseum.
Especially for a dirty, face-to-the-glass shove as Hollweg gave right before.
Hollweg's a thug, and he deserved what he got.
Relive it, TJ!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOdGMaaV-8A
alright, how about we wait until the hockey season starts and let the teams speak for themselves instead of all this petty stuff.... i was critical at first, with good reason, but i do like where this is going. i admit, i will miss blake if only because whenever we went to games he was the one who was flying up and down the ice. he stuck out, but seeing him on tv you realize what a tendency he has to be a puck hog. all that said though, i wish him the best of luck in toronto. and i definitly would take guerin over blake any day because guerin has produced for a large number of years and blake has started to pick it up the last few. best of luck to you blakey. like i said before why dont we let the teams face off against eachother and then we can talk about the games in an appropriate fashion rather than ripping eachother before we even know eachothers entire lineups. ty
alright, how about we wait until the hockey season starts and let the teams speak for themselves instead of all this petty stuff.... i was critical at first, with good reason, but i do like where this is going. i admit, i will miss blake if only because whenever we went to games he was the one who was flying up and down the ice. he stuck out, but seeing him on tv you realize what a tendency he has to be a puck hog. all that said though, i wish him the best of luck in toronto. and i definitly would take guerin over blake any day because guerin has produced for a large number of years and blake has started to pick it up the last few. best of luck to you blakey. like i said before why dont we let the teams face off against eachother and then we can talk about the games in an appropriate fashion rather than ripping eachother before we even know eachothers entire lineups. ty
alright, how about we wait until the hockey season starts and let the teams speak for themselves instead of all this petty stuff.... i was critical at first, with good reason, but i do like where this is going. i admit, i will miss blake if only because whenever we went to games he was the one who was flying up and down the ice. he stuck out, but seeing him on tv you realize what a tendency he has to be a puck hog. all that said though, i wish him the best of luck in toronto. and i definitly would take guerin over blake any day because guerin has produced for a large number of years and blake has started to pick it up the last few. best of luck to you blakey. like i said before why dont we let the teams face off against eachother and then we can talk about the games in an appropriate fashion rather than ripping eachother before we even know eachothers entire lineups. ty
srry bout that
How, TJ?
I guess it's all down to Comrie getting over himself. Would've loved it though, if he could've signed for more than two years.
If Comrie signs, the Isles have replaced Blake and Kozlov from last season. Now Hill and Poti must be replaced. So I guess we need both offence and defence on D. Trade for McCabe and sign Vishnevsky. What's the cap at right now? Is it possible?
uncle TJ stole my underoos!!! boo, uncle TJ!
shoot outs give me really bad tummy aches. i miss Michael. he was my very special friend. come home, Michael.
lol rat,
if u recall there was a 5 minute major on that play...which in turn the "rags" scored on the PP (prucha, 2 mins left i think...which then lead to the "rags" soaring up the standings..and the same time the isles "spiraled" outta control...i do. so i thank chris for that, more than u do
:)
dan,
the "rags" still have plenty of room. trust me
:)
uncle TJ, gimme my underoos, you underwear thief! meanie!
Its official..Comrie signed for 1 year per the Islander website. Nice comeback Garth.
Hey Ratman,
Watch the following video, it is the powerplay goal from the powerplay for the Simon hit and probably the biggest reason you didn't have an easier opponent in the first round.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
dum-arse!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p9gM3y-zjEY
I just signed comrie
I just signed comrie
sim, fedetenko, guerin, comrie...RUN FOR UR LIVES!!!
uncle TJ is an underwear thief. RUN FOR UR LIVES!!!
lol :)
Check the nyi website - Comrie is also an Islander - 1 year deal
WE GOT COMRIE!!
tj:
lets face it... rags fans will never get over the isles coming in on the expansion into "their" market and within eight years being able to bring the cup to new york and keeping it there for 4 years - and in less than 15 years having more solid a stanley cup legacy than the rangers managed in what, 90 years? the isles can suck for the next 30 years and STILL have more names on the cup than your beloved rangers.
two words history will never see paired together: "rangers" and "dynasty."
sorry! sucks to be you guys!
That's more like it. Very pumped about this. next up a solid d-man.
We got Comrie! Anyone else in the mix?
We got Comrie! Anyone else in the mix?
We got Comrie! Anyone else in the mix?
Anyone else in the mix?
I don't think they need to do much else. Maybe get Oneil to center to the third line and perhaps a big Defensemen ala Boynton. I think we look really good right now.
Better than we have in years. I think we can win a playoff round or two with this team if all goes well. The first twenty games may rough as we need to establish some chemistry.
This team gets in the post season......LOOK OUT!!!!
I never got upset over the guys that left because we never really won anything with them. We had Blake for all our playoff runs and he didn't accomplish much. The team as a whole, depsite the poor officaiting, got swept on the their home ice for the third straight time in the post season.
So losing Poti, Kozlov, Smyth and Blake doesn't bother me much. I'd rather see what Bergenheim, Tambellinni and Nokelainin can do.
The Rangers are an original team in this league. Who has more Stanley Cup Champions ya Ranger fools. The Islanders made solid moves. Blake wanted a 5 year contract at his age?. The Islanders are into Guerin for 2 years,Comrie for one. Rangers are so committed to their expensice ''Character'' players that unless they get alot of player discounts half the team will be from their minor league affiliate the Hartford Wolfpack. The Smyth trade was a nightmare with what the Islanders gave up but folks wait to you see Okposo(#1 pick 2 years ago). Hes going to be a friggen Superstar.Big,fast,mean and has an elite scoring touch. The Rangers only do well when everyone writes them off. This year the Rangers will make the playoffs and get get broomed out pronto. DP is going to rise to the top this year. One more 20-30 goal scorer and the rumored Ed Jovanowski aquisition and the Rangers can kiss the Islanders patoot!!!!!!
The Rangers are an original team in this league. Who has more Stanley Cup Champions ya Ranger fools. The Islanders made solid moves. Blake wanted a 5 year contract at his age?. The Islanders are into Guerin for 2 years,Comrie for one. Rangers are so committed to their expensice ''Character'' players that unless they get alot of player discounts half the team will be from their minor league affiliate the Hartford Wolfpack. The Smyth trade was a nightmare with what the Islanders gave up but folks wait to you see Okposo(#1 pick 2 years ago). Hes going to be a friggen Superstar.Big,fast,mean and has an elite scoring touch. The Rangers only do well when everyone writes them off. This year the Rangers will make the playoffs and get get broomed out pronto. DP is going to rise to the top this year. One more 20-30 goal scorer and the rumored Ed Jovanowski aquisition and the Rangers can kiss the Islanders patoot!!!!!!