One word. Cryogenics.That is the retardation of aging effects caused by extremely low temperatures. On a perfectly sunny, 70-degree day, the Islanders held their daily workout in the windowless, 50-degree temperatures inside their Ice Works practice rink in Syosset.
This typical, refrigerated exercise was indicative of two things. 1) Hockey practice, unlike the organized narrative of a game--with its unscripted drama leading to a logical conclusion--is not a spectator sport. (The players, on the other hand, are properly attired both for the strenous work and for the environment, in sweaters and gloves.) And 2) Those Stanley Cup banners hanging from the rafters of Ice Works this season for the first time--as similar banners have hung for years from the Nassau Coliseum ceiling--never get old. Even though what they stand for is now more than 20 years old. (Cryogenics at work.)
For the hard-core fan who might think watching practice is interesting: Really, it's just an hour of the THWAKING sound of sticks hitting pucks and pucks hitting sideboards (and a few BOINGS from hitting posts), plus the occasional shrill of a coach's whistles. All punctuating the skating, shooting and positioning drills. Players don't wear numbers, so it takes a quick, trained eye just to pick out individuals, let alone follow the two or three pucks in play at once. Although, the Islanders do dress their forwards in colors according to linemates: Orange, red, powder blue, gray (and navy blue for defensemen).
But one needn't get cold feet. The team's next home game will be Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. (The DEVILS!)
That could mean two things. 1) Good vs. evil? Or 2) a not-so-cold day in......
Comments (48)
Wait, what?!
I've got to second that. What was that post. Ok...now I know that the islanders hold practices. I don't know about you guys, but this is exactly the insider information I come here for... Did Logan get fired...seriously?
What the....?
First off. What is this????
Second, really what is this? The post didn't say anything. I like the spirit it was written in, but it didn't say anything.
Third, where is Logan? Why is someone else posting on his blog?
Glad I'm not the only one scratching my head over that entry....If this mystery poster was actually watching the practice (as I did on IslandersTV), he might have mentioned that Trent Hunter was moved up to the first line with Comrie and Fedetenko, while Guerin skated with Sillinger and Hilbert. Now THAT's the insider I assume folks are looking for, right? Anyway, I enjoy reading the posts here and -some- of the comments ;-) Go Isles.
7:11
Those are interesting line combo's:
Fed-Comrie-Hunter
Guerin-Sill-Hilbert
Still not sold on Hilbert. Is Bergie still skating on second line?
Far out, man. Like, the brown tabs are bad, you dig?
Its a bit chilly in here, don't you think?
It must be safe to assume MAB will be a healthy scratch again. They appear to have broken up the BMR line a bit too early but maybe a temporary shake up will get their attention. No matter how you split them up, we're in dire need of some real offensive punch. After all the belly aching I heard about defence and how porous it was going to be, it's nice to see Campoli and Gervais playing top rate D and leading all the pairings in plus/ minus and points.
Who or what is a John Jeansonne ????? Logan too tired alread????
Gents n Trolls~
Logan was making a point...When there is nothing to write about, why create a new story? People were trashing him for not writing a new story......At least that is what I think he was doing. If not Gary has kidnapped Logan and is taking over his blog!
Lets Go Isles
point not well taken. this post was just pathetic in every way. don't humor us with this garbage. whoever wrote that is an ah-ole and not funny. just go to hockey-buzz and read BD Gallofs blogs, he actually talks about what's doing with the squad. Logan, where are you man?
john jeansonne - sorry if i was a tad harsh on your write up.
wow....what was that article??????
whomever wrote this article is trying way too hard to be deep or something.... it does NOT work. this is hockey man.... get over yourself and talk sports here.
Ok, I have a topic...uniforms...PATHETIC! They all look like bobblehead dolls wearing cheap rec league jerseys (every team). Thank you Bettman...moron never skated a day in his life and he gets to wreck my game. He makes the friggin' glow puck seem like the good ole days.
Huh?
How lame must ones life BE to go through the trouble of hacking a Newsday blog?
...because this CANT be real.
???
This just made me dumber, and i can't afford to get any dumber since i bought season tickets to watch 3rd and 4th liners in top 6 roles.
Do you people read the paper?
John has written for Newsday's sports section for well over 20 years.
----------------------------
Do you people read the paper?
John has written for Newsday's sports section for well over 20 years.
----------------------------
Oh YES- because whatever name a person signs something with on the internet MUST be exactly who typed whatever youre reading. Duh.
Thanks for the actual INSIDER information from some of the posts here. I think its a good time for Teddy to juggle the lines since there so many days to pratice between games. Hunter as been a beast IMO, and deserves more ice time. The only thing I'm upset about when it comes to him is that we only signed him for 1 year. He has to be Nolan's favorite player on this team (besides of course DP). Got to get my man signed long term!!!!! Love watching this guy battle along the wall. Remember last year when he was chasing crosby behind the net, for what seemed like for forever...right before hilbert fed silly for that weak goal....that's classic TRENT HUNTER. This guy may not have the fastest wheels or the most talent, but he's definitely a GAMER! Just to see him barely make it to the bench, after that play, and put is hands up makes me smile :-)
That was a terrible post by Jeansome , actually one of the worst I have ever read.
I agree about Hunter, but with there's one problem with him ...
He certainly has become one of the better hitters in the league and has been playing well on the checking line, but remember when he 1st came up? Remember when he'd take the puck off the wall and barrel towards the net and either he'd push right past the defender to either score with his nice shot or atleast get a quality shot? Or the defender would have to drag him down and take a PP?
Hunter needs to get back to that ...he needs to think offense 1st and checking 2nd ...he's got the potential to score 25 goals per year when he decides to go to the net ...
I agree about Hunter, but with there's one problem with him ...
He certainly has become one of the better hitters in the league and has been playing well on the checking line, but remember when he 1st came up? Remember when he'd take the puck off the wall and barrel towards the net and either he'd push right past the defender to either score with his nice shot or atleast get a quality shot? Or the defender would have to drag him down and take a PP?
Hunter needs to get back to that ...he needs to think offense 1st and checking 2nd ...he's got the potential to score 25 goals per year when he decides to go to the net ...
Sorry John...
Greg Logan does such a great job as Isles Beat writer, that any replacement, temporary (i hope) or otherwise, is simply a startling block of bricks to Greg's scribing finesse and attunement with the Islanders.
Both the blog and today's article really clawed up people's spines like skates across a chalkboard.
Isles Blog: immediate information on info on the Isles, not creative meandering of the actual writer.
Article: Gnitty gritty info about the team, not the banners.
Cheers,
BD
That post was an absolute joke, how did he get positng rights anyway. Where is Logan? Why is he not blogging about this off week and the new line combos? This new blog made my head hurt.....
I will say, if hacked, it's still better than Hahn's last few articles for the Isles.
Why the negativity? So Greg had a day off and Mr. Jeansonne wrote a piece that differs from the norm. So what? Be appreciative that there is an Islanders blog on the Newsday web site. If you don't like it, don't read it. Mr. Jeansonne has been a respected writer for decades. I think it is time we showed Mr. Logan and Mr. Jeansonne some respect on the posting board and enough with the trashing and negativity.
No offense, but if all of you are on this blog to learn hockey from Steve "I Know" Zippo and Greg, than you have more problems than I thought.
You should be on this blog to talk to other people about your own ideas and talk Isles Hockey. Lets face it Hockey is the 4th sport, which is why many of us go online to chat about it, rather than get the who cares look from friends and co-workers :) !!! So unless there is a news breaking story, give Greg a break!
Go to Tsn.ca to read your hockey articles and then come here to share your opinions.
NY for hockey info ????? Now that is funny!
LETS GO ISLES !!!
Good to see the NYIsles troll kicked off Hockeybuzz still has a place in the world.
Thanks for your real email, Robin. Always good to have an identity to a silly troll.
The guy that was ripping on B.D. just happened to be the same guy shamed out of the Hockeybuzz threads, due to having a duel identity outed.......by none other than a member of the Islanders organization, I might add. Keep up the excellent work B.D.!!
Thanks MM
No reason to fight.
But you know...these comments are for comments about the writer/subject/issues. I certainly respect any published writer, but I am a Newsday subscriber and have the right to comment just as anyone else.
I also think Greg Logan is one of the best Isles beat writers they ever had, and there is an expectation when someone reads the blogs and the Isles to have him be the writer.
that was a bad joke written by the author, looks like he rediscovered his bag of marijuana (hidden by m millbury)
milbury himself have taken a few puffs, i saw him on tsn.ca recently with so-called 'experts' claiming ny ragers as the potential stanley cup winners, clowns!
Well - I'm not sure whom B.D. is speaking about, but I am not a member and have never been a member of Hockeybuzz (I do visit the site), and the Anonymous blogger with the negative comments about B.D. above is not me as I don't believe in having a critical dialog with someone on a blog site.
Rob
Yet, Robbie, you chose to screenshot these comments and send them to the Isles. And, emailed me through an email address that could only come from stalking.
You are indeed who I said you are. You seal it with every little kooky thing you do.
Tough crowd!
Not sure about Hunter on the first line instead of Guerin. Tank already is the guy who stands in front of the net for that line, so if anyone, he should probably be replaced by Hunter. I think a playmaker or another pure goal scorer would be better there to take some pressure off of Comrie, who has been getting doubled up every game since the Buffalo home and home. Maybe Satan on that line, or just leave Guerin there and change up the strategy a bit to free up Comrie. They were good in the preseason and first couple of games, and stumbled a bit since then, but so did the rest of the team. Let's not go back to the Sterling days when there were new line combinations out twice a game.
I hope the Isles can come out strong on Thursday. Imo, they've looked very weak in the openings of every game so far, and that doesn't say a lot for the ol' effort that's supposed to be the calling card for this team. It's cliche, but the Isles needs to skate hard for all 60 minutes to win games. We all knew going in that they don't have the natural talent to make up for it if they start taking time off.
I do like the way Nolan's been rolling four lines during the PK though. Keeps everyone as fresh as possible.
Anon - we honestly don't really care.
Hockey > Grudges
Hahaha, nah, I just like to start with you because you give me, and any other sane hockey fans out there so much ammo to pick you apart. How many names have you decided to come up with since the NYI/Huet Sucks duo got reveale?. You talk about me like you don't come onto the Rangers blog to start trouble. You're a hypocrite, who's devoid of anything resembling a life and you seriously need to get form out of the basement apartment you live in and try to get a life. I expect to see another name you create shortly and pretend that you aren't the hideous loser troll that you say you aren't. You're pathetic, but hey don't take my word for it. Just ask anyone else out there if I am wrong. Your fellow fans don't even like you, yet you still refuse to tone down your act. You are accomplishing nothing by coming on here and acting the way you do. All you do is further our belief that you are deranged and seriously need to seek out professional help.
What is all this? Obviously spilled over from another blog, can you please bring it back there? I'd rather have the Rangers trolls saying we suck (well...almost rather).
5 games in 29 days? How did that happen?
And actually it didn't, I misread its 7 games in 29, still quite a long layoff time.
My bad Heals, this all started with this guy that posts under a plethura of names ripping on B.D. Gallof, stemming from the Hockeybuzz forums. I jumped into this because this guy really needs to be stopped. Yes, people that come on here to make fun of your team, solely, are pretty useless too. But this guy, who is one of your own, is probably the single biggest reason that these forums usually turn into a pissing contest. I personally can't stand this person, and I never even met him/her. This person is the only one that I can't ever have a rational hockey talk with. Didn't mean to come on here and ruin tht thread though, sorry for that.
MM:
No worries, I know you're not causing the problems. What I don't like is the useless flaming/spamming from either side of the Isles-Ranger rivalry and numerous paragraphs crapping on a blogger I have never read (nor care about really) doesn't really have a place here. Isles and Rangers fans alike, lets not feed these trolls.
So as for something related to the Islanders...what has happened to their beat writer? I can believe Steady's hypothesis that this was done in response to some blog posts complaining about lack of news, though why would it come from someone else? Just seemed to be a bit of a fluff piece to me, not that bad.
I am also worried about Bates will fit, the chemistry seems to have been disturbed a bit on our lines (though it seems that the promotion of Bergenheim to line 2 is starting something). I am excited to see how that line will play in Washington.
Also...I NEVER want to return to the era of Steve "Slot Machine" Stirling juggling the lines endlessly even when they seemed to be clicking.
exactly. back to the issue at hand...
Most have gotten used to Logan's style of work which always has great grains of information. Doesn't matter who you are...fan, reader, blogger, whatever..everyone reads Logan's stuff. So, if they are adding more writers to keep the blog going, they need to have them be more inline to what the audience prefers...some good familiarity to the team. Isles fans can smell fluff. There was reaction to today's pieces not just here..but on the Isles messageboards.
To the actual issue of line changes: Its never bad to experiment (within reason...which was lost during the Stirling days) with line combos. After all, most lines were penciled in straight away during camp, so they never tested combinations. Plus injuries happen, which will force issues later. So not a bad thing to juxtapose Hunter and Guerin. This is a contract year for Hunter, and if he can output 30 goals, might actually tap into potential. His only no-so-great year was under Brad Shaw. Guerin with Silly is also good. Both are vet and scrappy. Hilbert plays a two-way game that is solid, but not exactly spectacular. But if Hilbert or someone else can be a more explosive guy, then add Silly's excellent faceoff work and Guerin's very hard shot...thats a line with good possibilities.
I disagree a bit, B.D. I don't think it's necessarily bad to put Guerin with Sillinger, I just don't see how Guerin benefits more than he does with Comrie. Guerin's put up six assists already, but who on that line is the finisher that he's supposed to set up now? Hilbert won't finish, and Sillinger, as noted, is more of a scrappy, along the boards player than a finisher. Guerin may put up some dirty goals on that line, but I think they're wasting his setup ability with this move.
I really think the first line was OK as is. It's not just that they scored in the first couple of games, but rather how they scored. Each had a feel for where the other guys were going to be, and they had a couple of nice tic tac toe passing plays that led to goals. Haven't seen an Islanders line do that in a long time, using all three players, even if it was against a Buffalo D that seems more interested in scoring than defending. Also, Comrie and Guerin came here in part because they were looking forward to playing together. Seperating them this early might not be too great for their mindset - and on this point I'm more worried about Comrie than Guerin, who is without a doubt a professional.
Re: Bates - If Bates can get moving again without falling apart, I don't think a Park-Bates-Simon line would be that bad at all for a fourth. Much better than Bootland-Park-Simon. Park and Bates play a speedy two-way game and can score a little here and there, and Simon brings toughness - that's pretty much what you want in a fourth line.
what?
bates is a waste - has been since he started playing with us. he is either injured, disappears on the ice, or just plain does nothing. every once in a while, he drives to the net hard or causes something to happen - but not nearly enough to give him the ice time that everyone seems to claim that he should have. he is another example of a mike milbury "gem in the rough" that never actually produced the gem - just a lot of "rough." i happen to like the kid, and was rooting for him for a long time to get going, but i just dont see him contributing on a regular basis the way we need players to contribute. he might be a grinder, but he just doesnt produce anything and probably never will.
exit stage left.
Healy,
It's a shame that there are trolls abound, on both the Rangers and Islanders threads. Most Islanders fans are good hockey fans. Rangers fans, despite me being one of them, admittedly have a few trolls that come on here and do nothing but try to annoy good Islanders fans like yourselves.
Onto the the thread topic at hand. From an outsider's point of view, it's never a bad thing to see if new line combinations can click. I love Hunter's game, overall I think he is a solid player. Yes he isn't a speed demon, but he has good hands, shoots the puck well and isn't afraid of getting into the dirty areas to score his goals. Comrie is a good passer and is patient with the puck, which will allow Hunter to catch up and join rushes with him. So far Fedotenko has been consistent, so that first line might actually click with Hunter. Guerin is an old pro and I am sure will adapt with Sillinger just fine. They both play a north-south style of hockey, so that combo just might work. Who will be flanking the other wing on that line?
Smoochie:
A few kinder words are welcome amidst the relentless "you and your team sucks" mantra that has existed here.
But just to keep us away from "brown nosing"...MM, you and your team sucks.
I am disheartened by the sudden air going out of the balloon effect but I think we fooled ourselves a little bit by beating a castrated Buffalo team as well as a Rangers team that hasn't quite clicked. I think this team will certainly heat up again though, too early to throw in the towel, thats why we play the games!
A friend of mine from Montreal just called me about a trade rumour he heard on the FAN radio there. Apparently Bob Gainey wants Campy included in a proposed trade of Alex Kovalev for Miro Satan. I can understand moving the two non productive forwards straight up but please tell me Garth wouldn't include Campoli in that deal???? I personally wouldn't trade Campy even up for Kovalev because they're both headed in very different directions. Kovalev is getting old and his best years are well behind him; much like we're seeing here with Miro. Say it ain't so Garth, keep Campoli but a change might do Miro and Alex the world of good.