On the Islanders Beat

What the hell? They kept Hilbert, but sent down Tambellini? I only hope its so they can showcase him to trade him off for a draft pick in a few weeks.

Tambellini deserves to play on the team now. Hilbert does not.

Maybe they can package Hilbert and Meyer for a draft pick or two? Sign Berard for 7th D-man slot, and send down Johnson for an emergency callup.

What a joke. Tambellini gets the boot for Andy Hilbert for the second year in a row. Give me a break.

What kind of favors does Hilbert do for Nolan that get him on the second line? Hilbert is not NHL talent!!!!!!!

Can someone please explain how Hilbert is still on this team while a 21 year old prospect in Tamballeni is still in the AHL. We need goal scoring not stone hands right now. Unbeliavable!!

I can't stand Hilbert. He make Kvasha seem palatable!!!!

I really hope Meyer is dealt soon. I'd rather Spiller or Berard get that spot.

Hopefully when Simon gets back, Bootland is sent down and Tambellini or Comeau gets that spot. I think Simon's suspension still counts against the 23 man roster.

I think its absolutely outrageous that Tambellini isnt on the roster right now....Hilbert is a decent roster filler but not someone who will put up the goals Tambellini will and everyone knows we could use some scoring

Now I know why so many Islanders fans kept saying their team would be better than the Rangers and all the analysts didn't know what they were talking about. This is an awesome roster, only to get better once the newcomers become Nolan-Type-Players. Only problem, the Islander 1st line would be the Rangers 3rd line.

So we have to figure Bootland is up until Simon returns, then he'll get sent down. Maybe when that happens Tambs will get called back up? Simon is taking a roster spot even though he's not active, so once they send Bootland down it opens a slot. Although I'd only expect Tambellini to get called up if he's going to play every night, which at this point seems unlikely.

This team needs scoring and if Tambellini cannot make this team then he does not belong in the NHL. But, instead of tipping their hand the Islanders should have traded him to get back the most value.

As for Hilbert, I have no idea why he is on the team. They are better off moving Bergeron to forward (can't play D anyway) and signing Berard. Bergy can play the point on the PP.

once hilbert flashes those stone hands on the 2nd line in, oh, 10 games, tambellini will be up. not to mention if tambs has a hot start in the bridge, bye bye hilbert.

How many more goal posts does Andy Hilbert have to hit in order to lose is roster spot. Must be nice to have that type of job security.

Like the rest of the posts, I'm not certain as to why Hilbert is chosen over Tambellini but he was a +10 last year and Nolan seems to have a lot of faith in the player.

I hope that Berard does sign a contract and Meyer is moved as I'd rather have Berard as the PP QB than Meyer on the team.

MLitt, I think that's one of the great rhetorical questions. It should be a new verse of Blowin' in the Wind.

Seriously, I'm livid at Snow/Nolan about that. It's time to get people here who can SCORE GOALS. I still think Meyer can be a valuable player but at this point it's time to cut our losses, trade him, sign Berard, and make sure everything is all set. Tambellini came into camp hungry, performed well, and was still sent down. Not a good example to set for future young players.

I agree sign berard,get rid of that useless meyer and bring back Tamby. come on management do the right thing for a change!

Hilbert is NHL talent - he had 28 pts (I know low) but he was a +10 and came back and forechecked on defense - he was part of their most consistent line last year and why break it up when they performed so well last year. I'd love to see Tambellini get a try but who could you send down? Simon will probably replace Bootland. There will either be somebody underperforming or an injury and that's when Tambellini has to put up pts.

Actually the move of Bergeron to forward is something I thought about last year. The guy is quick and does have stick handling skills (he faked out a few people on rushes last year) and like it was said above, he could still be point on the powerplay. Sometimes I wonder why this guy is on D. Anyways, I am not a Hilbert fan either, he is just a shining example of mediocrity when at least Tambellini has got a bit more flash in his game (and can actually get the puck between two posts).

I guess we will have to wait until after the Simon suspension to see what Nolan is really thinking but I agree, this is bruising for his ego and will be detrimental to his confidence or his attitude about this organization.

I am hearing that Simon's suspension still counts against the 23 man roster. that being the case, that might explain Tamby getting sent to the Bridge and Bootland on the opening night roster. He's the enforcer to cover Simon for five games.

I have a feeling that Tambellini will be up when Simon gets back.

Still, Hilbert doesn't belong on this team.

How is Hilbert a 2nd line NHL Player and Tambellini is not??? Give Tamby a shot...2 years in a row is rediculous.

I had a feeling, Caesar, about the same thing. It just doesn't excuse Hilbert being anything more than a stick boy on this team.

If the Isles are moving a d-man, again, who would you rather trade: Campoli, for whom we could get more value (though the blog may lose Miggsey permanently), or Meyer, who didn't play up to his ability last year (even though I still say he has more offensive upside than Campoli...I saw him run the BU powerplay and fight in the corners enough to know he's an NHL defenseman). And if so, what could we legitimately expect to get in return?

Wow. I admit I'm not a big Hilbert fan but he is perfect for HIS role, which is 4th line and pk. He should never play on the first 3 lines. If Nolan does this I have no problem with him on the team. Did everyone forget how many posts Blake hit when he first got here? Not that I'm comparing Blake to Hilbert but if used the right way he can't hurt. He's a perfect penalty killer. Remember how many times he would break his stick but still get his body in front of shots and clear the zone. Can Tanby do that. You have to look at the whole team picture which includes special teams.

Oops. Meant Tamby.

hilbert has earned the right to be sent packing - how many chances will he get? tamby is tenacious, has speed and looked great in the preseason, and you send him to bridgeport? berard can run the PP, which no one else could last year, and that cost us a number of games

Something ain't stirring the Kool-Aid. Andy Hilbert is a fourth line winger. Not only did he make this team but he will be eating up valuable ice time on the second line. I know in the grand scheme of things it's probably not going to make or brake or season but I thought Snow and Nolan prided themselves on having the best available talent on the ice at all times, and this roster move does not reflect that mentality.

Islanders have posted the 23-man roster on their website. No Berard. No Tamby.

http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=338907&page=NewsPage&service=page

By the way, does anyone on here know of an Islanders bar in Manhattan, Queens or western Nassau county? Thx

Hilbert should go. Tambellini should make the team. Meyer should go and Berard should be signed. I hope they find a way to trade Shawn Bates after he comes back. Talk about someone who is living off one play. The guy has concrete hands and for some reason has stuck around. Can someone please explain this?

Jeez chill out. This is just the opening roster. Tambellini will no doubt play a huge role this year.

And Berard can't be listed until they finalize a contract.

Dear Ted and Garth ... I'm sure someone in the Isles organization must be responsible for checking out Isles message boards to keep tabs on the "fans pulse". If you don't want to lose a majority of us then I'd suggest you stick Hilbert on that 4th line. If he's on the 2nd line I might throw up all over the new Isles jersey I just bought. Also, Tamby or Berg have to be on a line (wait a minute, I heard a spot just opened on the 2nd line!) to showcase their talents. We drafted both b/c we thought that they'd be NHL front line scorers one day ... WELL, nows the time to find out. And why a PP QB like Berard is not on this team (after a very solid pre-season) is a complete mystery. Send Meyers packing ... are we loyal to him just b/c he played a few games towards the end of last year w/ a bum hand? C'mon now. Fix this roster so that we can have some faith that things are heading up ... NOT DOWN!

Who says Hilbert will be on the 2nd line? You guys are making like this is going to last all year! Lines are shuffled quite frequently in the NHL, its not a big deal, nothing is set in stone. Hilbert is a better PK than Tambellini. I'm worried about Andy Sutton, I have a feeling he's going to be the new Scott Lachance. This could get ugly

History suggests Nolan makes dumb personnel decisions. See Randy Robitaille leading the forwards in icetime down the stretch last season.

I just knew this was going to happen. The Islanders have not done a smart personel move since Torrey went to Florida. Maloney, Milbury, Smith,Snow & crazy Wang, none of them have a clue. We have the worst Player Development skills in NHL history!!!!!!!!!!! How can a team that is so devoid of talent and have so many high draft choices have very few young players on a roster?

It’s obvious that Ted and Garth aren’t gonna carry 8 defensemen during the season, so something must be up in the trade department. Any team looking for backline help would have been ringing Garth’s phone by now, so don’t be surprised if a deal is in the works. And as ‘Makela!’ Points out, even if Berard is only a crossed “T” or a dotted “I” away from signing a contract, he still can’t be listed until it’s final

My gut tells me that either Meyer or Campoli will be moved. Most likely Meyer. Maybe even both!!! Who knows.

Garth and Nolan both realize that goal scoring is most likely to be in short supply this year – no matter who they call up from or send down to the Bridge. So I think they’re putting the majority of their chips on playing as good an overall defensive game as possible. Take care of your own end and wait to score opportunistic goals. If Satan or Comrie decide to have career years, all the better. But that’s why Hilbert is on the squad rather than Tamby. Hilbert hasn’t been able to hit the broad side of the barn, but the guy plays an excellent 2-way game. He’s completely bought into Nolan’s more defensive type system and he plays it well. Teddy is convinced that’s what needed on this team right now – at least in the early part of the season.

Was I rooting for Tambellini? Yes indeed. But I’ll hold my criticism until I see what the product on the ice looks like in the first few weeks. And it’s a tough test right away – 2 against the Sabres, the Rangers, Philly, etc. Let’s just wait and see what happens.

Isles Bri - Tamby wasn't drafted by the Isles he was drafted by the Kings.

Folks, RELAX! Nothing is set in stone yet. I also think Tamby should be on the second line and Hilbert put on waivers, but the fact is we know little about how these guys really can help the team. We're not in the locker room or at practices to make a determination on who stays and who goes. We have to trust the coach and management to make the right decisions.

Although, Nolan missed a ton of time in the last week because of his brothers death. Could this be effecting his decisions on Tamby/Hilbert? He knows what he's getting with Hilbert, but is on the fence about Tamby. he obviously didn't get to watch the two play a lot and made a decision on past performances.

Wow, that Hilbert news is surprising but it shows that this team is really focusing on team defense. I didn't get to watch all but the Ranger/Islander pre-season game because that was the only pre-seson game televised so it is hard to comment on the teams decisions. Has anyone consistently watched the Islanders in pre-season on ISLES TV? If so I would be curious to see what they thought of Tambellin's play as well as Hilberts play.

I really think everyone is over-reacting a little bit. Yes, it's a little surprising to see Tamby sent down in favor of Hilbert, but Satan did have his best game on Sunday, paired with Vasicek and Hilbert. Why not see how that goes? A scoring Satan is more valuable than Tamby in the NHL.

Also, let's keep in mind that this is only the opening day roster; one game of eighty-two! Our roster at the end of last season was different that our roster at the beginning of last season, and I'm sure that will repeat. That's just the way things work in hockey.

I'm sure Bootland will be sent down once Simon is ready to return. Perhaps Tamby gets called back up?

We'll have to wait and see, but calm down! A roster is a fluid entity, not a holy scroll set in gold!

Well said Cincy. Lets see how they play before we criticize too much.

I mistakenly posted my thoughts on all the possible combinations under the "Final Preseason Lineup" story earlier today. No matter what has happened since then, I stand by my view.

I cannot believe NO Kip Brennan.....Bobbleheads make me sick! The guy was a bonified looney tune and we could of used him!!! Simon is getting old and Bootland is not going to stay up once he gets back!

Now we have below avg toughness.

I am sort of kidding, but it would of been fun to see a true goon squad since we are not going to score much!

The fact Hilbert made this team is absolutely COMICAL. He is a bad PARK if that is possible. Why not just keep Randy Robicrap also and call it a day......WHAT ARE THESE GUYS THINKING?????

Not even game ONE and the BOBBLEHEADS are BOBBING !!!

please for the love of long island and god, sign Berard

Yes, it's early and things will shake out in ways we did not imagine, but it's tough seeing Tamby off the opening day roster.

It's not as if Tamby performed poroly with his ice time in New York (PLUS 6)--and I thought he played well given that he was on the Bridgeport-Long Island yo-yo, often playing in the AHL on a Friday night, coming to the Island on Saturday, and finding himself back at Bridgeport for a Sunday afternoon tilt.

I can't argue with Hilbert's plus/minus on a checking line, but he was among the worst shooters in the NHL, near the absolute bottom in shooting percentage. I'd say that if he hit a post, he was closer to scoring than usual.

At least both Hilbert and Tambellini are Michigan Wolverines, so I can't blame it on Hilbert playing college hockey in New England.

Some of you fans drive me crazy. Yes, hilbert is not the best NHL talet but at this point is still a better option than Tamby at this point. Hilbert is not on the second line like so many of you are saying. He is on the 3rd line. Do you all not think that Sim-Sillinger-Hunter are not the second line? If Tamby is not on the second line then he should remain in the minors to develop. He is not an all-star or he would be on the team. He does not kill penalties and is not a great role player. Tamby will be on this team oneday soon. Hilbert will have to really prove himself this year with players ready to take his spot.

Attention, Islander Fans: Andy Hilbert sucks, and Jeff Tambellini is hardly any better.

Of course it doesn't matter if a player can SCORE, it only matters if he has GRIT.

The truth is that I, who never played a game above sunyacs in college, am a better offensive player than andy hilbert. I honestly believe that.

This is going to be a very tough team to watch, unless the only thing better you have to do is slide bamboo chutes under your fingernails.

Its cool, though. Scoring and winning really don't matter, is the level of GRIT you have that counts.

Andy hilbert... good god give me a break.

Tambellini deserves a one way ticket to Long Island. Let him play!!!!

i dont know why you are all down on hilbert, i think he brings energy to the team, and i happen to like him...the problem isnt that he is on the roster, its that hes on the second line...they should switch him and bergenheim, and have bergenheim play with vasicek and satan

It's a very simple matter. Is Hilbert going to give us something more that Tambellini could not?

NOOOOOOOOOOO

Absolutely not!!!!!

The signing of Hilbert was whimsical and outrageous considering the Isles had already fulfilled thier quote of underachieving mediocre outcasts. How can we ever expect Tambellini to make that jump to the NHL if he is never given the chance.

My God people, Ted Nolan and co. know what they are doing. Hilbert has upside (remember what he "did"), and works hard. Period for Ted Nolan. I love Tamby too, but I think a lot of us think about the good old days and the connection there- should Jordan Hart and Justin Bourne make the team too? Trust. Wait. See. THEN judge.

Fair point, bonzo, but there's one bit of nostalgia the bobbleheads really blew it on -- Zach Parise! How cool would it have been for father and son both to be great Islanders. It kills me.

Irrelevant to Tambellini though.

It started long before Parise dude!

MikeL -- I was referring not to all their mistakes, but only to instances where they made a mistake by not drafting the son of a great former Islander. Are there other examples of that besides Parise?

to everyone who is complaining about where people are on the "lines:" As soon as the Isles have their first swoon, or a line is not clicking, Ted will mix things up a bit anyway. Hilbert will either play up and impress or down to less playing time. I'd rather Tamby get ice time in Bridgeport and come up if Hilbert, or whoever, doesn't cut it. Personally I think Hilbert is going to have a significantly better year, unless his luck is truly awful. remember you have to get open and get a shot off to hit the post...

I remember I had a Hilbert Ring from Entemann's one time around the holidays...wait!...silly me ...that was a Filbert Ring.....either way Andy Hilbert should be treated the same way that danish was...served with a cup of coffee and gone in five minutes!!!!

nystom and gillies son's were also drafted...but i don't think they're any good. so thank god they weren't drafted by the isles...

Tamby will be called up as soon as simon's suspension is lifted.

He has a 2 way contract. Makes sense. Once Simon is back, they'll make room for him....

Ceaser,

Your upset about Kip Brennan. As am i. But, when i look to the future this is most likely Simon's last season as an Islander and Kip Brennan and Bootland are hopefully the enforcers of the future. Im not sure what everyone else thinks, but, i think Bootland is the next Chris Neil. Grit and scoring touch

My vote is for tambellini, but I can understand giving Hilbert a shot. He battled last year, and paid his dues in BOS, CHI and PIT. But this is the final ride on the merry-go-round. He needs to produce with Satan and Vasicek like he did in PIT (almost a point a game).
that's not likely.
We'll probably see a lot of line shuffling and the shuttle from Bridgeport with tambellini, Comeau and Nielsen again...
I think Hunter could fill Hilbert's spot, bergy moved into the checking role with Sillinger and tambellini being an effective fourth liner, PK guy.
My argument for tambellini is not to replace Hilbert on the scoring line, but Bergenhiem on the fourth line. Hunter should take a step up when it comes to productive responsibility.
Hunter needs to play like he did with smyth last year, almost mimicking his grinding style... Add that to Satan and Vasicek and you might have something on that second line. Hilbert won't be in that spot long... way too much pressure from below.
WHICH IS A GOOD THING!

Who knows, this roster could have a completely different look by 11/1.

Anyone notice excerpt form the Q&A on the Isles website? No mention of Berard at all.

They aren't going to include an unsigned player in a roster discussion. Concensus seems to be they are waiting to move Meyer to sign him.

Guys have faith in Ted.

im not saying Hilbert will do any better this year but last season reminded me of when we first got jason blake. how many goals could blake of had?....Hilbert is responsible and tammby has some work still to go. he will get his chance.

Has anybody seen the Ted Nolan interview on Islanders TV on their site? I am not sure what time it was put up but the majority of the questions seem to be revolving around Berard and from what Nolan is saying it seems like Berard is still in the picture. Hopefully something can be worked out contract wise but I get the impression from the interview he will be in the lineup. I hope that is the case.

Hillbert being on that line instead of Bergie or Tambellini is so comical that I can even really respond the way I want to ...I'm so angered by the Isles stubborness that I actually have to laugh ...

AZS -- Do you experience the Isles as a stubborn child who just will not listen to you? ;-)

No real issues, but why break up the Sillinger line, which was the only consistent one from last year? Of course, by the third period Friday, the line-juggling will have already begun, anyway.

Maybe Tambellini just isn't any good? This reminds of when Papineau kept getting cut.

That obvious KH?

;-)

LOL

My brothers in Isledom... I posed this before but with no response:

Does anyone know of an Islanders sports bar in Manhattan, Queens or western Nassau County?

Thanks in advance

I think this is Nolan's way of getting more consistency out of Tamby. I'm pretty sure he will be on the roster before long but Teddy wants to make sure he brings it every night and is responsible.

I usually don't post to blogs but after reading half way down I just had to. I think the real issue is not a Tamby/Hilbert debate but the fact that its a debate at all. Do you all realize that neither of these two could sniff the second line on most NHL teams? Meyers/Berard? Haven't seen Meyers enough to form an opinion and isnt it true that Berard is blind in one eye? (unfortunate accident a few years back) - THIS is the guy you want running the PP? Lets all take a deep breath now ..... good .... the Isles are not going to be good this year, but unlike the bad teams of the 90's, this team will at least try on a nightly basis, I guess that's all we can ask for.

i like hilbert, even though he has trouble scoring, he's fast and gives 100% every shift and really played well down the stretch last year. he's also relatively young and may improve on his scoring defficiencies. his hustle can be infectious to his team mates. obviously nolan knows alot more about his players than us guys in the blogesphere. let's give hilbert a chance!

KH, if you find an Isles bar in Manhattan I'll be right there with you this Friday (at least I'll be at the Coliseum Saturday - do Steady and Merrick need a referee?).

As for this Don Buckley thing, I haven't seen a thing either, nor have I ever heard of him. I'm treating this as a hoax until further notice.

Hilbert had a good season last year... and with a little luck would have scored 25 goals last year. The guy seemed to have at least one breakaway a game... or hit a post/crossbar a game and most of them were due to his all out hustle and 100% effort. I think Nolan and Snow like that about him (Obviously) and think that he will find the scoring touch.

If Tambellini was as good as we want to "believe" he is then I think there would definitely be a spot for him.

Maybe we just want him to be good and therefore think he is being shafted here.

DOC

Doc~

Come on pal....25 goals for Dilbert????? That is what we hope Hunter scores.

Sorry but i think you are way way way off base on this one.

If he scored over 10 it would be a miracle.

Another tidbit about Hilbert - the guy was playing with a separated shoulder during the p-offs.

The Isles lost lynch pin defenceman Sean Hill with a 20-game league suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance. Andy Hilbert played the series with a separated shoulder, Arron Asham a broken hand. Alexei Yashin did not get a point.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Playoffs/Buffalo/2007/04/21/4091660-sun.html

VH coming to Nassau soon---will rock more than a Simon punch planting orr on his arse.

when is VH coming?

Doc: I think you may need to see a Doc or watch more games. I don't know if you were exagerating or toking the pipe too many times but Hilbert did not hit the post 17 times last year. He would have needed more than a little luck, he would have needed a soccer goal too net 25 goals. With that being said I am the eternal optimist (Jet fan for 35 years) and always believe their is an upside too every player. I think Hilbert can play a significant role and contributed last year in more ways then showed up on the score sheet: but 25 goals is a fantasy. Don't get me wrong; I would love for him to develop like Jason Blake did and blind side all the fans and critics; and man would we all have to eat some crow if he had a breakout season and scored some goals but I did not see 25 goals from him last year or this year for that matter. He did play 81 games did he not?

We need to commit to defense and the forwards play a role in that; and until the forwards can prove to score consistently we need to be a defense and goal-tending first kind of team and Hilbert fits that role more than he fits a 20 + goal type of role.

Tambellini has a future with the Isles and he will play a lot this year as did Campoli last year as well as Nielson; it just takes time to earn a full time roster spot.

By the way "Isles fan stuck in Manhattan" Berard has proven he can play with the handicap in his eye, he put up points with Columbus and then injured his back. It's not like the Isles invited him too camp off of the hospital bed after eye surgery. If he is healthy he can play; it was worth an invite.

kickedinthejunk: Don't forget Satan had an injured foot as well and was not near 100% for the last 1/4 season as well as the playoffs. DP had a concussion as well as an injury to his hip the entire season. If DP is healthy all year he will be even better than he was last year when he played injured. Look it up, he missed time in the beginning of the season due to his hip and played through it all year.

Damn...let the professionals do there thing. If the team goes to sh!t then we can complain. I agree that Hilbert doesn't belong on the 2nd line, but to complain about a guy the is great on the pk and gives 100% is crazy. Let's see his production before we ask for his head.

I honestly hope that Meyer gets traded so he can get far away from all of you Islander fans that never gave him a chance.