Defenseman Freddy Meyer, who was picked up on waivers by Phoenix when the Islanders tried to assign him to Bridgeport earlier this season, was reclaimed by the Isles today on re-entry waivers. General manager Garth Snow cited the loss of defenseman Aaron Johnson for two months because of a sprained right knee as the reason for bringing Meyer back.
“We got the bad news on Aaron Johnson that he’ll be gone for a minimum of eight weeks,” Snow said this afternoon. “Bryan Berard could be back in a week, but with two injuries on defense, we didn’t think we were in a good enough position depth-wise. Getting Freddy back, we know the player, and we know the person. We were fortunate that the timing worked out that he was on re-entry waivers.”
The Islanders originally lost Meyer because he’s on a one-way contract and was subject to claim by another team when they tried to send him to the AHL. Meyer played five games for Phoenix, but the Coyotes sent him down to their AHL affiliate in San Antonio. When they tried to recall him, Meyer was subject to re-entry waivers because he makes more than $100,000.
Claiming Meyer on re-entry waivers actually is a bargain for the Islanders because they only are obligated to pay half of his remaining salary this season, which amounts to $190,000. Meyer won’t be available for tonight’s game against the Devils at Nassau Coliseum, but he should rejoin the team in time for its next game Monday in Philadelphia. Whether he steps into the lineup or not is another question.
When Berard is ready, he’s likely to go straight into the active lineup, and it will be up to coach Ted Nolan to decide whether to go with seven defensemen or scratch one, such as he did earlier with Marc-Andre Bergeron. For now, the acquisition of Meyer looks like insurance against more injuries.
Asked if he might be stockpiling defensemen for a future trade, Snow said that’s not the case. “No,” the general manager said, “we’re just worried about being too thin on defense. We found out last year you can’t have enough defensemen.”
Comments (94)
I don't think Freddy the IV gets to see too much ice... but it is insurance i guess... considering the Islanders have already had 3 significant injuries this season. Sim - done for the year... Johnson - two months.... and Berard 4 weeks. Injuries happen and to be prepared is the best plan.
Good move even if the player is not exactly earth shattering... he is experienced... the team knows him... he knows what's expected of him from Nolan.... and the transition if needed will be less painful than the alternatives.
DOC
The Avery situation is serious. This guy paints his nails like a three year old girl , and is the poster boy for a NY team. This is a black eye on the whole city. Rangers make the city look bad yet again!
While I agree Freddy is relatively inexpensive insurance over the short term, it's fair to say he certainly didn't figure in the long term plans for the Islanders when initially put on waivers. At that time MAB was still treading water but has proven to be fairly inconsistent in a defensive role. Now that the Berard/Campoli pairing has proven to be a superior tandem on the PP, it's likely only a matter of time before MAB is traded away. Berard/Campoli is not only a better PP pairing; they're also better financially when considering the cap implications. In the regular pairings, Campoli and Gervais have developed nicely and show chemistry from playing together in Brideport and on the Island.
If Garth wants a proven scorer then the limited offensive upside of MAB ( along with a grinder and a fairly high range draft pick) just might get us another gunner. Someone like a Brad Richards who isn't playing up to snuff might just be available with a cap challenged team and I'm sure Garth knows who's all/might be available from talking with other GM's. If he decides to go the other way in a trade, then Campoli and Gervais become the only two defensive assets we have and that possibility doesn't seem to gel with planning Snow has shown to date.
It'll be interesting to watch the management team with this whole situation. Once all the D are healthy, we have an abundance of NHL caliber players on the roster with limited options. We can't hide them all in Bridgeport and not playing them doesn't accomplish anything.
another Saturday with Gary the troll at home alone. Dungeons and Dragons league get canceled?
How is your girl Avery? DING DONG AVON AVERY CALLING !!
dont you all love how dolan announces sellouts for every game but there are always thousands of empty seats in the garden nightly. get rid of the SUITS and get real fans.
Miggs... looks like it's doc , you and I today. So pass whatever you're smokin'. This is a solid depth move. They don't have ANYTHING in the AHL better than a 3rd line level guy, Kohn and Spiller(who would be emergency insurance at best).
Of course anything is possible... but the only way we could get anything of value for MAB at this point in the season would be a clear salary dump...
Dude, when you have an agenda you really hammer it from every angle... Let the guy do what he does, I'm sure they will work with him, and in a month or we all may be very pleased with the results.
Sometimes the BEST DEALS are teh ones YOU DON'T MAKE.
Have a nice weekend...
Hey JP: It is hard to hold the addicts down from the blog :) ( unless it's the preschoolers from Manhatten).
I still think where there's smoke there's fire. In the example I cited, Tampa does need defensive help with Boyle out again and it's safe to say Tortorella is likely getting fed up with Richard's and his minimal #'s this year without even considering the salary cap issues the Lightning are facing. We could afford Richard's contract, provide a nice change of scenerey and it would move him closer to his families home in PEI.
I agree with you that it's a depth move but I think that's solely in the short term. I think Tampa might be a better fit for MAB with the sun tan lotions and all the beautiful people (lol). I think Ted and crew have actually gotten through to MAB about some of his short comings and I really believe MAB has honestly tried to correct some of his flaws. You just can't put a square peg in a round hole. I just think he's not in the right place at the right time and a move to bolster the club offensively makes sense.
It'll be curious what Cincy, Steady, Mass and all the other regulars have to say about all this. In the meantime, let's hope for a another win tonight.
Freddy Meyer is like Bates, in a word, "Why?"
Brad Richards has a NTC, he aint waving it for the Isles... Aat 7mil I dont even want him, you cant win with guys making that much money nowadays. Look at Ottawa they're gonna lose Redden soon, Tampa is maxed out and cant even afford a #1 goalie. Claiming Meyer is a very smart move. Snow starts out the same place he was when he tried to demote Meyer in the first place but he get;s him at half price and didnt even need him when he was gone. We have had 7 dmen up since the season started until Johnson was injured. Why not try MAB on the wing when Berard returns?? They did it with Johnson because of offesive potential more than size. MAb has wheels and a shot, line him up with some responsible linemates like Park, or go for broke and stick him on the PP only.
Nice win boys! Did not look that crisp, but DP showed why he is the best in the league!
Satan is hotter than he^^. No pun intended!
DP best in the league, after tonights game????? You can't be serious, can you? No wonder you post as Anonymous. DP, very good. Best in the league??? How many shots did the Devils have on him tonight??? How many were actually difficult????? Stop, you just embarrassed yourself.
Gutted out the W in a sloppy game. Big game at Philly Monday, let's keep it going.
Great article on ESPN.com regarding the best offseason moves made by NHL teams.... it seems at least one writer is willing to eat a little crow....
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=amber_david&id=3100052
DOC
Thoughts and Perspectives from 2 Time Zones Away.
Islanders played their best 53 minutes of hockey this year tonight against the Devils.
2-1 lead controlling the lead.
Islanders played their worst 7 minutes of hockey this year tonight against the Devils.
A beyond reason number of icings, WAY too many faceoffs lost.
Got to find a backup for Sillinger. He got tired. (1,000 games, remember?)
Devil's will be a tough team in February.
Sutter has a good system.
BIG road trip ahead.
Potential for 8 points.
Let shoot for 6.
Be happy with 5
And accept 4.
GREAT PICKUP OF FRED MEYER today.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong..
Just got home and surprised to find so few comments on the blog after another great win (I was out to dinner and a movie and didn't see the game, but from what I've read it's another solid effort...) Are people being quiet because we're a little anxious about Guerin's condition? If he skated a couple shifts in the third, he's probably fine, right?
I made sure to talk to Kinger after the game, and he told me that, from his vantage point, it looked like a swelling issue. The hit was above his orbital bone, so nowhere near the eye, and if he left they either couldn't stop the bleeding or it was swelling up. Based on everything I've heard I'm cautiously optimistic we'll see him Monday against the Flyers.
I thought it was a fantastic win today. We fought hard, clamped down when necessary, and found a way to win despite not giving our best effort. I like this team more and more every time I watch them, and you can almost feel the change sweeping through the organization.
That being said, Andy "First Base" Hilbert annoyed the living hell out of me yet again today. When will they stop giving this guy chances?
Also, is it just me, or did Brodeur look far more awkward and uncomfortable tonight than he's ever looked in his career? You never want to take anything away from such a phenomenal talent, but watching him now with Brent Sutter's run-and-gun offense makes me wonder if he was a system-based success. He seemed far more uncomfortable with the system, and if that's true something needs to give. Based on something like that, you could almost re-visit Steady's argument from a month ago that it might be in the Devils' best interests to trade Brodeur. He does not seem happy at all with the new system, and you can tell it's affecting every aspect of the Devils' game. Something has to give.
505_ i honestly think that njd are garbage...but ive been reading your posts the last couple of days so i'll give you respect...you're older than me and probably watched hockey since before i was born. IMO it was great defence by both teams(esp nj). But the isles owned the devils in forechecking. Had the old man at my house for a game for the first time...we were both kind of pissed that the org. had to wait until now to put a GOOD team out. This guy LOVES visnechki???so i know this guy will impress me this year. Personally i cant believe how much this team has impressed me. Nolan is the "Don". Mr. Cherry hit the nail on the head in the pre game about nolan. I know you all feel the joy i feel right now. Got to take on the fly guys on monday. I know 222 can understand where im coming from!!!!! ooooohhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Did you see this sh!t gary???? Keep talking even though the rag-fags cant match up with us!!!!!!lol.... You hear that???? We're laughing at you bro!!!!!!
Nick,
Put 1st base feelings in the same pocket as Major Carpetbagger.
Just my opinion. but Hilbert is gonna play a long time for Ted Nolan.
TEAM GAME, my friend.
Isles had a great win tonight.
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME THEY BEAT BRODEUR 2X IN A ROW??
Btw, Guerin is fine. TV gave it a nasty bleeder with requisite swelling, nothing more. Fact that he came back for a shift speaks volumes for his leadership.
Brodeur?
Best ever. Watch out in February.
LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
First big road trip of the season.
Thanks, Nick... the thought of losing Guerin for any extended period is scary.
The Devs have been Marty Brodeur's team for a long time, so if he is uncomfortable with Brent Sutter's system, that's probably feeding the reported resistance in the dressing room to switching over. I just wonder if Brent is going to quickly lose this team with his old school ultra-disciplinarian approach. The inmates run the asylum now in all pro sports, and the drill sergeant type coaches usually end up provoking rebellion from the players and getting themselves fired. With long guaranteed contracts, no-trade clauses, etc., etc., coaches simply don't have the power to control and motivate players that way any more. You've got to have a more diverse repertoire of motivational methods, like Ted Nolan does. He kicks their asses with extra practice when it's really warranted, but mostly he's very positive and encouraging and above all, fair.
Nick -- Any word from Kinger on Comrie's shoulder?
Just flipped on NHL Center Ice to catch the end of the LA Kings, Dallas game. First sellout of the year in LA, 4 to nothing for Dallas, and people were starting to leave with 7 minutes to go. Total dead crowd.
Not that anyone here keeps track of the West or keeps track of what I say. But I thought man, maybe I was wrong about LA. Maybe I shouldn't have stuck my neck out on this Blog when I said they were a team to watch this year.
Next thing you know LA scores 5 goals in about 5 minutes to take the lead 5-4. The crowd is going freakin't NUTS. Then Dallas gets a weak even-it-up power play and Modano ties it up 5-5.
Goes to OT and LA wins.
I enjoyed watching the Isles win today. But that was an amazing stretch of hockey in LA. LA is young, but when they are on, they can almost score a will.
Kevin T.
Victoria BC
Canada
"505_ i honestly think that njd are garbage"
Well. risking the obvious, NJ is where NY has dumped their garbage for decades now.
'...but ive been reading your posts the last couple of days so i'll give you respect"
TY
"...you're older than me and probably watched hockey since before i was born."
FU
"IMO it was great defence by both teams(esp nj). But the isles owned the devils in forechecking."
good call.
"Had the old man at my house for a game for the first time..."
DO IT MORE OFTEN.
"we were both kind of pissed that the org. had to wait until now to put a GOOD team out."
Building a business (organization) takes time.
Wang is SO LUCKY to have Bow-Tie Snow.
"This guy LOVES visnechki???"
Vasicek.
Forgive my prejudice against European players. Comes from the softness that came about 10 years before the Iron Curtain fell.
But Vasicek plays like he was raised in Saskatoon.
"Personally i cant believe how much this team has impressed me'
It's early. This is a BIG road trip coming up/
They ain't done nuthin yet.
" Nolan is the "Don". Mr. Cherry hit the nail on the head in the pre game about nolan"
Yeah, I watched that.
Keep this in mind.
Don Cherry was a lousy coach, but a great analyst.
"I know you all feel the joy i feel right now. Got to take on the fly guys on monday."
Tough game. Simon will be in the game on Monday.
Thus far, They are incarnate Broad St. Bullies.
"I know 222 can understand where im coming from!!!!! ooooohhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"
Patience.
" Did you see this sh!t gary???? Keep talking even though the rag-fags cant match up with us"
Ignore them.
Rags won their 1st road game this tonight.
In a shootout. Allow me to take the Brokebach angle and say that, IT DOESN'T COUNT)
Just my opinion, I could be wrong
"I know you all feel the joy i feel right now. Got to take on the fly guys on monday."
Tough game. Simon will be in the game on Monday.
Thus far, They are incarnate Broad St. Bullies."
I'll be interested to see if Nolan puts Simon on a line with Satan.
Isle are useless...
"Met this bitch on LI tonight.She said she was an Isles fan so i had to c u m on her face!What a waste"
Couldn't get one past the tampon, eh????
Settled for a shot off the glasses?
Oh. such is the life of a Ranger fan with championship envy.
GO ISLANDERS !!!
505,
You are doing this board a great favor... I feel like I don't have to post anymore... it's like it's coming out of my head... Just so I know... am I still sexually active 10 years from now?
I will add these thoughts:
NJ Game:
DP: The one goal that was given up didn't have to be. The D kept the devs on the perimeter, took away passing and shooting lanes, and generally outworked them all night... if DP could stop trying to do so much he would find life in the blue paint so much easier. Yes, the puckhandling ability is a HUGE plus, and you have to take the good with the bad... okay... I'll give up the far side outlets to a STATIONARY wing standing at the opposite blue line, if he gives up the ridiculous 15 3rd defensman plays where he tries to be a 6th skater. because he's usually successful 95% of the time... well... letting the damn defenseman handle it would be MORE SUCCESSFUL 100% of the time. He is a very good goalie... but it's starting to feel like he'll never grow up... so I'll have to live with it... I wish he would learn, because he is the heir aparent to Brodeur.
D: Very nice game by the "D". Sutton came up BIG in this one. Campoli... nice instincts... 2 helpers... No doubt he is getting better with every game. He'll need to play bigger against Philly, but you have to be impressed with him at this point. MAB... also making an effort to be part of something bigger than himself...
Nolan: You know, on paper, this team is not very good. 9-4-0... I pointed out what I thought was genius against the rangers of putting out the fourth line to pressure the rags for two periods, then shortening his bench. In this one he had the "D" jumping up every chance they had. I don't think he can do it against a better transitional team, but against the devs that type of play got an extra 4 or 5 scoring opps... really good ones. He's doing such a good job with this crew.
505 point... this team hasn't done anything yet. But they have put themselves in contention for the division lead after 13 games. they have to take the show on the road... and they have to start playing with rubber legs... But they should be sharper than we've seen.
Let's hope the standard of effort stays the same, and we will be very happy fans come april...
OTL: This is just INSANE...why can't the NHL make ALL games worth 3 points... are they afraid of INFLATION???
DON CHERRY... lousy coach... great analyst... I swear I was just saying that yesterday... wow.. I love cherry as an analyst, but he was sooo outcoached. Maybe that's where Milbury got his style....
Nick... I was thinking.... ANDY 1B.... SUTTON... but I think a better analogy would be the King Kong/Faye Wray relationship...
"sweatheart... look at my hands... you're gonna have to get that thing off yourself"
and... Park needs to move his locker away from Hilberts.... ANDY IS CONTAGIOUS!!!!
But for all those missed opps... they still won.. and if not for some highliight reel saves the game could have easily been a classic Isle 5-2 victory... (back in the glory days it seemed like whenever the Isles would play an average team that would be the score... usually because they would spot the other team a goal, then fall asleep midway thorugh the third and allow it to get to 3-2 before the scored the killer and an empty netter)
In a perfect world when Bergy comes back he replaces 1B. But he doesn't have the chops yet to play shut down PK (NO Jacks in the BOX....AWESOME).
Jackman is a nice fourth line addition, and he played solid when asked to do more.
Walter got to play in front of the rents... maybe doing his MASS impersonation... but if Nolan isn't going to use him more than 3 per game (which is legit...) he goes back to the Bridge when Bergy comes back. and yeah... JACKMAN stays and adds a little muscle and some scoring on the fourth line. Walter needs minutes to stay sharp, and will be up... maybe to replace a "TIRED" center along the way. Park and Hilbert have their place on this team, but Jackman and Walter have left a mark...
Okay... it's 3:AM and the Jack Daniels is starting to wear off.
Tomorrow is for the Giants... check y'all on Monday.
"505....Too Funny.....what are we going to do with you?"
Anything south of 127th St is fine with me.
"(actually the shot was accurate....it when where I aimed)"
That's exactly what Gene Carr said to Al Lang (LI Press) after the Rags lost game 4 at MSG in the 5 game series vs MTL when he took out a Jewish Rabbi in the 18th row of the green section while Ken Dryden was reviewing his rookie contract.
You Rag's fans are increditable with you sense of history.
JPinVa.
Wow,
Too much to comment on and respond to at this point after dealing with Capt Morgan's boarding party.
BUT!!!!!!!
"am I still sexually active 10 years from now?"
Probably not if I don't get a divorce real soon.
Cuz no Cup in 24 years has ruined mine.
The Isles season begins on Monday..
Well, I will take the two points. Not our best game, but I will take it. We kind of got a gift with the two man PP in the 3rd period. Good teams get those breaks. Good teams capitalize on them. So we will take it.
Now off too the road. A .500 road trip would be huge and validate a superb start. If we lose, let's lose in OT and get a pt.
Do any of you have the NHL network? If not order it TODAY!!! IT is 24/7 hockey. At night they go LIVE to games that are ending or heating up. They show all highlights. It is awesome if you are a true hockey fan.
The fight between Avery and Tucker was pretty funny. Now I know why they turtle when they fight true fighters. You can clearly see Avery finger nails painted. Kind of funny. He is playing well for them though. He is good at being the lil pest.
Penguins are very surprising to me. They looked horrible against the Rags and then again last night vs. Flyers. Their goalie blows and they are not rolling out 4 solid lines.
Ottawa is in a different league right now. They are playing with a purpose and are so gifted with talent. Maybe Canada will finally get their cup back!
Enjoy your Sunday. I guarantee the Jets do not lose today! :) :)
Steady,
NHL Network is the best thing since sliced bread. Non-stop hockey, for a fan like me, it just doesn't get any better. Nice win by the Isles last night. They continue to surprise and annoy me, =). Avery is quite the little pest isn't he? Wait, I just sounded like Joe Michelletti.
Steady,
Sorry, didn't mention this in my last post, do you really think Ottawa is that good? Don't get me wrong, their record is daunting and ofcourse they are the team to beat in the East. But I am not so impressed with these guys. Alfredsson, Heatley, Spezza are the only players that strike fear as far as their forwards are concerned. The defense is a shot blocking, crease clearing machine. But, in the end their goalie is Martin Gerber. I can name five goaltenders in the East better than he is. And yes, one of those goalies is your boy DiPietro.
Lol midnight. How annoying is Micheletti? When he was doing the Isles, I would turn off the sound. Asked a question every time he opened his mouth.
Avery is right now the best pest in the NHL. I think the Isles learned their lesson last year. If you simply annoy him, he will take the stupid penalty and hurt himself. HE thrives like all pests do, when he gets under your skin. He had a horrible game against us. Gave away the game winner to Satan. Took that horrible penalty when you were on the PP. Seems like how he goes, your team goes. That is kind of scary if I was a Rangers fan.
Despite thousands of free tickets to our men and women in the military, the Islanders still can't sellout last night's game. Also heard tons of Devil fans when the Devs scored. Sad, just sad. Isles fans live up to their reputation as the league's worse,.
above was me MM.
As for Ottawa, yes I think they are that good. Like you said they can play defense. Their offense is beyond good. They can score form the point. They have a phenom of a pest themselves in Chris Neil (as Avery found out the hard way.) Their PP is tremendous. They block shots. Above all they come to play every night. They are blowing teams out, which in my opinion helps them mentally as the season goes along. A fast start is important in hockey. Their goalie is definitely the one wild card. As all hockey fans know, a hot goalie can take you very far. He is talented. Will he be hot when it counts?
Lets not forget, like all teams they can add before the playoffs. I still think if the Devils were smart they would make a BLOCKBUSTER deal and trade Brodeur. That team needs a new identity. They won three cups. Get some great young players in deal.
If the Isles did that in 85 with an aging team they would of stayed competitive. Instead they stuck with their aging players and got greedy. It cost them for many years!
The post at 10:13 obviously....Not Mr. Turnstyle man that cares about attenadance more than he does a hockey game. We get it anon, you like to see how many empty seats are in an arena. Do you actually ever watch a game? It is Sunday....Go to church and pray for a life!
I am thrilled with the attendance, actually. The Isles are bringing fans in and are doing the best job of it they have done in ages. And its not corporate seating thats already sold off to companies and given away to disinterested spectators near office water coolers, we are talking FANS. Now imagine how good attendance would be if people like me could GET THERE more often! :)
Steady,
Friendly tip, don't use Anonymous because there are too many trollers that use that handle. Anyway, interesting point about Brodeur and the Devils. It's similiar to the effect that not trading away some of the older legends when their time was up on Long Island, as well as in Manhattan after the '94 cup. They held on too long with those players after that season and it cost them many, many horrible years of hockey at MSG. Maybe the Devils time as a perennial powerhouse in the East, league are done. I don't think they will quit on Brodeur this season. Maybe if this year plays out horribly and they get off to a brutal start next year, the Devils will entertain that notion. I think now, though, that trading the greatest player in that organization's history after one bad season, after so many great ones, is a little too premature........As far as the Senators are concerned, they will be tough to beat all season, but lack the offensive depth that they will need to not only make the Cup Finals, but actually win it all.
Steady, I agree with you, and I pointed it out last night after watching Brodeur CLEARLY uncomfortable during the game. He's given the Devils a lot, but if the team wants to commit to Brent Sutter's style and continue to be relevant they should acquire a new #1 goaltender. They could get beyond a king's random for Brodeur, which could help them for years to come.
Again, as I mentioned the first time you brought this up, it's a great idea in the abstract, but who has the need and the means to do it? You would have to find a team willing to part with the talent, with the cap room necessary, and either the need for a #1 goaltender or a goaltender who's a significant downgrade from Brodeur - but in that case, if the goaltender is that much worse, would the Devils be getting equal value in return?
Not an easy question, but it rarely is when you trade a superstar. For every Butch Goring trade there are many more Joe Thornton trades.
The Sports Business Journal, which is an unbiased reviewer, records the Islanders average over 90% capacity per game for NVMC. To put things into perspective fir this arena, a 90% capacity crowd would be mid-to-high 14K tickets sold. This is a 34% improvement from the Islanders average last season, and the Islanders can boast a league-best improvement percentage in attendance. The Islanders are ahead of even the Devils with their shining new arena. And it is getting better every game, especially with the way the Islanders keep on winning.
The Isles played the Rangers twice, thousands of Ranger fans attended.
The Isles gave away thousands of tickets to students for their Columbus Day "KIds Day" game.
The Islanders had Law Enforcement Night were thousands of cops and their families either got in for free or received cheap ticets.
The Islanders had Firefighters Night.
The Islanders had Military Night.
The Islanders had Al Arbour Night.
Without the assorted freebies that the Isles give out and without the Rangers games, the Isles attendance would be probably be 10,000 a game, if that.
Nice try, Isles fans.
The Devisl have played an IMPOSSIBLE schedule thus far this season. They started their season with a 9 game road trip. Enjoy yourselves while you can Isles fans. You'd be in last place if you played their schedule.
I guess I don't really see the problem with the Isles having these special "nights" inorder to help bring in fans. I mean isn't that the point? Fill your arena. The way you win over new fans is to get them to a game. Kids day ...Law Enforcement Day ...Al Arbour night ...and anyone other day they have is a good thing because then more new fans can see how fun a live game is and hopefully come back ...
That's obviously the main goal here - try and bring in some new fans (kids or otherwise) and show them a good time and hope they come back for more - and with the exception of the Hurricane game I feel like these large crowds have been able to leave happy ...the Isles have been playing very well ...we have 5 guys with 5 goals and Hunter has 4 so they're getting scoring from all over ...they're playing with - and I can't believe I'm actually going to say this - heart and grit and determination (the brain washing works!!) ...
Whenever the Isles would have a big crowd I would always tell my friends I really hope they win, because I really want people to leave feeling like it was cool to be there ...and that's the part that I am happiest about - not the actualy attendance numbers or why some people feel it's not accurate or whatever - I'm happy that when the building is full the Isles have sent us home happy!
9-4 LETS GO ISLANDERS !
just reread what I wrote ...and with all the spelling and gramatical errors it's clear I'm still feeling the beers from last night ...I'm sorry ...we're all stupider for having read that last post ...
It's funny though ...has anyone else noticed that the Ranjerks have never actually lost a game in their entire team history ...seriously, they've never legitamitely lost a game because the other team was better that night ....it's always the refs or the schedule or something ...they're the biggest bunch of nail polish wearing whinners in team sports history ...
MM: I quickly caught that I forgot to write my name, which is why I wrote the post at 10:13 was me. Maybe my post bored you :), but at the end I wrote that the 85 Isles made the mistake of hanging on to aging stars.
as for the Senators, if they do not have the depth, then no one does....Who has more depth than them? Heatley, Alfredson, Fischer, Spezza, Neil, Kelly, Redden, etc..... They have scored 54 goals and many on the team has a minimum of 2 or 3. They are just due in my opinion. When they need to they win the tight ones, they win the bloody ones, and they can blow you out. Not to mention they did much of it with a backup stopper in net!
As for what could a team offer for Brodeur....I am not up to date on other teams kids in the system, but a bunch of cannot miss #1's would seem right. OTTAWA would be a no brainer! Not sure of their cap space.
AZS : Do not listen to "Turnstyle man." He counts all day and does not know the difference between a hockey puck and a ring ding. How a Ranger fan cannot see the difference between attending a game in the suberbs of LI, and the biggest city in the WORLD is a moron. Between money spent on big names, mass transit, and corporate tickets, how can the Garden not sell seats????? The fact they are not a sell out everynight is scary! A true hockey fan would hope that NVMC was sold out every night, b/c it is good for the sport!
The special nights the Isles offer are great. They are bringing the community back into the fold. They are honoring great men and women.
The whole NHL is talking about how the Isles crowds have been better.
If they keep playing strong hockey, the old barn will be shaking like it did in the past.
The Devils attendance is pathetic and they have three cups in recent history. So obviously ticket sales mean zippo.
Yes, I am bored.
On TV, I must say MAB looked good last night. How was his positioning live at the game?????
No boredom from you, bud. Most of the Senators outside of the big line are grinders, although Fisher is a great two way player. The Senators are due, I give you that, but Gerber isn't selling me anything. More on the Senators, they are the prime candidate if the Devils do decide to blow the team up and trade Brodeur. But the Senators don't have that good of a minor league system that would entice the Devils to deal their franchise, especially to an Eastern conference foe. The Devils will command an obscene amount for him and so they should. The Senators don't have anything to offer, unless the Devils are willing to settle for players like Vermette and Eaves types. Plus, Emery sucks, and the Senators don't have any goaltending prospects to speak of.
at MSG a Rags corporate event night?
If you look close, between the 12:00 min mark of the 1st period and the 3 min mark of the 3rd period, you'll see the Rags so-called "fans". Most of them are wearing shirt and ties.
We may not "sellout" most nights, but at least the people in the seats are hockey fans, regardless if they are rooting for the Isles or the opposition. They came because like the sport of hockey, not for some special entertainment prop from a corporation.
I guess Avon might be guaranteed some seats at MSG now - pretty boy Avery is a skating advertisement on the ice. Avon prays he drops the gloves every game from here on out. LOL
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!! YOUR 9-4-0 NEW YORK ISLANDERS!
I thought MAB looked good ...and I must admit I that while he can obviously be lacking on the "D" end from time to time I still like what he brings to the team. He has 6 points in 10 games played and I think if he was playing with more confidence in his shot he has the ability to rack up the points and create opportunities for rebounds infront of the net. He's the poster boy for offensive "D" men - and at first I was on the guy about his "D" play, but now I just take him for what he is - and guy what a ton of ability on the back line. Anything we get out of him on the "D" end is a plus, but we should just try and encourage him to keep shooting that puck ...I don't think we'll be seeing him out there with 1 minute to go trying to hold a lead anytime soon, but I can't think of many more guys in the NHL today that I would want shooting the puck from the backline on the PP than MAB ...no shock that last year the PP took off when he arrived ...having him and now Comrie with his play making ability really gives other teams PK fits ...you have respect MAB's shot, but you have to watch out for Comrie's playmaking abilities down low ....
Side note - I think our "D" is underrated ...with Witt and the new Campoli , Martinek, MAB, Gervais, Sutton (who's been coming around) and Berard it's actually not a bad little group ...
The fact you brought 9/11 into your stupidity makes me sick you piece of SH^T. Get a life loser! OR grow a set of balls and post as who you do on the Ranger Blog so we can absolutely destroy you with hockey talk.
You want me to bring up your Rangers past. I can talk rings, I can talk years with the highest payroll and no playoff games, I can talk all that useless stuff. It gets no one anywhere. We root for the Isles. Some root for the Rangers. You root for nothing. You are nothing.
Sorry to all for giving this piece of crap the satisfaction, but the fact he brought up the worst day in many of our lives to make a ridiculous comment pissed me off.
Sorry to all Ranger fans who talk hockey. I just wrote like many trolls, but this guy is not even here to be funny. Not here to talk hockey. Not here to even gloat. He is simply a gnat.
Greg Logan: I will give you any amount to tell us who this guy is!
Another good win last night. However these one goal games are making me reach my target heart rate for the day way to many times.
Meyer?? Why? Maybe a good inexpensive way to maintain depth with a player familiar with the system. I'm sure he'll see more press box then player's bench.
Back to hockey:
AZS: I 100% agree with you. Our defensive corps is top shelf. How good is Martinek. How good is Witt. and now add a young Campoli playing great and a young Gervais....We are very solid. Now add Berard! MAB and Sutton are playing a lot better, which is a testament to our coaching staff. Jury is still out though!
Someone brought up 3 point games again (I think JPinVA). I understand his frustration with 3 point games. They've bothered me before the first game was played with those new post lockout rules.
I agree that games should be worth 3 points, but ONLY if they want to continue to give out a point to losers in OT / SO. However I have an even more novel idea. How about playing 4 on 4 OT till someone wins. Winner gets 2 points and Loser gets a big fat GOOSE EGG!! No other sport rewards a team for making it to OT. The object of the game is to win ... not hope for a win and take a loss in extra time.
Yesterday attending my nephew's youth hockey game in NJ I once again was part of the parent's cliche of dads that play or played organized hockey at some point. We were all either Devil, Ranger, Islander, Flyer or Bruin fans, and we ALL hate the 3 point game. The extra point for the loser was awarded for the purpose of not penalizing a team for losing in a shootout in order to maintain some respectability for the purity of the game. That is a bunch of crap.
Yes a shootout is exciting. Mostly because of the importance of each team's best of three "breakaway" chances. Those shots hinge on getting that extra point or not, so of course it is going to be exciting by that reasoning alone. However it elevates the importance of the shootout regardless because someone is coming away with an extra point. I don't consider SO losers real losers because they get a point and are just unfortunate with that Russian Roulette style of hockey. It also elevates the importance of having a good goalie on break aways.
I suggest that the teams play 4 on 4 for 10 minutes. Chances are someone will score in the first 10 minutes at 4 on 4 with that open ice. After 10 mins if no one scores cut / flood the ice and have teams go to locker room. Then come out for 10 mins + (Auto time out at first stoppage after 10 mins. Then let the ice girls (or equivalent) clean the ice (insert TV timeout here). I know it takes extra time but hey ... every game is important. Or it should be. Winner take all Sudden Death OT. Can you picture a home run contest to decide baseball game after 2 extra innings? Or a free throw contest after one 5 minute OT in basketball? Or a field goal kicking contest in football? Of course not.
Fans love the features and excitement of a penalty shot within the shootout, I can understand that. How about calling more penalty shots then? Call penalty shots for players on partial break aways that are yanked down too.
I have another hockey bastardizing ... but exciting idea too. Why not have a 2 on 1 penalty chance for imminent scoring chances taken away when a guy is pulled down in "The House" (Typical area between face off circles and goal crease in a defending zone) when an immanent scoring chance is taken away that would normally result in a penalty. You can have the rewarded team decide whether or not they'd rather a normal 2 minute PP or the 2 on 1. Possibly for strategic purposes a team with a lead may want to keep the clock running during a 2 minute PP.
Situation for 2 on 1 awarded penalty shot:
Defender (player that would of normally went to the sin bin) stands on a face off dot just outside his team's blue line. Player pulled down starts without the puck behind his own net. The second player on the attack is any player on the ice at the time of the infraction chosen by the coach to participate in the 2 on 1 and stands at a face off dot in his own zone. The puck is placed on the face off dot opposite the 2nd player in his own zone.
The defending player, and the 2nd offensive player cannot move until the 1st offensive player skates over his own goal line toward the puck. The offensive players must maintain forward or lateral motion and must remain onsides as usual. They get one shot at net + 1 rebound chance allowed by the player (in forward motion) who didn't take the initial shot. However if the play is broken up by the defender inhibiting continued forward motion of the offensive players or the goalie saves or pokes the puck away the play is considered dead.
Tell me that will not get the fans out of their seats...
I figure what the hell? The governors already bastardized hockey with the SO and 3 point games. Might as well make it extra interesting.
Disregard the last post under my name. Some clown is taking my name.....yet again.
Right now, the whole team looks great--playing simple, solid hockey. I can hardly recall a time last night when I said, "What are you doing out there?" Once again, the positioning on defense is incredible--with virtually no odd-man rushes or a D-man getting beat and having to take a penalty. Indeed, for as well as Sean Hill played last year, I don't miss his slowness, getting beat around the outside, and watching him haul someone down for a two minute penalty.
Comrie gets kudos as well for taking a beating into the boards and getting right up. He looked like he wanted to stay down on the ice, but pulled himself up, parked in front of the net, and took a hard uncalled slash from Greene for his trouble. But that's a sign of what this team is about right now.
Finally, on the offensive side, Richard Park must be thankful for Hilbert--because if it wasn't for First Base, Park is the guy we'd be moaning about who can't finish the great scoring chances. As for First Base--he was featured in the Isles Illustrated handed out at the game last night and it said he didn't have hist first date until 16, so maybe he needs a few more years working on opening the clasp.
Peace.
seriously the last post was me. Is there anyone out there? It is Gary. Come it is the real Gary. What is the attendance at MSG today? Bet it is good. It is gary. Seriously the last post was Gary. Stop watching football, it is me Gary. Why is no one talking to me. Do I have to go back to anon? Is is me Gary.
Attendance:
Most teams use the #'s of actual people that moved the turnstyles and put warm butts in the seats to register an attendance number. Isles being one of them. The Islanders made a GREAT business and COMMUNITY decision to give limited discount tickets promotions. That is called marketing. Most teams do something of the sort. I think the groups honored in these discount plans and even some of the limited freebies was a great way to give back.
There are some teams (Rags) that use tickets allocated (purchased and comped) as an attendance figure without any reflection of actual fans attending the event. I've been to the garden in recent years (vs. Florida) where it only had to be 3/4 full. Yet the next day attendance showed a sellout. Ha ... in the biggest NHL city that should be expected, but in reality there had to be only about 13,000 in there.
My hat is actually off to the Rags organization. They don't have to work to sell / give away tix no matter what kinda crap team they put on the ice. Their fans accept mediocrity and subpar results. They know that corporations will purchase almost 2/3 of the tickets anyway.
5 years ago my neighbor told me he went to his very first hockey game at The Garden courtesy of a vendor his company uses. I said, "Cool ... who scored?" He said, " I have no idea, the Rangers lost. I really wasn't paying much attention at times and was talking business with my company's vendor" Classic.
The Garden is "self proclaimed" Worlds Most Famous Arena not because of the Rangers... Lets get one thing straight. It is merly famous because of Boxing, and the fact the name Madison Square Garden has been used on serveral different buildings for over 100 years..
The only reason the Rangers haven't won a Stanley Cup the last 13 years is because there have been no more Edmonton Oiler dynastys to pick through the bones from to assemble the Rangers next cup winner.
Oh, and the business reason the Rangers and Knicks report tickets allocated vs. butts in seats. It is to report "sellouts" to advertisers and corporate suits.
That is the last I'm acknowledging the Rags till the next game against them. They are a petty concern in this tight conference of 12 or so good teams, and 3 others on the move.
BTW. Maybe I missed a few others but Mookie and MM are really cool Ranger fans. They may not agree with us on all issues, or like our team very much. But they are respectfull and actually make good coherent statements providing support for their opinions
Nice MM.. LOL!! Just after I said something nice about you.
However, I think MM can spell WIFE.. so I'll hold out my judgement on that.
midnightmarauder is a troll, he plays good troll/bad troll on this blog. he posts some childish anti isle rant under "anonymous" then 5 min. later, will criticize it and act like he's a good ranger fan
MIDNIGHTMARAUDER IS A PHONY!!!!
Judging by your name, #1, you are someone that nobody will take seriously, not even your own fans. And sorry to disappoint you, I have better things to do with my time, than to play psycho fan. I am here to talk hockey and hockey only, not to troll around. I know, I know, a Rangers fan that doesn't come on here to start is something that is hard to understand, especially in that pee brain of yours. But, as much as you and some other maniacs like to think, I post under the same name, in every hockey site I visit.
"I don't think (the Islanders) beat us today," said Brodeur, who eventually will join Patrick Roy (551) as the second goalie in NHL history with 500 victories. "It'll be a great honor when it happens."
the devils are strting to become a whiny bunch of sore losers, now that the team has begun to go south!
also, chico kept crying about the refs all night.....sorry devils, there's a new sherriff in town, and it's not the rangers either!!
hey midnight: you really keep a sharp eye on the islander blog, you sure you're not a closet fan?? got nobody to talk to on the rag blog?
(Most teams use the #'s of actual people that moved the turnstyles and put warm butts in the seats to register an attendance number. Isles being one of them)
Nonsense, there were empty seats all over the Mausoleum for Al Arbour Night. Yet they announced a sellout. The people in Canada were laughing at that.
The funny part is...... the Islanders have given away thousands (and that's the flat out truth... thousands) of tickets away to the Military, Students, Firefighters, Police Officers et al................. and the funny part is 25% are Rangers fans, 15% are Devils fans and maybe 10% are Islander fans..... the rest no nothing about hockey, and are just going beacuse they received free tickets.