The Islanders have the day off today, in more ways than one. They aren't practicing and they aren't sending Rick DiPietro back to the doctor. A team official saw it as positive news Saturday that DiPietro's eye injury did not require an immediate follow-up, but that, instead, he goes back for another examination tomorrow. That will determine whether he can play against the Rangers at the Coliseum Tuesday.
Long-time hockey watchers at the Coliseum Saturday could recall seeing a goalie wearing a mask getting struck in the eye, as DiPietro was by Sidney Crosby's high stick last night. Just a freakish injury, which left him with cuts, a bruise and, according to the team, no serious damage in the eye.
The offday allows a chance to reflect on the Al Arbour coaching appearance. A few thoughts:
Arbour himself said he agreed to do it because it would be a lift for his former players, who have felt out of the loop with the Islanders for a few years. Whether that is justified or not, that is what some of them have said privately. They have felt as if they were trotted out as crowd-pleasing props, then sent on their way. Again, without working inside the organization, there is no way to tell who was at fault (the alumni have their opinions on that) or if there was a fault, but those feelings were there. Charles Wang obviously recognizes this and has done a lot to combat it, hiring Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier and holding the Arbour night.
The voice behind the bench was not vintage Arbour, for the first five minutes. He was probably as nervous as he ever has been back there, by his own admission. Ted Nolan mentioned that for the first few shifts, when Arbour called for the next line, it came out like a whisper. But down the stretch in the third period, said a very moved and honored Nolan, you could really hear him.
There is nothing wrong with any team celebrating its heritage, and other teams around here in hockey and other sports do it well. The key is not dwelling there.
In the view of someone who has been at most of these Islanders tributes since 1990, this one was vastly different because it became relevant to the current players. They had a stake in it and they will feel invested in the whole Islanders package for as long as they're here. Bill Guerin called it "a big honor" and added, "We’re all happy to be here, we all want to be here and play for this organization. It’s got such a rich tradition." Referring to Bossy, Trottier, Pat LaFontaine and others, he said, "It’s great to see those guys around. They’re the ones who made it great here."
Comments (47)
Glad to hear DP is not seriously injured. We CAN NOT afford to lose him. Great game by Isles last night ... gritty comeback.
Next six against division opponents. Now we will see what the team is made of.
Great article Mark!!! That is great news about DP.
I just finished watching the first 2 periods on Tivo (caught the 3rd period when I got home last night). The Islanders had some legs going most of the game. I think the power play against resulting in Malone's goal kind of deflated them a bit after their edge in chances. It's great to see them play hard. Also, Walter has impressed me.
Question: When is Hilbert going to score? I feel bad for the guy because it looks like he's really trying. He just couldn't hit the broad side of NVMC.
Great goal by Kennedy. But then we took the game back even before Hunter scored. Great read by Hunter and Satan on both his goals.
Dubie stepped up even though he didn't see much rubber. He made some key saves. I'm happy for Wade.
I'm going to try and catch the Isles in Philly next week since I live about an hour from there, and then try to see them against the Devils at the new arena (about 45 mins away) and then catch Isles at home next month against the Coyotes.
It's no secret that I hate Hillbert, but I do think he works hard and has a place on the team - just not the way he's being used now. He's a 4th line/PK guy not even a 3rd liner ...and if you're going to move Guerin to the 3rd line then you atleast need to put some offense on there ...you have Silly on that line for defensive responsibilities and Billy is no slouch either ...get Hillbert off and put Walter (or Tambellini) on that line ...won't ever happen because that would make too much sense ...but when all are healthy I would love to see these lines ...
Tank-Comrie-Guerin
Satan-Vasicek-Bergie
Walter-Sillinger-Hunter
Hillbert-Park-SImon
That top line was going crazy - they should be kept together ...The 2nd line has been scoring - so then you'd have 2 lines with the ability to score ...the 3rd line would have Hunter who's heating up w/ Walter who's a proven scorer in the AHL and looked good in the 3 minutes (pathetic) he was granted and Sillinger can put the puck in the net ...the 4th line will finally have 4th liners on it without invading the top 3 lines ...some of this (Walter & Hillbert) won't happen but it's a nice thought
Glad to hear things are looking good for Rick DiPietro.
We all love you Rick, and we are all so thankful that you are an Islander!!!
if lundquist is so great, then why did he blow the season for you last year with like 2 seconds left against buffalo, where if he made the save, the rangers would have gone up 3-2 in the series, instead........ well, the rest is just more bad ranger history.....LOL
Too his credit Walter did not play much on the defensive side of the puck because that line was in the offensive zone about 95% of their few shifts. We can't really judge how he plays on both sides of the puck yet. I think Nolan takes a better look at him when the score dictates it over the next game or two. Nolan has been the type of coach that when he see's something he likes he is not quick to change it (I wish the same could be said when things aren't working). With that being said; Hilbert has the worst luck; I really think if I was coach I would just tell him to aim for the goalie; that way maybe he starts hitting corners of the net. He does add alot of speed; is great on the fore-check and kills penalties really well. Man if this guy could find the net he would be one of our best players. Over the past two games he has had 4 almost's. He seriously should have scored 3 (or two with one assist) goals vs. the Lightning and he should have had one last night as well. I will say this; if he was not playing good defense he would have been optiond by now. But to Nolan the goods out weigh the bads; so he plays him.
Let's kick the Cosmo's a!s!S on Tuesday night!!!!!!!!
The crazy thing about Hillbert is that he doesn't even have a point ...not one ...even DP has an assist ...plus I believe he's a -5 ...obviously the guy has had some bad luck, but at what point is it just not bad luck and more that he's just not that good? And, I'm not saying he's not a good PKer or 4th liner, but at what point does Nolan give a guy with some more upside Hillbert's minutes on the 3rd line? Stubborness ....and when Sean Bates comes back who sits then?
The closest Hillbert has come to participating in a scoring play is when DP hit him in the face with his stick while he was setting up a play! ;-)
if lundquist is so great, then why did he blow the season for you last year with like 2 seconds left against buffalo, where if he made the save, the rangers would have gone up 3-2 in the series, instead........ well, the rest is just more bad ranger history.....LOL
don't forget the fact that now the flyers and isles have improved tremendously and the poor, cursed rangers won't even get to the playoffs this year to make it all the more painful that they blew it so bad last year!!! LOL LOL!!
Mark, wish you were still covering the Islanders. Logan is so far up this organization's rear, he'd never give the dirt you just mentioned about Arbour's main reason for doing this latest Islanders PR stunt. Wish you and/or Hahn were still covering this team. Since Logan's been gone, I've been back to Newsday reading your coverage of the team as I did all throughout the 1990s. Welcome back, hope you stick around!
Kevin T. -- The troll posts really are out of hand, including on "our" side, though I realize people feel they need to respond to the Ranger trolls. A little sportsmanship would be nice (plus it's just too early to know how the season will play out and thus to boast...) Do the Oilers and Flames fans do this to each other on their message boards?
So what's going on with the Canucks? I haven't really followed but I just saw they seem to be underperforming a bit? Is Luongo not himself?
KH
I have caught a coupla Canuck bits and pieces of games on NHL Center Ice. Not enough to give a value judgement on Luongo.
But enough to overhear the announcers say that that Luongo has been giving up more than his share of soft goals so far.
Last night was indeed a special night. Al Arbour looked to be in better health than we have seen in many years. Mr. Arbour, the Islanders, Mr. Wang, Garth Snow and especially Ted Nolan have given us long standing die-hard Islanders fans a night we can remember with pride for a long, long time. Thank you guys. It was great!!
JPinVA -- Thanks very much for the kind offer to put the game on DVD. I have it DVRed myself, and I am going to put it on a DVD (which I would do even if I were not visible... lol).
I got the seat by calling Ticketmaster and asking for a seat in that section... There was one left and that's where it was. It was available because the view is badly obstructed by the coaches and players. I could not see either goal without standing up, and even then the view was not great. I now understand why the Coliseum renovation plans include dropping the ice 5 feet. But I wanted to be able to see Arbour clearly, and that aspect was very cool. As was seeing the players' reactions.
One thing that made me happy when I watched some of the TV broadcast is that both the guy next to me and I were wearing older jerseys in the original Islander blue. So on TV, there are several times when you see a wall of that blue behind Al Arbour, formed by our 2 jerseys. Very appropriate, since that was the team color when he coached.
Actually, the seat was discounted to $80 because of the obstruction. Still inferior to the 55-dollar seats well above it though...
=== Posted by a true Isles Fan ===
Thankyou KH, 505IslanderFans, etc. The blog lives!
If you enjoy watching forwards cycle the puck round and round and round and round, then the Canucks are your team. That kind of formula hockey has turned me off and is part of what started me looking elsewhere. True Luongo is pretty dang good, but he is a bit of a showboat. There are couple bright spots, my favorite is Kevin Bieska. But unfortunately, my geographical team looks to be going nowhere fast.
The western team I think is going to surprise everyone this year is the LA Kings. They have been picking up great players for several years now and have showed the patience to hang on and develop them. They are getting better goaltending and this year should be their coming out party.
And BTW, I thought the Al Arbour night was a pretty gutsy thing to try. The risk was the Al comes back and the Isles have an off night. But the opposite was true. They played with heart and I think it really helped the players connect with the Isles history. Both Nolan and Guerin looked to be really into it. It convinced me that Guerin is the right guy to wear the C this year.
Kevin T.
=== Posted by a true Isles Fan ===
Darnit KH! I taped over the game today to record NFL Games. I could have scanned through it to try and see who you were.
Next time I'll leave it while to see if anyone made a cameo first.
:)
Kevin T.
Actually, I posted a link to a game pic that has me in it under the previous thread.
Hahn was OK, Greg seems to be bigger fan and offers more coverage. But what I like on Mark is the way how he is updating this blog. No need for long and in-depth articles. Short updates on DP and other hot topics is a must and that's why I like this approach more.
Mark your are a great back-up! Keep it going!!
KH,
Thanks for the info.
Mark,
Your insight has been greatly appreciated. Nothing against Greg, but I think most of us that have been reading newsday since the Calabria era would like to see you or Alan back on the beat. Thanks
AZS,
I wholly agree with your lineup. I'd like to see Bootland or Brennan up for the games against the rangers and flyers... That would mean that Johnson gets a ferry ticket. If Bergy comes back as well they are going to have to make a decision on him, Walter or Hilbert.
They don't need a whole lot of scoring from the Silly line. But they do need some. Both Sillinger and Hunter can put it in the net, but Hilbert always seems to get the rebound and the toe of the tic-tac-toe ops that go unfinished. He needs to be on the fourth line...
that makes the fourth line better. It also means that the line won't be completely ignored. Park and Hilbert get the glut of PK time along with Silly and Hunter... and Simon can get a few shifts to spell any wing. Nolan should be able to roll four, which he'll need to start doing as they get into the heavier pert of their schedule.
I'm a little worried about them shopping Bergy... Bergy/Campoli/Comeau for Redden... Is something that might move them up a notch. It's no secret that Ottawa won't be able to keep Redden next year... and the Isles have cap space to sign him long term... It also gives Ottawa a serviceable offensive defenseman, and some depth in their role players.
Garth,
If that miracle does fall in your lap.... please make sure he signs at least a three year deal before you pull the trigger....PLEASE!
That would just about clear out MM's draft legacy (except for DP. Bruno and Marty)
Redden-Witt, Marty-Sutton, Berard-Bruno... MAB goes in another deal to get some AHL depth... No way Ottawa wants captain give away.
BUT MONTREAL MIGHT TAKE HIM...
Hate to break this to you Islander fans, but any team in the NHL would be 7-4 AT LEAST with the extremely SOFT schedule the Islanders have played thus far. Hate to break this to you, but the VACATION ends soon. I mean, AGAIN, the Isles will face a team Tuesday playing their 3rd game in 4 nights. The Devils were playing 3 in 4, Carolina 3 in 4, the Pens coming off a difficult road trip out West, the Lightning 3 in 4 nights. It goes on and on. Not complaining, all teams get easy stretches during the season. It is a known fact that teams struggle playing 3 games in 4 nights.
So rejoice Isles fans. You have a 7-4 record with a cupcake schedule. A good team would be 9-2, AT LEAST. Have the Isles even played Ottawa yet? Nope. Lindy Ruff apologized after losing 2 to the Isles. He didn't credit the Isles. He apologized for his team not being ready to start the season, LOL!
Hey anon.
Isles played a great Penguins team! WON
Played the Devils....WON
Played your Rangers....SMUSHED EM
Cup cake schedule...Too funny ...your stupidity never ceases to amaze me..... ISLES PLAYED 6 GAMES in 8 NIGHTS you moron!
7-4 ........... YAH BABY !
JP: Campoli's name keeps poping up in trade rumours and where there's smoke, there's usually fire. He is a bona fide player with desirable upsides. The Kovalev for Satan deal fell apart when Gainey wanted Campoli but maybe it'll happen this time with Ottawa. Salary cap considerations is a given these days and Campoli would be an amazing fix and steal for the Senators if they can off Redden's contract. Campy in a Redeen deal is definitely more attractive than McCabe would have been in the summer banter surrounding a possible deal. The other reason I can see it happening is tradition too; how often have we traded a solid player showing potential only to watch them flourish elsewhere???
Has anyone else notice the PP's whole character
/flow drop off with the addition of MAB. Although he hasn't been bombs away every time he gets the puck, it's certainly apparent that he struggles withe the concept of other players actually being out there to work WITH him. Hopefully Berard returns before week's end so that the chemistry he brings comes back to the PP with him.
Hey, where was Bobby Ny during Al Arbour Night?
Nolan, you are a class guy! Great PR for the Islanders.
Claire
JP, I don't know if we'd be right to do that deal since Redden reminds me of a guy who can't get it done in the clutch, and we already pulled one of those guys out of Ottawa, with not-so-good results.
Also, let's not forget, bringing Redden back here actually rehashes the Milbury legacy, since he went #2 to the Isles in that draft after Ottawa grabbed Berard.
I also agree with AZS that Bootland or Brennan should come up for the Rangers and Flyers, since we'll need to work that 4th line in a little more. I nominate Bootland because he can handle the stick (20 goal scorer a few times in the AHL I believe) in addition to his fists. We'll need to match Philly's intensity, and DP/Dubie will have to match Lundqvist save-for-save on Tuesday.
Big week, boys! Let's go for at least 5 points between the Rangers, Philly, and Jersey.
Who else is going to next Saturday's game against Jersey?
And Miggsey, I actually disagree a bit. MAB is still a puckhog for the most part, but KH and I were both chatting at the game about how MAB was better at keeping the puck in and made a few good defensive plays. He's still not all the way there, but it's nice that he's only mostly a liability now, instead of a total liability.
I'm not sure at this point I'd want to trade Campy, but we desperately need that #1 shut-down D-man.....I'm not convinced Redden is it, but a #1 D-man and a huge scorer are the only players for whom I'd trade Campy. Interesting to see how it pans out.
Also, where are these rumors coming from? Is the Canadian press talking about it, or is Eklund flapping his gums again?
It would be NUTS to trade Campoli. It would be too much like the old Islanders, in the fact that we stick by some young kid and then get rid of him RIGHT as he is starting to show what he is truly made of. There is no way that the Islanders do to Campoli exactly what they did to McCabe, Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Chara, eetc etc etc etc.
MetalChick, I agree, that's why I'm saying you don't trade him for anyone that doesn't automatically become the best player on your team not named DP.
Anybody have any idea where Nystrom was? I know a lot of other people have raised this, but I was shocked he wasn't there. On a personal note, though, I almost cried seeing Benoit Hogue out there. He was my first favorite Islander; he scored a hat trick at the first NHL game I ever went to and another goal in my second NHL game (giving away my age a bit there....haha, keep your mouth shut KH!). That did my heart really good to see him.
IMO, Campoli is going nowhere - none of the top six are going to be moved (Witt, Marty, Campoli, Gervais, Sutton, Berard), and especially not now when we're doing well and only beginning to see what we have with the younger players. Trading Campoli makes zero sense to me, and I would be seriously shocked if they moved him, especially if it wasn't part of a package to bring a serious forward here, but rather another defenseman to add to an already overcrowded back line. As for shut down d-men, I don't know if you could do a better job at that than Witt and Marty have done, and Witt in particular. Lecavalier and Crosby didn't accomplish much offensively with those two out there, and if you can contain them, you can contain just about anyone.
guys i do not think Campy will be traded at all. the way he is playing he is going to be a top offensive d-man in the next few years and we signed him for 3.
On another note: the bruins called up Nokie today..its kind of funny we called up Walter and a day later, they call nokie..
I thought Walter played well and i also agree with bringing up Brennan or Bootland for extra toughness.
I see another 2 points for tuesday. Lets go Islanders '
Nick, i will be at the devils game on Saturday.
Lets go Islanders!!!!
Looking forward to Saturday night against the Devils. I'll be parking my ass at Champions in the afternoon for some sliders, Sam Adams and college football, then off to the barn. God I love that place.
"DiPietro had a shutout and an assist in the same game for the first time in his career. He also got engaged that night"
hey congrads to DP...now go out there and kick some rag$ @$$ tomorow night!!!!!
If anyone saw today's NY Times story on the guy who is attending 30 NHL games in 30 nights, his website has a running blog on his experiences. He was at the 4-0 sgame against TB, and check out what he has to say about the Nassau Coliseum!
http://30games.blogspot.com/
Steady, I got four cheap seats upstairs on E-Bay for the Isles game in Boston on November 23rd. Now if my ex will only allow me to bring the kids, I'll be in good shape, although I have to get back for Saturday night's game.
Finally, kudos to Mark. The updates are great.
Merrick, thanks for the link. "THE WRIGLEY FIELD OF THE NHL." I love it!!! By the way, Chris Drury also complimented the old-school feel of the Coliseum and the intensity of the crowd last year... I just hope they retain the best of the Collie when they do the renovation.
Nick is 12 years old.
Anyone who says Hilberts ice time should be cut down or even suggests that he should be considered for a ferry trip to the bridge has simply not been watching the same games I have. Hilbert has been the best player on the ice for the isles the past 2 games. Everyone is way too caught up on him not finishing. Hilbert has logged the toughest minutes of any Islander so far this season. He is out there the last minute of every 1 goal game. He is out there against the opposing teams top PK unit. He draws countless penalties. Hes constantly pressuring on the forecheck. And if you havent realized, as much as Nolan says he might, he simply does not roll 4 lines. The 4th line is a viable 4th line as there is with Park, Simon, Johnson and they get no minutes at all. If Hilbert gets tossed on that line his time will get cut in half which probably isnt the smartest thing to do with one of your better all around players (which Andy actually is).
Rick is now engaged?
But he and I never even got a chance to go on a date. :(
Im happy for him... jealous, but happy.
i like hilbert and his work ethic..he may not score on his chances but he is all over the place in a good way..great PK guy...he was out of the gate on the first face off on saturday.
like i have been saying every game...tuesday is Hilberts break out night
Excellent post, JPF. Yes, Hilbert doesn't score, and yes, he is a minus, but put both of these facts in the context that every shift he has, along with Sillinger and (once again, thankfully) Hunter, is against the NHL's best lines (along with Witt and Marty on D). Defending against top lines consisting of names like Crosby, Lecavalier, etc. means you're spending a good part of your shifts defending in your own zone, which means fewer goals for you, and, considering the level of skill on top lines throughout the league, there's a good chance you'll be on the ice for a few of the opposing team's goals (can't stop the best on EVERY shift...). These two factors directly contribute to the plus/minus, and many players in the league would have a MUCH lower plus/minus drawing the assignments that Hilbert and Sillinger draw. I think watching the games tells stories that the numbers don't reveal, and I think Hilbert's done an excellent job this year.
We all know he's no good around the net, but Hunter is, and Sillinger will get more than he has so far. You don't need all three players on a shut-down line to be offensive forces. The Isles shouldn't mess with a line that was their best last year down the stretch, and adequately performs the toughest and arguably most important job in hockey: shutting down the superstars.
I see the Ranger ankle biters are gettin a little feisty today.
I thought I'd throw some reminders out there. We heard it all summer long.
The Islanders lost all six of their top goal scorers
The Rangers signed the two best free agents on the market.
The Rangers are contenders for the Stanley Cup.
And now reality.........
THE ISLANDERS HAVE A BETTER RECORD THAN YOU DO. I should also mention despite trading away Roberto Luongo.
If you call your self a contender please don't start blaming the schedule. The Isles have 19 back to back games this season. No one got screwed more that that "lottery team" "Free agents don't want to play for" which also got fleeced this offseason.
That lottery team with a better record than the Stanley Cup contending New York Rags.
LOL
I don't know...at least the Rangers fans today are talking hockey instead of the nonsense of the last couple of days.
For "NYR": he's not saying anything most Islanders fans haven't said about that trade...except he's giving Milbury too much credit. Mad Mike, in his infinite wisdom, already said he would have taken Gaborik over Heatley in the draft if he didn't take DP.
And to "Best in the NHL": Lundqvist is definitely playing great...don't know if any reasonable Islanders fan would argue that. If we were handing out awards today, though, I don't know if you can overlook Leclaire on Columbus. I think he's tops in GAA and SV% and has five shutouts so far. He's looked really good in the games I've caught on Center Ice, but I wonder if he can keep up anything close to that pace for the rest of the year.
Caesar, I would suggest ignoring the Rag troll... he doesn't really want to have a conversation, he's just doing the online version of a schoolkid yelling "Islanders suck!" I think he just wants attention.
Nick: I noticed the inclusion of Campy to Ottawa in an earlier JP blog reference to Redden possibly being avaiilable. Like most subsequent responses, I don't like the deal myself but I can see Garth considering it for Redden. It would be a very nice landing spot for Campoli though; imagine winning a Stanley Cup after his short tenure here!!!!!
In an earlier post (Kevin T) made mention of the Vancouver Canucks and how they cycle the puck all the time. A really funny story; about a week ago a fan called into the "Home Ice" show on XM 204 and said that the Canucks top line should be called the "Tour de France" line because all they do is cycle.
In the post game interview with Al Arbour I am pretty certain he said hello to Bobby Nystrom who was sitting amongst the press. I was surprised he wasn't called out for the post game ceremony. I am also surprised Butch Goring wasn't out on the ice as well as he was in the building broadcasting for FSNY.
I read that Andy Hilbert had a black streak going across his teeth from when he got whacked with DP's stick. I am sure he was getting a good ribbing from the team every time he smiled.
Campoli's name sure does surface alot on this blog in trade talks. I can't imagine for a minute that he would be dealt.
Walking around town today in Florida with my Isles jersey on and I had several people tell me nice jersey & go ISLES.
The Campoli for Redden deal came from my coconut... I just wanted to see what the board thought. It thought it was in the realm of realistic deals, where both teams could benefit.
I'm not sure Redden would want to sign with NY long term... though he might end up another former NYI (for an hour) playing at MSG.
It was just a thought...
JPF,
I agree to some extent about Hilbert. He has helped shut down some of the better lines in the Eastern Conference. He's also working his skates off. But they loaded the AHL with guys on the A-NHL fence as checking forwards with scoring potential. I really think Bergy could fill Hilbert's shoes(with Sillinger), while giving that second line time up to Walter. Guerin also needs to be on the first line.
A Hilbert-Park-Simon line should get 6-10 shifts plus PK time. It takes a little of the pressure off of the Silly line(who are now ALL on teh PK). Those guys can't be asked to put in top line time (CHASING the opposing top line) alone in a more demanding schedule. Hilbert to the fourth line adds to TEAM balance. Don't forget that you could always double shift First Base when the team is playing 5-on-5 for long stretches with the lead.
The "loser" in this situation would be Johnson, who would go back to his AHL salary (most likely).
MetalChick...
There are always lonely nights in Vancouver... I suggest some well timed plane tickets, a res at the Isle away hotel, and a big "DP 4 Luongo" sign... while wearing a canuck jersey with 39 on it... He might show you the butterfly.
Whatever happened to Jim from Woodbury (the real one) who was supposed to be posting to thei board with the tagline:
I'm Jim and I'm a ranger fan. the Rangers suck, but I'm still a fan...
Jim, you're a wuss! Probably waiting until the rangers catch up. Let's hope we never see you here again.
JP: Give yourself some credit because it does sound like the makings of a viable deal.