On the Islanders Beat

Reposted from last thread:

Well, I think only 505 is awake to see this tonight, but I wanted to share some cool experiences I had at tonight's game. I had my meeting tonight with the Isles' front office folk, at the game, in a suite. Turns out the only suite available for our meeting (me, my co-writer and one person from the Isles) was the one used by injured players, which tonight was pretty full. Sillinger, Campoli, Gervais, Witt, Hilbert, Sim, Bates and Fedotenko were all there. I was tempted to say to them, "You know guys, Steady's really disappointed with the effort in this room," but I thought that would be unprofessional. ;-)

Actually, for most of them I just got a brief introduction. I was there to have this meeting after all. But I did get to talk to Brendan Witt and Bruno Gervais for a few minutes at the end of the game. Both were courteous,even warm, without the slightest bit of attitude. So of course, I told Witt that I post on a board of diehard fans and his nickname among us is "Braveheart." Both he and Gervais got a real kick out of this and gestured as if painting their faces. Hope it catches on among Witt's teammates. (I also had the satisfaction of being asked to describe the ad to them, which they both liked...)

I can't go into details of stuff I learned about the organization, but I will say that they are thinking long-term, not short-term as people on this board often fear. Really. And they know what is in their long-term interest. Also, there is a lot of optimism that the Lighthouse will get done.

Let me be the first to say that the Isles will have a boat load of money to spend this spring and they better spend it on a capable backup. Dubie is nice for the spot start here and there, but I think the Isles can do a lot better.

And this, folks, is why you don't abuse your franchise goaltender simply to maintain the illusion of putting a competitive team on the ice.

Outstanding job by team brass. The foresight they've shown dealing with Rick can only be described as legendary.

I hope it was worth it.

Well said, Logan. This notion that DiPietro HAS to become Marty Brodeur is ridiculous. Heck, last year the most dominant goalie in the playoffs, who also won the Stanley Cup, split his time almost equally in the regular season.

Dubie's shown he can pull his weight over the short term. I'd like to see him get more starts. Unless the Isles are willing to pay for a "1A" goalie, then they might as well re-sign Dubie, otherwise we're looking at the Jocelyn Thibault's of the league, and I'd argue they're more expensive and no better in the talent department than Dubie. Rather see 'em spend the savings on some scoring.

Well, if Dipi does take some time off, maybe its possible his Goals Against Average won't dip below 9.00, LOL!! And this guy was the first pick in the draft????????

Well ... this whole thing confirms exactly what most of us feared after the All-Star break ... at least it explains a lot.

Since it is his other hip ... he should actually be in good shape .... now he's got 2 brand new axles. LOL!

Kidding aside ... he really should be playing 60 games a season .. maybe squeek out 65. There is nothing wrong with that. He can still flirt with 40 wins a season with a very good team infront of him. That should be the thought going ahead into the future. Build the Core ... I'm not 100% sold on Dubie taking 20 games a season yet ... but if DP keeps getting injured ... he'll have no choice. I think Dubie is a good goalie.
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Unrealated ... the scout service company that is our client in Canada just booked the final 8 games of the season involving the Isles ... Julien said lots of interest in the Isles kiddie corps. That can be read into in many ways ... trades ... pending free agent auditions (Satan & JoVas).

Anyway ... I always assumed all games were scouted anyway. If real interest arises don't they send a scout to the games? Or are teams tied up scouting for the playoff matchups and can't spare sending scouts to a non-playoff team so they .... mail it in so to speak.

I'll let you guys speculate.

I am somewhat comforted hearing that the mgmt is thinking long term. My son and I are having fun watching the kids play. The lack of effort (perceived?) by the verterans is pathetic. Satan in particular. Everyone up here warned me that he was a lazy sack of sh*t from his days in Buff. Anyway, we were thinking of driving down for Mon night to see the kids and Malkin. Any tix avail? It's been a while so what deals are out there or do we have to pay box office prices. When I lived there I paid 10 bucks for last two rows and moved down! Still possible? Thanks

FIRE SNOW ..... SELL THE TEAM WANGER !!!!

The list NEVER stops of poor decisions. I mean when does it end ???

Candyman....You are so right we now need to spend on a capable backup. That also means less money for a WHOLE 1st LINE, a pest, Defense Depth, an Enforcer, a QB on the PP.

IF the NHL did not hate the organization so much, I would beg them to step in and tell Wang how to run things.

THIS WHOLE THING MAKES ME SICK !!!!!

Gee, what a surprise on DP.

Last night was as close to an AHL game you'll see at the NHL leevl. Lots of back and forth but not a lot of flow. However, I do enjoy seeing the kids. Guerin and Comrie--ugh!

Also, I never got a chance to post this yesterday, but following is the missive to season ticket holders accompanying yesterday's game notes.

Hello Subscribers:

***

With just 5 home games left on the regular season schedule and March Madness on the horizon, the time for runnin' and gunnin' and some "upset city, baby" rallying cries are upon us. Is there a three-point line in the NHL??? Injuries have taken ahold of us lately, zapping us of our goal-scoring ability. But they will never affect our Grit, Character and Heart.

While a berth in the playoffs would take some monumental luck, it's games like tonight that define our character(paging Hal Holbrook - "Wall Street"). Sundin always gives us trouble, and Tucker is always Tucker, but the victory lies within the character and heart of our guys like Bergenheim, Hunter, Hilbert, and DP. These are the guys. Grit, Character, Heart and Victory can be found in the corners, along the boards, and in front of the net. I'll see you there!

Enjoy the game. See you tonight.

Kerry Cornils

You would think at this stage of the season, they'd give up on the Grit, Character, and Heart theme. It's now a joke. Of course, they could be thinking of darfting Gordie Howe in this year's draft. Despite his age, he has grit, character, and heart.

Well finally someone agrees with me...As stated in my previous post on the last Blog, We need a solid 1A goalie for DP, he needs to play MAX 60 games a season...and for next season i think he should play max of 50-55...to make sure those hips will stay intact...

505....we forgot to invite Bates to my party last night!!! I feel horrible, ill have to make it up to him...Any Ideas???

PS....I hope i dont need HIP surgery...IF i do maybe i can go to the same doctor as DP....Ive been hurting for 1 1/2 yrs already..haha..HOw about they put ME in net, I played goalie for 12 yrs...I will promise all ISLANDER fans, that I WILL NOT play the puck like DP...and I did have a little Billy Smith in me, Leading my teams with most fighting majors...hahaha, god i miss playin hockey...But not to get anyone excited....I was by no means a stellar goaltender, but i have CHARACTER, GRIT, AND HEART!!! THAT SHOULD GIVE ME A SPOT ON THE TEAM FOR BACKUP..PAY ME MIN. SALARY ILL TAKE IT, NO QUESTIONS ASKED....if anyone knows any islander insiders, to maybe get me a tryout for next season, let me know...ill dig out my goalie equiptment...

Starting LIneup tonight... #21 Kyle Okposo #08(for draft Year)Stamkos #57 Blake Comeau..... ON defense #32 Brendon Witt and #24 Radek Martinek...and starting in goal, for HIS NHL DEBUT lets give him a warm welcome, #35 Tony Saaaaaaaaaaaaac!!!!!!!!! as the crowd roas..TONY SAC, TONY SAC, TONY SAC!!! AH WE CAN ALL DREAM CANT WE!!!

leTS GO ISLANDERS!!!!

DP needs to shut down his ego as well. The fact that he wants to play all games is nice, but he doesn't realize that physically he cannot do it. It's a tough schedule and he needs breaks. Plus his style of play, coming out of the net, needs to stop as well. He needs to let his D men play a little more. If he wants to skate out, change up the equipment and become a D-man or forward, but get out of the net.

DP will never be able to finish 12 more seasons at this rate. What will the cap hit be per year if he needs to be bought out?

a few more games and we get to see what Snow has grown into as a GM. This off season will be HUGE.

As for #3... you know what... he's got a helluva 200 foot bouncer... they should use him more on the PP as they are are usually in their own zone for most of it.

Kyle didn't look too bad for his first time on the stage. He might prove to be a pretty good one.

Nolan has systematically put them in position to get a nice spot in the lottery... you can't go wrong with that way of thinking. they are putting in a good effort, while guys have no clue who they're playing with... so it actually looks like they're trying, but they have no chance... EXCELLENT!!!

Boy, have we changed our tune???? 505, only a couple of weeks back you and Steady were dropping F bombs to others who wanted to tank the season. Now, you're begging for losses. What happened to your big statement that you would never root for your team to lose, EVER. AND ANYONE WHO EVER DOES IS A F***ING LOSER AND SHOULDN'T EVER POST ON THIS BOARD AGAIN.

Remember? You even used all caps so we all could understand that you were yelling at that poor, unfortunate poster. Now, welcome to the bandwagon. A little humble pie for the man in NM please. Just thought that needed to be pointed out.

Now, on to DP. I agree he needs to be rested more. I also agree with whomever posted above that a 1A is now needed to lighten his load. However, this takes away from some other signings we MAY be able to do come July.

Langevin

"Now, welcome to the bandwagon. A little humble pie for the man in NM please. Just thought that needed to be pointed out."

Pass the salt.
AT THE TIME of my F bomb rants....we still had a shot for a playoff spot.. With the demise of the team during and after the Ranger game......well......like I said....pass the salt.

505, knew you would man up, you seem like that type of guy. Wish there was more of that in the world today. Oh well, here's to the draft!!!

#1,
Thanks. Hamilton may be closer but crossing the border is getting to be a bigger hassle every day. I was actually considering hanging around the plaza to see what we could dig up.

I'm not surprised 505 admitted it either, but as he pointed out there's a profound difference in the climate today. At the time, there was a debate between the Steady/505 "Let's Go For It" side and the Myself/Isles Bri/Candyman "We Want Stamkos" side. It was a debate precisely because we had a fighting chance at the playoffs and each side had a different idea of which outcome would be better for the long-term stability and competitive viability of this team. At this point, it's painfully clear the season is lost and the only silver lining is named Stamkos, Doughty, Beach, or Wilson.

Also, I heard some of KH's Information That Can't Be Posted....I assure you this team is thinking long-term and that Garth Snow and Ted Nolan understand what's best for the team. In addition, the only thing I can say with dead certainty is that there is virtually no chance we lose Nolan over any supposed "rift" with the players or the front-office. I am far less scared about the future of this team after hearing this perspective. Steady, give Garth another year or 2 before we decide whether or not to pull the trigger and fire him.

Who's fault is it that DP was playing too many games. Him? Who's running the team? Who decides who plays and who doesn't? The last time I checked it was the head coach. But he can't be wrong because he is a "great coach". This team needs a legitimate NHL GM and he needs to be able to choose his own coach, if it's not Nolan so be it.

I said it many times before. DiPietro can only play 60 games a year maximum. The Islanders need to find out whether they have a capable backup in Dubie, who can play 25 games a year or do they need to find a 1A goalie. I hope Dubie is the answer because they already need at least 3 forwards, a PP defenseman, and an enforcer (agitator) in order to be competitive next year.

While I support the injection of youth, this year was a failure, a step back. Nodoby from the coaching staff to management did a good job. Everybody should be held accountable. This should be an interesting summer.

given Wang's loyalty theory, I don't think we have anything to worry about except Nolan being frustrated with the fan bas.
As obscure as this might sound, the night they booed Simon it took a lot of the wind out ot Nolan's sails.
We see the team as digging a hole for 15 years. Nolan has only had the shovel for 2. I don't see Snow as having any "magic" in his wand. the team needs some major components, and i don't know if he has the juice to get them. That's not his fault, if he was in teh same role in Montreal, he'd be far more successful... but a better GM would have this team in a better position right now... (That's just my opinion)
That being said I'm willing to give Snow an opportunity to take the slow path this off season, becasue he doesn't ahve fast track cred. He proved that last year when everybody turned their back on him.
Nolan is going to have to win with a band of misfits before anything happens with this organization. Be prepared to be talking about a similar circustance next year...
But I'm looking forward to seeing comeau and Tambellini getting first line time with Comrie...(Yes, he's probably going to be the #1 center next year) Hopefully they can get Vasicek or improve on him as a secnd line center and have Bergy and Guerin. Okposo works his way in somewhere... Maybe with Sillinger (?) or Walter and Hunter or Sim.
There's not much different with that roster than the one that started this year. but there is one major difference. The guys at the top will be at teh bottom of the learning curve, rather than retreads from other organizations.
We should get younger, stronger and faster through attrition... and with a consistent coaching philosophy they will grow into a strong team that will work together.
I really think the light will go on and stay on starting in the 2009-10 season.
That may be asking for a lot of patience, but if you toss in a some playoff magic next year ( a healthy team does that next year)... it's not such a bad picture.
For now, I hope they lose out. I can't say that I wished for that two weeks ago. But Nolan is getting a good view of what he has. Snow is seeing if he has any chips to deal with, and the fans are still gettign a spattering of entertaining hockey.

Well,old melon head may be injury prone,but we only have to pay him for fifteen more years.

...was that a miatake?

How I see things for 2008-09 right now.

Comeau-Comrie-Guerin
Bergenhiem-(Vasicek/Nielsen)-(tambellini/okposo)
Hunter-(Sillinger/Walter)-Sim
Hilbert-Park-(Bootland/Jackman)

Witt-Marty
Sutton-Campoli
Gervais-Berard*

3 areas for improvement over the summer
1. A top line forward that pushes Guerin or Comeau down to the second line. I don't see a first line center being brought in becasue of the lack of top tier talent. But there will be a few forwards on the market... including Hossa.
2. Resign vasicek. I know everybody disagrees with me here, but the team definitely needs some continuity at this point. I'd rather see vasicek as even the third line center and Nielsen centering a kid line next year... the alternative is a hobbled Sillinger and possibly Park in that second line center slot... becasue the centers available just aren't that good.
3. Get campbell. Sutton was a vast improvement last year, and campbell would do the same thing this year. Spend the money on a long term deal for a first line "D" to replace Marty as the puck mover. Sutton will replace Witt in 09-10, and the team will have a solid "D" again.
I don't think that Spiller or davison are ready to replace Sutton in the 2nd pairing. Davison, in contrast to 505 and Steady's opinon might surprise given the opportunity. he appears to have the right attitude...(and size) I wouldn't judge anybody's ability with the corp they have right now. If we did that last year Campoli would have been on the scrap heap this year.

Another plus would be a top five draft pick who might be able to step right in and put up 20 from the second line.

JP...If you are right about those "lines" we will finish DEAD LAST again......

Same way Mangini took a huge step back for the Jets, Nolan does take a hit this year.....Our only hope is that LIKE THE JETS, the Isles clean house and get some serious talent next year!

As for booing Simon.....That was the same thing I said about not playing DP vs. the rags.....BE CAREFUL !!!

Nick...I will give SNOW this off season to shut me up.... :)

I said it many times before. DiPietro can only play 60 games a year maximum. The Islanders need to find out whether they have a capable backup in Dubie, who can play 25 games a year or do they need to find a 1A goalie. I hope Dubie is the answer because they already need at least 3 forwards, a PP defenseman, and an enforcer (agitator) in order to be competitive next year.

While I support the injection of youth, this year was a failure, a step back. Nodoby from the coaching staff to management did a good job. Everybody should be held accountable. This should be an interesting summer.

JP - You are on the money with those changes, at least some combination of those top 6 forwards plus a 1st liner and a high draft pick into the mix. And of course, an offensive defensemen. At least, the high draft pick is looking more and more likely now.

I disagree... and here's my logic.

this team wasn't destined for last place this year before they were cecimated with injuries. You have to look at what they have going into the season as opposed to what they are coming out with.
At the beginning of this season I said we'd be better of than last year... most disagreed... but this team played very well... they were just too thin to continue at the pace they started with.
the same may be true next year, but it will be better coming out of the gate... well... at least it will have more "upside".

First Line: Tank-Comrie-Guerin v Comeau-Comrie-Guerin
can you argue that Comeau has shown more potential than Tank as a 40 game veteran. If Comrie comes back stronger (uninjured) he will be a vast improvement over himself last October becasue he should play better 2-way hockey. Guerin may not improve, but I could live with a 20-25 goal season from him if both his linemates put up similar numbers... and comrie improves on the -20
Second Line: there is no doubt that Tank-JoVas-hunter were the best mid-term line. But the second line at of Satan-JoVas-Bergy were near invisible (except for Bergy's effort). THere is a HUGE chasm for improvement here. I don't think the kids will show that inthe first 15-20 games, but the last 60 they will put up solid numbers... and if Vasicek returns that growth will be amplified and accelerated. (This line will be the key to the playoffs next year)
3rd line: HILBERT shut this line down offensively this year. He can't be allowed to be around the puck in the offensive zone. Sillinger is just about done. I think he is a tremendous warrior, but for his own sake, and his life after hockey he should probably hang them up. This makes Vasicek that much more important... plus it opens the door for BOTH Nielsen (if JoVAS walks) and Walter to get soem NHL time which they both deserve. Sim is unknown to us... and who knows how he'll come back... but he's got to be an improvement over Hilbert. If not him... SOMEBODY ELSE. Hunter is solid as a third line forward. With support he can pot 20 again.
4th line is not worth analyzing, except they should be tougher than Jackman... It would be in their best interest to get a heavyweight in camp.
Defensively this team looked great for three months... except when they had to turn it around during PP time. they do need to find that in the UFA market, becasue it doesn't look like Kohn is going to be that guy.
I hate to say it, but one of the Milbury-esque moves was to not only give up on Grebeshkov, but then give up what you gave up on him for... for a bag of phlegm. To me, that was garth's greatest sin to date.
It's hard to display foresight when you constantly have the ticking clock in the background. Making the playoffs takes away some of the pressure... if they don't make the playoffs two years in a row everybody will be asking for Nolan's head. What I think is that this thing shuold really come to fruition the following year... so dumping Nolan next year will be SELF-DEFEATING.
Two more years and this team is back in the conversaton.

I'm sorry but I agree with Steady. The lines JP has are horrible. Where will the offense come from????? That is a 12th to 15th place finish for sure. Here is why. A team like that needs to battle EVERY night to get points, they can't take a night off (sound familiar). When you have to do that EVERY night guys tend to break down (sound familiar). Who can we possibly bring up next year to fill the same holes we have this year? Nobody because all the young guys are already here and those that aren't just aren't any good.

Be prepared for some organizational building because without it we are REALLY in trouble. We don't a true superstar in waiting or that many solid 1st and 2nd line guys. We need to build through the draft and that will take time. We have some losing seasons ahead but as long as they are constructive than I'm all for it.

Steady,

You said "Candyman....You are so right we now need to spend on a capable backup. That also means less money for a WHOLE 1st LINE, a pest, Defense Depth, an Enforcer, a QB on the PP."

Is that sarcasm I sense? Are we back to disagreeing? Phewwww.

But you know as well as I that the Isles are not going to spend anything near what the cap is, so it doesn't matter how much talent they need to sign this summer.

A 1A goalie will not be hard to find and would greatly help this team. It would allow Nolan to rest DP on a regular basis and it might actually drive DP to play harder and maintain his focus over the course of the season. I'll get back to you on my top choices.

I didn't say this team was going to win the cup, or even be a contender next year... just being a realist. I don't think they'll be locked into a non-playoff position.... but if the same injuries happen they will most likely end up that way.
this team is NEVER going to be an OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT.
they might score more goals if they get guys like Hossa and Campbell, but remember that this team started from dust last year and had some nice runs over the past two years using what amounts to a nuetral zone trap and a good forecheck.
they have been pretty solid 5 on 5 when healthy, and okay when down a man (but they are that way too often), but HORRIBLE when they have the man advantage.
They might be able to get a few pieces, maybe soem major ones to help with that. It almost definitely will not be at center... They also have some time invested in at least two of those kids (Comeau and Bergy) and should commit to them being in the organization long term.
If you think the roster is going to turn over this year and it is somehow going to benefit the team next year you are NUTS.
Not only that, you are dreaming. they have a core of players now signed through next year. Hilbert, Park, Hunter, Sillinger, Guerin, Comrie, Sutton, Marty, Witt, Sim, Meyer.... So what do you think is going to change...
Until these kids develop into their potential they will be a mediocre at best squad. There needs to be a few kids that develop into upper level players, and have them all on the same page. Look at the Devil model. Much like the Isles were the MODEL in the 80's, the devils are the model since 1990...
Those "Nolan type players" that are ridiculed, are guys that know how to play the game, and have done so with some level of success. He understands what he wants, and what he can achieve with the proper effort.
Next eyar he may be forced to be a better "COACH" becasue he won't have as many "PLAYER/COACH" types like Hill, Sillinger, (yes, even Simon).
It's time for Hunter to be a Ryan Smyth type player, and look like he was in a 12 round fight after each game. Comrie has to be SMARTER with the puck. Hilbert is going to have to accept a fourth line role.
Bergy was exceptional this year... On a line with some speed (Satan and vasicek just didn't cut it) there's no reason he couldn't have a Blake like year... but that takes time and experience as well. Blake may have had slightly better wheels, but there aren't too many skills where Bergy dominates him. Nolan needs to put him in that offense-only role next year and see what happens.
I look for bergy to notch up, and either Nielsen or Okposo to go through what bergie did this year... learning the game from a second or third line perspective.
They really should, however, spend some of that cap space wisely on a first line forward and a first pair "D".

Problem with this team is they don't have any real quality centers. I'm quite sure that Tamby, Comeau, Bergenheim etc would have better numbers if they had someone whould could dish.

This team is probably the weakest in the league up the middle.

That's been painfull as hell to watch this season. looking at Okposo last night you can tell he knows where to go. He has a good shot and somebody feeding him the puck is going to get him goals in bunches.

Right now it's everyman for himself on the wings. That center position is the link missing in the chain.

Good news is we can get one of quality in this draft. Park and Vasiceks days are numbered.

Anyways. All are welcome to pop into the IslandersPirateHaven for a cup of coffee or just to say hello. No mods or restircitions on threads and language.

IslandersPirateHaven

http://z9.invisionfree.com/IslandersPirateHaven/index.php?act=SC&c=1

These would be my lines going into the next season.

Tambellini-Comrie-Guerin
Bergenheim-(Walter/Neilsen)-Hunter
Comeau-(Stamkos/Beach/Hodgeson)-Okposo
Park-(Nielsen/Walter)-Sim

Witt-Markov (sign him from Russia to a contract)
Marty-Sutton
Campoli-Gervais

Tambellini would get his last chance... he doesn't work out, Comeau would be bumped to 1st line with Sim bumped to 3rd line. Important thing is that the 2nd and 3rd lines would switch mid-way through the season as (Stamkos/Beach/Hodgeson) and Okposo got experience and confidience enough to play 2nd line minutes effectively (this should be groomed to be the 1st line in the following season when Comrie and Guerin are gone).

I would also sign Danny Markov (playing in Russia right now) to a contract to be one of our top 2, since Marty is usually out 1/2 the season with injuries. Markov would be a stabilizing 1-2 D-man to pair with Witt.

These would be my lines going into the next season.

Tambellini-Comrie-Guerin
Bergenheim-(Walter/Neilsen)-Hunter
Comeau-(Stamkos/Beach/Hodgeson)-Okposo
Park-(Nielsen/Walter)-Sim

Witt-Markov (sign him from Russia to a contract)
Marty-Sutton
Campoli-Gervais

Tambellini would get his last chance... he doesn't work out, Comeau would be bumped to 1st line with Sim bumped to 3rd line. Important thing is that the 2nd and 3rd lines would switch mid-way through the season as (Stamkos/Beach/Hodgeson) and Okposo got experience and confidience enough to play 2nd line minutes effectively (this should be groomed to be the 1st line in the following season when Comrie and Guerin are gone).

I would also sign Danny Markov (playing in Russia right now) to a contract to be one of our top 2, since Marty is usually out 1/2 the season with injuries. Markov would be a stabilizing 1-2 D-man to pair with Witt.

I'll throw this out there... Does anybody rememebr who the #1 goalie was for this team in 1977, 1978, and 1979 until the playoffs... if you don't watch the next Devil's broadcast... he was a terrific goalie who just didn't have the "KILLER" instinct...
the organization fears signing a "BILLY SMITH" making DP and his 15 year contract expendable. I don't see anybody under 33 being signed... and they pretty much got their 1A last year and he's in Bridgeport.
Snow and Nolan believe they have something special in DP. If you take off the rose colored glasses, DP is special, but not the cornerstone of the organization... not yet anyway... maybe never.
He hasn't even won a playoff series yet, and that is the true measure of a goaltender.
You don't have to worry about them overspending for a goaltender... they have him already.
they need to spend $13/Yr on two players... The key is whether or not they can get them to play on a team where the fans have been booing their own players and the front office for 15 years.
the one thing the ranger fans have on us is that they do fill that building EVERY NIGHT, and they have been into each game for 100 years....
There's nothing better than the barn when teh team is burning it up, but try to get a kid who grew up in western canada that... or has played in DET, COL, MON or TOR...not particularly in that order.
Everybody on this board has been ridiculing the Gomez signing... do you UNDERSTAND why he didn't want the Islanders money... becasue the FANS would be booing him if he had 15 goals in march... Meanwhile Ranger fans and devil fans understand how important gomez is to a team... maybe not for that kind of money... but I'd love to have Scott Gomez on this team. Maybe Walter will be that kind of player.

Candy....Actually I was 100% agreeing with you. We need a top back up. I just was making the point that we need so much more on top of that. Basically just ripping the bobbles every chance I get :) !

Plenty of time to disagree in the future!

1. "Potvin (naughty word)" - Though a good chunk of the fans at the Garden weren't even alive when the Islanders' Denis Potvin played, this remains the granddaddy of all Garden chants. The Potvin special is featured every time the Islanders and Rangers meet, and inevitably is heard at every Rangers game, regardless of the opponent. Chant dates back to a Feb. 25, 1979 game when Potvin delivered a hip check to center Ulf Nilsson. Never mind that the check was probably clean, fans never forgave Potvin for the play, which sidelined Nilsson for the season with a broken ankle.

~~~~So in the most famous arena in the world their most famous chant is towards the Islanders who have only been around since 72. Can they be anymore OBSESSED WITH US ?? ~~~~~~

Dynasty, Andrei from MON would be an acceptable D to push Marty down to the second pair. Danny doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. I think they might have been shopping him earlier, but I don't think Andrei will be available to the Isles any time soon.

Other than that your vision is perfectly acceptable. take not of two situations. The Isles shuold have almost $20M to spend in the UFA market and no matter who they draft, Nolan will most likely not let them get close to the NHL until they learn the schemes in the AHL. That's probably why Comeau, Tambellini and Okposo didn't look like complete fish when they were brought up. they may or may not have the chops, but he's NEVER going to be an EARN WHILE YOU LEARN coach. So, much like my lineup, there is room for revision.

Thats a real shame that over rated ricky is an injury prone bust.Maybe if garth and the wang ask real nice mike dunham will come out of retirement.Then wang can sign him to a twenty year deal.

HAHAHAHAHA

That chant is a testament to Potvin. It's really worthless now, except it probably gets chuckles from guys with mustard stains on their KMart wardrobe who got their tickets by fixing somebody's clogged toilet.
What it did when Pots played was piss off ranger players. that chant was bad, but "Denis Potvin beats his wife" was a killer. Denis was not only maybe one of the top three "D" in NHL history, but he was a brick sh*thouse... and when he hit you, you knew it.
the rangers knew that when the fans would start that crap Denis was gonna make THEM pay.
We don't have that now. We have guys that TAKE THE PAIN as their badge of honor... guys like Witt take it... but when he got SPEARED in the nads that was the end of it. There's no doubt that if somebody did that to John tonelli at some point he would position himself in front of them when he shot the puck down the ice. I don't know if anybody remembers tonelli's follow through... but it HAD PURPOSE... and it's purpose was to hit somebody over the head with his stick.
So... we had a guy who nailed a PUNK in the chops, and stomped on a guy who thinks he's one of the three muskateers... and when he comes back from his suspension our fans BOO HIM OFF THE ICE AND OUT OF TOWN.... it's sad.
When Exelby tried to end the Comeau family line all those same folks stood up and GASPED... and wondered why nobody just went out and took a piece out of his arse...
Simon... castrated
Asham... shipped
Goddard.... "why is this guy taking up space on the roster"

But when you folks have a human torpedo who was basically a punching bag and spent more time in the penalty box than he did on the ice you FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM. Webby was a great kid, but by his own admission he didn't belong in the NHL...

Leave a spot on the roster for a guy like davison, spiller, Brennan or even Brashear.

JP, I couldn't agree more...THANK YOU for finally validating my utter astonishment at the love Steve Webb gets from Islander fans. I will NEVER FORGET after the Arbour game when, with some of the greatest players who ever played on the ice, the fans chose to chant "Steve Webb! Steve Webb!"

This team needs toughness, and anyone wistful about Webb is delusional at best. He was a marginal player with a huge heart, but he did absolutely nothing. At least nobody's crying about how we need Steve Webb back like they were on the board last year. It was enough to send my blood pressure through the ceiling..

Who was the best fighter the Islanders ever had? Anyone?

It's easily Gillies, followed by Nystrom and BILLY SMITH!

Nick,
I may be an optimist to a fault, but i try to call em like I see 'em.
Webby was a roster spot to get the crowd excited about a dead team struggling with no payroll.
It's like letting heroin dealers run rampent in poor neighborhoods. Even when money goes into the neighborhood and it starts to rebuild people want their heroin. Luckily the junkies are off this blog.
I've said this before. Garden City and the North Shore was home to some of the best hockey players of all time. There second address is THE HALL OF FAME, but most Long Islanders wouldn't know Mike Bossy from the guy who played Dr. Who (BBC Sci-fi) in the 80's. I bet Bryan Trottier has no problem shopping at Roosevelt field... You put those two on an obscure street corrner in Montreal and within 5 minutes there will be a crowd of autograph seekers... just like Brett favre would cause in Manhattan...
So... if you're Ryan Smyth, do you take $7M/yr to play here, or $6M/yr to play where fans have booed you (but respected you) for years.
There are a lot of players that have played with Chris Simon, and know what he's all about. I'll bet the night he came back closed the door for a lot of them.
The rich history of this organization left with Bill Torrey. You can see the effort that Wang is making to get some of it back, but it's tarnished by too much "Mad Mike", John Spano, Kirk Muller, Gluckstern and Associates and the treatment of guys like Peter Laviolette and Chris Simon.
I've been a fan for over 30 years, but it's a mickey mouse organization. I think they finally have a base for a good thing. they probably should have let Neil Smith run things the way he wanted to, but Wang has to have it his way.
They need to dump the lighthouse project, and move the team to greener pastures... but Wang and his partners have so much invested in developing that land it will never happen.
So... maybe next year this once proud organization, and the model which great teams used as their blueprint, will be wearing ears on their helmets.
Time will tell... but time and time again it continues to disappoint.

three guys come to mind...
Clark Gillies, Gillies was a monster and a 30 goal guy. He never over did it, but could physically dominate and intimidate an opponent... just ask the whole bruin team from the 80's. He made guys go after players like Lorne Henning... when you do that, YOU'RE BEATEN.

Garry Howatt, the toy tiger... there's nothing like the smallest guy on your team being the "ENFORCER"... maybe the model for a guy like Webb... But Howatt could play a little too... and he was no punching bag. He took on the heavyweights of his time and had a pretty damn good record. His strength and skating ability was unmatched for a player his size.

In a surprising turn I'm going to avoid Vukota and the like and jump to goddard. I'd like to have him on the team now. He was never quite used as he should have been. He was one of the better technical "fighters" the team has had, but he could have filled the role thatt Nolan had for Simon. He was younger and stronger than the Islander version of Simon... he would have been the guy to put in front of the net on the PP, or even on a regular 4th line shift with kids who could fire it. In his tenure with the Isles he was used like a junkyard dog.

Whose idea was it to bypass Nolan for Laviollette and Steve Stirling anyway... oh... that's right... Mr. New England...aka Dr. Scholl... aka Mad Mike.

So those are my three...

Nick,
I'm sure Billy was a sarcastic response, but as much of a Battler he was, he wasn't much when he was unarmed.

The only real fight i can rememebr him in was when he battered Cheevers. Cheevers wasn't an aggressive guy at all, but the bruins, as I mentioned in my previous post had torn up Lorne Henning in a complete mismatch during a brawl. I think Billy saw that as his queue to take advantage of the peaceful cheevers and completely beat the crud out of him.

Don't forget what DP did to montoya in the pre-season this year. That still didn't make up for the complete arse wooping dan Cloutier put on Tommy Swiss Cheese.

I disagree about Steve Webb. First of all the team was a heck of a lot better then it is now. Do you completely forget the Toronto series ????

Was he a true NHL player...No

But name me ONE current Islander that plays with as much heart? Witt, I will give you. Name me one guy on our team that can annoy like Webb did ??? Name me one guy on our team that can hit the way Webb did ????

Webb did a lot for us that year and when he stopped fighting and just hit people, he drew ohhhhh so many penalties.

I would kill to have a guy like that on our 4th line one day. We need a pest as much as we need an enforcer.

P.S NEVER mention #3 in the same paragraph as any of our past enforcers....HE IS PATHETIC !!! CANNOT FIGHT, CANNOT SKATE, CANNOT PLAY DEF. !!!! Another BLUNDER by SNOW !!!!

Naples,

"Who was the best fighter the Islanders ever had? Anyone?"

BACK IN THE MID 70'S........
Dave Lewis and Gary Howatt once hit on a girl I was dating in a LI bar..(Hammerheads? I think). I had a few drinks in me (funny thing) and figured that I could take Lewis apart in a heartbeat. Fortunately, I didn't have SO MANY drinks in me and I realized that while I could probably eliminate Lewis, I also knew that my 5 inch or so height advantage and longer wingspan probably wouldn't be enough to subdue Mr. Howatt.
So.....I left the girl at the bar...never saw her again....I think she went home with one or both of them...and I wound up the better man in MANY WAYS that night. (she was NUCKING FUTZ).
So for that reason.....and that reason alone.....
I give the nod to Howatt.

Now, if Clark Gillies was to hit on my current wife of 25 years?????

He might get the nod.

Just a thought. What about John Michael Liles on the blue line. Although he is having a terrible year by all standards, he is an offensive defenseman who can run a power play and he is a UFA this summer. He was only making 1.4 and can probably be had for a similar amount of money and he is only 26 years old. I wouldnt mind seeing him and campoli paired up together on a PP unit.

BEST FIGHTER:

Easy....

Jethrooooooooooooooooooooooo !

2nd favorite.....

Vukota !!!

3rd Favorite.....

Cairns

Last but certainly not least.....

Dwayne Sutter aka Mad Dog

**NYstorm, Howatt, etc. will alway be there also, but those 4 were my personal favorite and Gillies was by far the BEST !!!

The part of 19 Isles today has been played by JPinVA .. LOLOL!!! You go my good man.
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Before I shove off to play in my final regular season game ... I gotta say one thing ... You guys as Islander fans really are the ones with Grit, Character and Heart .... as long as we keep that ... the Isles will always have a great core of fans.

Now I'm off to break my scoring snide ... I've been stuck on 29 goals and 68 points for the past 3 games. I have Hilbertitis ... maybe game #30 will bring some luck.
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Don't think you guys have lucked out with a short post ... I'll be back in a couple of hours... and JP ... I'm with Steady and Vukota on your lines for next season .... more on that later on.

Later Skaters

Kick some a^^ 19Isles.....The Oracle predicts 3 pts form you. Goal and two assists or vice versa!

Best fighter? Gillies, Bomber, Bobby N ,Howatt, Curran, Kerr, Cairns.
This team is too soft. Nohits. No fights. No heart.

And here all along today, I thought 19Isles was trolling under JP's handle.

Is anyone here as outraged at how incredibly weak this team is? No fighters, no one who hits. Why do Nolan teams have a tough rep again?
The Isles future is as secure as Bear Stearns.

JP:

Just a question on a comment you made a while back. You said Rangers fans don't boo their own? Have you been to the Garden in the last 10 years? Every year there is usually one whipping boy who gets to hear it constantly. Islander or Ranger fan, we're New Yorkers. Its one of the reasons its so hard to play here because everyone and everything is scrutinized to the smallest degree and when we're dissatisfied (usually wrongly so) ...we let you hear it!

As for Steve Webb, Steady hit the nail on the head. When he was healthy the guy was a spark plug. He drew countless penalties, threw the opponents off their game, and whats more rallied up the crowd and the team. Is there currently a player on the roster besides our franchise goalie who gets the whole arena into the game?

No one said anything about Rich Pilon. I liked his fighting skills for some reason when he used it. Anyone?

Steady ~ Your prediction was about 25 seconds from being true .... but then my linemate scored into an empty net after receiving a clearing pass from me to give me 2 goals and 2 assists for the night.

I thought it was going to be a long night ... seconds after winning the opening face off that sent my RW into the offensive zone he sent me a return pass that I shot through a defenseman's screen that rang off the pipe ... but I got the monkey off my back with 3 minutes left in the 1st period .... whewwwwwww!!! Finished with 31G 41A in 30 games ... sign me up with Tony Sac at the next Isles camp... LOL!!

We finished 21W-9L ... bye in the first round of the playoffs. We don't have ties in our league ... we play 4 on 4 till someone scores ... usually happens in the first 5-7 mins. The longest I heard a game going was just over 14 mins ... which isn't that bad since we obviously don't have TV time outs.

A guy on the other team finished with 39G and 44A .. sign that dude up.

In all fairness, our higher scores and point totals misrepresent the skill of our league. Much of our higher offensive rate is due to the modified rules that we play that emphasize the offensive player skills and discourages tactics that snuff out offense (zero tollerance on holding, interference, hooking and obstructive type penalties). Because of this we have games that typically have baseball type scores of 7-5, 8-7 .. you get the picture ... but very exciting ... you can't suffocate a team defensively after getting a 1 or 2 goal lead ... you have to keep the pace up... because penalties are costly.

In order to compensate for the