The crude algebra in the above headline is my belated way of saying the Islanders officially have been eliminated from the playoffs. Although the Associated Press story on the Isles’ 4-1 loss last night in Philadelphia mentioned it, I was uncertain about the formula since the Islanders still can move ahead of eighth-place Boston in the Eastern Conference by winning their last six games if the Bruins lose their remaining seven.
That part of the formula -- (Is x 6W) + (Bo x 7L) -- is correct. If that happens, the Isles would have 85 points to Boston’s 84. But I overlooked the rest of the formula -- 3W(Bu/To), which is my way of saying “three certain wins by either Buffalo or Toronto.” If Boston loses it’s remaining seven games, either Buffalo or Toronto would be assured of at least three wins and six more points because both play Boston twice and they meet each other once. That means the winner of the Buffalo-Toronto game on April 1 would get two points to go with the four it would get for two wins over the Bruins. That would leave Buffalo with 87 points or Toronto with 86 points, thus eliminating the Islanders.
I completed my high school math requirement in the 10th grade and never took another math class because I had what I needed to compute scoring averages, batting averages and the like. Who knew playoff formulas and tiebreakers would require such in-depth study in my future? Oh, well. Guess we’ve known for a while now that the Islanders, as presently constituted after all their injuries, are not a playoff team.
GAME NOTES: Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby took part in the morning skate at the Coliseum but will not be in the lineup against the Islander tonight and remains questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Devils in Newark…Note to math majors: Don’t write in with corrections of the headline on this blog. It’s for entertainment purposes only.
Comments (190)
(Is x 6W) + (Bo x 7L) + 3W(Bu/To)= FAT GUY SINGING.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvyMwXBkvF4
(Okay, maybe not so fat).
I smell spring in the air......that means baseball.
505 LOL
Greg, was this an attempt at getting us bruised and battered Isles fans to smile? It made me laugh for sure.
All I know is I want Garth to look no further than what Philly did in the off season as a model for what he needs to do this summer. Talk about a 180 - if they don't do well in the post season this year, I say a piece or two and they will be a contender next year for sure.
One can hope right?
http://www.islesblogger.com
And I was under the impression they were already out of contention as of March 12th! But then Algebra was never my subject. Geometry was. Maybe that's why I know there are always THREE sides to every STORY. www.7thwoman.blogspot.com
Logan.....
"I completed my high school math requirement in the 10th grade and never took another math class because........."
Okay, wait a sec......you completed your HS math requirement in TENTH GRADE???
Was that before or after you got to the aqua level of the SRA learning cards?
WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
Sounds like the equivalent of some lowlife Public School system in NM or something.
Pardon me if I effuse a little Flyer snobbery here....but completing your "math requirement" in 10th grade smacks of someone EXTREMELY BRILLIANT who finished it quickly (I have my doubts) or someone who attended HS in the equivalent of a 3rd world country where "requirements" are a matter of conjecture and discussion.
So tell us Greg....did you take English for 4 years?.....cuz you write fairly well......or did you take it as "a second language" in order to fulfill the "requirements" of whatever sublevel Public School System you were enrolled in?
Inquiring minds want to know.
;)
The Flyers had a nice turnaround but have faltered in the last 1/4 of the season. They were extremely physical the first part of thee season and it paid off. Now, when less physical, they slipped.
the Isles need to get back to basics. Hard nosed hockey. Adding a scoring machine will not work...we need a team buy-in of taking the eplayer, not the puck. We need a Webb or Avery, not some kid from Bridgeport we hope is a future 3rd liner.
Asham is welcome back any day, as is Godard. Satan needs to go....maybe Guerin will be fighting Big George tonight. Wonderful.
I cannot fathom how Teddy let the Isles get so vanilla soft.
19 Isle in NJ 22 (AKA --- Rock-it)
yeah it's me Kevin, your former linemate. I tried emailing you but I get that mailer-daemon message. I escaped from Florida for two weeks and are at my folks place at some +55 community in Butt F--- NJ. Sorry posting on here to contact you but it was all I could think of. This blog hasn't changed much. I'm trying to reach you because I'm going to open hockey at your rink on Tuesday night. Joe and a bunch of guys going too. Joe told me that you two aren't on the same team this year since they got the league going again. WTH is up with that? Joe said your team is in the playoffs so break-away sometime and call Joe he lost your # too so we can reunite the best line ever in hockey for 2 weeks. Joe said you haven't won the league scoring title since I left for Florida 2 years ago. I gotta get my butt back up here. I can't stand it down there. We are going to the Islander Flyer and Islander Stranger game at the good old Coli while I'm here. If you don't have Joe's # then just meet us at Wall arena tomorrow night at 10.
Oh, and I read your posts b4. You are still a pretty good student of the game, always aware of the percentages. I agree with you and most of our fellow Isle fans on here. Nolan deserves a reasonable assemblege of talent before we string him up. Yeah, he made some mistakes. Every coach makes some miscalculations from time to time, but we have the luxury of hindsight and not wearing his shoes. The PP problem isn't his fault either. The games I've seen show me that the Islanders don't have the skaters to move the puck and command respect which is critical to a successful power play. Tell 'em Rock-it
We should coach the Islander PP next season, but I think their biggest problem was a lack of speed to move the puck and no d-man that could QB the PP. Later folks. Sorry for the personal message. I'm just another hockey puck head who misses the game.
(Rock-it -- 19 ISLE in NJ 22) I copied your name where my name should be I'm not copying you. It's me Kevin M. your former linemate. Remember me?
The natives are restless here. Islander505 that is a great tune. I think after reading the last few days posts that it is evident as to why the Isle's biz model fails. If we were a committee we'd all be going in different directions. That is how the Isles run the show, and that is probably why they fail. Different philosophies going head to head with each other instead of a synergy.
Blah. Need I say more?
Kevin M.
re- 19Isles...your old linemate...
Can you enlighten us regulars on something here about him?
How many delay of game penalties has/did he incur for engaging in Clintonesque (long and wordy) discussions with the refs?
I.E. how many guys qualified for a Social Security check by the time he got finished with an official?
Q?-- If coaching is so important, then how come the Devils seem to have been dominant for 14 seasons? Can it be Brodeur alone? I don't think so. How many coaches have the Devils had in that time frame? I think it's mostly the GM and drafting that sets the team culture and responsible for stocking an array of talent that blends into a winner.
How do you guys post on here? I keep getting messages and it erases my post. This site stinks. I''m outtie.
I think I got the hang of this blog. Copy Paste.
Islander505 -- what do you want to know before we go to dinner?
19 Isle is the center on my line for like 5 years straight. He is a solid person if that is what you want to know. And yes, after a game in a bar he's mouthy. Irish - German blood goes a long way.
He is actually quiet on the ice, and doesn't talk much except to communicate essential info while on the ice or bench. 2 different people and a nasty SOB too, so don't let him tell you different.
I'll try to be back here later if I can. Dad's PC.
Kevin M.
"He is actually quiet on the ice, and doesn't talk much except to communicate essential info while on the ice or bench."
Huh? Seriously?
Have you read any of his War and Peace stuff here?
That CAN'T be the same guy.
Kevin M...
"Islander505 -- what do you want to know before we go to dinner?"
Wow, that was fast....even for an internet blog site.....
Okay, are you buying and is there alcohol involved??
My town or yours?
;)
Actually Scotty Bowman is NOT a better coach for this team...He is way past his prime and in NO WAY could have done better with this team. Please READ CAREFULLY before posting your nonsense. IT was not a BETTER COACH, I asked for a BETTER COACH for this team.
Let me guess....You cannot name any young coaches? Come on use the internet, call a pal, read the paper, do something to hide your lack of hockey IQ.
So Sir Knowalittle.....Move along....The fact you cannot back up your ripping of Nolan is perfectly clear.
Let me guess....Ranger Fan ? I can smell you guys a mile away!
Somebody on this team better grow a set of balls and soon, before part of our "Future" gets pounded face first into the ice and suffers a career-ending injury.
You took the words right outta my mouth Frei....
THIS IS CRAP.....The Flightless Birds are behaving like Vultures out there....
DAVISON.......DO YOU GD JOB AND EARN THAT NUMBER.
SPILLER.......GET ANOTHER BLACK EYE
It's a sad state of affairs when I'm asking D-men to be enforcers...
Where the hell is Kip Brennan?
If Nolan doesn't do anything about this......even if it means strapping on his own pair......between periods.....I'm gonna be calling for his head.
First shift, someone send Malkin for a ride.
This game is getting beyond chippy.
I'm sure Simon will lay someone out...If not him Asham...If not him Godard.....Ohhhhhhhhh that's right!
FIRE SNOW .... WAKE UP WANGER !!!
Frei, you were right about the draft. At least as far as the first 2 rounds are concerned, which was pretty much your argument. After that are a lot of picks, and still, I think it’s wrong for them not to play hard and try to win, regardless.
What's up with #2's skating? He looks like his chin scraping the ice when he skates.
Well # 2 just got baked......
I was told there'd be no math.
What a game!!!! I know a lot of you guys aren't crazy about the wins .. spoils the outside chance of having a chance at the Stamkos sweepstakes ... but tonight's game was a good team effort. I've been critical of JoVas ... but did he lose any faceoffs tonight?
505 ~ Looks like Greg Logan is auditioning for the NHL.COM coachs' job with that crazy math.
I know people are thinking the Isles were in a good chance to get the #1 pick by finishing 3rd worst ... I know 4th worst is still a shot ... but the thing is the Isles had 2 games in hand over the Thrashers ... the Thrashers had as much a chance of catching the Isles as the Isles did in catching Buffalo before the game against T.O.
Still a shot if St. Louis passes the Isles.
I'm just glad I could sit with my brother and nephews and watch a well played game. I think that game gives the young guns something to build off of.
Obviously the object of hockey is to put more pucks in the net than the opposition ... but so much of the game is played without shooting the puck .. and a lot can be learned of the experience of just playing the game and learning from your mistakes and building confidence. This was one of those games. Flyers own us this year.... now next game I'd like to see how they respond after lastnight's loss. Toughness on this team is almost as essential as getting offense for next year.
GeeeeZuuuZ Kevin ... you're a knuckle head. I just read your posts .... couldn't you figure out a more creative way to find me? I'll be at the rink at that time tomorrow night anyway. My game should be ending around 945ish. ... Joe can get in touch with me ... he's just lazy ... Thursday night open hockey is good for me ... just remember some of the guys that play in those open hockeys are novice ... or kids ... so don't lose your cool.
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Sir William ~ I'm not going to judge yours or Steady's hockey guruness ... but Steady might have you on a technicality ... since when has Scotty Bowman ever taken a team as RAW as the Islanders are and did anything successful with them? Scotty "was" a great coach ... but he almost ALWAYS coached well seasoned highly skilled teams ... even by his own admission ... when interviewed about Al Arbour on NHL Radio before he coached 1500 he conceeded that Al has done something that he never himself accomplished ... and that was taking a RAW young team and molded them into a Dynasty ... he said he inherited a stocked team with both very high levels of talent and experience. He said he didn't think he'd of been a great instructor team building type coach. He said he was more of a strategist and tactician ... but that Al was the whole package ..... now I'm not comparing Nolan to Al ... because Nolan has a ton to prove before he truely can be uttered in the same breath.... but Steady asked as you pasted his quote ... STEADY.SAID "I will Fedex you 5,000 if you can name me a better coach for this team" .... so as far as I'm concerned the bidding is still up. Bowman is retired and I doubt he'd get behind the bench again ... and I'm not convinced that Bowman can coach THIS team.
Look at Al's last season with the Isles... with all his great experience and coaching ability he got swept by the Rags of all teams in the playoffs.
.... and YES Sir William ... you do have every right to post your opinion just like others have the right to post theirs .... whether they have been a season ticket holder from Day one or just caught on with the team this season.... everyone has their opinion right or wrong.
That is what I like about this blog ... I actually like hearing other's impressions than my own ... and I don't always agree ... and sometimes someone opens my eyes to a different point of view that I never considered.
You of all people have seen some of the worst hockey ever played on Long Island ... and some of the best hockey played EVER .... ANYWHERE!!! You are priveledged and I love it that you post here ... you can share some great stories I bet... and we can become enriched through your shared experiences ... just as you may be through our thoughts and opinions .... even Steady's ... :)
Steady is an idiot. You'll never see 5000, let alone 5. 5 is high as he can count unless he remembers he has two hands.
your momma so ugly, they renamed halloween, yo-mamma-ween
Since the Isles power play has been rightly slammed and is a huge part of why the Isles are jockeying for a high level draft pick instead of in a seeding race for the playoffs I figured I'd try to break it down a bit .... and solicit your guys' opinions.
Everyone blames the coaching .... which is kind of funny ... mostly because there are only THREE basic strategies to any power play... and a few modifications to setting up a power play. The key to which strategies you try to utlize is mostly based on the personnel you have on the ice.... and the KISS strategy ... Keep It Simple Stupid.
All coaching can do is to have you work on the power play in practice ... so you can get used to your line mates ... and make set plays .... the players know what they have to do ... they've all pretty much learned all three basic strategies in Bantam. It's up to them during a game to use their skills and ability to execute a successful power play. Don't forget ... the defenders have ONE advantage .... Icing. That has to be kept in mind when playing keep away with the puck.
The three basic strategies ....
... Umbrella power play ... where three players stay up high ... two along the boards about 10 feet from the blue line on opposite sides ... and one point man about the middle of the ice just inside the blue line ... and two players down low inside the face off circles .... what is needed for this is great speed ... to collapse around the net just as the shot is coming in from the point .. great passing skills in tight quarters. The Isles would find this strategy the hardest to use. The Caps have been using this one a lot. Typically defended in a box.
... Strong side power play .... where you have three players lined up along the boards one at the point, one about even with the face off dot on the edge of the face off circle and one along and behind the goal line .... and another player at the far point .... and the last player inside the face off circle at the weak side looking for a pass or shot to create havoc infront of the net ... this is the Isles most successful strategy ... they can pass back and forth and cycle the puck along the boards ... and they don't have to be as fast ... unless the PK'rs are fast. This PP is not really the best strategy because you get less shots off... but it opens lanes. Typically defended in a box. This is how KO scored against the Devs.
... deep cycle power play ... where you have 2 defensmen that cycle at one part of the point ... and you have one stay back almost straddling the blue line .. and is there to guard mostly from break outs ... the second defenseman gets low along the top of a face off circle.. and creates havoc .... one forward in the crease area .... and the two other forwards cycle the puck trying to open a lane for a clear shot using the deep defenseman to spread the defense ... and also as a quick down low give and go guy ... You need VERY fast skaters with GREAT passing skills and GREAT hands and strong on the puck.... You need an excellent pair of puck moving defensemen with above average speed.... the Isles really don't have any personnel that can handle this strategy because of lack of speed and defensive discipline.... this is best defended in a diamond formation.
All three of those basic strategies have some modifications .... and all use the boards effectively as a 6th skater to move the puck .... in all powerplays the object is to get the goalie moving and create a lane .... that is it ...
The Isles spend too much time passing because they are attacked by the defenders exploiting the Isles' slow speed ... and lack luster passing ... and when the Isles do create a lane they sometimes pass up the shot or they miss the net ... their slow speed also is what causes the Isles to not only give up so many short handed goals .... but also the amount of opportunities they give up. A fast skating short handed squad has a huge advantage of a slow moving power play team ... they can attack and disrupt the PP squads play and can ice the puck .. or pass for a breaking teammate.
Lets not forget ... how many times has a point man shot a puck right into a defender's shin guards .... bone head moves like this is usually fatigue related ... a player doesn't think as sharp when he's tired. A power play uses lots of energy when a team struggles to set up shots and moves around the ice a lot ... a well disciplined short handed team will keep the attackers to the perimeter and not chase them around as much ... they'll contain them ... forcing the PP team to expend lots of energy .... that is a huge defense strategy.
Although my theories about the Isles PP woes may not be 100% ... I've seen it fail enough a bunch of times this season to know it's not because of coaching as much as it is that the Isles lack the personnel to execute a well disciplined precision power play. Kyle Okposo has added a dimension to the PP, and you can see it by how much space he has started to open during a PP.
Good piece on Power plays, 19 Isles, but this is my KISS post.
It was nice to see a home win and the pee wee hockey kids did a great job of selling tickets and filling the building with energy. I have not seen the Isles play a game this this well since....I can't remember.
The only downside of the night came when announcing the winning pee wee team who goes to China on Wang to play in the first annual Charles Wang Maoist Ice Festival--or some name like that. We got to see the lovely Communist Chinese Flag on our scoreboard while Tibetans bleed in the street. What would Chien- Ming Wang think?
Holy Hockey Pucks "Rock-it"!!!
That Islander505 guy is right. You write novels. I've never heard you jabber like that before, even drunk. I assure you 505 this isn't the Rock-it I know.
Rock-it, Joe told me he didn't have your cell # anymore because he got a new phone and wasn't able to transfer anyone's #. So he can't get intouch with you. Why isn't Joe on your team?
You have to come out for some drinks tomorrow after you game. We went to this place called the Cabin for dinner tonight on Rt. 33, just down the road from the rink and where you live. My parents moved not to far from you and that place is great. Great food and great selection of booze. I think Islander505 wants to join us.
As long as your explanation of how the PP works was, you kind of nailed the landing on it. Our PP was probably about 30%, and that is because we had every kind of player to plug the 2 PP squads on our team. Nobody teaches us how to run the PP, we just practiced it and learned each other's moves. I always knew when I skated from the corner up the side boards you were going to skate to the high slot and rip a shot on the fly if I sent you the biscuit.
Watched the game with Dad on Vs. tonight. First I've seen Kyle except for highlights. I have to say he's outstanding for a 19 year old.
Rock-it where can I buy hockey gloves for Thursday? Don't say Modells. My old gear at my parents will due for now. I have my regular gear in Florida. My old shin guards have a "Drive for 5" sticker on them from 84, talk about throw back gear.
Hmmmmm ? Didnt Bowman take the St.Louis Blues (an expansion team) to the Cup finals in their first 3 seasons?
Why, yes he did.
Anyway, this blog is full of itself. The Bleeding Blue and Orange has a much better class of hockey minds. Try it.....Sir Willaim
Kevin M.
"That Islander505 guy is right...."
Welcome to Monday Night on the blog...
"You write novels..."
That is a polite way of saying that 19Isles, "Rock-it", runs on with the mouth in a keyboard kinda way.
I AM SO SADLY DISAPPOINTED 2night.
I left the game with 5 minutes gone in the 2nd period...1-1, and the next thing I knew, one of my BOWLING TEAMMATES, informed me that the Isles were up 3-1 in the 3rd...
WHO SCORED? WHO ASSISTED? HOW WAS DUBIE?
DID ANYONE STEPUP TO THE FLIGHTLESS BIRDS BEHAVING LIKE VULTURES???
Not a GD thing on this blog about the rest of the game...
Looks like a good win by Teddy and Garth's "boys"....
I guess I have to hit the Isles website to get the story.
WHERE ARE THE REAL FANS?????
(Counting lottery balls or something, or trying to figure out Logan's 3rd world arithmetic).
The hell with everyone..... my BOWLING team took 7 tonight.
From 2 time zones away....
From the Isles website....
"The Islanders are 7-3-1 during sellouts this season"
Mental NOTE....Islander FANS....
IF YOU COME....THEY WILL BUILD IT.
41 home games and and only 10 sellouts.
(No offense to anyone on this board......but......it PISSES ME OFF).
505, You have it backwards. Build it and they will come. People love a winner. And how long has it been since we had a winner, here?
10 sellouts because of a lousy product on the ice.
Who's fault is that?
Not the fans who but the tickets.
So, be pissed off.
Just make sure you are pissing in the right direction...Sir William
Mr. Occasional, I'm humbled by the grace with which you accept my argument.
For the record, I doubt highly that anyone here hates to see the Islanders lose more than I do. I'm an avid sports fan, but hockey is my game and the Isles are my team. I'm extremely proud and passionate, and this "dark age" the team has been mired in for so long has taken all the fun out of hockey for me... its almost as if a part of my life has been stolen and I've been waiting 15 years to get it back.
As it happens, I'm convinced that the only way this team will substantively improve is with a franchise offensive player. There won't be any impact free agents coming here, and the few prospects we have that are worth trading are literally all the hope we have for the future, so they cannot be dealt. And if it takes losing 8 or so games here at the end of an unsuccessful season to get that franchise player, then so be it. I'd rather see them dump these meaningless games now then go through another season of losing and mediocrity, praying that some highly skilled player comes out of nowhere to save the franchise. That stuff only happens in the movies, and I'm pretty sure its never going to happen here.
I'm not saying and have never said the team shouldn't try, should not give their best effort. But that effort should be effort that betters the franchise. (read: whatever it takes to make the "Kids" better players)
This team needs a Stud. The only way its going to happen is with a very high pick. How does the old saying go? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Well, a handful of losses here could be worth a bucket of wins not far down the road.
Right now, hours after a rare 4-goal outburst, such a high pick doesn't look likely. That disappoints me, because it means the team isn't going to improve the way it needs to so badly, and makes it more likely that we'll still be faced with a huge skill deficit next year. That means more losing. Losing sucks.
Whatever it takes to put an end to this era of abhorrent hockey, I'm all for it. But I'm pretty sure that means drafting a franchise offensive player, one that can step in and make a difference sooner rather than later. And I fear that without one, the next couple of seasons will end up being very much like the last couple of seasons... about as much fun as having a root canal.
Sir William ... You said ... "Hmmmmm ? Didnt Bowman take the St.Louis Blues (an expansion team) to the Cup finals in their first 3 seasons?
Why, yes he did.
Anyway, this blog is full of itself. The Bleeding Blue and Orange has a much better class of hockey minds. Try it.....Sir Willaim"
Let me take a shot at this ... #1 The expansion Blues??? HALF the LEAGUE was an EXPANSION TEAM.... and they played 50 of 74 games in their own EXPANSION Division.. #2 THEY FINISHED in 3rd place of SIX TEAMS in that division ... only top 4 made it then. #3 Back then there were only 3 Rounds best of 7 and they went 7 games in the first two rounds against other EXPANSION TEAMS before the HABS SWEPT them in FOUR GAMES .... #4 ... and repeated the feat the next season in FOUR GAMES ..... so PLEASEEEEE ... don't try to compare what Bowman went through in the 60s with what Nolan does now .. or even Arbour had to when he took over the Isles .....
You say that this blog is full of itself?? and then follow it up with a statement that says Bleeding Blue and Orange has a better class of hockey minds??? Tell me Sir William ... who is full of himself??
I wasn't even born when you were using your GO card to get into the old garden at discount prices ... but that doesn't make me any less knowledgeable about Hockey .... You've had the opportunity to see more games... that is about it.... and I might be one of the only other people on this blog that knows what a GO card is apparently other then yourself... General Organization cards were used in the 70s and 80s too when I was in school.
Regarding the whole Nolan / Steady $5k offer that started this whole thing .... I tend now to side with Steady since you have based both assumptions of Bowman being a better coach for the Isles based on symantics..... OK Sir William ... you can now let her rip on your next insult barrage.
While it is nice to see a win, especially what everyone is calling a good one, I am of two minds there. I was of the view that honour requires us to not lose games to get a better lottery spot, but I am just not sure.
Here are the chances for the 14 lottery teams:
30th........... 25.0%
29th........... 18.8%
28th........... 14.2%
27th........... 10.7%
26th............. 8.1%
25th............. 6.2%
24th............. 4.7%
23rd............. 3.6%
22nd............. 2.7%
21st............. 2.1%
20th............. 1.5%
19th............. 1.1%
18th............. 0.8%
17th............. 0.5%
It is unlikely that we can "catch" Tampa for 30th but there is a substantial difference in cahnces between 29th and 26th.
Meh, I still can't justify telling myself I want them to tank. That's why they call it a lottery isn't it? Maybe we'll get lucky.
And FTR, I DO NOT WANT to see Garth try to do a Philladelphia solution to the problem by throwing huge amounts of money at UFAs. First, I don't think any serious UFAs are likely to be available (Hossa springs to mind, but he wouldn't sign with Atlanta for the same reason he won't sign here, no matter how much money gets thrown at him).
I want to see a couple of years of good solid drafting. We won't be a contender next year no matter how hard we try. Okposo is looking like a stud in his first few games. Some of the other kids are looking quite impressive as well, now that they're off the leash.
My thoughts?
See if Brian Campbell wants to take an obscene amount of money to anchor the Defence of a rebuilding franchise for the next 6 years.
Have a real solid couple of drafts. Develop the kids properly and start moving up the ladder. Then, in 2010, take a solid run at Ilya Kovalchuk to be the lynchpin of a serious contender.
LOL ... yeah 505 ... I do run off my mouth in a keyboard kinda way.
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Hold onto your seats everybody. I'm going to side more with Sir William regarding the attendence issue. The Islanders' low attendance didn't happen all in one season .. there are many reasons why attendence has dropped ... I think pretty much every reason was stated on this site at one time or another ... so I'm not going to list them.
Kevin M. ... you used to live on the giant sandbar known as Long Island .... give them your reasons for not going to the games are much anymore.
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I will note also that 505 made a good point about getting fannys in the seats helps the Isles perform better at home... that is how it should be .... but what came first .... the chicken or the egg? That seems to be the problem here.
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Frei ........ I'm with ya on the frustration front ... I hate to see them lose anytime ... even though it gave us a better shot at top pick.... my whole thing is the bottom two teams are too far back ... and Atlanta just sucks and doesnt have enough games to make it happen ... and with two games left against the RAGS ... I just dont want to lose those games ... rather be a spoiler .... we'll be OK with the talent available in the bottom 6-7 ... they are all blue chips .... so we should be OK ... Stamkos might not even be as well rounded as some of the other guys as they get older .... he's a smaller player ... but only time will tell.
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Kevin M. ..... My nickname isn't Rock-it on the new team .... it's Taz ... lol
And, yeah, I recognize the illogic of not wanting to throw huge amounts of Money at UFAs and then suggesting "obscene" amounts of money for Campbell.
However, if we do as I want, we'll have a real problem with, not the Salary cap, but the salary FLOOR: you have to spend a minimum amount. Just don't go out and but a bunch of 2-3 million dollar pieces of driftwood. Pick one solid foundation player (IMO, Campbell) and take a real run at him.
And, yeah, I recognize the illogic of not wanting to throw huge amounts of Money at UFAs and then suggesting "obscene" amounts of money for Campbell.
However, if we do as I want, we'll have a real problem with, not the Salary cap, but the salary FLOOR: you have to spend a minimum amount. Just don't go out and but a bunch of 2-3 million dollar pieces of driftwood. Pick one solid foundation player (IMO, Campbell) and take a real run at him.
Anon ... I'm pretty much along with your mindset....
In the previous thread I posted those lottery odds also with a few other percentages that I figured out to paint a more realistic picture of where we'd fall in the lottery.
Attached is also a link to a great site about the draft... and what happens to draft picks in their careers.
Great observation Nova Scotia ..... we seem to focus more on the cap ... but not the salary floor. I'd make the play for Campbell.
505...19Isles....That is why I pay you the big bucks....Way to slam the door home on our friend with NO answers.
AZS....As you know I respect the heck out of your position on this matter and would like to hear more of your points of view.
Last Nights Game: WOW....very nice to watch. Although the PP did not score, how nice was it to see the full two minutes in their zone at least. What could of been! I alos LOVED the bench....After every goal or hit the bench got all fired up. They know they are done for the year, but they all are still playing very hard. Thanks coach!
KO looked good agian...One big night in the next few and maybe he can average a point a game this year in AHL and NHL! That would be a nice stat!
Bergy looked real good. Guerin on a third or second line will look a lot better. Put the "C" on Witt next year and let Guerin concentrate on hockey! SIGN HOSSA...love his play!
***ORACLE PREDICTION.........I have seen the future my liege....I know whichc pick the Isles will have. 2nd!
The ORACLE PREDICTION was meant tosay 1st!
I was on the phone with a chowdah head talking baseball and Pedroia while typing.......I got a hunch !!!
We are going to get LUCKY !!!!!!
they sold out last night?
Spirited blog.
Is anyone left from Long Island on here?
19, I'll post more later, headed to Brooklyn.
Going to the arena to catch your game tonight. What time and which rink is it at?
Spirited blog.
Is anyone left from Long Island on here?
19, I'll post more later, headed to Brooklyn.
Going to the arena to catch your game tonight. What time and which rink is it at?
Steady, it's funny you'd make that Oracle prediction. I've been telling my friends for weeks that I feel something here, and the Islanders will win the draft lottery and get Stamkos. I dare to dream.
You may have the force also NICK.....Let it flow through your bones !!! :)
Frei,
You are clearly more studied than I as far as detailed knowledge and analysis of the game are concerned. We do share the passion though, as I guess most in this space do. I also am fed up with year after year of mediocrity or less, while other teams seem able to rise from the depths and reach contender status again. But I'm having a hard time even thinking about what player moves and personnel decisions can be made for next year because to me the whole future of the franchise hinges on 'the plan." If Wang/Reck gets the green light I think the everything about the team will suddenly brighten , even if the personnel doesn't improve right away. It seems like by summer's end we'll know one way or another, and then also whether we'll still have a team or not. From all I gather, it's no sure thing to say the least, and that makes me more nervous and anxious than very few games this team has played in the last 15 years.
I have a good idea.....We fire Snow....Then in the off season we have our own Election for new GM.. Everyone on this blog who is a DIE HARD, BLEED ORANGE AND BLUE fan, runs for the GM position....WE listen to all candidates, held at NVMC and also view on ISLANDERS TV..We have an American Candidate, Canadian Candidate, and a World Candidate...As we choose our final 3 Candidates we hold our debates also held at NVMC and ISLANDERS TV...We then follow the voting process EITHER in person, OR at the Islanders Website........
Its perfectly clear, that we are all better candidates for the GM position, or so we all think...I love reading all the debates we have on this Blog, it is very entertaining..Everyone has their own opinion, followed by a hater of that opinion...with the few RAG fans disrupting our own debates, adding more fuel to the fire....
I wonder if anyone in the ISLANDERS organization reads this blog, to see what the die hard fans are looking for...IF it were me, Id be on this site everyday, 20x a day gaining knowledge of what the fans are looking for...Though I UNDERSTAND some of our WANTS are far fetched, but our NEEDS, well thats a different story...What we NEED is something I would hope Snow, Nolan, and Wang also AGREE with and are working ON..
So let the DEBATES BEGIN!!!
TONYSAC FOR GM!!! 2008-2009
American Candidate
Key to last nigh's win: Jackman for Comrie was an upgrade.
Nick and Steady....
"it's funny you'd make that Oracle prediction. I've been telling my friends for weeks that I feel something here, and the Islanders will win the draft lottery and get Stamkos."
Hate to overuse the "great minds" cliche, but I was standing in the shower this morning---wasn't singing or engaged in any other nefarious activity....before I had read any blogs this morning ...and outta the clear blue...a revelation hit me like a thunderbolt that the Isles would win the lottery.
Use the Force, Nick..
TonySac..
If nominated I shall not run...If elected I shall not serve...
My personal history would not stand up to the scrutiny of an extended campaign.
Although the thought of having the keys to the Ice Girls Locker Room as well as the bars and luxury suites at NVMC is intriguing.
505 - There may an opening for Governor soon.......
19 ISLES.......No matter what you may think about Bowmans accomplishments in St. Louis, every team in the West had an equal chance to go to the finals and he did it 3 times in a row.
Those were the rules back then and if it was so easy how come nobody else was able to do it?
In Pre expansion play you only has to win two rounds to win the Cup. Does that make those teams that won the Cup any less worthy?
You play by the rules in the era you coach in. Any one of five other teams could have beaten the Blues in those first 3 years. The fact remains that they did not and Bowman was responsible
for their success.
No one insulted you or anyone else. All I did was invite you to discuss hockey on another site, without the Ranger trolls or any of the so called oracles that post here. On B&O there is no Logan censorship and the discussion sticks to hockey facts. For those reasons it is a much better site.
STEADY, Please do apply for the GM's job. Let us know how your application is received. Be sure to mention that you know 95% more than any of the GM's in the NHL. I am sure that it will go a long way toward impressing any owner who you care to submit it to. Toronto is looking for a new GM, so why not start there. Please keep us posted so that we can reach you at your new job...............Sir William
The post at 12:15 was NOT me....One of my many wannabes.
Actually I will bet another 5K that it was Sir Nonothing himself!
I would never want to be GM of the Islanders.....I do not work well with bobbleheads and YES men......I do not work well with people like the WANGER making me run things by him, even though he is as clueless as William!
Anon...
"505 - There may an opening for Governor soon......."
OFF TOPIC
So--you too believe that Bill Richardson will end up on the DEM ticket as a VP candidate? I called that in 2004 for this election and I stand by my call.
Interestingly enough....I was approached by the Libertarian Party of NM to run against Richardson a few years back. I declined, citing the reasons stated earlier. And the fact that a campaign based on a platform of adding a Constitutional amendment dictating that "no elected official shall be permitted to take himself seriously" probably would not get much support.
(But I am lobbying the Church to make "thou shalt not take oneself seriously" the 11th Commandment).
anyway....back to hockey.
One thing I have noticed about KO and Comeau so far...while good...there are times when they are running into, and or, clogging the same space....not unexpected from two hungry kids trying to make a name...but I wonder if being on the same line is gonna be good for them. Time will tell.
505:
As long as that "same space" is in the slot we should be happy....no one else goes there.
STEADY, there you go agian shooting off you mouth. Now you are 10,000 in the hole.
I don't hold you in high enough regard to impersonate your drivel.
Before you accuse someone perhaps just check the IP address
and see where the post originated from. Or perhaps that is beyond your scope.
And how do we know that this post is by the real Steady? Or is it the fake Steady? Or is there any difference? ....Sir William
We can't win the lottery without a ticket. Let's smarten up guys!!!!
Don't worry, we will get a stud picking 1-6 or 7. I don't think Snow can screw this one up. This org. needs to use this injury situation to their advantage. W/out it we would be in 7or 8 position, just perpetuating the cycle of mediocrity. Let's win out and instill confidence and enthusiasm in the team through the summer.
Speaking of politics, you get what you vote for. Richardson, disloyal? He was supposed to be a family friend as well. The Detroit guy. Paterson, who knows what else will surface? What do these three have in common?
Healy,
"As long as that "same space" is in the slot we should be happy....no one else goes there."
Sadly, that gets my nomination for quote of the day.
Although I have seen Joe Signmycheck skate through there on occasion.
With his backtadanet.
505, this notion of a vacant slot has given me pause on many occasions...
I think this team needs a center that plays center the way I do. Its very simple. If I have the puck, go to the front of the net, because that's where the puck is about to be. If you have the puck, put it to the front of the net, because that's where I'll be standing. Seemingly not too complicated, but somehow it gets lost on this team. I don't even want to start on what I think of dumping the puck in on the powerplay.
Billy:
As an FYI the software this forum runs on does not provide for the verification of credentials nor the logging of source IP addresses.