At this stage of a season in which the Islanders are out of the playoff hunt, it’s no longer about going with the hot hand. It’s about finding out what you have in the system. So, Joey MacDonald, who spent most of this season at Bridgeport, will make his first start in goal for the Islanders against Philadelphia tonight at Wachovia Center.
Wade Dubielewicz, who played so well in the Isles’ 3-1 win over the Devils Friday night in Newark, likely will be back in goal against high-scoring Pittsburgh on Monday night at the Coliseum. MacDonald came up a couple times earlier this season to back up Dubielewicz when starter Rick DiPietro was out, but he never got off the bench.
“It’s exciting,” MacDonald said following the morning skate today. “Getting a piece of the NHL last year, once you get a taste of it, you want to stay there. I worked hard in Bridgeport this year. You’ve got to get the opportunity, and I’m excited to get one.”
MacDonald appeared in 15 NHL games last season for Detroit and Boston, compiling a 3-7-2 record with a 3.12 goals against average. He’s been solid at Bridgeport with a 13-17-1 record, a 2.78 GAA and two shutouts.
Asked if he has any thoughts on how to play the Flyers, who are 5-1 against the isles so far this season, MacDonald said, “I always look at the roster, and I played against them a couple times last year. So, I kind of know who they are.”
The Islanders have seven games remaining, and they finish with five games in the final nine days. So, it’s possible MacDonald will get at least one more start after this one. But he isn’t looking ahead.
“We’ll see,” MacDonald said regarding future starts. “Dubie is playing well. He worked hard all year up here and deserves to play here at the end. Every game he played, he gave the team a chance to win. That’s what I’m going to try to do here tonight. We’ll take it game by game.”
Okposo’s first goal
Rookie Kyle Okposo’s performance in the 3-1 win over the Devils was about as heartening a development as the Islanders have had all season. His jitters were obvious in his first game against Toronto, but by his second game, he had it under control. That says something about the maturity of a 19-year-old with a confident attitude and the expectation of succeeding.
Okposo’s game-winning goal was a thing of beauty. His helmet had been knocked off by a cross-check, but the kid still got into scoring position out front. The way he ripped his one-timer past Devils goaltending great Martin Brodeur really impressed Islanders coach Ted Nolan, who made the choice to use Okposo on the power play in a critical spot with a little over three minutes left in the game.
“I liked the way he quick-released it,” Nolan said. “He grabbed that thing, and he scored his first goal against one of the best goaltenders in the history of the game. For him to score his first goal against Marty Brodeur is a good sign for him.
“The first game, he was a little bit nervous. The second, he felt much more comfortable out there and started doing some good things with the puck. He was a little more patient with it, he moved it, and to get an assist on the first goal and score the winning goal is a good night for him.”
Okposo was set up for the gamewinner by center Richard Park, who also is flanked by rookie Blake Comeau. “He’s a sharp guy, and he’s really responsible defensively,” Okposo said of Park. “We talk a lot on the ice, which helps me quite a bit. With talk, the game becomes easy. The three of us have really done well.”
Isles lack enforcer
It’s a sad situation when captain and leading goal scorer Bill guerin also has to fill the role of tough guy, which he did admirably against the Devils’ David Clarkson. Guerin landed some solid punches in their second-period fight before Clarkson succeeded in taking him down to the ice. Guerin said he used to fight more in his younger days, but his effort sent a message the Isles’ veterans are going to play hard to the end.
“I think everybody played like they were into it,” Guerin said. “Different guys did different things to show it, but I think everybody had their own way of showing they still care and that we have pride.”
The one-punch knockdown recorded by Devils forward Arron Asham against Isles defenseman Matt Spiller brought back memories of how effective Asham was in that role for the Islanders last season. He’s a free agent again this summer. Certainly, the Islanders have to think about bringing Asham back to add toughness from a player who also can contribute with his skating and scoring.
Comments (53)
Logan...stop stealing all my material! At least pay me !!
From the previous blog.......
Steady..
"NAME ME ONE better COACH for this team.....ONE !!!"
There is only one other coach that I would rather see behind the Isles bench at this stage of the season right now.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHlEGkXB2nY&feature=related
THAT guy is MY HERO..
LMAO Steady!!!!!!
Regarding your last post on the previous thread .... about the cracked Easter eggs ... I think some people have more than cracked Easter eggs .... They expect Nolan to wave his magic hockey stick and create a competitive injury free hockey team.
True enough that Nolan had made a few mistakes ... but he didn't miss any yawning wide open nets ... he didn't give up short handed opportunities or make bad passes ... I can continue ... but I think most get the point.
PS- 505 ... I bet I know which coach that is on You Tube ... LOL
Bring back Godard!!!! Hes a UFA this offseason and the Islanders really need a tough guy.
Figgen Chicago tied St. Louis with less than a minute left in regulation after St. Louis just went ahead ... and then Chi won in OT
19Isles....
I link those spots for those who don't have access to the NHL Network...They are too priceless for anyone to miss. Best collection of sports commercials in years. I wish the NHL would spend the money and put 'em on prime time.
(I showed my daughter the "100%" ad this morning....and she laughs and says "dad, that's not too far from a speech I gave my girl's Vball team a few weeks ago--they are all 14 years old and were looking at me funny when I got done---I knew I had confused the hell out of them").
We can all say what we want about Nolan.....I have some issues with him as well......BUT.....I DON"T want him going anywhere...
Let's face it, in the spirit of the religious season......last year he made silk out of a cow's ear......and this year he almost make silk out of a cow's rear.
GET HIM SOME GUYS WHO CAN PUT THE TURKEY IN THE OVEN...OR THE ROD IN THE WATER....OR THE CAR IN THE GARAGE...OR THE CAT IN THE HAT!!!!.
LOL 19Isles and 505.
I can rip Nolan for more than one thing in his tenure in NY....All I ask is people look at what he has to work with. Look at the Cat food he was handed and then take the best 11 bites of that cat food and replace it with spoiled salamander food.
Those in the dark can go read my psychotic rant on the previous thread.
AZS...."You broke my heart Fredo. You broke my heart." :)
Easter reflections on the 1st period.....from an Irishman not interested in any Easter Rebellions.
Joey Macdonald.....not bad.
Joe Backtodanet---you suck...getchur head in the game and outta ur ass. BYE BYE.
Nolan gives ths kid line (plus Park) 1st crack at the power play.
NHL Network (carrying the game out here 2 time zones away) starts with Howie and Billy for the 1st 15 minutes of the period and closes out with the Phillfeed.....whazzup with that? Yet another anti-Islander conspiracy??
On to the 2nd
Kid line did start the first PP 505!
Jason Smith aka Gator wants out of Philly....HINT HINT HINT Bobbleheads
505 ~
In response to your inquiry on the defense situation of the Islanders and the Gervais trade bait situation ... I have to say from my point of view the Isles Defense has been FRAIL .... Even when healthy they were not at the best. DP looked like a football practice tackle dummy at times .... and that P's me off. No wonder DP was playing wounded half the time... not just the hip.
Part of it I feel is that the offense doesn't sustain enough pressure to keep the Isles off the defense. That being said a lot of the time that the Isles don't sustain a lot of pressure is because the defense doesn't seem mobile enough in the offensive zone to keep that constant pressure going. So instead the opposition is breaking out on the attack.
I have nothing against Gervais ... I actually like him.... however we have Campoli ... and my suggestion of trading Gervais was only if we got Campbell. We already have Campoli who IMO is pretty much the same as Gervais .... and I just felt if the Isles had Campbell - Witt, Campoli- Sutton as the top 4 .. with Meyer and Martinek rounding out the top 6 ...that would make Gervais expendable and he would get the best return in trade for picks or another player. That is pretty much it.... nothing against Gervais.
19Isles.....I concur with Gervais as trade bait.....
Okay, 2 Isle power plays so far in the 2nd ---(1st one drawn by Comeau.....again).
1st power play.....note to Islander management...Next year give 5.00 back to each season ticket holder everytime Comrie makes a turnover after a soft pass in the offensive zone.
2nd power play.....Joe why Wasteacheck has gotta be the worst centerman ever.... He killed a good 20 seconds just strolling around by himself in the offensive zone doing NOTHING with the puck.
Oops.....another case of Tastycakes for a lucky Flyer fan....
Down 2-0
505 ~
Comrie has been invisible lately ... Tamby had made some good moves to open up lanes during that power play ... but no one shoots when he dishes off the puck to the open man up the middle ... scratches head.
and the 2nd one ... I concurrr ... wth is JoVas thinking? They maintain some pressure and then don't do anything .... Guerin was wide open in the RED ZONE (that is where KO scored) ... and nobody passed to him.
Then of course the Flyers come back with a power play of their own and set up the goal perfectly with puck movement and got the point man wide open. Text Book!!!!! I actually admired that goal.
Hymmm Tastycakes eh? I can go for a case.
Tamby had made some good moves to open up lanes during that power play ...
I DID NOT like what I saw from Tamby on the 2-1....
He had the puck, had an angle on the D-man, got around the D-man and skated AWAY FROM the net.....wtf?
Comrie on the THIRD FIGGEN PP OF THE PERIOD.
Standing behind the net.....has the puck....a clear view of the ice.
Makes a BEAUTIFUL duff (pass) to the front of the net.
TO NOBODY!!!
There was no one home Mike, no one within 50 ft.
WHO THE HELL were you passing to?
Were you trying for a back deflection off of a Flyer D-man?
YOU MISSED THEM TOO!!!
Is it Monday yet?
I need a drink.
BTW,
On that 2nd power play where Why Wasteacheck was playing with himself in the offensive zone.
Did anyone else notice that Biron left his crease and went and got his throatguard replaced while Wasteacheck was putting on his skating dispay? The one that Guerin broke earlier?
Shots for everyone on me.
Monday in 3 hours and 8 mins 505 ... I think you get a pass and can start Monday at EDT.
Reposting a good part of this, as it was too short-lived in the last thread...
Regarding Garth the Goalie, It would seem to me that the last two seasons in a row, he's made the wrong decisions at the deadline. Last year the team was doing well and he sold the farm for a rental that, lets face it, he had no reason to believe would stay here past the end of the season. This year he had the opportunity to move some obviously dead wood and get a few picks that might end up being useful, and he didn't do it. He did manage to get rid of the one single defenseman that produced some points. That stuff hasn't helped the team. If anything, its been set back at least two seasons. And as far as the Smyth thing goes, I don't buy the idea that he was gutsy for making that move and would make it again any day. If Snow really believes that, then he's a lousy decision-maker, period. It didn't work out for the season or after. That's a loss, a bad move. You don't get a consolation prize for what might have been, or what you really hoped would be. Think about it, guys. There's a reason everyone laughed at us when the backup goalie got promoted to GM. They are still laughing. As an Isle fan, I'm pretty much sick and tired of being laughed at.
At this point, the team simply needs to draft as high as possible. There are plenty of reasons for this. For one, the season is a loss. For a team that has not won a playoff series in over 15 years, that should be the goal, winning a playoff series. And to not reach it is to fail. Not just to come close to the playoffs, or barely make them, only to be embarrassed in the first round. Win a series. Show some real progress. Get out of this intolerable circle of crappy, losing hockey.
How do you do that? Easy. You put a skilled hockey club on the ice.
How do you get those skilled players? Well, you could sign them as free agents. The problem with that is, you want players with SKILL, not GRIT. SKILLED players that reach free agency get to write their own ticket, play where they want, for the money they want. Its very seldom they want to play for a losing, mockery of a franchise. Even if you overpay them. So, all of you suggesting this team go out and sign this guy and that guy, give it up. There are and will be no free agents worthwhile coming here this offseason. Nolan was supposed to attract them like flies, but it hasn't happened. Its not going to. Free agency is out.
You could go out and trade for skilled players. That requires you have assets to trade with. In many instances it further requires that you can get a player to extend his contract to make his stay worthwhile. Garth tried this approach last year. It backfired and quasi-gutted the farm system for a gruesomely short-term rental that didn't work out. Now there are no chips to trade with. So, the trade market is out.
You could go out and draft some impact players. The problem with that is that impact players go high and there are usually very few, so to make this an effective option, you have to have a high pick. Of course, there are those of you that will say, "a high pick is no guarantee, player X here came from the 233rd round and..." Yeah, whatever. Go stuff that. There's a reason players get scouted and rated and teams want high picks to get them. Its because those are the players that are most likely to make a difference. Heatley, Gaborik, Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, these are the players that can make a difference to a franchise. If you want one, if you NEED one, like this team does, you better have a damn good pick, and you better not squander it. Sure, you might get one with the 12th pick. You might win the lottery, too. This team cannot be trusted with a pick that is anything less than a no-brainer. For proof of this, see Zach Parise.
So, what it comes down to is, this team can only get better by drafting high. Really, really high. That's a fact, the way it is. And since we've arrived at that conclusion, can all you whining babies that suddenly have this incredible allergic reaction to losing, please, just shut up and let this team tank. They haven't done a damn thing in 15 years and all of a sudden you people are disgusted by something you call "Losing Culture". Please, get the hell over yourselves and get with the program. There is ONE WAY ONLY to improve this team, and that is THROUGH THE DRAFT, with a pick so high that it can't be a mistake. If you are a fan of this team, and you are even one half as sick as I of all the losing, and being the butt of the league's jokes, you better pray that's what this team does, because it's the only way things around here will ever get any better.
Mr. Occasional, I bet you I've been a hockey fan longer than you have been alive. But aside from that, lets take a look at what a "crapshoot" is, as defined by you. Here's the last 15 years of NHL draft picks, first and second overall, and my assessment of the resulting player.
Daigle - Failure
Jovanovski - Stud
Berard - Lost an Eyeball n/a
Phillips - Rock Solid
THornton - Stud
LeCavalier - Stud
Stefan - Mediocre
DiPietro - Stud
Kovalchuk - Stud
Nash - 95% Stud
Fleury - TBD
Ovechkin - HUGE DonkeyStud
Crosby - Female, but Stud
Johnson - Should Be Stud
Kane - Looks like Stud
Second Overall Picks: (93 - 07)
Pronger - Stud
Tverdovsky - A+
Redden - Stud
Zyuzin - Mediocre
Marleau - A
Legwand - B+
Sedin - B
Heatley - Stud
Spezza - Stud
Lehtonen - A
Staal - Stud
Malkin - Stud
Ryan - TBD
Staal - TBD
VanRiemsdyk - TBD, 17yrs old
I see about 5 guys out of 30 that I wouldn't want on my team, that this team could not use right now. So that means, roughly, that with the first or second overall pick, that you would stand a roughly 82-85% chance of landing an impact player that could make a huge difference on your team.
You call an 80% chance a "crapshoot"?
I call it a damn near certainty, or at least, odds I'd gladly take, considering the piss-poor condition of this franchise and near complete lack of talent.
But, hey, let's do it your way and win 5 straight, and take a nice blind stab somewhere around, say, 12th? Even 10th? That's worked out nicely so far.
Fine with me, though. Just don't try to argue that losing any more games this year could possibly make things any worse than they already are, because that would be a crock.
By the way this penalty killing unit really needs to put out of its misery.
/qx vvvsdbjs/lafkGVa b/K:skbKDBKfBKzdv/ljv
sorry, my head just hit the computer falling asleep from reading.
DP is a stud?
so if you are a top 30 goalie you are a stud?
And Sedin a B? But Marleau an A? you are a moron
Sedin is at least as good and probably better.
Hey 19Isles....
Any chance you can write an abridged version of Frei's rant up there?
I need a closed captioner for the Frei impaired...
The Tastycakes Corporation is taking a major hit right now.
4-0 amd counting.....
Ah, let's hoist one.....to the audacity of dopes.
What's Atlanta, LAK, TPB and STL doing?
Oh....eating post dinner tasty cakes right now no doubt
BUSEY IS ONBOARD!!!!!
Hope you haven't spent any shekels in Mama Sbarro's lately.
Hey Steady....
Don't know who's feed you are watching....but Keith Jones (I have the Philly feed)....made some comments about the sanity of the Isles giving away their "leading goal scorer on the PP" for a SEVENTH ROUND(?) draft pick.
Why Wasteacheck just had had his backhand Comrie like powderduff smoked by Biron.....
Ah, another PP and the kids are out!!!!
let's go kids.
LOL 505 ... I was gonna tell him ... that this is a place where we share ideas, thoughts and yes .... even sometimes different opinions and why does he insist on slamming people for their opinions ..,. when nobody including him has any power to put our thoughts and suggestions in effect.
He just seems negative about everything .... especially this portion of the rant by Frei "So, what it comes down to is, this team can only get better by drafting high. Really, really high. That's a fact, the way it is. And since we've arrived at that conclusion, can all you whining babies that suddenly have this incredible allergic reaction to losing, please, just shut up and let this team tank. They haven't done a damn thing in 15 years and all of a sudden you people are disgusted by something you call "Losing Culture". Please, get the hell over yourselves and get with the program. "
Get over ourselves? Get over your self.... I'm tired of the losing too .. and the Isles had plenty of top picks in the last 15 years and traded them away. They aren't getting Stamkos .... so I'm not torturing myself with that thought ... the next 5 guys are all excellent prospects so if the Isles win some games now and the kids get exposure and win in the process ... I'm all for it .... Tonight's game? Obviously not going to happen ... but just enjoy the game and learn something from it.
and 505 ... no way I can write the cliffnotes for his diatrible .. that's even too much for me.
Ah, finally.....game over....
Time to move over to HBO and watch John Adams....
WE WIN that one.
OK!
I apologize, I had the wrong impression. Actually, that's great stuff going on there at the Coliseum. You guys are right. I have no reason to be down on this team. They're great, and a joy to watch, and play championship-caliber hockey. They're skilled and exciting. They have been for years. They never mail it in. They're overloaded with talent, and are closer to a Cup win now than at any time since '83.
Ahhh that's better. Its feels great to be a real fan again.
505 ~ I'm Tivo'ing John Adams now .... the last man with a true set to come out of the common wealth of Massachusettes ... except for steady that is.
105 .... I agree with you ... the Isles got nothing for all the players they lost over the last two seasons. ... the Isles need help .. and the draft is a key to start the rebuilding ... however you guys should know ... there is very little chance that the Isles are getting the top pick at this point ... they lowest they will probably finish is 5th from last .... unless St. Louis passes up the Isles.... then as the 4th worst team they have an outside shot of winning the lottery and getting the top pick... but they aren't going to finish 3rd, 2nd or last overall. So forget that thought ....
Now back to Frei ... I don't think anybody said that a 1st overall in the draft is a crap shoot .... I think what people mean when they say that is that a first rounder is a crap shoot ... especially now with 30 first round picks the last decade.
If you go back to my post in the last thread where I linked a website about the draft you can look on that site and it tells you how many players drafted in the first round have success and stick in the NHL ... it doesn't say if they become a star .. just says that they become regular players with 200+ regular season games played ... which honestly doesnt make a career IMO.
Frei ~
We are all P.O'd about the season ... but why are you torturing yourself over it? Is your life truely worse off for it? I know you were away for a few months ... and missed most of the injury carnage ... and it sucks ... but you need to step back for your own sanity ... there is nothing that you or I can do about it. It's beyond our control. If you've read any of my publications the last few weeks you'll notice I'm not happy with Snow either .... but take a look at the standings and you'll see it is unrealistic that the Isles will finish in the bottom 3. Those teams actually suck more than us .... can you believe it?? Shocking eh? Those teams would have to play above .500 and the Isles to lose the rest of the games just to finish 2nd worst.
So take solice in the fact that there still will be plenty of good talent available to improve the team ..... sooo it's not Stamkos ... unless we get really really lucky. The fact is we need more help then just one draft pick .. we need to fix the D too ... and solidfy the top 2 lines and hope the kids develop.
Maybe Wang finally gets TLHP off the ground this summer ....and then the Isles attract FA's. One can only hope.
Here Frei ... to hold you over for now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsw0O78VZPk .... and for comic relief go back and look at the you tube links that 505 posted on the previous thread.
Frei,
No one is suggesting that you follow a policy of "My Islander's, right or wrong, My Islanders". Love your passion?
But......
"Just don't try to argue that losing any more games this year could possibly make things any worse than they already are, because that would be a crock."
I think that is what they are trying to do.....cuz.....when you say..
"By the way this penalty killing unit really needs to put out of its misery."
The last PK unit out there tonight included Comeau and KO.
What's this we business?
I ain't POed at all. The Isles are about to get a draft pick that will make them a force in this league for a very long time to come. I couldn't be happier right now.
The rest of the league could laugh all they want. They won't be laughing for long and this will probably be the last time they will be able to.
Caesar ... hard to argue with your enthusiasm for the potential draft pick the Isles are probably going to get ... but I hope the hockey Gods deliver in regards to your last paragraph.
We are gay and proud. Just ask Newsday.
p.s We ride BIG WHEELS to sell tickets in between periods.
p.s We Watch Queer As Folk not John Adams!
This board is a riot; it's like hanging out drunk in the Marriott lobby after Champions has closed at 3:00 a.m.
Things are bleak in terms of our play right now, but let's not forget that at best, we are playing with only one player who qualifies as a top 4 defenseman (Radek)--and many people in the League would not even put him that high.
And while a good draft helps--let's also not forget that studs like Kovulchuk and Hossa couldn't lift teams like the Thrashers out of their morass.
Look, there are a lot of things that Nolan does that I don't understand, but 50% of being a fan is second-guessing the coach, but I agree that the real person to question is Garth Snow, who at best, gets a C- for the 2007-08 season.
See y'all at the Coliseum tomorrow!
Merrick,
"This board is a riot; it's like hanging out drunk in the Marriott lobby after Champions has closed at 3:00 a.m."
2 responses....
A/Sigh......can't say that I've had the pleasure.
B/I'M IN!!!! WHEN??
One more thing I forgot earlier......
Anonymous (smells like Steady- he used bobblehead later in the post)...
"Kid line did start the first PP 505!"
I KNOW.....that was one of my 1st period observations..(not a criticism).
Good post William ...
Man... I was at the game yesterday, and you can't win with that crowd. At least they scored that one goal but what an embarassment to be sitting there in an Isles jersey. Kids, vets, they all didn't look good at all. I know there are a lot here who want to get that great consulation draft pick, but that was the furthest thing from my mind sitting there. Man, what an embarrasment.
William......I will FEDEX you $5000 if you can tell me a better coach for this team. A coach with a better resume that would of won with this pale of bunker chunks he was handed. A coach that can have these keystone cops and make more out of them. Oh and their 11 injuries to their top players.
A coach that can win with an aging player that has NEVER been a Captain. A GM that has never been a GM. A PP with NO leader. A first line with NO 1st line talent. A team with NO ENFORCER. A team with NO pest.
Ted Nolan was serving 10 years in NHL jail for a codee he broke, nothing more. He won COACH of the YEAR before serving his time. While away he won a TITLE in the minors. HE came back and brought these losers to the playoffs last year.
Before the injuries we were in 7th place this year.
EVERY SINGLE NHL MIND picked the Isles 30th two years in a row. Before the injuries they were going to be proven wrong both years.
If you and AZS want to drink the BOBBLEHEAD KOOL-AIDE....Go ahead.....I'm sorry but you are wrong. He is not perfect. He has made mistakes. Who hasn't ????
Again I ask....Name me one bettter coach. I can name 50 BETTER GM's.......50 !!!!!
FIRE SNOW!!!
By the way sir William:
EXACTLY MY POINT...."LaViolette was run out of town"....How did he do when given some talent ? Please tell all..... Enquiring minds want to know........ Please explain!!!!
Sterling was in the movie SLAP SHOT so he has a lifetime pass for being in the best movie ever created.
Let's NOT make the same mistake again!
p.s Nolan wass voted BEST COACH in NY just before the Giants went on their run....Gotta love NY.....
I'll leave the Nolan debate aside, as you all know where I stand there. But let's take a look at something else: Nolan's coaching staff.
I don't care who the Isles have on their roster, the Isles PP has been horrible all season. The 5-3 has been even more horrible than words can describe. This has to fall on the shoulders of Gallant and IMO he undoubtedly needs to be axed. The PP has never changed strategies and would not have changed players if not for a string of injuries. A lack of talent is no excuse for a team that simply doesn't know how to run a 5-3 PP. Most minor league teams have a better understanding of how to generate scoring opportunities on a 5-3.
Nolan's flaws as a coach are that he is stubborn and unwilling to change, plays favorites, and lacks the understanding for some of the finer points in hockey like how to run a good PP. Are these flaws that should have him axed? Debateable. Steady makes great points in favor of Nolan, but I think there are points that go against Nolan as well. But one thing I do not think is debateable is that Nolan needs a new PP coach for next season. Hopefully Nolan is not as loyal to Gallant as he was to Chris Simon. If he is, Snow better swoop in and take care of this issue.
Here is the problem I have with Nolan this year. Forget the wins and losses and injuries and all that. First he gave preferential treatment to a 4th line washed up enforcer because he was his drinking buddy. Second he played his #1 goalie way too much when it was quite obvious to anyone who watched the all star skills competition that he had hurt himself. Third the special teams were horrible all year. Look at the Flyers for a second they have been killed with injuries this year but their special teams have kept them in playoff contention whereas the Isles special teams probably cost them a shot at a playoff spot. I say the Isles need to hire a NHL caliber GM and let him pick his coach whomever that may be.
Isles27....When the Flyers had injuries they still had Brieire and their Cpatin on Defense.....Ohhhhhhhh and their GM went out and got them Prospal.
Our GM went out and got # 3 to be our enforcer....What a STELLAR JOB !!!!!! Guerin has more majors than # 3, that complete piece of CRAP !!!!
Fire SNOW.
Fire nobody. (except some players).
This organization needs a coupla years of continuity at the helm to establish some measure of credibility within the league/players.
Snow and Nolan get at least 2, maybe 3 more years.
Focus on the Lighthouse, upcoming draft and UFA/RFA season.
Bring Wang's checkbook.
Plan on Varesmycheck/Tanked/Satan being gone by June 1, their losses CAN be replaced by Icegirls with no discernible difference, time to make some offers elsewhere that cannot be refused (tonysac? where are you?).
Disclaimer.....if Snow botches the upcoming draft and UFA/RFA season.....my opinion about him will change.
Anyone willing to tender an offer to Avery?
I would take Avery. I think he is a agitator who can score and who also will drop the gloves if he has to. I also think he walks that fine line of being dirty but for the most part doesn't cross it. The guy I wouldn't want is Holliweg who I think constantly crosses the line of being dirty.
(GD... why do these keep getting posted in previous blog entries?)
It just dawned on me that we, as Islander fans, have been a victim over the years of what is known (in poker circles) as "Fancy Play Syndrome" on the part of Islander management.
For those of you who don't play poker, FPS is essentially the art of trying to look brilliant by making some complex play when a simple, no-brainer move will do - and completely screwing the pooch in the process.
Examples?
(1) Drafting DP with the #1 overall pick when we've already got Luongo. (Nothing against DP, but look who we could've had, along WITH Luongo.)
(2) Firing Smith and replacing him with a back-up goalie. (Not that I'm a big fan of Smith, but talk about taking the road less travelled...)
(3) Starting Dubie in net against the Rags instead of DP.
(4) Drafting (who was it, Nilsson?) instead of a legit Islander legacy who is turning into a star.
All of these points (and many more) have been talked about ad nauseum on this board; nothing new. But, consider this... different types of moves, from the scouting staff to the GM to the coach and even the owner. This transcends Milbury.
What is it about this organization that seems to cause decision makers at every level to try to prove to us how smart they are by making what is ultimately perceived as (fairly or not) a spectacularly stupid move?
We need to get back to basics from a management perspective, and start doing the simple things correctly.
Avery is the guy you hate tomplay against and love to have on your team, but don't anyone ever suggest that he will "drop the gloves if he has to". The only time he would ever drop the gloves is against the other team's best player or if he had to pick up his contacts off the ice. The only reason he is effective is because of the instigator rule.
Let's face it, we are all the victims of the Milbury era. This is not an easy solution. Brian Burke couldn't fix this mess in one or two seasons and we shouldn't get all hung up looking for a quick fix.
Look at what the Quick Fix got us:
Yashin + Albatross contract for Chara and Spezza
Peca and Big Contract
These guys got us a couple of playoff appearances anfd I know why they were necessary at the time, but let's face it, wouldn't we all rather have Spezza and Chara right now?
Last year, in an effort to "Do Something" at the Deadline, we got Smyth for two players ad a draft pick. Those players have been described as "third line players" or worse, but they seem to be doing OK in Edmontion right now.
We need not to cave in to the idea of an easy solution. There are some very very good players to be had in the top 5 draft picks this year. Next year, the real prize (John Tavares) is there.
I want to have qa real contender before RickyD gets too far nto The Contract, but do it right and let's be patient.
Nova Scotia...
"and we shouldn't get all hung up looking for a quick fix."
Bravo.
All of the "quick fix" examples you list are well documented and I am sure that they are well embedded in the psyche of Wang and Snowlan. Which is one reason that I doubt that we will see Marian Hossa in an Isles jersey next year. He will be demanding the moon, and I don't see that as a fit in what I perceive to be the
"Snowlan Plan".
Hunter's 5 year deal had left me scratching my head....but I am gradually coming to terms with Snowlan's logic behind it.... Hunter is a foundation block....and a cheap one.. even though he had a LOUSY season this year...he is still a 20-25 goal scorer (I HOPE!!) and is one of those players who brings STABILITY to the organization. Ergo....5 year deal....and room to start adding other cornerstones to the foundation.
I am seeing Snowlan's plan as this
Build through the draft......try to pickup a gem or two in the UFA/RFA with contracts that are not "albatrosses" and keep themselves hostile, agile and mobile for a future pickup/trade.
I will admit, that we have not seen too much of THAT this year....but...I sense that they (Snowlan) are content to keep their guns loaded for when they see an opportunity/offer that can't be passed up.
Is that the recipe for success?
Hell if I know....
I live 2 time zones away.
But I am not gonna question it until it doesn't work. TIME will tell.
19 Isles ... your math is wrong. Two teams have 66 pts. right now (TB + LA) so we won't catch them. However, ATL has 70 pts. and STL has 72 pts. Isles have 73 pts. so the 3rd pick is well within our grasp. Frei is DEAD ON CORRECT ... the Isles can ONLY get better w/ some slam dunk TOP LEVEL PROSPECTS and you only get those in the Top 3 (possibly 5) picks. We have to start something that others (notably FA's) will take notice of and then WANT TO come play here. Right now, who in their right mind would care about playing for this franchise? Only looked over FA's or guys after the most cash (which we haven't thrown at anyone other than Yashin ... yeah, that worked out well).
Play Joey Mac and let's lose 5 of the last 6 (beat the Rangers at home) and let's get to the off season. draft strategy .... trading strategy ... free agent strategy .... LET'S GET THIS TRAIN BACK ON TRACK!!!!
STEADY.................Name you a better coach? OK, Scotty Bowman. Send the 5,000 to any charity you wish. Not that he wants the job, but that was not part of your demand. All you asked was to name a better coach for this team. I would think that most people would agree that Bowman is a better coach than Nolan.
Be careful when you open your mouth. You might lose a foot or 5,000 dollars.....Sir William
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.
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!
What's up with #2's skating? He looks like his chin is scraping the ice.