There will be a story in tomorrow's paper over the whole Snow said/Nolan said Dubie controversy (basically it boiled down to a minor misunderstanding), but a little on tonight's event:
The Islanders Business Club kicked off its second year with an open house at Nassau Coliseum's Expo Hall. And I will say, they really turned it out and delivered a classy affair. 500 people turned out for the lavish event, complete with ice sculptures, jugglers, games, food, and an open bar. Attendees got the chance to hang with GM Garth Snow and head coach Ted Nolan, current Islanders Kyle Okposo and Mike Sillinger, as well as former Isles Eric Cairns, Bob Nystrom, Clark Gillies, and Mike Bossy.
Snow addressed the group with a brief preview of how he envisions the organization will move forward in the coming years. He pointed to the success of both the Red Wings and Penguins in developing from within, and said the Islanders will move in that direction beginning with the draft.
According to Islanders Senior VP Chris Dey, the turnout along with the reception well exceeded expectations.
"This is like an Islanders Business Club version 2.0 beta test," Dey said. "The Islanders are the most visible representation of Long Island nationally and internationally, so we should be an excellent business platform."
The success of the event, Dey said, only affirmed that the program will thrive in the future.
"We can become a leading business platform and business club for Long Island and we're doing it the right way," Dey said. "What we'll be able to do is, 1) expose a lot of people to what we're trying to accomplish with the business club and embrace the business community, and 2) we're going to learn a lot. By doing this event in June, by the time we get to October, we'll really nail it."
-- Katie
Comments (161)
carryover from previous discussion
OK, Take the Bruins out of the equation. That just makes it harder for Ted to land a job if he is let go after next season. His best odds are to land a job right now. My thinking is that Ted would do well with the underachieving Sharks or Thrashers.
Question: Would you accept a second round pick this year as compensation for letting Nolan go?
Opinions?...........Sir William
My opinion of tonight's game 6 victory of the Red Wings ... seeing how the game went down to the final seconds and the final inches .... and the players of both teams brought it battered, bloodied and bruised ... and gave us fans a real thrill till the final buzzer .... that ... is exactly why Hockey is the World's Greatest Sport!!!!
Bring on the draft!!!
Sir William....
Nevermind the carryover...read the 1st line of this blog.
The Snow/Nolan tiff is over...done...finis..."minor misunderstanding."
I'm having a hard enough time keeping Baumbach and Rieber off of this story without having to fend off Islander fans.
(But I have a sneaky suspicion that this isn't the last we are gonna here about this subject from you).
That was an absolutely outstanding SCF 19Isles....
It's good to be a hockey fan.
Response to Healy from the previous thread regarding Tiger Woods' dissing of hockey ...
I don't really follow golf ... I play a round now and then when I have the time ... I've always rooted for Tiger Woods because I thought he was a classy, inspirational, intense, talented and athletic golfer and the Wayne Gretzky of his sport ....
Now?
Well ... after reading that ... I spit on his image as the consumate professional athlete ... How Dare He!!!!!????
He lost a fan ... even if I was a luke warm fan that followed golf losely... but I do have a Tiger Woods hat and Nike golf shirts ... they will be given to good will.
That said .... what do you expect from an athlete that needs someone to carry his gear (clubs) for him during a competition and tell him what clubs he should use and where he should hit the ball??
He's a total moron... Funny thing is ... I bet you most NHL players can play his game and be competitive with PGA players ... where as Tiger would look like a fish flopping around on a bed of ice cubes against NHL players.... Tiger couldn't hold an AHL player's jock... forget about an NHL player.... I'll even add Junior hockey players to that mix.
Most people play golf for relaxing recreation ... Tiger ... remember where a huge portion of the ProAm's for your charity tournaments come from.
Aside from the fact that Greg Logan threw some cold water on the Nolan / Snow controversy with the lead sentence of this thread ... I wouldn't touch this issue with a 10 foot pole debating whether Nolan is going to stay or go ... we don't know what's going on behind the scenes ... Snow and Nolan are going to disagree ... Nolan is a strong personality and says what's on his mind ... and Snow puts his foot in his mouth by making statements before thinking ... Nolan is signed for at least one year and we'll see if he's graded on a curve considering the youth movement ... but Snow has to perform his job perfect this year ... no margin for error by making bone head picks, signings and trades.
... BTW Sir W ... it was mentioned this past fall that Dubie was recovering from an off season injury and came into camp out of shape ... but he still performed well in camp ... I just don't think Nolan was concerned about it ... because back in the day ... most goalies lifted beer cans as their off season fitness program. (I'm not saying Nolan wasn't truely concerned ... I'm proposing that Nolan just wasn't making a big deal that his backup goalie not being in top shape).... How would Arbour feel if Rollie or Chico came to camp out of shape?
Did you notice that Dubie's peformance improved significantly this season after being sent down for conditioning?
505 LOL Was it a minor understanding between Snow and Yashin when Snow said that he was a part of the team and the next week kicked him to the curb? Logan is a nothing more than a shill. I read Nolan's quotes and I read Snow's quotes. I didn't sound like a "misunderstanding" to me.
Why is it your job to keep anyone off this story ? Baumbach or anyone else? Are you employeed by the team in some capacity?
I simply do not undrstand the attitude of some people here. It is a blog. That means it is open for people to discuss things that may or may not affect the team. It is for making up trades, discussing coaches, surmising which players to draft and which to go after via FA. which lines should go together and generally all things hockey.
If you don't agree with my or anyone elses opinion that's fine. State your case. I know I'll read it and consider what you say and see if I think it's valid or not. That's the whole point of these things.
If you don't like my opinion you can skip what I write and move on.
I won't lose any sleep over it.
19 Isles Yes, a fun Cup final. Detroit clearly wanted it more. Fluery let in two bad goals but how can you blame him after he played so well in the previous games. I felt really good for Ozzie who was alway a good Islander. Nice to see a good guy rewarded.
Crosby was completely smothered by the Wings checking and he was really never a factor in the game. Great win for the Wings and a fun night for all hockey fans everywhere. It hard to beleive it's really over. September can't come quick enough.....Sir William
19 ISLES I think that Dubie played better as his playing time increased. Maybe he was hurt and maybe he was out of shape but he was clearly the better goalie and that's all that should matter.
I also think that Snow had his mind made up before the season even started. If not then why sign Joe Mac to an NHL contract before the year even began?
I think Nolan wanted Dubie to stay and I think that Snow screwed up and covered his ass by offering a contract the he knew Dubie would not accept. Signing J Mac to an NHL deal was a dumb move by an inexperienced GM and Dubie paid the price because of it. Stupid move and the Isles will regret it.......Sir William
G'night Sir William....
Luv Ya......
I still think you've got great potential to be a NIMBY.
Why don't you go to one of Nick's comments, click on his name, sign the petition so we can get this process started, and plan on coming out to NVMC on the 20th for Draft Night.
I don't think the Islanders will regret anything by replacing a backup goaltender who didn't have a winning record. Bottom line is this: Joey Mac has 20 fewer games played than Dubie, and If Mac comes into camp in shape, and ready to play and take some stress off DP earlier on, then having a winning record by the end of the season should not be too far off depending on the condition of the team.
505 Love ya, too. Do you have an email address or web site that I can contact you privately at. I would like to speak to you off this blog if possible. I would send you mine but I know I'll be deluged with fan mail from here. I do recall reading that you ran your own company, so perhaps you have a business account that would be appropriate. Your choice...........Sir William
Islander1955@aol.com
505
djpaul17@hotmail.com
Ted Nolan in an article a month or so ago said something like "whether I'm with the Isles or somewhere else next season".
AFter Snow said the coaching staff lost faith in Dubie, Nolan said "that's news to me".
And then there was rift when Snow played Dubie over Dipietro against the Rangers.
On other lists, fans who attended a prior Open House noted that Snow and Nolan were not gettign along.
There is obviously a rift between these two men. A blind squirrel would see that. Nolan knows his popularity with Isles fans is second to none. He knows Snow cannot remove him. He is basically playing games with Snow.
But for the Isles to deny there is a problem is downright laughable.
so basically Greg Logan stirred up a bunch of crap over absolutely nothing and went out of his way to do it and could not even be bothered to blog about it here or attend last night meeting where he would have had to go face to face with Snow & Nolan in the same room.
Yes, BillyIsles, Greg Logan reported exactly what Ted Nolan said. Logan advsied Nolan that Garth Snow indicated that the coaching staff lost faith in Dubie. Nolan responded that losing faith in the goalie "was news to him" Nolan then went on to praise Dubie, while Snow trashed him.
Yes, Billy...... let's just be Islander positive all day long. Go back to your blog and continue your whining about a laco of coverage.
Dubie was a great guy, but its no big deal losing him. Joey Mac can play, he is younger and better than Dubie and thats all there is to it. Its about making the team better, not rewarding players for what they have done in the past. However, Snow is classless for kicking Dubie out the door. This franchise is a mess.
Great Playoff Hockey!! Congrats to Detroit.....Am i the only one who believe OSGOOD should of won the CONN SMYTHE??? Was it NOT him who came in to replace a WEAK HASEK, and WON the series for DETROIT...OSGOOD was clearly the CONN SMYTHE...Besides that DETROIT played an OUTSTANDING series against the PENGUINS...Babcock is a genius, the way he changed up his lines and held down CROSBY, HOSSA, MALKIN....FLEURY has NOW proved to his team, and the leauge that he is a TOP number one GOALIE in the NHL.
Now to the Snow/Nolan dispute....First off I was always against making Snow GM, as im sure every Islander fan was..Watching the first 2 open houses on ISLANDER TV and listening to SNOW answer questions has made me completely positive that SNOW should NOT be A GM.....It seems to me that he BELIEVES hes a know it all, and just get this feeling he thinks hes running the show...Its just my opinion...Feel free to bash me, love me, or laugh at me....HE needs to learn that to become a respectable employee of the NHL, you need to learn to respect the league and its players...To call out DUBIE on his conditioning to the public was completely LOW CLASS and DISREPECTFUL.....He claims the Islanders are a close-knit family...Well family doesnt publicly put down a family member EVER!!!! You smile and say everything is great, and DEAL with the ISSUE behind closed doors....I truly believe SNOW AND NOLAN do NOT like each other at ALL...and for that i FEEL Nolan will be out of a job by mid season or DEF. by the end of the season...FOR some strange REASON...WANG has this incredible respect and loyalty for people who have NO HOCKEY SENSE....ie..Milbury, Snow Dey....IF i OWNED the team, Id make this OFFSEASON the most important offseason for SNOW..and let it be HIS ASS for the outcome....IMO...SNOW HAS TO GO....Nolan has to be given a good roster to start the season and better one to end the season before he is HELD responsible for anything that happens to this team.....
Now.....Joey Mac......If HE is going to be the backup we expect to hold a 20-25 game load in his first NHL season WE ARE CRAZY!!!...I liked what i saw in him in his few games..He seems to have what it takes, but I just dont feel very CONFIDENT having him play that many games with such LITTLE EXPERIENCE!!! Some may say well how to do you ever get the experience if never given the opportunity...AND i agree 100%, but this team is not ready to depend on a Rookie backup goalie to play 20-25 games and expect a positive outcome... A TEAM like DETRIOT, can afford that..they have the players to help a young goaltender gain experience...THE ISLANDERS DO NOT!!! or maybe having JOEY MAC play that many games will HELP the islanders win the lottery next season and also give JOEY MAC the experience?? WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO DO ???
Well it was fun and exciting Season..NOW BRING ON THE DRAFT~~~ LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
Does anybody remember that before one of Dubie's starts Nolan made a veiled reference to Dubie's size?
Note to Mr. Snow... If you are going to make reference to the way the Penguins went from outhouse to penthouse you had better include these points...
1. The shipped players that had value, but were more cost effective as high draft picks and prospects. Your cupbord is devoid of such value.
2. The Penguins installed horrible coaches with great futures as minor color commentators to almost insure a string of top 5 first round picks. You have a solid coach that has installed a solid two-way system. That almost insures the mediocrity we saw last year. MAYBE YOU SHOULD COACH AS WELL.
3. Pittsburgh has an ownership that understands hockey, and management that understands how to build a successful organization. Your boss has no credibility in the Hockey world, and you have done little to establish confidence.
4. Gary Bettman isn’t bent on removing them from the hockey map.
5. Pitt has a new building. Possibly because the plans for their new building wasn’t tied to the Owners plans for multi-billion dollar plans to develop the parking lot into Yuppie Disneyland.
6. Pitt isn’t tied to a TV network owned by their cross town rivals. How the league ever let this happen I have no clue… (see #4).
7. Pittsburg waited until they were at the threshold to make a deadline trade to get a possible 30 game rental. Because of that, if they can afford him, HE MIGHT STAY!
8. Pitts doesn’t maintain a prejudice towards NEW ENGLAND players. You have carried on the tradition of Mr. Milbury and it seems as if that will never end. GET OVER IT.
9. Pittsburgh hasn’t been afraid to humble their NUMBER ONE OVERALL (sound familiar) GOALIE… he doesn’t run the franchise, he has GROWN to be a huge part of it…
10. First and foremost… Pittsburgh has a real GM.
So… go ask Charles to borrow his copy of Hockey For Dummies before the draft, and smile when you ask the fan base to wait 6 years for a contender… OR GET NOLAN SOME PLAYERS this off-season. BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TALENT TO DEVELOP INTO A WINNER.
Tony Sac ~ Great post ... I agree with the spirit of your comments ... and with that ... here is a link to an article in NHL.com ... I read it the other day ... and posted a quote from the article here ... however in the wake of yet another Red Wing Stanley Cup ... solidifying their grasp as hockey's greatest franchise the last 15 years ... I think it's imperative that EVERY Islander fan ... from PRE, DURING & POST Islander Dynasty read this article ... I have been following Jimmy Devellano's career since he was in the Isles front office ... and always admired him ... the blue print to the Isles future success is right infront of their faces .... please read .... I'm not going to comment on the article and argue the points of it ... it speaks for itself and you all can come up with your own conclusions.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=364718
Re: Dubie being kicked to the curb
I think it is fair to say that the decision was made last year that MacDonald would be the backup next year. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been given a one way contract. However, I don't think it was so terrible of Snow to offer Dubie a 2 way deal. The team needs to know who they have and if you risk losing your third stringer to waivers everytime you need to send him down, you have no way to plan and you can't carry three one way contracts on your NHL roster.
Dubie will find a one way deal or he'll take a 2 way deal from someone else or he'll be back here to play in Brideport.
Re: The SCF and Chris Osgood
I think this was a fantastic playoff year and I am thrilled that Ozzie got anohter cup. I do disagree that he deservedthe Conn Smythe. He was not the best or most important player on that team and he did not win them the Stanley Cup. His job on that team wasn't to win Hockey games (ie. Fleury in Game 5); it was not to lose them (ie Hasek against Nashville). he did his job, but he wasn't the most valuable player.
As a question to everyone who posts here: How many expect the Isles to challenge next year and how many think it is important to do so?
I, for one, don't think we'll challenge, and I'm OK with that.
JP ~ Great Post ... we obviously are all frustrated with the recycling of the same old failed ideas ... and Snow comparing the Isles now of the Pens 5 years ago is wrong ... different factors ... different situation ... different city ... heck ... it's just different.
The only idea that seems sound to me is "Building" ... and as long as Snow is commited to that and we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel ... I'll support him. His comments about Dubie ... well ... he's going to have to remove his own foot from his mouth on that one.
Nova Scotia ~ I agree 10000% on your post regarding Dubie ... I appreciate all he did for the Isles ... but you can't reward a backup for what he did in 2007 ... he was a solid backup ... but the Isles had to think of the future ... and I don't know much about Joey Mac .. but from what I saw he seems to be a fundamentally sound goalie who can probably take a better pounding in goal than Dubie .... and Dubie also looks soooo small in net ... he really has to play his angles to perfection to be effective ... and we all know that even some of the best athletes in sports lack the ability to always be perfect.
You effectively illustrated exactly why the Isles couldn't sign Dubie to a one way contract. The one-way contract situation regarding JMD spelled out Dubie's future ... and Snow left himself no choice after signing JMD other than to offer Dubie a two-way deal.
**********
Osgood and the Conn Smythe ... I thought Ozzie did a masterful job .... he definitely deserved consideration for the CST with two shutouts to start the SCF .... but I think the right man won it... I think Ozzie also benefitted from Detroit's smothering offense keeping the Pens hemmed in their own zone and neutralizing most of the Pens' best players when the Pens were able to mount an attack ... Ozzie did his job .... but it's arguable whether or not he stole some games akin to what Smitty did for the Isles in 1983.
Congrats to Zetterberg for winning the Conn Smythe ... he fully deserved it.
Maybe I am biased because i was a goalie, and would like to see goaltenders get more recognition in the league..It always about the guy who scored the game winning goal or the guy with the most points..BUT what about the guy who plays 60 mins a game??? what about the guy who played over 100 mins in a game, who made 55 saves I believe...The league is doing everything possible to make the goalies job that much harder, because they want more scoring..I think the scoring is fine, i think the goaltenders equiptment doesnt need to be smaller and i think the goalies need to be protected more...if you come out of your net, then if u get hit, u get hit..but when your in ur crease gettin bumped, pushed, run into and nothing gets called its ridiculous..I know theyve cracked down alot on goaltender interference which is good...I may not have been an allstar goalie, but i played for years which has caused a bad knee and arthritis in my hip at the age of 26...(sonna ma) and i just feel goaltenders need to be more recognized in the league for the job they do...so in my EYES...OSGOOD was the CONN SYMTHE WINNER!! and if anyone has a problem with that well then..SWEET..i love controversy and good old fashioned debates...LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
I actually thought Osgood was gonna get the trophy and was mildly surprised when they gave it to Zetterberg.
Do I think it was wrong?
Nah.....a case could be made for either guy.
There were a couple of key 5-3 situations in this series where Zetterberg was on the ice playing godlike in the d-zone. (Even though I maintain that Pitt's power play was flawed all series with 5 left handed shooters on the ice at all times, which played into the Wings defense by eliminating weak side shooting angles).
And Zetterberg got his points.
A case could also be made for Franzen based on what he did earlier in the playoffs.....
Moral?
The Wings have a lot of good players and a very good TEAM.
A case could be made for half a dozen guys getting the Smythe.
Nova Scotia Isles:
"As a question to everyone who posts here: How many expect the Isles to challenge next year and how many think it is important to do so?"
I honestly thought that the team of last year could have finished no worse than .500. However, never before have I seen more season ending injuries to one team. We let go of several free agents, who in my opinion, were "dead wood." So that is addition by subtraction. We have a few players who missed considerable games that could and will contribute more this coming year. My opinion again, i think the Islanders are drafting higher than originally anticipated, also a plus no matter who we draft in the first round. The key to this years draft will be in the second and third rounds. We have been told that the youth movement will continue this year, and that will if anything, be interesting to watch. but I cannot give you an answer to that question just yet until after we find out who the Islanders sign as free agents starting July 1st.
Good question, just a little too early yet.
DP better step up after the way FLEURY played. I know the Pens have a better team but come on.
Islander-Naples....
A bigger concern than DP "stepping up" is DP "healing up"
Nova Scotia Isles.
I expect nothing less than a Stanley Cup next year.
I don't care who or what are wearing the jerseys.
tonysac ~ I can't argue with your comment about the importance of goaltenders ... to me they are the single most imporant position in hockey ... and I'm an offensive minded center ... so that says a lot.
Like I said in a previous post ... Ozzie deserved consideration ... and sure ... he took over for Hasek and turned around the fortunes of the Wings in the Nashville series ... but Zetterberg just did everything on the ice .... he scored ... killed penalties ... neutralized every team they played in the playoffs.
Ozzie didn't see many high quality scoring chances against .... but his stats are outstanding ... Both Zetterberg and Ozzie lead the way on the stat sheet. Zetterberg led in most catagories ... and really carried the team.
I think maybe if Ozzie didn't give up that late goal in Game 5 he'd have maybe gotten more consideration for the Conn Smythe. Also, goalies are in the uneviable position of being the goat of a game when late goals are scored against.
My vote is still with Zetterburg based on his total performance. HZ lead the league or tied with the lead in Goals (13), Points (27), Plus / Minus (+16), Shorthanded Goals (2), Shots (116)... as far as his averages go .. for players who made it past the 2nd round ... he ranked first in Forward time on ice average (22:36 mins), Forward shifts per game (28.6)
He was also strong as a top 3 player in other catagories ... in total assists (14 .. ranked 3rd), Game winning goals ( with 4.. ranked 2nd to Franzen who had 5), .. and in face-off percentage for players who got past the second round he ranked 3rd with a 53.5% average behind a dominant Kris Draper who won a whopping 64.6% and Daniel Briere who edged out Zetterberg for 2nd with 53.7%
Oz was Great ... but HZ was dominant in every aspect of the game... offensively and defensively... and if Franzen didn't miss 6 games ... he'd of challenged HZ for the CST. Franzen had 5 game winning goals in 16 games .... incredible ratio.
Can Joey Mac be our back-up AND enforcer.....well at least when he plays?
The Islanders are so far from being respectable its sad. But, we can become alot tougher pretty fast.
We need alot more than Godard---for a team that purports to be gritty, I never see it. Not scoring does NOT equal grit.
If this Cup Finals taught me nothing else, it's that we have a long way to go before true Cup contention. To me, that makes the case for a youth movement all the more strong.
Here's my question...If Filatov and Bogosian are off the board when the Islanders get up, can you accelerate the process a bit? I've heard the Islanders like my boy Colin Wilson, who's projected to go a few slots down from #5, even though he impressed at the scouting combine and might have raised his stock. Would you swap 1st round picks with another team and try to get a good young player in return, and then take Wilson anyway? Might help, though if Bogosian or Filatov is on the board you have to do it.
JP IN VA The niwit who posted below you was not me. I agree with all of your points. Well said and well written.
It was a tough choice between Ozzie and Z for the Conn Smythe trophy but I think that Z stole it during the 5 on 3 PP's that he almost singlehandedly killed. He played like a man possessed and congrats to him for winning it.
Don Cherry must be pissed seeing all those Europeans hoisting the Cup, but boy did they deserve it. Detroit still plays the old Red Army style of puck possession and attacking in waves. It was beautiful to watch. That style of play is so much better than the North American "dump and chase" game. The skill level of the Detroit players shone throughout.........Sir William
Nick ... I've thought of swaping first round picks too .. but Wilson will probably go in the top 10 ... and who else in the top 10 would give us anything that would be equitable to slide up a few spaces? Then there is no gaurantee that Wilson will still be on the table.
I think Bogosian and Filatov will be off the table at #5 ... Aside from Wilson there is also a good shot at Doughty (estimated to be close to Bogosian), Pietrangelo also a good future world class offensive defenseman and Boedker at LW and Center Hodgson ... all world class rated future stars ...
BTW ... I think Wilson did move himself back up the final draft ranking leader board after the combine ... he's the top ranked Center after Stamkos.
With all these choices for the Isles they really can't go wrong ... but the do need to chose the player that perfectly aligns with their needs for the next several years .. and as Snow correctly assessed .. that may change ... so I don't envy him in making the right choice.
I myself see-saw in my opinion of who we should take ... I'm thinking Bogosian, Filatov, Doughty, Wilson, Pietrangelo in that order if anyone of them are available ... that may change next week for me after I read more about them. We'll see.
19 Isle, Nick
I've been doing some reading on Wilson from the combine, and they said, to put it bluntly..."he's ripped." They are saying he is physically ready for the NHL. He's moved up from top ten to top seven minimum, and he could go higher.
For some reason, the Kings have been looking hard and long at Filatov. They have the offense already, but if they decide to pick him over a defenceman, that leaves Bogosian, and Doughty open. If those two are plucked by Atlanta and St. Louis then Wilson is there for the taking.
I think we all agree though they can't go wrong. I'm more intersted in the second and third rounders.
19 Isles that was an interesting article about Jim Devellano. I wasn't born yet when he was with the Islanders. I was born in 1985. It's amazing what you learn. I notice how it's usually the same people that have success in the NHL.
As I learn more about front office antics of clubs in all sports. I have to wonder why some owners who know zero about a sport get involved in operations matters? I used to want to throw Wang a parade in the early part of this decade. Now I see him as a medling owner that over estimates his knowledge of hockey.
I was a huge fan of Snow as a player. Now I'm questioning his experience. That Jim Devellano guy worked is way up from the very bottom. He experienced the lowest trenches of hockey business from it's very first expansion from the original six. That gave him invaluable knowledge that allows him to truely assess young talent from being imersed in it. What credentials did Snow have when he was appointed GM? After reading that article that 19 Isles linked I'm totally disenchanted. No wonder he has been robbed in trades and doesn't know GM ettiquette (sp). It feels hopeless to me.
Well he can't screw up this draft. Can he? Someone with more hockey experience please enlighten me.
I'm not one to start rumors, but now i'm curious.
Blake Wheeler, 5th overall pick in 2004, opted for free agency instead of signing with Phoenix.
Wheeler played with Okposo in Minnesota the last two years.
He's a right winger with a ton of potential.
How possible would it be for the Islanders to sign Wheeler?
Netminder,
Sounds a lot like the Hillen deal... which I like alot. You can't lose when you sign these guys to two way three year deals. They are fence players that have NHL potential. It doesn't cost you anything but money, and transportation from Bridgeport to Uniondale.
From my 20 minutes of research it looks like he could be another fringe player... could be Colliton, or possibly Comeau, whoI think has a ton of portential.
Eddie, Al , Wolfie and I are huge Isles fans.
Good luck in 08-09. Give Ted a break too.
I hope the Isles do grab Wheeler ... after all ... the fact that Wheeler opted for free agency means that Phoenix gets a compensatory draft pick ... guess what they got? The 5th pick in the 2nd round ... bumping the Isles down to 6th pick in the 2nd round.
Phoenix has a pretty good prospect pool even without Wheeler ... and they have 5 picks in the first two rounds ... not bad.
Just got back from the Celtic ~ Laker Game....I guess it was fun....Tickets were wasted on me, as I would rather see a hockey pre-season game. I mean the Lakers saw Pierce was hobbled.........HIT HIM !!!! :) :)
Pitt gave it all they had...Proved I am only an ORACLE when predicting Isles streaks....I still say that team will go on a run....Detroits defense was simply too smothering!
We (Isles) have a long way to go.....What will the Bobbles do ?? We shall see. Off to a shaky start alreadyin 08 with the silly mouth of Snow!
I have an opinion on Chris Dey. He seems like a car salesman. Talks through his teeth. The hockey community laughes at us. He has no clue what he is doing. Wang to Snow to Dey. This management team is garbage. I am beginning to be ashamed of being an Islanders fan.
My take on the finals and the playoffs overall
Finals I grade a B. Would have been a klunker if not for the game 5 3ot game and a very good game 6.
Overall playoffs were a C. There really werent any series for the ages. Dallas was a nice story and the Rags/Devs series was good but that was only 5 games. I also felt there was no player who captured the imagination or stood out. This is really been the problem with the nhl for some time. The last player to do that was probably Messier in 94 and it has been 15 years now. Crosby and Malkin were big names in the finals but they did not raise their game to overcome the Detroit D and they were average at best. I have no argument with HZ getting the conn smythe. He is terrific player. Devellano and Holland are amazing how they find superstars like zetterberg and datsyuk with low picks. During the stanley cup celebration Chirs Osgood was getting interviewed on the ice and he said something that struck me that I am still thinking about. He said that the former players like yzerman, shannahan, fetisov etc created a culture of winning that has been passed down and perserved with the current players. I immediately began to think that the Islanders had that winning culture built and somewhere along the line it broke down. Not to bring up old history but I beleive it started in the early 90's when they let Trottier go. I beleive that started this whole downward spiral and we are rock bottom again. My feeling is that after 8 years Wang has no clue, and Snow is over his head. I dont no what else to say. The isles have a long way to go
Well after reading these posts I have mixed feelings about the whole situation.
#1 I always looked at Wang as the Islanders' savior. Remember the ownership debacle of the late 90s? I'll take Snow and Nolan bickering over that anytime.
Since then however Wang has proved to me and I believe most people here that he's only good for his vision and money. He has to stay out of hockey business. He just isn't good at it. I'm glad he has an interest in the team, but he does't have the midas touch.
That was a great article about the Jim Devalano guy. Seems like the Isles should of given him the GM reigns back in the 80s and Torrey should of just stayed President. Oh well, the clock moves forward and we have Snow, Wang and I guess that guy Dey? He's got more power then just VP of Communications or what ever he is.
All of them are rookies. How many GMs started their careers where the day before they were on the player roster? If there were any, how successful where they? Just curious
Is Laraque a FA? On Hockeybuzz he is listed as one. I think we need to go after him and solve our goon problem. It sets the tone for the whole game and doesn't give the other the comfort to rough us up without any consequences. Snow should go after him.
Brian, I've been in VA for 12 years. Now when people ask me why I moved to Virginia I tell them, "I'm an Islander!"
I don't want to be lumped into the same category as Cub fans. This is a franchise that has been beaten down from day one, and needed one of the best hockey men in league history, Bill Torrey, to get it to the stature of an ELITE franchise. All that was undermined by horrible ownership (even trough the dynasty years) and blatant lack of respect by the organization for its FANS.
But still we believe that they do things in OUR best interest. THis is an intelligent fan base, and we understand that at the core of management decisions is a deep rooted self-interest. If that self interest is not in harmony with that of the fan, who solely wants a winning organization to be proud of, IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.
As much as Wang has done to keep the Islanders on LI, (for which our gratitude is not measurable) there is consistent evidence of disharmony.
The committee is NOT WORKING. Mike Milbury was retained after repeatedly makig horrible decisions, before and after Wang's ownership. He rewards loyalty and sycophants. He shold know better. His business did not grow because everybody agreed with him. It was because they worked together on a strong business model. If CA was run like the Islanders Charles would be working in his uncle's laundromat.
The funny part of this is that the team has had a wealth of talent (players, coaches and management) either in it's grasp, or within reach... and without fail ownership has made poor decisions. Even Nolan, who I feel is a fine coach, could have been hired 8 years earlier.
Does this mean that i will stop rooting for this team. Of course not. But i will add this. I made a promise never to watch another Knick game when they signed Latrell Spreewell... and I have kept that promise. I have turned my back on my own college's (SJU) basketball team when they started letting the inmates run the asylum. the mets have been on their way with Omar Minaya's thinly veiled agenda of creating LOS METS.
The Islanders don't have far to go...
I'm guessing a series of three moves (which I highly anticipate) will put them on a 5 year lockout for me.
1. Draft Filatov... risking a total bust with the #5 pick in a VERY DEEP draft.
2. Go through a UFA period without making qualifying offers to any top 6 forwards and top 4 defensemen.
3. Let Nolan walk, or worse yet, fire him.
Hey Gents Back in town. Great Finals series eh?
19 Isles I left you a message on your voice mail and emailed ya. I just wanted to know what time I had to be at the rink tonight for tryouts. It would of been easier if you guys put me on your protected roster, but I guess you had less pull with the other two team reps.
Hope you check your email, phone or this place and get back to me. Because I don't feel like hanging around the rink if I get there to early.
Oh, and by the way. Isles will be fine guys. Maybe not this year, but over the next few years they'll have the kids going strong. This year will be the foundation year to build that great team. Next years draft is deep with forwards, so even if they finish in the bottom 5 next year again, they'll get star quality draft pick. Oh, and that Wheeler kid is a must grab. But I have a feeling he wants to stay in Minnisota and play for the Wild. I read he's a home town boy that was home sick even playing in Green Bay.
Kev ... I responded to your email. Here's a copy of what I said ...
It's 8:00pm - 10pm .... we're hitting the Apollo Diner at 7 ... swing by. It's on the way to the rink ... maybe about a mile before you get there ... call me again numb nuts b/c I never got a message from you.
Oh .. and we wanted to put you on the protect list ... but league rules is that new league players have to do a try out to make sure that players aren't straight out of the Junior Nat'l team .. or can at least play ... insurance issue again. Besides ... we have you protected as one of the 3 reserve recruit players ... the only way another team can take you is if they dump a player from their reserve recruit list too .... and then we get compensated with a player from their protect or reserve roster if we chose .... so don't worry.
"Great Playoff Hockey!! Congrats to Detroit.....Am i the only one who believe OSGOOD should of won the CONN SMYTHE??? Was it NOT him who came in to replace a WEAK HASEK, and WON the series for DETROIT...OSGOOD was clearly the CONN SMYTHE..."
Absolutely not. Osgood was steady but he was far from the reason for Detroit's cup run. He faced an average of a whopping 22 shots per game (most of which were outside and bad angle shots).
Zetterberg tied for the playoff lead in points scored and also played shutdown hockey on the games best player. He scored clutch goals throughout for the Wings and clearly was the MVP. I could easily put a few players in front of Ozzie for Conn Smythe. Lidstrom was his usual fantastic self, Franzen was a physical force and put up 13 goals.
Ozzie was good enough to win, but Zetterberg was the MVP.
I'm interested in knowhing where in Virginia both Isles in VA fans are from.....I lived there as well and still have a vacation home there.
Sir William--the Red Wings looked better than the Red Army. Their play throughout the playoffs was among the best I've seen a long while. Every player has as much grit, character, and heart as anyone on the Islanders Grit, and tons of talent to boot.
I also think playing in the West made them far more battle tested than the Penguins. How did the West get so far in front of the east in such a short time?
JP in Va, I jumped the Knicks ship for the very same reason (Spreewell) and have never looked back.
Sir William--the Red Wings looked better than the Red Army. Their play throughout the playoffs was among the best I've seen a long while. Every player has as much grit, character, and heart as anyone on the Islanders--and tons of talent to boot.
I also think playing in the West made them far more battle tested than the Penguins. How did the West get so far in front of the east in such a short time?
JP in Va, I jumped the Knicks ship for the very same reason (Spreewell) and have never looked back.
Merrick...
Send me an e-mail at Islander1995@aol.com, or get a hold of Nick somehow.
WRONG ADDRESS Merrick
Islander1955@aol.com
Whoops
And if you know how to get a hold of AZS have him contact one of us as well
505/Nick... Thanks for the invite but fridays are a no-go for themass! I'll be watching the draft on my phone at work (refreshing constantly)
Hi Merrick, I was really just referring to the style of play that the Soviets introduced into hockey back in the '70's not comparing them to the Red Wings.
I am sure you remember being amazed at the swirling, puck control game that the great Soviet teams introduced to the world.
I know I was.
The raw skill level and beauty of that game was so much more enjoyable to watch rather than the lumbering dump, chase and pound the "D", that the North American's played.
More than any NHL team, the Red Wings have fused both styles into their own brand of hockey that is a joy to behold.....Sir William
Hi Merrick, I was really just referring to the style of play that the Soviets introduced into hockey back in the '70's not comparing them to the Red Wings.
I am sure you remember being amazed at the swirling, puck control game that the great Soviet teams introduced to the world.
I know I was.
The raw skill level and beauty of that game was so much more enjoyable to watch rather than the lumbering dump, chase and pound the "D", that the North American's played.
More than any NHL team, the Red Wings have fused both styles into their own brand of hockey that is a joy to behold.....Sir William
Lil Help here ...
How many of you guys have been a player / coach before?
Last night I found out from our team captain / governor that our bench coach will not be returning. He cites gas prices make it prohibitive for him to get to the games and practices. We already give him $50 cash an appearance which is usually for only 90 minutes ... good money for setting up lines and managing the bench .... He also makes it to most of our practices too for which we pay him $50 cash ... so he makes about $100 - $150 bucks cash a week depending on how many times he comes to practice or how many games we have in a week.
The team of 10 guys that we have already unanimously voted no to a $10 raise... which is really only 50 cents a guy per appearence .... but this guy lives 10 minutes from our main rink and he can probably drive back n forth about 3 times before his Honda burns one gallon of gas. Just has me ticked off because we've been pretty good to this guy ... he got a championship team jacket as coach this year that we bought him as a thank you.
LOL!!! Now I know what Snow is dealing with. Damn coaches... LOL!!!
Well ... the captain of our team wants me to act as player / coach since I have the most experience running a practice and time behind the bench. I think there are 4-5 guys on my team that can run a practice. I've never managed a bench while playing before and I'm not sure how you even do that.
The captain said I was good at helping our coach last year point out flaws and get players to correct them during games .... not to mention he wants me to take over the governorship of the team and have him be the alternate with one of our defensemen. That means more administrative BS and paper work .... and you guys know me ... I'll be writing these long as game summarys and all that other jazz.
Oh well ... just looking for some advice from someone whose been there. Even if it was another sport like baseball, football etc ... I know I do my best work on the ice helping the other guys work on their game ... not chirping out strategy to others while I'm preparing for my next shift.
Call Milbury....
or....you are in the sports broadcasting business right?
Set up some two video/audio feeds so Steady and I can sit on our respective barcoloungers from Boston and 2 time zones away and win you guys a champeenship.
Steady can take care of the mundane details like line changes and tactics.
I'll handle the refs.