On the Islanders Beat

Good Deal. Garth is getting all of the young guys locked up.

MY girls will be happy. Bruno is young and has room to grow this year. A solid signing IMHO.

Excellent! :)

Now find someone to put the puck in the net and hire Quennville or Tortorella and lets get to Round 2 at least in 09!

Wonder if Ziggy can still play =P

The Islanders are a joke. Terrible team, terrible arena, terrible fans (last in attendance AGAIN)....... Why don't the Islanders just fold? Why should they be permitted to embarrass the National Hockey League any further?????

15 years without winning a playoff series. Geesh!

I REAAALLLY did not expect that you could post on here without a name or an email. Apparently you can -- hence all the "Anonymous" posts. Wow.

Gervais. Meh. Two days ago, some here were talking about a good trade of him to Montreal. Three years on a one way deal seems a lot, but it is cheap.

Congrats Bruno!!!

Like someone said previously...now we need to work on scoring.

A lot of "IFS", but I'm counting on Guerin and Comrie to get 20 goals. The question is who else can contribute...we have several players with 20 goal potential. Let's see:
Tambellini
Hunter
Okposo
Comeau
Sillinger (?)
Bergenheim

Any thoughts on who will deliver?

Once again right years at the right price. I personally think Garth has had a good offseason. Now lets see how those kids do on the ice. Visit my Islanders blog at:

http://floridaislesfan.blogspot.com/

So will Freddy Meyer be traded? He seemed to be getting better at the end of last season, surprisingly...
And there's an extra forward also. Please please please please get rid of First Base Andy...

Hock -

I think Okoposo and Bergenhheim are the only hopes on that list.

If Sillinger can stay healthy, he's an excellent player for our team. But, with the hip and his perhaps "fractured" relationship with Garth, the forces may be against him.

Congrats to Bruno and to Garth... I think that is a fair deal ... others have already stated why it's fair.

I think Bruno is going to have a decent year ... he looked in good shape at the last day of Prospect Camp ... guess he was training with DP.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Bruno has a 3G / 15A season ... and finished plus 3. :)

As far as the 20 Goal Scorers are concerned ... hymmmm ... well last year I expected Tank and Miro to pot 20+ and 25+ respectively ... so I'm not so sure who would be in the 20G club this season.

For those long time fans ... doesn't it seem comical that we're looking for 20G scorers?? LOL!

I'm gonna play Hock's game just for SnG's.

Tambellini - 18G / 10 PPG - 2 SHG
Hunter - 14G / 3 PPG - 1 SHG
Okposo - 20G / 9 PPG - 1 SHG
Comeau - 17 G / 3 PPG - 0 SHG
Sillinger (?) - 12 G / 4 PPG - 2 SHG
Bergenheim - 21G / 8 PPG - 1 SHG

Now admittedly ... I pulled those numbers out of my a$$ ... and it's basically wishful thinking ... because truely there are so many things that can happen this season ... and we are still 6+ weeks away from training camp. But it would be cool to see how close my guesses came next April.

TMC .... Newsday will not get rid of the Anonymous posters because they get revenue for the clicks to the site. Every Anon has the potential to view one of the ad banners on these pages (doubt very much they'll respond to the ads) ... so we end up reading their Rot so Newsday makes $$$ ... but hey ... they make themselves look foolish ... so I just brush those posts aside.

Please read this ;
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=244291&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

Now it's really only a matter of time before Wang, a very good businessman, moves this team or sells it off and the new owners will move it.
Sad time for Islanders fans folk.
Remember, I'll be there with the camera crew filming the tears in the giant parking lot.
What Dynasty? The long island who is what your kids will say. hahahahahaha

But long-term, the players aren't singling out any particular franchises and saying 'that's got to go'. They really would like to see all the existing franchises survive, if that's possible."

Than why don't the Islanders spend some of that cash they have left over and bring in some talent to save this team?
I'd say the players are against coming to LI because the ownership and GM are the laughing stock of the league. There's no reason to come to LI when no one shows up to watch the games.
Forget the Lighthouse Wang-doodle! Fix the team before we lose it!

Teddy

yup Wangs going to waste all his money keeping the Islanders here just for the fans huh?
Would you like to buy a bridge?

I agree. The Islanders should just fold. The National Hockey League has been embarrassed by this downtrodden organization one two many times. From their miniscule attendance figures, to their front office to their pathetic play on the ice. Get em out of here. How many times do we have to see a mostly empty Mausoleum crowd being made fun of by the ESPN crew? It's bad for our sport.

Sir W ... just got caught up with posts on previous thread.

Kevin M. .. gave me a preview at the rink ... LOL!!! He's a character.

When I said .... "My arguement was that you can't compare Torts to Arbour... you just can't. Torts couldn't hold Arbour's clipboard."

You said ... "I don't think you can measure a mans career until it's over. Torts is a young guy and will coach somewhere in the NHL again. He has lots of years left to prove himself. To say that he couldn't hold Arbours clipboard is just dumb. I thought you were above that."

Look ... I wasn't knocking you personally... I just thought you represented my comments inaccurately .... but I stand firm in the belief that Torts couldn't hold Radar's clipboard ... seriously now ... not many coaches could. No matter how dumb you might think I am for saying it.

There are only 3 legendary coaches IMO ... Bowman, Blake and Arbour ... those 3 are the cream of the coaching crop ... and history supports that ... and true .... there were other extraordinary great coaches in the history of this league ... but those 3 are the gold standard IMO.

Listen Sir W .... if you can't measure a man's career until it's over ... then how can you compare him with Arbour?

I agree ... Torts has a lot of years left in him ..... which means he still has a lot to prove before he can be mentioned in the same breath with Arbour ..... Tampa had ONE outstanding year with Superstars with him behind the bench .... and they had only ONE 100 point plus season ... in the age of 82 games and over time / shootout loss points that doesn't say much to me.

That isn't why however I don't put much stock in JT .... I just don't agree that is coaching style is suited for THIS Isles team .... hey ... maybe if you can alter time and throw Johnny Torts in Al's spot ... perhaps JT would become a legendary coach ... but that is a question we will never have the answer to.

When I said .. "No wonder why most people here get frustrated with you on here. That is where you lose me Sir W."

You said .. "Wow!! Cut me to the quick. Because I really care what some of the trolls here think. There are some good hockey minds here."

Sir W ... That wasn't a knock about how much or whether or not you care ... it's was in reference to your insistant droning over a specific comment that some makes ... that you spin out of the context of their original comment. When someone clarifys themself ... then you still harp on your original insistence.

We can disagree that you think Torts would be good for the Isles and I think that he's not the best answer among the candidates available. So what? It ends there ... because either way neither one of us makes that choice... or even has the information and first hand experience to make an informed decision on it.

Just don't misrepresent my comments. That is all I asked ... and when you ask something to back up someone's statement ... don't play Mr. Bank examiner and ask for something to backup the information that backs up the information.

We are all pretty much in the same boat as you ... as fans we make our decisions and opinions with the best info out there that we have and our own experiences. Even the two most agreeable people on here have their own opinions ... and as you have said in the past ... that is fine ... because we are entitled to those opinions.

When I said ... "wouldn't of qualified for the playoffs under normal circumstances ... that was the year the shoot began."

You corrected me by saying ...."It was the year the shoot beagn" ( I'm going to assume you meant shootout)."

Yeah Sir William .. you got that right .... I meant to say ... "IT was the year the shootout BEGAN" ..... ;) ... touche my friend. Typos are a biotch ... aren't they?

And once again ... I have to scold you for your misrepresentation of how you spin someone's comments to mean something else in your reply ....

You said ..
"As for the S/E. Well it's not where you start in the playoffs but where you finish. The regular season is only an elimination process. It makes no difference how many teams from each division get into the playoffs. It just matters who gets to the Finals.
The S/E rep had to get past every other team to make the Cup Finals and they did it. I don't see how you can argue with that."

First off ... I'd like to say .... there is a reason why the playoffs are considered the REAL or SECOND SEASON ... it is because they are long and grueling ... and I didn't knock Torts or Tampa for winning the cup in 2004 .... I stated that a few times they were the power house in the conference ... and was fortunate to play in the weak S/E division where they can amass some points .... and Yes ... in the regular season ... it does pad their point total a bit to play in a weak division. I don't see how you can argue with that.

The S/E has sucked as a DIVISION ... I NEVER stated that Tampa and Carolina sucked what else do I have to say to get that through to you?

BTW ... if you are only looking at Tampa's playoff perfomance as you seem to be fixated on the fact that Tampa won the cup in 2004 ... then what is the sum of all of Tampa's efforts under Torts in his entire tenure as their coach?

Not much better than the Isles as a whole ... missed the playoffs twice under Torts in the same time frame the Isles missed the playoffs twice ... and the Isles have played in a stronger division. Also ... yeah ... ONE Stanley Cup is the jewel of his tenure.... all the other years mired by mediocrity with a top talent roster. Tampa has only passed the 1st round when the won the cup & made it to the 2nd round the year before that. The more I look at this .. the more Torts really turns me off. Blahhhhh!!!

.... and last but not least.

You said to Kevin M. .... "Kevin M,......Leave 19 ISLES be. Beleive me, I can take it. And I don't mind from it him, because at least he sometimes knows what he's talking about ( how's that for a backhanded
compliment).........Sir William"

Very nice SW .... LOL!!! That was more like an inside out compliment. ;)

Sir W ... relating to other business ... and questions you had.

I haven't heard anything from Julien regarding coaches ... I asked on Tuesday and he said that any buzz regarding the Isles vacated coaching position has been relatively placid ... they've been so busy collecting data and scouting reports on the recent draftees and updating their database with the existing rosters of ECHL, AHL & NHL clubs.

Julien added though ... and said if he did ... he wouldn't tell me .... he said don't think that coaches and players (mostly young ones) don't read blog comments. They are very keenly aware of fan sentiment ... and if I post anything that could only point to them ... they lose a sense of confidentiality ... which is a big part of what their business relies on. So he kind of shut the door on me for any future questions about that.

I noticed the last few times I've tried to pry something from him he's been resistant. I wonder if they are clamping down on what they perceive as their intellectual property? All I was able to get from him on Tuesday was .... Yeah ... I heard the Isles stable of young prospects got a good look last week ... and looks like the Isles have some solid depth without even showcasing 2 potential future stars in Petrov and Ness. He left it at that. Makes me wonder exactly how they get their info.... Isles TV? LOL! I know we supply them with game footage during the course of the season and drafts ... but who exactly are the pro-scouts? Does Morrow give them the info? I doubt it. Maybe I should apply for a position with his company.

I've said it before and will say it again: HUGE transition time for the Islanders. Just didn't think it would've involved the coach, when I and many others first said those words.

Time for the final piece to this new puzzle to happen.

Busey I don't know why? Maybe just tired of being pi$$ed on every year?

I've only been following hockey for 5 years or so. I chose the Islanders because I am a Met fan and well, the Isles also seem like the lil brother underdog which is what I tend to follow. Besides, I wasn't going to hop on the Devil Bandwagon, and I'm not one to go with the fan favorite more established teams like the Yankees, Giants or Rangers. Poor me eh?

I have to say this much though. Although I've only found this site during the draft I've learned a lot about my fellow Islander fans. There are the solid hard core fight on types when things don't always go as they had hoped. Then there are the ones who have nothing positive to add and only spew out venomous rants.

Maybe it's just me but doesn't that seem counter productive? When players read these blogs they must feel the fan base is volitile and that is why they don't show up at NVMC. Granted. I've only been to 2 games in my life in the 5 years I've followed this team, but I live on the Jersey shore, and go to school while working 2 jobs. I'm only 22 so I hope to go to some more games when I have a real job.

I bounce at this club, and the other night I was speaking with this guy from Ontario down at the shore for vacation. He told me more about the Islanders then anyone I've ever known. He said the Islanders were one of the most successful franchises ever, and they are going through a bad 15 year spell mostly do to ownership and Mike Milberry. He is a fan of Detroit, but said the Islanders need patience, and the fans really have to give Snow some leeway since he really just is starting his 3rd season. He thought the Islander had a monster draft.

I'm not down on the Islanders at all, but then again I didn't have to deal with this for 15 years, but I'll tell you one thing. If the Islanders are going to build its fanbase the fans themself have to start getting behind this team and pushing.

I'm not a hockey intellectual, I've only played street hockey with my friends. I can't claim to be a hockey guru like some of you guys seem to be. However I know how to be a fan. I'll support them though this dark time. It's harder to re-build an empire from the ruins then it is to start from scratch.

Newsday. This site has trouble posting comments. Thank god for reverse navigation before I figured out how to get a post through. I had to reset and get a new security code.

19 ISLES.....According to NHL.com the Stanley Cup has been awarded to the NHL league winner since 1926. That's 82 years. Allowing for multiple winners (Arbour, Bowman etc) only a select few coaches have ever won it, probably less than 40.

That's pretty good company Torts and Hartley are in. For all the tens of thousands of games coached in the NHL these two men stand among very elite company. Anyone (not necessarily you)
can spin it however they will, but the fact remains that both those coaches have done something that very few people have.

I simply like Torts passion to win better.

As for your typos, that was not the point. You claimed that the Oilers only made the playoffs because of the shootout rule.

My point was that all 30 teams played by the same rules. Period
It had nothing to do with typos (which we all are guilty of).

Some of the more long winded posters are bound to have more typos by the law of averages. ( another inside out jab) LOL LOL.............Sir William

LOL Sir William.

I think what 19 was saying was that Arbour and Bowman were the elite of the elites. Well, that is how I saw it. If by your own standards you view Tortorella in the same class as a Bowman or Arbour, well, that is your opinion. Some people place a certain pedigree to certain players and coaches. By my own standards you have different classes of players and coaches. Consistency is a criteria that I myself use to apply to those classes.

Some coaches step-in-it and are blessed with a stable of thoroughbreds, some coaches are left with a barn of broken down never beens, and some inbetween. Arbour and Tortorella both were blessed with star players. The arguement then is who was better at developing players into an elite consistent winner? Who was able to ice a team that can play any type of game for over 6 or 7 years.

Does winning the cup once as a coach enable that coach to take any team thereafter and create the same magic again? If that were true, even our beloved Al Arbour would of succeeded again. Actually, he came close again in 1993. If sneaky Pete hadn't been injured by a cheap shot (he wasn't the same after), and the Isles' defense didn't get banged up (Pilon played hurt since Pitt), then maybe they'd come close. Hey, injuries are part of the game. So what happened, happened. But it's nice to think Al could of had a great Swan Song.

Sir William, 19 said you were good people last night. I agree with him. I agree with you that Tortorella is a good coach. I just agree with 19 and some other people that perhaps Tortorella is the wrong coach for this team at this time. However the burden of that decision is on our fearless leader Garth Snow.

Like the Tambellinini signing, I am just having trouble understanding locking up guys that really haven't proved to me that they are solid, contributing professional NHLers. Gervais is average at best and deserved a 1-year deal for under a million. I don't his stats and seeming injury-prone status deserve this. My Islanders...I am so disillusioned.

troll - get some help dude or start taking your meds again. you really need it.

More Isles negativity...

A Q&A with Jack Johnson of the L.A. Kings....

Question: I know it is still early, but what's your call on the worst NHL hockey city?

Johnson: (Laughs). Oh, I'd have to say the Islanders' rink and the area just around there was the worst (laughs).

-----

Question: Okay, how about the best?

Johnson: I think the best place was New York City, Madison Square Garden.

-----

Question: Nice, so on the same road trip you experienced both the best and the worst?

Johnson: Yep, sure did (laughs).

Source: http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/2008/07/post.html

You wonder if the Coliseum and lack of fan support is actually helpful to the Islanders.

Just look at Johnson's comments. He is basically saying it is downright depressing to play before an empty Coliseum crowd. Naturally, I bet he (and many others) do not put in the same type of effort that they would in other arenas.

So this is beneficial to the Islanders, and harmful to the Rangers. When a team plays at the Gareden, the are pumped up, the crowd is in to it. They give it their all. They play the Isles at the Coliseum and they are depressed by the near empty crowd they play before.

Hey Anon: you must be on to something because the NYR have been having trouble against the lsles in LI and NYC the last couple of years. Wow!!!! I know nothing gets me more pumped than corporate meetings so playing at MSG would really be a great place to showcase my talents....

But seriously would it really matter if the Isles left. I know to the hard-cores like us it would... but what about the regular fan. I mean this team was hot as hell two years ago... moving up in the standings, got a gamer like Smyth... and if my memory serves me correctly only like 12k showed up to his first game... On the other hand when I went to game 3 vs Buff on a monday the barn was rocking...

I get to go to a few NYI-Phi games a year and that place is a great place to see a game... even 2 years ago when they were horrible the fans showed up to weekday games.... thats why this rebuild may be more detrimental than ever anticipated. Fans weren't showing up when the team was competing. What about when they are bombing.... consistently... I wish I could make it to LI for more than like 5-7 games a year, but thats all I can do.. When you sign up for Center Ice they ask you who your favorate team is... to teams make out on that?

HEY KEV, I do not rank Torts with the greats, yet. But he is very young and who knows?. I just think that any coach that has won the Cup deserves a lot of credit. It's by far the hardest trophy in sports to win.

I don't think that the Original Six coaches had it as hard as it is now. Win 8 games and win the Cup. And all the teams were close geographically.

That's why I do not think that the Isles record of 19 straight playoff series win will never be broken. But hey, I never expected to see anyone break Lou Gherig's record either.

I just feel that the next coach has to be someone who takes this team by the back of the neck ad kicks it in the ass. We need some fire here. Someone who just hates to lose. I also think hiring Torts would give the franchise some respectability that it sadly lacks. Right now the league and all it's pundits are laughing at the franchise. I doubt Torts would put up with anyone laughing at him or his team......Sir William

I have to agree with Sir William here. If any of you believe the Isles under Ted Nolan were a team that "hated to lose," then you weren't watching carefully. Rather, the Isles seemed very complacent at times last year while going through the motions and allowing inferior teams to walk all over them.

Everyone loves to cite the lack of talent or injuries to Witt, Silinger, or DP as the reasons for last season's collapse. But the truth is that the Isles last year proved they could compete with some of the best teams in the NHL. And with a full healthy lineup they still failed to show up on many nights throughout the season.

I think Tortorella is needed for this reason. I think the Isles younger players need to learn right away the kind of mentality it takes to endure through grueling 82 game season and so I think the "voice" in the locker room needs to be of the type Tortorella would bring. I'm not sure how important the head coach is in terms of "developing young talent" as has been often discussed here. The assistants etc. should be primarily responsible for developing players, whereas the head coach should be more concerned with overall strategy, work ethic, and encouragement.

I don't think any sound-minded individual would put Tortorella in Arbour or Bowman's league, but it does say something about a coach if he's got a ring.

The next Ranger fan who comes on here, whether anonymous, or with a true handle or as an imposter, and posts a comment about the Isles not deserving to be in the league or on Long Island is not a hockey fan.
If the Isles leave you are destined to watch hockey on your boob tube.

Let's face it jackasses, if it were not for the Islanders, THE RANGERS would be the laughing stock of the league.
Hundreds of millions spent and ONE CUP in 68 years.

And the best rivalry in all of sports is the Isles/Rangers Rivalry.
PERIOD.
Without the Isles, the homeless Ranger fans(can't get your hands on a corporate ticket) have no place to go to catch their favorite team.

CUZ YOU AIN'T GOT THE MONEY TO SEE A GAME.

You people are friggen HYPOCRITES.

You love having the Isles around.
You would not see live hockey with your favorite team without NVMC.

Try to get real with yourselves.
Get a grip.

Or simply move 2 time zones away and pay your pennies for NHL Center Ice.

Children.

505

It's not that fault of the Ranger fans that Johnson made these comments. Blame yourselves.

Good day.

Candy ... I agree with your overall comment. I think Torts would defintely be an upgrade over Nolan .... especially for his more recent experience in today's NHL ... and you hit the nail on the head when it comes to who is responsible for the actual developing and teaching of young talent. That being said ... a head coach also spends a lot of time with kids more than you'd expect. He's just as much invested in them as anyone else would be.

Torts is in a special class of coaches because he has a ring ... and we all know ... look at the Rags ... just because you have talent .... doesn't mean diddly squat unless you have the coach who can do something with it.

Torts as Sir W has mentioned repeatedly ... would blow some fire up the team's collective asses ... I'm just not confident that the kids would respond positively to that ... on the other hand .. maybe Torts would temper some of that fire with the understanding that he's dealing with 20-23 year olds still learning the finer points ... if he can do that .... he's definitely got the goods.

505 ~ ^5 .... well said my friend.

Anon / wuss who doesn't post a handle..... who the hell cares about Johnson?? Seriously now. All he did is make himself a target .... goodluck in NVMC Johnson. LA Blows. Kings ... a team that lives in a bigger shadow under the Lakers than the Rags do under the lowly Knicks. At least the Isles have a rabid following. I've been to Kings games in LA where that bigger building seems more empty than NVMC... but I digress ... I'm not going to get into a pissing match about a team on the other side of the continent ... who gives a feret's a$$. Besides, Rags can't beat the Isles much at MSG or NVMC lately.. what's their lame excuse?

I can't believe the same troll is harping on the same attendance thing since the genesis of this board...which was YEARS ago. Hey Logan, get your pen and notebook ready, we have some breaking news here - Islander games don't sell out. I never knew that before.

FINALLY!!!!!! this is probably the FIRST article ive read in a long time, in reference to worst trade, worst signing, worst anything, THAT THE ISLANDERS ARE NOT APART OF!!!!!! But our cross town RIVAL the RANGERS ARE!!!! What is this world coming too...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?page=screenshots080723

Wow it felt pretty good reading the rangers made the 2nd worst off season overpayed signing with WADE REDDEN!!!!....Before i read the article, I said to myself..Im sure the ISLANDERS will be on this list w/ STREIT or WEIGHT!! even though i dont think we overpayed, I figured, we are the ISLANDERS....

Come on LADIES AND GENTS!!! To all the pessimistic fans on this BLOG...CHEER UP!!! Things are moving forward for the better... I feel it...Its gonna be a long JOURNEY, but we all need to STICK by this team and continually support these YOUNG kids!!! WE NEED to fill up the rink and SUPPORT!!! We need to show these kids we BELIEVE in them, CHEER FOR THEM and the ONE of my biggest PET PEEVES are when FANS BOOOOOOOOOOOOO there own team!!!!!! YOUR NOT a fan if you BOOOO your own team...FANS CHANT LETS GO ISLANDERS even when they are down 5-0 in the 3rd....NOT BOO THEM OFF THE RINK!!!!!!!

Im trying to switch my work schedule so i can ATTEND more games this season, or possibly look into a 10 game package...Just finished COLLEGE, and going for my MBA next year im gonna be strapped for cash, so im will do my best to get to as many games as possible...IM hoping my company supplies me with a few games this year, which they usually do!!!

PS....Im looking to get into Human Resources, entry level...Gettin my MBA in Management w/ a concentration of HR...Gettin my HR certification first, then gettin my MBA...I know we have alot of BUSINESS people on this BLOG, If anyone knows of any AVAILABLE positions or can HELP a FELLOW die hard ISLANDERS fan out, it would be much appreciated!!!

Bravo Tonysac....

BRAVO.

Good luck with your job search.

Garth could probably use a little HR consulting right now.

There’s a very long Q&A with LA defenseman Jack Johnson conducted by Don Fulton on the Inside the Kings blog for the LA Daily News. He has a number of interesting thoughts about developing confidence in the NHL and life during his first season and his relationship with ex-teammate Rob Blake, his mentor who is now with the Sharks.
At the end, he was asked “What’s your call on the worst NHL hockey city?
“Johnson: (Laughs). Oh, I’d have to say the Islanders’ rink and the area just around there was the worst. (laughs)
“Question: Okay, how about the best?
“Johnson: I think the best place was New York City, Madison Square Garden.”

http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/the-morning-skate-carcillo-throws-em-so-might-the-khl/

There was a show on early this morning on MSG plus called Islanders Illustrated I think it's going to be repeated this afternoon, anybody catch it? Was it any good?

TO ALL: ... I know that I'm just a grumpy old fan but I have to say that today's players are SPOILED. Thes kids that need "nurturing and development" really need a boot in the ass. They shoul be on their knees thanking God that they have the talent and good fortune to be playing in the NHL. How many of their teammates in college or juniors are working in factories or at entry level jobs just to make ends meet?

What they need is a healthy dose of discipline and responsibility.
That's why I favor Torts over the other coaches.

My first indoor games started at 5 am on Sunday mornings at the old World's Fair rink in Queens. I took the bus and the subway loaded down with all my equipment and hoofed it from the train station.

I know, I know. I sound like my father telling me that he walked 2 miles to school in the snow, uphill both ways, every day.

But I am just making the point that playing in the NHL is a privilege. But it is also a job that pays very well. So I do not see where players need to be pampered to do the job that they are being paid so well to do.

That's why I'm grumpy. I expect people to work as hard as I did.
I was in charge of over 50 people in my prior employment and if they didn't bust a gut everyday, I got rid of them and brought in someone who wanted to work.

So I guess I just don't get all this " be nice to the young players" attitude. I want a coach, not a care bear.......Sir William

Sir William ... I agree with you 1000000% there ... my oposition to a hardass coach really is based on the makeup of today's primadona players.... I'm not saying that today's kids don't work hard .... but if they had to experince what their dads and grandads did at the rink ... they'd probably take up skateboarding or something.

I used to have to get my arse up to Yonkers for some games while living on Staten Island ... let me tell ya ... Yonkers was a cesspool of a rink to go to. I'd get there for 1am practices because you couldn't get ice time. My teammate Tommy Bee would drive 4 of us in his old Dodge Charger with a hole in the floor ... and a screw driver to put the car in drive. That old battle axe of a car got us all over the tri-state area for 2 years.

One time we took a train to the Staten Island Ferry, then subway to Grand Central Station to hop on the Metro North ... and then a taxi to the rink .... 2 and half hours from the time I walked out of my house to the doors of the rink ... and it was a bloody 15 degrees outside ... thank god we beat the pants off the other team. I guess we were peeO'd. There after we called that other team the Westchester Wussies.

Our hockey gear could be stuffed into a normal gym bag except for shin gaurds and helmut ... we didn't wear as much padding back then.... no wonder I'm deranged.

Hey Sir W .... I was going to bring up Mike Keenan in a good comparrison to Torts.... I think Mikey only has seen 3 playoffs since winning the cup with the Strangers ... that is also another reason why I don't put much stock in coaches that are "one-hit" wonders while icing an all-star team.

Anyways ... I hope all are having a great weekend ... I'm out again. Later Skaters.

~~~ 505 ... what do you think of that Yankee trade?? I'd like it better if Posada was healthy .... that is gonng hurt down the stretch.

19Isles..
Great trade by Cashman.......I was sorry to see Ohlendorf go. I think he will be a good one down the road...at least he gets to go somewhere and get some time.

I fear that we have seen Jorge catch his last major league game.

37 year old catchers with a serious shoulder surgery is not much different than 37 year old centers getting hip surgery.

Whoops....last post was me...I was having fun with Neil Best on his blog with the "rick Swenson" name and forgot to change it.

Speaking of the Yankees trade, I went to the Pirates web site to see what the Pirates are saying about the trade. It sounded like what the Isles said about the moves they made at this years draft. "It will give us organizational depth and make us competitive in the years to come,blah blah blah.As an Isles fan, I say to all of you Pirate fans "I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!"

The Islanders really won't be all that young next season. They will probably have as many 30+ players in the opening night lineup as most teams in the league.

Guerin
Weight
Sim
Park
Sillinger
Sutton
Witt
Martinek
Streit

Then if you think about it, most of the so called "kids" really aren't "kids". They are young players who have pretty much in limbo for a while:

Bergehheim
Tambellini
Walter
Neilsen
Walter

The only "kids" i see making the roster are Okpose and Comeau, possibly Bailey (but he should be sent to juniors IMO)

By contrast, the Flyers will have 7 30+'s in their lineup, the Rangers if they don't sign Shanny will have just 4 (if you count Roszival who will be 30 by opening night), the Pens will have 6. The Devils on then other hand will be loaded with over 30's.

Whomever asked about Islanders Illustrated on MSG Plus... It's a very well produced, informative 30 minutes that will have you yearning for them to start the season already. Josh Bailey did a great interview with Shawna Ryan and our favorite announcers all speak their minds during a good segment.

Well I don't think Jack Johnson put out a hit on the Islanders, so see I can actually be objective...I took a different perspective on it.

Quotes like that make the case for a) the Lighthouse to move forward as quickly as possible, and b) the Islanders to put out some kind of marketing/PR program to show the true merits of Long Island. We who live or visit the area know that the Island has some gorgeous places and is, for most, a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Visiting players mostly know the depressing drive from LaGuardia, MacArthur, or Republic Airports, and the asphalt jungle surrounding the Coliseum. If that was the only experience I had of an area, I wouldn't consider it that nice either. MSG on the other hand has a major location advantage, and everyone with half a brain knows how wonderful the City is.

The negative perception around the league is borne from a lot of exaggerated points with nuggets of truth in them. We love the Coliseum, but the fact remains that it's a crumbling dump compared to the new arenas being built all over the league, and it sits in a desolate sheet of pavement. Once the arena renovations begin and the area around comes alive, perceptions will change. The Islanders should also, as I've suggested before, put together a 30-45 minute promo presentation of Long Island starring Bossy, Trottier, Gillies, Christie Brinkley, and other local celebrities and Islanders who've made their full-time home in the area. They should then send this video to every agent who represents an NHL player or a draft-eligible prospect, in order to prove there is more to this area than what visiting players see.

The perception can be changed, but you have to blame the team's PR as much as the setting for it. Let's get shovels in the ground for the Lighthouse as soon as this SEQRA nonsense ends, and let's take back our team.

I have to comment on the Islanders Illustrated, it was informative and had some great Josh Bailey goal highlights, but it did feel like it was produced by a local high school at times. Steve Mears looks like he hasn't slept in weeks. There is something unnerving about a man who looks like he hasn't seen the sun in the middle of the summer. Having said all that, Isles Illustrated does leave you wishing for colder weather.

I for one am looking forward to this season. Who the coach is does make a difference as to how the Isles will play day in day out, but I can't get too caught up in it emotionally. Not yet. When the Islanders turn into this years Blackhawks, I'll be satisfied. If they crash and burn, I suppose I'll mosey on down to the Mausoleum with marshmallows. Either way I remember reading Newsday on the LIRR in July of 1997, stunned by the news that our new owner John Spano thought he was living a David Mamet film, and thought he could con the NHL. That was humiliating. This coming season on the other hand has a great upside. We could have a really exciting season ahead. I can live with a crazy owner, as long as they stick to the plan.

Let's go Isles!

Back on land.

I see I have not missed anything except for Troll city and the Ranger Fans stopping by to throw some jabs. Has anyone told them they lost their three best players form last year yet???? No JAgr, No Shanny, No Avery.....My god they are going to be one boring team to watch next year.

Still no coach.....???? Sooner than Later Bobbles....You cannot tell me they did not have someone in mind, knowing Nolan would be axed. Get it done!

Stability is the key to any franchis and any business. You would think the Wanger would know this!

Hey Steady, no troll here, just a Rangers fan

Zherdev scored more goals than any Rangers forward last season and if you think he is a boring player, than you have never seen him play.

Henrik Lundqvist actually is the Rangers best player and he is still around and anyway, when has being an "exciting" team every translated into trying to be a winner anyway?

As a Isles fan I would like to see garth bring in a coach with creativity on both sides of the ice.
On paper the Isles dnt scare many teams. I think they have a solid team returning-especially if DP can be patient in net.
I liked Nolan as a coach but he played a defensive style game-reason why the Isles were in so many 1 goal games.

I think this team can be better if they open the offense up....

Go Isles!

Nick: Well said and a good thought. I think if the Islanders did a little research on a team such as the Edmonton Oilers they might be able to compete a little better in free agency. I have heard a lot mentioned about the so called "ride from the airport to the arena perception" and one of the teams impacted by that was Edmonton and of course the Isles have the same problem. I bet the Chamber of Commerce already has a nice DVD of Long Island and maybe it only needs to be edited to include the Islanders. Just a thought.

The Islanders will be a different team with a different coach, but lets not forget that a guy like Mark Streit will open up the offense a heck of a lot more than your coach will without a guy like Streit. Campoli should also help as he had a decent breakout pass coming out of his own zone. If you have no transition you have no odd man rushes which at 5 on 5 is where your best odds are at scoring. On the PP you need a guy who can get you in the zone and setup and do it on the first try with a buck 45 remaining on the PP instead of 20 seconds.

I would like to see the new coach get guys to play to their strengths and protect them from situations that expose their weakneses. (Example from last year...Satan on the point on the PP and NOT down low) Another example off the top of my head is Trent Hunter going to the front of the net? Why is the biggest guy on offense with a proven scoring touch not planted in front of the net where he can have ample scoring opportunities? That always made me scratch my head.

Dude...If Lundquist is your best player you have a lot of problems.

He cannot even beat DP head to Head.

Zherdev is a good player with a very very poor attitude. If he gets upset, NY will eat him alive.

My point was your team had a very good nucleus that got torn at the seams.....You were gutted like a Bluefish.

Not trying to argue, as I put my own team down and realize we have our own problems.

Then again, I do not go on your blog b/c I could care less. Et tu ????

Steady. Don't mention DP's name in the same breath as Hank's, that is an insult to all hockey fans. Who cares how many times DP beat Hank and Brodeur last year? What does that matter when two teams made the playoffs and Mr. Glass got hurt? AGAIN.

If you're telling us that you would rather have DP over Hank, then you are clearly insane. Listen, your best player is a 34 year old stay at home defenseman (who'd I'd love to have, by the way), but that doesn't say much for the rest of he roster. Do you watch hockey??? Lundqvist was the Rangers best player over the course of the entire year, Jagr was for the last 4 weeks. He's the best goalie in the East and the third best in the NHL (Luongo, Nabokov).

I agree, they'll miss JJ. Shanny and Avery, not so much. Shanny couldn't move from the All-Star break on and Avery just wasn't worth 16 for 4. Zherdev and Naslund will pick up JJ's slack. Dawes & Sjostrom will pick up Shanny's and more. And, Callahan and Voros will pick up where Avery left off.

Now, begin with the "wee one" and all your tired comebacks, you know, "I've forgotten more hockey than you know", that's my favorite. That's right, I'm a Ranger fan commenting on the Isles blog, and no, I'm not the Troll that ruins both boards. Just commenting back on you comment.

Let 'er rip if you must.

Steady,

well, Lundqvist can beat DP health wise head to head any day of the week.

And I actually have never seen DP as a finalist for the Vezina trophy, not once.

If the Rangers had signed Avery to a 4 million dollar a year deal coming off wrist and spleen problems, you'd be laughing at that.

Naslund is just as productive as Jagr was. Stats, have a look sometime.

Just because this is "your" blog, I don't think gives an Islander fan like yourself license to spout out lies and misinformation about my team

Interesting read, and a glimmer of hope for the future:

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=369048

Brian....You are too funny. Do you just come on here and stalk people or what? Funny how I have no clue who or what you ever write about, yet you know all about me......Guess I got a fan! Guess I am the one you wish to be like huh ?? Actually 505 said you posted on another site that I was the best blogger....GOTCHA!

If you think DP cannot be mentioned in the same breath as Lundquist...You are wrong. Switch teams in front of them for the past couple of years and DP would bury him. Look at Lundquists stats before they got Avery and before in 06 they switched to a team defense style.....He was avg at best! How many times did he get pulled last year?

To you and Dude.....LMAO that you will not miss Avery. Keep drinking the kool-aide.....Look at your record in 06 and 07 without him in your line up. As for Jagr....My God are you kidding me that Naslund and the cry baby will make up for his production. You are off your rocker. Teams had to adjust their whole game plan around Jagr. He was a one man wrecking machine. He simply could not be defended by one player alone. Now you have NASLUND ??? LOL LOL LOL LOL ......as for Shanny...Ever hear of something called chemistry? Leadership? pressure player?

How do you know how the new guys will adjust to NY? You took known assets and exchanged them for lesser unknown assets. Poor move.

How many cups combined do your replacement players have ?

Please do not respond to this...Move along...You're small poatato's.....Go post on your blog. I will not respond to your childish, nonsensical replys so don't bother.

p.s You were picked to win the cup last year and lost to a young Pitt team...After your goalie got lit up like a pin ball machine and did not protect a 3-0 lead in game 2....Simple facts!

Steady,

Everyone who knew what they were talking about predicted both the Senators and Penguins were better than the Rangers last summer.

Hey, did you miss the part when Pittsburgh traded all it's youth for Marian Hossa in an effort to win the Cup last season? Not that different from you guys "going for it all" in the Smyth trade.

Hossa dominated in the series vs the Rangers. Probably the biggest reason they won the series. The Penguins made the finals, remember?

Steady,

you talk about childish remarks, however you always are the one who does it!

I have a feeling that you are the troll that has infested these boards for 3 years.

You cannot have a hockey discussion without getting personal, it's hysterical.