Iblog1102
During training camp, Islanders coach Ted Nolan marveled on almost a daily basis about the “magic hands” of Miroslav Satan, and former New York Post reporter Evan Grossman (BTW, congratulations to Evan on his new NHL.com gig) queried Satan about the possibility of a 50-goal season. When Satan lit the lamp just 1:45 into the season opener in Phoenix, it seemed he was primed for an explosive start.
But 11 games into the season, Satan still has just that one lonely goal. Considering the lack of production from a player who led the Islanders last season with 35 goals, it’s amazing the Isles have a 5-4-2 record going into tonight’s match with the Devils in the Swamp.
Part of the problem is that Nolan has been using Satan at the point on the power play. Last season, Satan had 17 power-play goals, but he was positioned down low where he could use those magic hands to score rather than set up others. Nolan shifted Satan from the left point to the right, where he is more comfortable, and let him work lower on the right side, but it didn’t trigger any scoring. Against Chicago, Nolan went with Sean Hill and Tom Poti at the points at times on the power play, which scored three goals and improved to first in the NHL on home ice.
Now, Nolan says he might use Satan in a forward position with the second power-play unit to increase the scoring threat with the man advantage. Obviously, there’s no need to tinker with a successful combination of forwards Alexei Yashin, Mike Sillinger and Jason Blake on the top unit.
As for Satan’s play at even strength, his whole line has struggled to put the puck in the net. Center Mike York is off to a decent start with three goals, but Hunter has only one. Nolan has shown no hesitation about juggling his personnel, but for the moment, his strategy is patience.
“No, no shakeup,” Nolan said after Wednesday’s practice. “York’s playing a lot better. Trent Hunter hasn’t scored too much, either, but his play has been outstanding. He’s hitting the body and making the proper plays. Miro’s playing well. It’s a matter of time before it all clicks together.
“That’s one thing about great players. Look at Mats Sundin a couple years ago. I don’t think he scored in the first 15, and all of a sudden, he catches fire. There are certain times you’re going to go through periods like that. Miro has to keep shooting the puck, and one day, it’s going to go off someone’s skate and hit two shinpads and go in the net. Then, all of a sudden, it starts.”
Many years ago when I had Montreal’s Vincent Damphousse on my team in my hockey goal pool and was on the verge of trading him, I happened to be in Montreal and picked up a copy of the Gazette. Legendary columnist Red Fischer counseled the same patient remedy for Damphousse’s slump. “The goals will come,” Fischer wrote. “They always do.”
For the good ones, he meant, and he was right. Certainly, Satan is one of the good ones. Just think of how much better the Islanders will look when Satan does start finding the net.
Comments (17)
Tambellini or even Nilson would make a world of difference right now. I think the Buffalo game was enough evidence that the Finesse game is no match for youth and speed.
Good stuff Greg...Hopefully Satan and Hunter both get going after they way they looked tonight while owning the Devils...
I tell you what the Islanders are starting to look pretty good, lets go out and smash Atl on Sat. Yashin looks like a totally different player
If you're a Long Islander and you're not getting excited, there's something wrong with you! It's time to forget Colonel Wang's Off-Season Contract Bonanza and get the Coliseum rocking again. I haven't been this excited about the team since 2002. The potential is all there, we just need to make it happen. I still want to make some changes to this team, but right now, we're looking pretty solid and balanced all the way around. Go Isles!
1st place for how a night
It goes more than just the absurd prices of the tickets though as to why this franchise has such jaw-dropping attendance woes. Let's face it, if this team had an identity and came out of the gate winning 10 straight as Buffalo did or as they themselves did in 2001-02, the Coliseum would be packed. However, this team has no identity any longer. Every single character player that made that team of the early part of the decade a fun-to-watch product is gone, for no good reason either. Right off the top of my head, there's Dave Scatchard, Steve Webb, Eric Cairns, Mike Peca ... These guys were not only fan favorites who actually were a major force in putting fans in the seats, I've been a die hard Isles fan my entire life. I won't pay to go see this team though, nor would I go to see last year's team. This is not a likable bunch of guys. The marketing of the team is just deplorable. It is run like a minor league organization, geared entirely towards elementary school-aged kids first, the casual fan second and die-hard fans last. Unlike great organizations in other sports that market entirely to their die-hard and knowledgable fan base and market their unique history, not the Islanders. They prefer to market similar to Sesame Street On Ice -- everything's just sweet peaches and happy all the time. And while most teams have a crasher-and-destroyer out there -- a guy who just goes out and lays people out (a la a Ryan Hollweg, Jordin Tootoo, Darcy Tucker, etc. the Isles prefer to sign a slug like Chris Simon who's not much of an improvement over Eric Godard. Give me a Steve Webb or Kevin Colley-type of player any day and this team may just put some more fans in the seats. They are not an entertaining product. I'm someone that's been involved in and have been employed in some capacity within either the NHL or its clubs or the NHL media for the past eight years. Most of the die-hard and knowlegdable fans will see exactly what I am talking about.
Miro will come around. This team is SOLID all around. Watch them get better...
PLAYOFFS 2007!!!
NY, what team are you watching. The team has improved on every level and all you want is steve Webb back? Simon has been a great skilled touch guy addition and as for fan favorites give the mostly new team time to make an impression on the fans.
If you don't enjoy watching an improved on-ice product the Rags and Devils could always use more fans.....
I will say, I had absolutely ZERO expectations for this squad this year.
Did anyone else expect a first line of Yashin- Blake combo to be more than the underachieving combo that didn't last 3 consecutive games it was the last 3 seasons?
I mean, the season's still young and the Isles will likely revert to the mean, but so far, the MVP of this "first place" squad hasn't been Blake or Yashin or Sillinger, but obviously Ted Nolan!
How hilarious would it be for a team like the Islanders, (widely predicted by most to be the worst team in hockey to win a playoff spot this season!?
I can't believe one coach could make this big a difference!
I understand where all the frustration is coming from but I really think something is going on here with this team and Nolan. Yes it is early and we have seen this before but this team is playing good sound hockey. Yashin is in a whole different world this season. If we are still playing like this come thanksgiving we really need to start packing the Coliseum again and get behind these guys. Look at Bufallo and Carolina last year, no one thought those teams would even win 30 games. You just never know, it is all about work ethich, drive, and the ability to execute.
don't get too excited they will have a losing record and not make the playoffs
"It is run like a minor league organization, geared entirely towards elementary school-aged kids first, the casual fan second and die-hard fans last. Unlike great organizations in other sports that market entirely to their die-hard and knowledgable fan base and market their unique history, not the Islanders. They prefer to market similar to Sesame Street On Ice -- everything's just sweet peaches and happy all the time." I can totally hear what NY is saying. I'm not a fan of all the cutsie stuff some NHL clubs do nowadays. I hope the Islanders don't become that. But there are instances that I will never EVER get over, like changing the jerseys from the classic ones from the 80s and early 90s. But at least the fishsticks are gone. I'm still excited about the team and happy to see them finally coming around! Go Isles!
Hey Greg,
I'd like to start out by thanking you for doing such a good job with the Islanders this season. I was kind of worried when they weren't getting much press over the summer, but you've turned things around quite nicely.
I was wondering if you could do a piece on Jason Blake. In my opinion, he is very underrated and is deserving of wearing an "A" on his jersey. The rumor going around is that he is not very well liked in the locker room. Is there any truth to that? I hope that he remains an Islander for a long time because I love his hustle and energy.
Thanks and LETS GO ISLANDERS! BIG game tomorrow LETS MAKE A STATEMENT!!
The Isles played their best game against the Devils last night. What an effort. Yashin continues to impress and like Greg said in today's Newsday, the penalty kill on that 5 on 3 was the turning point of the game. I agree with some of the postings that I would hope to see Nilsson or Tambellini up with the big club soon. I really think Nilsson can point up some points.
Keep up the good work Greg.
It was nice to see Miro get a goal on Thursday, but his shot is just off.
I was watching him in warmups the past two home games and he keeps trying to go top shelf and missing. he was actually shaking his head in warmups. He was shaking his head in last night's real game as well on two chances he missed--including one up high in the first minute of the game. I agree that once he finds his accuracy, he'll be scoring a lot more.
It was nice to see Miro get a goal on Thursday, but his shot is just off.
I was watching him in warmups the past two home games and he keeps trying to go top shelf and missing. he was actually shaking his head in warmups. He was shaking his head in last night's real game as well on two chances he missed--including one up high in the first minute of the game. I agree that once he finds his accuracy, he'll be scoring a lot more.
Chris Simon is my hero