With only a month left until the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline, rumors are bound to proliferate as they always do. But Islanders coach Ted Nolan found one speculative report published recently in Ottawa particularly troubling. The report suggested Nolan is embroiled in a feud with winger Miroslav Satan, wants to trade him and is angry that Satan is invoking a no-trade clause to block any deal.
Nolan just shook his head in wonder when asked about the report privately after this morning’s skate. “Satan is one of the nicest gentlemen I’ve met in the NHL,” Nolan said. The Islanders coach acknowledged Satan has been struggling this season with only 13 goals and naturally would like to see him get going. But he indicated there has been no move to trade Satan at this stage.
Somehow, it doesn’t seem surprising that the report came out of Ottawa, where the Senators’ general manager is John Muckler, who did not get along with Nolan when both were in Buffalo and Satan was a rookie with the Sabres. The fact is that Nolan has done nothing but heap praise on Satan this season, starting in training camp with frequent references to the winger’s “magic hands.” Nolan also promoted Satan to the first power-play unit and has shown a determination to keep him there ahead of captain Alexei Yashin, who had great success on the top power play early in the season.
But why let the facts get in the way of a good story?
BLAKE’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: Except for the pain of trying to break in new skates in practice, Jason Blake still was beaming from his All-Star experience in Dallas when he rejoined the Islanders for the morning skate today.
“It was an awesome experience, definitely an honor to be there with the players that were there and to be mentioned in the same category as those guys,” Blake said. “It’s a little overwhelming. It was great to have my family there. I brought my little guy [3-year-old Jackson] on the ice at the skills competition and let him play around a little. I brought him in the locker room. Overall, I wanted to share the experience with my family, and it was totally worth it.”
Two games before the break, Blake was accused of spearing Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, but Blake said Crosby brushed it off as nothing to be concerned about when he mentioned it briefly. “I’m not a dirty player, and he knows it,” Blake said.
As part of the All-Star events, Blake and Crosby were among the five players at a press conference for the unveiling of Reebok’s new NHL uniforms designed to be more aerodynamic and lightweight and to absorb far less moisture. Some players and fans are resistant to any change that might alter the traditional look of the game, but the effect wasn’t as dramatic as some might have expected and seems to fit with the high-speed style of hockey the NHL has encouraged.
Blake, for one, is a proponent of the uniforms. “They felt good,” Blake said. “I got a chance to wear them [at the 2006 Winter Olympics] in Torino, when Nike made them, and I liked them then. It’s lighter, it breathes better, and it doesn’t absorb water. The most important thing is, if a player feels better on the ice, he’s probably going to play better. At least, he feels he’s going to play better. I like it. Some guys might have a different opinion, but in the new NHL, we’re trying to move forward and this is just another step in the right direction.”
The All-Star Game also gave Blake a chance to get to know his Eastern Conference teammates much better. He seemed especially fond of Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, calling them “great, great guys.” The three of them rode together in a car from the hotel to the arena. They were greeted by a crowd of at least 5,000 fans lining a red-carpet walkway, where they were introduced and interviewed before signing autographs for many of the fans.
“Dallas should be very proud of how they put this All-Star Game together,” Blake said. “It was definitely first class. It was things you can only dream about. My dream came true.”
Reminded of the playoff push the Islanders have to make, starting tonight against the Thrashers, Blake smiled and said, “Back to reality, huh? It’s exciting to come back and get going again. We have 35 games left, and we’re two points out of eighth place. It’s very important for us to be ready to play and make sure we play our best hockey from here on out.”
KEYS TO THE PUSH: Nolan has spent much of this season experimenting with different power-play combinations. He had a lot of early success with Mike Sillinger, Blake and Yashin as the forwards on the top unit but lately has settled on Sillinger in front with Blake and Satan on the wings. As Sillinger explained it, “I think the coaching staff’s theory is we try and have one side work off the right and one side work off the left. Miro and Blake like to handle the puck, and I’m in front of the net. I think he’s trying to create a different setup on each side.”
No doubt, Yashin benefited from time off to help his recovery from a sprained right knee. He has only one goal in his past 15 games but played well in the Isles’ 3-2 win at Philadelphia before the break. “It’s good to have a few days off with my knee to get some rest so it can be [ready],” Yashin said. “So, it’s a lot of energy, and with 35 games left, we have to come out and play as hard as we can to get where we want to go.” Nolan spent some time in discussion with Yashin during the morning skate and said his knee should be 100 percent now. Asked if they spoke about the need for leadership on the ice, Nolan said, “I think subconsciously he knows. He doesn’t have to be reminded all the time about how he’s got to play. It just comes with the territory. It wasn’t talking about that. It was more, ‘Let’s enjoy this challenge and compete and have some fun.’ The best way for everyone to have fun is winning some hockey games.”
Just before they left on break, the Islanders spent a full practice session working with their mental coach on methods to stay focused on the present rather than getting caught up in big-picture issues. Nolan said mental toughness will be the key, especially because the Islanders know they are best when they stick to a defensive style that is aggressive but still disciplined. “We got back yesterday and revisited that message from the mental coach,” Nolan said. “Down the stretch, the team that maintains their focus shift by shift and game by game is the team that’s going to be there at the end.”
Comments (19)
****PLEASE READ***
I hope you guys will find this as cool as I did. I teach 5th grade in the city and for the past 4 years I've been not only introducing hockey to my class but I've also been training them to love the Islanders while also hating the Rangers. Right before the Christmas break we all wrote letters to famous people as a way to teach them to address letters. I chose to write to Charles Wang. I explained to him about my class and their new love of hockey and the Islanders in particular. Not only did he send me a personalized letter (not one of those template ones) but he also send goody bags for myself and my entire class! In these bags were hats, pucks, folders, stickers, pictures and magnets. Needless to say the children were so happy (as was I!) ...I tried to play it cool infront of them but I couldn't.
I'm posting this because I really thought Mr. Wang and the Islanders organization went far out of their way ...the letter to me would have been plenty but all of those gifts (each bag had to be like $40) was amazing. I never thought I could be more of an Islander fan than I already was but this has made me more devoted to the team and him as an owner.
Just thought I would share that very positive experience with all of you ....let's go Islanders!
AZS - you made my day. That is one cool experience. It certainly backs up what many former players and those in the organization havee been saying about Charles. The team and organization have turned around 180 degrees. It has become a fan-friendly, class outfit. About time.
Greg - I've been hard on you in some of my past posts. I hope you've understood the spirit in which my comments/suggetions were made. But along with constructive criticism, I must commend you also. Today's blog is excellent. The piece on Blake was good, but I especially liked the report out of Ottawa and Nolan's comments in particular. This is the stuff that Isles freaks like me crave.
Now, that said, how about some trade info, huh?
If you get them to become fans as kids they will be fans for life. The more Isles fans in the city the better. Good move by Wang & the organization.
No one ever said Wang was not a nice guy....But he simply knows NOTHING about hockey or who to hire to run a team....The guy is a joke....One of your children could run the team better! He keeps Milbury around!
Enough Said !
Seeing Dipietros sad sad performance last night, I can only assume he missed the whole mental focus meeting thing? What a pity last nights game was. I mean to let up 3 goals on 5 shots in under 6 mins into the game?! I really hope Dipietro has the flu or something because theres really no excuse. At least the rest of the guys showed great resilience and pulled out 1 pt in an extremely tight Playoff race. I wonder who starts TODAY vs Buffalo...
Steady: "But he simply knows NOTHING about hockey or who to hire to run a team."
He's hired Ted Nolan, univerally acknowledged as one of the best coaches available, and he's hired a boat-load of former Islander players (Trottier, Bossy, Morrow...). So obviously your observation is, uh... off-base.
Upset by Yashin's contract? So am I. Think the 15 years he gave DP is foolish? Me too. Want Milbury out of the organization? I do too, although we're probably unjustifiably paranoid. But don't fault him on the really GOOD moves he's made by making silly, blanket statements like your quote above. He cares about the Islanders... he cares about the fan base, he cares about the poor condition of the arena, and he's backing that all up with vast amounts of $$$. Give him and me a break.
I too agree that some of Wang's decisions have been unorthodox and I'm not going to act like I've agreed with all of them but we also should remember the other person who was willing to buy the Islanders ....that would be nobody. If Wang didn't come in and buy the Isles who's to say the team would still even be here? He's trying to get a new building in place and because of him we'll have a team on LI forever. Just my view on it atleast ...
Charles Wang may not have know anything about hockey when he bought the team (remember the copy of "Hockey for Dummies" he brandished at the press conference?), but everything the man has touched in his life has turned to gold. He cares about LI, cares about the fans (who else is willing to release hundreds of $85 seats for $19 just to fill them?), and cares about this team. The questions now are:
1. Is he willing to roll some dice and let Snow get a game-breaker at deadline time?
2. Can he navigate the ridiculously treacherous dual waters of the Nassau County Legislature and Town of Hempstead to get something done with the building?
We shall see.
TO CHARLES WANG AND THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS: Please adopt those "retro" jerseys that were worn on Saturday night as the new 3rd jersey. Ditch the orange jersey. Those "retro" jerseys were very sharp looking!!!
I agree with you edgar, those jerseys were sharp looking. I wish they would get rid of the orange sweaters.
I have liked the Isles resiliency these last two games. Coming back from 3-0 against Atlanta and then hanging with the Sabres, very impressive. I really can't get on DiPietro for the Atlanta game, the guy has has been very good this year. Aside from the W-L record, his stats are just about identical to Ryan Miller, and he played in the All-Star game. Hopefully as we get closer to the end of the season, DiPietro continues to play well and the Isles make some sort of move.
For those fans out there that love prospects, I think we really have a good one in Kyle Okposo. I saw him in the World Juniors and have watched him during the college hockey season. He looks like he could turn into a player.
Great seeing some from the old team on TV last night; wish I was there. For you younger fans, Eddie Westfall was a class act all the way. And the Isles gave us a class win. So "LONG ISLAND" Newsday: Why lead with a Jagr/Rags article? Pathetic! Get bought out by BigPig Murdoch and lose your jobs...there's plenty of chickenhawks the rightist propagandist can hire who can write sports, eh?
There still seems to be some dissent among the teammates and animosity towards Yashin. Blake's comments are right on when he says we need our best players to be our best players every night. While Yashin showed some life for the first couple of months this year, he has faded away. This team will not be a serious contender until his contract is moved off the books. So we have 4 more years of boderline playoff type team. I love the passion on the team, but it is just a team of 3rd liners that has no margin for error. No one who can really take the team and carry it on its back.
Eddie Westfall was a class act all the way.
It's a shame he and Jiggs aren't calling games for this once proud organization anymore. Howie Rose is just horrible for hockey. I agree that he's a good Mets broadcaster, but for hockey he talks too much about non relevent things and doesn't do the play by play calls as they're happening. Billy Jaffe is even worse. He's just all around unlistenable. With all the former Islanders available and in the business, the Islanders even manage to screw up their broadcasters, with all four of them having zero ties to the Islanders. Our two analysts [Jaffe and Chris King] have never even played any kind of professional hockey. Both are Isles PR guys that you can see right through. Analysts are supposed to be former pro players or pro personnel [ie] GMs, coaches. Jiggs and Eddie come back to Long Island!
I completely disagree with you Christian, I think Howie and Billy have done a great job this year and very much enjoy listening to them do the games. By the way Jaffe is a former ref and has much experience through his college hockey playing days. I feel that he has done a very good job of analyzing the action. Jiggs did do a nice job filling in for Howie, but I like the chemistry has evolved between them. The one change I would make is Deb Kaufman. Can we get the Maven in between periods?
I disagree with you too Christian. Don't get me wrong - I cut my teeth listening to Eddie and Jiggs and they were superb. But I now watch my hockey via the NHL ceter ice cable package since I live in Ohio, so about half of the Islander games I see are from the opposing team's TV feed. Rose and Jaffe are clearly the cream of the crop. It's incredible how much the other announcers miss in a game when it might not present their team in a favorable light. Stuff that crucual to the outcome of the game. But Rose and Jaffe are very aware of the nuances of the game and most often point out details that might otherwise be missed by the viewer. Jaffe is especially good at giving insight on the mood of the and the effects of Nolan's approach to the players. Believe me - you'd change your mind in an instant if you had to sit thru a game listening to the Capitals announcers. Even the TSN guys in Canada are hugely biased in favor of Canadian teams.
Chris R - thanks for the info on Jaffe, I didn't know that about his background. But I do disagree with you about Deb. First of all, she's pretty easy on the eyes (despite the 'slip mahoney' thing going on with her mouth). But she's also quite insightful with her questions in interviews. I think the thing that really needs to change is the Jean Potvin. He's absolutely horrible. Zero insight. Zero analysis. It's all obvious stuff that even an occasional viewer could figure out for himself. And yes - no one can dissect the game better than the Maven.
Yeesh! Remember when the Isles hired ex-Rag goalie Eddie Giaoccaman to broadcast in the early '70s?
I can live with Howie and Jaffe, but the Devils have the best hockey broadcasting team in the NYC area, I hate to admit.
Would be nice, yes, to see Bossey, Trottier, Nystrom, Jiggs, and a few others pop into the booth and do some analysis, too.
funny how so many of us can have exact opposite opinions! I used to despise Rose and wasn't too keen on Jaffe when he stepped in this year, but I've learned to like them. Granted they are not Jiggs and Eddie but they do a very good job I think. Rose should leave the comedy act at home though, some of his jokes are horrendous. I enjoy Jean Potvin but can't stand some of Deb's questions and get the feeling that at times, the players and coaching staff cant stand them either. The Maven can stay with the Rags and the Devils. Sometimes I like him and sometimes his stubborn tough guy act drives me crazy. I think the old man is going a bit crazy in his old age, but I have to admit, it is entretaining at times.
I dont see how anyone who watched the game can fault Ricky for giving up 3 quick ones in ATL?! It ws pretty obvious that the team came out flat as could be and our D was non-existent. You can only expect so much from your netminder, and its not like the goals given up were easy ones to stop. We just broke down entally and I think seeing ricky get pulled woke us up and got guys feeling guilty about letting him down. You've gotta love how this team battles back though!
The win against Buffalo highlighted what this team is truly capable of if everyone gives 100% for 60 minutes, and its even better that Blake and Yashin didn't get on the score sheet.
I have to agree on staying with the retro jerseys! If it aint broke, dont try to fix it. I kind of like the orange jerseys to though.
great story about Charles Wang, thanks for sharing. Its a bummer to always hear the negative stuff.
thaks for the blog
3 gritty points over the weekend. This stretch could make or break the playoff push. Nolan was quoted that mental toughness will be the key to make the playoffs. True. However, that should be the case at any stage of the season and every game. Mental toghness is an intangible asset and hard to measure. Major keys to the success of the Islanders making the playoffs are as follows: 1. Satan. He must get on track and start putting the puck in net period! this would give them two top scoring lines, adding the 3rd line(sillinger, hunter, hilber) and a solid depth 4th line(bates, asham park). That is a solid 12 forwards that can play with anyone. 2. Power Play has to get much better. Too many o fers. Yahsin should be put back on the first unit and Satan dropped to the 2nd. 3. Goaltending. DP has improved greatly this year. His numbers are very good and must stay that way. These are tangible assets that can be measured and if they do it the Isles will make the playoffs going away maybe a higher seed than the bottom 2.
I think Jiggs should be back in some format, maybe Saturday home games and games in Florida/Tampa... I don't miss Eddie as much as Jiggs, but I dont' think at Jiggs age he could take the day to day grind, but I would love to see him back in a some role. I think Jaffe is fine, but I'd rather have former Islander (D.Potvin or Nystrom?) as color analyst as long as they are objective. Similar to Hernandez/Darling in Mets booth. I think the radio sounds like some college hockey broadcasters, can't we get somebody who wants that job? Missing the days of Barry Landers and Nystrom in the radio booth