If Islanders fans haven’t already circled March 5th and the 8th, the dates for the next home-and-home clash with the Rangers, they should. When the Rangers traded for Sean Avery on Monday, they added a whole lot more spice to the rivalry. In fact, when the deal happened, I couldn’t help but wonder if their 0-4 record against the Islanders this season is why the Rangers imported Avery from Los Angeles, never mind that he’s Brendan Shanahan’s friend.
The grit and passion Ted Nolan’s Islanders have developed this season is a trait the Rangers obviously are going to have to match, not only in the playoff push now but for years to come. Obviously, they can’t get by strictly on skill level.
Part of me says Avery would have been a good fit for the Islanders in the sense that he’s a tough forward with some skill who plays with a chip on his shoulder. I never brought his name up specifically to Garth Snow, but I’m certain the Islanders’ general manager at least investigated his availability because the Kings are an obvious seller and Snow has strong ties to their front office.
But what makes this move so interesting from the Islanders’ viewpoint is the obvious distaste defenseman Brendan Witt has for Avery. Witt has absorbed all kinds of punishment this season and shrugged it off as no big deal, but he was absolutely livid when Avery speared him during the third game of the season in Los Angeles. Avery was a real pain in the rear for the Islanders’ defensemen and goaltender Rick DiPietro that night because he set up shop in front of the crease and would not be moved.
In the second period of that game, Witt and Avery clashed with the Islanders’ alternate captain winding up with a double minor for retaliating to what was called a slash by Avery. The Isles had a season-high 13 penalties that night at least partly because Avery got them so riled up.
Mistakenly thinking a local L.A. reporter was defending Avery’s actions in a question after the game, Witt unleashed some strong adjectives describing where he thought Avery fit on the food chain and added, “He’s lucky he’s alive. We all know what kind of player he is. Instead of confronting me head-to-head, he takes the easy way out and spears me. He gets what he deserves.”
When the reporter explained that he meant Avery overreacted and took things too far, Witt was only slightly mollified. “Oh, he overreacted? I guess so, but you can’t touch Sean Avery. He’s got a publicist. So, he’s Mr. Hollywood here I guess.”
Explaining the incident, Witt said, “The spear was pretty evident. I don’t lose my cool unless something like that goes on. That’s a cheap shot and an easy way out instead of confronting me face-to-face like a man.”
Since that incident, Witt has been a regular “Cool Hand Luke” when it comes to handling the rough stuff. Remember how he baited Shanahan and Colton Orr into dropping the gloves and then took their punches to draw penalties in the second game at the Garden? I’m not sure Witt will show such restraint where Avery is concerned. It might even be a good idea for Nolan to put Arron Asham out whenever Avery is on the ice. Any fireworks between those two would be worth the high price of admission.
Comments (39)
CRACKHEAD THEO, CLAP CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP.
part of me misses cairns beating up on theo and sandra mccarthy.
All due respect but Newsday has enough Ranger updates from their blog writer and there are far more important things happening between now and our next game with the Rangers than to rehash old quotes from the third game of the season.
How about some updates on Poti and our injured players are getting close or if were interested in Samsanov. We need new information on what the club is up to. Zipay wrote we may lose Blake, how about confirming or denying?
The fact they need to spice up a rivalry is insane.
The NHL sucks
Come on Greg, this would have been a nice post for the Rangers board. How about some updates on injury's, where are we with Blake's contract status. Are we in the market for anybody this trading deadline. This team is only a few points back of the 6th-8th playoff spot and we are talking about the Rangers acquiring some low life from the Kings...give me a break.
What rivalry? This hasn't been anything close to a rivalry in about 4 years. These players don't even know any of the history between the two franchises. There is no bad blood at all. Just because the rivalry continued its run from the 1970s until about the 2002 season doesn't mean the rivalry has existed since. This used to be the greatest rivalry in all of sports. Not even close anymore. The rivalry aspect is gone between these teams.
Why can't we get a writer who is a Islander die-hard fan and understands our team is the only team in New York. Greg Logan is a quality writer but the overwhelming thing is clearly this is just a job to him. You can see it in Zipay, he loves his job and treats it like every day the fans should know what's going on like it's a public trust. Brooks and Dellapina root like they have cablevision stock and do does the person in Westchester.
No offense Mr Logan, I know you used to cover the Rangers for Newsday but how about treating this teams beat like were New York's team.
I just looked at Zipay's blog, he has four updates in one day.
Practice update.
Update from arena
Injury report
Even one of Newsday's extra's wrote about Avery trade as well as Zipay's blog update.
We got two updates a week at best.
Bergenheim just said he spoke to Wang recently and they are going to work to get him signed next year, how about some comments from Bergenheim or Snow?
wow... I'm not the only one! Thank you fellow fans for barking up!
I'm not going to put too much stock into the rags getting avery, except the fact that they needed him with all of that "talent" is funny. GREAT JOB BRENDAN WITT!!!
Steve Avery is Matthieu Barnaby with a publicist. Nothing better than wtching cairns pound him, while he's laughing... I'm pretty sure Barnaby went to school on the short bus. Avery probably sat behind him, next to the hot chick who drooled on herself.
I think shanahan is a tremendous player, wish he was an Islander, but he really needs to improve his circle of friends.
The next 25-30 games are what hockey is all about. I agree that the "rivalry" has lost some luster, but it has less to do with the players than it does with the ISLANDER FANS.
I remember when I was able to go to 10 - 15 games a year. The mix for the rivalry was 80-20. Now it seems more like 60-40 at the COLISEUM...with ranger fans having the advantage.
APATHY is a very dangerous thing.
When you see seats owned by season ticket holders being occupied by ranger fans for those games... call the owners out on it.
I hear that's a pretty popular way to defray some of the cost for season tickets now... THAT'S WEAK!!!!
Don't be wasting Asham on Avery, let's give Simon the job to finally earn a portion of his salary.
Hey JP, as a season ticket holder who never misses a Ranger game, would never give, or sell, my tickets to a Ranger fan and goes to 1 or 2 Islander games at the Garden every year, I understand your point. However, I don't think someone who can only "remember" when he went to "10-15 games per year" should be telling any season ticket holder they are weak. When you buck up the $3000.00+ per year which keeps this team on Long Island instead of in Portland, you can talk. Until then, keep your whiney mouth shut about what we do with our tickets.
Second, I actually go to the games, and have been going for a very long time, and I will tell you first hand, there is no way the NVMC is 60-40 Ranger fans. It is probably 65-35 Islander fans. You can tell by the way the Lets Go Ranger chants are drowned out by the lets go Islander chants and the cheers after Islander goals are almost double the decibels as after Ranger goals. It may sound odd to have anyone cheering in your building when the other team scores, but there is no way there are more Ranger fans the Islander fans normally. Maybe the TV mics are set up near Ranger fans so it sounds like more to you on TV, I wouldn't know.
While 65-35 still sounds terrible, if you go to the Garden for an Islander game the percentage of Islander fans is about the same, maybe better. I went back in December and sat in the section directly behind the Rangers penalty box. The entire section was Islander fans all in our orange or white jerseys. Guess where we got the tickets from? Ranger fans trying to reduce their season ticket costs (or giving them away to prospective clients to get business to try and reduce their season ticket costs among other things).
Next time you want to call the season ticket holders name, check you bankbook and see if you are helping keep this team on Long Island. Given you “memory” of going to 10-15 games a year, my guess is your not.
Rivalry? What rivalry? The Isles have won 4 Cups since their inception; the Rags one--and they did their best to bankrupt Roy Boe and the Isles with that absurd $4M new-franchise fee. Still the Isles prevailed--proudly. (So much for the 'free-market' myth.)
Isles fans are fruitcakes because they have a soft team that gets exhuberant just being in the playoff hunt. No on outside of Long Island gives a rats ass about the Isles--they are not feared, they are not a particularly good team. Their home ice stadium sucks. There owner is an idiot. There GM is a nice guy and thats it. Get over it fags--the isles suck
Four cups,
We've had this discussion before... on the yahoo board I think.
1. You're correct, I never bought an Islander season ticket. I couldn't afford one until I moved off the Island. I shouldn't have said it. You are right, and I am sorry
2. Last year, in a few different post rivalry games Hahn reported that it was like he was watching the game at the garden. I definitely got that feeling watching the games on TV. You have to admit that it is WEAK. I've been to Met games in Philly where the Met fans outnumbered the philly fans 2-1. But I never expected to hear POTVIN SUCKS as loud as it has been, even in the Mausoleum.
3. as far as my "memory" goes... I grew up in Brooklyn. I was the only Isle fan I knew in '75. In 79, at 15, I had to go to the felt forum just to watch the playoff games on closed circuit. I also remember getting soaked with warm bud after a potvin goal... and the bloody mess that guy was when they pulled me off him....
so... If you'd like to make reference to my "whiney mouth" or whether it stays open or shut, we can have that conversation in person. I WILL BE AT A GAME THIS YEAR. We can meet at the bar and enjoy a beer and discuss the long time we've both enjoyed the Isles, or we can meet in the parking lot... I'm up for either, but would rather have the beer... I'm getting too old for childish things.
Oy! My Rangers! Four losses this season--and to the Icelanders, of all things! Oy gevalt! How come they're ahead of my Rangers? How? Is there a conspiracy? My team is classy and has classy fans: Blue-seat toilet paper throwers, a fanbase that rioted and attacked the Icelanders bus outside of MSG, Ron Dugay being serviced in Bellvue by Beloved RagHag Groupies. No doubt--my Rangers are the team to beat, and Lundquist--who needs Brodeur? DiPietro?--c'mon--no way is he any better than my future Hall of Famer Lundquist already, OK?
RagFag seeks Buddy. Men's room, MSG, Sunday, 5:10. I'll have my Steve Vickers jersey on.
Meet you there, Steve. What level? Bareback?
"Please Read This," honestly, just stop whining. At this point, if you don't like Logan's coverage, I'd recommend not buying Newsday and not visiting the website. Check out thedriveforfive.com for something that's more akin to a journalism/fandom hybrid.
Logan is a good sportswriter who would rather make his blog posts detailed and substantive than give updates we could get from watching the FSN feed. If you don't like this approach, that's your business, but it's not going to change because you bitch in the comments section.
...all that said, though, I have to confess that I'd have preferred a post that wasn't inspired by a Rangers trade. As others have suggested, maybe some coverage of the Blake rumors, or an update on Bergenheim.
I guess these so called Rangers fans are getting bored with their team so they feel the need to come over here and start stuff. But what else does the typical 35 year old Rangers fan have to do at 1:50 in the afternoon besides sit at home in their parents basement thinking of ways to make themselves feel better...
Ted:
If the ISLANDERS suck, why are the rangers peering up at them in the standings?
NYI 1972-73
JP, like most internet toughguys, your threats are a joke, although I am very easy to find. I am at every game. We'll see what kind of balls you have when you come to "a" game this year.
That said, I am not questioning your's, or anyone else's fandom. What I am saying is, you have no credibility complaining about the people who do buy the tickets, if you yourself do not buy the tickets. You don't like amount of Ranger fans in the NVMC? Buy a ticket yourself and there will be one less Ranger fan in the arena. Season ticket holders do not have to sell their tickets to the Ranger fans, there are 6000 empty seats nightly. Every wonder why the Ranger games are sold out while the Thrasher games get 10000? Most of the the other 6000 seats are bought by Ranger fans.
The only think weak is the people complaining about the building not being full of Islander fans when they themselves do not go to the games either. Obviously if you do not live here you have an excuse, but if you can't help out, don't knock the people who do.
Typical Long Islanders talking the talk as if challenging someone to a fist fight over a blog makes them tough. Hey Fourcupsin4years, the guy just threw you a mulligan and offered to share a beer with you instead, relax tough guy. Other than getting nothing in return for the high cost of living, property taxes, etc, you sir are the exact reason I couldn't live on Long Island after 35 years and finally had to get the hell out of there. I can't stand the egos and tough talk on Long Island and 180 pound lighweight schmucks walking around with oranges under their armpits and sticking their chests out as if Long Island is some kind of gang turf. The kids I could handle, it was the overzealous, insecure adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. You spend thousands of dollars a year on petty Islanders tickets, so I'm assuming you're not a kid, which makes it even more sad and pathetic. You have season tickets to watch this Mickey Mouse organization, so did I when I lived there. Maybe you can kick my ass too. Get a life you insecure dumbsh*t.
You people need the grow the hell up, it's like reading a message board filled with 12 year old girls.
Ok, ok, I'll stop it now. I apologize to everyone if this silliness annoyed them. I am most sorry that my point was lost in this.
Who says there's no more fighting in hockey?
FWIW, the Dec 26th game at NVMC aginst the Rags was indeed dominated by Islander fans. Ranger fan cheers were droned out and when the Isles scored, it seemed like the whole building rocked. Will it continue? Who knows?
Avery: Avery will add spice to the rivalry because he is definitely the kind of guy we'll love to hate. He's the new Theo.
I agree that the insults should be cut down. It's like listening to my wife's attorney! Enough!
Bottom Line: Eight straight games with a point. I'm not the biggest expert on hockey, but Nolan must be among the best in the game at coaching and all of us should be happy that the games still have great meaning at this point of the season.
Okay girls, let's get back to some serious hockey commentary.
Topic: Peter Forsberg
I don't want to see the Isles use up $6 million of cap room on this guy. Besides the fact that a trade would require some of our draft picks or prospects (which is entirely contrary to the 'rebuilding' character of this team, I think), Forsberg has been constantly injured over the past 3 years, he hasn't played a full season in I don't know when, he's gonna be 34 this year, and he hasn't done a thing to help Philly either on or off the ice. My buddy (he sometimes posts under the name 'Rokin') thinks any reasonable offer giving us Forsberg should be grabbed. After all, he's PETER FORSBERG, and you grab him if you can.
I say pass. Care to weigh in?
I agree with cincy... foresberg isn't worth it. We do need to maybe grab a guy with skill that will make individuals around him better... I just hope its not Samsonov either (that is if he's still on the market). I wasn't too upset with tonights loss to the devils... a fluke goal off a clearing attempt... the SH one hurt a little... as long as it doesn't become habit again we'll be alright. Sat. Game against the bruins is a must win... this team is struggling and there is no way they should beat us...
1st post...the islanders need a huge upgrade, a playmaker Definatly. Lets take a look at what the underacheving bruins did last year. they traded away Joe Thorton, the sharks and the bruins were both stuggleing and they HAD to make a change.
I feel thats kinda what the islanders need to do, give up some young talent get an all around player, for example Rick Nash, Try for a Gaborik(i know unrealistic) just somehting needs to be done.
As far as Yashin, his confidence went out the window with that knee injury, might as well right off his season.
Def keep Jeff Tambs, he has a great upside... Nilson i think we can part with, hes playin very intimidated.
whatever happened to bergenheim? that kid was a good player he could skate play physical makes plays, bring him back up.
its time for a change, they must do somthing.
Funny but Ranger fans are the last to be talking about empty seats or opposing fans because Msg is packed with Islander fans roasting the Rags with " You can't beat us chants ".....
Sabre fans, Devils fans, Wings fans, opposing fans are having a nice party at Msg this year.
Dolan can annouce a padded sellout but we all know the real truth and that a Rag ticket is just as easy to get on gameday as an Islander ticket.
Cincy: Let's raise the skill level on the questions for bloggers..... Peter Forsberg is a definite "NO"
4cups,
No... I'm not a season ticket holder...and I apologized for my comment. But unlike most "internet tough guys" when I do make the 400+ mile trip to see a game I'll look for you.
I'm thinking if you're 6'2" 220 the fans might get to see some action. Otherwise, you'll take me up on the beer. I'll leave that up to you. :-)
Tough one last night, but you can't win them all. The devils are not only better right now, they are HOT... but the Isles, especially DP put up a valiant effort.
How does everybody feel about the 99.9% comment by Nolan? I have a feeling that was a HUGE dig at Yashin's manhood. If he isn't back soon, they might just be buying him out after all. $4M for nothing is better than $7M for nothing... even Wang can figure that out. Let's hope that's not the case... they can really use the OCT-NOV Yashin.
Is it just me or is Ted in danger of burning out his already short handed defence? Last night guys like Hill and Poti stayed on the ice way too long on the PP. By game's end, Hill was dragging big time, especially on the last Jersey goal.
I agree with everyone here that Forsberg isn't the answer at the deadline. As well as the Isles played last night they still lack scoring and won't get that far against teams that are playing "playoff hockey" as DiPietro was quoted as saying in today's article. I still move that we should be sellers when it comes to Jason Blake. The guy's value is at an all time high and while this move might not be popular it could set us up very nicely down the road. I'm not advocating giving up on the season, but a guy in the last year of a contract having a career year equals overpayment.
Also, I would not part with any of our young talent for a veteran rental player. We are more than one player away from making a run unless of course we could get a Nash or Gaborik as Rags said.
BRING BACK THE PRIDE OF THIS ORGANIZATION - PAUL KRUSE, DOUG HOUDA, BRAD DALGARNO, ARIS BRIMANIS, BILL MUCKALT AND ERIC FICHAUD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great responses to the Forsberg question (not just because they agreed with my opinion), and also the other comments made.
themass: I agree completely about last night's game. I've never seen the Isles play this hard - give this much effort. Ok, forget about period 1. They outplayed Jersey in the 2nd and 3rd. It's a game if inches and the breaks went the devils' way - this time.
Rags: Bergenheim is playing in Europe - remember Wang's policy about playing no one who's not signed by training camp. He 'unavailable' this year. Huge shame considering what a great fit he is for Nolan's system.
Champ: The ice time for Poti, Hill and Witt reminds me of what Laviolette did to Aucoin. He bled him dry. Time to trust Campoli and Meyer with more ice time.
JP: You win the prize. Excellent observation on the 99.9% comment about Yashin. When I read that, all I could think was that Nolan believes Yashin is actually healthy (hence 99.9%), but that he's a wuss and is using the knee as an excuse for not playing balls-out hockey (like you saw from every other player last night).
cincy:thanks. I really thought nolan got to yashin in the first two months, and I was willing to cut him some slack for the injury... but that comment leads me to believe that Nolan is not "100%" behind his captain... and I am 100% behind nolan... Yashin has to do a lot of making up for lost time...
chris: I think you are right about blake, but in my heart I think it's the wrong move. guys like blake don't grow on trees (add punchline here).
He irritates everybody, including his own teammates (much like Avery), he's a puck hog among other negative reviews pertaining to his game, but he's a freakin' TIMEX.. he takes a lickin'...blah blah blah... I want him on my team, but I want him getting some PK mins back...
I don't know if the NHLPA will allow this, but I bet Snow is dangling Yashin and Bates right now. He's got a sign on yashin that says, "we'll eat 40% for 3 years" contract." If that can happen, and it only costs the 40% against the cap, he has value for a team on the bubble looking to attract fannies... now if we can just get MM a job with another NHL franchise. We might even get an all-star "d" and a first rounder for him.
Steve: You just may have been the worst NHL coach this franchise has had. It was hard to look at that "wait until your father gets home" scowl every time somebody took a "lazy" penalty... Like Asham... who AMAZINGLY doesn't appear to be "LAZY" anymore... maybe you can reprise your role as a mediocre minor leaguer for SLAPSHOT III... THE WHAT THE PUCK!
I think Cincy is ready for a new position called Fan to The Man Director. Cincy has a nice blend of common sense ( Yash, Campoli) mixed with a good understanding of the game. He, like many of us, see the short term and long term needs of the Islanders. Let him sit with Garth or Charles or Mad Mike and explain the viewpoint of the paying fans. He can then report back to us in this blog on the things we really want to hear.
You clowns should really ease up on Greg. How do expect him to fall for the Islanders when the so-called faithful sound like a bunch of smug comic book nerds. You don't know what's going on his life. Maybe he can't monitor your comments all day and night. I love the Islanders as much as anyone, enough to know we shouldn't run the one true Isles beat writer out of town because he's not breaking trade news a few months into his first year. Why don't you instead focus your anger on rallying Long Islanders to sell out the coliseum. There's 4 million people out here, 5,000 more at a hockey game is not a lot to ask.
You clowns should really ease up on Greg. How do expect him to fall for the Islanders when the so-called faithful sound like a bunch of smug comic book nerds. You don't know what's going on his life. Maybe he can't monitor your comments all day and night. I love the Islanders as much as anyone, enough to know we shouldn't run the one true Isles beat writer out of town because he's not breaking trade news a few months into his first year. Why don't you instead focus your anger on rallying Long Islanders to sell out the coliseum. There's 4 million people out here, 5,000 more at a hockey game is not a lot to ask.