On the Islanders Beat

if they dont play aby better the next mode of transportation will be a golf cart! FORE!

DEAR ISLANDER FANS,

I AM TRULY SORRY..AFTER GETTING SIMPSON,I TRIED TO REACTIVATE MYSELF I FORGOT THAT AFTER TRADE DEADLINE I WOULD HAVE TO PASS THROUGH WAIVERS, WELL I DIDN'T BUT EVEN THOUGH I AM NOW A NEW YORK RANGER, I WILL STILL DO THE BEST JOB AS YOUR GM..WELL AT LEAST WITH THE RANGERS I WILL BE IN THE PLAYOFFS.
YOURS TRULY, GARTH SNOW

This is not good news and most likely signals the end.

Funny, this season is going to end very simialar to last season. We had a team that took too many nights off and tryed to play catch up in February. By the time the team started playing they got hit with the injury bug.

As I recall the loss of Zhitnik was the final straw last year.

This season the team went on flight deck after the trade deadline and by the time you think they've righted the ship they lose Smyth, Meyer and Dipietro.

Figures. I think Hilberts Karma has infected this franchise. It's certainly snakebitten.

After signing DP to a 15 year deal and giving up 3 high #1s for a guy who may walk in April, I think they should also check Garth snow for brain damage.

GARTH, you have certainly got a crash course on Managing an NHL Team. Goodluck competing with all the other GMs trying to shore up their D.

GREG!!! Did it ever occur to you to ask the "genius" Nolan why he won't start Dubie? What it would take? I think even if Dunham lets in 5 goals a game that... oh... wait... he did that. Well, ask him any way. I'm curious.

DOOBIE WILL GET BURNED, JUST LIKE DUNHAM IS GOING TO, WE DONT HAVE A CHANCE, WE WILL REALIZE THAT BY MONDAY

As a non season ticket holder (just live too far away), and somebody that can only try to make a game or two every year, I'll just note my opinion here... take it for what it's worth... not much.
First of all, let's hope that the team has Rick's HEALTH at the forefront of their decision process. If that means he sits for the rest of the season, so be it. He's been a tremendous asset to the team all year, but right now his health is the most important thing. If you are so inclined to do so, keep him in your prayers.
Secondly, and I can't say this enough... Whatever happens on July 1st and beyond, as a fan from 1975 and until they blow the franchise to smithereens... THANK YOU, Mr. Wang for keeping the Isles on the Island, Thank you for making an effort to bring a quality product back to the fans of Long Island and thanks for not putting up the white flag this season.
I hope they make every effort to keep Smyth, Blake, Poti, Asham and Hilbert. But whatever shakes out, I now have some level of confidence that the organization as a whole is pulling in the correct direction. That is a feeling that I haven't had in a long long time.
It's been bad ownership, bad management, bad coaching, players that didn't want to be there, fans that couldn't help but be disgusted with all of it.
THAT HAS CHANGED.
Snow has made an effort to bring in quality players that fit into the coach’s scheme.
Nolan has brought stability and unity to a team that was CONSTANTLY fighting internally.
Players seem to be happy with the environment, and those that are not, can be managed out. That situation alone is worth a pat on the back for Mr. Wang.
I hated the idea of management by committee (The Bobbleheads)... but I'm not going to bash them for this season's effort.
And let's not forget, it is 3/29, and they still have a chance to make the post season. I didn't catch a whole lot of "surrender" as others have posted on my TV. I'm still enjoying games and will continue to.
I will say that I dread when they play the devils. Yes, the devs are a superior team currently... but they are also the most boring team in the league. They have also magically found a way to TACKLE players without being penalized... I bet they are the least penalized team in the league, but if you watch the games it appears as though their opponents are always skating through mud when devils are around... they couldn't be holding or interfering, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE A PENALTY.
So.. much like my other spiritual endeavors I will leave that as a great MYSTERY. Amazingly, the team for which the rule book was changed, has not changed, but have basically been GRANDFATHERED into the new era. BRAVO!!!

Now.. more importantly...
LET'S GO ISLANDERS...
And get well soon!

Dubie should start Friday and every game...The team does not respond well to Dunham in net. Case closed.
Nolan has a love affair with Dunham and I cannot understand why?? I understand Dunham has been the backup all year, but he has not played well, so what's the harm in starting Dubie?????!!!

Read today's Daily News article on DiPi...He should not play again this year...Our future depends on him. Why risk it all for 8th spot??

NHL Network in canada is reporting on their ticker that the Islanders just re-signed Steve Webb too, not sure if he needs to clear waivers first and I don't see anything on the Islanders site about it yet. Greg can you confirm?

"a person with knowledge of DiPietro’s situation"

I hope Greg hasn't been talking with Milbury--although I suspect it would be foolish to chraracterize Mad Mike as a person with "knowledge" of anything. Btw, JP, Milbury is the "mystery" I struggle with, especially with forgiveness on the theological side!

Nonehteless, in early March, I thought acquiring Smyth without addressing the shortcomings on the backline could be akin to getting a great new toy, but forgetting to buy the accompanying batteries. Unfortunately, that appears to be the case. Let's just hope and root for the best.

Can they sign players this late in the season and have them qualify for the playoffs?

Anyone know?

Kevin T,
No once trade deadline passes anyone signed after can not play in playoffs.

Can someone please force Nolan to play Doooobie! Garth, Charles, Mike, Mrs. Nolan, DP... someone please say something.

I don't think they can. Perhaps if a regular player in the lineup gets injured they are allowed to "call" up a player from the minors. Maybe they can say that Campoli has "raspberry" burns from sliding on his A** the other night, then just some kid a shot from Bridgeport. The Devils called up a kid named Clarkson who has been terrific.

Maybe if we all bring Doobies to the game and smok'em at the same time, Nolan will get high enough so he could be talked into playing him.

Fire Nolan. 99 good decisions are worthless if the last one kills the team. Play Wade Dubielewicz.

I don't get it. I just don't understand! Why won't Snow or Nolan or anyone from the team management say, definitively, that DP has a concussion?!? This constant "maybe" is getting annoying.

PotvinSux, good point. Logan drank the Cool Aid for the Islanders about 4 months ago. He posts anything that is positive without back-up but waits until 10 other outlets have the news before he posts anything negative. The posters on this blog have more hockey knowledge than Logan. Greg, enjoy the Cool Aid. Maybe the Isles will rush DP back and make things even worse. You can write about him being healthy and then the Rangers team bus ran him over on Hempstead Tpke rather than him never fully recovering from the first concussion.

Chris S,
Agree with you. This hush hush stuff with this injury is ridiculous because it smells like cover up and spells disaster.

What I want to know. With all this going on. Can the union or the league get involved to make sure this is taken care of correctly? I mean unions are great thing and I would think they should look out for this guys safety right now. Maybe even the league jump in here and make sure all the right steps are taken for this guys health?

This team is in shambles and it start at the top...Told it to all that would listen...Until the owner or mgmt change, we will be the joke of the NHL.....TIED to a concussion prone goalie who will retire in a year or so, while we pay him against the cap until we are all old and gray!!!

I'm DONE !!!

Is it true that DP had a concussion earlier in the season? How many has he had in his career?

Kevin: yes, DP had a concussion before recent events. If someone will 'fess up, this could be either his 2nd or 3rd.

Anyone notice the name Elliot Pellman? Yes, one of the Dr's discussed in an article in ESPN the Mag earlier this year for his "treatment" of concussions in the NFL? Wayne Chrebet anyone? Can we get a sincere Dr. who will stand up for the long term health of a player instead of kowtowing to the pressure of management to get sick players on the field/ice? Clearly DP is the future of this franchise... comprimising the next 14 years for a handful of games is ludacris.

Where is that guy that kept making fun of me for saying "DP would be done????"

Why isn't he bashing me for saying that DP was out for a long long time a week ago?????

Oh b/c I was right and he cannot admit it? Then agin he may be with Campoli in Buffalo???

SELL THE TEAM WANG FOR TRYING TO REINVENT THE HOCKEY WHEEL! :

a) 15 yr contract to a goalie that has concussion here and at BU!

b) Lafontaine and others with great hockey respect left you after listening to your Bull Sh^t for a week!

c) Anyone that lets Milbury even in the state of NY let alone in the building and pays him should be destroyed!

d) Gave Garth Snow a GM deal when he could have waited one year and saved the 700K against the cap...Who else would of signed him???

e) Milbury again!

is the steve webb thing true?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
LETS HOPE IT IS

Steady,

Would have been interesting to see what Smith did as GM.

Shame on him for wanting to make decisions!

That is the GM's job right?

DP, last time I checked that was the definition.

Let me preface this by emphasizing that my remarks below are in no way meant to minimize the human concern for DPs health and welfare.

Addressing Steady's clarvoyant outburst concerning the end of DPs career and his future salary counting against the cap - section 50.10(d) of the CBA provides for an incrase in the salary cap for a team equal to the salary of a player with a bonafide long-term illness or injury.

Questions for Logan to investigate and report on:

1 - I seem to recall that the provisions of DPs contract require that he be paid until the end of the contract term, or until he retires. Is this true? If so, does retirement include a career-ending injury?

2 - Are there express league rules regarding the impermissability of a player to play after incurring an officially diagnosed concussion, without first passing a neurological exam? If such a rule exists (or someting similar to it), is there motivation on the part of Islander management to prevent DPs concussion from being officially diagnosed in order to prevent the league from being the sole determiner of his ability to resume play? In other words, is the lack of transparency with regard to DPs injury simply a way for the team to retain control over his playing status?

Greg: With all due respect, in light of the facts and circumstances surrounding this situation, I believe these questions absolutely need to be addressed in your future reports.

Wow...!!!! what a bunch of turncoats you fans are.... 3 weeks ago we are all praising Snow, Nolan, Wang etc... for having the guts to go out and acquire Smyth and making a solid run at not only making the playoffs but making a quality run at going deep into the playoffs. Unfortunately it isn't working out... injuries namely DP of course and others like Martinek, Gervais have caught up with the team. What can you do. It makes no less a man or decision maker of Nolan, Snow and Wang.... Grow up all you traitors.... and fairweather "fans"!

Hey Steady, don't let the door hit you on the way out. You right, Rico's concussion is all Wang and Snow's fault.

Cincy ~

Are you kidding my guy...I mean who do you think you are...You have been wrong on 100% of all things argued and act like you are king Islander Fan....Get a grip please!

And to answer your question...If he has concussions you think he will retire and give up that money??? IF he shatters his ankle and can never skate again does he reitre or get all that money??? THAT IS WHY IT IS CALLED A CONTRACT....WE ARE TIED TO IT...IF NOT why wouldn't every team in the NHL given Lindros a 15 yr contract towards the end...If he gets a concussion who care it is long term illness and we are covered...NOT...

By far the worst comment I have EVER read!!!

p.s WHY WOULD DP EVER RETIRE??? HE WOULD JUST NEVER PLAY AND MAKE THEM PAY HIM...THAT IS THE CHANCE THEY TOOK !!!

p.s STOP KISSING this guy LOGANS A^^....

cj ~

I have not been PRO ~ Ownership or PRO ~ Snow.... EVER....I said right off the bat that the Smyth deal was bad and WANG is a moron for all his doings. First and foremost being the crazy contracts, keeping Milbury around, etc. etc.

Hockey gurus: can someone explain to me how the AHL guys factor into the salary cap deal?

Check this out, Just for info:

I emailed the staff at XM Home Ice and got two replies:

My email:
The situation going on right now with Rick DiPietro.
Is there any action that the League or the Union can
take to make sure that he is 100% healthy before
getting back in the net. To safeguard him from ending
his career due to head injuries such as concussions.
All hypothetical of course because how quiet the
Islanders are keeping things. But, I am just real
interested to know if at any point someone can step in
here and keep the wrong decisions from being made.

First response (not signed):
I'm not sure, but I think it's a team issue. If he wants a second
opinion, I'm assuming they would comply. But its an interesting
question. When is somebody liable?

Second from Mike Rossy:
The NHL has taken a lead in concussion evaluation, treatment and
return-to-play guidelines. Every NHL player completes a cognitive
skills
test at the beginning of the season that serves as a baseline in case
they suffer a concussion during the year. The NHL encourages teams to
keep players off the ice until they regain the same level of mental
skills they had before the brain injury.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for listening!

Rossy

Chris S,
go here:
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/index.html

explained pretty well there.

Steady:

You're starting to lose it today. There are enough idiots who post here that you can flame all night long if you wish, but I don't think you should be going after Cincy for his comments. Objectively, he is consistently one of the more levelheaded and knowledgeable fans who post here. And I think he has been following the Islanders since their inception, which makes him King Islander Fan in my book, or at least an earl.

And this is Logan's blog, not yours, so if someone wants to give him a suggestion, just let them do so.

As your handle says...steady.

Some real investigation on the timeine of the whole DP mess is in order. Get on it!!

Matt ~

You are correct there are many posers and horrible writers that say bad things...I have watched the Isles since as long as I can remember (76) and in NO WAY does that make me KING FAN......Just b/c you agree with his demeanor and style does not make him or you right or better...

To many YES MEN that write here as well....

Look again at who ripped who first...Your so called king shot the first shot NOT ME !!!

Sorry I have passion...Sorry I do not give the mgmt a pass....Sorry I care more !!!!

If I still lived in NYC I would have tickets as well...Still have my season Jet tickets and still attend many many Isles games, which is more impressive then hoping on the L.I.E 15 minutes away....Try traveling 4 hours ~ staying in NYC hotel at 250 anight ~ that is a GREAT ISLES and NYJ FAN !!!......

My comments now get reviewed by Logn...COMICAL....God forbid anyone make fun of mgmt....Guess only KISS A^^ES get to write....

1) Let's hope DP can still play.

2) I now think Joel Bouchard may really have a concussion.

3) None of know specifically the language in DP's contract. How many of you were shocked to learn that the Yankees bargained away a clause allowing them to dump Giambi if he was found to take steroids? If the Isles don't have some mechanism for protecting themsleves based on DP's whims, then the 15-year deal is even more foolish than most of us thought possible.

Even if DP is permanently injured, can't play, and the Isles have to pay, it's possible the Isles have an insurance policy to cover some of that potential loss--although these policies are issued less frequently today than in earlier years. There may even be an arbitration clause if there are disputes over the ability to play. The point is, anything we surmise here now is pure speculation.

4) At this point, why sign Simpson when we could bring up Fata? For that matter, why did we trade Ryan Caldwell for Eric Bougeniecki?

5) Since I'm mentioning call-ups from Bridgeport, I will add this much: the drafts and watching players develop is a significant part of being an Islanders fan, especially when you have a chance to see the guys play at the Bridge. Watching DP and Hunter play in the minors made it that much more fun when they made the NHL. My kids love Bruno and were big fans of Bergie and Nilsson. They got a chance to see Ryan O'Marra score a goal is his first game in Bridgeport and then get his autograph after the game. Is it too much to ask if we can draft, develop, and watch more than four guys in seven years become full time players that can stick with a team that has not won a polayoff series in my kids' lifetimes?

6) I read earlier this season that at one point, 16 of 20 Devils had played in no other organizaiton--and one, Jim Dowd, played with Devils earlier.

Our lack of continuity is is as much a legacy of the Milbury era--and it looks like it will continue for a while.

Steady my boy... I think you need to bone up on reading comprehension.

Concerning your barely coherent ramblings:

My first comment was to address your incorrect assertion that DPs salary would count against the Isles salary cap even if he suffers a career-ending injury. I made no "argument". I simply stated fact and cited my reference.

I next simply posed a series of questions for Greg Logan to answer. You seem to think it's impossible that DPs contract contains a retirement provision. I recall otherwise. Let's see if Logan has the answer. The second question about league control over his ability to play is entirely germane to the question of retirement. It's ultimately whether league rules can effectively end a player's career and may provide some clue about the team's reluctance to release information.

So, relax fella. This isn't a contest. This is supposed to be a civilized dialogue about the Islanders and hockey. We're not trying to prove our manhood here. Please choose another avenue for that.

Wow what a whine fest on here today...a few opinions

Just some bad breaks with these injuries..STUFF Happens...Isles have had bad luck and we cant control injuries
In the offseason the Isles will sign Blake and let Yashin go...at least I am saving money on those overpriced playoff tix

Go Isles!!

I also heard about the Steve Webb news from one of my friends who emailed me about it today. I'm not sure where she saw it but I also hope it's true. Still nothing on the Islanders site about it though. Has anyone else heard about him re-signing with the team?

Fair Weather Isles Fans,
All of you isles fans currently jumping ship are an ambarrassment to the franchise. All you people do is whine and complain. This team is not done just yet, there are 6 games remaining, START ACTING LIKE IT. All you people do is bash the team when things are going well and rip on the franchise when things dont go so well. GROW UP. Injuries happen and theres nothing that can be done about them. Weve lost our best defenseman in Martinek for an extended period, another d man in Gervais for a long time, our captain and one of our better offensive players (like it or not) in yashin for weeks, and Ricky during the most crucial stretch of the season. And after the Yash and Ricky injuries all of you people started with "the seasons over, blah blah blah." You people who jump ship now have been doing so all year, but you always come back just when things are starting to look up. Im beginning to think you people are the reason why things like this happen to the isles. Its as if you look to ridicule the Isles, such as in the beginning of this year when you people were ripping DP and starting with the we want dunham chants after a few games. Now you cant bear to see Dunham in net and Ricky has obviously become the best player on our team. Bottom line is that this team was expected to do nothing this year and to even be discussing the playoffs is an accomplishment. It may be a let down having gotten smyth at the deadline but injuries to your best players will make things difficult. Difficult but not impossible. Nobody said it would be easy.

Now stop being fair weather flip flopping fans, find your balls and support the team for the last 6 games as we try and make the playoffs hopefully with a healthy DP.

For the record, im not targeting all fans in here as the majority of the bloggers are true fans, just idiots like the poster named Fire Nolan. i didnt even want to cite that but it was to stupid to let pass.

This is why I've always been saying how Islander fans are the worst fans in sports ...

Anyone who's been going off on Wang, Nolan or Snow - whinning about "how they're done" ...then be done ...don't post here ...don't go to games (which you probably don't already) and don't watch them on t.v. - if you're done then be done.

I tell you ...I'm embarrased to be an Islander fan - not because of 15 year contracts or backup goalies as GM but because of the fans ...the worst in all of sports ...

and one more thing ...this blog used to be fun to post on but it's so weak ...how about people stop posting with 20 different names and just stick to one name so people know who's who ...

i disagree with isles fans being the worst fans in all of sports, i think we have some of the most passionate...its a selct few that give us a bad rep

GO ISLES

AZS: Take a deep breath. Your points are well taken and quite evident from the negative slant to the posts from the past few weeks. Just try to sort the wheat from the chaf. And keep posting. I enjoy reading what you have to say.

Hey... everyone should be allowed to speak what they want here. It is an Islander blog... isn't it. If some want to make intelligent well-thought statement, he should... I enjoy reading those. If someone else wants to go on a crazy riff and relieve some frustration a/w the team... he should too... I also enjoy reading those. We are all DIFFERENT individuals with ONE thing in common... THE ISLES BABY!!!!!! This is the perfect forum for discusions and arguments...
Now... we may be done. Who cares?? Well.... I do. But its been one hell of a season. Miracles can happen... if they beat buffalo... and I go to church on sunday... we could still be smiling in april. Realistically I know we won't make the post season... but I refuse to give up hope. October is so far away... c'mon isles
Ps- steady... don't let your kids become bruin fans... look at all the fun they'll be missing. Peace... I'm out

Anyone else find the name "steady" hilariously ironic? Get this guy on some meds ASAP. Steady, please do not subject us to any more streams of incoherent garbage until you get your personal issues sorted out (and/or pass the age of 13).

WHY????????????

THE NYI PLAYOFF CHASE BLOG
Thursday, March 29, 2:40 pm: Regier (not Darcy) gets the call, Dunny starts again and Brotherly Love

* Islanders head coach Ted Nolan told reporters after practice that veteran Mike Dunham will get the start Friday night in Buffalo. Wade Dubielewicz will be the backup.

i don't know if anyone saw the Devs/Sabres game last night, but they owned broudore. doneham is going to have to play the games of his life against buff/ott. buff is the fastest team i've seen all year, this is going to be a miracle win if the isles can pull it off. their forth-line guys are probably as good as some teams second-lines. the isles better keep their sticks in passing lanes and legs moving on these guys. goodluck and godspeed.

Yep dw, I am ambarrassment.
:)

Steady, take a pill today. I don't mind controversy if it sparks good discussion, but today you're just venting.

Merrick made good points about building from within. I think that dumping your young players is usually an act of a desperate manager who think they might be fired.

In this case, I don't think Snow was desparate. And in this case, we are talking about Ryan Smyth. It is unfortunate that there have been repeated "mortgage the future" type trades made. Yes, the team has seemed cursed after the trade. But, I think if Ryan Smyth signs it will be huge for the Islanders.

Ryan is a passionate guy who loves hockey and understands that it is a team sport. If he is not playing up to par, it will NOT be because of lack of effort. It will be because of fatigue, sickness, or playing through an injury. He brings it every night. Unfortunately, I don't think the few games that are left in the season will be enough to prove that to the fans. Isles probably haven't had a player like that since they were bringing home the cup.

I still believe that management has a plan and are going to do everything they can to build a team around him.

So it a backwards way, dealing for Ryan was a move for future.

Kevin T.

I just want to thank the more sober and thoughtful fans that have been posting on this blog.

Sure, the season's in great peril. But it's not over yet, and it won't be over till we play our last game. Whether that's a playoff game or not, I can't say. But I can say that it's irresponsible to bail on this team when times get tough.

The mood was great on this blog for most of the season. Things have gone well, better than anyone could have predicted. We won a lot of great games and succeeded all expectations.

Our season may be coming to a premature close. I say premature because I think that we are a contender unfortunately derailed by a series of unfortunate events.

But, as JP said above, this is a well run team. We've got a very good coach, a GM who looks pretty competent so far, and deep veteran leadership. Yes, there have been mistakes. But for the first time in a long time it looks like we've got infrastructure on the Island.

If we don't make the playoffs, I won't be happy. I'll be very disappointed to receive that refund, since my tickets are already bought.

But I'm certainly not ashamed of this team. In fact, I'm pretty proud.

How are Islander fans bad fans? This team hasn't won a playoff series in 14 years. It has been a joke most of that time.

Lets all buy season tickets and cheer for a team which is usually out of it by New Years Day.

Tell you what when ONE OF YOU make a prediction that comes true rather then kissing this teams butt I will stop posting....They tried to shut me down...but even Lopgan the Clown cannot stop me...ALL PREDICTIONS HAVE BEEN 100% correct.....

Sorry for being right...

For those of you season ticket holders ~ you really need to get a grip...Not tough to drive 10 minutes on the L.I.E ~ Try driving 4 hours or flying, staying in a $400 a night hotel in NYC......THAT IS A REAL FAN YOU LOGAN KISS ASSES !!

This season was a failure as are all seasons when an NHL team can't finish 8th.

I'm tired of fans accepting losing and saying what a great season we had even though we don't make the playoffs. Our expectations have been lowered to the point where finishing 9th is OK. I remember when not making the conference finals was a disaster. How the mighty have fallen.

NObody likes when "our" team loses... and I certaintly don't accept it.... but this team isn't losing because of lack of effort like teams of recent history. It is currently undermanned and has been most of the season. They've won at times despite this and because of excellent coaching - NOT PERFECT - coaching but real systematic team play that gelled most of the season but is running into a tough stretch right now... because it is seriously undermanned.... plain and simple.

Kind of funny how some of the clowns here are ready to support Peter Botte of the News who treats this team like garbage and usually only shows up to throw a negative spin on all things Islanders and does not to hype them in his occasional visits to the home games yet Logan who's calling Smyth from airports and going all out to find out what's happening get's ripped for actually working to cover this team?

Botte even stays home when we play the Rags at the Coliseum so Dellapina can write a flukeskirt based article.

Botte's good at piling on when there is bad news, did he even go to Smyth's press conference when he came here.

Hunting down the rumors of Steve Webb's return, I came across this:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1524

is this leftover from years gone by, or an omen of the Scrap Metal Kid?

Once again... what is up with the Steve Webb rumors... are people insane... what do you think SW can do for this team... the guy hasn't played hockey in 4 years. Get a friggin' grip anyone who thinks SW can do anything for even a peewee team at this point in his career. I suspect that "BRIAN" is really SW's Mom posting in disguise.... it's really laughable... and sad at the same time.

Once again... what is up with the Steve Webb rumors... are people insane... what do you think SW can do for this team... the guy hasn't played hockey in 4 years. Get a friggin' grip anyone who thinks SW can do anything for even a peewee team at this point in his career. I suspect that "BRIAN" is really SW's Mom posting in disguise.... it's really laughable... and sad at the same time.

Once again... what is up with the Steve Webb rumors... are people insane... what do you think SW can do for this team... the guy hasn't played hockey in 4 years. Get a friggin' grip anyone who thinks SW can do anything for even a peewee team at this point in his career. I suspect that "BRIAN" is really SW's Mom posting in disguise.... it's really laughable... and sad at the same time.

Ooops! Sorry about the repeat posts... my bad.

Hunting down the rumors of Steve Webb's return, I came across this:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1524

is this leftover from years gone by, or an omen of the return of the Scrap Metal Kid?

I could say the same about the repeat posts... sorry. As for my relation to SW I am happy to say I could biologically never be anyones Mom, but I agree about the lunacy of a hope of his return. Sure he was scrappy, and he had a load of heart, but the guy's stats say it all: 321 games, 5 G, 13 A, 18PTS!?!, 532 PIM. Our new scrappy guy is a man named Smyth. I prefer Captain Canada over the Scrap Metal Kid.

Everyone else is doing there job. Carolina lost last night. Toronto lost in OT tonight. We just need to win. Remember when it used to be so easy.

ooops! sorry about multiple posts... my bad!

WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First things first, I think it is only proper to give a lot of respect to Garth Snow for first and foremost, coming into the general manager job and taking all the heat he did. Not only did he handle the problems with class, but he came through successfully. For a team that was supposed to finish dead last in the entire NHL, we are looking pretty good. Unforunately for us, the luck has shifted and we find our Islanders sitting between a rock and a hard place. With only a few games remaining and a completely injury-ridden squad, we find ourselves in desperation. Although I feel there is still hope at making the playoffs if the team can come together, along with a little bit of luck, I feel that we should also focus on the offseason. I really hope someone in the Islanders Organization will see this...

First, I think we have seen enough Alexei Yashin on the island. His 7.6 million dollar salary just does not do justice to his play. He is just not worth that much. If he would like to re-negotiate for maybe 2.5 million a season, then we might be in business, however, I feel it is best we part ways with Yashin and buyout the contract, therefore opening 7.6 million dollars under the cap. Secondly, we need to consider the fact that the cap is increasing from the current 44 million to around 47 million next year. According to the records, our payroll without Yashin's salary would be around 35 million. In that case, there is no reason we cant give Smyth the 6 million a year he wants for 5 years and we can also keep Jason Blake for 3.2 million a year for 4 years. Two heart and soul guys who could become the true face of this organization! I also find it highly important to re-sign Sean Hill to a multi-year deal and let him retire as an Islander. He has been nothing but solid. Re-signing Poti is huge as well as locking up Hunter long term and even offering Randy Robitaille a contract. Robitaille has been so solid for us this season in the games he has been in. He is fast and smart with the puck. If all these contacts are distributed evenly, we would still find ourself with about 4 million dollars of cap room. With that 4 million, there is no reason we cannot be in the hunt for another big name player this off-season. I really do think its time to make a true statement. In conclusion, dumping Yashin along with a salary cap increase would equal long term deals for Smyth and Blake, along with re-signing important key players, along with the opportunity to make another nice acquistion for next years team.

Although this is speculation, I stick by it. More importantly, I think it's time the Isle's sh