Islanders captain Alexei Yashin emerged from a 25-minute meeting with coach Ted Nolan, general manager Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang with a smile on his face following today’s morning skate. His demotion to the fourth line during a 4-3 overtime loss Tuesday night in Tampa, it turned out, was temporary.
The fact is that, with 10 do-or-die games remaining and the Islanders one point out of playoff position, Nolan knows it will be tough to get the most out of Yashin’s talent if he’s limited to a few shifts with the fourth line. So, Nolan ended Yashin’s punishment for a defensive mistake in Tampa by putting him on a line with Miro Satan and either Viktor Kozlov or Richard Zednik against Pittsburgh tonight at the Coliseum.
“We just wanted to talk to Alexei to see how he’s feeling today and get him going,” Nolan said. “We know the importance of our next number of games. So, we just wanted to talk to him and tell him how important he is to our team and how vital it is for him to play well.”
When the door to the coaches’ office at Iceworks remained closed for an extended period, there was some question whether Nolan might take the “C” from Yashin. But the coach later said that wasn’t a consideration.
“Oh yeah, he’s the captain,” Nolan affirmed.
Yashin’s failure to cover NHL goal-scoring leader Vincent Lecavalier, who scored Tampa’s second goal, prompted an irate Nolan to demote Yashin to the fourth line and play him only 12 shifts, totaling 9:22 of ice time.
But Nolan said he met with Yashin for two hours following an off-day workout on Wednesday, and he changed his mind after their heart-to-heart. Alexei’s not a fourth-line guy,” Nolan said. “The way he was playing the last game, he was a fourth-line player. But is he a fourth-line guy? No. He’s got to play, and he’ll play on our top two lines.”
Yashin certainly isn’t paid like a fourth-line guy at $7.6 million per season, but with two goals in his past 24 games and 14 for the season, he’s not producing as expected for one so talented. Tonight’s game will be the seventh for Yashin since his return from a rehab stint that lasted 36 days and 16 games. He believes his timing is coming back, and if that’s so, it’s not a moment too soon.
“What I need from him is for Yashin to play the way Yashin is capable of playing,” Nolan said. “I don’t need him playing a certain style like an Andy Hilbert. He needs to be Yashin-caliber. He has to make intelligent plays for us because he’s a very intelligent player. I just want him to play the way he’s capable of playing.”
Maybe if Yashin pushed himself as hard as Hilbert does, he’d get as many opportunities at open nets, the difference being that he would hit them. Yashin had 12 goals in his first 24 games this season. If he could be that player, the Islanders’ chances of making the playoffs would improve immeasurably. If not…well, that’s a story for another day.
CHRIS SIMON UPDATE: For the first time since he was suspended for a minimum of 25 games, Chris Simon showed up at an Islanders practice today and spoke with reporters about the incident in which he hit the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg with his stick. Simon said he has no plans to appeal the sentence. The full interview will appear in tomorrow's edition of Newsday.
Comments (52)
Good move by Teddy. Im not the biggest fan of yashin by any means, but hes being paid to play and he has shown he can help this team on occassion. Let him play out the remaining games of the season on 1 of the top 2 lines. If he steps up fantastic, the isles will have a good shot at making the playoffs. If not you can be certain that a buyout at the end of the season is your best option. These last few games will determine Yash's fate as an islander
Islanders captain Alexei Yashin emerged from a 25-minute meeting with coach Ted Nolan, general manager Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang with a smile on his face...
HMMMM...
HA HA HA HA!!!!!!
Hopefully, he was smiling because Wang and Garth (party on) told him that after this season, he's free to leave and can now swig champagne and eat caviar with Carol Alt in his dacha in the Crimea, without having to lift a finger.
Yashin can give us nothing less than he's given us so far, so why not try to smack some sense into him before tonight's Last Stand at Fort Neverlose.
Greg, the reason he came out smiling is because he knew you were on the other side of the door. You should have resorted to the old prep-school trick of putting the water glass up against a wall to hear what was being said on the other side.
Why is he in a meeting all three. Coach, GM and Owner. That is just plain weird.
I've never heard of a player meeting with all three unless it was after a big contract signing.
We all know he was demoted to try and get him going and drive home the importants of defense to the team. But when you have a meeting with the player and tell him your pychological plans, it just kills the affect.
Kevin T.
I didn't realize Wang was George Steinbrenner.
How can you placate Yashin?
So, does this mean he hasn't been trying and now he is going to try?
Looks like the tail is wagging the dog.
Ladies and Gentlemen in Islander Country:
WE ARE IN TROUBLE!!!
Nolan has officially lost control of the hockey team.
Wang and Garth should be telling him that Laviolette tried to bench him and it never worked...just take this lazy, clueless, slow, non-checking bum and put him in Wang's skybox.
Looks like we will be keeping him for the rest of his contract...he's Wang's "friend".
This blog really makes me feel ill.
I hope I'm wrong...but I don't think so.
Greg, any news on whether Simon has called to apologize to Hollweg like he said he was going to? Doesn't seem like he has.
Methinks this is like the Hollywood couple that smiles on the red carpet but is heading for a breakup. Snow and Nolan have been on the same page since training camp, and if you were to administer truth serum would tell you Yash just isn't right for their organization. But what to do when you're paying him those bucks? Wait till the off-season, try to motivate him in the mean time. He did play well at the beginning of the season ...
the solution to this problem is simple. tie him to a tree like old yeller and shoot him.
hey ted-
WTF do you mean by "Yashin caliber" hockey?
we have seen "yashin caliber" hockey for the past 5 f***ing years! i know you are trying to motivate this deadbeat, but...HE SUCKS!! HE BRINGS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO THIS TEAM!!
dw-i agree with your interpretation of this meeting...basically ted, snow, and wang said: step up or ship out!
the isles need to play like a bunch of "rabid dogs" (LT quote) tonight...this game is do or die!!
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!
I 100% agree...this is the beginning of two last stands: The Last Stand at Fort Neverlose and the Last Stand of Alexei Yashin.
The acquisitions of guys like Smyth, Sillinger and Witt plus the drafting of people like Okposo sends a loud and clear message that this Alexei Yashin's team in name only. He is surely heading for a buy-out at this point, unless he plays otherworldly hockey and leads us on a charge through the playoffs.
However, how we feel about Yashin is irrelevant to the here and now. We need him to be on the same page with the rest of the team if we have any hope of moving forward.
Big one tonight...let's pluck some flightless birds! LET'S GO ISLANDERS!
Also, as a slight non-sequitur, I was reading a draft primer last night on ESPN.com. There is actually a player projected to go in the top 5 whose closest NHL comparison is listed as Alexei Yashin....GM's, STAY AWAY!
I have to agree with TD on this one. I think we're seeing the first true instance of "management by committee" that Wang has promoted all season. Why did all 3 have to meet with Yashin, Kevin T. peerceptively asks? Because there was disagreement amoung the committee members, and the best way for all to agree is for all to speak directly to the player. My bet is that Nolan wanted Yashin on the bench, and Wang wanted him on the ice. Snow? Probably sided with Nolan.
I'm dissappointed. Especially if Yashin plays with Kozlov. In the Tampa game, Nolan put Zednik, Satan and Robitaillee together and they immediately clicked for a goal. Granted, it was an individual effort by Zednik, but they played well just before the goal. Two shifts later Kozlov is back in place of Robitaille. Yes, Satan scored later, but only because Kozlov finally passed the puck.
This whole scene is troubling. IF this is Nolan's hand, IF Nolan actually wants Yashin on the 1st or 2nd line, let's see if Yashin responds. This has got to be Yashin's last stand if he doesn't. That might be the committee's agreement between themselves. Yashin's last chance. Ten games. Playoffs? See you next year. No playoffs? Pick up your check at the window and get the puck outta here.
We cant beat Pitt with talent--we need heart, hitting, scratching, fighting..whatever!
Islanders captain Alexei Yashin emerged from a 25-minute meeting with coach Ted Nolan, general manager Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang with a smile on his face...
CAN YOU SAY CONTRACT EXTENTION
TED ON YASH: ‘NOT A FOURTH-LINER’
yeah he belongs on the bench
WHAT A BUM !
Let's all wake up......Yashin is trying...He is doing the best he can....I REALLY believe he is going at 100%....The Yashin of old is way over his head in the new NHL....He was a mistake and it's a shame because boy was I excited when we got him.....Does any fan out there think all of a sudden Yashin is going to be FAST, or HIT or be a real DOMINANT player? At BEST he will have a good game here or there....I would much rather keep Smyth and Blake and unload Yashin....I will go tonight and root for our team and I will hope that Yashin has a fantastic game but I will not be in a FOG and think he is going to be something that he cannot be....This is a team sport but this team does not respond well with Yashin as captain. Maybe they all resent his contract and level of play associted with same...I wish I knew the inside story.....
Wang had no business being in that meeting, but with that being said, does anyone really think Yashin cares if he is on the 4th line. This guy has been a stiff for 5 years. Has he ever won a game by himself? This team will never have chemistry till he is gone. The Penguins will have there way with the Islanders tonight.
micheal g: I agree with you that he shouldn't be captain. But I respectfully disagree about his effort level. I just don't think Yashin understands what it takes to win. What he THINKS is maximum effort exists only within the framework of his particular approach to the game. He can put much more energy into skating, hitting, being stron on the puck and really battling in the corners... AND be the sniper that he wants to be and that we want him to be. The guy is 6 foot 4 and 225 for crying out loud. The limits to his game are self-imposed. He just doesn't get it.
Yashin's going thru what Hunter went thru in 03-04 when Brown hit his knee and he could not score to save his life for over twenty five games. This is also Yashin's first knee injury and he reinjured it.
When he was healthy earlier he was carrying this team, scoring forty percent of the offense by himself and Blake was having a career year.
He's not skating well and it's likely something that will not improve this year, just like Peca the year he skated hurt, just like Martinek the year he came back and was slow.
How many times have we read players hit a wall with this injury and just cannot bounce back.
I know it's popular to kick Yashin around but he did not choose to get injured and there are a lot of passengers on this roster or it's a team that's out of gas and has nothing left.
Who ever said above that this is yashin going all out, and trying his best is 100% correct. I lke the guy... but he's freaking useless. I hope they buy him out... but I have my concerns. Are they willing to spend all that money to get rid of him. I don't know how much it is... but its got to be a lot of stacks... I know it all makes sense with the salary cap...but wang's already taking a loss. I only know how to be a fan... but if I had to be the one to buy a guy out, who can get another check and play against me.... it would tough. Does this happen regularly??? Cincy... anyone??
The leadership of the team has already shifted. Nolan just made it official.
Get on the Bandwagon, quick!
Go Ilses Go!
What a huge win. I can't even express how proud I am of this team. They played with heart and grit.
I have only two regrets: (1) the bad turnover that costs us a goal, and (2) Asham didn't beat anybody up despite the high tension on the ice.
We've got a lot of momentum going into Philly. Hopefully we'll have a lot more when we return to home ice to greet the Rangers.
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!
just got home from the game-
ISLES PLAYED HUGE!
FINALLY! a great effort by all!
great skating & hitting - tremendous defensive effort!!
where was this passion and desperation the last two weeks???
better late than never, i guess...
if we can carry this energy and effort for the next nine games, WE ARE IN!!
LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!
Something is Up with the ref's in this league
Are the Isles the only team permitted to play 2 men down. I have been watching this all season and I believe the refs have targeted Ted Nolan for some comments in November.
Tonight the Pens got away with trips, elbows.. And the isles got tagged with everything. I have been discussing this with fans the whole season and even a few ranger fans agreed. I am really sick of watching games where the calls are so biased. Some press should grab this story.
Wow, the Coliseum was LOUD tonight! The game was exciting too. DP was excellent. They still have to work on clearing the puck out of their own end though... there were a few times when I gasped in horror as the puck was swiped by one of the Pens.
Lets go ISLANDERS!!
Fantastic game and fantastic effort. The Pens have a lot of fire power and we kept them to one goal. Looked like the team 2 weeks ago that was on a hot streak. A little confidence and we could make a nice run for the playoffs....DP plyed great. Smyth is so smart on the ice and does so many things that don't show up on the score sheets...I wish he would shoot more....Hill was hitting everything in site....Good thing Asham didn't fight because Laraque is the world champ in the NHL and boy did he want Witt badly....Next Philly and then maybe the most important game of the year so far....!!!!!!!!!!
No need for Asham to fight ...let's save that energy for Philly and the Rangers this weekend.
Did Kozlov really take a shot and have it go in tonight?
Yashin's line was decent, but that's unacceptable with his contract. I'd rather have A-Rod on skates. At least he comes through in the regular season.
Can the Devils beat any bubble team lately?
Pete, your comment (1045PM) is absolutely right. There really IS something screwed up with the calls in this league.
If you punch Robidas when he is looking and ready to fight, you get yourself suspended... but if you sucker punch Witt and make him see stars, its a 2 min minor, nothing more.
The Penguins got away with a LOT tonight. Why did Campoli go to the bench alone in the 1st? Why were marginal calls made in the Penguins favor, while actual penalties against the Isles were literally stared at by the ref and subsequently and ignored??? I am 100% positive it really is all about the sweater, its getting more and more obvious, and it is really ticking me off.
That being said, it was a WONDERFUL game to watch tonight. Too bad the recently goal-starved Devils and good-for-nothing Bruins couldnt come through when it would have really helped. I cant get on Washingtons case though, since Carolina was all over them shot-wise.
More than anything though, whats really important is that the Islanders are back to doing what they need to be doing right now- WINNING!
Oh yeah!!!!! Need to keep the ball rolling though. Wtf is wrong with these refs though. Smyth was hooked twice on attempted wrap arounds... right in front of the refs... maybe we are at a disadvantage. So be it. DP was great... but I was most impressed with Smyth's hustle, and seeing koslov and yashin throwing their weight around... KEEP THEM MOTIVATED TED
malkin got away with a few obvious slashes. the campoli penalty was justified, but someone should have joined him in the box. the refs SUCK!!!!! BIG WIN!!!! keep it up boyz.
Single worst officiating I've ever seen, and I'm impressed that no one on the team was bitching about it afterwards. Going off the ice at the end of the second, Sillinger hit the glass so hard (in frustration) I thought it might've broken.
There were a couple of points where the linesmen got in the middle of something that they should've probably let go on, for their own safety as well as everyone else's. Oh, and what happened to clamping down on hits to the head? Armstrong's hit on Blake with an elbow to the face was ridiculous.
Lastly, Smyth's play was great as usual, but I'd like to see him shoot on those odd-man rushes. He kept passing to the other people with him on the rush, even when they had d-men all over them.
Ryan, the one to Park I thought was the right play. Fleury came way out of the net to cut the angle. There was absolutely nothing to shoot at at all, and Park had a guaranteed wide open net if the puck got there. Tough pass to make, but a better chance of making that pass than scoring on the shot in that case, I thought.
To build on that, we need to understand Smyth's game is far more in front of the net than perimeter. He knows he isn't as dangerous from the faceoff circle as he is down low, and unless he has a perfect opportunity he will likely look to pass.
However, he did have a wonderful game, and I'm increasingly excited of our prospects. I also agree that, while the officiating was deplorable, it was nice not to see anybody complain about it (my personal favorite was Poti challenging Armstrong after Armstrong boarded Blake, when somehow Poti gets the only penalty).
Overall, this was a game we can use as a foundation. We played hard, stuck up for each other, and DP was spectacular. We'll need that the last 9. Go Islanders!
Great win last night. I was so amped...finally some physical play and some grit besides what we've seen, skating around like the game does not matter. What we saw last night was desperation and it smells gooooood. A fantastic win with Philly-Rags coming up. 4 points mandatory.
Of course the officiating was bad last night. THE NHL IS OUT TO SCREW THE ISLANDERS and I've been saying it for awhile now. This is not conspiracy theory when you can see it plain as day on the ice. Did anyone notice the Lightning diving all over the ice on Tuesday?
Kevin T., your question about the trimvirate meeting in itself should give you a better flavor of maddening schizophrenia Islander fans feel towards Wang. We believe he wants to win and many believe the Isles would not exist without him. However, he also seems to have too much influence in the hockey decisions when he is totally out of his league. Rather than put one man in charge and expecting results, he decided after the Milbury era that he was going to be the the final arbiter. But then it makes no sense that when he did put one man in charge--Mad Mike, Mildew never paid the price for his incompetence. So rather than simply getting someone better--Wang seems to take on the final decision making authority as CEO. From a hockey standpoint, it makes little sense.
As for the Isles, they played well last night, but goaltending was the key. That game could have easily been a 5-2 loss with everyone whining about mistakes. Hats off to Ricky!
I alaso was ahppy to see 14,500 at the NVMC last night. While these games really should be sold out--I feared there would be a crowd of about 12,500. 14,500 was enough to keep the place rocking heavily for a very entertaining game.
I'll be taking in the Flyers with my kids tomorrow--and I hope they don't get killed. Having been to a fair number of arenas and stadiums Ranger fans and Philly fans are the absolute worst for opposing fans. I made the huge mistake of taking my son (then 7) to a Isles-Rags game in the Garden in the blues. In addition to learning 1200 new curse words, he also learned about how Islander palyers and fans should engage in roughly 20 crude sexual acts--many physically impossible! Philly fans are all that and more violent.
Oh well. Let's hope for a great weekend.
I should add to Matt's comments on the officiating. I am one who hates to blame the refs, etc., but some of the calls (and non-calls) last night were simply mind-blowing. The slash on Hill to make a 5-3 and roughing on Campoli when that stuff was going on all night was ridiculous--not to mention how the Isles can't ever seem to draw a hooking penalty.
Merrick:
Kindly remind the Philadelphia fans of their place in the standings. That might shut them up. Or tell them that their car is being burgled, which is likely to be true.
I once had a beer thrown on me at an Isles-Rag$ game at the Garden. I was 12.
It's not hard to see why the refs and the league might be out to stick the Islanders, is it? Ted Nolan has been labeled a "bad boy" since before his Buffalo days. I also wonder how much leftover institutional racism there is in this league, especially in Canada as it regards the First Nations. Our owner is seen as a crazy maverick loose-cannon who fired Neil Smith in favour of a backup goalie (who when he was playing was a headache for the Rules Committee)...it really goes on and on.
The proof may really be in the pudding at Sunday's game...nationally televised. Lord ha'mercy.
Matt, I agree with your logic completely. Sadly, while we'd all love to see impartial officiating in the league, the cold, hard truth is that can never happen. Outside influences will always have an impact on how games are called, but honestly I think somebody needs to do more research.
I did a little amateur sleuthing using records on NHL.com. The Islanders are dead last in powerplays, and the only team so far this year that has not been given 300 powerplays. Before last night's game (which I'm sure made it worse) they were short-handed 93 more times than they were on the power play. Over the last 5 years the total differential has been -185, by far the worst differential in the NHL. Is that wholly a result of the brand of player we have? Like Merrick, I hate to cop out and blame everything on the referee, but some things have stood out in my mind:
- Jordin Tootoo getting suspended for hitting Stephane Robidas when that blatant sucker-punch Brashear put on Witt is a 2-minute penalty. Colin Campbell needs to explain himself on that one.
- Darcy Tucker not getting suspended for intentionally wrecking Peca's knee when he threatened to do it for a few days on the ice and in the press. While we're at it, Roberts not being suspended for coming in from the red line to run Kenny Jonsson into the boards has to count for something as well.
- The latest feelings on the Dale Hunter/Pierre Turgeon situation. I've actually seen hockey pundits who will out of one side of their mouths say Chris Simon should receive a lifetime ban and out of the other side say Hunter's suspension was too harsh because Gary Bettman was at the game and over-reacted. Both were vicious, indefensible hits that deserved long suspensions. End of story.
- Simon is suspended a minimum of 25 games for that vicious attack...fine. Colton Orr cross-checks Alex Ovechkin in the face without provocation and gets a much more lenient suspension. What's that all about?
- I almost had to laugh when watching the Montreal game (one of the few games I've gotten to see live this year....stupid work schedule). Latendresse grabs Randy Robitaille's stick and starts waving it around...the ref is looking right at it and nothing is called....behind the play, a Montreal player sees Hunter attempt a brief hook, pulls Hunter's stick closer to him, and the other ref calls that hooking on Hunter...Again, I try not to play these games, but that was so blatant it's not even funny.
Steve Walkom should look at some tape, because if we want a two-referee system and an impartial league, we need to hold people accountable. I hope the Islanders organization does not take any rash steps or spend time blaming the referees when they should be concentrating on the playoff push. It's true that, over our history, I think we've had more power-plays than short-handed opportunities 5 or so times (including few, if any, of the Dynasty years). It's hard not to feel persecuted, and I understand that. However, I think the key from here on out is for our team to play disciplined hockey and for us to rally around the troops.
Big stretch here, and we need to pack the Coliseum from here on out. I'll be there April 5, I hope many of you will as well.
Anyone see Witt kick Malkin between the legs? Missed calls do go both ways.
"Anyone see Witt kick Malkin between the legs? Missed calls do go both ways. Posted by: John"
John, aka Rags Troll: Why are you looking at Malkin's balls? Hmmm...
Matt-
We're soul brothers! In 1975, when I was 13 and liked both teams (I was raised a Ranger fan), I went to see the Rangers and Isles in MSG for the last game of the season. Both had just qualified for the playoffs--so I flipped a coin on who to root for, the Isles came up, and I wore my Islander jersey to the game. In between periods, I had beer thrown on me too, so with that, I decided to root for the Islanders in that famous three-game series and the rest is history. At the time, I think I was the only flat out Islander fan in all of Westchester County.
Back to the ice, the statistical disparity in the Islanders penalties woes this yera is very dramatic. I think we fall outside even the tail ends of a bell curve distribution of PP and SH situations. To hear these stats have held for roughly five years is sad.
Great post, Nick--spot on. You're completely right about how there really isn't anything to be done about the situation, but the Islanders as a team needs to recognize that it's them against the world...nothing is going to make life easy for this franchise. The league isn't in any mood to give the Isles an inch.
The fundamental difference between Hunter and Simon was that Hunter hit Turgeon AFTER A GOAL in response to no provocation. Simon hit Hollweg DURING PLAY in response to a questionable check. The NHL needed a poster-boy and they lucked into Simon--maybe there's that institutional racism I was talking about earlier? Just saying.
This Islanders team needs to respond in-kind, with a chip on its shoulder and the knowledge that to make any headway they have to swim against the tide. Frankly, I can't think of a better coach to instill that than Teddy Nolan.
SUCCESS SPEAKS LOUDER THAN ANY WORDS. (That's why Rangers fans run their mouths.)
NYI 72-73, have you been a fan that long? If you have you have to at least be in your forties, correct. And in your forties you come up with a line like that. That aboy, recess is in about an hour, remember to find a buddy.
I was just trying to prove a point. Although the Islanders do have calls go against them, it does happen to other teams.
Upstate Isles Fan: Ryan, the one to Park I thought was the right play. Fleury came way out of the net to cut the angle. There was absolutely nothing to shoot at at all, and Park had a guaranteed wide open net if the puck got there. Tough pass to make, but a better chance of making that pass than scoring on the shot in that case, I thought.
I agree that in that case, Park had the better shot, but that was only one of three. The one that sticks out in my mind is when he tried to flip it over a defenseman's stick to Blake when they were both within ten feet of the goal.
I'm not saying Smyth has a great shot, but as good as Fleury may be at the blocks he's weak in the glove. Smyth would've been better off driving it hard at the goal and hoping for a rebound. This minor criticism, btw, really has no impact on my very positive thoughts about Smyth. The guy's a great addition, and if we manage to get him to stick around on the Island I'd like to see him wear a "C" next year.
themass: about your post on whether to buyout yashin's contract. I know I've said a few times previously that it's a no-brainer. Give the guy 2/3 of what you owe him over the next 4 years (17.5 illion) and save 8.8 million. Since the wang is allowed to pay the 17.5 million over 10 years (I think), it only counts 1.75 against the cap each year instead of 7 million.
I'm a CPA, so let me give you the bottom line. Assuming a market rate of 7% (what wang could earn on a conservative portfolio of investments), 1.75 million for 10 years is equal to 12.3 million today. So in exchange for 12.3 million, the Isles get 5 million more in cap space in each of the next 4 years. But they loose about 2 million in cap space in the 6 years after that. And they loose the services of their current captain.
Is it really a "no-brainer"? I suppose not. But I still think it's the right thing to do. I don't know if I can continue to read about periodic motivational conferences between yashin and management. And i think yashin's exit will actually help to attract the free agents that we all know will be at the top of Snow/Nolan's list this off season.
Ryan:
Smyth would probably be the first to tell you he's not a good shooter (he's also not a good skater), but his work in the corners and in front of the net is worth it. He's also still new to the team so that may make his "pass before I shoot" philosophy even more closely followed.
It took me until last night but you're right--Fleury's height and reach obscures a lot of his flaws. His glove hand is TERRIBLE. Sillinger's winner in the 6-5 game last month was a real cookie for Fleury, who just whiffed it.
John:
You completely miss the point that, although there are OBVIOUSLY penalties called on other teams besides the Islanders, they are disproportionately penalized. This isn't the '76 Flyers or the '77 Syracuse Bulldogs here...the Islanders have been perceived as a "skill/finesse" team for the better part of the last 20 years.
Guys i was at the game last night........it fortifyed something i knew about the NHL's officiating already....the NHL is going to protect the Pens no matter what it takes....Sidney and his gang of young babies are the future of this sport for years to come...no way they want any of thier golden children to get hurt or get a little chippy...WHAT IS WITH THIS LEAGUE LET THESE GUYS FIGHT IT IS A PART OF THE GAME....BETTMAN SHOULD BE FIRED OR GO TO THE NBA OR SOMETHING.
Thanks for the explanation Merrick. At least the owner cares. I guess we don't know if he speaks at these meetings or just wants to observe. Once the puck drops, it's Nolan's show anyway.
Cincy also thanks. I had no idea it was going to cost that expensive to buy out Yashin.
As for the penalties, I agree there may be something going on. I don't think it is racism. It is most likely that the Refs know they'll get less flack if they screw over the Ilses than any opposing team.
Refs have a thankless job. They never get applause, just reprimands. So they are negatively motivated.
Couldn't get the game, so I can't comment on Smyth's play. I think the scoresheet said that 2 out of the three goals were even strength. If the Ilses are used to winning at 5 on 5 then that makes them stronger if they make it into the playoffs.
However, drawing penalties is another thing that teams actually work on at the NHL level. Maybe Nolan's behind the times on that.
The best way I've seen to draw penalties is to take it to Hole! Hard to the net! Like a Basketball play to draw a foul. {Bad Memory :( NBA should have never moved the Grizzlies!}
Canucks have 2 or 3 players that do that all the time, even if they don't have a legit chance of scoring.
Any Ilses players driving the net consitently?
Kevin T.
Matt, you are completely missing my point. I OBVIOUSLY understand that there are penalties called against other teams, thanks though. What I'm saying is that although the Islanders do have a disadvantage in PP oportunities, that much is clear, the refs miss calls against all teams. The problem lies with the fact that the NHL had many of its veteran refs retire at once and they had to rush young guys, who aren't ready, into the majors. These young guys let a lot go in one game and they hear it from the head office when their game is graded. The next game, they call everything and they are told to lighten up. They have no direction and very few vets to rely on. That is why I'll watch a Rangers game and see certain things let go and two nights later the same young ref calls every ticky tack penalty during an Islanders or Devils game. As Ranger and Islander fans we see a lot of the same refs and the consistency is not there. This was my point and I think that is what is driving you guys crazy. One game your getting called for hooking and the next game you get hooked and they let it go. It drives me nuts on a nightly basis as well.
I hope I explained myself because my point was not that the Islanders are the only team to have penalties called against them. It was that the consistency isn't there.
As far as the Islander conspiracy? We've discussed that in the past and I'll agree to disagree.
Gentlemen (for most of you anyway): Some games do seem to be one-sided when it comes to officiating. Look at previous boxscores. Some teams will get 12 PP's while the other 3-4 PP's. It happens to all teams, Rangers and Islanders included. I was watching the Devils-Tampa Bay game last night and there was a shot in the chest of TB's goalie and it bounced down to the ice and Zach Parise put the rebound in the net. The freekin ref blew his whistle so quick when it barely hit the goalie's chest! It's been happening nite after nite for all teams. When the refs let the players play the game with calling only legit penalties, maybe 4 a game each team, then at least we as fans can enjoy the real matchup. A small tug on a jersey gets you 2 minutes! Montreal is a decent team, not spectacular, but as the best PP unit they'll beat you if the freekin refs are whistle happy!
One more thing...in regards to my post about Yashin and Nolan yesterday...we were all a little hard a Nolan...but he coached a great game lastnight.
It seemed that the right lines were out at the right time all night...at leat 90% of the time.
Keeping Yashin, Satan, Kozlov out there for 10 - 13:50 per game is perfect...and the experiment with Zednik on the Sillinger/Hunter line is great...Hilbert should play with Park/Asham.
Smyth and Blakey have to get at least 20 minutes per game.
Let's see if we can keep that formula in Philly.
I think that's our winning formula.