On the Islanders Beat

I'm done with this. Everytime these buffoons screw something up it seems to be at the expense of the Islanders.

Vancouver just had a line of Pyatt-Smolinski-Linden out with Sopel on D and Luongo in net. God there are alot of ExIsles out there

So much for Colin Campbell "manning up" and admitting that the goal should have counted and that Numminen deerved a major penalty for boarding Blake. If Witt boarded Briere like that, do you really think he would have only received a 2 minute penalty? Give me a break. That goal could have meant the series being tied at 2. It certainly would've been a huge momentum shift. And what's with Campbell trying to shift the blame to Snow and Nolan? The conclusion is the league screwed up big time and he's not man enough to admit that a maor mistake was made that decided the game. Campbell is a "gutless puke" (you might hate Milbury, but that's a great line). Mad Mike should beat him with his own shoe.

It does look like it clearly went in, but the articles in Newsday and the Times seemed to refer to another angle from which it was even clearer that the puck crossed the goal line.

Ooops... meant to add: Does another angle exist and if so, can it be posted on Newsday.com Greg?

The link didn't work for me....am I doing something wrong here?

And again, this whole thing is just a little crazy. I try very hard not to blame issues like this on the officiating, because I've always thought that was a cop-out move. However, it's nearly impossible to not fall into that trap when every major call seems to go against us. That non-goal from Ryan Smyth in the Rangers game was atrocious (I actually broke my chair by slamming it on the floor when they announced it), but the NHL, in its infinite wisdom, decided to make a bad decision worse by actually issuing a PRESS RELEASE calling it an "optical illusion." Then, Brashear's sucker-punch on Brendan Witt draws a snarky comment from Colin Campbell, and now with this they're shifting the blame to Ted Nolan and Garth Snow. I'm not very old, but I even remember this from one of the earliest years of my life as a hockey fan, 92-93. We all remember the John LeClair overtime goal that was scored with too many men on the ice.

All we want is a mea culpa from the NHL and some sort of consistent officiating. I couldn't agree more with Cincy's point from the previous post. I would be angry as a Sabres fan that Islander fans have an opportunity to say this series is only the way it is because of the referees and not Buffalo's play. As a Yankee fan I still wonder how the dynasty years would have played out if not for Richie Garcia's horrific blown call on the Jeffrey Maier play.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Good teams make their own breaks, and they mature and grow together. The Rangers looked lost last year against the Devils and now they're laying waste to the playoff field. This should bode very well for our future as a team if we can cut out the cancer (cough, Yashin) and add the proper pieces to make a run (as a hockey fan and a BU alum I REALLY read Chris Drury's comments about the Coliseum with interest....I did suggest in February they replace Yashin and Blake with Drury and Smyth.....). I'm excited for the future direction of this team and only hope we can continue the growth trajectory.

That having been said, we've come back from worse deficits even this year. 6 games had to go our way for us to even be here, and they all did. In this case, 3 games have to go our way to advance to a second-round date with whomever it happens to be. Let's go out there, keep playing our game, and forget about the Four Blind Mice that seem bound and determined to hand this series to Buffalo.

LET'S GO ISLANDERS!

I still say it...Why Not Us?

While I'm not going to join the conspiracy train, I do have to wonder, if the league could spend 5 minutes reviewing a Sabres goal, then they could have spent 2 or 3 looking at an Islanders goal. Obviously, there's an angle that disproves the ref's on ice call. And Colin Campbell's "a play is dead when it's dead in the ref's mind, not when he blows the whistle" seems to prove that the man knows nothing about the sport.

OK, the link worked now....that was a goal, no doubt about it. We've played Buffalo even; it's a shame we have to play a series against the officiating too

Nick, thanks for the excellent post. What (or where) were Drury's comments about the Coliseum? I didn't see that. Also, is he a free agent any time soon?

Thanks

WHY NOT US?

KH, check the articles from Tuesday's paper...He talks about the Coliseum's old-time feel and how he loves playing there

And also...he's a free agent at the end of this year. He DID grow up a Yankee fan in Trumbull, CT, after all...

Dallas just pulled one out on the road to give them a shot. We can still compete. We are not out of this thing yet.

Wow... Chris Drury would be an incredible acquisition for the Isles, needless to say. The guy is a total winner, and has been everywhere he's played in every sport (including baseball).

WHY NOT US?

The guys on Vs. just said that Buffalo will "roll" the Islanders tomorrow night. Still no faith what so ever, just the way we like it.

Campbell's comment about Garth Snow shows he's got some personal issues with the Islanders organization, coming as it did after his snide comments about Witt.

The fact is that the league's becoming a joke in terms of Campbell's attitudes on a number of issues, and they don't all involve the Islanders. Then again, for those of us who remember him as a player, this comes as no surprise.

Quotes from Drury

After a July 2003 trade from Calgary to Buffalo: "I just don't know what to think. I play in Colorado, they tell me they like me, and I get traded. I play in Calgary, and at the end of the season the GM tells me he likes me, and I get traded. I just hope my fiancee doesn't tell me she likes me."

Ever since the fishsticks era, the Isles have had to work harder than just about any other team. It's obvious and unfair. The guys just need to realize that being up a goal actually means it's a tie game, a tie game means they're down a goal, and being down a goal is a deeper hole than it seems. They need to adjust their play and try to win by 2, tennis style. It's a raw deal but it's also a vicious circle. Until they do some major damage in the playoffs, or at least take the division for a few years in a row, it's not changing.

I'm also not one to jump on a conspiracy bandwagon. I can live with the fact that the Islanders lost this game; a team that deserves to move on does so even in spite of a robbery. I'm certainly not going to whine for the rest of my life as most Buffaloans I've met seem destined to do. What is most irritating is the denial of reality by the league. How can they possibly expect fans to pay $50 per seat--$2000 for a season ticket--when they don't offer the basic respect of a mea culpa?

The game shouldn't be changed. It's in the books, the series is 3-1, and that's that. After the final whistle, the on-ice proceedings should _never_ change. I don't think any true fan of the sport thinks otherwise. But afterwards, a game should be looked at from a "lessons learned" perspective. The league should evaluate all calls made on-the-ice and and have a sturdy, comprehensive review process. And, most importantly, it must be transparent--the public must see that the process works and that efforts are constantly being made to ensure fair and accurate officiating.

The common argument against transparency is that it undermines the authority of the on-ice officials. Actually, the opposite is true. Officials that consistently call good games will earn their careers, and incompetence won't be protected by some old-boy network.

This is not some idealistic argument. Hockey is a business, and a smart business that is seeking to endure must maintain a loyal client base. The best way to do that is to show respect. With his actions this year, Mr. Campbell has shown a lack of respect for the game and the Island in particular. His statements regarding the cold-cocking of Witt were pathetic--basically, Witt is a physical player that spends most of his ice time shadowing the opposition's top offensive players, and therefore should be able to take punishment. Let's forget that Brashear broke one of the oldest rules by decking Witt with his gloves on. Witt doesn't deserve the protection that the league gives Ryan Hollweg (justifiably) because he is an effective player?

The GMs and players should do what is necessary to clean out the stonewallers in Toronto. It is in their own interest.

Thanks for the high res video. My take on it is this: it was probably a goal, and if Leggo calls it a goal they probably don't overturn it. But it was NOT clear to me that the puck crossed. It was clear that Witt made contact and the puck moved, but Miller also closed the pads just after Witt hit it, so it's pretty much impossible to determine whether the puck went in before it was under Miller's pads.

Note: instinctively, I look at that and I say "it's a goal", but I'm just saying it's not an open-and-shut case for overturning the ref's call.

As for the Vanek goal, this video frame (posted by someone else in another comment) seems conclusively to show a line of white between the puck and the goal line. This is much clearer than the Witt goal.

As for the Numminen hit, knowing Numminen, it was certainly not intentional, but it probably deserved 4 or 5 minutes. Blake did turn into the boards, and that's probably why they gave him only 2, but I think it could have easily gone 4.

The Bergeron penalty that created the 5-on-3 was definitely weak. That was probably the worst call of all the calls Isles fans are complaining about, because he hardly laid a stick on Afinogenov, and the ensuing 5-on-3 led directly to a big goal.

Mike:

Part of the frustration from the Vanek call comes from a similar situation earlier in the season. What's been called the "turning point" was a goal--originally called a goal by the ref--that Toronto overturned in favor of the Rangers. In that situation, the puck crossed the line and a very clear line of white is visible between the puck and the red (clearer, in fact, than in this situation).

Toronto's rebuttal is that the puck was standing on its side; the bottom edge of the puck was in but the top edge never cleared the entire line. The league's comments referred to the video as an "optical illusion". Incidentally, the shot was from almost the same exact angle as the picture I saw on one of the other boards.

Personally, I'd like to know what the league's guidelines on overturning calls are. I wasn't able to find anything clearly documented on NHL.com. There must be a manual somewhere for when it is or isn't appropriate to overturn the call, what angles are allowable, etc.

And all this could be eliminated if they outfitted the pucks with RFID tags. Then you'd know when the little bastards were over the line.

Back to actual hockey talk: the most interesting thing in the Isles playoff blog is that they've recalled Fata. Think Nolan might scratch one of the guys who's playing hurt (Hilbert is the first to come to mind, but it'd be hard to replace the way he's been hustling with a 7th D) right now to get a guy with fists into Game 5?

Sorry, one mistake in the above--the goal against the Rangers was ruled a no-goal on the ice. Toronto deemed the video inconclusive.

There answer is obvious . . . there was second puck that came from back and to the left under the gnarly netting . . . back and to the left . . . back an to the left . . . back and to the left

Did anybody think to ex-Ranger Colin Campbell would side with the Isles!! His comments make me sick. "We understand Snow is a rookie GM." Looks like Campbell would like to see the Isles exiled from NY!! Conspiracy, oh most definitely.
I HATE COLIN CAMPBELL!! He is a piece of .... I also hate the NHL front office this new league is redicoulous!!! Anyway I still BELIEVE!! LETS GO ISLANDERS!! Its us vs. Buffalo/NHL Refs/NHL Front office. Looks like they want us out and moved to KC!!

Collin Campbell in Toronto.......Now that is funny.....

Lets make it even easier for them....Next time they want to stick it to us let's just send the video to SAM ROSEN and RON DUGAY in the BLUE SEATS of the Garden........

Probably would of lost the series anyway, but this officiating has been horrendous. LEGGO MY EGGO should be banned from any further series.....He missed the call on Blake....He made the call on Park....He watched Smyth being mugged at every turn......Was he the official the night before on the RR call with a minute to go?

I love this game 1st and the Isles a very close second.....I am not being a homer.....Buffalo is a great team and would probably have moved on anyway, but for the league to not admit that the Isles have been screwed this year is EMBARRASSING!

Maybe they are still sticking it to Nolan for sleeping with the Dominators wife??? I don't know any other reason. They kept him out of the league for ten years, and maybe this was his final piece of punishment???

Still one game left and hopefully more...Leave your blood and guts on the ice tonight boys.....You have nothing to hang your heads about....You gave us more than we asked for this year......For that I Thank You!

All that video shows is that somebody touched the puck right before the whistle was blown. That does not mean that by touching the puck he pushed it 100% over the goal-line, and there is no evidence in that video to support such a claim. There is also no video of the puck crossing the goal-line anywhere. All we know is that the puck ended up in the net after Miller was barrelled into. I would have to say the right call was made based on what evidence there was to support it.

I think the guy who installed Colin Campbell's cable gave him ESP instead of ESPN. He consistently refers to a player, or official's thought process when rationalizing his own stupidity.
1. Brashear THOUGHT that Witt was going to hit him. So he was acting in self defense when he threw the first and only punch... with his glove on.
2. The play ends when the referee THINKS he can't see the puck. If that is TRUE, then the NHL has a ton of explaining to do. Dozens of goals are scored each year on rebounds where the ref has no angle to see the puck. What a great way to justify my subjective BS!

Bettman and Campbell are laughable. I love the sport, and I am truly tired of it being run by MORONS who couldn't manage a Dairy Queen.

The game has always had a reputation for POLICING itself... well... Roll out the scrubs... What does a 25 game suspension mean to Drew Fata... let's see if he CAN BOARD BRIERE and only get 2 minutes. Roarke played a few games, he should be eligible to slam Miller's head into the ice.
Let's see if Nielsen would like to see what the penalty is for spearing Drury in the junk!

Buffalo is a tremendous team. they deserve to be in the second round...maybe even skate around with the cup. But it would be nice to know that you, at least, had a fair shot at it.

Where's Billy Smith... Denis... Gillies...

There have been a lot of Sabres fans here who have either admitted it looked like a goal.

But good Lord! It's hard to feel bad for you Isles fans when you keep insisting the Vanek goal was a no-goal. You can watch it bounce off DiPietro's right skate and back - front-left view, even ESPN has a highlight of it. I have sympathy for the rational fans out there - but apparently some of ya want *every* call to go the Isles way, instead of a fair game. And for those fans, I have no sympathy.

I think what's most galling about this is the basic lack of respect shown at every level. Campbell snorts derisively that Snow is a "rookie GM" and implies that Ted Nolan is whining because he has no other way to win. The officials in Toronto spend fifteen minutes agonizing over the Vanek goal and trust the ref's decision on the Witt goal. Where are the guidelines on when a review is appropriate? What is the burden of proof for a call on the ice to be overturned? Why doesn't the league have enough respect for the fans to offer transparency?

That statement from Campbell, by the way, is ridiculously obnoxious. I can't really remember the last time a figure in the league offered such a snitty response. What, the guy feels like he's under pressure because one reporter is asking questions (thanks, Greg)?

Curse my half-edited sentences!

Furthermore, yes, Toronto/NHL really screwed up on the Witt call. What's up with that? Why can't we have consistency in our calls? I'd much rather have the booth make the call on a review than the ref.

Cleveland: The Vanek call was the right call, but it would help if those same standards were applied uniformly.

Agreed. Game 4 OT would have been a lot of fun, too. I'd like the Sabres to win "honestly," not because of crappy calls.

I'd just like to add: regardless of the Witt goal/no-goal situation, we in Buffalo share your frustration with Campbell. Now, I believe that there was probably not enough to overturn Witt's goal, but I still believe that the NHL's explanation stinks. You have Leggo saying he wanted confirmation from Toronto that the puck was frozen, and then you have Toronto saying they wouldn't review because they were going with Leggo's call.

What should have happened: Leggo requests that Toronto review whether the puck was frozen, Toronto confirms it wasn't frozen, then Toronto proceeds with a regular review to check whether there was visible confirmation that the puck crossed the line before Satan collided with Miller.

Note: I don't think the call would have changed, because, while I do believe it was a goal, I don't believe there was indisputable evidence that the puck crossed the line before Satan hit Miller.

So I (as a Sabres fan with a great fondness for Ted Nolan) am frustrated that the NHL still refuses to waver from the "Leggo's call was not reviewable" crap. That's just bulls**t, and we in Buffalo can certainly relate to your frustration...

The comments made by
"We understand Garth Snow is a rookie general manager, and Ted Nolan has to play the cards he's got. When things don't go the way you want, we'd understand they want to play that game." BY NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell.

are just insulting and shows the lack of respect the NHL has for the New York Islanders. We can dispute the no goal call until we are blue in the face. They (NHL) are going to side with their employee, the ref. I think Campbell owes an apology to Noland and to Snow, and even to the Islanders and their fans for that remark. It doesn't matter how long a person as been in a position. He is just trying to cover his butt and did a poor job of commenting on it. All I know is I really want the Islander to put up a huge fight in tonights game and win. I need this win. I need to be able to tell my Sabre loving Husband....HA HA they are not going to get walked over by anyone.

The NHL really is amall-time enough to believe that its high officials could potentially be operating with deep-seeded bias.

If Wang wasn't such a cartoon character, he'd sit down with Bettman to get to the bottom of the repeated slights this organization has faced from this league. This is still one of the NHL's most historic franchises in it's biggest market and for someone in Campbell's position to regard it so deriseively is simply bad for the game. That's before you even consider that there's any bias in actual policy.

But let's examine...

1) As bad as Simon's hit was, it is not even in the same ballpark as the Dale Hunter, Marty McSorely, or Todd Bertuzzi hits yet it received a bizarrely variable suspension...I mean, the full year was excessive, but to add a clause to carry into next year if he didn't miss "enough" games this year? Islanders on Rangers violence, Campbell in charge...hmm.

2) Blatent mistake on the Smyth goal vs. the Rangers which, if you do the math, is the difference between the 6 seed and the 8 seed if we go on to win that game.

3) I agree that if you want the Smyth and Witt goals you have to accept the Vanek goals, and to be honest I think that goa was in. He penalty calls on the Isles have been atrocious...having watched them all season I am astounded at how disciplined they are playing. I guess the ref are too - maybe they are also applying Campbell logic "well, he started to raise his stick so I THOUGHT he was going to hook him and I called it...so what if he never actually did?"

Colin Campbell needs to shut his trap. Every time he speaks, he reveals how dumb and one sided he truly is. Obviously that Stanley Cup goal by Mike Bossy continues to haunt him.

I'm not going to whine about the refs. What's done is done. We faced a much harder task getting into the playoffs. At least now we don't have to rely on other teams to help decide our fate. As far as I'm concerned the Isles have proved they can play with this team (1 goal differance going into
3rd in every game). It's an uphill battle but this team plays great with their backs against the wall and I for one am planning on using my game 6 tix. LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After looking at the video in slow motion 5 times, I just noticed something very interesting.

I was on Home Ice radio lastnight with Esposito. We talked about the phantom whistle or the intent to blow the whistle rule. My position is, with video replay as now part of the game, the intent rule must be eliminated...Ref must blow the whistle...That's my opinion...we can all accept a quick whistle but not the lack of one. Espo mentioned that players are always taught to play until they hear the whistle.

MY POINT IS THIS...

Watch the video...the Ref has the whistle in his mouth the entire time...so why didn't he blow it...if he felt the play should have stopped and Miller made the most famous no save in Sabre history?

That's why the Ref asked Toronto if their was a shot...he wasn't sure...and Toronto could not back it up with the video we just saw?

War Room = Romper Room

There is no reason they can't win tonight. They haven't been blown out, and they've shown that they deserve to be in the playoffs.
I'd still like to see tambellini get a shot tonight.
Their PP was much better in game 4. They have to look to finish every check, and make them hurt.
Somebody MUST make them pay for the Blake play... and I don't mean Park!
I still can't believe that Yashin just stood there for that. That is why he'll NEVER be a "C".
Even Bouchard stood up for his teammates last year. Bouchard, who's last fight was probably in third grade when the girls would dip his hair in the inkwell dropped them. But the 6'3" 220 Yashin stands there like a rubber-necker while his linemate is lying on the ice...
Grow some stones and roll over these gremlins!!!!
One more NHL situation that killed the Isles... Instituting a salary cap. I'm sure it wasn't done to crush the Isles, but it didn't hurt any team more than it did the Isles.
Only four years left though... and then the franchise will rise like a phoenix from the ashes of the #79 Jersey...

Does Buffalo have anything but a few National Lacrosse League championships to feel proud of. "Stick" to Lacrosse.
You have a very good hockey team... but they are in Buffalo...
Chicago has the Blackhawks and the Cubs, but they also have the Bulls.
Boston has the Bruins and 80 years of disappointment with the Sox, but they had the Celtics and the patriots to be proud of.
Folks in Buffalo have the Bandits... and the depth of their winter precipitation...

So, here's to 9 inches and the "Bandits" coming from behind!!!

Have a nice day.

It will be only fitting if the isles win the next 3 to make it to the 2nd round....never say die, Lets Go Islanders

Let's make this as easy as possible. Let's forget about the Witt goal... it was probably most botched by the ref, so we'll cut Campbell some slack.
and let's forget about the penelty calls, no-calls, whatever. Let's just look at the Smyth "no-goal" in the March Ranger game, and the Vanek "goal" in game 3.

Remember, each were ruled NO-GOAL by the ref. Vanek's was ruled goal, Smyth's wasn't. Can you tell the difference? Colin? Anyone?

Vanek GOAL... http://members.cox.net/pschulwitz/pics/goal.jpg

Smyth NO-GOAL... http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b362/bcrt2000/nogoal1.jpg

Note to self:

* Tie up Drury in front of the net better.
* Use my stick when shooting the puck instead of a shovel.
* Try not to run the goalie thru the net & boards
* Gotta get a hair cut
* Don't be on the ice for all of the goals all of the time

Sorry Brendan. I was trying hard to make the right call. I asked Lindy Ruff for his take and he didn't think it should count, so that was my ruling.

I can't wait until next week when I'm sitting at work blogging those Ranger fans...At least they will have some wit on the their responses....Isles fans got nothing, except the constant whine of how they don't get any breaks. News flash girls...you make your breaks.As they say... excuses are the nails that built the house of losers! Guess what.. you can have the room next to Teddy's..

Bye Bye ladies!

As some of the Islanders have said... just move on. Tonight is Game 5. No amount of whining/complaining/justifying is going to make the Islanders win Game 3 or Game 4. Even hard evidence of a mistake by the referee or video review people is NOT going to change things. Bad breaks happen to every team at some point during the season. Unfortunately for the Islanders, these things are happening during the playoffs this year.

My interpretation of the NHL rulebook is... the referee just has to THINK that a play is dead. He doesn't even have to blow the whistle right away. If he says that the play is dead, then the play is dead. Nobody can overturn that decision. This rule, and others that involve "judgement calls" by the officials, are open for interpretation.

As for tonight... Let's Go ISLANDERS!!!

I called the NHL yesterday to complain and, though I was very polite, I still had a rather contentious conversation with a gentleman in the office that oversees the officiating. He said, among other things, that the question of when the whistle blew and whether the goalie was pushed into the net are NOT subject to replay. The replay is only used to settle the question of whether the puck crossed the goal line. The other aspects of the play are left to the judgment of the on-ice officials, no matter what the replay shows. That was really his only argument... When I pointed out what the video showed, he didn't contradict it directly, he just kept repeating what the ref's call was. It took a while even to get out of him the admission that the replay didn't matter because of the type of call that was made.

Anyway, the number, if you want to call, is 416-981-2777. I think the comments Colin Campbell made about Snow and Nolan are alone reason enough to complain, as they call into question Campbell's impartiality, which is frankly the most important qualification for the job he holds. No one associated with the Islanders went beyond the evidence and made an ad hominem attack on any ref or on Campbell, so why is he reacting that way?

If you do call, be polite and persuasive. The guy I spoke to was very defensive until I said, "I know you find it annoying that I am calling." Then he changed his tune and said, "No, I don't find it annoying at all. I don't want you to think that. If you're calling all the way from Long Island..." etc. They want to present the appearance of being receptive to feedback from fans who care enough to follow up.

WHY NOT US?

TO THE LEAGUE,

To quote Bob Dylan:

"Your gonna make me lonesome when you go."

The league will certainly be lonesome when we go...but I guarantee the Islanders won't go quietly.

I personally guarantee that they'll be a Game 6!

TO THE OFFICIALS,

Messier says it's gonna happen. Please make it happen.

Here's a question. If the aim is to get the call right, why doesn't the NHL allow the referee to review goals on a screen similar to what the NFL allows for its video reviews?

On Monday night we had an official who saw one thing but wanted to make sure his call was right. But, the guys in Toronto publicly stated that they didn't want to have a look it given the prior controversy. So instead of having the referee and Toronto working together by looking at the same replays to get the call right, we had each hoping the other would make a decision.

The conversation probably went something like this:

Leggo: I saw Miller make the save and get pushed in with the puck? What have you guys got?

Toronto: (After looking at several replays) The only definitive view of the puck in the net occurs after the collision? Didn't you stop the play?

Leggo: Okay. If you've got nothing. No goal stands.

Would there have been a different result if Leggo could have seen the replay itself and discussed it with Toronto? If Leggo saw the puck loose in front of Miller, would he have thought there was no save?

Also, is it conceivable that the NHL could use two side-side-replays that coincide with each other on time, i.e., use the overhead shot and frontal view to show alongside each other to show what is happening simultaneously.

The League would have a lot more credibility if it said that these are always tough calls and are notr always perfect. But we are constantly trying to improve our ability in this area (and listing some ways, yada, yada, yada).

Instead, we're told the Campbell equivalent of "Shut up and stop bellyaching; we made the call and rookie GM's should be seen and not heard." Whether you agree with the call or not, Campbell's response is bush league and unacceptable for a rules enforcer in a "legitimate" professional sport.

See y'all Sunday night at the Old Barn for Game Six!

Let's face it, Buffalo is a fast, explosive team with lots of offensive talent. You saw blowouts in the Rangers series against Atlanta. Everyone expected the same in the Buffalo, Isles series.

If the Toranna was actually making calls to screw the Isles, that is actually a compliment our play.

But I think from what KH said, Toranna opted to refer to the Refs original NO GOAL call.

I will be looking for Nolan to put out different line combinations.

Go Isles!

Kevin T.

PREDICTION: BUFFALO IN FIVE!

Posted by: MARK MESSIER | April 20, 2007 12:59 PM

Messier,

That can't be right... Rangers won't play Buffalo until next round.

after being picked to finish 30th. in the league, the isles can be very proud to even be in the playoffs. the nhl can diss us all they want but we will raise the cup again very soon.

GO ISLES

Bottom line is that great teams win in spite of adversity.
This team will be defined by their actions.
So far, they have given it their all, but have come up short... but let's define short.
They weren't supposed to have a winning record. At one point of the season they looked as if they were a legit contender for the division crown.
They weren't supposed to make teh playoffs. They NEVER dropped out of contention, and pulled off a pretty good four game run to achieve THAT GOAL in spite of the adversity brought on by the last third of the season.
They weren't supposed to be a factor in the first round. They have been in every game in the last period... and they've won one game.
Take everything else, and put it aside. What Islander would not be proud of the product this organization delivered... even if they were to lose tonight.
BUT THEY'RE NOT DONE JUST YET. They are 5 games deeper than anybody thought they'd be. They pulled 2 playoff games of revenue into the account... and can possibly get a third... and who knows.
Thanks Charles, Garth and Ted...

Give Buffalo credit... It wasn't a fluke that they won the president's trophy.

Nobody said it would be easy.

Let's go out there like men... and if your opponents are better than you, make them prove it!

Why not us???

KH,
Can't believe you actually called the NHL. More power to you but, do really think they care what you or any other fan has to say? Remember bottom line this is one big business thats all.

JP,
Your dead on. Still a great season. Easy for me to say as an outsider but, the Isles did good and will do better next year.

All,
Again easier for me to say as an outsider. So first let me say I know if this happened to the Rangers I would feel the same, type the same and think the same most of you do. But, let go of it. There is nothing that can be done. They won't change the call now and put the time back on the clock tonight before game five. It is on the team to get by it and win. It is on the team to play and smile in the face of adversity.

Yes Nolan, Snow and players had their opinions that night. But, do you think that any of them have lost sleep? Or any of this is topic of conversation among them? DEFINITELY NOT!

If you guys really believe there is a "conspiracy" here I am alot more scared for our sport than ever before.

Folks-

You can ask for Campbell's office directly at the number KH provided. I also asked for the PR department. In both calls:

* I first condemned the bottle throwers at NVMC

* Said I was a money-spending Isles season ticket holder

* focussed on the integrity and credibility of the league given Campbell's statements;

* and requested that Mr. Campbell provide a public apology to Islander fans for making remarks calling into question his impartiality on matters where even-handedness is demanded.

I agree that Campbell (ex-gutless Ranger) always had it out for the Isles! He has the balls to try and blame Snow for being a 1st time GM and Nolan working 'with whatever he has', WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE CALL. I happen to see the Pens/Sens game where Fluery got runned over let alone the western series where goalies are open targets. Campbell has always been a bum and should excuse himself for being an idiot.

Guys, forget Campbell. Remember when Jonnson got run from behind in the series against Toronto, and how the Leafs basically mugged the Islanders in that series to barely win in 7 games? I thought Jonsson was dead after the hit, so did just about everyone else. I wrote to Campbell, and he told me "you Americans don't understand how this game is played." This is not a paraphrase. I don't care what any of you Ranger fans say, Campbell is anti-Islander. Period.
Either that, or the man has no social skills whatsoever.

good job Merrick and KH. I am going to call after the season so they know it is not a spur of the moment heated call.....Then I am going to have over 150 cold callers in my company do the same thing :) :) :) ... LOL

Lets get em tonight boys! Not ready for the summer just yet!

Go Islanders! Let's get back to the Island for Game 6!

The guy posting as everyone else is telling us to "get a life!"

Funny he waits all day for smeone to post and then answers them??? Hmmmm who needs to get a life? Rags advancing isn't enough? What a loser!

DP -- Good post and nice to hear from a classy Rangers fan.

I called the league because I figured if they hear from enough people, they'll get the impression that fans notice bad officiating and that it affects their image as a league. And maybe they'll review the tapes carefully and as a result, these particular on-ice officials won't advance to the next round where they could screw someone else's team. If every fan called when his/her favorite team got victimized by clearly mistaken calls, I think it would start to have an impact. (Obviously, people should only call on the *rare* occasions when the call is unquestionably wrong and affects the outcome of a game.) The NFL has been incredibly responsive to fan concerns about blown calls, and tinkers with its replay system every year because it is important to the league that people perceive the games as being decided by the players and not by the refs. (I realize that comparing the management of the NHL to that of the NFL is like comparing a Yugo to a BMW, a cubic zirconia to a diamond, etc.)

I would just add that Colin Campbell has shown himself again and again to lack the "judicial" temperament that someone in his position should have.

WHY NOT US?

Merrick,
You're a stand up guy, but right now somebody is having a good chuckle at your expense.
The whole NHL is run by a network of folks with about as much executive experience as Goopta at the 7-11. Actually, there's a good chance that Goopta has a better education.
Remember that they were on the cusp of filling the void that the post-michael NBA had left on ESPN. then... blam.. lockout.
WHY. Basically because the NHL EXECS, OWNERS and the NHLPA couldn't figure out a way to share revenue.
I like the idea of a salary cap, but these morons couldn't come to this conclusion without a wasted season... and the loss of their biggest revenue stream, and PR MACHINE.
ESPN plays ten fat guys sitting around a felted table throwing chips at each other on endless loop EVERY DAY, rather than crisp exciting hockey...why.. Because the NHL execs are idiots.
So we get NHL on VS. VS puts on a good product, but they aren't growing the sport.

Until EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS GONE the NHL is in jeopardy of it all just going down the drain.

They said they were going to come back with a faster, more exciting product. Well... there just isn't that kind of talent to fill 30 rosters.
How can a team fill a 17-24k seat arena when their fans were used to seeing the Habs, Maple leafs, Rangers, flyers... and now they have to plunk down $150 to see their team play the columbus blue bonnets. WTF??
How can you expect the man who gave you that to make a rational decision.
THEY MUST ALL GO... NOW!!!

The fact this loser keeps replying to goo posts is comical...What is even funnier is he said Barry Beck was a fighter!

To funny....It is 70 degrees out today and this moronic rags fan is sitting at home reading our posts.

GET A LIFE....LEARN HOCKEY....GROW UP!!!

Game 6*
Buffalo @ NY Islanders

Game 7*
NY Islanders @ Buffalo

*=if necessary

Games 6 AND 7...NECESSARY!!!

In a few years Snow will be a veteran GM, and Campell will still be a jackass.

KH,
I hear you. I have enjoyed posting here this year with you guys. There is good fans that can talk hockey for both teams. The rivalry is great and a little 'you suck' no 'you suck' can always be fun. But, people like this idiot that has nothing better to do for the last five days and claims that he is off from work and everyone else is a bum has gone beyond comical to childish.

This Rangers fan right here says LETS GO ISLANDERS tonigh! As well as LETS GO LIGHTNING!

JP-

On target!

I've worked for politicians in a past life and I know all about irate constituent calls and those I would at least listen to with a sincere ear. In fact, I put in a preemptive strike against the chuckle by acknowldging that no one would listen to me and that I would have called Mr. Bettman's office directly if I truly believed he had any demonstrated capacity to improve the league.

Still, FWIW, the underlings in the NHL front office of today could be the League's leaders and PR men of the future. Hopefully they're still young and idealistic enough to leave a positive impression if you treat them courteously and with respect.

JP - Hear hear! For some comments by Brett Hull about the state of the league, check out this link:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-briefing19feb19,1,4833542.story?track=rss

Gary, you are not fooling anyone. Grow up and get a life.

Exciting news!
Orr and Hollweg just got contract extensions.

lol...sorry had to do it to lighten the mood a bit

If the NHL had any credibility, Campbell's remarks would call it into question. Since the fan base is limited to people like us and the dozens who watch Versus, no problema. Fact is there's no sin in saying the ref *might* have blown the call -- the NFL does it.

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Consipiracy? That would be giving the NHL to much credit, it would involve coordination and secrecy - which of course requires intelligence. Campbell and Betttman are morons who have "short-man" syndrome. It is a complete joke to have Campbell in his role - he has no interpersonal skills whatsoever. Think of where the NHL would be today if it had the leadership of the NFL.

So sad to see how Sabre fans have so quickly forgotten how shocking it is to have a playoff game taken away from you by incompetence ('99 and 2000).

I do not think the NHL, players or other teams take the Isles seriously after all can you blame them we play in a arena that is worse than most minor league arena's and we live in the richest section of the country. Even the Red Bulls are getting a new stadium.
Can we really expect Ryan Smyth ot sign with us and play in that dump!?

Does anyone have an update on Jason Blake? I assume he is O.K. but have not heard anything. Is he 100% or still feeling any effects from the hit he took the other night?

Look you tool, forget it your not worthy of me wasting my time. If anyone has anything useful to say it would be a appreciated.

Wow, over a hundred blog posts and the vast majority are simply not worth reading. Visiting this blog since the squatters moved in is a chore.

I do want to add the real discussion (obsured, as it is). The League's comments on this mess are laughable. I'm as upset as anyone about the goal controversies, but what really grinds my gears is the League's contemptible callousness in the face of that ugly hit on Jason Blake. The man's career could have been cut short in an instant (and worse, perhaps), yet there will be no "supplementary discipline."

The NHL is a farce. Bettman long ago proved he is the worst commissioner in pro sports. Campbell is just another player in this parade of horribles. People criticize the Isles (and rightly, I think) for the Ice Girls and t-shirt cannons. When will people speak up against the dancing bears in the League's front office?

Ignore my last post. They deleted the idiot's posts that were before that.

Great post Steven CC....

Oh sooooo true!

If the Islanders want to win anywhere near as much as I'm dying to see a win tonight, they're gonna blow Buffalo out of that building tonight.

I only wish Blake would've shown more anger toward Numminen rather than the league. I want the guy to be pissed off and pay back in goals what was done to him on Wednesday. And I want to see the same fire in Yashin that he showed on that last shift.

I want another crack at the Sabres back at the NVMC so bad I can TASTE it. LET THERE BE A GAME SUNDAY NIGHT. That place will be ROCKIN!!!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=204971&hubname=nhl

Thanks to better judgement I will just say, that sucks!

lol

Also the fact that people that use this place for it's real purpose are getting reviewed before posts...

That Sucks too!

Sean Hill suspended for 20 games for steroid use. Who is next? Man, the NHL isi really screwing this team.

Islanders defenseman Sean Hill was hit with a 20-game suspension by the NHL on Friday - just hours before New York faced elimination from the playoffs - for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances program.

OK 4:45 this hits the wire.

Lets see when Logan hits here or newsday.

Hello?!
HELLOOO?!
(sound of crickets)

Did you all break your computers reading that one?

Unbelievable the crap this team goes through. But, there is not much of an argument here. One rule that is pretty clear and you shouldn't be breaking.

Well, that may explain how he refueled his tank.

Actually, I'm near speechless. How much more bizarre can things get for this team? On second thought, I may not want to know the answer to that question.

I'm just going home to watch the game and am not saying another word.

Question: We can bring up a player from the Bridge right? A suspension is like an injury in the respect right? We don't have to play with 5 D-men.

Yes, the League's rules are pretty clear on this issue. But does the timing seem a little off to anyone else?

As an Islander fan, I've been growing more and more suspicious of the League as this series has progressed. Suddenly suspending a crucial defenseman on the eve of a do-or-die game fits in very neatly with our recent experiences. Now, if we lose Game 5, perhaps the thought is that we won't be able to blame the refs.

Again, there's no arguing with the rule and the consonant punishment. It's the timing that's suspicious.

No excuse for this one....Shame on Hill and anyone who uses performance enhancers!

Keeps getting crazier...Just like before the season started....

The Bobbleheads better get ready to scramble this off season......Ughhhhh

Think Smyth will still resign....LOL....His car is probably running as we speak! Bottle throwing, law suits against Wang, back office craziness, and now roid heads!.....Just cannot catch a break!

The one line wonders will have a field day with this one.....lol

Yikes, this just keeps getting better and better, or should I say worser and worser? Steady said it all, Smyth will be in his car driving from Buffalo to Edmonton right after the handshake. What is NEXT?????

The timing is very weird. I have never heard of a player getting suspended for something such as this (this late in the season) ever ????? Have you ???

Don't get me wrong, he should be punished....Just very weird timing.

I'm telling you that it is all about Nolan. Why was he out of the league for TEN YEARS? HE is still getting punished!

Colin Campbell has and always will be nothing more than a CLOWN! Talk about "bobbleheads!" Imagine how many are bobbing in the NHL back office....Duhhh Duhhhhh....Actually very funny to picture. LOL

isles will win

The conspiracy continues, the League must have been spiking Hill's water bottle with Steriods! Tonight the League has embellished video tape of goals being scored so that they can be sure that the ISLES don't score, and they have invisible barriers in the Buffalo goal so the puck will repel from it, and the League is spending all of it's free time trying to figure out ways to stop the ISLES because they are such a superior powerhouse and it is obvious that no team can possibly play with them so the League must find ways to stop the ISLES! Keep drinking the koolaid, because it is entertaining to read all of the conspiracy theories!

The Islanders cheat. Sean Hill is a cheater and he was busted!!! Makes you wonder what other Isles players are CHEATING!

i know if Hill failed the test, well he's an a-hole. i just wonder if anyone else was tested from other teams or did the nhl just single him out because of his age. go test chris chelios.

i bet the whole freakin league is "cheating".

This guy Campbell is a total clown, I read the Newsday piece and couldn't believe how condescending his comments were. Wow, there is no doubt this guy wants to stick to the Isles. Lets kick some ass tonight and win this thing and shove it up all there asses. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!

Winners never cheat. Cheaters never win. And that's why the Isles will lose this series. What a disgrace!! I hate CHEATERS!

As a die-hard islander fan, I am really just at a loss. Now with this sean hill thing to compound what has gone on over the past week, I really believe that there is a black cloud hanging over this franchise. I am not going to bark any conspiracy theories (although nobody has brought up the possible neil smith-colin campbell connection from their days with the rangers. Maybe campbell is helping is old buddy stick it to the isles), but I am really stunned at what has gone on. However, like I said, its a waste of time to harp on any conspiracy theories, because at the end of day it gets you no where. But I do have to say that I am as frustrated right now as I have ever been, and the fans throwing the crap on the ice was pent up frustration stemming back 15 years, and not just what happened that night. I also want to let every Islander fan know, that the Islanders have the 3rd longest drought, combining nba and nhl teams, of not winning a playoff series, and this doesent include expansion teams. I chose the nba and nhl because of their identical playoff formats, and left out the mlb and nfl because obviously there are plenty of teams in those leagues who haven't won either. But in the nba and nhl, of the non-expansion teams, only the golden state warriors, and the winnipeg jet / phoenix coyote franchises have gone longer of not winning a playoff series. Looking at all that has happened since 93, I really believe that there is a black cloud hanging over this team. Now this is not whining or complaining for what has happened, but merely a sign of total frustration. I will try and remian as optomistic as I can, and hope for the Islanders to pull out a miracle. So lets give it all we got tonight guys.

Sounds like they Suspended him now because of the wining by Nolan and Snow. I think the original plan was to suspend him after the season.

Not a smart move for Hill, but I can see him being tempted due to his age. He's played hard with a lot of minutes. Another tough one for the Isles. From what I've heard the steroids don't do much, they just play thinking they have an edge.

Watching the game on TSN HD. Looks like Nolan is leaving the existing Lines together. Isles are definately playing better with the better ice. 7 minutes into 1st.

Kevin T.

Eric,

Neil Smith fired Colin Campbell.

apparently the islanders have known for a while - wonder how many other players have tested positive and are still going through the appeals process....

Campoli terrible...what was he doing on that goal..slot wide open.

Just got a glimse of the Tampa Bay and Devils game. Holy Empty Seats Batman!

Mind you they play a frickin' boring game. Rather cheer a for a gritty entertaining team that just squeaks into the playoffs then them, anyday. No, wait, I am.

Kevin T.

Great season, all things considered.

Down 2-0, I don't see it tonight. I may have just stopped believing.

Going to switch over to watch the Mets get no-hit by Tim Hudson. Yippee.

I gotta admit, I'm so glad this is almost over. I'm ready to move on and wait for the off-season personnel moves. Do we sign Hill? How long before we buy-out Yash? Any chance of signing Smyth? I'd be happy to let Blake go if we can get either Briere or Drury.

Let's Go Sharks!
Why Not Them?

All NHL players are tested twice during the season. For the 05-06 season all players passed, something the league was very proud of. Two players did have a problem with their pre-Olympic tests given by the IOC, Jose Theodore for propecia (it can act as a masking agent)and Bryan Berard who was on medication for an injury. Testing is random and unannounced. In January last year Jaromir Jagr had the flu, and refused all prescriptions since those medicines are on the banned substance list for the IOC. (The IOC has stricter standards.) In fact last year all the NHLers who went to the Olympics in addition to being tested twice by the NHL were tested before leaving for Italy and then again during the Olympics.

c'mon DP, make a damn save you overrated s.o.b.! I guess this isn't the 1 game in 10 where you stand on your head and steal a game. That must have been game 2, so I guess we have to wait 7 more games for more excellence?? do or die game, two straight on shots, with no deflections and two goals....unacceptable

This is disgusting: www.wehateyourteam.com

Site set up by Buffalo fans who are envious of all we work hard for.

Never really had anything a/g your city and its citizens, but this is just pathetic....

Jim,

Thanks, I'm aware that smith fired campbell. I don't remember the exact circumstances of the firing other than the rangers not making the playoffs, but the firing doesent mean they couldn't still have some kind of relationship afterwards. Anyway I was not being serious with that statement, I was just throwing it out there. Like I said, I don't want to believe that there is any conspiracy, because it gets you no where.

4-2. Trent Hunter.

To bad DP's not having a great game. Although the D hasn't helped him that much.

Hill suspention hard on the Isles in two ways. One it is a shock to the players and would affect them mentally. 2nd it was a one of the best D, playing lots of minutes.

All things considered, a gutsy performance by this team. Isles fans should be proud.

Kevin T.

4-3
becoming a game now
not over until fat Colin Campbell sings
you got believe

4-3 and DP just earned his pay on the give away!

That third goal made me jump off my feet. They have to make tease us with a last minute comeback.

Kevin T.

I do find the timing of the suspension of Hill very suspicious, and it angers me that I would even think that way now. If he did test positive, I fully support the suspension, but when you take into consideration the absolute inexcusably rude and condescending way Colin Campbell has behaved, how can you not help but think he has an agenda?
Bad calls happen, but the way he has acted is inexcusable.

4-3 Final. They pushed Buffalo all the way. Handshakes now. Gotta have respect for this team, they earned it!

Kevin T.

"This team has absolutely nothing to be ahamed of"
~ Howie Rose

Very well said!

To the fans here that I like. Tough break but, great season!

They said we would be in the basement. Proved them wrong.

They said we had no prayer of the playoffs. Proved them wrong.

They said we'd sell at the trade deadline. Ask Ryan Smyth if we did that.

This team showed an incredible amount of heart and came up inches short in each game against a phenomenal team. I hold my head high and I will proudly wear my Islanders gear tomorrow in tribute to a team that never said die, even when most of the pundits and even many fans did. We have nothing to be ashamed of, and the stage is set for future success.

It's been a joy and a privilege posting with you guys this season. Kevin T., Piero, and the rest, I hope you keep following this team and stay in touch with us. It's been a great run, guys. I wish it ended differently, but at this point there's nothing more we can do.

Congratulations to the Buffalo Sabres, best of luck to them as they advance, and let's show some dignity and class in defeat.

It'll be a long off-season, but it's shorter than anyone thought it had a right to be.

Why Not Us....Next Year?

My name's Nick, and I'm proud to be an Islander.

Campoli terrible...what was he doing on that goal..slot wide open.

Yep, if Hill had played, we win that one.

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda.

Sign Smyth and take the C off Yashin's Jersy. Building for next season start tomorrow.

Kevin T.

The Isles are teh second oldest team in the league. They have the oldest group of forwards. They are out in the first round. They have no future. Have fun watching the Rangers in the second round. Tah Tah!

i totally agree with you Nick
team played well better than expected..... bu we will see some changes next year.... the "C" will be on a different player hopefully Mr. Wang will open his wallet and sign blake, ryan and a couple other player who are free agents
Next year nmaybe if we keep the the team together

I'm really very encouraged by the play of Gervais in the series. Before he hurt himself, he was in the middle of the pack of defensemen--very few shots, none worth watching, middling on defense even while he was obviously trying his damnedest. It seems like he took advantage of his time rehabilitating in Bridgeport to beef up, and he's come out dominant in these five games. Some of those slapshots were hellish. Definitely someone to watch next year.

It's been a good ride. Looking forward to it starting up again five months from now.

What a series, what a season, what a team. Thanks to Greg, and thanks to everyone here for making this the place everyone went to for the best hockey news.

A few observations about the season/series:

1) Where would this series be if Sillinger was able to put in only a few of the many chances he had? I've never seen one person have so many near goals in 5 games without scoring.

2) Our core of young guys makes me excited. Hunter, Gervais, Martinek, DP (obviously), and even Campoli, add in Bergy, Tamby and Okposo- this is good! These guys can play. For next year, I think our need to get veteran leadership is no where as pressing as this past summer. The guys clearly believe in themselves, and that has to carry over. Buy out Yashin, sign Drury, maybe even let Smyth go if he wants to much, sign Blake, and go out and get some fast young guys who have skill- someone like Vanek. The guy was riding the pine last playoffs, and now has 40 goals. There are lots of guys out there, just not fitting into their systems.

3) I honestly couldn't tell if DP was 100% this series. He played well, but wasn't able to steal any games, and though its easy to speculate, let in goals on shots he might have once saved. Good, but not great, and clearly inspired the game 2 win with his return. Either way, he's got the summer to recover, and maybe they can put some more padding in the brain bucket for next season or something...

4. One thing the Isles lacked all season- consistency. They had 2 four game winning streaks a few 3 games, and thats it. Even within games- I can't remember an entire 60 minute domination. They'd lose focus for 15 minutes, then dominate any team for the next 10. I can't decide what caused this- coaching, leadership (Yashin's lack of effort), simple lack of confidence- but this needs to be fixed next year. A few extended win streaks, and total domination of games will go a long way towards making sure they don't have to battle back from 4-1 in the last game of the season showing everyone they really do know how to play..

Any thoughts or reactions?

BELIEVE (next year!)

I loved this team, they battled the entire season. When Wang made Garth the GM, I really didn't know what to think. I honestly thought "here we go again, they will be the laughingstock of the league". But I was wrong. He made two great moves (Bergeron and Smyth). And when you watch this team, from the top down, they all make an effort towards the fans. Watch Asham as he leaves the ice, slapping hands with all the kids hanging over the glass. Wang and Snow visiting with fans waiting in line for tickets. Players named stars of the game tossing pucks over the glass to fans...(these are just a few examples) I just moved back to NY from Boston, and the contrast is amazing. You will never see Harry Sinden welcoming Bruins fans to the game, that is for sure. And it is reflected in their fans, they are losing hope. I'm sure we Islanders fans can relate to that. But no more, I think, now we have hope, and more.
I guess what I am trying to say is I have had enjoyed watching this team all season long, and really look forward to next season. Also, I enjoyed reading your comments all season (even though I rarely posted myself).

Oh yeah, sorry, totally forgot to say thanks to Greg Logan, great job this season!

Well, we took the #1 team in the League, playing pretty much at their best, all the way again tonight. A lackluster start (for a variety of reasons), but an inspired finish. The only thing standing between us and overtime was a terrific Ryan Miller save.

I'm proud of this team. We showed we could hang with the big boys. We proved ourselves this series. We may not have beaten the Sabres, but we didn't lose this series either. A dark cloud will forever lurk over the memory of this past week.

But, as with all clouds, there's a silver lining. I think, quicker than we might expect, we're going to look back on this season as the beginning of what I'll call the Ted Nolan Era. We made it this far with a team pegged to finish dead last. Think of what a few offseason acquisitions will do.

I hope Ryan Smith is just one of the guts and heart guys that will be wearing our crest next season.

A big thank you to GM Snow, to Coach Nolan, and to the entire team. A big thank you to Greg Logan and my fellow fans. I'll see you at the Colliseum next season.

I'm with Nick. I'm damn proud to be an Islander.

What a tremendous season. I'm not going to waste everybody's time with another anti-bettman rant... but they really did pull the hill suspension right out of their collective arses. Can the NHL suspend somebody for viagra... maybe it lasted more than 36 hours.
Even through that, and having to play with Drew fata, pretty much making Campoli worse, and Witt better.
Gervais stepped up tonight.
Yashin had one of his best 5 games as an Islander, even though he was "benched" and didn't stand up for Blake.
What a series and year for Satan.
I'm thankful for getting to see Smyth even if he doesn't re-sign. I wish all the best to that guy. He made me a fan.
I think garth did a great job. The whole team did. What a tremendous year by Blake, the team MVP... he NEVER took a shift off.
Hunter, Sillinger, Hilbert, Park... This team has a future.
Merrick, Steady, Miggs, DP, Kevin T, Jim from WB and all the other serious posters to this blog... it's been great. Good luck to you, and hopefully we'll talk again when the F/A circus starts.

Good health!

LET'S GO METS!!!

What else can I say other than I too am damn proud to sport the Islander colors tomorrow!!! This team showed what they are made of in this series against a team that basically blew many other teams out this year. Big off season coming up that will go a looonnnggg way toward showing us if this is the start of something or just a little taste of what might have been in terms of the Ryan Smyth era on the Island. Thank you to Greg Logan, Garth Snow, Coach Nolan and most of all the players who left everything they had on the ice. See you next year!

I'm proud to be an Islanders fan tonight. They came out in the beginning, as Steven CC said, pretty weak and flat, same in the second. They came out in the third and poured it on. "Left it all on the ice."

Through everything that happened in this series, congrats to Buffalo. Your goaltender proved tonight in the third hes top notch and a solid man to have in net.

The Islanders came out and played their hearts out in the third, made a lot of people proud that they really wouldn't go down without a fight. Congrats to the Islanders on a memorable season.

See you at the Colliseum nex season!

We're Proud!
Nothing to be ashamed of!
They did their best!
Wait til' next year!

All the mantra's of the losers. You certainly do have to be ashamed. DP signed for 15 years and was horrendous. This is your future folks, take a good look!

Go Rags!

The 2007/2008 New YORK ISLANDERS

SIGN/KEEP:
Campoli (Remember he's still a baby...Gonna be a REALLY good D-MAN)

Gervais (Young, fast, Looks good)

Witt (Slow but basically solid...Unless a similar replacement tough guy opportunity arises)

Martinek (Career Year... sans injury)

Bergeron (Career Year)
Poti (Career Year)
Dubliewicz (Proved it)

Smyth (It's remarkable how quickly he became the perfect Islander)

Satan (The importnace of regular season SO points makes him worth his $$$ alone, not to mention his goals, assists and playoff performance, we'll have to put up w/ the lack of speed is all. All Islander heart too.)

Kozlov..(plays painfully slow & scared but keep him..he had his career year here)

Hunter (Slow...but all Islander heart)

Sillinger (Age is big factor, but heart and faceoffs win.)

Asham (need a middleweight tough guy who can score timely all Isalnder heart)

Blake (keep him ..had his career year all Islander heart)

Tambellini (Give the promising legacy another chance...(Zach Parise? kill me now)

Park (just the kind of utility guy you need around)

There ya go we got room for whoever else we need..Drury, etc...but we do need to make 2-3 more splashes in trades/FA's. We'll also find out in the offseason who Nolan really wants around & which players want to play for him.

EXPENDABLE:
HILBERT (maybe see what happens w/ him in camp?)
HILL (We can't afford the 20 games)
DUNHAM (Retire)
YASHIN (Usually ineffective)
ROBITAILLE (wimpy, often ineffective)
SIMON (Career Year but, old, usually ineffective, 6 suspensions...)

Maybe Bergenheim, Nielsen crack the lineup occassioally too?

I like it.

THis wa a Rocky type season for the underdog Isles...Can't screw up this offseason...

WOW....They made us proud again. They gave us a lot of fun times this year. I loved Teddy Nolans post game comments. Said "This is just the beginning!" Everyone on Versus is saying the coaching job he did this year was spectacular. I concur!

I see cj is back. shocker. What a class act!

We never gave up. We played without Simon, Martinek, Bates, Hill, etc. and still put out a great effort!

A lot to do in the off season. Hopefully the bobbleheads will get it right!

CJ, what was your mantra from 1998 to 2006?

How soon you forget. You'll remember pretty quickly when Buffalo sweeps you out. Don't kid yourself over beating the weakest team in the bracket. Now go someplace else.

For Islanders fans with brains, the core starts with Nolan and DP. Smyth is 32 and a 6-year deal might be a stretch, but if that's what it takes to get him locked up before 7/1, do it. He's the leader this team needs to build around. Sillinger, Witt, Satan, Campoli, Gervais, MAB, Meyer all under contract. Time to buy out Yash although we have to understand the cap hit.

Tons of UFAs on this roster, so the team will look different - the key is bringing in some solid blueliners - right now we are too undersized (Meyer, MAB) or too blockheaded (Witt, the good as gone Hill). I love Witt, but we need solid defensive defensemen who know how to clear a puck. Would love to see Blake, Hunter, Zednik, Asham, Robitaille back...but plenty of options out there with average of about 12 free-agents per team.

Tough game but much to be proud of. Game reminded me of Game 7s in 2002 vs. Toronto and 1987 vs. Philly and Game 6 in 1988 vs. New Jersey...battled til the final horn. But 5 games only takes me back to 1993 vs. Montreal - much closer than history will show.

Look forward to Buffalo dispatching the Rangers. Regardless, anyone who doesn't relaize this season is goning to end with Anaheim or Nashville beating Ottawa isn't paying attention. In the fine tradition of Tampa over Calgary and Carolina over Edmonton, the poor Canadians are destined to lose to another apathetic US city. Originally I predicted Atlanta over Vancouver, but since that's off it's Ottawa's to lose!

CJ ~ I see you are playing "nanny nanny poo poo" again. You are a class act. Home again on a Friday night? Library close early? What you were to ignorant for the Political Blogs? You coward! You are beyond insecure and beyond pathetic. I thought we got rid of you after proving you wrong on every hockey topic already?

Difference between you and everyone that normally posts on this blog is hockey knowledge. That and the fact none of us would get caught dead posting on a Rag$ blog ~ ever! We are here to talk hockey with fellow fans. Are you that bored in your own life that you have to act like a two year old and tell us when we lose? For the love of God grow up! Even the Rangers fans think you are annoying. Take a hint.

I too am more excited for this offseason than any in recent years. Nowadays there is going to be alot of movement of players throughout the league so it will be interesting to see where the pieces fall. I was a bit discouraged tonight, however. Facing elimination they showed no more desperation than Wed. That has to be disturbing. All of a sudden it's the 3rd and they wake up. I really hope the last cancer is Yashin in that room.There is no way that DP is 100%.He seemed to be leaving alot of rebounds in prime scoring areas.By the way, for those of you downstate, count your blessings. We up here in WNY are subjected to the three buffoons announcing the Sabres games.They accused Blake of diving into the boards purposely in Game 4 and tonight called DP just an average goalie.Pathetic.

so glad the season is over
I'm embarrassed to be an Islander fan, This organization is a disgrace compared to the gerat 80's teams of the Torrey/Arbour era.
The controversey, the conspiracy theories, Avery tried to hurt DP,the freakin Ice Girls, the NHL conspires against us, Hill suspened for substance abuse.
The real Islander organization drafetd well, made smart trades, overcame obstacles, manufactured their own breaks, and WON!
Wang & Co. have ruined the organization like he did to Computer Associates.

Wang has turned the Islanders into the Whinelanders !!

Embarassing and sad,

You are all right.

Good season and good things to look forward to next year. The Free Agents and off season stuff is going to be interesting for the Isles and other teams as well.

It has been fun posting over here with you guys. I was around here all year. First half mostly reading. The second half I started posting to talk trash around one of the rivalry games. Dropped the gloves with steady for a day of fun. At the end of the day though we were all talking hockey.

The Hill thing was crazy and a real crappy way to end the season added to the loss tonight. My thought is Isles don't sign him and his career is probably over. Hope it was worth it buddy.

For me the things to watch for the Isles off season:
Blake, Smyth, Yashin, Simon and Doobie. What happens with these guys and who do the Isles get.(that will most likely piss me off because I will hope the Rangers got him instead)

So to all HEAR that I have had a good time with. Steady, Cincy, Merrick, Jim from Woodbury (fellow Rag$ fan), Miggsy, Kevin.T, JP and all the rest. It's been real.

This HERE proves that both organizations do have classy fans.
Both have idiot degenerates as well.
Both have spotted pasts and good looking futures.
Both have nice buildings...well?
Both have Ice-Girls...well?
LOL

So I got a question for you guys and it's a serious one.

Who do you pull for now. I know that you guys are hockey fans. So the season doesn't stop. I don't expect many of you to say Rangers and that is not the answer I want if it ain't real.

Who do you think wins the East?
Who wins the Cup?
Who do you root for now?

Steady, you seen a hell of a game tonight. Caught the good stuff on TV.

Be Well and I'll still be surfing trough here.

LETS GO METS AND HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU OVER AT THAT BLOG TAKING IT OVER. ITS PRETTY SAD OVER THERE.

It's 11:12 p.m. and the Times, of all papers, has a bylined on its site. Where's yours?

Posted by: CJ
You certainly do have to be ashamed. DP signed for 15 years and was horrendous. This is your future folks, take a good look!
---------------------

Yeah, DP is signed to 15 years, so what?
This season:
DiPietro save% = .919
Lundquist save% =.917

In the playoffs it was .910.
Once again you prove to know nothing about hockey, but I guess it's a "mute point" right now, right CJ? Grow up already.

For the rest of the readers who actually have an inkling of hockey knowledge, there are a few concerns that need to be addressed. First off ,what exactly did Snow see in Zednik? Robitaille? Another concern is Satan's atrocious -12 rating. If Yashin gets dumped, I can deal with Satan's softness - but there isn't room for both softies on the team. As for Tom Poti, I don't even know what to say. One second he makes a great play and the next he leaves his man wide open in front of the net. He's not a rookie and these are mistakes he made constantly with the Rangers. I don't know if the positives outweigh the negatives with him. On the positive side, Gervais looks like a different player. He was a horrendous defensive liability in the first half of the season but post injury he's been solid. Campoli still has a lot of learning to do and needs to toughen up defensively, but he showed flashes of offensive talent this series. I'd like to say let Hill walk because he's on the older side and relatively slow (even when on the "enhancers"), but he also showed a great degree of toughness in his own end. It's easy to say we should sign this guy and that guy, but keep in mind that we do have a cap that will limit us. It would be nice if we were able to keep both blake and smyth, but from the way blake was talking it sounds like he's had enough here and I wouldn't be surprised if Smyth went back to Edmonton, although these days loyalty seems to take a backseat to a higher paycheck. The only thing that worries me is a lack of offensive power, which has been a big problem. I suppose IF we were able to keep Smyth that would add on another 30+ goals, but that's a big IF.

Please. We're the biggest Buffalo (or Ottawa if TB comes back on the Devils) fans outside of those cities.

I'd have rooted for Toronto in 2002 over the rangers, and that was one of those series that ends with 5 quarts of bile in your mouth from the pure hatred.

And anyway, you can't blame the Sabres for the horrendous calls in this series. Other than Ruff's whining about shooting at Miller's noggin they were a class opponent.

Go Sabres,
Your either a regular hiding or the typical person I really don't care for a response from.

I asked a question. Put some thought into it.

All kidding aside, you guys ought to be proud of the way your team did not quit.

Not much to add.

This team far exceeded my expectations and I definitely laughed at the beginning of the season when Snow promised the team would work hard every night.

I'm glad Bruno and Campoli got a chance. Bruno was learning the game and I think he had some tentativeness much of the year being fearful of making mistakes on his shifts. In this series, he was needed much more and he played without fear. That's a nice pairing for the future. Btw, Martinek is no spring chicken; he's 31.

I think Bergenheim will be here. And don't forget Nokelainen, who I believe is a Nolan type player and could be excellent addition to their checking line.

I don't ever want to see Yashin or Robitaille in an Islander uniform again.

Thanks to all of you who helped make this a great season. For now, I think I need to check out and take care of other things in my life!

Peace,

Merrick

Rock on Merrick ~

Post every now and then when there is a signing or something!

I have never written what I am about to write:

I want the Rangers to beat Buffalo....I hate Lindy Ruff. Do not get me wrong. I in NO WAY want to see the Rags win it all. I just cannot stand the Sabres or their fans that showed up and tailgated by the Marriott in game 5!

My predictions:

Ottawa vs. Rangers in the Eastern finals!

Ottawa in 7 !

I hate the Rangers. Other then John and DP, I dislike most of their fans. LOL But facts are facts. Since January when they started playing team defense, they have been the best team in the East. A big turning point for them was the come back win against the Blues and then the 3-2 loss to Ottawa which they should have won. I still give the nod to Ottawa though. They are a solid team and have just as many annoyances as the Rags....Avery meet Chris Neil.....A match made in heaven (or hell actually :))

Enjoy DP and go Mets...Braves are not going to go quietly though this year!

p.s I think our boy Hunter will be just as good as Smyth one day! HE just got better and better as the year went on! Sign Blake...Sign Smyth (if possible)...Go After DRURY!

Guy is a winner...Won the little league world series as a kid,,,,Won the Hobey Baker award in College...Won the Frozen Four in College....Won rookie of the year in NHL....Won the Cup once already.....Talked about a charmed life....WOW !!! SIGN THE GUY !!!

A lot of ????? goimg inot the offseason. The team did what they could against a serious team. they played with heart in that third period and i'm proud of the coach and the guys.

I have to say Randy Robatialle has to go. I cannot stand the guys play and he can't be on this team next year. I hated the guy when he was on the team a few years ago, he's just got to go. Yashin also has to go. He's a nice guy and all, but his time is up. Buy the guy out please. Poti, is really soft. He's a big guy, but likes to watch the puck and not play with any toughness. He can move the puck and all, but he tries to be too cute instead of just shooting the puck. I say they bring Simon back for another year. Bring Park back also, the guy is as classy as they come. Blake/Smyth, it'll be whatever they feel is right. I would love both of them to come back, but who knows. If we lose those guys, we have to make a run at Drury. It was great to have been apart of this blog for the second half of the season. You guys have all been a pleasure to talk hockey with.

Did anyone catch the Ryan Smyth interview after the game? He said something to the effect of "not everybody on this team gave everything they had until the 3rd period tonight, but there's nothing we can do about that now." I'm paraphrasing, don't have the exact quote. My take is that he was referring to Yashin, Satan, Kozlov and Robataille. None of these guys showed any desperation or played with any heart or fire. The opposite can be said of Hunter, Smyth, Sillinger, Witt and Asham. Those guys battled the whole series.

that anonymous was me

I noticed that and Smyth was right on. RR/Yash have to leave the Island. Kozzy/Satan I would keep. If not for that ridiculous save by Miller, the game may be in OT right now. The guys came back in the third as hard as ever, minus the Poti watching Vaneck undress him. Take the F'ing body Tom.

Too little too late. Isles gave us one hell of a season and no one could have predicted this. With the team we had and the rough west coast trip that started the season I would have never expected to be watching the Isles playing competitive hockey in the first round series (even though the went down 4-1).

DP, all great points in your last post. As far as the east goes I hate to say this and I might get crucified for this but I wouldn't mind seeing the Sabres come out of the east and then we can say we lost to the best. However I think the Rangers have a real shot at the east. All things are going well and they are riding a hot goalie. That's playoff hockey in a nutshell.

As for the Isles hopefully we will see a Yashin buyout, Smyth getting a nice 2 year deal and getting the 'C', do not think Blake will be back but hopefully he can be replaced with some nice scoring but two-way forward, and some muscle on D. Not sure who is out there but I am sure names will surface in the coming weeks/months.

Thanks for a hell of a season and be well. Onto the Mets!

-Joe

I know someone posted the free agents to be on here once before, does anyone have a link?

Ahhhh...how sweet it is to hear you guys finally realizing what Tom Poti is. LOL, the guy can play great hockey one minute and the next look like a girl scout that hopped the glass and doesn't even know where she is. Frustrating, he did play well this season though. The problem Rangers fans really had with him though is that they all want Leetch back still so no d-man will ever be good in their eyes.

Steady,
Braves look good but, we got them. Thanks for posting that on the Rangers as well. You hit it on the head and put it out there better then I would have.

As for the Avery vs. Neil. Does buffalo got guy like that? I can't think of one.

kickedinthejunk,
nhlnumbers.com lays it all out real good and up to date

DP,

the problem that we had with Poti is that he sucked.

That is where the sentence ends.

You see they gave Sanguinetti and 3 year max rookie contract? Glen is notorious for playing hard ball with rookie contracts, they must be expecting BIG THINGS from him.

Did you see the nights Dawes and Bourret had for us in Harftford last night? they won 5-1, and the two of them had 9 points between them.

Sweeeeeeet

nice thanks.

on that Poti undressing, the guys doing the backchecking was no other than Randy Robitialle. he SUX!!!!

And the Islanders have been eliminated!!

again.

Pierre Turgeon is a UFA. Should we sign him? Thought he retired.

Man, I didn't see that interview w/ Smyth watching non-local broadcast, but thats crazy. To be honest he hasn't 100% won me over, but saying stuff like that brings it closer. I think I'm just hesitating because he's not signed yet...give him 6 years and we have a leader for years to come, and I'll develop a man-crush on him I'm sure. If I were Yashin I wouldn't even show up next year with Smyth in the locker room...

I'm so excited to see what happens this summer. I think Snow & Co. know what needs to happen...hopefully the UFAs floating around believe that and come to LI..

As a Rangers fan, just wanna pass some words of wisdom to you Isles fans looking to sign UFA's.

For years, you all know, we MAJORED in signing free agents and throwing money around like water.

It hasn't been since the organization made a concerted effort to get away from all of that, rebuild and inject youth into the lineup that we have finally turned the corner.

In the salary cap age especially, signing a bunch of high priced free agents can be very harmful. I see a lot of you guys want to keep Blake and Smyth, then go out and get a Drury, a Souray among others.

I think it's a bad way to try and build a team nowadays, and I wouldn't be suggesting all of you do a whole lot of clamoring for the high priced free agents over the summer. Take it from someone who knows.

7 years of playoff futility with the highest payroll in the league.

Believe me, I know what I am talking about.

There once was a player named Yashin,

Who came to the Isles in big fashion,

Got the fans hopes built up,

Never came close to a cup,

With 100 mil of Islanders money he'll cash in!

Is that a Yashin sonnet?

there aren't that many quality free agents out there. i found a few gys.

Stu Barnes C 35yrs. old
Ladislav Nady W 27.
Everyone on Detriot.
Daniel Briere C 28.
Chris Drury C 29.
Sheldon Souray D 29.
Tom Pressing(he's pretty damn good, and cheap) OTT D 27.
Scott Gomez C 26.
Jed Ortmeyer W 27.
Andy Sutton D 31.
David Tanabe D 25.

There's not much else.

Jim,
All of the signings are pretty interesting. I was getting into the roster and contracts but deleted it here because I wont post it on their board.

Poti, is not a bad player. He does not play that well though either does that make sense? Rangers fan in general are way to hard on d-men.

Hartford has got good stuff. No next Crosby but good stuff.

kickedinthe,
Turgeon? Come on man, to move forward you don't pluck players from the past. No way!

I really like this kid Pressing on OTT. He's a good player and can be had pretty cheap.

i was joking on Turgeon

I think Guerin, Tkachuk, Comrie and P Forsberg should all draw some interest too.

Good pick up on Preissing, he is a solid player.

Ortmeyer, funny I think he is done as a Ranger after this year.

Heard talk last night that Foresberg may be hanging the skates up on XM

Remember the last time the Islanders squeaked into the playoffs just ahead of the Penguins? 1990 when they lost to the Rangers in the first round. They could have drafted Jaromir Jagr but got Scott Scissons instead. Not to worry, with Mike Milbury pulling the strings behind the scenes for Wang I'm sure they'll draft a superstar.

Orts done as a Ranger?

No way! Best penalty killer we have, heart and soul guy, bleeds Rangers blue.

Won Steven Mcdonald award for 2nd time, he will be back.

Yeah those guys are going to attempt to fetch way too much. The Isles, as with other teams, need younger guys that come at a good price. Again, who the hell knows what will happen. I would hope to GOD that they wouldn't go after any high priced old guys.

It's over,

Isles don't have a pick until 3rd round this year, so drafting next superstar will be awhile.

Souray,

I think a team is going to give him same kind of deal Bruins gave Chara last summer, about 7 million a year.

The guy had an insane season in his contract year, has hardest shot in the league.

Signing him will be a great move for whoever gets him, but will take big chunk of cap.

Jim,
go to nhlnumbers.com and look at NYR. There is still alot of free agents. alot of them will get signed and a bunch won't. just a thought dont hole me to it.

We are 2.2 under cap before todays signings and the cap is projected to go up to 46 i believe.

Yeah,

I was looking at it, thanks for that site, it rules.

I don't think the Rangers team is going to be much different than the one we are seeing now, besides some more of the kids getting chances at some spots.

I still love seeing that Jagr makes 8.3 million but the Rangers are on the books for the cap at only 4.9 of it. Thanks Washington.

Are we 2.2 if you calculate Jagr at 4.9 million?

With the signings today I get the same feeling. Th offices like what we got and aren't going to change much regardless of how this year ends. Still at least five guys i say will get signed. Shanny, Avery, Hossa, Prucha and upon further review and a call to Toronto...lol Ortmeyer does get signed.

D will change, Staal and that is where the $$$ goes a big time blue liner.

yes look at cap hit not salary

if i am GM, the ilses will probably look like this.

D Gervias
D Campolli
D Bregeron
D Martinek
D Poti or D FA(Pressing)
D Witt
can only speculate on the D at this point.

man GM's have a tough job.

kicked,
yea they don't try to do it in 15 minutes either. lol

Islses still have Freddy Meyer on D too, I thought he was pretty good.

that's right

Im out, good night all.
Jim hope to catch you on the Rangers blog to talk more Rag$ roster.

Sorry to the boys here for using your space here for that. No disrespect!

See ya there.

Night fellas

THIS IS GOING TO HURT FOR A WHILE
Buffalo, New York

Our start to the game was very disappointing. I don't want to say embarrassing, but I guess you could use that word. We have to remember there were 14 teams at home tonight not in the playoffs watching this game. And they were probably thinking they deserved our spot more than we did. We came on at the end and that was good. We fought to the very end. But that start was bad. There were too many guys tonight who didn't leave everything they had onto the ice.

Overall, we fought as a team and battled a lot of adversity since I arrived here. You had Ricky out for a while, you had (Andy Hilbert) playing with a third-degree shoulder separation and (Arron Asham) with a broken hand. There were a lot of guys hurt and we really battled through everything. I'm proud of that. I got a taste last year of being so close to the Trophy we're all going for. This one tonight really hurts. It's going to hurt for a while.

Posted At: 10:30 PM
Posted By: RYAN SMYTH, ISLANDERS FORWARD

Seems like a pretty good crop of UFAs, including: Briere, Drury, Kariya, Selanne, Forsberg, Gomez, Shanahan, Recchi, Roberts, Tkachuk, Guerin, McCarty, Zubrus, Peca, Lang, Orszagh, Maltby, Bertuzzi, Souray, Hamrlik, DeVries, Schneider, Rafalski, Danny and Andrei Markov, Aaron Miller, Rivet, Chelios, Niemenen, Numminen, Peca.

Don't forget NYI UFAs: Smyth, Blake, Asham, Kozlov, Zednik, Poti, Hill, Simon, and Dunham/Robitalle (thankfully).

Great posting with everyone this year. I wish the 07-08 season was starting tomorrow. I plan on spending lots of time on the mets blog. Hope all the regulars can check in.

Probably most impressed with Gervais tonight. The kid has that look like he's just gonna keep getting better.

I think Nolan will talk Smyth into staying. Garth too. Based on the stuff Kicked just posted that Smyth said, I think Nolan and Garth will listen to Smyth about who he thinks should stay or go. That will be part of his deal. Maybe I'm just hoping, but I just can't see them letting Smyth go without an all out attempt to keep him.

Steady... your gonna wake up tomorrow and read what you posted about the Rangers, and your gonna feel like you did that morning after you drank too much jack and slept with that girl that was sort of fat, but kinda had a nice body, and just not that pretty, and actually kind of annoying... your gonna hate yourself tomorrow. LOL.

It will be the Sens and Sabres in the east. And Vancouver and the Ducks in the west. I think the Sens win the cup. They've got the whole package going.

JP, Merrick, Miggsey, Nick, KH... et al... I really enjoyed reading your stuff. Really. Keep checking in during signings, draft, etc.

DP, Jim... I just can't pull for the Rangers, but you guys gave me a renewed appreciation for Ranger fans... and hockey fans in general. The Rangers have a good team, and your cooking on all cylanders right now. And Lundqvist... sheesh... what can I say. I keep waiting for him to come back to earth but I can't hold my breath that long. Enjoy the rest of the playoffs.

See you on the mets blog

Talk to us Greg!!!

Eklund says:

There is a rumor going around that Ryan Smyth may just re-sign with the Isles sooner than later...a 5 year/30 million deal...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/boards/thread.ph...8257&forum_id=1

all u rangers fans in the this islanders, lets see how u fare against a real team and a real goalie

all u rangers fans in the this islanders blog, lets see how u fare against a real team and a real goalie

Seriously are you people blind? Yes it was probably a goal, but there is absolutly no video from any angle that shows it cross the goal line. To much traffic in front, if they had to make the call, you can't change a refs call if you cannot see it on the video. Yes it eventually ended up in the back of the net but again, we can't see if it just went in or if it was knocked loose by the push. I would have loved for that outcome to be different, but look at it from a different point of view. If this was another team would you still agree that there was conclusive evidence that it was a goal?

Smyth will return to the Western Conference, and the end result will be nothing in return for him. As to UFA for the ISLES next year, this team needs to upgrade it's backliners. For those of you who think Poti is an answer good luck. The backline of this team is slow and old, yet that is also the case with some of the forwards. The majority of the season this was a one man operation with Depietro stealing alot of wins. Won't work in the future, the team will actually have to put more talent on the ice. No reason for Smyth to stay, what a moral victory against the 1st seed in the playoffs? Especially when he himself said not everyone was willing to pay the price. DO you think that motivates him to return to the scene of the crime? Calgary, Vancouver and Detroit are all better scenarios for Smyth and don't think he doesn't already have this on his radar. His style suits the West better then the East and certainly his comfort zone is probably the sames, not to mention that the West will win the Cup and based on the next several years there are several teams in the West poised to continue the Cup run. Keep hoping yet better move on without Smyth.

Cincy ~

Just chewed off my arm and did the walk of shame...LOL

You know where I was going with that....If I had my choice the ice would melt and both teams would fall in and drowned. LOL

MY pick is Ottawa in the long run...They are due! Just think Buffalo is very beatable and being a Jet season ticket holder I HATE THEIR FANS !!!

Put it this way Ottawa better win. If not it could be NJ vs. Rags and the Rags WILL BEAT THEM unfortunately.

I'm starting the campaign now: GET DRURY !!!

Other then him just keep everyone we got within. Maybe get one other TOUGH GUY on defense that can clear the crease. By dropping Yashin we can have room.

God I will miss the Isles....But it is 70 degrees out today, ATL is in town, Mariano is getting old (lol0, and the MEts are looking good! LETS GO METS GO !!!!

p.s SCREW YOU COLLIN CAMPBELL....and all your BOBBLEHEADS in TORONTO as well.

p.s.s Has anyone heard from Miggsey....Hope he didn't jump! Where is AZS...Where are all the one time a week guys??? Funny

MSG ... It is over...Go away now....Even others around the NHL who are not Isles fans say that there were many calls (ALL YEAR) that never went the Isles way. How about against your beloved Rags? You're telling me that goal was not in, when the replay clearly showed it over the line? Or how about the review against the Maple Leafs? Give us an extra pt in those games and we do finish in 6th place.

I understand bad calls come and go. In my 36 years of hockey, I have NEVER seen them go against one team all year. I in no way think it is a conspiracy, but I do think NOLAN is still paying his dues for whatever he did in Buffalo. The guy won coach of the year and then was banned form hockey for 10 years.....EXPLAIN THAT TO ME!!! Explain how such a GREAT hockey coach cannot get a job after winning coach of the year honors. Maybe the NHL is mad at the Isles for breaking the "shun" and going against the good old boys?

Water under the bridge. The team is in the right direction. If the bobbleheads in the back office do not mess things up we will be good for a number of years. We lost to a very good team. Unfortunately it should of been closer with some correct calls. In a weird way this HURTS the RANGERS. LOL We could of tired them out more for you by going six or seven games....So next year you rags fans should use your head a little more about what you wish for!

The game, the season is over and the pulse is gone so congrats to the Sabres because they definitely deserved to win. They made things happen while playing okay hockey and we just didn't have everyone competing at a high enough level every shift. Against a team like Buffalo, that's just not going to cut it. They were vulnerable but we didn't get the job done.
A couple of comments on the series and the season itself:

* My regards to all the bloggers who offered opinions of substance and humour. Guys like Cincy, Steady and too many others to name kept it interesting so thanks for the memories.
* To Sean Hill, thanks for verifying my repeated claims about being too slow. Your heart was big, maybe your intentions were good but you should shoot your dealer for bad drugs. If they brought the best out in you, it's something we can do without. The return on investment only proved the game has passed you by. Do the honourable thng now and retire quietly and let the young guys play.
* Ted, you need to threaten to leave if the wholesale changes needed to fix this team can't be made immediately. No need to name names (YASHIN), it's so obvious who shows up to play and who's just drawing a cheque. By clearing house very quickly, maybe,just maybe, Smyth will consider staying. If not, then there are a few good FA's to rebuild around. We have too many grinders versus pure talent players. I can't see keeping all the forwards like Park, Hilbert, Asham and Bates. Make some hard choices. We need an influx of natural forward talent guys like Tambellini and perhaps a FA.
* Consider, strongly consider reasigning Danny (The Clown)Flynn to Bridgeport or elsewhere because he needs development more than the D he coaches. He might be your buddy but he's seriously over matched in a game of smarts. His over dependancy on the vet's and the excessive ice time he let them log only proved to be a net minus result. He continually let Bergeron turn it over but accepted it for an erratic slap shot and some PP points. He wore out Witt, Hill and Poti with minutes they couldn't handle, didn't want and didn't really deserve. Get someone who can fine tune Campoli, Gervais and perhaps one other young FA defenceman. Campoli lost a year under Flynn but has endless potential if used properly. Maybe putting him back with Marty will give us back the admirable offence he provided in his rookie year. Bruno also proved he belongs too. We need to forget Meyer sooner than later.
As for DP, get someone to work with balancing his over inflated ego with being a true team player. He's a key but it's not all about him. Extended injury absence cannot be accepted or blamed on his competitiveness. Too many passes and dashes from the net take away from his just stopping the puck. He needs to do what's best for the team, not what's best for his ego.

To the Rags Fan posting:

If you had any hockey sense you would of wanted the Isles to win. You would of been upset about the bad calls. If nothing else they would have tired Buffalo out before facing you. Get a clue

Your childish posts, simply show how shallow and ignorant you are as a human being. I am not mad at you, I feel bad for you...Simply one heck of a SAD LIFE !!! Not to mention a pathetic view on the game of hockey.

and YES...I am going golfing in 5 minutes...Enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons all day with CJ....No POSTS from here on in today will be me....So go for it Gary and pretend to be me!

Great season, good fight for a team that was supposed to be "just happy to be there". Couple of bounces away from a different series.

To the Rangers fans poking fun - I'll be the bigger person. Best of luck in the second round.

To the Buffalo fans saying "get over it" - that has to be a joke, right? You people still complain all over the Internet about Hull's foot in the crease and Norwood's kick. The city of Buffalo has been one big whine fest for decades - something about a pot and a kettle comes to mind :)

I suppose it's easy to talk crap when your team wins, though, so that's fine, but with your new-found bravado, don't expect people to feel sorry for you anymore when you choke this year.

Overall, I'm sure I can go on a blog of any team in any sport and pull up posts of fans complaining when the team loses, especially close, meaningful games. Let's face it, if you have zero emotion when your team loses, you're not a real fan. That's what makes winning all the more sweet - you've suffered through the losses. Of all people - Buffalo fans should realize that.

And Gary - we all know that the 30 one-sentence posts in a row under 30 different names are all you. You're fooling no one. Word of advice - wait about 10 minutes in between posts instead of frantically sending them all at once - it'll help mask your identity better :)

Sorry I wasn't able to post last night Steady ...I drove up to watch the game and support my team ...you know ...actually go and cheer for them in person not just whinning on a computer all night ...

I went to more games this year than you've been to in your entire life ...

The funny thing is "steady" you refer to the "one time a week guys" and wonder where we are ...but that's what we all say at the games! Where are all the frontrunning fans? Then come playoff time the seats get filled while people like me have been there all season long ...

Any amount you have on that bet my friend. I did not mean it meanly when I wrote that, I meant I wanted to hear your take. You obviously have anger issues...Sorry I live in MA. now and had to give up my season tickets. Still attend 15 games a year, Saturday season tickets to the Mets, and season JEt tickets.....Trust me you are WAY out of your league!

p.s Easy to go to Buffalo for a playoff game...I went down the stretch before the hype.

Learn to relax and not fight with your own fans. Every other Isles fan on here enjoys me...Heck, even two rangers fan. LOL

If you still have a problem we can foil it up next year. I know who you are in your Potvin jersey!

It's wonderful - One of your better players, an elimination game and he's suspended for drugs! You cannot write this stuff!

Nanny Poo Poo? I might be getting under your skin but resorting to your old crossdressing days?

Anyway, if you believe that Symth will sign even a one year deal you are delusional.

People, I understand that licking your collective wounds is somewhat cathartic, but you would never have to do so if you rooted for a team with heart.

By the way - this was DP in the playoffs?! What is the difference from regular season? This guy is you long term hope. People, it would seem that your Islander hierarchy are the ones without the hockey knowledge,or foresight for that matter.

Isles don't have heart? How come every single person in the NHL disagrees with you? You insecure loser!

Well guys, it's been real.
The future is bright with Ted at the helm, but as stated many times here, many changes have to be made.
Even though we were overmatched by Buffalo, the team showed heart and character and earned respect in the league (too bad a small few fans threw stuff and gave us a black eye).
Ted and Garth have some house cleaning to do, and should start TODAY.
They KNOW who gives 110% and who needs to GO...so as NIKE would say, JUST DO IT !
Well fellas, have a great summer and Kevin T. good luck to Vancouver.
My pick is San Jose and Ottawa and Ottawa winning..they have the complete package.
Enjoy the summer and Lets Go Mets !!
PS..this is OUR BLOG.
No need to respond to Ranjerks fans with nothing to say but crap.

From the post-game articles you can tell that Hill's suspension really affected the team and especially DP. It took their focus away big time.

Merrick, Steady, Miggs, DP, Piero, Jim, Nick, JP, Mick, and others I can't remember right now, this was what Sports was all about. You can bet i will be right back on this site if any off-season news is announced. Especially with negotiations with Smyth.

I am from Vancouver Island and I would invite all New York Islander fans to be honorary Canuck fans. Tonights game is in a decent time slot.

Kevin T.

i really wanted that series to go longer to help my boys a bit. your boys hate the rangers so much you threw the series to buffalo, thanks for nothing! don't worry we'll give a much better showing than you did. if your not too busy check out a game or two.we'll be the ones still wearing our uniforms.see ya next year

Oh, and I know the Isles fans think there is a conspiracy against them. Get a load of these guys on a Canucks blog...

http://www.canuckscentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8505

Un-censored stuff. Very fun read!

Kevin T.

o.k. i had my fun. now i'll talk for real about how much fun i had this year. went to every isles- rangers game and haven't had that much fun in years. i'm older now so i'm not into duking it out anymore, but i still love the verbal warfare. relax isles fans the minute you got nolan i told my co working isles fans that you had turned the corner. i think the guy is great and should have been back in nhl much sooner. you have a good one there. so i look forward to next year and the RIVALRY which will only be better when they are both top notch teams like they are getting to be

Dipietro had a better save % than Lundquist this season

lundqvist is still playing and has the lowest goals against in the playoffs.

Hey Gary or whatever Ranger$$ A$$hole that's posting this crap:
GET A LIFE !!
It's a nice sunny day..won't your mommie let you go outside and play??
You really are an embarrasment to yourself and Ranjerks fans in general.
PS: you have won ONE playoff series in 10 years and ONE cup in 67..
If and when you ever win anything else, you are then allowed to gloat.

Have fun guys talking to yourself.

5 keys to offseason
1) buy out yashins contract, i dont care if had a great game 5, this guy kills our team, he has never shown us anything. we need a captain who leads by example.
2) sign blake
3) sign smyth and make him captain, you can just see this guy steps up his game and intensity for the playoffs, he threw his body around and battled everytime he could around/behind the net and in the corners, this guy must stay and lead this team.
4) keep zednik, i have a feeling with his speed he could be a great asset for us next year.
5) sign okposo, bring him to bridgeport, we are DUE for and young and up coming star, maybe tamby can also make a difference next year he showed some talent when he got the chance..

this offseason will show who's really running the team,mm/wang or snow/nolan.cause there's no way nolan wants yashin back.
trade miro for a draft pick
trade/buyout yashin
let blake walk
resign smyth and do what it takes to get drury or gomez to play with him
now you would have a team with a little heart

How true this is, "[Randy Robitaille]proved time and time again that he is amongst the worst defensive forwards in the NHL." Read on.

http://blogs.msg.com/david_kolb/

Isles decision making on the bench hurt their chances

Yes, the Islanders caught a few bad breaks both down the stretch and in the playoffs; however, they didn't create their own breaks either.

With a little over a month left in the season, the Isles had every opportunity to go on a run right then and there.

The sixth seed was theirs for the taking.

At the trade deadline Ryan Smyth was obtained and soon after Alexei Yashin, who had the finest first half of his career, was returning from injury.

Momentum was on their side.

Yet the team never capitalized.

What went wrong?

While Coach Ted Nolan could be the best off-ice coach in the NHL, his in-game managing could be questioned. Nolan kept his faith in certain players that were either playing too much or were simply miscast.

For instance, for some time Chris Simon was playing not only on the first line, but had significant power play duty as well.

The same can be said about Randy Robitaille, a player that by no means deserved the ice time he received. He proved time and time again that he is amongst the worst defensive forwards in the NHL.

When I was asked by The Buffalo News beat reporter, Tim Graham, what I thought of the series versus Buffalo I said, "as long as Randy Robitaille gets that much ice, the Isles are in trouble."

After Robitaille's abysmal defensive showing in Game 2 - a game the Isles actually won - as well as the series as a whole, Graham said to me, "You are absolutely right about Robitaille."

In that Game 2, Robitaille was solely responsible for both Sabres goals. The men he was supposed to be guarding at the point, Tony Lydman and Henrik Tallinder respectively, had the Buffalo tallies on that night.

In Game 5 in a pivotal second period, not only did he commit a "too many men on the ice" penalty that pee wee hockey players are taught not to commit, but he was beaten by Derek Roy, on a one-on-one situation to give the Sabres a back-breaking 3-0 lead.

Robitaille finished the postseason at an ugly -5.

Understanding that Jason Blake is to be an unrestricted free agent, you have to wonder what he was doing playing with two fringe NHL talents in Robitaille and Arron Asham. No disrespect to Asham who can be a good third or fourth line player, but Blake was your team's best scorer who was successful when teamed with Yashin in the first half.

Blake should have lined with Smyth, and they should have been allowed the time to jell. If they would have had any chemistry, both could have looked forward to playing together for a few more years together. Now both are unrestricted free agents and both may bolt.

Last, but certainly not least, was Nolan's decision to keep Mike Dunham plugged in net despite some horrendous performances when Rick DiPietro was out with a concussion.

Specifically, at Ottawa in a 5-1 loss, then in the Isles 8-5 loss at Florida, Dunham was awful, with Wade Dubielewicz on the bench. Dubielewicz should have been given a start in the March 17 game at Florida.

As we all now know, Dubie is competent, but he too is an unrestricted free agent, and unless he gets a guaranteed one-way contract, bet on him to leave.

I have been a faithful hockey fan for years but I am beyond sick and tired of the bad calls that go against the Islanders for years now. I always recognized that Mad Mike was just that, Mad as hell at the preferential treatment some clubs get consistently. It goes without saying that this league will never get respect with buffoons like Colin Campbell running it and video review in Toronto of all places.How much more should we as fans be expected to tolerate. All we want is a fair game. At some point the loyalty will wane forever.