Negotiations between Islanders general manager Garth Snow and the agent for left wing Ryan Smyth should begin in another week or two, but it will rank as a major upset if the Isles sign Smyth before he has a chance to sample the NHL free-agent market on July 1.
That doesn’t mean the Islanders are out of the running for Smyth. Far from it. It just means they are likely to have a lot of competition.
Smyth’s agent, Don Meehan, played it close to the vest when asked recently about his plans to negotiate with the Islanders. “I’m going to meet with Garth Snow,” Meehan said. “We’ll arrange to meet in the near future.”
That won’t happen until after Memorial Day weekend because Snow currently is on a scouting trip. When they do meet, it’s a certainty the Islanders will top Edmonton’s last offer to Smyth before the trade deadline of a reported $25 million for five years. Just speculating, but six years for $30 million would be a ballpark starting point, and throw in an offer to be named captain.
For a 31-year-old forward with 11 full NHL seasons of mileage on him, those numbers would be fair in terms of salary and length. By the end of a deal like that, the Islanders would be paying as much for leadership as for production, as the Rangers once did with Mark Messier.
But when asked about the chances of Smyth signing with the Isles, Meehan was non-committal. “We haven’t made any decision yet,” Meehan said. “I’ll be meeting with Ryan on a series of occasions. We haven’t made that decision, and we won’t make that decision. But we will sit down and talk to the Islanders by all means.”
Meehan’s answer seemed to suggest it’s unlikely Smyth will sign until he has heard all the offers. Unless he fell in love with the Islanders in his brief stay lasting 18 regular-season games and a first-round playoff loss, it would make business sense for Smyth to see what all his options are on July 1. Most likely, he could count on serious offers from upwards of a dozen teams.
But who knows? As much as Snow, coach Ted Nolan and owner Charles Wang want Smyth, maybe their offer still will be the best in the end. Since it doesn’t appear the Islanders are going to sign 40-goal scorer Jason Blake, Smyth is the main object of their desire. If it appears he’s going elsewhere, they likely would go hard after Buffalo center Chris Drury along with the rest of the NHL.
Notes and quotes – Free agent forward Randy Robitaille already has agreed to a deal in the Russian League for next season…Kyle Okposo, the Isles’ No. 1 pick last year, reportedly has been asked by Minnesota coach Don Lucia to tell him by June 1 if he’s returning to school for his sophomore season or turning pro…The Islanders today announced they have renewed their old ECHL affiliation with the Utah Grizzlies...Unless there is any major Islanders news to report, this could be the last blog entry until sometime between the June 23 NHL draft and the July 1 free-agent period.
Comments (53)
It's times like this that real Islanders fans are very nervous ...but luckily for steady he's "done with this team" so he doesn't have to worry about what players the Isles will or won't sign ...
Ryan Smyth will sign the Islanders. Remember business partner with Mike Sillinger and a great coach in Ted Nolan. That kid they just signed is a "scoring machine". Thats why they won't sign Blake. They have a replacement. Smyth will sign and the Isles will be strong contender in two years. Watch.
Have confidance in Snow and the organization. We're making smart moves and finally looking forward. Smyth will be a huge part of Long Island if he signs. Leave it to Garth.
Buckle up baby, it's going to be a bumpy ride! Geeesshh! One more summer of logic defying descision making may be ahead of us. Won't the Canadian media be pleased!
I know, Niagra University is known for producing "scoring machines", LOL! If the kid scores 5 NHL goals in his lifetime, he'll be lucky. 1 out of every 100 undrafted players make it.
Bill, why don't you take a look at Anaheim's roster and top prospects? You're a moron if you think that not being drafted means you can't have a successful career. Perry, Kunitz, and Penner are all undrafted, as is Blake, and st.louis, among others.
Whoops, Perry is drafted, my bad.
Let the chips fall where they may. If the Isles dont sign Smyth or Blake they better sign some UFAs. And keeping Yashin sucks but its just the way its gonna be, no sense in complaining over spilt milk. Once the puck drops I'll start being critical.
I want to see the Isles succeed. I am concerned that they spend too much of their budget on Ryan and have nothing left to work with.
Sounds like Ryan and his agent will wait until July. They won't get more than what the Isles are willing to offer.
Kevin T.
I know we are Isles fans here but I just wanted to aknowledge a former Ranger I actually liked. Brian Leetch retired today. The guy was always a class act and was the greatest American-born hockey player. I always enjoyed watching him pick-up steam in their D-zone and going end to end, except against us!
So long to a great player and classy guy who personified humility. Next stop, HOF.
I think Wang with not only give smyth money. But will give him other incentives to sign before July 1st
I agree with that logic. If the Isles lose Smyth it surely won't be over money or length of contract. I still have a good feeling, and I choose to believe (or maybe delude myself) that Yashin will still be kicked to the curb and this team can build around true winners.
As an NCAA hockey fan, I don't know much about Bentivoglio, to be honest. The CHA is not a college hockey powerhouse, but I'm talking to my contacts in the NCAA hockey world to find out more about the kid. More when someone tells me something (though I watch Hockey East regularly and I need to once again say Trevor Smith is a stud and will provide great things for both the Isles in the future and my alma mater, BU, that will no longer have to face him).
Hope you guys are enjoying the gorgeous weather. Off to the golf course for me...
I can only imagine what is in store. I like how Ted Nolan has an impact on the rookie and veteran signings. Nolan likely pushed for Andrew McDonald who they signed today. Nolan who gave Simon a chance and he did betterr than I expected (Hollweg fiasco excluded). Maybe just a little too much Ice Time was the downside. Maybe they suprise us with signings and retentions. Much too early to speculate, but I am very curious to where Blake winds up. My gut says the Rangers because there is such a history of the rangers snagging our talent (Lafontaine, Flately).. but again speculation - I may just be paranoid.. I hope they can retain Smyth. If we lose both Smyth and Blake (likely) I think we should gauge the islanders commitment to winning on the moves they make to replace these assets. Theres a lot of big names up for UFA plus the likes Sean Bergenheim and others waiting in the wings. I do not think for a second that prosepects are the answer to replacing these players. I get the impression that Snow is now building up the farm until the real action starts in late summer. Maybe we grow some top talent or at least functional role players. I dont think the signing of Sean Bentivoglio is intended to replace Blake. Maybe he challenges for a spot, maybe he ends up on the sound tigers and adjusts for a season or two. No telling how good of a player he becomes. Some undrafted talent does pan out as mentioned above by Matt.
The islanders provded they can win games last season (yes and lose- it happens) and the fan support proved to be not only exsistant but passionate. I dont think the islanders are the team players do not want to consider anymore.
As a die hard fan, I am happy with the developement over the last few years. The affiliation deal with Utah is also a tremendous step forward. We now have two stable farm teams at the minor pro level, unlike the old days of the 5 hour trip from previous shared farm teams. We all realize how big it is to have the Sound Tigers right across the water.
Im all for builidng a solid competitive future but damn, the future is taking so long to get here. Cant wait for training camp!
what the islanders lacked last year was a pure goal scorer. it's needed to be a long term successful team. smyth is not a pure goal scorer. he's a gritty player that scores his 30 goals driving to the net. i don't see how you can give a non pure goal scorer 6 mil a year. plus from watching his past performance, i tend to thnk as he gets older he'll become more injury prone. he plays a tough game on his body. he can't play any other way and i worry he may not last more than half of a 6 year deal. it's not like he can cut back on driving to the net cause that's all he can do, but he does do it well.
Glad to hear that Robitialle signed elsewhere. Not that that I think he was a terrible player, I wish him well. Just glad to see another spot open and another lower teir player somewhere else then here.
Not a terrible player eh? I have never seen a player contribute more woes to his team than Robataille. He was individually responsible for 4-5 goals in the playoffs where he clearly lost his man. He was a minus 5. He had 8 penalty minutes. Terrible, horrendous, despicable. Enjoy Russia.
RR was one of my least favorite Islanders of all-time. Nolan kept sending him out there in the p-offs and the guy seemed to either take a penalty or be late backchecking, which usually led to a goal against. See ya RR. have fun in Russia pally.
Off the beat, but who are yor least favorite Ilses of all-time?
Least favorite= eric fishaud... thinking of him makes me want to keep yashin around... what ever happened to that bum
I agree, eric fishaud was pretty bad.
I disagree on Fichaud, honestly. I was very angry when the Isles got him because I loved Benoit Hogue (scored a hat trick in my first NHL game, what can I say?). Fichaud's only sin was that he wasn't what we the fans wanted him to be (goaltending savior).
In terms of least favorite Islander, the conversation has to begin and end with Kirk Muller. That trade doomed the Islanders franchise for many years to come and probably still influences players' negative view of this place. I would take 20 Yashins on my team before I'd even THINK of Kirk Muller, that scum...
Least Favorite. Kirk Muller. I think many would agree
Do you guys think the Isles will win their first playoff series since 1993 next season? It's been a loooooooong time since that happened.
Cincy, continuing from last your post, yes I agree that the Isles won't buy Yashin out and I agree about Getzlaf. Anaheim has really set itself up nicely with him, Penner, Perry, both of their goaltenders. They have done a wonderful job with the draft and free agency. Niedermeyer and Pronger on the blueline is absolutely ridiculous. JS Giguere has regained his 2003 Conn Smythe form and they are playing great. I'm picking them in six over Ottawa. I enjoyed the Eastern Finals, that line of Alfredson, Heatley and Spezza is fantastic and who would have thought that Ray Emery would emerge. Kind of funny about Martin Gerber. He backs up Giguere in 2003 to the finals, backs up Cam Ward last year and is currently the back up to Emery this year.
In my perfect world, the Isles resign Smyth, give him the "C", resign Poti, sign Okposo, and look to sign some defensemen like Brad Stuart, Sheldon Souray (might be a little too pricey, Tom Preissing, etc. By the way Paul Kariya is an UFA. He still is a big time player. It's not all lost if they can't sign Smyth, but I loved what I saw from him in 18 games this past season and would be sorry to see him go.
Hradek reported on ESPN that Isles offered Smyth a 10 yr deal but he turned it down, electing to wait to see what other offers he gets from other teams. Not lookin good...
The Oliers will welcome Smyth back, or he may go to 29 other teams. On it right now, will narrow it down to 28 teams tomorrow. Stay tuned, and please payme $20 for more made up information.
who did we get in that palfey deal?
Hradek speculates that Smyth will end up in Detroit.
http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/nhl/index
Isles traded Zigmund Palffy, Smolinski, Cousineau and a 4th round pick to the Kings for Olli Jokinen, Mathieu Biron, Josh Green and the 8th pick in the draft. Actually not too bad of a deal, but Jokinen was a stiff while he was here and Biron still hasn't come into his own. I wonder who the 8th pick turned out to be. Anyone know?
This has been said before, but with the salary cap, players are a lot more fleeting. The important thing is that if Blake and Smyth end up elsewhere, the Isles sign someone else instead.
If Blake and Smyth are not resigned, then the Islanders need to go after guys like Drury, Briere, Zubrus, and Gomez for the offense.
As much as I would hate to see him go, Jason Blake needs to leave. He is 34 years old, and has had one 30 goal season, and that was this past year. It is unreasonable to ask him to improve upon that as he heads towards 40 years old, and it is just a bad investment to sign him to a 4+ year deal for that kind of money. If he will stay for 3 yr, 9 mil, I would think about it. But maybe it's better he just leave, and we can give a 24 year old a chance instead of a 34 year old, and for much less $$
I also heard about what felix said, Hradek reported that the Islanders offered Smyth a "significant offer, in the area of 10 years"...he never used the words "turned down," he just hinted that Smyth would test the market, which we all knew he would do
Where's the fast forward button! I hate the off season!
I second that bossy.... from now on I tape evey game so I can watch them in the off season!
Joe: The last time I checked there was SIX years between 34 & 40. It is NOT unreasonable to ask a 34, 35 or 36 year old to repeat their athletic proformance of their very recent past. Just ask Brind'amore, Chelios and Brodeur. Some players ARE finished by the time they are 35 and others are just hitting their prime. PS: Who is to say this organization would give a 24 year old the time to develop. They're looking for INSTANT gratification, not long term projects.
i'm sorry, but i'm getting sick and tired of all the ryan smyth butt kissing,,,,,who is he, trottier? tell you the truth, i'd rather have gomez, i think he fills more of our needs
Ok... we get it... You're sorry.
Popeye- smyth is a guy who plays with a big heart and has trendous awareness on the ice. These attributes can't be taught. He hustles every second he's on the ice and loves to get dirty in front of the net. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think he will go to the highest offer on the table. It sucks because that offer will most likley come from the isles. I think the biggest contribution he could bring to the isles is influencing t hunter... to me that is worth having him around
I was very excited when we got Smyth but to tell you the truth he is slow/has no shot and has a lot of wear and tear on him....Don't get me wrong I would love to have him but we can't afford to make another huge mistake like Yashin....I would love to get Gomez.....I really don't think Smyth wants to be an Islander and with Yashin still on the team he's probably not coming....Can we afford to wait for him to make up his mind???? By the time he does that all the other free agents could be gone.....It's going to be interesting to see what happens....We CAN'T lose Smyth and Blake and not add a top notch person........
Well would you look at that. More posts deleted. Credibility here gone. Time to move on.
Whoever is responsible, you are truly disgusting, from a publication point of view but also personally.
GOMEZ, GOMEZ, GOMEZ, GOMEZ, GOMEZ...Let Blake, and Smyth walk, trade Miro for a draft pick and sign GOMEZ.
GOMEZ, GOMEZ, GOMEZ, GOMEZ
The best form of leadership for the young kids is Gomez...He plays hard, has skill and never quits.
if miro was any slower he would be moving backwards. If you could tell me he'll score 35 next year I'd say keep him... but I think his production is only going to decrease
Doesn't Miro have one more year on his contract? He may do better this year than last....and if we DO lose Blake and Smyth we will need every goal Satan can get for us! (even if we don't lose them we need them obviously, but)
I'd love Gomez though.
Islanders signed Dustin Kohn to a three year deal Monday....
LET'S GO ISLANDERS !!!!!!
WHY WERE ALL THE FAILBURY POSTS DELETED?
HE IS GONE! Gone, Gone, Gone, BYE BYE!!
This is cause for CELEBRATION!!!
Now all we need is to jettison Yashin and things have a legitimate chance to come together.
BYE BYE MM. GOOD JOB ISLES. HIGH FIVE!!
Where are you guys getting this news from
If Smyth wanted to stay He would have signed that big deal. Good bye Ryan, Good bye Jason.
I hate to think my mind has come to this point, but just like a typical horror flick, are we really sure he is gone? Don't you expect Mad Mike to rise again? I half expect Alexei Yashin to take off a mask during the season to reveal that HE is actually Mike Milbury.
Oops. Gotta run to my therpist appointment. Have a good night.
Wtf... why does he have to remain an advisor.... why can't they just cut all relations... I guess mad mike gives the ill reach around
Milbury needs to make it up to the Islanders for all the bonehead trades he's made throughout the years. The best way he can do that would be to land the Rangers' vacant assistant GM job.
Who cares about Milbury!
He's Gone - The Islanders should start worrying about signing some of their free agents before they lose them in a month, instead of signing minor prospects!
R.Smyth - 4 years for 25
J. Blake - 3 for 11
with a 1 yr option for 5
Poti - 2 for 6.5
Bergenheim - 3 for 2.3
Asham - 2 for 1.8
Hunter - 2 for 3.5
don't resign:
Simon
Kozlov
Hill
Dunham
Zednik
AND FINALLY BUYOUT YASHIN OR NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WILL BE BUYING ANY TICKET PLANS OR INDIVIDUAL TICKETS NEXT YEAR!!
The Strangers are moving fast, slow Isles are losing ground. Better sign Smyth and another scorer. JL