On the Islanders Beat

"it’s time for me to go into hibernation until mid-September"-----In other words - Islander fans this is pretty much our roster there will be no big moves made again this summer and we are probably a last place team again. We lost our top d-man and replaced him with the Blue Jackets 6th defenseman. No Souray, No McCabe, No Sutton, No anyone. We got Guerin and Comrie to make up for Blake, Smyth, Kozzie, and Yashin. Add one more year to our streak w/o winning a playoff series

Easy, 3914, come back from the ledge. We're not done yet. It's just Newsday is too cheap to have someone do some writing while Logan takes some vacation time.

Isles3914 - Did you read the blog, heck first part even? Logan says "I will return if the news demands it," if the isles make a trade or have a major signing he'll be back. EVeryone thought we were done July2-3rd but Snow has a plan. Why not wait till Sept to throw last place around, I'm sure you can find plenty of people to jump on the bandwagon with you.

If this team is ever going to be a serious contender, we have to develop some of our own players.I hope that Nolan gives some of the younger guys a chance to play big minutes.Bergenheim, Gervais, Tamby etc. have to become a major part of this team or we might as well not make the playoffs.Then we can use the high draft picks and hopefully get some players that will have a major impact in the future.DP is great in goal.He'll be with us for alot more years so we do have time to build a good, young team that can win the cup, not just make the playoffs. I'm glad that Garth isn't sacrificing our future for for a quick fix and signing guys to bad contracts.

Well I wrote on the opening of free agency on July 1st that losing out on Poti was the biggest loss and would hurt us the most and here we are without a top dman. Poti logged the most minutes, led the team in assists and had a great year. He seemed to like playing here and I was pretty surprised Garth did not work it out with him. Now with Souray signing with the oilers, Mccabe or Jovanowki not being options in trade scenarios we are left with a HUGE void to fill on the back line. It sounds like the yotes would trade jovo in a heartbeat to lose that salary but he will not drop his no-trade clause and Mccabe's bonus incentive laden contract on top of the base salary is scaring the isles off I dont know where Garth is going to turn to fill this spot. Here is my take on available FA dmen that are said to be possible signings by the Islanders:

1. Berard. Cant play d. He is simply a pp qb. We that type in MAB. No to Berard.

2.Ninnima. played here already and was terrible. Not the Nolan type player Garth and Ted are looking for. No to Ninnima.

3.Tanabe. played good on good teams but we are looking to replace poti spot. - player whole carreer. No to Tanabe

4. Markov. At first glance sounds like the perfect fit. Solid dman, plays tough and has skills in all areas of the ice and is a top 4 dman. was a +25 on red wings last season. However, he seems to miss 20 games a year due to injury because of the way he plays. he is only 190 lbs which probably wears down. I say is a risk when your talking about getting only 60 games a season for 3 million a year. I say no to Markov.

5. Sutton. Has great size that didnt seem to hurt him in the new nhl. Was a +8 playing in an offensive div (bolts, caps, canes). Hes physical, tough and compared to Markov is durable. Sutton sounds like the perfect replacement and the Isles should be targeting him.

Yes to Sutton

Markov missing 20 games is nothing for his kind of style... the hard nose, grinding type. I'd definitely sign him.

We need D-men. Markov,Sutton, someone has to replace Hill and Poti. Come on isles!! As much as I love Gervias/ Campoli's development, they're too small and not polished yet. Martinek is injury waiting to happen. We need a couple professional players.

What about this guy?? restricted Free Agents....

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2213&hubname=nhl-wild

If we can get Markov to come here, go for it, he sounds like an Islander. If he only plays 60 games because of injury, that's what we have depth guys in Bridgeport for. Johnson and Meyer can fill in when needed. Although, I still think a trade for someone like Boynton or Ohlund is a possibility.

per HockeyBuzz.............

Danny Markov (Buffalo, Montreal, Islanders, San Jose)
If I could go to war with one defenseman in the entire NHL I would take Danny Markov. He is a player that will battle and battle...He wants a three year deal and that scared Detroit away. He is a bit of a loose canon, but you don't want to take all of that out of him. He is nuts and will put his face in front of shots. Most people who live normal and simple lives won't do that.

we did improve a little after we got gutted but i dont even think we replaced what we lost yet. sim is an upgrade over asham, fedotenko=kozlov, guerin=a small step below blake, comrie over yashin. still have to make up for poti, smyth, even though he did not do much for us, we would have gotten in without him. IMO, we need at least one more top 6 forward and 2 D-men, a scorer and sutton or markov. then we are improved, but gotta love the grittiness. one player we all forgot about in the end who is playoff clutch is simon, he is close to coming back. look what he did for calgary in the cup finals a few years back.

Scary how the usual suspects are so devastated we lost a player they were furious at signing a year ago in Poti.

Last place? Been a long time since this team finished last, can you honestly see a Ted Nolan team with DiPietro's goaltending not being in contention?

Campoli's on the verge of signing a long-term deal with the Islanders according to the teams website.

I like Markov but anyone who wants to give Toronto back all that capspace to spend on players who can really help them for mediocre McCabe are out of their minds.

To take McCabe's contract and give Toronto cap-space
is like another club trading for Yashin three years ago. There is just no way you do that unless they offer a great deal that helps you long-term with him.

For me?

They would have to put him on waivers so we only pay part of his contract, they give up three first rounders, take Bates, Park and Meyer's contracts and give us their two top prospects for the Islanders to consider taking McCabe.

Yes, I know the Milbury club who lives to hate him are the same ones right now wanting to put Gervais, Campoli, Hunter or Bergenheim into a McCabe trade proving they are as clueless as Milbury..

Same with Javanowski who's old, overpaid, injury prone who cannot help the Islanders win.

Just be patient and wait for the right defender or develop someone who can fill the role.

Hear, hear IC. Perfect post to conclude my week in California... just signing off now before heading back to the hotel and then home to NY tomorrow. Great post, I completely agree. For the first time in many years, I feel comforted by the thought that the GM is making the decisions, because he knows a lot more than I do. Let it Snow!

Signing Danny Markov would be a perfect move and a perfect way to end our FA period...

I hope it happens!

Sometimes this blog boggles my mind that I'm embarrassed to be an Islander fan. Islander Contraction.

IC

I have thought about it, and I have changed my mind. I previously said I didn't want McCabe. And I took a shot at my fellow Isles fans who do want Caber. You guys are right. Get Caber at all costs. IC

If the Isles are looking for a defensive D-man, why not make an offer to Ossi Vaananen? I've always loved the guy, very solid and dependable. He'd certainly strengthen the defence from what it is at the moment and add some size and body.

JIsles - MAB is no PP quarterback. He's a guy you look to pass to so he can unload the shot from the point, but that is different than having the smarts to direct traffic and get the play moving up ice. That's something Berard does very well. I'd rather the Isles take a chance and sign Berard (along w/ a shut-down type like Sutton) than go after McCabe. At least with Berard, while we would be taking a chance w/ injuries, we would not be giving anything up except money (and a lot less than McCabe!) or freeing up cap space for a rival so they can improve their team through a UFA signing or trade. Plus, Berard would be A LOT cheaper and allow us to sign or trade for another center while still maintaining enough room to add salary during the season if necessary.

What do you guys think as far as center? I wouldn't mind seeing Peca come back to center a second line with Satan. Comrie, Peca, and Sillinger would be a pretty good top three combo...at least much better than what we started w/ last year (plus I feel like it would be righting a wrong - dumping Peca because of Yashin). I'd like to see them unload Bates if at all possible too.

What scares me about this blog that no one seems to be mentioning is Hunter. No way do I want to lose him to FA next summer, but in listening to his agent's comments, though he claims Hunter wants to remain an Islander, he will be testing FA next year, and we all saw what happened this year with that. Poti, Blake, and Kozlov all wanted to remain Islanders too, and look where that got us. He needs to be locked up long term before the trade deadline next year or we will be reliving the whole Blake saga over again with Hunter in Feb. Sign him!

Greg, Thanks for all the hard work this year. You've done a terrific job getting us the info in quick fashion in this Blog. Enjoy the summer and we'll look forward to your coverage of training camp in Sept. Everyone in IslandersCountry thanks you.

Webb20

SIGN PECA....

The Islanders are in big trouble!!!!!!!!!

Have the Rags been contracted due to lack of interest yet?

5,000 ISLANDER FANS AT MSG THIS YEAR OR MORE?

" YOU CAN'T BEAT US..."

100 BUCKS OF MY OWN MONEY FOR THE FIRST ISLANDER FAN TO RAISE A RETIRED DENIS POTVIN BANNER TO THE ROOF OF MSG NEXT SEASON....

SPREAD THE WORD AND LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN...

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POTVIN
5

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LET'S REALLY GIVE THE KNICKS FANS SOMETHING TO WHINE ABOUT NEXT SEASON..

RAG CONTRACTION..WERE NYC'S ONLY TEAM...

I agree.... Let's go to the Garden and raise the Potvin banner.

IC

Fraom:
The leftovers: Sifting through who's left
July 13, 2007
By Wes Goldstein
CBS SportsLine.com Staff

Danny Markov, D: Sheldon Souray became the last of the high-profile defensemen available this summer when he joined Edmonton on Thursday, but Markov is a good bet for teams looking for a solid second-unit guy. Markov can move the puck and is a physical force in his own end, although he tends to get injured often as a result. He'll be 31 when the season starts and Markov made $2.5 million last season with Detroit.

Michael Peca, C: A fractured tibia cost him the final 46 games of last season, so his experience with the Maple Leafs wasn't memorable. But when healthy, the veteran is still one of the better two-way centers in the league and enough of a leader to have been a captain during his career. Toronto has some interest in bringing him back, but may not be able to fit the $2.5 million it paid him last season with its cap.

Andy Sutton, D: He's flown under the radar by playing in Atlanta for the last five seasons, but Sutton is an effective, top-four defenseman who adds a lot of size to the back end. Sutton is a good shutdown type who has been around the NHL for eight seasons, and he shoots the puck well from the point. He made $1.9 million last season.

I say sign these three guys. Should be able to get them for a total cap hit of 9-10 million/yr for 2-3 years, leaving 6-7 million to sign guys like Hunter and Asham, or have cap space for a trade. Much better than trading young talent to get McCabe and an ugly contract. Tanabe hasn't done anything in 7 NHL season, why think he would start now?

Finally, I'm really impressed by the passion and lively discussion on this board. Followed TB the last few years, and they'd be lucky go get 3 or 4 posts after a blog, let alone hundreds! Looking forward to a new season!

Fraom:
The leftovers: Sifting through who's left
July 13, 2007
By Wes Goldstein
CBS SportsLine.com Staff

Danny Markov, D: Sheldon Souray became the last of the high-profile defensemen available this summer when he joined Edmonton on Thursday, but Markov is a good bet for teams looking for a solid second-unit guy. Markov can move the puck and is a physical force in his own end, although he tends to get injured often as a result. He'll be 31 when the season starts and Markov made $2.5 million last season with Detroit.

Michael Peca, C: A fractured tibia cost him the final 46 games of last season, so his experience with the Maple Leafs wasn't memorable. But when healthy, the veteran is still one of the better two-way centers in the league and enough of a leader to have been a captain during his career. Toronto has some interest in bringing him back, but may not be able to fit the $2.5 million it paid him last season with its cap.

Andy Sutton, D: He's flown under the radar by playing in Atlanta for the last five seasons, but Sutton is an effective, top-four defenseman who adds a lot of size to the back end. Sutton is a good shutdown type who has been around the NHL for eight seasons, and he shoots the puck well from the point. He made $1.9 million last season.

I say sign these three guys. Should be able to get them for a total cap hit of 9-10 million/yr for 2-3 years, leaving 6-7 million to sign guys like Hunter and Asham, or have cap space for a trade. Much better than trading young talent to get McCabe and an ugly contract. Tanabe hasn't done anything in 7 NHL season, why think he would start now?

Finally, I'm really impressed by the passion and lively discussion on this board. Followed TB the last few years, and they'd be lucky go get 3 or 4 posts after a blog, let alone hundreds! Looking forward to a new season!

do have the space to sign sutton and markov BOTH? if so, what are they waiting for? that would instantly complete a credible roster.

That's right lets Talk, Talk, Talk about what our team should be doing....But have no fear, while all the UFA's have been gobbled up at least our website went mobile!!!

If we signed Peca, I'd kill myself. Peca is an overrated piece of trash ....the man PLAYED with Darcy Tucker last year. In the "rematch" game vs. Toronto, what did he do? Nada, Webb, Godard and Scatchard did. Peca is a big mouth punk. Toronto can have his arse.

Hang the Potvin banner,but leave room for the 2008 Cup banner. So, ya imported another captain? Sad, very sad. The Islanders are weak, and their fans are total schmucks. Tools....

Hey Jim,

The Potvin banner is a stupid idea, any more than the chants of Potvin sucks...Remember that the hit on Ulf Nielsen was a clean check....With the money that the Rags spent, they have a good chance to win this year.....But we know the past....except for the 94 oilers in blue, the rags have done this before to no avail....It is true that the Isles organization has been awful the last 15+ years...But it is time to truly rebuild...otherwise I am afraid that the team will move to Nevada or Kansas....Remember the Whalers, Nordiques, Rockies....I could go on.

But I have to give the blueskirts credit. At least they try.

I am a fool with no hockey knowledge whatsoever. I add nothing to this blog. I am a moron. I know the Icelanders will contract due to lack of fan interest and the empty mausoleum. Empty seats=no money for Wang. Ranger fans will again fill up the Mausoleum when the Rangers are playing there, just like they always do. Long Island, NYC, heck, all of NY is Ranger country!

Leave me alone Icelander fans. I want to enjoy my vacation without the depressing thoughts of the horrible Icelanders.

No one touches my jersey except my best buddy Bossy. He is my real special friend and only he can touch my special jersey.

Hang those banners high from the roof of that Msg corporate dump..

Rags cannot even post a real sellout even with all those ISLANDER FANS rocking their building..

You hear that building on Kozlov's goals on FSN today, they have no fans..

Were the hockey tradition in this town, get those red-headed corporate step-children out of NYC, that's Islander Country...

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POTVIN
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Edmonton
Oilers
1993-94
Stanley Cup
Champions

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Let's go Mets!

Again, I apologize. I am a fool. I have no hockey knowledge. Potvin is a pansy and my special friend. He only allows his special friends to touch his jersey.

Hey, stop messing with my special friend's jersey. He only lets me touch it!

I'm tired of hearing how we have to replace poti. Poti just average. he logged big minutes because of his experince, that's it. he is highly replaceable. that's the key word. nobody panic about the d until the season starts. we will be fine. just stop with all the foolish poti talk.

Hey Logan, you're not really making a case that Bergeron is better than Souray, are you? Please stop drinking the Islanders kool-aid that the club's PR staff is shoving down your throat!

For a minute, I thought this blog was going to make it to the end without any of the stupid Isles/Rags banter. I guess I was wrong.

Greg, any truth to the rumor that Steve Webb is considering a return to the Islanders? Can you find out? If not him, I think this team really needs to add an agitator similar to a George Parros or Jordin Tootoo. I'm not talking about a fighter. I'm talking about an agitator that's going to get opponents off their games and that will get the Coliseum buzzing again.

An electrical storm couldnt get the Coliseum buzzing again

For all the real hockey fans that read this.

John Ferguson passed away yesterday. For the fans who never got to see him play, he was hockey's real heavyweight champion.
He could also play the game and was a clutch playoff performer during Montreal's glory years in the sixties.

I saw him demolish the Rangers on many occasions
and he was, without a doubt, one of the fiercest competitors I have ever seen play the game.

Godspeed, John.

PS..Out of respect, maybe some of the "people" that post here can limit their comments to hockey rather than the trash they seem to revel in.

Thanks Bill. 68 is way too young. But you know what they say, "Only the Good die Young".

John Ferguson was the kind of guy any team would want. Not too many like him around any more.

And for all you Isles fans hitting the panic button. I don't think you realize how good your Rookie GM is going to be. A championship team will be the sum of many, many smart decisions. Patients Jackass, Patients.

Kevin T.

Hey Greg, what ever happened to that potential Yankee Stadium game?

It is going to be fun this year to watch the Rangers prosper while the Isles and their douchebag fans {like "rag contraction"} suffer.

Can't wait to hear STEVE SOMMERS taunt ICELANDER fans all year long.

What is even better is that this is going to be the start of a long period of Ranger dominance in the tri state area. {including last year} For once the Rangers have done it right. By concentrating on their drafting {like the devils did in their 10 year period of dominance} the Rangers have set themselves up to be a factor for years to come.

The other side of the coin is that disaster that plays at the Mausoleum. Mad Mike did a fantastic job of drafting during all the terrible years that the Asslanders had. Unfortunately for the fans, he traded away all the talent. Think about who the Islanders could have had had mike done a good job. It boggles the mind, yet it is a thing of beauty for Ranger fans.

Enjoy your empty building this year. LOL!

Rest in peace, John Ferguson, and can we PLEASE shut up about Steve Webb?

To "The Man"...

Ranger dominance? You're such a tool. Yet another Ranger fan with thisistheyearitis. Don't get your hopes up dude - teams that look good on paper are often just that.

"Can't wait to hear STEVE SOMMERS..."

And that's where I stopped reading.

Maybe Garth can make a deal to bring in a veteran goal scoring forward or sign O'Neil to a 2 year, 10 milion dollar deal.

IC

idk the man, you're not coming off as a very good person either. stick to your own blog. as for hockey, whats the latest on markov?

ive never seen John Furguson play, but from what ive read he was a truly outstanding hockey player and individual. my condolences to JFJ and his family in this dark time. RIP John Furguson

looks like we are on our way to acquire Derek Morris

anyone else notice campoli was removed from the isles roster today?

I Cannot wait for the last second of the last playoff game (assuming the Rags make the playoffs) when the Rags are eliminated from contention....Then what excuses will you guys have??????......Of course this is to be expected....No Oilers left.....and shame on the Isles for not putting a good product on the ice over the years....It will remain a mausoleum until things get better....But I do hope the Isles play great spoilers this year.....Let the games begin!!!!!!!!

Campoli is now listed on the NHLPA web site as making $600,000

right now jagr makes 8.5 in salary and it is only a 4.9 cap hit to the rangers for this year. this is because washington is paying 3.6 of his salary. next year is a team option when the rangers accept the option will the cap hit be 4.9 or 8.5. im assuming washington did not pay the team option part of the contract. anyone with insight on this let me know.

If the Islanders can acquire Derek Morris it would be a great addition. They should sign Markov as well, that would really shore up the isles defense really well. You know Martinek will get hurt so Gervais will get ice time.
We still need a scoring winger.

I think the option does not count as part of the cap hit, because I can't imagine Washington agreeing in the deal to pay that 3.6 million if the Rangers pick up Jagr's option.

Also, did anyone else notice Eklund's report that Jovanovski would waive his NTC to come to the Rangers and not to us. I say the Rangers can have him because it just makes the concentration of players eating up their cap larger. It's Sather's funeral...

As for our D situation, I think Morris would be a good pickup, as well as a guy like Markov or Ossi Vaananen. Either we can pick up a good offensive defenseman (Berard? I honestly wouldn't mind it for a cut rate...), or the defensive guys will provide protection for young offensive d-men Campoli and Gervais, in addition to MAB. In Garth I trust.

Prediction:

I've been trying to think who we could possibly trade to pick up a D-Man, as we don't have much to trade....but I'm thinking Campoli is trade bait, because we have so many Left Handed D-Men...the only righties we have are Martinke and Gervais, and Derick Morris is righty...would be perfect.

Is it possible we would negotiate a contract with Campoli and then trade him?

Would you like to trade Campoli for Morris?

I would trade Campoli for Morris...then I would sign Sutton or Markov

I think the bigger question is would Phoenix trade Morris for Campoli

We should trade Oksopo for Jovo. Maybe also trade a first rounder for Morris.

Rangers should retract tday!

Campoli signed per NHLPA.com

600k 2007-08: Likely signed the long term deal that was discussed...

http://www.nhlpa.com/WebStats/PlayerBiography.asp?ID=28282

if jagrs full contract goes against the cap next year they will have 34 million locked up in 5 players assuming they resign lundqvist to a long term 6 million per deal and rosival to a 5 mill per year(larry brooks today) that would leave 16 million to fill out the rest of their roster. and i dont see a bonafide 1st line center or a #1 defenseman on that list. bottom line if this team is not good enough they will not be able to fix it for 5 to 6 years.

DO NOT trade Okposo. I have seen him play both in the USHL and at U of MN. He is something very special, and Isles fans are in for a treat when he finally makes it to LI. He has some of the quickest hands I've ever seen, is slippery as an eel, and not afraid to mix it up. Not quite Crosby or Alex the Great, but not your average rookie, either. Reminds me of Vanik, without the size. He also played in the USHL and at the U of M. Too bad Okposo headed back to school for another year, he could have made a difference this year.

Islanders web site has been down dor an hour now

It is going to be fun this year to watch the Rangers prosper while the Isles and their douchebag fans {like "rag contraction"} suffer.

Can't wait to hear STEVE SOMMERS taunt ICELANDER fans all year long.

What is even better is that this is going to be the start of a long period of Ranger dominance in the tri state area. {including last year} For once the Rangers have done it right. By concentrating on their drafting {like the devils did in their 10 year period of dominance} the Rangers have set themselves up to be a factor for years to come.

The other side of the coin is that disaster that plays at the Mausoleum. Mad Mike did a fantastic job of drafting during all the terrible years that the Asslanders had. Unfortunately for the fans, he traded away all the talent. Think about who the Islanders could have had had mike done a good job. It boggles the mind, yet it is a thing of beauty for Ranger fans.

Enjoy your empty building this year. LOL!

Sounds like coyotes are looking to have a fire sale. Hockey buzz states that jovo will waive his no trade clause to become a ranger. Morris could be an islander or sabre by tommorrow at the earliest. I can live with Morris but we still need to sign another dman. I think we are pretty good up front with the 4 forwards we signed last week. I say trade for morris and sign sutton. pretty solid dcorp

witt-morris
sutton-martinek
gervais-mab
campoli

Let the rags sign every player in the league....They have no clue what to do and I love Sather as GM. He is giving the store away before he turns the reigns over to Messier. He will leave a mess to the Mess......

Campoli...I would personally not trade him. He had a "decent" year last year and if we all remember he was injured at the start and lost his position on the team. I think Campoli came back and did not play his game. Campoli can be very offesive. I'd give him another year before I would trade him...I'd love to get Derek Morris....

A d-corps of
Witt-Morris
Sutton-Martinek
Gervais-Bergeron
would make me a very satisfied islander fan...we still need more scoring up front though

It's official name is the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Those of you who insist on referring to it as The Mausoleum are disrespecting those brave Americans who faught and died so that you can type your whiney little posts on this blog.

Good point Mikko...why has the Isles site been out of commish all day????

the islanders website has changed to

islanders.nhl.com

I'm not going to get my hopes up to much, or get disappointed at this point. It's mid-July for God's sake. Garth and the committee have some work to do and I'll leave them to it. Even if the Isles finish dead last, which I doubt a Nolan coached team will .. I'll be satisfied as long as they play hard and competitive and are in every game. It will be frustrating at times, but who can complain? They'll probably lose the draft lottery but in a deep draft ... who cares? I just want the youth to get experience. If they make the playoffs ... great ... make some noise ... because in 08-09 I think the team will make a much bigger splash. As long as we hold onto our UFA's and sign 1 bonafide UFA star. I'm more concerned with team chemistry then who did what for what team 3 years ago, and is commanding big dollars b/c they used to be great. Or a UFA that had a career year and is cashing in on it. No Thank You, I'll be waiting on Okposo to fill a roster spot.

Mr. Greg Logan - after a weekend away from the blog I return to this update?

I, Boxin' Bootland would like to challenge you to a match in the ring, winner takes the blog.

It seems as if Logan is just reading what we blog and then is making us a nice little summary blog...at first look I could have easily said this blog was an edited version of a post by myself, Candyman and Steady

Here is to a peaceful arbitration with hunter, that helps snolan and hunter figure out a multiple year deal cuz i would hate to see him walk next year

Kudos to Garth for pulling out what looked like a terrible free agency! Now we can start pounding the over paid Rangers....

how do we get to the Isles site???

im glad all you islander fans continue thinking that the Rangers signing Gomez and Drury for market price was a bad move. Im also amused by the way you all pretend that you wouldnt be dancing if you all signed Gomez and Drury for more than we paid for them. And keep saying that you guys have a "good offseason" Guerin who had 1 point last year in the playoffs will be a great help ... since you wont be making the playoffs you wont get to see him die in them so i guess he wasnt a bad move. Comrie was a god pick up ill grant you that.

the url to the isles site is: http://islanders.nhl.com.

the url www.newyorkislanders.com doesn't seem to be working anymore.

Love the Rag fans talking shite and thinking their squad is going to dominate. Keep dreaming........as for the Isles, we'll be ok.

thanks Alf..

Dany Heatley should be our main target in 2008

I think Drury was a good pickup for any price. That guy's something special, and I think I regretted that Snow couldn't land him as much as I regretted losing Smyth.

Gomez, though, is a completely unproven commodity. He shone as the only real playmaker in a system that emphasizes disciplined defense and slow, grinding hockey. He has an enormous upside, but despite six seasons of growth he really hasn't broken out. A high-stakes seven-year contract seems like a real gamble when you consider that he hasn't proven he can run with the big boys, yet. It's not really about the fact that he only scored 13 goals last season. It's more about the fact that he's never had the chance before to rack up the points, so you can't really know what he's capable of doing.

What if his upside really is 75 points? 20 goals, 55 assists? That puts him in the same league as Paul Kariya ($6m/year), Andy McDonald ($3.3m), and Mats Sundin ($5.5m).

I agree with finnois, Ossi Vaananen would be great here and is an UFA so we don't have to give up anything but money. In the last Olympics he ran Jagr every chance he got and I thought at the time he'd be perfect on the Island.

just looked into jagr contract staus and the rangers will be on the hook for the full 8.5 mill next year when they sign his team option. washington agreed to pay 20 million over the next 4 years starting in 2004-2005. 2004-2005 was the strike so knock 5 million off. then 15 million left times 76% after the payroll was cut equals 11.5m over the next 3 year which equals 3.8 m for the last 3 years of the deal. the rangers are destined to be in cap hell just like the knicks. dolan is a moron.

Greg Logan never posts inside the blog EVER for any reason... the post claiming the Isles signed Vaananen is a hoax. Ignore it.

" All the RAG fans sold their tickets to Islander fans so they could go watch Giants-Dallas, that's why there are so many Islander fans in the Garden today "

Mininster of Msg Propaganda
A.Trautwig...

5,000 ISLANDER FANS ROCKING MSG THE FINAL WEEKEND AS WE CHANT SEASON'S OVER AS WE CLINCH FIRST PLACE...

" All the Rag fans sold their tickets to Islander fans to see the Yankees-Red Sox, that's why it sounds like an Islander home game "

Minister of Msg Propaganda
A Trautwig

Gaff Snow isn't going to improve this team anymore, so we might as well stockpile draft picks and rebuild our once strong farm which he destroyed in less than 6 months. Gaff traded Grebeshkov, Nilsson, O'Marra and our 1st and 2nd Round picks for essentially Marc Andre Bergeron. Mike Milbuy could have done that. If I was the GM of this team this s**t would never happen, and I called in to Mike and the Mad Dog when the Isles traded for Smyth last March and told them it was a mistake because he was a rental on a team that would barely make the playoffs.

The Islanders need to pickup Heatley now. Maybe trade Tambs for him with a 5th round pick. Should get it done. Then deal the new guys Spiller and Johnson for a quality #1 d-man.

IC

IC - trading for heatley now would not be the right move, it would be smyth situation all over, unless you can get heatley signed to an extension prior to the trade and us giving up tambs and a 5th round pick would have ott laughing at us and would think it snow is prank calling him. while i love tambs has he really proven anything on an NHL level that would warrant his value to that of heatleys

our best bet is to add more dmen (morris? sutton?), let some of the young forwards get playing time to prove what they can do, have ricky steal most of the season and hopefully a playoff round, then go into next offseason looking to make a big splash on the free agent market

open your eyes IC so you can see that this looks to be what snolans plan seems to be

also we need to keep a close eye on the other arbitation cases that are going on around the league, as we are one of only a handful of teams that has a nice chunk of cap space open and an owner willing to spend up to the max if the right players come along

IC,

Tambs and a 5th rounder for Heatley??????? A speedy AHL'er who's never had more than what 5 goals in the NHL for one of the best players in the league??? Do you really want Ottawa to think we are that much of a joke. Maybe we can offer Nokie and Meyer and a 7th rounder to the Rags for Jagr, Drury, and Gomez. (Should get it done, right?).

Boxin B,

Need those 2 d-men at some point over the summer. Doesn't matter when, as long as Snolan gets it done. Sutton and Morris would be excellent.

Still need more fire power. We have maybe one solid line of scorers (Guerin, Comrie, Satan) a pretty good line of grinders (Sillinger, Hunter, Tank), more than enough 4th liners (Hilbert, Park, Bergie, Nokie, Tambs, Nielson, Simon?, Asham?, Bates), but wait! What's that we're missing? Holy guacamole Snolan! An entire 2nd line!! Without balanced scoring this team cannot really build upon last year's nice run. The Rags tried that last year (all scoring from Jagr, Straka, Nylander) and they couldn't muster up enough offense all season. While we continue to rip the Rags d-men, their offense really was one-dimensional last year. The same will be true of the Isles this season if Snolan cannot work some magic for some scoring forwards. I mean we all hope we can get a balanced scoring line out of Bergie, Tams, and who Nielson, but let's face the fact that we should not go into the season relying on 2 lines of 4th line players.

Posted by: Mikey | July 15, 2007 7:57 PM
A d-corps of
Witt-Morris
Sutton-Martinek
Gervais-Bergeron
would make me a very satisfied islander fan.

satisfied ? why? this is clearly not good enough. bergeron is a PP specialist, and purely a shooter at that, a weapon to be sure but not a complete defenseman. they need 2 more solid guys, one of whom should be real mobile and skilled enough to quarterback the PP. and to assume martinek won't miss susbtantial time is a big mistake. campoli/markov can make this a complete and solid group. and the kids spiller and johnson will add depth they haven't had in a decade +.

CM, while you are right that we don't have a true 2nd line, we do have one of the better coaches in the league to mix and match what we have currently. This being said if we keep hunter, sills and hilbert together as the third line, we know that they are one of, if not the best third line in the NHL, Satan and Tank will be on the 2nd line, so the real missing piece is that 2nd line center and 1st line LW, can bergy come in as basically a rookie in the nhl and produce at a constant level? Will Tambs fill that 1st line LW and excel or will we be destined to have Chris Simon on our first line again?

Maybe IC can pull that trade for Heatley

Lot of folks using my name these last few days with some suggestions that will not happen.

Only post I put up was Campoli's signing with a link.

Yeah...maybe if he's playin NHL 2007, but I think if he tried that in a video game, a little clown would pop outa the tv screen and laugh his a$$ off...

I think it is way too optimistic to assume Bergie and Tams can contribute regularly off the bat...but I guess you never know with Nolan...he can maximize talent from certain players...where's my d-man Garth????

FOR ALL YOU RAGS FAN WHO COME IN HERE TO HATE ON THE ISLES, CONSIDER THIS. THE ISLES WERE AHEAD OF THE RANGERS IN STANDINGS FOR 80% OF THE SEASON. AND THE RAGS FINNISHED 1 POINT AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!! 1 POINT!!!!!!!!! LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN, 1 POINT!!!!! THAT'S A SHOOTOUT WIN/LOSS AWAY FROM HAVING THE SAME EXACT RECORD. OH DID I MENTION THE ISLES WERE 5-1-2 AGAINST THE RAGS LAST YEAR. SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT NEXT SEASON, ONLY I KNOW WHAT IS TO COME FOR SURE.

Update via Hockeybuzz:

We appear to be the front-runners for both Morris and Markov since we have the cap space to add both players. They seem to me to be the same player, but they can both help the team, so let's see what happens.

Their was a discussion earlier about John Ferguson's passing. At that time I went on a tangent about how Canadians are now resigned to the fact that the NHL will outlaw fighting. I thought I might be going too far with that, but have a look at the tone of this article.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/236302

Back the the Isles...

Eventhough we have been told there likely won't be any action until the end of the summer. I am hopeful that Snow can sign at least one sold D-man. It would take the pressure off prior to the secound round of player movement. Snow has been patient up until now, I'd like to see that continue.

Kevin T.

Why do the Rangers fans go on the Isles blog? Dont they have their own?---LOSERS

Not really impressed with hockeybuzz as Eklund is usually off. But If we got both Markov and Morris that would solidify our blueline nicely.

Who would we be trading for Morris?

FOR ALL YOU RAGS FAN WHO COME IN HERE TO HATE ON THE ISLES, CONSIDER THIS. THE ISLES WERE AHEAD OF THE RANGERS IN STANDINGS FOR 80% OF THE SEASON. AND THE RAGS FINNISHED 1 POINT AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!! 1 POINT!!!!!!!!! LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN, 1 POINT!!!!! THAT'S A SHOOTOUT WIN/LOSS AWAY FROM HAVING THE SAME EXACT RECORD. OH DID I MENTION THE ISLES WERE 5-1-2 AGAINST THE RAGS LAST YEAR. SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT NEXT SEASON, ONLY I KNOW WHAT IS TO COME FOR SURE.

Posted by: Jesus | July 16, 2007 11:08 AM

All that typing just to tell us the Rangers were better? nice head

no...... if you remember correctly the islanders were cheated out of a point in that game the rangers won. the "optical illusion" wasnt conclusive enough evidence of a goal. this is surprising because a puck rolling behind a players leg and out of sight is apparently conclusive because you can "infer" the puck was in. well, i also infered that thats where Lucky was hiding his "lucky charms" because hey, why notm apparently you can infer anything. this was confirmed when the nhl released a statement saying "the league stands behind its referees 100%; and on a related note, all leprechauns and their breakfast cereals must be kept off the ice at all times."

Bystander- In response to your post, Derek Morris is a mobile defensemen who can play on the Power Play, and when Martinek gets hurt we can put Johnson in because he can be a PP QB as well. All the while having the big Spiller as depth on the blueline. I like Campoli but we most likely would have to trade Campoli to get Morris. Id rather have Sutton than Markov because Markov is a lil injury prone and Sutton is 6'6" and can be a good crease-clearing intimidating d-man.

IC ~ What ever you are smoking please send me a care package to Wellfleet Capecod. THX .... Heatley??? lol

Hunter is a second line player!

Satan plus a pick for Heatley. Both due to be UFA next year.

trade - just because you went on nhl 07 and did that trade doesn't mean it works in real life

if we really want heatley we are looking at satan, 1st rounder and prob okoposo

Posted by: Mikey | July 16, 2007 11:56 AM
Bystander- In response to your post, Derek Morris is a mobile defensemen who can play on the Power Play, and when Martinek gets hurt we can put Johnson in because he can be a PP QB as well. All the while having the big Spiller as depth on the blueline. I like Campoli but we most likely would have to trade Campoli to get Morris. Id rather have Sutton than Markov because Markov is a lil injury prone and Sutton is 6'6" and can be a good crease-clearing intimidating d-man.
i definately want sutton. and i have to admit i haven't seen a lot of morris, what you say does make sense though. for some reason i just have a higher opinion of campoli's upside than what others think. my main point is the more competent D-men you have the better. especially if the forward lines don't exactly overflow with scoring talent.

my bad IC...Did not see there was yet another "Fake" in our midst!

Did the Isles resign Campolli?

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213742&hubname=nhl

Campoli signed to 3 year deal...I like this deal for a few reasons...
1. While we don't now the financial terms, I think it is safe to say that he is relatively cheap
2. In development terms, we are able to give him ice time and development him to his full potential without losing him to free agency after this contract (he is 26 at the end of the contract and the new ufa period begins at 27; and no he does not qualify for the early ufa as he has not had the years of nhl level to warrant early ufa status)

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213742&hubname=

Three year deal for Campoli !!!!!!

Canadian Press
7/16/2007 1:19:30 PM

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CP) - The New York Islanders signed defenceman Chris Campoli to a three-year contract on Monday.

The 23-year-old has 48 points (10-38) in 131 career NHL games - all with the Islanders.

"Signing Chris Campoli to a long-term contract was a priority of ours this off-season," Islanders GM Garth Snow said in a statement. "He's one of the most skilled young defenceman in the NHL and we're thrilled that he'll continue his development in an Islanders uniform."

The Islanders selected Campoli in the seventh round of the 2004 draft.

NHLPA has Campoli's 2007-08 salary at 600k...

tsn.ca reports Campoli was inked to a three-year deal today.

strange, just when I asked it was announced.

Huh, Greg's grammar and diction seem to fall off considerably when he posts in the thread (give it up, imposters).

It's DANY Heatley and Ossi
VANNANEN...

Wake me when we have a real deal and Heatley signed long-term as an Islander.

To the folks who keep mentioning Sutton...HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GUY PLAY?!?!? Wake up! He is awful; you do not want him here. We have season tix to the Thrashers...Sutton is clueless and soft. His positioning is a nightmare. Just because he's big does not make him good!

Greg has stated that he never posts in the blog. Never.

Therefore, anyone who posts as "Greg Logan" is an impostor.

To all Rangers fans...YES...This is ME....I plan on being injured all year and playing with my curling iron.

To the folks who keep mentioning Sutton...HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GUY PLAY?!?!? Wake up! He is awful; you do not want him here. We have season tix to the Thrashers...Sutton is clueless and soft. His positioning is a nightmare. Just because he's big does not make him good!

bear:

go back into hibernation. You are completely wrong.

p.s The Braves suk!

Hmmm...could you be correct? My 35 years of hockey playing (mostly defence BTW) and coaching experience (college, OHL, and USA Hockey) tell me NO!

ps. I don't have time for baseball...one little hangnail and those puffyballs are on the DL.

CHRIS CAMPOLI SIGNED THROUGH 2009-2010
Jul 16, 2007, 2:12 PM EDT Highly-skilled 23-year-old defenseman inks 3-year contract with the Islanders.
Miggsey reportedly going bonkers upon hearing this.

Those "puffyballs" play on NBC, FOX,ESPN....Hockey is seen on the cooking network.

If you coached USA hockey, I am Charles Wang.

I could care less. Any idiot can be on TV now (in factits the best way to find idiots if you need them). You think money and TV makes a real athelete? I'd love to see hockey remain a niche sport with less "American-izing". The fans who really want to watch it will find it to watch...be it PeeWee, College, or otherwise. The US has ruined every other sport by over-commercializing them. Why do think we're having this stupid discussion? It used to be about having the best players...period! Can you imagine the Isles not being able to sign Bossy, Trottier, Potvin, and Smitty because of a salary cap?
As far as whether you believe that my experience is real or not...well, you can imagine how much sleep I'll lose over that.

I coach now...

You played for 35 yrs. Also coached, College! OHL! and USA!

What do we have in common?
We are both foaming over from being full of S*it!!!

Good one, Coach!
LMFAO!

hopefully we didn't give him too much money. he's not that good.

Because you came on here lying about who you are...Why don't you tell us all what big name Hockey Star you are?

I'm jbear and I'm not an Islander!

Who needs Greg Logan when you all have the Candyman!

Signing Campoli to a 3 year deal makes sense if we are actually still paying him in peanuts--because that's exactly what he earned last year. CC was inconsistent to say the least. He especially proved that he was vulnerable defensively to stronger forwards who were easily able to out muscle the scrawny Campoli. He didn't come across as a lazy Yashin-like weak type of player, but he merely proved that he was not as good as his rookie season led us all to believe he was.

That's not a knock on his work ethic. I think he displayed a good amount of heart and he might still develop in a solid 2-way defenseman. But let's remember kids, this guy was a 7th round pick. Not too much was expected of him. We'll see how this develops.

I wont rule out the possibility that he was signed only to be traded. By signing Campoli to a 3 year deal for peanuts, it would assure any team looking to acquire him that they would have themselves a cheap offensive defenseman for the next few seasons. I would package CC in a trade for Derek Morris in a heart beat.

While I have been an advocate of McCabe's return to LI, the more that the summer progresses the more I am inclined to leave the past in the past. The Isles really could use the physical presence, but I think the team would be better served with more team-oriented players who are more sound defensively. This brings us to names like Morris, Markov, Tanabe, etc. Adding 2 of those guys to Witt, Mart, MAB, Gervais/CC would nicely round out the D-unit.

Last, but not least, is the woeful offense. There are no huge signings left, but we can't leave the entire season in the hands of unproven rookies. It would be smart to sign guys like Friesen, Peca, or Lindros at least to round out the lines. Lindros, although concussion prone, might be a good fit back in the east as a second line forward.

Candyman...

jbear has experience what do you say we sign him?

Thanks, Loved reading your column.

Teddy

Signing Lindros could work out to be a steal. He proved last year with Dallas that he still has some game left in that mush head of his. This is why I would sign him over Peca, who since that Tucker knee on knee seems to get hurt every year. What it comes down to is how snolan feels bergs will fit onto this team? Will he the 4th line center or the 2nd line center...if we don't sign or trade for another forward for the 2nd line center position within a week or two, it is safe to say that snolan believes in bergs

Get Morris and Sutton, and i can live with this current roster

Ok...one last post and I'll leave you wannabe's alone. My 35 years is combined playing and coaching. Did I say I was a "star?" Nope. Man! Why are some of you folks so insecure? What on Earth is my motivation for lying? Surely it can't be to impress you people. I made a simple statement about a player that I don't think is very good, and I qualified it by giving my actual on-ice experience. I made another statement about the state of the game. The best you can do to counter my viewpoint is to attack my vitae? Pretty sad. Regardless...I'll not be sleepless over that either.

If you did all that someone here would know who you are.

Then you say it (who you are) and TA-DA! You are the man like you were looking to be.

You coached USA hockey, College Hockey and OHL. Combined with playing for 35 yrs. So you have to have some credit out there that hockey minds would no right?

Yes?
No?

So what is your motivation for lying? you tell us.

FULL OF S*IT!!!
Have a nice night toots, sleep well.

To the folks who keep mentioning Sutton...HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GUY PLAY?!?!? Wake up! He is awful; you do not want him here. We have season tix to the Thrashers...Sutton is clueless and soft. His positioning is a nightmare. Just because he's big does not make him good!
Posted by: jbear | July 16, 2007 3:06 PM

to you regulars (candyman, merrick, cincy etc). i haven't seen as much of sutton as you guys probably have, but i thought he's a solid d-man. is this jbear guy anywhere being right, or is he simply another dope wasting time and space.

Frankly, from what I've seen Sutton reminds me a bit of a glorified Eric Cairns. He can definitely shut down an opposing big scorer, but he also seems prone to getting burned by a much faster player. I would rather have Morris, Markov, or Vaananen, but it remains to be seen. jbear is right that size does not make one a good hockey player (see: Kvasha, Oleg), but I think Sutton's real ability might be somewhere in between his portrayal and the idealized portrait of those who really want him to sign here.

not a big fan of Sutton. I'd take Markov over him.

we don't need herman munster back there spinning in the wake of opposing forwards blowing passed him, but the D corps as it stands is not exactly a physically imposing and intimidating force.

RIGHT, the Sens are going to trade a proven star for bupkis to the ASSLANDERS! That is as funny as ASSLANDER fans thinking that they will make the playoffs this year, or draw more than 5K fans per game.

1983 NOW, 1983 FOREVER!

25 YEARS AND NO CUP!

I like Sutton ... but I don't think he's the kind of player that puts the Isles over the top. His size and skating for a guy his size is pretty good. I haven't really seen him much except for a few games. I saw the Thrashers play on NHL Center Ice maybe a few times, and other than his size he didn't really stand out to me. The Thrashers honestly are not at the top of my list of teams to watch to tell you the truth.

One glaring thing I do remember was Martin St. Louis going around him like a hiway cone. Granted I'm sure he does that to lots of D-men ... but Sutton really did look ridiculous. Still a solid D-man. Just keep him away from fleet footed forwards.

Candyman,

I read your post about us not having a solid second line or balanced scoring from forwards. I posted about a gazillion times that we should put an offer in for Ryder who is a RFA. I got off that when snow stated in one of Logans pieces that he will not make offers to any RFA so we do not have to give up draft picks. I wholeheartedly disagreed with that because you cannot assume that any future picks are going to be 30+ goal scorers in the league as is Ryder. Ryder is going to hit arbitration and he is going to cash in. I think the Habs will not sign him and look to trade him off. What do you think of Ryder and that trade possibility? Ryder would defenitly round out our forward depth.

HEY DAH MAN
RANGERS 67 YEARS ONE CUP!!!
Keep on hatin ya loser

To all who are down on Sutton. He played in the souteast division. Bolts, Canes, Caps and was playing against all those teams best players, st lous, richards, lecaveller, staal, brindamour, williams, ovechkin etc etc These are some of the top offensively talented players in the league. Thrashers played these guys 8 times apiece. that is a total of 24 games. So what happenned? OH yeah the thrashers won that division last season and Sutton was a +8 on the year and if you watched the playoffs thier goaltending was herrendous. With that said Sutton is the best dman UFA and the islanders should sign him immediately.

herrendous? lol

jisles

I'm not down on Sutton. I just don't think he puts the Isles over the top. He's a good solid d-man. But your arguement that he was playing against all those teams best players in the Southeast division loses credibility. You don't think Briere, Crosby, Malkin, S. Gagne, Z. Parise, Gionta (God help me here) .. Jagr, Drury or Gomez will be any different? There probably are more, just making an example. Sutton is a good D-man .. nothing more or less. Compared to the current blue line Sutton is an improvement, but not going to impact the Isles to the point they become a contender.

awwwww are islander fans sad that Ranger fans come on here and poison your blog?? Tell that to the 40000 islander fans who dont have a clue what they are talking about and come into Ranger blogs as Jagr and such. Your all retarted enjoy missing the playoffs. And by the way .... Danny Heatly!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Why the hell would he play for an assbag of a team like the islanders?

awwwwwww :

It is "you're" not "your"

also try using a comma every now and then....

Who is retarted?

Nice life!

Well, well, well. Campoli signs a three year deal and proves why Snow is an astute GM. Islanders have now tied up an experienced young defenceman they can either use effectively and reap the long term rewards from OR they can package him up in a deal for much travelled, over rated/over payed guys like Markov, Sutton and Morris.
Tell me Steady, tell me Cincy, tell me Merrick; will we see the old time Islanders yet again trading away their young guys or will the new "bobbleheads" keep him now?

Miggsey- Campoli is a boy--a total pushover on the ice. The "young guys" aint that good dude. Too bad the Rangers are loaded...happy chunakah

Rangers will disappoint d-bags!!!

The Icelanders pray they squeeze into the playoffs again. The Rangers are looking for a Cup. We sell out. You dont. We have hope. You dont. So, all the name calling cant mask the transparency of your despair or the glow of Ranger fans. Good luck. You'll need it.

jisles,

I get what you are saying about Ryder. A young 30 goal scorer would definitely help round out our offense. But I can definitely see why Snolan would decide to focus his attention on the UFAs and trade options. Most teams would match an offer to any legitimate free agent so it might turn out to be a big waste of time and energy. But I agree, giving up draft picks for proven players is always a smart way to go.

As far as a trade possibility, I'm not sure what Snolan would be willing to give up. I wouldn't part with Okposo, he deserves a chance to at least attempt to make it through the Isles system before he is traded. Anyone else on the roster is fair game. Bergie, Nokie, Nielson, Campoli, etc. if the Isles can get a proven player I would pull the trigger.

Everyone can say what they want about Sutton, but he is a very good defenseman. He might not be a Lidstrom or Pronger, but he blows Camploi and Meyer outa the park. As of now those 2 guys are in our starting D-unit.

$16 million in cap space. We could probably land four $4million/yr type players via trade or UFA and this team would look a whole lot better on paper.

does anyone here really expect the sens to get rid of heatly? He is one of the best players in the league, why would ottowa drop him? And for what? Campoli, Bergeron, Oksopo? I dont think they combined in points to what Heatly had in goals last year. Why would ottowa every accept that deal?

The Sens would accept a trade for Heatley if I was able to infiltrate their defenses and place my special rock candy in their GM's cappuccino.

test

So we're calling it rock candy now? Holy euphemism, Candyman

And Miggsey, I always respect your opinion on this board, but you need to take a step back from the Campoli worship. I was very excited by his rookie season, but in the long run he may be too undersized to contribute. I've also said for a while that, given other short defensemen like MAB and Gervais, Campoli may simply not fit with the team. It may be hasty to lump him in with Jokinen, McCabe, Bertuzzi, Luongo, et al. If he stays an Islander I hope he bulks up and can continue to develop his offensive abilities. However, if we can package him in a deal for a shut-down d-man, I think Snow owes it to the team to investigate that.

Well there just isn't enough sugar in Kool-aid. Plus every time I hear someone say Kool-aid it makes me wanna strangle Dane Cook. Rock candy, like all candy, just makes more sense.

Sorry Miggs, but I tend to agree with Nick. Campy has the height (he's 6 foot), but he really needs to put on the muscle. And maybe he has in the past 2 months. If so, it's the smartest thing he could do. But if he's the same rag doll that we saw getting beat up in the corners and in front of the net last year, sending him out for some D size and strength is probably the best way to go.

Campy has great vision and can be an effective offensive threat, but this team is in serious need of a big stopper on the back line. There's now a lot of firepower in the Atlantic division. Without some size and strength in front of DP it could potentially be a short season. Snow still has a few moves to make before we can say that the roster is adequate. Campoli is still a piece that can be used to close a deal.

For everyone tired of reading the BS rumors on hockeybuzz...

http://peklundthephoneyhockeyblogger.blogspot.com/

I've been saying the same thing about Campoli all season ...he clearly has some good offensive vision, but he makes AWFUL decisions with the puck. He often turns the puck over in his own zone when pressured and he's really too small to play the body on anyone in the league ...he really should be dealt for anything the Isles could get for him

for the record - i used the corporate tix about 8 times last season. The loudest it got was when they played the Islanders, and i was actually really surprised to hear how loud the Isles fans. But it was loud up in the blues. Down where I was? If you even whispered loud, the homo euro quiff executive ranger fans got all pissy (but of course wouldn't dare say a thing - they're awfully soft). MSG is fortunate to be in the "heart" of Manhattan - readily accessible and able to draw a crowd - however clueless they may be. Pound for pound, Islanders fans are New York's rowdies.

Potvin Rules -- Are you a fireman? I don't think anyone besides firemen uses "quiff" to mean "wimpy loser."

Why is beef jerkey is so expensive?

Chris Campoli is not a natural can't miss player and unlikely to ever be an all-star. However, he is still very young and all the mistakes people point to are one that are likely to be made by a young player who was never at the top of anyone's depth chart. That said, he still has a lot of upside and seems capable of being a serviceable NHL defenseman and strength is something I hoped he worked on in the off-season (see e.g., what Tiki Barber was able to do with a strength conditioning program). Recall also that Nolan sent him down last year in part because Campoli acted liked he had already earned a spot that was not necessarily his. All this has likely changed because you wouldn't sign a guy to three years (package or not) unless you thought he had some real value.

As for Sutton, I have not watched him enough to form an opinion, but nothing stood out with me from the games against the Isles last year and I'm inclined to listen to a Thrashers season ticket holder with some experience in the game.

I remain partial to Tanabe, because of his size and speed, but I sometimes wonder if he's just an American version of Oleg Kvasha.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that the Isles will go into next season weaker than where they want to be on defense. But at the same time, the best coaches in any sport are those who not only get the most out of their players, but the ones who best identify strengths, weaknesses, and how all the moving parts work together and develop their game plans accordingly. Let's just see what shakes out.

The deal for Campolli was 3yrs. $1.9 million.

I thought Campoli took a giant step backwards last season. He appeared to make poor decisions with the puck and seemed to play a much lazier game than he did the previous season.

Where Gervais seemed to make progress, Campoli seemed to play as if he held a grudge for not making the team out of training camp.

I believe he can be a useful player with his head back in the game, but I don't think he will ever be any better than a fifth or sixth d-man. He certainly needs to add some muscle, so that the bigger forwards will stop pushing him around.

D-men usually take longer to develop, so for Snow to get him for 3 years is a plus in my book. Especially since the price was so cheap.

Now, get Hunter signed to a long term deal.

Jason Blak is right. Who wants to play before an empty house at NVMC when one can play before a sellout crowd in Toronto. Blakey implied that Islander fans are terrible, and sadly, I have to agree.

It is impossible to be the GM on the Islanders. We have the worst fans in the sport. We embarrass ourselves year after year after year with miniscule attendnace figures. I've tried to sign FA's; I offered more to Smyth than Colorado did and I offered more to Drury than the Rangers did. But nobody wants to sign here. That's why I had to overpay for a veteran like Guerin and an ice dancer like Comrie. I blamed the outdated Coliseum my problems signing players, but the truth is, we have the wrost fans in the NHL. Who wants to play before 5,000 on a night to night basis? Ughhhhh!

First of all, it's very rude to bash the fans when you yourself are obviously not one of them. Please return to the Ranger board. Second, isn't it a crime to impersonate someone else? I believe it is. It certainly is juvenile. There are plenty of reasons the attendance numbers are low. Let's start with the first one, Economy! Two income families on Long Island have a very hard time spending $300 for one night's entertainment. That doesn't make us lousy fans that don't want to support our team. It makes us cash strapped Long Islanders who have to put gas in our cars to get to work.

Isles fans have a hard time spending $300 for hockey tickets? Hun... buy the ten dollar tickets the Isles offer and sit whereever you want. The sad thing is, the Islanders are giving away tickets and no one is going.

Garth: The bloggers have spoken and now it's up to you. The polls seem to favour trading the newly signed, young, mobile Campoli for a prehistoric caveman. It's now time to let a team focused on a youth movement pair him with a teaching veteran so they can continue to grow their team. Most of the forward thinking teams are looking this type of fit in their planning. Campy apparently doesn't fit Nolan's 1990's theme of crash and bang players and the announcement of Gerrard Gallant coming on board to coach the D only reinforces that theme. I agree with the other bloggers that Campoli should form part of a multi player deal in attaining a proven scorer or a cement head from the old NHL mentality.

i'm a loser, and i like the rangers

While you think my pal Garth has problems, no one has problems like me. When July 1st rolls around, I feel like a little boy in a toy store. I just want them all. I don't know what I was thinking when I offered that Eskimo a 7 year deal for $7 million a year. I mean I'm paying an Eskimo more than what San Jose is paying Joe Thornton. Clearly I've lost my mind. Now my room is over-crowded with toys and there isn't enough room to play. :-(

I agree with the other bloggers that Campoli should form part of a multi player deal in attaining a proven scorer or a cement head from the old NHL mentality.

Posted by: Miggsey | July 17, 2007 8:21 AM

i agree fully. this team clearly needs a bona fide proven cement head.

I agree with you Miggsey. Campoli will be fine, and I'd rather try to develop him than send him packing for Morris. But my view of the D is never in line with most people here. I'd like to see us get one more D-man with some size, but not at the expense of Campoli or Gervais. Young D make mistakes, and adding muscle is something that can be done. One thing about Campoli is that he's not afraid to take the body, even if the bigger forwards do throw him around a bit. At least we know that if (when) he does add some muscle, he won't be shy about using it. I don't expect the guy to be a franchise player, but a good 3-4 D-man who can quarterback the second PP unit? I'd take that, and think he's capable of getting there sooner than later. I don't think we're a cup contender this year, so trading away young players we can build on for a "missing piece" type of player makes no sense to me, especially when the people we're talking about are better only by a small margin, and older with no more untapped potential.

Upstater,

Anyone who believes Campoli "will be fine" and that he's "not afraid to take the body" clearly did not watch many Isles games last year. I'm all for blind optimism, but all signs pointed in the wrong direction last year and would lead any knowledgeable fan to believe all will not be fine with Campoli. It's one thing if a forward can't put up the same amount of points in his sophomore campaign, but it's something totally different if a young defenseman suddenly shows that he is a liability on the blue line. Maybe you can read deep into Campoli's mind by telling us about what he's afraid of, but for all of us non-telepathy types we all saw Campoli refuse to take the body and saw him get out worked and out muscled when he did. Maybe adding muscle will help. Maybe it won’t. You hit it right on. He will NOT be a franchise player. Therefore, there is minimal risk and high reward for packaging him for a proven NHL defenseman like Morris.

speaking of not being able to give tickets away - that is absolutely what has been happening in chicago. i read a great article when i was in chicago a fewmonths back on the sad state of the blackhawks. radio stations literally cannot give away free tickets. and season ticket holders are pissed that so many tickets are given away while their costs continue to rise. now i know there are ways around it, but season ticket holders are prohibited from any free ticket promos that the blackhawks conduct themselves. plus the fact that no hawks games are even on tv. they have no means to attract new fans and are alienating the few fans they have left. bill wirtz' business practices should be a college course on how not to run a business.

Islanders attendance definitely isn't good. According to ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_avg&year=2007) we ranked 28 out of 30 in absolute terms. That's roughly 13k people per game. Keep in mind that we have a small building, though; that helps a little bit with our attendance percentage, which is 26 out of 30. Who's down there with us? New Jersey, Washington, Chicago and St. Louis all had more difficulty in packing their building than we did. That's a recent 3-time Stanley Cup winner, another big-market team (with no competition in their market) and an Original 6. Another Original 6 isn't far behind (Boston, at #25).

So, we're not the worst in the league, but we're not doing well either. Why is that? Price was brought up, and it's understandable. A family of four could spend at least $100 on tickets up in the 300s (certainly less than $300). For $125, though, the Islanders had a tickets special where you got four tickets (lower 300s), some gift cards to Dave and Busters and some cutesy Isles merchandise. Is the answer more ticket specials?

Lack of success might be source of blame, but look at the chart. Philadelphia, Carolina and and Los Angeles all sold 90% plus of their season. Even if you subtract Philadelphia for being a strong hockey market and Carolina for winning the Cup last year, you still need to explain the Kings.

So we get to transportation. It seems like the only really limiting factor left is access to the Coliseum. Maybe it's more the perception of a problem that keeps people away, though. I attended 41 games last year and drove to every one. The only times I spent more than 5 minutes getting out of the parking lot were in the playoffs.

For what it's worth, my suggestion is to implement bus service expressly for the Coliseum. Rail is expensive and will take a while to complete; while it should be pursued, the immediate expenditure should be on:

- Shuttle service from nearby colleges (Hofstra/Adelphi). The college kids in the Havoc zone were consistently the most energetic fans, and coupled with the ticket specials should be good to keep on showing up.

- Add bus service to three or four of the nearby LIRR stations.

- Make agreement with the county and use the NCC parking lot across the way. Maybe make a small bus service so people don't have to make the crazy dash across that street to reach the NVMC.

I agree that is it good to lock up Campoli to a multi year deal...in no way should we be rolling out the red carpet for him.

What has he proven on the nhl level to this point? That he can play hockey? He is a hockey player, I would hope he could play hockey

Don't get me wrong, I love his heart and dedication and work ethic but he is still in develop and a project to become King Chris Campolo

Campoli had a great rookie season which made me excited to see where he can improve. Since his rookie year I feel he hasnt improved much at all. Yea hes quick on his skates but hes relatively small, I would like to see the Islanders package him in a deal for a bigger defensemen. The Islanders have a pretty small defense with the biggest guy being Witt unless Spiller is playing. The Isles have pretty decent depth at the defense position so I wouldnt think twice bout trading Campoli. Sorry Chris.

OK, let's take a "long-view" of the situation. Objectively, or at least as objective as I can get on a specialized blog, the Islanders franchise is the second most successful franchise in New York area sports history. I'll even include New Jersey teams in this evaluation. What I'm looking at is championships per time existing in New York metro area. Here goes...

1. Yankees
2. Islanders
3. Devils
4. Mets
5. Giants (football)
6. Rangers
7. Knicks
8. Jets
9. Giants (baseball)
10. Nets
11. Dodgers

Ha, I guess I'm not a "knowledgable fan" then, and yield to you in all matters concerning defense :)

Seriously though, if Campoli even repeats his rookie year, he's putting up numbers comparable to Morris, and he's six years younger. I think people want to make moves for the sake of making moves, because some other teams have. Giving up on young players with talent after a couple of years doesn't make sense, imo. If you believe we're a cup contender this year, then yeah, you trade him for Morris. If you don't then why not give it another year to see what we have instead of making final judgment based on an injury-shortened season under a new coach with a new system?

As for taking the body, maybe we were watching different games - I saw Campy take the body - for better or worse - much more than Gervais, and much more than Poti. Obviously he wasn't a wrecking ball like Hill and Witt, but Campoli's not projected to be a "crease clearer," but rather a puck mover. If you're looking for a D-man who is a brutal crease clearer, and at the same time a skilled puck mover who can quarterback the powerplay, and at the same time an amazing shooter, then no, Campoli is not, nor will he be, that total package d-man, but neither is anyone for whom we would trade him at this point.

Miggsey ~

You know my feelings on Campoli. We use to fight about him nightly last year :). I think he simply needs to add muscle. I don NOT agree there is a lack of desire or effort on the ice. I think he just got thrown around all year and it cost us big time. If he could add some mass to go with another year of playing in the NHL, he might be OK.

With that said our defense right now looks putrid and our offense is less then last year. We need to keep adding or start praying.

Hopefully we have some more tricks up our sleeves before the summer ends!

p.s PLEASE STOP BRINGING UP HOCKEYBUZZ.....They are clueless and yet to be correct!

islander fans ...
On July 1st you were all crying that your team sucked that your not any good that you hated life. Now after signing Guerin (7 points in his last 23 playoff games), Comrie (a disgruntled center who hasent worked out anyhwere else he has been and has 10 points in 32 playoff games), Fedotenko (17 points in 50 playoff games; and 0 points in his last 9), and Sim (1 point in his 15 playoff games) You think your going to be amazing. Even if you make the playoffs you dont have the playoff skill that you lost in Smyth (47 points in 73 games), Kozlov, Blake, and Poti dont have good playoff numbers eaither but at least they put up points in the regular season. Blake 40 goals 29 assists (Guerin 36g 20a), Smyth 36 goals 32 assists(Comrie 20g 25a), Kozlov 25 goals 26 assists (Sim 17g 12a), Poti 6 goals 38 assists (Fedetenko 12g 20a) You have gained nothing offensivley, nothing defensivley and yet you think you have made "great strides" clearly its time for a reality check.

It's better that you yield to the Candyman than continue to yield to Campoli. That being said, I can't understand why Isles fans are so willing to throw in the towel on the season as a mere rebuilding year--a chance for the kids to show what they can do. We have a good amount of hard working forwards, some puck moving defenseman, and we are probably a few good forwards and 2 quality defenseman away from making some noise this year. While that might sound like quite a few players/holes to fill, we have the cap space and we might as well use it. Why stay content with Crapoli on the blueline all season.

If all of these guys show up and play there hearts out on a nightly basis....they will be ok

PS. Ryan checked out that site you send (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_avg&year=2007) and its not lack of sucess look at the Rangers back to when they sucked they still were very high 90's percentage wise. People just dont want to go to islander games.

Reality Check,

I think it's time for a reality check for Reality Check. If Mr. Check learned how to, I don't know, follow basic logical principles, he would discover that Isles fans nowhere near believe this team is going to be "amazing." I in fact know for sure they will not be amazing, and I'm as big a fan as you'll ever find. The closest thing you'll find to "amazing" on this blog is something like Upstater's blind optimism. The "great strides" you reference do not resort back to last season, so you can continue to list all the past players you want. The strides refer to the time period after all those players left and we pretty much had no roster. Adding Guerin, Comrie, Fed, etc. were in fact great strides from the roster we had on July 2nd. Clearly for you, it's time for an IQ check.

reality check, you've paid over 14 million for 2 players and have spent like money grows on trees and expect to be amazing and win the Cup... of course, if the past 10 years or so isnt enough to prove that this isnt true, well then idk what is... worst comes to worst we get a very high draft pick and maybe get a franchise player in the draft who, along with Okposo, we can build the team. of course this is assuming we have not/will not trade away our first round pick this year... oh, and btw, if the rangers dont make the playoffs, you guys will never hear the end of it after all this trash talk ;)

Candyman, I don't think it's throwing in the towel, really. I think we can improve upon last year for sure. Finish better than 8th, and maybe surprise a team or two in the playoffs. I just don't think it's a championship team at this point. That said, if we get close to the trade deadline, and we're looking like serious contenders, then maybe it'd be worth trading some projects and prospects for a missing piece. Slight difference in philosphy, I guess. If we can add a couple of D-men now while hanging onto Gervais and Campoli, then we should, of course, but I think Campoli and Gervais can be quality, cheap defensemen who can be the legit 3 and 4 guys in a year or two when we're ready to build off what we have and potentially make a run for a cup. And the less $ we have locked up in our 3 and 4 defensemen, the more we'll have to add a true #1 D-man or a real #1 center, or a true scoring winger. I just don't think it's worth it now to trade one of them for a player that may be the same talent-wise as they will be in a year or two, and then be stuck paying some 4th D-man two to three times as much.

why not try to get zherdev from columbus? package campoli for him and then sign markov and sutton and that would still make a passable defense corps

Obviously he wasn't a wrecking ball like Hill and Witt, but Campoli's not projected to be a "crease clearer," but rather a puck mover. If you're looking for a D-man who is a brutal crease clearer, and at the same time a skilled puck mover who can quarterback the powerplay, and at the same time an amazing shooter, then no, Campoli is not, nor will he be, that total package d-man, but neither is anyone ...
Posted by: Upstate Isles Fan | July 17, 2007 10:14 AM

this is a great point. is there any argument the kid has the skills to be a good overall d-man and a VERY good PP quarterback? he's been in the league a couple of years, and how many d-men are great in all aspects even after 5-10 years. the same # as there are hall of famers. not a lot. campoli precisely fits a type of guy you want to lock up. young, mobile and skilled, with definate growth potential. it seems really clear to me, i don't get this argument.

Upstate, you're receiving the same television feed I get so we're on the same page :). Your overview is very similar to my own yet I can envision the Islanders moving Campoli and then regretting it. As for my buddy Steady, I think it's a stretch to say Campy getting "thrown around all year cost us big time". He gets his nose a lot dirtier than Bruno Poti and a lot of our supposed enforcers ever did so we can't expect him to be a thug. Skill players usually out maneuver, out think the bigger players who rely solely on size. It appears Garth and crew likely see this potential at a low price with the upsides Upstate mentioned. I'm certainly not opposed to seeing him moved in the RIGHT deal but if it's just to bring in a guy like Morris or Markov, you'll be disappointed. Campoli needs a partner like his first year and the confidence of the coaching staff to just go out and play. Under Teddy and Danny ( The Clown) Flynn, they suffocated him and destroyed a significant portion of the first year gains in how they utilized him. If it's going to be a repeat performance with Nolan, Gallant and crew this year then I'm with you and it's time to cut the cord. Hopefully we do have some more tricks coming from Snow and crew.

isnt markov a UFA?we wouldnt need to give up anything to get him if he is

Miggsey, Upstater et al.,

I get what you're sayin Upstater. Difference of philosophy is true and we will see what happens. Hopefully the people in charge make the right decisions. As for Miggsey, you're off in disagreeing with Steady. I mean when you look back on last season, what do you look to as to why the Isles were not higher up in the standings? Do you blame the entire season on DP missing 5-7 games? Was it really the offense who could not generate enough scoring chances? Or was it the defense which simply did not show up in front of DP on some nights. Campoli was HORRIBLE on defense last year. HE WAS THROWN AROUND. He couldn't keep up with faster players, stronger players, and smarter players. It probably flew under the radar in the bigger picture because Campoli did not create these monster turnovers and giveaways as maybe MAB might have. But on a regular shift, on a nightly basis, he did not look NHL-ready. I'm not saying he won't be eventually, but injuries that forced us to play him nightly did in fact cost us big time.

why does everyone feel witt is such a bruiser?? He only hits players that are smaller thaen him and he never fights. Hes hardly a "wrecking ball"

THE ONLY REASON WITT DOESNT FIGHT IS BECAUSE HE IS MORE DISAPLINED.....HE DRAWS KEY PENALTIES BY NOT FIGHTING.

Look, as an Isles fan I ofcourse want Campoli to progress with the team. I ofcourse want him to put up points while being a responsible D-man.

I just don't know what games you watched last year because with all due respect he wasn't doing anything on the ice! If someone looked at him funny he coughed up the puck. He tried to squeeze pucks in places that would get the puck picked off.

A lot of his mistakes could be related to his youth. Three years at 1.9 million isn't a lot of money. I'm hoping for the best, but lets not act like he's the 2nd coming of Bobby Orr and the rest of us are just too blind to see it ...

Plus, I never liked the whole attitude he gave when he was sent down to play with Bridgeport. Like he was owed, after one season, to be on the team ...makes me question him a bit ...one of my good friends has a Campoli jersey so he hates when I go off on him like this but he's got a loooon way to go ...not saying it won't happen ....just not anytime soon ...

HAHAHHAHAHAHA you think if Avery fought Witt, Avery would win????????

HAHAHA I bet if Jason Blake fought Avery, Blake would win....

FUNNY......Avery got his ass kicked by tucker.....hahah u think he can beat witt.....what a joke

oh your all very confident that Witts a tough guy, if hes the tough guy you say he is then he should have no problem dispatching Avery ... oh wait, he cant! The Tucker Avery fight was close and tucker is one tough Son Of a B*tch. Your gonna tell me Witt is a tough guy??? HAHAHA Thats nearly as funny as the islanders are

why dont you guys go sign Avery before you keep praising him....oh wait you cant he wants to much $$$ hahhah

Wait till we drop kaspars salary for 3 million, trade mara for 3 million, and then there are other we can dunp. Well sign him and then youll get to see Witt pee himself again as Avery challages him to a fight and witt declines

i do admit i wish we had Avery. Who is our tough guy this year simon? Hes a coward like the rest of the team ... so i guess he fits us perfectly!

Witt played with broken fingers last year and a severley sprained wrist. That's why he wasn't fighting. He is well known as one of the toughest players in the NHL. This is not something Isles fans concocted in their dreams. Saying Witt is not tough is like saying Jagr isn't one of the best players ever. Or that Gomez isn't an Eskimo. Or that Jason Blake is good looking. Or that Avery doesn't dive. Or that Guerin is in the prime of his career. Or that Yashin has heart. Or that the Rags D-line is very experienced. Or that the Isles are a lock to win the cup. Or that DP never wanders out of his net to play the puck. Or that Lundqvist was consistent for the entire season last year. You get it now. Pick your battles. Witt is tough.

Inorder to fight you need to have a willing participant. This isn't the street where you can go jumping someone ...there is a code of conduct amongst fighters ...could Witt rock Avery? We'll never know because Avery is too much of a puss to actually drop his gloves ...he'd rather take cheap shots than fight like a man

Why the hell does anyone believe anything hockeybuzz has to say....i heard yesterday that eklund said the rangers might be interested in simon....why???? so they can jump him in the locker room? where does this guy come up with this stuff?

i think hockeybuzz is litterally a bunch of basketball fans trying to ruin hockey

No one is taking Paul Mara and his 3 mil a year.

Sorry, but the Rangers are stuck with that guy for better or for worse.

hello all,
Im sorry im stupid and i say things like Avery is a puss and wont drop the gloves. Clearly i have brain damage. To anyone who reads my posts and shakes their heads im sorry. I suck at life, i obviously know nothing about hockey and i think im in love with Candyman.

Miggsey~

I was in no way saying his lack of size and strength was the reason we did not play better as a whole. If it came accross that way I apologize.

My point on him is he hits with his arms....Like he is shoving, not checking. To many times he was hit in the corners by a winger and got the worst of it. He simply could not hold his own. I would give anything to be wrong in the coming years, but unless his offense completely out shines his D, he will have a tough go of it!

He should watch some video of Kasparitus (of old) to get some inspiration :)!

Rangers traded Cullen back to Carolina.

Lets just say this... Witt could drop Avery, Asham could drop Avery, Simon could drop Avery, Bootland could drop Avery, Guerin could drop Avery, Garth Snow could drop Avery....etc..

Im a Ranger fan and i never coem over here but i figured i would share the joy of dropping salary. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213832&hubname=nhl

A lot of his mistakes could be related to his youth. Three years at 1.9 million isn't a lot of money. I'm hoping for the best, but lets not act like he's the 2nd coming of Bobby Orr and the rest of us are just too blind to see it ...
Posted by: AZS | July 17, 2007 11:42 AM

bobby orr? i don't think anyone suggested that. in fact, that's pretty much my point. how many orrs, potvins, bourques, lidstroms, chelios's are there. i think that's about it, isn't it? i just think campoli's youth and skill level are worth holding onto at least long enough to let his potential play out, unless a trade TOO GOOD to pass up happens to come along, of course. my impression is that getting rid of him is the first option for some here. the one thing that bothers me though is the coach's reluctance about him. but i still think this might be part tactic to bring him along, rather than a total lack of confidence in him. especially now that they extended him.

Signing Campoli is fine. The Islanders still need one more defenceman and more scoring. The recent signings only produced two lines. We need 4 solid lines. After Line 2, there's a serious dropoff. Snow and Co. should not be done. There's still plenty of room under the cap.

Did I read that wrong? three years at 1.9, meaning he'll make an average of $633K per year. Isn't the league minimum $500k.
Chris is an NHL defenseman. He had a very good rookie year, and a less than impressive sophmore season. His porblems last year may have been based in a less than consistent pairing, and the constant changing of coaching styles as a professional. He will be in his second season for Nolan, but only the first under a new defensive coach. Let's hope they mesh, because he definitely has some talent. He needs to hit the weight room though, because as good as he may prove to be as a puckhandling PP QB and mover of the puck, he must improve his strength and confidence when engaged with an opponent.
Earlier posts questioned Witt's toughness. This is where Campoli needs to grow. Gervais definitely started reading the Witt/Hill book on Islander defense last year. After his return he was pushing, shoving, breaking sticks and making his presence felt in the defensive zone. Campoli still gets knocked around, and when he does throw his body, he feels most of it.
$633/yr is appropriate. He could be a career 6th defenseman, but I think he has the potential to be better than that. I'm sure the Isles think that also or they would have invested the time and money in Grebeshkov.
Good luck Chris.. here's to 40+ goals over the next 3 years and being worth $2M per the next time your contract comes up.

HOLY SH*T BATMAN!!

Are these arguments really going on again. Avery is not a fighter he's an agitator. That said, who cares!!!

The other thing,
"Why dont you guys go sign Avery before you keep praising him....oh wait you cant he wants to much $$$ hahhah"

Avery and Hossa both will get their contracts. If you are going by nhlnumbers.com the Rangers are not over cap. I am not jumping you here either just pointing this out.

From NHLnumbers.com:
Rangers Cap hit 07-08 51.699
Cap Space -1.399

Shannahans hit is wrong. Says 5.3 this year is actually 2.5.

Kasparitis says: 3.166

Cullen says : 2.8

So cap hits that are not real and gone from Rangers cap:
Shanny: 2.8 (Bonus not this year)
Kasparitis: 3.1 (Not a Ranger this year
Cullen: 2.8 (traded gone)

Total there: 8.7 Million

51.7 - 8.7
43 million...
that leaves a little over 7 million to pay...Hutchinson, Avery and Hossa.

Not to mention that the Rangers moves are not done. Rumor swirling on other salary dump trade.

Hope that info is easy to figure and if i am wrong let me know so.

Today, the Rangers traded Matt Cullen back to the Hurricanes for 27-year-old defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, who has one year left on his contract at $500,000, and 21-year-old Joe Barnes, a 6-foot-3, 212-pound center in the second year of his entry-level contract

why dont you guys go sign Avery before you keep praising him....oh wait you cant he wants to much $$$ hahhah

Posted by: Former Disgruntled isles fan July 17, 2007, 11:51 AM

Sorry Former Disgruntled, but Mookie is right. Cullen made $2.875M, Huthinson $475K so there'e $2.4M cleared up, Shanahan will only get $2.5M towards the cap saving $2.8M and Kasperiutis will probably be bought out at 2/3 of his $3M which is $2M. That's $7.2M available to sign both Avery & Hossa. Avery might get about $3M max which leaves plenty of money for Hossa. So we all can join in the laughter now! Hah, Hah, Hah. We don't need Cullen having Drury and Gomez. But I'm sure one of you guys have some clever response as to how we will lose, not a smart move, yada, yada, yada...

allegedly Hutch could be a quarterback but i havent seen him play so i have no idea but he seems solid enough and if he does go to the PP he will flourish with our offensive guns.

i wish i knew hockey

Rangers PK units are going to be a joke. Prediction bottom ten of the league.

If I can paraphrase what I'm hearing, it sounds like "Campoli sucks, so let's package him with the other pieces of crud we have and get a qualkity player in return" My question is, what other GM would make this deal if Campoli has so little upside? Mike Milbury?

As far as I'm concerned, Campoli fills out our defense nicely and should not go anywhere. Perhaps Campoli didn't throw his weight around too much last year because he knew he wasn't strong enough to push people off and it was more important for him to play a more positionally sound game to compensate for physical shortcomings.

Was he tentative because Nolan didn't give him ice time after one mistake and he was afraid of making more mistakes--especially with the Isles in the heat of a playoff race. If you ask me, the Isles defense shored up a bit in late March/April when Nolan finally decided he couldn't play Witt and Hill 25 minutes a game while Campoli played under 10.

I think my friend Steady has a couple of bad plays burned indelibly into his mind (still sliding onto the Meadowbrook!), but given that the Isles are unlikely to be a top contender this year, I truly believe that Campy has to be part of this year's rebuilding plans and the Isles should be the ones to see what we really have.

i wear my Campoli jersey at games for Miggsey

"Rangers PK units are going to be a joke. Prediction bottom ten of the league."

I'll say you got something there. Ortmeyer will be missed but, I can see what you are saying.

Interesting.

Maybe I am being a bit harsh........they are going to struggle a bit though. No Ortmeyer, no Cullen........I remember those guys being the top four if not top pair of the PK units.

I could care less what the Rangers PP,PK,attendance,arena,coach,GM, or anything else they do.

It is July! Until they play and things get heated up, who cares?

I care about what the Isles are doing and that is all. This is not the forum or the time to be talking about the Rags salary.

If the Rangers were so good and won so much, the insecurity of sticking up for them would not come into play!

We all get it. You Ranger fans hate the Isles and love your team. Now go move along now!

My point is that it's not lack of success, it's the difficulty of transportation.

From THN http://www.thehockeynews.com/en/news/news.asp?idNews=24383

JOHN FERGUSON AWARD (TOUGHEST PLAYER): BRENDAN WITT

After abandoning his long, shaggy hair in favor of cutting it right down to the wood this season, Brendan Witt was back in the playoffs with the long, scraggly locks that made him look more like a professional wrestler than a hockey player.

Either way, the New York Islanders defenseman is one scary-looking dude. Throw in the black eye he got at the end of the season and the 14 tattoos that cover various parts of his 6-foot-2, 220-pound body and you have one intimidating fellow.

And he’s definitely no fun to play against. As the inaugural recipient of the John Ferguson Tough Guy Who Can Play Award, Witt has earned every bit of his recognition. The hard way. He plays against all the top lines as one of the Islanders’ shut-down guys – just ask Leafs captain Mats Sundin how much fun he had battling Witt this season – and regularly puts his body on the line for his team.

As the accompanying graphic points out, nobody in the league had a higher combined total of hits, blocked shots and penalty minutes this season. Witt can play it rough and tough – and he can flat-out play, too, as he shone defensively all season for the Isles.

He also got into six fights in 2006-07 and according to the website hockeyfights.com, lost all six of them. We think that makes him even tougher, since he’s not afraid to drop his gloves despite knowing there’s a good chance he’s going to lose.
---
Please note that the fights he lost (and they aren't all a loss, some are just a draw) include one against Ryan Malone where he was dealing with Whitney hassling him at the same time.

Witt would destroy Avery, and that's not just my bias talking. I'm hoping to see Avery man up sometime this year and let it happen. The bad blood between those two goes back at least to when Avery speared Witt in their opening road trip, last October.

Doubtless my identity will be impersonated by this anonymous jackass and "Ryan" will make some idiotic comment about being in love with Candyman. Give me a break.

kickedinthejunk,
No you got a point. Looking at the roster it is hard to picture what the PK will look like.

WHO CARES,
Glad you don't. You move along and don't read it then. I have talked Islanders, Rangers and hockey here for a year now. Where were you? Not the right time for fair weather fans is it?

i disagree Drury was a solid PKer and we still have Betts and Girardi

Yeah WHO CARES get the hell out of here there is no need for puss's like you and kickedinthejunk you should all just leave because you guys have no idea what your talking about. Were here to talk hockey.

i think campoli is going to be a solid d man - and in many ways, already is. the kid has managed to make himself noticed in every level he has played so far... including an impressive showing for a new kid on the block for the isles. he needs to bulk up a bit and be stronger on the puck, but i love his offensive mindset and have seen few mistakes, mostly those rectified by experience.... give him a year or two and he will be a strong, solid, and dependable.... and will eventually, i think, work out to be a very smart PP quarterback in the future!

All Camploi was noticed for last year was his lack of physical presence and his inability to hold off opposing forwards. Being that he IS a defenseman, that should be somewhat of a requirement. It's nice that he has nice vision and might be able to QB a pp one day, but let's keep our eyes on the ball kids. He simply was not good last year. "Few mistakes" as in Scott 'the eskimo' Gomez makes only a "few dollars" a year???

Besides Witt and Hill, we had no one to get filthy with the oposition. We lost Hill, and now need to replace that. We cannot afford ice this week defence on opening day. In my opinion we need to protect our franchise keeper with some. REAL bruisers (Witt plus at least 2 more). I want to see a dirty defence corps that will make oposing teams fear playing us. I'm not familiar with any of the ufa you talk about, besides mcabe. I don't think he fits the bill. Come on garth... Let's get some real tough guys on this team

Posted by: Merrick | July 17, 2007 1:34 PM
As far as I'm concerned, Campoli fills out our defense nicely and should not go anywhere. Perhaps Campoli didn't throw his weight around too much last year because...
but given that the Isles are unlikely to be a top contender this year, I truly believe that Campy has to be part of this year's rebuilding plans and the Isles should be the ones to see what we really have.

harumph !

campoli will be fine this year. Hopefully they will sign somebody like Sutton and he will play with either him or Gervais. Another year with Meyer may be the end of campoli's confidense. With Sopel and Sutton still available there are still options. Plus they should have some size in Bridgeport this year to replace an early defensive weakness.

Sopel???????????!!!!!!!

I would rather choke on a jolly rancher than see that moron back in an Isles uniform.

I'm sure most would agree...

Yeah WHO CARES get the hell out of here there is no need for puss's like you and kickedinthejunk you should all just leave because you guys have no idea what your talking about. Were here to talk hockey.

Posted by: Ryan | July 17, 2007 2:33 PM

Nice! Sounds just like me!

I'm all for giving Campoli another season to show what he can do. I still think that the idea for Nolan is to try and mix up the defense corps as much as possible this year, starting at training camp. I can see him experimenting with different combinations as he feels out the right combinations.

In a larger sense, I get the feeling that Nolan doesn't actually have a system yet. I read somewhere that when he got to the Island last spring, his intention was to set-up a "run and gun" like he used in Buffalo (and that Buffalo's still using). He had to adapt with the haphazard collection of players that Neil Smith and Garth snagged. Now that he has the chance to impose his system without resistance (and I believe Smith resisted, and that's the reason for the friction that resulted in Smith's resignation) you can watch for a gradual shift in the team's tone over the next two or three years. Watch them continue to bring in fast, young, mobile players.

I would agree with you if all I had to judge him was the year he spent under Stirling. I saw him before and after that period, and he really isn't half bad.
Niimina was known throughout the league as the first guy on the ice and the last to leave and a gym rat. He got into that circus and he was the worst defenseman that ever lived.
Asham was prized throughout the league (montreal will probably re-sign him this year), but he could never get out of Stirling's doghouse.
the only person who flourished under Stirling was campoli... and let's face it, he made a lot of "aggressive mistakes" in his rookie campaign, but he was saved by his own ability (speed) and the ability of Lukawich to cover his arse.
Sopel isn't going to get an all star bonus check, but he would make a better 3/4 guy than Most... especially under Nolan. I'd much rather see Sutton...

Yeah WHO CARES get the hell out of here there is no need for p***'s like you and kickedinthejunk you should all just leave because you guys have no idea what your talking about. Were here to talk hockey.

Posted by: Ryan | July 17, 2007 2:33 PM

Hey Ryan, I don't know who the hell you think you are pally??????? How the shite am I a p***y, d**kface?

Enough with the defense talk, I believe that we will be signing and or trading for one or two before the season starts.

Lets talk more about our forwards. It is clear we need another center and a scoring winger, since we can all agree we want to hold on to our draft picks and prospects, free agency is where we should look. While the big names are gone there are still a few players, that could be signed to work in our benefit. A project of a player I wouldn't mind signing is Patrik Stefan; he is still young and in the Nolan system I believe he could excel and we could see that he was really worth that 1st overall pick. Another young free agent I would like us to sign is Adam Hall. He is fast and big and young. If we were to sign them, I could really see big things coming from these players

My Tribute to Jim from Woodbury...

Deal with Rag boy, we own Msg, we own NYC...

ISLANDER COUNTRY...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01102007/sports/rangers/no_isle_usion_rangers_larry_brooks.htm

NO ISLE-USION
RENNEY ERUPTS AFTER RANGERS LOSS
By LARRY BROOKS
They have played out this Hockey Battle of New York for 34 seasons now, and never before, not when the Islanders were winning the Stanley Cup four straight years and not when the Rangers were missing the playoffs seven straight years, had the Islanders beaten the Rangers four straight times within a single season.
Never before, until this year, that is. Never before, until last night's 5-3 victory at the Garden gave the Islanders their fourth victory in four games against the Rangers.

"You Can't Beat Us!" the vocal contingent of Islander fans in the building taunted the Blueshirts, and they were correct. The Islanders forced the Rangers to play down and dirty, forced the Rangers to navigate 200 feet with the puck almost every shift after the first, and the Blueshirts could not meet the challenge.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/story/476972p-401310c.html

Oh, Henrik! It's pine time

BY JOHN DELLAPINA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Two things Tom Renney neither expected nor desired to hear last night at the Garden:
Islanders fans chanting "first place!" in the dying seconds. And Rangers' franchise goaltender Henrik Lundqvist suggesting after the first period that perhaps it would be best if he were replaced.

"It was a pretty exciting game," Islanders coach Ted Nolan said of his first experience with Rangers-Isles. "You can tell it's a nice rivalry."

One that last night saw the visitors celebrate at the Garden while the home team's goalie was offering to step aside.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/ny-spisles1204,0,2323969.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines

At the final buzzer, the loudest sound was a contingent of Islanders fans at the Eighth .Avenue end of the Garden behind DiPietro chanting, "First place! First place!" They weren't alone. As a smiling Bates entered the locker room, he shouted, "First place Islanders, boys!"

http://www.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061204&content_id=1416526&oid=36220&vkey=17

This one hurt
The Rangers fell to the Islanders, and Isles fans rubbed it in
By Jon Lane / Special to SNY.tv

It's a sucker punch that Kozlov, who scored 14 goals in two seasons across the Hudson River and is front-and-center on Long Island with Alexei Yashin on the shelf, netted four Sunday night. It was a blatant kick to the gut to see Islander hats litter the Garden ice when Kozlov completed his hat trick. It was slush shower in your face to hear chants of "Let's Go Islanders," a sound that put an Island-wide grin on Kozlov's mug.

This isn't a Monday Morning rant from a Ranger fan either. It's the objective, brutal truth. Yet Islander fans created their own Garden party, and they were entitled to it.

****************************************
http://www.isles-list.com/index.cfm?action=schedule&&year=2000&gameid=2288

And Down Go The Rangers
By Larry Brooks

There is no end to the indignities this Ranger team is heaping on the franchise.

It wasn't enough to lose their sixth of the last seven, wasn't enough to fall a season-worst nine games under .500, wasn't even enough to all but eliminate even the most remote prayer of playoff qualification with 16 games still remaining in the season.

No, in this 75th anniversary season the Rangers had to go even a step farther and turn the Garden into Nassau Coliseum Mainland, as the substantial number of Islander fans, who invaded Manhattan last night, filled the arena with chants of "Let's Go Islanders!" as their team whipped the heroic home boys by 5-2.

Here is Newsday's blog from October where the writer talks about bypartisian crowds in both Msg and the Coliseum for the home and home series:

http://www.newsday.com//sports/webl...5/10/index.html
Isles-Rangers: Twice As Nice
It's amazing how different the experience was in the two buildings. Madison Square Garden is built more like a church than a hockey rink – spacious, cavernous, and reverent. Nassau Coliseum reminds me of a large auditorium, or a college basketball arena. It’s homey, the acoustics are great, and the crowd noise is earsplitting.

Apparently the differences in the two buildings didn't bother any of the visiting fans. There were a LOT of Islanders fans at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. It was shocking to see, but I liked it. It made the game feel more like a local rivalry – like two high school teams battling it out at the local rink

Isles should concentrate on signing a good "cut man" and "ice bag" man . Simply b/c there players are going to get their as^ kicked nightly!

DP will want a trade off the island within two years. He has to much skill and charisma to play for such a drab organization!

Your team has filled the players that left with lesser talent then before. You in no way improved your team. You are less then last year, in a division that improved triple fold. You are looking at dead last place! Enjoy!

i need to be REFRESHED on who is gonna WIN FACEOFFS for us!?!?

Notice how the rag fans don't even post on there own blog?

Henrik Da Queen, Rangers'll need a cutman before we will. Who is going to stick up for Gomez when his little frame gets run into the boards and pummelled? Who is going to fight when Drury gets knocked on his ass by Witt? Is Jagr going to step up? Avery? Prucha?

Better worry about your team needing a cutman and ice bag man, not ours. Your team got rid of the little toughness you had in Orr, get ready to watch the Rangers get pushed around like a bunch of little girls. Avery isn't a fighter, so no dice there. Your team is soft, and weak.

Campoli deserves another chance. He may surprise people and become a better d-man with another year under his belt. He never seemed to get his act together last year after being cut in training camp.

I think this killed his confidence and he never seemed to recover.

This is a new beginning and he doesn't have Poti, Hill or Zhitnik ahead of him on the depth chart.

Confidence is a big part of the game, and he should have plenty to start the season with his contract settled and a weakened defense corps.

If not, at least it won't cost much to buy him out!

Bill, I agree with you.

Campoli is young. Many players tend to get hit with the sophmore jinx like he did. I am sure this year he will be the better for it, and show more of us potential.

Hunts' name is back up on the roster, so he'll be back. If Ash isn't coming back, will his spot be filled by Franz or will they bring someone else in?

It will be interesting to see what other moves are made to beef up the D. Markov would be good, but I read something about him being injury prone.

Colton Orr signed a contract extension in April DYNASTY you poor forgotten soul!

Learn your players before making things up!

Orr can beat the BAG out of each and every player on your deprived team!

YOU LOSE!!! NO STATS !!! ALL LIES !!! BYE BYE !!!

Did I mention Orr is only 25 and signed DYNALOSER???

Did I mention Asham and Simon are leaving your putrid team?

Did I mention you need to hire an "Ice Bag" man for DP b/c you have zero guys to clear the crease and zero enforcers?

BTW....did I mention...I can fist my self to such an extreme that I can pump my own heart...

Henrik,

Don't know why I thought Orr went elsewhere... doesn't really matter. With Orr you guys will still get pounded. You lose.

Go back to the stinkhole that is the Rangers blog. Go keep that loser Jim company. He's lonely, and needs the one other rag fan to keep him company.

Henrik,

As for Asham and Simon. Asham is probably gone ... so? Sucks but he is replaced already with Sim. Moron.

Simon isn't going anywhere. We will have him resigned.

You Lose Henrik! Rangers suck!!!!!

Isles should concentrate on signing a good "cut man"
and "ice bag" man .

where's ferdie?
where the hell is ferdie pacheco ?!

Rangers need to buy a dress for Jagr. The little woman will be crying after all the beatings he takes this season.

Candyman, we finally agree on something and that's Sopel. He was a very over paid pylon and I wouldn't want to see him back under any circumstances. On the Campoli front, I KNOW the doubters are all going to be pleasantly surprised this year IF,(and it's a big IF)Teddy lets Campy play and affords him the opportunity to play with a suitable partner; they will be rewarded.
I like Steady's thought about other tricks too. This team is in dire need of a one, possibly two proven scorers if salary cap will allow for it. Let's give Garth the chance to continue to add where and when the right players are available. I don't think we're that far away from being competitive every night but hopes of Stanley Cup appearance this year are gobbly goop. That being said, let's build the team, trade smartly and have stick together as Islander fans.

Can you Islander fans be serious? Are you telling the rest of the hockey world that you are happy your team had to settle for Comrie and Guerin? You honestly did not want the Islanders to sign Gomez and Drury? You really think you guys somehow got better by letting Blake and Smyth walk all over you on their way off the Island on the first train out? You seriously think you have any prospects that other teams are remotely interested in? Especially enough to get the likes of any of these names you guys are throwing around? You really think that DP (Your one truly great player) is going to want to continue to play on a losing team for any longer than the next two or three seasons? (and that's IF he is really healthy enough to continue on what looks to be a stellar career)? I am sure that eventually DP will want to be surrounded by and play behind winners, not overpaid third liners who are logging 1st line minutes!! And although I am sure he enjoys the pressure free environment that the mausoleum and its 5000 fans offer right now; I believe once he matures, he will want to play inside a building that is packed with fans that show up and support their team through thick and thin. Not just in the late season when it looks possible that the team might make some kind of rush at the playoffs.

I don't know who's a bigger embarrassment to hockey...your teams management or your teams fan base?

Admittedly the Rangers have gone through some very bad and dark years, where horrible decisions were made. But the fans never stopped showing up to support the team nor did we ever try to poop on a stick and call it a lollipop!!! We knew when our team stunk and we weren't afraid to admit it and hope for better next year. Well guess what?? Our next years are coming up for about the next 5-7 years!!!! And we have had two previous years where we have seen nothing but growth and a commitment to win. Creating an environment where players are excited and want to sign and play for the NEW YORK RANGERS!!! As opposed to the Island where you cant find one respectable, sought after player who wants to play for your joke of a franchise!!!!

Now please respond with something other than Gomez scored 13 goals or that Jagr is a girl!!!

And it has got to be killing you watching the Rangers trim some excess salary to get under the cap and more than likely still improving in the process. I just realized we dumped a center (Cullen) purely for salary reasons and he would be your first line center if your GM could have somehow pulled off a trade for him!!!!!

Enjoy watching Prima Donna Comrie figure skate around the ice (and you guys thought Blake was a selfish player - LOL)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

all you ranger fans are soft... come meet somewhere and we'll see who needs a cutman...

was that serious? are all yo islander fans this stupid

yeah i didnt hit the u button i meant to write you that dosent make me stupid but it does make you immature for wanting to coment on it like a blundering idiot who thinks hes tough s*it

Hockey Realist -

Why would the Cullen deal be killing me as an Islander fan? Quite the contrary. The Rangers were a 2 center team before July 1. Then they were a 3 center team and were frankly one of the strongest teams up the middle. Now they're a 2 center team again. Maybe Straka can play center, but he sucks in the face-off circle. Since Nylander signed for 5 million per, and Cullen hit the cap for 2.9... You've essentially swapped Cullen and Nylander for Drury and Gomez (arguably a pretty good upgrade), but at 14.5 million per year, the upgrade upgrade cost 6.6 million in cap.

Nope. The Cullen deal doesn't kill me at all. I kinda like it!!!

Sauce,

Thank you for responding in a somewhat intelligent fashion as opposed to "rangers suck" etc.

I meant it was upsetting to isle fans in two ways...
#1. that the rangers are managing to get comfortably under the cap, which we know a majority of Isle fans thought was going to be a much bigger deal and I am sure were hoping would cripple the Rangers
#2. That, like I said, it is a centermen who would be better than any center currently on the Isles and we dumped him only because we had to cut salary, not because he wasn't a good player.

as far as Rangers being 2 center team then 3 then two...I tend to agree with your statement...again, we had to lose Cullen only because he made too much $$, not because he wasn't a great 3rd line center. And don't forget that the rangers have two highly regarded young center prospects in Dubinsky and Asinimov (spelling?) who are ready to jump up in the next few years. They would have got stuck in hartford behind Gomez/ Drury/ Cullen for the next three years at least if room was not made for them to play at the nhl level.

I think I will look for and try to respond to your posts and do my best to ignore the repetitive trash that seems to be the norm on this blog...

hockey realist - go back to the Rags board pally!!!!!! Wax poetic over there and leave us alone.

I love how we are predicted to be in the basement... Like last year. The rags look like they have the better team...like last year. It doesn't mean that we'll own you again. Let's wait for the actual games to determine the standings. I'll admit that Drury and Gomez were huge aquisitions...but come on...at this point all you are is the "2008 PAPER Stanley Cup Champions"...congrats...

I'm not too pumped about the Isles D this year check em out -

Meyer 5'10
Campolli 5'11
Witt 6'2
Martinek 5'11
Gervias 6'0
Bergeron 5'10

We have ZERO size!!!!
They desperately need a presence back there.

As for the forwards Bates and Hilbert have to go and we need to add a solid proven NHL scorer.

Dynamoron:

Admit it you were wrong. You know zippo about NHL and apparently only read the funny papers, saying Orr was traded and rambling how we have no enforcer.

As you boy "steady" says, stay on the ice. You have been knocked the f^*k out!

Kicked is right. We need size so we can get filthy out there!

Henrik the Stupid,

Already admitted I was wrong on Orr earlier. What are you too stupid to read?

Hockey Realist, why do you think it kills the Isles fans that rangers are dumping salary? Its the obvious thing for your team to do. Why do you care so much about our teams fans? Couldn't care less about you and yours.

Dynagirl:

If you could care less about our team then why did you say we would get pounded into the boards every night? Why did you say Avery would nee back up? Why did you make up stories about our enforcer being traded?

One thing to mis read an article. Another thing to be a complete liar!

Enjoy the basement. Please turn out the lights when you hit the first tee.

Hockey Realist:

You might be more likely to get responses along the lines of Cincy's if you refrain from calling the Islanders fan base "an embarrassment to hockey".

I agree with Cincy regarding Cullen. You guys had solid depth in the middle for the year and just traded it away. If I were a Rangers fan, I'd be pretty pissed if they took that $3m and blew it on Avery, especially with a long-term deal. Once Shanahan is out of your locker room (and really, do you see him sticking around more than another year?) that man's going to be a wrecking ball for morale.

Without rehashing it yet again, I don't see that Blake "walked all over" the Islanders when he left. He wanted one thing, the Isles wanted another, and the two couldn't agree. Did Nylander walk all over the Rangers? The situations are comparable, except that the replacements the Rangers brought in so far (on paper, at least) are more impressive.

Dubinsky and Anisimov look like solid prospects right now, but I wouldn't get too excited about their immediate impact. Dubinsky might make the jump this year, but Anisimov probably won't.

Why do all these ranger fans spend so much time on an islanders blog?
I have never even considered reading/commenting on any ranger blogs...
Why?? because as an Islander fan i could give a rats ass about the Rangers...
It's a shame because it's really not the Rangers as a franchise that i can't stand.
It's all these D***HEBAG ranger fans who embarrass their team by s**t talking to islanders fans who don't give a s**t about the rangers.

Try getting laid fellas.
or
Try getting a life.

Now that the free agent frenzy is in essence over, Garth is in a better position to assess his needs in comparison to what could possibly be available. Many teams are either at the salary cap or close to being over it and planning fior this year and next year is underway. Hopefully the financial constraints of other GM's plays nicely into the continued rebuiding of our team through well thought out deals. A couple more key trades certainly would vault us from cellar dwellers to respected opponents.

Miggsey,

I love the optimism and obviously Sopel will never be offered a contract by the NYI so we really don't have anything to fear.

Mr. Realist,

Let's not try to evaluate the Cullen dumping by the phrase "the grass is greener on the other side" and let's try to be a realist here, your specialty. In reality, the Rags should have been able to keep Cullen, along with all of their other free agent acquisitions. The problem here was that Sather wanted to make a huge splash on July 1 by signing both Drury and Gomez for much more than their market value. If the Rags would have offered Gomez $5.5-6 million for 7 years, I think there was a pretty good chance he would have taken it. I heard he was only asking for $5 million at the end of the season. Likewise with Drury, who probably could have been had for well under $7 million. Both players now make more than Joe Thornton, who is probably one of the most dominating forwards in the NHL, right up there with Jagr. Gomez is a great play-maker, Drury is clutch, both are proven winners, but neither will ever dominate a game. By over-paying those 2 players the Rags were forced to dump Cullen.

In NY, we have seen the polar opposites of GMs. Sather who jumps way too quickly, and Snow who continues to sit back and star gaze. I'm not saying I wouldn't love to have both Drury & Gomez on the Isles, because I would. But if we are trying to be realistic, then it should be acknowledged that a capricious GM caused the Rags a very solid center.

>>In NY, we have seen the polar opposites of GMs. Sather who jumps way too quickly, and Snow who continues to sit back and star gaze.

I totally disagree. It's been well documented that Snow attempted to sign players to long term, big pay deals, but players did not want to sign here. Snow pretty much confirmed this when he cried about the outdated Mausoleum. See Smyth, Ryan.

You're an idiot. After those players signed on July 1st Snow has carefully and slowly sat back to watch to see what develops. The fact is Snow did not jump too quickly and blow Ryan Smyth outa the water with a $7.3 million per season deal. He could have, considering Smyth put up comparable numbers to Drury.

I love the fact we did not sign Ryan Smyth. His best days are behind him. I realize he offers tons of intangibles, but bottom line the guy did nothing for us. He is WAY OVER PAID!

What I HATE is the fact we got him in the first place. What I hate is we traded three #1's to get a player not already signed! Blah blah blah, we all know all about this.

Put it in STONE that Smith will have a poor year. Hunter will have better stats then him.

Believe me I am not giving the "Bobbleheads" a pass on this off season at all. So far I give them a "C Minus!"

There is time to pump that up to a "B" if they trade for a proven goal scorer and a prominant Def. player!

As for you "Henrik" and "realist," please let me know how the Yankees are doing? I am sure you were 150 X's more pumped looking at their line up in the off season. Please tell me why you can be cocky to Isles fans over the past 10 years? You act like you have won 3 cups in that time. PROVE IT ON THE ICE...Until then talk hockey and stop throwing jabs, b/c you are completely clueless!

Candyman,
I have come to like the way you attack things and your point of views. I am a Rags fan. Been around here for a while. Post more here then I do on the Rangers blog for obvious reasons. Also get good talk here when the bashing isn't going on.

With that though. I have a question to ask you and all the other Islanders fans here. The Rangers cap is being pointed to alot and Sathers actions and credibility as well. I agree that Sather has made moves over the year that would make any fan shake their heads. He also has not turned the Rangers into Edmonton part 2 to win too many cups. But with that said we are talking about Glenn Sather know? Do you honestly think for a minute that he is sitting their like a kid in Toys R Us just buying toys? I have to believe that there is a little more thought and calculation going into this... Just like Mr. Snow. He is doing his job and sure he sees or plans something.

I have to be pretty confident that the GM of any team would not just go out and spend or not spend without something or some sort of game plan in mind.

Anybody agree?

Again it is well documented that Snow offered Smyth more than the 5 year, 31 million dollar deal that Smyth signed with Colorado. It is also well documented the Snow cried that he was having a difficult time signing players because of an outdated Mausoleum. These are facts.

Reading this blog reminds me of 5th grade when my classmate Islander & Ranger fans would constantly fight and bicker back and forth. This blog is a few posts away from making jokes about players moms (much like 5th grade). It makes me laugh to read all the predictions on this blog (first place Rangers; last place Isles). I kind of like being the underdog, with expectations comes lots of pressure on an organization (look at this years Yanks). When in reality every good team on paper is a only a couple of key injuries away from failure & disappointment. The Isles had their fair share of key injuries last year and it takes it's toll. If you noticed in this years Stanley Cup finals; both the Senators & the Ducks were playing with their full compliment of players. Either team had any injured players that could not dress for the game. The Jets last year stayed healthy the entire year and surprised most people, the year before that they were riddled with injuries and finished last. They looked great on paper in the off season and at the start of the season, but look where that got them, last place. The Yanks this year looked unbeatable on paper to start the season, but look what happened when most of their pitching staff landed on the DL list. Suddenly they were not so good. I could care less what the Isles look like on paper or what the Rangers look like on paper right now or for that matter what a players #'s were last year for a different team/coach. Have some faith in the coach & GM. You get better value with patience, Islae fans you will have what you covet now at some point this season and it will come with little subtraction (like Garth has been stating all along). My prediction..."Who the heck knows!

Mike,

Know your facts. The Isles offered Smyth $32 million over 5 years. That's an extra $200k a year. Hardly blowing Smyth out of the water with that one.

Mookie,

Not so much a kid in a toy store. I was thinking more along the lines of wealthy rich girl at the mall. Doesn't matter if it's over-priced, if she wants it, she buys it.

Coral Springs,

I couldn't agree more. This blog can disgust me at times. Not to say I'm not the type to take shots at Rags fans. Because I am. But I also take shots at Isles fans as well. I don't use words like "Blueskirts" or couldn't imagine calling the NVMC by anything other than its well-respected name. Guys like Henrik, etc take unnecessary shots at the Isles and their fans. I feel like I expel an unnecessary amount of energy defending the Isles against the Rags fans. On that note, myself and Boxin' Bootland are officially signing off this blog. We are starting a new blog for Isles fans who want to discuss Isles-related news. Rags fans are welcome if they are going to discuss the Isles in a respectful manner. We might even add threads about the Rags. The point is we are going to keep it on target and hockey related.

So we introduce a new blog entitled BLEEDING ORANGE AND BLUE. The URL for the new blog for REAL Isles fans is....

http://blueorangeblood.blogspot.com/

Registration is free and takes 5 seconds. Steady, Mookie, Cincy, Dynasty, Merrick, et al. Please find your way into this new blog.

Spread the word...

http://blueorangeblood.blogspot.com/

May you all be blessed with the joy of sugar and sweets. I'll check back occasionally. Look for daily articles and insights on this new blog. To hell with Logan and his summer vacations. This is the Candyman, signing off.

"The Islanders are looking to be leading the way and may be trying to land both Danny Markov and Derek Morris with their 16 M in cap space..."
-HockeyBuzz
If Snow could pull this off, and land another face-off guy to give Bates and Nokie a run for the third "C" spot, they would be a legit playoff contender... not the President's trophy, or the Division Championship, but in a spot to challenge for the 5-8th seeds.
It would also put Meyer and Campoli in Bridgeport or in another uniform.
I would still prefer Sutton or McCabe...

P.S. to my last post, the coveted player we want/need may already be on the roster and we just don't it yet. For example if a guy like Tambellini or Bergenheim were to score 20 + goals we all be saying WOW at the end of the year, he turned out to be a real boost that this team needed. See you in blue & orange blog.

I can't say I remember Hockey Buzz being right about much. You don't sign Campoli to a three year extension and then send him to Bridgeport for the year. I'll get excited about that rumor if it get s posted on a site such as nhl.com.

Good candyman get out of here we dont need or want you. As for Coral Springs ISLE fan your almost as dumb as the ranger fans are. Who gives a crap if Bergenheim scored 20 goals we need a guy like Guerin to score 40. 20 is nice but with the team we have in our current position (lacking basically any prospects and lacking a true 1st line) we need all the help we can get.

Mookie -

Appreciate your comments, always. But I disagree with you on this one. On July 1 when the cards were all lining up Sather's way and he had the chance to sign both Drury and Gomez, he jumped in like a kid in a candy store. His offer to Gomez shows nothing more than wanting to make a big headline - insanely out of whack. Especially in light of the reports that these 2 guys so desparately wanted to play in MSG, why wasn't Sather more shrewed? And now you've seen the delays in getting Lundqvist inked, problems in fitting Avery and Hossa under the cap without unloading your best face-off man (who was poised to have a very good year, I might add). You think Sather had in mind the ramifications of Jagr's entire salary hitting next year's cap when he pulled the July 1 string? Or that Straka, Mara AND Rozsival are scheduled for UFA next year? No way.

Sather just might tuck everything under the cap this year. And he might find someone to bolster that backline in doing so. But it's very uncomfortable to have to stand in a room when your head keeps hitting the ceiling. And there's no room for unanticipated events - like injuries. Let's see how Sather works his "plan" in that environment.

I've been a regular reader and occassional poster on this blog. Congrats to Candyman and Bootland on the new blog. I assume it'll be part of the new NYI Blog Box? I've got a new one as well, which you can find here:

http://islandersnhl.blogspot.com/

Soon, you will be able to access it through the Blog Box on the Isles official site.

Let's support each other's blogs and build a nice community of Isles fans on the web.

Ryan,

Constant negativity and pessimism must have got you far in life. I bet you probably beat something (wife/boyfriend, meat) after every Isle loss. I won't expect a reply anytime soon as you probably will be scrambling dor your disctionary to see what the words mean.

Ryan is a piece of s**t. I personally never post comments, but I always read what is being written. Candyman's comments keep my day going. He provides good analysis with a touch of humor. I will personally be checking out his blog. Candyman, you will me missed.

Good candyman get out of here we dont need or want you. As for Coral Springs ISLE fan your almost as dumb as the ranger fans are. Who gives a crap if Bergenheim scored 20 goals we need a guy like Guerin to score 40. 20 is nice but with the team we have in our current position (lacking basically any prospects and lacking a true 1st line) we need all the help we can get.

Posted by: Ryan | July 18, 2007 12:41 PM

That's not actually me.

Shut up Ryan. I personally love Candyman's comments. He keeps my day going. I personally never post comments, but I do read the blog everyday. Candyman provides good insight with a touch of humor. Candyman, you will be missed. I can't wait to check out your own blog.

Anonymous,
Your supposed to be writing under a name dumbass. Ill agree that Candyman did have some good comments but generally most of the stuff he said was backdraft behind the paper garbage.

Coral Springs ISLE fan,
At least i have some meat to beat (or a wife for that matter). Why dont you and your boyfriend shut up and stay out of this. You clearly have no hockey insight anyway so you wont be missed.

Anonymous,
Your supposed to be writing under a name dumbass. Ill agree that Candyman did have some good comments but generally most of the stuff he said was backdraft behind the paper garbage.

Coral Springs ISLE fan,
At least i have some meat to beat (or a wife for that matter). Why dont you and your boyfriend shut up and stay out of this. You clearly have no hockey insight anyway so you wont be missed.

Posted by: Ryan | July 18, 2007 1:38 PM

Still not me.

Cincy,

I can hear what you are saying. I just can't imagine any GM not thinking forward. Good question, supposedly life long dreams then why such big contracts. Also, i am not saying this in defense but, the reports were that they never thought that they would land both guys. So yes maybe a little over the top to get it done. I guess my main point really is that it will all work out and the Rangers will start the season under cap with a "bit" of room to spare. With Avery and Hossa signed. Jagrs full salary hits cap next year? It is Team Option...Bigger question does Jagr even play next year, I guess only time will tell right?

As for FA's next year. Right now Rangers have two forwards FA next year that is Straka and Shanahan. My opinion they both retire. We all know Shanahan is close enough and if you remember Straka considered retiring to go home before last season. But, played and signed extension for this year. So I think they are both done.

As for D practically the whole squad is some sort of FA next year.

Pock and Staal - signed.
Tyutin and Girardi - RFA.
The rest UFA.

So they have to fill two forward spots FA's or within. Sign a few D and get Henrik his contract.

So it shows cap hit for next year with all I stated above at 26M. If another good year the cap can go up to about 55M. That is 29M to get contracts done and fill in the holes. I am sure there is errors so don't quote me or shoot me.

I just don't think things are as bad as some want to beleive...

Candyman.

Where are you going to get inside information to give people on your blog? Where are you going to get your updated news? For Gods sake you read hockeybuzz. Go back to bed and play with your candycane and gumballs you quack!

Couldnt agree more ...

Hahahahahaha. Glad to see I am so heavily missed already. Just thought I'd check in and post my URL one more time. I will never read hockeybuzz and I have never cited Eklund as a source. Let's just say I know more people than you would think. Pretty ironic for someone who criticizes Snolan as much as I do. The only way I can criticize is anonymously like I do here. Otherwise, my a$$ would have been fired a long long time ago. I have strong sources inside the Isles organization and I can provide unique feedback on the inside mentality of Snolan. I have no sources outside the organization so I will not preoccupy this new blog with useless rumors.

Again, if you have time, or just want to escape work for a while, please check out
http://blueorangeblood.blogspot.com/

Hahaha he called me a quack. Ok fine I'll stick around.

Ryan,

If you noticed my posts were about hockey...your reply to my post was amatuer & unprofessional and most of the real fans on this blog don't want to participate in that. By the way when you pick up my garbage next week please put the lids back on the pails.

The Village People were an underappreciated band, imo. I love them.

JPinVa: If the Islanders ever decide to send Campoli to Bridgeport, he'd never clear waivers which would make one wonder why Garth signed him long term. In Bruno's case, I understand he can still be sent down. I think the focus should be on a scorer as the D will be more than adequate.

Mookie,

Believe me - I'm only criticizing Sather as a GM. I think he's lazy and benefits from the skill of those under him. That's all. As far as the Rangers' position right now... It's obviously a better one than the Islanders have. And if the Jagr/Drury/Gomez/sans Nylander chemistry works you're definately gonna have some fun this year. You have question marks at defense, and the 3rd and 4th lines are without a good center (right now), and Lundqvist still needs to show that his mind can focus long enough to produce for a FULL season... but you definately have many reasons to be excited.

The Isles still have 16 million of cap space and more than 2 months until the puck is dropped. I'm hoping the holes will be filled.

BTW... From my understanding, it's a player option in Jagr's contract. That's why Washington is only on the hook for this year, and it's also why some are questioning whether or not he'll retire at the end dof this year.

Candyman....

The only way I can criticize is anonymously like I do here. Otherwise, my a$$ would have been fired a long long time ago.

if this is true then how come you give your name (JUSTIN SCOTT)on your new blog site?????

doesn't seem to make much sense now does it?????

if it look like s&^% and smells like s&*&, then it's probably s@#$!!!!!!

hey alls i'm saying is that candyman along with half of the rest of ya come on here to talk S#@t, if it makes ya feel better about yourself then, WONDERFUL....
it's just interesting how candyman carefully explained how he had to post anonymously, so he won't get fired and that he has all these "inside connections"....
then he goes and reveals himself on another blog (which was linked from newsday) to the rest of the world....oooooops cover blown...

now he'll say it's also a fake name right??????

WHATEVER....

He's FULL of S@#@

Cincy,

If I said that I was not excited I would be lying. But, I do try to be realistic and so I know that until this Rangers team hits the ice this is nothing but good news and thats it. Looks great from the outside (now on paper) but put your money where your mouth is and go out and get it done! I have been disappointed way to many times by my "great" team and expectations. I mean hell I'm a Rangers fan! lol

D is same as last year for the most part and I'm not really that worried. I won't bore everyone here with combos and thoughts on the players. But, I think we will be alright.

3rd Line Center is a hole but there is plenty of OK options. Prucha, Straka and Avery can all Center. Plus Betts can to and maybe a kid form hartford gets a shot. Betts is 4th line center and good one at that along with good PK and faceoffs. So he stays there because in reality all he is a 4th line center.

As for Henrik, I said it here with you guys last year. We both got two of the best young goalies out there that are only getting better and growing with our teams.

Posted by: Anonymous

play with my poopy please...it's reallt warm and soft.

Coral Springs ISLE fan,
Tell your mom she can come at 8 tonight ... i get off work early

During the 2010-2011 season, the Islanders will be paying 4.7 million against the cap to Alexei Yashin, ROTFLMAO!

I got it.

Guys here is some inside info for you (wink,wink).
This whole time I post under my real name like and idiot and Wang and Garth have been using fake names! (Party on Wang - Party on Garth)

Every time I walk into either of one of the offices they close the internet window real quick.

Garth Snow is really jbear that is why he disappeared after i called him out the other day. He talks defense and coaching just to throw us all off. He has so much free time on his hands that he comes in here and throws around silliness to see what he should do with the isles next. And you thought he had no clue what he was doing. Or the team didn't listen to the fans. HA!

Charles Wang is Candyman. Guy always has a lollipop in his mouth or chewing on some gummy bears. He has Willy Wonka posters all over his office and we all know that he has no clue what the hell he is doing with a hockey team. He comes here to get some good things to say when out to dinner with people that do know hockey. "I have inside sources" Sure you do you own the team.

This is definitely Islanders Country

I'm not Ted Nolan but, I am an Islander...

The mystery continues

Hey if Garth, Ted and Charles do visit this blog (maybe they do or did) then here is what I would want them to read. Save your dough this year and sign Danny Heatly next year, the Rangers won't be able to afford him because their is not enough cap room for that salary.

You guys always hating. No one forcing you to come check out my site. It might smell like $hit but it's actually candy! Believe what you will. No one forcing you to come in and join the candy fest.

p.s.

Who figured out that I am Charles. Wow, I love a good detective.

Garth Snow was Eric Lindros's teammate from 1995-1998. I wonder if he can covince Lindros to center the second line? He can still skate, has a good shot and is defensively responsible.

The Islanders should def. save cap space this year so next year they can offer Heatley about $7.5-$8 million a year for about 4-5 years. That is if he even wants to come here.

You think that Heatley would sign on the island?? My guess is he signs an extension long before he is a UFA - seems to be the trend lately...which is exactly why it was a great move to sign Drury and Gomez NOW for market value. You all keep stating that Rangers overpaid...do you think that Rangers were the only team to offer them that kind of money? I read a previous post where they said Rangers should have offered them 5-6 million...guess what? That's the mistake the isles and a few other teams made (lets low ball the player and hope he signs!!! - smart move.) That's why the Rangers HAD to offer them max money. If we didn't then some other team would have. And as far as putting off signings until "better" players come to UFA next year (Marleu, Heatley etc) - what happens when you pass up on Drury and Gomez and then all the expected UFA's resign extensions with there current teams (a la Thornton)? You become the isles who signed no key players and are left hoping that there is quality UFA's on the market next year and you end up paying them the same money we paid Gomez & drury (If they agree to play on the island that is.)

It seems like the majority of Isle fans are hoping that all the Rangers moves go horribly wrong and that somehow these players play far below expected levels while at the same time hoping that somehow all your signings far exceed any level of play that has been seen in all their previous seasons. Seems like a lot of finger crossing to me.

To Ryan and Sauce...I meant no disrespect to true Isle fans who truly support their team and the sport of hockey. In questioning the fan base I am referring to the half empty building that fans around the league see each time their team visits the NVMC. I live in Albany NY where we have the Albany River Rats in the AHL. On a good Saturday we can get maybe 5 - 7000 fans at a game...which probably isn't too far off from some #'s the Isle's pull in - that's not a good thing. I realize that their are passionate and knowledgeable Isle fans out there...I more or less was making a point that the fans who come on here and blast the rangers for making attempts at improving the team need to take a look at their own team and situation without rose colored glasses on first. I guess now and then I get a bit sick of reading things like "Rags" and "blueskirts" and buying all the toys in the toy store etc. Believe me when I say I would much rather spend my time and energy engaging in serious hockey talk instead of the back and forth trash talk - we all know that Isles hate rangers and visa versa right? I just have to shake my head when Isle fans say Gomez is over rated and then follow it up by saying that Snow is doing a great job and that Isles need to fill out there 3rd and fourth lines to make a good playoff run. In my opinion the Isles only have a 3rd and 4th line at this point.

I know I am forgetting to respond to a couple of points/ questions brought up after my last post, but I think I allowed some of the garbage posts to get me riled up again (and I promised I wouldn't respond to them - ARGH!!! LOL)

To Sauce, Ryan or any other true hockey/ Isle fan - I will be more than happy to pass the summer in some good natured back and forth criticism. I think we can all agree that it is going to be a long summer and we both want nothing but the best for our respective teams. We shall see which GM made the better moves when the puck drops and the regular season comes to an end. I just ask that some of you put your Ranger hatred aside and look at our team and see that even if it's only on paper - we look pretty good!!!!!!

"It seems like the majority of Isle fans are hoping that all the Rangers moves go horribly wrong and that somehow these players play far below expected levels while at the same time hoping that somehow all your signings far exceed any level of play that has been seen in all their previous seasons. Seems like a lot of finger crossing to me."

how silly... because every other year the rangers have thrown money at UFAs and stocked their roster with top talent from other teams they have, of course, won the stanley cup for it.

reality check. What are you wearing right now ?

Jim,

#1- DP has improved every single year he's been in the NHL, no reason why he wont improve this year and become a premier goalie
#2- No big d-man? Witt is 6'2" and could rock any of your d-man, free agency is not over and Garth Snow has made it clear hes gonna sign another big d-man
#3- No proven scorers? I guess Guerin's been an all-star 4 times for no reason? Satan has scored 25 goals + in almost all of his years. Comrie is only 26 an has scored 30 goals twice already. Bergeron is only gonna improve from his impressive #'s last year
#4- Simon will be back next year, Trent Hunter is one of the best clean hitters in the conference. Brendan Witt is one of the grittiest d-men in the league. And we have plenty of big physical players in Bridgeport ready to come up such as Bootland, Spiller, Brennan, Jackman, and Fata. And if Asham re-signs add the best middleweight fighter in the league to that list.
peace

Brilliant Mikey ....Brilliant

Realist -

Appreciate your comment. Just FYI, if you look back thru any of my many prior comments, you'll not see one 'Rag' reference. I don't do that. I choose to back up my assertions with numbers. That's why I still say that the Gomez signing was a poor move by Sather... on PAPER. Too much money for too long for not enough production. Lot's of assists, but not 7.4 million worth. And plotting his cap hit out for the next 7 years against the upcoming contract expirations and needs of the team reveals a highly miopic GM. Can the Rangers win the cup with this lineup? Sure, but it's unlikely. Of course, October to June will tell the real story.

Jim
Your not Garth Snow so you dont know if Asham is a goner, Simon will fight when he needs to. You can't judge a teams toughness based on how many fights they have throughout the year. Boogaard is the toughest SOB in the league an he only fought like 8-9 times last year. You can say Guerin is old, but the guy scored 36 goals last year he can obviously still perform. I dont care how many teams Comrie has been on the guy can play. If your gonna say Witt hits only weaker opponents you obviously dont watch too many Islander games. The guy isnt afraid of anybody. Witt lined up Crosby last year, and you know when you hit Crosby like that your gonna have someone come after you but Witt had no hesitation in hitting him. Jovo wont come to the Island because the Islanders are in somewhat of a rebuilding period and i'll admit the Islanders arent threats right now to the Stanley Cup. When it comes to DP i think you underestimate him.

One little stat I noticed about Comrie that I thought was pretty telling.

This guy for his career scores on 15.0% of his shots. 15% is a pretty damn good percentage.

If Nolan gets this guy to shoot like puck-hog Blake did and he continues his accuracy rate, he'll bury 40 in his first season and we'll all soon forget about #55.

Jim,

Your best defenseman is Roszival. Michal Roszival. I think you better worry about your own sporadic defense before you start commenting on any of our blueliners.

Who's your top pk tandem now? Orr and Betts? hahaha

They better have the stamina to kill full 2 min penalties multiple times a game because if you start putting guys like Jagr, Straka, Gomez, Drury, Shanahan and Prucha on the PK you will do 1 of 2 things.......

1) give up a PP goal immediately

2) ruin the flow of rolling out 4 lines, thus making your top 6 forwards weaker and less effective as the game goes on

Trading Cullen once again made your team very top heavy. Not much threat after your top two lines.

The opposition will easily find ways to defend and conquer.

As always, we'll see you in April battling for those last couple of playoff berths. Only we didn't have to max out the cap to do it!!!! hoohaa

Sauce,

Totally agree that 7.4 million is more than likely too much to spend on anyone other than maybe Mario, Gretzky and Crosby -but the market price for these two players was going to be 7 million regardless of who they eventually signed with. Something I have stated before is that you have got to take into consideration the team and style of play Gomez was forced to play for that led to his stats. 13 goals and however many assists on the devils probably translates to 25-30 goals and double the assists while playing in any other system then the trap. Also, and this is key, the Rangers are paying Gomez for much more than just his on ice skill. He will very much be the "face" of the team for the future...he is going to make the rangers and MSG a ton of cash off of merchandise etc...think about the angle and spin the Rangers media department can put on having Gomez (a Hispanic in a HUGE Hispanic market) playing as your #1 center!! To make a comparison to a different sport...do you think Ichiro is worth almost $20 million a year based purely on his stats? I don't!! The Mariners are paying him to not only try and win some games but to also "put some meat in the seats" as they say...something we all know the isles struggle with. This is something I think a lot of teams overlook is the need to have star drawing power.

one more thing before bed...an above Islander fan posted that he is glad the isles did not sign Smyth, that Smyth's best years are behind him and that Hunter will put up better #'s!!! This is unbelievable!! Barring a major injury, nobody in their right mind would think Hunter will be better than Smyth nor would they choose Hunter over Smyth in any kind of mock draft situation. Even if somehow Hunter did manage to outscore Smyth, I would still want Smyth on my team for his heart and soul mentality and work ethic that inevitably rubs off on the rest of the team. Smyth is a proven world class hockey player who has the love and admiration of an entire nation (CPT. CANADA) - Hunter, who I agree has shown promise, is just not in the same league!!!!

so much poopy, so little time.........GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do I need to keep mentioning that the infantile Ryan isn't me?

HR:
I can understand you were just going for gusto. I don't mind a bit of blowhardiness now and then, it keeps the rivalry fresh. Like Cincy, you won't find much empty-headed Ranger-bashing from me, though I don't mind throwing an elbow at those overpaid cretins now and again (how does Hollweg still have a job?)

Poti might've led the team in ice time, but that was mainly because he worked both the PP and PK. And Sean Hill might've been a tough MF, but Witt was the anchor of last year's defense. Strong, consistent play throughout the season and an ability to make his partner better. He was clearly run down by the time the playoffs arrive; hopefully with a different assistant coach handling the D the veterans don't get quite so worn out.

DP's concussions are very worrisome. Assuming the Rangers can sign him, DP has to face Sean Avery's dirty tricks eight times next season. Anyone want to take the under on pile-driver attempts?

Love reading and keeping up with this blog but it still amazes me that stRanger fans still keep chiming in. What's their drive, why do they insist on hanging out over here? Are they closet Islander fans? Really, would any of us make entries on their blog, would we or do we have the time? Come on! ALL STRANGER FANS...do us a favor, stick to your own overpaid underachieving team, spare us your moronic blatherings, move out of your mommies house, get a job and get a f@%*ing life.

I don't mind the Rangers fans posting here. If this blog was as dead as their blog I'd spend more time posting somewhere else also.

Most of the stupid stuff posted by trolls only has a much power as the respndents offer it. Ignore it and the poster will get bored and post elsewhere.

I have to admit that I'm getting a little tired of the rivalry. There are thirty teams in this league and thats 29 more than the Rangers. If I were to weight who has more problems I'd say the Rangers do as an organization. They overspent on two players and are stuck with them for the next seven years.

The Islanders are obviously going back to the tride and true method of building a winner. I'm glad we are dumping a lineup full of slow, lazy and headcase players for team guys. Not to mention that the guys who have been floating in our system will finally get a real chance to prove themselves at this level.

I'd rather have that and the cap space to improve the product. The Rangers just sacraficed a ton of chemistry for a "win now" apporach that's a proven loser.

It's about time the Islanders started building a real core. We had mish mosh apprach to doing that for the last seven years with guys just slapped into the lineup. I hope Campolli, Gervaise, Bergenheim, Tambellini and Nokelainin will benefit from fanbase that's hopefully developed a little more patience with the kids.

Unfortunatly there are still those of us that are eager to pull the trigger on a deal to trade those guys for a quick fix.

!!!

>>>The Islanders are obviously going back to the tride and true method of building a winner. I'm glad we are dumping a lineup full of slow, lazy and headcase players for team guys.

The Islanders attempted to keep their players, but none wanted to re-sign here. Snow also attempted to make a big splash with FA's, but couldn't get any. Hence he had to overpay for Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie. Snow went to the media and cried that an outdated Coliseum was the reason he couldn't sign/keep players. This isn't "Islander strategy". It is Islander ineptitude. If this is Islander strategy, it's a pretty bad one. What are the Islanders going to do?? Have a 10+ player turnover each year??? Niiiiiiice strategy, Garth.

The Ranger strategy this season was to upgrade their center ice position. They'll move Gomez and Drury in and move Cullen and Nylander out. Only Islander fans do not call this a signifigant upgrade. There won't be a 15 player turnover. The Rangers were the second best team in the NHL the last 30 games last season, finished second in the conference in team defense, upgraded their offense, won a playoff round. They feel they've improved further, not just for this season, but into the future. Further, their prospects are ranked signifigantly higher than the Islanders, and with their first rounder this season (as well as the Islander lack thereof) I'm sure they will improve even further in the rankings.

>>>>>>>>>>>>They overspent on two players and are stuck with them for the next seven years.

Have fun paying Alexei Yashin nearly 4 million in 2009-2010 and nearly 5 million in 2010-2011 against the cap. What would you rather have? Drury making 7 million for playing or yashin making 5 million against the cap for doing nothing.

John...

Please do your research before making dumb statements.

Yashin will cost the Islanders $2.2 million dollars against for the next 8 seasons. The number does not fluctuate.

BTW....when Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau become free agents after next season...We'll be close to $25 million under the cap.

Rangers fans will get their due in December when their team is nowhere near 2 or 3 in the East, or 4 or 5. They had 94 pts last year. Theyll get about the same in 07-08. Sorry Ranger fans...LOL

Caesar, Tony and other like minded Isle fans,

I think there are about 29 teams in the league who would LOVE to be "stuck" with Drury and/ or Gomez for the next seven years. If building a winning team means letting all free agents sign elsewhere and trading away all your future prospects then Snow is doing an excellent job at building a winner!

And when Blake, Smyth, Drury, Gomez, Souray, Poti, etc. etc. etc. all refuse to sign with the Isles, how do you possibly fool yourself into thinking that elite players like Heatley and Marleau would be any different?? And as I said before, the chances of these players being available are slim as it seems most are signing extensions with their current teams.

As far as why Ranger fans are posting on here and why aren't Isle fans on the rangers board? - you obviously haven't looked at the rangers board. We had a good group on that board for all of about a week before it was completely destroyed by Isle fans infesting it with post after post where they would steal our names and make ridiculous comments. So I saw that there were a few good posters here and far less of a chance of Isle fans ruining their own blog...understand?