Arbitration was a relatively painless process for the Islanders and Trent Hunter, who was awarded a one-year deal for $1.55 million, which general manager Garth Snow quickly accepted today. The absence of acrimony left the door open to future negotiations for a multi-year deal for Hunter, who has been described by Snow as “the quintessential Islander.”
“It’s a fair number for Trent,” Snow said of the arbitrator’s ruling, which fell short of Hunter’s request for $1.9 million. “We made a point not to attack Trent personally or professionally. We have a lot of respect for him. It wasn’t an ugly process.”
The Isles offered a variety of multi-year deals to Hunter prior to his arbitration hearing. “Garth and I tried to get a deal done,” said Brad Devine, Hunter’s agent. “It was one of those things where we couldn’t quite get there. But it was fine for both sides.”
Although Hunter will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, the amicable nature of his recent negotiations with the Islanders suggests the framework is in place to sign Hunter, who had 20 goals and totaled 35 points last season, to a long-term deal during the 2007-08 season. By January or February, both sides ought to have a pretty good idea of Hunter’s value and where he should fit within the Islanders’ payroll.
Now that Hunter’s situation is settled, Snow has two other major questions to resolve before the Islanders report for training camp the second week of September. The GM needs to add one more veteran defenseman and a center with some offensive punch. Movement in the free-agent market has slowed to a crawl, but there are a variety of strategies and player options available to Snow to fill those holes in the roster.
It would be easiest for Snow to go the free-agent route on defense by choosing among the likes of Danny Markov, Andy Sutton or Ossi Vaananen. But he’s determined not to overpay in money or length of contract for a player who might be solid but not necessarily a fit worth a major commitment.
More complicated would be the trade route, but that also might be the best way for Snow to get a player with long-term value and possibly fill other needs in the process. As the NHL world knows, Toronto is anxious to dump defenseman Bryan McCabe and the remaining four years of his contract worth $21.6 million. McCabe has a no-trade clause, but the ex-Islander likely wouldn’t have a problem waiving it to return to a team that wants his talents.
Because the Isles would be doing Toronto a favor by taking on a major salary, the Leafs would have to add ingredients to make it worthwhile. Snow wants to continue to replenish the farm system, and an extra No. 1 pick would help. Leafs center Matt Stajan, 23, reportedly is available and could be a pot sweetener in any deal, depending on which Islanders are sent to Toronto.
No matter which way he goes, it’s unlikely Snow will bring in more than one veteran defenseman. He and coach Ted Nolan understand the need to let young defensemen Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais continue their development, and Snow already added veteran Aaron Johnson for depth at Bridgeport.
Adding firepower to a team that parted with Alexei Yashin and lost scorers Jason Blake, Ryan Smyth and Viktor Kozlov to free agency remains problematic. The Los Angeles Kings aren’t going to walk away from restricted free agent Mike Cammalleri, who averaged 30 goals the past two seasons, no matter what amount he is awarded in arbitration. But there still are passable options among the leftover UFAs.
However, former Islander Michael Peca isn’t likely to return because injuries have diminished his ability to pile up points. The most intriguing option might be 32-year-old Jason Allison, who sat out last season while sorting out problems associated with his divorce. Rust could be an issue for a center who has played only one of the past four seasons thanks to injuries, personal problems and the lockout, but Allison had 60 points for the Maple Leafs in 2005-06 and might provide the playmaking boost the Islanders need.
Carolina center Josef Vasicek, who showed a glimpse of his potential with 45 points in 2003-04, is a secondary option among the remaining free agents. It’s not out of the question the Islanders might even bring back Randy Robitaille, who totaled 40 points last season with the Isles and Flyers. Robitaille signed with Yaroslavl in Russia, but since no transfer agreement is in place between the Russian league and the NHL, he remains an NHL free agent.
How Snow goes about filling out the roster over the next month should provide Islanders fans with ample fodder for debate to tide them over to training camp. But considering what the Islanders lost through free agency, Snow has made a strong comeback since then. No doubt, the Rangers, Philadelphia and Colorado picked the plums of the free-agent crop. Edmonton then drastically overpaid for Sheldon Souray and restricted free agent Dustin Penner.
But the Islanders are in the next group of teams, including the Los Angeles Kings and possibly Washington and St. Louis, that fared as well or better than the rest of the league. And when Snow finishes, it’s likely the Islanders still will be several million below the salary cap with as much payroll flexibility as any team in the NHL heading toward the next couple of seasons. It’s not a bad position to be in.
Comments (235)
Randy Robitaille??? C'mon now Greg, there's not a chance in HELL they should bring this bum back. Let him freeze his ass off in Russia.
Allison, to me, seems like a decent fit. The only problem is the guy is soooo slow. Combine his ineptitude for speed with his lengthy layoff and the new NHL and, I think you get the point.
Vasicek, interesting option. I could see him contributing a bit more than the other two mentioned. Although the guy is an injury risk, he could probably be had on the cheap and be a high risk/reward type of guy.
I can't see a reason why the Isles can't go after Cammalleri if he's awarded a number the kings aren't willing to pay. It's a stretch, the Kings have the room to sign the kid.
Does anyone know of any other possible arbitration guys that may be available?
According to NHL Numbers, amusingly, the Islanders have to pay Alexei Yashin the following for doing, well, nothing:
2.019 07-08
2.019 08-09
3.235 09-10
4.755 10-11
2.204 11-12
2.204 12-13
2.204 13-14
2.204 14-15
Sad? I agree. Just look at the 2010-2011 season, LOL. They will be paying the guy 5 million for doing absolutely nothing. Zero, zilch, nada. JUst another sad moment in the Islanders past 20 years of futility!
Can't disagree there on Yashin. That contract is horrible. I will say that I'd rather pay the guy to stay away, far far away, than have him on the squad. It is sad though to think what they could do with that cash.
Hey "Sad Yashin Contract", that's NOT what the Islanders will PAY Yashin, that's just his Cap hit for those years.
Yashin will be paid $2.2 mil (plus interest) over the next 8 years.
You should worry about your OWN team (I smell a Rag fan). :)
Mr Islander,
Blake - 40G
Yashin - 16G
Smyth - 5G
Total -61G
Replacements
Guerin -36G
Comrie -20G
Fedotenko -12G
Total -68G
Looks like we replaced the scoring to me, No? Maybe my math is off.
u could also add Sim - 17G.
kickedinthejunk,
I'm sure Debbie downer Mr. Islander would say we lost Kozlov and 25G. So you take that and Sim in too account Mr. Islander would be right!! we are short 1G 86G-85G, maybe trent could score 1 more since he got a raise.
While we are doing math here is something to consider. Nothing is set in stone but usually ice team is directly related to goal production. The less ice time the less chance you have to score a goal. So if some of these emerging players that get between 15-25 goals with their limited time are awarded more time playing Nolan's system the way he intends them to, then it is conceivable that they can add 5 - 10 goals to their previous totals.
Case in point: Kozlov had a career year under Nolan. If he stumbles down in DC this season he might second guess his decision to move.
Our scoring will be fine. I expect Bergy to have a good year. He certainly has the potential to put up 20-25 goals next season. I think it's one signing that is very underrated.
Also, with Yashin and Blake gone, I think the chemistry of this team is going to be much better which will show on the ice.
Hi kids,
Nice to see Logan back. But all of the above was just a compiliation of all our posts in the recent weeks. McCabe, Peca, Cammalleri blah blah blah, we already know. I'm not so sure about Allison--perhaps Snow or Morrow should have an opportunity to watch him skate to see where he is at in his training.
Randy Robataille single handedly lost games for the Isles last season. That guy is really terrible. He showed the Isles absolutely nothing last year except for the fact that he is a career minor leaguer who will never ever make a defensive play--pretty pathetic for a center. I don't know where Logan gets his information from. Does he make it up? I agree with Kicked. There is no way Snow brings this tree stump back. I think I would be so horrified by RR's return that I might be forced to scream fishstix at all the home games.
Logan is definitely right about a center and a defenseman. But I think we should add to that wish-list 3 more forwards. B/c right now we have 9 4th liners. Oh nevermind, RR is coming back to save the season.
you know... I'm starting to become LESS worried rather than more regarding next season. The good thing about having a team with players with something to PROVE means they'll work harder than expected. And if that's what they do, they just may surprise everyone. It starts at training camp in Sept. And we all KNOW that the Islanders LOVE last minute surprises, so...I got a feeling... just like last season... there will be a few people having to eat their words. I look forward to seeing that.
Even though he is slow, Allison would probably be the best fit for the team. Slot him between Satan and either Bergenheim or Tambellini, and the team could have 3 scoring lines, and a PP of Allison-Comrie-Guerin Satan-Bergeron. Vasicek has only had one decent season, I doubt he'll help at all. Peca is washed up and only wants to play in Toronto.
BTW, how would the Isles get McCabe without offering either Campoli and/or Gervais in the package back ? They don't have many other prospects to offer since they were traded last season. No way the team trades Okposo, because he's a future franchise player, and Nolan would love to coach him.
Gomez' contract is just as awful as yashin....7 million per year, for SEVEN years for a proven 15-20 goal scorer!!!! Great job on that one! Especially after Sather stated that they weren't really competing against anyone to sign him. LOL.
As for the Isles, I am not really thrilled with any of the options suggested in this blog. If the Kings don't like the cammelleri ruling, they might not walk away from him, but they might look to move him in a trade....I see no reason to do TOR any favors by taking McCabe. Stajan is a decent player, but, unless TOR is picking up a big chunk of his contract, McCabe is just too much of a rip-off at over 5 mil per to make that deal worthwhile.
The Islanders will be a tough team to play in 07-08. That is why we have so many TROLLS and HATERS on any message board you go to. Its the FEAR of TED NOLANS team. Theyre not sure what to excpect but they know a TED NOLAN team will kick your ass if you take them lightly. So Rag fans, your "#1 in the East", paper champion of summer, better tie their skates tight and be ready to play. DROP THE PUCK!
LETS GO ISANDERS!!!
Oh man. If Snow could ever pull off getting MCCABE and making it even a fairly decent deal while not helping TOR in a major way...that would be BUTTER. All the Isles need is a Vet Dman like CABER...and a centerman, but more needed is a Dman. If Snow could pull off a deal for Caber AND Stajan?! Man, this latest blog has made me crazy. Thanks for the update Greg, 800+ posts on the previous blog shows how bananas we are huh?! ANd how SCARED the Ranger fans are as well. LOL
Let me get this straight, the Islanders will take a near 5 million dollar penalty against the cap in 2010-2011 and you guys have the audacity to rip contracts of other teams? OMG, now I have heard EVERYTHING!
I don't know how you guys can get over the sting of giving up Nilsson, O'Mara and the picks that we gave up for Capt. Crybaby who never wanted to be with the Isles to begin with. It just sucks to have had a team that was coming together have to start from scratch again, it's REALLY frustrating. O'Neill, Allison, hell even Peca is better then Jon Freakin' Sim (yes, yes I know Peca's a liability..)and the new $3 million dollar 12 goal scorer Fedotenko??? Are you serious? That may be the WORST deal of the offseason outside of Buffalo matching Vanek's offer sheet..And really, you guys think Guerin is still worth $4mil?? Let's be honest, pound for pound Smyth was and is a MUCH better player then Guerin (It's not just about the stats.)
So we built the future with 1 year deals to Comrie and Tank, who if they have a great year and want to stay will want large raises..Is this really a good game plan? We're now nice and stocked with 2nd, 3rd and 4th liners and no real 1st line guys (except for MAYBE Guerin) All we've seen the filthy Devs and stinkin' Rangers sign high producing superstars to long term contracts..makes me sick..Snow better get a high profile, high scoring center and a blueliner (Maybe Markov?) with more of an upside then half of what we have..the future looks good with Nielsen, Tambellini (who I think will be great!), and Okposo..but the wait sucks bad...
did i read that right?? you're basically saying that you wouldn't take a player who scored 57pts and can run your 1st pp unit for a bag of pucks and a pylon unless tor threw in a young player with potential AND a 1st round pick? what kind of stupid are you? how do you dress yourself in the morning?
Yashin's contract ~ Yeah .. you are right. Yashin's contract really killed the Isles and the cap hit over 8 years will weigh down the Isles for a while. I think Wang's finger prints are all over that deal. Of all the options the Isles had to get rid of him the buyout was the least favorable to the Islanders.
Tossing Yashin to the minors where eventually he'd of quit the team leaving the Isles off the hook for both cap and $$$. Even waiving him or trading him with accepting some cap and $$$ responsibility would of been better. After all ... under the buyout he could of signed with anyone regardless so at least have some control and trade him to a team you'd want him on.
I think Wang selected the buyout as respect for Yashin to allow him to go where he wanted and still get favorable financial terms. Bad business move and bad hockey move.
I don't think anybody ever denied that the Islanders had a horrible contract with Yashin. We criticize other team contracts from experience. We've been burned before.. kinda like the burn victim that tells others not to play with matches. It doesn't make it right ... but trust me we aren't happy about anything regarding Yashin.
IslesFan in Nashville ~ I hear where you are coming from. When my brother and I heard about the details of the Smyth trade we both agreed that anything short of a Stanley Cup this past Spring will make that trade worthless. I may not follow the Oilers day in and day out, but anyone with a sense of human behavior knew Smyth wasn't happy to be going East .. least of all admittedly a team rebuilding.
GMs are not just trying to recruit players these days. They are trying to sell an area, team culture and plan to a whole family. It's no secret that Smyth's wife was not happy with the NY metro area's density and was in culture shock. She would of made him miserable and I think that would eventually affect his on ice game. I'm no Dr. Phil but I think that is a fair assessment.
I think Snow scavanged what he could and we may be surprised. I'm confident in Nolan's coaching ability to get the most out of what the Isles have. We might have to wait a couple of years to bear the fruit of our prospects.
Please, please, please Garth, don't bring back Randy Robitaille. He's a defensive liability and possibly one of the main reasons the Islanders lost a couple close games down the stretch and in the playoffs. Outside of finishing off a break-away started by Ricky to Yashin and a big shoot-out goal he did nothing. His defensive lapses far out-weighed his offensive production.
Now that Hunter has been signed to a one year contract, i'm curious to see what other plans are in store this offseason with the Islanders. Looking at this roster I can't see the Islanders being finished. Last year they did sign Sean Hill and Kozlov very late in the off season, and Islander fans should expect that same philosophy this year.......
Thanks Greg...the last page got so big I couldn't open it on my blackberry. I think that on defence we need somebody to play the filthy style needed to replace Hill. I'm not sure Mcabe is that guy. Offensive contribution should be a plus. Positioning and ability to clear bodies in front of DP should be key. I'm not familiar with too many of these FA dmen, but we need someone to fill that void
THIS FROM THIRD RATE RAGS WHO HAD TO PAY DOUGHNUT BOY HOLIK OVER 25M TO GO PLAY IN ATLANTA....LOL
JUST CONTRACT ALREADY..
SEE THAT GARDEN LAST NIGHT ON TV..
YOU CAN'T BEAT US CHANTS RUN THE CORPORATE RAG FANS OUT OF MSG...NOTHING LIKE THE ISLANDERS WINNING AT HOME IN NYC...LOL
SEE AMATEUR HOUR RENNEY WHINNING, GO DO SOME TEAM BONDING WITH FLUKEQVIST AND FLUKHA..
RAG CONTRACTION..
There is nothing surplus in the Islander team to trade. Is this just wishful thinking?
As the NHL world knows, Toronto is anxious to dump defenseman Bryan McCabe and the remaining four years of his contract worth $21.6 million. McCabe has a no-trade clause, but the ex-Islander likely wouldn’t have a problem waiving it to return to a team that wants his talents.
Because the Isles would be doing Toronto a favor by taking on a major salary, the Leafs would have to add ingredients to make it worthwhile. Snow wants to continue to replenish the farm system, and an extra No. 1 pick would help. Leafs center Matt Stajan, 23, reportedly is available and could be a pot sweetener in any deal, depending on which Islanders are sent to Toronto.
To the person who posted the Yashin cap hit by season, do you have a link on that?
And, BTW, on McCabe, I am not more concerned that TOR pay part of the contract than give us a bounty to take him. He is worth 3 to 3.5 per season, that is what the isles should pay, let TOR cover the rest, or sit with a 5 million dollar plus defensive liability. There IS a reason TOR wants to move him, genius.
Toronto would have to give us at least two first rounders, their top prospects and take any bad contract we have for us to take McCabe and give them cap space to improve.
I perfer we sign an UFA defender like Markov, let Toronto rot in cap hell and then outbid them next summer for prime free agents.
Sather and his rags could learn something on how a first class organization handles arbitration from how Snow and Hunter handled this.
Steve- I don't think TOR would be allowed to pay part of Mcabe's contract. Its either all or none. He's not worth it but we do have mega-cap-space.... It sounds like Markov is a bruiser though...maybe
I don't know what is more pathetic. The fact that Anonymous who is obviously a Ranger fan visits an Islander site every day or the fact that he doesn't have the coin purse to post a user name?
Why is McCabe described as such a poor player? He gets about sixty points a season. He would be very good defensively if he played for a better team that let him play within himself.
He is worth the formula - a player, a prospect and a pick, even at his 5.75 mil. salary. Offensively capable defenders are paid a bit more nowadays.
Perhaps he no longer wants to come to the Islanders, because they do not look competitive on the ice. His agent hinted at that in a TV interview early in July. But he could have changed his mind since then.
People have to get a clue, The Islanders will pay Yashin his 2/3's until 2010-2011, but the cap hit is 2.2 from 2007-2008 to 2014-2015.
When the Islanders signed Yashin there was no cap, so yes people can rip other teams who are doing what the Islanders did with a cap.
HAHAHA...The MORON is too stupid to spell MORON!!! Not sure what a moran is, but if it is something dumber than a moron, I am sure it describes you and other rag tools quite well.
Rag's trolls, go outside enjoy the summer, have a few cervezas. Leave us alone.
I am still waiting to see why the Rangers will be so great this year. Buffalo had a better team than the Rags with Drury and couldn't win anything. They had a great season in the worst division in the league. Basically 30+ gimme games. 7 million a year for Gomez and his 12 goals? Who have they signed on the blue line?
RANGER FANS DO YOU MISS YOUR HERO THEO FLEURY. HE ALSO NEVER PLAYED A POSTSEASON GAME AT MSG. WASNT KEVIN STEVENS BUSTED IN A HOTEL WITH A HOOKER WHILE A RANGER. YES HE WAS. HEY SANDIS OZONLISH HAVE ANOTHE DRINK. IS THE GREAT JAMIE LUNDMARK STILL IN THE NHL,ACCORDING TO SATHER HE HAD A BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE NHL.
where pavel brendl, big time draft pick by new york rangers
still waiting on the link to Yashin costing the Isles 5 million in 4 years.
what the hell is wrong with some of you freakazoids!??!?! holy christ. babbling in tongues?!!? get a grip.
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
JUST SIGN MARKOV. GIVE HIM $4M A YEAR FOR 3 YRS. Hes a real solid Dman who played in Detroit. If I was serious about improving the Isles D, I'd keep Markov in the NHL if I was Snow and Wang and throw an Isles jersey on him.
Steve ...
Here is a snipit explaining the Yashin buyout, cap calculations and other options the Isles could of done.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=7968
all these rangers on here are a good sign, why do you care so much about the islanders if we are such a bad team, perhaps, you know something more about your own team that makes you so concerned with us, maybe because you know a big free agent signing on the rangers is a curse, and you know what is coming, the expectations and the frustrations, and looking stupid again
Markov is rumored to be heading for Russia because no one wants to shell out what he thinks he's worth. $4m a year for 3 years is too much.
As yourself this: In a cap era, would you rather have Smyth for 6 years/$35+M or Guerin at $9
It was apparent from camp that Nolan had little use for Nilsson, and the Isles don't think O'Marra will be a big point producer - hence their willingness to make the deal, especially in a weak draft year. It was a risk, and had they not made the deal, they wouldn't have made the playoffs.
I'm glad to see Yashin go back to Russia - he was in a situation here that was untenable. That contract was one that no NHL player could have lived up to in the Dead Puck Era, let alone a guy who was/is a very good player but not a star.
I would like to see Isles get Sutton, who could fill Hill's role. But the hardest guy to replace may actually be Poti, who was very good after needing 2-3 weeks to settle in.
The Islanders should sign Markov to a 2 yr $6 million dollar deal. Dont trade for McCabe and be stuck with his contract. You definetely dont want to have your hands tied when it comes to next years UFA's and RFA's like Marleau, Heatley and Spezza.
Its time fishstick fans head to the polluted beaches of Long island, stick their heads in the sand, and forget the upcoming season. Its okay guys, no one will notice empty seats at Nassau--its the rule of thumb in your pathetic rinky dink rink
HOCKEY DYNASTY ITS A HOCKEY BLOG SO SPARE THE NY YANKEE TALK!
Thank You!
Jim-
Any chance the clearasil was inhaled? Loser ...
I could go on and on about all the moronic Isle posts on here but I will ask one simple question and see what the responses are...
Can an Isle fan please tell us all, who the Isles have to trade to Toronto for Matt Stajan, McCabe and two 1st rounders?? Outside of DP, who it would make no sense at all to trade away, who do you guys have to even trade for one of those options from Toronto?? Granted, McCabes contract is a bit much, but what big "favor" exactly would you guys be doing for Toronto by taking a solid center, an all-star d-man and TWO 1st ROUNDERS for zero in return??? You guys have got to be delirious from your horrible off-season debacle! But do please humor us all with your trade offers for the above players and picks!
http://nhlnumbers.com/nyi.html
info on contracts
Go ahead, Garth. Trade for McCabe. Reports are calling him a liability defensively. The 10-11 season will be priceless when the Isles are paying near 10 million against the cap for McCabe and Yashin, ROTFLMAO!
Go ahead, Garth. Trade for McCabe. Reports are calling him a liability defensively. The 10-11 season will be priceless when the Isles are paying near 10 million against the cap for McCabe and Yashin, ROTFLMAO!
Once again, Yashin is owed 17.6 over 8 years, that's 2.2 against the cap per year.Man, people don't get it.
Larry: I know it is hard to believe, but the Islander will take a near 5 million dollar cap hit in 10-11 for the Yahin contract. It's the truth. Just look at this link:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=7968
Yes, Larry, the Yashin contract will haunt this organization for years to come.
Islanders Blog to Host Inner City Youth Program for Wayward Rangers Fans
Islanders Special Projects Coordinator Adam Sherlip said "Our juvenile delinquency prevention program emphasizes maximizing positive potential, and work towards decreased Rangertown ghetto violence, perversion prevention, improved reading/writing skills, and learning to respect others with actual hockey knowledge. Through the insane babble we host on our SummerBlog, we are able to reach the troubled Rangertown ghetto youth , and help them become responsible adults.
Islander fans are being asked to help educate these homeless Rangertown ghetto youth. "This is a seemingly never-ending struggle," said Sherlip, "for it is very hard, for example, to explain to impressionable Rangertown ghetto youth, who don’t even have money to take the train, why he, she or it should learn the finer points of hockey, and grow up straight. We're hoping this program ends the cycle of hockey ignorance that has plagued Rangertown for generations."
Hi Everyone!! I come to this blog everyday, like 20 times a day to be exact and i must say that i cant even believe what goes on with these blogs.. RAnger fans bashing Islander fans, Islander fans bashing ranger fans.. Its absolutely hysterical reading some of these comments... But my input of whats going on in islander country is i think we have alot of improvement to make before the season starts, we def need a top defensemen, and id really like to see markov get signed. I was a huge McCabe fan when he was on the Island, and i think hes a pretty solid defensemen, but i dont think hes worth the money that we will have to take on, and why do we want to help toronto get out of salary cap debt..let them struggle with there cap, it will help us in the long run also. After we sign a top defensemen, we def need another solid center, but whose really out there on the UFA list????not many, i think were gonna have to make a trade to get a solid center, and id like to see bates and hilbert used in that trade, i think there useless to the team, now that tambellini and bergenheim ready to move up.. I would love to see the islanders somehow get Calamari(Cammalleri)...yea im a guinea so i call him calamari, but i dont think we have a shot at that...other then that if we can get that defensemen and center, i think we have a pretty good shot next season..we have a hard working coach who knows how to get the best out of his guys...were gonna be a tough team next year, especially if DP keeps up his stellar play.....LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!
Poor Tonysac..another delusional Isle fan. Again with these blanket statements of being one top center and top d-man away from contention. Even if that were true..how are you going to get that top center & d-man?? Nobody wants Bates nor Hilbert nor any other of your garbage players!! What team in the NHL is going to trade their top center or top d-man for Bates and Hilbert? You have no picks to trade because you've traded them all. You have no prospects outside of Okaposa (sp?)and I don't see any quality future UFA being interested in dealing with that Isle mess. Why would Heatley sign with a team that has no top center? Why would Marleau sign with a team that has no top wingers? Why whould any UFA D-man sign with a team that has no top line forwards? And why would a future all star goalie want to continue to play on that team?? YOU GUYS ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!!! Yes I am a Rangers fan, absolutely, hands-down, 100%, no argument there. But I am not jealous of your team, nor am I scared of your team, nor am I worried about Drury not meshing with Shanny, nor am I worried about Gomez wilting under the MSG pressure or not being able to score more than 13 goals, nor am I worried about Lundquist having an off year or going to another team after this year, & I am not worried about Jagr being upset about Nylander leaving the team. Oddly enough, I am about as excited about my teams possibilities as I have been in about 14yrs and it feels AWESOME!!!!!!!! That is not a guarantee of a Cup but you can take it as a guarantee that THE ISLANDERS ARE A JOKE!!!!!!
Hey "islanders are a joke" i CAN guarantee that the islanders will be a hard working team that will compete everynight, and will give teams a run for there money. We may not have an allstar lineup on paper like the rangers, but then again, when was the last time a team had an allstar lineup on paper, and actually won something..the rangers are def stacked with offensive weapons and probably one of the best upcoming goalies in the league, but offense doesnt win titles, defense does...theres nothing better then being the underdog, because nobody expects you to go anywhere, but theres nothing worse then having a "stanley cup" roster and then not even making the playoffs..good luck to you "islanders are a joke"
You guys have the most pathetic blog. Which, in a sense is fair given the similar nature of your team.
Back to the Rangers---New Yorks team!
Example of an All-Star Roster.
Ladys and Gentleman Your
2000 / 2001 NY Rangers.
2 Brian Leetch
93 Petr Nedved
14 Theoren Fleury
20 Radek Dvorak
11 Mark Messier
27 Jan Hlavac
13 Valeri Kamensky
18 Mike York
9 Adam Graves
3 Kim Johnsson
10 Sandy McCarthy
8 Michal Grosek
24 Sylvain Lefebvre
6 Manny Malhotra
47 Rich Pilon
26 Tim Taylor
28 Eric Lacroix
22 Tomas Kloucek
17 Colin Forbes
4 Brad Brown Defense
25 Alexei Gusarov
38 Jeff Ulmer
33 Mike Mottau
29 Johan Witehall
25 Peter Smrek
29 Jeff Toms
5 Dale Purinton
23 Vladimir Malakhov
39 Brad Smyth
37 Tony Tuzzolino
21 Derek Armstrong
Goaltenders (2000-01)
35 Mike Richter
30 Kirk McLean
31 Guy Hebert
Your 2000 / 2001 Rangers Record
33 Wins 43 Losses and 5 Ties
Consolation: Rangers defeated the Islanders in match play at the PGA's TPC course in Coral Springs Florida. Calling the action Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti.
Dear "Islanders are a joke": Was that actually a question you are asking, or just another attempt to annoy?
If you're wondering who the islanders would have to trade with the Leafs, we do have one property that I believe almost any team would want. But I would not want to part with him for anything or any ONE. But... Who knows what's rattling in Garth's closet or if there is any lingering discontent following last season's 'failure to sign.' Please remember that Sean Bergenheim more than caught the attention of Scotty Bowman... who may very well end up employed in TO. Now, of course, I have no idea whether or not the Leafs would need Sean for anything as I don't go spending time on OTHER TEAM'S BLOGS LIKE SO MANY OTHERS DO... but I've been an Islander fan long enough to know that there will be surprises before October rolls around. There ALWAYS are.
Suck ..
I have no idea who Brad Brown is. I just copied and pasted that All-Star team to this site.. defense I believe was the position he played.
What I do know is I'll never forget the summer before that 2000-2001 season. All I heard was my best friend and every Ranger fan I knew saying ... ((( insert thick NY accent here ))) "The Messiah is back .. we are going all the way baby!"
We all know how that turned out.
Pete- when you walk, do the rocks in between your ears shake? Curious.
Jim- Pete is coming to terms with herself.
I dont understand why the Islanders dont just sign Markov already. The guy has never been a - player in his career. He is a very good defender, and is a similar but better version of Sean Hill. The guy is a pure warrior if you've ever seen him play. The Islanders have the cap space to sign Markov to a deal hes looking for which is probably around $3 million per year. If we can afford to pay Fedetenko $2.9 million we sure can afford to pay Markov $3 million. I still think the Islanders desperately need to re-sign Asham. The best middle-weight in the league by far and a good team player. Depending on how the Cammalleri arbitration goes down, I think the Islanders should work very hard to get this guy. An up and coming scorer who would should be able to give the Islanders enough to become a playoff worthy team. If Cammalleri does end up in the fold, the future dont look to bad either with Okposo and Cammalleri. It will definitely be tough to get Cammalleri but thats for Snow to deal with. This team really needs a pure scorer because we havent had a true scorer like that since Ziggy Palffy.
So Snows checklist:
1. Markov
2. Cammalleri
3. Asham
correction: Markov is a career +47 but has had a season or two with a -w/e
So the 7th Woman is going to give up the prized player Sean Begenheim. For Stajan, McCabe, & Two first rounders? Seems a little lopsided to me.
Pete is going to completely avoid the question by referencing back to the '01 Rangers for some reason??
Poor "g" thinks that you can just sign Mccabe and not have to trade for him first.
and the rest of you still believe that LA won't match whatever Camalleri gets from arbitration.
If Markov wanted to be an Isle than he would have signed on day #1 of free agency. If the Isles have been so close as constantly rumored, then he would be signed by now...and he is not going to make any big impact on your roster even if he does sign a one year contract like all your other off season additions.
Camallari will be a King and Markov is not a legitimate first pair d man. You still have not said who you can trade for any other #1 center or d-man. Except for Sean Bergenheim, who I would have to say is not going to get the job done as far as that kind of return expected.
Since we seem to have an infestation of Ranger trolls who are hurling numerous putdowns at the Islanders, I'd like to ask them: what makes you so confident about your team? Please explain exactly what the Rangers have done in the last decade. (I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with NOTHING.)
We should pity you guys, all you actually have is the joy of trying to knock our organization instead of celebrating yours. Tell me, does it ebb the huge disappointment you feel every spring? Must be hard to constantly expect to win only to fail over and over again. The real transference is the Ranger fans who are trying to make up their negative feelings by bashing the Isles. If that makes you feel better fine. Just remember that last year the exact same predictions came down about where the Islanders would finish and we went 5-1-2 against you guys, finished only 2 points behing in the standings, and managed to win out the remaining games of our season against better teams (and without our star goalie). Not to mention losing in the playoffs to the same team. Even with the signing of Drury and Gomez I don't see any of that changing. We will again see you in the battle for the bottom 3 playoffs spots.
To Isles:
McCabe & Stajan
To Toronto:
Richard Park & a 3rd round pick
We should not do toronto any favors - why should we give them young talented players for a bloated contract. The Isles shouldn't give up much.
What about trading for Olli Jokien or Steven Weiss from Florida??
I like Richard Park! Keep Richard Park!! He's awesome on power plays! Give away Satan... he's a pretty boy poser with no spark left in his skates.
Let's be real Islander fans... Park at best is a 4th liner, sometimes 3rd liner,PK guy with a good work ethic and occasional big goal - obviously.
Satan is one of the few true goal scorers this team has... flaws and all.
Somebody has to put the puck in the net. Let's hope Satan has a "contract" year.
I am not sure how you can ever call Satan a "pretty boy". With his superbrow he is one weird looking mofo. None the less he is a pretty talented hockey player with some experience under his belt, lets keep him.
Park didn't play any power play last year - except maybe an emergency.
I am still amd the Isles ruined my childhood and invaded the Garden this year while wooping us 5-1-2, even without their top goalie.
Does anyone know anyone at Coca Cola, Ford, or any other corportaion so I can get some seats this year?
I hear Messier is going to drop yet ANOTHER puck in one of the games and cry at center ice for the fiftyth time.
God I wish there was no salary cap so we could try and buy another cup.
Oh, come on. Park and a 3rd rounder for McCabe and Stajan? Are you serious? Are you the same guy who keeps saying the Islanders should save their cap space to sign Heatley, Spezza, Marleau next year? They don't want to play here!!!! And Park and a pick are not going to get you McCabe and Stajan.
How about this.....a puck bag and a signed Dragons jersey to Toronto for McCabe and Sundin. Do you think the Leafs will go for that?
Some real clueless Isles fans out there!
Buy some tickets (there are plenty available), go to a game, sit next to someone who knows what's going on and just listen. There are SOME knowledgeable Isles fans out there. Lookup Steady, Cincy, Candyman, etc. Just stop posting, it's embarassing!!