With the exceptions of Trent Hunter, Radek Martinek, Richard Park, Jonathan Sim, Chris Simon, Andy Hilbert and Freddy Meyer, most of the Islanders’ seasoned veterans were not required to go on the trip for tonight’s exhibition opener against Atlanta in North Bay, Ontario and the second game against Boston tomorrow night at St. Johns, Newfoundland. Coach Ted Nolan kept his top players at the Islanders’ base camp in Moncton, New Brunswick, where they will spend the next couple of days working on the power play because of the importance of special teams.
The vets named above each will play only one of the first two games except for Meyer, who is fighting for a regular defense spot, and Simon, who will miss the first five regular-season games while on suspension. In addition to the prospects who will play, young regulars slated for the most work are new linemates Josef Vasicek and Jeff Tambellini and defenseman Chris Campoli, all of whom are scheduled to play both games. Forwards Sean Bergenheim, who spent last season in Sweden, and Frans Nielsen, who saw some playing time with the Isles, also will play in both games along with free agent defenseman Aaron Johnson, who spent last season with Columbus. Goaltenders Joey McDonald and Mike Morrison also are down for both games.
The Isles’ roster for the exhibition opener in the NHL’s “Hockeyville” game in remote North Bay includes forwards Bergenheim, Kip Brennan, Blake Comeau, Tim Jackman, Olivier Labelle, Nielsen, Park, Sim, Simon, Tambellini, Vasicek and Ben Walter. The defense includes Campoli, Bruno Gervais, Johnson, Dustin Kohn, Meyer and Matthew Spiller.
Against the Bruins the next night in Newfoundland, the Isles will go with forwards Bergenheim, Darryl Bootland, Brennan, Gordie Dwyer, Hilbert, Hunter, Labelle, Nielsen, Simon, Tambellini, Vasicek and Walter. On defense, the Isles will have Campoli, Drew Fata, Johnson, Martinek, Meyer and Spiller.
The Isles’ third game in three nights will come against Montreal on Wednesday night in Moncton. Coach Ted Nolan said that’s when the bulk of the veterans will make their exhibition debuts, possibly including goaltenders Rick DiPietro and Wade Dubielewicz. The Islanders play a rematch with the Canadiens Friday night in Montreal before breaking camp Saturday morning and traveling to Prince Edward Island for an intrasquad scrimmage before returning to Long Island that night.
Fans interested in watching the exhibition games can do so online via Islanders TV. ITV is offering a free preview of all the exhibition games to fans who complete a simple registration process. For access, go to newyorkislanders.com and click on the Islanders TV link.
Comments (89)
Greg,
Does it still look like Tamb is going to replace Hilbert?
How is Berard holding up in camp? Does it look like he will make the team?
About Bates. Is he really still injured? If so, how long is it expected for him to be back? If not, are they really just placing him as injured, so he doesn't take up a roster slot? I think Bates time is done here. Don't think we need him wasting a slot anymore.
*I meant Sim replacing Hilbert. Not Tamb. Does it still look like that for the third line?
Greg - Is there any competition for any of the forward spots - on paper it looks as if they are all taken?
I guess it is Berard vs Gervais for the last roster spot on D..
Logan didn't mention Berard as being on the roster the first three exhibition games. So I'd guess he won't be playing unless offered a contract.
I agree. Berard vs gervais for the last roster slot. Unless they carry a 7th man and rotate the last two slots.
For the forward lines, we have a bunch of players fighting for the last 3 slots. Who plays 4th line? Park-Bates-Comeau-Bergenheim-Simon-Hilbert?
Meh... ESPN's knowledge of Hockey is the about same as a Jamaicans knowledge of the North Pole.
Cause predications from ESPN, SI, TSN and all the rest mean something? When are they ever right? Last year? Two Years ago? Nope. They assess teams on paper-value, and relative market-value. They are as accurate as Ms Cleo on making predications. They get the easy lock predications right (such as top 3 conference teams), and everything else wrong.
Until I see a columnist by the name of Nostradomus, a predication doesn't mean anything.
This is what happens when you have perpetual bad seasons, bad press, and are cast as the underdogs, you have to earn respect. The exact same thing happened last year and by the end of the season many of columnists that derided the Islanders at the beginning of the season had changed their tune. You're right, on paper this looks like a weak team heading into the season but its ironic that the columnist points out the past yet doesn't learn from it. A drop of 7 places for a team that found replacement parts for the facets of the game they lost?
Again I understand the reasoning but I think last place is an overreaction. I think its going to be another struggle for 7th 8th or 9th but at least this time around we are going to give the youth a shot. I am excited to see what Tambellini and Bergenheim can do. I really enjoyed what they did under Brad Shaw in the remainder of that dismal season 2 years ago.
A big part of the Isles' success last year was the play of Sillinger. They need him again to anchor a tough checking line and score some big goals. Any word on how he looks in camp?
Next week we all learn that the Rangers have aquired Paul Bunyon. Word is that his famous ox is acting as his agent. It is believed that Sather was fleeced for 18 mill per seven years of the contract.
Jaromir Jagr will be playing for the wolfpack to clear up some cap space.
I think this team is gonna be fine. For the first time they have some bottom up pressure coming from guys playing in Bridgeport. So far, Tambellini and Bourne look great.
I have a feeling that Bourne will take this pre season as building block. He moves over to play in Bridgeport we may see him later in the season or making the jump next season.
Bentevoglio seems kinda quite. He came on with a bang in the AHL right after the Isles signed him. Although it sounds like he's done a nice job of getting into the mix.
This will be a big season for this team. Just about everyone in the lineup is playing for a contract next season. Even Comrie sounds like he's invested himself into the team.
Gotta be thinking he gets an extension this season.
#1 you tend to paint things with an absolute broad stroke about people's opinions. Just like there aren't such generalizations when it comes to Rangers fans that that hold true except for the team they root for, there are none for Isles fans either.
If ESPN said we were competing for the conference, it would mean the same. Nothing. It would certainly be comforting that some analyst thought we'd be good, but it would never amount to meaning anything. If sports were so easy to pin down the winners and losers on paper, no one would ever watch or play a game. Why bother?
Caesar,
I am also optimistic about the team right now. I like the way our first three lines look especially.
As for Comrie, and Vasicek; I like the fact that they are coming here to reestablish themselves. I think the motivation factors in players like that, can't be underestimated. If they both play up to expectations, hopefully they will sign extensions before the end of the season. If they don't, they will go the free agency route.
I'd rather take a bunch of guys working on one year deals than a team full of fat cats making 7 mill over 5-6 years.
I think Nolan knows how to puch their buttons also. Either play hard or don't play at all. I wouldn't be shocked if Washington comes a callin later on if Poti or Kozlov stumble. They have no where else to go but here should that happen.
How many analysts have picked the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup over the last eight years? I think Barry Melrose has either predicted the cup or the conference for the rags in that span at least 6 times.
Even the well respected THN screws it up every years. Predictions don't mean squat as they never factor in injuries or players having an off year.
When have they ever predicted a player is going to have an off year?
My bet?
NEVER!!!!
You would point to analysts if the shoe was on the other foot. But, your shoes are no where in sight this year so the analysts all suck...WE KNOW! Butm hey, all those Nolan Type Players...LOL
#1 why would we point to analysts if the shoe was on the other foot?
If the shoe was on the other foot, I'd want the season to start to just crush your team rather then point to what some columnist wrote. Like I said before, predications don't mean anything. They might make us feel good when people write nice things about our team. But they are meaningless.
If you have confidience in your team, then you want your team to prove itself. Not sit back and gloat over predications, regardless if its you or I.
Pot;
One thing is certain, you are not capable of telling what others would do in any scenerio you prescribe.
Quite frankly, we Islanders fans have been through enough over the years and no analyst is going to effect how most of us analyze this team. Shoe on the other foot or not.
There are those of us that think the team is better of without Blake and those that think we are worse off.
THere are those of us that feel Smyth didn't make a difference on this team and his walking effects nothing.
One fact does remain is that these analysts pencil in Smyths 36 goals as if he scored all of them while playing here. He didn't
The team in all of the free agents that walkd, lost roughly 2 playoff goals. Blake scored most of his in the first half of the season and dissapeared for the second half. He was a non factor in our first round playoff loss.
Smyth didn't have a stunning post season performance here or in Edmonton. Even Oilers fans claim that Smyth was a non factor in their playoff run 2 seasons ago.
What the analysts don't tell you is that there were two teams in the cup final last season and none of them had Blake, Poti, Smyth, Zednik or Kozlov on them. And none of these analysts picked Ottawa last season to go to the cup final.
That was supposed to have been Buffalo and Anaheim. Only one of the two made it.
If they picked the Islanders I would still say the game has to be played on the ice. That's where wins and losses matter. Not on the backpages of some hack sports magazine or on the cover of EA's NHL 08.
The way I look at this season is that we have nothing to lose. We are always laughed at yet when we produce we are a cinderella. If we are out of it mid season I expect to see a lot of these players on walk years to be sold off for some young talent and/or draft picks. If we are in contention mid season we probably will stand our ground and go with what we have and not mortgage the future. Either way I am excited to see what we have. LETS GO ISLANDERS!
I can't believe that the preseason games aren't televised. I know they don't mean anything and that most of the regulars won't play. But I've been waiting for months. Even center ice isn't up yet. If anyone is watching on ITv please say something about the quality of play. Thanks
I'm trying to connect to the ITV through the free preview and it isn't working at all. I think the Isles are up 1-0 halfway through the first.
Agree! CenterIce got overloaded, i guess... Spent 15 min on it, no results. Freddy Meyer IV scored.
The Islander TV sucks! I can't even get on it!!!! I want to see the game and can't . Come on Wang spend a few more dollars and fix this!
I don't think it is the I-TV thing - I think it is more of the NHL Center Ice not working.
It too me an hour to get the center ice to work. And then when my connection was dropped, it wanted me to register again. I guess they underestimated the demand.
It works now... At least I can see third period.
Posted by Reality:
And we all know what happened to the 62' Mets.....62 wins,100 losses.
From the 62' Mets to the 2007/2008 Islanders...history repetes itself.
---
I'd take a cup in 2015.
You mean the Islanders are going to win 62 games this years?
SAWEEEEEET!!!!
I agree NYR.
Hockey was at it's peak in NY in 94 with that first round series and the Rangers cup win. Hopefully, the Islanders become the central team to Long Island they once were. They were hands down second to none during the eighties.
Hockey could use that kind of resurgence on Long Island.
I'm not sure if this is worth explaining, but I was referring to the '69 Mets.
The magic beans comment from Proteau that was quoted earlier is typical of the snarky remarks his kind make. The best part is that when a fan calls him out, he hides behind the "just calling it like I see it" excuse. It's one thing to belittle a team that shows no ounce of fight. It's another thing to put down a team that goes out every night and tries. But do these guys take their shots at Phoenix instead, where Doan is the only player that you can count on consistently? No, because they admire Gretzky for his accomplishments twenty years ago.
When I get irritated at the relentless spew of negativity, I think about a line from Greg's wrap-up post. I can't find it now, but it referenced how Snow and Nolan are looking to build a team like the Oakland Raiders--perennially underestimated and overachieving. I wouldn't mind watching that.
Pierre Turgeon night?
I was just on the Islanders Mania board and saw that someone proposed this. I think it's a great idea.
I hated the way Maloney sent this guy off and felt he should have retired as an Islander. The fact that he retired while playing for the Avs and never got a second shot here doesn't sit well with me.
Besides, I think he deserves a proper send off.
In other words, maybe we could write the Islanders to get this done?
Isles VS. Devils preseason next Weds. night up here in Ma. They are playing where the Lowell Devils play. Any regs up in the area let me know. Not that it is an impossible ticket :) :) but I got a bunch of seats from the Pandolpho family. Free beer and Food :) :)!!!
Mookie ~ I am starting to get sick over these Muts.
#1:
I'm not suggesting that we forget the past. I think it's silly that Gretzky's status as a superstar means his team gets treated with kid gloves. Had I said something like "The Islanders shouldn't be mocked because they won four cups in four years" then yes, you'd be right. As it stands, you're equating two completely different thoughts.
Personally, I understand the mockery last year. It was one of the funniest situations in hockey and an easy joke. But this year? After Teddy and Garth proved that, at the very least, they aren't clowns? Now it's just a bit foolish to underestimate what they can do.
You know what I like to hear? I was listening to XM 204, Hockey Today, a couple of weeks ago. I think it was Scott Laughlin who said, in reference to the Isles, "Their chances don't look good this year in a stacked Atlantic Division, but we learned our lesson last year--no counting Ted Nolan out." That's not a sunny outlook for the season, but it acknowledges that there was an accomplishment last year.
---
Back to hockey... seems like Hilbert's been a non-entity this camp. He's on a two-way contract now, right? Seems like a no-brainer that he'll be sent down and used for depth.
Great Blog Greg!
It was also nice to be able to read through the comments and not have it filled with childish trash.
This is going to be a very rough season. Last year's ending was fantastic but it's going to take more than 92 points to make the playoffs this season. Every team in the division improved greatly. I think the biggest question mark is going to be Philly and how they come together. Also NJ should be intresting with Sutter behind the bench, could they move away from the trap? I think the division is between Pittsburgh and the Rangers, and I'd put my money on the Rangers simply becuase of Lundqvist, MA Fluery is still a bit shakey and the "D" in front of him is a bit spotty.
One thing I know for sure is the Isles will leave it out on the ice EVERY game, will it get them a spot in the playoffs? I really don't know
But I'm not calling the dead yet......
Kristie,
Did you just try to talk hockey? lol
RAG CONTRACTION,
Good to see you are angry as ever.
Steady,
Whats up man! Mets are looking horrible. What a flop they would be to not make the playoffs on this awful play we have watched lately. Kinda like the Rangers of a few years past...lol. I notice the Islanders are playing a few games in interesting spots. I saw one on the schedule for Bridgeport. Kinda like the idea of bringing the team to the minor league fans for a game.
Whoever interested. Yashin has 1 goal and 4 assist in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and out with a knee injury. Sounds familiar. :)
Glad he's gone.
IslesFan4life - do you have a link for the info on Yashin? I'd like to keep up with his "progress".
Notice how none of the Ranger Fans bring up NVMC anymore? What is going on at MSG is the biggest embarrassment in sports. This is the best city in the world and to hear the stuff that has gone on @ msg is comical.
As for on the ice (sexual harrassment to ice girls aside) the Rangers look pretty strong. The fact the fans cannot just be happy about the team they think they have, and not toss insults at Isles fans, is simply sad.
The Isles lost their best players. That is a fact. It is also a fact that no one thinks they will do anything this year. Well they may be right. As long as the bobbleheads have learned their lessons and let Ted Nolan run the show, the franchise will be fine.
One thing any TRUE sports fan knows, is NOT to talk smack until you see it on the field or ice. Think of the Mets fans that ripped the Yanks in the beginning of the year....How dumb do they look now ????
Lets see it all break down before you talk smack.
I believe in Nolan. As long as Wang stays out of it the Isles will be ok!!!
Isles vs. Bruins tonight...Can't find it on TV up here or on Directv???
Kristie,
I kinda agree with you. I think there are a lot of questions coming into this season regarding division teams.
1) Is Philly actually a contender again? Will all new team leadership (Briere/Smith) pull together this team or not? Will Biron, with his 2nd chance, prove he can be a #1 goalie?
2) Devils... they lost 2 key players (like almost every year). Gained a possibily better coach. Does this make them better or worse this year? Is this the year they finally don't make playoffs?
3) Pittsburg... no doubt they have the best offense and the worst defense in the division. Where will they fall in the division with such a strong offense, but a porous defense and a "project" goalie?
4) Islanders... with so many additions and subtractions how cohesively will this team come together throughout the season? Will Ricky continue his development into a premier goalie? Will Nolan catch fire in a bottle for a second year straight bringing an underestimated team into Playoffs?
5) Rangers. Probably the most stable of the division. They subtracted two players, and gained two with more skill and leadership. How much more does Jagr have in him? How will this lockerroom hold up throughout the season? How far can this team go this year?
If I were to make a prediction on the division this year it would be:
1. Rangers
2. Devils*
3. Pengiuns*
4. Islanders*
5. Flyers*
*are going to be very close and interchangable.
If I were an analyst and looked at a team with a high turnover it would be very difficult to make a prediction on. Teams that are able to keep the core of their team are easier to make predictions because you know what they have. I am surprised a team like Philly is getting such high grades. Yes they made good moves on paper but this team finished in last place last year for a reason. Look at the NFL this year. Anyone predict New Orleans to be 0-2? Doubt it.
I would like to see this team play for a couple of weeks; I think we will have a better idea of what to expect this season at that point.
How could you possibly put Rangers over Pittsburgh?
Rangers have not had a lot of changes????
If this is the real Dynasty, you are way off!
Pitt is loaded and have another year under their belt of maturity and grit! They will add the dfense they need at the deadline during the year!
Rangers have had a lot of changes but they brought in quality people and I think they will "gel" pretty quickly.
Crosby,Malkin and Staal aside, Marc-Andre Fluery isn't at the same level of Lundqvist, I'd go with Hank 10 out of 10 times.
So yea, I think Lundqvist will be the difference maker when it comes to the division winner.
I'm not counting the Isles out though, I know from last season that you cannot do that. I think the biggest loss and some will argue is Tom Poti, he was solid on the blueline and ate a lot of minutes. Who is going to replace that? Berard? Gervais? Campoli? I think the closest and best replacement will be Radek Martinek, but can he make it through 82 games??
Yes, Pitt is loaded offensively. I put Rangers over Pittsburgh because, the Pengiuns defense and goalie is not as good as it needs to be. As for adding the defense they need, I wouldn't be surprised if they do. But as the team stands now I think that Rangers are overall better.
I think Pengiuns will be a monster team when Fluery plays up to his potential, and they upgrade their defense. With those two things, they'd be the strongest team in the division.
As far as the division is concerned, the Rangers didn't have as many changes as Philly, Isles, or Devils. Im only talking division-wise here.
Agree to disagree. Pitt would smush the older, slower Rangers. Granted it all comes down to Goaltending and the Rags have the edge, but Henrik is not exactly a wall!
Yes, Pittsburgh does have the advantage when it comes to speed. Plus Sidney Crosby is a game breaker, I still would rather have Lundqvist over MA Fluery.
Pittsburgh is going to be a monster in the NHL for a long time, right now their biggest weakness is on defense and in net. For that reason alone I think puts the Rangers ahead of them.
I feel very dirty in my defense of the Rangers..
Reality wrote:
I don't care where they are predicting us to finish.We have a team of fighters,Stengel type players who are fighting for jobs next year and Stengel will get the most out of them.
And we all know what happened to the 62' Mets.....62 wins,100 losses.
>>
Actually the Mets went 40-120 in 1962. They didn't lose fewer than 100 until 1966.
If anyone actually got through Itv for the game yesterday can you mention how the team looked?
TheMass,
The game was almost unbearable to watch on that little screen! But, for the most part the Isles looked okay, nothing really special.
The announcer kept raving about Campoli, how he'll be a star in the NHL and that he skates faster backwards then many skating foward.
To be honest it was really hard to pick anyone out, Meyer and Matthew Spiller (2) had the goals for the Isles.
Yes... hockey discussion!
I've got nothing more to add except that I agree with the sentiment that all the negative press has been slung at the Islanders before and means nothing. There are two many unknowns to really know how the Islanders are going to fair compared to Rangers or Pittsburgh. I think its going to take some time for them to get off the ground, but if they gel and buy into the system than I think we will see a hard competing team floating around the bottom of the playoff contenders. Time to drop the puck!
How about the Rags trading a draft pick that turned out to be Eric Nystrom for Pavel Bure!!!!
OOOOOOOOOOO that stings.
Better yet!!!!! The Rags trading their 2000 first round pick where they could have drafted Boyes or Justin Williams.
Talk about throwing away your draft picks.
Cincy! I can give you a link to the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl official website but they don't have an English version of it. http://lokomotiv.yar.ru/
here is an article:http://lokomotiv.yar.ru/media.aspx?media_act=show&tour_id=67&media_id=1984
You can get a translation but I doubt this guy worth it. :(
BELIEVE THIS GUY OF ALL PEOPLE WANTS TO POLICE BLOGS?
THAT MAY BE THE FUNNIEST THING YOU EVER POSTED!
HOWS MOM DOING?
WHATS FOR DINNER?
#1:
There's only one player Snow and Nolan went after to re-sign in the offseason, and that was Smyth. They had Poti until Timmonen's contract came out and he saw what he could pull elsewhere, which was more than they felt like paying. The rest of the litany everyone keeps reciting--Blake, Kozlov, Hill, Asham, etc. ad nauseum--were let go. For whatever reason, Snow and Nolan didn't want them as building blocks for the team.
And yes, it all came down to a shootout. They didn't have the talent to do anything the easy way last year, but I have no regrets about the way they played and I expect I'll have no regrets this year, either.
Anonymous:
I'm not sure who you are or what you're referencing. I don't usually disparage rational optimism. I'm also not sure to what fiascos you're referring. Last year's GM situation was a pretty big fiasco engendered by Wang, but I don't mind standing by the man who's lost untold millions of dollars keeping my team afloat. I'll admit he seems to be a bit off in the head, but at least he's not a criminal. Islander fans need to set the bar low for owners.
Good to see mostly hockey talk the past couple of days.
I am still very positive that the Islanders are going to be a much better team than most experts and naysayers predict.
Competition is abundant in camp... and that can only lead to inspired play. Play hard and effectively or there will be someone willing to do so waiting in line behind you willing to prove that he is capable of doing the job.
Many jobs are on the line in my opinion. Bates, Hilbert, Meyer, Bergenheim, Tambellini, Park, Berard, Johnsonn, Spiller, Campoli, Gervais, Comeau etc.
Any opinions?
DOC
can ontone get on IslesTV??? it won't open for the second day in a row.
anyone
Doc,
I agree on the optimism for this season.
As for the jobs on the line, I think Johnson, Spiller, Comeau, Meyer, and probably Hilbert (if he clears waivers) will be sitting in bridgeport to use for depth for injury callups. Berard if he makes camp will push Gervais to 7th D or to bridgeport, as he is the only D man we have on a 2 way contract. Bates.... have a feeling he won't be back.
The problems with the video feed on NHL Center Ice were insane. But if you had the patience of a saint, and could keep trying 9 times, it finally connected. Of course every 20 minutes it would black out. But because we are crazy enough to be watching, we are crazy enough to keep refreshing the screen until the connection returned. Oh Yeah... I wanna pay for this.
NYR;
Have you taken the moment to consider that every team Chara has left has gotten better?
Funny how Boston is also a worse team now than before they signed him.
Chara didn't look good in Isles uniform when he was here. He may as well have been selling hot dogs. Same for Luongo.
OTOH; With the drat picks the rangers have traded in 2000 and 2002 they could have landed Eric Nystrom and Justin WIlliams.
Isles lost to the B's last night. Overall team looked slow. Both teams played hard. I saw highlights up here in Beantown but did not see the game. You can read about it online.
One highlight people are talking about though is this KIP BRENNAN who beat the living daylights out of Zdeno Chara. Not an easy task as we all know due to his height. This guy is a psycho! Remember when he got ten games for leaving the lockeroom in LA!
He and Simon should be quite the pair for the Isles.
Good news is he uses a BAUER stick so he can give Hollwig a different tattoo then the KOHO one Simon gave him. :)
Campolli scored our only goal in the loss !!!
Last year in the minors Brennan had over 210 PIM combined. :) :) :) :)
---------------------------
For all the Rags fans constantly trying to incite us Isles fans.....For the most part the Isles fans that post here are not ignorant. We realize it is a complete long shot with our turnover to do anything this year. Our hope is to be a surprise to the league (Again) and more importantly bring stability to the organization. Take steps to showing this is a place players will want to come play with NOLAN at the helm. Get the BOBBLEHEADS in the back office on the right track. Just like any rebuilding organization, show signs of improvement. So unless you are going to talk hockey, move along. Your boring and redundant. Worry about your own barn.....MSG....Now that is a classy place huh?!? LOL
I, for one, am cautiously optimistic for this season. The subtraction of Yashin will pay huge dividends, more than most think. Although Blake had nice numbers, the rumors of selfishness on the ice and in the room do not jibe with a Nolan team. The FA additions and young guys are going to help. I was always a Berard fan so I hope he does well. The key is Miro putting up great numbers in a contract year. Going over to Buffalo for opening night w/my kid. Can't wait.
Wang is a businessman; a very good one at that. I am sure before he purchased the Islanders he wrote a business plan, like most good business men do. I am sure he realized that he was not going to make money for at least 10 years. He is applying some of the same business models that he has seen work at the corporate level to a sports franchise. We all say that sports is a business; well why not manage it like one. I think you will see teams move away from having coach/GM combos and more teams will move towards the committe system that the Islanders have in place now. Right now Wang's biggest obstacle is is the politics in getting a new building. That will be the last piece of the puzzle. I think you can make many comparisons of Wang too Steinbrenner. We all thought Steinbrenner was a nut job when he bought the Yankees. But look at what an empire he built. He brought the Yankees back to the glory days and Wang is trying to do the same thing and why not, the franchise is rich in history and tradition, they just need to have that lustre restored to the way it was. If and when he succeeds we will all look back and say maybe he wasn't so nuts after all (minus the sumo wrestler idea if that is indeed true). He has my support, he is losing money left and right and continues to invest in the team and the community. This team's marketing approach is much better than it ever was. Look at the commercial adds and the creation of ISLES TV, which now has been incorporated league wide by Neulion. He has brought back the alumni with the likes of Bossy, Trottier, Gillies, Bourne, Hart, Nystrom etc. Nolan, Snow & committe know what type of players they want and what type of team they want to build and once they can improve upon their rink and reputation they will be very succesfull again. This team now is better than most people think, by far not the best, but they will compete in their division and they will give 100% effort and will be a fun team too watch. As a fan that is what I want to see.
I agree...
Coral ~
I do not like to argue with Isles fans, but you are way way off base on this one.
The Yankees built an empire ON THE FIELD because of Stick Michael. Steinbrenner was the problem in the 80's. Once he was suspended, Stick drafted the likes of Jeter, Bernie, Posada, Pettite, Mariano, etc. and DID NOT TRADE THEM AWAY like general George would have done. Same way the Yanks rebounded this year b/c George is out of it. The old George would of panicked and fired Torre, traded Joba, etc. etc.
Wang needs to write checks and shut his mouth. He needs to stay away from all hockey operations. This wonderful sport of ours has been around for hundreds of years and to try and reinvent the wheel in terms of how to run a team is simply foolish.
Hence the reason I invented the term BOBBLEHEADS to explain our back office.
In terms of the business angle of George and Wang, there is no argument. They are brilliant men. Wang just needs to step aside and let the hockey minds help him reach his business plans!!!!
Just my humble opinion!
LETS GO ISLES !!!!!
Steady,
Whats up man! Quick Baseball topic. I am not watching the Mets until they win at least two games in a row. Yep! Im on strike. What a bunch of losers!
Now back to the hockey. I was reading about Chara yesterday and he actually talked about how the old coach wouldn't let him drop the gloves and he said he had to get back to that as part of his game. I honestly never knew that was part of Chara's game. Like the Bauer comment, that was a good one.
As for the classy garden we treat the office staff the same as our (once upon a time) ice girls and your ice girls. Got to keep the 'bytches' and 'hoes' in check! ;) I honestly look forward to seeing how that thing turns out. I was convinced this was a chick that sucks at life looking to hit the lotto. But, she keeps dropping more and more...pretty funny. I honestly don't care what happens there. Just make sure my seat is there every year, comfortable and Im watching hockey.
RAG CONTRACTION,
What is your deal man? Can you put the bat down, come off the ledge and talk hockey at all? I seen you calling out steady here and the other blog and he is a regular that actual posts and does it well.
Steady,
You make a very good point with regards to the way the team was built on the field and I agree with you 100%. But the way the team was marketed off the field is all Stienbrenner. He broke away from the lucrative contract that he had with Cablevisions MSG network and started the YES network which enabled him to market his team the way he wanted too. He spent big money to bring in top players often over paying. He continues to pay big money even with the luxury tax. He has invested in the community as well, the Bronx of today is not great but it is WAY better than it was. Wang has taken a grass roots approach and not only has invested in the team but the comminity. I like what he has done with the Havoc zone, and the deal for $10.00 seats for students is smart because those are the fans of tomorrow. It took Stienbrennar many years to finally get a deal to build a new stadium but he eventually got it done. I think Wang will eventually get it done as well and when that time comes he will have built and marketed a team that will fill the building.
Thought you would like the "Bauer" comment. Shows my age, cinsidering all the sticks now are made by "Warrior" "Reebok" etc.
Mets are making me sick. It is like a car crash. I have to look. lol
Steady, I liked the Bauer comment as well. I just got my 20th reunion notice so it is good to see some older posters on here. Anyway, I agree with a previous post about Wang. I really like the fact he is involving the alumni. If you read Sillinger's comment, players nowadays are concerned with the facilities they play and practice in. Having the alumni constantly around, they can let these current guys know what it is like to be successful on the Island. If I remember,in the eighties, the players were always making appearances and feeling the love from the community. Fact is, NY fans are too smart to blindly support a losing franchise, or one that has players who don't care. There are too many options in the area. Put a successful team out there and people will show up. NYR fans can say all they want but when corporate freebies are given out, people will go to the Garden to give them inflated numbers. By the way, 1983 was a long time ago, but to the knowledgeable Rag fans I know, so was 1994.
I 100% agree with the back office stuff. I like bringing back the old guard as well. I just do not like the fact he tries to get involved in the day to day operations of the team on the ice. Teams that do it the old way like Detroit seem to be doing pretty good :) !
83 was a long time ago, but when you times it by FOUR it stays in your mind more than 94 times one. :)