Fourth-line center Richard Park, whom coach Ted Nolan has described as the “most underrated” player on the Islanders, rated a two-year contract extension worth $1.5 million, the club announced this morning. Park is on the books this season for $475,000, and now, he’s assured of being an Islander through the 2009-10 season.
“Sometimes, people look at numbers, but I look at the extra stuff you bring to the game that people don’t see,” Nolan said. “To me, you look at a guy like Richard Park. He’s one of the most positive individuals I’ve ever met. I don’t think he has a bad day. Whether he gets three minutes of ice time or gets 30, his whole attitude is still the same. That helps. He talks to players when they’re down and tries to lift them up. Not only is he a good player, but he’s a good mentor for younger players.”
Park plays a major role as a penalty-killer, and he chipped in 10 goals and 26 points last season, including the Isles’ two regulation-time goals in their shootout victory at New Jersey to reach the playoffs in the final game of last season. Typically, after the Islanders’ 3-2 win over Buffalo last night, Park was visible in the workout room next to the locker room running at a fast clip on the treadmill, as if he didn’t get enough exercise for one night.
In other news today, Jeff Tambellini was called up on an emergency basis to replace injured Jonathan Sim in the lineup in the Kids Day Opener against Washington Monday afternoon at 2 at the Coliseum. Tambellini practiced today at left wing on the second line with Josef Vasicek and Miro Satan, as he did all through training camp. Andy Hilbert was moved off that lined to left wing on the checking line with Mike Sillinger and Trent Hunter, reuniting what was the Islanders’ most consistent line last season.
Sim, who suffered a sprained knee, is scheduled to undergo an MRI examination on Monday. He enjoyed a terrific game against Buffalo, recording an assist on Chris Campoli’s power-play goal and acting as a constant irritant to the Sabres all night.
But Sim’s loss might be Tambellini’s big chance for a quick reprieve from the AHL. After scoring one goal and one assist in seven exhibition games, Tambellini has been told in no uncertain terms that he must produce with a top line in order to stick. Miro Satan was close to scoring in the first two games and got robbed by Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller on a breakaway Saturday at the Coliseum. But the addition of Tambellini might spark that line to kick into gear to supplement the top line’s scoring outburst through the first two games.
Although defenseman Freddy Meyer will either clear waivers or be claimed by noon Monday, no other roster moves are expected by the Islanders before they meet the Capitals and ex-Isles Tom Poti and Viktor Kozlov. Free agent defenseman Bryan Berard can’t be signed until Meyer is off the roster. Even if he reached an agreement with the Isles before game time, Berard would not be activated. However, it’s a good bet he’ll be signed before the Islanders meet the Rangers Wednesday night at the Coliseum.
Comments (50)
DID CHRIS NEIL GIVE AVERY A SEPERATED SHOULDER OR WHAT!??!?!??! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
WHAT A GREAT START TO 07-08!!!
whats up guys. Im one of the Isle bloggers- check out this post- they gave us great access to the team last night at the opener
http://greetingsfromislandercountry.blogspot.com/
grow up people. good for Park the guy is a solid role player and great penalty killer.
Thanks for the post Jim, some interesting tidbits. The most interesting point about your blog is the question of how the signing of Berard affects the overall chemistry of the team. In my mind it's been a forgone conclusion that he will be signed so either Campoli or Gervais has to sit if he is to play. I'm guessing that Gervais will be the odd man out although I like Gervais's overall defense presence better than Campoli. Campoli offers more of an offensive perspective with his ability to pinch and jump into the play. That said, I'm a big fan of Berard because of his shot, PP QB ability and the speed at which he plays the game.
What a fun two games they have been to watch. The Coliseum was far from packed last night, but the atmosphere was good and the team really played well with the lead, which is something they didn't do well last year. Comrie has continued his hot start and Fedodenko has impressed with his overall game. Sillinger, Hunter and Witt have been as reliable as ever and most important DiPietro has played well. The key to winning is being able to stop the shots that you're supposed to and sprinkle in a few specatular saves along the way. Thus far he has done that and the Isles have won. Hopefully they can continue playing this way. Should be a fun season.
what happened rangers? all the big moves and you still get slapped around by ottowa. you don't need gomez & drury for 7 years to be worse than ottowa, you already were!!...lol
sean avery....RIP...lol
TSN reporting Sim gone for the year...ugh. Tambellini will never be good.
Happy Days are here again
81 years of crappy hockey
1 cup in 67 years
Rangers = Cubs of MLB
The is one loser who post on the site day in night. He post on the Islanders site more than rags site.He has no life he post day and night thats all he does. He goes has Jim from Woodbury,Reality Check, Slick Willy. Enough Already, #1.
He posted this message in September. It's one of the gayest message ever.
He might be #2 all time. He was number 1 to me as a kid.
It's about time!
Posted by: Slick Willy | September 5, 2007 5:07 PM
Haven't seen anything on Sim, and it seems very unlikely that injury would knock him out for the year. Link?
PS: This new layout is much worse than the old one
OK, whatever, it's definitely fake. He gets an MRI tomorrow, so we won't know until they release those results.
this layout is definitely worse than the other one. It's really hard to read and follow. it's giving me a headache.
Midnight Marauder: You seem to have ignored what people were saying. Avery is a player who intentionally injures other players. Therefore we are happy when it is done to him. It's not even an issue of retribution. I am simply relieved that he is off the ice and will not have a chance to intentionally injure Rick DiPietro on Wednesday.
And frankly, his absence could be a positive for the Rangers. Last year they needed him to goose a team with a case of the blahs. With players like Drury and Gomez, one would think the Rangers would not need Avery to spark them and, given his history as a clubhouse cancer, would be better off without him.
This new layout stinks Logan!!!
Anyway, Big game today! Lets take it to the Caps and go into the Rangers game 3-0!
Being aMet, Jet, Isles fan who would of thought it would be the Isles that would give us some early joy!
JP~ The bobbleheads reference has NOTHING to do with Nolan and Snow, and everything to do with the people over them. I made it up picturing Wang telling hockey people how to reinvent the wheel on how to run a team and them all just bobbing their heads and laughing! All in goood fun.
LETS GO ISLES!
Greg,
the new format is hard to follow. Instead of changing the layout, Newsday might have gone to a format that required an email address to register. That would allow us to ignore some of the more juvenile posters.
But thanks for trying.
Steady;
I think I know exactly who you are talking about when you talk about the bobbleheads. When Wang made the decison to go GM by comittee we all had some reservations. But THEY have done a fantastic job.
Who wouldn't have criticized a move where a you force out a solid NHL GM and promote your backup goalie to that positin based on philisophical differences. But Snow was able to swallow his ego for the opportiunity, and now is the front man and seemingly making great personnel decisions.
A lot of crerdit has to go to Mr. Wang, and the rest of the "comittee". Just like we all hung MM on his mostly TERRIBLE decisions.
All:
Don't forget that today is a 2:00 game, so set your TiVo, DVR or VCR...
Jim,
Cool posts on the link you provided. Is that the site that was talked about earlier which is linked to HockeyBuzz somehow?
If berard signs, given the performances over the first two games you'd have to think that he replaces Gervais. Bruno has done a good job, but i can't see the fit anywhere else.
If that happens, I gope they pair him with MAB, because I have nightmares of Campoli and MAB... That might be a nightmare also, but if it is it will be the end of MAB's islander career.
That shot is terrific to have in your arsnenal, but you have to play a little more responsibly to get TOI.
That pairing change might also improve Sutton's play. Because hehas not looked like a top four guy either. But he has done what they got him for.
Thanks.
why not give gervais more time on even strength and then have bergeron be a PP specialist? youd need to give him some time playing defense, but that, in my opinion, would be the best possible defensive scenario for the islanders. thoughts?
The pairings are based on speculation that Berard will be signed by game time Wednesday.
Like most fans (I guess), I think campoli has gone a long way to make a case for the 6th spot. If they sign Berard, you almost have to send him down because Berard would be doing everything that campoli is trying to prove he can do.
Berard may be a better fit for the present, but I'd give campoli time with a good defensive partner to prove he can make this work. Time, however, is not on his side. If they don't sign berard he will surely be signed by someone else... Too bad the rangers don't have any cap space.
I'm perfectly happy to see how the current roster shakes out, but if he signs I would rather see:
Marty-Witt
Sutton-Campy
Berard-MAB
(Gervais sits)
OR
Sutton-Gervais
(Campy sits)
The proposed Sutton-Berard, Campy/MAB has disaster written all over it.
Before Miggsy has an anurism, remember that if Campoli had a solid year last year, Berard would probably have been in another camp trying to prove he could still play.
It's a good problem for the Isles, not so much for campoli...
Let's hope it doesn't disrupt what they have started...
Let's make it 3-0 today boys. Wish I was able to see the game but I guess being able to listen to it on the radio isn't all that bad. I would like to see some instant chemistry on the Satan line today with the addition of Tambs. I know it is easy but let's get some scoring from the next lines. It also looks like today might also be the last audition for the 6th and final D Spot with Berard's signing imminent. Good problems to have early on. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!
By the way the new format of rough Greg. But I guess if it keeps the garbage out it is all worth it.
Did anyone notice that Hilbert played about 2 shifts on the Sillinger line BEFORE Sim dented the half-board with his knee? The loss of Sim would be terrible, but Hilbert displayed his 2-way skills on Saturday and really is (IMO) a better fit with Silly and Hunter. Remember, it's the 3rd line... the CHECKING line. And it removes pressure from Hilbert to score. Maybe that's the key to seeing him finally hit the twine instead of the iron.
The team is 2-0, and we're all giddy about the Comrie goals and the team unity. But considering they're just the first 2 games of the year, Ricky has looked exceptional. Yes, he was out of position on the first Sabre goal on Saturday, but he was clearly the difference in the first game - it could've been a blow out in the first 10 minutes.
Miggsey - Total congrats on Campy's play. My favorite moment was when he kept pace and bottled up Afiniganov as the little rocket was screaming down the right side. A thing of beauty. I don't think anyone here ever questioned Campy's skill and vision - just his size. And that will probably continue to be the case. But it will be less so if Campy continues to tilt the perception scale with offensive upside and speed in the defensive transition game.
???
I'm with Steady on the new layout Greg; it's kind of like the defence, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If Teddy signs Berard and breaks up the Campoli/Gervias pairing, it will be a monumental mistake. First he screwed with Campy's head last year and now Bruno becomes the prime choice if Nolan elects to keep the choice between the two youngsters. A quick look at the plus minus ratings quickly and rightly shows that MAB and Sutton are pressbox candidates well before that pairing. Yes , he has a cannon but Bergeron has become our version of Bryan McCabe and teams are just eliminating his chances of using this tool. After the shot is gone, there's not much left. When you add in the fact he only hits the net 50% of the time along with his turnovers, it's easy to see who really should be sitting and soul searching. Like Teddy says, "sometimes it comes too easy" and that's been the case with MAB who wore out his welcome in Edmonton. And it's not just based on the two regular season games, it's the pre season stats too. If Nolan wants to be a man of his word and stand behind his claim "contracts will not dictate who plays, the players efforts will decide" than looking at Campoli isn't even a consideration.
It's too bad to see Tambellini back at an injury expense but that's what it might take to finally see him crack the lineup on a permanent basis.
On another note, Blake has yet to score playing on the top line here in Toronto and has been demoted to the second line. I guess if you don't produce in this market, the coaches stick to their words and set down the people not producing.
TORONTO -- Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake has a rare form of leukemia that he says is highly treatable.
The 34-year-old player said Monday he has begun treatment and will still be able to perform at a high level. He announced his condition after talking to teammates at practice. He said he has started taking a pill daily that "has proven to be very effective in controlling this cancer."
"The prognosis, and certainly the expectations of my physician, myself and my family, is that I will live a long, full and normal life," he said in a statement on the team's Web site.
Team doctor Noah Forman said the disease -- chronic myelogenous leukemia -- is a slow-growing cancer of the white blood cells. About 500 new cases are diagnosed each year in Canada.
Blake is in no immediate danger and shouldn't miss any playing time, according to team doctors.
I agree about MAB. I had a feeling I would do more cringing from his defensive game then cheering from his goals. So far it's cringes 3, Cheers 0. Just out of curiosity, anyone know if and who clamied Meyer.
Speedy recovery BLAKE!
DOC
Schools out today and the kids are on the blog again.
Cutting out of work early myself to head home and watch the game.
This won't be such a bad Monday afterall. Isles on at 2:00; first beer at 2:00. Dinner after the game; say 5:00. Digest, drink more beer and then start watching the Yanks at 7:30 (pre-game at 6:30).
Any news on Meyer...did he clear waivers at 12:00?
I'm with Doc. Jason, regardless of everything said about you, you played your heart out as an Islander. Speedy recovery.
Sad news about Jason. Best wishes to a speedy recovery!
hradek "speaks:"
The Caps and Isles, who meet in a Columbus Day matinee on Long Island, were each impressive en route to 2-0 starts.
Islanders coach Ted Nolan is getting a lot out of a line of newcomers. Center Mike Comrie, right winger Bill Guerin and left winger Ruslan Fedotenko -- all free-agent pickups in the offseason -- combined to burn the Sabres on both ends of a back-to-back season-opening weekend series. Nolan put the trio together on the first day of training camp and left them alone. Clearly, they've developed a nice chemistry.
Comrie has been particularly lethal, scoring four goals on just seven shots in the two games. Guerin, usually a goal scorer himself, has taken an early-season role as a playmaker with five assists. Fedotenko, who had fallen in such disfavor in Tampa that he was benched for an entire first-round playoff game against the Devils last spring before being scratched from the lineup, has chipped in a goal and four assists.
In the days and weeks to come, opponents are going to have to figure out a way to slow down this yet-to-be-nicknamed trio. From what I remember, Trio Grande has already been taken.
i say let em stay the Leftover Line and let that be a point of honor and under-estimation!
and too bad about blake - no matter what you think of his play, locker room status or his leaving for toronto - cancer just sucks for anyone to have to be dealing with in any form. my heart goes out to him and his family. as much as i would like to see him score nothing as player for toronto, i do hope this doesnt affect his career.
Prumclazy: Saw that story. It sounds like it's something they can probably get under control, but no doubt it's scary as hell nonetheless. Hopefully the treatments go well and things turn out OK for the Energizer Bunny. Despite talk of being a problem in the locker room, the guy gives it his all on the ice every shift, and it would be a shame to see a player like that sidelined because of an illness like this.
Miggsey: Agree completely that MAB should be the odd man out. He just looks lost out there, and doesn't even look solid on the PP. He finally had a chance to unleash the cannon with a clear, unobstructed path to the net on Saturday...and he's facing the wrong way. Doh! I also have no idea what's with that one-knee fencing pokecheck move he does in his own zone all the time. It never works, and just leaves him stuck in the high slot with a mini two-on-one against Sutton. I think some of Sutton's problems stem from having to cover MAB's side of the ice, too.
Maybe the coaches can work with him and get him to tighten up the screws a bit on defense, but in the meantime, I can't see how Berard could possibly be any worse in his own zone, and certainly Johnson seems like a more responsible choice as well. The other two pairs look great and should not be tampered with at all.
Let's hope they can find an answer to Washington today. Caps have looked really good so far.
Oh yeah, I think someone asked already above, but did anyone claim Meyer?
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=10024
Blake was diagnosed with a chronic but treatable form of Myelogenous Leukemia. Im shocked, honestly. He was a good Islander and didn't deserve this. :(
Life trumps hockey.
Best wishes to Jason Blake. We're all praying that your condition is ultimately cured, and that you live a long and happy life.
i am all for signing berard, but not at the expense of losing campoli out there on the ice - what he needs right now is to know the team is as confident in his abilities as he has been showing that HE is - his play these past two games (ok - only two games but....) has been strong, effective, and very responsible - and he finally, obviously, has got the confidence in his shot that was a downfall last season - the coaching staff kept telling him to shoot more and now he is - and has two beautiful laser shot goals to show for it. I hope they keep him out there and let him develop - he is ready for the big show but just needs the ice time to develop into a #1 d-man. I really think he is key part of the future of this teams defensive core and could be a top PP guy if he is given the time.
also.... great article in the post - even larry brooks already thinks the rangers have serious issues with their "stars."
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10082007/sports/rangers/a_game_missing.htm
Thoughts and prayers to the Blake family. First his wife and now him. Get well soon #55!!!
As for MAB....The guy simply cannot play a solid Def. On top of that he is struggling with his shot. I think he was brought in here to use that shot of his with Ryan Smyth in front. Ryan is bye bye. I still think he is very useful if he gets his shot on track, but he needs to step up!
KH, no I haven't ignored the comments about Avery. You might be right, his absence could help the team, as long as Renney does the right thing by bringing Dawes up and play him. On another note, goodluck to the Blake family and Jason personally.
Meyer has been claimed by the Coyotes....
to ranger fans:
before proclaiming yourselves the stanley cup favorites, you should have played ottowa first, just to make sure you could compete with them after signing two undersized, over paid mecenaries. obviously, you can't compete with the senators, or the islanders for that matter (never mind the western conference teams) you're led by a LAZY SLUG named jagr, and will continue to dissapoint you're dum ass fans!!......lol
ps: whats the status on melon head avery, is he dead yet?? LOL
Ummm, Steady, We got MAB before Smyth so I don't think that was it. It was more or less to help our struggling PP. Sad news about Blakey. Hopefully he will still have a long career.
First and foremost, best wishes and a speedy recovery to Mr. Blake. His family must be going through hell.
Let me play devil's advocate here for a second. MAB is definitely a defensive liability, but his presence, if not his canon, almost immediately turned the PP around last year. He defintiely needs some help on positioning and technique, but I wouldn't give up on him so soon. I don't thing Campy, or berard would be as successful without other teams having to pressure the right point as to not have to face that blast.
I'd start to give some of his EV time to campoli. Sutton-Campoli and Bruno/Berard-MAB may work better. If for no other reason it will mean less time on the ice for MAB... until he sures up his defensive game.
Hilbert going back to the Sillinger line makes so much sense. I can understand Sim being put there, but replacing him with Hilbert is a no brainer. Tamby scrapping, Vasicek's deisel style and Satan there to snipe makes that a so much more dangerous line. Hilbert has played fine, and has hustled his butt off... but he just doesn't have the hands for the job.
Those of us who enjoyed Blake's level of effort have an opportunity to give something back... just do it! I'm sure cards and letters will be accepted through the TML organizaton.
Blakey, thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I know you can over come this....
Hence the reason I wrote "I think." You are correct that he came first. Once together, that was the rallying cry last year. The two together will connect for X amount of points every game. How did that turn out?
Either way he is useless unless he can harness his shot.
Hunter should be able to replace Smyth as far as setting up in front goes. He did a fine job before Smyth got here and to be honest, the two of them on the same line drove me absolutly nuts considering they are the same type of player. The lines would have been more balanced if they were seperated but that's all in the past.
Myer was picked up by Phoenix
This new layout is really lousy. Its nearly impossible to see where one post ends and the next begins.
Since most of the posts here are infantile banter, I don't know that it makes much difference, though. Maybe its foreshadowing a new way to keep all the babies in their cribs, like ip logging or sign-in.
does anyone know if the game is gonna be on isles tv today?
Just heard on the radio that Freddy Meyer was claimed by the Coyotes. Too bad we couldn't land a pick for him. Oh well. Out of site out of mind I guess.
Miggsey~
Did you just see the hit Campoli dished out? WHERE WAS THIS IN THE PRE-SEASON???? He just set that whole play in motion for PARK to get his first talley of the new season. His strong play continues.
Isles have got to get better at getting the puck out of their own zone though. Still an issue!
The Isle PP looks to be okay right now. their PK looks to be fine as well. Small sample, but good results. the larger problem is the lack of balance in the two situations. They take an inordinate amount of BAD penalties. Some of it is positioning, and as an Isle fan I'd argue that some of them are just ridiculous calls. As a realist I have to say that the majority is due to a lack of discipline.
You can talk about the importance of special teams, and you'd be correct. But the real problem that creates is the affect it has on their wheels by the third period. You just can't kill 6-8 penalties a game and have anything in the tank in the final 10 minutes.
Their third period record last year was great when they had the lead, but they lacked the ability to SURGE in third to overcome one or two goal deficits. Not to mention that after killing 6 in the first two periods it would often snowball becasue tired players make more mistakes.
Bad penalties need to be addressed... well... maybe they need to be defined a little better.
case in point: comrie got a "SLASHING" penalty on Saturday after breaking somebody's stick. If you can't chop at a guy's stick what can you do? If it breaks it's due to the crappy composition of the one piece sticks. If it falls out of your opponent's hands it's a damn good job. I'd be more inclined to give a penalty if he broke HIS stick...
Am I wrong here... it wouldn't be the first time.
Two huge hits for Campy.......
Damn you Viktor...
As I said earlier......This team has trouble in their own end. Horrendous pass by Comrie.....Crusher, that cost us the game.
Hilbert plays his heart out and has a roll on this team, but he simply cannot finish.
Isles out shot the Caps, but they let them hang around.
Really tough game to lose b/c the next two games are very very difficult facing the Rangers and Toronto.
MAB another horrendous game! The guy is useless unless he harnesses his shot. I actually think in a way he hurts the PP sometimes, b/c rather then going down low they look to him!
Team came out and played hard. Our first line CANNOT carry us every single night. We need to get scoring from the likes of Satan, Sillinger, and Hunter if we want to do anything this year!
At the risk of sounding repetitive, even I cannot believe how bad MAB is playing. I knew he was brutal in Edmonton from watching him there but he brings everyone around him down too. It will be very, very interesting to see how Nolan deals with the D if they ink Berard to a deal. At this point he really has no alternative but to sit MAB otherwise his credibility with the players will start to falter.
Good luck to Freddy on his way to the Coyotes and good health to Jason Blake.