On the Islanders Beat

I broke this 1st ...gotcha Greg ;-)

Wow we'll be BURIED in stanley cups in no time now, just watch.

I have maligned Hunter all year long.
Nevertheless I am heartened by this signing.
Trent Hunter's commitment to the organization as well as the reciprocal committment sends out a solid message to the hockey world. The Islander's are serious about bringing a cup back to Long Island.
With that out of the way,
TRENT, can you do something about this abysmal shots to goals percentage, PLEASE??

Bye Bye Satan.

TRENT HUNTER, ISLANDER FOR LIFE..

Great news. Now let's lock up Comrie.

Fantastic signing!!

Now, any truth to the rumour that Hunter is involved in a deal with Toronto? Sending Hunter,MAB and a pick for McCabe?

Please say it's bogus!!!

And...

I STRONGLY endorse chanting the goal scorer's name after a goal. Similarly, I have no issues with a YOU SUCK to the opposing goalie either.
ANYTHING to make the old barn more of a snakepit than a horse biffy.

NOW HURRY UP AND START DOING IT BEFORE ZIPAY'S MOB READS THIS AND PLANTS THE SEED IN THE GARDEN!!!

And from the previous blog.....
Thanks JP for your kind words.......
"Headliner"??.......... somewhere in between Sinatra and the sweaty insulation of an old baseball cap, I hope?
Or closer to the guy who pours the powder on the mirror and razor cuts it for Lohan and Spears?? (hmm...I could do that).

Kristie,

I SERIOUSLY DOUBT that Hunter would now be involved in any serious talks with Toronto right now.
Toronto is OVERSTACKED with onerous long term contracts, and the idea of bringing ANOTHER guy in with a 5 year contract might result in the Air Canada Center being torched.
In fact, I would say that Trent Hunter is now OFF the possible trade list completely.

An EIGHT goal scorer with a 5 year- 10 million contract?

What are we NUTS????
(actually that's not bad....2 million a year?--It'll look really good if Hunter starts poppin for 25-30 goals a year---PLEASE??).

"TRENT, can you do something about this abysmal shots to goals percentage, PLEASE??"

If it gets any lower (.046), he's gonna put Baseball's Mendoza Line (.198) out of business and replace it with The Hunter Line as the paradigm for statistical incompetency.

Am I the only one who hates this deal? The guy's been in the league for five years now and I think his skating has somehow gotten worse. The only hits he makes are on the boards, and half the time he misses and the resulting noise is him hitting the boards (or the windows, according to our team spokesretard) by himself. He's too dang slow to hit anyone open ice. He's a huge (female anatomy) when it comes to scrums, just like the rest of this team.

I have a feeling DP agrees with me judging by his quote, "“THEY felt Trent is a big piece." Apparently DP does not.

Next up, Chris Simon, two year deal as a player and then a spot behind the bench with Teddy boy.

Hunter??? GREAT! can you hear the sarcasm? 505 is right.... what are we out of our minds giving two mil a year to a waste of space on forward who is on track for barely 15 goals this season? lets face it since his rookie season he has been a bust - here i was hoping we would dump this piece of dead weight for some draft picks before tuesday - hey maybe we can lock up a bunch of 15 goal scorers at 2 mil a year and score less goals than we have this season! yeah!!!! that sounds like a standard islanders strategy.... jeez. you know its a sad day when a team with the lowest goal production in the league is psyched about "locking up" such an "established" scorer with all of 8 goals this season....... and i agree with purgatory except i bet next we lock up simon with a ten year 30 million dollar deal because him and teddy are such great buddies.... its a disgrace we even give him a job in the NHL and now lets collect long term deals on average players.... yeah!!!

5 years at $10M is not a bad deal for either party.

1- It shows the Islanders commitment to a player that YES has had his problems this season ... but has the ability to be a 20 goal guy ... and hustles.

2- His contract will not be hard to move down the road. He is still a respected player around the league.

3- He is one of those kind of players that has the ability to be an impact player. With some good offensive support around him, and him not having to police opposition's top lines ... he may start putting up 20 goal seasons again.

I'm going to give this deal a "golf clap" for now. It remains to be seen if Trent can perform his part of the deal in the form of production.

Great move by Snow to lock Hunter up -- he's a true heart-and-soul player who never takes a shift off. Congratulations, Trent, you deserve it.

Above was not me...My wanna be who is too scared to use his rag sign on.......I posted my feelings on the previous post.

Hunter is the type of player that will be a GOD SEND when the team developes into more of a contender. He is a good guy to have and it is short dough. I like the signing. He hits, he hustles, and he is young.

If this team had a true top line no one would notice that Hunter is not a scoring machine. We would say he leads the NHL in hits and plays his a^^ off every night.

Kreativ are you new ?? My mind is going so I am not sure....505 is the 3o day rule in effect or can I fire at someone elses opinion????? :)

505...I am on my way in the blizzard to the Long Wharf to beat the bag out of Zippay. As TREASURER, please take some of the funds and drive to bean town to bail me out.

Logan...Newsday better be giving you that type of cash....Jeez, Long wharf is huge $$$....No more crying poverty from you guys.

For those who do not get what I am talking about, I went to the Rangers blog to see who my new admirer is (figure out who posts when) and there is a story on how the Ranger reporter is stuck in Boston.....Few of the boys from Southie should do the trick. :)

Steady, he leads the league in hits all the time because the Islanders employ inept Islanders homers as their statisticians. You watch any other team and tell me he's truly a top hitter in the league. Hunter is credited for hits when he smacks his ass into the boards.

And not all of us sit on newsday.com and Islanders message boards every day and make message board buddies. So lay off "new" posters you dork.

The 30 day rule only applies to new posters who impress you with the first post you see written by them. If you LIKE their 1st post, you have to wait 30 days before flaming them.
It's on page 278, paragraph 4 of Troy's (whatever happened to him?) Blogging Rules of Order, (as compiled by 19isles).

Fire away Oracle.

Well ... if people want to come on here and make comments ... they have to expect to find critique ... I don't get all huffy when someone doesn't agree with mine. Everyone has their opinions... and a right to them. I'm not going to knock people for having a negative opinion of the Hunter deal ... I myself received it with a luke warm opinion. However I can't shred it as the worst deal the Islanders have made. Hunter is a safe bet ... and as the cap expands .. the $2M isn't going to hurt the Isles ..... and to make a post that insinuates that DP wasn't thrilled is purely semantics on how it is read...... When DP was also quoted saying this.

Rick DiPietro: "No one deserves a deal like this more than Hunts. I've come through the system with him in Bridgeport and on Long Island and Trent works so hard and cares so much. He's one of those guys you're proud to be teammates with. That the organization showed such a strong commitment to Hunts says a lot about the Islanders. This is great news for our team and our fans."

True .. it may be PR ... BS ... who knows. I do know that Hunter isn't a pure goal scorer .. and may never be. I also know that he works really hard at performing the role that Nolan asks of him, and a coach can't ask anything more.

I do hope that this new deal inspires Trent to work on his game more ... and as the Nystrom award winner follow Nystrom's example.

I understand fan's frustration with not putting together a true contender ... but that takes time ... and a whole lot of other things. I'm willing to see how Trent finishes up this season before I really have any critique or praise for this deal.

19Isles

"I understand fan's frustration with not putting together a true contender"
Any team that makes the playoffs is a "true" contender.
And it is TRUE to say the all too often higher rated teams in the playoffs fall by the wayside just as quickly as 6, 7 and 8 seeds.

Be true to your school!!!

Hey "Isles Purgatory" I got all the fiends and family I need. None of them like to talk hockey like the people on this board...So be a MAN...Tell me your real post and let's have a hockey talk.
Didn't think so.

By the way..."Dork???" I have not heard that word since 74. Who now is the dork ?????

505...Thanks for reminding me of the by laws....I will be watching.

19...good post....I do not think DP would say something like that if he did not mean it.....Hunter is a good player and deserves it...It is not big money folks....

Upon further review...

"If it gets any lower (.046), he's gonna put Baseball's Mendoza Line (.198) out of business and replace it with The Hunter Line as the paradigm for statistical incompetency."..........

Hunter is currently in little danger of replacing "The Mendoza Line" for statistical incompetence.
There is ONE other player in the NHL who has a worse shots to goals percentage, coming in at .042%. (based on NHL players who have taken 170 shots or more this year).

All hail "The Blake Line" as the current measuring rod of NHL incompetency. (Yes, THAT Blake).

Honestly guys, I don't know what to think as I'm sitting here at home with all my friends unwilling to go out because of the snow....On first shake I wasn't too thrilled about it, but then I happened to go over to the Hockeybuzz board to see what people said over there. Fans from 6 or 7 other teams are hailing this as a fantastic signing and saying they'd love to have a guy like Hunter on the team.

I think I'm coming around to Steady the Oracle's view on this one - Hunter is a great heart-and-soul guy that any Cup winner would want. And honestly, I liked the deal a lot more when I heard how small the annual salary figure was. This will give the Isles flexibility under the cap and permit movement down the road if the need is there.

I'm interested to see how this plays out with the rest of the UFA's....If Satan really built a home here, we might have some issues with him waiving the no-trade...Hopefully he's sold on it, and nobody said we couldn't try to possibly bring him back next year at a lower price.

And kudos to Garth for locking up a player who said repeatedly that he WANTED to be here. You can't put a price on desire.

I hope one of the stipulations of the contract is that he learns how to fight in the off season. Someone his size who wants to play physical should be able to get into a fight once in a while and handle himself better than Comrie does which is not the case right now.

Congrats Hunts. Another reminder for those of you with seasonal memory disorder...
There is not a bigger contributor to this team's success last year, who is here this year... besides #39. #39 is wrapped up for 13 more years. Hunter will be in blue and orane for five more years. Hopefully within those five years he's skating around with canada's favorite beer mug.
IMO hunter gets 2.5+ if he's on teh market in July... This is a good move by Snow.

I'm with JP on this one. Hunter, like DP, took less money to stay, and if Hunters numbers go up, he's a steal.

I would really like to see who he will be paired with when the deadline is over and we have the rest of this year. I wouldnt be surprised if we saw an extra motivation ala blake from last year.

Hunter needs to bulk up and become more willing to pay the price in front of the net....this team sorely needs that presence in front of the net, and Hunter would score 30 goals from that position.

I'm gonna go out on an unsteady limb here......

20 games left?
Hunter scores 10 goals over the last 20.
I don't know the guy, never met the guy, have only heard him speak a few times........but his demeanor on the ice speaks to me as someone who is very introspective and and possibly "over cerebral" about his game.
If that's possible for a hockey player.
Based on the comments he made about the signing, how happy he is to stay on the Island and how happy his WIFE was to stay here,......I wonder if Trent hasn't been pressing a little all year?
Trying TOO hard to score goals?

Now that he's got a contract and security.........
STOP THE PRESSES, I just googled his name. His B'day and and mine are side by side. HE'S A CANCER.
Cancers MUST feel secure, especially at home, in order to SUCCEED.
Hunter's got security.....

LOOK OUT THE REST OF THE SEASON.
HUNTER'S GONNA BE A MACHINE.....

505

I'm going to put you on a pedistal a little.

You have to be one of the most colorful, informative bloggers on here. I always look forward to reading your posts, because at many times we are thinking the same thought, and you're humor is original, and can be an absolute laugh.

Watch Hunter really pick up his game.

Gervais is back in the lineup and Fata was sent back down.

I'm with 19 Isles. While I'm not certain how this will work out over five years, this is exactly the type of the deal that fits within the evolving management requirements of the new CBA--lock a core group of guys up for several years at a relatively modest annual price, but with uncertain value. This may be too tautological, but the teams that can swing the most effective deals like this are the ones that are most likely to succeed to over the long haul.

One thing about watching TB last night was seeing a team with St. Louis, Lacavelier (sp?), Richards, and Prospal--and also seeing a team that was last in the Conference. On more than one occasion this season, I've looked at teams come into the NVMC with names that made my eyes bulge, but then saw that team struggle, evidently because the other pieces of the puzzle evidently did not fit. It's just hard to fit those piees with a cap.

For all of Hunter's problems this season, and his skating weakness, he generally plays the game very well and is far more creative on offense than people give him credit. I'm with others in wishing he'd go to the net more, but as mentioned several threads back, perhaps he's the one who need someone to get in front for him, because he can work the corners and half boards and get the puck to the front.

And if things don't work exactly as planned here, his salary in three to five years will not be so dramatically high that he can't be moved to where he might be a better fit.

When you got a guy who is willing to stay here five years when we otherwise seem to have to overpay to get anyone else to come, right now I think the deal is a plus.

Steady, going back to the last thread, I was one of the folks booing Simon last night--for all of the many reasons provided.

While I definitely don't agree with Nolan on this, I think I understand his perspective--especially as someone who was blackballed from the league for 10 years--despite his obvious ability.

Nonetheless, having gotten rid of my Michael Strahan jersey when he could barely remember his kids vitals during his divorce trial, I am offering the Oracle my Chris Simon autographed jersey given to me for reupping my season tickets. All it is doing is sitting in my closet gathering dust.

Send me your home address at isles322@yahoo.com--and your son can wear it on the pond and intimidate all the young chowder heads!

Peace,

Well thanks netminder....

A LITTLE?
There's only one THING that needs to be put on a pedestal around here-- AT ALL......and a STEADY pedestal at that!
And maybe we'll all get a chance to take a sip out of it.
(Especially after Logan uses his influence to get Wang's box for our banquet). ;)

Props to Fata...he did well in his short stint.
Speaks well for next year.....AGAIN.
Ya can never have too many D-men in the system.

To be honest i'm not going to put STEADY on a pedistal yet, because the winning streak is still strong, and his is still growing getting taller.

Oh what news do you have oh great Oracle!!!??

Great deal, congrats Garth! I thought the deal would be 10 million for 3 years, but it's for five. Good job! We have a decent player locked for five years and if he doesn't do a good job, he is still tradeable... Excellent!

Ok netminder,

Trying to sneak one past me? First I thought you misspelled it, then you used it again......
Pedistal???

You wanna put me on a small footrest?
I googled the word (how did we ever survive without google?)
Here's what I got...

"The Pedistal program was designed to meet the needs of multi-tasking minimalists who desire an edge on achieving better posture and improving their athletic abilities."

So Steady and I are scatter-brained MINIMALISTS with bad posture and poor "athleticism"? (I cringe when announcers use that word).

A pox on you!!!
May the next puck that comes toward the net you mind you in the crease!!

EDIT LAST POST ICON alert!!

"Strike" you in the crease.

505 said ~ "Any team that makes the playoffs is a "true" contender.
And it is TRUE to say the all too often higher rated teams in the playoffs fall by the wayside just as quickly as 6, 7 and 8 seeds."

True enough 505 ... any team in the playoffs truely contends for the cup.... my insinuation was to imply that the word "true" in that case was to have a team that was a power house .. that had a significantly better chance to reach the cup finals and win the cup.

I remember seeing a stat back in 2004 when the Isles were playing Tampa in the first round .... that in the past 30+ years at that point ... which goes back to I believe was when the Bruins won in the early 70s (They only counted from when the Isles were in the league... I'm sure it went back beyond that time) ... that the top 4 seeded teams had a 75% chance of making it to the Conference Finals ... and 80 something % chance of appearing in the Finals.

True ... sometimes a #1 seeded team has had in the past choked on an 8th seed ... but we also know that 8th seeded victor over the past 5 years wasn't an Islander team.

My point was ... the Islanders are no where near the elite status, nor have they been since the mid 80s. The Islanders in the playoffs and in the conference finals was almost automatic for 10 seasons ... 1975 - 1984 ...except for gagging on Toronto in 78. We became accostomed to a high elite standard.

They were infact "true" contenders.

I'll conceed that a true contender is any team that qualifies for the playoffs.... however ... I'm looking for more than that... I want the Isles to be a team that is considered a "power house contender" ... A team like the Av's, Dallas, Detroit and Devils of the late 90's early 2000's ... 100+ point a season perenial contenders.

That should clear things up.

MINIMALISTS--AKA lazy bastards

505 and Steady my sincere apologizes

Pedestal is the correct spelling!!!!

I cannot understand why there have been so many negative remarks about the signing of Hunter. True he isn't blowing the doors off the score sheet this season ... however he's a good all around player. How often is it that a player actually wants to stay on Long Island and publicly states how happy he is with the organization and the fans on Long Island.

I keep hearing how he's such a great guy on the team and a positive locker room presence. 505 brought up a great point ... he might have been pressing too hard since it is a contract year. I do hope that if the Isles are in the finals that pressing too hard doesn't have a negative impact on his play.

505 .. BTW ... you bringing up astrology factoids is kind of stepping into Steady's relm of mystical and psychic phenomena. Is there something you are hiding from us? Do you have the gift too .... because if you do ... then I'm holding you to your prediction of Trent getting 10 goals in the final 20 games.

Oh .. and great observation 505 ... Drew Fata did a great job while up here .... another hidden gem perhaps?

Well ... tomorrow is a long day ... so I'll keep this surprisingly short and hit the rack. Youth game to asst. coach, Isles @ The Rock and my own game in the evening. So bandwidth on this blog will be in great supply with me othewise occupied.

Enjoy the rest of your evening guys / gals ... and have a great Sat.

Netminder.

"505 and Steady my sincere apologizes"

Ok cool,

And btw thanks......

I just ordered a pedistal off of the website.

You are a pisser 505...and I am glad we had the chance to meet! And also glad you got the air time during the Avs game so the rest of the folks on here could get a glimpse of your persona in the (virtual) flesh . Lastly, I'll take one of those plane tickets for the party...you rock!

And on Hunter: if people could get past the fact he didn't turn into a 2nd line 25 goal scorer and realize we just signed one of the best 3rd liners in the league at 2 MIL PER in a SALARY CAP ERA...this is a great signing. $2M per for 15 goals, a ton of hits, and a guy that plays hard on every shift is a bargain, not something to b!tch about. I am not gonna do the research cause I just don't have the energy right now, but I would love to see some stats for guys in Hunters similar position, both salary and role-wise. I am sure there are some backup goalies that sit on the bench all year that make at least that much. In fact, I think some guys jock straps make more than that these days...

Kudos to Snow for understanding the concept of a core and what it means to stabilizing a franchise. I don't think it is just a cheezy plug for this new Core of the Four promotional stuff. IMO, he is sending a clear signal that he is a "builder" and for the guys there, if you want to get on board, now is the time. I like his moxy, maybe even his bullheadedness at times, and if that trickles down to his players, I think this team is being built with a passionate commitment to winning. I just hope he isn't wearing rose colored glasses and thinking that he should bring all these UFAs back...as has been said many times, this team, as is, is not built for the long haul in the playoffs without miracles from DP.

And kudos on the cap friendly deals...Snow is really managing that well. To be able to pretty much have an upperhand, an ability to be the highest bidder, will always give us a shot at landing a differnce-maker. WIth a solid coach, all-star goalie, solid, youthful D, and some interesting offensive prospects, this place starts to look okay when the MONEY gets bigger. And, please don't forget that Snow has a business degree, and any GM needs to get a start somewhere. I am not in Steady's camp on this one: just like the kids on this team, I think Snow just needs a little more ice time before anyone can judge his true value.

But the key to it all:

The Lighthouse. Really need a "new" barn/facilities to help us snag top tier talent.

Thanks to those of you on the Island that are getting involved. For whatever it is worth, I am an environmental planner, and would be more than willing to contribute my time however I can to help wade through any concerns regarding the sprawl and its effects, any ideas on alternative approaches to alleviate the concerns, and make sure Wang lives up to his word to produce an environmentally friendly experience (go ahead and unload your tree hugger jokes now).

Wow, I am spent - 19 Isles, I don't know how you do it man...sounds like you got a pretty busy life, and you still have the energy to type the posts you do.

D-money -- As I've mentioned on here before, Nick and I are involved with a citizen group advocating for approval of the Lighthouse Project. It would definitely be valuable to have input from an environmental planner. Would you be willing to post an email address at which I could contact you offline?

Thanks...

KH.
First of all.....
" post an email address at which I could contact you offline?"
How does that work?
Is contacting someone at their e-mail address "offline" some kind of new Al Gore project?
Is he making a late bid for the Democratic nod?

Anyway......

Try
Dmoney@donteatbeavers.com

AND...

I don't like this idea KH.
NO D-MONEY
I can see it now, a D-money influenced eco-friendly "green or red" Lighthouse Project -- complete with a 2 acre chile plantation in the middle of Uniondale.
YOU'LL RUIN EVERY DELI within a 5 square mile square radius of the project!!
Every Wendy's on LI will have to spend millions changing their menus from "chili" to "chile".
The new Coliseum will call itself "The House of Pain", and it will have NOTHING to do with what happens on the ice!!
You wanna talk about REAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT??
Ten years from now, you''ll be washing down raw clams harvested outside the Seaford Wastewater Plant with a quart of milk!!!
Don't do it KH, it just ain't right.

Other than that----great post D-money.

LOL... 505, you're too late to stop the inexorable march of history. The Lighthouse has already declared itself "Long Island's largest LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design], environmentally friendly project." And the project is presently undergoing NY State Environmental Quality Review Act review. So D-Money could help us understand those issues.

By the way, wouldn't the clams able to thrive in the effluent of the Seaford Wastewater Plant be mutated and large enough to wash ME down with a quart of milk?

Merrick~

I sent you an e mail just now. Very kind of you, I will add it to my collection. Next time the team comes to Boston I will get it signed by him (if still on the team :) ) After he scores his BIG GOAL for us, I will send it back to you if you would like ;) !!!

Now that you have my e mail address, the cat is out of the bag why I use "steady".....Not that it was any big secret.... :) :) :)

Speaking of which, is anyone in MASS next weekend? I am doing all I can to get to NY for the day game on Saturday, and then rush home Sunday morning.

On Sunday is the Lowell Devils VS. Kyle Okpos~Tamby and the Bridgeport Tigers....There is a warm up game with the Boston All-Stars (Cam Neely, Jim Craig, etc.) After both games you can bring your kids on the ice to skate !!!!!!

I have like 10 people going and still have 5 more tickets if anyone wants them!!!! Very fun event and skating too boot. Also an autograph session...I am personally going for Jim Craig and Kyles for my kids jersey!!!! Oh and my new Simon jersey ;) ;)

Thanks again Merrick!

The Hunter signing is great news. Granted he is not scoring a lot, nor is he the fastest skater, but he is one of those guys whose overall value is immeasurable, He is a great teammate and his committment to the franchise and the Island are a positive signal to the fans also. And, when this team in is a position to contend for the cup, do not be surprised to see Hunts put in some big goals.

Posted by Steady | February
Hunter is the type of player that will be a GOD SEND when the team developes into more of a contender.

exactly.

1pm ..... 1pm ........ Snowed in...... Fire ripping.....Beers cracked at noon.....Hockey night(day) in Lynnfield.

A win and they will move up into the top 8. Either the Rangers or Sabres need to lose in regulation....They are playing each other tonight at 7pm.

1pm.....Make it SEVEN .... Turn me back into a pumpkin.

LET'S GET TWO TODAY BOYS............TAKE TWO !!!

YAH GOTTA BELIEVE !!!!!!!!!!!!

March 10, 1980

• New York Islanders obtain Butch Goring from Los Angeles for Billy Harris and Dave Lewis

On the eve of the 1980 trade deadline, New York Islanders GM Bill Torrey got the ball rolling with a blockbuster deal that helped bring four straight championships to New York. Butch Goring came to Long Island as a noted two-way player with great leadership ability. The Islanders were unbeaten in their last 12 regular-season games before Goring led by example in the spring. He posted 19 points in 21 playoff games as the Isles won their first Cup. He would stick around for three more Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy in 1981.

Congratulations Trent Hunter, you earned it. I'm happy to have him for another 5 years. You can complain about his speed and his tendency to miss the net this year but you can never say Trent Hunter didn't show up or give anything less than 110%.

The Islanders love guys who can provide leadership and that is an important element on any team. Trent Hunter has come up through Bridgeport and has played 4 years with the Islanders. He knows what it takes to play here. It is important to have home grown leadership for your young guys in the system (Comeau, Bergenheim, Neilson, Gervais and eventually Tambs, Colliton and others). Trent Hunter leads by example and fits the mold of a Nolan type player.

Trent Hunter==Paul O'Neill
Suck it up Met's fans.
Different personalities (O'Neill was kinda hotheaded), but both were/are all business and PURE TEAM in their approach.
Neither is/was an outstanding star in their field, but both are/were integral parts cogs inthe wheels.

Just a thought.

Agreed with that - and Steady, I have to say that I read that ESPN article too and it's an utter abomination that the Goring trade was only listed as the 6th-best deadline deal of all time. As someone else correctly pointed out on that site, that was the ONLY trade that led to 4 straight championships, and to actually put those other one-and-done trades above that is simply ridiculous. Even the Ranger trades, which led to a Cup and then 10 years of futility, were above it! The guy who wrote that piece needs multiple clues...

At least NHL.com has the Goring deal at the top of the list for "notable deals involving Stanley Cup Champs".

The whole ESPN scenario of putting the Goring deal at NBR 6 lends credence to my theory on why the NHL failed to capitalize on the "hockey euphoria" that captured the nation following the 1980 Olympics and vault hockey into a number 3 spot among popular sports.
The Islanders following it up with 4 Stanley Cups, ruined any chances the NHL had of getting the proper media respect and coverage at the time.
Simple as this may sound, NYC IS the media. The media in NYC were/is/are dominated with Ranger diehards who HATED the Islanders. Hence, lukewarm (at best) coverage for the NHL.
If the Rangers had won 4 in a row back then, we'd be watching hockey on ESPN every night.
If any team OTHER than the Islanders had won 4 in row, we'd be watching hockey in ESPN a coupla nights a week.
By the time the Isles reign ended, the euphoria for hockey in this country drifted away.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Posted by Islander505 | February 23, 2008 10:46 Trent Hunter==Paul O'Neill

o'neill had better offensive stats - but in terms of heart, grit, smarts and all around solid play - i like the comparison.
how bout this one?
mariano rivera and martin brodeur

Posted by Islander505 | February 23, 2008 10:46

Trent Hunter==Paul O'Neill

o'neill had better offensive stats - but in terms of heart, grit, smarts and all around solid play - i like the comparison.
how bout this one?
mariano rivera and martin brodeur

Who's Brodeur?

you'll find out in about an hour 505

Mariano Rivera=Dubie
Based SOLELY on one game last March, and one poke check SAVE.

Nick...I was in a hurry and meant to add that I got that from ESPN...I laughed my a^^ off that they had the Rangers getting Matteau hire ranked....Did he ever play again ?????

Goring was the best deadline trade ever....Lead to 4 cups and the best team in USA HISTORY......PERIOD !!!!

Now back to the present....TWO POINTS AT THE ROCK !!!

It is noon.....kshhhhhhhhhh.....Beer just cracked!

Steady
Noon?
Whaddya got? Some kinda Blue Law in that household?
Those hops have been suffocating since you woke up.
GIVE 'EM SOME AIR!!!

good play by bergeron.....bad luck

see the look by DP ??? Guys do not like MAB....Whole situation was DP's fault....Trying to do to much in front of Brodeur. He owes the team one.

Simon playing well.....Isles as a whole being out hustled, out hit, out scored.......Martinek best player on the Isles.

Sports comparisons:

Penningtons arm in a gail force wind and Comries shot on a perfect sheet of ice.

sillinger out for year - hip surgery in Colorado this week

Two bad break goals (Meyer made a mistake), Isles get a bad break on Satan/Meyer chance.
Isles started the game SHOOTING the puck, not so much later-back to old ways,
Comeau GETS RUN AGAIN---WHERE'S SIMON?
penalties,penalties,penalties....
Gotta play a better period than that, although Devils look sharp.

GOTTA MAKE THE BREAKS GO YOUR WAY BOYS!!!!

Rob

Link?

505...Simon chirped at Asham (which FSNY pointed out) after the Comeau hit...I would LOVE to see that fight.

If I could sign on the dotted line for a point in todays game I would. Just do not like the feel of it. Two periods left to turn me into a pumpkin....Come on guys, this is a HUGE ONE !!!!

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230379&hubname=nhl

GD POWERLESS PLAY!!!

SHOOT THE PUCK!!

Gervais gets runs by Clarkson...WHERE'S SIMON???

Your call on Simon is doomed Oracle....

THE Maven just went on the air and said Simon "will be an asset to the Isles".

"If I could sign on the dotted line for a point in todays game I would. Just do not like the feel of it"

GO THE DISTANCE ORACLE,
EASE OUR PAIN.

Johnson's looked really great on those last two goals ...

Wow that Parise is some kind of hockey player... I wonder what it would have taken to get him. What's that you say? He was there for the picking? Thank god we picked whatever scrap we threw away in the Smyth deal instead. The last thing this team needs is real hockey players.

Look at the bright side, at least we have "Lightning" Trent "Game Breaker" Hunter locked up long term... without that, where would this team be?

What a lazy penalty by Simon ...

if anyone young did the same thing he'd be benched ....ah, to be Nolan's boy ...when will Simon's extension be announced?

This game bothered me looking ahead weeks ago. This Devil team was more than due to beat us.

The key here is to not let it turn into a losing streak. Come right back out and win the next one.

How good is Martinek? This kid is a gem. When healthy he is a top tier stay at home defenseman.

We need to win 13 of our remaining games to have a shot in my opinion and do no worse than split vs. the rangers and Flyers.

p.s Bergy did the same penalty as Simon. Gotta let it go bro. The guy is there for a reason. It is not like Tamby was unstoppable. Simon had NOTHING to do with todays loss. Two shots in the third and a pathetic first period was the reason.

above was me...

3rd period blowout. Boys left it in the locker room
DP kept it from being worse.
Sorry Steady, but Simon is simply gonna frustrate Comeau and Neilsen.
And you're right, Simon had NOTHING to do with today's loss.
Just like he had NOTHING to do with the last win.
If he gets 4 shots on goal from his return to the end of the season, I'll buy you a case of whatever you can't drink in your house before 12 noon. (he had NONE last game, I believe he matched that today).
OH, and the kids were getting run again today.

Yeah, and MAB wasn't the reason that goal happened either - so maybe you need to let that go aswell??

Berard was caught pinching very deep and Satan got knocked off the puck leaving MAB hanging out to dry on a 2 on 1 where we made the right play by trying to take away the pass ...they Devs got lucky and it went in - but what do you focus on? Some look you think DP directed at MAB ....I've been riding Simon for three days ...you've been on MAB for the whole season ....

Atleast practice what you want me to do ...and when Bergy would take those penalties early in the season what would Nolan do??

Looked like to me they ran out of gas in the third which is understandable since they did play Weds night Thurs night and a 1PM start today so I wouldn't go crazy about them being outplayed especially since the Devils came into this game having a few days off.

3rd period blowout. The boys left it in the locker room. Devil's whupped up on a tired looking team.
DP kept things from getting worse.

Sorry Steady, but Simon is simply gonna frustrate Neilsen and Comeau. He's a lost puppy out there. Looks like he's skating around saying "I am okay, I'm not really a bad person, and I bet people like me now".
And the kids are still being run.

You're right Steady, Simon did NOTHING to lose this game.
He also did NOTHING to win the last game.
Zero shots last game, I didn't see any this game....(I'll check later)..
And the kids are still being run.

When you said Simon was gonna score a key goal I countered and said he wouldn't get 4 shots on goal the rest of the season.
I stand by that and will buy you a case of whatever beer you don't drink before noon on Saturdays if he gets 4 or more shots on goal the rest of the season (counting today, but I doubt he got any).

On to Atlanta........VERY IMPORTANT GAME TO WIN...

Sorry for my ragged double post....computer issues.

RE-READ my post AZS.....Tell me where I blamed MAB for the first goal ??? Not even close did I blame him, and you write a paragraph on the play. My eyes are fine. All I said was the look DP gave him. As a matter of fact I blamed DP and wrote :IT WAS ALL HIS FAULT!"

p.s If you think Simon is back on only Nolans loyalty than I am at a loss for words. You think Snow would let him back if they did not think he was the right choice ? Simon was not the problem today and you went out of your way to single him out. I have NEVER ripped MAB unless he has messed up, unless it was a joke......Sorry to say that is a lot!

p.s.s It was brought up many many times that the team is so happy Simon is back.

And as far as that penalty call on Simon, it was ticky tack.
Get used to it.

505...HE will only need one shot on net to do what I predicted, but I will take that bet.

He had 2 his first game back, but I will start from ATL GAME.

Again...I could care less about Simon. I do not want him back next year.....BUT, if you think he is not more important than Tamby being up here, with almost half the remaining games against Rags, Devs, and Flyers....Then I completely disagree.

Tamby is getting great playing time with Okposo....If these kids are the future, than don't you agree it is good they are building chemistry? Just my opinion.

Regarding Simon, what do you expect his teammates to say? That they are unhappy he is back? No one has any idea what the players actually think. Further, Snow and Wang approved Simon's return b/c Nolan went to bat for him. While I'm sure Snow could have overruled Nolan, I think he trusts Nolans judgment here. And I think that trust is misplaced.

Regarding MAB and DP, I didn't see anything more than a goaltender being frustrated after his defenseman knocked a puck in on him. I think he would have given that "look" to Martinek or Gervais or whoever.

But as Steady said, this isn't as much of a factor today. Tambs did nothing and Simon is never on the ice. How about my suggestion from the other day--reacquire Peca?

Silly out for the year, I think we could use him.

"He had 2 his first game back, but I will start from ATL GAME."
Nope, I checked it this morning...ZILCH, nada.

We can start from today or last game....

ANYWAY.....
Enough Simon,
I'm just frustrated to lose, and I got into it with my brother yesterday about him, and he's an easy target.
And I would LIKE NOTHING BETTER THAN TO LOSE THE BET and buy you another case if Simon puts in a key game winner.

Next game is actually Tuesday VS Pit at home (my bad). Atlanta is Thursday.

GIVE THE BOYS TOMORROW OFF TEDDY....
We got a playoff run coming
19 Games......win 'em all.

SHOCKER....candyman disagrees with me....Funy how you never chime in when I am right....which has been most of the time as of late, while everything you have said has been dead wrong and negative.....Enjoy your opinion....Means zippo to me! By far the most negative Isles fan I have read and it almost seems you wish for losses.

You said I was obsessed with you ??? Hmmmmmm

p.s For your information I know for a fact that his teamates are more than happy he is back. Believe me it is not b/c Jaffy said it today. I talk to people close to the team about stuff like that b/c I was really interested. I am right.

Lonely at the top, eh Oracle?

Re-read...I just agreed with you...and you shouldn't take things so personally...I have disagreed/agreed with many posters...but it's only you who thinks I am targeting you personally...

I am far from the top and never asked for it...For God's sake I thought I was heading to todays game in a Luxury Box, not being given keys to the castle and the pressure of predicting a=our next cup. :)

Some people just rip me to rip me and it gets annoying after awhile. I am sorry if I read it wrong CM, but just seems like you are always attacking me. I'm over it and apologize for my rant.

Again for all to hear (READ).........Could care less about Simon.

But do not blame the team or Simon for this teams loss today....And certainly do not give him credit for the past win...How many wins can you give Tamby credit for ????

Tamby is where he should be for now...He will only develope more and get more time with Kyle. Simon in return will hopefully protect the kdis and give us some needed muscle with Witt and Sutton out of the line up....Many games vs. some maen foes coming up.

And again, while I may be more glass-half-empty...opinions can't be wrong...and there are few who root for the Isles harder than me...but again you turn on your fellow Isles fan....can't we just talk hockey...

We need a new 3rd line center...I would offer something for Peca...

Tank will probably be traded...

What are the chances Isles go hard for McCabe?

Stay the course Steady, luv ya.

Like Brad Pitt says to Angelina Jolie on a daily basis.......

"STAY ON TOP"

Candyman,
I think Satan goes, Tank stays (I could give a hoot one way or the other, as long as we get some demonstrable value in return).

Peca would be great....As someone else stated, him with Nolan might bring some magic. Plus NVMC would love him!

I begged for McCabe in the off season and got beat up for it on this board....Mainly b/c of his price tag. Any player that wants to come hom and play for the Isles is welcome by me with open arms.

What are the odds we could pull a Hossa out of our a^^ ?????

See...who says we can't agree?

To me, it's a simple way to generate interest for the rest of the season. Remember, there are a good amount of young Isles fans whose best memories of the team come from the time when Peca was captain. He's been healthy and productive as of late.

"Any player that wants to come hom and play for the Isles is welcome by me with open arms."
I agree with that in principle, but veto it on Blake.

"What are the odds we could pull a Hossa out of our a^^ ?????"
Not without a contract.....otherwise we are in a Smyth situation again.

Peca is an extremely intriguing idea.

Just got in .... on way out again....

Haven't read any posts since last night so I'm out of the loop ... but has anyone heard anything about Sillinger? There was a buzz I heard at the Rock that he was out the year and going to have surgery...

I gotta run now ... pick up my girlfriend, grab a bite, and then off to my game.

Catch up with ya's later....

BTW ... from what I saw ... only JoVas, Hunter, Tank came to play. Bergy and Neils had some good flashes ..... DP kept it closer.

Later all ... check in with ya tonight.

And I'm with you on McCabe. Everyone is so obsessed with the price tag on Caber. But, remember kids it's not your money. A very smart contributor to my site reiterated over the summer how if a player can help your team, and you have the cap space for it, you pull the trigger.

The question should be will the Isles be a better team with McCabe over the next few seasons. I would say yes. The Isles are not going to have enough high profile players to be near the cap this year or next anyway.

Koombah Yah My Lord Koombah Yahhhhhhh! :)

Based on Garth's recent comments about how he regards the Islanders' cap space as an asset that other teams must pay him to surrender (i.e., in a salary dump), there is no way we are re-acquiring McCabe unless Toronto sweetens the deal by swapping picks -- which I don't see them doing. And while I like Bryan's intensity, leadership and love for Long Island, I can't say I'm sorry. With his defensive lapses and taking of bad penalties, PLUS the huge cap hit, I think we're better off without him. I don't want to rain on anyone's nostalgia for McCabe, but I just think if we make a deadline deal for a d-man, it should be someone more in the mold of Witt and Sutton (I realize we probably won't acquire someone as good as those two, but I refer to their responsible, hard-hitting stay-at-home style.)

About today's loss against NJ: Look, we weren't going to run the table, and if there's a loss I can live with, it's this one. Road game, third game in less than four days, against a rested Devils team. The next game is against a club we should be able to beat to get right back on the winning track. Even playing tired and badly against a Devils team that was very sharp, it was a close game until late. That bodes well for our remaining two games against them.

I have to say that part of being The Oracle is having grandiose, McCainesque explosions of fury when challenged. Who DARES to question the great and powerful OZ?!?!? (I say this affectionately.) ;-)

So Oracle, what's your prediction for the next 5 games? No pressure.

(En passant, MAB joua bien aujourd'hui...)

KH, I get what you're saying but did you watch the Isles 5-3 today? Every 5-3 should generate at least a golden scoring opportunity, if not a goal. The Isles have no production from their back line and could really use McCabe's scoring punch.

The cap space is an asset, and Garth should use it as leverage. I'm talking more about those who don't want McCabe b/c they think he is overpriced. He is, but who cares. Ticket prices are going to be the same either way.

No, I didn't see the 5 on 3 -- it must have been early in the second period, as that's the only part of the game I missed. It's true our 5 on 3s have looked dreadful lately (there was an infuriating one against the Sharks where we did NOTHING), but I think that could be addressed by Ted giving some other people opportunities on the PP who "keep their feet moving," as the cliché goes. I agree with those who have argued Guerin deserves less PP time. Anyway, is McCabe a big PP improvement over MAB or Berard?

Oops, I made a mistake above. Our next game is against PIT, not ATL. Should have double-checked that first...

Take a moment and go over to the main pages and read Mark Herrmann's tribute to the "Core of Four" celebration next week.
Outstanding article.
Kinda makes me wanna be there.

AZS - yeah, IMO Johnson cost us a point. I won't say he cost us the game, b/c the team looked beat from the start and I was stoked when we tied it. But his two poor plays definitely cost us a chance to make it to OT.

I have been on this kid a bit since he's been in the lineup, and this does not help. I think he looks lost, and does not have the strength in his legs to be a powerful defensemen. I say this because when I mentioned that he always skates bent at the waist, I was told it was because he didn't have his legs. By now, he should and he still skates that way, so I question the power in them. But, he is young, so I say, if he can, he goes down to the Bridge for the rest of this season and next (not even sure how long he is signed) it would only help, and he would be that much older/stronger at the end of next season. At this point, I think Fata would be better, or give one of the other kids on D a shot, because Johnson can't hold his own.

Any possibility that Hilbert is on the chopping block and is being showcased on the 1st line? Just a thought, because I cannot understand why the guy is there above Comeau or even Bergy at this point. Yeah, he put the shot on net that got us a goal, but I just don't get it. Why is he there?

May not be worthy speculation given he is one of Ted's boys, and the loss of Silly may change everything. But, without Hilbert, I think we had plenty of good two-way guys/PKers and his loss would not have set us back too far with the development of guys like Comeau and Bergy. I am just looking for an explanation

D$,

Hilbert is just one of Nolan's boys. Nolan favors those player who remind him of himself--hardworking players with very little skill. Comeau should be on the first line in lieu of Hilbert--it's decisions like these that have had me questioning the judgment of Ted Nolan. And I think that questioning is beyond warranted.

KH,

McCabe had put up near 60 points per season over the past 3 seasons, and he is not as much of a defensive liability. He is undoubtedly and upgrade over MAB/Berard.

Guerin DOES NOT move his feet on the PP. He stands around and waits for a chance to fire away. This rarely works, and he rarely scores. Again, Ted's inability to see what is so obvious is mind-boggling.

Oh, almost forgot to say, 505 – love the post on the chile domino…keep em comin!

KH hit the nail on the head with the Lighthouse, and it would only be part of larger movements being spearheaded by the NHL and NHLPA (albeit separately). If you are at all interested.
see

http://www.nhl.com/community/nhlgreen/index.html and

http://www.nhlpa.com/MediaReleases/ReleaseDetails.asp?mediaReleaseDisplayId={4FBCFD7A-E77D-49D4-94AF-0457D586C2DA}

KH – I am hesitant to give out my email address, but the Lighthouse is an important part of the Isles march to another championship on LONG ISLAND, and for that matter, could be a great boon to whatever green movement may exist on the “ISLAND” I hail from. So, drop me a line: dniosi@msn.com.

Well I guess it's that time of the weekend to see what Garth is going to do over the next two-three days.

I've been doing more reading than commenting and I must say I love all of the ideas brought forth.

McCabe would def be an upgrade, and he has been noted as saying the Islanders would be the only team he waives his no-trade clause to.

Peca, for the remainder of this year, would also be welcomed.

I truley believe though we need a number one scoring line, which means finding a winger, either through the trade or free agency. So I am in agreeance with many of you as to why HIlbert is there.

On the plus side, it was a nice full house at the Rock and enjoyable to reach a game on mass transit alone from Westchester!

I couldn't wait to get home to see the actual numbers, but the most important stat of the day for me (apart from PP/SHG misery) was that the Devils took 38 of 57 face-offs!!!!. Every one of their PP's started with winning a face-off in our end and I think the only clutch one we won was to start the 5-3, but with Comrie and Guerin staying out the whole time--again, we saw nothing. MOVE THE BISQUIT, GUYS!!!!! While they tried to set up the perfect cross-ice pass in front, the key to doing that is to move the puck quickly North-South/East-West to get the D out of position. Instead they toss lazy passes and then try to squeeze in the perfect pass with defenders protecting the house--very stupid and tiresome to continue watching.

Simon did have one nice pass to set up a scoring opportunity, but he really is a non-entity and is a drag on that line. Simon does a better job of neutralizing Comeau and Nielsen's speed than any defense. Also, I could hear every Islander fan mutter Milbury's name after Parise scored--even the PA said, "DEVILS GOAL SCORED BY #9, ZACH PARISE. ASSISTS TO ZUBRUS, BRODUER, AND MILBURY; TIME OF THE GOAL, JUNE 2003."

Overall, however, the Devils played a very good game, much better than ours, and deserved to win.

On the plus side, it was a nice full house at the Rock and enjoyable to reach a game on mass transit alone from Westchester!

I couldn't wait to get home to see the actual numbers, but the most important stat of the day for me (apart from PP/SHG misery) was that the Devils took 38 of 57 face-offs!!!!. Every one of their PP's started with winning a face-off in our end and I think the only clutch one we won was to start the 5-3, but with Comrie and Guerin staying out the whole time--again, we saw nothing. MOVE THE BISQUIT, GUYS!!!!! While they tried to set up the perfect cross-ice pass in front, the key to doing that is to move the puck quickly North-South/East-West to get the D out of position. Instead they toss lazy passes and then try to squeeze in the perfect pass with defenders protecting the house--very stupid and tiresome to continue watching.

Simon did have one nice pass to set up a scoring opportunity, but he really is a non-entity and is a drag on that line. Simon does a better job of neutralizing Comeau and Nielsen's speed than any defense. Also, I could hear every Islander fan mutter Milbury's name after Parise scored--even the PA said, "DEVILS GOAL SCORED BY #9, ZACH PARISE. ASSISTS TO ZUBRUS, BRODUER, AND MILBURY; TIME OF THE GOAL, JUNE 2003."

Overall, however, the Devils played a very good game, much better than ours, and deserved to win.

Read half the posts ... very mixed emotions flying around this afternoon. I'll have to read the rest of them tomorrow.

In the immortal words of "Meat Loaf" ... "2 out of 3 ain't bad" My nephew won and my team won.

Lots of Isles fans at the Rock today. To bad the Isles didn't show up.

The 5 on 3 was pointless passing. They didn't even make the Devils work to hard for the kill.

The real killer was the 3rd period. First of all .. how JoVas got called for roughing is beyond me. Fluff call... but that ensuing 4 on 4 really set the stage for the Devils 3rd period.

The Isles let the game come to them.

I haven't had a chance to look at the stats yet ... but in the 1st period I don't think the Isles won a face off.

The most notable difference between the 2 teams. Speed!!!! The Devils appeard to get their faster ... and also come away from the boards with the puck more often.

That is all I have to add. You guys saw the game.

BTW .... today's game also marked the end of two streaks. The Isles 6 game winning streak, and my personal life attendance Islander winning streak vs. the Devils. The last time I saw the Devils beat the Islanders live was in the 1988 playoffs. Almost 20 years ago. Oh well.

Back on the track ... I was snowed under with work. Hunter is a great deal, Peca would be more than welcomed. And new winger? I said it million times and will be saying it until it becomes reality - Cheechoo!!! I just hope he won't score lot of goals in San Jose and will underachieve - that would be a time for Isles to get him!

Great signing. If anyone beaks his butt for this team its Hunter. The goals will come. But to lock up a guy who wants to be here and grew up with this orginization is what we need more of. Plenty of organiztons would have appreciated his hard work this offseason if we didn't. Kudos!!!

Merrick -- That line about the announcer giving Milbury the assist is HILARIOUS, though the laughter it produces is, as my dad would say, "with yashchikas." Laughing with yashchikas means something like "laughing with tears in your heart" or "laughing with the feeling of knives stabbing you in the gut."

Parise is the Islanders' Scott Kazmir... the one that got away that seems to encapsulate every lost opportunity of the franchise over the last 2 decades. The one whose name need merely be mentioned to cause a groan and stomachache. (However, we fans of The Other Orange and Blue are over the Kazmir deal now because without that disaster, no Omar Minaya, and without Omar, none of the good moves that quickly made the Mets a contender...)

Weird that there were no posts for 4 hours... was the board down?

Top O' the mornin to yah.

Some good things did happen yesterday.

1)Not that the Rangers ever winning is a great thing, but the Oracle (tounge in cheek) has said all along they would make the playoffs. So Buffalo losing in reg is a good thing.

2) Philly lost....Richards is out three to four weeks with a hamstring tear. Not that I want injuries, but they are part of the game.

The bad.

1) We lost

2) I'm hung over

3) Bruins won yet again. That team and coach deserve some huge praise. They have NO ONE and yet find ways to win. Kind of like the Isles.

***McCabe.....I agree with cm in that he would really boost our power play. Our 5-3's are border line embarrasing. The one against Tampa and again yesterday. Really Bad! Ever see Shanahan on a 5-3 or other snipers??? They YELL for the puck and fire it! I don't remember....Was Satan on the ice for either?? The way he lately has been getting to open ice and shooting, he should get some serious time out there on the PP.

THINK BIG !!!!!

Why not us? Why can't we get HOSSA ????

It may cost us a couple of young guys..Possibly a Tamby/Campoli...I still say do it! Negotiate with his agent and offer him a fortune....He averaages a point a game his whole career. He wants out of ATL and is a FA, so they have no power.....GET HIM !!!

Erase last years Ryan Smyth debacle.....I will never call you Bobbleheads again........Let's start the campaign.....Other teams looking for a cup run are after Sundin. So if we sneak under the radar, we may have a shot.....Heck the world thought the Spankees or Sawx were gonna get Santana......YAH GOTTA BELIEVE !!!

Steady... that would be huge and we do have to believe, but I don't see it happening. He would be a better choice for me than Ryan Smyth was. A proven 40 goal scorer that has never missed a stretch during any season. I wonder what we will have to give up for this guy and a) if we have what it takes to get him, b) can we survive after giving it up, and c) can we resign him for next year? I sure hope Snowey is confident with these answers before he even considers this move... but if we can lock him up for like 5 years it would be quite a move. He's only like 28 so theres a lot of good hockey in front of him. He should be moved by Tuesday, so lets see where he goes. Personally I wouldnt be upset at Snowey if he traded our #1 pick in a package for this guy. At this point we're looking at 10-15 overall, and if that pick became Hossa it would be a miracle... so it would be justified.

Hossa has made it clear that he WILL be a UFA in June. So any deal for him would be for a RENTAL. I would say overpay for him in JUNE, not FEBRUARY.
There are too many rentals available, and Snow has no room to get good value for Satan and Comrie. Comrie is a border-line re-sign anyway, because there isn't that much out there as a number one center next year. But we would be pretty deep at C next year anyway with Vasicek(Hopefully re-signed), Sillinger(Hopefully healthy), Nielsen (He deserves a shot), not to mention Park, Hilbert and Walter.
I guess the next two days will be quite tellling.

You guys need to stop over valuing Tambellini. Quite simply, the guy has very little value. The Islanders obviously do not think highly of him, why would anyone else? He score big in the AHL.... the Isles can't score...... yet Tambs is a yo-yo. He's going to be 24 years old and he can't get a regular shot on a team with scoring defeencies. He has nothing to prove down below, yet can't get a shot on this team.

I would normally agree, except that the Isles have had a long history of not being able to get their prospects to score (see the careers of Bertuzzi, Jokinen, etc).

A team might see Tamb not getting a fair shot with the Isles--they might gamble on a speedy winger who leads the AHL in goals.

Lying bobbleheads...

I don't know if anyone else heard this last Thursday at the Isles-TB game, but during an intermission Isles PA announcers blatantly lied to fans telling them to come out this Tuesday to see Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. They went on a little ramble about how we should all come out to see last year's MVP and the best up and coming scorer in the NHL Sid the Kid. Jaffe said something during the Isles broadcast yesterday as well about coming out to see Crosby on Tuesday.

Knowledgeable fans know Crosby is hurt, but for those that don't, they might buy tickets and be quite disappointed on Tuesday.

They didn't even mention that Crosby has been out for weeks. And you know they told the announcer and Jaffe to mention Crosby in order to boost ticket sales. That's a dirty little trick played by Isles' management.

Crosby may be back for the Isles game. He started practicing with the team on Feb 8. Its a slight possibility but definitely not something the Isles should be advertising until its confirmed.

Hey guys/gals

I was wondering what you guys thought of Tanguay.

We desperately need a number one winger, and I know he has a no-trade clause, but he would be on a first line, which is what he wants to be on, we have the cap to afford him, and he would definitely be a big plus getting us into the playoffs.

Just a hunch.

NET...would welcome him with open arms !!!

Tanguay would come very cheaply since Calgary desperately needs the cap space to sign Langkow and Huselius.

In addition, this is a crazy thought - wouldn't Tanguay, a proven playmaker, have the same kind of impact on this team as a Brad Richards? He can set up from the wing, and I'd be very interested to see him sliding on a wing with Comrie and Guerin.

Or MAYBE.....what would you think of playing him with the kids?

Posted by Steady | February 23, 2008 15:27 above was me...
How good is Martinek? This kid is a gem.

kid? real solid player but hardly a kid.

blog scandal? this week, I met the person who gave the Ranger fan the bird and greeted him as AZS. He said he was not AZS, but was aware of the blog because others called him that tooo. Wuz up wid dat?

You want a blog scandal????

Logan got major face time on Islander TV yesterday in the post game interview with Fedetenko.
(Now I know why he is a print reporter)......... :0)

Yo 505... Where can I see AZS flipping the rag fan off? I think you told me once but I still haven't checked it out

Come on "anon," why try and stir the pot? What is your real sign on ????

For I am the "Oracle" and first guessed that it was AZS giving the bird to the rag fans.......So it must be true :) :)

As for me calling Martinek "kid," I am well aware of his age. I call everyone "kid" "guy" "chief" bro" "pal" etc. Must be from having a NY detective as a brother.

themass,
I DO remember seeing a guy flip off the Ranger fan LIVE, when it happened. I never saw a replay after that.
It wasn't until the next day when Steady (I guess, I don't remember) asked AZS if he was the guy doing it and AZS fessed up to it.

Boy, I guess this is what happens when you are waiting around for the trade deadline to come and go, and there is NO FREAKIN MOVEMENT AT ALL: we get conspiracy theories.

Can someone pull the trigger on something big so that the dominoes start to fall into place? Or, are we going to see lots of Ryan Smyth type deadline deals this year, which should make Tuesday real fun!

I saw a recent list of top 10 deadline deals... they went as far back as late 1970's.

#1. Tampa bay in 1998 making two separate deals that brought them back draft picks. One with San Jose that became the #1 overall pick - Vincent Lecalvalier (sp) and the second trade during the same deadline in 1998 brought them a draft pick in 3rd round that became Brad Richards... (for prinipally Jason Weimer) go figure.

Of course this was the basis of their cup win in 2004.

Just a thought.

DOC

D-money,

"we get conspiracy theories."

Jim Baumbach was on the grassy knoll in Dallas.
And you can look it up!!

Doc, you're right about that, though it's still an abomination that the Goring trade wasn't #1...trades that led to 1 Cup vs. a trade that led to 4 Cups...hmmm.....

And D$, did you happen to get my email? KH is on his way to Cali for business so I did him a favor.

the blog over at hockeybuzz is comin up w/ ridiculous rumors........every trade has either montreal or detroit or toronto involved........it seems as if if nothing is mentioned about 20 of the small market teams.....anyways the isles should trade vasicek and fedetenko for prospects or picks as they will npt be re-signed.........vasicek is inconsistent and fedotenko is overpaid for what he is worth...i think he makes over 3 mill. if the isles cant lock up comrie then he should go too, he can get us a late 1st rounder for some team who needs a 2nd or 3rd center.........as for satan he can get us a late 1st rounder and a ok prospect if we package him with tambellini.........i dont think tambellini is goinng to do anything for us as he doesnt fit in nolan's system........in the games he has played, he has looked physically overmatched. my opinion is we can sell yet still win and if we dont win we can build for the future. your thoughts?

I don't know about conspiracy theories, but I just got back from the Bridge (2-1 SO Loss to Albany) and Garth has his new strategy to boost the PP and push us over the top in the final nine games: Kyle Okposo on the point for the power play!!!

I'll give him credit. After having a puck bounce over his stick a la Berard at the blue line and watching a semi-breakaway stopped behind him, he recovered to put another point shot later in the game off the post. I guess the bad coaching in Minnesota didn't give him enough work at the position.

Actually, I was not overly impressed tonight, although both teams seemed tired and played a generally defensive game. While Tamby scored on a rebound, it was right at the doorstep (credit for being there) and he made a number of questionable passes and had other giveaways. Also, with the exception of one burst in an effort to prevent an icing, Okposo seemed to have a lot less jump and energy than when I saw him before. Perhaps the 3 games in 3 days at this stage of this season is more noticeable, especially for the kid, but today he was nothing to write home about.

The two guys who stood out for me tonight were Jeremy Colliton and Drew Fata. Maybe those two days with the big club gave Fata a big boost of confidence, but he was as aggressive as I've seen him on the offensive end and solid on the backline as well.

On to Tuesday. Let's get two!

welcometothejugle : Trade all of those guys for picks and as the song goes; "You know where you are? your in the jungle baby; your gonna die". That is excatly what will happen. That is an utter and complete sell which I don't think is too far fetched; however I still think we will buy as well. I'm sticking to my prediction of being both buyers and sellers. You also are under valuing the Satan & Tembellini trade; that is a trade the ISLE would NEVER make. Why would we take an ok prospect for a good prospect? That makes no sense. Tambellini has a shot at being a good contributor. I think the Isles moves will open a spot for him to play bigger minutes; same for Bergenheim and Comeau. If the Islanders can keep certain vets at the price they want to pay they will keep them; if the price is too high then they will fill that spot with a kid with upside. I think Garth has learned his lesson on when to negotiate and if guys are not willing to sign at the Islanders price then they will be moved.

If you want a good laugh, go to the Islanders website and ITV and click on "What's New". From 2/18 (Kids Day), they have one of those announcer booths where you get to do the play-by-play over an Islanders highlight, while I wouldn't advise watching all 12 minutes (I know; I need to get a life), at about 2:10 is one of the best Islander calls I've heard, in any language.

From hockeybuzz...

Also I am hearing Tanguay could be moved to the NY Islanders tonight. (e2)

So much for not mentioning small market teams. Who would we give up?

Posted by Islander505 | February 24, 2008 18:43 D-money,
"we get conspiracy theories."
Jim Baumbach was on the grassy knoll in Dallas.
And you can look it up!!

wait a minute. hold the phone.
baumbach is umbrella man?

I'm going to resist the tempation to start throwing out possible trade conspiracies... for the obvious reason that I'd probably crash the site with a 999,999,999 word diatribe. LOL!!

I think ultimately we might be surprised by who moves and who doesn't. Smyth was a shocker last year ... so who knows with such a tight race in both conferences ... some teams might resist movement so as not to upset the fragile chemistry.

On the best all time deadline trade deals. Goring ... to me is the best.. for obvious reasons. I think arguably you can analyze trades in different ways... Goring to us was a catylast ... that missing cog to the entire machine that was the Isles dynasty.

To other teams those acquired players may have been cornerstones to their success ... the Islanders already had a solid core ... so I guess their arguement might be that the Islanders main ingredients were already there. We of course look at Butchy as the one guy who was able to get them over the hump ... 4 times in a row.

PS- One of these days I'll get through all the posts.

Hmm, e2 eh Candyman? Were Steady and I the 2?

Wow been a long time since I posted something. Ever since the new format I cant see my posts right away so I stopped posting but since we are now less than 48 hours away from trade deadline i decided to post. First, forget Hossa. UFA at the end of the season not giving up draft picks for him. The Smythe move was a one time thing that was right. Remember we were in the 6th spot and heading north in the standings when that deal was made. Today we are on the outside not knowing where we are going. I would rather trade for Richards and sign comrie. That gives us two top centers but that salary is killer and I dont think Wang wants to spend 7 mill on a guy after Yashin debacle. Peca actually is a good move since Sillinger is out for the season. Dont know if he is on good terms with Garth or Wang but he does with Nolan. Mccabe is in the Richards category. WIll make us better but not for the salary. Mccabe should have been picked up in trade last summer. He would have helped us alot instead of seeing Berard out there. I see Satan, VAS,tank being moved tuesday for other veteran players and prospects. Islanders will replace them with comuea, colliton and other pickups. I hear tanguay being mentioned ill take him wont hurt us and he can help in the scoring dept. My feeling is there will be no blockbuster trades like last year by Garth. However, if I was to make a big move I would go after Richards and look to restructure that contract if possible. It would be nice seeing Richards center Okposo next year could be fun. Also, Get rid of Hilber. Why is he on the first line? Makes no sense. Maybe we can trade him. He produces nothing. 4th line winger penalty killer thats all he is. Lets go Islandres.

Sundin will not break his no trade clause.... that makes for an interesting set of circumstances ... the cost for pending FA just went up.