And I'm back from the Mets rain-out....guess we couldn't expect that nice weather to last long.
During the down time before free agency, I'll try to swing some interesting Islanders tidbits your way. Working on a prospects preview, so look for that some time in the next week.
Had a chance to chat with Jack Hillen, the lead-scoring defenseman in NCAA division 1 hockey this year, who appeared for the Isles in their last series against the Rangers this season. Jack is finishing his Economics degree at Colorado College, and is getting ready to start his off-season training. Here are some of his thoughts on his first NHL experience and his future with the organization:
On his first live-game experience as a New York Islander-
“It was surreal, but once you’re playing hockey, you’re still just playing hockey. It was a lot of fun to do that and an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
On the guys in the Islanders locker room-
“All the guys were first class; They were great people. They treated me with respect and better than I thought people would treat me. I really appreciated the way the guys handled the situation.”
On having a “Whoa, I’m playing in the NHL” moment-
“I never really had that moment. The whole time I was just concentrating on my responsibilities on the ice. I kind of just worried about myself and what I could control.
I thought I played really well. I never had a moment where I thought, ‘This is unbelievable.’ I just had fun playing hockey.
On whether he was intimidated by any of the Rangers’ veterans-
“You’re not intimidated by them, but you do watch them on TV, and you know who they are, but you can’t be intimidated or else you won’t play well.”
On the biggest improvements to his game during college-
“I definitely think my skating ability and poise with the puck grew a lot. Going into my junior year I had to work on my quickness and conditioning. [After that] I thought my skating improved a lot, as well as my quickness and my ability to move with the puck, run a power play, and get shots through on a power play.”
On how he’d describe himself as a player-
“I’d say I’m a skating, puck-moving defenseman that can make a pretty good first pass out of the zone. I’m not afraid to skate with the puck a little bit.”
On his shot-taking preferences-
“I don’t [always] like taking slaps shots, but I had a goal or two from them this year.
If you use your wrist shot, you can get a shot on net a little quicker, and it doesn’t take as much time.”
On whether he can QB a power play-
“That’s not my decision to make, but I have confidence in my ability to handle the puck and make decisions out there on the power play.”
On what he plans to do to prepare during the off-season-
“Try to add a little strength, not weight or size, but add a little more quickness and top- end speed
On where he expects to start at the beginning of the season-
“You simplify the game and do the little things you can control. I know I can play up there if I do those things, but if I’m not there to start the season, I’m not going to get frustrated.”
On the Rangers-Islanders rivalry-
“Oh it was great. In college you get some good rivalries, but it’s really nothing like that. You can hear the chants and it was pretty exciting to have my first two games in a rivalry atmosphere like that.”
--KS
Comments (52)
Very Nice Katie......
Thank you for not asking any "what was going through your mind when......" questions.
Although you came close with the "whoa moment" question.
MUCH better way of asking the all too popular "mind questions".
Just my opinion.....
So, how are the Ice Girls doing?
(I just figure it would be easier for you to approach them than that old letch Logan).
Listen guys just so you all know.If I post an opinion and everyone disagrees with that opinion then someone else used my name to post.But when I post something that everyone agree's with,that was really me posting.I just wanted to clear this up so no one gets confused.
Now I really did say Lundqvist has been outplayed the first two games of the Penguins series but since a few of my many fans disagreed It wasn't me that made that post.What I meant to say is Lundqvist played great and is the premier goaltender of the three teams in New York.After all,the rags are the only team still in the playoffs.
I also want to amend my prediction of the rags in 6.The rags will win in 7.Avon Avery will score the winning goal in game 7.
KH- Why are you on the Ranger blog?Could it be because hockey ended on Long Island weeks ago?Someday your team might win a playoff series,but don't hold your breath.In the meantime why don't you stay here with such a classy bunch.
Let us Ranger fans talk about the Playoffs which is something Islander fans no nothing about.
Also, Rangers fans "no" how to speak and write their native language correctly.
i do nothing but sit on the Islander blog and write nonsense.
Robert ... ya wanna laff you rag troll? No .... we'll I am ... so why don't you try to phathom this for yourself.
Ya know how many series the Rangers have won since the playoffs began in April of 1980? Since USA won the Gold in Lake Placid? Iranian Hostage Crisis? Jimmy Carter was President? Atari 2600? .... NINETEEN (19) .... got that? ... remember that number ....
Ya know how many series the Islander WON IN A ROW??? .... and during that same time frame ...... NINETEEN (19)
Can you get that through your thick skull???? Probably not ..... so don't give us a lecture about what it takes to win in the playoffs ... go enjoy the playoffs and learn something ... maybe if you guys come back and win this series you'll have 20 playoff series wins in 29 seasons .... beating what the Islanders were able to do in only 5 playoff seasons.... if not ... just think ... it took the Rags 29 seasons to match what the Isles did in only 5 .... Now Shutty!
-----------------------------------------------
505 ~ All those combos of drinks ..... and it's Monday night .... so what was your poison tonight?
please someone find me something to do, please im begging you.
Robert -- As you may have noticed, I do not post on the Ranger blog to gloat after Rangers losses. In fact, I post there very rarely for any reason, and read it only occasionally. But one of the Ranger fans actually asserted that the Ranger fan base is "classy." That is just so completely insane, so wholly and utterly the opposite of what I have experienced in a lifetime of dealing with Ranger fans, that I had to say something. Ranger fans make Red Sox fans look like Emily Post's etiquette society.
Note: There are some Ranger fans who are exceptions to what I just said, including a couple who post on this blog from time to time.
KH - I understand what you mean with the class comments ... However we have some fans that are like schools on Thanksgiving ... No Class...
That said ... I think just like anything in society ... a few bad apples ... I think the Pat LaFontaine incident and the Porche chants were bottom of the barrel of the worst of the classless NHL fans. I even remember being at the first Flyer / Islander game after Pelle's death and hearing a spattering of fans chanting that same chant the Rag fans did. This elder gentleman Islander fan actually was shouting down the Islander fans (I'd say college age like myself at that time) that were chanting that telling them to have some respect..... he told them to do the Hex-taaaaalll chant ... LOL!!!!
Ahhh .. memories....
------------------------------------
I'm not doing to well for my conference semi-finals picks right now .... running at a pace for 50% .... I picked all games to go 6 with Wings, Habs, Pens and Sharks taking it.
"Someday your team might win a playoff series,but don't hold your breath.In the meantime why don't you stay here with such a classy bunch.
Let us Ranger fans talk about the Playoffs which is something Islander fans no nothing about."
Since the cups for both teams appear to be ancient history at this point, let's just focus on what's happened over the last decade. Sure the Rangers managed to win a series this year (against quite possibly the biggest pretender in the Eastern Conference), but let's not start creating a dellusional attitude that they've experienced a wealth of success over the last decade. Since they're Cup Purchase in 1994 quite frankly they've been a damn joke. Now they're about to be swept away like useless particles of dirt (pretty accurate, huh?) but you're going to pretend as though they're a model for success. Thanks for the thoughts, wipe your chin.
"Someday your team might win a playoff series,but don't hold your breath.In the meantime why don't you stay here with such a classy bunch.
Let us Ranger fans talk about the Playoffs which is something Islander fans no nothing about."
Since the cups for both teams appear to be ancient history at this point, let's just focus on what's happened over the last decade. Sure the Rangers managed to win a series this year (against quite possibly the biggest pretender in the Eastern Conference), but let's not start creating a dellusional attitude that they've experienced a wealth of success over the last decade. Since they're Cup Purchase in 1994 quite frankly they've been a damn joke. Now they're about to be swept away like useless particles of dirt (pretty accurate, huh?) but you're going to pretend as though they're a model for success. Thanks for the thoughts, wipe your chin.
You know the Rangers are in trouble when the fans start coming back here and ranting about how many playoff series they've won and we haven't done a thing. Yet when they're winning, they all say on this blog "come watch some playoff hockey."
Can't wait for them to be swept.
PLAYOFF HOCKEY TONIGHT AT MSG.........THE WORLDS MOST FAMOUS ARENA!
nvmc, on the other hand has been vacant for weeks now (as far as hockey is concerned).
The stars are alligned,life is as it should be.
We'll be going in Thursday's game down 2 games to one,back in the series.All your hopes for a sweep will be equal to your hopes
of making the playoffs.Unforfilled hopes of Asslander fans.
Management
Please wake me up when the Rangers start playing playoff hockey against Pittsburgh. Unless you call blowing a three-goal lead playoff hockey ...
PLAYOFF HOCKEY TONIGHT AT MSG.........THE WORLDS MOST FAMOUS ARENA!
nvmc, on the other hand has been vacant for weeks now (as far as hockey is concerned).
The stars are alligned,life is as it should be.
We'll be going in Thursday's game down 2 games to one,back in the series.All your hopes for a sweep will be equal to your hopes
of making the playoffs.Unforfilled hopes of Asslander fans.
Management
PS- Kleenex has provided 18,000 boxes of tissues for ALL fans attending to use when they start crying about the officiating.
Game 4 fans will be provided two boxes after Pens complete the sweep.
The Rangers are down 0-2, headed for a gutless sweep, and you clowns are spending your time here? Get a clue.
Avery is a joke
505 ~ This is the first post that is REALLY ME....Now I have Isles fans using mine sign on.
I appointed you my Sgt. at Arms and all I get in return is a board taken over by lost souls with no lives??? Get this taken care of ! :) :) :) :)
I will not post anymore until the next series, so anyone using my sign on from now until then is a troll.
I stand by Rags in 7 as that is what I predicted before the playoffs even started. Philly is making me look bad as I picked MTL in 6....We shall see.
To all the regs. God bless you for posting with the loser #1 spewing his ignorance in between your convos. Enjoy your spring. I will post after this series and then again if any major Isles news.
#1, Sommers, and the rest of the Trolls......Let it go...Get a life ....Get a girl....Make some $$$...Live a real life!
ISLANDERS RULE BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 CUPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER TO BE DONE AGAIN IN NHL HISTORY !!!!
As sweet as it would be to see the rangers get swept, i dont believe that will happen, but i will keep my fingers crossed for it...I dont think Pitts. has been dominating this series, but i do believe they are playing the rangers very well....Avery has been very ineffective in this series so far which is HUGE for Pitts...they are not allowing him to get under their skin, and if AVERY cant do that, then hes basically useless to this series, which has been shown by his ice time decreasing..I think Lunquist is having a very solid series, many of the goals hes let up were deflections off his own guys..and he has kept them in both games...MAF is having a good series himself, but its the defensive play of PITTS that is making him look even better...Pitts has been all over the rangers, making it very hard to get past the neutral zone, and not allowing for much offense in there own end.....If the rangers want to stay in this series, its a must win tonight for them..They need to step it up offensively and find a way to get better quality scoring chances on MAF, and their defense really needs to step it up big time and slow down the PENGUINS, and Lunquist needs to continue playing great hockey...I have a feeling tonights game is gonna be a high scoring game, the rangers need to come out strong, but PITTS needs to stick to its game plan, play great defense and keep throwing pucks at Lunquist...LETS GO PITTSBURG!!!!
OH. PS...im so sick of the complaining about the officiating from ranger fans also...each team has gotten away with obvious calls...do u really want playoff hockey to be based on SPECIAL TEAMS...I DONT..i want 5 on 5 hockey, hard hitting, fist a cuffs, fast paced, intense playoff hockey...LET THE BOYS PLAY!!! enough crying about officiating already...
LOL!!! Kleenex tissue give away at the garden ... priceless ....
I think tonight the Rangers win a tight game... One of those 4-2 (empty net goal) wins ... could be one of those games where the Rangers score 3 in the 2nd and Pens get their 2 in the second period ... then someone gets the empty netter to cap it off for the Rags ... just a hunch.
Back to the Rag fans crying about officiating ... Isles fans ... do you remember when we had 2 goals wiped out that should of counted last playoffs .... sure we complained about it ... we mostly took our frustrations out on the officials in the War Room in T.O. .... but we let it go. We didn't go into the games as if the Isles were playing against the officials and the Sabres ....
Every team has its issues with the officiating at one time or another .... the squaking and moaning and crying about officiating is nothing more than laying down and playing the victim.
And the trolls were yapping at us as the season wound down about us complaining about injuries ... what is the difference? Both are things beyond control .... and the Isles were decimated ... it just wasn't one minor thing ..... the Rag fans are acting like every penalty against them is a conspiracy ....
I read on the Rag blog one guy suggested that when ever Crosby touched the puck the garden crowd go Waaahhhhh Wahhhh Waaaahhh .. to mock him crying about getting checked .... I find it funny because I think the Ranger fans may be really crying going Waaahhhh Wahhhhh Waaaaah because Crosby's going to have the puck on his stick attacking Lundqvist.
Oh well ... we'll see how things pan out ... still think Rangers pull this out tonight. Gotta keep my playoff predictions going.
Robert, considering before this season, the Islanders made the playoffs 3 of the last 5 times, and the rags had been a joke for the last decade and for most of their history, I think it is you who doesn't know the meaning of the playoffs.
Anyway, I find it sad for people to root for a James Dolan team that has to sabotage rivals by sending spies to be their GM (Don Maloney).
One more comment before the nit wits take center stage: I think Avery is an excellent player, I just question his ethics.
Steady--
You really are a fruit.
JP- That was not me. As I said, I like fruit. I like you.
Allright, Here is a simple "PLAN" for Wang: Lay low next season don't make any foolish signings to lose cap space, and then next offseason hand Malkin your checkbook and tell him to fill in the amount.
I think tonights game cemented that Malkin is a true #1 guy. With Crosby signed I'm not sure they can have Malkin as well.
Any thoughts
So I was wrong. My team sucks, I live in my basement, Avery is non-existant.
where are all the TROLLS????? what a game...HOW was the OFFICIATING in this game TROLLS???? how many boxes of tissues did u go through??? LETS GO PENGUINS!!!
Penguins ... 2 for 2 on the power play .... Rangers 0 for 5 .... are the refs still against the Rangers?
If I gotta be wrong about the Rangers winning two games in the series against the Pens ... I'd be happy to be wrong if the Pens sweep.
Break out the Kleenex.
--------------------------
Exhausted ... but have some scouting news as far as RFA / FA and drafts from my buddy Julien. Interesting prospects for the lesser talented teams. I'll re-confirm them in the morning and get back to ya all tomorrow.
ps...i HAVE Yet to meet a RANGER fan who can actually admit they were beaten by the better team.....As i said before....ANOTHER underachieving season for the rangers!!! If the rags come back and win the last 4...i WILL burn all my ISLANDER jerseys and buy every ranger fan a beer, while wearing a AVERY jersey!!!! oh and PAINT my nails black, get my eye brows waxed, get a fake tan, and buy ridiculous looking black framed glasses!!!! LETS GO PENGUINS
Not for nothing, I am unjoying this misery and gloating etc but the series is not over yet. You don't move on after three wins. Coming back when down 3-0 is a tough spot to be in but its been done before ;) ;) ;)
Troll (Rangers versions or otherwise) will always suck and find something to flame about. Lets save the "in your face" moment for when it actually means something.
For those of you who don't venture over to Zipay's blog, here is a cut and paste of something I posted over there this evening, in reference to his cheap shot at the Islander in his blog last week.
HEY ZIP........
Remember your "cool stats" blog last week where you took yet another cheap shot at the Islander's with an inane stat from the '84 playoffs?
Well, in view of the Ranger's situation right now.....here's one back at you from your same friends at whowins.com.
Particurlarly appropriate in view of who the Ranger's are playing .
http://www.whowins.com/features/comeback.html
This is for everyone on this board. Where can I purchase a big broom to sweep out my garage and some Ranger hopes????
Teams that are up 3 games to none are 148 to 2. (C-YA)
Holy smoke, this BB sound no different than when the Isles were playing in February!
Btw, the Dragons are playing in the NVMC. Unfortunately I took up the Isles offer for free tickets--and me and my kids left after the 3rd quarter because it was soooooo boring.
Peace, y'all!
Man, how dumb is Ryan Hollweg? The Rangers had everything going for them and that knucklehead takes an offensive zone penalty. Kills the momentum, Penguins score, and the series is pretty much over.
In my book, Hollweg has always been a cheap shot artist. He loves to hit players when their back is to him or when they are in defenseless positions. At least Colton Orr will face you and actually has some hockey skills.
Not the best decision that Renney ever made by dressing Hollweg and sitting Orr. I wonder how the skill players like Gomez and Jagr feel after giving it their all and seeing the game turn on a stupid penalty taken by a scrub?............Sir William
Well ... just got off my daily squakbox with Julien (the guy who works for the scouting company) ... we spoke yesterday and this morning about some young players ... Jack Hillen, Okposo, Comeau, Tamby, Hennigar ... and some prospective draft picks in the 2008 & 2009 draft ....
The concensus among scouts as they formulate perfect match scenarios ... as far as team needs ... and where players would become more productive .... looks like this for the Islanders ...
They basically feel the Islanders will not make a big splash during free agency ... maybe patch a few holes ... but don't feel the Islanders are going to make a play for any big names.
They rate the Islanders' prospects (including newly signed Hillen and Hennigar) as promising ... Hennigar is projected to be a solid 2 way center that could be one of those catalytic 3rd liners that can play in different situations... Hillen may become part of a future top 4 .....
Because of Gervais, Campoli, Hillen shoring up the Isles defensive youth corps ... it opens the Isles to package other D-men ... and the scouting agency expects that the best pick for the Islanders this season would be for one of the STUD defensemen .... any of the top 4 OHL defensemen in this draft have the chops to be a defensive star all with offensive upside. They believe that is the best direction for the team.
All of that said ... they expect the Islanders to be another bottom 5 team next season ... and go through a growing phase ... they feel that the Isles have had a lot of dead wood and re-treads over the past several years and that the Islanders "need" to lose in order to grow ... because they resemble an expansion team that picks up veterans in the expansion draft but yet is sprinkled with some solid young talent.
They feel that if by the all-star break Isles are on the outside looking in they may trade some vets for youth / draft picks .. and make a run for the bottom 5 again.
They also feel that John Tavares would fit best with two organizations best on both party's needs and future prospects .... Toronto .... and the Islanders .....
However assuming the Isles pick up a defensman in this draft ... they would become much more solid than Toronto projecting 3 years forward as the Isles continue to develop their defense prospects at all levels .... and Johnny T would fit excellent with Okposo's style along with elevating Blake Comeau in his own role and JT would also elevate Tamby's game to liberate Tamby from NHL flop ..... opening up the ice for him to become an NHL sniper ... Julien also said ... Okposo's skill sets matched with Tavares would give the Isles a combo not seen since the Trotts / Bossy or a combo not seen in the NHL since Gretzky / Kurri... He said if the Islanders land a defensive stud this draft and Tavares next draft they become an instant powerhouse for 2009 / 2010.
Then hello newly renovated NVMC for 2010/11. That would be some turn around.
Julien also added ... if any of the OHL defense studs are drafted by the Isles ... the Isles could use him this season ... or let him have one more year to develop and wait till they get one of the other stud forwards in the 2009 draft to bring him up.
Lastly Julien said .. the consensus is if Okposo and Tamby are centered by Tavares ... it wouldn't be a matter of questioning if that could be a good combo ... it would be a fact of them being a great all-star combo.
That is it for now .. have more work to do ... we are doing a series of projects with them over the next few days ... I'll milk him for more info.
100% correct Sir William....I am out of retirement to post.....Hollwig was the turning point of that game. The crowd, flow. and energy was all Rangers until that 70's p^rn star did what he does best...A cheap shot from behind....I told all that would listen that Hollwig would do that and cost his team one day....Go back and read the Simon debates!!!
Lundquist was poor.
Avery was non factor. Ruutu was the better pest.
Pitt's offense is simply ridiculous. Wow can they explode up ice. The kids do not look nervous at all.
Back to radio silence.......#1....I know it hurts....I'll just let you stew in it for awhile.
Interestingly the Isles are represented by both a goalie (DP) and an executive (retired goalie Snow) in the committe to determine the future of goaltending equipment size.... 2 reps out of a 9 person committee.
I don't see equipment size changing much seeing the ratio of goaltending interest represented in that committee ... but maybe there will be a surprise.
Hey Steady, the rangers have 2 p$rn stars on the team..HOLLWEG and RON DUGAY!!!.....I forgot to mention last night, but that guy is terrible.."lets go down to ron"...."Hey guys, im listening to the rangers bench, and they are all quiet, its either because they are serious, or they are down, it remains to be seen."......."Thanks Ron."......They were down you imbecile....its 5-3 because of your "Eifel Tower" partner in your p$rn movies you make, you schmuck!!!! That guy is horrible!!!..LETS GO PENGUINS
Hollwig looks like Cheech from Cheech and Chong. That would make Avery Cindy Bradyfrom the Brady Bunch with all his whinning and turtleing!
How sweep it will be! lol! Avery has been invisible, I love it! I have to say that Jagr played like a mad man last night. He looked like the Jagr of old that I idolized back in his Pitt days. The Rangers defense has been victimized by a superiorly skilled team. TIME TO TAKE OUT THE BROOMS!!!!!!!!!
How sweep it will be! lol! Avery has been invisible, I love it! I have to say that Jagr played like a mad man last night. He looked like the Jagr of old that I idolized back in his Pitt days. The Rangers defense has been victimized by a superiorly skilled team. TIME TO TAKE OUT THE BROOMS!!!!!!!!!
Consider this an important learning experience for the young players on the Rangers.Get out as soon as you can. Loosing is part of the Rangers culture. If you really want to win a championship, get out now. The Rangers are a great team to finish with when you are on the dowside of your career and you need some money.
I dont know how we were able to watch hockey before Ron Duguay. His in depth analysis of the mood swings on the the Rangers bench and in the stands added so much to the experience. I hope he does the play by play of the hand shake tomorow night.
Based on hockey knowledge and in game analysis, who sounds more like the former NHL player and who sounds like the girl, Ron Dugay or Deb Kaufman ?
The spleen is an organ found in all vertebrate animals[1]. In humans, the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and holds a reservoir of blood. It is regarded as one of the centers of activity of the reticuloendothelial system (part of the immune system). It is increasingly recognized that its absence leads to a predisposition to certain infections
505:
Better check the latest from Arthur and Jim. Staple purports that it was the *Germans* who bombed Pearl Harbor. I am guessing this will be editted soon.
(just wanted to give you more ammunition).
If the stories I've heard are true, then Sean Avery had a brush with death last night by the time they took him to the hospital. My hatred for his game are well-known, but I wish him a speedy recovery in his health nonetheless.
Avery has a lacerated spleen/internal bleeding and was able to walk into the hospital last night straight from the game. The article in the daily news has the facts all wrong. Thankfully his life was not threatened and he should be fine to play again next season. Not that I really want to see that but I am happy he is okay. As much of an @$$ as anyone is on the ice he hasn't done anything to warrant worse.
Healy....
Rebar was referring to the Animal House movie.... I may have been born in the morning....but not THIS morning.
All part of his pithy juvenile humor. Throw out an unrelated reference and hope he can trip someone up (he did) so that he can feel superior. Notice I stayed away from Rebar's and Baumbach's cheap shots at the Islanders yesterday.
They are better off left to themselves, cracking each other up.
Nick, there is NO DOUBT that Avery had a brush with death,
spleens are extremely unforgiving organs.
Any spleen damage can be fatal, regardless if he walked into the hospital or not.
Hmmm , Drury and Avery both injured and nobody knows how and where, Hmmmm
Healy......
Now Rieber has written an ENTIRE BLOG shredding the poor guy who made the gaffe regarding Animal House. Gee, rebar, is it conceivable in your small mind to think that MAYBE the guy never saw the movie?
How sadly insecure can Rieber be?
Devoting an entire blog entry to lambaste some anonymous soul who didn't catch on to Rieber's completely unrelated (to anything in the original blog) reference to a movie from 30 years ago.
And guys like him and Brokebach pile on the Islanders for regurgitating stuff from only 25 years ago.
I can only applaud the poor soul who was clearly not dumb enough to be able to read Rieber's mind, and be aware that the movie Animal House was the intention of Rieber's reference.
It's sad that Newsday allows Ice Worms to carry a byline in this paper.
My spleen hurts.
505:
I will have to say oops on my part and sorry to Reiber. Its been too long since I've seen Animal House to pick that line out without the context. I thought it was merely a brain fart that we could poke fun at.
In any event, Caddyshack is better :)
My team sucks.