In a wide-ranging interview with Newsday on Wednesday, Islanders general manager Garth Snow reviewed the 2007-08 season. The story in today’s print edition focused primarily on Snow’s relationship with coach Ted Nolan and the organization’s emphasis on sticking with a youth movement. To read that article, please click here.
But Snow’s comments covered far more territory than could be contained in one newspaper article. The rest of the story begins here.
The most important concerns revolve around the recovery of franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro from his second hip operation in as many seasons. Snow said it’s important to establish a goaltender rotation that gives the starter more regular rest, and he linked Nolan’s decision to start DiPietro in 33 of the first 35 games to the failure of backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz to report to training camp in top shape.
“There should be a plan going into the season, some kind of rotation,” Snow said. “At the beginning of the year, for whatever reason, the decision was to ride Ricky…[Dubielewicz] didn’t show up in camp in the best of shape and, self-admittedly, struggled in the first few games of the year. Maybe there was a lack of confidence in doing some kind of rotation. But at the end, I think Dubie played really well, much like he did last season.”
Although Dubielewicz picked up two early wins in relief of DiPietro, the backup lost his first three starts and surrendered 17 goals in the process. But starting on Dec. 29 at New Jersey, when DiPietro was out with a strained knee, Dubielewicz went 7-6-1 over his last 14 starts and never gave up more than three goals in any of those games. In contrast, after returning from that knee injury, DiPietro went 10-15-5 in his last 30 starts and yielded at least four goals an alarming total of 15 times.
For the season, Dubielewicz finished with a 2.70 goals against average and a .919 save percentage compared to DiPietro’s 2.82 GAA and .902 save percentage. Obviously, DiPietro was hindered significantly by his second-half injuries, but Dubielewicz had to play behind a makeshift defense that allowed an average of 37 shots per game in his final seven starts after the team decided to shut DiPietro down for the season.
Despite the way “Dubie” played down the stretch, Bridgeport goaltender Joey MacDonald has a one-way contract for next season, which could put him in line for the backup job because Dubielewicz is a free agent. “I wouldn’t count anything out for Dubie,” Snow said. “We have his rights until July 1. We could end up re-signing him, or he could become a free agent. We haven’t made that decision yet.”
DiPietro is expected to be 100 percent when training camp opens in September, so, he remains the cornerstone around which the Islanders will build. Although the Isles were only 29th in scoring this season, the lack of defense is as much of a concern as the shortage of goals. The Isles were built with an eye toward the kind of grit and character Nolan sometimes favors at the expense of skill, so, the emphasis with that kind of team has to be on playing consistently tight defense. DiPietro often cites the Devils as the model, and the Islanders have shown they can play that way as well as anyone at times. But it has to be all the time within a structured system.
In terms of offense, Snow admitted his disappointment that a number of players delivered well below their career standards. “Just to not perform at their accustomed levels is one of the reasons our goal scoring was down,” the GM said. “Some players didn’t achieve, and it has nothing to do with overachieving. There’s a big difference between overachieving and achieving.”
Obviously, the Islanders were hoping for a big season from Satan in his free agent year, but he delivered only 16 goals. Free-agent forwards Ruslan Fedetenko and Josef Vasicek also had 16 goals each and endured long dry spells. Satan played with a sprained medial collateral ligament suffered in early January, and Fedotenko’s season was cut short by a knee injury just when he was heating up. But for the money they were paid, both fell far short of expectations.
As a result, it’s uncertain whether any of the three will return. If they go, it opens up larger roles for such young players as Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau, Sean Bergenheim and, possibly, Jeff Tambellini. Asked if they have shown enough for Snow to believe they can make a leap forward to replace the production that would be lost, Snow said, “I think so. You expect your young players to get better every year. If they don’t, then, you have a problem.”
That doesn’t mean Snow won’t be active in the free-agent market in search of veteran scorers. But many teams already have signed their top players to long-term deals, leaving only a few prize players on the market. Assuming forwards the caliber of Marian Hossa and Kristian Huselius and defenseman Brian Campbell migrate to established Stanley Cup contenders, the remaining pickings will be relatively slim. Putting together an offer sheet for a restricted free agent is a consideration, but that involves the loss of future draft picks, which would conflict with the desire to build through the draft.
“If we have a chance to add players in free agency, we’ll do it,” Snow said. “We can’t predict what’s going to happen July 1. But the bottom line is we have to develop our young players at this level and create a nucleus of young players. After the trade deadline, when we brought up the Kid Line [playing Tambellini and Frans Nielsen with Comeau], they added an element of speed and enthusiasm.”
Snow already has made a move to improve the defense with the signing of Colorado College’s Jack Hillen, who was impressive with his self-confidence and puck-moving ability in the final two games against the Rangers. It’s too early to tell whether he can make the leap straight to the NHL, but his skills were obvious.
“He’s a puck-moving defenseman that makes a great first pass, as you noticed in these two games at the end of the season,” Snow said. “I think we’ve proven that if someone earns a spot on the team, we’ll make room for him. But nothing will be handed out. It will be something that’s earned.”
By playing Hillen against the Rangers, Snow effectively burned the first year of his two-year entry-level contract. So, Hillen will be in the second year of his deal next season. It simply means he will be eligible for restricted free agency and arbitration one year earlier than normal. Hillen made it clear to all the teams pursuing him that such an arrangement was necessary to sign him. Another Eastern Conference team offered Hillen the same deal, but he chose the Islanders.
In the end, one of the major keys for next season’s Islanders is the return to good health of a veteran core that includes forwards Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Mike Sillinger, Trent Hunter, Jonathan Sim, Richard Park and Andy Hilbert and defensemen Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek, Andy Sutton, Freddy Meyer, Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais. Eight of those 13 players were on the injury list at the end of the season, and Snow said Guerin was playing through an injury.
Guerin and Comrie were Snow’s two major additions during the free-agent period last July. While Guerin, who was named captain, led the Isles with 23 goals and Comrie added 21 goals and a team-high 49 points, their production was lower than expected. Still, Snow said he was satisfied with what those two brought to the team.
“When you look at Mike, he was on pace for 70 points for about three-quarters of the season and then, obviously, started playing through a hip injury that slowed him up a significant amount,” Snow said. “When we signed him, we knew what we expected out of him, and he was well on his way to doing that before he slowed down.
“Billy did a great job in the leadership role in our locker room. Those two players performed at a level near what we expected out of them. But there’s more than just scoring points. There’s the leadership side of it, and I thought both of them were impressive in their roles in the locker room and they both gutted it out. Mike missed time with his hip, but Bill wasn’t necessarily 100 percent himself for part of the season. I give him high marks for gutting it out.”
No doubt, Comrie and Guerin both would benefit if Snow can add a little more skill around them. But the best chance to do that might come in the draft, where the Islanders have the fifth pick. Snow declined to say whether he would lean toward a forward or defenseman with the pick. Center Steve Stamkos is certain to go to Tampa Bay at No. 1, and then, several defensemen are next in the rankings.
The second-best forward in most ratings is Russian Nikita Filapov, but some teams are reluctant to take players from that country because of problems with the Russian ice hockey federation. It’s also uncertain whether Los Angeles, Atlanta and St. Louis, picking ahead of the Isles, would take a chance on him.
Asked for his thoughts on Filatov, Snow said, “He’s one of the top offensive players in the draft. All indications are he wants to come over here and play in the NHL. It’s always a question mark with an 18-year-old. It’s hard to project what he’s going to do at the NHL level.”
Other candidates for the Islanders’ pick likely include defensemen Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, Alex Pietrangelo and Luke Schenn and forwards Cody Hodgson, Mikkel Boedker, Colin Wilson and Kyle Beach.
Although this draft class is regarded as exceptional, Snow declined to say whether he thought the Islanders might get a player who could have an immediate impact, saying, “I don’t want to put a time-frame on it.”
Whether or not the draft pick is ready to play in the NHL, it’s clear the Islanders will be a much younger team next season. That could mean a season of growing pains, but when Snow was asked if they could return to the playoffs, he didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely,” the GM said. “If everyone plays to their capabilities, it’s not overachieving. It’s achieving.”
Comments (133)
I really hope to have Dubie stay - he's a quality goaltender who has the heart of a lion. I feel completely comfortable giving him 20-25 games next year to spell DP.
Also, Garth - YOU BLUE BEAR IDIOT! Why would you waste the first year of Hillen's entry-level contract for 2 meaningless games?! If it was included in the contract, SIGN HIM FOR 3 YEARS. I hope this one doesn't come back to haunt us.....
In terms of draft prospects, I'll bet you anything the Islanders are concentrating on 4 guys: Bogosian, Filatov, Wilson, and Boedker. They seem to be the ones who will most immediately fit the needs of the team (and the ones guaranteed to be on the board). Maybe Hodgson finds his way on there (stay away, Chickendirt, WE KNOW), but I'd expect those guys to be the biggest ones on Garth's radar. I'm sure they're also hoping Beach slips to the 2nd round so we can grab him there, and maybe he becomes the next Patrick O'Sullivan.
bet your hands are hurting from this entry. Love it though.
Nick:
Snow was bound by the CBA, which restricts entry-level contracts for 22 year olds to 2 years. Since Hillen is still RFA at the end of next year (assuming Logan's comment on burning Hillen's first year is true--I looked into this when the guy was originally signed and my read of the CBA is that the first year doesn't start until next year) it's not like he's about to walk away.
Also, how is it possible that the comments about Dubie didn't make the paper article? That's the first time I've heard that there was dissatisfaction about Dubielewicz's conditioning, and it explains a lot about how the early part of the year went.
Nick, I think letting him play in those games at the end of the season might be why Hillen chose the Islanders over the other teams holding deals under his nose.
When youre the Islanders, you need to dole out this kind of stuff wisely. :)
Ryan - appreciate the heads-up. I'm not as well-versed on the CBA as I'd like to be. I hope he's a quality kid that stays.
Also, I'll say it right now - next year's Jack Hillen is Matt Gilroy. He'll be going into his Senior year at BU as their #1 defenseman, and like me he's a native of North Bellmore. I'm sure our dear Garth will entice him to join his hometown team
Hmmmmm.........
If you ask ME......Greg setup Laurel and Hardy (rebar and brokebach) with that "Nolan debate" article yesterday knowing full well that he was cutting this story today which basically says NOLAN IS THE COACH.
If so, brilliantly done Mr. Logan......nothing like giving Fred and Barney a little extra grease for their downward slide towards the slagpile of ignominy.
But I digress and speculate too deeply into internecine Newsday politics here.
But it's a pleasant thought nevertheless.
BTW, props to MSG for coming to their senses and cutting a check to the Isles Kid's Charity for 25K in the Hummer Ice Fiasco as noted (with PICTURE PROOF) on the Isles website today.
Garth you have this summer to make up for a horrible start as GM. Stop blaming the players and your coach. YOU put this team together, so fall on your sword like a man when it falters.
OCTOBER will be open garth season....Rabbits and Ducks will be safe...The Bobbles better watch out!
First, to get this out of the way, why is Andy Hilbert mentioned as a veteran they will be bringing back? He is a waste of a roster space and someone who was not even noticed when out of the lineup. Its absurd to think he belongs on this team next year. Anyways, as long as they play free agency exactly how they did last year they will be fine. Short term signings of lesser tier players are more valuable then signing a 32 year old sniper such as Hossa to a team that is not ready to win the cup next year. You only over pay in the cap era if you have a window to win the cup. Under the Islanders current situation they have to realistically look 2-3 years down the line to when the window of opportunity will open. They should also try and steal a restricted 25-27 year old free agent with a history of producing. A 25-27 year old proven player at the NHL level is more valuable then a draft pick. You draft kids with the hope by 25 they will be a proven player so why not just get the player for the future draft pick.
check out billyjaffe.blogspot.com for more
He complains about Dubie's conditioning now? WTF? Isles are totally not re-signing Dubie. ... this team is unreal.
Dubie had better stats than Rick D playing in front of a less experienced defense, yet Dubie is probably gone because Garth decided to sign Joey Macdondald to a contract that is one way for 2008-09. WTF?? Does anyone realize Garth gave away four first round picks, Grebeshkov, Nilsson, O'Marra, & Plante for really nothing? How is the Ben Walter-Petteri Nokelainen trade working out?? Nokkelainen was another first round pick who played regularely with the playoff bound boston bruins, Walter coudn't get called up with half the team hurt.
This is the guy that's going to execute "The Plan"???
good luck selling tickets when you have a moron as gm. Im just waiting for the Trevor Linden for Blake Comeau trade. Wang will go on WFAN and say "but look at Linden's stats, there much better than Comeau's"
"He is a waste of a roster space and someone who was not even noticed when out of the lineup."
Oh, I don't know Joe C, our PK sure sucked when he went down.
After it had been a top 10/top 5 PK for most of the year.
Now, I am not suggesting that Hilbert is a "must keep" on this team....but I wouldn't call him a waste of roster space either.
I noticed him on the PK....he's damn good....a helluva lot better than the slow footed Hunter.
I have never seen a bigger bunch of clowns than some of the people that post here. You all whine so much. You all vilianize people or make others into hall of famers for no reason. If Dubie isn't resigned do you really think it will effect season ticket sales? Mike, you probably wouldn't buy them regardless of who was the GM because you are a typical whiner. Steady the biggest whiner of them all ...you've compained about the Isles picking up "#3" for what - a 7th rounder or something like that? But, you're the kind of "fan" that will complain no matter what the team does. How many different people need to publish articles in newspapers - how many times does Snow or Mr. Wang have to point this fact out to you before you get it through your thick skull - Ted had say in the players braught it!! ITS A COMMITTEE YOU RETARD which means they both have impact. Even in Mr. Logan's articles it talks about how players were braught in to fit Ted's gritty philosophy ...stop smoking peace pipes with Ted and wake up!! YOU ARE NOLAN"S BOBBLEHEAD!
Here's my assessment of Garth Snow:
On his best day, he might be a decent backup goaltender.
As the General Manager of an NHL franchise, he just plain sucks.
I have come to this conclusion: Next years team will have less points than this one did.
Sad, but a fact. You can chant "kids" all you like, and a couple of them look good, but this season was a complete and utter failure, and little if anything significant can or will be done to address this teams gross lack of skill.
You can also say "We were decimated by injuries". Does anyone else around here get sick of seeing this team "DECIMATED BY INJURIES" every single freaking season? Really, this injury thing is a joke. If your team sees that many injuries than either your players suck, or your training sucks, or you are the most unlucky team in the world. In any case it needs to be addressed rather than simply observed and offered as an excuse for failure. e.g. What happened? Our goalie got hurt. How did that happen? Well, see, our coach is a stubborn idiot who can't accept the fact that this team is abhorrently low on talent, so he tried to compensate by running our goalie into the ground. But, that's not bad luck, that's being stupid, and when you do stupid things like that you have to admit them and learn from them and not just say, boy, we were so unlucky with all those injuries. Intelligent fans know better and that's how you lose them.
Now is where your "losing culture" bites you on the ass, see, because if you do the right thing when its clear that the team is outclassed and cannot compete, even while abusing their all-star goaltender, you are able to do better than 5th and can get an impact player that will help right away. Instead you profess a fear of losing that was nowhere near apparent during the first 9/10ths of the regular season, refuse to commit to the young players that are the future of your team whether you like it or not, and manage to whip up a nice 6-game streak that smashes your draft pick to pieces.
As a result, this team will almost undoubtedly draft a defenseman, and not even the best one available, who might, if the stars align, turn into a top-4 guy in 3 or 4 years.
Consider this: Management has basically admitted that the team will not be competitive for the next two, possibly even three seasons. That's the "plan", right, its a 3-year plan. And the Lighthouse was a 4-year plan some seven years ago. Its optimistic at best, and not going to be that quick. Was it Garth or Chuck that said "Philosophically, we're committed to building it through the draft." That means, yes, we're aware that no free agents of any real talent level are coming here, and we've decided not to trade our prospects anymore. That's fine, but its starting over. Its not a design for a competitive hockey club. And, if that's whats going on here, why were all those assets wasted on such a high-risk deal as Smyth last year? And, if its true, why, in all the unbearable heat of hockey hell, did our moronic GM not dump some dead wood and get a few more picks at the deadline in such a deep draft? WHY? It does not make any sense if you're an intelligent human being and you're trying to build a competitive hockey club.
If anyone over there has any idea what they're doing they will build the team from the best minor-league and first year players they have, banish all the dead wood cap-filler to the fourth line, gritty or not, and take a serious, self-aware approach to rebuilding that they explain to the fans is in the long-term best interests of the team. If it all works out, maybe the "kids" get real time and see serious development, and the team ends up with Tavares at the end of the season.
If they do that, and it all works out, maybe next year will be the last year this team will remain a mockery. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that if it isn't, I probably won't be interested in the team anymore. Really, the incompetence and losing, its just gone on for so long and has been so much more than enough. So, who knows, maybe everything they want and say will work out. I hope it does. If not, then I really don't know what's going to happen, but whatever it is, I don't think its likely to be a franchise-reviving, 60-story lighthouse.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=70767
This Nolan-Grit thing I hear about in perpetuity is killing me. Where the heck is this grit? The islanders would be pushed around by the IceGirls.
I accept small market , low scoring hockey.
I do not accept this listless play devoid of physical presence.
Post under your real name tough guy....Or go and hide. Sorry that I state facts. I rip people who should be ripped ala MAB, #3 (as an enforcer), Snow as a GM, etc.
So go back to the figure skating blog, or grow a pair of balls and post under your regular name. Obviously you post here a lot or you would not know what I write about.
Another fan of mine....The legend continues!!!
Steady,
"Obviously you post here a lot or you would not know what I write about."
I'd say it's a good bet that it's NOT Frei.....not even the legendary 19isles could put together 2 back to back posts with that kind of length in 3 minutes or less.
(I hope)
I'm guessing Rebar did some homework over here before writing his "pro-Nolan/anti Islander" blog, saw you as an "easy target"...;)...... is still sore from the pasting he took yesterday, and is trying to throw us off by flaming Nolan in his comments above.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong(?)
Billy Jaffe gets some national face time on VS tonight with the the team formerly known as the North Stars and the Quackers....Good for Billy, his star is on the rise.
I'm awaiting the interview with MAB (and the concurrent sonic boom coming out of Chowdahtown).
Really, there shouldn't be any confusion as to which posts are mine... precisely which one were you referring to?
The one by "retarded?" which is before your long one up above.
(Posted within 3 minutes of yours)
Just trying to help Steady figure out who the mystery guest is by process of elimination.
;)
Not that he cares...all in fun.
"the Lighthouse was a 4-year plan some seven years ago. Its optimistic at best, and not going to be that quick."
this point by frei is THE POINT.
it's really all that matters now. worrying about next year's roster and beyond is silly until this is decided. nothing we want will happen until this is resolved. and it's far from a done deal, despite what some here may say and/or think.
gitterdun
This question is for anyone who would like to answer:
What will it take for Snow to get back into everyone's good graces?
The draft coming up is a good pick because we need help in almost every spot, and we're high on the list. It shouldn't be too difficult for Snow and company to pick the best qualified player for the Islanders. We were shown a horrible truth last summer that the high end free agents do not want to play on the Island because of the facilities that the Islanders currently have, and we are not yet ready to contend for the Cup. That cannot be solely be blamed on Snow since he was offering comparable or even more money to the already over-priced free agents.
Now he's made some nice signings of college free agents, which may compensate for the draft picks we've lost, but time will tell. He has a a few picks in the second and third rounds which are still deep in this draft. So he is setting up a future.
A lot of posters wanted the kids up sooner rather than later, and now there is chance they maybe up here for a full season. So after granting a few wishes, Snow needs to be replaced?
If i'm wrong with any of this, please correct me.....
Here is my season ending post and summary of the 07-08 ny islanders.
This team was primed to make a playoff run until the inuries mounted. However, the season was lost on the weekend when we lost to philly and fla back to back and split with the rangers but I move on. It is true that the injury bug hit, but the question is why so many injuries? Well when you play the "GRITTY NOLAN STYLE" of hockey every night and have to grind out 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 games for 82 games, I dont care if your Gordie Friggin Howe players just cant play that way for 82 games and expect to stay in the line up and stay healthy. There was no true #1 line that could take over a game and give the team a couple of wins going away ie 6-1. Bottom line is this team needs a #1 center and #1 wing. Comrie is a #2 center and Guerin is a #2 wing. Everybody is complaining about the defense but I think they ar fine for next year. marty/witt, sutton/campoli, meyer/gervais and have davison and spiller(who by the way got rocked by Asham in that devils game) I think has potential to be a good dman. Hillen is a good prospect but not ready yet not after just 2 games. Forget about luring FA's they are not coming here PERIOD. Hossa, campbell or any other FA that fits the category is not coming to the NY ISLANDERS so no more talk about signing a top FA. Forget it! With all that said they were still in position to make the playoffs and that is hats off to Nolan who is getting lemonade with lemons and any talk of firing this guy is plain LUDICROUS!! The guy can coach END OF STORY!! GIVE HIM THE EXTENSION AND LEAVE HIM ALONE. Now going into next year here is what the Isles should do IMO:
1. The draft. We have the 5th pick and all anaylsts say the draft is deep. I take a radical approach on this. Since the draft pool is deep I would consider trading down for a veteran #1 C,W and that teams draft position. I package the 5th pick and current prospect (ie Tambellini). This way I fill the #1 line spot and still get a good player in the draft. Who this team is I am not sure but I would dangle it out there and see who bites on it. If no one bites then I keep the pick and get the best available player whether D or forward.
2. RFA's. This is the way to go to fill either the #1 line or PPQB. We have a ton of cap space and I wouldnt mind giving up an early draft pick in 09 or 10 for a player who can fill my current needs. Plus the RFA has to come here to play it is almost like making a trade.
3. DP is not Brodeaur. Here is the only criticism I have of Nolan since he is here is that he rides DP way to much. It is now fact that DP cannot play 70-75 games a year he needs to be capped at around 60-65. This means we need a good backup ot handle the other 20 games. Mcdonald has a one way deal and Dubie is a FA. I would love for Dubie to stay but the numbers dont work out. Mcdonald will be the backup. I liked how he played against NJ so hopefully he can do the job. This remains to be seen. Could turn out to be a big Garth Gaff not having a capable backup like Dubie.
4. Kids,Kids,Kids. Bergie, Comeau, Colliton, Nielson, Okposo should be locks to make this team. It was obvious that the one year in Sweden halted Bergies progress and it wasnt until half way through the year he started to pick it up. He is primed to have a break out year in the scoring dept maybe 30 goals. Comeau loved his puck handling skills and skating ability and tough along the boards. Will be a productive player for the islanders. Colliton loved the way he has filled out with good size and speed could be good 2 way centermen. Nielson. Could become a #1 centerman. He is a natural playmaker. He has skill, speed and creativeness(see goal scored against NJ beutiful play) Like to see him get some more size and stay healthy. KO. We know what he is. This kid will score. Needs a Centermen to set him up. Other Notables that could have potential Spiller, Regier and Fata. The rest send back to the Bridge for more seasoning. Now for Tambellini. Lets call it what it is. The guy just isnt fitting in here with Nolan and the system. Some players just dont respond in certain situations. To me Tambellini is trade bait for a draft day deal(see scenario on draft above) Trade him now while he still has value and chalk it up to no fitting into the system.
So that is my opinion. To all the Islander fans you are the best. This blog is always fun and enjoy the stanley cup playoffs I end with my prediction and Islander fans will not like it but I have to be objective:
Rangers v Sharks.
Sharks in 7
Jisles...
Well said....I concur....on almost all points....
IMHO, I would love to see a situation where Comrie and Guerin make up 2/3 of the THIRD LINE. (Wouldn't we all).
!/Trading down the 1 pick is a risky proposition and will ensure an outcry. It's gutsy......And to tie into what Netminder posted above....I don't think Garth's pick with the 5 draw is AS IMPORTANT as the four 2nd and 3rd round picks. The 5 draw is a virtual no brainer given the talent level in this draft. He really can't go wrong there....unless the one he picks turns out to be the lemon in the stable of cadillacs. But...then all the TALENT EVALUATORS were wrong as well. In my mind Garth's moxie (and that of his scouting resources) as a GM in the draft will come in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
NOW...to package the nbr 1 and Tambs?......whoa.....like I said...a GUTSY move. I would think that you're gonna have to get 2/3 of a damn good Number 1 line in exchange and what team out there do you think would do that? Send Tambs and our NBR 1 to Vancouver for the Sedins? Zetterberg and Datsyuk? (yeah right) Malkin and Malone or a Dman Scuderi? Higgins and Komisarek?(hmmmm)
Sounds good from OUR SIDE....but......
I don't know jisles.... I don't know.
Other than that.....good post...especially the Tambs trade bait scenario.
Just my opinion.
Rangers kids (5 rookies) contributed to a successful season, and a 1-0 lead in a playoff series. More kids will play for the WolfPack in the Playoffs.
Islander kids (well, Tambellini, Nielsen are 24, LOL) were brought up towards the end of the season and the Isles collapsed. Oh, and Bridgeport (like the Islanders) will be watching the AHL Playoffs on TV.
Someone asked what Snow has to do to get back in my good graces:
1) Admit his mistakes (Smyth deal, # 3 as an enforcer, Guerin, Comrie, tank, etc)
2) Make a big splash in the off-season
3) He must peg the draft. He must get the pick right....This can always be a crap shoot, but since he is in the dog house he must step up.
4) FINALLY, show direction for this team. Either go the youth movement or Don't....Which is it ???????
5) MAKE WANG sit back and just write checks
If Zach Bogosian is still available at #5 Isles must take him. That will be nailing the draft. No way Beech falls to the 2nd rd.
I also have a feeling Snow will try to pry Matt Lomardi out of Calgary.
By the way....Nice post Jisles.....and I agree....This blog is very fun and keeps us all on our hockey toes !!!
I guess we all know why Nolan played DP so much...Our backup came into camp fatter than RERUN !!! Shame on him....If you are a "bubble" type player taht is barely NHL worthy, you should come into camp in tip top shape!
I really wish McDonale played the games against the Rangers....I like what I saw and would of liked to see him in the rivalry games. He is a tough kid that has a big set of calzones!!! I hope he makes the squad next year!
I haven't lost faith in Snow. As others have said, he may be letting Dubbie go and signing Joey Macdonald. But it only took minutes of observing Joey Macdonald to see how fundamentally solid he is. Considering Dubbie's physical build, he has performed extremely well. But Joey Macdonald has the god-given attributes to make it look effortless. So I'd sign Joey in a heartbeat!
Islanders did have the highest injury loss in the league and I think it has to do with the ice conditions. I know they are planning to build a new building, but put some money into the ice!
However, the #1 thing that will attract the free-agents is a young skilled team with more on the way. As the young guys come into the lineup, Garth will find it easier and easier to sign free agents.
Unfortuntely, that will take this next season for a few of the young players to show what they can do. This will be another year where the Isles will be near the bottom of the Free-Agent destination list.
Kevin T.
Steady,
"Our backup came into camp fatter than RERUN !!!"
Just another example of the evil influence of a 1 year 500k contract corrupting the youth of North America.
Word has it that Dubie drove from his hometown in B.C to training camp and stopped at every Tim Horton's along the Trans-Can highway.
I have to admit, while the idea of packaging the 5th pick for a proven scorer sounds good in theory, I would almost characterize it as an Milbury deal, given the supposed locks at the top of this draft:
It is essentially trading a "prospect" before they have time to develop for someone who has been around the block. Unless this trade was for someone like a Malkin or Zetterberg (as 505 said), I don't like it. Not to mention, it goes against the "plan."
And 505 - I doubt the 1st rd pick and Tambs would net us 2/3 of a 1st line. Sure the 1st rder could land us a top line player, but IMO Tambs is too unproven to net much more than maybe a 2nd liner, and more likely a conditional draft pick, in a package deal.
Well ... that was certainly an interesting article.
It really wasn't a revelation. Greg was able to confirm what much of us felt throughout the course of the season. Snow pretty much said what you'd expect him to say.
All throughout the season I've tended to agree with most other posters regarding the youth, injury issues and over all shortage of talent.
Steady and AZS were notably on the outter fringes of opposite sides of some issues ... but ultimately even they both concur as to the ills of the organization. I myself see clearly to both perspectives. Youth movement with veteran leadership.
Didn't we kind of have that this season anyway? Not all at the same time ... but throught stretches this season.
The injury bug: What can you say about injuries in general? ... they are going to happen. However at what point are the injuries considered excessive. They are usually a by-product of playing style, conditioning and just bad luck?
The Islanders have had injury problems going back several seasons before Nolan or Snow were even an idea of being teamed together to lead the organization.
Yeah, injuries happen. I always tell guys that complain of getting hurt on teams I've played on .... if you don't want to get hurt ... you are playing the wrong sport. Even non-check hockey has its injury hazards.
At what point do you say... "Is there something we can be doing better to prevent nagging injuries?"
Is it the muck it out playing style that causes a larger percentage of injuries?
Is it the aforementioned bad luck?
How about the player conditioning aspect?
No one brought up the 3 games in 4 nights in about 19 different times during the course of the season. Fatigue is the #1 cause of injuries in any sport.
I'd also love to see the percentage of man games lost by other teams and how their 3 games in 4 nights stack up.
Here is a portion of a post I made last November 24th......
***"As someone mentioned. They are a hard working lunchpail type team. I'd like to add though that there are some guys no stranger to the score sheet. Guerin, Comerie, Tank, Satan etc. The style of hockey these hard working players play will eventually take it's toll of their effectiveness as they start playing out some more of their 3 games in 4 night schedules. I believe I read over the summer that the Islanders have more 3 in 4 nights than any team in the conference." ***
I'm not an oracle ... or thee oracle ... but I recognized a month and a half into the season after some early season injuires that something was not right. When did team management notice this ominous trend?
The injury bug struck us big time in the home opener when Sim was lost for the season. He's still going to be our dark horse when next season starts. I love his attitude.
In retrospect ... because I have that luxury and Ted Nolan doesn't ... I have to say that Nolan riding DP, and DP's insistence on playing every game really might ultimately shorten DP's career effectiveness. Maybe not right away ... but 5-10 years down the road ... he's going to lose that youthful edge and start healing slower... it will catch up to him.
DP needs to play between 60-65 games max.... and God willing during the playoffs he'll be able to put in another 20 games..... that is what gets me. The Isles haven't gone deep in the playoffs yet DP is worn out from the regular season. How about these other goalies that play all the way through the playoffs at top rate performance. I agree with Snow, DP has to cut back in the regular season to take the Isles deep. Which means that Snow has to get the Isles a capable backup that doesn't give away games.
The story is that Dubie was not in shape for the start of the season, which was why his peformance was aweful. Question? Would that of made a difference in Nolan's choice to ride the "Hot" hand DP in the first half of the season?
Now that Dubie is a huge '?' is McDonald capable of being the solid #2 that the Isles need? Personally I prefer Dubie ... he played exceptional down the stretch ... and McDonald? Well, I just don't know much about him to make that comparisson.
To me .... the injuries were cause #1 for the collapse ... but following closely at #2 was skill level.
---------------------------------------------------------
The skills ~~
What skills? Snow said a handful of players underachieved.... that is an understatement. There comes a time when players start to lose their effectiveness ... a lot of that comes more from the loss of that "Eye of the Tiger" competitive attitude. Some of it comes from an accumulation of injuries and wear and tear over their careers ... and some of it comes from not being surrounded by like talent.
Someone said .. what do you expect Snow to say. Well ... since the majority of Islander fans are sophisticated, intelligent and knowledgable about hockey ... I expect Snow to come out with the brutal truth. Afterall ... we've been watching this team way longer than he's been a part of the organization .... we have a very long history of apples and oranges to compare.
Steady has repeated over and over pretty much since the middle of the season ... "Nolan is trying to make lobster salad out of cat food".... That goes right up there with the Top 10 anecdotes of the year on this blog. I know I will be accussed of defending Nolan ... but I don't give a rat's arse. Facts are facts .... the Isles were up against the tide right out of this season's starting block. The fact that they got off to a great start was more to do with their preperation this season and some slow starts by other teams.
We've posted over and over and over to nauseam about the FACT that the Isles are loaded with 3rd and 4th line talent ... with a few sprinkles of secondline capable players (Comrie & Guerin).
Thank God for the defense .. or things would of been much worse. We saw what happened when we lost our top 5 D.... (Witt, Matinek, Sutton, Campoli, Gervais). Meyer stepped up admirably and Martinek returned and took a while to get back into form ... but our Defense has been a HUGE GLASS JAW the last several season.
-----------------------------------------------
I figured since I was going to comment on the Islanders' postmortum ... I might as well post my Opening Night comments .. they will follow after this post since that in itself is a long post... surprise!! LOL!
Here is my post just hours before Game #1 .... since we have the walnuts to critique after all is said and done... it's only fair to post my assessment before the season started. Very easy to criticize and be a monday morning QB.....
Here's what I posted on October, 5th .....
**************************
Posted by 19 ISLE in NJ 22 | October 5, 2007 10:34
Back for the season.
After my two month hiatis it looks like the blog is talking hockey again.
I think the Isles look better on paper at the start of this season vs. the start of last season. No one was predicting Blake with 40 goals and Koz with over 25 goals. All these articles I have read that include the Isles need to replace Smyth is comical. I think Smyth scored only 5 goals in the final 6 weeks of the season for the Islanders. He really didn't have an impact in last year's 92 point season. Infact I believe the team's torrid 6 week pace prior to his acquisition ended shortly after he joined the team. I think the Isles were in 6th or 7th place at the time they got Smyth from a team not in the playoff hunt. Then finished 8th (Yes, I know Dunham bombed) but what does that tell you? The loss for the Isles was the young talent & draft pick that could of been utilized better as far as I'm concerned.
I'm happy with the acquisitions this summer so far. Even surprised by Sim's performance in pre-season.
I'll echo the articles I have read that says DP needs to stay healthy for the Isles to have a chance this season. However, Dubie seems like he can more than hold his own.
The D situation. Losing Poti not a major loss. A lot of talk about the Isles' need to shore up the D over the summer. Now it appears we have a glut. I was never impressed with Meyer. I think Snow is holding out on signing Berard till Simon's suspension is over so he can boot the boot down to the Bridge and open a roster spot. Seems logical. But 8 D-men on a roster doesn't seem logical.
My keys to the season for the Islanders. Simple. Assuming there are no key long term injuries, if the players they have play to their ability and the young guns on the team pick it up a little bit the Isles will be OK.
The biggest Key Factor: Turn around the shorthanded vs. power play ratio. The Islanders were in the bottom 5 of power plays awarded, and in the top 5 of power plays against (Most 5 on 3's against in the league). The fact that they made the playoffs is a miracle considering that.
Specialty teams are vital to a teams success. So even if they are in the middle of the league for the PPF / PPA ratio they still need to improve their power play and penalty killing to improve over last season. Discipline is paramount to improving the PPF / PPA ratio. To many times the Islanders lost a PP by taking a "bone head" penalty while on the power play.
Tonight's game. This isn't last year's Sabres. They are still a dangerous and talented team. It will be interesting to see how the two teams arguably most affected by FA perform against each other.
GO ISLES!!!
*************************
Well ... I wasn't that far off was I?
Now back to the Now and the future.
I think next Season is 100% Snow ... I gave him a pass last year ... thought he finished off horribly with the Smyth trade ... and got off to a horrible start this season with a Null FA period ... but made a good recovery with some pickups... and who knows? Maybe Sim the first acquistion at last year's FA period will be a catylistc type player for the team next season.
My first thoughts about the immediate future after reading Logan's story .. is that the Isles are going in basically with the same guns next season as to what we had in the organization this season. Fine... I accept that if we stick to the youth plan and not lose patience to quickly. It will come at a cost however ... and that is fan interest. We as diehards complain and rant about things .. but we also have a bit more patience for building that most casual fans.
Maybe in a week or two I'll break it down by player ... but I have so much on my plate right now with work .... so since there is no urgency ... I'll do that over the course of time before the draft ... by position and player.
I'll still be checking in with this blog every day ... I might not post all the time but I'll chirp in now and then ... Hey, I gotta save something for next season with the way I post on here .... lol .. ;)
Geezus 19Isles...
I've got one letter to say about your last 2 posts..
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Now I got a damn knot on my head after bouncing it off my desk two or three times.
Wouldn't have been so bad with the new stuff.....but OLD STUFF?
In it's entirety?
I coulda watched Gone With the Wind....TWICE...before I got through those comments.
Which year in the last 10 hasn't been about rebuilding and growing?
Josh:
That one's easy: Last year. By trading away all those number ones and getting a proven player (Smyth) Snow was signalling the Islanders were going for it rather than focusing on rebuilding. Remember the Isles were sitting in sixth and looking good enough to make some noise before DP's concussions.
Its been proven foolish in hindsight because the Isles didn't quite have enough to beat the top team in the east, but its still a year that rebuilding wasn't the focus.
F5
I'm pretty sure the Smyth deal was a disaster no matter how you slice it, since the team was playing well up to that point, didn't need to be messed with, and nobody with better than 5 functioning brain cells even considered entertaining the idea that he would ever stay here past the end of the season.
There's nothing to get excited about with this draft. We're going to get a defenseman that in 3 or so years may or may not turn out to be a decent player. It means nothing to the team being more competitive or watchable... and that's what this team is without any offensive talent, unwatchable.
Here's the problem: this team doesn't need defense. Defense is ancillary, secondary, not a big deal. Why? Simple: You can teach anyone to play defense. Its not a difficult thing to do. Anyone can be good at it. You stay in the right place, keep your stick in the passing lane, don't get caught up ice. Easy. Offensive skill, on the other hand, which is what this team needs so badly, is something you have to be born with. It requires talent, and an inborn sense of how to do it, and the skill to make it happen. To get a player like that, you need to have a top-two, maybe three pick, which this team has not.
Like it or not, you'll see it, mark my words. You'll get your Eric Brewer this summer, but he won't make a difference for years, if at all, and then this whole debacle of a season will really have been for nothing. Who knows... you might be able to expect the player selected first by the isles to be an all-star defenseman one day... For Montreal or Vancouver.
Its all good, though, since that 60-story lighthouse is coming this way any minute now... Nothin' but good times await this team.
That is what you get 505 for reading my posts without protective gear .... shame on you. You should know better.
The purpose of regurgitating an old post from October was to compare my sentiments then vs. now. It's easy to criticize postmortum .... So I wanted to display my feelings immediately preceeding the season. Not so much to be an "I told you so" post ... but to catch the more enthusiastic promise of hope that we had at that time of the season.
Also I outlined keys to the season .... which turned out to have an immediate impact on the 07/08 season.
No worries 505 ... you have till the draft and UFA open season before I make another long ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ post.
C'mon, if this team had actually done any rebuilding during the last 10 years, do you honestly think they would be in this position?
This team has done no re-buidling, just "re-treading." They have done nothing but trade picks and prospects for washed up vets or, when they did try to make a splash in 2000-2001, they did it for other unproven prospects (Luongo for DP) and guys with good track records, but who ultimatley failed on the Isle (Yashin) or were voted off (Peca).
So, the better question might be "what kind of rebuilding could they have done over the last 10 years to avoid being the complete laughingstock of the league?"
Sorry, just bitter because the Isles aren't playing right no partly due to 10 years of mismanagement...plus the fact Brodeur had a major brain fart and gave the Rags that 1st game...
D-$ is on the $ .....
I haven't seen any rebuilding going on during the Wang dynasty ... retreading and trying to parlay draft picks and prospects into quality players with a someone 'good' track record.
Even when the Isles were stock piling draft picks 7 - 13 years ago ... they were churning over their picks and prospects for Trevor Lindens, Felix Potvins, Alexi Yashins and Mike Pecas just as a small sample.
19Isles
"No worries 505 ... you have till the draft and UFA open season before I make another long ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ post."
Yeah, and where is that bridge ya got for sale....
Looking forward to the next one!!
Just went on e-bay and purchased a foam desk.
And Frei..
Hindsight is always 20/20.
Given the same circumstances at the time?
I woulda done the same Smyth deal.
(I also hit my 16's into any dealer card that is 7 or higher, and will hit 12's and 13's into any dealer 2 or 3--ONCE).
BUT SOMETIMES YA GET THE BUST CARD!!!
Which is why they call it gambling.
I'll take a GM willing to gamble on occasion.
Yes you could look back at who the Isles gave up on & traded them, (or their draft rights), away only to watch them become superstars:
G - Luongo, Osgood
D - McCabe, Redden, Brewer, Hamrlik, Chara
F/C - Spezza, Bertuzzi, Jokinen, JP Dumont, Raffi Torres,(Heatley/Gaborik had they not drafted DP & Zach Parise had they not drafted Robert Nilsson).
However, does anyone think that had the Isles KEPT these players, that they would turn into the superstars that they are now?
Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Brewer & Chara's developments were stunted in this organization & these players would probably be scoring 14 goals each, (4 for the defensemen), on this team right now. If players with scoring ability like Jokinen & Bertuzzi were affected, there's a strong likelihood that the same thing would've happened to Parise had he been drafted here. Spezza & Gaborik have each missed significant portions of seasons due to injuries so you'd have to wonder about how many games they'd miss following the Isles conditioning programs. As great as Luongo is now, he wasn't exactly burning up the league in Florida, a team with arguably the same mentality as our current Isles organization. He'd probably be a .500 goalie standing on his head every game had he remained here. Tremendous talent buried & ultimately wasted. Dumont & Torres would fill that "grinding" role currently occupied by Trent Hunter & their scoring touch would be sacrificed in the name of "hustle".
You have to figure that it takes a tremendous amount of talent to be an NHL hockey player, (Hilbert notwithstanding). Players in the right organization, playing the right system will thrive & become stars. The Isles just don't have that system in place, whether it's the management, mindset or planning. There needs to be a change in philosophy with the Isles with a commitment towards winning. It has nothing to do with injuries, the Coliseum building, or any other outside peripherals. Injuries happen all the time, (look how well the Pens did without Crosby), and there are older buildings, (the Garden anyone?) To me, changing the internal structure of the Islanders by getting the top "hockey people" to manage the franchise, focusing on only getting the best possible draft picks, (the Rangers will be lethal in a few years if they keep drafting players like Cherapanov, Staal & Sangenietti - all mid round picks by the way. Plus the Pens got Angelo Esposito at #20 & ended up getting Marian Hossa for him), and not settling for the 8th seed in the playoffs as a "success".
Hilbert Hears a Who ~ said .. "Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Brewer & Chara's developments were stunted in this organization & these players would probably be scoring 14 goals each, (4 for the defensemen), on this team right now. If players with scoring ability like Jokinen & Bertuzzi were affected, there's a strong likelihood that the same thing would've happened to Parise had he been drafted here."
***
I've often thought the same thing ... However there hasn't been consistent coaching or even ownership until Wang took the reins. It's hard to phathom that the culture of losing and poor development would span multiple regimes. However you really bring up a deep dark side to the organization.... other than Ziggy Palffy ... who was the last 40+ goal score developed and played for the Islanders? LaFontaine? Turgeon, Thomas, Ferraro and the others that have scored 40+ were drafted and developed outside of the organization.
The only point you make where I 100% disagree with your comparisson is when you mentioned Crosby being hurt and the Pens were able to still play well without Crosby .... well I think Malkin had a lot to do with that ... not to mention the Pens were deep and had Hossa ... so bad comparisson ... but I know where you are coming from if you were trying to illustrate the depth of the Pen organization.
BTW ... injuries are one thing ... but the Isles were decimated with injuries .... and I know the Pens lost MAF and Crosby for prolonged periods of time .. but the point is that they had lots more depth and a lot less key injuries ... and they were able to parlay some youth .. that could never move up in the organization because of their depth ... for an even more skilled player.
I think Snow should start looking at the play book of teams that have emerged or in the process of emerging from their rebuilding ... ie: Pens, Habs, Bruins & Caps to name a few. Take notes ... and look how they also run their minor league and development systems. The BST's were not in a playoff spot most of the season in the AHL ... that doesn't say a lot about our organizational depth. I think there are a few key junior, international and college players coming on the scene soon. We shall see.
505 .. my previous post was at the limit of my self designated 4 paragraph limit ... unless there is breaking Islander news of course ... so keep that new foam desk handy ... but I'd rather give my typing fingas a rest.
Maybe I'll go participate on the Yankees blog ... big weekend series with the Dead Sux ... make my moniker "9 Yanks 23" Nettles and Mattingly being my 2 fave Yankees growing up .... I'll have to give it some thought.
Teams like the Pens and Caps got players like Crosby, Malkin, and Ovechkin, for those that were wondering how they managed those types of turnarounds.
Good point Frei, but in the years tthe Pens and Caps drafted those guys, how long had they already been mired in the basement of the league? T
his is an Isles team that had made the playoffs each year since 2001 (unless my memory is bad) thanks to what Wang did pump into the system - CASH MONEY - and what Milbury did not fack up!!! Prior to that point, all the top notch talent we had from being mired in the same prolonged losing years that the Pens and Caps have experienced more recently were dolled out for peanuts (see 19 Isles post).
I understand your frustration and lack of patience, but this organization is finally taking a step backwards to go forwards, something that has been missing in the past. Wang has tried it all since he's been here - having the singular hockey mind, picking up big name free agents, and going with the re-treads - and none of it has worked. So, what does that tell me? He is a billionaire with a "trial and error" mentality, and hopefully he now sees that patience is needed. And of course, I would love for him to have someone savvier than Snow as the GM, but at least they are on the same page, and foundation is being built.
Hope you are still around when the house is completed - both figuratively and literally.
Here's a little history refresher for those unable or (understandably) unwilling to recall clearly:
1993: Won against Pens. Long live Volek.
1994-2001 DNQ for playoffs
02 2nd Atlantic Lost in First Round, 3-4 (Leafs)
03 3rd Atlantic Lost in First Round, 1-4 (Senators)
04 3rd Atlantic Lost in First Round, 1-4 (Lightning)
05 Season canceled due to lockout
06 4th Atlantic Did not qualify
07 4th Atlantic Lost in First Round, 1-4 (Sabres)
08 5th Atlantic Did not qualify
So that's: Competed, CRUSHED, CRUSHED, FAILED, CRUSHED, and FAILED to the tune of 6 playoff victories and Zero playoff series wins in 16 seasons.
Good Stuff.
It makes me feel like the Verizon guy... CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
Yo Frei.... I hate to bring it up, but didn't we get swept by the NYR in 1994.... Remember Ron Hextall... c'mon bro... all the ranting and no credibility.... I was only 13 and I can still remember '94... but I wish I could forget also!
Also, yes, long live David Volek... but "Chicken Parm" was the "Don" of the playoffs that year... fed Volek for that goal, scored several overtime goals himself before that game. Too bad he couldn't get one in those 2 ot games against the habs.
We drank a LOT in 94... and I do mean way more than entirely too much. Thinking of that now, wow... yeah we really did.
However, the numbers don't lie, even when I do selectively forget on occasion. Heh... yeah forgot to include that debacle of all debacles. I'm pretty sure the credibility of my position escapes unscathed.