On the Islanders Beat

Thanks Katie......
Good job.

Coupla things.....and no offense intended...
1/Where's Logan?

2/"Snow did say however, that he wants there to be a better "team toughness." Perhaps that explains Trent Hunter's huge deal...."
Hunter is not the kind of "toughness" that this team is lacking.
Hunter's "toughness" could be categorized as "soft toughness"....he delivers a lot of hits...but is NOT the kind of guy that is going to deliver the "hard toughness".....ie be an enforcer or a protector of any stars that come along.

3/"While it'd be nice to have a Crosby or Ovechkin on the team, Nolan said he can win without, and it's all how you define
"superstar."
LOL---Besides Ovechkin and Crosby have never won a cup.
YOU CALLED IT FREI!!!!!!!

4/"I'm guessing the fans mean, at the very least, a true goal-scorer, something the team sorely needs."
You're on the money there Katie.....in fact....we need 3-5 ANY goal scorers....we'll take something slightly south of "true" goal scorers. KO looks like the real deal....After that...Bergie and Comeau have promise.

5/"SO what do you guys think are the biggest needs for the Islanders in the off-season? An offensive superstar, a physical fourth-line enforcer, an annoying agitator (a la Ruutu or Avery), or a big, solid defenseman to shore up the Isles injury-plagued blue line?"
Simple answer????
YES.

Although the needs on D are not really based on a "solid" D-man.
Defense, despite the injuries is pretty solid....a QB type Power play D-man would be very nice though.

Welcome to THE Newsday Blog Katie.
Where's Logan?

Where's Greg??

Greg, I'm sure if catching up on vacation time. Give the "where's Greg a break". It's offseason.

G,

Appreciate all the work you put in on this - even in the offseason.

Now I haven't poured over what UFAs are available this summer but it would seem that a player like Ryan Malone from Pittsuburgh, a 28 year old center with true size who plays in all 3 situations (even strength, power play, short handed), would be just what the doctor ordered. Assuming the Isles would have to overpay slightly to pry him from the Pens, even with their frugal nature, would a 4 years $16M contract get the deal done? And would that be the best move the team could make in the offeason given the slim pickens?

Katie .....

You asked ...
"SO what do you guys think are the biggest needs for the Islanders in the off-season? An offensive superstar, a physical fourth-line enforcer, an annoying agitator (a la Ruutu or Avery), or a big, solid defenseman to shore up the Isles injury-plagued blue line?

---Katie Strang"

Well .... 505 answered it best ... and I'll second his motion ....

***** YES *****
------------------------------------------------
Well ... I'm off to work on a project all day ... Newsday should be relieved I will not be devouring any bandwidth.

KH ,,, I'm going to try to contact that former Islander beat write for you while I'm on Staten Island.

BTW .... There also used to be a hockey team on Staten Island that used the Abe Stark rink an Brooklyn and Iron Bound rink in Newark as alternative home rinks. The team was called ... The NY Staten Islanders .... and instead of the logo having Long Island on it .... it had Staten Island on it.

I know ... sacriledge.

JZ

I like Malone, but like i've said before, talking free agents now is still too early especially when there is a good chance a few players may sign before July 1st. Malone I believe is from Pittsburgh, and the Pens do want to resign him. But we'll see. Good thought though.

I'll post my full impression of the event later. However, Katie, you missed Wang's line of the night!

"I got a lot of criticism for hiring Garth since he had no GM experience. However, he assured me that he'd stayed in a Holiday Inn Express the night before I hired him."

Otherwise, great job Katie, and thanks for taking care of us while Logan is lying on a beach somewhere.

Hey Nick

I signed your petition this morning. Where's the number at now?

370 signatures, with another 375 in person last night. We're seeing some amazing progress. Please spread the word to everyone you know to sign it - we need all the support we can get.

JZ .... you pretty much sum up my thoughts on Malone ... I was thinking of over paying him too ... However I had him pegged at a true value of about $3.0M ... and figured the Isles would have to front load at $3.5M year one ...$3.5M @ year two .. and then $3.25M in three and $3M in year four, and $3M in year 5 .... that is my job security offer. He'll be 29 this December and I'd never offer more than 5 years to a player between 28 and 30 unless they were of top 10 caliber in the league. Players generally peak at 28 .... there is a chart on the internet somewhere about that. We don't need another diminishing skills player in his 30's eating up cap space and sitting in the press box with Greg Logan. 5 years is my limit.

My short term contract for a Malone type player would be a 3 year deal .... $4.2M, $4M & $3.8M .... right along the lines of your $4M avg per year JZ ... but I wouldn't give him a 4th year at that rate. Remember ... the Isles have to budget ahead.... and depending on who else is available then ... and Okposo will need a new contract ... and possibly this year's 1st rounder if he plays this season ... Malone could become dead wood in year 4 ... so I think my scenario still over pays him ... and he has a choice of security in the 5 year deal ... or some more cash per year for less years in the 3yr option.

The Isles can't play desperation building. Anything past 3 years in contract length has to take into account the Isles rebuilding.

Also .. Malone may take less from Pittsburgh no matter what. He's a hometown boy and Pittsburgh may have lots of winning years ahead. Why would he take a chance on the Isles even for more money? ... Which means ... how much would the Isles have to over pay him? That is what we complain about ... over paid / over the hill players. Keep that in mind.

Remember he also may not be as good as his stats suggest ... ... he's got Malkin and Crosby playing with him ... (can anyone say Hilbert?) I still think he truely is a top notch Left Winger ... so the Hilbert analogy would be unfair. Malone is a huge, rugged winger with skill and should be a 20 goal scorer. That would take a lot of pressure off of Tamby ... and maybe even open up some the ice for him more on his shift.

I think Malone is a catylist type player ... and my scenario still over pays him ... but truely the Isles have to look past tying up huge blocks of money long term for 30+ year old players. Maybe in a year or two the Isles' situation would be a good match for a Malone type player... They just aren't there yet.

The hell with the petition signings Nick, where's my "raffle ticket" with all the Ice Girl autographs accompanied by sweet messages of love and adulation for the "notorious" one?

Don't tell me you were too busy collecting "more important" signatures?
Gawd, these people and their self-absorbed priorities in life.

I told you there weren't any Ice Girls around! Besides, they would've been too angry you weren't there to give them your autograph in the "right way"

Don't promote him nick!!! lol oh boy here we go.....

Don't worry Netminder, it's not Monday.

I was just reading about John Tavares who will be the slam dunk #1 overall pick next season. The kid broke Wayne Gretzky's scoring record for a 16 year old. He scored 72 goals!!!! He was born 5 days too late to qualify for this years draft and even has his agent lobbying the NHL to let him in this years draft where some scouts have him ranked higher than Stamkos.

This could be our Sid the kid boys. The way the Islanders are looking for next year, they might be in the hunt for this guy. He could be our Moses, leading us out of the desert and showing the way to the promised land. I can dream cant I?

I was rereading the "plan" again

1) draft wisely
2) develop prospects
3) sprinkle in unrestricted free agents

It feels like we went in reverse order here.

We signed a bunch of free agents last off season
We developed a few prospects this year in Bergenheim and Comeau
and now we get to select quite a few picks in a very deep draft.

Was Garth supposed to go in order?

There is no escaping the Ranger game. And could Newsday please do a better job of covering it? admin

Admin

"There is no escaping the Ranger game. And could Newsday please do a better job of covering it?"

First off. This is an ISLANDERS board.... we don't really care about the Rangers here.

Better job covering it? Are you kidding? Everything hockey will take a backseat to Baseball unless the Rangers go to the Stanley Cup.

Go somewhere else and talk Rangers.

"oh boy here we go....."

Speaking of Ice Girls.....
I think it's high time Wang opened up his check book and ventured into another "shameless attempt at putting fannies in the seats" next year.
What are Long Island's true "Ice Girls", the Hughes Sisters doing these days?
I'm thinking some between 2nd and 3rd period gala short skating extravaganza's led by those Olympic ice carvers dressed in the Blue and Orange might fill up a whole bunch of empty seats. Or even some "post game" entertainment.
I know I'd pay money to see Comrie work his toe drag magic with Sarah.
(I wonder how Henrik would react to Emily shoveling ice chips from his net?).

Okay....I'll put the bong down.

I can read Steady's mind now......."We're trying to figure out a number 1 pick and GD 505 is visualizing Comrie and Sara Hughes in matching Tutu's".

505

Who's your number 1 pick?

f5

Hodgson

Bogosian, Filatov, Wilson, or Boedker. I seriously think Wilson is a better fit for this team than Hodgson if they want a center.

DAYMOND LANGKOW.

Filatov is the best pick out of those 4. He plays not only left wing but center. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he is the best forward after Stamkos in this draft.

So you guys think if this was an Isle Devil series that it wouldn't be backpage, boldtype headlines in Newsday? Especially if the Isles were leading the series? Come on, now. Just asking for fair coverage, not some article buried 12 pages back with a black and white photo. Ridiculous. admin

"I seriously think Wilson is a better fit for this team than Hodgson if they want a center."

FIT???
We're not dealing with a jigsaw puzzle here Nick....
Brian Trottier or Butch Goring at their advanced ages would fit on this team right now.
Hell, If Sarah Hughes could take a faceoff, she could fit in at center.
A square peg with skates could fill in a hole at center for the Isles.

I got no beef with any of your picks....like I said awhile back...the 1st round pick is a no brainer for Snow...anyone of the "blue chippers" would work....Snow needs to come up roses with the 2nd and 3rd round picks.

Admin,

If the Isles were leading the Devils in a series right now....I GUARANTEE you the Isles would be getting no better exposure than the Rangers are receiving.
If you have followed this blog for any length of time you would know that I (ME) have CONTINUALLY lambasted Newsday for it's lack of coverage given to the Isles.
For the entire 07/08 season, the Isles found themselves on the back page twice (and the 2nd was only a partial page). Once for the Arbour "not in my book" victory and a partial back page for beating the Rangers once.

You want better exposure for the Rangers? Go buy a NEW YORK CITY paper like the Post or the Daily News....Don't come looking for it in a LONG ISLAND Newspaper.

That's sad that you would say that, 505, because long island is flooded with Ranger fans just like me who read Newsday, but can't get coverage of their favorite team. You should know, when the Rangers are at the Coliseum, it is packed with Ranger fans from the Island. Newsday needs to understand this. admin

And by the way, those 2 backpages are 2 more than the Rangers recieved this year. admin

I guess only us hockey fans would realize that an EXCITING hockey playoff series is much more compelling than an early season baseball game. admin

Quote "Nolan said he spent much of the season, as well as offseason poring over game tapes, trying to decipher what went wrong with the Isles much-maligned power play. The conclusion: too stationary. Nolan said they need players to move the puck and move their feet, and he'll be looking for players who can fill that role next year."

Is that a joke? Seriously. EVERYONE knew that.

505, I meant that Wilson is bigger, stands in front of the net, and plays a more physical game. He would be a better match for the style of play that Nolan clearly wants to instill on the Islanders.

He's not a slouch in scoring either - one of the point leaders for the USA in the World Juniors. He also averaged a point per game in the most defensive conference in NCAA hockey, and he shows a Druryesque knack for scoring the big goal. Whenever BU needed Wilson, he was there.

I would rather see Filatov or Bogosian, and that Mikkel Boedker is built like a tank and can FLY....but if it comes down to Wilson vs. Hodgson I'd take Wilson if I ran the team.

Though I'll confess my knowledge of Wilson is far more extensive than my knowledge of Hodgson - I mean I've seen Wilson play about 15 times this year, so I have a more intimate knowledge of him....19 Isles, what does your scout friend say about him?

And the rest of you guys...what do we know about Hodgson?

Umm, team toughness = siging Trent Hunter long term? How is he tough? I dont get it. Hes mediocre and physically intimidates no one. Hes a joke.

OK! Time for some analysis. Be warned: 'tis a whopper.

First, the Plan according to Garth.

1) draft wisely
-Now, THAT is a progressive idea: don't waste your draft picks! I wonder how many hockey gurus were consulted before coming up with that one. I was under the impression that we were going to spend all our picks on hookers and blow! If this is the new plan, what was the old one? This statement is asinine and makes no substantive sense at all.

2) develop prospects
-Isn't this basically the same thing as drafting? What else does a team do with prospects? Send them to cooking school? Again this is inherent in any sports franchise and has no substantive meaning. This implies the team was not developing prospects before. They were, they failed. Without saying how this is a change in philosophy, this statement is useless.

3) sprinkle in unrestricted free agents
-What kind of plan is this? Next on the list will be a news conference to tell everyone that each and every player on the roster inhaled and exhaled air today, which is a mix of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases. EVERYONE signs unrestricted free agents, Garth, you included. To this point you've done a lousy job. How do you plan on doing it better?

None of these steps to the "Plan" are anything more than PR fluff. This is common sense and is no different from the way any other team in the league operates, and no different from the way this team has operated, except for the fact that they failed to put a quality product on the ice.

It would be more worthwhile, but infinitely more dangerous, to say what kind of team you plan to build. That takes guts, because at the end of the day its incredibly obvious to everyone involved whether or not you have succeeded. Right now, all we know is that this team will have lots of GRIT. Grit is a joke and an excuse for players that don't have any skill. Would you say Alex Ovechkin has GRIT? The answer is "who gives a damn?" because hes the best offensive player in the league, is exciting to watch, and can carry his team. You think he or his coach care if someone thinks he has GRIT? How about all the teams he scores 66 or whatever goals on?

How about some substance to the "Plan", Garth? Draft who, exactly? What to you think the greatest needs of the team are? How do you expect to overcome the lack of skill that almost invariably comes with the amount of GRIT which the coach demands? What kind of team can we expect this to be, exactly? How much of an emphasis will be placed on defense? Is that emphasis because of a lack of skill? How many goals per game should this team be expected to score? Do you expect to make the playoffs next season? If so, then is the season a failure if you don't make it? If not, how do you explain to the fans that failure is a good thing for the team? Should fans have any reasonable expectation of seeing a cup-competitive product on the ice within the next 4 seasons? Any real, non-evasive answers to questions like this would have been much more valuable and informative then the pr fluff served last evening.

Some others...
-Snow said he was a bit taken aback by the question over his and Ted's relationship
I find that fascinating since he had the question days in advance, and also because there was obvious tension and a pissing contest going on over Rick during that Ranger series. You can ignore it, Garth, but that don't mean it ain't there.

-Snow said he plans to address the Islanders offensive needs via free agency this year.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but he tried just that last year, and no real offensive players, for any amount of money, were willing to come here. Considering the team was even worse than last year, and nothing has been done to improve the attractiveness of the franchise, expect this effort to fail as spectacularly as it did last season.

Also, The Lighthouse should at least give the Isles a boost in that department.
No, it should not, because it does not exist, and players do not come to franchises for theoretical reasons. The ethereal "Lighthouse" will not be a factor in attracting free agents until it is completed, or at furthest a single season from being done and fully online.

-While it'd be nice to have a Crosby or Ovechkin on the team, Nolan said he can win without, and it's all how you define "superstar."
Well, Ted, so far you haven't proven you can win a god damn thing. What's a superstar? Are you kidding me? How about a player that has more goals than your leading scorer has points? How about a player that makes the ticket worth the price you paid for it? How about a player with so much skill, when he's on the ice, the opposing defense loses bowel control. Your team was a single goal from LAST in the league in scoring. If you're not willing to admit this team needs a franchise offensive stud more than any other in the league and more than it ever has, then honestly you're either stupid or lying and don't deserve to coach this team.

I'm also glad that Wang though it funny enough to offer the Holiday Inn Express joke when referring to Garth. Too bad he doesn't understand that the real joke is his franchise.

Now, on to KH and the evidently-much-closer-than-I-think "Lighthouse".

First of all, let's have it properly understood that this began with a statement of mine that read "Lighthouses that will never be built". That statement was made because I don't think its going to happen. There was no personal direction to anything I said, I never told anyone what to do or believe, or told anyone what was worth or not worth their time. Then it came back that I don't know anything and crawl under a rock and put up or shut up or whatever the cliches were, so after that point, I'm pretty much going to tell you to piss off, and that comes from the heart.

But, the question of FACTS was brought up, again and again, and it was basically suggested that they have many and I have none. So, I thought we might peruse some of the facts here for a moment.

I'm "involved in the process" both as a member of the public and as an organizing member of a citizen group organizing public support for approval of the Lighthouse project.
So, just to be clear, you're nobody. You hold no public office, elected or not, wield no power, exert no influence beyond the clipboard that you carry and ask others to sign in support of the project. OK. No problem there. Good for you.

So far we've... gathered over 200 signatures.
Great job. After last night, maybe you have 500 signatures. Do you think that is a significant number, given the magnitude of this project? I think that 30,000 or 50,000 might be more worthwhile if you're going to present to the board. Much less than that probably won't get you much pull. I'm not demeaning or belittling your efforts; I just don't think there's as much influence there as you're expecting.

You might also note that oftentimes in projects like this, those prepared to voice opposition like to withhold it until such a time as it would offer them maximum benefit and leverage. Read: Those with the most to gain by opposing the project will wait until the last minute they can.

Then you get into your entire process tree which is nice and probably accurate but supports my position, and not yours. Having such a lengthy and complex process makes planning and construction longer, and more expensive, and provides more potential points of failure. But, if you think it makes it more likely the project will succeed, that's fine with me. BTW: The NYS DEC has not chimed in yet? You want to keep an eye on them, they're pretty serious about stuff like this.

Also, somewhere it was mentioned that this project is great because instead of using taxpayers money, the financing will come from retail and residential coops and townhouses. This is a good idea, given today's economic climate? Rely on retail and high-income, high-density housing? Isn't there a real estate crisis going on? Is it wise to try and build all this stuff now, only to find that when its done in 3 years or in 5 that you can't rent or sell anything you've built for nearly what you estimated, and instead take a loss? Sounds risky to me, but hey, its not my money.

Now, for the Good Reasons:

(1) the County, which owns the land, has already given initial approval
-That's good! Not much going to happen without them, is there. Does that equate to real progress? Can't give you too much credit there.

(2) the immensely popular County Executive (Suozzi) is a longstanding, public, and vocal supporter of the project
-Immensly popular to whom? I know a lot of people that would go and push to kill this project just because Suozzi is for it.

(3) thanks to the LDG's outreach efforts... significant community opposition has not emerged
-Meaning what? That it won't? That you've taken care of that little detail? A bit early to make that assessment, wouldn't you say?

[(3a) it's worth noting that the Rechlers have successfully built
major construction projects all over the Island and have a great reputation among all the players]
-Irrelevant. They have never done anything on this scale and with this high a profile. Any success they had in the past is entirely separate from this entity.

(4) the Town Board has publicly stated its enthusiasm for the project
-I'm pretty sure the Town Board has publicly stated enthusiasm for lots of things they did not approve. "Public Enthusiasm" does not equate to "Green Light" for the project. It certainly does not guarantee anything.

(5) community organizing efforts in favor of the project (that's us) will outstrip those opposed
-A bit of a bold claim, yes? Quite sure you can handle any opposition that comes your way? Your right, but not a fact, and nothing that makes this project more likely to succeed.

(6) once the rezoning application is approved by late this year or early next, the only remaining step is negotiating a lease with the county.
-So in a year, if everything aligns, and they bang out that, what, 25-year? 50? 100-year lease, then things can really get started. Pretty far from a done deal, I'd say.

So, it might be wise to wait and see what happens before we go out and tell all the free agents on the market that there's an amazing Lighthouse Arena here for them to come and play in.

In summary: You do and feel as you like, I do and feel as I like. In the end, one of us will be right, and the other not. Its fine with me, because I'm either right, or there's a "Lighthouse" for the Isles to play at. So, do go about your efforts to make this happen. I applaud them, from afar. But, if you insist on making it personal, you can shove that little clipboard you carry right up your ass.

Whew! Im hungry now. I do believe I'll go Sizzler.

Wow Frei....you just about skewered everything possible there in your post.....I don't believe you missed a GD thing...

So......with that out of the way......

What's your solution?
How are ya gonna bring a Cup to the Island?
(And please....feel free to make it twice as long as the skewering.)

Cuz.....if you're not part of the solution....you are simply part of the problem...
And if you don't care to be part of the solution....well.....I'll save that for a Monday night.

Great game going on right now.Wash/Philly tied 1-1.
PLAYOFF hockey is great! There is nothing like PLAYOFF HOCKEY!

Well, I'd probably start with trying to pick up the first overall next season, and not bother trying to fake a playoff run again. Then, I'd toss any and all players who have GRIT listed as their greatest asset. I'd hire someone with real experience to be the GM, to ensure some degree of respectability, and be sure the coach is ready to embrace offense and skill as the way to build a successful team. If not, bye-bye gritlover. I'd seriously consider trading Rick if a 22ish or younger stud could be had for him, since he's not on pace to be much of a factor by the time this team could be competitive. His contract makes this very unlikely.

I'd do some other stuff, too, but that would be my start. What do you think, 505? Got better ideas that would be more likely to work out?

I've actually considered getting in touch with Wang and asking for the GM's job, but he's already spent his "Just Let Anyone Do It" chip and probably won't pony up for another. I honesty believe I could do a better job than he does.

we need a #1 center boys-i second mike's comment-

DAYMOND LANGKOW
and throw in DEMITRA snow and you will have actually signed 2 true first line players not hoping 1 or 2 of our 200 prospects ends up being a real nhl player!

You can't sign anyone decent cause no one wants to play on the Island.That's why you get leftovers.You'll always get leftovers.No first line centers for you......leftovers!

If you want to watch great PLAYOFF HOCKEY tune into MSG tomorrow night at 7:30 Icelander fans.There is nothing like PLAYOFF HOCKEY!

OK Frei....I've been patient with you for a very long time despite everything. However, let me tell you something. How f*cking DARE you suggest that what we do is meaningless in the grand scheme of things and that we're nobody. We have gathered almost a thousand signatures on our petition since MONDAY, and we're working our ASSES off to get this project built. I work a good 60 hours a week and devote another 15-20 of my time to this project, without asking for a dime in return. Now I get to come on this board for some hockey talk and hear pompous assholes like you demean that? I don't think so. Why don't you crawl back into your hole? We don't need or want fans like you.

For the rest of you TRUE Islander fans - the project is moving forward, and all signs point to approval by the Spring of 2009 and construction to start by July 2009. You can choose to believe that, or you can choose not to believe that. However, I hope that, like KH and myself, you take a stand and actively work to support the project. If you want to be like Frei, just shut up and cry in the corner, because you won't kill my optimism for this project or my desire to help this team in any way I can.

The project has no shot to work Nick.I'm a realist.

what makes you guys think HOSSA isn't going to sign with us-how can he give up a chance to play with the great ANDY HILBERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All I've seen from you is blind negativity, on every single issue. You have not offered one reasoned opinion, nor have you lifted a finger to try to assist in any way possible. You don't think that would offend me? You don't think it's reasonable to think that there is actually a groundswell of support for the project that has never been there before? The Town of Hempstead admitted to me that they understand the status quo can't continue, and something needs to be built on the site. This is the best deal they will ever get, and they know it. They want to make it work, and I'm ready to stand up as a citizen and do what I can to help. I don't think we deserve to be demeaned or called "nobody" for that.

You call yourself a realist and claim the project has no chance. Please tell me what, in SPECIFIC, makes you think that. KH has already been extensively discussing the details and specifics of what we've done and why we think the project is going to succeed. What have you done except criticize everything that has anything to do with the franchise? Why do we deserve your ridiculous criticism just because it seems you'd rather complain than believe there's actually a light at the end of the tunnel? I seriously want to understand this, because from my vantage point all you're intent on doing is shooting down any positivity surrounding the team.

(and in case anyone hasn't noticed....today is my version of 505's Monday)

"(and in case anyone hasn't noticed....today is my version of 505's Monday)"

Just a little friendly advice Nick.....
In situational Monday's such as this....whiskey is WAY MORE effective than beer or wine.
;)

Frei....
You lost me on "not bothering to fake a playoff run".
You'll never get anyone to wanna play for your team with that approach.
Completely unrealistic.

What makes me think .. that in a few years ... when the Isles are christening their newly renovated NVMC @ the Light House .... Nick and KH are going to have the honor of breaking the champagne bottle over the crossbar of the hockey net ..... but ... they'll make a request that Frei is tied to the crossbar at that time.

Nick / KH ... you guys have nothing to prove to anybody ... what you guys are doing is above and beyond. As far as Frei's opinion is concerned .... that is his opinion and he's free to express it .... I don't agree with everything that Frei says ... and I understand his perenial disappointments have made him err on the side of pessimism ... he's probably the type that doesn't like to get his hopes up ... so he sets the bar low to deflect disappointment .... we all know people that do that ... so I take what he says with a grain of salt .... That said .. what really needs to be avoided is the personal attacks ... they get all parties no where.

You guys think differently ... and you just have to accept it... if everyone thought the same .... then 505 would be getting 100% of the popular vote in November's Presidential election ... and his cabinet would consist of all the Ice Girls.

Personally .... I think Frei raises some valid points of concern ... but his lack of intimate knowledge of the project and its progress also makes him unqualified to be a harsh critic of the project. Yet, I respect his right to state his opinion ... if everyone just keeps out the personal jabs .... it can be discussed more civily and at the same time would help enlighten other posters on this blog.

Otherwise ... we have a hostile gathering of the Thai parlament.
======================
I have more comments regarding last night's open house / fan fest .... and the whole rebuidling press .... but it's way to late ... and it will have to wait till I have downtime at work tomorrow.
---------------------------------
.... oh .. and Nick ... I'll try to talk to Julien (the scout) tomorrow morning about Wilson vs. Hodgson ... going to be rough tomorrow ... I'm going to be preoccupied with lots of Pope TV stuff ..... and working late tomorrow on a seperate project associated with my side business. I'll make a best effort attempt. Either I'll be very busy tomorrow ... or once I get every network coordinated with their pool feed .. I'll have too much time on my hands... hoping for the later.
-----------------------------------
KH ... I haven't received a call back regarding the former Islander beat writer. I'll try again tomorrow.

I send a 3rd on Mike and Dan's call for dropping some coin on Langkow.

The guy is only 33 and puts up numbers and always plays 80-82 games.

Demitra? I'd rather take a run at Rolston. More "grit".(oh no)

"and his cabinet would consist of all the Ice Girls."
Too far away.....and too cramped....
Besides....there's barely enough room for the alcohol in there.
But I'd wouldn't mind trying to squeeze 'em into my closet.
Let 'em try on all my old baseball jerseys......GRRRRRRRRRR.

Thanks 19 Isles...believe me, my Monday comment explained it. I came home half-drunk from a HELLISH day at work (my client reports earnings tomorrow - EVERYONE TAKE COVER!) and snapped. Wasn't my finest hour, and I'm not naive enough to think we could just change his mind like that. I apologize for the personal jab and will take a voluntary suspension from the blog for Blogging While Intoxicated.

In the past (I know), BWI's are punishable with game suspensions.
In view of the fact that the Isles are CURRENTLY NOT PLAYING, (as we all well know thanks to our courteous Ranger ice worms), a comparable sentence will have to be meted out by Judge Steady in the morning.
Perhaps, in view of recent precedents, the rules committee can write a new rule overnight.....the Nick Rule.

19 Isle -- Thanks for pursuing this, and for your long post in response to my request for "evidence." I really appreciate it.

Re Frei -- So, the funny thing about Frei's long post is that, like the Hillary Clinton campaign, he's moved the goalposts. His original post was to the effect of "It's not going to happen," and "You guys are naive, I know better how Long Island works, things like this just don't get built." (I am paraphrasing, not quoting.) He concluded by asking, "What's different this time?"

I answered with a long list of differences between the Wang/Rechler proposal and the Gluckstern/Milstein proposal, discussing each one in a fair bit of detail (at least by the standards of a blog post). And what does Frei come up with? Point-by-point responses, none of which even purports to prove us wrong, or that the project is doomed -- as he originally claimed -- but rather arguing only that we can't be sure that each step of the process will go our way. And again, advancing no specific facts.

Frei's original standard was "It won't happen." His new standard is, "You can't be sure it will happen. Things could go wrong." You know what? That's true. I can't guarantee that the Lighthouse will be approved and built. There's all kinds of things that could go wrong. Two wild cards, in particular, are the DEC (hard to know what they'll do, though it probably helps a bit that the executive branch at the state level is run by a Democrat who favors the project), and the local NIMBYs (we don't know what they'll come up with because they haven't appeared yet).

But I never said I could guarantee it will happen. I just said I am optimistic that it will happen, that there are many reasons to believe it will happen, and that just about every aspect of this proposal, the people bringing it, the way they've gone about things, the political and economic climate, etc., is different and far more promising than the previous, failed attempt. Frei has said nothing that contradicts that. He's retreated to "things could go wrong." Um, duh. That's why we're getting involved.

Which brings us to the "you're nobody" argument. Before I get to the sad nub of what motivates such a comment, I'll just point out that Frei is contradicting himself here. If citizens organizing at the grassroots are "nobody," then this is a top-down process, where powerful private parties and politicians make all the decisions and the rest of us have to accept them. In that world, the NIMBYs have no ability to block a project like this. Since the powerful Wang and Rechler have said they want it, and the powerful politicians who run Hempstead have said they want it, it's going to happen. But that's not what Frei has said he believes. He thinks someone's going to stop it. Well, who? Back in reality, the biggest threat to a project like this is opposition from residents. The politicians don't want to lose their seats, and if they feel that a development will piss off the local residents, they'll block it. Once you recognize that, then logically you accept that residents can exercise the same influence on the other side of the issue. That's the whole premise of what we're doing. Organizing people who are in favor of the project, so as to outnumber the opponents. It's pretty simple, really, and based on past experience with such issues on the Island. The Lighthouse folks themselves have told us that the most effective way to ensure the project's approval is to rally support among residents and provide tangible evidence of that support to the Town Board (i.e., in the form of letters and petition signatures). Frei, are you arguing that the people who are running the Lighthouse project (the non-nobodies who've put together $2 billion to finance this thing) don't understand their own interests? They actually don't know what they need in order to get this thing done? (I also don't agree that 30,000-50,000 signatures are needed... it depends on the level of opposition that emerges, and other factors).

Finally, I have to address what's behind a comment like "you're nobody" because it reveals a lot about the person saying it. I've been very successful in my career, and so, it doesn't make me feel bad about myself to walk around with a clipboard like a schmo, asking people to sign a petition supporting something I believe in. I'm comfortable enough with myself and where I am in life that I don't stop and think, "My God, how did I end up walking around with a clipboard asking strangers to support a project that will profit some rich developers and not me." I know the Lighthouse gang is using me, and you know what? I don't give a cr*p. I love the Islanders and Long Island, I think this project is good for both the team and the community, and I'm happy to be used. I'd much rather be taken advantage of and have my new arena, than deem myself above stooping to act, and see the team of my childhood leave forever.

Since you mentioned the clipboards, Frei, I suspect you were at the fanfest at the Coliseum last night, and you actually saw us walking around with them. And you thought, "God, how pathetic. I would feel like such a *nobody* walking around with those clipboards, bugging people, gathering my meager signatures." In my experience, people who feel that way about themselves with the clipboard also feel that way about themselves without it.

How is the golg game coming along?

Just here to laugh boys, just hear to laugh.

golf game

If you build it... they will come... Fans... FAs...

you guys seem to have LOTS of time on your hands, eh?

Golg . . . LOL

KH - i post only occasionally here and to be honest, i find myself agreeing more often with frei than almost everyone else, including about the prospects for the project and about how the team is being run currently.
i think this so called "plan" to build a contender is silly and that any real success unless and until 'the project' is in place will be purely an accident. i believe that wang has had enough of dropping tens of millions and if there is no solid deal in place in a year, two at most, this team is gone. at least from nassau county. i also think all this talk of marketing efforts and fan base growth through outreach etc. is little more than diversion until the fate of the project is known. i happen to concur with frei as to the REAL prospects for the project. i have a hard time getting passed my own knowledge and understanding of how the 'powers that be' on LI, in NYS and elsewhere operate, as well as the confluence of ongoing economic factors.
but all that said - i also think that you and nick and the others with you guys - are doing a fine job, and as i am not around to do much myself, i like to think your efforts are on my behalf as well, as someone who hopes i am wrong about the project and loves this team. i think it was '505' who suggested that maybe frei is bitter and jaded from all the years of drek we've seen from this team. maybe he is, maybe not. i know i am, but i wish frei was not so harsh in his comments, and you guys should know that there must be a lot of others like myself who appreciate your efforts and hope you keep going.

Quick break from work ... spoke with Julien the 'scout' at length earlier about player ratings / rankings and scores.

Basically they are a pro-scouting supplier ... they deal less with undrafted underage players ... that is the realm of ISS and CS ... He did however tell me that John Tavares is deemed better in a lot of circles than Stamkos, better than Crosby was at his age ... and that he basically he is the protypical star hockey player and that he has very little weakness ... Stamkos may become an afterthought after Tavares enters the NHL .. he said Tavares could of played this season in the NHL and won the rookie scoring title... and maybe even broke the record. That is just a preliminary opinion ...

The company he works for deals mostly with pro-scouting since scouts can't make every single game... they rate players, GMs, owners, front offices, team trainers, the ice surface ... everything you can think of. I wasn't aware they did all that .. but since they no only supply data to team scouting staff at all pro levels, but they also supply data to book makers ... I guess they take every nuance into account.

I'll tell you guys what he said about front offices and GM's later but I gotta run to lunch while I have a chance.

"but I gotta run to lunch while I have a chance."

Do the world a favor and stay away from drive thru windows.
We'd burn a tank a gas while you delivered your order.

a couple things:

If the Islanders plan on taking Hodgens or Wilson. Garth better trade down. The Islanders need to stay strong at 5 and either take Filatov if available or one of the D-men. (BPA) If we take them at 5 it will be bad drafting once again.

Malone is staying in pitt for two reasons:

1- His Dad was a Pen
2- Malkin and Crosby

Hossa, I was hoping the Islanders would get him this summer but not so much now. He does the disappearing act in the Playoffs (see yashin). He scored his first playoff goal in 4 years this year.

We would be better off spending that money on other players like Husilius, Langkow etc .

Frei: Trading DP now would not be smart. Yes he has had injuries but we are building from the net out. On the GM thing. It has only been two seasons. Can you really evaluate him fully...NO...If we had Lombardi as GM would we be better? no. Look at the Kings. We are rebuilding somewhat not completely. Garth in terms has another season as GM to make a decision on him.

KH and Nick : i appreciate what you guys have been doing. I am always willing to help.

that is my post above

Steady was right. Frei is a Rangers fan. No doubt.

I just wanted to meld my post from the previous thread into the current idea flow.

1. Hodgson v Wilson/Filatov et al
I haven't seen any of them play more than youtube snipets and some WJC games. Filatov looks like he has the chops to bring back the ziggy days... but that's all a crap shoot. Hodgson seems to be somebody that can give them something they won't have available to them in the UFA market. Wilson might fill that bill also... just haven't seen too much from him. They have plenty of centers, but they're all mediocre. they should be able to flash some cash this year and get a "D" and a 30+ goal scorer. Short term mediocrity will bring Vasicek back, Long term success means that they score Hodgson or Wilson in the draft. there's no reason they can't do both. IMO.
2. Frie... way out of line with soem fo those comments. Again.. just my opinion.
3. 19... I'm all for the Ice Girls t