For the second year in a row, the Islanders saved the best for last. One year ago in the season finale, they overcame the shock of John Madden’s tying goal with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to defeat the Devils in a shootout and qualify for the playoffs when goaltender Wade Dubielewicz poke-checked the puck away from Devils shooter Sergei Brylin.
This season’s Islanders spent the last month out of playoff contention thanks to a series of injuries that left them with seven players from the Opening-Night lineup. But those circumstances are what made the Isles’ 4-3 shootout win over the Rangers Friday night at Madison Square Garden the most entertaining and significant win of a disappointing season. Somehow, it was fitting that the season finale ended with “Dubie” poke-checking the puck away from Rangers shooter Petr Prucha.
You can say there is no comparison between the two games because the Islanders had nothing to play for this year, but coach Ted Nolan took strong exception to that notion. “One thing you have to say about this group of guys is that, as many injuries as we had and as many adversities as we had, they never quit,” Nolan said. “They just kept working, and tonight was another example of that.
“I’m proud of these guys. It stems from some guys on our team that the word ‘quit’ doesn’t come into their vocabulary, and they’re passing it on to the next generation of kids coming.”
Nolan’s inclination to rely on veteran experience is well-known, but lately, he has recognized the shift in the organization’s determination to develop young talent. His decision to use Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Sean Bergenheim, the Isles’ top three young players, in the shootout, was a symbolic nod of acceptance of a new direction.
“What we wanted to do at the end was put Okposo, Comeau and Bergenheim out to show the fans what we’ve got coming back here next year,” Nolan said. “It’s a good thing.”
Okposo and Comeau both scored before a Bergenheim miss, but when the Rangers’ third shooter tied it at 2, Nolan tapped veteran Richard Park, who spent the final nine games centering and mentoring Okposo and Comeau. Park delivered what turned out to be the winning shootout goal before Dubielewicz stopped Prucha.
Considering the Rangers had shut out the Islanders the previous night at the Coliseum to clinch a playoff spot but still were fighting to secure home-ice advantage, it was no small thing for the Isles’ patchwork lineup to go into the Garden and come out with a win.
The tempo was high from the outset, but instead of the Rangers carrying the physical edge, as they did at the Coliseum when Sean Avery decked Okposo twice in the early going, it was the other way around. Taking a page from the playbook of the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg, Comeau ran Avery from behind into the glass, drawing a boarding penalty. Call it a borderline play, but it let the Rangers know the kids weren’t backing down.
Avery still was yapping at Comeau about the play as the two of them stood side-by-side awaiting a faceoff in the third period. “It’s part of the game,” Comeau said of his running dialogue with Avery. “He plays physical, and I play physical. He didn’t like the way I hit him. That’s hockey. That’s part of his game is trying to get under guys’ skin, and I was just trying to play hard and finish my checks.”
Okposo gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead with the second goal if his nine-game NHL career. It came on a quick-release wrist shot at the end of a tic-tac-toe play from Comeau and Park that demonstrated the chemistry that developed with that trio, which consistently was the Islanders’ best line the past three weeks.
Okposo said it was fun to play the role of spoiler against the Rangers, and he praised the job Park did of leading the way for their line. Asked if the team’s difficult circumstances made their success more rewarding, Okposo said, “I don’t know. I think that coming up here and not being in the playoffs is tough, especially for young guys who are trying to make a name for themselves. I thought all the young guys played really well, ‘Coms’ and then Hillen came in the last two games and played great. I think we did our part.”
If Okposo represents hope for the Islanders’ offense in the future, then, recently signed defenseman Jack Hillen just might have similar potential on the back end. Within a couple days of wrapping up his senior season at Colorado College as the top-scoring defenseman in Division I this season, Hillen stepped into the season-ending set against the Rangers with notable aplomb, not to mention much-needed skill.
In the game at the Garden, Avery decked him on the first shift, but the next time down in the Isles’ end, Hillen jumped in the middle of two Rangers behind the net, came out with the puck and made a perfect breakout pass. Late in the first period, he drew a boarding penalty for blasting Rangers center Brandon Dubinsky, and when he came out of the box, Hillen picked up a puck that got past the Rangers’ Marc Staal and went in for a breakaway that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped.
Early in the second period, Hillen’s shot from the left point dropped in front of Lundqvist, and Miroslav Satan poked in the Islanders’ second goal to give Hillen his first NHL assist. Later in the period, Hillen held onto the puck even as he dumped Hollweg on an attempted check. In the third period, Hillen made a good play to stop a rush by Scott Gomez, drove Brendan Shanahan off from the Isles’ net and then handled Avery at the post. With under two minutes left in regulation, the coaching staff sent Hillen onto the ice when the puck went into the Rangers’ end, thinking he might make something happen.
It was impressive stuff, maybe enough to make you think general manager Garth Snow made up for giving away last year’s first-round pick in the Ryan Smyth trade by signing Hillen.
After his first game at the Coliseum, Hillen said he didn’t come here to play scared, and he described the game at the Garden as “a blast…It was incredible. The crowd was amazing. I don’t know any other adjectives to say other than ‘incredible.’ It was fun out there.
“I got hit hard on my first shift, so, that kind of woke me up and got me going in the game. The game is obviously different, and it’s still taking me time to adjust. I’m not going to think, after two games, I can come in here and be fully adjusted and ready to compete at that level. But as the game went on, I felt more and more comfortable. After I got a couple shots, I felt even better.”
Hillen’s play along with that of nearly all the young players who contributed at the end of the season should give Islanders fans something to look forward to next season – although a dose of scoring help via the free-agent market or a trade wouldn’t hurt, either. And Nolan deserves a share of credit for holding things together well enough to go 3-3-2 in the final eight games as players shuttled back and forth between Bridgeport and the Isles.
It might be hard to see it by looking at the standings, but in the midst of a disappointing season, progress was made. The Islanders took their first steps toward laying the foundation of a rebuilding project they hope will produce a serious Stanley Cup contender if the right choices are made in the draft and with other personnel choices.
Leave it to Park, the old hand, to remind the kids it was only one step of many that lie ahead. “They played great,” Park said. “Everyone that came up has played real hard for our hockey club, and that’s all you can ask for. At the end of the day, youth can go either way. They’ve got to really maintain a strong work ethic and focus and come prepared next year.”
WANG SPEAKS IN SUNDAY’S NEWSDAY: Islanders owner Charles Wang, in an exclusive interview that will appear in Sunday’s Newsday, outlined his thoughts on the relationship between himself, coach Ted Nolan and general manager Garth Snow and the direction the franchise plans to take next season.
Comments (131)
Greg--thxs for all the coverage. While I admire your optimism, I am disgusted with the perpetual "wait until next year" scenarios. The Islanders are not even close to being a good team , let alone a Cup contender. Some of the "kids" showed glimpses, but lets not confuse maturity with greatness quite yet.
While Nolan has a reputation for sporting a "gritty" squad, i just dont see it this year. Even when healthy, the Islanders were never hitters, fighters or passionate . The Rangers-Isles rivalry is a shell of its former self due to a fall off in records AND a lack of physical confrontation.
The second half collapse is part injury, part mediocre talent, and part listless play. Since 1-21-08, the islanders have been involved in 10 fights....thats insane. Look at the league leaders in fights and watch them play in the playoffs. Look, Im not asking for the Uniondadle Bullies, but, I dont need Tim Jackman , Comrie or Gurerin being my protector. We need Godard, Asham and guys who agitate. Any Isles fans would admit behind closed doors that Avery is an amazing energy source...his antics, hits, mouth and fights are more entertaining than anything the isles did all this year. I dont want Dubie's poke check to be my season highlight anymore. I want a team that plays good, old fashioned, hard core hockey. Until next year.....again.
This Isles can sure use a player like Avery. This team is probably the softest team in the league. When KO got slammed by Avery. Avery should of had his head handed to him.
Good to see the board talking about the Islanders soft play. I cannot recall a less physical team ---and with no scoring to boot!
This offseason needs four or five gritty, tough players added...starting with an Enforcer, Asham and a pest or two.
I got the impression reading that column about Wang that he was not happy with Nolan this year and it had to do with Nolan's reluctance to play the kids. He flat out said Nolan was proven wrong about the kids. I think the jury is still out about that Wang has to realize you can't judge these kids on a handful of meaningless games. I guess the bottom line is it was Wang that gave Nolan another shot in the NHL when other teams didn't want him and it's going to be his call if he stays or not.
Another question I have for Wang before all these kids were called up how were the Sound Tigers doing? They must have been at the top of their league if these kids are that good.
Isle27 ~ Yeah ...I agree with the what you said based on the tone of Wang's choice of words....
... however ... I don't know how Wang can say the kids proved Nolan wrong ... sure they played well ... and kept their head above water ... but that in itself doesn't mean they deserved to be inserted in the lineup ....
.... what was Nolan to do when the team was healthy and playing well? The team would of had millions of $$$ tied up in the lineup sitting up in the pressbox ... we'd of been calling for his head ..... why? Because even with the kids up ... the Isles still were under .500 ... so I think Nolan was in a catch 22 situation .... he had battered and banged up veterans performing in roles they had never had to do before, and ZERO scoring punch ... I don't care how good of defense you have infront of you ... you can't win if you can't score.
Even with Luongo ... Vancouver didn't make the playoffs ... if we read too much into the season that was a rollercoaster ride ... and take snapshots of only the bad stuff ... then of course we are going to look at everything as being bad.
At the end of the day (season) the Islanders were about where they were predicted to finish ... and it took half the Islanders regular lineup to miss an average of 20+ games, and losing #1 all-star goaltender at the end of the season to get them down to that level.
Wang should stay out of hockey and look to buy the Nets or something and put together a dual organization that will keep him to busy to meddle in the affairs of the people he hired to run his team.
BTW ... I have ripped Snow for his bad moves ... so I'll have to give him a polite golf clap for his acquisition of Hillen ... he actually looked like he handled himself well. Nice move Snow ... didn't cost us draftpick or a player .... like what I see so far.
Isle27 ~ Regarding your question about how the Sound Tigers were doing before they were calling up the kids.....
.... they were in the middle of the pack ... kind of like the Islander were before the flu / injury bug hit in early February.... not dominating ... but on the rise.
They weren't dominating by any means.
bp also didn't dominate last night with all the (pro's/rookies) back on the team hungry to make the playoffs!!!!!!!!
things are ominous at best with this "wonderful" article about wang/snow/nolan in todays paper!
sorry for the negativity, BUT......... and please someone save me from this horrible feeling of doom, if i'm wrong.....
wtf, now we're gonna have a season with a coach and gm who don't agree and a coach who's going to be worrying where his next paycheck's comming from???
what a great way to build, yippie....
what else could possibly happen?????????????
It's like I've always said - on this board Nolan is untouchable ...
I not only agree with Wang I think it proves some of the things I've been saying ....
1) I think it proves that Nolan has a lot of impact on who is playing for this team - not only minutes obviously - but who signed by the team and who's braught up ...people love killing Snow but it seems by the tone of that article that Nolan has too much say ....he should just coach who Snow brings up or signs ...
2) Points out the stubborness of Nolan. Whether the AHL team was tearing it up or not isn't the issue. The issue is that there were too many players on the NHL squad doing NOTHING yet recieving crazy minutes. The youth should have been played way earlier - not only when the injuries forced them to be played
3) As far as the youth proving Nolan wrong I also agree ...the team was not only fun to watch, but the produced ....they beat some teams that were playing for something - granted at times they made mistakes, but if Nolan would have called them up earlier then they could have gotten those growing pains over with this season ...
I could go on and on about it but I'm sure the Tefflon Nolan fans are already seathing ...
I came on here and said I thought some people were overrating Nolan by calling him a great coach so by no means do I think he could do no wrong. However if you tell your coach you expect to make the playoffs then he is going to play the players he feels he can get there with and I guess Nolan didn't feel he could get there with the kids. The Isles tried last off season to sign quality free agents and they just didn't want to come here and we can argue about who's fault that is and I blame Wang for creating a circus atmosphere here with the Smith and Snow situation, but there is no excuse for this team being as soft as it was this year. This team was an embarrassment when it came to toughness. I just wish Wang would hire a legitimate hockey guy to run the show and lay low.
AZS ~ I'm not saying that Nolan doesn't deserve his share of the blame ... I'm not going to defend him ... I'm just saying he shouldn't be made the scapegoat because some kids came up and opened eyes ... but still didn't put it in the net .... I was a huge supporter of getting Tamby up ... and held Nolan responsible for that .... however .. Tamby didn't get it done while he was up. Satan had more goals ... and we were riding him for his lack of productivity....
I think Nolan can coach!! ... and given a healthy, balanced and skilled lineup I'm sure he'd get more out of em to make some noise.... that is just how I feel.
I do agree ... and I accepted from earlier on that once the Isles were out of it I'd rather see the kids lose than veterans play halfass. I still stand by that ... but my point earlier was the kids still were under .500 ... and you can't gaurantee that they'd of made the difference if they were brought up earlier ....
... I also agree that Nolan should just coach the people that Snow gives him .... but that again is Wang's fault ... he's the BOSS ... and if he assembles a committee atmosphere then he should accept the concequences .... You can only have ONE GM ... and Snow should be to blame for not assembling a competitive team that doesn't fight or hit, and plays like a wet tissue at times.
Wang did create the circus atmosphere as noted by Isle27 ... and he has to accept his share of the blame.
Isle27 ... your last post pretty much sums it up.
Just for the record, I wasn't really trying to call you two out ...was more of a comment for everyone ...
I agree that there is a circus type atmosphere, but I still can't be mad at Wang. Maybe I'm just a Wang apologist, but I personally have a hard time giving Wang grief ....only because he stepped in a baught this team when no one would, he's the reason there's still a team on the Island. He's trying to get a new arena and I think the MM tenure is his only big flaw. But think about it - he put all of his trust in MM and that got him no where ...no wonder he wants there to be a committee ...no wonder he wants to be involved ...
The guy losses money on the team every year he's owned it ...so if he wants to get involved or if he feels a committee is the best way then so be it ...I"m not saying I agree, but I think atleast his heart is in the right place ...he doesn't come across as one of those guys who just wants to be in the media ...I truly believe he wants to build a winner ...
AZS, I agree 1000%. Wang has frustrated me at times, and I clearly see his tendency to fall in love with people, potentially even to the detriment of the team. However, the fact remains that the team might be in Kansas City by now if not for Wang, who stepped up and saw the team as a civic investment rather than a way to pad his ego. AZS is right - he may not make the right decision, but he's making a reasoned decision based on what he knows. In 5 years, when the Lighthouse exists and the Islanders are once again the class of the league, we'll have WANG to thank more than anyone else.
If Wang has 2 faults, it's that he can fall in love with people (see: Milbury, Mike, DiPietro, Rick, and Snow, Garth), and he also wants to make his own decisions. It seems at times that he held on to Milbury precisely BEACUSE the fans wanted him gone, and Wang wanted to see him redeem himself.
Also, I don't agree about the circus atmosphere with Smith/Snow. I know it looked that way from the league's perspective, but I heard a story about the reasoning behind Smith's firing. If this story is accurate, Smith did something that Wang expressly instructed him not to do, and that was the reason he was fired. I spend my days in boardrooms with executives, and I have to tell you that if one of my subordinates blatantly ignored strict instructions I would fire them on the spot.
(Not saying the last piece to brag, since I'm surely not an executive myself...Just that I work in the business world and that's what you get if you openly defy your boss)
The two and a half easiest words to say in the English language are "You're Fired".
They are also the two words in the English language that require the most forethought and preparation/groundwork before they should be said.
The fewest amount of times that an executive has to utter those words is the measure of how good an executive he is. Cuz every time he/she has to utter those words, he is acknowledging his own mistake.
By the same token, an executive who NEVER says those words...is either full of himself, a coward, a fool or a God.
How's that for spinning around in a circle?
I'm not gonna read to deeply into any Wang/Snow/Nolan soap opera. In MY BOOK, (apologies to Baumbach), this was the 1st full season of this triumvirate. Last year was a honeymoon year. Pure sex.
This year was "who's not putting the cap back on the toothpaste" year.
The upcoming year we find out who's willing to put the last dish in the cupboard without bitching about it.
If all 3 are allowed to do their jobs and "help" out with the others WHEN NEEDED, we are well on our way to celebrating a very nice 5 year anniversary.
Let's keep the mother in laws out of the picture.
Just some rambling thoughts on Business and Marriage from 2 time zones away.
BTW Nick....
I DESPISE bored rooms.
Thank God there is only ONE in every company (In every Fort Fumble) otherwise NOTHING would get DONE.
I have always believed that "bored" meetings should be held someplace like a little greasy spoon underneath the El on Jerome Ave.. That's the quickest way to get things decided efficiently and get the BS'ers BACK TO WORK.
505, that's the problem....they're UNHOLY wastes of time. Since I'm a Consultant, those are my clients. Let me tell you, I feel like I spend 3 days of my week giving status reports and attending meetings about what I've done the other 2. I was just making the point, of course, that ignoring orders is a perfectly valid reason for firing.
As for your take on the triumvirate, I think you're right. Let's see how things go - I'm not ready to say Snow should be fired and Wang sent to computer camp, a la Steady. I am ready to say this is a make or break year for the executive leadership, and if Snow doesn't deliver he should be "re-assigned" in the organization in favor of a prominent hockey mind who can engender some respect.
I just read the article.....
There's really nothing new in it re the Wang/Snow/Nolan story..
Like I told Steady on a previous blog.....I am not concerned or bothered by the contract thing about Nolan.
Wang's correct.....he should not be thinking about it at this point.
If the Isles come out and win 25 of their first 30 next year....then I'm talking to Nolan's agent. If they come out and lose 25 of their first 30 then I am googling monster.com
If they come out and split their 1st 30?????
I'm gonna wait and see how they do in their next 30.
There is nothing wrong with letting Nolan know that a contract beyond next year is based on next year. If I am comfortable with the team that Snow and Wang gives Teddy next year.....then it is up to Nolan to prove his value as a coach with a quality team.
At the same time if Teddy starts brooding about no "contract extensions".....well.....I'd tell him to stop brooding and start crying.. YOU'RE FIRED.
What I DIDN'T like about Wang was his TV interview the other night. The guy needs some acting lessons.
Nick,
" Snow doesn't deliver he should be "re-assigned" in the organization in favor of a prominent hockey mind who can engender some respect."
I know it's WAY EARLY....But I am giving Snow HUGE PROPS on Hillen. I smell a PP QB right there. Again, I know it's early....but it looks like he can the tape on someone 100 ft away.
And for a kid who was picking his nose in a economics class 4 days ago......he made some pretty good puck decisions out there.
Edit last post icon alert...
"but it looks like he can "HIT" the tape......."
And one more thing about Snow.....
Earlier this year there was a lot of talk in this board (bored?---Hmmm) about Snow being from UMaine and the whole East Coast Vs MN/Western colleges and the inherent "prejudices" and "rivalries" and "preconceptions" etc....
Not that it amounted to anything.
BUT....
Of note.....
The last two "signings" by Snow were kids from MN....Okposo and Hillen.
505, let me put it this way...The people at Maine call themselves the BLACK Bears and yet their school colors are navy blue and powder blue. How aware of things can they really be if they don't realize they're actually Blue Bears?
I think Snow is willing to take the best player available, though if we do miss out on Stamkos I think the Hockey East bias MAY lead us to my boy Colin Wilson. Who knows?
Now if Snow can just find that 6'4" haybailer from Saskatchewan who's parents abused the hell out of and can score 20 goals a year.....well...
They just don't make Jethro's like they used to.
All these damn social programs and CYFD's (Children, Youth and Family Development) are wreaking havoc on potential hockey enforcers.
I dunno know Nick.....as far as Maine's colors....
If I had my choice I'd rather confront a BLACK Bear than one that hadn't had any sex for awhile and was blue because of it.
They must teach a lot of subliminal marketing and psychology up there.
Funny you mention the school color thing though.......my daughter played them in Vball every year (America East Conf) and mentioned the same paradox to me once....
Great minds......
The kids have been fun to watch. Yet to say they "Produced" is way way way off base.
The team scored ONE goal or LESS in 12 of their last 16 games!! That is pathetic. They lost 12 of those games by the way. The kids were fun, exciting, worked hard, but were not WINNERS!
Nolan's job was to make the playoffs....He was 100% correct in not playing those kids until he had to. When healthy his team was in playoff position. The kids COULD NOT of gotten him to the playoffs, and proved they cannot win yet! The team was WORSE with the kids in. That is a simple PROVEN fact.
I loved watching the kids at the end, and was glad it happened the way it did. With that said a coaches job is to play the best players he has a chance to win with.
IT IS THE GM and OWNER's job to provide the talent. It is their job to give the Coach the tools.......This team had really bad tools ! IT all starts at the top.
FIRE SNOW...SEND WANG TO COMPUTER CAMP....SHIP # 3 to ICELAND!!!
And SPEAKING OF HAWKS.....(daughter's alma mater)
D-MONEY!!!!
Where is a good envirnmentalist when you need one!!!
Earlier this week a red-tailed hawk attacked a young girl touring Fenway Park. Turns out the hawk was nesting in Fenway and had a viable egg in the nest.
AND THE NEST AND THE EGG WERE REMOVED!!!!
WTF!!!!
As a lover of nature and all things Thoreau....why wasn't Fenway Park SHUT DOWN until that hawk could complete nature's cycle?
Mama hawk should have been given an opportunity to hatch and raise it's youngun in that rat infested smorgasboard and strike yet another blow for Mother Nature's oppressed.!!
Where was the uproar?
Where were the protests?
What's "natural" and "ecological" about allowing Manny Ramirez to drip whatever nonbiodegradable formula oozes out of his dreadlocks into the subterranean water supply, instead of the perfectly natural fertlizer that comes with hawkschit?
Yet I have to consult with Fish and Wildlife everytime a GD sparrow builds a nest in my swampcooler?
"The team was WORSE with the kids in. That is a simple PROVEN fact."
No argument Steady.....but....do you think ....IN THE LONG RUN...that this team is gonna be a Cup Contender without the kids?
Are you saying that based on your 'PROVEN" fact.... that Tank/Satan/Vasicek/Hilbert/Sillinger/Comrie and just about any "non-kid" forward should be in the starting lineup next year?
That we should go with same formula next year that we started this year with? I.E. a bunch of leftovers and some penalty killers?
Doncha think there needs to be a better mix?
wait a minute 505...I thought Tank/ Sutton/ Comrie/ & Vasicek were all "nolon type players". How are you guys going to win a cup without your coaches and GM's hand picked FA's?? Because thats what all your fans were saying over the summer. These guys weren't left overs that no other team wanted. No, these guys were actually who your GM wanted and pursued because they had character and grit just like your coach...thus they are all "NTP's"
Well your nolon type players can now go play some golf with the greatest coach to be banned from the league for over a decade. remove the orange and blue glasses and realize that your team is in SERIOUS trouble and needs to get rid of the coach, GM and about 2/3 of the starting roster.
I had a good laugh reading one of the last posts under the last thread. It was something along the lines that the isle fan was going to love watching the devils beat the rags next week. He said that most of our wins were in the shootout when the fact is only two were won in the shoot out.
Losers all of you!!!!! except for those of you who see the team for what it is and are sick of the spin put on by the media that the kids are coming next year or that the light house is coming next year or Snow is learning more each year or whatever the next excuse is. Enjoy watching some rangers playoff hockey.
No way do I want ANY of those vets back next year, and YES I want to see many of the kids start next year.
My only point was a coach has a responisbility to paly the BEST players he is given and that give the team the best chance to win. Nolan did! The kids were not the answer.
Once the team was dead, Nolan did play the kids. He did get them experience. He did his job!
All those that screamed for the kids early were proven worn in my opinion. They proved they cannot win with those kids with out other help next year.
I am very glad the kids got the experience in the end. Can only help us in the long run. Yet the BOBBLEHEADS must get some help....We all know what that help is...new 1st line, pest, enforcer.
let me make one more prediction....all you guys who hate Avery and refer to him as "Avon Avery" will be the same guys demanding the the Isles go after him if the Rangers don't resign him. And then he will be a NOLON TYPE PLAYER!!!!!
Hey lonely troll. It is Sunday. Last game of the regular season. Huge game for your team right now. You are posting on an Isles blog! GET A CLUE!!!
p.s NO ONE on this board picked the Isles over your team. We all new this would be a tough year. No one cares what you think. Do not blame us your blog is pathetic when it comes to hockey talk.
Good luck in the playoffs. With Shanny (last year), Jagr (last year) and an aging Drury you better win this year.
glad to see with your blueskirts about to play an important game your still thinking of the Islanders.
Steady,
"My only point was a coach has a responisbility to paly the BEST players he is given and that give the team the best chance to win. Nolan did!"
No argument Steady.....
As much as I wanted and called for "more kids" all year....I have to defer to a "real coach" to make those calls and decisions.
"Kids" always come with a caveat....they are gonna make bomehead plays for awhile.....most of em anyway...
I see that Islander Joke is still trying to simultaneously dazzle and confuse himself.
Okay,
Someone riddle me this....The Jersey announcers said that the Ranger's win the Hummer Challenge by virtue of their one point today.
Hmm...HOW does that work?
Isles and Ranger's are tied with 23 points...
Isles have more overall wins in the Challenge 11-10
The Isles record against the Rangers is 5-3.
But the Ranger's get the Hummer Championship??
What am I missing?
Islanders505--you are missing a brain. who cares about the hummer cup(except a fruit like you who will never get a hummer)?
Get real..the isles are gone, dead. Move on. Another loser season..but take solace in the fact that very few people even know who the islanders are--so, you wont be missed.
Rangers with a huge loss ad the obsessed fans come on the isles blog to whine. hysterical. get a life loser! Go pump some gas!
Jst want to say thanks to the Isles. Even with 11 injuries you owned the Rags this year and gave us home ice. Thanks, good luck in the draft!
You're welcome DEVILS FAN....
Hey Lunq......
Watch that Parise top shelf back hand...it's a KILLER.
Devils in 4..cuz they got a Sutter.
Of course, I'm devastated missing the playoffs, but give the boys credit for not just mailing it in, like some other teams around the league. Next season's top line should be to move Okposo back to his natural center position, flanked by Bergenheim and Comeau -- these kids are really going to be something.
Well ... Team Islanders Fans saved some face in our tournament ... we beat Team Devils Fans 3-1 this afternoon ... and tourney MVP was our Goalie ... Ryan (insert Irish surname here) originally of Williston Pk. Long Island ... gave up 6 goals in 4 games and we finished 3-1 overall. Team Devils Fan beat us in the preliminary round 3-2..... it's all timing.
Tourney was lots of fun.... but 5 games including my regular league championship game and a skills competition in less than 72 hours was wayyyyyy to much....
... I'll catch up with today's posts after a nap.
NYI, Okposo is NOT a Center...he's a natural right wing. His playing at center was one of the reasons Snow was so upset and wanted him out of Minnesota.
COMEAU centers that line.....
After a summer with Trots and Sillinger, of course.
Ya got the digger (bergie), the passer and puck control guy (Comeau) and the scorer (KO).
"Devils in 4..cuz they got a Sutter."
...and a Parise....a coupla old Isle names that ALWAYS had their way with the Rangers.
And my prediction of the Dev's in 4 is my heart....not my head..
A 4 game sweep by the Devil's and THIS board will be lit up with more frustrated Ranger ice worms. (Cuz, that's just how things work).
Bring 'em on...
19Isles
"I'll catch up with today's posts after a nap."
Hmmmm.....5 games and a skills competition in 72 hours???
For your sake, I hope you sleep like you write.
See you Wednesday, Mr. van Winkle.
Bergenheim is not a first liner. He's a borderline second liner, but really a very good third liner. The first line should one day consist of Okposo, Comeau, and hopefully Stamkos. But not this year. Maybe the next.
The First Line will not .....change that......BETTER NOT be from "within" next year.
Snow and Wanger with all out cap room better, FOR ONCE earn their titles and money in the summer time.
We need a new first line.....That will in turn put all our current people on the lines they should be!
Wang ~ Should be concentrating on working on the Islander brand ... getting the Lighthouse / arena renovations going ... lending support to hockey ops when Garth asks for it. Marketing ... all the Biz $ide
Garth ~ Hillen ... pretty good pickup ... but jury is still out .... use this summer's draft and freeagency period to re-stock. Need enforcer, pest and a sniper / setup man.
Nolan ~ Coach the hell out of this team ... there are a few good raw talented players. Build off of this year ..... and do youreself a favor .... get a Power Play Coach .... look towards Europe / Russia if you have to.
Too tired to dig any further .... good thing for you guys .... lol.
Steady,
Who, other than Hossa is out there this summer? I'm sincerly asking because I don't know ...
but I'll say this about Hossa and whom ever else is a UFA this summer - the Islanders aren't going to be their 1st choice. Several people have mentioned this offseason as some kind of make or break moment for Snow (and Wang) but I don't see how that's reasonable.
We love the Islanders, but we have to be realistic of how this team is viewed right now. This team is going to take time to undue all of MM's time here. The farm system needs to be rebuild and I actually think, and hope, that our team next year does have the likes of KO, Comeau, Bergie, Tamby, Walter, Smith and whomever else steps it up ...
Wang can't win with some of us - if he doesn't sign anyone then he's a bum BUT at this point for him to bring in a Hossa (without a new building or a nucleus of youth ready to take that next step) he would need to overpay. The last time he did that - Yashin - people were up in arms ...he had to overpay for Yashin to sign here. Yashin was a #1 center - an allstar - a name ...and he paid for it but there are many Monday morning quarterbacks that still kill the guy ...
So, what do we want?
Personally, they should make sure to let the UFA's from our team walk ...they should try and lure a quality UFA here, but be ready for them not to want to come at this point.
They should also hope Sillinger can't play - he's too old and slow. They should play as much youth, including whomever they draft this year, as much as possible. If it means we stink and get another high pick next year so be it. It's about time we rebuild this team the right way and stop putting so much emphasis on UFA's because until we get a new arena and some better youth people aren't going to want to sign here - there's a reason we've been signing guys to 1 year deals ...there's a reason Jon Sim was our 1st signing - not because Wang isn't willing to spend or that Garth wasn't trying ...
AZS ~ You make a GREAT Point .... I am all for rebuilding ... I can't even blame Wang 100% ... I only blame him for his blind loyalty of MM ..... I just hope he lets Snow execute his plan and doesn't cause him to from it by undue pressure.
We have a lot of gratitude towards Wang for keeping the Isles here and pouring his heart into rebuilding the organization. I have no doubt his heart is in the right place .... and just like us .. he sometimes has to have the urge to take action himself ... but he has to restrain himself and let Snow sink or swim on his own merit now.
The Isles aren't going to attract Prime UFA's or RFA's until they have a solid core .... which may take the 2009 draft to establish a promising young core.
I'd even dangle one of our two young defensemen (Gervais & Campoli) after next season for a #1 rd & 2nd rd pick in 2009 if they can fetch that.
The Isles would still be left with....
Witt / Martinek
Hillen / Sutton
Camps or Gervais / Meyer
for a solid top 6 .... I'm not prepared to call Hillen a bonafide top 6 yet ... but he looked promising..... something to consider.
+ Depth: Fata, Spiller, Johnson .... for now anyway. Kessel & Katic are starting to make progress too.
Wonder if Snow has any more tricks up his sleeve?
I'm all for trading Gervais ...I think he's totally overrated and if he could fetch a 2nd rounder or even a 3rd rounder I would deal him in a second ...I've warmed on Campoli, but for the right deal you should move him aswell because he's replacable ....
I also agree on Kessel and Katic ...I'm curious to see where we'll be picking in the draft and we have some months of debating on what the Isles should do but I'm very curious to see what they'll address in the draft - O or D ...and who'll be on the board when they pick ...a miracle would be nice and I'll be watching Versus tomorrow ...praying ...
All great points AZS. Yet, there will be a cost for the kids playing and not bringing in talent. That cost will be one of money and one mans job. Nolan will have another losing season and not be resigned. The team will lose even more while we re-build and the crowds will become even less.
I and fans like you would enjoy a youth movement. We can gut it out, especially after the product we have seen for quite sometime. Most fans will not be as patient.
Philly did it through youth and HUGE signings.
Pitt did it by the winning ping pong ball.
Washington did it via MR. Ovechkin.
Now if we stay bad long enough, maybe we can get the next syd or Ovech. Or maybe just maybe the bobbles will prove me wrong and pull a rabit out of their a^^.
Well another off season. We shall see and hope. what else can we do!
The Hummer Cup Challenge.....and $50K was awarded to the Rangers.
Never mind that the Isles and Ranger's tied for overall points.
Never mind that the Isles had more wins among the 3 teams.
Never mind that the Isles had a better head to head record against the Rangers.
NEVER MIND THAT SPLITTING THE MONEY AMONG THE TWO TEAM'S CHARITIES WOULD HAVE BEEN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE, SOLOMONLIKE SOLUTION.
MSG gave all the money to the Ranger's charity...
Cuz the Ranger's had "an overall better record against the rest of the league".
I thought this was a competition among the "METRO" area teams? And not the rest of the league?
Writing the rules as they go along.
There's a KIDS CHARITY FOR THE ISLES THAT JUST GOT SCREWED OUT OF 25K BY THOSE PIKERS AT MSG.
In 1975, when I was still a "kid", I quit my job at MSG as a vendor cuz I was getting screwed out of paychecks. I swore off the Ranger's and became an Isles fan..
Those bastards are STILL SCREWING KIDS.
Just a few thoughts.
Wang: Wang is not a hockey genius, but he doesn’t have to be. He iJust a few thoughts.
Wang: Wang is not a hockey genius, but he doesn’t have to be. He is a pretty good personnel person. Unfortunately his loyalty has been given to people that are less than the best at what they do. My suggestion would be to get himself a VP of Hockey Operations. Somebody that has at least 10 years of GM experience, that can work with Snow and Nolan in the war room. He needs to focus on the “Lighthouse Project” and jamming up Hempstead turnpike traffic back to Suffolk County.
Snow: Snow has ridden the Roller coaster for two years. In his short period with the team Smith laid down a pretty good base. He added a few important pieces, but he definitely took two steps back when Smyth refused his offer, and then the most coveted centers turned their backs on the organization as well. He needs to do something this year that will get the back pages during baseball season. A helium filled lottery ball could do wonders for this organization.
Nolan: He’s done a pretty damn good job making a steak dinner out of ground chuck. Maybe a lot of the failure should fall on his shoulders, but in two years he did accomplish a few things. Last year he took a less than mediocre lineup to the playoffs. He made Blake into a 40 goal scorer. Yashin had the best 40 games of his Islander career. He got into the playoffs with a defensive corps that included a hobbled Freddy IV, MABrie and Sean “Rx” Hill. This year he had them in contention as late as February… and then the hits just kept on coming.
Yes, he kept the leading AHL scorer in the AHL in the worst scoring drought in team history. What has Tambellini done in his 80 or so NHL game. Nada. 79-4-13-17-24. He may have an NHL future, but he seems to have only third line upside. Comeau seems to be in the right spot at the right time. The only real mistake I see was made last year when they let Bergie stew in Sweden… and that wasn’t Nolan’s decision (I assume). For all the “calling for the kids”, until the injuries the only real roster spots were that of third or fourth line spots.
As far as getting with the program, heck, if you don’t make Hossa a serious offer I’m not going to “get with the program either”. The team has a HUGE CAP CRATER. We don’t need any more Andy Hilberts, Mike Sillingers or Brendan Witts. This team needs guys like Hossa.
Prospects: I can’t see an October roster that doesn’t include KO, Comeau and Nielsen. UNLESS THEY Seriously improve themselves through free agency.
They most likely lose Sillinger and Sim to career enders. For all of those who blame Snow for not replacing Asham, BLAME THE ZAMBONI DRIVER.
They lose Vasicek, Fedotenko, Berard and Satan to free agency.
They should lose Hilbert to fair competion for a job. I don’t know if you’d consider bates a “loss”.
They gain Okposo, Comeau and Nielsen. There’s your second line right there. I’d rather see park on a checking line with Hunter and Bergie. All of those guys are responsible AND CAN SCORE. So we are left with first and second line concerns. Guerin and Comrie started the season well. Maybe an experienced 30-40 goal guy makes them work again, with Guerin and maybe Comrie being played off the island the following year by the kids.
So the way I see it, if you make a commitment to the kids, there isn’t going to be a lot of money spent on OFFENSE.
Hillen looked pretty good with the puck. It’s been a while since I haven't seen that many passes hit the tape in the nuetral zone in quite a while. He may start next year in BP, but I can’t see Campoli, Gervais AND Meyer playing their way to a November roster spot while he leads AHL defensemen in assists. There is a possibility that they make a draft day deal that clears the way for a defense that has a 220 lb crease cop and a puck mover in each pairing. I’m thinking Witt-Marty, Sutton-Campoli, and a September competition for that third pairing with the losers giving the sound tigers a pretty good D.
Let’s hope they don’t get hit with the injuries next year, and they do well in the draft. If that happens, Nolan is extended two more years, and then 3 more after they win the cup in 2010-11.
s a pretty good personnel person. Unfortunately his loyalty has been given to people that are less than the best at what they do. My suggestion would be to get himself a VP of Hockey Operations. Somebody that has at least 10 years of GM experience, that can work with Snow and Nolan in the war room. He needs to focus on the “Lighthouse Project” and jamming up Hempstead turnpike traffic back to Suffolk County.
Snow: Snow has ridden the Roller coaster for two years. In his short period with the team Smith laid down a pretty good base. He added a few important pieces, but he definitely took two steps back when Smyth refused his offer, and then the most coveted centers turned their backs on the organization as well. He needs to do something this year that will get the back pages during baseball season. A helium filled lottery ball could do wonders for this organization.
Nolan: He’s done a pretty damn good job making a steak dinner out of ground chuck. Maybe a lot of the failure should fall on his shoulders, but in two years he did accomplish a few things. Last year he took a less than mediocre lineup to the playoffs. He made Blake into a 40 goal scorer. Yashin had the best 40 games of his Islander career. He got into the playoffs with a defensive corps that included a hobbled Freddy IV, MABrie and Sean “Rx” Hill. This year he had them in contention as late as February… and then the hits just kept on coming.
Yes, he kept the leading AHL scorer in the AHL in the worst scoring drought in team history. What has Tambellini done in his 80 or so NHL game. Nada. 79-4-13-17-24. He may have an NHL future, but he seems to have only third line upside. Comeau seems to be in the right spot at the right time. The only real mistake I see was made last year when they let Bergie stew in Sweden… and that wasn’t Nolan’s decision (I assume). For all the “calling for the kids”, until the injuries the only real roster spots were that of third or fourth line spots.
As far as getting with the program, heck, if you don’t make Hossa a serious offer I’m not going to “get with the program either”. The team has a HUGE CAP CRATER. We don’t need any more Andy Hilberts, Mike Sillingers or Brendan Witts. This team needs guys like Hossa.
Prospects: I can’t see an October roster that doesn’t include KO, Comeau and Nielsen. UNLESS THEY Seriously improve themselves through free agency.
They most likely lose Sillinger and Sim to career enders. For all of those who blame Snow for not replacing Asham, BLAME THE ZAMBONI DRIVER.
They lose Vasicek, Fedotenko, Berard and Satan to free agency.
They should lose Hilbert to fair competion for a job. I don’t know if you’d consider bates a “loss”.
They gain Okposo, Comeau and Nielsen. There’s your second line right there. I’d rather see park on a checking line with Hunter and Bergie. All of those guys are responsible AND CAN SCORE. So we are left with first and second line concerns. Guerin and Comrie started the season well. Maybe an experienced 30-40 goal guy makes them work again, with Guerin and maybe Comrie being played off the island the following year by the kids.
So the way I see it, if you make a commitment to the kids, there isn’t going to be a lot of money spent on OFFENSE.
Hillen looked pretty good with the puck. It’s been a while since I haven't seen that many passes hit the tape in the nuetral zone in quite a while. He may start next year in BP, but I can’t see Campoli, Gervais AND Meyer playing their way to a November roster spot while he leads AHL defensemen in assists. There is a possibility that they make a draft day deal that clears the way for a defense that has a 220 lb crease cop and a puck mover in each pairing. I’m thinking Witt-Marty, Sutton-Campoli, and a September competition for that third pairing with the losers giving the sound tigers a pretty good D.
Let’s hope they don’t get hit with the injuries next year, and they do well in the draft. If that happens, Nolan is extended two more years, and then 3 more after they win the cup in 2010-11.
The kids in my opinion did their job....they ate up the minutes, and got the experience they needed.
Now we all know what we need as far as what positions to improve on. But I'm going to bring up players names whom are the TYPE of players we should look into.
1. (LW) Raffi Torres: He's an older version to Bergenheim, who likes to hit, and when he's healthy can score goals. You put a player like a Torres on the first line, and you have more of a threat than say Hilbert or Park. Possible Tambs for Raffi?
2. (C) Doug Weight: If Okposo, and Comeau are going to be mainstays here next year, I want a playmaking center who can make the crisp pass to their blades, and watch more goals from the kids.
3. (D) Wade Redden: Just a solid two-way defenseman who can put up points with Campoli and the rest of the D
4. Now as far as an enforcer goes i wouldn't mind seeing Godard back, but ANYONE willing to drop the gloves and protect his teammates effectively is fine by me.
Netminder.....
Torres....Torn ACL is a BIG ?
BUT...until this year an 82 game a year player.
The ACL makes him a big roll of the dice....
I vote YES. Bet heavy on the YO! and go for it.
And put a ticket office in the Bronx with gameday shuttles.
Weight....will he come to the Island?...Guerin would have to talk to him and sell him.
I vote YES.
Redden...PRICEY PRICEY PRICEY.
I HATE paying too much money to guys from Ottawa who wind up between the sheets with Heidi Klum wannabes.
I vote NO.
Enforcer?
I'm googling the CYFD rolls in Saskatchewan right now.
I'll get back to you.
It's now MONDAY two time zones away and I am PISSED about this Hummer ripoff. Seagrams wins.
I just pledged $500.00 to Chris Botta for the Isles KIDS charity that got SCREWED by MSG.
Call it a flashback kneejerk reaction to the $50.00 or so I got screwed out of 33 years ago at MSG.
Please God, help me win the lottery so I can buy Newsday and make life absolutely miserable for everything MSG.....and setup Greg Logan with a corner office in Melville....with a panoramic view of RTE 110.
ARGHHHH.....I need an ice cube.
re Torres...
"And put a ticket office in the Bronx with gameday shuttles."
We'll see how many Ice Worms continue to buyup seats at NVMC after we have 20-25 complimentary shuttlebusses picking up "Rafi's Homies" at Fordham for every "homie" game with $10.00 game tickets, a complimentary sleeveless Torres jersey, and silently hand signing "Gomez Sucks" at the 10 minute mark of each period. (Oh, and of course there will be the obligatory kegger in the back of each bus).
I LOVE effective marketing.
MSG....
Monosodium Glutamate.
Cut and Pasted from Google..
Side Effects of MSG (monosodium glutamate)Monosodium Glutamate MSG contributes to the body having Cancer, Heart Disease and other degenerative diseases.
Enough said.
Devils in 4.
YOUR SEASONS OVER
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ENJOY YOUR GOLFING LADIES
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I've got pre-paid times set up for eight of you worms at Bethpage Yellow (it's the easiest) a week from Thursday. (4 and out ya' know)
945AM and 953AM (extra minute for your shankers)
Just tell the starter "We hate kids" and you're in.
BTW, hot dog prices are double for you on the turn.
Reach into your rent jar and bring enough some extra quarters.
Proceeds got to the Dolan Retirement Fund.
Avery and "Lunq" (isn't there a "d" before the "q"?---eh they're your fans, spelling is always an option) are caddying.
Just know that Avery will probably nod out forecaddying on the 9th. It's a great "sun hole" for anyone working on a tan.
Beers on me at the "Nutty Irishman" on Conklin St in Farmingdale after you're carried off the 16th hole for the double hernia.
Have fun genius.
Here's a thought.......illicitly broadcast here thanks to an early start on Monday and the pain/trauma of monosodium glutamate......and going into the post season feeding frenzy for players.
Does this team need a NBR 1 goalie?
Who? Where? What? is DP?
Who is DP?
Has he won a key Playoff Game for us yet?
Where is DP?
Other than getting massages and MRI's in the trainer's room.
What is DP?
Other than a goalie considered to be one of the best puck handlers in the game with All-Star recognition who just had his SECOND HIP SURGERY IN 2 YEARS.... and is starting to look like 1960's Lee Majors after a bad landing in a Republic F-105 THUD?
I "suspect" that this fear is in the back of everyone's mind....even you Steady....
Do we REALLY have a NBR 1 goalie?
Someone who can singlehandedly win a 5-6 game series?
I am conflicted on the future of DP with this organization.
Cuz I have some serious doubts as to whether DP is gonna be around 2 years from now, much less 10 years from now.
Dubie's got game....if we c