Addition of Berard Mixes Up Camp
Just when we finally thought we had the defense all figured out for the upcoming season, Snow threw us a curve ball and invited former Islander Bryan Berard to training camp. This really mixes things up in camp and possibly could have an effect on what Nolan will do with his two budding defenseman, Bruno Gervais and Chris Campoli.
Berard has done it all. At age 30, Berard has been a tremendous power play quarterback on some pretty good teams. He has averaged better than a half point per game over his career, which is awesome production from a defenseman. But no one knows for sure if Berard is that same player today. A horrible eye injury has limited what Berard can see on the ice, although he will tell you that his vision is perfectly fine. Either way, Berard is the epitome of what hard work and dedication can do as he has maintained his career averages despite all of his setbacks.
But if Berard makes the team, who loses their spot? It's probably a safe bet that Witt, Martinek, Sutton, and MAB will have a guaranteed roster spot. This means the real danger is to Gervais and Campoli. However, I think inviting Berard is a great move by Snow. It's so important to have competition in training camp so each player feels motivated each day to prove their value to the organization. Gervais and Campoli have not earned anything in my book, by their reputation nor by their play last season. If they truly are the better men for the job, I trust Nolan will make that decision and reward each of them with a roster spot. Well maybe not. Nolan does have a tendency to trust the veterans over the younger players. He proved that by sticking with Dunham when the better choice in net at the end of last season was Dubie.
Personally, I think Berard will be a very good fit for the Isles. He would give the Isles a power play quarterback to play with MAB. While many think MAB is the quarterback, he showed last season that when he is counted on to QB the power play, he has a hard time getting off his shot. That led to broken sticks and rushed shots that almost killed fans in the stands. Berard should be able to give MAB the time he needs to properly set up and fire away.
However, Berard will have problems with the physical game just as Campoli did last year. Some might see is as a waste to give a player on the downside of his career a last chance where Campoli might provide the same output while just at the beginning of his. I think Gervais will be safe because he is more defensively sound than Campoli, so it will probably come down to Berard v. Campoli. If they appear to be offering the same type of game during training camp, then Nolan must do what's best for the organization and cut ties with Berard. But if Berard comes out flying and really separates himself from the pack, then it might be another long camp for Chris Campoli.
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27 comments:
Who makes the final roster decision. Nolan, Snow or the "committee?"
On most teams it's the Coach, but we all know this isn't most teams.
Someone on a previous post stated that Campoli or Gervais cannot be sent down without clearing waivers. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I don't see Snow losing either one of them for nothing.
There is always the easy out, which is the "Injured Reserve" list. A careful GM could probably manipulate Campoli, Gervias and anyone who really gets hurt on this list.
In any case, if Berard can play up to his former self, then the Isles
have a true PP QB and he will deserve to stay.......Bill
Hey guys,
Looks like I missed a pretty heated debate on the last thread. If anyone is going to Vegas at some point, I have two words for you: Mandalay Bay.
I'm okay with Berard coming in to compete for a spot. I've done a lot of thinking about my stance on the development of preospects. I'd say more more enlightened thought process is as such: They need to be given a fair shot and significant playing time to develop.....BUT if they're not up to the task, they need to be replaced. Some players will never be regular NHL players and, if more of our prospects are like that than not, we need to revamp our drafting.
The clearing of waivers thing: I believe that Campoli may be on a one way deal, so he would have to clear waivers (like Bergie would as well). I'm almost positive Gervais is on a two way.
-Frank
Frank, waiver rules are based on age and playing experience. I believe according to the CBA, a 23 year old player can not have played more than 60 NHL games, if they have, they are subject to waivers. Unfortunately, Bruno has played more than 60 games.
Bill, I agree with you that if Berard is his old self, we will have a great PP QB. Berard and Bergeron would be a pretty potent #1 PP defense.
I actually think if he makes it, we will see a forward put on waivers and sent to Bridgeport. Meyer will probably be traded and we will carry 7 defenseman (with Johnson being sent down, due to he's probably a low risk waiver claim). I think Park or Bates will be the guy sent down. The only added dimension either brings, is their PK ability. If Sim or Bergenheim or anyone else show they can play on the PK unit, it pretty much makes Park and Bates useless.
I guess we won't know until training camp starts, which can't come soon enough.
Shinkdew- Thanks for the clarification on Gervais.
Bill- In accordance with your belief that some prospects can be worked into the lineup, would you be more in favor of Aaron Johnson being promoted instead of taking on Berard?
TSN.ca sees him as a potential Power Play QB. He has some NHL experience and would probably come with less risk than Berard.
-Frank
Frank, I always believe that the players who play the best should play. Reputations, rumours and "projections" mean nothing to me.
If Johnson out plays Berard he should get the nod.
I also believe in the youth factor. If two players are of equal value and one is 5 or 6 years younger, then goodbye to the older player.
You always hear how much "experience" counts and about "veteran leadership."
I feel that this is way overplayed.
Anyone who is at the Islanders camp, has been playing hockey as soon as they could walk. They probably have been playing competitive hockey in organized leagues since they were five or six.
If they don't know how the game is played by now they never will.
Case in point.....The Isles have been a veteran team for the past 2 seasons. And how successful has that turned out?.....Bill
Bill, what's your definition of "success"? Is it winning the cup, and only winning the cup? Or is it a team that continues to improve on the previous year?
Personally, I consider the Isles successful last season. The improvement they demonstrated last season after the dismal pre-season projections and the disarray in which they started the season to me was a form of success. If they once again improve on their record this coming year, is that not a form of success?
That said, long term success is building a team that competes on a yearly basis for the cup. After 15 years of mismanagement, I believe the Isles are looking better than they have for a long time, and have given me the most hope of meeting this criteria for success since 1992.
NYISLES, Success to me means being competitive with the top teams night after night. It means not just squeaking into the playoffs one year and missing the next. It means going further than the first round on a consistant basis.
You want to know the definition of success?
Just look across the river. Success is spelled D-E-V-I-L-S.
Success is building on the previous season. Did we do that this year?
No, I don't think so. I think this season will be a giant step backwards unless big changes are made between now and the start of the season....BILL
I'd be concerned about Berard's cranky back and his diminished on-ice vision. I say if he performs well in the first couple of months, keep him, with Bruno in Bridgeport. If not, recall Bruno.
Eck is reporting (yes, I know) that the Islanders are attempting to trade for a D-Man.
OK, this puzzles me. Unless we are getting someone of All Star calibre, why are we trading ?
All Markov wants is money, which Mr. Snow has plenty to spend. Why would we give up any type of asset when we could just pay Markov.
Unless the other team is taking Park, Hilbert, Bates and Simon in return for a top shelf D-Man, I don't get it.
Anybody???.........Bill
Remember who you are talking about Bill. He probably wrote on a note somewhere that the Isles are going to trade for a defensemen. Since NHL is very quiet right now he decided to clean up his room in his mom's house and where he found the note and then posted it
Bill, that's why I don't really put much stock into most of his rumors. Most of the time they don't make any sense. Unless they are trading for Dion Phaneuf, it would seem more sensible to sign Markov and not give up anything.
I think it's kind of funny how, after only signing Sutton (and possibly Berard), the blue line has suddenly become "crowded".
I can't see them trading for another d-man (unless it's McCabe or Kubina..I hope not).
I think, with the exception of Berard, the roster is pretty much set. The money will probably be banked to offset Wang's losses.
Keep in mind, they did acquire quite a few minor league prospects this summer (Bootland, Brennan, MacDonald, Jackman and Johnson). Perhaps they feel the depth is sufficient.
-Frank
I would hope we trade 2 of the above-mentioned prospects and a draft pick for a more potent defenseman. Witt, Martinke, Sutton and MAB probably aren't going anywhere. But does that mean we have to be content with Campoli/Gervais just because they are young and need time to develop?
If we can find a better defenseman out there, it will be up to Camp/Gerv to beat out one another in training camp, and may the best man win.
What the hell is wrong with Logan and Newsday? How can they let these morons post all that crap without monitoring it.
If it wasn't for the fact that Newsday is the only paper that covers the Islanders, I would cancel it..........Bill
Really is a joke Bill. I tried to read, but after 2 minutes I remembered why the Candyman retired from Newsday.
Drop them the link if you believe any actual fans would want to contribute here.
Still quiet up frontI guess. I'd be shocked if Snow pulled anything off before training camp.
the quiet before the storm of the season hits...
I saw on a few other sites that the Isles will be "dealing."
So, who would you like to see dealt off the Island?
My choices:
Bates (Not likely at his salary)
Hilbert (Why trade for a guy you could have had for free?)
Simon (see above)
Park (may be a useful role player to a contender)
I do not want any of the young forwards traded.
So, who are the Isles trying to trade?
Pre season prediction....Robert Neilson will score 25 goals for the Oilers this year, despite not being a "Ted Nolan" type player.
He will outscore Guerrin....Bill
Bill,
You are correct. No one will want Hilbert, Simon, etc. Their talent can easily be equated by in-organization depth on most teams. This really makes the resigning of Hilbert the strangest move by Snow this offseason. Why would he want to sign a player who brings nothing that a $300,000 a year player could bring more effectively.
I think the forwards are set in stone. If Snow is going to trade, I see him trading for a big name defenseman, although I'm not sure who is on his radar. Kubina?
I don't see Nilson having the season you predicted. Look for a hot start, then a constant fading into oblivion a la Raffi Torres.
I see Hilbert as a high potential, and hence the investment. 26 y.o., with only 1 (yes 1!) full season under his belt. A total of 85 games w/ the Bruins, Blackhawks, & Penguins since 2001, and then his first full season came with the Isles. A player of Hilbert's cast type can only improve on the 8 goals scored last year, and I would be willing to put money on that. (Disclaimer, cause I know it's coming: the other team's he played for have been some of the only teams LESS successful than the Islanders in the last two decades, and their personnel decisions of who to keep and who to trade should not be taken as an indication of player potential). Who here remembers how many POSTS the guy hit last season? He had so many opportunities (and made Yashin look respectable at times because he hustled so much), but rarely cashed in, and eventually it got in his head. If he gets his finishing touch, which I think he will soon given the new on-ice leadership we have, he's going to be money.
Now can the impatient NY Islander fans and media wait for this to happen, allowing him to develop into a 15-20 goal scorer, or are we going to put pressure on Snow for signing a potential goal-scorer who "isn't scoring", eventually forcing him to trade Hilbert for an unproven draft pick or aging veteran, and become upset when he does well elsewhere (see: everyone in the Mike Milbury era). Please Garth, don't listen to the media/fans. Please please please, just do what YOU think is right, and allow us to evaluate in 3-5 years what you have built.
Of all the scrubs on this team, I do see Hilbert as having the most potential. But as you pointed out, in less than one full season he has been on 4 (count 'em) different teams. There has to be a good reason why 3 other teams gave up on him.
How can he hit so many posts or miss so many open nets?
Simple. He has stone hands. That is why finishers get paid so much in the NHL.
All that being said, I do think it is possible for him to hit 15 goals this year. Or maybe 5. You just never know what you may get from him.
Justin....Robert Neilson is one of the purest talents I have seen in quite some time. He will light it up on that great Edmonton ice where players can fly.
Neilson was mishandled by the Isles and will benefit from a fresh start in the wide open West.
It was never his talent, but his commitment to work hard that was in question. I think that by being traded he will realize that you can't get by on talent alone.
He will also play on the Oilers top line.
Anyway, we can have gentlemens bet on him netting 25 goals this year......Bill
Bill - Nilsson is not a goal scorer, he's a playmaker. In two AHL seasons he scored a total of 26 goals. Last year was by far the most goals he's scored in a season with 18, and that includes juniors. How do you figure him being on the top line? Right now THN has Torres, Moreau and Sanderson ahead of him on the depth chart.
I read on one of the Oilers sites that Kevin Lowe stated that Nilsson would be on the Edmonton top line from training camp forward.
Nilsson had his best year last year and has increased his goal total. That is progress and maturity.
My feeling is that he will benefit from the Oilers style of play and a change of scenery. I also think that playing on the best ice surface in the NHL will allow him to take advantage of his skills.
The Oilers have always been a "run and gun" type team and that fits Nilsson's style perfectly.
I guess we will see come October....Bill
Bill,
Your quote: "It was never his talent, but his commitment to work hard that was in question. I think that by being traded he will realize that you can't get by on talent alone."
My response: see the career transition of Oleg Kvasha.
Talent is what get's you drafted. Hard work and determination is what makes successful professional athletes. I agree, if Nilsson can turn up the motivation juice, then he will have a solid season. You're on, on the bet on Nilsson. I say 14 goals.
Business,
When Hilbert played on a line with the best player in the world, Sid Crosby, then his production was valueable. Being that the Isles do not have anyone near Crosby's talent, I don't see too much coming from Hilbert. He will be an alright 4th line player, but a regular shift on the 3rd line was way too much last year, especially when it eats into the playing time of guys like Tambellini and Bergenheim.
What do you guys think of the Nokie trade?
I like it...at worst case scenario, it's a wash (but with a valuable 2nd rd pick).
I liked Nokie, but he was never going to be a difference maker or a second line center.
-Frank
I like the trade too. Walter is a pretty solid prospect who has some offensive ability. The second round pick is a nice bonus.
I don't know that much about Walter to judge this trade yet. A quick check shows that he was a 5 th round pick. Noke was a 1 st round pick, so I have to wonder why?
The second rounder is nice, but it doesn't really help the situation now. So in effect, it's a 2 nd and 5 th round swap for a first round choice.
Will Walter make the team, or is this just another one of Snows collection of spare parts?
To be honest, it appears the Snow and Nolan are trying desperately to rid themselves of any links to the Milbury era, no matter what the cost.
I am not so sure that this is the way to build a team.....Bill
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