Defensive State of Mind
Many Islander fans are worried--and as of now, they have every reason to be. They are worried because when they look at the current Isles defenseman they see the following 6 names: Witt, Martinek, Bergeron, Gervais, Campoli, & Meyer. They are worried because these are the only 6 names signed who have any legitimate NHL experience. Yet this crew is hardly an experienced bunch.
Brendan Witt is a very steady and very capable NHL defenseman. He was the former captain of the Washington Capitals and has been every bit as much of a leader on the Islanders. Radek Martinek proved last year how valueable his defensive attributes are to the Isles. He missed a huge portion of the 2006-2007 season, yet still led the team with a +19 plus/minus rating. Marc-Andre Bergeron averaged almost a point per game as a member of the Isles last season. He ignited a previously lackadaisical powerplay which helped the Isles sneak into the 8th and final playoff spot last season. He is very prone to turnovers, but I think MAB established last year that the benefits far outweighed the negatives that he brought to the team.
Now the worrying begins. Bruno Gervais wow'd the Isles during the 2005 training camp and finally made the team in 2006. However, his play was mostly inconsistent last season during his rookie year. There were times last year when I watched Gervais and felt that he was the next coming of Brian Rafalski--a smart defensive play maker who can contribute offensively without defensive lapses. There were other times when I thought Gervais was the next coming of Scott Lachance--a mediocre defensive defenseman who can't clear the crease and rarely contributes offensively.
The same can be said about the play of Chris Campoli in terms of inconsistency. Campoli was poised for a breakout sophomore season after a stellar rookie campaign. Campoli as a rookie reminded me of the way Bryan Berard played for the Isles in Berard's rookie year on Long Island. As rookies, both Berard and Campoli covered their tracks defensively and provided a spark to the offense on the powerplay as well as in 5-on-5 situations. Last year that version of Campoli was non-existent. Last season we saw Campoli play more like Berard did in his 2nd and 3rd seasons (constant turnovers, no defensive contributions) which led to Berard's eventual transfer off the Island.
THE BIG 2 QUESTIONS? Which Gerviais will we see--Rafalski or Lachance? Which Campoli will we see--Berard/rookie or Berard/soph?
Fred Meyer has not shown the Isles that he is a capable NHL defenseman. So if you play the law of averages, I would predict that one of either the Gervais or Campoli projects will work out, while the Meyer project will most likely fail. That leaves Snow will the task of signing or acquiring 2 capable defenseman if the Isles plan to be competitive during the upcoming season. I would recommend signing both Markov AND Sutton for this reason, (as opposed to one or the other). If both Gervais and Campoli are impressive and either Markov or Sutton flounder, then the Isles should easily be able to move one of these veteran defenseman a la Zhitnik last season. But I wouldn't worry too much yet. It's only the beginning of August and the Isles have the cap room to make things happen.
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4 comments:
Two J's:
Was wanting to get your opinion on something. Though it really has nothing to do with the post, Let me run something by you guys. OK BRACE URSELF HERE AND STAY W ME.....I was just fooling around on NHLNUMBERS.COM(GREAT SITE BY THE WAY), and noticed we have 14 mill under cap....Selanne is not signed, and apparently has no interest in returning to Anaheim.........See where Im going with this? Just wanted your much valued opinion...thnxx
I think one of the big factors being overlooked here, is that just because the Isles are 14 million under the cap does not mean that Snow has the authority to spend it. The Isles have not been bleeding blue and orange but GREEN for some time now. Wang may have quietly told Snow to keep the payroll at close to the level it is now.
Secondly, just because Snow may have 14 million to spend, doesn't mean that there is 14 million worth of talent out there. If there is, I don't see it.
There are 2 reasons why there are free agents left:
1. They are pricing themselves out of the market.
2. Nobody wants them at any price.
As for Teemu. Does anyone honestly think that a player of Selanne's calibre, who just won the Stanley Cup, is going to go from the Ducks to the Island? I think not....Bill
2 words: I wish
Bill,
I have on pretty good authority that Snow has been given the go-ahead to spend to the max. But I think you are right on the mark with your second comment. There just isn't substantial talent out there to round out a quality $14million spending spree. Markov is about the best talent left and he is not all that talented. There are basically no skilled forwards left, so Snow might have waited too long unless he has a trade in the works.
And laffs, Bill is right on here. Selanne would sooner become an ice fisherman before he would sign a contract with the Isles. It's sad, but it's reality.
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