Preseason Update
As of Friday evening, the Isles have compiled a 1-1-2 record in four preseason games while circulating many of the boarder line players who are competing for the final roster spots on the opening night roster. The players competing amongst each other consist of Andy Hilbert, Jeff Tambellini, Sean Bergenheim, Richard Park, and Jon Sim. While the main competition will be more ice time at the start of the season, the competition will probably lead one of the above players with out a job after Chris Simon finishes his suspension. The good news is that Hilbert seems the likely candidate to be the odd man out.
The lines that Ted Nolan has used, and we all hope will keep intact, are as follows:
Fedotenko-Comrie-Guerin
Satan-Vasicek-Tambellini
Hunter-Sillinger-Sim
Bergenheim-Park-Simon
Hilbert will probably start the season in place of Simon, but unless Bergenheim struggles, look for Hilbert to be gone as soon as Simon gets back in the mix. Another scenario could include a platoon situation with Bergie, Park, Simon, & Hilbert all getting a chance to receive fourth line duty. I hope Nolan sees Hilbert for his true value—a hard working checking forward who just doesn’t do enough to belong in the NHL. At some point, you have to produce.
Tambellini and Sim are probably safe. Tambellini has netted a goal and an assist in limited action this preseason, while Sim has already netted two goals. If Sim could chip in a 20 goal season, we will all recall the big day of free agent signings when the Hockey world mocked this signing. I have a feeling Sim will do exactly that. Tambellini, a former first round pick, should finally have the chance to play a full season at the NHL level. The speedster has better hockey smarts and a better scoring touch than Jason Blake, and is also 10 years younger. Granted Tambellini has never accomplished anything at the NHL level, but remember Jason Blake never really did anything till he reached his thirties. My sleeper pick this year is Tambellini chipping in 30 goals. At some point this season, he will be the Isles first line left-winger.
Now looking toward the defense, the competition probably comes down to two: between Campoli and Gervais. Martinek, Witt, Sutton, and Bergeron are all shoe-ins for the opening night roster. Since Tambellini and Bergenheim will probably make the team, Nolan will surely find away to satisfy his veteran craving by giving Berard a chance to start the season at the NHL level. He would then have to decide between Gervais and Campoli which will be no easy task. Campoli has already racked up a goal and an assist in the preseason, but Gervais is the sounder defensive player. If Nolan has already agreed to keep both Bergeron and Berard, it might be foolish to add a third extremely offensive-minded defenseman in Campoli. If Berard is out, then the two kids make it, but I don’t see it happening that way.
Overall, Garth Snow’s additions of Guerin, Comrie, Sim, and Vasicek should be able to equal the production of the Isles lost in the off season. The defense crew of Martinek, Witt, Sutton, Bergeron, Berard, Campoli/Gervais I believe is better than the defense that the Isles used in the playoffs last season. But a bigger question remains. Can the Isles find a way to repeat its miraculous run to the post-season from a year ago? It should be tough with a much stronger Rangers team, a revamped Flyers team, and another year under the belt of the up and coming Penguins. Oh and the Devils are in our division too. If the Isles can find a way to outwork their opponents on a nightly basis, along with some heroics from Rick DiPietro, they should be right in the fold at the beginning of April. But if the Isles suffer a few injuries to some important players, and/or DP doesn’t play like Superman, we wont have to wait until July 1st for a roster turnover. Comrie, Fedotenko, Vasicek, and Hunter could all be gone by the trading deadline.
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14 comments:
I agree about Tambellini. He is going to surprise people this year.
What about Walter? Does he have any chance to make the team? It seems a waste to trade for the guy and not give him a shot. From his last year's performance it doesn't look like there is much more he can do at the AHL level.
I would rather see him than Park or Simon........Bill
Nolan has admitted to being "impressed" with Walter during the preseason. But you know the rule of Ted - if 2 guys are of equal value, the vet gets the nod. That could be quite a flawed rule at times. Like here, Walter could probably provide everything that Park could this season, but chances are Park will get the roster spot. And that makes very little sense. Park is not going to get any better, while Walter is young and has a chance to develop into a solid NHL player. But either way, it was a great trade because once we suffer our first injury to a forward, we will now have a much better replacement. If that happens and Walter makes his presence felt, hopefully he will stick around.
I doubt Walter will make it, he'll probably be the first call up. I'd rather he dominate in the AHL, and know that he'll be ready next season. It would be nice if Walter and Comeau both made it though. It appears as if Hilbert is playing himself out of a spot, and Bates is still injured. I agree Bill , I almost would rather go with Simon/Park-Walter-Comeau as the 4th line.
Anyone hear anything about Frans Neilson? I haven't heard much about Berard either. Campoli seems to be playing well, maybe they will just go with him.
I was wrong about Gervais needing to clear waivers. Because he has a two way contract, he is exempt from waivers. He and Aaron Johnson are the only two d-man with two way contracts. There is a interesting article on the Islanders website about the defense. I guess Nolan is planning on having 7 to start the season. Campoli, Johnson, Gervais, Berard and Meyer are basically fighting for the final three spots.
Does it seem to anyone else here that the Isles management is more concerned with the bells and whistles than the product that it put on the ice?
I understand that there has to be a marketing campaign to draw fans to the old barn, but Kids Days, Blogger Boxes and Fun Zones don't win any games. The best marketing tool has always been a winning team.
Look at Buffalo or Minnesota which both have smaller fan bases than the Islanders. They are sold out for the season because they win.
So, enough with the glitz. Let's get back to winning hockey....Bill
Sadly, I have made a horrible observation. Going to other team's games, the environment is very serious and very hockey oriented. Sometimes Isles games can feel more like going to a carnival.
If I was Nolan I would fine DP the max amount allowed under NHL rules.
He has no business getting involved in a fight in a pre season game.
I don't want to hear about his "competitive spirit".
Suppose he broke his hand on Montoya's head. Or hit his head on the ice as he went down. There goes the season.
DP needs to mature and realize that the team comes first, not his macho man image......Bill
I agree. Completely unacceptable for DP to engage in the fight he did.
What in the world was Ricky thinking coming out getting into a fist fight, nearly smashing his head onto the ice, risking his career and the Isles' season. For all the Isles have done for DP, all of the security Mr. Wang has given him, it would be nice if a little of that was mutual. It's one thing to stand up for a teammate, but come on it's preseason. This reckless behavior needs to end.
Some might compare this incident to last year's attempt at a full Superman dive to stop a pending breakaway. However, the play last year against Montreal is not in the same league of stupidity as this fight. During the Begin incident, DP was going "all out" to save a goal, in an important game against a team they were battling with for one of the final playoff spots. This was a meaningless game, and DP should know better.
Agree on DP. But this is what strikes me most after watching last night's game. People are talking about the revamped roster of the Isles. What about the Rangers? It's not given that Drury and Shanahan will click, neither is it that Gomez and Jagr will.
But I think Nolan has made the most out of his new roster (so far). It was a great move to set the line combinations early in training camp. The nr 1 line of Guerin-Comrie-Tank looks great. I have yet to be overly impressed by Vasicek's play, but his 4-4-goal last night was great and I think he's got some potential as a goal scoring second liner. And a goal scoring second line is what success in the upcoming season is all about. The first and third lines are set, the second line needs a bit more time to gel.
And btw, sign Berard. The power play looks so much better now... Meyer should be heading out the door.
Take this however you want. It's from hockeybuzz, the Islanders's blogger:
Defensive Scoop
Campoli is set for defense.Isles are very happy with his camp and preseason.
However Gervais is only a 50/50 shot to make the team. Surprised? I was. And you better believe Bruno will either see the writing on the wall or have a big wakeup call when he's sent to Bridgeport.
Here's another shocker: Berard still hasn't made this team. This weekend is do or die for Bryan and also Freddy Meyer. Both have to have big games and play this weekend to get themself a spot. Otherwise the M*A*S*H loudspeeakers will suddenly have "It's time to say Sayonara" playing.
Sounds like Aaron Johnson is having a long look by the staff. Also that the Isles might be more comfortable with MAB and Martinek...and even Campoli with extended roles on the PP.
First let me say that I have only seen bits & pieces of the pre season so far. I did watch most of tonights game.
Is anyone impressed with Bergenheim?
Maybe I just missed his more impressive games, but so far I think he is a lot of wasted motion out there. Lots of churning arms and legs, but no results.
Any other opinions?........Bill
I only saw the first period of last night's game. I thought Bergenheim played okay. According to NYI.com, that was his best game of the preseason (which is kind of scary). He'll probably be on the fourth line and could end up being a healthy scratch some games. I thought Comeau played a pretty strong period. I hope he makes it over Hilbert.
I think Bergie played ok. His adjustment to the NHL game is going to take time.
I watched the whole game. Some observations:
1. The defense, lacking Witt, Sutton and Martinek, looked pretty poor. Campoli at times looked lost, Bruno was a non-factor and Aaron Johnson looked like he was trying to do too much.
2. MacDonald didn't play horribly in goal, but wasn't great either. Morrison is a sieve who will probably never make it out of the minors.
3. Offensively, there were a few bright spots. Fedotenko played well as did Hunter. I thought Nielsen looked agressive, which was a nice change.
The Ranger message boards are touting this as a blowout, as if some meaningful result could've been reached from this game. Let them talk, they're only fans, right?:)
-Frank
Sorry I been out of it wasting my time thinking the Mets would come back.
Bergenheim looks like a wild caveman out on the rink. Lot of skating and falling but he looks like a strong compeitor. This will be a very weak powerplay if Radek Martinek is the quarterback. I hope Berard makes the team. I seem to have very strong memories about the Isles' PP being one of the main reasons we lost many different games last year.
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