I'm not trying to be overly pessimistic but...
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UPDATE: Berard out 2-4 weeks
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Some things still concern me...
1. For the second consecutive game the Isles squandered a 2 goal lead in the third. As alarming as that is, we also have the distinction of being 2-0 when squandering 2 goal leads in the third, which is undoubtedly tops in the NHL.
2. For the second straight game Nolan makes a fool of himself by starting an offensively worthless Aaron Johnson at forward. What's worse is that Nolan probably sees this as a smart move because he had an extra defenseman available after Berard was forced to leave the game early.
3. Where is MAB? I could understand punishing MAB for one game (two at the most) but three games is overkill. MAB proved to be a more than valuable asset to the PP, and if we are not going to consider him for the long haul, then we better get him in the lineup so we can maximize his trade value. Personally I think Nolan needs to show MAB a little more loyalty than he has thus far. There have been many players who have blown some plays in worse ways than MAB has. I always go back to Dunham. Mike Dunham played horribly in the most important games of the season for the Isles last year, yet Nolan tried to push him through it. MAB had ONE horrible game in a MEANINGLESS game against the Leafs where we lost 8-1. MAB was hardly the lone culprit that game, yet has been singled out as the lone scapegoat.
The Isles did a fantastic job responding to two quick goals by the Devils in the third period in last night’s game. Guerin has really picked up his play and Campoli is in all-star form. Comrie and Guerin seemed to be the happiest when they are playing together so I would put them back on the top line together. The second line now has life with the addition of Bergenheim. I am hoping Bates can finally come back and play on the 3rd line with Silinger and Hunter. Nolan should then move Hilbert to the fourth line with Park and Simon and we can move away from this ridiculous notion of starting Aaron Johnson at forward. Hilbert has been a serviceable penalty killer, as has Park, so they should continue to see PK time as well as some time on the fourth line.
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Since there is not going to be any real hockey over the next week, I though I might ask you guys your opinion of all three local teams TV announcers.
If you are like me, whenever there are two or three games on at once you are switching all over the place when commercials and intermission breaks happen. I also confess to watching the Rangers and Devils when the Isles are not scheduled.
It struck me during the Boston-Ranger game, just how much of a "homer" Joe Michelitti is. Everytime a Ranger touches the puck
he goes on and on. How the heck did we put up with him when he was doing the Isles games? He is really awful.
Sam Rosen is obviously a Ranger fan but he doesn't let it get in his way calling the game. He strikes me as an honest guy who calls them like he sees them. I enjoy him.
Chico Resch has turned into another "homer" who activly roots for the Devils while calling the games. He, too is over the top.
Doc Emerick is as good as they come. he paints a wonderful word picture and never fails to make the game enjoyable. Too bad he doesn't work for the Isles.
Howie Rose will always be a Ranger at heart. I see him as a traitor who jumped for the money and the chance to be a number one guy. He does get off some funny lines and his interplay with Jaffe is entertaining. He is still a Ranger, though.
Billy Jaffe is pretty good but tends to get over excited about certain plays or players. I think he just needs some time to establish his own style. He does need to do something about those Groucho Marx eyebrows.
OK, that' my opinion. What do you guys think?......Bill
Bill I'm with you I do exactly the same things...here is my take...
Micheletii is a rambler and he tries constantly to over analyze trivial happenings throughout the game. I think he is a good commentator but definitely a little over the top.
I will never forgive Sam Rosen for saying over and over again how the Isles were eliminated from the playoffs when they played the Rags last season, forgetting that the Isles had a game in hand and could still tie. Yet I will forever be greatful that Rosen gave the Isles that karma.
Doc Emerick is a joke of an announcer. He is the most skilled play-by-play man in the league yet is the most obvious Devil fan there ever was. Same with Chico. AND THEY LOVE BRODEUR. If you ever watch them call a game you would see how they exaggerate every play Brodeur makes. I'll give you a mock conversation that takes place on a nightly basis:
[Shot from the point hits Brodeur in the chest, held for faceoff]
Doc: OHHHH WHAT A SAVE BY BRODEUR!!! You see how he stays square to the shooter comes way out takes the whole net away and cradles the puck in his body and gives up no rebound. Marty is in all-star form.
Chico: I'll have to agree with you there. That really was an underrated save, while the folks at home probably do not realize it, that save required more skill than it appears, and there aren't too many goalies who can make that save look that easy.
Howie is a cornball. Stop making corny jokes Howie!!!! But Howie loves the Mets, therefore I still love Howie.
I personally like what Jaffe brings. He adds the homer touch that Howie lacks. Plus I know Howie grew up a Rags fan, but if the Isles were playing the Rags in the conference finals, who do you think he would be rooting for? Definitely the Isles.
Justin, I still like Sam Rosen because he actually tells the truth. Michelitti make me scratch my head and blink my eyes. I know what I saw and he is screaming something totally different.
Doc is prone to ramble on about Broduer but he just has such a great gift for language that I really enjoy listening to him.
Howie Rose is a Ranger fan first, last and always.
Who needs Deb Kaufmann?
What happened to Jean Potvin?
Great to see Butch Goring back in any role. I always felt that he got screwed, by trying to coach a team that flat out stunk. He should have his number retired by the Isles. Without him, there would not have been four Cup celebrations on the Island.....Bill
Of the 3 pairs, I think the Islanders have the best combo.
Emerick grates on me with all his waxing poetic. Not only the fact that whenever he calls an Islander game on VS/NBC, they always seem to lose.
And this 3 team pre-game blows chunks. Gimme am Islanders only pre-game. I really don't care what the Maven thinks of the Ranjerks or Devils or what Sal from Staten Island has to say.
Since your 3 seemed to cover the announcing angle, why not bring up the fact that between the 3 teams, we always seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to penalties called for/against.
Prime example: That goal off the shoulder was called off but clearly when reviewing ALL angles it was off and his shoulder and should have counted. Yet our 'buddies' up in Toronto said there was no clear evidence to overturn the call on the ice. If they are really the 'war room' up there in TOR shouldn't they have every angle at their hands and not just the one or two basic views they use when the puck is in play? To make matters worse, moments later, Nolan's new wonder boy Aaron Johnson takes a penalty that in previous years would have cost the Isles the game with a lazy play in our offensive zone.
River Alph,
I agree I am very happy with the Isles broadcast duo. And Howie is less annoying as a hockey play-by-play man than a baseball one. Mostly b/c in baseball Howie knows everything there is to know about the Mets history and he somehow finds a way to make each game a documentary on past Mets' teams and players.
In re Jeff's post, it's just one of those things you can't point your finger at. I felt that last year's playoff was a prime example of things not going the Isles way as was the off-the-shoulder play from last Saturday. Do I think the "war room" in Toronto really has it out for the Isles? Not really. Do I think they have done a horrible job in assessing some important recent call in Isles games? Absolutely.
The play off the shoulder was a clear goal. Even Howie and Jaffe were convinced this was a legit goal. Usually the announcers can predict what way Toronto will rule, even if it means declaring that the goal probably was good but wont count b/c there was no direct evidence on replay. Here there was direct evidence, Howie and Jaffe were convinced, but the war room still got it wrong. Go figure.
I know what the war room was getting at. They were thinking you shouldn't be allowed to purposefully thrust a part of your body at the puck and direct it into the net, that being your shoulder, rear end, or head. But that simply isn't a rule. It seems the war room was fond of that old children's song... "the hand bone's connected to the arm bone...the arm bone's connected to the shoulder bone...
Guys, I strongly disagree. Ever since Colin Campbell was annointed by the NHL, calls go against the Islanders on a regular basis.
As I said in a previous post, if it was Crosby or Jagr who that puck bounced off, it would have been a goal, no questions asked.
Campbell has had it in for the Islanders ever since his days as a Ranger coach. His 25 game suspension of Simon is a prime example. Hollewig wasn't even hurt on the play and Campbell acted like
Simon intended to kill him.
Dale Hunter's cheap shot on Turgeon was 100 times worse and both got the same suspension. The NHL's "war room", Colin Campbell and many of the on ice officials are a joke. Hockey is the worst officiated sport of all the major
leagues....Bill
Is officiating in hockey worse that basketball (gambling, ghost fouls against top players, 3 steps for MJ)? Worse than baseball (anyone see the two back to back pitches that were actually identical- 6 inches high- that were called differently in the Sox-Indians game last night....think it was 2nd inning, right before the game was blown open..) Worse than soccer (one ref for the entire pitch? anyone watch the US women's loss to Brazil in the world cup this year? Horrendous red card right before half that ended that game)
No, hockey is not the worst officiated sport. In fact, because disputed calls go to one central location (Toronto) for final review, I'd argue it has the best officiating procedures in place of all sports. One person (committee) ultimately held responsible for ensuring all calls are consistent and standard. Moreover, there are 2 refs + 2 linesmen who all conference and have the ability to contribute information to overturn a previously made call. No other sport has 4 officials on the playing surface.
That being said, I think Colin Campbell is an idiot, and needs to be fired because I truly do believe he hates the Islanders. That is not bad officiating, that is one person's vendetta. He's incompetent, retaliatory, and childish, and calls to Toronto concerning the Isles are affected by his views. Still, just because it's against the Isles doesn't mean it's the worst officiated sport.
Disclaimer: The review process in Toronto needs work- I don't think they're given all the camera angles available, which really undermines their ability to make the correct call, and leads us to lose faith in their judgments.
btw, almost identical call this evening in Calgary vs. Sharks. An even less advertant body motion toward a fluttering puck that jumped over the goalie, ultimately disallowed.
If that's the way they're going to interpret that action, I'm fine with it, as long as they do it consistently. They called Toronto again, and the same no-goal ruling was comforting (especially since we ended up winning the game...)
NYISLES, You are entitled to your opinion, but just ask the players how good the officiating is. There was a player poll last year and the officials did not fare too well.
How is it you see one ref ten feet away from two players and the trailing ref 60 feet away make a call?
How can you have tripping and diving on the same play? The player either got tripped or he dove. One or the other.
How is a call made in the first period not a call in the third period?
The "war room" only makes calls on goals. They do not rule on penalties. So, they are not really a part of officiating the game. They are only consulted on whether a goal was scored legally or not.
Remember Witt's non goal last year?
Did they get that right?
And finally, baseball uses 6 umpires in the playoffs and 4 during the season. So to say that no other sport uses that many officials is false......Bill
Bill,
I agree with some of your thoughts, yet disagree with others. Tripping and diving I think "can" be called on the same play, although I think it should rarely be used. The situation should only come up when there is an actual penalty (the guy actually hooks him) and the guy being hooked goes down sprawling like someone just chopped off his left leg.
How about an adjustment to the rule which says that if you are determined to have embellished a penalty then the original penalty which you drew is removed, leaving your team short-handed. A rule like that would surely leave guys like Crosby or Avery to playing hockey and not worrying about the calls.
I agree with your notion that hockey is one of the worst officiated sports. I would attribute this to an extrodinary amount of a hockey official's discretion. At different points in different games a hockey ref may decide to strictly enforce the rules, or allow play to open up.
Could you imagine a basketball ref allowing fouls that he determined to be less harsh than other towards the end of a game? Of course not a foul is a foul. Or could you envision a baseball umpire tightening the strike zone suddenly in order to speed the game along? (Sadly I've seen this actually happen). But a ball is a ball and a strike is a strike as should a penalty be a penalty.
Justin- that happens in basketball. Ticky tack fouls are called at a ref's discretion, often to curtail one team's or player's particular effort to gain a competitive advantage. Technical fouls (typically for verbal abuse of the officials) are called more often on certain players than others. Thats why we see Rasheed Wallace on Sportscenter almost weekly during the season.
Bill, good point about the war room not being consulted for penalties. But, regarding goal/no-goal rulings, they need more cameras, and they'd make a lot more fans happy.
I also don't know of any player poll in any sport that would think games are fairly officiated. Players are constantly pushing the envelope of the game to gain any advantage they can, and officials are charged with creating a line that can't be crossed. Given the high levels of competition and money that is around in professional sports, that line has to move during and between seasons, since players and coaches will always try to find ways to 'beat the system'. Officials, in most sports, are pretty good at creating a line that allows players to compete at their highest level without adversely affected the level of their opponents.
Exhibit A: rule changes that made the neutral zone trap, and clutching and grabbing, difficult to execute legally. Players realized they could completely take speed and skill away from the game by trapping, which at the time was completely legal, and officials responded with rules that made trapping hard to execute legally.
Yeah it's the same for a player like Crosby who constantly dives yet is rarely called for it. Refs now believe since he is so much better than the rest of the NHL then he would never have to dive. Crosby takes advantage of this false perception by constantly diving.
To me the best officiated sport is football, mostly b/c the replay system allows for a review of most types of plays. But I'm not sure a system like that would help the NHL. What would you think about a system that allowed a team object to a called penalty, a non-call, or a blown offsides call for example, charging the team with its only time out if they are proved incorrect?
I think the main issue we have is on the review of goals. We've got to find a way to get cameras into the upper corners of the goal posts so that we can judge whether a puck actually crossed the line more efficiently.
Agreed- why can't we just have cameras in the goals, chips in the pucks w/ a sensor that shows if it goes over the line?
At the very least, lets require the goalie to put the water bottle in a pocket, out of the way of the overhead camera. That continues to baffle me...
Berard's groin pull worries me. The groin muscles serve as a counter balance to the buttock and back muscles, the latter of which he had surgery on last year. A weak back leads to extra stress on the groin, which may have caused this pull.
I suffered numerous groin pulls during my athletic career, and it sucks. My trainers always blamed my relatively weak back. Thankfully it's no tear though.
I guess we'll be seeing MAB again on Saturday?
I've thought about the "chip" idea before. I guess it would prove too costly to develop the technology to create such a review system.
The water bottle on top of the net could easily be rectified by making the goalies come to the bench to get their gulp. Or perhaps the ice girls can bring them a glass on a tray.
It's bitter sweet for MAB to return under these circumstances. But hopefully 2 weeks and 2 days off will have allowed MAB to re-evaluate his play in his own end. Although it's perplexing that Nolan left MAB in the press box for 2 whole weeks.
I would give MAB a chance to play a full game this weekend, and if he is horrible then Nolan could have the option of punishing him by turning him into a forward for the foreseeable future. I think MAB could be a very potent scoring winger.
Haha, its funny that he's been 'benched' for 2 weeks, yet it's only been 3 games. Thanks NHL!
I think he'll be fine. Toronto game was horrible for everyone, and he tried too hard to make something happen down a few goals. I recall one play of him trying to stick handle Bobby Orr style through the entire Leaf lineup. I think he made it past 1 guy before coughing up the puck a bit, falling, and allowing a 2-1 the other way. Poor Doobie...
Even if we just use him on the PP, it'll be fine. Camps and Bruno are now shooting consistently, and Sutton (not sure if I like him on the PP) also has a big shot. Hopefully this will minimize the other team's tendency to play MAB man-on-man. It's funny how much it helps to have guys other than Hunter who are willing to fight on the boards. Last year Yashin, Blake & Kozlov looked scared to get in there.
One other related PP note- I'm really liking Satan on the half boards (PP & 5on5). He has a great first step toward the slot, which opens up so many options that just weren't there last year.
Hey guys...Was out of country for a month or so. On my way back I was able to get a stop over night in Toronto and go to our 8-1 pasting. No need to discuss that any further....
Point being, they are ABSOLUTELY CRAZY about their leafs. You get 24 hour Leaf talk on the sports radio. I was able to catch a show called the "sports whores". They were taliking trade bait, and they said a possible trade sending kyle wellwood and a conditional, to us for satan.
If this leaf team plays like last year, they might be willing to sign a hired gun for a play-off run.It would be like the Smyth deal, except we would the draft pick, and a solid player. If you remember, prior to his injury, Wellwood was a first line wing, and a great 2 way player. What do you guys think? Snow would be considered a genious if he could pull that one off.
nyisles & noauto4me,
Funny that you should both mention Satan and then offer completely different perceptions on his foreseeable future with the Isles.
It's hard for me to say at this point and I think Snow will give Satan some time to get going. Towards the beginning of the season, Satan looked lost out there, and even more lost as the point man on the PP. He was weak on his stick and weak along the boards and was not getting enough shots on goal. He was an ineffective PP quarterback and I was ready to get rid of him right then and there.
But with the addition of Bergenheim to the 2nd line, Satan has been turning it around. He made an awesome play for a goal against the Devs last Saturday and is finding a way to get open. Let's not forget Satan is only 1 season removed from a 35 goal campaign in 2005-2006, and if we can find a way to get that kind of production out of him, then no deal will be worth making. However if Satan slumps back into his start-of-season form, then I would gladly welcome the trade you proposed.
So how are the Rags & Pens given a higher power ranking than the Isles???
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/powerranking
This is just embarrassing...for ESPN. If you accept the model that hockey is a niche sport (which I don't- just wait till more people get HD, and all games are broadcast in HD), then you should also accept that those people interested in power rankings actually know something about the teams that are playing. So, ESPN, why, WHY do you consistently embarrass yourself by doing 30% of the research that is necessary to report things accurately, when you're presuming the people reading your NHL site actually know something about hockey? Did they base these rankings on media attention? Off-season signings?
The only comment the write for the Isles is that Berard's injury will hurt the powerplay. We have yet to play an entire game without him on the PP, so how do they know that?? How is a team that has scored 13 goals and won 2 games ranked in the top 3rd of the league, 1/10 of the way through the season?? The Rags are on pace to win 20 games this year (obviously they're gonna do better), yet they're ranked better than the Bruins?
Oh my, I'm shocked. SHOCKED I tell you! And actually upset, because unfortunately, ESPN is how most American's hear about hockey. If they are so bad at this, they shouldn't even cover it at all.
Good catch nyisles. I'll be the first one to say that power rankings should not always be an exact rendition of the standings, otherwise there would be no need for such rankings b/c you could merely use the compiled league standings.
But ESPN's rankings are insane. And it's not about arguing where the Isles are. Ranking them at 14 is close to accurate, considering their streaky play thus far this season.
But the Ranger at #11 ????!!!!
With a 2-5 record and no goals scored in their last 2 games????!!! ESPN is a joke.
nyisles try TSN.ca/nhl for much better coverage on a day by day basis. There they have the Isles ranked at number 12 and the Rags at 21.
Wow easy nyisles---how can you possibly be upset by anybodys ranking of us? Dont forget, I havent seen any publication that had us anywhere above 25th the beginning of the past two seasons.
As of right now, there are two publications that have us top 10--both yahoo and msn rankings(9 and 10) respectively I believe.)
You know as well as I, that we arent going to get any love over at Bristol U. While I agree w the majority of your post, I doubt that most americans who care about hockey get their info. from espn. Hockey fans are generally smarter than what sportscenters target audience is. ESPN has become short attention span theater for the mtv crowd.
I always laugh at how little respect we get from all avenues. Be it print, radio, or tv--were like the proverbial red headed step child--rather than get pissed off, I let it define our team.
Peace All!!
yooooo gward,
I think nyisles is more upset that the casual fan who might get their info from ESPN are contantly receiving poor coverage. Hockey was at it strongest point when ESPN was fully devoted to the sport in the mid to late 90's. The NHL should offer a package to ESPN for a reduced price in order to attract a larger market.
That power ranking is a joke. The only thing worthwhile on ESPN's website is Buccigross' column.
Blake Kessel made the US Jr. Select team which is playing in the World Junior A Challenge.
That's good to hear about Blake. The Isles prospect watch hasn't had much on him. Here is a good website that analyzed Kessel, in addition to other Isles prospects like Okposo, Tambellini, and Nielson.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/kyle_okposo
Yes Justin, now that ive re-read his post I see what he means--and he is absolutely right.
I got a question for you guys who live in NY. Here in Fla, I get the NY POST every day. Newsday is almost impossible to find. The Isles get ABSOLUTELY no coverage at all. They will do two articles on the RAGS, and one on the Devs. Is it like that in NY also? The only good thing about the post is I get plenty of GIANTS coverage.
Peace all, and I must say, Im enjoying this blog. Keep up the good work guys
Gwad- where in FL? I'm in Tampa.
And yep, you got it right on the re-read. Too bad ESPN, what a sad entity you've become...
gward,
Newsday is iffy. They will usually produce about an article a day, but in terms of quality, I rarely find good insight. They're good for updates on injuries, interviews, etc. The Post is a waste.
Here's a thought to ponder. I wonder if the Isles should make a play for a better backup than Dubie. Granted he saved us last season, but the Isles season would be devastated if DP had to miss serious time. (Knock on wood like 1000x). Davod Aebisher was available via waivers, although that begs the question of why his value has diminished to nothing.
Justin - hockeysfuture is a pretty good site. eurohockey.net is pretty good for tracking players in Europe.
NYISLES--
Im in South Florida. Right outside of west palm beach. Ive actually had the pleasure of meeting a few Islander fans since Ive been down here.
I just switched from comcast to directtv, and now I can get most of the pre and post game on fsny or the alternate.
Great point on backing up DP Justin. Didnt we just sign a goalie in the off season? Just the mere thought of something happening to DP sends shivers down my spine.
As for Aebisher--I have no idea how he fell off the radar so quickly. The last full game I saw him play, was the 06 olympics in Turin. He shout out the canucks 5-0 and it was arguably the best goaltending performance ive ever seen by one player. In his defense,
Gretzky over at phoenix, is a canadian homer, and not a good personnel guy, so Im not sure if that had something to do with his departure.
Is it gametime YET?
peace
Gretsky is one great coach, eh? The great one can't seem to get anything going in the desert. I think he's just one of those great players who lacks the communication and interpersonal skills necessary to be a professional coach. Add Trottier to that list as well.
We have more than enough cap space so if I were Snow I would invest in a dependable backup to DP. I know we've only seen one game from Dubie, but after that showing I hope it's the last we see for a long time.
Looks like MAB will finally crack the lineup again tomorrow night, after spending more than 2 weeks in the press box. MAB is a smart kid and I think he'll play a more cautious game from here on out. He likes Long Island and likes playing for Ted Nolan so I don't see him attempting any more 'Bobby Orrs' out on the rink.
The PP should consist of MAB and Camps on the point, with each of the first two lines rotating at forward. Nolan might try adding Hunter into one of those lines and stick him in front of the net for a deflection.
Boy, you guys have short memories. Dubie saved the season last year and you want to dump him after one bad game. I don't even think he played badly in that game. He was totally deserted by his D and I didn't see one forward backcheck that night.
Ease up. The guy proved last year that he can play in this league, He was put into incredible pressure situations and he responded like a true professional.
Goaltending is not the Islanders problem. If it ain't broke...don't fix it......Bill
Bill,
Finally we can get back to disagreeing about something haha.
Well I see your point about not fixing something that aint broke, but let’s get something straight here. I will concede that Dubie’s D deserted him during the Toronto game, but he was hardly helping his own cause. There were at least 4-5 horribly weak goals allowed in that game. The score probably should have been 4-1. Dubie was mostly responsible for the score being a lopsided 8-1.
The only thing that Dubie proved last season was that he could provide a short spurt of miraculous play in an emergency situation. Hopefully that will be the most he will be asked to do this season.
The only thing that Dubie proved last season was that he could provide a short spurt of miraculous play in an emergency situation. Hopefully that will be the most he will be asked to do this season.
Justin, Isn't that you want from a backup goaltender?.....Bill
Of course but wouldn't it be nice to have a more NHL caliber backup just in case DP loses his mind and charges out to center and tries a helmet on helmet tackle?
WE STINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....BILL
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