Beyond Frustrated
By: Geoffrey Gottlieb
Today’s 12pm game was beyond sickening. I might be the least liked writer on this site after this article but the truth is the Islanders flat out stink. Let's start with the power play.
I don’t get how Nolan hasn’t seen in the past few games that we cant score on the power play. Tell me why Vasicek who has been our best forward night in and night out isn’t on the power play? I don’t understand how he isn’t out their on the 6-4 at the end of the game or the 5-3 or on any power play. Clearly by now we know he is a top forward on this team and needs to see power play time. His big frame would be much more valuable in front of the net than Sillinger's old slow body. In addition, as we say everyday, we need Bergeron for the power play. There isn’t any other team in the NHL that would look that lost on a two man advantage. We couldn’t convert last game on two 5-3s and tonight on a long 5-3 and 6-4.
Andy Hilbert's time on Long Island better be coming to an end. I don’t care if he skates hard and has a lot of chances. He cant score goals, and when you are playing 14 minutes a night for a quarter of the season and not producing at all, a change must be made. Andy Hilbert is not talented enough to play in the NHL. (END OF STORY)
Hunter clearly overachieved last year. The guy is a 3rd line winger (you can possibly make the case for a 2nd line winger on a struggling team). 4 goals and 4 assist and a -7 doesn’t deserve 18 minutes of ice time. On any other team in the league Hunter wouldn’t be on the power play. The 5 forwards that need to be on the power play are Comrie, Fedotenko,Guerin, Satan, and Vasicek.
Nolan is making terrible coaching decisions night after night and it makes me sick. Maybe after today he will notice a change needs to be made. This team isn’t very talented offensively and are going to struggle scoring goals all year. Nolan does a terrible job with his line combinations and unfortunately I wouldn’t be very surprised if the Islanders find themselves well under .500 by the all star break. Wait till Ottawa on Wednesday. Then Islanders fans will see the Islanders true colors.
__________________________________________
My thoughts: MAB needs to be out there on the PP and in the lineup on a nightly basis. The Isles are 7-4 when MAB plays and 4-4 when he's out of the lineup. You do the math.
Silinger is getting worse. He is old and slow and his line is the most ineffective checking line in hockey, Hunter (-7), Silinger (-3) and Hilbert (-4) are clearly not getting the job done offensively or defensively. Satan and Vasicek have been the best two forwards on the team, yet are an afterthought on the PP. Jackman proved today how useless he is by getting demolished in a fight this afternoon.
Posts
19 comments:
Our issues are getting old and repetitive. The Isles are off to a decent start, but their problems are clear and convincing. What's worse is that the coach refuses to correct what is wrong and what we all see as obvious.
Get a clue Nolan.
You guys must be reading my mind.
Nolan my be a players coach, but he is a horrible game manager.
Headline:
HILBERT HITS POST.
It's official now. Hilbert has more scoreless games than Pedro Martinez !!
That's three games in a row that the PP fails to score 5 on 3. I recall reading, that the team that fails to score on a 5 on 3, loses
84 % of the time.
Does this sound familiar?
"Berard to Campoli. Campoli back to Berard. Back to Campoli. Across to Berard:
Pick ONE
1)Berard fires. He misses the net.
2)Campoli can't handle the pass from Berard and the Isles have to clear the zone.
I'm sick of seeing these two play catch while the forwards stand around admiring them. Doesn't anybody MOVE on this PP. I have never seen such a bunch of stationary hockey players in my life. Thes guys need to watch the Canadiens move the puck on the PP. And Nolan has to get over himself.
Berard has been nothing short of horrible over the last three games.
Jackman......AHHH!! I'm not gonna even get into it.
I been saying this for a while now, but Snow has to step up here.
Send Hilbert and Jackman down. Bring up Walter and Tambs. Put MAB back in the lineup and scratch Simon. In a grand total of 41 games played, Simon, Hilbert and Jackman have a TOTAL OF 3 POINTS.
This is insanity !!
Hey Shink, 99 out of 100 coaches would have benched these three by now. That's scientific fact.
This season is slipping away from us. Thoses early wins don't seem so convincing now and those games in hand have become losses. This team needs a big shake up and they need it now......Bill
Yesterday's game was terrible, it was like watching a pre-season game. They need to do something, it seems like every game they come out flat, hope DP keeps them in the game and then play the third period and get the win.
I don't think Bergeron is going to help the power play much. He certainly wouldn't hurt as Berard hasn't done much and isn't playing very well 5 on 5. Berard and Campoli pass back and forth because they have no where to go with puck. The forwards have to move around, and it wouldn't hurt if one of them was actually standing in front of the net. I also agree that Sillinger shouldn't be on the PP, he sucks. I think Hunter likes playing with him because he makes him look fast.
I would call up Walter, Tambellini and Bates. I would not dress Hilbert, Sillinger, Berard and Simon (I think Jackman is better and actually fights, although not very well). I'd go with:
Tank-Comrie-Guerin
Hunter-Vasicek-Satan Tambellini-Bates=Bergenheim
Park-Walter-Jackman
I would swap Bates/Walter depending how each were playing. If Bates has his speed back, that line could create a lot of problems for other teams third lines.
I know this will never happen though. I'm expecting Bates to take Hilbert's spot. But there is pretty much zero chance of Sillinger getting benched or not dressed. Nolan wouldn't do that to him.
According to the CT Post, Bates' conditioning stint is over and no extension was requested so he is back with the Islanders. He had 2 goals in 3 games with the Sound Tigers. He played on the wing with Tambellini and Walter.
Let's hope that Bates is healthy and that he can come give some spark to both Sillinger and Hunter. He can't be any worse then Hilbert.
Can we please sit Jackman and dress MAB so we can have someone shoot the puck on the PP. I belive we are 3 for our last 42, which is pathetic given how the pp units started this season. Also I agree with Geoff that it is ridiculous that Vasicek does not see powerplay time, what else does he have to do earn it?
After the promising start we had, we all know what this team is capable of doing. With next weeks games vs. Dallas, Ottawa and the Rangers, this team can either be sitting nicely at the top in the mix of things or sitting at the bottom of the division.
We all knew that we would not be as good as we had been at the beginning of the year for the whole season. The true test of this team will be how quickly they can get out of this funk and start to play like we can they can.
ISLES 2 BOSTON 1
This game was nothing to get excited about. Yes, the Isles won, but once again it was DP who stole the game. How mwny times a season can we go to this well?
Averaging two goals a game in not gonna get it. We need some offensive spark and it is clear that the current roster does not have that.
Bryan Berard needs to sit out a game or two. He has be awful, both on the PP and in his own end.
Why does it take Nolan so long to see what any knowlegable fan recognizes. He finally put MAB back in the line up and the team won. Did anyone miss Jackman's three minutes?
Hilbert finally scores. And only 20games into the season. This puts him on pace for a solid 4 goal year. Sorry, Andy but DP is still outpointing you 2-1.
Mike Comrie is driving me crazy with his attempts to get on Sportscenter every night. He is absolutely proving that he is NOT a number one center.
What's with all the soft passes? You would think the players were paying for broken sticks. Put some zip on the damn puck.
I'm no Bergy fan, but why is it always the youngster who pays the price when the team loses? His line was the only line going in the last few games and Nolan demotes him and cuts his ice time. I am really sick of Ted and his bias against younger players.
Richard Park has made a believer out of me. He has turned into a very useful role player. It's a shame we has so many role players who are not so useful.
Overall 12-8 is a good quarter pole record. Probably better than any of us thought at the beginning of the season. Nolan needs to build on this by shaking up the line up once in a while. Sillenger and Guerin look their age. Some fresh legs inserted once in a while can only help. Defensivly the team is very sound. Hey Garth, do something to help the offense......Bill
MAB had zero impact on this game Bill. You're playing Monday morning QB with that statement right there- using tonight's result to validate your previous statements. As I'm sure you all know, correlation doesn't equal causation.
DP makes solid saves night in and night out to keep us in the game, but isn't that why we drafted him #1 overall, and gave him a long term contract? We've given up the 5th least goals in the NHL. Rags, Blues, Sharks and Bruins are in front of us- not bad company.
I'm getting tired of Isles fans dramatizing their thoughts after every game- good or bad (not just talking about posts here either- Hockeybuzz, newsday etc). You all are calling for roster changes- getting rid of Hilbert, Jackman, Berard, MAB- yet they're not the ones who were signed to score goals. Comrie, Guerin, Satan are also not scoring, likely because a lack of confidence, and you want to start turning the roster upside down? How would sending Hilbert down, who clearly is very well liked by everyone on that bench (see the after goal celebration) help someone like Comrie's confidence?
Anyone can see that Comrie has lost confidence (passing instead of shooting- looking for the perfect play all day), and Nolan knows this. He will show support for his players through thick and thin, and help them get out of their own way. Shaking up the roster is not something you do with a 12-8 record.
Everyone has said how well Nolan deflects the criticism around the league and turns it into motivational material for the team. Well, maybe he should just come read the blog posts by Isles fans for some more bulletin board material. This is getting ridiculous folks- people are starting to sound like (gasp) Leaf fans. Trust me, no one wants that...
For me, I'm watching exciting hockey played by a team I love, who 1/4 of the way through this season is looking better than they have in a long time.
Nyisles82
You have to judge a player and team on a season not on one individual game. With Bergeron in line up the Islanders are 8-4. Without him they are 4-4. Also, Bergeron didn’t make 0 impact on the game last night. In his 8:46 seconds and 10 shifts he was a plus 1.
Of course DP keeps us in the game every night. He is around the 5th to 7th best goalie in the league. He is definitely a great goalie and the backbone of our team. We all love DP and are very happy to have him here on the Island. However, if Milbury wasn’t the worst general manager in the history of sports have kept Lunongo and drafted Heatley in that spot. So instead of having the 5th to 7th best goalie we could have had the best goalie and arguably the best pure goal scorer in the NHL. (Something that we all know this team is desperate for)
Of course everyone wants to get rid of Hilbert. THE GUY DOESN’T PRODUCE. Congratulations on his first goal of the year. (I thought we were going to have to wait till next season) I don’t care in the bench likes the guy or if the whole world likes the guy. Hilbert is now on pace to play all 82 games with 14:20 seconds a night and have 4 goals 0 assists for a total of 4 points. Clearly he needs to be sent down. I don’t even know how someone can defend him.
I don’t think Comrie has lost any confidence. I guess you could say he is in a mini slump but that happens to everyone over the course of 82 games. He took 3 shots last night and leads the team with 11 assists and 18 points. He is on pace to score 29 goals and 45 assists and 74 points. (Almost as good as Hilbert’s pace of 4 points) Last season in 65 games he had 20 goals. The season before playing 80 games he had 30 goals. So it isn’t like Comrie isn’t playing well this year. I do agree with Bill as much as I love Comrie on a great team Comrie is a second line center. (Ottawa last year perfect example).
Nolan SHOULD read the blog posts. I would like to ask him how he justifies Hilbert’s ice time. I would also like to ask him why he benches Bergeron when he clearly ignites the power play and how we have a much better record with him in the line up. (As well as a variety of other questions.) I am also happy with the Islanders 12-8 record but I think we have a lot of concerns. I really hope I am wrong but I don’t see us continuing to win 2-1 games all year and I think the lack of offense is going to catch up with us. As I said previously wait till Wednesday when an elite team like Ottawa comes to town and then you will see all the Islanders flaws.
Geoff
I think I'm a little more pessimistic than Nyisles but a little more optimistic than Geoff.
The Isles defense has been spectacular this season. The Isles have held their opponents to 2 goals or less in 8 out of the past 11 games. That is usually a good recipe for winning. But yes the Isles problems clearly lie in the lack of scoring. There were times last night when I thought there was no chance could even score one goal. It took a weird little wrist shot by Hilbert to finally get the Isles on the board.
The Isles NEED to hit the trade market and find someone who could put up points. We have the salary cap space, so money should not be an issue. My top 3 choices that COULD be had for the right price are, in descending order, Martin St. Louis, Patrick Marleau, or Sergei Fedorov.
I love all of your projections for Hilbert, but ignore that last season he scored 28 points in the last 60 games, after going scoreless in the first 22. He finished 8th in scoring last season, just 7 points behind the beloved Trent Hunter. He'll end up with about 30-35 points this season.
As for Bergeron igniting the powerplay, they were 0 for 3 last night and it didn't look any better then without Bergeron in the line up. I think he should be in the line up, just because he hits the net with his shot a lot more than Berard does.
nyisles82 is correct when he points the finger at Comrie, Guerin and others who are supposed to score. Comrie has scored 3 goals in the last 15 games and if he keeps that current pace will score just 12 more goals this year. Guerin has 1 goal in the last 10 games. Tank has 2 in the last 10. And Hunter has 2 in the last 10, none in the last 8 games.
Geoffrey if you are looking for Nolan's reasons for playing Hilbert just read the newspaper. He's said countless times why he continues to play him. I find it funny you actually think Luongo and Heatley would still be playing with Islanders if they weren't traded. How were the Islanders going to pay them, with monopoly money?
I think we all need to realize that this it. The Islanders are going to score 1-3 goals a game and grind out 1 goal wins/loses. As long as DiPietro stays healthy it shouldn't be a problem to make the playoffs. If he gets injured we're going to be screwed.
I agree with most of what you said Justin. But, Hilbert's goals was goal scorers goal. He did a little toe drag which got the defenseman (creating a screen) and Thomas to move and put through the five hole. I had the game on mute due to NESN's terrible announcing duo and thought it was Park that scored. I didn't realize it was Hilbert until they zoomed in.
I don't think Federov has much left in the tank. Nolan could probably get more out of him though. I'd add Marian Hossa to that list. He's going to be free agent at the end of the season. Atlanta is trying to work out a deal but I'm sure they'd trade him for the right price.
MAB ignites a PP? How, by missing the net with a 100 mph slapper? The 8-4 record is not because of him- he's scored 2 goals with 4 assists.
If you're going to talk about +/-, then Hilbert should be your star. Out there for almost every PK we've had, he still is only -2 on the season. MAB is -4 on the season, in a lot fewer minutes & games. AND he's you're supposed PP specialist.
Look, my point isn't to argue about particular players or stats. Its only about the reactionary calls for roster turnovers when the team has a few off games, despite overall doing so well. Of course we all want our Isles to be 20-0 right now, but thats not going to happen. Before the season most were worried we'd be 3-17 right now, yet here we are right in the middle of the playoff race.
We have proven goal scorers (look back at some old posts of mine- the players we got rid of last year averaged less career pts/season than the players we signed) who have yet to turn it on. Yet we're still winning. To me, that is not a bad thing, and I'm damn happy with the standings.
Sending people down, bringing inexperienced people up isn't going to help Guerin, Satan, Vasicek, Tank, Comrie, Sillinger, & Hunter score more. The few extra goals over the course of a season that a Tamby or Walter is going to score is not worth the chemistry/confidence changes.
How can you say you don't care how the bench feels about their players? Hockey is the ultimate team sport, and if you think its not a big problem to leave Hilbert, arguable your most talented-less productive player out there without any support, you're sadly mistaken. This team has repeatedly said they play for each other, and that means all 22 players on the ice. Throwing Hilbert under the bus when you're actually winning is counterproductive- especially when he's not expected to score. If anything, bench Guerin or Comrie! Start benching players who give it their all every night and play a critical role in the 6th best PK in the league may make others start questioning why they should give it their all, sacrificing their bodies every night. It's easy to forget, but the players don't play for the fans, they play for each other. Very few players actually care which team they play for- they care about who they play with.
NYISLES
First off, as to Hilberts plus/minus, you must know that a player DOES NOT get a minus when the team is scored on shorthanded. Or do you?
As for MAB. Just by eating up some of Berards minutes he was able to help the team win. Berard has been awful in his own zone lately. By dressing MAB, Nolan removed some of Berards defensive lapses. It's no coincidence that the team has a winning record with him in the lineup.
If you really believe that nonsense about players being upset when a player is traded or sent down, then welcome to the world of professional sports. Professional athletes are well aware that this is a BUSINESS and that players trade jerseys like underware.
Did you see anyone crying for Smyth, Blake, Poti or the rest of last years team that departed.
How many players left teams for free agency last year? Or the year before? Sending players down or trading is strictly about improving the team. If you think that there is any sentimentality in professional sports, then I have a bridge to sell you.
Shink, Who cares what Hilbert did last year. Is there any guarantee that he can duplicate that? Players get paid to produce and he has not. Period.
Comrie and company have not lost confidence. They are just not doing the things they should. Stop standing flatfooted on the PP. Crash the net once in a while. Have someone in the slot. As for Comrie he has to stop the one on one mentality. Shoot instaed of passing and stop the fancy dan stuff. Get back to basics.
NYISLES
MAB ignites a PP? How, by missing the net with a 100 mph slapper? The 8-4 record is not because of him- he's scored 2 goals with 4 assists.
And how many more points is that then Hilbert? And MAB has played less game and many less minutes.
And he is playing D not forward. Forwards are supposed to score.
Did you expect MAB to score on all three PP's yesterday?
In other words, your fine with Hilbert scoring one goal in twenty games, but MAB has to score in his first game back.
"For me, I'm watching exciting hockey played by a team I love, who 1/4 of the way through this season is looking better than they have in a long time."
Exciting Hockey? The Isles have turned into the boring trap minded Devils. How many times have they scored more than 2 goals this year?
NYISLES ..if you think that this is exciting hockey, I would hate to see what you consider boring?
..........BILL
Nyisles 82,
I have played ice hockey almost every day of my life since I was 5 years old and definitely understand it is a team sport. You completely misinterpreted my point. Of course it’s a good thing that the team is supporting each other. My point is Andy Hilbert isn’t good enough to be playing over 14 minutes a night.If you have read my past posts I have never argued with his work ethic. I have said a numerous amount of times that I don’t think he is producing enough to be getting so much ice time. Obviously he isn’t expected to score like Crosby, but he is expected to contribute a lot more offensively.(fact) 1 point so far on the season when he is playing a lot of time 5-5 is not getting the job done. How do you defend this guy so much when he doesn’t produce? Nyisles in hockey plus minus is only affected at even strength or if you let up a shorthanded goal while you are on the ice. So the point you made about Hilbert only being a –2 and is on every penalty kill so that is very good is completely wrong and worthless. His plus – isn’t affected by being on the ice when an opponent scores a power play goal. Yes he helps on the PK but don’t fool yourself the main reason our PK has been so good is because of DP and our defensive. Why would we bench our captain in Guerin or Comrie who has the most points on the team? You talk about the team playing for each other. Then you want to bench your captain? I do agree with you about Guerin he is 37 years old and clearly isn’t a superstar anymore however, he brings leadership and can still put the puck in the net every so often. But, benching these guys isn’t even a consideration. It would bring even less offense to a team that is struggling to score goals. What’s your point about players not playing for the fans? You said, “ it’s easy to forget, but the players don’t play for the fans” We all know that.It’s not easy to forget at all.
Devils won some cups, if I remember correctly. Defense wins games, offense wins fans. Would you rather have games won 6-5? A good defense will solve good offense more consistently than a good offense will solve a good defense, so I'm happy with scores being 2-1. As long as we win. Bill, what would you rather see? Blowouts every night? Not gonna happen in the Atlantic & East this year.
We can debate the merits of each player all day long. No one on this team is a superstar, except DP, and everyone will fall out of fans' graces at some point in the season. In the grand scheme of things, I won't care about that; its fun to debate, so long as the team is winning.
My point/rant is directed at the reactions of fans calling for players and coaches to change their ways. Its getting old, and posting complaints after bad games doesn't do anything to bring in more readers/comments to this blog. A few of us have been here since the first days of this blog this summer, and I enjoy the opportunity to share opinions with others who like...no wait, love..the Isles as much as I do. But I'd rather not see this blog become a forum for venting emotions after a bad game. (thats what Newsday is for, isn't it?) Trust me, we all were upset after Friday's game, but saying the Isles flat out stink after one game lost 2-1 against a solid team isn't going to convince others to join an intelligent hockey conversation. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a team that is 12-8 can't really flat out stink, can it?
I agree with you good defensive is very important however, you cant compare this years Islanders team with the Devils who have been consistent year after year. I hope I am wrong but despite our 12-8 record I think we are going to be a struggling team this year. (We simply aren’t talented enough to be an elite team in the NHL) I have always loved the Islanders but I am not going to sugar coat anything. I am giving my honest opinion and am happy you are as well.
NYISLES.....Where is the quote that the the Isles "flat out stink." I can't find it on this blog.
As for expressing your opinion of the team, that is exactly what this blog is for and I have been here since day one. Not everyone drinks the kool aid.
Hockey is about entertainment. So far this season, I have been bored more times than not. And yes, I would rather see a 6-5 game that a 2-1 game. The Devils won a few Cups, but they still could not fill their building. And they are not doing well at their new place.
With the prices of gas and othet necessities going through the roof
people will not be spending entertainment dollars so freely.
If the Isles do not offer an entertaining product on the ice then the gate will suffer.
Yes, the attendence is up, but that is due to two opening nights, two Ranger games and a gaggle of Cop/fireman/military discount tickets. Sooner or later the product on the ice has to sell itself.
The Isles need offense. If you can't see that, then I can't argue with you. If the answer is not in Bridgeport, then Snow has to look elsewhere.
I am really anxious to see this team play Ottawa. It will go a long way towards judging just how good this team is.........Bill
Bill- first sentence from this blog post (not to pick on Geoffrey- just an example of my thoughts).
I didn't mean the Isles are the Devs of old, but I do think a team that can make others play their game- as the Devils were so capable of doing- is a team that can win on any given night. Sure, we've lost that ability a few times this season- Toronto, Philly, Boston (1st game), and Montreal, but for the most part, if the Isles play their game, they can play with anyone.
Bill- I agree...I had posted something a few days ago that somehow didn't actually end up getting posted (my wireless has been crummy); our schedule so far has been relatively easy. Ottawa will be, in my opinion, our first real test. If we lose, not the end of the world; if we win, we shouldn't plan a parade either.
I'm not drinking kool aide about this team. I spent all of Wednesday evening discussing what can be done with our current roster (line changes; assignments etc) and potential trades I'd like to see with my Dad who was visiting for Thanksgiving, after that difficult to watch Montreal game. There are holes to fill, and in no way do I think this team will be winning the stanley cup if it plays like it does right now.
That said, they are winning right now, and there is a lot of time left. I don't think Snolan will allow this team to continue this way if a long losing streak occurs. One or two trades might be exactly what is needed, and there are a lot of teams who got Holik'ed since the lockout who might be willing to trade to open some room. No kool aide for me, just someone who doesn't think it's time to panic.
PS: read BD Gallof's post today- he agrees with me :)
"Make no mistake about it, this team is ok. There is no doom, gloom or panic here. But merely concern."
NYISLES.....Sorry, but I've had enough of "OK." I want a team that will contend for the Cup. Maybe I am spoiled having witnessed all those great Islander teams of the 80's, but I want to see a team that goes deep into the playoffs.
It is my opinion that this team is good enough to perhaps finish 8 th and get bounced in the first round again. I'm sick of that. I want more. I am quite sure you and everyone else on this site wants the same thing.
There are several guys here who know what they are talking about and are extremly knowlegeable of the game. I may not always agree with them (right, Shink?) but I respect their understanding and insight. After all, isn't that what this blog ia all about?.........Bill
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