First and 10
After the first 10 games the Isles are 6-4, which seems to be a tremendous start to the season after the league's expectations werre so low. I am happy with the record but not as happy with what is actually happening on the ice itself.
Goaltending:
Ricky has been everything we could have asked for and more, basically picking up where he left off from last year giving this team a chance to win every night, aside from that one fluke against Carolina. Doobie is still a question mark in my eyes. As we all know he carried us into the playoffs last year, but his one game against Toronto this year indicated that he may still be operating at an AHL level and just caught fire last season. I also believe that Nolan playing Doobie in that game was a mistake, especially considering all this downtime our team has had. The Toronto game I will say was half Doobie's fault and half Nolan's as he should have realized that Ricky probably wouldnt have been tired after merely 10 games in a month.
Defense:
Witt, Marty and Sutton have all played as we expected they would. MAB, while a great weapon on the PP, has clearly shown us in these games that he is at best a number 6 defenseman in the NHL (Please Nolan move MAB to Aaron Johnson's spot on the 4th and Johnson to the D).
The best news so far from the blue line is the progress that Campoli and Gervais have made from last season to this season. If they continue this play for the remainder of the season (knock on wood) I believe we will be doing some damage in Lord Stanley's playoffs compared to our previous years of 1 and done.
Offense: The forwards so far have overall been a disappointment in my eyes. Comrie, Tank, Vasicek, Park, Guerin have all played at least up to expectations so far. During times Silinger and Hunter as well as a few others have been lost on the ice, but towards the end of these first 10 games, have shown some sparks that they are finding their legs.
Coaching: Questionable starting Doobie in the one game he started, as well as Aaron Johnson playing the 4th line with Simon for 3 minutes a game. If this team is going to go anywhere we are going to need 4 full lines and can't just rely on two or three lines as the team has done so far. If Nolan would trust some of the younger players more, we would be able to roll 4 lines that could all probably contribute. Even if they got 7-9 minutes a game on the 4th line, it would be a huge learning experience for Tambellini, Walter, or anyone else in the Bridge that can make the jump for a test drive in the NHL.
Notes: Not sure how many of you have Directv but NHL network has recently been launched and it has easily become my favorite channel. Within the last two days alone they have played such vintage games from the dynasty years including the cup clinchers of '82 and '83 as well as game 7 against the Rangers from '84.
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21 comments:
J I pretty much agree with your assessment. I think that you have to keep Doobie fresh and that he should get another start soon. Perhaps against a team with fewer offensive weapons than Toronto. You never know when rock head DP may go down, so it's important to keep the back up ready to go.
One thing you didn't hit on was the coaches. How do you think this years staff (excluding Nolan) has done. I think that Gallant has been good for the power play.
What do you guys think.
I also think that Dunham taught Doobie to play just like he did.
Nah, only kidding.....Bill
Yep- Not sure why doobie played in the Toronto game. With 2 games in 14 days on the horizon, no one needed 'resting' at that time. If the goal was to keep Doobie fresh, then put him in against a lesser team that didn't have 30,000 reasons to run the score up on the Isles (playoffs last year, doobie in goal, blake's old team, blakes 1st game after the cancer announcement, Sundin closing in on multiple milestones), just as Bill said. Perhaps the Caps game would have been good? If my memory serves me correct, all the analysts agreed with the move to start Doobie, which sort of surprised me. I 100% disagreed with the move, but no one seemed to feel that way at the time- outside of this forum, of course:)
Can anyone think of another reason why Doobie played that game, other than to keep him fresh?
Also, since it's become clear Snolan reads this blog, when should Doobie play again? The next 7 games are against the Atlantic conference- tough calls all around. I suggest putting him in against whoever we beat the first (Pitt, Devs, or Rags) the 2nd time we play them. DP will be fresh the first few games, and if we beat the Devs for instance, put Doobie in the 2nd time. Any thoughts?
Lets go Islanders!
Bill,
I agree that the rest of the coaching staff this year has done a much better job, our pk is looking just as effect as it was last year and even though we are only 10 games in, our pp has improved drastically compared to last year.
All,
Dubie got that Toronto game because Nolan felt that he owed it to Dubie to get him in there at least once during the first 10 games of the season. He wasn't going to give him any divisional games or any of the past few games during the extended breaks. I think Nolan felt Dubie might be up for playing in the best hockey city in his home country. For all the reasons mentioned above we all knew this would not turn out well.
The AJ thing is a joke. Nolan looks like a joke everytime AJ steps out for one of his three 30 second shifts a night. I'd rather see an ice girl skating on the fouth line. At least their skating is appealing to the eye.
In addition to the great learning experience Tambs and Walter would get by seeing 10 minutes or so a game on the 4th line, Nolan might acutally have a fair chance to see what these kids can do at the NHL level. No one can expect anything out of 3 minutes a night, which is pretty much the chance Nolan gave Tambellini at the start of the season. But even more importantly, Nolan wouldn't burn out his top 3 lines so early in games and so early in the season.
Great game tonight!
I just HAVE to point this out though...anyone (ahem...Bill?) catch Jaff's comment with 1:30 left in the game, discussing the go-ahead goal by Satan, set up by a shot from the blueline by MAB?
I believe it went something like..."MAB has taken something off his shot tonight with that snap shot, and started to hit the net. Everyone knows he has a howitzer, but when he hits the net things happen, and now the game is 3-2 Islanders". Sorry Bill, just HAD to point that out! :)
All in good fun though- I think we all should still be concerned about his D- that one gaffe on the blueline that almost led to a shorthanded breakaway...not good.
Also, Walter really did impress me. The cycle of that line- great stuff. My verdict is still out on Johnson- nothing good, but also important, nothing bad. If he's not hurting the team, I say give him a chance- if it can't be Tambs or Walter, then might as well be someone else with something to prove.
Another concern is obviously DP. Justin & Bill, hopefully your worst fears of having DP out and having to rely on Doobie doesn't come true..the medical report of "part of the stick in the eye, and blood entering the eye" sounded horrendous, though he didn't look THAT bad when he came back out. Never seen anything like that in my life...didn't know a stick could fit in there- I would think that would be important on a face mask! Get well DP...hopefully see you Tuesday..
7-40! 7-40!
Good effort tonight. I was VERY impressed with Walter. He really seemed to stir things up and looks like he has a nose for the net. I absolutely want to see more of him.
NYISLES What MAB was doing is called a "snapshot." It's halfway between a wrister and a slapshot. It is a lot more accurate, but it is not a slapshot, in the true sense of the word. It doesn't have the speed of a slapshot, but at least MAB seemed to be able to control it better and was hitting the net. However, MAB is in the NHL because of his slapper and I don't see him doing this once Berard returns. He needs to blast off to keep the D honest. Players who can shoot the puck that hard are few and far between. Hopefully, he will find a balance betwen the two and become a more complete player.
Doobie again proved his worth tonight. Man, I hope DP didn't get and wood splinters in his eye. The one shot of him at the runway looked like it was in the corner near the eyelid. I wonder how Berard reacted to that?....Bill
"I wonder how Berard reacted to that"
Thats scary to think about..though he must have those thoughts all the time because there still are meatheads out there who refuse to wear visors. I have a feeling in 15 years we're going to look back at this era of facial injuries and wonder how this continued for so long (sort of like how MacTavish was still skating with his perma-perm in 94 with the Rags...10 years after everyone else started wearing helmets).
Dubie made a few good saves at the end of the game, espcecially when Radek pulled a MAB and lost the puck right in front of this net.
DP better be ok for tomorow night's showdown.
Interesting article Jim Baumbach wrote saying how Al Arbour should NOT receive credit for coaching the game this past Saturday. Beneath the article it allows you to post some comments. I have posted under my former alias Candyman.
If you're interested, here's the link...
http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/ny-spjim1106,0,6998798.column
Seems like Jimmy boy is just a rangers fan, who is jealous that we have a history and tradition and are trying to tie it into the present/future while also remembering and honoring our past.
If there was any other sport an event like this could happen is baseball, due to its long meaningless season. If the yankees were to this for lets say Joe Torre (won't happen but a good example) I bet Jim would have wrote how doing it was the greatest thing the franchise has ever done.
Lets also not forget the isles did not break or have any rules broken to have Arbour behind the bench for the game. I'm almost 100% positive if we did not have Arbour behind the bench that night the Isles would have lost. So the credit for the victory should go to Arbour. Yes Nolan is the head coach, but as we all could see as the game went along, Arbour got more involved and seemed to spark the team's passion . If only we could have been in the locker room during those intermissions to hear Arbour talk to the players.
This maybe a risky statement but I think Jimmy boy here has past good ole Larry Brooks as my least favorite hockey writer in the metro area.
Who cares what some hack writer thinks? I have not read the article and will not. The NHL recognizes it....case closed.
Ever since the Dynstay years there has bee an anti Islander bias in all of hockey. The NHL Old Guard was upset that such a young franchise could dominate the game. The Canadian market hated that an American team repeatedly captured the Cup. And the metro area media (except some Newsday writers) were just plain jealous that their precious Rangers were getting their lumps from a team from Long Island.
Even now, when you read these "Greatest Teams of All Time" the Islander Dynasty always finishes behind Edmonton and Montreal, despite the fact that the Dynasty Team won 19 consecutive playoff series. A record that will never be broken in professional sports.
I saw the great Montreal teams of the fifties and I watched the high powered Oilers in the eighties.
Neither one could beat the Islanders at their height....Bill
Bill....well said my friend, well said.
I'm too young to have really appreciated the dynasty, but I've never felt less proud about it all than last night. It's similar to Red Auerbach being honered by the C's a few years back for his crazy run of NBA championships 40 years earlier. Those 4 years were the pinnacle of success in professional sports, and no one can ever take that away.
Lets cause some more lumps tomorrow night!
Aaron Johnson is out six weeks with a knee injury suffered in practice. No official word on who will be called up to replace him. Logan says Tim Jackman may be called up as a reward for his play in Bridgeport. I think they should just put Bergenheim on the 4th line with Walter and Simon. I'd be interested to see how Bergie and Walter play together.
Aaron Johnson is out at least 6 weeks after getting into a collision with Witt during practice.
It will be interesting to see who they call up. I don't think it is going to be Tambellini, even though it should be since we have no idea when Bates is getting back. The 4th line of Simon-Walter-Tambs would be a good 4th line that a coach could actually give minutes too. If we don't start rolling 4 lines, we are going to be in trouble sooner then later.
Lets hope we get Bergie back tonight at least
Tambellini? Are you kidding me? NO no no no, we need a defenseman to handle our 4th line winger duty. Maybe Eric Cairns wants to be reinstated after his showing last Saturday.
For those interested I actually took the time to email Jim Baumbach after reading the article on Arbour. He responded in part saying:
"Well, I didn't want to make it seem like he was undeserving. Not in the least. But I did try to mock the concept, but that was tongue-in-cheek. And I really tried hard to write my opinion without making it sound like I had a problem with the night. Because I didn't. Watching on tv, Ireally wished I was there. And I didn't want to rain on his parade. I just felt my opinion had not been stated by anyone, and I thought it was a worthy one, at least to be debated. (Obviously I'm in the minority!) But, anyway, thanks for writing back. Jim"
Amen Jim, but I still believed this article to be an uncessary piece. The gesture by the Isles to Arbour should have received NO negative press.
DiPietro is starting tonight.
Jackman was called up and will play with Walter and Simon. Jackman played with Walter in Bridgeport.
To Bill: You and I will disagree as to whether or not the Oilers of the mid 80's could've beaten the Isles at their height. It hurts me to say, but I do give the VERY slight edge to them.
Justin- I'm glad you wrote to Baumbach. His rationale regarding his opinion seems flawed. He knows he only wrote that piece to generate controversy.
I am seriously dating myself here, but does anyone remember the early SNL skit where the radio talk-show host can't get anyone to call in, so he starts saying unbelieveably controversial things like "Killing puppies...I'm in favor of it" just to get people riled up? (Bill, I think you may be my only hope:))
Baumbach and his clown-shoe article reminded me of this.
I couldn't agree more. He even admitteed he did not necesarily agree with what he wrote, just that there was an opinion that hadn't been mentioned and he thought it was "worthy." But that's just it, it was not a worthy opinion just as being favor of killing puppies is not worthy to a lesser degree.
I'm disapointed the Isles chose Tim Jackman instead of a more offensive minded player. However, we all know the 4th line will not see the ice regardless of who Nolan chooses to dress. When Berard comes back, perhaps this weekend, Nolan will probably again dress 7 defenseman. But will he chose to play one of these 7 on the wing? Time will tell.
Pigs, Sorry, but I stopped watching SNL when Belushi and Ackroyd left. How does that date me ????
Anyway, I think we really need to strike first tonight. I have been watching the Rangers games and Lundquist has played as well as I have ever seen a goalie play.
If we score the first goal or two, pehaps we can get inside his head.
Nolan should have the boys fired up for the first period and go all out to put a couple past him.
If not, I think it's going to be a long night......Bill
Bill, I think it actually WAS Ackroyd in the skit...LOL
I'm just glad someone else knew who Belushi and Ackroyd were/are. I've been on some of these sites like Islandermania and you have kids who say stuff like "I became a fan in 1993 when I was born."
1993???? I was just out of college then!:)...LOL
Anyway, here's hoping there's no letdown from Arbour night and they jump all over the Rangers.
Prediction: 1-1, shootout victory for the Isles (1-0, Satan gets the goal.)
BTW, I am terrible at predicting these things:)
-Frank
Pigs, Dont feel bad. If I had not dropped out, I would have graduated from Queens College in '73. OUCH!!!
Good prediction on Satan. He wins it!!
Ramdom thoughts on the game. I really want to see more of Walter. He looked really strong on the puck and moved his feet all night. I would love to see what he can do with some extra minutes and some better linemates.
Gervais and Campoli keep getting better and better.
Hunter is playing like Hunter. Lock him up, Garth.
Vasicheck continues to impress me.
DP blew the first goal by Drury.
Once again Witt shows why he is the best D-man on the team. He just plays his game and is so steady, you almost forget he is out there.
Lundquist is really vulnerable up high. The Isles seem to have his number. That's good scouting.
I think Garth had better get his rear end in gear and start signing a few of these guys who have proved their worth. But that's for another time. I'm enjoying this victory right now......Bill
Agree with all of the above...big post tomorow afternoon
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