Midterm Grades (recently updated)
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UPDATE: Check out my back & forth with TSN analysis Scott Cullen in the comments section of this post.
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Midterm Grades
Goaltenders
Rick DiPietro - As the team's only representative at this year's all-star game, it is clear what type of year DP is having. While his individual stats have been hurt by a decent team in front of him, DP is the clear backbone and franchise player of the Islanders. He keeps this team in just about every game he starts, which has just about been every game minus the handful he has missed due to injuries that occur during the grind of the NHL season. The biggest improvement we have seen in DP's game this year is his maturity. He seems to be the true captain of this team even though the NHL does not allow goalies to wear the C. Another improvement in DP's game this year has been his play of the puck. While he still gets caught out of position from time to time, the chances are that DP will handle the puck with little to no problem
B&O gives Rick DiPietro an A
Wade Dubielewicz -- Dubie has gone the riggers of what it is to be an NHL backup goalie this year. As last seasons savior to help the Islanders reach the playoffs after Rick went down with head injuries, Dubie came into this season full of confidence. But after his first few fill ins for Rick, it was clear that his confidence had been turned into rust. After DP went down with his knee injury around New Years, Islanders nation was in a panic. But after a rough 1st game, Dubie filled in nicely and now has a 4-3 record winning his last 2 decisions and 3 of the last 4.
B&O gives Wade Dubielewicz a B.
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Defensemen
Brendan Witt – There’s no secret that Brendan Witt is the backbone of the Isles. He is the epitome of an NHL captain: he never takes a shift off, he’ll sacrifice his body, he’ll drop the gloves, and he’ll lead by example on a nightly basis. Witt’s recent ankle sprain is alarming for Isles fans who can’t help but envision a season thus far with out Witt’s services. It’s not pretty.
B&O gives Brendan Witt an A-
Radek Martinek – Although not putting up spectacular +/- numbers as he did last season, that probably has more to do with the Isles inability to score at even strength this season. Martinek has quickly become one of the most reliable defensive defenseman in the NHL. It’s strange because Martinek has all the tools to be a puck rushing offensive blueliner. Martinek consistently does a better job than players twice his size which makes him a bargain on the Isles. He’s been healthy for most of this season, and look for him to return to the lineup sometime this week.
B&O gives Radek Martinek a B+
Chris Campoli – It’s nice to see Campoli return to form this season. After a horrible sophomore campaign last season, many fans were ready to throw Campoli under the bus. But he has rebounded this season to provide the kind of steady D and offensive prowess that makes Snow look like a genius for locking Camps up for 3 years at less than $1 million per season. Campoli has matured a lot this season: he rarely pinches inadvisably and he’s learned to throw his weight around in the corners. He’s not going anywhere for a while.
B&O gives Chris Campoli a B
Bruno Gervais – After wowing fans and Isles’ management in camp a few seasons back, 2007-2008 has been Gervais’ year to prove he does in fact belong in the NHL. Also not blessed with great size, Gervais has been a reliable defensive-minded defenseman this season, who can also contribute on the power play. Such versatile defenseman are rare in today’s NHL where most are groomed with a offensive or defensive edge (aka MAB). Snow needs to shell out Campoli-like money for Gervais ASAP.
B&O gives Bruno Gervais a B
Marc-Andre Bergeron – Say what you will about MAB’s defensive lapses, MAB carries the power play of the New York Islanders. It’s common knowledge that when a team’s power play is faltering, there’s a good chance that team isn’t winning any games. MAB propelled the Isles to victory last night just as he has on many other nights this season. MAB would be on pace to score 20 goals had he been in the lineup all season, a feat not accomplished by any Isles blueliner since Denis Potvin. Now I’m not saying MAB is anywhere near the great Isles’ captain, but with MAB you have to take the good with the bad. I think the Isles are a better team with MAB in the lineup.
B&O gives Marc-Andre Bergeron a B-
Andy Sutton – After getting off to a slow start this season (literally), Sutton has come around and provided that crease clearing presence the Isles have longed for in a 5th/6th defenseman. To think the Isles once employed Eric Cairns in this role is quite comical. Sutton throws some of the biggest hits in the league, will drop the gloves occasionally, but more importantly provides reliable D in front of DP. He has been prone to a few defensive gaffs, but they been mostly isolated incidents.
B&O gives Andy Sutton a B-
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Forwards
Mike Comrie – There’s just something about Comrie that reminds Isles fans of the days of Alex Yashin. Comrie, who was an instant spark at the beginning of the season, fooled Isles fans into believing we finally found ourselves a number one center. On the other hand, everything about Comrie’s game proves that he at best a career second line center. He has put up respectable points (13 G, 20A) thus far, yet still cannot be counted on a consistent basis. He is prone to turnovers and is among the worst in the NHL with a -13 +/- rating.
B&O gives Mike Comrie a C+
Bill Guerin – Guerin started scoring at the end of December, and there’s no coincidence the Isles started winning games at a prolific rate. The problem is Guerin has had numerous extended streaks where he fails to find the back of the net. But 15 goals in 42 games (on pace for 30) hasn’t been too shabby for the Isles’ 37 year old captain. His production could rise if the Isles could find a legitimate first line winger to play with him and Comrie. Cough Okposo cough.
B&O gives Bill Guerin a B
Miro Satan – There’s no secret that Satan’s production is on the decline. After scoring 35 goals in his first year as an Islander, and only 27 last season, there’s some doubt as to whether he’ll even reach the 20 goal plateau this season. He’s had at least 20 in each of the past 9 seasons. When Satan is working, he creates opportunities for himself to unload one of the games greatest wrist shots. But when he’s merely going through the motions, Satan is only capable of pocketing a goal when he happens to be in the right place at the right time. Satan has been going through the motions for the most part this season.
B&O gives Miro Satan a C
Mike Silinger – The problem I have with Mike Silinger has more to do with Ted Nolan’s use of him. I have repeatedly urged that Silinger can be an effective checking line forward, and he should be used as such. Yet Nolan constantly rolls Silinger on the power play, a role which is undoubtedly not suited for a PK specialist. Moreover, Silinger’s -8 +/- rating indicates that he is no longer the effective two-way forward he once was. He is weak on the puck and is a poor passer, yet somehow manages to chip in important goals every now and then. This brings us to the question: could we possibly fetch a 2nd round pick for Silinger at the trading deadline? And do we want to go down that road?
B&O gives Mike Silinger a C-
Trent Hunter – The only word I can use to characterize Trent Hunter’s development is disappointment. After a 25G, 26A, +26 effort in 2004 as a rookie, Hunter only has 7 goals this season and a -12 +/- rating. A quiet 7 goals with time on the first line and ample power play time is surely a disappointment. He earlier had a streak of 13 games with out a goal, and just recently snapped a 9 game skid. Hunter is too slow to keep up with a majority of NHL skaters. He was once thought to have a strong accurate shot, yet 7 goals on a team high 127 shots seems quite pathetic. And although he is amongst the top of the league in hits, those hits have more of a punishing effect than a real defensive thwart on the opposing players. For the right price, Hunter is a commodity as a checking line role player. However, I fear he will be asking for too much this summer. I recommend the Isles ship him out for a first rounder at the deadline.
B&O gives Trent Hunter a D+
Ruslan Fedotenko/Josef Vasicek – The experts were right when they said that the Isles shed out way too much dough for Tank. While the Isles had 30 goal hopes, it looks like Ruslan might not surpass half that amount. He shares the same problem as Vasicek in that they both don’t shoot nearly enough. That probably has more to do with an inability to get open as opposed to a willful neglect to getting shots off on a consistent basis. Tank has only taken 66 shots, where Vasicek has only taken 56, which is the lowest on the team among the forwards who have played all season. (Hilbert has 70 with much less ice time). Vasicek is still a bargain at less than $1 million for this season. Both players started out strong, but have come back to earth and have reestablished themselves as mediocre hockey players. The experts are smiling now.
B&O gives Ruslan Fedotenko and Josef Vasicek each a C
Richard Park – There are times when Garth Snow gives off the impression that he doesn’t know how to handle the responsibility as a NHL general manager. Other times he’s seems to know exactly what he’s doing. The latter was exemplified when Snow signed Richard Park to a multi year contract for peanuts. Park provides all the intangibles you look for in a role player: kills penalties, can bounce from line to line, and can even chip in a winning shootout goal when asked to. Park has been one of the few bright spots among Isles forwards this season.
B&O gives Richard Park a B+
Andy Hilbert – We have all been more comfortable with Andy Hilbert’s recent diminished role. When used correctly, Hilbert is an effective penalty killer/4th line energy player. He’s never going to score a lot at the NHL level, so anything more than 4th line duty should be out of the question. Although it would be nice if Andy could put home those empty netters more times than none.
B&O gives Andy Hilbert a C+
I have not given any forward better than a B+ because I strongly feel no Isles forward is deserving of such. With the lowest goals for in the entire NHL, Snow should look to add a top 6 forward if the Isles remain in the hunt at the deadline. However, I would rather see the Isles sell off some of their walk-year players and give a load of ice time to guys like Comeau, Walter, and Tambellini.
Posts
21 comments:
Agreed on all the rankings except Satan. I would give Satan a C+ he creates good opportunities and works hard. I would give Fedotenko a C- for underachieving and a C +to Joey V who has exceeded my expectations. There were no comments of Comeau Bergenhim and Jackman. Although Bergenhim hasn’t scored much is second on the team with a plus 2. A first round pick but still only 22 I would give him a C+. Comeau has shown that youth is going to be important in the Islanders future. 2 goals in only12 games and on only 12 shots. A lot of good shifts on limited ice time with a team leading plus 3. I would give him a B- simply for the team leading plus minus and energy he brings. Comeau needs more ice time and too shoot the puck more. As for Tim Jackman. He hasn’t really helped or hurt this team. Clearly he doesn’t produce offensively, but with an even plus – and better play as of late I will give him a c-.
I completely agree with the mid-season assessments. It’s obvious that the isles are a motivated team that grinds on a consistent basis; however the talent pool is just about empty. If we have our sights set on winning a playoff series, let alone making the playoffs, as Justin said, we need to deal some players and/or utilize our rising players (Tambellini and Comeau) better. Hunter clearly isn’t being used properly, as is the case with Silinger. I definitely admire the grit that Park has exhibited thus far. Certainly a big win tonight.
I also think Satan deserves a better grade. It is not like he is playing with All Stars on his line and Nolan has woefully misused him on the PP. Of all the Islanders, Satan has suffered the most from a poor coach.
I also think that Hunter deserves better. I think that he will resign with the Islanders because his value to them is much higher than it is to any other team. There is no way a team is giving up a number one pick for him.
Same thing with Sillinger. He is not bringing a number two pick back, especially with a contract in place for next season. You would be lucky to get a third or fourth rounder for him.
Vasicheck is young and a bargin at his price. He should be resigned.
Tank reminds me of the typical, big Russian player who never uses his size (see Yashin, Kozlov). Physically large fellows who play small. Get rid of him.
Bergy pinballs his way all over the ice like a cheap Chinese rocket. And he never gets anything acomplished except to take stupid, mindless, penalties every game. He is like the pitcher who is all windup and no fastball. If he left would anyone miss his two goals?
In my mind he is the biggest disappointment of the year. He gets an F.
Comrie is an enigma. Even after a half season, I can't really get a good read on him. He floats, makes way too many moves and takes ridiculous penalties. Yet he has piled up the points and there is no one on the horizon to replace him. I guess it depends on whether he wants to stay here or not. Clearly, the choice will be his.
Guerrin gets a D from me and comes very close to an F. Tonights game was a prime example of how he has not stepped up. When Alfredsson was throwing his weight around tonight, a real Captian would have straightened him out. I kept waiting for Guerrin to go after him, but he never did. Brendan Witt would have.
All in all, the Sens took advantage
of the Islanders in the physical game tonight. Dump Jackman and bring back Goddard. At least he put the fear of God into people....Bill
That all depends on the market. Ryan Smyth fetched 3 first rounders last season. I don't think it's unreasonable for SIlinger/Hunter to warrant 2nd round picks.
Satan takes too many nights off to warrant a better grade.
Justin, Ryan Smyth netted two Islander castoffs and a number one pick. Nolan never had any use for Neilson or O'Marra and they were never going to play for this team.
Add to this the fact that Sillinger and Hunter and not anywhere close to Smyth talent wise.
Sillinger will be impossible to move because of his salary next year. No team wants to be stuck paying him next year.
Hunter may be moved, but not for anything near a first or second round pick. Zednick was obtained for a second round pick. Would you consider Hunter in Zednick's class?
I am a big Hunter fan and hope that he is re-signed, but clearly
he is more valuable to the Islanders than he would be to any other team.
Perhaps a Western team
may add him for playoff insurance, but I don't see anyone giving up the farm for him......Bill
Bill- I thought the Isles did a fine job of playing the physical game last night. If you check TSN today, you'll see all the Ottawa homers complaining the refs called a bad game, but I look at it as the Sens not being able to control the way they play physically. The Isles played a hard hitting gritty game last night, but stayed in control. The Sens, without their premium talent on the ice, tried to keep up with our style of play...and took bad penalties. I guess it could go either way though.. I just saw an Ottawa team that got taken out of their style of game, and got beat. As MAB said- had they played their game, they'd have won. Any thoughts on the officiating? Its odd to be on the other end of this for once :)
Meyer's hit on Spezza was awesome. Show's how suicide passes in todays NHL allow even the meekest defensemen a shot at the highlight reel!
Anyone have any thoughts on Fisher's hit on Tank? I missed it live, but highlights on TSN make it look pretty intentional. The way things have gone for other teams, he should get 2 games, correct? If not, Flyer fans have a right to be very angry.
Overall, I like the grades. I agree with GG & Bill re: Satan. He's a sniper, and needs the puck on his stick. He's been forced to get the puck himself, and that has led to less goals. I also think he'll come around with more goals. He's too good of a talent to not score 20+ this year.
I'm not sure I'd say Tank was underachieving- I think he's just about right for what he's done his entire career. He's a frustrating player to watch, considering his apparent potential, but he should never have been given that contract. Oh well- only 1 year. I'd still resign him (if he's not traded- for which I think we can get a decent return considering his playoff success- teams want the next Claude Lemiuex) for a lot less if he agrees. He's still young too...
I like V-cek's grade, though I'd resign him. He's the next Kozlov- and with Nolan behind the bench, he's probably got the best chance to succeed. He's been injured a lot in his career, so his 26 years of age might not be an accurate measure of his development. I'd be very willing to give him a few more years as an Islander- see what happens.
I think Snow should look to resign Comrie asap. He's not going to be our #1 center, but if he's around for another 5 years as an Islander- and he gets to play with Okposo- I'm all for it.
I think those grades are pretty fair. I'd probably give Gervais a B+. He's really stepped up his game in Martinek's absence.
According to the Sound Tiger's beat writer, Aaron Johnson is with Bridgeport on a conditioning assignment, and Tambellini is still with the Islanders. He will probably play if Fedotenko is unable to play.
This is my back and forth with TSN hockey specialist Scott Cullen. I wrote to Mr. Cullen after this weeks power rankings had the Isles at #23 where the Rags were at #13:
Usually TSN is the most reliable place to get hockey news. However I'm not sure how you can rank the Rangers in the top 13 where the Isles are ranked 23 (TEN SPOTS BACK!). The Isles are 5 games over .500 where the Rangers are only 1 game over. In addition, the Isles are in the 7th spot and the Rangers the 9th spot (and the Isles have 2 games in hand).
I know power rankings aren't supposed to be an exact replica of the standings, but that still does not help your case. The Rags have just lost 5 of 6 where the Isles just finished off a great road trip with wins against the Flames and Sens.
Give the Isles some credit, especially when credit is due.
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Justin,
You neglected to mention the Islanders have allowed 14 more goals than they've scored (the Rangers were at minus-5 entering Monday) and have more injuries impacting their lineup than the Rangers.
Regards,
Scott Cullen
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Any ideas on a response?
yeah - tell him to get his head out of Toronto's keister and watch the Islanders before ranking them way below the ranjerks
That's why I don't look at power rankings, they only make me shake my head. I still remember at the start of the season when ESPN had the Rangers in the top 5, even though there were teams 10-15 spots lower who had much better records.
This might be a good response (directed @ Cullen):
"Your first counter-argument points toward a flawed understanding of how comparatively important certain stats are. The combination of a winning record AND a less than 1.00 GF/GA ratio for the Isles indicates that although the Isles have outscored their opponents in exactly 5 MORE games than they haven't, a few of the games they have lost have been blowouts. The rest of the games have been tight 1 or 2 goal games. That is this season's team so far- a ton of tightly played games backed up by an All-Star goalie, interspersed with a number of blow-out losses. However, the Isles still have WON more of the games than they've lost- isn't this a more important stat to look at? If you're going to be using these statistics to create power rankings, shouldn't you at least understand what ALL the stats combined say about a team, instead of finding one to support how you felt during the offseason?
Your second point is even more unsubstantiated. Yes, the Islanders have had injuries (more than the Rangers in any case) However, SINCE those injuries occurred (unless you're including Jon Sim...which would be hilarious), the Isles have played better! Check out Dubies performance! Check out Meyer's performance, after being WAIVED by 2 teams and not playing for 15 games after being picked up by the Isles! Check out Berard, who has filled in nicely since Witt & Martinek went down! Check out Comeau and Jackman, who have allowed us all to forget the atrocious play of Simon. Since their biggest injury to Avery, the Rags have played much much worse- isn't everyone's favorite stat the win/loss percentage of the Rags with and without Avon Avery? Seems to me you're misinterpreting easy-to-find statistics and facts to support the mistake you made on the power rankings."
Too uninspired to try to fix up this argument more- feel free to use/fix it. There are always ignorant idiot "experts" around the NHL who pander to the big-market teams. Its a sad state of affairs, and probably not worth any more effort. Even after winning 4 cups in a row, when beaten by Edmonton in the 5th straight finals, the Isles couldn't get any respect- it's nothing new.
That said, I'd love to be considered a hockey "expert" for ESPN or TSN or THN. I'd love to have an intelligent discussion with some ignorant Canadian nutjob about the actual quality of teams around the NHL- it took them this long to realize the Leafs were never going to win??
Nyisles, I love it. I will send him our blog and he will probably read it. I have had 4 more back and forths with Mr. Cullen...here they are....
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Mr. Cullen:
The last time I checked, winning the game is what
counts in the NHL, not goals for/against. But if you
want to talk about goals for/against let's do that.
Some how with all their fire power, the Rangers have somehow managed to become the lowest scoring team in the NHL, averaging just 2.37 goals per game.
Lowest goals per game in the league and ranked 13th?
In addition, the Isles are winning despite losing
their top 2 defenseman. The Rangers just got back most of their top players, yet are struggling to win games. I'm not sure how you can validate having the 7th best team in the East ranked 23rd in the league no matter what oddball stat you throw my way.
Justin
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Justin,
If winning is what counts, then you're looking for the standings page, where all wins are recorded equally. That means 10-1 wins are the same as 2-1 wins which is utterly ludicrous.
Furthermore, the Islanders aren't going to get ranked higher because they are missing their top defencemen. That rationale is entirely backwards, unless you think they are better off without Witt and Martinek.
Scott
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Scott, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. But can we forget the Isles for now and just look at the Rangers. They were in first place in the beginning of December and are now in last. They have lost 5 out of 6, have the worst offense in the NHL, and have been getting spotty goaltending. I don't know how much worse they can play. I'm not
looking for the standings, just a fair depiction of 'power', or as far as the Rangers are concerned, a lack thereof.
Justin
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Justin,
The fact that they're outshooting the opposition virtually every night, and by double-digit margins most recently, leads me to believe that there is plenty room for the Rangers to play worse and also indicates that they're not just some powerless stiff team, even if the results in the last six games have been undeniably poor.
Scott
I always thought goals were more important then shots. Yes its important to pepper the goalie. But what is positive about a really bad shooting percentage? The rangers might have the ability to be an elite team but right now they are clearly way to high in the power rankings.
My response to Cullen's most recent post, incorporating both what Nyisles and GG have said:
Scott,
Regarding the Rangers, what's so great about a really bad shooting percentage?
Regarding the Isles, the most one-goal wins in the NHL, the 4th best PK, and 7th best record in the East warrants higher than 23rd. Remember when the Leafs blew out the Isles 8-1 and when Carolina won by a similar score? Those games distort the goals for/against argument you have made; that stat doesn't tell the whole story.
Justin
The islanders need to do something about the ice at the coliseum. Although it probably helps a defensive team like them.
Hunter and sillinger on with 51 seconds. What a joke. Don’t say Sillinger for his face-offs because every time it’s a big draw he looses the face-off. I was talking to Justin during the time out and told him how I knew Sillinger would loose it.Why is Hunter on the rink and why isn’t Bergeron? Nolan plays favorites and is the worst coach in the league. Hunter is horrible.
Frankly, who cares about "power rankings?"
They are nothing more than a gimmick to keep unemployed writers off the streets.
All that matters is the conference standings. You are either in or you are out.
Canadian writers can spin it anyway they want. It doesn't mean that I (or anyone else) should pay any attention to it............Bill
Tampa pretty much HAS to do something at the trade deadline, no? They're looking worse and worse with each passing game- even their big 3 are looking pretty weak.
Not the worst showing I've seen last night, but I don't know how the coaches don't see the team needs to put the puck on net more during games like that. Funny how the VS announcers were imploring the Isles to just throw something on net, and 5 seconds later Guerin throws a slop shot that Park knocks in. This team looks like they are embarrassed to score dirty goals, when that is all they are able to score. We probably have more big bodied good-hands players than any other team- park them in front of the net! Vasichek, Guerin, Hunter, Jackman etc etc. Why is Park, worlds smallest forward since Blake, the one getting the dirty goal? We don't need him getting hurt- that shot he took after the goal looked pretty painful. Throw something on net with one of the big guys in front, and everyone crash the net. Goalies are too good to get scored on any other way- you need to bump them and distract them and get dirty goals...you know, like what everyone else tries to do to DP.
Montreal is a team we do not match up well against. They're fast, and play a sound defensive game. They're pretty much the team Snolan wanted to build on the Island, but haven't gotten the offense around just yet. If they make a big move at the deadline I can see them going pretty far in the playoffs.
Nyisles,
You are 100% on target. This team needs to forget the tic-tac-toe passing play it has been longing for. We simply do not have the players skilled enough to complete such attempts. A majority of goals are scored on broken plays and rebounds, but the Isles seem unwilling to create those opportunities. Again this goes back to poor coaching.
Bill Guerin was quoted after the game as saying you don't want to just start throwing the puck on net. BUT ThAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO when you manage a dismal one shot in the first period.
Nolan should have seen this and corrected it after the first period. But the Isles didn't start to get desperate and throw things toward the goal until there were under 5 minutes left in the 3rd.
Ted Nolan - Great motivator, poor common hockey sense.
Exactly Nolan might motivate but the fact that he puts Hunter and Sillinger and no Bergeron in the last 50 seconds down a goal is completely ridiculous. We need offensive minded guys on the rink. It is completely ridiculous how he favors players and can’t make obviously line choices for critical parts of the game.
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