Move Over Mad Mike
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UPDATE: Rick DiPietro an All-Star!!!!
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Welcome to a new day and age in New York Islanders history that is now ruled by someone who might seem, at times, "madder" than Mad Mike Milbury. This new replacement? Nut Case Nolan.
The most flabbergasting decision by NCN last night was his choice to include Mike Silinger in his top-3 for last night's shootout. With the game on the line, and when forced to select his top 3 most giftedly skilled players, Nolan went with a deteriorating checking forward who has done nothing to warrant such a selection. The fact that Silinger notched a shootout goal weeks ago against Ottawa is what Nolan will point to as the reason for making such a decision. But anyone who saw that goal could tell you that Silinger came in on Ray Emery (who was playing his first game in weeks) and snuck in a lucky wrist shot. Mike Silinger has never been known for his puck-handling or scoring ability, two qualities that would seem important when choosing a shootout contestant. Further, anyone who knows anything about hockey and goaltending could tell you that Luongo is so big and so quick that the only way to beat him one-on-one would be to get him moving from side to side, a la Miro Satan’s goal last night. Silinger would have been so far down on my list of shooters, that I might have even used defenseman MAB, Campoli, and FMIV before him. Hunter had the right idea (opened Luongo's legs in hopes to go 5-hole) but Trent simply doesn't have that goal scoring touch to pull off such a slick move.
Next we can look at NCN's strange apportionment of ice time last night. Comeau (the team's only bright spot recently) played only 7:34, while Bergenheim got a mere 6:40, and Vasicek a team-low 5:17. And with Fedotenko and Jackman getting around 10 minutes each, that meant we were all subject to way too much of Silinger and Hunter, and 21 minutes of Richard Park. The Isles have been a solid 3rd period team thus far, but with NCN only using a handful of forwards, it's hard to imagine that those forwards would have the stamina to stage a strong 3rd period.
I see NCN losing this team very soon. I don't mean to panic (with last night's SO loss, the Isles took over the 8th seed in the East, knocking the Rags to the 9th spot), but NCN's capricious decision making must make it hard for players to be ready to play on a nightly basis. Benching each of Vasicek, Bergenheim, Comeau, and Tank all in the same game while continuously allowing Comrie to go unpunished wouldn't sit well with me if I were on this team. Moreover, this continuous notion of playing Silinger on the PP should have the hockey world questioning NCN's knowledge of the game.
Don't get me wrong, a great deal of the blame of last night's loss falls on the players as well. I don't think I can recall ONE solid scoring chance last night by the Islanders. By scoring chance, I mean at least one moment in the entire game where the Isles had a legitimate chance to score on Luongo. With both goals coming on flukes given up by Luongo, I think its safe to assume this was one of the luckiest points ever earned by a team in the history of the NHL. In addition, the Isles allowed the team with the worst shot output per game to pepper DP with 45 shots, (20 more than their team average per game of 25). But that being said, when a coach seems to be making glaring mistakes on a nightly basis, it warrants the inquiry as to whether that coach might be the reason things seem to be spiraling out of control at so many points throughout a season.
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30 comments:
And what the hell was going on right before the shootout? The entire staff disappeared down the runway and came back out laughing like fools.
Very professional.
Did anyone else watching the game catch that?
As I watched that, I was thinking to myself that Nolan let the equipment manager pick the shooters, or that they picked names out of a hat.
If you watched the post game report, you saw a grinning fool gushing over the fact that his team got one point.
Now, that's inspiring !!....Bill
And at the end of the season, Ruslan Fedetanko will remove his disguise and reveal that he is really Oleg Kvasha !!!!
Oh I took notice of that as well, as did Jiggs and Jaffe. Your "hat picking" theory is quite plausible considering Nolan's inability to accurately assess the talent level of some of his players.
I thought choosing Comeau was a good choice, but Silinger in the top-3 was mind boggling. I would have chosen shooters in the following order...
Satan
Vasicek
Guerin
Comeau
Tank
Hunter
MAB
Bergenheim
Park
Maybe at this point I would have thought about Silinger...
. Sillinger was a- 2 last night he was rewarded with 19:05 of ice time and a turn in the shootout. He can hardly skate let alone score a shoot out goal. Billy G missing the net. Lucky DP is so good and the islanders still got a point. Nolan is clearly the worst coach in the league. I don’t know what he sees putting Sillinger against Luongo. But Ted Nolan definitely doesn’t play favorites.
Blake Comeau a plus 4 to lead all Islanders. Second is Bergenhim plus 3. The worst 3 on the team is Hunter an amazing -15, Comrie -12 and Sillinger -10. Don’t you think its time for some youth?
Top 2 guys 21 and 23 years old.
+/- is a very telling stat. During Comeau & Bergenheim's limited ice time, the Isles have scored more at even strength than have been scored upon, which should indicate that a youth movement ought to be embraced. Silinger/Comrie/Hunter (the vets relied upon by NCN) rank among the worst in the entire NHL in +/-.
Anyone who thinks these guys are doing the job clearly isn't paying much attention.
Hey!! Take it up with Shinkdew. I have been advocating a youth movement all year..........Bill
If Ruslan was really Oleg then I wouldn't even care that Sillinger was in the top 3 but since he isn't we will add shoot out lineups to the list of problems this team has.
Does anyone else realize that the best game that Sillinger had so far this season was after he had a week off. The new plan for Sillinger should to play once every 3 to 4 games. By doing that it should warrant his 20 mins of ice time and potential spot in a shootout lineup.
While I agree that +/- is a very telling stat, I would like to look into who was on the ice when we have given up our 8 or 9 shorthanded goals. Would it surprise any of us if Comrie, Hunter, Sillinger were on the ice for most of them?
From Greg Logan's midseason report...
"Perhaps if Jeff Tambellini had been given consistent minutes and power-play time over an extended period in a top-six role, he could have made an impact with the big team instead of scoring all his goals for Bridgeport."
Look for the B&O midseason report this weekend...
Ovechkin signs for 6 yrs and $54 million. There will not be one decent player available this summer. The Isles' strategy and the trading deadline needs to be one of the following...
(1) Trade for a pricey superstar who we can build around, as long as the star can be signed for the long term... or
(2) Trade all of our vets for 1st & 2nd rounders in hopes to actually rebuild the team for a legit run at the cup in 3-5 years when DP will be in the prime of his career.
The one star player not signed yet is Hossa. He seems to want to test the free agent waters.
One one hand he is young (29) and has had several excellent seasons under his belt.
On the other hand, he could be the second coming of Alexi Yashin. He did nothing against the Rangers in the playoffs and never was able to lift a talented Ottawa team over the top.
My feelings about him are the latter. Great regular season player who disappears when crunch time comes around.
What is everyone elses opinion?
The two free agents that the Islanders should pursue if they are still available are John Michael Liles and /or Dionne Phaneuf.
Yes, they are both defensemen and the Isles need scoring. However, there are no top offensive players available. By signing those two, we would solidify our D for years to come and have several valuable trading chips to obtain some scoring forwards.
I would break the bank for both of them. Both can score and run the PP. That alone would improve the offensive output.
Any other thoughts on this?....Bill
I agree with you to a degree on Hossa. I think he should be their #1 target. I doubt they will try to sign Phaneuf, he's an RFA and he's not worth the first round draft picks they'd have to give up. As far as UFAs, this is my top 5 for both forward and defense in order:
Marian Hossa
Mats Sundin
Cory Stillman
Daymond Langkow
Ladislav Nagy/Markus Naslund
Wade Redden
Brian Campbell
Dan Boyle
J-M Liles
Mark Streit
I didn't watch the game the other, that's why I never commented on it. I agree with all of you that Sillinger has no business in the shootout. I think there are only three players I wouldn't put before Sillinger and they would be Witt, Sutton and Jackman. I think Jackman is debatable. Supposedly, Comeau has been practicing with the first line.
Bill,
The players you mentioned would certainly help any team that signed them. But my greatest fear is that the Isles will struggle over the next decade with goal scoring, being that the Isles don't currently employ any legitimate goal scorers and don't seem to have any in their farm system.
Goal scorers are being locked up at an insane exponential rate, which begs the question whether it would be wise for Snow to go after ONE good player at the trade deadline in hopes of barely making the playoffs and losing again in the first round.
If he's thinking long term here, as I think he should, it might be best to rid himself of this entire group and secure high draft picks in this and next year's drafts--supposedly high quality drafting years.
We could float around mediocrity for the next decade, or we can really try to make something happen in 5 years. While no one wants to wait that long, I think a lot of Isles fans are having a sort of deja vu this season. And what I think Garth Snow needs to avoid is this sort of "Groundhog Day" repitition of 8th seed/1st round knockouts.
The Isles have made the playoffs in 4 out of the last 5 seasons, all first round knockouts, and haven't won a playoff series since 1993 (15 years!) Yikes.
Justin I really don't think anyone really following the Isles will have a problem trading away this group for high draft picks. Casual fans might not come around for the next season or two, but if we're able to get a good crop of young players skating with the big team in 3 years, and THEN mix in some veteran leadership, I think the product on the ice is something everyone can get excited about.
I'd be more than happy watching a group of rookies struggle all next season- its exciting to watch raw talent develop, and knowing there would be more on its way is enough to keep me (and I'm sure everyone else here) satisfied and excited.
One problem I see in this approach- and we've written about it in the past- is the issue with a new building. I'm not sure the timing of how long things take to develop on the ice versus in politics, but I worry a young team that misses the playoffs in the next few years will not be enough to convince the powers that be that we need a new rink. With public transportation. Soon.
Bill- totally agree with you on Hossa. I'd never object to him on the Isles, but something about him does remind me of Yashin- as you said. However, I still have to wonder whether he's also suffering from Yashin-itis... assistant captain might be too much for him. Wonder if relieving him of the pressure of leadership would allow him to produce more in the playoffs.
Can't believe Oveckin's deal is for 13 years. DP is starting to look like the deal of the century! If big time players are getting locked up in these deals, 4.5 per year for a top 3 goalie in the league will allow the Isles more flexibility than any other team in the future. I don't care how many goals AO scores- I'd rather have a top goalie than him. Clearly, DP is keeping us remotely in the playoff hunt- AO can't carry a team in the same way a goalie can.
DiPietro was name to the All Star team.
DP is an all-star! Congrats to him on a terrific first half of the season. Now let's just hope the offense can come alive and provide him with more than a goal.
Btw, I think I'm now officially the cause of the Isles woes. Over the last 12 games, while I was in the country, the Isles were 0-3-3. When I was out of the country, the Isles were 5-1.
I am bored at work today, so I looked up the last time the Islanders had player they drafted represent them at the All Star game. I believe it was 1998, Ziggy Palffy.
It's gonna be interesting to follow the Tampa situation this winter. Plenty of scoring ability in Lecavalier, St. Louis and Richards, but no winning mentality in the team. I doubt they'd trade Lecavalier, but St. Louis and Richards? I don't know. I'd take both for about the same as the Smyth deal last season.
Dan Boyle is currently injured, but when fit he is a top offensive D-man of the NHL. Plus he's an FA this summer.
Tampa will be sellers come trade deadline, Snow better keep his head up.
On another note. What does Tampa and that Manhattan team have in common? They're both getting to know the new CBA the hard way...
Andyman I've been saying that for a few months now. As most know, I live here in Tampa, and its been a rumble that is slowly getting louder- fans and management is not happy. No word on who's going first- players or management, but it has to happen.
I'm not so sure about Richards- he's on the books for almost 8 mill per...way too much for his production. Though he's still young (27), he's never scored more than 26 goals. He gets a lot of assists, but then again, he's played with Vinny & St. Louis his entire career. I probably could get 30 assists playing with those guys. I have no idea how he got the biggest contract of those three. Maybe thats why I'm optimistic about the Isles- I see the storm brewing down here in Tampa (no pun intended...hurricanes suck) and its much much worse.
I'd take St. Louis in a heartbeat, but he's not that strong defensively. In fact, despite scoring 102 points last year, he only was +7. He's been slammed by fans down here for exactly that. I'm not so sure we need another Comrie/Blake type player.
Vinny is probably the best rarely-talked about elite player in the NHL, and locked up for a reasonable $$ per. He's tall, strong, and is a proven leader. Moreover, he's young (27). (Again, I have NO idea why Richards got more than him...makes no sense). That being said, he will not be traded. He's the face of this team, and everyone loves him down here. Everyone else will go, and if Richards gets traded, I wouldn't be surprised if Tampa needs to eat some of his salary to move him in exchange for prospects.
I don't think the Rangers & Lighning are suffering from the same mismanagement of contracts. Aside from the dollar amount to Gomez, I think they've done quite well actually for contracts. They're hurting because they're waiting for Shanny and Jagr to carry them, not realizing they're both old and tempermental players. Drury will come around, and Gomez will be consistent for the life of his contract. Once Jagr & Shanny are gone, they won't have to send their younger guys away (like they did this year). They have a strong goalie (tampa has no one), and a decent defense (tampa has no one), and their chemistry will only get better. The rangers can continue to pay up to the salary cap if it continues to rise, while Tampa is a weak weak hockey market (obviously) and will struggle to gain a steady fan base. After they won the cup they hiked ticket prices through the roof, and no one showed up- especially after they ditched Anderchuck and missed the playoffs. Now, I'm able to go to games for $25.00 with all you can eat/drink...and they're not sold out.Even if the cap rises, they're going to be hard pressed to attract fans- especially since they play in the weakest division in hockey in the worst hockey location in the NHL (aside from the Panthers).
Does anyone know if there is a #1 center who loses more face offs than Comrie? He's awful.
Thankfully Silinger finally shut me up...for one night at least...
I still think Snow should go after Phaneuf this summer. Draft picks are crapshoots at best. Just look at our last 6 or 7 first round picks (excluding DP).
Calgary will be hamstrung by Iginla and Kiprusoff's big contracts. They also have Regher and Husalieus to pay.
Phaneuf and Liles would provide two solid rocks to build a team around. And besides, it's not like
the Islanders won't have the money to spend. They have all cheap contracts locked up for next year.
Snow is in a position to offer both guys a contract that their present team cannot match.
Aside from that, who do you want to see brought back next year?......Bill
Wow, didn't check his stats before making a wish for Richards. -25 so far this season and well under a point per game. Compared to Lecavalier and St. Louis this is just awful, +4 and +2 respectively. Lecavalier will not be traded, agree. But if Snow could get St. Louis, YES. Even if he's not the strongest one defensively, he's a +44 over his entire career. And I do feel he's at another level than Blake and Comrie.
Who to keep? Dubie, 100%. Others depend on salary demanded, because in the future, most of the current players should be regarded as third liners. E.g. Trent Hunter. A valuable role player, solid on the PK, chips in a few goals every now and then, but not enough skill to carry a team.
Comrie needs to show some more in the last half of the season, but Snow probably should consider resigning him too, as there will be few top six forwards available this summer.
I definetaly feel Snow should remain calm before trade deadline. I don't believe any play off rental would make this team any better than a 1st round exit anyway, and the veteran players on the Isles haven't been playing well enough this season to attract too many high draft picks anyway.
Maybe the draft is deeper this year and that some decent players can be picked at say, 16th.
I believe the draft is quite deep this year, so I wouldn't be too upset if Snow doesn't do anything come the deadline. If we're able to get through this season with a playoff birth, that gives Wang a bit more money from playoff revenue, and allows us to see how some players perform under high pressure. And you never know. Right now we're lined up to play the Devils, who are defeated against us. Last year might have been completely different had we been pitted against Atlanta (as the Rangers had...who gloated about that win way too much).
I'd resign Hunter, Comrie, Vasichek, Dubie.
Tank, Satan can be dangled as trade bait- Tank is a proven playoff producer who might fetch a good prospect/pick from a team hoping to make a strong run. Satan is Satan- he's signed for 4.5, and probably wants more, even though his point production is down. I'd love to keep him- he's our only sniper- but not more than 5.5 mill, and for under 5 years (he's only 32). Some team would LOVE to have him I'm sure, and be willing to trade similiar what we gave up for Smyth.
For those guys, if no trades can be had, then lets wrap them up. Tank can be had for reasonable 2.5-3 per, and Satan for the aforementioned.
In addition, if other teams want some of the other guys we have, Snow should entertain all offers, except for a select few obviously... Witt, DP, Gervais, Camps, Guerin, etc etc.
Ryder, Nagy, Boyle are all players I'd go after. They're not bank breakers (or shouldn't be...I hope this doesn't turn into a pissing contest again at the FA deadline), all young, and have demonstrated some talent.
But I agree with most- I'd rather not become buyers at the deadline. Not this year.
(BTW the Rangers have 5 defensemen becoming RFAs this summer...I retract my earlier statement about them being better off than the Lightning. How are they going to sign Kasparitsitis (they won't obviously), Strudwick, Mara, Malik, and Rosival, along with Straka and Avery. THey're in trouble.)
Calgary isn't going to let Phaneuf go, and even if they didn't match an offer, giving up 4 first round picks would set the Islanders back even further. He's an excellent defenseman but he's not worth that many picks.
I'd resign Comrie, Vasicek and Meyer. I'd get rid of Sillinger and replace him with either Vasicek or Walter. I'd bring up Tambellini and Okposo. I'd try to sign Hossa and Redden. My ideal line-up would be something like this:
Hossa-Comrie-Guerin
Tambellini-Vasciek-Okposo
Sim-Walter-Comeau
Hilbert-Park-Jackman
Witt-Martinek
Sutton-Redden
Campoli-Gervais
Okposo had two assists in his AHL debut.
The other end of the spectrum is not whether the Isles decide to go after some big names at this year's trade deadline, but rather whether the Isles inhibit some kind of a fire sale and get top draft picks for Satan, Silinger, Vasicek, Hunter, Comrie, Tank, etc. Each of those players' contracts runs out at the end of this season, and this Isles will be in prime opportunity to use that to their advantage. Yes it might mean throwing the white flag on this season but it could set the Isles up to be quite a good team in 3-5 years. Is this a direction anyone likes? I'm still torn.
Shink, I think Sillinger is signed thru next year so we may be stuck with him.
As for Phaneuf, I don't believe that Calgary can afford him, if the If the Isles make the right offer to him. Don't you think he is worth more than Richards or Penner?
As for Islander draft picks, who cares. We always draft around 15 th when there is no gamebreaker available. Most of the first round picks over the last few years have been busts anyway. I would much rather have a proven star like Phaneuf than the typical checking line players that the Isles have drafted in this decade.
What about Liles? I would overwhelm him, too. I believe he is unrestriced and would only cost some of Wangs millions.
Snow saved 10 million this year. Let him spend it next year on a few money players. It looks certain that there will be no valuable offensive players available. Winning teams start with goaltenders and build out.
I am not sure that I want Comrie back. He is a floater who takes a ton of lazy penalties. On the other hand is there anybody out there that can replace his point
production?........Bill
Calgary will find the money to resign him. I don't think Liles is any better than Campoli. Campoli has more points and they have the same amount of PP points and +/-. I'd rather have Campbell or Boyle.
Justin - I would rather they have a fire sale, if they can get good draft picks, than fight to finish in the 8th spot.
Bill - that's why I want to re-sign Comrie. I don't think they could replace his production unless they signed somebody else. He's better than most of what's available.
Tambellini was called up for the Ottawa game. I don't think Satan or Witt is playing. Fortunately, Ottawa lost Heatley last night to a separated shoulder. He's out 4-6 weeks.
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