Stretch Run
With only 18 games left to play, the New York Islanders sit uncomfortably in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. After going on an improbable six game winning streak, the Isles catapulted themselves back into the playoff picture, only to drop back to back games soon thereafter. Now, not to discredit the Isles most recent surge, but they did run into a good amount of luck in order to keep that streak alive. In my opinion the Isles won 6 games in a row in part because (1) The Flyers underestimated an Isles team that had lost 7 games in a row, (2) Toronto outplayed us only to lose 5-4, (3) Atlanta didn’t want to play us, (4) Nabakov’s head-shot led to some spotty goaltending, (5) Kolzig gave Vasicek a gift, and (6) Tampa Bay missed various chances while being shut out by DiPietro. There’s some truth to the idea that that’s how winning steaks are formed—you have to get a good amount of luck. But from here on out, the Isles have to make their own luck.
The luck seemed to run out when the Isles were badly outplayed in the 3rd period against New Jersey last weekend. The luck did not find its way back the next game when a depleted Pittsburgh team took full advantage of the opportunities it got. Even though the Isles crushed the Penguins in the shot department, I’d say the Penguins had more chances to score than we did. And think about that—think about how hard it is to be out-chanced in a game where you dominate in the shots-on-goal department. Again, this drives us back to the inability of the Isles to generate consistent scoring opportunities.
Last game, Pittsburgh had wide open one-timers and 2-1s, while Malkin constantly penetrated the Isles’ defense—and Pittsburgh took advantage of those opportunities. On the other hand, the Isles maintained puck possession for a majority of the game yet never seemed to create good chances to score. What were some of the best chances? The Satan one-timer? The Bergenheim mishap breakaway? The first led to an easy save and the second did not even result in a shot on goal. The Kid-line did the best job of cycling the puck, and created a goal by driving hard to the net. When then Isles were winning, they were crashing the net and getting that dirty goal. More recently, the Isles seem afraid to pay the price in front.
I have been hard on Trent Hunter in this department, mostly because he is the most built to handle this kind of role. He has the scoring touch and hand-eye coordination to be able to net these kinds of goals. Yet Hunter, who has racked up almost 200 shots on goal, has a mere 8 goals on the year, many of which had seeing eyes or took strange bounces. Having watched Hunter all season, I don’t think his play warrants him having more goals than he actually has. So that begs the question of why isn’t he changing up his plan being that he has a league worst shooting percentage of 4.5%. It’s not like he’s been unlucky.
On a more positive note, the Isles’ PK is among the tops in the East, and there is little I would mess with there. Park, Hilbert, Vasicek, etc. have all done an outstanding job up front, while the Isles blue line has played well enough down low. But the Isles’ PP...oh that dreadful Isles’ PP. It’s like you’re opening up a pickle jar and you turn it one way and it won’t open. So you twist harder and harder and harder, and still nothing. Then you have an epiphany: Oh wait, why don’t I try twisting in the other direction? Well in hockey terms, the Isles are the pickle eaters, and the jar is the PP. The Isles keep trying the same thing, over and over, with no hint of success on the horizon.
Nolan has stuck with Guerin and Comrie (and previously Silinger and Hunter) for way too long on the PP, and this group simply cannot get the job done. Every PP should generate at least one solid shot on goal, where a 5-3 PP should create multiple scoring chances. You won’t score every time, but the Isles do not even produce shots on their PPs nor do they produce scoring chances on their 5-3s. It’s a shame, because converting on your 5-3s can win you games. It’s no surprise the Isles lost the past two games after failing on extended 5-3 opportunities in both contests.
Regarding the deadline, I was disappointed with the non-movement. The six game winning streak ruined all chances for a fire sale, but I do not think Snow did himself any favors by keeping all of Satan, Fedotenko, and Vasicek. In addition, I really think the Isles blew it by not going harder after Bryan McCabe. Word out of Toronto was that the Isles were not even interested on deadline day. The addition of McCabe would have done a number of things towards the rest of the season: (1) It would give the Isles a legitimate PP quarterback, one who has scored close to 60 pts in each of the last three seasons, especially after the Isles unloaded MAB; (2) It would have generated interest/excitement among Isles fans, seeing one of the ones that got away from the Milbury stage back in an Isles uniform; and (3) It would have further solidified the Isles’ blue line for the next few seasons. I’m not sure what exactly Toronto was looking for, but I bet Snow could have got it done without giving up the Isles 1st round pick in this year’s draft.
The poor management referenced by Bill I think points to what we should all expect in the off-season—that July 1st will now become our annual Groundhog Day. I don’t see the Isles as having accomplished too much since last season. The Isles will still be looking to add UFAs this summer, and all indications are that they will struggle in that department unless they blow Hossa away and pay him an outrageous amount. For a team that surprised the world last season making the playoffs at the last possible moment, it’s hard to stomach seeing that same team far worse off than was before.
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39 comments:
Bill's most recent post:
Bill said...
NYISLES, said "I strongly disagree that this has been horrible planning & management. Besides McCabe, what could have gone differently?
What SNolan should have done in mid season and that was to dump Simon, sit Hilbert place Sillinger on I/R and gone with the kid line instead of using the BP express like a yo yo.
Snow is lying when he says he traded Simon for Tambellini. He could have waived him, sent him down or outright released him at any point in the season and brought up Tambellini.
Hilbert and Sillinger could have been sat down and Neilsen and Comeau brought up. I believe that's called "Coaches Decision".
And not once did Nolan have the guts or brains to do it.
Playing favorites at the expense of the team, is what Teddy boy is all about.
Aren't you proud to have Andy Hilbert as you first line winger? This guy couldn't make most other NHL clubs. On a team with a real coach he would be a PK player and that's it. But on the Island he's a first line player. Are you kidding?
It's painfully, obvious that DP can't play as many games as he does. But does Nolan sit him down? No, he lets DP call the shots.
Did you happen to see Neilsen's goal on Tuesday. I was a thing of beauty created by speed and going to the net. This is what Tambellini and Neilsen bring to the table. So what does Ted do? He saddles them with Comeau who is slower and much more deliberate. He holds the puck forever and endlessly cycles while Tambs and Neilsen stand around watching. This effectively kills whatever attacking skills they have.
Anyone can see that Bergy belongs with them to create a real speed line that attacks. Comeau is the perfect fit for Comrie and Guerrin who like to set up in the offensive zone and cycle. Yet Ted is the only one who fails to see this.
And how can you say McCabe was not a perfect fit here. We have no PP QB and no one with a shot that they can get through to the net.
He fit the bill perfectly.
Where did you hear that Toronto wanted a first round pick? My take was that the Islanders wanted Toronto's first pick to take McCabe, which was a totally unreasonable position. So instead we got nothing except more of the same year after year....mediocrity.
Counting on draft picks is an illusion. How well have the Isles draft picks worked out in the last ten years? If you not drafting a Malkin, a Crosby or an Ovetchkin then you are not really changing you team dramatically. And you are waiting another 3 or 4 years for him to develop. Great in theory but not as great in reality.
Once again we are stuck in the mud , spinning our wheels looking out the window at the emperor Wang who is wearing no clothes....Bill
Bill,
You touched on two points that I failed to address.
1. Hilbert on the first line? Yeah I don't know what Nolan is doing there. It's very obvious that Comeau would be a much better fit on this line, but Nolan keeps the Kid-line together b/c it makes for an easy mindless decision: Hey they are all kids, might as well stick em together.
2. DP...I think Nolan lets DP decide when he wants to play. Of course DP will want to play every game. If Nolan is not confident enough to give Dubie some games, then he should not have been signed to the backup job.
Bill- everything you said outside of sitting Hilbert (which would hurt out PK) is a coach's decision. Thats not "planning & management". Thats coaching. Not really Snow or Wang's call, is it?
Re: the 1st pick, I can't find it anymore; I believe it was on TSN's deadline day rumor page. Moot point now, but its clear they weren't keen on giving him away for cheap, and the Isles have nothing of value, aside from the pick & KO to give. So what would you have done?
When you say McCabe fits the bill perfectly, do you really mean that you would have given a 1st rounder for 2 years of an aging McCabe; years when the rest of the team is young and should be rebuilding through drafts/prospects? How is that smart planning and managment? Who cares what he brings right now- we need someone to be there when our kids are mature and regular contributors in the NHL...
"Counting on draft picks is an illusion. How well have the Isles draft picks worked out in the last ten years?"
You're right, its hard to predict the future. But the last 10 years of picks from the Isles have been bad because they've had a horrible GM for most of them. If Milbury drafted anywhere halfway intelligently, we'd have Loungo, Jokinen, Heatly, Parise etc etc- its an old story. Snow has had 1 draft year so far, without any #1 picks. Its a pretty safe bet to say we won't have another 10 years of trading a #1 goalie & Jokinen to FL simply to draft another # 1 goalie.
Lets not lump 1.5 years of Snow's GM with frustrations leftover from Milbury. Hopefully no one is expecting Snow- or anyone else- to turn this franchise around in that amount of time. What Snow did by keeping the kids & picks was responsible for the long term future- not just the next 2 years.
When Witt comes back, who goes down? It better be AJ.
Good that they pulled it out, although the journey was disgusting.
DP must be hurt...Nolan practically said so in his post game interview...
Berard made some nice offensive plays tonight...
Vasicek looked strong...
Tambellini and Comeau hardly played in the 3rd...what a shame...
If Neilson is hurt, look for Walter to make the jump...
NYISLES, If I read you correctly, you are willing to put up with two more years of this???
And just on the off chance that some picks will turn out to be more than third line grinders?
Your damn right I wanted McCabe here. Have you been watching the PP at all? Do you like what you see? Is there a better PP QB in the system?
McCabe probably could have been had for the second round pick we got for Noke. Did you read Fletcher's quotes that there was no interest in McCabe. That means Snow didn't even try to get him.
IF you have an answer to the PP miseries well I am all ears. McCabe has scored over 60 (that's right 60) points over the last few years. Where would this team be with a player who could provide and extra 60 points this year?
As for "Coach's Decisions" and "planning and management" of course it's Wang and Snow's fault.
Wang, as owner, hired an untried and inexperienced GM who has shown nothing to prove he deserved the job so far.
Snow as GM is Teddy's boss. He makes the player decisions and he tells the coach what to do. If the coach can't abide by the GM's wishes then he is usually an ex-coach. Ask John Paddock how that works out.
Snow seems to be content to float downstream and let life pass him by without making any tough decisions. At mid season he should have brought up the kids and told Nolan to play them 12-15 minutes a game. He should have cut Simon, sent Sillinger to the hospital and Hilbert to the press box.
Hilbert is a good spare part to have around and a good PK player. But we already have Park for that.
Name me another FIRST LINE player in the NHL that has the pitiful production that Hilbert has.
NYISLES, Give me one good reason to beleive that this team will be any better 2 or 3 years from now.
Okposo may (that's MAY) become a star, but who is he going to play with? The Isles first round pick this year, which will be between number 10 and fifteen?
This team will only progress if Tambellini, Neilsen, Walter, Comeau and Okposo turn out to be first and second line players. If not it's more of the same frustration that we have seen over the last 20 years.....Bill
Side notes:
(1) a 60 pt blueliner would be our leading scorer this season
(2) I do blame Snow for not forcing the the kids up sooner and for allowing the season to progress with Hilbert receiving as much time as he does. Watching Hilbert skate on the first line makes me sick. While this is a coaches decision, it's a bad one and it needs to be evaluated.
(3) I would break up the Comrie/Guerin duo. Comrie looked much better last night on shifts with Satan.
(4) I'm worried this team will struggle around mediocrity for the foreseeable future. Just b/c we stunk up the NHL in the late 90s doesn't mean we should be content with repeated attempts to grab 8th place.
In no way did I say I'm happy for another few years of mediocity.
But play GM for just one minute
What do YOU do? Getting McCabe is not going to turn this around!! Thats my point! He'll be here, scoring 30 pts a year, and we still have no one else, saddled with his salary, and less one 2nd/1st round pick.
BECAUSE of the misery of the 90s there can't be a short turn around. All your suggested moves are NOT going to make this team better- its exchanging old 3rd line players with young 3rd line players. How does that change anything??
I'll give you 1 reason why this team will be better in 2-3 years. IF we hold on to our 1st round picks, we'll actually have parts to trade & develop. We have none of that right now, and that is entirely due to the mismanagment BEFORE Snow. He's doing the right thing- he knows with this personnel a Cup will never be at NVMC. He's pushing Nolan to get the most out of the team, and he's got a long term plan to change.
Stop judging Snow after 1.5 years. Thats the typical irritating thing NY sports fans do. NYers are so damn spoiled with their sports (the GIANTS had divine intervention this year to win); and demand immediate returns. We've been waiting 26 years...can't we all wait 2-3 more years before blaming Snow?
Nyisles, I don't think you'd be happy with mediocrity. I'm just worried that's what we'll get at the current pace.
As a Mets, Isles, and Jets fan, I am definitely not a spoiled NY fan--my teams never win.
And I did want Snow did keep our 1st/2nd round picks. I also wanted him to shed Tank and Satan to get more picks--and that was my problem. Snow got stuck and couldn't decide whether to be a buyer or seller. If Snow felt he would not be getting a fair return on those players, then I'd say he waited too long or expected too much.
Since Snow decided not be a seller, he should have traded for McCabe. If you tell your team you want/expect them to make the playoffs, why not give them an additional weapon, especially one that was affordable.
I think a GM should be judged at all times--especially a novice GM that spent the last 15 years as a backup goalie.
But McCabe was NOT affordable! Thats my point!
Does anyone honestly think TO would ahve given him up for a 2nd round pick?
Satan has a NTC, making it a very difficult situation for teams to make offers, or Snow to entertain offers. Everyone watched the Sundin fiasco unfold in public- I'm imaging that played a huge role in the lack of interest for him. Why would another GM waste time pushing for Satan, who just built his house on LI, if its not even sure he'll waive the NTC. Also, he's scored 14 goals this year. Do we think someone gives up a 1st round pick for him? Even if we follow Bill's logic, and got a late 1st rounder in return, we're giving up our highest scorer in the last 4 years for a crapshot. Not my idea of responsible.
Tank is another story. I wouldn't have minded seeing him move, but then again he's a 2nd rounder/prospect at best. Again I'm not seeing how that changes the mediocrity.
My point is that there were NO available options for Snow to escape mediority at this trade deadline. McCabe, Satan, Tank, Comrie etc etc. Nothing. We'd have gotten a late 1st rounder/2nd rounder in return, or given up on our best chance to draft a stud.
I guess I don't see a "plan" in everyone's comments here. What do you suggest to rebuild & escape mediocrity? Snow has been handicapped/handcuffed by the moves made by previous management, and expecting him to make things happen without having something to give up is unreasonable.
I think it's funny that Islander fans have been begging them to rebuild and now that they are trying too, fans are complaining about mediocrity. You can't have it both ways, you either want them to rebuild or you don't. The only financially viable option for Wang to rebuild is by slowly integrating prospects with veterans.
I don't know why you all thought McCabe was going to be traded when he has a NTC and clearly said the day before the deadline he didn't want to be moved. That should have been a clue he wasn't going anywhere.
DiPietro is not injured, somebody in his family died. That was the information that Nolan could not talk about in the press conference last night which led to speculation he was injured.
Nyisles your thoughts are well taken and your definitely not alone in your opinions.
Personally, I would have liked to see Snow pull off the McCabe deal. I think it was affordable and the right offer could have got it done.
Shinkdew,
Regarding your remark: "I think it's funny that Islander fans have been begging them to rebuild and now that they are trying too, fans are complaining about mediocrity. You can't have it both ways, you either want them to rebuild or you don't. The only financially viable option for Wang to rebuild is by slowly integrating prospects with veterans."
I didn't see what transpired at the deadline as an effort to rebuild. Rather, I saw it as being overly content with a mediocre roster which comprise players we will lose for nothing come July 1st. And I don't think mixing prospects with aging vets isthe only viable option--you can overhaul the franchise and start from scratch. That would have meant selling off Tank, Satan, Silinger (before he was hurt), and even Hunter (before he was resigned). I think this would have been a much more effective way to rebuild.
If they had traded all of those guys away, who would replace them in the line-up? Other than Walter, Colliton and Jackman, there is nothing in Bridgeport.
They can't start from scratch, the attendance is already bad. How good do you think it'd be if they basically had Bridgeport playing on Long Island?
Guys,
This is quite the debate raging here...good to see the passion alive and well. I have a couple of thoughts I'd like to contribute.
Regarding McCabe, I'm a fan of his but in no way did I want to send a 1st rounder for him. Just because Cliff Fletcher SAYS he hadn't received inquiries doesn't make it true. GM's spread misinformation all the time, especially about deals that didn't get done. I don't take Snow at his word either about the mysterious Montreal deal that might've included Komisarek or Higgins.
Regarding Snow's hiring and performance, look...I would've rather have gotten Craig Patrick or Dean Lombardi too. They didn't want to participate in a committee and, as a hockey purist, I agree with them. Snow has definitely made his share of mistakes, no doubt, especially in regards to Nolan's unwillingness to play the youngsters earlier in the season and his unwavering loyalty towards Simon. But he DID ship Simon for something, which was better than cutting him.
As far as rebuilding goes, you couldn't honestly expect Wang to endorse a firesale with the team so close a playoff spot. I don't agree with it, but, as a businessman, the prospect of having the Coliseum filled to capacity (at playoff prices) and concessions/other revenue for at least two games was too tempting for him to pass up. We all saw this coming.
Regarding picks, I don't think it's so much about WHERE the picks are as it is having the proper scouting. This has been Wang's biggest error..not pouring a huge amount of money in hiring the right scouts. You don't need a top ten pick to find a first or second line player in the draft...numerous teams have proven this.
If we want the route out of mediocrity, we need better scouting. Then our picks will have a much better chance of developing.
So, where are we then? Likely to either just squeak in the playoffs or just miss them. But I feel the future does look brighter. Comeau, Tambs, Nielsen, and Bergenhim will play significant roles next season and I believe that will make us better. We will have a good defense, a good goalie, and a strong base of third and fourth liners, a couple of whom could develop into second liners. Could we use first line talent? Hell yeah! But one step at a time.
Are we close to being back? No...but I believe it's a decent start.
-Frank
SHINK, Didn'r we just win six games in a row with lots of Bridgeport player here? Has the attendance diminished?
No one here was advocting giving up the future and all of our picks. All we wanted was a guy who could play the point on the PP and score some goals. That's it.
If you read TSN McCabe stated quite clearly that he would consider moving depending on the situation. He was the only Leaf player who left the option open.
You can call Fletcher a liar if you wish. I chose to take him at his word.
Giving up a second round pick will not make or break this franchise.
Gaining a player of McCabe's talent
would have bolstered this team tremendously.
NYISLES..Are e judging Snow too harshly after only 1 1/2 years? That's a good one. How did Wang judge Smith after 1 1/2 weeks?
The point to be made, is that the Isles could have improved themselves by making a move and Snow sat on his hands.
Shink, I remember a similar post from you, about Bridgeport players, near the middle of the season, when you were once again stating that the attendance would plummet if Tambellini, Neilsen and Comeau were brought up.
It was wrong then and it is wrong now as time has proven....Bill
Bill, I'm trying to follow your thinking, but can't. Over the past few years, TO has had more talent, support, and money than us, yet has done worse- missing the playoffs last year, doing worse once again this year. Yet McCabe would have helped us "tremendously" to get over the hump?
If you're Fletcher, do you honestly give up a "tremendous" player in McCabe for a 2nd rounder?
Don't get me wrong- I'd love to see him in an Isles uni. again, but for the right price. I'm not convinced he'd be here for only a 2nd round pick- and the only thing we could have used to sweeten the deal is one of our kids, or a 1st round pick. Not good mgmt in my opinion.
Re: Snow sitting on his hands, any moves outside of McCabe would have netted us picks, which you state is an illusion. Following this logic, do you honestly think McCabe for high 2008 draft picks was the answer to bringing this team out of mediocrity?
Face it. This team has very few cards to play, and the only way to gain more is to wait. And the reason we're stuck in this waiting game is NOT snows fault. Stop blaming him for things that happened while he was still playing.
NYISLES Try to follw:
1) We have a miserable PP. It lacks a QB and legit shooter from the point.
2) McCabe is a PP QB of All Star quality.
3) McCabe has an excellent shot from the point. He has averaged 60 point over the last 3 seasons.
4) Totonto was looking to unload him for a pick or prospect because
the mix they have up there just doesn't jell. Check the rest of the deals that went down on Tuesday. Almost all of them went for 2 nd or later round picks.
5) A round peg fits in a round hole. Imagine this team NOT going 0for 8 or 9 on the PP or never converting on an 5-3. That's what McCabe would have brought here.
Let me know where I lost you?....Bill
PS I noticed you didn't answer my question about Wang and Smith. Was Smith that much worse than Snow in his ten day stint?
NYISLES To answer you other question, yes I do think that McCabe would have boosted us out of mediocrity.
This is an extremly weak year in the NHL. There is no dominant favorite among the Eastern Conf.
Is there any team that you could not imagine the Isles beating in a playoff series if they had a killer PP and a hot DP?
This year especially, a hot team could ride the wave to the finals.
That is why I am so pissed that Snow didn't go for it.....Bill
Justin, Just a thought here, but I would love to see Hunter's numbers since he got rid of Sillinger and Hilbert and hooked up with Tank and Joe Vas.
Sometimes the anchor gets too heavy and weighs on you.................Bill
So clearly you think the answer to this season is a PP QB. With a PP QB, we'd be sitting in a playoff position.
Sorry, I don't buy that. Our PP, while lacking a solid QB, is more lacking on the forward side. Good PPs have forwards that are willing to drive the net, who are able to make quick decisions (pass/shoot?), and who are able to skate.
Right now, Comrie, Vasicek, Guerin, Hunter, Tank, Sillinger- our top 2 PP lines- have none of those qualities. THATs our problem. We had a big shot on the point- MAB - he wasn't the answer. A big shot from the point is only helpful when there is a threat from the forwards because they're in front of the net. Berard/McCabe/MAB's shots are going through 4 defenders and a goalie with no screen. In addition, for a QB to be effective in ANY sport, he needs players to move. In hockey, the QB sets up the play, but the players still need to execute the subsequent passes/shots/deflections. THAT is the bigger problem than having someone set up a play.
A better answer to our PP would be to put our kids out there, preferably with Walter. I loved him the few games he was up, and he seems to have a nose for the net. They're fast, they've played together (so they don't have to think about where everyone is when passing or shooting), and they still have the passion/young bones to take the beating on the way to the net.
Clearly we disagree on what it would have taken to get McCabe, and what he would have brought to this team, but either way its a matter of opinion. I see your point, but that fact is we'll never know. I'd wager we won't see the kid line running the 1st PP, and we won't get a true PP QB anytime soon either. Too bad- but there's always next season.
The Neil Smith situation wasn't about the moves he made on the ice- the work of his that was visible to fans was looking quite good. It was about what happened in Wangs office. So I'm not sure how any of us could comment on that... In his 2 weeks he made some good moves that set up up well for the season, but the square peg didn't fit in the round hole, to use your words. I'm not sure Snow would have done much different given the situation.
NYISLES.......You watch the game today? 10 mins left and we go to a PP trailing by one. Greta situation to be in, but wait we are using a forward on the point. He loses the puck and the Flyers score a shortie......game over.
Tell me again how we don't need a PP QB.
Cristobal Huet, Montreals starting goaltender, fetched a SECOND ROUND pick. Yet Garth coldn't pry McCabe away from Toronto for that?
And yes, the answer to THIS season is a PP QB. Look at how special teams have done here....First in short hander goals given up....last in PP goals.
You tell me..........Bill
You don't have to convince me. I was very critical of Nolan for putting Miro at the point at the beginning of the season. Now with MAB gone, Nolan had no other options but to return to that poor decision. That's two games in a row we give up a short handed goal.
While there is some truth to the idea that a big shot from the point wont be the sole factor to a successful PP--as Nyisles said, you need good forwards out there too. But we don't have good forwards. And now we don't have a good PP qback either.
You don't make the MAB trade unless you are going to make the McCabe trade as well.
Bill- see the first PP goal? Direct result of FORWARDS, not the "QB" or point men. Guerin & Bergie crashing the net, creating a rebound and picking it up for the score.
Obviously, we disagree- but either way neither of us is the GM/Coach/Owner, so until that happens, we have to watch how others' decisions pan out. I'm just sad to see another NHL season almost over, and getting stuck having to watch baseball all summer. Yikes...and we thought the Isles play a boring game.
The season will probably be decided by the end of the week. Tomorrow's contest is a MUST win.
NYISLES True enough. Baseball is like watching a movie in slow motion.
No, none of us is the coach or GM but as far as I can see, we are all passionate fans and a bunch are ticket buyers.If you displease the fans, you don't sell tickets and you are out of business.
I did see the first goal and it was good to see Guerrin actually move for a change. Generally he stands in one spot and counts the house. Berard (the point man) got the second assist. Did you notice that. It was NOT all forwards.
While I agree that good forwards are an essential part of the PP, the forwards can only crash the net or get to rebounds if the point man gets his shot through.
How many blocked shots have you seen from the Isles point this year? Too many to count.
An experienced point man is a MUST this summer. It should be the first player Snow looks to sign.
A good PP QB would have given us a serious shot at the playoffs. Without one we are doomed............Bill
They reported on the "Hot Stove" show on HNIC that the Islanders and Toronto were very close to making a deal for McCabe. They said the Islanders were looking for either a 1st round pick or a player as compensation for taking on McCabe's salary. Toronto did not want to give up the pick and they could not agree on a player. The guy reporting the story said he thought the deal would get done this summer when both teams have a longer time to negotiate.
They also said that there is a good chance that Steen and Antropov will be moved. And I guess Avery has broken off talks with the Rangers and is going to test free agency. I would love to have Avery in an Islanders uniform.
Before pushing for McCabe I'd make an offer to Campbell. He's a FA, so we wouldn't have to give up anything (except WangBucks). He's younger and in my opinion better than McCabe (can we get them both??), and would be a complete shutdown pointman along with Witt. We could probably make him a long term offer he couldn't refuse, unless he's one of those who doesn't want to move to LI.
Avery is another story. I'm not sure I'd like to see him in an Isles uni. I think that much touted stat of how often his team wins when he is in the lineup is overrated. He's been a cancer in every lockerroom, and he does seem to get injured a lot. That said, I'd love to see how Nolan treats him. Interpersonal relations is probably Nolan's biggest strength, and he might be able to control the pest. Who knows- given the right price, I'd experiment with him. He seems to be a very tradable asset, so taking him on wouldn't be the end of the world.
For now, with 2 Rags games this week, I want to focus in on how much I despise Sean Avery.
I actually despise Hollweg more than Avery. Avery will actually take his medicine when he needs to. Hollweg runs around handing out cheap shots and then when it comes time to fight, he runs to the bench.
Glad to see you're all as speechless as I am.
What can you say? Two of the biggest games of the season and the Isles score a total of 1 goal.
50 plus shots and maybe 5 were legit good saves. 40 of those shots came from the outside of the circles and your grandmother could have stopped them.
I may have missed it, but did anyone see one deflection or redirection in front of the net?
The core of four must have been shaking their collective heads watching this display.
Once again the best line was Hunter-Joe V-Tank but even they couldn't finish.
The kid line also played well but didn't see enought time (as usual).
After last year, I can't say that it's over yet. But it's getting real close....Bill
Anyone seen those "Nolan type players" lately?...........Bill
You're very right Bill. I hated for the past two games how the annoucers were touting the goalie for "stealing" the game. Complete BS.
BD Gallof put up a very telling stat- who is taking most of these shots.
"Hunter led with 7 shots. Park had 6. Hilbert 5. Getting to see a pattern here. None of these guys with so many shots are sure things.
Satan? 2 shots.
Guerin? The same.
Comrie had 3.
Vasicek? 1? "
Park is one of my favorite players, but he's not supposed to score 30 goals. Satan, Guerin, Comrie & V-cek to some extent are suppossed to. 50+ shots means nothing if Hunter is wristing the puck from the top of the circle, unscreened.
Man, this is frustrating. With all the divisional games coming up, its a big chance to turn this around and slip in the playoffs. Remember, we're only 10 points out of first in the east. Ha!
I was at the game so I didn't get to hear Howie Jaffe's usual unsophisticated take on the game. 50 shots and I can 100 percent say Anderson did not make one tremendous save the entire game--you know a save where the announcer can proclaim "ohhh he just robbed him of a goal!" Nope didn't happen once. Anderson himself even remarked after the game that he was able to see everything and there weren't any rebound opportunities. That's his nice way of saying every other NHL goaltender would/should/could have had an NHL shutout yesterday against the Isles.
Been saying it all year--low percentage outside perimeter shots do not get it done at the NHL level. My dad was telling me how I could have had a shutout for the Panthers yesterday. (I'm not sure if that was a compliment or not).
Good point about who is taking the shots Nyisles. Guerin is usually a non-factor, and Comrie can only score on a breakaway or a wide open net.
How many times did you see an Isles player try to softly shoot through players and had the play attempt blocked (not counting Comrie who physically can't shoot through anyone)? I counted at least 5 times where an Isles defenseman instead of blasting from the point, tried a nice little saucer pass towards the goal that either resulted in an easy save or an easy blocked shot.
I think Richard Park's play is overrated. So what if the guy skates around like a mad man, what counts is production. Having Park on the PP is the biggest joke. When will Nolan realize he should separate the kid lines. Why is he making lines based on age? Why not use height, or why not based on the 3rd letter of their last names? Why not try some thinking here Ted?
I thought Radek Martinek was the best player on the ice. That's it. No forwards. No other defenseman. (Dubie played fine enough).
In the 2 most important games of the season, back-to-back sellouts at home, the Isles muster up 1 goal. Pathetic. These two games were very telling of the type of team the Isles have constructed. I just hope the Isles don't plan more of the same for next season. We really might have to throw a boat load of money at Hossa.
Moreover, I'm sick of all this luadatory nonsense about Comrie. All I hear is Comrie has "done his part" or has been "the lone bright spot" this season. WHAT IS SO GOOD ABOUT HAVING A LEADING SCORER WHO IS A MINUS 20 AND OBVIOUSLY HURTS YOU MORE THAN HE HELPS YOU.
Sorry caps...just a little frustrated over here....
I really have my doubts about Hossa. From what I have seen of him, he is the second coming of Yashin. He had Kovulchuk on his line and they made the playoffs ONCE and got swept in four blowouts.
I do not think that he is the answer, here and I don't think he would sign here anyway.
In fact, I don't see too much in regard to free agents on the horizon.
I would like to see J.M. Liles
brought in as I think we could have a shot at signing him. I have seen him talk about DP being his buddy.
Who should we target this July? Try to be realistic and consider who would WANT to come to the Island..........Bill
No DP tonight. Just great.
AJ is back. Even better.
Can't wait for the Rags v. Soundlanders game tonight.
A win's a win, even better when "Hank" storms off the ice.
3 pts out of a playoff spot...Doobie in net...seems a lot like last year, right?
At least we have good control of our destiny the rest of this season, with most of the remaining games against divisional foes. Big points at stake, and going to OT is something we need to stay away from.
Someone joked a while back about waiving penalties from now on...perhaps Nolan should work that into the next game plan.
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