SB Nation - Tim Jackman

Maple Leafs 3, Islanders 2: Tavares-led comeback erased by...Blake!

Dominik — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:01:12 -0000

Happier times.

The first period looked like a repeat of the Roloson Miracle game, except with Dwayne not in the mood to play God again. (He was good, he just wasn't 58-save good.)

The second period was a wash -- the Islanders entered and exited down 2-0, with each team thinking it had reason for a better return.

But the third period, aided by a period-opening powerplay: Now that was a different story. The John Tavares Machine was fully operational, working from JT's office to the side of the crease, and the Islanders comeback was in effect. Tied up with five minutes to go, we just might steal another point or two in Toronto.

Then Jason Blake scored and fist-pumped and that was that.

Game Sum. | Event Sum. | Recaps: nhl.com | Isles official

Final - 12.9.2009	1	2	3	Total
New York Islanders	0	0	2	2
Toronto Maple Leafs	2	0	1	3

Complete Coverage >

But man if this game didn't give us some things to think about, in the napkin-sketching, roster-mixing kind of way. Take Tim Jackman out and you lose your de facto enforcer, but you get the chance to add another powerplay piece like Rob Schremp, who did not disappoint in that role ... and who held his own centering the 4th-line in limited minutes (9:30 total, 2:44 on the PP).

Kyle Okposo got the (quite beautiful) first assist on both Tavares goals, but the second assist was legitimately credited to Jeff Tambellini on the first and Schremp on the second. The powerplay actually looked functional.

Meanwhile, Schremp's 9:30 TOI was more than Josh Bailey, who ended up with a paltry 8:15 (just 0:23 on the PP). Bailey was also 0-5 on faceoffs. Hmmm...

We spend so much time (rightly so) fretting about this insufficient blueline. And lord knows Jon Sim and company get their licks for being used above their talent level. (Sim got 9:28, zilch on the PP, by the way.) But we can't forget the search for who on this team can score besides John Tavares and Matt Moulson -- who have accounted for all of the Islanders goals ~~in the last week~~ since Nov. 28 in New Jersey, when Richard Park scored the lone goal in a 6-1 loss. It's worth noting that without the ample powerplay time that Tavares gets, he doesn't have four goals in the last two games, either.

There remain several movable parts who have either not performed (one view) or not gotten the consistent chance to perform (the other view). In that group you'd have to include Bailey, Frans Nielsen, Tambellini, Schremp, Blake Comeau and Sean Bergenheim. With Bergenheim out, it opens up one more slot in the opportunity department.

Safe to say two of those guys (Comeau and Bergenheim) are destined to be non-top-six, two-way wingers with a focus on the defensive side. Two of those guys can probably only stick around if they can score consistently (Tamby, Schremp). And the remaining two are centers, centers with #2 potential, but centers who will need to show more than they have on the offensive side.

I'm not pigeon-holing anyone yet, but it would be fun to get more time with these guys being mixed up and down depending on performance and chemistry. Depending on the length of Bergenheim and Jackman's injuries, maybe that happens -- and maybe the people pining for more Schremp are at least temporarily appeased.

Or maybe somebody gets healthy again and Schremp goes back to the press box.

Either way, this now three-game losing streak is distressing, but it has put me back into the evaluation mode that I fully expected to be in all season. Which is a little different than living and dying with each win and loss to see how long the Isles can stick out this quasi-.500, point-per-game pace.

* * *

Game Thread Thanks

If you saw the game thread, that, friends, is what a Pension Plan Puppets invasion looks like. (If you weren't in there live, the PPP participation was all contained to the 1st intermission/2nd period, except for some stragglers.) Thanks for playing along and being nice hosts; thanks for not shouting at them just because they speak a different form of English. And thanks to our PPP visitors for bringing their unique brand of Leafdom hallucinations; I swear, those Canadian pharmaceuticals are something else.

Since our in-game threads range from quiet to noisy depending on the day and the opponent, it's fun to do accept a visiting high-volume tribe every once in a while to see how these can go at max capacity. Some games you need to get more off your chest in-the-moment, so just know it's always there (and some days you wish your comments would go away ... which is why the threads are a little more disposable). We only had one flare-up -- not bad for a high-volume cross-team visit, so no worries. Generally, I just want people here to welcome visitors, ignore trolls (or in rare cases, stomp them with extreme prejudice before they are banned) and be cool with each other.

On that note, I know I read most sites a lot more than I comment. So if there are things you want or don't want here, just let me know via comment (or via email if you want privacy or insist on remaining a lurker). I can't promise I'll answer every request (That's a nice way of saying your comment goes directly to our Customer Service Department, where it will be considered very important and our people will respond within 6 to 8 weeks).

But if your request fits I'll try, and if I know what people generally prefer (time, type of post, topic, etc.), it will help me know how bad I'm ticking you off when I insist on doing whatever the hell I want anyway. But seriously, for a moment: I just run this place so Islanders fans and hockey fans have a welcoming place to chat hockey, and hopefully I have a good idea every once in a while. That's all.

Let's Go Islanders. Let's Go Second Line.

Sabres 6, Islanders 3: Roloson stinker puts Isles in the hole

Dominik — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:47:39 -0000

More photos » by Don Heupel - AP

How does this 1st-period chance not go in?

Browse more photos »

As mentioned in the game thread, the Islanders came out flat in Buffalo, but Dwayne Roloson's bad game gave them an uphill climb. Jack Hillen had a nice rush and hit the post in the opening minutes, then Roloson opened the gates. Meanwhile, Ryan Miller was Ryan Miller. Put a young team against a hot, fast club in its home rink under those conditions, and that's going to be hard to overcome -- even if David at Die by the Blade was disappointed in the Sabres defense.

Game Summary | Event Summary | nhl.com Recap | Isles Recap

Final - 10.16.2009	1	2	3	Total
New York Islanders	0	2	1	3
Buffalo Sabres	2	2	2	6

Complete Coverage >

First Five Games: A Comparison

Five games in, it's hard for me to fault Gordon when he has this roster, particularly this blueline. But how he handles this 0-for start to the season will leave a lasting impression. Speaking of which -- how does this squad match up with last year's? Let's take a look:

ISLANDERS after 5 GP	Record	Pts	GF	GA	5on5	PP%	PK%	ShtF	ShtA	FO%
2008 - 09	2-3-0	4	2.2	3.2	.80	11.1	81.3	30.0	32.4	n/a
2009 - 10	0-2-3	3	2.4	3.4	.54	22.7	88.9	31.8	31.2	47.4

It's early, but the Islanders had a better start last season with a far worse powerplay, a weaker penalty kill, around the same shot differential, and better 5-on-5 play. (That "5on5" figure above is ratio of 5-on-5 GF to GA.)

Of course, their opponents last year were also weaker: Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Florida, as well as Buffalo and New Jersey. In this season's start, I don't think they've faced a single opponent they "should" beat -- and unfortunately that doesn't change tonight with the Sharks in town.

Video and plenty of game notes after the jump...

Roloson's No Good Very Bad Day

Tyler Myers' first NHL goal was nothing stellar -- although backhands are harder to read -- while Roloson looked bad on the penalty shot and simply awful on Tim Connolly's 2nd-period goal that made it 3-0. For good measure, Jochen Hecht's slapper to make it 4-1 was practically a change-up. Every goalie has bad games (Roberto Luongo thus far, anyone?), but the Islanders are paying Roloson and Martin Biron to have far fewer of those than last year's backup tandem.

Despite the flat start, I didn't think it was a bad effort overall. It's really hard to judge when your goalie is allowing back-breakers and not bailing you out (such as on the penalty shot). As WebBard pointed out, it was nice they didn't fold despite being down by 3 goals twice in the second period. The closing minutes of the 2nd was crucial: In that goalmouth scramble, I don't know how John Tavares or Radek Martinek missed their chances, but they each had open nets to bring the game within one goal heading into the 3rd.

Tim Jackman's Fight

Yikes. By the time the camera got over there, he was being handled to the point that I thought Gaustad had yanked him up and started pummeling him. Upon replay, that wasn't the case; Jackman had a fair chance at the start, and he got schooled. That's the risk when you don't watch where you are or "accidentally" end up on the goalie. I'm personally glad Gaustad didn't pick up an instigator for that.

John Tavares and Matt Moulson Continue

Moulson's goal was a nice redirect -- the product of being in the dirty areas and just getting it to the net.

Tavares's was a no-doubter, a gimme -- but a goalscorer's goal nonetheless. He put himself in the right spot, and he knew what to do with it, taking the puck in front after Miller's gift and burying it high. Put it this way: I could see Sean Bergenheim or even Josh Bailey just missing on any part of that sequence, whether the interception, the reaction, or the finish.

Jack Hillen Enters

Well, Hillen was on for three goals against -- but his minus-2 included the ridiculous Connolly goal which should have been stopped. Overall, I liked his presence. But again, the problem isn't that the Islanders need more of a Hillen; the problem is that the Islanders have one #1 defenseman and six #4-#7s. I'm not sure what amount of shuffling could fix that. Of course Andy Sutton picks up a late goal to undermine my point, but I'm going to need far more convincing than that.

Regarding the blueline, which I fear I'm going to harp on for a while, Martin Biron had this to say:

"This one hurts," Biron said. "We've been playing pretty well defensively and we want to pride ourselves on our defensive play and our ability to limit chances. That's why this one is a killer."

If that's indicative of a team commitment to defense, I'm all for it. I read that quote before I watched the game, so I assumed a defensive breakdown -- not an awful night for Roloson. Either way, the scoring chances will bear watching. The Islanders strike me as more confident in their defense than I am, but then again that's how they have to approach everything to face what could be a daunting 82-game season.

Other decent efforts: Doug Weight was creative, the Bailey/Bergenheim/Blake Comeau line had a few sparks, including Comeau's setup and Bergenheim's picture-perfect screen on Sutton's goal. Kyle Okposo seemed to have an off night by his standards.

I like the thought that the Sharks, coming off a 4-1 loss in Washington, might take the Isles lightly and assume they'll be able to roll. At this point, that's about all we have.

Query: By numbers or by memory, what do you think of this season's start vs. last year's? Last year's included a blowout by the Sabres, an OT win over the Lightning, and a 2-0 loss to Florida.

Tales of the Tape: New York Islanders 10/3/09, Michael Rupp vs. Tim Jackman

JDunman — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:15:09 -0000

There are certain teams that I expect the Pens to end up fighting when met. The Flyers come to mind right off the bat. The Rangers are not surprising, nor are the Capitals. The Islanders? Not so much. Especially not two in one game. Well, that's what I get for assuming - game 2 of the season saw two of the Penguins newest faces end up getting fighting majors. We'll start with the first.

The fight broke out at 9:32 of the first period. Michael Rupp started throwing blows against Tim Jackman of the Islanders. Both threw several right hands, with Jackman knocking off Rupp's helmet before they went into a tender embrace. Jackman threw a couple more punches before Rupp reached in and pulled off Jackman's helmet. A couple more blows from either side, and the linesmen finally came in and pulled the two huggers apart.

Based on the early blows, I'd have to give this one to Jackman. He landed more blows and knocked off Rupp's helmet. Still no takedown, but based on several comments I got last season, that may not be a bad thing.

I suppose it should be noted that Michael Rupp fought 16 times last season for the Devils. His first fight of the season was a loss against our very own Eric Godard. How about that? Jackman had 19 fights in the NHL, though none of which were against the Penguins.

We'll take a look at Jay McKee's first Penguins fight against Brendan Witt later in the day. Stay tuned for it.

Poll

Who won the fight?

Michael Rupp

40 votes

Tim Jackman

40 votes

Draw

64 votes

144 votes | Poll has closed

The enforcer role, and Jeremy Reich's Islanders candidacy

Dominik — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:30:13 -0000

"I've seen it a lot the few years he played for me. It didn't surprise me. He hasn't changed anything. I don't think I've ever coached a guy that has an understanding of when to do it, how to do it, the time and place and situation [like [he does]]. He's always been able to identify that, and not only identify it but have it make an impact."

>>Scott Gordon on Jeremy Reich, who fought twice in the Hockeyville game

For a coach who says he values the enforcer role -- but clearly values a guy who can hold his own as a skater far more -- that's some serious praise.

When Jeremy Reich signed amid several depth signings this summer, we knew he had experience under Gordon at AHL Providence, and we knew he wasn't afraid to mix it up while netting a career-high 21 goals in the AHL last year. He also had enough of defensive-minded Bruins coach Claude Julien's trust that Julien used him in Boston's playoffs two years ago in games where young Phil Kessel was a healthy scratch.

After Reich's two fights in the Islanders first preseason game, does the description Gordon gave above to Katie Strang not sound like he's the ideal Gordon enforcer?

Jeremy Reich

#17 / Left Wing / New York Islanders

Height: 6-1

Weight: 203

Born: Feb 11, 1979

Pro Seasons: 9

08-09 PIM (AHL): 139

08-09 goals (AHL): 21

Gordon and GM Garth Snow relied on an AHL enforcer shuttle last year, but within games Gordon employed Mitch Fritz and Joel Rechlicz so little -- sometimes as little as three minutes a game -- it was clear implementing his system was more important than sending a boxer out there to play the testosterone role demanded by hockey's curious, nebulous fighting code.

A lot of Islanders followers have worried about the Islanders' failure to sign a free agent enforcer over the summer to protect the youngsters who will form this team's core. Personally, I love that Snow didn't hand out $1 million salaries to the league's one-dimensional boxers-on-skates just because they have a reputation on hockeyfights.com. I probably undervalue the dedicated enforcer (it's clear the mythology of the role extends within most locker rooms, in a psychological way stats don't capture). But I also can't help preferring a Gordon-ideal squad of guys who can actually skate and hold their own when things get chippy.

(You can also argue that the best form of deterrence is a lethal power play, although the Islanders don't have that yet.)

Traditional goons are entertaining and make this sport more popular, but I'd rather have a Clark Gillies out there taking care of business when it really matters, than a Ken Baumgartner out there doing it just because two guys who can't really skate 5-on-5 know this ritual protects their job security.

But is the one-dimensional enforcer role still on its way out of the NHL? It's something that always seems to fluctuate. Take this for what it's worth, but here's SI's Jim Kelley's interpretation after Stephen Walkom resigned as head of NHL officiating. Kelley is referring to the shift in enforcement as the season wound down and through the 2009 playoffs:

The free skating and open ice that came to the game largely from the player ranks and efforts of a committee conceived and headed by Brendan Shanahan, began to disappear only to be replaced by more hitting (especially from behind and to the head), interference (especially around the crease and in the corners), and hits on goaltenders as crease-crashing again became the norm.

Nothing was "officially changed" regarding the rule book, but it's a given that teams recognized the new interpretations and are "bulking" up for the new season. It's also apparent that recent rules to enhance the game and protect the players are being curtailed in order to sate the blood-lust of fans and meet the business "challenge" from more violent sports like football and mixed martial arts.

If the one-dimensional enforcer is still on the decline, then my preference of skaters-with-sandpaper is the right way. If it's not and Kelley and others are on to something, then the Islanders will need someone -- or several someones -- who can stand in whenever Donald Brashear decides it's time to justify his paycheck.

... which brings us back to Reich and Gordon's candidates: The Islanders don't have an established goon who's earned his own dedicated song. Can young Rechlicz develop into that role? I'm willing to risk finding out, and see him inserted in the lineup for Philadelphia-like opponents. Meanwhile, Reich is another option, while checkers Tim Jackman and even Nate Thompson have shown a willingness to play the de facto enforcer role. Less relevant, but: if Jon Sim indeed plays his way back into Gordon's graces, he's no enforcer, but he is a shift disturber who has dropped the gloves a few times each season.

The Islanders aren't as grit-deficient as some say; they just need to stick up for one another the way Reich appears prepared to do.

Will that be enough? What do you think? I recognize my view is generally in the minority on this issue, so don't hesitate to let me have it in comments.

Canucks-Islanders Preseason Game 1 Open Thread

Sean Zandberg — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:27 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

"Oh yeah! Hockey is back!"

Browse more photos »

GAME TIME: 7:30 PST

TV: Sportsnet, NHL.com, MSG, and streamed live at Canucks.com

UPDATE: 2:41 PM: Pelletier has lots of photos of the Canucks arriving in Terrace, the autograph hounds, and team practice photos up on his site. Geez, Woody, crack a smile. He looks like someone insulted his mother.

UPDATE 1:52 PM: Rejoice! Rick Rypien is saying he's 100% mentally and physically.

UPDATE: 11:02 AM: The official Canucks roster for tonight is:

Goalies: Andrew Raycroft and Corey Schneider.

Defensemen:: Kevin Bieksa, Willie Mitchell, Aaron Rome, Brad Lukowich, Nolan Baumgartner, Yann Sauve, Shane O'Brien and Evan Oberg.

Forwards: Dave Scatchard, Ronald Petrovicky, Jannik Hansen, Rick Rypien, Michael Grabner, Kyle Wellwood, Alexandre Bolduc, Eric Walsky, Guillaume Desbiens, Mario Bliznak, Pierre-Cedric Labrie and Sergei Shirokov.

Tip to Brian Compton who is blogging the event at NHL.com.

UPDATE: 10:45 AM: The Canucks' plane circled the Terrace airport for a while and couldn't land because of the heavy fog. They have officially landed though. No Luongo. We knew that already. Tip to Joe Pelletier, who's texting me these updates.

Also, a few Canucks were on stage at the Canadian Country Music Awards at GM Place last night. The Province has that picture as well as an article on the Sedins calling Samuelsson a dirty player. Samuelsson may get top line duty after all. Not 100% yet. Is he the next Anson Carter? I'm still stuck on giving Burrows a shot there, but he may be moving to line 2.

UPDATE: 8:20 AM: Great article on Mark Parrish at the Province today. He was "giddy" when the Canucks came calling, but is a roster spot possible for this guy?

UPDATE: 12:43 AM: Grandpa (I mean Mathieu Schneider's) first blog at CDC. Know how to use a keyboard, Matt? No way in hell Schneider or Hodgson play as both are recovering from shoulder injuries/surgeries. I'm anticipating seeing Sergei Shirokov play perhaps with Wellwood.

-Yes Mitchell, the fishing is prime up here in Northern BC. Now, don't suck! Wellwood: Get an atlas and get to know your BC geography!

-Tick tock. Tick tock goes the Sundin clock. No word from Mats as training camp has begun. Mike Gillis gave "Sudden" a TC deadline and that has passed. Is it all but over for Sundin, or would Gillis backtrack and let him return at a later date?

Come and hang out here all day (and night) for the Canucks' first preseason game in Terrace, BC.

So it begins. There is so much to be settled with the Canucks' roster from the goaltending out. That is what preseason is for. Hat tip to Missy for providing the veteran Canucks roster for tonight's game:

Offense: Sergei Shirokov, Mario Bliznak, Robert Petrovicky, Michael Grabner, Kyle Wellwood, Guillam Desbiens, Rick Rypien
Defense:Willie Mitchell, Kevin Bieksa, Brad Lukowich, Nolan Baumgartner, Michael Funk, Lawrence Nycholat, Evan Oberg, Shane O’Brien
Goaltending: Andrew Raycroft and Cory Schneider (No Luongo=no surprise. The Canucks need a long and hard look at who warms the bench during Lou's games played.)

Tip to Joe Pelletier for finding the basic Islanders' lineup:

Forwards: Jon Sim, Tim Jackman, Jeff Tambellini, Nate Thompson, Blake Comeau, Josh Bailey, Sean Bentivoglio, Matt Moulson, Greg Moore, Greg Mauldin, Trevor Smith, Jeremy Reich.

Defenseman: Andy Sutton, Jack Hillen, Mark Flood, Andrew MacDonald, Dustin Kohn, Freddy Meyer

Goalies- Scott Munroe, Nathan Lawson
Right, not the biggest names for game 1 in a Hockeyville town, but it's preseason.

We'll keep you updated all day with further roster updates and news as the day goes along.

Grading the Islanders: Tim Jackman

Dominik — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:00:19 -0000

Just as an FYI, we're going through these Islanders report cards in alphabetical order, but we're only doing guys who were regulars on the 2008-09 squad. Next up, then, is Tim Jackman. The purpose is absolutely to get your impressions and opinions on a given player, but each of these posts will have my run-down just to get you jogging your memory.

If you're on the front page of the site, the poll (your numeric report card) shows up before the rest of the post. Click "continue reading this story" (after the poll) for the Jackman stats and verbal run-down...

Tim Jackman

#28 / Right Wing / New York Islanders

Height: 6-4

Weight: 210

Born: Nov 14, 1981

NHL Seasons: 4(ish)

Contract: 1 year at $550k, then a UFA

Preseason View: Another year riding the Bridgport shuttle, or...?

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	Hits	TOI	PKtoi	SOG	PCT
2008-09 Tim Jackman	69	5	7	12	-17	155	0	1	151	11:44	1:25	99	5.1

Random Fact: It's easily forgotten, but this is actually Jackman's fourth NHL team. He played a total of 32 NHL games with Columbus, Phoenix and Los Angeles between 2003 and 2007.

"This is our concern, Dude" Fact: If you're into advanced stats: Despite his defensive role, at even strength Jackman had the second-lowest performance rating (-.82) among regular Islanders forwards (only Jeff Tambellini was lower at -1.07), despite playing against the weakest quality of competition outside of Dean McAmmond and Jon Sim. (Note: Generally, these ratings are based on tabulating how many 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes are scored for and against your team while you are on and off the ice, which -- unlike +/- -- helps control for variations in ice time, the quality of your linemates and the quality of the opponents you skate against.)

The Story: Normally I try not to load these evaluative posts with my own bias, but in this case I'll tip my hand (more obviously than usual): I didn't expect much at all from Tim Jackman last season, but in the end I was immensely impressed by him combining a competent fourth-line role and team-high 151 hits with the courage to be the team's de facto enforcer. I actually observed this before I heard Billy Jaffe say it, but Jaffe's late-season remark went something like this: "Does anyone do more with fewer minutes on this team than Tim Jackman?" I'm not sure. Among Islanders forwards not named Mitch or Joel, he by far got the lowest ice time from Scott Gordon.

The Good: Depending on your expectations, 12 points and a slight display of hands in limited opportunity may have been a bonus. For me, it was his willingness to drop the gloves with anyone, at any time, despite not coming into this league as a billed enforcer. There is an element of "anything to keep my job" in this; there is also an element of bad-ass courage and the respect of teammates, given the Islanders lack of a full-time fighter.

The Bad: Absent the valued willingness to step up and defend his teammates, isn't he just a replaceable part? By the same rating system at Behind the Net, his 4-on-5 (penalty kill) performance was far from best among regular Islanders forwards. Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, and even Blake Comeau (among others) rated higher -- though they are undoubtedly better hockey players, so that's no surprise and perhaps unfair.

The Poem:

He wolfs down aggressors like Pac-Man
The fourth-line forward, Tim Jackman
A pinch of PK and such
His ice time ain't much
But teammates are thrilled he's got their back, man.

The Grade: Per usual, this is for you to vote your "grade" (and comment) on how you think Tim Jackman did in 2008-09, relative to your preseason expectations. As mentioned, I sort of tipped my hand because I expected nothing from him. But even if you're in that boat, you may not value what he did as anything but average (or below or above). A 3 is as you expected; you know the rest.

Poll

Based on your preseason expectations (such as they were), grade Tim Jackman's 2008-09, with 3 being par, and 5 being far above expectations, 1 being far below.

5 - I just can't get enough Jackman

6 votes

4

27 votes

3 - Jackman was Jackman

34 votes

2

8 votes

1 - Expected far more from a Columbus/Phoenix cast-off

3 votes

78 votes | Poll has closed

Islanders 2011-12: Picturing how the depth chart evolves

Dominik — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:30:21 -0000

Egads, it's the Monday after a holiday. Hope you had a relaxing, festive weekend. If you're just tuning back in (or putting off returning to the grind), the Islanders added no one over the weekend. But while NHL news may slow to a crawl in the coming weeks, we won't. What you might have missed while grilling dead animals and avoiding Aunt Mildred: We had a round-up of Lighthouse Project links and draft reactions; a reflection on how the Islanders' fortunes may have been different had they re-signed Ryan Smyth, who Colorado dealt to Los Angeles over the weekend; and Nate Thompson filed for arbitration, while Chris Lee signed with the Penguins organization, Peter Mannino with Atlanta.

Yesterday I mused how -- temptation be damned -- the Islanders are right to play it conservative in the NHL's always overpriced free agent market (It's not too late to register your rebuttal). There's the matter of payroll flexibility on a low-revenue team, of course, but there's also the matter of leaving spots open for development during the rebuild. On that note, as an illustrative exercise, today I want to project a few years forward to see just what spots might open up as contracts expire. I appreciate any corrections or quibbles with who is slotted where. This is a chance to really meander as fantasy GM, if you want to play around with it -- including stealing other teams' free agents and cap casualties.

First, here's where we stand now, with a roster that is nearly set for 2009-10. (Yikes! Are the '00s coming to a close already?!):

**New York Islanders 2009-10**
Bergenheim	Weight	Okposo
Tambellini	Tavares	Comeau*
Park	Bailey	Hunter
Joensuu	Nielsen	Jackman
Sim	Thompson*	Rechlicz
DEFENSE	Gervais	Streit
	Martinek	Witt
	Sutton	Meyer
		Hillen*
GOAL	DiPietro
	Roloson
	Munroe
	Lawson

Blake Comeau, Jack Hillen and Nate Thompson are RFA's (denoted by asterisks) right now who will presumably be brought back. Doug Weight, Richard Park, Tim Jackman, Jon Sim, Andy Sutton, Freddy Meyer and Scott Munroe are all entering their walk years and will be UFA's (in italics) next summer. Already you get an idea of new openings around the bend...

2010-11

By the time EA Sports' NHL games came out with a true franchise mode earlier this decade, I'd lost the spare time to enjoy the game the way I always dreamed they'd design it. But look a year ahead at the Islanders' roster, and the real fun begins for the fantasy GM in you:

**New York Islanders 2010-11**
Bergenheim*	Tavares	Okposo
Tambellini*	Bailey	(Comeau)
Joensuu	Nielsen	Hunter
Bentivoglio	Smith	(2010 pick?)
	(Thompson)	Rechlicz
DEFENSE	Gervais	Streit
	Martinek	Witt
		(Hillen)
		Kohn
GOAL	DiPietro
	Roloson
	Lawson
	(Koskinen)

For 2010-11, assume Weight has retired or been dealt at the trade deadline, Sutton, Park, Meyer, Sim and perhaps Munroe have departed through free agency, and Mikko Koskinen has been brought over to the AHL. Comeau and Hillen are listed asssuming they reach workable deals this summer. But Nate Thompson -- well, who knows what's in store next year at this time, considering he filed for arbitration this summer. I left Tambellini on there because he'll be an RFA -- so just a qualifying offer would retain his rights -- but I realize many fans will envision cutting him loose. Since we have him for at least one more year, I'm going to try to reserve judgment. Again.

Tim Jackman is the type of guy you can see the Islanders bringing back again, but at this point he represents a roster opening for 2010. It's not hard to imagine the upcoming season going in a way that the Islanders can add an NHL-ready player in the 2010 draft's first round, although that draft is currently viewed as a weaker crop.

Meanwhile, in summer 2010 Dwayne Roloson, Bruno Gervais, Radek Martinek and Brendan Witt will be heading into their UFA walk years. Nathan Lawson is really too hard to project, and even information for his current NHL deal (his first) is tough to come by. Which brings us to...

2011-12

**New York Islanders 2011-12**
(Bergenheim)	Tavares	Okposo*
	Bailey*	(Comeau)
Joensuu*	Nielsen	Hunter
Bentivoglio	DiBenedetto	(2010 pick?)
Figren	Rakhshani	Rechlicz*
DEFENSE	Gervais*	Streit
		(Hillen)
	Katic	Kohn
	Ness	Harmonic
GOAL	DiPietro
	(Koskinen)
	(Nilsson)

Josh Bailey, Kyle Okposo, Jesse Joensuu and Joel Rechlicz would be RFA's in summer 2012. Comeau and Bergenheim are a judgment call, but I'm figuring them in as part of a core that would be retained. I let Thompson go; he's at best a replacement player who'd likely be, well, replaced by summer 2011. Roloson retires; maybe Anders Nilsson comes overseas? Tambellini probably doesn't survive two summers, right? Witt, Gervais and Martinek are taken off as UFAs in 2011, although it's quite possible two of them would be re-signed.

It goes without saying that the current prospects I've filled in at the bottom of the depth chart in the 2011-12 table are speculative uncertainties, and perhaps some should be swapped out for others in the system. But I'm not really interested in which ones are more likely to hit it as NHL players at this premature point -- rather, just that some of them will have to or the Islanders will be turning to free agency quite a bit more than they prefer. (Personally I'll be disappointed if the Islanders' current NHL blueline is continued beyond the upcoming season. Each serviceable in their own right, as a whole there are too many average blueliners after Streit, which is why a free agent departure for Francois Beauchemin is an acceptable pipe dream in my book.)

The point is that this is the sort of roster evolution -- and sheer uncertainty -- we can expect over the next few seasons. Most of the current veterans are keeping the seats warm while the Islanders develop their recent haul of prospects to see who can truly fill NHL roles. Yet even by next summer, two years into the rebuild-in-earnest, things should be clearer. The Islanders will know more about which prospects probably won't pan out, and Garth Snow will have a better idea of what kind of long-term free agents or other team's salary cap casualties would fit.

On that note, it won't hurt to know where the Lighthouse Project stands by then, because if the Islanders don't have a good picture of where revenues will come from after the Coliseum lease expires, well ... let's not go there.

Man bites marmot: Islanders shut out Detroit

Dominik — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:50:44 -0000

Joey MacDonald's 2-0 shutout in Detroit understandably caught some off guard

Seriously, does this league ever make sense anymore? If the 30th-place Islanders were going to pull off an upset of the 1st-place Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, you would have had to -- just had to -- bet it would be by Chris Osgood giving up four first-period goals on a bunch of power plays, right?

Not by Joey MacDonald -- who's been alternately rough or injured since his "NHL third star" November -- shutting out his original club 2-0. That blindsided me. Like a peaceful candlelit bath interrupted by a bunch of nihilists busting into your own home and threatening to let their marmot cut off your chonson.

Game Summary | Event Summary | AP Recap

Final - 3.27.2009	1	2	3	Total
New York Islanders	0	2	0	2
Detroit Red Wings	0	0	0	0

Complete Coverage >

As the bemused yet sleepy FSN Detroit announcers pointed out, MacDonald both deserved it and was helped by at least three posts (but aren't shutouts always sealed with a little luck?). But if you were designing this shutout scenario from scratch, it'd be just as it played: Tepid first period by the Red Wings. A few big saves and a few big plays on goals by the Islanders. Some good penalty kills and luck to stave off a 42-30 shot differential and keep the Joe Louis crowd quiet for all but a few minutes.

The highlights [at that link; sorry, NHL Video isn't working for me at the moment] included MacDonald's rebound-free saves and his truly stunning, diving glove save on Mikael Samuelsson while shorthanded. But also: Kyle Okposo shorthanded, weaving his way over the blueline to cause four Red Wings to collapse around him, then dropping a pass to Frans Nielsen, who had snuck behind all four of them to take the pass, deke Osgood and score. Youth rising, and Okposo drawing the Wings' attention by virtue of his earlier strong play.

Did someone mention youth? Josh Bailey got the other goal on a thank-you-much tap-in, with Nicklas Lidstrom on his back, after Tim Jackman pulled a wraparound through Osgood. Doug Weight looked good -- his hands were by no means rusty -- returning after six weeks healing his MCL. Joel Rechlicz logged a paltry 3:21, as he really didn't have a dance partner in the Detroit lineup (read: Maltby stirs things up, yet has no spine).

Like the win in Chicago in Peter Mannino's first start, this was a game the Islanders didn't necessarily deserve, but one they hung around in just long enough to steal. That's the kind of theft win they weren't getting in December and January. To pull it off now, on the strength of the kids, a return to good penalty killing, some goaltending and some luck -- that's one more reason to think the curve is moving upward toward next season.

Like old times: Sens 5, Isles 2

PeterR — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:00:56 -0000

It was just the New York Islanders. But it was still nice to see the Senators dominate a team and seemingly score goals at will, at least in the second period. It was a little bit like old times.

The first period was a snoozer, with little in the way of actual scoring chances. In the second, Chris Neil put a trickler past Islanders goaltender Yann Danis, and Filip Kuba, Mike Fisher, and Dany Heatley followed up to give the Sens a 4-0 win after 40 minutes. Josh Bailey scored his first of two to break Brian Elliott's shutout, then Nick Foligno gave Ottawa the 5-1 lead until Bailey scored again to round out the scoring. It was a 5-2 final in favour of the Senators.

Neil celebrated his 500th career NHL game with a goal for the Sens, and had a good chance to score another one. He had a couple hits, and also set linemate Jarkko Ruutu up for a pretty good scoring chance. I still have to wonder if Sens' GM Bryan Murray hasn't already made his decision on whether Neil has a place on this team next season.

Ottawa was led by Daniel Alfredsson offensively, as the captain racked up three assists to give him 71P (23G, 48A) in 69GP this season. He was +2 and had a couple of shots, and was big for the Sens' penalty kill, as well. Foligno had a two-point effort (1G, 1A) and Brendan Bell put up two assists.

You can tell Bell really wants a deal for next season. With his two assists tonight, he's got six points (2G, 4A) in his last three games. He was +3 on the night, and Cory Clouston seems perfectly comfortable playing him: Bell had 22:15 in ice time, second only to Kuba in ice time for Ottawa.

Jason Spezza had an assist, as well, and his dominance in the faceoff circle continued against the Isles: Spezza was 12/17, or 71% on the night. You may also have noticed a bit more defensive awareness, as when Spezza was out on the ice in th last minute, he turned away from a possible scoring chance to protect the puck and ensure the Sens killed the clock. After last game, a one-goal affair in which Spezza tried to deke out of his own zone and lost the puck to risk the game, it was an improvement in awareness. Now, if he just starts taking chances in three-goal game and stops taking them in one-goal games, that would be even more impressive.

In nets, Elliott had a solid game. Didn't have a chance on Bailey's second goal, a rocket through weak defensive coverage that went top-corner glove-side, and stopped 20 of 22 shots overall. He's now won eight consecutive, extending his Senators rookie record winning streak.

I was nervous at the start of the game, when the Neil-Ruutu-Chris Kelly line was up against a very speedy Islanders line of Dean McAmmond, Dick Park, and Tim Jackman. D-Mac won the draw and the Islanders got a chance out of it, but Clouston stuck with that line combo for the most part, and they had an impact in the game, on the scoresheet and off of it.

There was one fight on the night, after Islanders rookie Joel Reichlicz took a run at Sens defenceman Chris Phillips. Anyone who thinks that the fight was symptomatic of the "No-Hits League" should take a look at the rest of Reichlicz' play on the night. He'd been running around all game looking for someone to fight, and he threw a few hits (although was only credited with one) in his 6:27 of ice time. He was head-hunting to wake his team up, and, after his hit on Phillips--and his jawing at Phillips afterwards--Fisher was finally sick of it, and dropped the mitts with Rechlicz. It was a pretty even bout, but I had to wonder if it was a fair trade-off--especially when Reichlicz had challenged Neil, the Sens' designated fighter, in the first period, and Neil declined. Even if he was playing on the edge, you've got to give Reichlicz credit for going after fighters (Neil, Ruutu) or bigger players on the team (Phillips, Fisher).

(Take the jump to see game highlights and video of the Fisher-Reichlicz fight.)

Game highlights:

Fight highlight:

Tim Jackman will be back, man

Dominik — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:03:11 -0000

A week with five days between games is the time to announce news that would otherwise be buried: The Islanders extending Tim Jackman is a no-brainer for both sides.

Jackman, 27, is finding an opportunity to play a regular role like he's found nowhere else (in the NHL) before. And the Islanders have found a reliable checking forward who also allows Scott Gordon to frequently dress an enforcer-free lineup. Gordon (via Garth Snow) upset fight fans last summer by declaring that the Islanders didn't need a full-time fighter on the roster. Jackman's agility and willingness to drop the gloves enables that.

He has already established new career-highs in games played, goals, points, penalty minutes and shots this season. ... Jackman (6-4, 210 lbs.) has played in 125 career NHL games and has scored six goals with seven assists for 13 points and 237 penalty minutes. He has played in 93 games as a member of the Islanders and has scored five goals and five assists for 10 points during the course of his two seasons with the club.

Tim Jackman

#28 / Right Wing / New York Islanders

Height: 6-4

Weight: 210

Born: Nov 14, 1981

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Tim Jackman	57	4	2	6	-19	133	0	1	0	0	79	5.1

I don't know if Jackman ever envisioned himself as a go-to fighter in an NHL lineup (seems like players never do until it's their last route to making it). But the big North Dakotan has impressed fans and staff alike by his willingness to do whatever is needed, while staying responsible in his own end.

Islanders TV color man Billy Jaffe recently said on the air that "no one does more with just 11 minutes of ice time," and in a sense that is true. I routinely look at the Islanders' post-game stats and am surprised to see Jackman with so few minutes -- because he makes his presence felt every game.

On top of that, on his rare opportunities he has flashed a little bit of the hands that defensive-oriented forwards occasionally surprise you with -- reminding you that no one makes it to the NHL without having some puck skills, Steve Webb excluded.

It's probably a sad statement about the Islanders that a former mid-'00s era Blue Jacket, Coyote and King has finally found a regular role with the club. His +/- is certainly not pretty and his Corsi numbers are no better (consider his teammates, though).

But I prefer to look at the improvement he's made in his game to go from AHLer early this season (6 goals in 12 games) to a guy Gordon trusts at the NHL level. Gordon is fairly demanding of players' mobility -- the major reason pure enforcers get 3-4 minutes from him (when they're dressed at all). The fact that Gordon gives Jackman a fairly regular shift means Jackman has found a job to focus on, and Gordon trusts him to do it.

Now, in an ideal world your team has enough depth so that it has no room for a guy like Jackman. But the Islanders haven't been there in years and won't be there for at least a couple more, so it's nice to have a big guy like him who brings the physical element and can actually skate. Unlike so many enforcers, he doesn't wander around out there and remind you of an oil tanker trying to pull a 180.