SBNation.com User Blog: Chickendirt

Your 2007-2008 Islanders compared to todays squad

Chickendirt — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:23:09 -0000

This is really freaky to look at three seasons later. Roster from 2007-2008

2007-08 team

Satan - Comrie - Guerin
Fedotenko - Vasicek - Hunter
Bergenheim - Sillinger - Park
Tambelinni - Hilbert - Comeau

and this season's squad

This is really freaky to look at three seasons later. Roster from 2007-2008

2007-08 team

Satan - Comrie - Guerin
Fedotenko - Vasicek - Hunter
Bergenheim - Sillinger - Park
Tambelinni - Hilbert - Comeau

and this season's squad

2010-11 team

Comeau - Tavares - Okposo
Paranteau - Bailey - Niederreiter
Moulson - Weight - Grabner
Hunter - Konopka - Sim

That's a complete revamp in three seasons. Of the forwards three seasons ago only Comeau and Hunter remain. I never would have guessed that Comeau would remain on this team longer than Bergenheim. After tearing it up in Bridgeport Tambellini is struggeling for ice time else where.

Three seasons ago Tambellini, Comeau and Bergenheim were our only prospects to play at the NHL level. Although Okposo and Rhakshani were still playing in college I would say those five were pretty much all this team really had at the time. Amazing when you look back and realize how crappy our prospect pool was.

I'm gonna predict the Islanders win the Atlantic

Chickendirt — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:34:08 -0000

I just figured..."F#$% it, no one else is (Not that there isn't good reason) so I'll be that idiot."

So here I go, I'm predicting the Islanders win the Atlantic division. Here are my reasons why I think this division is wide open.

I just figured..."F#$% it, no one else is (Not that there isn't good reason) so I'll be that idiot."

So here I go, I'm predicting the Islanders win the Atlantic division. Here are my reasons why I think this division is wide open.

Devils: Kovalchuk is a nice addition to go with Parise but there really isn't enough on this team to share the scoring load. Volchenkov I am not convinced is an adequate upgrade from Martin. Brodeur is another year older and his game is getting better with age.

Pittsburgh: Last season had the post Stanley Cup hangover. Question is are they really hungry enough to do it again. Guerin was a nice veteran addition for their run. Is anyone convinced that Aaron Asham and Mike Comrie are the missing pieces? BTW Mr Toe Drag himself is playing on their top line. Outside of Paul Martin and maybe Letang I'm not that impressed with their blue line.

Rags: Same old mess different day. They just signed Ruslan Fedotenko and I can't find good reason why. Needs more than Gaborik and blue line needs more than just Delzotto and Marc Staal (who's not really as good as the hype surrounding the name). The team still remains the Lundqvist/Gaborik (If he can stay healtthy for 72 games) show.

Philly: Needs more than a one game playoff if they expect to make the post season this year. This team this season is gonna look a lot like the Steve Stirling Islanders before Nolan came in. Peter Laviolette becomes less effective with his players over time.

So this is my contrarian POV on the Atlantic Division. Streit and Okposo may be out but this is hockey. Past reputations mean zip when the season starts. (Here's looking at you Pronger, Brodeur and ehem Drury/Gaborik/Crysbaby. I predict that the Isles hungry youth comes up in spades against these chumps. Isles win this division based on head to head match ups. Keep your head up Crosby, Kovalchuck, and Gaborik cause here comes Hamonic!!!!

(I predict numerous injuries this season on the Islanders blue line and this kid sticks. Give it till about early December)

Oh and none of the expert predictors who highlight the losses of Okposo and Streit have even touched on the subject of Bailey. Another year under his belt where the last one saw him breakout says that this kid puts up 55-60 pts this year.

So have at it. Tear me apart. This is why we play the games.

Sometimes I just don't get HockeyFutures organizational rankings

Chickendirt — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:52:03 -0000

It's been sometimes since I visited their rankings. I think the last time I checked there a year ago the Islanders were ranked somewhere around 27th or so. I just checked in today to find it was updated in April and has the islanders ranked twentieth.

Strengths: Talented puck-moving defensemen Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic headline the Islanders list, but the Islanders have solid depth at every position. They stockpiled picks the last two years and those picks are starting to bear fruit. The Islanders have been willing to take some chances on players with issues, and those bets have been good ones. Weaknesses: Goaltending remains the weak area for the organization, despite attempts at addressing it last summer. Questions about de Haan's size, assertiveness, and now durability, remain. Top five prospects: 1. Calvin de Haan, D, 2. Jesse Joensuu, LW, 3. Travis Hamonic, D, 4. Kirill Petrov, RW, 5. Andrew MacDonald, D. Lost to graduation: John Tavares, C.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/nhl_organisation_rankings/?start=18

And then I looked at this;

Strengths: Talented puck-moving defensemen Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic headline the Islanders list, but the Islanders have solid depth at every position. They stockpiled picks the last two years and those picks are starting to bear fruit. The Islanders have been willing to take some chances on players with issues, and those bets have been good ones. Weaknesses: Goaltending remains the weak area for the organization, despite attempts at addressing it last summer. Questions about de Haan's size, assertiveness, and now durability, remain. Top five prospects: 1. Calvin de Haan, D, 2. Jesse Joensuu, LW, 3. Travis Hamonic, D, 4. Kirill Petrov, RW, 5. Andrew MacDonald, D. Lost to graduation: John Tavares, C.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/nhl_organisation_rankings/?start=18

And then I looked at this;

Strengths: The Rangers have excellent depth at both center and on defense. New York has been very successful in drafting top talent players in the middle of the first round, and Chris Kreider, who was drafted out of prep school in 2009, looks to be another of those gems. Weaknesses: The Blueshirts biggest organizational weakness is on right wing. There are only two wingers on the right side in the entire organization, and one, David Kveton, may never again play in North America. There is also uncertainty between the pipes. Chad Johnson has played well in his first professional season, but his upside is still uncertain. University of Alabama-Huntsville netminder Cameron Talbot was signed recently. However, it is unclear whether there is a true NHL backup to Henrik Lundqvist within the system, let alone a starter. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Evgeny Grachev, C; 2. Derek Stepan, C; 3. Chris Kreider, LW; 4. Bobby Sanguinetti, D; 5. Ilkka Heikkinen, D. Lost to graduation: Artem Anisimov, Michael Del Zotto.

In case you haven't figured it out, that last one is a synopses of the Rangers farm system. Not that I am really hung up on the Rags or anything. Trust me, I fully understand that there are a multitude of other teams with prospect pools besides us and the Rags. Given that they are our cheif rivals they are just the orgainzation that I am familiar with the most outside of us (and the Bruins given that I live in Boston).

What I don't understand here is how they rank an organization that is weak on the right side and in goal above an organization that have solid depth at every position. Furthermore, I believe Derek Stepan was written off as a bust this season long before this analysis was published.

Secondly, I have to wonder how the Rag organization is ranked now given that they've tossed off Sanguinetti. Hockey Futures has him written in as their fourth ranked prospect. Not that getting tossed off by the Rags when you are a prospect really means you have no future or anything.

It wasn't long ago (Maybe three seasons ago) that HockeyFutures had this organization in their top 10 ranking. Al Montoya was listed in their top five propospects. At this time, and it was deservedly, the Isles were ranked around 29th. I would like to know how one of the worst drafting teams in the league, they have been by far worse than us even in the Milbury years, gets in the top five of the NHL. Dating back to about 92 there have been only handful of draftees by this team that have had NHL careers.

WTF!!!!!

Does Kabanov make the team this season?

Chickendirt — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:30:14 -0000

Interesting tidbit from Botta's latest;

Invaluable Islanders development coach Eric Cairns has taken Kabanov under his enormous wing. After spending some time with Emerson Etem in Los Angeles, Kabanov is now living with the former Islanders defenseman. “Right near the beach,” said the 17-year-old Russian. “It’s very nice. Eric Cairns is a lot older than me, but he’s become one of my closest friends.”

http://www.islanderspointblank.com/

Interesting tidbit from Botta's latest;

Invaluable Islanders development coach Eric Cairns has taken Kabanov under his enormous wing. After spending some time with Emerson Etem in Los Angeles, Kabanov is now living with the former Islanders defenseman. “Right near the beach,” said the 17-year-old Russian. “It’s very nice. Eric Cairns is a lot older than me, but he’s become one of my closest friends.”

http://www.islanderspointblank.com/

HMMMM!!!

I wonder if there is more to this. I'm not up on all this kids personal issues but it is interesting that he is being taken in by Cairns. Not so much as "under the wing" but perhaps "under the watchfull eye" as well. Given that this kid is a very valuable assett taken in the third I wonder if the organization decides to reduce their risk and keep em up here?

If that's the case perhaps he cuts his teeth on the third line this season?

No Kovie Ilyanders.

Chickendirt — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 01:13:34 -0000

Sounds like the buzz from a few sources has us out of the running. We can all breath now, at least those of us hoping Wang wan't going to do another Yashin/Dipietor signing, and move one.

One source from "Fanhouse" has us out.

The New Jersey Devils, which acquired Kovalchuk via trade with the Atlanta Thrashers in February, appear to be the odds-on favorite to sign him since the Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders -- two other teams that expressed interest in the winger -- have apparently bowed out of the sweepstakes.

http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/07/05/agent-ilya-kovalchuks-seach-narrowed/

Sounds like the buzz from a few sources has us out of the running. We can all breath now, at least those of us hoping Wang wan't going to do another Yashin/Dipietor signing, and move one.

One source from "Fanhouse" has us out.

The New Jersey Devils, which acquired Kovalchuk via trade with the Atlanta Thrashers in February, appear to be the odds-on favorite to sign him since the Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders -- two other teams that expressed interest in the winger -- have apparently bowed out of the sweepstakes.

http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/07/05/agent-ilya-kovalchuks-seach-narrowed/

So that leaves Wang and Snow now with the option that was really their only option to begin with. Find a player that fits their plan (An Afenigenov who can be had for cheap and short term) and extend Tavares, Bailey and Okposo BEFORE they hit free agency.

That is if these reports of the Isles bowing out are to be believed. Personally I can't see how they were ever seriously in the running considering that Snow promised us "NO SHORT CUTS" in his rebuilding plan.

A few things I hate about this time of year

Chickendirt — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:33:10 -0000

Ok, so now we're back to it. The regular season and playoffs are over. Stanley cup is awarded and we are in the stretch barreling down to the draft with the UFA shopping spree not long after. Every single hockey writer (those supposed "experts"" are contemplating who goes where and how great every player is in the top fifteen or so in the draft.

It's almost as if "No player in the top fifteen ever busts and every UFA signing leads to instant Stanley Cup success!!!!"

This year everyone expects the Islanders to be big players Free Agency. Right now the big rumor is the possibility of Versteeg in an Islanders sweater and maybe a rerun of Sopel. Why am I not enthused?

Sopel; Has resurrected his career as more of a defensive defensemen. Resume now includes a Stanley Cup but looking at the overall package does he really address a NEED on this teams blue line? NOPE!!!

Just reviewing some of my takes on last seasons game the one consistent factor still stands. The Isles biggest need on their blue line is a mobile defensemen, with size, that has end to end ability. One that can also execute a stretch pass or two. In this regard Brent Sopel hardly fills this need. Doesn't even come close.

I'd rather attempt to see what happens with Andy Sutton and how Tony Ludman works out in Buffalo before I look to dance with Sopel again. Resurrected career or not. Lydman and Sopel are both the same age but Lydman can do Sopels job plus put up 20 pts.

Versteeg; As much as Botta is playing Eklund today I really do not see the need to acquire a twenty goal scorer off a cup winning team so I can give up assetts. Especially when this team has wracked up so many draft picks over the years that this role should be easily filled.

Quite speciffically, I really don't want to wast my time in this area when filling the need for a puck moving D with size and end to end ability, moves Okposo off the point on the PP. Given this team need for size I really don't see Versteeg's 182 Lb 5' 10" body having much of an impact on this team. He's still another smallish forward to go along with all the other smallish forwards here. And as I mentioned before, or at least alluded to, with all these factors combined, I don't see this guy coming here repeating a 20 goal performance.

The Draft; Oh the hype!!!!!! The more I read about it the more it sounds as if every guy in the top six is a sure fire hall of famer deserving to go first overall. Lots of schmutz for a top ten loaded with guys many scouts proclaim are a year or two away from stepping foot on NHL ice.

So I'm holding out for better evidence.

Overall, I would really like to see one writer break with the pack and do some real analysis. Instead of boring me to death with the same ole' crap. How about giving us the skinny on how all these headline grabbing UFA signings RARELY lead to success. How about looking at the draft and giving us the probability of each of these guys actually playing more than four or five seasons at a high level. Nevermind the All Star Selections (given that each team is required to send at least one player) or even the Hall of Fame.

Then give us the actual cost of what it would really mean to sacrafice picks to move up or acquire picks to drop back.

Why no talk of our potential draft picks anywhere?

Chickendirt — Sat, 22 May 2010 17:24:15 -0000

Funny how this years draft isn't really getting a lot of attention by the blogosphere this year. Maybe finishing in the lottery is becoming old hat? Perhaps no one is really buying into the pre draft extravaganza anywhere.

Which makes me wonder about the depth of this draft as well. Connolly comes with some question marks about his health. Fowler seems like the most solid pick but leading up the draft word is that he may not be as good as those once thought. Then there is Gudbranson who really no one knows much about.

Nino's name comes up every once in a while but word on him is he has size but doesn't play it to well.

Then I get to wondering if Garth Snow is going to drop back in the draft and compile more picks.

Who knows?

Nino's name comes up every once in a while but word on him is he has size but doesn't play it to well.

Then I get to wondering if Garth Snow is going to drop back in the draft and compile more picks.

Who knows?

Botta reports Philly and Chicago fishing for Roloson

Chickendirt — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:33:44 -0000

This could be a very intriguing trade deadline for this team. If Snow can pull a late first for Sutton and a second for Roloson this team is in great shape heading into the draft. Optimally I think you'd like to see Philly get in on the bidding for Sutton. That will throw Washington and perhaps a few other eastern conference teams in the bidding. I don't think anyone wants to go a long series having to face both Sutton and Pronger for six to seven games.

Overall I'd say this team, if they trade Roloson and Sutton at the deadline, is solidly in the running for the services of Cam Fowler. I don't see anything standing in the way of them landing the third overall pick in the draft barring any lottery ball madness.

Overall I'd say this is a good thing. This team just plays .500 hockey with Bailey, Tavares and Okposo finishing strong, this team has a shot at at least some B level UFAs this summer. Perhaps even some high level UFAs looking to strike a one year deal to pad their numbers.

This draft should be this teams defensemen draft. You can never have enough of those. If you get stuck with too many you can always trade them in for some talented forwards or high draft picks later on. If anything Garth Snow should use this draft to corner the markey on young Defensemen. Next years draft is going to be weak so their really is not much immediate help coming up for at least the next two seasons.

There is one problem here that needs to be considered. One has to hope Dipietro's latest injury woe is just a minor setback. Otherwise this team is going to waste even more draft slots on goaltenders.

Time for me to make some friends here; Trent Hunter has to go!!!!

Chickendirt — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:29:10 -0000

Yes, the lead in is dripping with sarcasm.

I'm not a knee jerk reactionary when it comes to talking about trading guys. Trent Hunter is clearly a case of two things:

1) A guy who never developed beyond the 25 goal mark of his rookie season.

2) A guy, like Brendan Witt, who's career is in decline.

Yes, the lead in is dripping with sarcasm.

I'm not a knee jerk reactionary when it comes to talking about trading guys. Trent Hunter is clearly a case of two things:

1) A guy who never developed beyond the 25 goal mark of his rookie season.

2) A guy, like Brendan Witt, who's career is in decline.

There are certain players on this team the fans have suffered some wierd kind of "Stockholm Syndrome" with. On my list over the last few seasons it's been Hilbert, Park, Hunter and Bergenheim is starting to slowly find his way on it. Hunter is a bit of a different animal though. Had he not had a 25 goal rookie season and followed up two seasons later with another 20 goal season there probably would be no need for this conversation.

To make matter worse, despite the fact that he never really lived up to those numbers, his career is in decline. This is no longer one of those guys where you say, "He had a good rookie year and has fallen off a bit. He just needs some time to get back on track."

Actually watching his game he has become a perimeter player. He's become the kind of player that other younger players get beef for. The ironic thing is that Hunter is vet so there really is no excuse for him playing that kind of game. UNLESS, as I've mentioned and repeated often enough here, you career is in decline and you are no longer capable of getting to the sweet scoring spots in time.

Hunter does have value on the trade market. Teams that don't play a speed game or are trying to implement one are perfect landing spots for a guy like Hunter. The backwards thinking on the part of the franchise is that this is a third liner at best. There really is no need to keep him beyond this trade deadline on a rebuilding team. If your really hanging on to a guy like this what does that say about your ability to draft guys that can even work they way onto the third line?

Those guys are a dime a dozen in any given draft!!! Not to mention easy to sign on the UFA market for peanuts.

As I see it, his value (IOW the best you could get) at this point is that of a third round pick. That's pretty decent given that this guy was a 6th round pick up by Anaheim in 98. A second rounder would be absolute robbery. Granted we are talking a late second rounder given that it would most likely be a playoff team picking him up.

My overall thinking is that another year with Hunter and we are stuck with another Brendan Witt situation. A guy you can't trade cause his career is on a downhill slope and everybody knows it.

To take a moment away from hockey and sports. The world lost a mighty fine human being today. Howard Zinn dies at 87

Chickendirt — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:03:28 -0000

Loved him or hated him I think everyone can agree he made you pause and think I think it can also be agree he was someone who tried to life the best life any human could hope to live. He certainly gave me pause to consider my own positions and view of the world.

If you've never heard of him I highly reccomend catching "Voices" on the history channel. It's just one piece of a long body of work. Definitly an American Icon that will never be forgotten.

Howard Zinn, historian who challenged status quo, dies at 87

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/01/howard_zinn_his.html

If you've never heard of him I highly reccomend catching "Voices" on the history channel. It's just one piece of a long body of work. Definitly an American Icon that will never be forgotten.

Howard Zinn, historian who challenged status quo, dies at 87

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/01/howard_zinn_his.html

Tortorella deserves to be fired for this. The NHL needs to step in here.

Chickendirt — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:30:56 -0000

Tortorella's recent exchange with Larry Brooks is really disturbing;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARhVC8uEbQU

Tortorella's recent exchange with Larry Brooks is really disturbing;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARhVC8uEbQU

I'm not exactly a fan of either of these guys so I don't really have a dog in this fight. Either way, Tortorella was recently threw a water bottle at a fan and now gets into what looks like threatening language with a reporter. If anyone thinks this is good for the game they better think again. Tortorella going at it with a member of the press here is no different than what Omar Minaya got into after firing Bernarzard.

The Dolan's record of mismanagement at MSG continues. The thing about this is that it feeds into every single negative stereotype people have about this game.

Trade Deadline is Nearing

Chickendirt — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:47:05 -0000

I suppose you gotta know when to hold em and know when to fold em. Tough decisions have to be made in terms of whether this team makes the post season or not. Quite frankly I think Snow, who's trade deadlins deals are not exactly his strength, looks to see what other teams do first.

Biron is a given to go. Question is what can Snow really expect to get for him? My thinking is a third rounder at best. I don't know who else is really a lock to go. Some will probably say Tambellini and Witt. I'm thinking that if the price is right and market aligns most likely Hunter.

Your thoughts?

Okposo Olympic Snub and This Fan's Reaction

Chickendirt — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:40:20 -0000

I'd like to preface this by saying that Brian Burke is a total asshat. There. I said it.

Team USA is not going anywhere as it is. The roster just is not good enough to compete with the likes of Canada, Russia, Sweden or even the Czek team. The roster is thin and heavily reliant on guys who's best days really are behind them. The selection of Chris Drury really is a laugher in and of itself. I said this years ago and it still stands today, "Drury is not the kinda of player, by himself that make you a better team. He rides shotgun on good teams and makes them better."

I'd like to preface this by saying that Brian Burke is a total asshat. There. I said it.

On the flip side, Okposo does make a bad team a much better team. Even in his struggles to score goals this season his work in other areas has made this Islanders team better. Anyone who questions that I challenge to explain how this Isles team would be better with Okposo OFF the roster.

Callahan I think is a fine hockey player but not dynamic enough to justify the exclusion of Okposo. He does the little things right but really is a third liner on a good team. You're not gonna win a Stanley cup with Callahan anchoring your second line. Figure out how on Olympic teams that are stacked with talent he's gonna get us anywhere to a medal round?

Brian Burke's idiocy aside (and perhaps some of the staffs desire to use this tourny to build up the players on their NHL Teams cough...Tortorella....cough...) I'm not much of a nationalist when it comes to hockey or the olympics. I don't really care about a players nationality unless it's to explain the kind of system or players a country develops. I always thought of the Russians a slick skaters and passers while North Americans embrace a more grittier game. Other than that I really don't care how many Euro's, Canadians or Americans are on a given NHL team.

Most of the time I hate it when it is brought up. Hockey really is just about hockey and as we who love the game understand it, we are all on the same team. No other sport in the world short of soccer will you see other rival fans so happy to see each other. When an Islanders fan and a Rangers fan meet in another city you have one happy conversation.

I'm not rooting for anyone in particular in this tourny. I'll be just as happy to watch some really great hockey. Although, I have to admit, I wanna see Okposo go on a tear just so Brian Burke can eat some more crow like he did at last years draft. SUCKAH!!!!!!!

Garth Snow now has "green light" from Wang to make stupid deals

Chickendirt — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:40:38 -0000

Not that I'm trying to take away from a great start to the season from this team. Was reading Chris Botta's latest in regards to whether or not Wang is choking Snow's funds right now. According to Snow, Wang has given him the green light to go out and spend for guys so they can improve their post season chances.

I think this franchise is jumping the gun here and is too easily fooled by a good looking start to the season. This really is nothing more than a mirage and it will dissapear as we approach late January. That's barring any serious injury to key players and those seem to be piling up now. Even healthy, and I think we've gone over this ad nauseum this season, the D just is not skilled or mobile enough to make a difference for a very long period of time.

Snow could deal for D now but anything significant is going to cost too much. Once the season starts D is at a premium and the price tag goes up as each game goes by.

The biggest question is, at what price? My bet? Given the teams position any significant upgrade is going to cost this team one of these: Bailey, Okposo, DeHaan, Hamonic, Ness, Donovan, First rounder, second rounder or Petrov. Then there are the Vets which (Sutton, Weight, Witt) are also gonna most likely cost a pick or a prospect as a sweetener to any skilled Dman coming back.

The price is too high for a team that's slowly starting to show some bite at the NHL level and replenish it's stock in the AHL, Juniors and college.

My take? Allow the team to fail or succede on it's merits this season. Let this years draft and summer UFA market take care of the rest. If anything, if Snow is thinking of making a rush to judgement trade, at least wait till after the WJC considering that DeHaan (He's put on 14 lbs since camp) and Hamonic are a lock to make it.

This may be New York where patience in sports is not really pary of the culture. This is hockey and in this sport, slow and steady wins the race. The Isles priorities is still to stock up on as many picks as they can grab so injuries to guys like Martinek and Sutton don't kill this team. And we are gonna see the fall out from those in the weeks to come. Keep stocking till you reach a point where you can get the UFAs you need at discount on short term deals and sign your core to long term deals. The last thing you want is to become a farm team for the rest of the NHL like Buffalo has with Brierre, Campbell and Max Afenigenov (I said Snow should have signed at least this UFA).

Tambellini and the Garth Snow lynch mob.

Chickendirt — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:21:33 -0000

Today begs the question: If Jeff Tambellini was putting up this kind of performance for another team, how many would be calling for Garth Snow's head on a platter right now?

Reason why I ask this is because we have seen this scenario play out before. In the nineties there were a lot of young players drafted and brought up through the system that struggled for a few seasons. All of them traded, save one, and went on to have success with other organization. It seems that in reviewing that time period lots of folks dismiss the fact that these same players struggled here, some of them struggled for a few more seasons in other organizations, before finding success.

I am not ready to crown Tambellini has a player that has finally cracked through either. What I am trying to enter into here is that players take time, struggle and more often than not, go through the motions before finally becoming successful NHL players. The Crosbys, Malkins and Ovechkins of the league are not the rule, they are the exceptions. Most players take time, many seasons, before realizing their potential.

Today begs the question: If Jeff Tambellini was putting up this kind of performance for another team, how many would be calling for Garth Snow's head on a platter right now?

Recently I've read a lot in Islanders Nations from fans who think Bailey needs time in the AHL and was rushed out of juniors into the NHL. REALLY?!?!?!?!?!!?!?! What good does it serve to send a player to a level where he is already dominating to make that player into a better one? You get better in this game by moving up a level and figuring it out. You don't become a better NHL player by spending more time in the AHL or Juniors where you are already dominating. What happens is players get used to that and have a tougher time adjusting when they struggle at a much higher level.

My hope more than anything is for people, before jumping the gun on these players, to show a little patience. I'm not talking about one season because it takes more than one season to develop a player. I've read from a a few scouts that it takes 300 games on the NHL level to really develop these guys. That's about 3.5 seasons worth of games if you do the math.

And just for closers: There's another player playing in the NHL right now that has scored the most points since the lockout that a lot folks were saying was rushed into the NHL at a young age; Joe Thornton.

Uglier than you know; The "D" Corp

Chickendirt — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:50:43 -0000

Figured I'd balance out my positivity with an aspect of this team that I abhor; The Defense!!!!

Was watching the game last night and one thing stuck out to me. I don't know why this particular play in the game really stuck in my head like glue but I think I know now. Martinek executed a beautiful stretch pass and Howie and Bill jumped out of their seats. Why is it that this particular stretch pass sticks out to me?

They are rare with this defense. Extremely RARE!!!!

Figured I'd balance out my positivity with an aspect of this team that I abhor; The Defense!!!!

They are rare with this defense. Extremely RARE!!!!

Yes!!! The defense is old, it is slow and is lacking in skill. Yes, it has Hillen and Gervaise both pretty young as well as Sutton who a mid career NHLer. It's two stay at home anchors are the aging Martinek and Witt. Sutton is not a big skill guy and Streit seems like has more of an affinity for carrying the puck through the neutral zone.

Stretch passes are rare and break out passes from the D even rarer. I've had many a games thus far watching a situation where we have numbers going the other way only to see the D turn the puck over on a poorly executed pass up the middle. That split second decision making that comes with younger skilled players is sorely lacking with our D corp.

So these are who I think should be part of the D corp moving forward, who should go and who should be relegated to depth players.

Stay;

Brendan Witt; Starting with my most controversial choice. Yes, he's older, slower and does not fit Gordons system all the well. What he does have more than the others on the D corp is an in depth encyclopedia on every single player in this league. Having a guy like that mentor your younger Defensemen is invaluable and worth the sacrafice in ability for now.

Andy Sutton; Not a top four guy by any stretch but when he plays his game (Throwing the body and clearing the front of the net) he's effective. He disrupts flow in the neutral zone with bone jarring hits and his size is needed in the corners.

Mark Streit; No explanation needed. The best offensive Dman on the team and valuabl member of the PP.

Goes;

Radek Martinek; Age is showing and always what I considered average. Reliable but average. Also injury prone and we've seen more than a fair sample of it over the years. If the return winds up a second/third rounder or B level prospect I'm satisfied. Replace next season with Hamonic.

Freddie Meyer; Can be a physical presence but is like Jon Sim with the puck. Probably has the worst hands of any defensemen I've seen on this team. Relegate to Depth status or allow to walk when the contract expires.

Depth Dman;

Bruno Gervais; Decent with puck but loses a lot of those physical battles in corner. Hell of a nice guy too. Feel bad placing him here but I think this guy is what he is and I doubt will get much better. Hold till better option comes along through the system or trade.

Jack Hillen; Again too small. Nice offensivly but still one of those guys better off as an injury replacement. Hold till a better option comes up through the system or younger D prospect available in a trade.

I imagine this will be debated for a long time to come this season. As I stated before the season started the overhaul of the D is going to be the hardest part of this process. My feeling is that with younger more talented players coming up through the system that should be more than enough to cover up for the short comings of Streit, Sutton and Witt. Especially with improvements with the forwards who should be able to sustain some offensive pressure with D not having to worry about getting Shallacked for 45 minutes a game.

Better than we all thought? Maybe?

Chickendirt — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:28:39 -0000

I know this is the post win optimism speaking. At least partly due to that.

I wonder how many folks have a new view on the meaning being all those OT losses and the direction this team is heading. Those OTLs come across a wide spectrum of teams, some of the em elite and some of them middle of the road. This win against the Rangers is a win against a bubble team (one of those teams that will be slugging it out for the 7th and 8th playoff spots).

I know this is the post win optimism speaking. At least partly due to that.

As the schedule gets easier the Isles are going to compile wins against those teams. In no way am I suggesting that this makes the Isles a playoff team. I think some folks should reasses whether or not they think this team is going to be a lottery team. You need a lot of things to go wrong in order to finish in the bottom five of this league. This Islanders team has the talent in Okposo, Bergenheim, Bailey, Taveres, Weight, Streit, Roloson and Biron to stay out of the lottery.

If Tambellini finds himself as hockey player we are looking at a very dangerous team this season.

Those OTLs we have been seeing were not a sign of a team on the skids or struggeling. They are a sign of team that's learning to compete, raise their game, play as a team and put forth a good effort. They were a sign of a team learning how to win hockey games the hard way. That's what I have been saying for a while.

This last win is not empirical that those struggles are over but the quality of play shows that the team is on the way up. Okposo has the skills and drive to be one of the premier players in this game. His anticiapation, vision on the ice and ability to stayin the mix are things that can not be taught. This guy is becoming a player that can dictate and change the course of a game.

The rise in Okposo's game is empirical evidence that a players development can be just as good if not better than any UFA can sign off the market. Those never turn at as good as those that celebrate them. If all goes according to plan this team will sign some UFAs in the future. They will not be signed with the idea that they will automatically create a winning product on the ice (Good teams create a winning product and there is a lot more than mere talent that goes into creating a good team). They will be signed to supplement what we have and give this team an edge.

Make no mistake. This team is on the rise and these kids are getting better. Some of them have shown they are much better players than the ones that were here last season.

A little Travis Hamonic love.

Chickendirt — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:10:41 -0000

I've been following this guy since the season in Juniors started. In my book he probably should be the top ranked player in our system but I haven't seen much of the other guys yet.

Now for the really REALLY good news. Last season Hamonic had 40 pts in 57 games. This season he has 18 points in 13 games. That's nearly half of last seasons point totals in less than half the games played.

It gets even better. This guy is billed as a stay at home defensemen. After we drafted him in the second round (57th overall) he seems to have found an offensive touch to his game.

And even more. This guy is 6' 2 215 lbs. A mighty nice break from many of the smaller Dmen and forwards in our system.

I've been following this guy since the season in Juniors started. In my book he probably should be the top ranked player in our system but I haven't seen much of the other guys yet.

It gets even better. This guy is billed as a stay at home defensemen. After we drafted him in the second round (57th overall) he seems to have found an offensive touch to his game.

And even more. This guy is 6' 2 215 lbs. A mighty nice break from many of the smaller Dmen and forwards in our system.

Glass half full persepective; On second thought, it really hasn't been that bad!!!

Chickendirt — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:36:01 -0000

Chris Botta to start this season asked readers to pick which teams we thought the Islanders were better than. I couldn't find any that were definites so I figured I'd throw out a bone for folks to chew on. Yeah, the start of this season has been brutal but I figured I'd give some persepective.

1) We were the worst team in the league last season.

2) Of the 9 teams we've played thus far six of them were playoff teams last season.

3) Of the 9 teams we've played thus far 2 of them were regular season conference champs and the other Cups Champs last season.

4) Three of the teams that were league elites last season (Bos, San Jose and Pitts) two of them we took to overtime.

5) Considering the quality of teams we've played to start the season we have six points in nine games.

Now, stepping back from the ledge a bit here, if I go back to when I first looked at the schedule I didn't think we'd have that many points after the first three weeks to start the season. I would have been shocked it we grabbed 4 pts out of this brutal schedule to start.

Yeah, blowing third period leads is never fun to watch. It's perhaps one of the most painful things a fan can endure in the regular season. Lets be honest with ourselves and really take a look at this....

It's really not that bad given that this team is still relying on youngsters. I didn't think we had a prayer walking into tonights game against Washington or even the games against Pittsburgh and Boston. Even to grab three points against those three teams is actually really good when you look at this Islanders squad.

Anyways, I'm not trying to sell anyone Kool-Aid or anything. Just trying to keep things in perspective. In regards to Botta's exercise, when I looked at our first nine games, I predicted about 4 points for this team right about now. Two of those four were from OT losses.

Just my two cents. Take it for it's worth.

Newsday looking to charge for web content

Chickendirt — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:16:36 -0000

Newsday looking to charge for web content

newsday.com will be available at no charge to Newsday and Optimum Online® subscribers

If you're out of state or use another internet provider, coverage will cost you 250 a year (according to Botta). Looks like I'm screwed.

Wang should look for a more accessible source to provide primary coverage of the team.

Who gets the Calder?

Chickendirt — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:37:52 -0000

It's opening night so it's a good time to ask this question. I'll propose a few who I think are good bets and not so good bets to win it.

Matt Gilroy; I can't really make a prediction on this guy. I got to see a lot of his games at BU. I think it's a matter of how much it translates over to the NHL game. I don't see a lot of what he did there carrying over. Personally I think a 25 year old has a much tougher time making that transition from college hockey to the NHL than a 22 year old.

Matt Duchene; Liked what I saw from him Thurs night. Has really good speed, hands and position himself well. In some respects a little like Ovechkin in that he knows when to hang back in the neutral zone for that seam pass that leads to a break away. I see this guy being a lot like a Jason Blake or Sean Bergenheim but with better vision and smarts for the game. I think a strong possibility given that he has a good supporting cast in Colorado.

It's opening night so it's a good time to ask this question. I'll propose a few who I think are good bets and not so good bets to win it.

Victor Hedman ; Really tough for a Defensemen to win this award but this guy is not your average rookie defensemen. Never saw this guy play but from what I've read it appears lots of folks have him slated for the HOF. Depends on what kind of offensive numbers he puts up to go along with a decent +/-. Like Duchene, has a decent supporting cast in Tampa with Stamkos, Lecavallier, St Louis etc. Could grab a hefty amount of points on the PP.

John Tavares; Biggest issue that could affect this guy is the supporting cast. We all know the names and who's involved. Also Gordon's plan for this kid which is generally just play a responsible game and worry about the points later. Unlike the others (Hedman, Gilroy, Duchene) the supporting cast to help this guy out in the points department just is not there. There's Weight who's slowed down and Streit who could throw some bombs at the point leading to rebounds for this kid to clean up. Overall, I think a lot of JT's points are gonna come on the PP.

These are just the few off the top of my head. Overall, I think at the end of the year I think there is going to be a hefty Calder Trophy debate. Especially if you see these guys all within a few points of each other. That happens I think Hedmen will win by default.

This what's going to make this season so sweet. I can't recall a year in recent memory when the rookie crop to start the year was this good. And I have left many names off of this list. I think this is going to be one of those Calders that's going to be debated for many years to come. Especially if the scenerario is like the one I mentioned above and the winner winds up a bust a few years from now.

We hockey fans LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to second guess and play 20/20 hindsight on everything.

EA's NHL10 DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!!!!

Chickendirt — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:42:02 -0000

Figured I'd give anyone fair warning in regards to this game. If you are thinking of buying it hold onto your money for now. The game has a viscous bug where it freezes up constantly. A lot of folks around the net are having a simialar problem with the game and EA has yet to solve the problem.

Just a heads up. Save your dough and wait till a patch is released before purchasing the game. EA tech support has stated it will be at least a few weeks before it's fixed.

IMHO I think EA didn't pay for Beta Testers and decided to have the consumer do the work. I guess this is what happens when a company gets to big for it's own good.

Anyways, just figured I'd give a heads up.

Just a heads up. Save your dough and wait till a patch is released before purchasing the game. EA tech support has stated it will be at least a few weeks before it's fixed.

IMHO I think EA didn't pay for Beta Testers and decided to have the consumer do the work. I guess this is what happens when a company gets to big for it's own good.

Anyways, just figured I'd give a heads up.

Kessel, Boston/Toronto Trade; Burke the new Milbury?

Chickendirt — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:14:27 -0000

Keeping in mind that this is an Islanders Blog this is an interesting trade that can be looked at from an Islanders perspective. I know this is not "Breaking News" to anyone at this point but is something to be looked at given what the Leafs are trying to do vs what we are trying to do.

Here's how the trade shakes out.

Toronto gets; Phil Kessel

Boston Gets; Toronto's first round pick and second round pick 2010. Toronto's first round pick 2011.

Looking at this trade from an Islander's perspective this is horrible. Kessel being a potential superstar (Key word here being potential still at this point) has 11 gs, 19 gs and 36 gs in his first three seasons. Impressive numbers for a guy only three years in but hardly enough to justify giving up those two first rounders and the second. Especially when you consider Toronto at best can hope for a eighth seed this season if they are to get into the post season. Even with Kessel I have a hard time believing that they have enough to get the job done.

Toronto is also coming off an era where they grossly overpaid for players way past their prime or never lived up to their billing once they got their money. With no first rounders these next two years they have no immediate impact players coming through the draft and are going to rely on unrestricted free agency to fill their holes. Granted, Toronto is an attractive market for UFAs but big July 1st signings rarely translate to the regular season impact everyone makes it out to be. In hockey, the best teams are the ones that have a core of players that have been playing together for a long period of time. By the time those new additions are even remotley used to their new surroundings and linemates, it's alreads late November or Early December.

Another thing about this deal which is stupid on Burke's side of the deal. Boston is a cap tight team and also a contending team. These picks over the next two years gives them assetts to move not to mention two potential players that will be on entry level deals. Should I also say, BOSTON IS A DIVISION RIVAL!!!!!! I would be pissed to see Snow give away two first rounders and a second to Philly, Pittsburgh, Devils or the Rags. I don't care what player they can pick off those rosters either. I don't care if that player is Parise, Crosby, Malkin, Dubisnky, Lundqvist, Carter or Richards.

OTOH, I would also agree that the salary cap is a joke. It's pretty much non existent and contains too many loop holes. You can throw a massive offer sheet for 12 years, front load it, and the average yearly hit only come out to three million a year. Not to mention that these long contracts are being issued with the expectation that the next lock out is going to be even uglier and nastier than the last.

That still doesn't remove the fact that the draft, salary cap or not, is the life blood of your franchise. There's just no escaping or getting around.

As a Toronto fan I might like this deal for it's instant gratification. I really can't can't say or know what these fans are feeling or thinking right now. All's I know is that the expectation in that city was that the Leafs were gonna build young and work their way through the draft. Calling in Brian Burke to do the job was supposed to be Mr Fix it Exraordinary. Instead, I gotta say that Burke got fleeced in this deal worse than the Daniel Plainview fleeced that preacher in "There Will be Blood".

If Snow ever pulled a deal like this I can imagine the fanbase gathering up the pitchforks and torches for a nice roast in the New York Islanders front office. Mainly, cause we've reaped the rewards of such lousy draft pick giveaways and have learned a hard lesson from it. Unfortunatly for Toronto, they are gonna learn that lesson with the most unsuspecting GMs in the games, Brian Burke.

I'm all the more happy for it. Boston will be a team we will probably be doing business with at the trade deadline. Toronto will more than likely stink this year as even with Kessle they don't have enough scoring, quality young D outside of Schenn and the goaltending situation there is a joke. Toronto, having not assets to give up for picks and prospects leaves us with one less team to compete with for those.

All the more better for Garth as Burke really can't offer anything to drive up the price on our end. Also, if Boston winds up contending once again this season that leaves us with another late first round pick we can pick up. We have assets in Witt, Weight and Sutton that can be moved in a simialar Comrie/Campolli deal. Boston will more likely sit on Toronto' pick, which will be in the top ten, heading into the draft.

Dipietro finally recovers this season we also have an extra goalie to deal.

This is why dropping those offer sheets for RFAs are not worth it. Folks sometimes forget that there are 30 other teams out there competing for picks and prospects. You make a deal like this it makes it much harder to;

1) Deal from a position of strength.

2) Work anything at the trade deadline

3) Gather the best young players in the game to compete as you've already sacraficed a potential three, as Toronto did in the case, for one that's still a bit of a question mark. Kessel had 36 Gs last year on the best team in the eastern conference during the regular season. He's not going to a simialer situation in Toronto.

What gives? No Dehaan, Hamonic, or Ness on training camp roster.

Chickendirt — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:43:06 -0000

What gives?

After last seasons draft one would think the way they touted Dehaan he would at least get an invite to camp just to get a sniff of the NHL. What about Hamonic and Ness who already look to be headed to the WJC this season? I'm not expecting these guys to make the roster but if there are the Dmen you wish to mold for the future I don't understand the reluctance to bring them to camp.

Here is the D-corp coming to camp courtesy of Dee Karl;

Defensemen
# Name Height Weight Date Of Birth Age Birthplace
4 Mark Flood6' 1" 190 Sep 29, 1984 24 Charlottetown, PE, CAN
8 Bruno Gervais 6' 1" 205 Oct 3, 1984 24 Longueuil, QC, CAN
38 Jack Hillen 5' 11" 200 Jan 24, 1986 23 Minnetonka, MN, USA
71 Mark Katic 5' 10" 180 May 9, 1989 20 Timmins, ON, CAN
56 Dustin Kohn 6' 2" 200 Feb 2, 1987 22 Edmonton, AB, CAN
47 Andrew MacDonald6' 1" 188 Sep 7, 1986 23 Judique, NS, CAN
24 Radek Martinek6' 1" 203 Aug 31, 1976 33 Havlicko Brod, CZE
44 Freddy Meyer5' 10" 192 Jan 4, 1981 28 Sanbornville, NH, USA
2 Mark Streit 6' 0" 197 Dec 11, 1977 31 Bern, CHE
25 Andy Sutton 6' 6" 245 Mar 10, 1975 34 Kingston, ON, CAN
42 Brett Westgarth 6' 2" 225 Feb 4, 1982 27 Amherst, ON, CAN
32 Brendan Witt "A" 6' 2" 223 Feb 20, 1975 34 Humboldt, SK, CAN

Not very encouraging for a team that's supposed to be "rebuilding" is it? Outside of Hillen we don't have one Defensemen that can be considered here for five years down the line. Bruno Gervais, as nice of a kid as he is, is not a guy I see on this roster as it moves into contention five years from now.

And this is now "begging the question" as to whether this rebuild is as sincere as management claims it to be. This is not something that is set in stone in my mind but one that I have been kicking around for the last few months; Is this rebuild really a result of this team "learning it's lesson" or a matter of "We're losing money and the idea of a rebuild is just good PR to sell to the fans"? Enquiring minds want to know. Especially after looking at the D-Corp coming to camp.

We've seen before where management has cut down salaries on the roster because of the arena issue. No need to rehash that as we can all probably recite the chronology of that era in our sleep. I have to wonder how serious this is before Wang decides to visit the well once again and demand these kids are traded for more lackluster pieces ala Yashin and Peca.

How do you expect kids to "buy in" here if your not inviting them to camp. I don't know how to justify to Hamonic and Ness, who are both coming off of successful campaigns last year, that they are being passed over for guys like Mark Flood and Brett Westgarth. For a team that is rebuilding they are a little long in the tooth on the blue line even considering the D invited to camp.

This also leads me to an interesting quote from a Botta piece a few weeks ago.

It’s worth noting the Islanders attempted to sign at least one college free agent this summer. I spoke with one yesterday who said he met face-to-face with Garth Snow, appreciated the interest and liked what the GM had to say. In the end, he signed elsewhere because he felt his new team’s system was better for him. “I know some of the Islanders’ prospects,” he said. “They are very good. The Islanders are going to be fine.” More on this player tomorrow

I'm surprised no one has made hay of this in Newsday or the Isles blogosphere that contains a lot of very talented people. I don't know about you, but hearing this from a young unsigned prospect, who is also familiar with a lot of other prospects in our system, is not very encouraging at all. There are two things these kinds of players look for when signing with a team; Money and ICE TIME!!!!

The Isles, given their situation, should have no problems being attractive to younger signees on the fringe of the NHL (For those thinking Gilroy don't worry about it. I saw him play enough at BU to know that a lot of the stuff he did there to be successful is not going to translate to the NHL. That was a smart pass by Snow.). What is of concern is the speculation now fueled that this team has a bad rep amongst UFAs that refuse to sing here and that has now extended to younger players that SHOULD BE SIGNING HERE!!!! EN MASSE!!!!!

What gives?

Here is the D-corp coming to camp courtesy of Dee Karl;

This also leads me to an interesting quote from a Botta piece a few weeks ago.

It’s worth noting the Islanders attempted to sign at least one college free agent this summer. I spoke with one yesterday who said he met face-to-face with Garth Snow, appreciated the interest and liked what the GM had to say. In the end, he signed elsewhere because he felt his new team’s system was better for him. “I know some of the Islanders’ prospects,” he said. “They are very good. The Islanders are going to be fine.” More on this player tomorrow

TSN Islanders Preview: Are you hoping for another high 1st-round pick this season?

Chickendirt — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:02:22 -0000

Editor's Note: Thanks to member Chickendirt for another FanPost good for discussion on the holiday weekend...We're 1+ years into the rebuild: Where do you fall in terms of your hopes for this season? --Dominik

So I was poking around the TSN site today. It's getting to be that time of year where everyone is getting giddy with the start of hockey season just around the corner. Baseball is starting to fizzle out (if your a Mets fan like myself it was over by mid July) and who really care about football? Oh, and NHL10 is due to thit the store shelves in about week.

GIMME SOME PUCKS!!!!

So I'm reading the TSN preview for the Islanders which can be found here. They have a lot to say but don't really put much effort into really researching the team (Big Surprise there). Yeah, the first line is lookin like Tavares, Weight and Okposo and the only defensemen of note is Streit. With that, the rest of the roster rounds out to nothing but garbage? They seem to pass off doing the rest of the work on the forward unit by proclaiming, "There is simply a lack of NHL level talent on the forward unit. If the team decides to stack the top line with Tavares, Okposo and veteran Doug Weight, the remaining three lines will be a collection of untested prospects and professional journeymen."

In other words Neilsen, Bailey and Bergenheim are not NHL level talent.

GIMME SOME PUCKS!!!!

In other words Neilsen, Bailey and Bergenheim are not NHL level talent.

Amazing how those three get brushed under the rug. Comeau has flaws in his game but I don't think at this point anyone could claim he is not NHL level talent either. Yeah, those four are all works in progress but TSN is simply being lazy here. In a sense I want to do a write up on whether Eklund is good for the game cause that guy clearly has created an atmosphere whereas unless you have a superstar at every position, your not worth covering. I'll leave that as a story for another day but fact of the matter is that I am of the position that this guy is terrible for fans that really want to get to know the game better. Instead of offering real analyses he encourages knee jerk reactionarism (And a bunch of made up rumors and lies about his "insiders").

I'll just leave that for another day.

Overall, I don't dissagree with TSN's final conculsion on the team as a whole. It's more the process and the analysis that I take issue with (or lack thereof). I think they have a long way to go and chances are lose more than they win. I don't agree that they have a long way to go before they are competitive again. We probably are going to be looking at high draft pick. This team is going to lose some guys and chances are that it is on the blue line. That's where I'd place my money if I were a bettin man.

I do have a hunch that we will probably see Hamonic get some time here as a result. Mainly cause his Junior team is terrible and cause for concern as to how that effects his development. It's great to put numbers in Juniors but it's all for naught if you're doing so on a losing team. Better to get that experience on the NHL level if your a serious NHL prospect. That's only my opinion though.

I'd place my money on this team finishing out of the [1st-pick range of the] lottery and somewhere between 6-10 in the draft. There aren't a lot of teams on the schedule that I see as an easy win for these guys but I don't think the team as a whole as an easy beat either. They have the goal tending and are not relying on Danis and MacDonald this season. Keep in mind, in order to get that first overall pick, you need the wheels to fall off. That's usually what happens to a lot of teams that finish dead last. To finish in the lottery you need really bad goal tending. The Isles don't have that problem this season.

Unlike last year we need Snow to pick wisely in this draft. It's not that deep this season, last years after the first three or four it was largely off the board (MSP fell all the way to about 10 where the ISS had him in the top five). I expect this years draft to be much the same but with a lot less consensus. I may be in the minority here but I think thus far Snow and Jankowski are doing an excellent job. They inherited this team with absolutely nothing in the system or the NHL roster to work with. That's not to say there haven't been a few slip ups (I don't think deadline day deal are Snow's forte.)

Either way, the game is played on the ice and these guys who make these predictions wind up eating a lot of crow (Don't tell that to the Knee Jerk fans though) at the end of the season. I don't know many that picked Boston as regular season Eastern Conference Champs. Although I do know many that have picked the Rags to win the cup these last ten seasons.

The 1992-93 Islanders, Turgeon trade, and dashed hopes

Chickendirt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:43:03 -0000

Editor's Note: Sorry I missed this last night. Front-paging Chickendirt's FanPost on the need to heal an old wound...

Chris Botta's latest piece (See he's much more than just blogger. Usually that word is reserved for journalists) poses an interesting question regarding honoring Pierre Turgeon. I agree with him that there is a very large section of the fan base that his clamoring for him to have his night and a generation of newer Islanders fans that have no idea who he is much less ever seen him lace 'em up.

But there is a much larger context that is missing and unexplained. Something that has not been expressed is what Turgeon represents to us besides just a '93 Islanders team that pulled off one of the greatest upsets of the last 20 years. And it doesn't go back to a playoff series win and a conference finals appearance.

It goes back to the day Turgeon was traded.

Editor's Note: Sorry I missed this last night. Front-paging Chickendirt's FanPost on the need to heal an old wound...

It goes back to the day Turgeon was traded.

You ask anyone where they were when they heard the news of that trade they will be able to tell you exactly where they were and who and what delivered the news to them. Me, I was in my first year of college, coming home from class on my way up the stairs to my dorm room. It was my first year living in Boston and my dorm was mobbed with nothing but Bruins fans. I was between the second and third floor when one of em came up to me laughing at how stupid Don Maloney was as he had just traded Turgeon to Montreal for Kirk Muller. This was the beginning of a fiasco that would live in infamy in Islanders lore. Without rehashing all of it lets just say even the folks in Boston who rarely followed this team knew that Muller was going to hold out and refuse to play for them.

Upon hearing the news I felt my guts just sink to the floor and I swear my heart stopped beating. Don Maloney, ever the teflon GM, had dashed the last and perhaps only glimmering hope we had. Turgeon was the Islanders.

Before that Maloney made a boneheaded move exposing Healy to the expansion draft. This was probably the beginning of a long list of foibles with this team but the Turgeon trade just confirmed it.

Anyways. Should the Islanders have a night to honor Turgeon? Nope. Not just Turgeon but that entire '93 team that was inexplicably ripped apart and torn asunder by a GM that didn't know what he was doing and an owner that just didn't give a hoot. That 92/93 team was not a world-beater by any stretch of the imagination, but in mind, for what they represent to the fans, they are just as important as the Cup teams and honoring them is the right gesture to the fans.

What it means?

I'M SORRY!!!!

WE GET IT!!!!

NEVER AGAIN!!!

That's exactly what it means. And it would go a long way to healing a wound that has never healed with the fans. We can go back and rehash the foolish trades of Bertuzzi, McCabe, Chara, Luongo etc. The circus didn't begin there. It began with the Turgeon trade.

Snow's Rebuilding Tipping Point

Chickendirt — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:39:33 -0000

Editor's Note: Front-paging a thought-provoking FanPost here, on one of my favorite topics: Rebuilding is easy (well, not easy, but the design is clear-cut); the hard part is figuring what to do when the draft pick collecting days are over and you have to define the core of your team? After the jump, several questions about the Islanders future and how to get there...

It seems that since the Yashin/Peca acquisition there were three groups of fans:

1) Those that felt the best way to build a team was through the draft.

2) Those that felt the best way to build a team was through UFA signings.

3) Those that felt you built a team buy incorporating a mixture of both.

Today it seems that Group 1 has pretty much one that argument. The absolute failure of going out and trading draft picks and prospects or established stars (or sub star quality players has been duly noted i the cases of Yashin and Satan) is evident in the failures of this team from 01/02 - 05/06. Those teams were lacking in skill and led by players who were clearly on the downsides of their careers. It was a long and torturous period trying to compliment players that clearly just didn't have it.

The results of those years speak for themselves.

It seems that since the Yashin/Peca acquisition there were three groups of fans:

1) Those that felt the best way to build a team was through the draft.

2) Those that felt the best way to build a team was through UFA signings.

3) Those that felt you built a team buy incorporating a mixture of both.

The results of those years speak for themselves.

This team as now constructed is realization of those failures. The patchwork signings of Fedotenko, Guerin and Comrie followed by the exodus of Ryan Smyth and the Yashin buyout further establish that the best way to build a contender is the long and slow process of drafting. Not only do you develop better skill players but you also build a team that has chemistry and hopefully a groups that cares about each other on the ice.

I am glad to see that Snow has gotten high marks thus far by the fans for being patient, not parting with assets and standing firm with his plan to rebuild this franchise. The rebuild portion through the draft where he compiles tons of draft picks for veterans is reaching it's petering out point and is now reaching a new tipping point. Harder decisions now have to be made:

1) Doug Weight and Brendan Witt being two of the more reliable veterans on this team. It's clear Weight is not going to be here to start the 10/11 campaign. Witt is an aging vet on a blue line that needs to get younger, bigger and yes, much more mobile.

Do you move Weight for picks at this point or do you look to acquire prospects?

Question regarding Witt. He's you're wisest vet on the Blue Line but also your most movable assett. With Hamonic, Ness, Donnovan and Dehaan waiting in the wings do you hold out or look to move him now for maximal return? Which is more valuable to this team? His leadership or the possible return?

2) Trent Hunter. In my opinion his career has been mediocre here thus far. Hasn't been the kind of player we expected after his first few years here but not exactly terrible when you consider he really is a third line guy anyways. He's just turned 29 as of July 5th this year and that opens up questions now as to where he fits three-four years down the line when this team is set to contend for a playoff spot.

I know I'm speaking blasphemy on this as he is a fan favorite and this move me into more troubled waters with the next guy;

3) Sean Bergenheim. Probably one of the better equiped players on the team to handle Gordon's system and one of my favorite amongst the kids. Very exciting to watch when he is on. Here's my issue with him; Bergenheim, just who the hell are you? What kind of player are you going to be? That's a tough spot to be in when you're 25 in the final year of a contract. Hard to determine contract length and amount.

4) Jeff Tambellini. Biggest enigma on the team ala Kvasha, Isbister. Even less established as to what kind of player he will pan out to be than Bergenheim. Some use him as an excuse that Nolan was right and this kid doesn't have it. I'm not so sure I buy that argument though. I think when developing a prospect you have to work them in at the right time. I think it could also be a question of keeping this guy stuffed in the minors for too long whereas a player gets stuck on established tricks at that level that don't work on the NHL level. They become less flexible and more entrenched.

All that aside, this year is it for Jeff, Time to put up or shut up. Can't really look at the past. This guy has a world class wrist shot and should use as much as possible. It's really his only chance to get an extension.

So those are two mid career guys and two nearing the end. There are some I've overlooked but those four look to be the ones where the big decisions have to be made.

Now on to Garth Snow and some questions that need answering.

1) How do you plan on transitioning this blue line? Let's face facts, when this team is finally contending, there no way Witt, Sutton, Streit, Martinek and Meyer will be wearing Islanders sweaters at that point. That leaves us with Gervaise and Hillen.

How do plan on pulling in young Dmen that are going to peak at the same time as the forwards?

... Which leads us to this:

2) Snow has proven that he can make trades for picks. How about prospects?

I'm not talking about trades for guys like Walter (who guarantee everyone is going to be watching to see if you made a mistake allowing him to walk on you) but those upper tier prospects. Ya know, those guys teams give away when they get all giddy while on the playoff bubble.

The days are gone where Snow has tons of throwaway assets to acqiure 1st-3rd round picks.