Where is Jeff Tambellini?

I have hope for Tambellini as a scorer…if he’s put in the lineup. And I certainly hope that Figren and Joensuu get some serious ice time this year. Sim is just being put out there as trade bait.

Thats the problem I have with the perception with Tambi’s playing time being affected by the presence of Schremp. It seems as if it is taboo to have more than one offensive minded/capable forward on lines 2-4. Tambi had a great preseason, 5 A’s I believe , In that opening game I watched intently (hes my faviorite player on the team) he had a very solid game. Other than that huge hit Witt put on Feds he had the biggest hit of the game.
I guess what im trying to say is how many bruisers do you need in a goal starved offense??

-Jackman shows signs about every other game of being a great 3rd line grinder when he uses his size and speed but then other times it seems like he might not even know how to skate

- Rechlicz , while I love watching him scrap , is pretty much inept at the NHL level. Let him cut his teeth in the AHL for a few more seasons so maybe he can learn how to embrace the puck rather than treat it as a hot patatoe.

- Comeau… Now I know alot of Islander fans have a soft spot for Blake but to be honest I dont understand this one. His puckhandling / shooting / passing / skating skills are all subpar. He throws the body around decently but alot of times is inconsistant and forgets thats his role on the team.

-Park. Now I absolutely love Richard as a player especially a penalty killer but for this guy to be getting powerplay time while Tambi isnt allowed out of the locker room makes me want to pull out my hair. Park is a very talented skater with solid puck control but his dekes are never successful because of his size and he doesnt have the power shot to make defenders respect it so they can take the body every time.

- Sim… Im sorry guys but he stinks. Yes he scored a nice goal and I couldnt believe that he actually roofed that puck from in so tight but he more then anyone else I have seen since the last season of Eric Cairns (now thats a scrapper!) has no role in the NHL. He crashes the crease and he shoots the puck every time which is solid but start training a young forward to do that during the “REBUILDING” proccess as opposed to watching a washed up 3rd line winger and the team will end up better for it. As far as his trade value?? Thats ridiculous… there is no chance anyone will take Sim and if they did all we could ask for in return is a 5th rounder if we catch the most desperate team in the world.

Sorry to ramble about it but im very passionate about this issue. We dont need these players and their +/- will show exactly why we dont need them. They are detriments to the rebuilding process (aside from jackman who i still have some faith). If the issue is about willingness to fight call me crazy but I believe those where the reasons we brought in Witt(Expect another blog on his unmatched defensive zone cluelessness if friday goes poorly) and Sutton. You don’t grow fighters at the NHL level you get good players with heart that if push comes to shove arent afraid to drop the gloves ie: Iginla , Lecaveliar , Thornton. While fighting is a great part of the game and I hope it stays forever it is not what you build your franchise around. Hardworking young players with a ton of upside is.

I forgot about that angle. Indeed, none of the potential rentals will fetch a thing if they don’t get some playing time. (Of course, that didn’t work for Sim when he got a ton of minutes last year before being sent down LOL)

Hunter will not be traded. Garth has said that he is a “core” player….and I was discussing it with Logan at one point and he very pointedly said Hunts wouldn’t be traded in a way that made me believe Garth had said as much to him. Witter isn’t a UFA until next year, so he is unlikely to be traded unless somebody really needs him…like Chicago maybe.

Sutton may be good if he can stay healthy.

Park is useful for his versatility alone. Coaches love having a guy like that they can trust to throw into any situation at a moment’s notice.

I suppose they have to give some of these guys ice time because the alternative is wasting prospects up here in third/fourth line roles. When I saw Joensuu in the preseason, I didn’t want him up here, because he needs more work and more minutes than he can get here.

Either Tambellini is injured or he is again in Gordon’s doghouse for some inexplicable reason.

It is inexplicable given the kind of pre-season he had and if Gordon wasn’t going to play him, he should have sent him down and put someone else on the roster.

I would take that deal…but Bowman would be shot if he did. Chicago is going to want value for key players like Buff. Sharp’s too important for them. I could see them doing a deal that included Witt going to them and Buff coming here as they need a defenseman of Witt’s type. But he would have to have a killer year and they would have to be able to send more salary back. If we sent Witt, Biron, and either Sim or Park to them for Huet, Buff Daddy, and Hjalmarson, they would eat that up. Might work for us as well if DP isn’t up to speed.

don’t expect him to sit