The Current Reality: Tough opponents, rough early road for Islanders
by Dominik on Oct 19, 2009 6:30 AM EDT
in New York Islanders Report Cards
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PrintDuring a recent trip for a fantastic, relaxing weekend on a Minnesota lake, a friend of my wife -- who was back home -- called me up to rib me late at night. I was staring at a starry sky on a cool Minnesota night, kicking back with a beer, and this is what she said: "Just wanted to let you know the current reality: Your wife and three of her friends are in your kitchen, in our underwear, about to get in the hot tub. That's the current reality. Hope you're having fun in Minnesota."
In hockey terms, that call could have gone like this: "Hey Dominik, just wanted to let you know the Islanders are 0-3-3 and the Rangers are 7-1-0. That's the current reality. Have fun watching John Tavares."
Watching Tavares (and Kyle Okposo and Matt Moulson, for that matter) has been stellar, a shining light in Rebuild, Year 2. But I confess it's just a tad painful to know that the Rangers have seven wins before the Isles have gotten one. (Of course, the contrast was something similar at this time last season, wasn't it? How did that all turn out again?)
After the jump, a quick look at some Islanders team stats and where they rank after six games.
| Stat | Raw | Rank |
| 5-on-5 | .47 | 28th |
| GF/gm | 2.17 | 23th (t) |
| GA/gm | 3.5 | 24th (t) |
| PP% | 24.0 | 10th (t) |
| PK% | 81.0 | 14th |
| ShtF/gm | 31.8 | 5th (t) |
| ShtA/gm | 30.8 | 20th |
| FO% | 48.4 | 21st (t) |
Anything stand out or surprise? For me, the sore thumb is again the ratio of goals for/goals against at 5-on-5. It's early, but that's often a big indicator that the team just isn't good or at least isn't taking the right approach at even strength.
Also notable is the high volume of shots -- both for and against -- in Islanders games. Hey, no one can say they're boring.
Six games in, that's the current reality. At least the Islanders have compiled these numbers against a very formidable list of opponents. Sure, it's the NHL -- you need to be able to play anyone -- but it's nice when you get to face a struggling team every once in a while. As the season grows, we'll check in on these from time to time to see how things have progressed. (They will "progress," won't they?)
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wondering if the volume of shots w so few goals is because of lack of rebounds/deflections due to undersize size/strength across the bottom 3 lines.
Here is the real “Current reality”. We have one (read 1) scoring line, The other 3 lines a big Zero. Another reality, Moulson +2, Tavares & Okposo +-0. Witt -9, Sim -6, Gervais -6, Bergenheim and Park -5, Bailey -4, Comeau -3. We have no defense. Why isn’t Gordon pairing Gervais with Streit? That was a successful pairing last year. Another reality check is that Snow did nothing to address the problems of last season, toughness and defense. He more than anyone should know that goaltenders can only do so much, you need good defense in front of them. Wang needed to loosen the purse strings. I know thats hard when you are already losing 20-30 million each year. But, you get sellouts if you put out a good (read winning) product. Right now, this team looks like it has no direction. They will be last again.
Not that easy
We have a bunch of defensive prospects in the system, some of whom will be ready next year and others the following year. It would have been premature to get any big time defensive FAs this past summer. And the experience of Burke in Toronto should tell you that going big and tough isn’t necessarily the way to go. That said, I am hoping that we can grab Dustin Byfuglien at the deadline.
This year is about seeing what we have and where we need to go developmentally. We have established a potent first line that clicks. That is a big accomplishment for six games into the season. We now need to see if we can develop any other talent that will click with Josh on the second line. Failing that, trading for Byfuglien and drafting Taylor Hall will solve that problem.
Over the summer, we can trade for someone like Mark Stuart of Boston or pick up free agents like Nick Boynton and Raffi Torres. This should improve our defense and address the toughness issues. This year we were bound to struggle and have those “close your eyes and think of England” moments. But this team needs to be developed the right way and it takes time. It took Jimmy Devellano 16 years in Detroit. Garth is moving along much faster. Patience, Patience is the key.
Welcome, frankd. Thanks for joining.
I had to chuckle: I agree, one of the big issues with the “current reality” is we only have one line worthy of the hot tub. If none of the existing younger players ramps up this year, I’m afraid that’s what they’re stuck with.
Regarding Streit and Gervais, that pairing was good, but mainly because of Streit. The way I see it, the Islanders have a far below-average defense, and Snow (whether through misplaced belief or through intentional decision to let their contracts run out, or both) did nothing over the summer to fix it. So Gordon is left with what he has, and he’s trying to find combos that work, including splitting up Bruno and Streit. Unfortunately for Gordon, he’s doing it with a short deck.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I seem to have read that working with Streit did wonders for Gervais’ game…and also that Gervais was a Gordon favorite. In any event, I am hopeful that we can do a little revamping on the fly. Maybe the Martinek-Weber trade might be possible if Markov cannot come back and maybe a trade can be worked involving Sutton that will bring a younger defenseman here. Also, I am hopeful that as these players perhaps get traded and / or as they go down with injuries that some of our prospects will be given a chance.
The Bruins will make a big play for Hunter now
They just cleared out more Cap space.
They have long coveted Hunter as guy who can play in their system. What we could potentially get back remains to be seen. I say they make some pitches and some noise on this front as the season goes on.
There is a nucleus...
and Garth will build on it. If Roly and Marty improve and Huet continues to struggle, a deal bringing Byfuglien here at the deadline is a strong possibility. We should get an NHL-ready star in the draft and some good prospects. Garth should be able to leverage a few more trades and make a couple of good FA signings this summer. And our defensive prospects should begin to mature and be ready for next year. Patience, patience, you need patience.
What fantasy?
The Hawks are looking more and more like they will need another goalie. They are talking in Chicago about passing Huet through waivers and sending him down to Rockford. They will need to dump a big salary anyway and we are the one team with tons of capspace and spare goalies. If Marty and Roly pick up their games, Huet does not, and Jack Skille plays well, it could very well happen.
Goalies
Just for giggles I went and checked every goalie in the league that could possibly be traded to the Blackhawks that they might want.
Jonas Hiller or JS Giugere in Anaheim
Patrick Lalime of Buffalo (Although he was already a Blackhawk)
Peter Budaj of Colorado
Marty Turco of Dallas (Has been rumored to be on the block anyway)
Thomas Vokoun of Florida (They do have Clemmensen to replace him)
Ty Conklin of St Louis
Jose Thedore of Washington
Plus at worst they could give an extended look to Corey Crawford a former 2nd round pick of there’s whose been steady the last few years for Rockford in the AHL.
And obviously you can tear apart most of this list, as the only two goalies I know on this list who have been mentioned as trade bait are Turco and Giugere. But its not like anyone has Chicago over the barrel when it comes to goaltending.
Good post.
Giguere seems incredibly likely to be moved if a team needs a goalie.
by Cal_IslandersFan on Oct 19, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Huet is a 5.6 Mill cap hit
Giugere is a 6 Mill cap hit
So if they do send Huet down to the AHL, they would still need about 500K or so in cap space just to fit Giugere’s number. That also becomes a problem because both Huet and Giugere have long term contracts.
I’m not saying Giguere would necessarily be dealt to Chicago, given the amount of money that he is under contract for, I’m just saying that potentially another team with cap space could pull a deal for him. He’s till relatively young, and he has an immense amount of experience.
Quite contrary, I think Chicago is in an extremely difficult situation right now. Like BCISLEMAN has been pointing out, Huet’s play and contract are going to make for some tough decisions there. I’m guessing they send Huet down to Rockford, and hope that Corey Crawford could somehow fill the gap.
by Cal_IslandersFan on Oct 19, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
For argument’s sake, I quickly looked at the rosters of AHL teams, to see the quantity and quality of veteran goalies in the league. There seems to be a couple veteran guys that teams could take a look/chance at:
Brian Boucher, Jason Bacashihua, Curtis Sanford, Mike McKenna, Dany Sabourin, Al Montoya, Hannu Toivonen, Wade Dubielewicz, Manny Legace.
Again, I’m not saying any of these guys would be the saving grace for teams, but all seem like cheaper options that could fill in, in a pinch.
by Cal_IslandersFan on Oct 19, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
You guys are missing the point. It isn’t about the cheaper option. It is about who can get you to the dance and win. Roly took his team to Game 7 of the Cup Finals. How many of these guys can say that? Only Giguere and the Hawks could not even consider taking his cap hit. In fact, apart from Giguere, Hiller, and MAYBE Conklin, there isn’t a single guy on that list worthy of comparison with Roly when he is on his game. The Hawks want to get to the Finals and WIN this year. They need a goaltender who they have confidence in to get them there. Apart from Hiller and Giguere—I’m not even buying Conklin—nobody on that list is gonna do that.
And if I am Bowman, the last thing I want to do is trade away an asset to a team that I am going to face at least four times a year and whom I may face in the playoffs. Any goalie who is worth anything is going to have a serious salary that Bowman is going to have to send money back for—even if he is able to clear Huet off his cap hit. Otherwise, Chicago is facing a major disaster this summer with its core guys.
A trade is not going to do anything to fix this team
Doesn’t matter who they bring in. It’s just going to amount to spackle. Nothing more.
There are definitly issues here. Many of them frustrating to watch. There is also one big huge elephant in the room and nobody has touched on it; This team does not know eachother all that well.
Here’s the thing. Of the the losses we’ve taken we can look at the fact that this team hasn’t played a full sixty. That’s relevant but it is also relative. There’s difference between the way you play the game with a one goal lead, two goal lead and a three goal lead. A lot of has to do with how much you gamble on offensive vs playing a conservative defensive style that limits opportunites. A mark of a good team is not how many goals they score in a game but how well they play together, know eachothers tendencies and positioning on the ice. All that shows in the defensive aspect of the game.
And this team has been horrible at that in every single game they’ve played.
Buffalo, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Boston all have a core of guys that have been playing together for a pretty substantial amount of time. Watching Buffalo, those guys know where everyone is going to be without even looking. As opposed to our guys who take a few seconds to look when it comes to clearing the puck from behind their own net.
Add to the fact that we’ve gone through six players in one of the most important positions on the ice; GOALTENDING!!!!
Trade is not going to fix this problem. The solution has to be found with the guys in the room and the kids have to learn how to make adjustments. At trade, no matter how much you are frustrated, will make the problem worse.
A trade is not the answer by itself true. Of course, IFthis trade took place at all, it would not be until late February or early March. There are some issues in the room, no doubt, and hopefully these can be worked out over the next few months. And if somebody needs to be put on waivers to send a message, so be it.
This trade, if it happened, would gi a long way toward fixing two serious problems. it would help form the nucleus of a potent second line. And it would enhance our physical presence on the ice. That should make this team better.
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Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
St. Louis
|
Thu 02/16 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
Carolina
|
Sat 02/18 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Ottawa
|
Mon 02/20 | 1:00 PM EST |
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@
Buffalo
|
Tue 02/21 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
New York Rangers
|
Fri 02/24 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
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@
Winnipeg
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Tue 02/14 | W 3 - 1 |
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Florida
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Sun 02/12 | L 1 - 4 |
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Los Angeles
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Sat 02/11 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
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Montreal
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Thu 02/09 | L 2 - 4 |
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@
Philadelphia
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Tue 02/07 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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New York Rangers
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55 | 37 | 13 | 5 | 79 |
|
Philadelphia
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56 | 31 | 18 | 7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh
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56 | 32 | 19 | 5 | 69 |
|
New Jersey
|
56 | 32 | 20 | 4 | 68 |
|
New York Islanders
|
56 | 24 | 24 | 8 | 56 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 3:50 AM EST)
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