Islanders Links: Altering expectations edition
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 6:30 AM EST
in Blade Splinters
40 comments
Lot of virtual coverage bopping around about the Islanders, who are becoming a buzz story (always a double-edged sword, that). Some show up in this site's left-margin headlines, some don't.
So here's some of that, this and the other...
Later today: A look at last year vs. this year. Sneak preview: This year is better. Plus: Whatever you wanna talk about.
- Good news for me: Andrew MacDonald is sticking around a while. Witt's status undetermined as of last night. And if you get Newsday, Gordon likes MacDonald. (Actually, Gordon likes him even if you don't subscribe.)
- Dennis Wideman is still smarting from
being overspeeded bycoughing the puck up to Richard Park's forecheck. If he'd caught Don King's presser, he'd know what hit him. - John Tavares and Matt Moulson make a good line, good buddies, and fierce Xbox opponents.
- Justin Bourne has a theory in his special to USA Today about injuries today vs. the glory days.
- Puck Daddy's worst 10 teams of the decade only has one Islanders entry. Guess which one (hint: not last year's).
- The full McLean's interview with Gary Bettman that Mirtle excerpted last week is now online. Puck Daddy also has an interesting take there.
- Speaking of, a Sharks co-owner waxes poetic abot Balsillie. Great. [From the Rink]
Islanders Blogger Theorizing Galore:
- Bryan at The Rivalry calls the Islanders for real (although he's still calling SOLs "loser points." For shame).
- B.D.'s take on the Islanders rising, with an obligatory Rags jab, (yes, they lost last night at home). He brings up the Isles' blocked shots, which is another double-edged sword: Blocked shots mean you give up a lot of shots, which means you're playing with ... oh screw it, this is still a thin-margin team, so that's just how it's got to be. Also at H.I.: Another proponent for Andy Sutton's season. AP77 just slammed his head on his desk.
- Stat trick for the Boston game [Forever1940]
- Okposo Net has thoughts on top-line chemistry, Mark Streit and what's gotten into Sutton.
- Netminder 39 considers the Islanders' playoff merits [Islanders Blogger]
Is this real life? I'm just gonna enjoy this while it lasts...
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Thanks for the link. I don’t necessarily consider them “loser points” – that’s Howie’s word – but I’d feel a lot better if they had 23 points of their own volition, not because they blew a lead and didn’t manage to lose the game until overtime. Either way, it’s certainly a good problem to have.
by The Rivalry on Nov 18, 2009 8:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Indeed. I just had to rib you since it was a hot topic recently over here. ;)
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Standings!!!?
I am just loving the fact that the Isles are only 5 points (or shootour losses) out of first and its not the 2nd week of the season!!!
by mdelbags on Nov 18, 2009 9:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I know!
And on top of it, they’ve gotten better as October became November. Good times.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know this is off topic but it is just wrong to look at the Atlantic standings to see that the Devils are on top with the least amount of goals for.
I'll see your starting goalie and raise you a Biron.
by metalcoconut on Nov 18, 2009 9:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
not wrong at all
only the Sabres have given up fewer goals and they also lead their division and every team but one above us in the NHL except one has given up fewer goals…and therein endeth the lesson.
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 18, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t get me wrong, I get the whole goal differential thing/and the CJ effect and realize that Buffalo is nearing the same stats (Brodeur and Miller have that effect on teams) but looking at it and looking at the Isles stats it just feels cheap. I guess it is accenuated by the fact that they have played a couple games less. However looking at it just makes you feel used and foolish.
I'll see your starting goalie and raise you a Biron.
by metalcoconut on Nov 18, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
makes me feel like we need to rebuild our defense before we can be a serious Cup contender
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 18, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can’t we just get 2 solid D men in the back. It doesn’t seem like a tough request. Pair one with Streit and one with Hillen and just watch mayhem ensue. That has to be a focus for the upcoming draft/free agency.
…and while we are it when do we find out about the lighthouse again? Last time we visited with Wang and TOH there were somewhat secretive meetings taking place that Murray was made aware were to be kept secret. In all likelihood they are waiting for Thanksgiving but come on now. Isles fan aren’t filling the NVMC and they have an entertaining team to watch. All it takes is a little hope that they will stay and you can almost count on the place filling up for key games let alone weeknights.
Sorry, it’s out of me for now.
I'll see your starting goalie and raise you a Biron.
by metalcoconut on Nov 18, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, it’s out of me for now.
No problem. Wapner: “I know you’ve been sworn and I have read your complaint.”
There’s got to be a LH update sometime this month, surely?
(Dig the signature, by the way)
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you Wapner. 5 Minutes to Wapner.
I'll see your starting goalie and raise you a Biron.
by metalcoconut on Nov 19, 2009 8:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would like...
to get another 1st rounder so that we can get a physical forward as well as a big physical defender in the first round…and maybe a few more in subsequent rounds. I am sure that we will get 1-2 defensemen in FA and trade as well.
As for the other, Queens has offered to build us an arena. Wang should start to move on that…call the Fat Lady’s bluff.
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 18, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d love another 1st rounder of course; I’m just not as confident that any will be available for what we have to offer.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 19, 2009 2:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the most promising scenario in my mind...
would be if a number of teams start bidding for Marty. If enough teams start talking second rounder, a team likely to go deep like Chicago might deal its first rounder for him especially if that kept him away from Detroit for example. The other possibility would be if Frans was really tearing it up, a few teams had centers go down around the deadline, and Garth was willing to deal him.
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 19, 2009 4:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds nice, and I totally agree that would definitely be a promising scenario, but I think its too much to expect for Biron.
Lets go Islanders...
by TheMetalChick on Nov 19, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
normally, yes
it would require a market of teams with iffy or injured goalies and with expectations of going deep and making that a late first round pick.
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 19, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
MacDonald getting himself some time on the PP was definitely a sign that Gordon liked/trusted him.
BTW, you know what Puck Daddy missed? That team was the Beezer team that Milbury promised would be in the playoffs “or it would be his head”. I think we were out of the playoffs by February.
“If we are not better immediately….and if we are not a playoff team in the near future then it’s off with my damn head.” (6/25/00) – Milbury
Wang missed his chance…
Also that was the last year of my favorite D Duo, Chara – Cairns. They racked up the most PIM on the team at 257.
by WebBard on Nov 18, 2009 10:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ugh, the memories. The losing streaks. The MIlbury hot air. The other thing with the PD write-up: Despite all his (often Milbury-entrusted) mistakes, I don’t see Wang’s purchase as “haunting” because … well, who else was going to buy the team? He’s almost impressive simply for his longevity alone.
Speaking of ownerships and mismanagement, on the Blues write-up he obscured the fact that Wal-Mart heir-in-law and basketball fan Bill Laurie had decided dumping Chris Pronger would make the team “more attractive” to potential buyers. It wasn’t a veteran problem, it was a “owner can’t get his NBA team so he’s bailing” problem.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wang made some goofball mistakes...
but he was and is committed to this team. That was a vast improvement over several previous owners by itself.
by BCISLEMAN on Nov 18, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
I'll see your starting goalie and raise you a Biron.
by metalcoconut on Nov 19, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes. When encountering fans of other teams, I always try to point this out when they make their Wang jokes. It gets old.
One thing I’ve picked up on after following enough sports teams for a long enough time: We’re all at the mercy of who owns our team, and owners change. People who are smug about their team today can be in a nightmare tomorrow once their owner dies/passes it to his son/gets caught in fraud/loses his shirt.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 19, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In fairness to the Wang jokes, his name is Wang…
by WebBard on Nov 19, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well hell, those jokes I’ll take any day of the week. “Hey Wang, it’s a parking lot” isn’t just a great Caddyshack reference, it’s a metaphor for the whole Coliseum situation.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 20, 2009 2:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gordon interview
Another Gordon interview (audio) on this season vs. last, this with a Calgary station.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m honored to get a shout out in today’s links.
The terrifying thing is that those clowns at the jump are talking about giving Sutton an extension — ONOZ1
by AP77 on Nov 18, 2009 12:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hey, I had a line of “” added there for emphasis. What gives? :(
by AP77 on Nov 18, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mwahahahaha
Big Brother has control.
Actually, I’m not sure what you’re trying to do … click that “Show Formatting Guide” link at the bottom to see if you might’ve triggered a gremlin?
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
stop the disrespect of the isles and get rid of the fisherman logo
it has no place here
by bigbadjocko on Nov 18, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Lot of virtual coverage bopping around about the Islanders, who are becoming a buzz story (always a double-edged sword, that).
you’re gaining some fans Dom (or 1 fan under 2 names :-)
why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?
by bob l on Nov 18, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ha, yes, apparently winning = trolls.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it’s ok, i brought my…
… use it with care, it’s expensive
why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?
by bob l on Nov 18, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice!
Don’t use the stuff imported from China. It’s usually fake.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh dear. We’re very serious about this aren’t we?
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just a ton of exclamation points with a few “one” insertions like the kids do these days. Oh well.
by AP77 on Nov 18, 2009 12:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Supposed to have been a reply to Dom above — ugh, not a good day on the internet for me.
by AP77 on Nov 18, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is the reply function getting you down? !!!!!1
The Internet wants to make you a healthy scratch today, I guess.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Nov 18, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
|
57 | 36 | 19 | 2 | 74 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
59 | 35 | 22 | 2 | 72 |
|
Philadelphia
|
56 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 59 |
|
New York Rangers
|
59 | 26 | 26 | 7 | 59 |
|
New York Islanders
|
58 | 23 | 27 | 8 | 54 |
(updated 2.8.2010 at 8:30 AM EST)
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
Nashville
|
Tue 02/09 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
@
Pittsburgh
|
Wed 02/10 | 7:30 PM EST |
|
Tampa Bay
|
Sat 02/13 | 2:00 PM EST |
|
Ottawa
|
Sun 02/14 | 5:00 PM EST |
|
Chicago
|
Tue 03/02 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
Carolina
|
Sat 02/06 | L 1 - 3 |
|
@
Tampa Bay
|
Thu 02/04 | L 2 - 5 |
|
@
Florida
|
Sun 01/31 | L 0 - 2 |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Sat 01/30 | L 1 - 2 |
|
@
Carolina
|
Thu 01/28 | L 1 - 4 |
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