Top Islanders at 5-on-5: Bailey, Frans, Hunter, Mac, Mo
Have you noticed that Andrew MacDonald now has 32 games under his belt this year and is plus-7 -- tied for third-best on the team? That's behind forwards Frans Nielsen's +13 and Josh Bailey's +9. Not surprisingly, these Islanders also have the best 5-on-5 results -- along with a few others you might not expect.
Among those perhaps is Jack Hillen, whose ceiling is sometimes debated in comments here. Hillen (+5 by the way) is getting more minutes than he should on a thin blueline at this point. He is undersized, and that size mismatch has at times led him to take too many minor penalties (18 thus far) to compensate. But 5-on-5 figures show that overall he's handled the minutes pretty well -- with Andy Sutton the toughest minutes on the squad, by the way -- and he's now gone seven games since his last penalty. I wouldn't be surprised if familiarity is getting him a little more respect from the referees by now, as some of his early season spate of minors were harsh if not outright illegitimate calls.
| GP | EV TOI | Rel. +/- | Pts/60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Bailey | 53 | 11.75 | 1.74 | 1.73 |
| Frans Nielsen | 48 | 11.43 | 1.55 | 1.97 |
| Trent Hunter | 39 | 11.77 | 1.44 | 1.96 |
| Andrew MacDonald | 31 | 15.87 | 1.42 | 0.24 |
| Matt Moulson | 54 | 13.21 | 1.2 | 2.02 |
| Mark Streit | 54 | 17.75 | 0.67 | 0.81 |
| Jack Hillen | 38 | 15.61 | 0.61 | 0.82 |
| Andy Sutton | 46 | 17.01 | 0.42 | 0.77 |
| Sean Bergenheim | 39 | 11.87 | 0.35 | 1.17 |
| Jeff Tambellini | 24 | 10.57 | 0.25 | 1.65 |
The above are the top 10 Islanders at 5-on-5 thus far, according to the "Rating" (i.e. +/- per 60 min. relative to teammates) at Behind the Net. Check this BtN link for the full squad, where you'll find minus-9 Kyle Okposo and minus-10 John Tavares low on the list. Note these figures are a couple games behind, but they yield a good picture.
A few more explanatory notes and some talk of even-strength scorers -- a big deal with the powerplay struggling -- after the jump.
The first thing that strikes me is that by this metric Bailey, Nielsen, Hunter, MacDonald and Moulson are in their own elite group (again, relative to Islanders teammates) at 5-on-5. No surprise that along with Tavares, Okposo and Mark Streit, the forwards in that top group are also the Islanders best even-strength point gatherers.
The finest example here is Matt Moulson, who leads the Islanders with 24 even-strength points. Was his early season production a mirage? No, though his early pace was obviously part of the ebb and flow of any player's season. He's a 20-goal scorer now, but just as importantly he's a responsible even-strength winger who is not relying on the powerplay for production. (Just three PP goals.) I'm not expecting Moulson to be an annual 20-goal guy (which might be harsh of me, since all he's done is lead the team in goals, without feasting on the powerplay, with nearly 30 games yet to play). But I am a believer that Moulson is for real.
And of course you don't need to hear me praise Frans Nielsen or Josh Bailey again.
Elsewhere at the top of that rating table: Obviously MacDonald is not a point producer, and he's only 35 games into his NHL career. But if he keeps this kind of steady form going, the Islanders will have a nice 23-year-old secret on their hands. It's tempting to wonder whether MacDonald and/or Hillen are being sheltered by veteran partners, but I've seen enough flat-out smart plays from both of them to give me hope for their continued growth.
We don't need them to be #2 or even #4 guys -- there's something to be said for cheap, smart depth guys who can pair with a guy like Mark Streit or Andy Sutton without requiring babysitting. If Hillen's offensive game continues to evolve, all the better. If the Islanders could complement these four with two bigger guys who strike fear in the opposition without also striking fear in their own goalies, then suddenly they have a passable top-six. And then the focus, rightly, turns to the powerplay's impotence.
Some Unsung Keepers
I don't see these rate stats as the end-all, be-all. I can think of specific defensive mistakes a couple of these guys just in the last week. You still need to outscore the opposition -- which often depends on special teams, where the Islanders are struggling -- and anyone watching knows that, goaltending aside, several Islanders wins this year wouldn't have happened without Tavares and Okposo, who don't even clear the top 10. (They also draw more taxing minutes against better competition, which likely hurts their relative numbers.) You can also dig into their quality of competition to shed more light/question on any of these numbers, but of that top 10 only Tambellini has been insulated by facing weak competition.
That said, while I'm no believer in Tambellini as magic elixir, it once again sticks out that a team desperate for offense with an ineffective powerplay has put into cold storage a guy who can help both and, this year, has not been a defensive liability.
Regardless, I see these numbers as providing another perspective on who has been competent over the course of the season on a team that remains in the bottom five of the league at 5-on-5 (.82 GF/GA ratio). We all have our own observational biases, and certainly any bad observable stretch can make us -- rightly or wrongly -- sour on a player's form. But through 50-plus games this year, I'm going to need more than "he's no good" to convince me that the above players are having bad years. We could all appreciate more offense; but the guys on this list are pulling their weight.
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The Islanders web site says Gillies has been waived. They certainly didn’t give him much of a chance to do anything…
Move to Flushing, Queens, Charles Wang!! Get away from the insane politics of Nassua
If the logic is correct on this the Isles are going after Nick Boynton who was reportedly waived by Anaheim. The Isles could be making space for Boynton while keeping Tambi on the books for a deadline trade. However putting Gillies in our farm system isn’t such a bad idea to help give the Tigers some grit if the Isles do pick up Boynton. However that point is defintely debateable. You have to feel bad for Gillies though. 3 minutes is hardly enough TOI to prove anything, especially when you are coming into a new style of play at a higher level.
Will work...for playoffs.
Nah.
I read that he has had some probs regarding yelling at his coach and was disciplined for that. The Isles will not pick up a guy who has done anyhting like that… the Isles value character over pretty much everything. Even having a rep for having done something like that is a red flag here!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 2, 2010 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
I was wondering what that incident in Florida was all about. Thank you for the input. I would like to believe that the Isles are simply using the Gillies deal as an option for some of the more physical games but why would they do the waiver thing at the same time Boynton goes on waivers as well? It could be a coincidence and after what you stated about his past transgressions, I hope you are correct. Then again a lot of people said that Schremp had attitude problems and the Isles picked him up without any percieved hesitation. However, Schremp did not yell at a coach and he was coming from the coldest place in the NHL. Boynton is coming from a cushy Cali location…that could be the difference. Perhaps Boynton needs to go to the Great North for a little before someone thaws him out.
Will work...for playoffs.
I was scared off from Boynton over the summer because of the Florida drama, but at this point at such little cost I’d take the risk. We could use a bit of the crazy.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
We could use a bit of the crazy
LOL!
I know what you mean, but Id honestly rather have Chris Simon kind of crazy (loyal good teammate, loved in the room) than yelling at the coach kinda crazy.
The Isles have made “character” a super-duper ubber high priority- its their #1 valued characteristic, more valued than size, strength, skating, offensive/defensive abilities, etc, and I would be surprised if that changes.
As far as Shremp goes, I dont know how bad of a rep he really had- he was just looked at as a Tambellinilike underachiever (although he had far, FAR less opportunity when compared to Tambs)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 2, 2010 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
As much as the team needs a shot of some sort TMC could be right with the character issues. Once you lose your team you are pretty much floundering. Look at Laviolette when Mad Mike walked him out. If I remember correctly the explanation given was that he could not keep control of the team. Personally, I like Gordon as I suspect many on this board do, including yourself, and I would hate to see Boynton be the reason for division. Then again Witt spoke out against Gordon’s “system” last year and he has learned to can it but Witt is a respectable character…I’m not so sure about Boynton.
Will work...for playoffs.
by metalcoconut on Feb 2, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
However, we could really use his skill sets…in a more than obvious way.
Will work...for playoffs.
by metalcoconut on Feb 2, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
You make good points. Yeah Witter did speak up- but around the same time he was also saying things about how much he loves it here, respects the coach, the organization, etc while he did it (those things just didnt get the same publicity.) Witt was also wearing an A and is one of the vets on the team who has been here for years- so I dont see him speaking up while his team is injured to the point of incapacitation and in a last place freefall to be the same kind of problem as, say, yelling at your coach and having to be disciplined for it.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 2, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
Good points, and I never bought that Witt’s speaking out was malicious or unruly, either — just a bit naiive in that he didn’t realize it would become a story. From all the peripherals, it sounded like he answered honest hockey questions (e.g. “Have I talked to the coach about his new system? Yes.” etc.) and then it became a backpage story because that stuff sells.
The fact that Gordon kept using him and supported him made me think an honest philosophical hockey conversation became a drama it shouldn’t have…probably feeding Witt’s love of reporters.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I agree that Witt was answering honestly with no agenda. I respect the guy before and after the statement and I give him credit for speaking his mind rather than providing team talk. Boynton seems like he might be the bad kind of crazy. As in the removed scenes from “The Program” kind of crazy mixed with a touch of “I’m bigger than you and have been in the league longer” additive.
Will work...for playoffs.
Im not sure whats mystifying- he was already at the Bridge, and if the Isles ever want to call him up the guy A- needed a 2-way contract and B- has to go through waivers in this kind of a scenario- thats just how it is.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 2, 2010 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
Exactly
He was a one-game callup for a particular, heh, 3-minute need. If he were in bigger plans we’d have heard more talk (and seen more numbers) before the eve of a Philly game.
Pretty sure they signed him precisely because they wanted a guy who was easily “waivable.”
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
BTW, nice ad for ticketmaster. Where do Islander fans buy tickets for pre-season in China this September?
Move to Flushing, Queens, Charles Wang!! Get away from the insane politics of Nassua
See Wang or just pretend you are a 10 year old hockey fan with a love of helping others that would love to play hockey.
This will probably be the a “dream trip get-away” come September. Although I really don’t think of China as a “dream trip” I guess I would go anywhere the Islanders happen to be playing.
Will work...for playoffs.
Getting information for that camp as it’s happening should be a whole lot of fun.
Ha, has to triple Newsday’s cost for covering camp, I’d imagine.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Ha, has to triple Newsday’s cost for covering camp, I’d imagine.
Three times practically nothing is still… practically nothing lol.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 2, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
Mah boy Sutton isn't so bad, eh?
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.
I cannot deny… He’s had a solid year and he’s the only guy making forwards keep their head up. (Well, every once in a while Meyer goes on the prowl.)
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Agreed. That is almost the Freddy Meyer Experience to a ‘T’.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Jokinen now officially a Rag
Won’t take long before that locker room expodes. Even before Calgary got him there were rumors that they felt he was a cancer. Dude didn’t last a whole season before they decided enough was enough.
The Rags will be Jokinen’s fourth team in two seasons.
see my NYT Morning Skate fanshot
Gaborik will find the same problem with him that Iginla did: he doesn’t dish, he shoots.
Ollie has a long history of being a locker room cancer
so things in Manhatten should be entertaining. Totorellas vein in his temple is going to burst. I hope the cameras are rolling when it happened.
Folks in Calgary were not happy with him after last years play off run. The guy no longer believes in playing defense. For every goal he scores for the Rags expect two to go the other way.
the other point though
is that what do you do with him? You are giving up two big pieces to get a second line center and then you are presumably relegating Drury and his $8 mil+ to third line center. Alternatively, you put Olli on the top line and he is just as disfunctional with Gaborik as he was with Iginla.
Even more interestin here is thing
Rags traded Higgins and Kotalik who have 14 goals and 28 pts combined for Jokinens 11 goals and 35 points.
Jokinen in Calgary was on pace for about 50 points this season. A huge dissapointment given his pay check also considering that 26 of his pts were 5-5 and he’s a +2.
If he puts up those kind of numbers on a Calgary team, despite it’s struggles, is still stacked with talent, he ain’t gonna do any better on the Rags.
Also figure that Calgary is making this dump while tied for the eight playoff seed.
Alot of people are scratching their heads at this deal. Some believe Calgary isn’t done dealing.
Move to Flushing, Queens, Charles Wang!! Get away from the insane politics of Nassua
"Some believe Calgary isn’t done dealing."
My guess is that they are for now. Sutter might keep making calls but he will see first if the team responds before deciding on a move right after the freeze.
These deals were made to purge the locker-room of the perceived cancers of Phaneuf and Jokinen.
I doubt Sutter is desperate to make many more moves until closer to the deadline.
Courtesy TSN.ca & Darren Dreger
Darren Dreger: Alex, I tend to agree…it smells like there might be more to come. The Flames, in my opinion, still don’t have a centre to complement Jarome Iginla. Matt Stajan is a quality centreman, however on a good team he’s a decent No. 2, or a very good third line centre and like Chris Higgins, both contracts expire at the end of the season, so neither trade addresses Calgary’s long-term concerns. Some wonder if Sutter may have another big deal in the works, but it’s hard to imagine he would have dealt Dion Phaneuf to the Leafs if there was a better deal available.
………………..Just in case you may have thought I pulled that statement out of my *ss
Move to Flushing, Queens, Charles Wang!! Get away from the insane politics of Nassua
I didn’t think you did.
I just think it is interesting that both (important) players traded from the Flames have had the ambiguous ‘locker-room cancer’ label attached to them. Hence, I suspect they were players that had to be gone sooner rather than later.
Clearly, there are some gaps in the Flames lineup, so ideally they probably want to address them – but I think Sutter would show more patience in dealing with them. That’s just my 2 cents.
3 mill in savings
Rangers will save 3mill towards next yr cap
as of now rangers have 8mill to spend next yr but have 6 roster spots to fill with guys like Staal need to be re-upted.
Actually hell probably eat up half of that leaving them 5 guys who will have an average salary of under a mill.
I do hope they re-sign Olli to big money. Even if he has a hot spring, I’d happily take that bet on their behalf.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I gope Olli stinks the place up, th Rangers don’t see it, and trade the wrong guy cause Olli says so AND then signs him to a long term, big bucks deal LOL
Move to Flushing, Queens, Charles Wang!! Get away from the insane politics of Nassua
Looking at NHL salary caps
If we lose Jackman, Park, and Sim this yr by not re-signing
we can get these 3 guys from CHICAGO without a trade just by waiting till FA.
Ben Eager Dave Bolland Adam Burish
not a bad 4th line checking line if u ask me all of them 25-26 yr old.
they won't just be giving those guys away
you have to have comparable assets to give up. That was the idea behind Hillen for Barker.
The best idea for the Islanders is to keep Park and Sim. Both fourth liners, and Park is good on the PK, and Sim is good in front of the net and the corners. So why go get higher priced guys to do the same thing?
Move to Flushing, Queens, Charles Wang!! Get away from the insane politics of Nassua
Mac and Kohn
Considering that Bridgeport tends to be a middling team with good goaltending, its good to see that someone is preparing these guys to be NHL competent.
"So basically, the Stats make no sense whatsoever."
cold storage
Cold storage is the perfect metaphor for what has been done with Tambellini. How lucky Gordon is that there is no credible media covering this team to make him explain why, with the withered offense his team suffers from, he could shelve an offensive threat while giving consistent ice to any number of guys, vets and youngsters alike who do not score and don’t provide any other tangible, difference making quality (ie, grit, standing up for teamates, etc.) Imagine if thet gaping a—hole Brooks covered the Islanders?
Slightly off topic, I was watching the Stars-Wild game on Versus tonight. Clutterbuck threw a nasty (but probably legal) hit on a young Dallas centerman. Shortly thereafter, Steve Ott stepped up and gave Cal a nice tune up. Amazing how many cheap shots taken at our young franchise this year with zero of them answered by any of Ghandi,oops, Gordons powder puffs. One of the few guys who would answer, Nate Thompson, couldn’t find his way into the lineup. How much longer can this glaring, embarrassing weakness be allowed to continue?
Andy's not really a pugilist
but he usually steps up when anyone takes a cheap shot at an Islander while he is on the ice. So does Hunts. Could we use an enforcer who isn’t a waste of ice time? Absolutely. But they aren’t exactly growing on trees. This team has a ways to go in a lot of departments and we could use an enforcer who can play, but these guys aren’t afraid to stand up for each other. I have to disagree with you there.

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