Captain Returns: Doug Weight expected to re-sign with Islanders
by Dominik on Jun 15, 2010 12:59 PM EDT
in Roster Manoeuvres in the Dark
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PrintIt looks like Doug Weight will have one more go at it with the Islanders, as the captain returns for his age 39-40 season.
It was tipped yesterday to USA Today's Kevin Allen but I held my "Well, that's an agent talking" guard up. But now Garth Snow has told Newsday's Katie Strang [$5 please] a deal is "in essence, done" -- and Snow will be on NHL Live early this afternoon (feed here at 1 p.m. EDT), where I'd bet my last PR dollar it's going to come up there, too.
Optimist's View: It's low-cost, he's a beloved and enthusiastic captain for the Islanders' core of growing young players, and Weight has shown he's willing to do whatever the team needs at this stage of his career -- namely, spot third/fourth-line duty and powerplay point work. Further, while injuries are an unfortunately frequent part of this stage of Weight's career, we still haven't seen him at "100% healthy" for long. If his shoulder rehab goes well -- and seeing the end of one's career at the next turn has a way of focusing your rehab like nothing else can -- then the Islanders could have a useful forward and key veteran voice to guide their playoff aspirations. Expect it to take a while for him to get in the groove after rehab, but he could make some big plays by the quarter pole.
Skeptic's View: Weight is old, now oft-injured, coming off major shoulder surgery and his presence on the powerplay point -- while better than alternatives the Isles have tried -- is nonetheless a sign that they haven't come up with something better. For a team in a youth movement, a 39-year-old center/left wing gives one pause. Particularly when he's played just 89 games in two seasons with the Islanders, and most of the games in 2009-10 he was gamely playing with a bum shoulder that needed surgery.
Bottom Line: Frankly, I'd normally oppose a move like this. (Bringing back an old vet used to first-line minutes with his career shaken by injuries? Really?) But Weight showed last year that he can both 1) be a valuable vet to the young players, and 2) accept a reduced role when competitive realities dictate, without pouting. He's not Mark Recchi-caliber at this point, but remember that Recchi was seen as done three years ago.
On the ice, when healthy Weight isn't a negative for this team. There was anecdotal evidence to believe his presence on the bench was pretty big too, given how the team looked in games where he was out. Off the ice, he handles a lot of the burden that some teams prematurely toss on a young captain, protecting the Isles from the urge to do that. With the Islanders having several UFAs at forward and Weight often playing on the wing anyway, he won't be "blocking" any young talent. This is a low-cost, low-risk move. Here's hoping it turns into Weight's best year as an Islander.
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When Weight addressed the crowd after the final game, you kind of figured he was coming back to the organization in one capacity or another. Like you I don’t mind the signing, but Snow needs to add at least one other center.
R.I.P. Hans und Franz... this is the price of professionalism.
*snort*
On the NHL Live interview, someone just sent them a tweet asking Snow about whether Tambellini is coming back.
Response: Essentially, the staff is still having meetings on next year’s roster. Heh.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
LOL
Deosn;t even warrant the ole “vote of confidence” (as the cliche goes).
YEEESH!!!!
That kid is done.
Hope we don’t get Schremped.
This probably a good idea for one more year
I wouldn’t go anymore than that.
Mainly cause it’s not quite clear where naming a kid like Tavares, Okposo or Bailey captain will lead this team. It’s also not quite clear what kind of player those kids are going to be. I think we have an idea but it would be a bit of a leap to throw that responsibility on them right now. They need to focus on the game.
Could probably argue that Weight’s skills have diminished which is valid but I think misses the point. Few will probably argue that Hunter is up for the job as well but his skating alone seems more diminshed to me than a forty year old Doug Weight. And I really don’t see the islanders keeping the guy beyond the next two seasons. If the upward pressure in this organization continues from the system I really doubt there’s a viable rationale for keeping him here.
My bet is that if Bailey keeps progressing he’s going to be named Captain of this team in 2011-2012 season. That’s what Garth and Jankowski had in mind when they drafted this kid and he really does seem to have the stuff to handle the job.
Yeah one year has to be it. This time next year, they need to have a viable solution on the PP point opposite Streit, and like you said, they should have more data on what those three young guys are bringing.
I really like the idea of Weight around as a role model for these kids, though. He’s been a class act wherever he went, and he’s withstood some shit treatment from management (St. Louis squeezing him out midseason, Anaheim treating him like an unperson cap necessity) without making a mid-season fuss.
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Hate it
This team showed that they are maturing and this move is just gonna hold down KO’s developement. Kyle needs to be given the C and the opportunity to lead this team. He is clearly the emotional leader as well as the best overall player. This move will just hold down another one of our young up and commers like Matt Martin who looked great in his time with the big club…
As much as I dont like this move as long as Witt and Sim aren’t involved with the 2011 squad I feel like like we will still have a good enough club to take a run at the playoffs
^
also would still like to see hunter get dealt but know theres not much of a chance of that
Kyle brings a lot of really great things to the ice
but I think he’s a little too limited to take on the excess baggage of the captaincy. He needs to focus on the game itself as well as ironing some of his own flaws at this juncture.
This team is (as well as Kyle) is still young and due to get younger this season. Weight can handle that Kyle ain’t quite there yet.
I just don’t see a need to rush anyone into the captaincy, particularly when the top young candidates appear to really value having Weight around. With Okposo’s ice time and tough minutes, he’s already been given enough to chew at this stage of his career.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
Not crazy about the signing..
…and not crazy about Captain Kyle.
1. Doug Weight probably can contribute, but does he have any upside for 2011-12. Why? I’d rather see 5 more depth signings to fill BP spots than this. I like Doug Weight, but I think the islanders need to be a little more forward thinking at this point. I think I’d rather see a more versitile Park back before I’d bring back Weight. They need BIG, they need FAST, they need 30 goal scorers… which one of these needs does DW fill?
2. Streit should be the captain for the remainder of his contract. Then we can talk about Captain Kyle. Okposo may be the guy to eventually get the cup handed to him by the Comissioner, but neither he, nor the team, are ready for that moment. let him develop his game and become more of an NHL fixture before dropping that pressure on him.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
I feel quite the opposite. Yes, the team and its youngsters have another year under their bel, but to really use the word “Maturing” is being nice when in reality they aren’t
Bailey, Okposo and Taveras are the heart of this team. Of the three, Bailey showed some maturity. I think that as his first season, JT did alright, but would hold off anything better til we see him healthy for a whole season, and not only that, but he needs to respond well after coming back from an injury, which he certainly did not. Okposo has a lot of potential. He showed signs of it his first year and rarely teased us with a look this year. I want him to be good or better next year.
Btw, someone brought up Richard Park in the interview. I agree with what was said about him being as versatile a player you can find, and think we should try to hold onto him
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
niccce
:) <— Happy TMC.
Doug is a great guy. If the young players continue to learn from him, they ALL benefit from that. They all voted him as captain last season and praised him all year- ask any of the rookies and kids who has helped them become better hockey players and feel comfortable in the NHL, they all kept saying Doug. THAT is why he is coming back for another season. Dougs influence will do nothing but make them into better hockey players. Will he be able to play? He was on a point every other game pace last season, he just didnt play enough games for that to impress anyone. He was also playing hurt. I really dont know what he will be able to accomplish stats-wise, we will see… but I look at it this way: If he is injured, it gives another kid a chance to come up and shine- so I dont see negatives to this decision in any way. Weight is not being signed for a season just as a roster player, but more as a player/coach combo. He is another smart hockey mind to help our young players be everyhting they can be. What could possibly be wrong with that?
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
all good points...
but DW for 70+ games = another top ten draft pick and no long term solution for a bottom 6 forward, PK specialist, or 25-30 goal contributor.
Can’t they just give him a key to the locker room. I’d love to see him come back, fully healthy and pot 15 goals while playing quality two-way hockey… but I just don’t see it.
Let’s hope I’m wrong… I’m usually happiest when I’m wrong.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
You’re always predicting gloom and doom – no wonder you’re happiest when you’re wrong! :P
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
Not exactly...
but, “I hope I am wrong” is the mantra of every realist!
I don’t really see doom and gloom… but I would like to see them moving FORWARD. A team with Doug Weight has all the same questions they did last year, and most likely an ABSENTEE CAPTAINCY.
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
The captain vacancy seemed pretty significant last year since it seemed like many of the players were looking for a leader. The big question for me is he going to be a mentor or cast a shadow over the young players development. One season was fine, but two? If he isn’t producing it will be akward to sit the captain. Does he even retain the C for next season?
I think that if he can put up a point every other game when hurt, he can do at least that when healthy.
I just dont see having a solid player/coach type of guy that they all respect, a guy whose hockey mind and attitude are everything you can ask for from a vet, is going to do anyhting negative to this team. The Isles season is NOT based on whether Doug Weight gets 35 or 50 or whatever points, the Isles season is based on whether the kids who are part of this organization are becomming better hockey players.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 15, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not worried about his production as much as his ability to stay healthy enough to stay in the line-up and the track record on his health has been Martinek-like the past couple of seasons. Without him in the lineup to at least talk to the officials, the Islanders face an even bigger challenge whether it comes to getting a call or allowing the opposing team to take liberties. Without an enforcer or the Captain on a consistent basis the Islanders were too easily pushed around last season.
Point production is not going to determine Weight’s season, but the team has to be a meritocracy and if there is even a hint that he is in the lineup because of his pedigree and not his ability there can be problems. You can cause frustration for the younger players that admire him if they feel he is in the way of them getting a legitimate shot. So if Weight legitmately wins a roster spot then shame on the younger player, if he is retained to mentor the first line players at the expense of a third line player’s development, you can create a rift in the locker room.
So if Weight legitmately wins a roster spot then shame on the younger player, if he is retained to mentor the first line players at the expense of a third line player’s development, you can create a rift in the locker room.
I simply do not agree with your train of thought here.
Doug Weight is not getting a contract at the EXPENSE of player development, he is getting a contract to PROVIDE player development.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 15, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m assuming just as you that he is getting a contract to help player development, but he is still competing with other players for a roster spot. If he was there strictly for player development then he would be an assistant coach. I don’t deny that he can provide veteran leadership, but we just don’t know what his understanding of his role is. We are assuming that he would be fine with being a healthy scratch for 20 games at a stretch if the coach felt someone else is in a better position to help the team. That is why I am cautious about this signing. The guy obviously wants to play and he should if he is the best option, but what do you do when you decide in December to sit your Captain every other game? Does he accept that or does just having the captain in and out of the lineup disrupt team chemistry.
Without him in the lineup to at least talk to the officials, the Islanders face an even bigger challenge whether it comes to getting a call or allowing the opposing team to take liberties.
I also think that this statement completely undervalues the leadership of a great player like Mark Streit. He doesnt wear the A for looks, he wears it because he deserves it.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 15, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Streit wears an A and deserves it, but he can’t fully take charge of the team when someone else is wearing the C. From what I saw last season Streit did a fine job leading the Islanders, but that is only half of the job in-game. It was apparent when Weight was in the line-up that he made sure he was in constant communication with the officials.
The Intangible Doug Weight...
This is pretty timely as Dave has put up a really good Fan Shot on Mark Wotton. When a 20 year old starts his professional career it’s important to have a Mark Wotton around to show him how it’s done as a professional on and off the ice. It’s good for their physical being and even better for their psychological approach.
When an 18 year old enters the NHL he needs that as well. There is a little more that has to go into carrying a bus matron in the NHL though.
1. There are no free rides in the NHL. You are taking up a roster spot, so you have to earn it. Check here… I don’t think Dougie was ever a freeloader anywhere. I think we can all agree on that.
2. You can’t just be a good guy, you have to be a coach, a teammate, and most importantly a BABYSITTER. Check, Check Check… I can only go by the fact that none of the kids have paternity suits, DWI stories or bar room brawl blurbs following them around… he’s done a pretty good job on all three…
3. He has to know when it’s time… when he finds himself in Dallas in March he has to understand it wasn’t for the fourth round pick, or anything personal, it’s just that Ullstrom was tearing up the AHL, and there’s no roster spots… and waiving a player with 25 points in 45 games for nothing seemed counter-productive.
So… I’m okay with this with one exception. ~$15M to get to the cap FLOOR… >$6M wasted on dead wood… and They can’t throw an offer at Marleau or Kovi, but this is again the answer for a “potential” top six forward or a PP cure.
There had better be more than “Dougie’s Back” to fuel the fire.
Here’s to crossed fingers and hourly blog checking for better news… and good luck Dougie!
NHL 500... Let the Less Filling vs Tastes Great debate begin!
This team will not finish in the bottom ten in the League because of anything Doug Weight does or does not do. If they finish in the bottom ten, it will be for much more significant reasons.
I like the deal. DW is the consummate Pro and can teach the kids how to be professional hockey players. More importantly, he can do it cheap.
I don’t think it matters what he can or cannot do in 2011-2012.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Jun 15, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like the Islanders just paid John Tavares’ rent for next season. Weight is a fine mentor and if he isn’t beat out for a roster spot then whomever is behind him in the depth chart really needs more development time. My only concern would be if the Islanders and Weight in particualr have another injury plagued season are they willing to waive Weight to bring up another player to take his slot. They just better not be outbid by 900k for an impact player. What would the cost of bringing Guerin back have been?
He’ll also clean-up the captaincy “controversy” for the next season. I personally don’t think Okposo is the right guy for the captaincy. He seems to be favorite in some crircles because he has been around the longest of the young guys. Not sure if you would ever give it to Tavares for just being the best player (if that is what he turns out to be). Bailey seems to be the young player most likely based on his Junior rep, but he doesn’t have a prominent enough role on the ice to take the “C” at this point (unlike a Toews in Chicago). This may be the easist way to carry the captaincy for another year.
I think....
there is room on the roster for a Doug Weight. He will wear the “C” for 2010-2011. Bring veteran leadership to a young team on and off the ice. He is a team first guy and will play anywhere on any line where he is needed. Now, if the Isles could only find a top scoring winger, they would be set.
Unfortunately there is a spot for Weight. He has had a long and pretty good career. Watch him play and you see how it shows. He is not the fastest guy and certainly not the best scorer. But a team like the Isles are still young and need a guy like him.
To say he takes up someone’s roster spot means either a lesser player would take his spot or a rookie.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
Weight's on-ice role: Not prime minutes at forward
One thing I worried about last year when they re-signed him was, “Wait, he can’t handle a top-two center spot anymore. How is the decorated veteran going to react to getting third-line duty?” Turns out he handled it just fine (when he wasn’t hurt, of course). His chief purpose was a handsy guy on the powerplay who commanded the respect and space of the opposition.
Fast-forward to this year, I still have the same concern (“What happens if even his PP role is usurped?”), but it’s a very slight one: Either he’s healthy and still using those hands to buy time and space — and make passes — on the PP, or he’s not healthy and he should be able to see the writing on the wall. A quarter of his minutes come on the PP now, and not in a position where he’s stealing ice time from younger forwards. There is some risk of it blowing up here, but his recent behavior and the way communication has been good makes me think that’s slim.
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Re: seeing the writing on the wall
If (God forbid) Weight were to have injury issues and retire mid-season, what would the financial effect be on the team?
by Thomas Wachtel on Jun 15, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably not much considering they are still closer to the cap floor than the ceiling.
R.I.P. Hans und Franz... this is the price of professionalism.
by David Hanssen on Jun 15, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, practically nil, since his deal will be under $1 million base plus various bonuses. No harm, no foul.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
Funny enough...
The other day I was reading my first post on here, and basically two years ago I said that the Isles should let Weight go.
But today I was looking back at the Islanders history, in 96 the Isles bought out a 33 year old Flatley who was the captain. They proceeded to go without a captain for the next season, and I think it hurt. The team only had 2 vets on the team and probably could have used Flatley as a calming influence.
I don’t mind seeing Weight back, he’ll probably see limited minutes, but his bigger effect will be off the ice.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
I liked this line from Puck Daddy
Weight was part of the New York Rangers package for the Eric Lindros pick in 1991; he’s still playing in the year Lindros is HOF eligible.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
That is simply fantastic!
Sending the Isles to China was Wang's vision of making Strange Brew 2: Stranger Brew.
by metalcoconut on Jun 15, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Okposo could be a captain
but I don’t think he is ready yet and I believe that having the team tell him that is their plan for him is a huge disservice to him and the team. What if they happen to come by a great player that better fits the role?
Sending the Isles to China was Wang's vision of making Strange Brew 2: Stranger Brew.
Since everyone has essentially covered anything I could possibly say....
…. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Bring back Jaffe! Lock it down now!
I cannot wait for Rakh-tober.
Doug Weight
I believe this will be a shock to some people but I am actually in favour of this signing.When Doug Weight signed on a couple of seasons back he was actually quite productive in the early going until he was injured.
If Dougie made a mistake it was by playing through his injuries instead of allowing a little time to get back closer to 100%.
I have a strong suspicion that Weight wants to go out on a high note and we will see a pretty good swan song season from him this coming season.
And like TheMetalChick says if he does get injured it gives one of the kids an opprtunity to come up and shine.
Dom made a reference that regardless the Isles need to have a viable solution on the PP point opposite Streit.I am still of the opinion that the cheapest(the Islanders fave way to go)and best option is MAB,he( can play on the fourth line or on D) and Dougie can use his playmaking abilities along the walls where he is more effective in my opinion.
A captain
I’ve always felt should be someone who will always stick up for teammates and have the confidence to talk to the officials. I feel we need at least another year to see which of our young players will be most likely to do this.
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
