Beyond ca$inos, betting on the next Islander free agent
by Dominik on Jul 13, 2010 6:15 AM EDT
in Bits o' Islanders News
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"For Islanders fans, this story has played out like an annoying soap opera, twisting and turning just enough to keep their hopes alive but never giving them the final answer they crave. They're the real losers here because they're the ones who have been emotionally invested. And they've got nothing to show for it, except for concern about their team's uncertain future."
It's not often that a Newsday columnist captures how I feel, but I dare say Jim Baumbach [$5 please] nails it right there.
Not that I've ever much worried that the Isles would leave the New York area. But where their venue will be and when it will be ready and how it will finally be settled so that it's not the dark x-factor in the team's on-ice planning -- yes, that whole saga has put me through the emotional ringer. On this issue, I'm spent. As long as I've followed the Isles the building (or at minimum, its lease) has hung over our heads, that feeling intensifying each year. It's amazing we're about to enter the fourth calendar decade in which this is the main issue. And yet it took 10 months for Kate Murray's predictable counterproposal, which a monkey could have written last October.
Aside from all that, I feel for the friends I've met for whom this is about more than their favorite hockey team, how it's tied up in messy local politics and incompetent civic planning right at home. To think the latest dream forwarded for an Isles venue (How many pipe dreams is that in 20 years?) by the County ties it to the devil's bargain of a casino development -- well, I'll spare you my thoughts on casino hail mary's beyond the word choice just used. (Hey, at least it's a brand-new building -- not a refurbishing -- in that one.)
Hockey, eh?
It's July, there are still free agents out there, Kyle Okposo is working out at home, Scott Gordon has a Juice project on his hands, and NHL Network is showing the Islanders Cup clinching games this week. That's where my head is. So I've got a hockey question for you: As we sit here in mid-July and the whole market stalls as if waiting for Ilya to fall, which remaining UFA do you figure is most likely to land with the Isles?
As I see it, this question -- not who you want, but who you expect will be added -- is tied up in three factors:
1. How Much Belief in Unproven Youth?
It's a dangerous game to go into a season banking on young players making the roster who haven't played an NHL game yet, but you figure the Islanders are going to do that with at least one position, if not two. So whether they think a Nino or a Petrov (if there's some magical KHL contract laxative), or a Hamonic or De Haan is in the opening night picture complicates things, to say nothing of Matt Martin or Jesse Joensuu who I consider ready to be tested.
Those factors dictate whether they need depth at wing and/or defense, and of what caliber. You could even throw the goalie position into this question, since Rick DiPietro is ... you know, and the next in line have zero NHL experience.
2. How Close to the Floor Do Raises for Moulson and Schremp Move Them?
Since the lockout, we've seen the Isles spend to get to the cap floor before. We'll probably see it again. But how much that is a factor again depends on how many new entry-level contracts -- the pricey first-round pick kind -- they expect will be on the roster, as well as how much of a raise Matt Moulson and Rob Schremp receive.
I've said this before, but I figure this is one reason we have heard Doug Weight is staying, but we haven't heard of the contract actually being signed: The bonuses may depend in part on how much the Islanders need to even the numbers.
These factors dictate the caliber of addition they make: Do they go all in for an Alex Frolov? Do they give a nice retirement package to an older vet -- a trade of money in exchange for locker room leadership and reaching the cap floor? Or will they be comfortably up near the floor, and thus feel they can get by with another depth signing that allows the kids room and ice time to make a mark?
3. Who do the Islanders Like? And Who Likes Them?
Throwing names on the wall then ... do you think Bill Guerin would come back if rejected by others and offered another wad of cash by Garth Snow? What about Denis Grebeshkov, said to want more than $3 million per year? Or the recently departed Andy Sutton? And ol' Freddy Meyer?
And do you suppose Snow has any interest in Alexei Ponikarovsky or Lee Stempniak? What about Maxim Afinogenov -- the Isles are taking on a bit of a Russian flavor lately. Or what about more help on the bottom six -- Dominic [sic] Moore or Glen Metropolit, for example, who the Habs are letting walk?
I can construct any number of scenarios -- "We're glad to have Billy/Andy back to help our young players" -- though none of them strike me as particularly likely. My gut says the Isles have one more significant free agent signing in them, likely at forward. But since we're in the aftermarket, unless there's a target they like who's not returning calls, they might wait until they know how much they have to spend.
So many unknowns, it's hard to construct a prediction scenario Vegas could believe in. But for my money, it beats talking about Kate Murray or casinos.
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simon gagne may be worth it
for one year he can provide some leadership and instill a winning atitude … also his cap hit will get us to the floor, but not impede any resigning after this year…IMO a winning propsition all aorund
"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else." John Madden
Gagne is an amazing player still too, I saw enough of him over the last two years.
The Swiss are Coming, The Swiss are Coming!
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Yeah, he is still so fun to watch when healthy.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
when healthy
exactly, plus, winning attitude? maybe, but he’s not one anything outside of international play, and that was 5 years ago too…
Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango ?
-sorry, that pic just screams Boh/Rhap to me
He sounds like a solid character to me
I can’t fault him for the Flyers not winning the Cup — that’s in their DNA since 1976. He’s just that classic sniper type. If they were just going for a year of goals to bridge the gap, they could do worse. But realistically, it wouldn’t happen unless the Flyers got so desperate they waived him.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
well if he were waived, then 4 other teams can get him before us right?
Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango ?
-sorry, that pic just screams Boh/Rhap to me
Yep
And it would be a really dick move by the Flyers on top of that, to circumvent his NTC that way.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
Did you not watch the 2nd round at all?
Coming back early from injury, he scored the Game Winner in OT in Game 4, Two goals in Game 5 and the Game Winner in Game 7.
The Swiss are Coming, The Swiss are Coming!
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
sorry, but
am i supposed to get a semi for him just because he came back from injury and scored some big goals? how did he do in the finals? i remember him skating back to the bench after goals a lot
Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango ?
-sorry, that pic just screams Boh/Rhap to me
So not scoring in the finals is a mark against him, but scoring big goals in another round isn’t a feather in his cap?
This is why I hate playoff-based evaluation. People have good weeks, they have bad weeks. Much is luck, some is health, there is no magic “step it up” pill. At least not a legal one.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
not trying to be a...
was just neutralizing the positive with a negative is all
Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango ?
-sorry, that pic just screams Boh/Rhap to me
I hear ya
I just think for any short-term addition, playoff performance is getting ahead of ourselves, lol!
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
Hate to correct you Dom
But there is a magic step it up pill, it’s just not for sports yet.
Speaking of “getting a semi” for Gagne…
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
How about the Flyers have only had 1 losing season since he’s joined the team.
The Swiss are Coming, The Swiss are Coming!
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I could dig it
It would have to be at distressed-asset pricing though because of the short-term nature, and I wonder if Philadelphia might be able to get a bidding war going.
Of course, since he has a no-trade, he might be steer himself away from the Isles.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
I just don't care about the arena crap anymore
I was mildly interested in it to begin with.
As far as the UFA thing goes. I already stated Afenigenov as I think the terms we can get are good. You can place him on the second line and offer top line minutes PRN.
If it doesn’t work there are no problems puttings him in the AHL on waivers. Very easy to walk away from.
If it does work he can be dealt for a decent return as his contract would be cheap.
Do you think it's likely to happen though?
Not sure why he or Frolov hasn’t been signed, unless they’re pondering Russia.
But I’m curious what everyone thinks will happen. I figure Snow has to add another forward, but whether it’s a goals guy or a checker guy I can’t guess. Maybe even he’s waiting for Ilya to decide before moving on.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
because their agents are wanting to wait for Kovy to hit the jackpot, thus, moving their earning potential
Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango ?
-sorry, that pic just screams Boh/Rhap to me
I guess that makes sense. Maybe NJ and LA are potential bidders for them if they miss on Kovy.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
Don't see Afenigenov or Frolov happening here
I also don’t buy the argument that these guys are waiting for Kovy to settle somewhere to set the market.
Maybe their price goes up but Kovi has pretty much limited his options based on his demands. Afenigenov and Frolov at this juncture don’t have many options. When Kovi signs that will reduce them even more. Can’t really pit one team against another for their services. If anything those two are moe like plan Bs for Jersey and LA should they not land Kovi.
The Islanders are more tasters than they are players in the UFA market. That much seems to be the case with them season in and season out.
I would like for once this idea with have cap strapped teams “Drop a few apples” on our laps when they get into trouble. That has not happened and given recent events, will never happen. At least as far as those apples landing in OUR LAPS. I, for one, would like to see this kind of thinking finally struck down.
by Chickendirt on Jul 13, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody said they would drop in the Isles' laps
The Isles weren’t willing to deal the young resources that Chicago needed to bring back a guy like Veersteg or Sharp; and for obvious reasons weren’t willing to try something like San Jose’s offer sheet to Hjalmarsson. (They have defense aplenty in a couple of years, and no real desire to watch all their pending RFA’s given offer sheets by envious GM’s coveting a little Jankowski mojo for their rosters.)
That’s a compliment to Snow, not an indictment. We’re fans – we can indulge wishful thinking within reason. Snow can’t, and isn’t.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
agreed as to Versteeg
Leafs gave up top prospects for Versteeg. Don’t have defense aplenty though…although I agree that the offer sheet route would be a disaster for the Isles. See my thoughts below on how to make our D better.
Garth Snow did!!!
He postulated a few years back that there would be many more teams in the same position Toronto was. That they would be up against the cap and looking to dump salary to do it. With that said he further explained that the isles cap situtation would be ideal to plauck a few.
Nearly four seasons later, with plenty of teams strapped against the cap, it hasn’t heppened.
by Chickendirt on Jul 13, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't know if that was "into their lap" though
He talked about that last summer, I don’t know about four seasons ago though. I remember him saying he views the cap space as an asset, and he’s stuck to that — he hasn’t given it away for cheap, and he hasn’t helped bail out any teams the way Gainey did the Rangers and the way Atlanta and Toronto have all too happily helped the Hawks.
When you look at it, outside of the Sharks sticking it to them, teams have let the Hawks off easy so far. All they’ve had to give up were the players they were prepared to give up all along. Now with the Hjalmarsson match, they may actually have to make a difficult choice (i.e. let playoff hero Niemi walk if arbitration gets too high, or else go completely cheap on the rest of the lineup in order to hold on to Sharp). Things would be so much easier for them if they could shed the Campbell contract.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
three things
A – Streit, Schremp, and Moulson are, in part, the results of that league-wide cap-strapping. They were guys considered expendable, in part, because of the limited resources of their original franchises.
B – Eaton and Jurcina aren’t the guys everyone hoped for, but they’re more affordable because of the general lack of money out there for a lot of people; Snow could sign them sensibly without risking his long-term plans, in part, because they didn’t require out-of-orbit overpays in a seller’s market.
C – a trade can happen any time, not just in the first two weeks of free agency. These teams are still strapped. The Isles still have space. It’s just a matter of getting the right return for what Garth is willing to pay. The team is simply not close enough to contention to warrant two blue-chippers for a prime guy. If they prove to be in the thick of the playoff hunt in February, you may see a deal of that nature to put them into the contenders category – but a lot still has to happen.
Until then, Snow’s doing the right thing. He said what he said; but he isn’t just doing something just because it’s what he said, the way others may have in his situation.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
Streit was definitely all cap, but Schremp was because Edmonton lost faith in him being able to make it, and Moulson if anything was let go due to the 50 contract limit or not thinking he was an NHL talent.
The Swiss are Coming, The Swiss are Coming!
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
yes...
… the key words are “IN PART.” The Oilers and Kings could have held onto them a while longer to see if they were late bloomers – especially the Oilers, who were absolute crap anyway and would have had that luxury IF they hadn’t been hamstrung by deadly-bad contracts. The Isles had the roster space AND the cap space to take that shot, and now to hold onto them if they develop into solid players.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
I also don’t buy the argument that these guys are waiting for Kovy to settle somewhere to set the market. Maybe their price goes up but Kovi has pretty much limited his options based on his demands. Afenigenov and Frolov at this juncture don’t have many options. When Kovi signs that will reduce them even more.
But the theory behind that suggestion is that the bidders for Kovy would turn to them as a second choice. So until Kovy decides, that would theoretically mean they have one less bidder, since two teams aren’t pulling the trigger on Plan B until he signs with one of them.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
Just Not Sutton
No Offense to the big guy, but bringing him back for more then a year would be Witt 2.0.
I was thinking they might sign a goalie, but I just can’t see it. It sounds like Snow is willing to go with Lawson if DP isn’t ready. But if DP can at least play backup, you have quite the crush of goalies in BP in Lawson, Poulin and Mikko.
I don’t think you could sign Turco or Thedore to play backup. Emery is near retirement and the rest of them (Toskala, Valiequette and Danis) your better off just using Lawson.
The Swiss are Coming, The Swiss are Coming!
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Emery
Actually retired a few years ago, it’s just that he still shows up when he feels like it and collects a paycheque.
In fairness he was diagnosed with avascular necrosis and his career is probably over
Wheel of Location, Turn Turn Turn. Tell us the location that we will play.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
So the NHL really does remember it happened!
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
MSG
played the 2002 game 2 vs toronto game last night, which was nearly unwatchable as i didnt want to listen to joe micheletti’s voice
oddly similar to the isles of the last 2 years, small in stature and trouble holding leads :-)
Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango ?
-sorry, that pic just screams Boh/Rhap to me
Getting to cap floor
I don’t see getting to the cap floor as requiring any big FA signing
Yashin cap hit goes up 1.5 mil this year. Raises for Schremp and Moulson, Plus the need to replace some relatively cheap labor (Bergy, Park, Tamby, Jackman and Meyer) doesn’t really make getting to the cap floor a challenge. Alot of the prospects cap hits are higher then those guys if they make the team. Losing Sim (1 mil) and Biron (1.4 mil) isn’t really a dramatic payroll cut there.
I guess it depends on what happens with Witt but it look like the D-corps actually went up in expense.
Guessing that the cap will be about $52 million for a year or two
Any cap crunch that comes along should be a bottleneck… it will go back up in three to five years, just when guys like KO, Bails, and JT are reaching UFA. Let’s say that the Isles tie those three guys up with some nice long-term Godfather extensions before they hit the open market:
Tavares: $5.5 against cap
KO: $4.5 against cap
Bailey: $3.5 against cap
Again, just tossing numbers, but that’s my guess… figure another $13.5 on the combo of Nino, Hamonic, de Haan, and Koskinen. Call Detlef, Franz, the Reverend, and the Natural Born Kirillers at an average of two million per (Petrov and Kabanov won’t be out of their RFA deals just yet). So far that’s $37 million bucks. Add a couple million for inflation. Figure that for every one who hits big there may be a flameout that doesn’t take up cap space (either paid cheaply or just gone), so the numbers can play up or down a bit, but not too terribly.
And finally, RDP’s hip at $4.5 million off the top.
Being a little generous, this collection of players costs $45 million bucks in about five years. Kovalchuk isn’t affordable under this scenario if he’s going for $10 million, even if the cap is back up to today’s numbers – not unless you lose a couple of valuable guys. Note that if Streit’s still here in five years he costs some of that leftover money, and you still have to pay Joensuu, Martin, Comeau (or their equivalents) and 4-6 more defensmen.
Given all that, rewind to the present day. As much as I’d love Kovi lighting up the Rags six nights per year, he may just have to do it in Newark. Frolov becomes a very attractive two-three year option at $4.5/per. He can be traded before his walk year for assets, let go after playing out the contract, or even re-signed if one of the other guys is traded.
Again, it’s Kovi’s desired length of contract that really hurts, rather than the dollars. If he signed for three years, $27 million, I wouldn’t cry – heck, he’d only be 29 at the end of that, so why would he cry? There’s still another big payday waiting at the end of that. But unless he signs one of those top-heavy deals with tiny end-term salaries to keep his hit down, the Isles won’t be able to afford him long-term. (And that’s a shame.)
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
That math is good
Definitely why I’d take Kovy on a Hossa-style short-term deal, but not on a Hossa long-term deal. We can’t lose sight of the fact that, if the rebuild goes according to hope, there will be blood, I mean big money due, in a few years.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
Hear hear! Smooth and rolls off the tongue.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
Frolov is the guy I’d get on offense and Grebeshkov on defense. These moves depend on various things. How confident are the Isles that Petrov can free himself from his KHL contract? I have to believe that some understanding was reached between the Isles and the KHL and Kazan. It simply makes no sense to go through this big public display of his talent and then have no way to bring him here. Even the Isles aren’t that clueless regarding PR…are they?
In any event, if Petrov can be brought over and the Isles are reasonably certain that both he and Nino are ready, maybe you don’t need Frolov or any other FA forward. After all, we do have Weight, Bailey, Martin, and Joensuu as well as Comeau. There are enough players to plug in if these guys struggle. I have a feeling though that JT is going to be a beast on the top line and that Nino and Petrov will do well on the second line.
Defense is another matter. This team needs an injection of talent on defense. Hamonic may make the roster and that will help. I would not expect, however, that De Haan would. The best choice to add to the blueline in my view would be Denis Grebeshkov. He has a lot of talent and if you put him alongside Streit, a lot of the rough edges may be ground down and you have a real gem who will be with the Isles for 5-10 years.
My other thought on defense is where are all these cap induced trades I thought Garth promised us? What about Hillen and a pick for Johnson? LA seems really desperate to make the Kovi deal and this might enable them to finally make the deal that puts them over the top. Might work.
there's a history with Grebeshkov
He was Isles property for a while, then went to Edmonton… I can’t remember if he was no-tendered as an RFA by the team, pre-Snow, or if they were dealt him.
OH – ok, looked it up – they traded him to the Oilers for Marc-Andre Bergeron (doh!) and a third-round pick, which went on a long strange trip: from Long Island back to Edmonton, to the Ducks, and finally back again to the Island, where it turned into… wait for it!…
Kirill Petrov.
Whew.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
he was traded because
he didn’t want to spend time in Bridgeport and elected to go back to the KHL. Glad we got Petrov out of that deal. Now we can get someone to make him feel at home while his fellow Kirill gets NHL-ready!
that's right!
Thanks for the reminder. He played for Yaroslavl or Mettalurg or something – one of the cool-sounding teams. ;)
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
I agree, there are all these moving evaluation variables with the prospects that affect what the Isles will do. It’s hard to guess, honestly. That they signed Eaton and Jurcina makes me think they aren’t looking to add anything more than that there.
My other thought on defense is where are all these cap induced trades I thought Garth promised us? What about Hillen and a pick for Johnson? LA seems really desperate to make the Kovi deal and this might enable them to finally make the deal that puts them over the top.I just look at the cap-induced trades that have happened and think, “No thanks.” Chicago hasn’t really been forced to take pennies on the dollar yet, in my opinion.
But no way LA makes any deal with Johnson, despite Lombardi popping off about him last winter. The line in the sand Lombardi has drawn with Kovy is precisely because he knows he needs to have room to hold on to Johnson and others.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
You are right about Chicago
makes me nuts everytime I read another “firesale” headline. The Bowmans know their business. Not sure about LA though. Depends on just how desperate they are to get Kovy. I know Deano would not WANT to move Johnson, but he might decide finally that getting Kovy was more important. Just a thought.
agreed about LA
If anything, Lombardi’s rattling Johnson’s cage to try to get his attention. But BC’s got a point – that episode gives Lombardi the cover to trade JJ if he continues to screw around. He won’t want to do it, he won’t get fair value for a perceived head-case who may not fulfill his promise (and that’s what the knock on Johnson will be). Still, if it comes down to it, sure as shinola he’s not trading Doughty.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
Johnson
I actually thought the reason LA went after the UFA big fish on D was it would be a “free” way to make a Johnson trade if it came to that. But with them failing to get one, I figure he’s safe for this year.
It’s kind of scary to imagine what Doughty’s contract is going to be like. Yikes.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
and Eaton and Jurcina are both defensive defenders
might see them adding a two way defenseman like Grebeshkov.
I don’t think Jack Hillen (who has a one way contract) is a player the kings would want for Johnson The LA Kings have plenty of guys in Manchester that are more physical and are just all around better than Hillen. the Isles have some chips to use but not many that another NHL team would want. Their best (and only ) shot at bringing in some help has to come via the FA market.
don't agree
Hillen might not work for Johnson, but he had an impressive year and was complimented by just about every announcing team in the league this year. Schremp too. Both of them, given their cap hits, talent and upside, might look very tempting to a cap strapped team.
How about Owen Nolan
Can still score, lots of expirience to rub off on the young guys, is 36 so you are not signing him long term and can be a good trade chip if the isles are out of the playoff race. Don’t know if he would come but I would send him an offer. There’s plenty of veteran forwards on the market (Kariya, Madden, Modano, Satan, Guerin, etc.) that the price might be reasonable too. Kariya might even be worth a try. I would still like to sign one of the “ov’s” but I think Owen would work out good on the second or third line for next season.
Problem is......
Proven veteran players such as Gagne, Nolan, and Guerin, for instance, all want a chance to play for the cup now, not in the future. The Islanders are not ready to contend at this point. Also, Guerin had some issues with Scott Gordon while he was here so I highly doubt he would be interested in coming back to the island.
The Isles have had recent luck with “reclamation” projects in the last couple of years as seen with Schremp, Moulson, and even a veterans like Mike Comrie and Richard Park. (who I thought played pretty well here, all things considered) They may need to try to get those late ‘20s players who, if they play well, have a shot to earn a longer and more lucrative deal in a year or two from now.
With that said, I would give a look at Torres, Frolov, and a guy like Patrick O’Sullivan (who i believe was put on waivers by Phoenix upon acquiring him at the draft, although I can’t say for sure.) Maybe signing a couple guys like this would be a benefit to both parties involved. The Isles would get a player or two that they could use and allow their prospects to develop gradually; and the players would get a chance to see meaningful minutes and wrap that into a 2-3 year deal with another team after the season
They could all play here for a year, with the promise that the Islanders would try to move them around the deadline to a contender if they weren’t contending.
Gagne only has 1 year left on his deal anyway.
It is weird that Torres hasn’t been signed yet.
The Swiss are Coming, The Swiss are Coming!
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
The veterans
Yeah, I think all those older guys would prefer a Cup shot, but there are definitely going to be some guys left standing when the music stops, and they might then be in the situation of either retiring or accepting a double-sized retirement salary from the Isles. And if the NYI need to shower someone with $2 million to get up to the floor … it could happen.
Personally, I think the Guerin-Gordon thing was exaggerated and misunderstood; Just captain and coach during a 30th-place season. (Meanwhile, one of the real “bad apples,” Jon Sim, was welcomed back the following season.) But I’m sure after Guerin’s last two years he’ll do almost anything to get to a contender first.
Incidentally, Pierre LeBrun’s latest column has a lot of comments from agents about why the market has slowed: Essentially, teams are waiting for 1) Their own RFAs to determine budget; 2) trades they’re hoping to make, and 3) Ilya. I hate the lack of news, but I love that the cap has forced teams to stop playing video-game GM and actually start thinking strategically.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
Would like to see Torres
Because we could use his grit. But I think we sign a Russian translator for Petrov. Kriller one will be in the opening night lineup- but needs a home boy to help with the language.
Where we gonna spend our money?
Kansas City is Delusional
Botta was talking about this: http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2010/07/kansas-city-here-we-dont-comebreaking-the-news-gently-to-michael-coleman/
But here on SB there are are few truly delusional KC people.
http://kansascity.sbnation.com/2010/7/13/1567993/new-york-islanders-arena-move-kansas-city-sprint-center
These people have no clue what they are talking about. The Isles using KC as a pawn? The Isles never talk about KC! They never talk about moving! They never talk about anything lol! Now this clown over there is telling me that I dont know WTF is going on but somehow HE does… whatever.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jul 14, 2010 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Holy misinformation, Batman
Lot of half-truths and completely missed points in that thread. I can’t be arsed to bother with fools talking out the bum. Though this sentence construction did give me a chuckle:
Plus if NY loved the Islanders why did they vote down a new stadium the light house is horrible.I just step back, think of this, and laugh.
The Botta interview was interesting in that he told his “ol buddy” multiple times it wasn’t happening, yet the TV station decides to run an extended segment on it anyway, based on one line in an article. Those fans aren’t being played by the Islanders (though AEG and the NHL sure played them) — they’re being played by their own media. That’s local TV news for you.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
they’re being played by their own media.
DING DING! Its the only explanation where they are getting these painfully incorrect ideas. I mean, yelling that we didnt “vote for” the arena? I guess theres a mandate in the media out there to grasp at ridiculous straws like this to somehow try and justify their big, empty arena.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jul 14, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Which begs the question, “who is playing their media?” Media is obviously protecting AEG (are they the arena owners) interests.
I don’t even think this instance is a protecting AEG thing (yes, they own and run the arena) though. If I recall, their local paper has jabbed AEG here and there about promises made when building the arena. But local TV news is generally of such lowest-common-denominator fluff that they’ll serve up anything to stir or entertain the viewers. It’s almost the Eklund of news: Potentially entertaining to chew the fat, but devoid of much news value.
Lighthouse Hockey: "A f#$%ing haven of reason compared to practically every other Islanders site." --TMC
i fought the urge to try to ‘learn’ them, in the end, it would have been an exercise in futility
still trying to figure out the meaning of "want you, cuckoo, cannonball" ... ... ... 17 years later...
talk about futility… they insist they are right and that KC WILL have an NHL team within the next few years.
I think that any objective person would see that theres no way KC is top of the relocation lists- or at BEST shares that position with multiple other locations. It must really suck to have to tell oneself things like this and argue nothing based on a baseless garbage article quote..
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jul 15, 2010 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions
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