Grading the Islanders: Rob Schremp Hockey
by Dominik on Aug 10, 2010 2:44 PM EDT
in New York Islanders Report Cards
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PrintOur Islanders report cards here are a summer-long quest to beat back the heat and reconsider the performances of the prior season. I throw up some information (your interpretation of "throw up" may vary), you mull it over and counter-argue as needed; we all vote a "grade" for that player based on our preseason expectations...
...Which makes Rob Schremp Hockey a fun case. As you'll recall, he was a waiver pickup at the end of preseason. My read at the time -- which was well-debated in comments -- was that it was a "no-brainer" gamble for Snow but also one that was no more than a 50/50 shot of turning up roses. Low risk, high reward, no harm if it didn't work out.
So did it work out? Certainly the maturity/character/Ambiguous Intangibles questions that followed Schremp here did not prove to be an issue. As for on the ice, follow me after the jump for various trivial bits of criteria, then weigh in with your own grade.
I may be wrong, but the general impression I get from fans is that Schremp's season stat line is less impressive than the opinion people had of him by the time his season ended. A few factors go into that...
First, it took a while for Schremp to be worked in -- an aborted attempt at fitting him on the wing only delayed things -- but by the second half of the season and before his season-ending knee injury, he was starting to display the specialty skills (PP, shootout) that made him a worthy gamble.
He didn't register his (absolutely hilarious) first goal until his tenth game -- which didn't come until Dec. 12, the Islanders' 31st game of the season. His second goal came 10 games later, on New Year's Eve, at which point his season total was 20GP, 2G, 5A, 7P, minus-6. So 20 games in, the Schremp Experiment looked iffy.
It would be wrong to say that's when the magic started, but New Year's Eve began a run of 5 goals, 7 assists (12 pts.) in 14 games for Schremp. That also coincided with the Islanders' best stretch of the season (which, it must be said, was a little bit OT-aided).
By the end, Schremp amassed 18 points in his final 24 games. In terms of GVT -- which is not predictive but is reflective of what happened -- he was the seventh-highest contributor on the team toward wins. (Note, that GVT figure includes some shootout magic, since those do actually matter in the wins column in The People Demand A Winner version of the NHL.)
So Schremp started cold as he and Scott Gordon searched for the right fit, and he finished hot as he found his niche as soft-minutes offensive center. But in the end we don't really know what we have in him because 44 games (24 if you just cut off the adjustment period) is a terribly small sample. He's only 24 as of last month though; it's reasonable to think he's just blossoming into a possible role as a secondary scorer and PP specialist in the NHL.
The Future
This is a huge year for Schremp. Gordon decided early on that Rob Schremp Hockey only fits at center, so Schremp needs to produce in that role where John Tavares gets the first-choice minutes, Frans Nielsen handles the tough competition, and Schremp picks up the scraps. That means fewer minutes than the others, but it also means those minutes should be against weaker opposition. Still, Josh Bailey's future still appears to be at center, so if Schremp falters or if Bailey stakes a claim at center this year, Schremp's opportunities could diminish.
Still, his skills are obvious and applicable to both the PP and the shootout. If he gets enough chances and delivers this year, he'll win himself another NHL contract as an RFA either with the Isles or as part of an asset swap next summer.
First NHL Goal Celebration
Priceless.
The Colorado Swat
Sublime.
The Poem
You arrived with a bad rap
Oil fans calling you a trap
Though it took a little while
Out came Rob Schremp Hockey style
That first goal celebration
A spread-eagle-jump boogie
Yet so soon outdone
By that Colorado swat beauty
Let's have us another year
The knee fully operational
Give us more highlights to cheer
A celebration or two sensational
The Grade
If you're new to these report cards, here is where you rate Schremp's 2009-10 relative to your preseason expectations, with extreme out-performance rating in the 8-10 region and severe underperformance in the 1-3 range. You get the idea.
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I thought this was nothing more than an AHL depth signing and I wasn’t particularly high on Rob Schremp. I knew that he was once a pretty highly touted prospect whose stock had fallen pretty significantly over concerns about his attitude and work ethic. I figured he was one of those super-talented players who would never put it all together. He really impressed me this season. His stickhandling is excellent and he is a really creative playmaker. If he came up 20 years ago he would’ve been a superstar but the league has changed and its harder for smaller one dimensional offensive centers like him to stick it out in the big leagues. Everyone is looking for big two-way centers. At worst I think he can be a good power-play/shootout specialist. If he works to become a better rounded player I think he can be a top six center. Center is the one position our organization is really well stocked at so I wonder if his future is with the Islanders.
Really?
Center is the one position our organization is really well stocked at so I wonder if his future is with the Islanders
I’d like to agree, but there is a gap right now between the NHL level where we can cautiously anticipate the maturing of tavares into an all-star caliber center… to the college ranks.
Yes, there is Lee, Nelson and Cizikas… but they haven’t played a minute of professional hockey yet.
I understand your point, but I think that center still needs to be addressed at the AHL level and cannot be triffled with at the NHL level.. I contend that it was the biggest problem with seeing forward prospects develop and be more productive.
There are guys in BP now that could really benefit from a couple of solid two way, or even a solid playmaking center. It would be a shame to make an unfair assessmant of a Figren, Ullstrom, Rakhshani, Joensuu because of the lack of talent up the middle… and probably one of the better arguments as to why Bailey should have started last year in the AHL.
My cup is 3/4 empty, How 'bout yours?
I was talking about players already at the NHL level.
I was really referring to players already at the NHL level: Tavares, Schremp, Bailey, Nielsen, Konopka. You have to think that Tavares, Bailey and Nielsen are going to be the core of centers for years to come. I wasn’t even thinking of Lee, Nelson or Cizakas. Lee (despite was BCisleman says) is a long-shot to making the NHL, as is Cizakas and Nelson is at least 4-5 years away, and who knows what the team looks like by then. Schremp is a not versatile enough, at least not yet, to be a bottom six forward. Gordon has stated that he will not use Schremp on the wing. Tavares for now has shown us he deserves a top six center position. That leaves one roster spot available for Schremp. For the next couple of years I wouldn’t mind seeing Schremp at center, I just don’t necessarily see him as a long term top six center for us.
BTW
I tend to agree that there is a large gap between the centers we have already playing the NHL and those further down the pipeline. There are no centers in our system really on the cusp. Some could argue Cizakas might be ready for a fourth line role but I think at the least he could use a full year of AHL seasoning. Lee; I know some regular posters on this site are really high on him but I think he has a whole lot to prove first and is 4-5 years from making the team. I am excited about Nelson but like Lee he is years from being NHL ready. David Toews could one day make the NHL as a checking center but is another long-shot. Corey Trivino has been mostly disappointing so far. Fortunately we have four young centers already at the NHL level, but we could definitely benefit by building some depth at center at the AHL level; if nothing more than like you said to help the development of important prospects at wing
9
I was pretty high on Schremp when we got him. Oiler fans and management seemed so dead set against him playing, claiming that he was a hot dogger and only played in the offensive zone that he reeked desperately of needing a change of scenery.
I think he did everything you could have asked from him and (I’m sure someone can point out the advanced stats if I’m really wrong) seemed to improve his defensive play compared to rumors of it’s non existence. I also think he fits Gordon’s system well.
I still think Bailey is going to move to Wing and Schremp will Center unless Schremp struggles.
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.
10
considering that i hadnt even heard of rob schremp when this season started, and by January Rob Schremp Hockey was one of my favorite players
In Garth we trust!
7+ for Detlef
I think he can be a fifty-point guy this season, and I’m excited to see if he can elevate the play of the second line the way JT is elevating the first line. He doesn’t have to be a pure playmaker for his wings the way Jumbo Joe is for SJ, or Adam Oates was for the Caps in the 90’s.
It’s a wonderful night, and the feeling is hot
Don’t even look at the clock! Come on and bring it on down…
My latest contract is for 31 years.
Keep building Rob
Now that I think about it, will miss Jaffe even more just for moniker of Rob The Builder for Schremp. The guy does have tools and will continue to star in the shootout. A nice player to have on the 2nd PP unit and one that doesn’t overly kill you on D. The big question is how he comes back from knee surgery. If he can make it back 100 percent, I see no reason why he can’t reach 15 goals, 35 assists. It also depends on who his linemates are. If he plays with Bailey and Comeau, I like his odds. If it’s Hunter and Parentau, ehhhh….
he played better than I figured
when he signed I figured he might be another Tambellini with a ton of potential but nothing in the game. he wasn’t given a lot of ice time at first butthen because of his great shootout talent started to get starts and ice time. he then showed some nice soft hands, and with more ice time could easily score some big goals. if he coul dget on the 2nd line I think he gets 10-15 goals..but 30-35 assists. on the 3rd line a little less,but still helps grab a few extra points in the shootout again
That reminds me
I remember some people were ticked that he would “block” Tambellini or “steal” his ice time, and then I remember some who were big fans of both, and some who were fans of neither. Islanders fans are passionate all the way to the last spot on the roster.
Lighthouse Hockey: More defensemen than we know how to spell.
I still think Tamby deserved more ice time
but I would have taken it away from Bergy, who did nothing til the end of the season.
once Schremp got some ice time I started to like him. he deserved time over Tamby and Bergy
by Rickfansince76 on Aug 11, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
6
RSH very well could be another of those tomatoes that fell off the plant and you let ripen on on the window sill.
We had the first slice in a weak(lack of solid support vegetables and ruffage) salad. But it made the salad better(enthusiasm). Then we saw a rotten spot(injury).
This year he should be fully ripe. We know he fits in with the lettuce and the cucumbers, and even though we didn’t get any croutons, or slice up a few peppers or even pick up a few baby corns…. we did get more "ruff"age and we know that he works with the go-go-gorganzola dressing.
The Lettuce should be better, the cucumbers should be better, and the tomato might even show some value on a sandwich(the PK)… though we have more anticipation of him being part of a much improved salsa(PP).
So here’s to RSH’s 2010-2011… may it be firm, plump and juicy!
My cup is 3/4 empty, How 'bout yours?
Rob Schremp Tomato
Only in the mind of JP man, only in the mind of JP…
For the record, I like juicy tomatoes. Add bleu cheese and I’m set.
Lighthouse Hockey: More defensemen than we know how to spell.
Having a vowel at the end of my name...
A few good tomatoes, a loaf of crusty italian bread, fresh mozzerella, some EVOO and a splash of balsamic vinegar… and voila… I’m 2 ponds heavier!
My cup is 3/4 empty, How 'bout yours?
And I am damn hungry now
So simple, yet so good.
Lighthouse Hockey: More defensemen than we know how to spell.
I'll fire up the oven
My family has a tremendous lasagna recipe: fresh mozz and homemade sauce feature prominently in the top two lines.
JP – the new sig line is very funny! Well played, sir.
My latest contract is for 31 years.
Lasagna caprese
You just gave me an idea for dinner tomorrow night… we haven’t made a asauce in a while though… and that’s a sunday job.
As far as the signature line… now that I look at it out of context it’s a little more self depricating than I planned. Oh well… until I can think of something better… the joke’s on me.
My cup is 3/4 empty, How 'bout yours?
Mouth watering
O.K. what’s EVOO? must be good to go with rest.
Nearly enough defensemen to last through the injury bug
6
I didn’t have any expectations so he was slightly positive. His skill is his hands. He needs to play more physically and be better defensively. He’s still young, so hopefully, he spent the summer working on his power skating and strength conditioning. If so, I can see him centering Bailey and the two of them being fairly productive together [with a little size thrown in at right wing to be parked in front of the net?].
It doesn’t seem like there were any off-ice/locker room issues either. Hope that continues if he suffers from the diminished ice time scenario you described. I have no reason to believe it won’t
7
He found a regular spot by end of season, showed NHL level offence. exceeded my expectations. If his last 24 games can translate to similar production over a full season we will make room for him at center.
Nearly enough defensemen to last through the injury bug
by since70too on Aug 10, 2010 5:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
forgot the end of that clip
The ref waving off Schremp’s tee-ball goal…. wonder what he was seeing there… clearly off the crossbar and down, unless from his angle (behind RSH) he didn’t see the point of contact and assumed that he’d batted it down into the bottom of the net. Sick goal.
My latest contract is for 31 years.
Schremp is part of the plan
or at least he should be. He is easily the best puckhandler we have on a team that is very short on them. His decisions with the puck tend to be awesome and IMO he was a major reason for Comeau’s late season heroics. He was getting him opportunities left and right by putting perfect passes on his tape.
10 Schremp is a daddy
8 no question
What more can you expect out of a depth replacement center/forward with no real nhl experience? He played pretty smart, took near no penalties, had 25points in 44games, threw up a respectable first nhl season +/-, and put up all that in 3rd line minutes. Very respectable, not breakout spectacular stuff, but a really good turn out. 7.5-8 in my mind.
Go isles or Go home.
I like the kid myself, but saying that his Rob effort was amazing every night he played and that his amazing effort surpassed that of anyone else on the team seems overboard to me. Just my humble opinion, mind you.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 11, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking the same thing, TMC. I actually thought he played a bit tentative [understandably so], when he first cracked the lineup. He did look more confident later in the year, just before he got hurt.
Speaking of injuries, Radek says his knee is 100% and “completely ready” for training camp. Rehab is over. I’d really love to see that powerful stride back on the blue line.
http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535821&cmpid=rss-News%20in%20English
6
RSH gave us a glimpse of what could be near the end, but still had his year cut short, while i liked where it was going, i can’t go past 6 in good conscience because i figured him for a point per 2 game guy if it worked out… we got a little bit better than that, but paced over 82, he still only would have had 47 points… this year, i expect 55-60 over a full year
that being said, he did autograph a bus with his face prominently displayed on it, which is impressive… but still not enough to give him a 7
welcome to MSG, where 2 out of 5 vendors are safe to eat from!
that's not so impressive
Brendan Witt autographed an SUV with his face, too.
My latest contract is for 31 years.
Touche. Wonder if the driver went out and sold the vehicle.
“This dent right here? That’s from Brendan Witt’s hip.”
Lighthouse Hockey: More defensemen than we know how to spell.
Someone brought bell curves up the other day...
…and we’re rocking a good one in the current poll results for RSH.
Lighthouse Hockey: More defensemen than we know how to spell.
Rob Shremp Twitter
He seems really in to it, too lol.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
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