The Islanders and Adversity: A rallying cry for 2010-11
by Mark D on Sep 30, 2010 6:30 AM EDT
in This, That & What-Not
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PrintEditor's Note from Dominik: The Islanders Injury Bug took out two fine players -- and WebBard's computer, too. But WebBard steps in from a remote location to deliver the following call to arms, so pull your heads up:
The injuries to Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo have put a gloom over what was to be a promising preseason. From those who want the Islanders to tank the season now to those who are wondering what vets will be traded at the deadline, the whispers of playoff hope have been quieted. Even I must agree when analysts wonder, "What did Islanders fans ever do to deserve these last 20 years?"
Yes, if this was last year's team, the loss of Streit and Okposo would have been devastating.
But this is a new season, one that has yet to even start. Even without Streit and Okposo, this is the most talented Islanders team in a few seasons. No season is ever going to be perfect; injuries are a common fact of life for any sports team. Now it is all about how Scott Gordon and every Islanders player reacts. Among the players it's time for someone to step up, even all of them. Among the coaches, it's up to them to find a solution, whatever that solution might be.
I'm not saying that the Islanders are going to be better now. But the Islanders are loaded with people looking for their first, second or even third chance.
Last year with Matt Moulson and Rob Schremp we saw how two talented players from different ends of the spectrum (a former 7th rounder and 1st rounder, respectfully) answered that call when given a realistic chance to succeed. It's not my place to call out a player and say he's going to have a 20 goal year now that Okposo's out, or that someone will turn into a top two defender with Streit out, but unlike the past there are players are on the roster that can make it possible.
For Scott Gordon entering the final year of his contract, this may be a make-or-break season. He can't let the team get down on itself to start the season. He also can't let them use the injuries as an excuse if they struggle. Every team is going to face its own adversities and struggles as seasons wear on. Being a coach in the NHL -- or any sport for that matter -- is all about how you and your team responds. Gordon probably has his best chance to prove he deserves to continue to coach on the NHL level. If he can get the team to fight through this and be competitive, he will prove he can handle anything that is thrown at him.
If in the long run this core of Islanders is going to be a playoff team and even Cup challenger, they are going to have to prove they can overcome any challenge. The talent and potential is there, but now it is a matter of getting it done on the ice. Even without Streit and Okposo, this Islanders team can still challenge for a playoff spot in the East. Plenty of teams in the East will have their own injuries, disappointments and challenges. It's the good ones who can get their players to step it up and keep competing.
The season's not over till the fat lady sings, and the curtain hasn't even been pulled up yet.
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Tavares and Bailey step there game up, Comeau is consistant, RSH starts where he left off, and Mighty Mo has about the same performance our offense will due, and I think Wiz has the potentional to step up and be our anchor and offenseive defenseman
Optomistic views we get to see what our players are made of early in the season and if they pull through we get a boost for the playoffs when out two best players return, I still feel great about this season
It's not over until we say it's over!!!
Was it over when the germans bombed pearl harbor?
by Torch7 on Sep 30, 2010 7:44 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through a hockey season.
Unless you’re a spectator, of course.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo were important to this team.
i agree. no reason ....
to give up on the season yet. not until they’re 3-17-4.
i think i’m kidding. i hope i am. it’s true there is more talent now, obviously among all the kids. the g.m. and coach will likely be steadfast in not rushing anyone along simply because of the injuries, which is sound. on the other hand though, i hope they’re not over-cautious in holding back a kid who is ready. a lot of people still think it was a mistake to keep bailey here 2 years ago. i think the opposite is true. the g.m. decided that bailey – in particular – was up to the task and ready to develop here. i think he made the right call. the kid’s numbers may not show it yet, but that’s a function as much of the whole team as it is of bailey. long term, it gave him a head start and maybe not all kids that young are ready to handle it, but of hamonic, de haan and nino, maybe one or two can. i want to see a good team already.
My spin cycle...
I listened to the Philly game… it sounded like the Isles put an AHL lineup in an NHL game… what a novel concept… but they’ve been doing it for years. How they didn’t lose by double digits is a testimonial to their fortitude or the discovery of MERCY from a team that just can’t stop laughing all the way to the playoffs. I’m not a big fan of the Philly players, fans or even their whole damn city, but I’d trade owners in a heartbeat!
I also watched the Calgary game. Hey, a BRENT SUTTER v THE ISLES GAME WITHOUT SOMEBODY BEING TAKEN OFF ON A STREATCHER… another novel concept.
There were a lot of good things in that game… but also a lot of bad. As much as I want to anoint Calvin Da Hun… he is just not ready for this… but I’m sure he will be… soon.
Comeau may be the best player on this team in 2010-11. He was doing everything… and doing it like he owned the place. No doubt that JT, KO, Nino, Josh and the defenders will all ger their TIME… but Blake is starting to look like a prospect who has hit his physical and mental maturity.
A healthy Marty isn’t going to be a 100% Mark Streit, but he’s damn close. Marty was engaged. I hate to say this because I really liked Brendan, but marty without the ball and chain could have a special year… if he can just stay healthy!.
Matt Martin makes the team… and he’s the only “prospect” I want to see in the NHL as of game 1. Hamonic is “in the red zone”… but I think I’d have to bring out the field goal team on him… if for nothing else, his aggressiveness is going to have him in the tube (MRI) before christmas. He needs to get a year of pro hockey at slower speeds where he can learn to be PHYSICAL without being over matched night after night. Though I wouldn’t put him too deep on the call-up sheet.
Oh yeah… Rick DiPietro… just like I remembered him… sometimes I have to wonder why people can’t just admit that emperor is buck ass naked.
I can’t help but think that this split squad disaster is the ridiculous results of Charles Wang’s On The Road series. The further this guy stays away from the team the better.
Charles, meet Ed… objectivist, world class hockey owner… observe, learn, be!
Forget about the LHP, BKLYN, Queens or Hamilton... Wang is moving the Islanders to The Nassau University Medical Center.
Curious: What about Rhett or Ullstrom?
Matt Martin makes the team… and he’s the only "prospect" I want to see in the NHL as of game 1.
What did you think of Rhett and Ullstrom? I have a post planned a little later on notes from last night, but generally those three guys were the ones I saw as “Okay, I could put these guys in the lineup now.” Nino, meanwhile, has a lot to learn and very few games to learn it; BUT, I can see with his body why people are tempted (which is what makes me nervous). He goes to the right places and when his skates are right he his hard to knock over. (When his skates aren’t right is another question…)
And I completely agree on Marti. I do not know how that man can skate and play like that after all of the surgeries he’s had.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo were important to this team.
I rememebr seeing Ullstrom at the WJC (limited games viewed) and thinking, wow… he might be special… but those opinions are always tempered by the fact that it’s still boys against boys. Ullstrom has just prolonged that sentiment with his performance at this level. There’s no doubt he starts the season in the A and gets top line consideration there (the path I thought best for Bailey last year). I think he may be the type of guy that helps make the roster complete… not yet though.
Rakhshani is a little different case. He’s another “ticker” guy. He is somewhat disadvantaged by his size, and he doesn’t seem to have “exceptional” NHL speed. I think he’s a possible for the NHL next year if he has a good AHL season… but he has to approach the game as a Jason Blake type. When he gets his opportunities (and I consider playing pro hockey at the AHL level a damn good opportunity) he has to go balls to the wall. He did it for 4 years in college, and he is close to being as mature as he’s going to be… but he just needs to show that he can play that way against NHL level competition, night after night… I’d put him on a similar track as Hillen.
All in all I think the SoundTigers will be vastly improved and very fun to watch. I plan on going to see them in Norfolk. The Islanders seem to have been on a very positive path.
I think the loss of KO is something this team will have gotten over with the rise of Blake Comeau and a patchwork of other players getting auditions… but losing Streit is a damn shame… he finally gets some solid support… and this… DAMN!
PS: Where’s Waldo? (oops, I meant Bruno) Two rosters, no Bruno?
Forget about the LHP, BKLYN, Queens or Hamilton... Wang is moving the Islanders to The Nassau University Medical Center.
Bruno is in the Weight house
Bruno was sick and (like Weight with the groin) not ready to play in Philly. Although every chance he doesn’t play may be a chance lost for him…
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo were important to this team.
It's like you're in my head JP!
Agree with everything you said. I also agree with anacurt though that there is limited space for Ullstrom on the big club. I’m really hoping Comeau turns into a force because when he’s on, he’s outstanding…and that emporer is buck ass naked because “Ricky looks to be himself” is usually a divide between “top 10 goalie” and “dangerous wandering freak”!
by Keith Quinn on Sep 30, 2010 12:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Rhett yes Ullstrom no
Rhett has done everything he could so far to make this team and with a slot open after Kyle’s injury I think we see him, at least until Okposo is back (barring trades or signings). There is just no room for Ullstrom. Unless Weight is not ready to go (but you probably see Konopka at center anyway) where do you put him? I think he is developing well but there might not ever be a spot for him. If RSH becomes the real deal we are solid down the center (and if he doesn’t we can always move Bailey back off the wing). Ullstrom has played LW as well but who is he going to push out there? Martin is a near lock. Parenteau seems to need to bomb to not get his shot. Moulson and Bailey are Moulson and Bailey. If Parenteau plays bad then maybe they release him at some point and bring Ullstrom up. Other than that I would think he is AHL bound.
Putting him on the wing (if needed) was my thought
I’ve got another post up going into this and the other guys more, but Ullstrom played some wing in Sweden (and Gordon mentioned it, so I suspect it’s a consideration), so he could possibly help. More than Dean McAmmond right now? I don’t know. And maybe it’s best to let him be center, maybe be Bridgeport’s Frans Nielsen.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo were important to this team.
Oh yeah… Rick DiPietro… just like I remembered him… sometimes I have to wonder why people can’t just admit that emperor is buck ass naked.
I don’t know why, and I could be alone in the thought, but I’m feeling surprisingly good about DP. Last season it just felt like it was a matter of time before he went down again. It might be because if he’s not healed up for this season, he probably never will be.
When will the hurting stop?
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
kinda agree, that i hear he’s roaming and getting out of position is a good thing in terms of him being 100% comfortable with where he’s at physically… that being said, i was never a big fan of him roaming in the first place, but at least he’s sounding like he’s back to himself (for better or worse)
a profound return... i still love sammy octoberfest :-)
.9mm DiPietro
Having a goaltender who can handle the puck is like carrying a firearm. When used responsibly it brings comfort and the awareness that you have this very powerful object on your person.
If you use it irresponsibly it can easily be taken advantage of and you’re going to the proctologyst to have it removed.
Let’s just say Ricky continues to be IRRESPONSIBLE… and after 10 years I don’t see that changing. BACK UP GOALIE… then the NHL Network WAIVER WIRE scroll… backup AHL $4.25M Goaltender… gone.
The best thing he can do is re-injure himself. At least when he’s on the sidelines most of you can pretend like he’s a top ten goaltender.
Sorry… it just needs to be said. Rick DiPietro was the product of some Mike Milbury fantasy… and I’ll never be able to understand it…
Honestly, if Ricky was a prospect would there be any chance of him making the team based on his performance so far?
Forget about the LHP, BKLYN, Queens or Hamilton... Wang is moving the Islanders to The Nassau University Medical Center.
by JPinVA on Sep 30, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I freaking love this analogy
“.9mm DiPietro” it is then.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo were important to this team.
Optimistically healthy yes, Flying out of the net yes, playing like a solid starter...The jury is out.
This should be DP’s I’m healthy or injured again→retire year. And based on how well DP plays, we may be in for an expensive backup goalie, or a nice surprise. Possibly even the highest paid full-time starting ahl goalie of all time if he sucks, lol.
Go isles or Go home.
I agree his activity level is a good sign for his health.
I’ll even forgive him wanderlust in his first “game” back. But if he doesn’t tone that down to a smart level and if he’s not making saves, we’ll have the worst-case scenario of a healthy-but-not-as-good DP.
It’s going to take a while to evaluate though. His shutout of New Jersey last year was probably his easiest night in years.
Lighthouse Hockey: You say that like Streit and Okposo were important to this team.
Look for signals from Mgmt
Naturally the coach and fans are not going to throw in the towel now. It would be bad for morale, the development of the young players, attendance and even hopes for a new building. Nevertheless, if some kind of a move is not made for offensive help, then it means that Snow/Wang are basically using the year to continue the rebuild. Short of a miracle, we are not going to make a play- off spot. Among professionals it was considered a long shot before the injuries. So it will be an interesting season to watch the kids. We had an adequate D with Streit, now by league standards we have a developing D. On O we were marginal, now less – we have lots of goals to make up to be contenders. In Goal we look good. So we need help to finish higher, a topsix forward, which would also signal to the league that we are serious contenders. Doesn’t seem to be happening now, but maybe if we have a very good start in the first 6 to 8 weeks a big addition or two would be a signal that Mgmt sees a post season possibility.
I agree with most of what you are saying,
If you are a fan that understands the isles situation(pretty much like the last 2 years), then you will love watching these hockey games(for the most part). But I don’t agree about your part saying this team without KO and Streit has more potential then any team we have had in the last few seasons, I believe we have a bit less or as much talent as last year. Streit and KO are the biggest hits possible, and that’s what kills us. Still it will be a fun season though. This year a number of things will be determined:
-The big thing is, who is brought back to the team. All these players are RFA next year: Bailey, Okposo, Schremp, Comeau, Gervais, Hillen, Joensuu, Kohn, and Reese. And all these players are UFA next year: Moulson, Weight, Sim, Parenteau, Konopka, Gillies, Wiz, Martinek, Jurcina, Roloson, Hilbert, and Lawson . And I highly doubt all of them will be brought back. We could be looking at a lot of new faces next year.
-Hopefully a couple of big impact players brought in next year too. We should no question be seeing around a handful of new faces on the team next year, unless all the youngsters mature greatly. Either way, the definite players that should be off the team next year I’d guess would be: Rollie(traded at deadline or retires), Weight(retiring), and Lawson(who has no real place in this organization unless the team thinks mikko/poulin can’t play backup next year behind a healthy DP or other goalie)
-Not to mention, the whole DP situation should be sorted out by the end of this year, whether he is playing or retiring. 3 years of knee problems, if he gets injured again, should mean retirement for rick. Or, depending on how many games he can play this year with no swelling or setbacks, will determine how many games he can still play and at what level can he still play. Should be some big questions being answered this year and some fun hockey to watch, but don’t bring up the word playoffs in any isles discussion. Because we all know inside right now, that the isles have as much of a chance to make the playoffs as the Maple Leafs or even dare I say… Panthers? lol. I kid i kid, we aren’t panthers bad.
Go isles or Go home.
Thought I should enclose(sp?) a link to the unrestricted free agents of next year:
to give you ideas of who we could possibly bring in to replace underperforming players and such:
There is a RFA list too somewhere, but those guys are more costly to obtain if you know what I mean. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/preview2010/columns/story?columnist=lebrun_pierre&id=5620341 . Semin and Gagne are the 2 notable/younger forwards in my mind that can reshape a team completely as UFA.
Go isles or Go home.
Kinda early to talk about next years free agents
But of that list I would think that Moulson and Wiz are the only two that get definite offers (in the UFA group). All the others would be based on play. Next year is a real transition. We should see the next wave of kids ready to play. De Haan and Hamonic should be ready to go. Nino might be as well. Whatever happens next year should be more interesting.
I just thought the free agents for next year should be brought up
to give people an idea of who may not be here next year and who is playing for a contract or who plays themself out of one. And I agree with your thoughts, moulson and wiz should be no brainers in the ufa group right now, and for rfa, KO, Bailey, Hillen, and Reese/Kohn(for depth) should all be no brainers and given contract offers too. Everyone else is playing for a spot next year in my mind. With the exception of Konopka/Gillies, we know what they bring and we should really keep at least 1 fighter night in and night out on our roster for much needed protection.
Go isles or Go home.
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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.
