Islanders Bits: 'Fast defense,' and Strome, Ullstrom, Bailey

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 6:20 AM EST in Bits o' Islanders News

The Versus game last night included one of those behind-the-bench in-game interviews with the ever talkative Ken Hitchcock. Often nothing good is said there but Hitchcock, when asked about his teams' reputation for protecting leads (the Blues lost the 1-0 lead and the game), dismissed it as a holdover rep from his Dallas days in the clutch-and-trap NHL and added simply:

"To win in this league now you have to play fast defense."

One one level this is just coach-speak: There are 100 ways to describe very similar concepts every coach wants to instill. But on another level it stung to hear because a topic around here (outside of Micheal Haley's recall) has been the Islanders generally undermanned blueline and its limited mobility. Hitchcock means overall defense (including forwards), but it still applies here.

Now, reporters and broadcasters love to talk to Hitchcock because he loves to talk -- it's easy material, and I'm only proving that point with this -- but like fellow trappist pioneer Jacques Lemaire he is fun to hear talk hockey. He basically advocates a total "200-foot" game with constant, fast effort that takes away opposition time and space but also gives them little time to set up attack or defensive structure once you regain the puck.

It's taxing but effective. The Blues were already a good 5-on-5 team before they switched to Hitchcock, but you can see them close down gaps and space with almost robotic regularity. (Whether they can keep it up is another question.)

So anyway, what's the relevance here? The Islanders have too many blueliners who either play safe (Mark Eaton) or don't have the mobility to press (Milan Jurcina).

Mark Streit and Travis Hamonic get around fine, but you wonder about Andrew MacDonald taking maintenance days coming off hip surgery and having what many have thought were some bad outings. And the rest, well, they're not fast. Would the mobile Mark Katic, out with a major shoulder injury since training camp, make a difference in speed and puck movement on the Islanders' third pair right now? Probably.

Ty Wishart is no speedster, but his puck-moving instincts are solid, and perhaps there's something to Katic, Wishart and of course the fleet Jack Hillen being subtracted from last season's second half squad.

They have definitely made an effort to draft mobile puckmovers during this rebuild, but of course none of them outside of Hamonic -- whose strength is more an overall balance and a physical edge rather than pure speed -- are ripe yet. And while the forwards rightly take a lot of grief for failing to generate offense or do the basic things needed to generate more than two goals per game thus far, one can't help thinking the defense's overall inability to acquire and quickly distribute the puck is also an issue.

Blueline speed? It's probably coming eventually. But it wasn't packed in Micheal Haley's luggage.

Islanders Links

Oh did I mention blueline speed? Scratch that, this is Scott Mayfield's Twitter profile pic.
Trent Hunter played in that Versus game last night. Good to see him. Here's a "get to know" profile.
TSN's Darren Dreger is saying Blake Comeau has been shopped. For picks, he claims.
Quotes from David Ullstrom and Jack Capuano on Ullstrom's first NHL game.
Anders Nilsson talks about his first NHL start, about learning North American angles, and what else he has to learn.
If you missed it, Snow told Newsday he has no plans for a coaching change. That's as routine as speculation like this though.
If anything, Capuano's hair would like to send Josh Bailey a message.
On that note: Chris posted last night about Bailey and other #9 overall picks. Some of those names are frightening.
Where did last year's Islanders go? [McGowan, THW]
Michael Fornabaio will have a Bridgeport chat today at 1:30. The dude who took out Justin DiBenedetto (Kris Newbury) received a four-game suspension.
Friedman's 30 Thoughts included several notes about the Islanders and their rebuild.
Pronman's latest Top 30 Prospects list has Ryan Strome at #4, behind Jonathan Huberdeau. He puts Kirill Kabanov at #9.
Do your unsung NY sports heroes include Frans Nielsen?
To Semin, or not to Semin?
The guy who is rumored to buy teams (Senators, Islanders, Leafs) is rumored to want to buy the Devils.

FIG Picks

Leave your FIG (First Islanders Goal) picks in this thread. I'm finally on the board, so I can stop doing my shutout reverse-jinx as it's finally lost its mojo. The preview will be up a little later.

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Comments

Who in Hades name is 'Capuano's Hair', and how is it Bailey would get on his last nerve, anyhow?

In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom

by ogam5 on Nov 23, 2011 7:15 AM EST reply actions

Joke Twitter Account

Pretty damn funny account too.

Support Movember: http://mobro.co/YourUncleNops

by Uncle Zenon on Nov 23, 2011 7:35 AM EST up reply actions

I always get asked to follow Cappys hair

I just feel like a creep following a body parts twitter account

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

Jeez. The Red Wings have like six prospects on that top thirty list

by Torch7 on Nov 23, 2011 8:05 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Thats because good teams know how to draft

I have been saying it for years – just take our first rounders – in the last ten years (2000-2010) (excluding last draft) who would we pick again??? I know that the draft is a crap shoot, but when you have a team that can’t grow through free agency you HAVE to draft well, and money or small market or other such nonsense is no excuse for drafting so poorly over the last 10 years- Again –just looking at the first rounders in 10 whole YEARS!- other than Tavares – who would you draft again? DiPietro(00)? (insert laugh-line here), Raffi Torres (01)? Bergenheim(02)? Nilsson(03)? (we all know Parise is the one that got away), Nokelainen(04)? O’Marra(05)?, Okposo (06) (while guys like Little, Bernier, and Giroux were out there?) Bailey(08)? DeHaan(09)?(maybe, but he isn’t helping us now), Nino(10)? (With Skinner still out there?)- And when you look at the later rounds, far, far more misses than hits…. Now, let’s take a look at a “good” team like Washington – grabbed Semin at 13 in 2002, Ovechkin at 1 and Green at 29 in 2004, Backstrom at 4 and Varlamov at 23 in 2006 – that is how you grow from the draft – those are players you can build around – and Washington had some misses in there in some years – I don’t think every pick should pan out – but 1 first rounder in 10 years? And only when you had first overall and were picking in the top almost every year? Something is wrong with our scouting…THAT is why we do not get any better year after year – JMHO.

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

Ok can't talk about recent drafts yet. I know Skinner is good, but let's see how Nino turns out. These guys are 19.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

You understand that a lot of the draft is luck, right? You give Washington credit for picking Green 29th overall one year, but did it ever occur to you that 28 teams passed on him? There were obviously reasons.

Yes, he turned out alright, but every draft (the ENTIRE draft) is luck and a crapshoot.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Sure Luck - I admit that

But Washington is just one example – there are others – if you look at the other teams in the league every single one with anywhere near the pick selection we had (and many with far worse picks) have done better than us over the past 10 years. (Even look at Edmonton for Pete-sake!) Period. Pits fell on hard times, but through drafting (Crosby, Malkin etc.) pulled there way out of it (so did Washington…etc) All I am saying is what makes us differant than those teams is that we have not pulled ourselves up through the draft….hopefully Strome and Nino will mark the begining of a change, but I don’t see it yet….

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

I know, you're partially right too. I was playing Devils Advocate. It's weird that the Islanders never get the luck.

Guys like Torres: we bash them now, but we forget that he was coming off a 43 goal, 91 point season in 68 OHL games. I’m sure we were thrilled when they picked him, and now we bash the pick. Drafting is hard. The vast majority of these guys never become anything. It sucks that we’ve never had the ball go our way.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Suer we have

JT….

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Nov 23, 2011 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

I agree totally - and I am not knocking the GM's really...

I am not saying I could have done better or anything – and hindsight is always 20/20 – but I think that one of the chief reasons we have such a situation is the draft simply has not gone our way for a long time – for whatever reason. While other teams just seem to have better luck – at some point you have to say it isn’t just luck, that our core scouting is flawed.

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

Hamonic? AMac? Poulin? These are by no means top pick guys but they look far more promising now than anyone dreamed they would be when they were drafted. so the Isles do have some luck.

Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)

by TheMetalChick on Nov 23, 2011 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

You do know...

…that Crosby and MAF were #1 overalls and Malkin and Staal were #2 overalls, right? And they were drafted in 4 consecutive years.

Even as bad as the Isles have been they never had a 1-2-1-2 draft selection.

…..sometimes I think Pens fans forget this.

by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Nov 23, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah

When we get #1 overall or a #2 we either trade it away or get DiPietro…..

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

Yes but...

….the Pens surrounded those guys with well estabilsed veterans like Gonchar, Malone and Recchi and a few other. Those guys were still in their prime for them. They we’re not going to put up insane numbers anymore, but they knew their roles and let the new kids do their thing.

The veterans on this team are way past their prime and they’re not helping this team move forward at all.

Also, DP was drafted 11 years ago and 2 GM ago, and one of them was clearly certifiably insane so let’s drop that and move on.

by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Nov 23, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

DP is still on the team

till he retires – the education of his pick is fair game

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

Huh?

So in your analysis, they would’ve been better off picking someone that never made the team?

Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.

by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 23, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

YES - exactally.

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

But - that being said

I am sure Dany Heatley or Marian Gaborik would have made the team.

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

And Heatley would be in his fourth team and Gaborik on as many injuries as DP.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

i think he would have rather kept luongo

and selected gaborik or heatley

at the very least, wait for #5 to pick ricky… but our GM wanted to show he was the smartest man alive and go with the 1st goalie ever taken #1 overall…

and yes, before i hear, ‘gaborik or heatley wouldn’t be on the team had we drafted them’ yes, probably true, but they would have netted some serious returns in a trade

These comments crawl up from the depths of the deepest Chasm of Saar

by bob l on Nov 23, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

Agree 100% Bob. Nothing to add - you said it all.

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

My point is that the statute of limitations on complaining about DP

has run out. There is a completely different system in place and the current team has not gone bonkers on draft day since.

Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.

by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 23, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

there's no statute of limitations

when the man is collecting a paycheck and will be for the next 10 years… not when he’s not playing well enough to earn even just 2.5M of the 4.5M we pay him

i understand it’s old and tired and such, but this will NEVER fade until they start winning, and committing 10% of your teams salary to a guy who doesn’t perform up to that $ makes it 50% harder for your team to WIN

These comments crawl up from the depths of the deepest Chasm of Saar

by bob l on Nov 23, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

We discussed this in another thread just the other day.

Islanders got JT, Tampa got Stamkos and Hedman (they already had St. Louis and LeCavalier), the Penguins got Fleury, Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Whitney. If each team has around 6 core guys the Islanders are starting at 1 and everyone else is starting at 4. Even Edmonton and Colorado had picks back-to-back in the top 3.

It also matters when you suck. The Islanders alwasy have 3 first rounders in the year no one in the first round plays more than 200 NHL games. You can control who you pick, but you can’t control who is available in the draft class.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Even the Blackhawks

Drafted Kane and Towes high, signed Campbell and Hossa and traded for Sharp. 3 players in the prime of their playing to go with two kids to build around and grow.

by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Nov 23, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

Blackhawks have the money to overpay Campbell

Then Hossa once they looked better. The Islanders don’t have that much money to lose.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Don't forget they had the good D too

with Keith, Seabrook etc.

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

And Barker was a monumental bust

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

I was looking at the two things the Islanders don't have

Multiple picks in the top 3 and the money to compensate for bad player decisions.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

Gotcha

Seabrook was a first rounder though (#14 2003). But he has time to develop obviously.

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

*had

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry

Kane and Towes were a 1 and a 3 overall. Islanders STILL were not ever that bad to get a 1 and 3 overall in back to back years, let alone the 1-2-1-2 for the Pens.

Amazing.

by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Nov 23, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

Waht blows my mind about the 03 draft

is instead of Nilsson, everyone brings up Parise, but in the 15 picks after Nilsson there was also Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Mike Richards, and Corey Perry. Thats 5 NHL all-star forwards and we drafted a dud

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Very good point.

by MasterSalix on Nov 23, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

I think when players go that far afterward, it loses its faceapalm luster

When players are selected that close together, fans feel like there was an actual either/or decision there. Whereas later on you know at least several other teams agreed on passing on Player X.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

Yes and No

I get that whole ‘either or’ scenario, but look at a guy like Cam Fowler. We can always look back at the Islanders draft in 10 and say the Isles could have taken Nino or Fowler even though they were drafted 7 picks apart.

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Fowler is an obvious one, definitely

But in 03 it’s not like people were screaming at the time that those other guys should’ve been picked.

To me the draft is such a crapshoot, you can only really agonize over the this-or-that decisions IMO. I know it’s an extreme example, but all the teams who passed on Zetterberg/Datsyuk, etc. (including the Wings themselves).

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Haha yes extreme indeed

So if we’re getting to that point, I’ll agree with your assessment. Honestly in 03 all I remember screaming for was Mike Milbury to not trade away anymore young talent.

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Or like Couturier this year

Maybe in 8 years people will be screaming about that (hard to imagine Strome will be a Nilsson-level fail though), but if Baertschi becomes the Best Swiss Player In Like Ever then I don’t know if anyone will be able to gripe too much.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

I screamed for Fowler, but I'm a defense first guy!

I also recuse myself because I wanted Filatov and he’s a bigger bust than Bailey (if you want to call him a bust already). Nino hasn’t done anything yet to prove he wasn’t the right pick, the defense has just done a great job of proving you need to build from the net out.

Parise is just that unique case, where it was OBVIOUS that he was the guy to take. He has the Islander legacy and all and everyone thought he should be drafted in that spot whereas Nilsson was a reach. When you reach, you better be right.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

Obligatory Mike Bossy Draft note

The Rangers and Leafs both passed on Bossy twice in the first round of the 77 draft before the Islanders took him 15th. Which means 12 other teams passed him over, too.

Drafting well is something every team would love to do. But it’s gambling. Who the hell knows how any of these guys would turn out?

"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science

by PGI on Nov 23, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

One thing about Bossy though ...

is there wasn’t doubt that his talent was awesome. What GMs were leery about was his defense, effort and willingness to improve. Even Torrey wasn’t sure.

by dose on Nov 23, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

While much of what you write is true,

you do see above that hockey scout Michael Fornabaio has our system ranked 2nd best overall. Besides JT, Hamonic and Amac were both good picks….and lets give KO some more time— He’s shown he can be good. Yes, our picks have sucked in the past, but that certainly has improved quite a bit …especially given that draft picks are somewhat a crapshoot anywhere. A bit more balanced post would have been nice, but then again, we’re all jaded Isles fans at this point.

by NewIsles on Nov 23, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

SH, SH, SH, SH, SHAKE IT UUUUUUPPPPP!!!!!SCOTT FERRALL is talking about the Isles on Howard 101...

He says he has allot of friends on the Island…Pando, Moulson Goldon, PA Ferrel-entuea, Rolston, Monty and Grabs…Its nice to hear them get love from media if u consider Ferrall ligitmate sports media, lol….Does anyone listen to him around here???He actually loves hockey…But hes a rated R sports talk guy on Howard Sterns secondary channel…

Its nice to hear that FERRELL and his co-host are rooting for them…His co-host said hes freinds w Moulson Golden and that MM called him to say he would send him Moulson T-Shirt…The host said, “thats ok just worry about putting pucks in the net and forget about the shirt”…I think Isles fans would agree

by KO21 on Nov 23, 2011 8:37 AM EST reply actions

I miss Ferrall and Howard

I don’t get Sirius anymore. The car I bought has XM, so my lifetime subscription to Sirius is being wasted. (My lifetime subscription to Sirius is = DP’s contract in my house.)

Proud to root for the Jets, Mets, and Islanders!!!
Twitter: cmauceri524
Bart Scott: "I’m sure now there will be something written about how the Jets are back, and we won’t listen to that either, because at the end of the day we know that you guys don’t know what the hell you’re talking about."

by CharlieIsles on Nov 23, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

I listen everyday when I wake up in the AM. Howards show isnt its glory days either so If I miss it its not that big a deal anymore...

by KO21 on Nov 23, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Didn't they merge?

I still don’t understand how that works (not that I’ve looked), but what a screwjob if your lifetime subscription becomes moot.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Sirius and XM merged in 2008

The story is actually amazing, both companies were on the verge of bankruptcy and were involved in a bitter dispute with the National Association of Broadcasters before the merger actually happened.

Not to pimp out the company or anything, but SiriusXM has some pretty cool stuff coming up in the works, with the recently announced 2.0 lineup and new programming launching soon. I don’t even listen to much of Sirius’s programming, but when I drove around a few months ago I couldn’t even stand listening to terrestrial. It’s the worst.

/ends schill

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Ahhh, I forgot we have a mole!

I have Sirius (I think … actually maybe it’s XM. Crap.). Agree with the joy of it, but it was always confusing to me when some channels were promoted on the other but not available on mine. To be honest I clearly have not paid much attention to the paperwork.

/and now you deserve a bonus, as well as justification for being on LHH as a work expense

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

I believe it has to do with the way the radios are programmed

It’s kind of stupid, but that’s why some of the stations on XM and Sirius aren’t the same. I know they did a lot of movements a few months back so that now the stations should be the same. With the new radios that are launching soon, the problems definitely won’t be the same anymore.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

I was driving in my car

When the NHL channel (and a bunch of others, I assume) literally changed numbers in midstream. My presets changed to reflect the new numbers … but it was odd. It felt like 1:59 on Daylight Savings Day.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

Yup.

That happened. I also don’t think it was announced.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

rec'd

I got a new used car but it doesn’t have an Auxiliary hook up so I haven’t been able to listen in my car unless I just go thru the antenna which gets allot of static……My old car had a tape player so I could use one of those tapes that go straight to the stereo but this car doesn’t have a tape deck….So I have to get an AUX hook up for my new car ASAP….I have been listening to terrestrial radio for this reason and it is garbage…I got Sirius for Howard and I will keep it for everything else when he leaves….

by KO21 on Nov 23, 2011 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

Sounds good!

I’m glad to hear that non-Howard listeners actually like some of our programming. I get a lot of calls from angry Howard fans sometimes who got pissy when Bubba the Love Sponge was removed, so it’s good to see some people listen for other programming. Myself, I only listen to a few stations and it’s definitely way better than terrestrial. If I drove a car, I would definitely listen to SiriusXM more, but since I live in the city, travel by subway, and work at a desk, most of the time I’m listening to my iPod or Spotify.

/fired

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Im definatly a Howard listener...I moved to Sirius the day he did...Bubba rules and Sirius sucks for not resiging him...

But I know he is slowly fading away…I was pissed off when Bubba the Love Sponge wasn’t resigned as well…I just don’t understand why Sirius would give 50 million to Opera who does NOTHING for the channal but they wont pay a shock jock like Bubba who puts his heart & soal into his show and to satify his listeners…Isnt that was Satellite radio is all about?Diversified programming?A place where u go to listen to stuff thats cutting edge like BTLS?I cant figure out how this was let to happen…Opera gets 50 million for what?

by KO21 on Nov 23, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

The whole Bubba thing happened shortly after I was hired

so I don’t really know much about it. I think it was definitely a money dispute, that much is for sure.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

Bubba deserves to get paid before Opera who doesn't even promote SiriuxXM..

She got paid 50 million and she rarely if ever mentions the channel on her show or on her OWN network. Its backwards to pay her and not Bubba…Howard has ranted about Opera and her deal she got because he is always promoting SiriusXM and she does nothing. She took the $$$ and feels no responsibility to earn it…WTF????

by KO21 on Nov 23, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

They merged but I always had Sirius because of Howard.

So I never got the package w them combined…I just stayed w the original Sirius package….

by KO21 on Nov 23, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

Have you tried calling customer service?

There should be a way to get that to work.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

Nope

Tried this numerous times. I have XM installed in my car, but Sirius Subscription. No matter how many times you tell them on the phone the name of the company is SiriusXM and that I should be allowed to switch my service, they can’t do it. Can never go back to regular radio ever again. I think it will catch on like cable caught on in the 60’s.

You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.

by mikefromVA on Nov 23, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

Needs more home shopping channels

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Hm...

I don’t work with subscriptions, so I don’t know if there’s anything I can do. If you shoot me an e-mail, I might be able to help out, but I can’t guarantee it.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Sometimes SiriusXM customer service seems to have no idea what they're doing...

They are outsourced to the middle east, I believe..

by KO21 on Nov 23, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

/nods

There’s a couple of guys in my office who are Islander fans actually, it’s a real surprise when I see some people walking around with Isles merch on. Everybody here pretty much knows I’m the biggest Isles fan in the office (judging by how much cursing I was doing all day yesterday), so it’s glad to see the love has spread to the radio.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Can't wait

to see Scott Mayfield in an Islanders jersey. Or as they say in Spanish, Jer-sej!

by DavidSweden on Nov 23, 2011 8:47 AM EST reply actions

Bob McKenzie is reporting that Tomas Kaberle is being shopped for offensive help by the Canes

Do the Islanders take a chance on his three year (?) deal at around $4.1 million? He may be overpriced and not the greatest, but certainly an upgrade over the bottom 5. Looks like the Canes are also looking to shed salary so that they can find a winger for Staal or just rid themselves of the cap hit so that they can make another deal fora winger.

Just last season Kaberle was going for a first round pick, but I think his performance over the past six months has reduced his cost to maybe a Blake Comeau range. Any thoughts?

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 9:06 AM EST reply actions

I would talk to Carolina

Blake Comeau would prob not do it.
The thing with kaberle is that this is noe the second team (third even?) that has been unhappy with him. My Brother lives up in Boston and told me that Bruins fans despised him LY.

That being said…I would talk to Carolina. He’s 33 and hes not at all too far removed from some good years.
I would talk to them. Darren Dreger did say that Three teams are interested.

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Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Nov 23, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

I CANNOT say this loudly enough: No, no, NO. Just.....NO.

In memoriam: Virginia Ariel Cayon 1927-2011 R.I.P. Mom

by ogam5 on Nov 23, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

Outside of being in the wrong role in Boston and I haven't seen him in Carolina

What is it that you hate about him? I know they hated him in Boston, but they gave up a lot for him and he wasn’t as terrible as he was made out to be, just an extremely poor fit. If you thought you were getting an All-Star then you read too mcuh of the Toronto Sun. If you think you are getting an upgrade on Mottostaoiatoncina then you have the right expectation.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

I hear ya

But an uograde on those guys shouldn’t cost 4.25 mil for 3yrs.

That being said…I would definitely talk to Carolina.

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Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Nov 23, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

It also means that next season we aren't rushing in 3 defenseman with 1 year of AHL experience

This is still a sort of “stopgap”, but more of a middle of the road guy that can still play. Slightly overpriced? I’d say yes, but they have the room and it isn’t like he is gettting Wiznieski type money either.

What do the Islanders hope to pick up in this off season to shore up the defense? Can they really go into next season pencilling in DeHaan, Katic, Wishart, Donvan as their bottom 4 defenseman?

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Also..

…his cap hit is about $1M (+/-) or so less than Rolston for next year. If you want to get to the floor this would help a bit.

by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Nov 23, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

This could be an issue again if nobody wants to take our money and none of the kids earn a raise.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly!!

by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Nov 23, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

I wonder if the floor might actually drop next year?

New CBA and all.

Not that this would be a good thing for Isles fans…

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

I admit I pondered it

It would address one need, while probably creating another, but it would beat shopping Comeau for picks. (It sounds like Carolina wants to move salary, which is funny considering they just signed Kaberle and waived the buyer-beware clause.)

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

how can people say 'no'?

when we have staios and slo-MO-ttau on the roster?

These comments crawl up from the depths of the deepest Chasm of Saar

by bob l on Nov 23, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

My thoughts exactly, with Staois, Mottau, Eaton and Jurcina

It all depends on what they want in return. Something cheap so that they can shop for a shiny new toy with the cap room? Then you can’t do any worse. In three seasons we may be hating this deal, but I think it is worth the look, not saying you have to buy.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

Only the contract (and age) gives me pause

And before someone shouts “ROLSTON!!1” I’d just worry that his not-insignificant salary over the next three inclusive seasons will block something else.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

Certainly a concern

but he is what 31 not 37, big difference and he helps bridge to when the kids in BPT are a little bit more capable. I don’t want a backline of 20 year olds playing next season in the NHL. If this season was rough with an old defense, then next year with an immature defense isn’t going to be much better. KAberle should be able to hold onto a top four slot on the Islanders.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

You would think, yeah

I’m going through the cons to keep myself from doting on the pros. But I think the pros have it.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

If we only knew the options...

If there are open doors (even a crack) to guys like Bogosian, then I’d try to keep those doors open. I do not like the idea of waiting for the UFA period again because that is a historic fail. It might not be too bad for next year if they wait for the salary dumps that lead into the deadline period… but by then their 2011-12 will most likely be over.
They could also wait for deHaan, Donovan and Katic… but that helps, but doesn’t solve the problems.
I’d rather give up more for Bogosian (or somebody like him) than Comeau and a second rounder which is probably what the asking price is for Kaberle… unless of course they want more to take our bruised banana for their bruised banana.

LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA

by JPinVA on Nov 23, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

This is what my GM formula came up with as well

Comeau and a second rounder which is probably what the asking price is for Kaberle

It would be a case of both teams selling low. I like Comeau, but the need on D is so great and he is UFA at the end of the year (isn’t he?) so the 2nd would be the necessary pot sweetner.

We all know you have to give up something to get something. My fear with Bogosian is outside of Streit, there is no veteran to mentor him. Do we turn him into Bailey 2.0 (with the obligatory caveat the the book on Bailey isn’t final)?

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

FYI Comeau has one more year of indentured servitude after this

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

thanks wasn't sure if he were on a one or a two year deal.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, it's one-year deal, but he's still an RFA again next summer

#effthecba

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

Yes one RFA year...

So basically you are freeing up cap space for Carolina and you are giving them a middle six LW.
The real fear for the Isles on this deal is that Kaberle can’t pair with Streit on a 1st or 2nd pair.
If it did work you would open up some opportunities for a third pairing, and it would also give them the ability to healthy scratch some folks for legit rest.

LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA

by JPinVA on Nov 23, 2011 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

Inlandeurs

Thoughts on this name if we move to Quebec?

Quebec Inlandeurs
or
Quebec Islandeurs

"Live from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York - Sportschannel presents, New York Islanders hockey. Tonight, the New York Islanders take on..." -Jiggs

by khrudey30 on Nov 23, 2011 9:22 AM EST reply actions

Dom...Great Bit on The D.

Speed is an issue but I think Muscle is lacking as well.

I commented several times yesterday that even Mark Streit with all of the good that he brings does have deficiencies….most notably in my view is his size and some important defensive attributes. when deep in his zone….Streit can get pushed around and out-musceled by physical/experienced forwards like we saw the last 2 games against BOS and PIT.

It seems even Streit is being exposed much more than we would like.

Looking at this team…a speedier D-Man (ala J. Hillen) could get them moving quicker out of the zone. However, the size and stability of a Radek Martinek is also greatly mised by the team right now. Remember….Radek played throughout the majority of that 2nd half of last season.

Martinek had his issues (injuries) but Radek was a big strong puck mover who when healthy is a top-half of the league #4 D-Man (Borderline #3). Garth never replaced him and the team is suffering greatly for that failure.

Lets hope The #Isles can figure something out before we lose another season by Christmas. Remember LY at the end we talked about the first 1/2 and said “if we had just won 2 or 3 games more in that 20 game horror show in November we’d have a fighters chance”….We didn’t of course and lost our season by Christmas. If we can right the ship here over the next 5-6 games…we can recover.

Scoring, Scoring, Scoring is all anyone talks about (and it is an issue for sure…looking at you KO/JB), but until we can stabilize things on that Blueline….it could be over again before we know it.

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Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Nov 23, 2011 9:31 AM EST reply actions

Radek Martinek clone

Thye closest they have is Wishart….Wishart translates to a Martinek type D-Man and I think we probably will know for sure by now what we can expect of Wishart if given regular NHL time.

The #isles cap situation (hovering at the cap floor) hinders them also b/c ideally what I’m sure they would liek to do is send down one of those forwards (JB, Comeau, Pandolpho) but that runs the risk of having them claimed(in the case of Bailey and Comeau) and getting nothing in return for those assets.

I just can’t understand why they wouldn’t bring Wishart up at this point…they need him, hes the most experienced AHLer and looking at stats alone…hes been the strongest defensemen down there it looks like.

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Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Nov 23, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

Because Wishart sucked in the pre-season, and guys who have watched him in Bridgeport say he hasn't looked much better. He was worse than Staios, Mottau, etc. in pre-season.

Maybe they can bring him in to shake things up but he’s not going to be some type of savior. He kind of sucks. Will he suck a little less than Mottau? Probably. But Ty Wishart is not really going to improve the team.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions

It certainly seems like he does not have confidence of Cappy

But I saw some good things out of Wishart LY. If we was brought up…he would be the most mobile big man that they would have by far.

I’m not calling him a savior by any means but right now….Mike Mottau? CMON man.

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Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Nov 23, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah. He can't possibly be worse than Mottau. But he sucks too. So replacing one shitty player with another, albeit a little less shitty, player is kinda pointless.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

He's worth a look if for no other reason than he may play better at the NHL level than the AHL level.

It may be counter intuitive, but some guys play better at a higher level since they are sheltered from trying to do too much and can play a simpler game with more competent linemates. Not sure this is the case, but can he be worse than the bottom 3 and Eaton is out for 6 weeks. No way they can play the current 6 for that long.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

Part of the problem is Martinek wasn't very good last year

And replacing him means risking acquiring another guy like him who is similarly declining.

Agreed, Streit’s weakness is he’s not a dominant physical force, that keeps him from being a dream defenseman.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

I don't see how Wishart translates ...

to a Martinek type D-man." At least in terms of what they want from him.
He’s never gonna be Chris Pronger, but the guy is freakin big and should at least TRY to play like he is. He hasn’t when he’s been here and I’ve assumed that’s why they sent him down. But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe they do want him to be a puck carrier. If so, where is he already?
Martinek was originally a puck moving, even offensive minded D-man. All the injuries slowed him enough that he became more of a stay-at-home, positional guy and was a really sound, smart and efficient player who gave his all. When he was healthy, of course. I haven’t seen any of that in Wishart in the games he’s played up here. He’s looked very tentative to me. Maybe that’s why a guy with his size and apparent skills has gotten moved around so much.

by dose on Nov 23, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

On the D and it's effect on the young forwards.

I get the narrative behind what Garth was trying to do with Staios and Mottau and I guess Eaton as well, but at what point does the product on the ice matter?

I mean we’re talking about a young team that is trying to develop forwards like JT, KO, JB, Grabs, Nielsen, etc. If the defense can’t transition well out of their own end and therefore the forwards have a hard time on the counter-attack, how much does that hurt their development?

How does it help having to try to cover for the D, then going off an a change whenever they start a transition because they just spent the last :30-1:00 in their own zone?

I’d rather slot in Wishart and let him learn on the fly with the forwards and at least you might see some progess. As it stands now, the old defensemen being trottted out by the Isles only have one way to go, and it’s not the way we want it to.

"It don't make you a bad person" - Ron Bennington

by Pauly C on Nov 23, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Multi-faceted answers

First, I get your overall complaint and I think we’re on the same page there.

But I think the “how we got here” is more complicated, as Eaton was his “no Martin, no Michalek, but at least get a stable stay-at-home D” move. Mottau was his “Crap! Streit is out for the year, need help!” move, and I thought two years was bad but maybe that was what it took.

Staios, if signed I hoped would be who bumped Mottau out. I would love to know the thinking there though, because I think Capuano had to be one who liked him, too. And Streit even sounds like he likes him, although Streit is a nice guy who says nice things.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

(None of which answers the underlining mobility issue, of course)

I’m in the “they needed stopgaps” camp, but I’m doubtful of some of the stopgaps they’ve tried. That said, I’d be doubtful if the stopgaps were McCabe or Hannan (if either were truly even available without overcommiting proportionally).

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

Didn't Hannan sign for $1.1 mil?

Garth may have been deterred by paying more than bare minimum for the guy, so I can see why he leaned towards Staois. Basically, if you’re signing a defenseman in late August/early September and rely on him for top 4 minutes, then your defense is probably fucked.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, just $1 million, and in mid-August

I honestly still don’t know if he’d be preferable. He’s one of those maybe/maybe not guys who has seasons and situations that argue either way.

And I tend to wonder if a guy like that preferred Calgary (some people think they’re a playoff team) and demanded much more, or another year, to come to the Island. Not that I know if Snow even dabbled there.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

Yet reports out of Calgary is that he isn't doing to well.

Then again, they may not be comparing him to Mottau either.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

I heard about Pelz wanting to buy Devils

Its Charles Wang or bust for us guys…..

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Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano

by FB4Real on Nov 23, 2011 10:02 AM EST reply actions

First Comment

That Picture epitomizes the entire season to me so far. The best player in te league, back in his first game after ten months off, in behind our best defensive pairing. I watched that goal and Sid blew past MacDonald like he was a pylon.

Crosby has as many points in one game than all but seven Isladners have all year.

So frustrated.

STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!

by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Nov 23, 2011 10:07 AM EST reply actions

DiPietro starting

NYIslanders NYIslanders
Rolston will be out tonight, he is under the weather. Reasoner and Niederreiter will be scratched. #isles
1 minute ago

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions

I got 2/3 of my scratch wishlist

I’m confused about Nino. I understood a one game day off, but 2?

And has Rolston been under the weather all season? Bc he should’ve been scratched all season

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

Keiths going to feel like its Christmas

with Rolston sitting in the press box

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

Thrilled

now who’s centering the 4th line though? I don’t understand why the have to get it “almost right”…pisses me off because they are removing some crap variables, but not all. So now this means bad KO andbad BC remain in and two guys (probably a rookie or 4th line liability to begin with) play with a center that hasn’t centered in over a month.

Dum duh dumb dumb.

I sure won’t miss Rolston though…and it appears Nino is being sheltered from divisional rivalries. If he’s going to be scratched a lot, send him Portland so we can open up the roster a bit.

Making me mad…it’s like tying a hand behind your back.

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Haley is a center.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

Centers

Bailey, Ullstrom, Haley

Nino am guessing has an injury that needs a bit of time

maybe that groin is barking again

by Cary K on Nov 23, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Tavares, Nielsen, Bailey, Haley. Those are the centers.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

that hasn’t centered in over a month.

And never at the NHL level.

Ullstrom either.

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

Speculating obviously

Until I get my press pass (haha) I’ll have to go on gut feeling but:

Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau
Okposo-Nielsen-Grabner
Comeau-Bailey-Ullstrom
Martin-Haley-Pandolfo

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Why isn't Nino here?!?!?!

If he’s not going to play? To watch a terrible team from the press box?

Love the other two scratches.

Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.

by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 23, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

(i meant why IS nino here. i also meant all those question and exclamation marks)

Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.

by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 23, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

he's still

catching his breath i guess

in reality, i’m fine with this, better in the box than playing with reasoner and pandolfo, he should be on JT’s wing

These comments crawl up from the depths of the deepest Chasm of Saar

by bob l on Nov 23, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

Are they sitting Nino to extend the decision period?

I am getting to the point where I wonder if we want to burn a year of his ELC for what may already be a lost season.

I know that he has nothing to prove in the juniors, but maybe leting him go dominate for another half season in Portland would be the smarter move for the Islanders long term.

by DanInDubai on Nov 23, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

Thats a very good point

One I never considered. Im still unclear as to whether his AHL conditioning games counted towards his 9 games or not. If they did, this could be a very possible reason why hes scratched again

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

They did not count

So he will be able to play 15 ‘professional’ games before a decision needs to be made. Even when he is scratched, there is some developmental benefit to practicing and working out with the Islanders.

by DanInDubai on Nov 23, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

I agree and Ive made that point before

If you feel a player has progressed as far as he can in juniors, whats to stop a team from keeping the player with the big club all season and just scratching him 9 out of 10 games. Its a silly rule, but if I were a GM, like in Ninos situation, definitely something I would consider

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Keep him around with the scratches

Then send him to Portland for the second half of the season and the Memorial cup run.

I think after the junior season is over he would be eligible to play in the AHL.

by DanInDubai on Nov 23, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

WJC - Here comes Nino.

It’s entirely possible the mgmt. is considering limited exposure with the Isles and letting him go play for the Swiss Nat’l team at the WJC. May not be a bad idea, considering the level of competition at that tournament. I wonder when the camp for the Swiss Nat’l team starts. Does he need to clear this with Portland?

by O.Bender on Nov 23, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

I see a lot of comments that the offensive problems are because the defense is bad

The comments are that the forwards are working so hard just to get the puck of the defensive zone they have no energy left in the offensive or they have to just dump it in and get a change.

Do the stats back this up? If it is generally agreed that AMac and Travis have been the best defensive pair so far, is there a substantial difference in offensive production when they are on the ice compared to other defensemen?

by DanInDubai on Nov 23, 2011 10:20 AM EST reply actions

Hamonic, Streit and MacDonald are 1-2-3 on the blueline in Corsi Rel

Here. So yes, you could say the offense (shots toward the opponent’s net minus shots toward the Isles) is significantly higher when they’re on the ice.

They also have a slight advantage of higher percentage of offensive-zone starts (more likely to lead to a shot),

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Eaton, Mottau, Staois. Would we be any worse off with (choose three) Wishart, DeHaan, Donovan, Ness?

by IslipTom91 on Nov 23, 2011 10:24 AM EST reply actions

If it stunts their development (like Bailey)

Then the team would be worse off long-term.

by DanInDubai on Nov 23, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Anyone see the SI power rankings?

Dater pretty much just destroys Tavares. What an asshole. I actually emailed him just to say of all things wrong with this team, to sum it up by bashing…..the one great player? Just proves they don’t even bother to watch the small market teams.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 10:37 AM EST reply actions

It's funny

I don’t remember anybody making Tavares-and-Crosby comparisons at the 2009 draft. But Matt Duchene, who most people compared to Joe Sakic, was demoted to the fourth line for a spell this season. So I guess, by Dater’s logic, those people were “wrong,” too.

"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science

by PGI on Nov 23, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

I can't decide if Capuano...

reminds me more of Buddy Hackett or Lou Costello.
(nod to Cincy)

by dose on Nov 23, 2011 10:38 AM EST reply actions

He reminds me of John Belushi in Animal House.

by Les Beaver on Nov 23, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Probably been said before

Dead on Fred Flintstone

You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.

by mikefromVA on Nov 23, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

WHY ARE THEY SCRATCHING NINO AGAIN?

This is fucking stupid. They should send him back to juniors if he’s not going to play. I can’t stand this shit. I guess we’re going to see:

Moulson-Tavares-Parenteau
Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo
Ullstrom-Bailey-Martin
Comeau-Haley-Pandolfo.

Ok. Scratch Pandolfo, put in Nino, and I’m thrilled with the lines. What is Capuano’s obsessions with Pandolfo?

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 10:40 AM EST reply actions

Agreed x 1000

by CharlieIsles on Nov 23, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

I agree that they should send Nino back to the juniors eventually

But I don’t have a problem with the scratches so they can extend the decision and keep him around the team and in the practices.

by DanInDubai on Nov 23, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

No. It's ridiculous. I want to win. He is one of the 12 best forwards up here. Enough with scratching him to "be around the team." How helpful is it to be around a shitty team?

Either play him or send him to juniors so he can play everyday and not end up messed up like Bailey.

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

Players his age gain more development from instruction than game play

He will benefit from being in practices with NHL coaches and playing in every other game or so. He should go back to the juniors but I don’t see the rush.

He will play his remaining 6 NHL games and then the Isles will make a decision on whether to burn the first year of his contract on this season. A few scratches will give them some extra time to make that decision.

by DanInDubai on Nov 23, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

"He is one of the 12 best forwards up here."

You sure about that?

I don’t think Capuano is obsessed with Pandolfo; but I bet he thinks Pandolfo knows more about NHL defense than Niederreiter at this point, and I’m certain he’s not alone in that opinion.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Why can't you just let us play with our shiny new toy?

You should've seen her face. It was the exact same look my father gave me when I told him I wanted to be a ventriloquist.

by mikefromVA on Nov 23, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

I’m worried about Nino getting lost out there. He has a lot to learn and since it can’t happen in the damn AHL I’m all for bringing him along slowly.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Nino may be slightly hurt

Moulson-JT-PAP
FNGO
Comeau-Ullstrom-Haley
Martin-Bailey-Pandolfo

could live with that

Pandolfo has been better than Reasoner
Rolston can stay away unless he can play D

by Cary K on Nov 23, 2011 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

The logic might be...

to hold onto him untiol they can find a taker for Comeau. If Comeau is the forward most easily replaced, athat can bring back the best value, then I’d have to say it’s a good plan.
Once comeau is gone [if that is the plan] then they can keep him up with the club and he can get good minutes.
They will also have three bonafide RH RW’s and Nino who can play either wing.
It’s just not as simple or as easy as everyone makes it out to be.
Comeau has a great deal of value, but I’m sure, like a bruised banana, the buyers don’t want to hear, “who cares if it’s bruised, you’re gonna use it in banana bread anyway”… when you’re buying the banana you want the BRUISED DISCOUNT.
If they can add a sweetner to the Comeau/banana, then hopefully they can get some eggs… which they sorely need.

LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA

by JPinVA on Nov 23, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Bit off subject....

but Dan Patrick has Roemick on and he says Sid SHOULD get special treatment from officials!
Now that really po’s me!

Back....
had to take a Campbell and wipe my Bettman.

by skeeterman on Nov 23, 2011 10:41 AM EST reply actions

JR is an airbag

that needs to be popped

These comments crawl up from the depths of the deepest Chasm of Saar

by bob l on Nov 23, 2011 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

Why shouldn't my opion matter?

oh wait, this is why

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Nobody should get special treatment. This is why the NHL really pisses me off, and I hope it doesn't make me eventually lose interest. It's hard to follow a sport where the dice are loaded from the start.

If it’s not a fair game, why should we care? Why even play?

by Metzfan22 on Nov 23, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

I agree with this sentiment. I watch wwe because I enjoy the rigged game. I want to watch honest hockey. Let them settle it on the ice rather than loading the game.

2011-2012 is looking like another losing season.

by Turgeon1992 on Nov 23, 2011 10:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Why so surprised?

Why is everyone so surprised by what JR said? Gretzky and even Lemieux got special treatment for years and everyone complained back then. The superstars of the league, specifically the ones that dont play a physical game, will continue to get this treatment, just like in any other sport other than the NFL, as there is nobody that does not hit in football.

by Tazman19 on Nov 23, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Sure it happens

and it seems to be an unwritten rule with officials in any sport that the superstars get special treatment, but to come out and say on a nationally broadcasted show that he SHOULD get special treatment is ludicrous.

We're all Islanders...except maybe the guys who are rumored to get traded.

by Chris McNally on Nov 23, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

I guess you have a point. But then again, JR just says what most are thinking. I have to respect him for that, at least.

by Tazman19 on Nov 23, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

In JRs mind he is that Special player, in my mind he is special too - Short bus special.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

Roenick is a blow-hard buffoon.

He’s hockey’s Kurt Schilling.
The longer he hangs around and spews inane silliness the less he’ll be remembered for what a great player he was.
He’s sabotaging his own legacy.
That makes him a dope too.

by dose on Nov 23, 2011 11:08 AM EST reply actions

He's Schilling without the intelligence. Schilling's IQ is easily 15pts higher than Roenick's.

by TMS71 on Nov 23, 2011 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

Hey!!

It’s Black Jersey Night tonight!

by barry_hal_oliver_24 on Nov 23, 2011 11:34 AM EST reply actions

I am going to have to make sure I hold off on dinner until after I see them. Then I am turning the game off. Sort of like my own protest to this crappy team.

by Tazman19 on Nov 23, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

TRADE or BUST?

Martinek and Hillen allowed to leave.
Erhoff, couldn’t make that deal.
Katic, lost for most of the season in training camp.
deHaan, needed more professional experience. Fears realized, injured in BPT.
Wishart in somebody’s dog house?
Donovan, maybe a half season away… maybe two years away… who knows?
Ness could be the next Hillen, but without a partner that can make up for his lack of size he’s just too small to proect his own crease.
Reese, which one do you get?
Klementyev might be an option at some point this year… but with no real support in the NHL it would be hard to throw him in a the key part of any pairing.
They have all of that… and a wealth of young forwards that are doing good things in development assignments, or are being unproductive in a system that lacks supportive defenders. The only real logical move is to trade from a strength. So what they really need to do is find a trading partner… which will be very difficult because everybody is looking for the same thing… and have more proven assets to offer.
Snow’s job will not be an easy one.

BTW: If you’ve gotten this far… I have 5 tix available for Friday in sec 210.

LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA

by JPinVA on Nov 23, 2011 11:37 AM EST reply actions

I got that far

And I wish I were there Friday.

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

How about Juice/Ness?

Juiceness. If Ness projects as a Hillen-type, why not pair him with a big guy who (occasionally) uses his body?

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting...

And not “interesting” in a “Gee Uncle Al, thanks for quieting the Thanksgiving table with another f-bomb and racial slur” kind of way. More like, “I’d never thought of that, and it might be disastrous but it just might work.”

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Juice/Ness monster

who (occasionally) uses his body?

Having someone trip over you should not be confused with the intentional use of your body to separate an opponent from the puck. Jurcina is big, but he is a positional defender that doesn’t read plays all that well.

I woud also fear that a Juice pass would send Ness into a compromising position and get him drilled even worse.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

I considered a Ness/Wishart pairing

but that concerns me as well. Ness would still probably be paired with a larger defender rather than an Eaton-type.

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

they could run a helluva screen

where ness skates between Milan’s legs and receives a pass on the other side.

LighthouseHockey: We saw this coming!
@JPinVA

by JPinVA on Nov 23, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Where did last year's Islanders go?

Watching that video on You Tube (courtesy of bufmemaud) brought tears to my eyes. That is the team I was looking forward to watching when my son and I bought season tickets this summer.

by Bryan's Pop on Nov 23, 2011 11:48 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

File Under: General Site Questions

I noticed that the Penguins gamethread is gone, or at least off the main page. Where did it go? Or are we just pretending it never happened, like, oh I dunno, 1984 US Olympians that score goals six hours into games on Easter morning and ride across the country on a bike.

by Les Beaver on Nov 23, 2011 12:08 PM EST reply actions

16 actually did take it with him when he ceased to exist, that and his stapler.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

There is a "game thread" link on the front page

those are moved off the main page because of all the angst and cursing and the like. They’re all there though in case anyone wants to have a depressing holiday weekend…

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

Ah, thanks. Never noticed that.

I was feeling good about life and needed something to bring me the f back to Earth. Couldn’t think of anything better to piss me off.

by Les Beaver on Nov 23, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Like Keith said: Go to the game threads category

Been moving them off the front page after a day or so, not so much for the mass depression but just because they tend to peter out and I don’t want them to bury the other regular articles that are still getting eyeballs.

If their is a groundswell of demand to keep them up front, I will; but I figure the diehards who sift through 800-comment threads know where to find them.

(This comment could maybe use some rec’s so other regulars see it.)

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Friedman's 30 thoughts on the Islanders this week.

10. I try to be careful about jumping to conclusions when you see a team for the first time and it performs like the Islanders did. When Lemieux returned in 2000, Pittsburgh destroyed a pretty good Toronto team, so this kind emotion can overwhelm an opponent.

11. The biggest question Garth Snow must answer is, “Why aren’t our prospects developing?” After Saturday’s 6-0 home bludgeoning by the Bruins, Jack Capuano made his players watch the first period of that game by themselves — no coaches present. It wasn’t much better against Pittsburgh. That isn’t the Islander team we saw finish last year.

12. Watching Nilsson made me think of Dave Reece, the Boston goalie victimized by Darryl Sittler’s 10-point night in 1976. What a situation to be thrown into. Can only think of two reasons why he played. One is that Rick DiPietro is really hurting (and New York is already down two goalies). The other is that Capuano tried challenging his players to compete hard for a teammate who they’d know was in a tough spot. Hope it doesn’t hurt his confidence.

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 1:15 PM EST reply actions

Dater and Burnside could learn a think or 90 from Friedman

He should do seminars: “How to pose questions and provide insight without acting like you know something you don’t.”

Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.

by Dominik on Nov 23, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

3 solid points on a week that was all Crosby, he managed to observe their opponent

10. I can assure him is not a one time thing.
11. Is, was and will continue to be my biggest re-build fear.
12. The whole Nilsson thing is similar to what I was thinking as well and why I questioned why DiPi wasn’t in? You have a 3-headed monster that has had two heads cut off and cauterized and now you sit him?

by Hockey1919 on Nov 23, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

I think one reason cap didn’t replace Nilsson was that he just isn’t good at managing his players. He seems to not know what to spark the team with.

2011-2012 is looking like another losing season.

by Turgeon1992 on Nov 23, 2011 1:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

We all complain about the drafting of Nilsson instead of Parise etc...check this out

2 47 San Jose Matt Carle D River City Lancers [USHL] 409 31 142 173 145
2 48 NY Islanders Dmitri Chernykh R Voskresensk Khimik [Rus-1]
2 49 Nashville Shea Weber D Kelowna Rockets [WHL] 422 83 146 229 339
2 50 NY Rangers Ivan Baranka D Dubnica Jrs. (Slovakia) 1 0 1 1 0

I hate Milbury so much.

2 57 Toronto John Doherty D Phillips-Andover (Mass.)
2 58 NY Islanders Jeremy Colliton C Prince Albert Raiders [WHL] 57 3 3 6 26
2 59 Chicago Michal Barinka D Ceske Budejovice HC [Czech] 34 0 2 2 26
2 60 Vancouver Marc-Andre Bernier R Halifax Mooseheads [QMJHL]
2 61 Mtl. Canadiens Maxim Lapierre C Montreal Rocket [QMJHL] 353 44 46 90 325
2 62 St. Louis David Backes R Lincoln Stars [USHL] 384 109 121 230 516
2 63 Colorado Dave Liffiton D Plymouth Whalers [OHL] 7 1 0 1 26
2 64 Detroit Jim Howard G U. of Maine [H-East] 151 0 3 3 6

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 1:36 PM EST reply actions

Isles improving

Isles are ahead of last season’s pace. In 2010, Isles didn’t pick up their 5th win until November 26th; their 6th victory came December 16th. (Then they went 7-1-1 December 16th-January 3rd.)

Isles are almost to the point this season when all the opponents will come into games overconfident.

"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."

by North Dakota Red Eagle on Nov 23, 2011 2:54 PM EST reply actions

We've got them now!

NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey

by Keith Quinn on Nov 23, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Yeah but...

if the Isles keep going into the games with no confidence, will that matter?

Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.

by Fabtraption on Nov 23, 2011 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Islanders Schedule

Last 5 Games

@ Columbus The Cannon	Sat 04/07	L 3 - 7
Winnipeg Arctic Ice Hockey	Thu 04/05	W 5 - 4
@ New Jersey In Lou We Trust	Tue 04/03	L 1 - 3
Ottawa Silver Seven	Sun 04/01	L 1 - 5
Boston Stanley Cup of Chowder	Sat 03/31	L 3 - 6

1979-80

Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest

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

Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest

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

Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest

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.

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