Islanders Bits: When bad goalies go good
by Dominik on Nov 28, 2011 12:49 AM EST
in Bits o' Islanders News
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PrintAl Montoya looks to have made a convincing case for number one crease duties not just with his 20-game run last season but with every appearance this season. In preseason and even after a few nice starts so far, many of us still tread with caution, because the nature of goaltenders is an unpredictable one and Montoya's 20-game stint last season isn't enough to declare his pedestrian AHL numbers moot. But he has answered every question thus far.
So is that period of caution over? No. Or at least, caution over what level he can maintain shall persist.
There is an NHL goaltender who put up a .893 save percentage over 55 games last year with two different (albeit bad) teams. After having to compete for a backup job with a third team in training camp, that same goaltender this year is 10-1 with a .953 save percentage in 12 games at age 26.
In his previous NHL stops that goaltender, Brian Elliott, would give you little reason to expect this breakout performance. Twelve games is nothing, of course, but even a skeptic like me has been quite impressed watching him play. (Playing for a team with solid 5-on-5 work sure helps, but still.)
Elliott was at Wisconsin while Montoya was at Michigan. They're both 26, an age when goaltenders do tend to hit their groove. Are we seeing not small-sample happy blips, but the maturation of two good goalies?
Islanders Links
- Blake Comeau on the other side: Write-ups in the Sun and Herald here, amusingly cribbed and relabeled a "staff report" by the Sporting News. Here's video of his arrival in St. Louis (coulda sworn I saw someone orbiting my house). Good for him that he lands where his parents are. And here was FlamesNation saying that it was a bet worth making for the Flames.
- The Islanders' next opponent has a fair amount of injury issues.
- It's just one win, but the Isles feel a little better about their "last nine periods" [Newsday]
- Fornabaio wraps up the Sound Tigers weekend (a loss yesterday), and shares this nice detail: David Ullstrom was back in town to watch his AHL teammates.
- The final CBC special in the tragic case of late former Islanders 1st-rounder Duncan MacPherson.
- Interesting with all the fan- and media-stirred Nino angst that the Islanders have him scheduled for an in-person signing Dec. 4, right? A subtle message from the PR side?
- More wondering about Nino: IPB | McGowan
- More footage from Brock Nelson's big weekend for North Dakota.
- Jason Spezza scored his 200th NHL goal. Mark points out the last Islanders draftee to do that all with the team was Derek King. (Who was eventually traded for a 5th round pick.)
Hockey Links
We were talking about other struggling teams thanks to PGI's FanPost last night. Here's a piece about the Avs that paints some of that picture.
We were also talking about the Ducks woes, so: I'll Take '3 Moves the Ducks WON'T Make' for $500 - Anaheim Calling
Just so we're clear: The Penguins find it objectionable if you collide with their goalie, and view pretty much any kind of retaliation as fair game. Irony, anyone? [War of words with Sens GM Bryan Murray going off here.] [FanShot discussion here]
Are the Caps about to fire Bruce Boudreau? And replace him with the man who committed the most detestable act of on-ice cowardice in my memory? [Update: Yep]
@TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzieWSH GM George McPhee fired Bruce Boudreau this morning. Dale Hunter is the new head coach. Will be at practice this morning.
Another firing: Hurricanes replace Paul Maurice with Kirk Muller.
Stats: More "Shot Quality" sortable tables: on-ice shooting - Arctic Ice Hockey
Dubinsky, weasel? HBO '24/7' preview: Flyers' Jody Shelley says former NY Rangers teammate Brandon Dubinsky plays like a 'weasel' | New York Daily News
Video: The Bruins-Red Wings introduction outtakes you’re looking for | ProHockeyTalk
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Most interesting thing about McGowan's article on Niño
Got tweeted by the NY Islanders official twitter… Although his main point is basically no one knows what’s exactly going on and to trust the islanders, at least the islanders or their PR (which I imagine Garth has serious control over) is taking notice and not ignoring the situation.
by BaltimoreIslander on Nov 28, 2011 1:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Noticed that as well
The tight-lipped nature of team management always pushes me to over-read things like this re-tweet but it could be nothing more than the team twitter pushing a blogbox-er without any endorsement of the content.
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
This
I think the blogbox is automated
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Lovely bits from Brian Murray. I enjoy that he mentioned playing his tough guys next time. Also, if the caps hire Hunter, I am without a doubt never a caps fan while he remains. I’d boudreau is free to coach, though, the isles should snag him. That’s quite a record.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
by Turgeon1992 on Nov 28, 2011 6:41 AM EST via mobile reply actions
WOW
TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie
WSH GM George McPhee fired Bruce Boudreau this morning. Dale Hunter is the new head coach. Will be at practice this morning.
50 seconds ago
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Wow
Stay classy, Washington. The Capitals just vaulted themselves into the Rangers/Flyers/Pens grouping of teams I hate with a passion.
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 28, 2011 8:19 AM EST up reply actions
I say they have passed the Flyers with this move
But not Rangers/Pens.
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 8:49 AM EST up reply actions
I would say that they tied the Pens with this one
but agreed, still a long way to go to pass the Rags
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 8:52 AM EST up reply actions
It's amazing how 18 years later that name still hits my rage button
No Sleep 'til....Belmont?
Despite what my parents taught me...
apparently douchebaggery DOES lead to success, at least as measured by being given the chance to coach an NHL franchise.
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
Wow
Reeks of desperation. When you can’t fire the guy with the 13 year contract…
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
I cant believe this is real.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
Twitter has been really fun this morning
The Hunter-Turgeon-Crosscheck jokes have been flying fast and furious.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
When we next play the Caps
Can we bring up Gillies and have him pummel Hunter? Just have him skate over to the bench, yank Hunter on to the ice by his tie, and before Gillies starts pummeling on him just have Gillies shout “REVENGE!!!!”
by rosey7 on Nov 28, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Montoya
Beaten to death, I know (and I apologize if this was widely discussed over the weekend, but I have not been logged in) but I think at this point everyone has to agree that Montoya has earned the right to the number 1 spot, or at least should be given the opportunity to play himself out of it.
Montoya: 463min; GAA 2.20 PCT: .930
DiP: 314min; GAA 3.44 PCT: .880 (awful)
Nabby: 382min; GAA 2.83 PCT: .910
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 8:51 AM EST reply actions
reward good play
that’s about right – our G depth right now is something like
Montoya – clear #1
Nabokov once back – perfectly good #2 – get some games, trade at deadline
RDP – press box duty
It took 20 games...
but our goalie depth chart has definitely solidified to that (Montoya then Nabokov then DP). Capuano’s complete lack of faith in DP became evident when he started Nilsson against the Pens. I think that move made clear that DP was going to be used only when he HAS to be used.
The only game of Montoya’s that I felt was shaky was against the Avalanche. He let up two soft goals in that one and then committed an unwise penalty in overtime. Every other game, he’s been very solid or the victim of shoddy defensemen play.
If I told you I have a Mike Mottau jersey, will you still respect me in the morning?
Depth Chart
Agreed on RDP. Personally, I would like to seem him sent to the Bridgeport or something for a month or two to get consistent playing time (pretty sure he’d clear waivers with 10yrs at 4.5M per).
I know there’s the glariing issue of letting the kids down there develop and the ice time he would take, but I think that especially given the ridiculous amount of time left on the contract, they should try to get him back on track to at least be a 1a option. I would think (hope) that a month or so of him getting the majority of playing time down there wouldn’t stunt the other kids – but then again, what do I know?
In any case, it’s clear that he’s not NHL ready right now, maybe because he’s still trying to find his groove, maybe the injuries have permanently damaged him. Give him a little time to work it out at B-port, and maybe he’ll surprise us all.
I for one have had enough of letting him try to work things out at the NHL level and costing the team valuable points when they need every single they can get.
All that said, the Isles 2nd half renaissance last years was in part due to Montoya’s play. I like the feel of this team with him in net, and would like to see him have the chance to run with this opportunity.
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
I like the idea of DP taking the ferry to Bridgeport. However...
we need his $4.5 million salary on the pro roster to stay above the salary floor. I believe if he’s demoted to the AHL, that salary no longer counts against the cap.
It’s my counterpoint to ESPN’s Scott Burnside’s rant about the Isles 3 goalie situation: we need three goalies on the roster to (1) stay above the salary floor, and (2) keep DP buried in the depth chart.
If I told you I have a Mike Mottau jersey, will you still respect me in the morning?
Hadn't thought about the salary cap floor
That would probably be the biggest impediment to such an attempted move…
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
Cant happen (for reasons already mentioned).
Besides- how would he get “consistent playing time” in BPT? They already had three goalies there and decided to send one of them to Europe to make room because nobody was getting “consistent playing time”.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed, as I hadn't considered the floor in my post
However, in terms of the hypothetical, you could just scratch one of the kids. Not saying it’s the ideal for development, but you have to agree that this organization has somewhat of a logjam at goalie, and whether you:
1) carry 3 goalies in the NHL, or
2) sit a kid to get RDP some games at Bridgeport, or
3) demote RDP and bring up one of the kids to act as the #3 on the Island
Someone gets the short-end of the stick playing time and development time and it’s not an ideal situation all-around.
That said, again I hadn’t considered the floor, so for the time being the point is moot. RDP ain’t going anywhere.
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
Can't we just
do with RDP what they did at the end of the Walking Dead last night? ;-)
(just kidding)
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 28, 2011 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
That
was a really good ending. The show spins its wheels for 5 episodes at a time, but they can do (half?) season finales pretty well.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
Totally.
I felt stupid that I didn’t see that end coming. But I just sat there for like 15 minutes saying, “My God……Wow….”
(kind of like after watching the Islanders play this year)
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 28, 2011 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
And now you’re just waiting until February for both (the Walking Dead and the Isles) to show up.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
If they sent RDP down to BPT my guess would be that he would have a worse save % than Nilsson or Poulin.
He’s probably the teams 6th best goalie right now after Montoya, Nabokov, Nilsson, Poulin and Koskinen.
Nabokov once back – perfectly good #2 – get some games, trade at deadline
Youre not trading him for anythng at all unless you can show that he can play and stay healthy. That will mean a lot more than a start or two per month- sorry.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
I think Cary was implying that he stays healthy and gets some games
Nowhere is it written that a #2 only plays only once or twice a month, unless he’s backing up Marty Brodeur and it’s 2005 (or unless he’s #2 out of a 3-headed goalie monster)
TMC, I think that your statement is 100% correct, and that Cary K’s statement was not inconsistent with yours.
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
yup
am happy if Nabby plays when he’s healthy – Montoya should get a shot at being our #1 though
RDP should not play more than once a month – perhaps he can be our designated SO keeper
Once a month is too much!
We are all Islanders, even if we’re from Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Nov 28, 2011 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
Goaltending
Your points about Montoya are right on target. He clearly has been the Isles best goalie thus far this year, and his age suggests that there is more to come, given that he is in his prime.
Is he the real deal? The only way to find out is to play him, and play him a lot.
when you think about it
He was the 6th overall pick for a reason
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 10:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Get ready for some Hunter Sucks chants at the Coliseum...
… and some rather confused-looking young Caps fans.
Yet another Moulson brother-in-law.
by ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles on Nov 28, 2011 8:56 AM EST reply actions
March 13th is the next home against the Caps
Estimated time from start of game to the first chant of “Pi-erre Tur-geon!”: about 0.2 seconds.
"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 28, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Is it possible to boo so long and so loud that they cancel the National Anthem??
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Nov 28, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Likely not.
Everyone will pause for those 90 seconds. We have class, after all. :-)
Yet another Moulson brother-in-law.
by ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles on Nov 28, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Gillies looking and fighting meaner than ever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3BgFoYWAqU
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Nov 28, 2011 9:43 AM EST reply actions
Isles should hire boudreau. Let’s end the waiting until cap finds a way to reach the team.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
by Turgeon1992 on Nov 28, 2011 9:45 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Yuck, no.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions
He’s got a fantastic record. Far more successful than Capuano.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
by Turgeon1992 on Nov 28, 2011 9:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
You and I must have very different definitions of "fantastic".
He was fired for a reason.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
i think he was fired for a different reason that some people might think
O think he and ovechkin were having a lot of issues and in this case, 13 year 100+ million man wins over a coach
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 10:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
half these kids probably have never heard such shocking language
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Yes he was obviously fired for a reason
You just can’t point to his career percentage as the reason. Because, mathematically and historically speaking, that is a pretty fantastic record.
Probably had more to do with what Darth says above, plus lack of postseason success.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Nov 28, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
and i watched the caps last season in the playoffs
Boudreau is coahing them the correct way, its just that his players disappear in the post season and he just couldn’t fix that…that’s on the players not the coach IMO
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 10:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Uh-oh
The players v. coach angle is very divisive around here.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Nov 28, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
Cappy hasnt been around long enough for that angle to be looked at yet
Boudreau had 4??? years to be looked at which is why its a valid view point
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 10:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Although
what’s potentially interesting is you could maybe look at it going back to Gordon’s firing as the players v coach moment. Given the waiving of Comeau, and the strange scratches that lots of hockey people are reading as player showcasing, Snow and the Isles may have already come to the conclusion that it’s the players (certainly in Comeau’s case). If they continue to shed pieces that they believe don’t fit, then we’ll know for sure.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Nov 28, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
Cappy kind of sucks but
Boudreau was hardly inspring the Caps, and their game wasn’t very organized
Why do we think he’d inspire our guys? Would only want Cappy replaced with a Jacques Lemaire type who could bring in a system – and that makes little sense to do mid-season – and there’s no one out there like that, except for Lemaire that is (not that he’d be interested, nor a long term answer)
If we want a new coach, it should be someone who starts pointing this franchise to where it can be in 2-3 years given the talent it will have – for now, Cappy will do okay
by Cary K on Nov 28, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He went 202-88-## that’s wonderful considering cappy is still under .500.
Can one be an atheist toward a hockey team? That means I have NO faith anymore.
by Turgeon1992 on Nov 28, 2011 12:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I last coached Roller Hockey for 8-12 year olds
Give me Ovie and Semin and I’d be .500 coach in the NHL. Hell I wouldn’t have tried forcing Ovie into defensive play, I’d just play run and gun all day.
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Nov 28, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Glen Hanlon didn’t hit .500 with them.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Nov 28, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
Okay, give me Ovie and Semin today, not in their 2nd seasons.
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Sure
they’re great players, when they want to be. But the Caps were 6-14-1 when he took over, and then went 37-17-7 thereafter. You could say it was just the standard coaching change bump, but it lasted for three more years after that…
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Nov 28, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know if i can get behind hiring an Alfred Hitchcock impersonator.
Yet another Moulson brother-in-law.
by ICanSeeForIslesAndIsles on Nov 28, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I'd pass on Boudreau
May not be a great young team coach.
Now, should the Flames fire Brent Sutter…
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
It's crazy, but I think from the nebulous "real NHL coach" pool
he would be a good option. Connection to the franchise, longtime, successful junior coach used to working with younger players. Yeah, he flamed out with Jersey and Calgary, and I don’t think he’d even want the job. But of the “name” guys out there, I’d be less skeptical about him.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
LOL
the nebulous “real NHL coach” pool
Haha, well phrased!
None of us really know what qualifies a “real NHL coach” other than one day they were not a real NHL coach, the next day they were, and a few years later they were fired.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Nov 28, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not against Cappy yet
But if the Isles do choose to change coaches, I wouldn’t be opposed to Boudreau. He was 201-88-40 with the Caps, which has to be the best coaching record during that time frame. After all these years it’s almost hard for me to even imagine the Islanders having that kind of success.
I think the Caps are going to end up finding out they have petulant players, not poorly coached ones, but that’s exactly what firing Boudreau does-let them find that out for sure. Of course hiring an OHL coach with no pro experience, but who happens to be a player with club ties and a hard-ass reputation makes for an interesting change.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Nov 28, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't see Boudreau staying unemployed for long
He’ll definitely get picked up by a rebounding team in the offseason for sure. His record is phenomenal.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Boudreau would make no sense for this team
I love our team but the talent pool of our team versus the talent pool of the caps is not on the same page and Boudreau couldn’t get it done with the caps, what’s he supposed to do with us?
We don’t score like the caps teams did when successful and then when Boudreau tried to make his team more defensively minded, he failed and caps struggled…
aka I’m passing on Boudreau too
by BaltimoreIslander on Nov 28, 2011 11:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Inmates running the asylum
Crazy to hear McPhee outright say, “The players were no longer responding to Bruce.” You know it’s true, but has it ever been clearer that the millionaires with the big contracts decide who they want behind the bench?
And damn, what does it mean for the Caps when their players perform post-Hanlon after Boudreau opens the gates but when he asks them to play disciplined they go into “we don’t respond” mode? Scary stuff with that much money/term on the line.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Yea
Although I get the sense (and there is a lot of this kind of talk over at Japers), that part of the problem was Boudreau was so easy-going in the beginning with the stars (read: OV and Semin), that when he tried to get them to work harder it was impossible. Sort of like if your buddy becomes your boss-he’s never going to exact the same level of discipline as he would with other employees.
What’s also interesting is a lot of the people over at Japers are both good with the move and think Boudreau is going to win a Cup wherever he goes next. Basically they think he’ll never make the mistakes he made with Ovechkin and Semin again.
And yeah-it will be interesting to see what Hunter can do. I have no idea if he’s more of a hardliner (though it’s easy to assume he is), but if OV stops sulking and starts scoring, do we really blame Boudreau, or do we get a read on exactly what type of guy OV is?
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
Kirk Muller is also rumored to be hired today for Carolina per Dreger
What a day for Isles fans
Seriously! What is it with Islander Villains and jobs!
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
http://twitter.com/#!/garik16
At this rate
Someone will hire Milbury by lunch time.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Nov 28, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
So long as it's not Charles Wang, it can only help our cause.
by Les Beaver on Nov 28, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Sincerely hope I never have to see this again
Those days still haunt my dreams.
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I also hope
I never see that tie again. Geez, Chuck!
"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 28, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wang's tie
What the fuck is going on there?
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
To say nothing of the onion belt
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
It was the style at the time.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
hi Mr. Wang
Sir, I got yer coffee for you, sir, just the way you like it sir… here, let ME carry your books sir, did you have a restful night, sir?
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Like my bag? I traded our first round pick next year and Ziggy Palffy for it.
Sweet bag, Mike. Now, who’s Ziggy Palffy?
by Les Beaver on Nov 28, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
It was going to be just for the bag
But Bettman stepped in and made me take a cup of coffee, too.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
why are we not asking the question:
where in the hell did you find this picture?
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
by gukid17 on Nov 28, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Just in case the Leafs need a change in morale...
they got Darcy Tucker waiting in the wings.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
darcy tucker
The dale hunter of my generation/islanders lifetime
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 10:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The two can't be compared
What Hunter did was the most classless act I’ve ever seen in hockey.
If you think Tucker’s hit on Peca was dirty or cheap, at least it was during the game. Hunter’s came when the game had just been decided. Just horrible.
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Nov 28, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
And it was because Hunter was pissed off that he had screwed up and caused a goal.
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Yep, 2 different things
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Nov 28, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
I wanst even 1 when the hunter hit occured
Plus, the reason the tucker hit is the lesser equivalent of the hunter hit TO ME was due to both Peca and Jonsson getting taken out in the same game, never being the same again
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 10:14 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yep, during the game
Totally 2 different things.
Not saying they were right or wrong, just nobody can even dispute what Hunter did wasn’t wrong.
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Nov 28, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
and im not disputing that, what hunter did is inexcusable
I was just saying what I felt in regards to tucker
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 10:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agree
The cheapest shot in the history of hockey. The play was over, and he could not even defend himself. Caps are going nowhere with Hunter, he is a complete jerk and that will rear its ugly head soon enough.
This one was pretty bad too
Hunter’s hit on Turgeon could have been prevented had Hunter not passed the puck right to Turgeon in his own zone.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Nov 28, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
I think they can be compared.
One is worse than the other, sure. But its comparable in what people have seen personally.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
i can't stand tucker
But i can’t even be for sure that hit was even dirty. At the very least, I can try to make myself believe it wasn’t on purpose.
I can’t do that with Hunter. His act was very immature. he basically said, Oh, I can’t win, either can you, boom.
Tucker was trying to win, 2 different things, imo.
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Nov 28, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
I always felt Gary Roberts' hit on Jonsson was worse than Tucker/Peca
Not that Tucker’s was completely innocent and kosher, but lining up a guy and going high to the back of the head on purpose? That’s cheap as hell.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
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Imagine if a hit like that had caused Crosby to sit out a year.
It was a bit like Cooke’s hit on Tyutin, but Roberts was coming in much faster, I think.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Nov 28, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
Your generation's Hunter
Interesting. Never thought of it that way, but I get it. You must’ve heard ravings about Hunter for eons.
My blood still boils over Hunter because it was essentially a criminal act, a perfect example of cowardice committed by someone labeled a courageous hero.
I hope he destroys the Capitals.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Nov 28, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I hope he destroys the Capitals.
Rec’d to the nth degree. I’m still waiting for his retired number to spontaneously combust due to its inherent evil.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
Have you ever seen it?
It actually has Hunter’s horrible mug right on it. In a blue-ish hue, like the three Jedis at the end of Return of the Jedi. It’s disturbing.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Is that new?
Or maybe old? The ones I remember are red with white names/numbers on them….
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
I saw a game there in 1999, I think
Playoff game against the Penguins where a Jagr shot from a terrible angle ricocheted off of Calle Johanssen’s foot and into the net in OT.
The Caps wore their blue and gold jerseys back then and Hunter’s face was definitely on his banner. Maybe they changed them when they went back to the red. If so, thank god.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Don't forget
Kirk Muller is coaching in the AHL just waiting for a call.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Call answered!
The Hater’s Ball is going to have to open a whole new wing.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Memories
Tucker fans may remember this- the sound of the hit tells you how hard it was
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZVA_N3Zu2s
I miss that guy
"Seriously that's the last time you guys f#@%ing won?" -RSH (about beating the Penguins in '93)
Yeah, I was thinking the same
Its a different game today. That was playoffs, but that series was unbelievable. Like a steel cage death match.
Immortal lines from the call: “And here comes Webb!”
Think about that
The Isles carried Webb on the playoff roster. And he was completely a one-dimensional player. Hit. That was it. In fact, I hardly ever remember him actually trying to play the puck. Yet they still HAD to carry him on the roster. We could barely make room for Haley this year, and he actually has some hockey skill.
Different times.
Bad day to be a coach...
ice_chip Chip Alexander
Canes have fired Maurice, Rutherford says.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Retweeted by Proteautype
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
nhl_canes Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have relieved Paul Maurice as head coach. A new coach will be announced later today: carhur.com/c6w
1 minute ago
Retweeted by JapersRink
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
Man, how awesome would it be
if the Hurricanes immediately hired Boudreau right now?
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
I never did understand
Firing Lavi for Maurice
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Nov 28, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Or Milbury
/facepalm
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well obviously Milbury knew what he was talking about when he said that Lavi didn’t have what it takes to get past the first round…
Two Stanley Cup Finals appearances later…
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Cappy could be Lavi 2.0, right?
Right?! (please say yes, please say yes…)
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Nov 28, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
As in
we fire him and he takes the Rangers to the Stanley Cup? Sure
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Christ it's like hire the Islander villain day
TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie
CAR fires Paul Maurice, Kirk Muller is the new guy.
1 minute ago
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Ugh
Next, Dreger reports that Darcy Tucker is hired by the Blue Jackets.
"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 28, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
So
is that three now with Payne? Bloody year already.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
by afrosupreme on Nov 28, 2011 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
I'm hearing
Mike Milbury will replace Butch Goring as the team’s color commentator. Hearing his advice will surely get this team on the winning track.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
The way we are viewed by other NHL fans is depressing
and while I can’t argue with the ‘lowly’ part, the fact that we’re viewed as talent depraved is kind of bad.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
what is it with this site and posting links?
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
I can only imagine what the punishment would be for Hunter
if he pulled that garbage to one of todays stars? That event is burned in my brain forever. I often wonder if the Isles would have matched up better with Habs had he played. I mean beating the Pens without him was a huge upset and the last great Islander memory for me. The Toronto series we lost so I dont put much stock in that one.
He was never the same player after that hit
He played with an eye over his shoulder
by SchneiderDiricov on Nov 28, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe Nino tomorrow, Bailey scores and gets dropped to the 4th line again?
StapeNewsday Arthur Staple
At #Isles practice today: Rolston-Ullstrom-Niederreiter, Martin-Bailey-Haley/Reasoner, Pandolfo not on ice.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
Rolston-to-Ullstrom
is a tongue-twister. Butch better be on high alert.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Butchie has been waiting alln his life for Rolston to be in an Isles uni
he had tons of practice the year and a half he kept calling Roloson “Rolson”
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
What a play by Rolstrom!
UH… Ullsterson… Cybertron… Brian and David!
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
by mikb on Nov 28, 2011 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
hahahaha
I haven’t stopped laughing at Cyberton. People are looking at me weird.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Trying Ullstrom at center?
Or just filling out the lines?
#practiceporn
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
we're hashtagging comments now?
I agree with Pandolfo not skating these could just be practice lines, but it would be curious then to not just put Reasoner in at center if he was going to keep the Ullstrom-Bailey-Martin line together
#foodforthought
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
I just hashtag my subconscious
To keep it from infiltrating my real comments.
Yeah, how funny is it to see Bailey and Reasoner together with an extra body on the fourth line while they run Rolston-Ullstrom-Nino?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
That may be a reflection of the faceofffs though
If they have no faith in Pandolfo doing them, it makes sense to put Bailey (the more seasoned of the two defensively) with the less responsible line…still annoying that now that he’s playing well, you slide him further down the depth chart.
Just thinking out loud. They do have to get Nino and Reasoner back in the lineup though…and of course my preference is to get Rolston sick again (preferably with something long-term yet not life-threatening).
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
I've got a guy
Don’t you worry, I’ve got a guy. You name your price, Rolston will be out by the weekend.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I mean are we really talking about this, or...
are we just “speaking” …
As an idea.
Yes.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Dominiku
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Ive never seen a hit
ordered so poetically
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Hit?
These are the Islanders. There will be no hitting.
We may be in the box, but you get the penalty.
Lighthouse Hockey - a beacon of greatness on the rocky coast of sports blog mediocrity
Non-hockey scribblings at nightflyblog
Hey
Only my babička can call me that!
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Domamet
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Ricky Sargulesh
Sorry – been watching Party Down reruns.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Nov 28, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Are we having fun yet!?
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And words that Dom should use on a daily basis
“People care what I think. I have a prestigious blog, sir.”
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Id like to see them
sit Rolston and Pandolfo just for one game and have a 3rd and 4th that look something like this:
Ullstrom-Bailey-Nino
Martin-Reasoner-Haley
That way you have two actual centers playing instead of playing Pandolfo out of position. That would fux the faceoff problem. I know people want Martin on the 3rd but I feel his future is on a 4th line and Ullstrom and Nino have more potential in my eyes. With that said, barring some bad chicken wings sent to the Isles before the game in Buffalo, I think Rolston will be playing
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
The face-off problem is fuxed up already
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I'll rec your mocking of my spelling
bc it made me laugh and as you posted this I was typing a comment saying I need to stop typing on my netbook and its tiny keyboard. I make way too many typos.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm the last to talk when it comes to typos
But I couldn’t resist.
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Yep
with pieces that are slideable up and down the lineup.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Me like
the Martin-Bailey-Haley line.
They should open the ice up for Bailey…
Between Ullstrom-Rolston
and Bailey-Haley, I just think they’re trying to screw with Butch.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Nov 28, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Lol..
I cnt wait til Butch “Captain Crunch’s” Casey Cizikas
When the Islanders call up Cizikas
Howie better put on a poncho or else Butch’s pronunciation is going to drench him.
"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 28, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Add ninoneenereiner to the mix
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Isn't it Nito Needenbacher?
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
No
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bZkw2n1cv0
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
haha
dude Kermit can’t even pronounce it right
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
Staple: Nino tomorrow
And also this:
The Islanders may bring up an extra forward for the Friday-Saturday visits to Chicago and Dallas, but there are no additions for tomorrow’s game with the Sabres in Buffalo.Really now.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
MOAR MOTTO!!!1
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sweet
Let’s call up a couple of goalies, too!
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
I know the issue is not quite so black and white as this, but
in looking at the Al Montoya issue, there are two questions. First, is he the legitimate #1 in NVMC right now? and Second, is he the long term answer to the goaltending problems?
Even as an unabashed RDP fan, I concede the first point. He has earned the right to play himself out of the #1 role.
In relation to the second, ask yourself if Poulin and Nillson are trade bait right now. I’m guessing none of us are prepared to go there just yet.
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Nov 28, 2011 11:43 AM EST reply actions
The question is not Montoya or Rick.
The NY ISlanders have not looked at DiPietro as anything resembling a starter in a long, long time.
The only time he has gotten starts this season is when one- or both- of the other two goalies have been injured and they knew they d have to play him. I mean, the Isles even played a newbie kid with no experience over Rick. What does that tell you?
Whether Montoya is played like a #1 has nothing to do with DiPietro- It has to do with Nabokov. When healthy, Nabokov is the one who will be splitting starts with Montoya.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
Another theory
Or perhaps contributing factor: after Isles goalie coach helped Montoya with subtle mechanics change last season, his save % has been great… He looks very comfortable going side-to-side. Perhaps that had something to do with it.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Nov 28, 2011 11:45 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
but
Montoya was pretty spectacular from his first start on. I’m putting more in the theory of him knowing it’s his last shot.
"Matty Mo thinks it's different. He must be extra high today." BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Moulson's response to Isles black jerseys.
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
He was pretty bad and floppy in his first couple
They were relief appearance though.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
OHLHockey OntarioHockeyLeague
#OHL forwards invited to Canada’s NJT Camp – F. Hamilton, B. Jenner, T. Pearson, M. Scheifele, R. Spooner, R. Strome, C. Thomas, T. Toffoli
49 seconds ago
And Kitchton:
http://whl.ca/article/16-whl-players-invited-to-canada-s-jr-camp
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Botta give us an F
Hard to argue with his grade but this statement is just plain wrong:
If the Islanders fall out of the playoff race by the holidays for the fifth year in a row – unique failure in an age of parity – the owner Charles Wang and General Manager Garth Snow may have to consider an evaluation of the entire enterprise.I mean the Isles have not been worldbeaters latetly, but for accuracy’s sake, the team was not out of it by the holidays in 07-08 and 09-10.
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 11:47 AM EST reply actions
Which, on reflection, makes the Isles current position even worse being that a team is presumably supposed to improve during a rebuild
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
An evaluation of the entire enterprise?
What in God’s name is he thinking about? Toss a hand grenade and blow the whole thing to hell and gone? That’s what Milbury did every two to three years and generally with less than stellar results.
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Nov 28, 2011 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
Botta's evaluation of the entire enterprise
Ends with him being installed as President and General Manager.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
The only evaluation should be Garth Snow looking in the mirror
I’m not a Snow hater, and I’m sure Botta would love my criticism of him right now, but I think Garth made this team take a step back after the initial flurry of Free Agents were signed last summer. I’m sorry, but trading for Rolston and filling two of your roster spots with PTO’s at the zero hour screams of desperation.
I realize it is hard to sign FA’s when you’re the New York Islanders, but I find it unfathomable that he couldn’t find players with more ability than Rolston, Pandolfo, and Staios to fill what amounts to 1/6 of our starting skaters.
And now that I’m on a tangent I’m going to go off on Capuano a little too. His player management has been abysmal. He’s ruining Frans Nielsen and taking someone who could have been the best 3rd line center in the league and turning him in to a bad 2nd line center. And what I mean by that is his taking defensive responsibilities and pk responsibilities away from Frans and trying to turn him into more of an offensive player. For Frans it seems like defense comes first, offense follows, but when you take the defense away from him he just looks like an average NHL player.
Plus Capuano’s reliance on the fogeys is ridiculous. And I’m not talking about dressing them, bc up until a couple weeks ago he had no (or little) choice. But the assignments and ice time these grandpas get instead of our budding young talent is ridiculous.
And there, in an out of the blue rant, is why I believe you are seeing play way below what we all imagined we would see out of this team following last season. I will now step down from the soapbox and allow someone else to have a turn
#tellushowyoureallyfeel
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
He’s ruining Frans Nielsen and taking someone who could have been the best 3rd line center in the league and turning him in to a bad 2nd line center.
This is a really important point, and it sucks that the only reason why this happened is because Bailey did not develop into the 2nd line center we all wanted him to be. FNGO caught fire and that turned Frans into the team’s de facto 2nd line center. I still feel like Frans is being used in the wrong offensive situations (Cappy’s over-reliance of using Frans and Grabner on the PP drives me crazy), but until Strome is up or Bailey plays out of his mind, I feel like Frans is going to be the #2 for the rest of the year.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
(Cappy’s over-reliance of using Frans and Grabner on the PP drives me crazy)
This is my point. I understand, like you said, that his hands are tied with who he can use as his 2nd line center, but Nielsen’s diminishing pk time and forcefed pp time is doing him a disservice. Frans can still center the 2nd line and still be used where his strengths lay. Cappy doesn’t seem to get that though.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
It's because everybody else sucks
That’s become Cappy’s coaching strategy. I think Bailey should get more PP time over Frans since he has a higher offensive upside and greater playmaking skills. Frans knows how to generate an offensive breakout with Grabner and Okposo on his wing, but he doesn’t know how to hold down the offensive zone like a 2nd line center would. The guy’s great though and I feel he’ll rebound into the phenomenal 3rd line center he is once the Isles get a proper #2 guy.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Nice
Agreed on all points. I really think Crappy has no fucking idea what he’s doing most of the time.
And Snow . . . I mean, look, I get it, it’s hard to be the Islanders. But Jay Fucking Pandolfo? Mark Eaton and Mottau (know this was last year, but still)?
JFC.
=d
I feel the pain
We all do. But I honestly think that Garth and a lot of us, got bamboozled a little by last year’s second half. I bet he expected a lot more from the regulars and for a couple of kids from Bridgeport to make the team and neither happened. Hence, Staios and Pandolfo at the 11th hour. Rolston was a cap (and a getting rid of an injury risk) move. I can’t imagine Garth expected these guys to see anything but the press box for most of the season. But injuries and lousy play from too many guys forced them to take more prominent roles. As disappointing as it is, I can’t kill Garth for having high (and probably unreasonable) expectations.
I’m also puzzled by a lot of Capuano’s moves. But the guy’s only got so many tools to work with.
Frans is perhaps our most disturbing case this season because A. he’s been so good for the last few seasons and B. it’s his contract year.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
I can’t imagine Garth expected these guys to see anything but the press box for most of the season.
I think the opposite. Rolston was being groomed for the 3rd line ( at the expense of Blake Comeau) and PP time (at the expense of A-Mac and Hamonic) from Day 1 of training camp. And we had guys like Haley who didn’t play poorly in the preseason who got shipped out to make room for Pandolfo.
I honestly think these guys presence and the fact that people were shuffled around to accommodate them, has been the main problem with this team this year, whether its lead to bad chemistry, lack of confidence, or whatever else.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think the opposite. Rolston was being groomed for the 3rd line ( at the expense of Blake Comeau)
I don’t think that’s correct, since Rolston and Comeau started the season on the third line with Bailey centering them.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
Yeah
Only bc Nino got hurt to start the season. If you remember the lines in preseason were:
Moulson-Tavares-Nino
Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo
PA-Bailey-Rolston
Comeau-Reasoner-4th liner of choice
Once Nino got hurt and was out of the lineup, then and only then did Comeau slide up to the 3rd line. If Nino had started the season healthy, you would;ve had a 4th line Comeau and a 3rd line Rolston
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think you groom a 38-year-old 20-year veteran for anything.
And I don’t think Garth was banking on the 30-goal Rolston from a decade ago, either. He probably figured he could slide him into a third line spot and use him on the point on the power play with little fuss. Didn’t work out like that. We’re talking about guys on the third and fourth lines (and a few second liners), none of whom were producing jack offensively.
Of course, neither of us can read minds, so it’s possible that we’re both wrong and Garth thought Rolston was going to win the Hart and Selke trophies this year.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
haha i didnt think he was groomed
I just think Snow thought he had a piece that was going to play an important role for the team. As much as I want to see him gone, I have a bigger problem with the Staios and Pandolfo signings than I do Rolston acquisition. It was pretty much like saying “hey young guys, none of you are good enough right now, so I’m going to sign these two washed up guys that weren’t good enough for anyone else”
I wish I could read minds, but then again if I did and shared what I found out, no one would believe it anyway. It’d be worse than the baseless speculating I do right now.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
oh and I was haha-ing your 'mind reading' line
not that you mentioned grooming a 38 year old. didnt want it to be misconstrued.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
That's cool.
I don’t really think that they were all really earmarked for only the press box like I said earlier. I just feel they were brought in to pepper an up and coming TEAM OF THE FUTURE (future…future) and maybe bring the always fun “veteran leadership.”
But so many things have gone pear-shaped this season, everything is up for questioning.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
It's an off day
and I try to stay so positive with this team, that occasionally I get frustrated and vent, bc I know the talent is there, but these guys come out almost every night (last game not included) like they’re taking the slow walk to the schoolyard at 3 pm to faceoff against the school bully.
So there are obviously factors there other than “theses guys are no good”. Today was my vent day. Optimism returns tomorrow morning lol
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
I view the Rolston move as Garth throwing in the towel late in the FA season
He couldn’t get Erhoff, there was nothing left in the FA market and our D was weak. I think Garth figured that 2011-12 is going to be a wasted year and we have 3 young D just starting in Bridgeport. So he does the trade with Lou and bites the bullet this season ($5 mil to Rolston) in order to free up $2 mil next season (Hunter’s salary). Don’t think Garth had any expectations of Rolston outside of he could be a stopgap point man for a season.
Throwing in the towel
That’s what I saw it as, too. You don’t start off the summer trying to get Brian Rolston. But by the end if you know Hunter has two years left but is a big injury/speed concern, and Rolston gets you to the floor and removes Hunter’s contract from your to do list, you call Lou back and say, “Okay, we’ll take that swap you talked about.”
Same with Staios and Pandolfo, honestly. To me they were insurance after no one else came in — and insurance that even if signed, is easy to cut if/when/hopefully a prospect earns a job.
I think Snow might’ve overbelieved in our prospects, while Capuano overbelieved in the vets.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Nov 28, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No Doubt
Now the question is, how do we get to the floor next season? We’ll need to fill Rolston’s $5 mil. I realize the JT extenstion at the new rate kicks in, but we’re still going to have to overpay for a D-man, no?
PS- of all the veterans we’ve signed, I’m not disappointed with Staios and Pandolfo. The rest have been busts so far.
Frans
is going to get paid, down season or not.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Take that back!
I really wonder about that floor next year. And with an expiring CBA … are they going to try to normalize the floor, inadvertently letting the Isles (and other small market teams) off the hook?
I figured Ehrhoff was a big step toward getting Rolston-level money on the books. When that failed, I wonder who that is even remotely worth it will take the Isles dough.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Normalizing the floor
has to be a goal for a solid 1/3 of the league or more. I don’t think they anticipated all of this “growth” when the arbitrarily assigned it to be $16million (or however much it is) less than the ceiling.
In fairness the one upside of bringing in a cap mule like Rolston is it shouldn’t affect negotiations with other players. If they had dumped what Buffalo did on Erhoff, what on earth would they have had to pay JT? At least with Rolston it’s someone else’s bad contract, and it’s pretty obvious why he’s here.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
That's why Rolston doesn't bug me
This time next year, he’s a faded memory. Meanwhile, the Isles lock up Frans with their two tons of cap room.
"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 28, 2011 11:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Even those preseason lines
can’t really account for the start of the season. Nino’s played in, what, 3 games now and he hasn’t even sniffed time on the first line. I still don’t think Nino would’ve seen first line time to start the season anyway – preseason is one thing, but once the games actually matter, I think Cappy would’ve been more cautious.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
Thats fine
but he wasnt going to play on the 4th. So all you do is swap PA for Nino. The point is before the preseason was even played a 38 year old also ran was being penciled in over guys who were here last year when the team had some sort of success at the end of the year.
Rolston has had more games where he’s looked terrible than he has had where he’s looked good, but how many games was he dropped to the 4th line? I believe one (and I’m convinced Comeau was being showcased that game). How many games was he a healthy scratch? None. So even though he hadn’t distinguished himself really over any of the other players he still was never held accountable or singled out like others were.
I’m cool with people having differing opinions on stuff, but you’re never going to change my mind that 1) Snow brought him in to be a major part of this team, not just an upgrade over Trent Hunter and 2) That Cappy has shown loyalty to and way too much confidence in a guy that hasn’t shown once that he really deserves it over the other players on the roster.
But like PGI said, we can’t read minds and only Snow and Cappy really know what’s going on when their hamster wheels are running.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you on a lot of points
that Rolston has been absolutely terrible, but I just don’t buy that his play somehow “hurt” Comeau. Comeau hurt Comeau. Blake played like shit no matter what line he was on. Yes, he was only placed on the 3rd and 4th lines, but he was spectacularly awful on both. As somebody mentioned here a week or so ago, you can’t bench the entire team. Cappy must’ve felt that it was wiser to punish an underperforming Comeau than an underperforming Rolston – I assume it’s because of the overrated “veteran leadership” nonsense, so maybe Cappy wants even more out of the young players than he gets from the vets. Once you see the young guys push the vets out of the lineup, I have a feeling that Rolston is going to be one of the last guys cut.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
I didn't subscribe to that at first (that the older guys playing was hndering them), but...
They’ve really looked much better as of late (minus the Pittsburgh game) and maybe that has something to do with guys like Ullstrom and Haley injecting some energy into the team.
Though I suspect it has more to do with Okposo and Grabner playing far better in the last week.
I don't care what free agents he signed - I care about young guys developing an getting better. That's what concerns me.
There’ll be more journeyman FAs the next couple of years to fill holes but if the young guys continue to improve and I mean significantly and not only marginally we’ll be fine and we can sign some good FAs when we’re ready to compete for the cup.
by TMS on Nov 29, 2011 1:14 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Bitchfest.
Seriously. Im tired of his whining and selective memory.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Nov 28, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
I dont floow him on twitter, read his column
watch his IPB videos (except Dom’s appearance of course) or pay attentiion to anything else he does. He lost my respect a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time ago.
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Dammit!!!
Haha I don’t floow anyone. Follow would’ve been the word used by someone who doesn’t lay on his bed and try to type
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
Chris Bitter
I can’t see twitter at work to find it now, but the other day I stumbled upon a twitter called ChrisBitter or similar, where the guy would post fake, nonsensical and – yes – bitter ramblings allegedly from Botta. Not many tweets from it though…
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Nov 28, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Plus
we’re already out of this year. Hooray! We made it by Thanksgiving!
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
ok...well this is interesting
StapeNewsday Arthur Staple
Jay Pandolfo out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. #Isles
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
NYIslanders NYIslanders
Pandolfo didn’t practice today. Capuano says a foot injury will keep him sidelined 4-6 weeks. #isles
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
by DarthDoyle on Nov 28, 2011 12:09 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
So now we have 2 open roster spots
Can we see a D-man called up please so Mottau can rot in the pressbox. And before anyone calls for a forward brought up from the Bridge, I dont want to see anyone called up if they’re not going to play, ala Nino. Because we all know they;re not scratching Rolston, so I;d rather these forwards stay in Bridgeport and get playing time
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
i agree
id say bring up Wishart, and give either deHaan or Donovan a look
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
Damn, who am I gonna pick for my FIG now???
"This team is a serious misallocation of various hockey resources"- Saving Private Tavares
by FireGarthSnow on Nov 28, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This will somehow lead to more PT for Rolston.
=d
by AP77 on Nov 28, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
just because he is old and not a fan favorite
does not mean he hasnt been playing well in his role. It just gives opportunity and uncertainty to another player. Be it Reasoner getting another chance or a call up from BPt.
by ghalbart on Nov 28, 2011 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
March 13th, 2012
After Ovechkin scores a goal, wait 5 seconds, then cross-check him into the boards so he needs to be carries off the ice as you keep replaying Hunter’s hit on Turgeon over and over again with the sub-title “Payback Bitch!”
"This team is a serious misallocation of various hockey resources"- Saving Private Tavares
I say we sign Pierre to a PTO that day
and let him do it himself and then skate by the Caps bench flipping Hunter the bird
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
TarikElBashir Tarik El-Bashir
Former #Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau had the rest of this season and next season on his contract, according to a source.
20 seconds ago
DaveLozo Dave Lozo
Cool. I’m currently tied for fourth in games coached in the Southeast Division.
2 minutes ago
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
cmasisak22 Кори Масисак
Amazing #s courtesy of @twinglis – #NHL games coached by division: NE – 4,347, CEN – 3,945, PAC – 2,489, ATL – 1,960, NW – 1,793, SE – 174
9 minutes ago
Retweeted by SkinnyPPPhish
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
wow
one of my friends just tried to compare Potvin to Hunter in regards to players injuring other players…im speechless
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
Are you kidding?
Potvin’s check on Nilsson? Even Nilsson said it wasn’t a dirty play.
That's not ...
apples and oranges, it’s apples and freakin turkey legs.
by dose on Nov 28, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
To be fair
…they both involved hockey players.
"The reader of this sentence exists only while reading me."
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Nov 28, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
That's no friend
"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 28, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
hes a ranger fan
but ive known him since i was 4 so i let it slide
screw homework, its all about islanders hockey
Teams I now hate in the East
Pittsburgh Penguins – Lemieux, Crosby, Bylsma, Cooke, Godard, 2/11/2011, whiny crybabies, Orpik
Toronto Maple Leafs – Darcy Tucker, 2002 playoffs, mecca for JT
Boston – Chara, Boston
Philadelphia – watching Laviolette succeed when he could still be coaching the Isles, Briere, Bobrovsky, Turtle, Pronger, I hate Philadelphia
Rangers – just because
Buffalo – Ehrhoff
Washington – Dale motherfucking Hunter
New Jersey – because every time they play a game, I fall asleep
Tampa Bay – Diet Islanders
Ottawa – thanks for giving us Yashin, assholes…
Montreal – Mike Calamari
Carolina – Kirk fucking Muller
So apparently the Panthers and the Jets aren’t on my shitlist.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Nov 28, 2011 2:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Oh my, what a burn!
Michael Grabner
grabs40 Michael Grabner
@
@mattymarts17 @bookert2116 You can start talking about scoring goals when you can’t count your goals on one hand bud.. #grinditout
3 minutes ago
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
Stems from this (also good)
bookerT2116 Kyle Okposo
It’s not my fault @grabs40 refuses to eat anything… #160soakingwet
31 minutes ago
Matt Martin
mattymarts17 Matt Martin
@
@bookerT2116 i thought @grabs40 has been looking a little skinny lately too, but it must be tough to eat with no hands haha #roasted
15 minutes ago
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
LMAO!
"Seriously that's the last time you guys f#@%ing won?" -RSH (about beating the Penguins in '93)
The funniest thing
is that they’re probably tweeting at each other while sitting on the same plane together right now.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Also
if that’s the case, it’s a wonder how any of them eat…
"Seriously that's the last time you guys f#@%ing won?" -RSH (about beating the Penguins in '93)
This also gets me to thinking
Grabs got off to a slow start and had “bulked up” again in the off season. Now his teammates are noticing that he’s been getting “a little skinny”, and we’re noticing that he has an increase in breakaways and speed to the puck.
Coincidence?
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Strang
KatieStrangESPN Katie Strang
#Isles In wake of the two NHL firings this morning, asked GM Garth Snow if Jack Capuano’s job is in danger. His reply? “Nope”
15 seconds ago
She followed up with:
KS “You sure?” GS"Yep."
KS “Positive?” GS “Uh-huh”
KS “Did u\you say uh-huh or Nuh-uh?” GS “Uh-huh”
KS “Which one?” GS “Shut the fuck up Katie we’re not firing him.”
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Nov 28, 2011 3:26 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
Wow, I'm surprised.
You really think she asked any follow-up questions?
"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 28, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I'm surprised she got a word period
I would think Garth has all his texts set up to automatically reply:
=x
Taking applications for a new favorite Islander.
by Chris McNally on Nov 28, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, right
“Nope” is the lengthiest interview Garth’s given all year.
"He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent. On Twitter: @Dan_of_Science
Meanwhile, Staple reports that Nino's back tomorrow
Also, sounds more Mottau for the forseeable future.
http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=02408CA565D1909C93CC.3174?site=newsday&view=islanders_item&feed:a=newsday_5min&feed:c=islanders&feed:i=1.3351832
Lighthouse Hockey. Where Islanders fans come to panic with punctuation.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Nov 28, 2011 4:54 PM EST reply actions
Staple has been wrong before
Montoya started the first game, for example, despite Staple’s predictions otherwise. Let’s hope this is another mistake.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is
by IslesFanInNJ on Nov 28, 2011 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
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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
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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.
