Islanders and Free Agency: A plan for July 1
by Dominik on Jun 30, 2011 6:36 PM EDT
in Roster Manoeuvres in the Dark
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The NHL free agent "silly season" has actually already begun, with swapping of big ticket players (Brian Campbell to the Tallon show) and small ticket players given big tickets (four years and $12 million from Tallon to Tomas Kopecky), and big ticket players passed around for courting (Christian Ehrhoff, who is now feverishly Googling "places to find schnitzel in Buffalo").
The Islanders have played their own 20-hour part in the silliness, and Newsday reports Garth Snow is still pursuing a "top four" addition either on the market or via trade. So expect the unexpected.
But here is a modest proposal for what Snow should and shouldn't be doing as the insanity known as free agency commences at noon July 1.
Note: This is an expansion of what I shared with SB Nation New York Thursday afternoon.
State of the Island
Looking at the depth charts at forward and defense, the New York Islanders ostensibly don't have much work to do on July 1 when the 2011 NHL free agency period begins. They have enough NHL contracts for a full blueline, and enough forwards competing for top 9 jobs that the only glaring hole is a defensive faceoff specialist to replace Zenon Konopka, who will not be re-signed.
That said, they could handle upgrades at any position outside of goaltender, where they could use an upgrade but there is already a crowd of contracts and prospects.
Why We're Here
The Islanders have let defensemen Radek Martinek and Jack Hillen walk, while young pups Calvin De Haan (likely) and Matt Donovan and Aaron Ness (certainly) will need plenty of time to develop at AHL Bridgeport. Mark Katic and Dylan Reese are depth guys. Ty Wishart showed promise of being an important addition late last year, but in the parlance of our times: Sample size is small.
Meanwhile, at forward Zenon Konopka is also walking free. Fighting is the least of the Islanders' concerns in terms of how to replace him; rather, they need to replace his faceoff dependability -- ideally with someone who can also keep other teams in check.
What We're Gonna Do About It
DEFENSE
Garth Snow's attempt to preemptively sign Christian Ehrhoff shows he recognizes the blueline needs more depth, and ideally an offensive upgrade. The Islanders have seven returning NHL blueliners (if you count one of Wishart or Katic as likely NHLers) plus several prospects headed to Bridgeport who might push for NHL time, led by Calvin de Haan. However, there are several injury caveats: Mark Eaton, Andrew MacDonald and Mike Mottau are all returning from hip surgery. Mark Streit is returning from serious shoulder surgery that wiped out his entire 2010-11. That's a lot of "ifs" with which to start the season.
While the Islanders are unlikely to target James Wisniewski or Tomas Kaberle, they should kick the tires on New Jersey's Andy Greene, or even Calgary's Anton Babchuk if they're interested in an Ehrhoff-lite, offensive-oriented defenseman. Failing these, they could also try to bring back Hillen or Martinek, who were both allowed to reach July 1 unsigned.
Try Targeting: Andy Greene, Steve Montador, Scott Hannan, or a bigger name via trade
Stay Away From: James Wisniewski (seen that movie), Ed Jovanovski (fumes), Ian White (scary trajectory)
FORWARD
The Islanders' underrated offense ranked 15th in the league last year, featuring two 30-goal scorers and five 20-goal scorers in all. Any deficiencies are due more to the merry-go-round of defensemen who had varying success feeding the forwards. While a real top six wing would be nice -- or someone to make Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau tick, perhaps? -- they aren't really out there, and the Islanders believe in their young forwards, which might also include Nino Niederreiter.
Still, they need a bottom six upgrade. The decision to let Konopka walks makes sense only if they acquire a better version. Konopka is great at faceoffs and great at rallying the troops, but his three-zone play isn't great and suffers when hampered by weak fourth-line wingers. Micheal Haley might default into that role, but they should let him develop at wing and try an experienced defensive pivot.
If they wanted to add a physical wing, maybe an Erik Cole gives you some physicality and dependability with scoring punch. For scoring punch Injury-prone Simon Gagne, one of the few scoring wings out there, is out of the equation unless the Isles want to throw a ton of money out there on a one-year deal. Likewise Tomas Fleischmann opened eyes in Colorado but his health is a serious question mark.
Ex-Isle Sean Bergenheim is another "been there" guy who -- are you sitting down? This will shock you -- wants more money than Tampa Bay is willing to give. Joel Ward is a really useful forward who would make a great story, but he wants to stay in Nashville and if he hit the open market he'd probably command a double-inflated price thanks to all those small-sample playoff goals. Anthony Stewart is interesting, having been left unqualified by Atlantapeg.
Try Targeting: Phoenix's Eric Belanger, Nashville's Marcel Goc, or even Los Angeles' Michal Handzus.
Stay Away From: Ville Leino, Scotty Upshall (general flakiness), Michael Ryder (buyer beware)
How This is Going to End
Bottom line, UFA is a seller's market and it seems to tilt in the players' favor more and more each summer. Teams are simply locking up their most important players before they hit the UFA market, so everyone left has question marks.
That's why Snow targeted Ehrhoff early, and that's why his interest in a trade might be legit. But expect an unrestricted free agent or two to be added -- just don't expect it to be a sexy name, and don't count on it being sealed and delivered on Friday.
If you're playing along at home or office, remember to use your handy NHL Fan Summer Wishlist Template. It's FDA approved and rant-friendly.
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Comments
To quote Fat Sam in "Fletch"
When it comes, it comes.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Didn’t Wiz already sign in Columbus? Why is he still mentioned even as someone to stay away from? Get over it.
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
by Turgeon1992 on Jun 30, 2011 6:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
woah!
In the words of Carey Price, chill out.
And FYI, unless something happened VERY recently, it was only his rights that were traded and he doesnt have a new contract yet.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 30, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh. My mistake then. I apologize.
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
by Turgeon1992 on Jun 30, 2011 9:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
:) Cool
We’ll see what happens with the Wiz.
I do think it would be hilarious if he signs with the BJs… prophetic, even.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 30, 2011 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
MC that is halirous!!!
he signs with the BJs! ROFL
We are all Islanders, even if we are in Jersey!
by Russel Ginart on Jun 30, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha!
Id love to take credit for making the connection, but someone said it to me- and I lost it lol.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jul 1, 2011 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Hilarious!!
The BJ’s suck …::: Cough ::: but there’s lots of fun we can have when they play the Blue Shirts … ::: Cough ::: BS.
by 19 Isle in NJ 22 on Jul 1, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So I was wondering whats everyones opinion on the Caber.
I find it kinds funny that the offseason in which it is actually feasible that he might come back to LI is the first offseason I can remember where there has been no talk about him coming back to Long Island.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
- well, there certainly hasn't been an OVERABUNDANCE of it, that's for sure.....
…..not sure how I feel about having him back myself; has he had much to say about his time with the Islanders or what’s been happening with us of late at all?
Gunshy, would be my feeling
I like the idea of it — was it Keith who mentioned “teaching a bit of bastard” to the kids? — I’m just not sure what he has left.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Forgot about Hannan
Caps don’t want him back? He’s pretty steady, if unexciting.
by afrosupreme on Jun 30, 2011 7:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
They haven't made an offer yet
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
What Snow should do
Sit pat and let the storm blow over. None of these UFAs are worth a dime. It’ll be a matter of games before we fans want to unload the prospective bum.
I’m pleased to go with what we have. A playoff berth should be a forgone conclusion. The team should remain healthy now that groin buster Gordon is out of town.
And yes, I said it, this team is better than a good portion of the teams in our conference. Including Buffalo which just foolishly saddled themselves with CE for ten years.
Agree
I’m more then willing to go with who we got.
IMHO This is a pretty good lineup:
MM – JT – PAP
KO – Frans – Grabs
Comeau – Bailey – Nino
with the possibility to rotate Joensuu and Martin in and out of lines depending on how the Bailey line goes.
Then with our Dmen
Streit – Jurcina
MacDonald – Hamonic
Eaton – Mottau
Wishart
with Katic, De Haan and Reese in the AHL
"I bet Calgary wishes they had a backup goalie as their GM" - Pauly C
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Jun 30, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How about Streit-Wishart?
And Mottau #7 (or 8, or 9 or traded)?
Sure
Not arguing the exact lineup, just saying I’m quite excited about the roster
"I bet Calgary wishes they had a backup goalie as their GM" - Pauly C
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
not many people talk about Wishart
But I think he’s going to surprise some people this year. I thought he played very well at the end of the season when he was paired with hamonic. Pairing him with streit may be an awesome move, because he can learn from a level headed guy that has plenty of offensive skill. When I think of wishart, that’s kind of what I see in him. But I never thought of pairing him with streit. Good thinking on your part.
by Empire39 on Jul 1, 2011 12:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It would be nice to get a return for the goalie they gave up that took a team to game 7 of the conference finals.
+5 in 20 games. Not a bad guy to have around as your 7 defensemen. 6-5, 220. I know he doesn’t play big but can learn in time.
I'm counting on Wishart being a regular
But I know that’s hardly unanimous, so we’ll see.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Agree on forwards
the top nine is not bad, there is room for improvement, but you can say that about most teams…it’s a decent top nine compared to rest of league
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jul 1, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions
"you can say that about most teams"
Ain’t that the the truth? I like that the salary cap forces teams to make choices and gambles — you can’t just load up on HOFers like Detroit used to. But man it makes cobbling together a competent 4th line an annual challenge. A 4th liner is only both good and affordable for that first season he demonstrates he’s both good and affordable.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Sabres signed Ehrhoff 40 mil 10 years
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jun 30, 2011 8:08 PM EDT reply actions
He went for 2 mil less a season. What a douche especially since the Sabres have never won anything.
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
by Turgeon1992 on Jun 30, 2011 9:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
The last 3 seasons are BS
1 mil a year if he’s even playing. He get’s $18 million in the first two years.
Vote Yes on August 1st.
Will that
hold up? Seems like Kovy’s shenanigans, and the league put the kibosh on that pretty quick.
by afrosupreme on Jun 30, 2011 10:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What a Dick! Now I'm ready to boo his arse
every time he touces the puck. Seems like a bogus contract. Didn’t NHL void the bogus Kovalchuk contract that the Devils perpetrated last July???
buffalo has a new owner...
another philanthroplist with billions to blow and an even bigger ego…that was an incredibly stupid contract for buff to offer…can wait till it bites them in the arse
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jul 1, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm starting to wonder about Buffalo
Great feel-good story, but the choices they’ve made with their riches have so far been suspect (Boyes, Regehr, Ehrhoff). Those are all decent players in their own right, but when you make a habit of overpaying (or accepting overpaid contracts for) multiple players like that, you’re headed down a tricky path.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jul 1, 2011 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Islanders Circa 2001
Not a recipe for long-term success. Rather, a recipe for expensive, consistent mediocrity.
by rmblifn on Jul 1, 2011 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Had Snow Signed Him for a Decade It Would Have Been "Crazy Islanders"
The mainstream hockey press would have had a field day with the hapless Islanders and their “strange” owner stuff. But since it’s Buffalo, well, that Terry Pegula is great guy, big guy doing the right things to make Buffalo a Cup “contender.” The double standard crap is sickening. IMHO, the only Cup Buffalo is gonna “contend” for next year is a large regular coffee in Tim Horton’s.
You are right
In fact Ive seen a few comments on other boards where even though its Buffalo, its the Isles hearing it- “IS Garth Snow GM of the Sabres” and stupid things like that.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jul 1, 2011 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions
It's pathetic, ain't it?
Nine miles to the west of the Coliseum, Glen Sather is sitting in his office saying, “What the hell? I give gazillions to Drury, Gomez, Higgins, Boogard, Brashear, and Redden – and people are still making GARTH SNOW JOKES???!?”
Then he grabs his phone and yells for his secretary – “Get me Erik Coles’s agent NOW! Nine years, $104 million! Not a penny more!”
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 Jul 1, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
100% Correct
I hope this doesn’t turn into a powder keg or anything, but this is an intelligent group of people here so I’ll just throw this out there: I’ve wondered for a while if there’s an element of racism in the media coverage of the Islanders in regards to Mr. Wang’s nationality. For the record, I am not Asian (first generation Italian-American, with parents straight off the boat).
Wang’s never seem to gotten any credit for pumping money into a team that was in a seven-year playoff drought at the time of purchase. No one else was stepping up. He bought them with the aim of rebuilding the franchise and restoring the coliseum area where it already was. He has made plenty of mistakes along the way (no need to rehash them), but the point is he spends on the team and just gets continually shit on for it, called “crazy” and “clueless” and whatever. He’s far from perfect, but without him the Islanders would definitely be playing somewhere else, or – best case scenario – in the midst of a 16-year playoff drought.
Hell, Jim Balsillie, Jerry Reinsdorf and Matthew Hulsizer have gotten better press then Charles, and they don’t even own teams. David Poile and Barry Trotz get credit for building the Predators on a tight budget. But I never see any national hockey media call out the team’s owner to open up his wallet. The Sabres, Penguins and Senators have all gone bankrupt and recovered in the time Charles has owned the Islanders.
Maybe having immigrant parents has made me too sensitive to it. It’s just bothered me and I hope I’m wrong. Not that any media outlet will cop to it.
/End rant
/Fuck Ehrhoff
"It's too bad he lives in the city. He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent Paul Kraus during Palffy's contract holdout in 1998.
by PGI on Jul 1, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I Think There is Some Element of Bias
Don Cherry has always been outspoken about his nativism, but I think there remains an undercurrent of that in the hockey press generally. Some of these writers who fancy themselves as champions of diversity seem to have a very hard time rapping their heads around the idea of an Asian American who is both a billionaire and the owner of a hockey team. And I do think it comes out, whether conscious or unconscious, with the use of terms like “strange” or “crazy” etc.
by rmblifn on Jul 1, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
we talked about this indirectly a long-ago thread
I’d have to really look to find it – I think it was in connection to Botta’s creds, actually. The team is definitely run differently under Wang than other owners. There’s an Eastern influence there, where loyalty is paramount and NOBODY talks out of school, where nobody is greater than the team… in the book “Fishsticks,” the author talks about Wang wanting to show Alexei Yashin loyalty above all – the $8+ million per year weren’t really the point for him, but the length of term. The same with RDP. This is a guy who wants to be here, would do anything for the club, and took what looked like a considerable long-term discount to stay. (If healthy, Rick could command better than $4.5 million on the open market.) That’s the outlook that Wang will gladly reward.
Now, whether or not this leads to media bias is a further issue. I personally never took it as any more than the usual easy digs at an obvious target: IOW laziness rather than prejudice.
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 Jul 1, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'd add: It's always a tricky line
In comments here (and in main posts, actually) I will run with national backgrounds — in part because I find them interesting, fun differences — for humor or for context’s sake, but of course it’s not a far leap between enjoying differences and ascribing blame to them or using them as a subconscious reason to rip a guy. I try at all costs not to do the latter.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I enjoy knowing and gently ribbing the different nationalities of players and the diversity in the NHL
Using a guy’s nationality as an excuse for lousy play is Don Cherry’s job.
"It's too bad he lives in the city. He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent Paul Kraus during Palffy's contract holdout in 1998.
Well said.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Could be
At minimum, it could at least be the cause for a lack of empathy for his position from outsiders. He’s “different” or runs a “different” ship.
But it’s hard to separate since when he joined he was heralded for saving the Isles and spending money but then his reputation took a big early hit with the Yashin deal and by hanging on to Milbury for so long.
I also think his history at CA means there are more local people with grievances than your normal billionaire who swoops into save a team.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Amazing, isn't it?
Had Snow somehow landed him for 4 years at the vet minimum, people would STILL find a way to make Islanders jokes out of it….
2 Things
1 – Not sure who’s dummer – CE or the Sabres – he effectively took $5M more stretched over 4 years to go to Buffalo. In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny, “What a maroon!”
2 – I’ll refrain from hyperbole, but with ??? at goaltender it’s hard to project this team as a legitimate playoff threat. I don’t think the addition of a top 2 dman or a top 6 fwd makes us a lock…and even the chance that Nabokov might suit up is a shoulder shrug at best (meh!). We’ll fight for a bottom 2 spot, but no lock to make the playoffs even w/ Streit and a healthy KO.
My 2 pence…
I don't think these things are that easy to predict.
You just never know who’s gonna develop how, who’s gonna breakout, who’s gonna bomb etc. If everyone hits their projection and Montoya doesn’t post a .930 sv % they’ll be on the bubble. But if some guys have breakout years and Montoya repeats last year they’ll make it by a few games.
Vokuon and no one else.
The UFA class that we could possibly acquire is filled with crud really. But there’s one person we could get for an instant upgrade to the team, and that’s Vokuon. Instant upgrade of the team in its weakest area and instant credibility.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
.....but could Tallon really be THAT DUMB to let his best asset walk? Oh, wait; he IS, after all
….the man who waived Michael Grabner!
In a vacuum, Vokoun would work
Alas.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Bagless
Dyson!
/looks for sponsorship
//finds nothing
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jul 1, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hahahahaha
Uhm, Dom? I gotta guy here sez he’s from the Bissell people…
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
Nice
This segment of “What sucks” brought to you by Dyson…
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jul 1, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
And now, the official Dyson spokesman...
They call him the Wiz!
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jul 1, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Vokoun....interesting idea
I had not thought of that. Does anyone think that DiPietro’s contract can be moved? It has about 238 years left.
I don’t think we’ll get a goalie. I wouldn’t be too upset if we signed zero FAs and waited until the dust settled and made a deal to pick someone up cheap in a trade because of some overspenders’ cap issues.
I think if he was any good last year
Maybe it could be moved…but at 3.25/.880, no chance.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jun 30, 2011 9:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
DiPi's contract is a sunk cost.
We’re paying it. But it is not big enough to stop us from doing anything, and nor should it affect our decision making.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
by garik16 on Jun 30, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Additions at F
How about a guy like Jeff Halpern, Scott Nicole or Veronon Fiddler as a 4th line center?
I meant to mention Fiddler
I wouldn’t touch Nichol, and Halpern has had some Jekyll and Hyde years that scare me away.
Although in truth, so much of the class is debatable upgrades over what the Islanders might have coming up. I’m thinking more of depth and injury insurance, since the Isles seem to need that more than most teams. But who knows? The year they turn the corner may just be the year their injury luck changes.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Cross off Montador
He was just signed 4 years today.
Vote Yes on August 1st.
PLEASE DO NOT sign anyone just to sign them
I guess we need to spend some money, but we really should consider either trading big or doing nothing
can we do nothing?
I’ll take $10M for a year to be the emergency keeper if it helps….
seriously
I see two possibilities
1 – Raffi Torres – would toughen us up nicely and build a bridge to our past
2 – Alexei Kovalev – as a mentor to Kabanov/Petrov and perhaps other Russians we might consider (Klementyev possibly as well)
and perhaps he could convince Nabokov to stay…?
Ew
No Kovalev whatsoever.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jun 30, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Is tahat a past we really
want to be building bridges to?
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Jun 30, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Torres took less to sign with a contender last summer
So I doubt NYI is anywhere on his radar. Kovalev…is he really capable of mentoring anyone but Sad Keanu? Talk about fumes…
Agree they can’t sign anyone just to sign them, but that hasn’t typically been Snow’s m.o. except when his hand is forced (Mottau).
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
and
we should sign a Goaltender – even if just to send a message that no one has won that job….
all of the above assumes we have to spend money somehow
otherwise, think we should largely let our excllent pool of young prospects blossom….
Video Board Tribute to Ehrhoff?
While his stay with the Islanders was brief – heck, it felt like only a day – he was well liked and should not be forgotten when Buffalo comes to the Coliseum.
I foresee a video board tribute featuring photos of (1) Rick Curran pulling Garth Snow’s $5.5 million a year offer off the fax machine; (2) Ehrhoff blissfully asleep in bed back in Germany not knowing that he had been traded to the 4-time Stanley Cup Champion Islanders; (3) Ehrhoff sharing laughs and good times with fellow European Michael Grabner; and (4) Ehrhoff looking confused and disoriented after being traded to a team that has never won a Cup, which plays in a depressed, ugly and snowbound part of the State of New York, prepared to offer him almost $2 million less per year to play for them.
I think it’s only appropriate that Coliseum fans acknowledge Ehrhoff every time he touches the puck.
Fare thee, well, good Christian, and do not slip on an icy sidewalk in bucolic downtown Buffalo!
by rmblifn on Jun 30, 2011 9:50 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Hilarious
I read this and pictured slow motion pictures fading into one another with Bob Seger’s “Like a Rock” playing in the background.
"It's too bad he lives in the city. He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent Paul Kraus during Palffy's contract holdout in 1998.
by PGI on Jun 30, 2011 10:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm tellin' ya
He was sleepin’ off his post Cup finals bender w/ a couple of gals…
Not to downplay what youve said about ehrhoff
Hes still an idiot, but im pretty sure buffalo has won at least 1 cup before. Think back to the dominik hasek years, i might be mistaken but i think im right
by amongru22 on Jul 1, 2011 3:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
they got to the Finals
and technically lost to the Stars when Hull kicked that puck in.
"I bet Calgary wishes they had a backup goalie as their GM" - Pauly C
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
hey now
The skate may have been in the crease a split second before the puck – but he didn’t kick it in, he shot it in.
Maybe if Hasek wasn’t face-down in the blue paint it would be a moot issue.
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 Jul 1, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yea
but the rule at the time was any player in the crease could not score a goal. It was a dumb rule, but they called it all year, and then didn’t at the most crucial time. One of the worst calls in the history of sports.
by afrosupreme on Jul 4, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wikipedia
Two Finals Appearances and NO Cups.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Sabres#Season-by-season_record
Dream On, Dream On, Dream On
Well since this is really a guessing game until the bell rings at midnight, I guess anything is possible right.
Just a note, just because someone is signed to a one or two year deal does not mean we cannot ship them off and grab somebody else, who that is a good question. So Mottau, Jurcina, Eaton, and Paps are all players who could be traded away. For what you ask, your guess is as good as mine. But it seems with the FA crop lacking much talent, especially at D, signing someone, just to sign someone is not Garth’s style. There must a purpose behind it all, whether its depth or a low risk high reward card. Mottau, Jurcina, Eaton were brought in for depth when the team basically fell apart. Good thing they all fell apart too.
If we are reaching for the stars,
FA Goalie – Vokoun, would be where I throw my money.
FA Dman – Hannan, thats about it
FA Forward – Leino, thats about it
FA Depth FW – a center for the 4th line, if not I am not really worried about the 4th line
The only other way to add salary would be to trade for more expensive players, who really have no choice to come here. Here the we can dream forever on who we could trade for, the big question is, who is worth trading and are they worth anything? Tough spot.
I for one am excited, because at least we know Garth is willing to try and open doors to allow players to come in, so lets hope there is a trade.
Don't need much
To think this team was one of the best second half teams in the NHL.
That was without Streit, who is the teams best D-man. I can’t imagine the team being worse than last year,.
and more reason not to go sign a UFA just for the sake of it
Vokoun is the only one who makes sense.
Let us sign Stamkos to an offer sheet!
7.5 mill a season would solve out salary basement issues for a long time,lol. Hell, offer 10 million for one year just to make Tampa squirm (Insert evil laugh here)
Realistically, I like Babchuk , or even Ericsson ( not that he would sign here to be 3rd pair when he’s 3rd pair in Det.). No, I won’t mention O’Brien….oops….
Cole would be interesting, if he could play RW on the 1st line…I know, but PAP had a career year because of whom he played with. I humbly submit you need more from your top line. Remember 20 of his 53 points were on the PP. Cole would be a better balance, but at a higher cost. And Cole does get hurt on occasion, so he will fit right in.
Anyone else think the entire training staff should be let go?
"Being thrown under the bus and scorching the back of my neck with a revolving red light."
And then wait
for Burkie to sign JT to a 10/110 Mill Contract next year
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Jun 30, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
The Isles will match any offer
Plenty of cap space.
What makes you think he isn't going to do that anyway. Laffs fans will force him to,lol.
"Being thrown under the bus and scorching the back of my neck with a revolving red light."
by FireGarthSnow on Jun 30, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think the Isles will mind one bit but a deal will get done by the Isles before Burke gets a chance
Considering no one wants to play on LI who cares if Wang has to pay JT 10/110 contract.
Leino maybe, but not at these prices
He’d help, but I’m sure his price is high. I liked the Fiddler idea. He’d be cheaper. On the other hand…
We all pretty much agree on the first three lines, in some order:
Tavares-Moulson-Parenteau
Nielsen-Grabner-Okposo
Bailey-Nino-COZOmeau
Then we have a whole bunch of other guys: Martin (probably), Joensuu (I hope not), Haley (maybe), Rhakshani (needs a good look after a good AHL year), Strome (if he gets his 9 game tryout), Ullstrom (worth a look)….that’s a lot already. I’d only add a difference-maker, i.e. someone better than those guys.
Is there anyone out there worth it?
Other thought: We can only have 23 active players. If there are three goalies (if Nabokov is not traded) that’s only two extra players, probably both defensemen, since there are 8. If Snow signs a forward a few decent players are out of a spot.
Bottom line, only a free agent steal. Trade some of the depth for someone who really makes the team better. I wonder if Nabokov stays through training camp of is he traded earlier.
Where does Hunter fit?
And I like Joensuu…hard to recall that he’s still young sometimes. Bertuzzi was clueless until the village idiot shipped him off…big guys sometimes take longer to develop (and no, I do not dream that he’ll have Bert – like production…Bert had great hands).
They'll buy him out after next season
Garth has a heart but only so far. Hunter is too slow for today’s game.
Hunter is a perfect example of why I'd still be shopping this weak market
Yeah, there is a lot of fool’s gold out there, but there are some decent players available, too. And Hunter’s injury return is one of many health question marks that can throw the depth chart into disarray.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I ramble on and on and on, don't I?
(insert smiley face here)
Please don't put Martin with anyone slow like Hunter
Ullstrom or Haley with Martin might work.
Rhakshani needs a long look not the two games he got last year. Rhett produced too much in his first year in the AHL not to be considered to make the club. A line of Martin, Ullstrom and Rhakshani could be very productive.
Not my decision
But I agree. I’m just wondering where Trent fits into this program???
Has Hunter been to any Events?
"I bet Calgary wishes they had a backup goalie as their GM" - Pauly C
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Is playing the Tortoise in the Red Deer Communtiy rendition of the Tortoise and the Hare
considered an Event?
Intently glued to every COZO
by Chris McNally on Jun 30, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Might still be hurt
Looked in pretty bad shape last time I saw him late in the year for the team picture.
I don't think he does
If he has a strong camp that could change but realistically, he’s not in the future of this team.
Big fan of Ullstrom
really impressed me last year in limited viewing
Forgot to add earlier
I like Ian White and Ville Leino. Just sayin’.
Do you know who I'm liking out of the UFA's?
Nobody. The problem is that even if there is a guy available, 1. hes not that better than the options we have now and 2. because its such a thin free agent class all of these guys are going to be overpaid. I think Garth made his pitch for the one guy he felt worthy of a big contract and that fell through. Garth has shown he can stand pat when the gettin’s not good and I believe that’s what he’ll do.
As for restricted free agents….don’t touch em. Not that I think Garth would, but we have a very young organization and eventually we’ll have a couple big names as RFA’s. I’d hate to lose one of them as an exact of payback by another organization bc we swooped in and did the same to them this year. Plus while Wang is willing to spend, he’s not willing to SPEND just yet. Not until this referendum goes through. So any worthy RFA’s would command too much Wangbucks for his liking at the present time.
2011-12 will be the year to see if the roster Garth has been building can take the next step and make the playoffs. 2012 offseason, that’s when there’ll be some moves of consequence.
Intently glued to every COZO
Stupid cap floor
It’s why we are even having this discussion. Heck front load some contracts to Comeau and Bailey just to eat up payroll as far as I’m concerned. We have enough forwards, defensemen and yeah even goalies for the season. No I don’t want players who would rather not play on Long Island. Didn’t the Isles have one of the best record in the NHL for a long period last year minus some key players? Oh but Garth has to play oh poor me and say he tried to sign Joe what’s his name but he didn’t like the color of the lockeroom at the NVMC. Screw them all I say and go with what you. Hardest part is reaching the cap floor without making this up and coming team worse. Adding to the payroll doesn’t mean the team will execute better.
disagree with all
I have to say i respectfully disagree with almost every player mentioned. Stay the hell away from Andy Greene. 90% of Devils players are all the product of playing the Devils system of hockey. Everyone witnessed it this year when they tried a different style of play. The whole team was exposed. On paper the Devils suck every year, but always manage to be a top team. I would rather have Leino, Upshall or Ryder over Belanger, Goc or Handzus. Belanger will bring nothing to this team. I feel Eric Cole and Scottie Upshall are the forwards we should target. Both play physical and are capable of playing top 6 roles if need be. Upshall could fit in nicely with our young group of guys. Players have a knack for having breakout seasons with the Isles and theres no other free agent poised to do that more than Upshall. If it doesnt work out, then no biggie. At the very least we have an energy guy who likes to hit and play physical who’s capable of playing on the top 3 lines(which we have none of). I think Upshall could easily take Okposo’s spot on the Nielsen line with Grabner and provide the same punch that Okposo did last year while not being on top of his game. Okposo could then be moved on JT’s wing. I dont see why this doesnt seem to be an option as they looked pretty good together for the first few weeks in JT’s rookie season. Cole brings that same physical style of play, veteran presence and scoring punch to any of our top 3 lines.
What role do you envision?
I would rather have Leino, Upshall or Ryder over Belanger, Goc or Handzus. Belanger will bring nothing to this team.
Those guys gonna do the dirty work for you? Is Ryder going to take on a checking role?
I’ll grant Handzus may be an aging reach, and Goc is a little uncertain, but Belanger would do the job we only wish Konopka could do — and that’s not something Leino, Ryder or Upshall are capable of.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
just for clarity....
I clearly like Upshall as my reasons are stated above. I’m not keen on any of the other players coming here, but if i had to choose i would prefer the latter over Belanger, Goc, or Handzus. Belanger is soft and we dont need a soft 4th line center. If he’s not on our 4th line he provides us nothign elsewhere that we dont already have. There has to be a reason he’s been on 6 different teams in the last 10 yrs. Fact is none of the guys you listed would be difference makers. I dont think we should be targeting any of those guys including Leino and Ryder.
Of course there's a reason he's moved around
Belanger’s been on six different teams because six different teams have found him to be a valuable addition. I’d be more worried if NOBODY found him to be worth a contract.
Besides, if “soft” means “won’t get into fifteen pointless fights when he could be killing penalties or taking big draws,” then sign me up for some soft.
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
I think I was too hard on Upshall
After reading a little more last night, I feel bad for lumping him in.
Still don’t have interest in Ryder or Leino though. Belanger soft? He can take defensive zone assignments and PK, freeing others up for cushier roles. If fighting/BSD attitude is the concern, then surround him with a Haley or Martin and watch sparks fly.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
This is Garth Snow we're talking about
Which means he’ll probably sign some guy we’ve never (or barely) heard of to a cheap one year contract who will then use the regular icetime to have the most productive season of his career and become a folk hero to many fans, while still being ridiculed or ignored by the hockey media until the season is over and they sign a longer contract that’ll be called a shrewd move by a penny-pinching franchise that’ll be playing elsewhere next year.
"It's too bad he lives in the city. He's depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot" - Mike Milbury on Ziggy Palffy's agent Paul Kraus during Palffy's contract holdout in 1998.
by PGI on Jun 30, 2011 11:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 8 recs
if I could fit this in my signature
I would
"I bet Calgary wishes they had a backup goalie as their GM" - Pauly C
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
+1
If we could count on that every year this would easily be the DYNASTY II: Revenge of the Wang
Lighthouse Hockey: where "you better check yourself before you rec yourself" -bobl
If your life isn't pathetic enough already, follow me on twitter @JPinVA
by JPinVA on Jul 1, 2011 5:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Return of the Wang
Wangs do not seek revenge.
(Just ask Kate Murray!)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jul 1, 2011 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Souray's on unconditional waivers
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AhmghBrpJpTkobfpKbhYSWd7vLYF?slug=ap-oilers-souray
Not that it matters, and maybe someone commented about it already. Just figured I’d let everyone know haha
What happens if we don't reach the cap floor?
The only way we’re gonna reach the cap floor is by overpaying some UFA or trading for a guy under contract. Is there any financial advantage to not meeting the cap floor?
yes, for the players
I’m trying to remember from TMC last year, but basically what happens is that the difference between the floor and what the Payroll is at is split between all the players on the roster. So the Islanders still have to spend to the floor.
"I bet Calgary wishes they had a backup goalie as their GM" - Pauly C
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
I don't believe that is true
At least haven’t found it in the CBA.
The only thing I can surmise is that not reaching the floor is violation of the CBA, and could carry any number of consequences.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Taking a look at CapGeek
The Isles are 10 mill under the floor
But Nino + De Haan = 5 million (So expect them to make the opening day roster)
Then you have Wishart, Comeau, Bailey all needing new contracts. Plus a replacement for Konopka (If Ullstrom gets called up, he’s nearly 900K)
So the Isles don’t NEED a big signing to get to the floor. They could sign both Comeau and Bailey to short term overpayments to reach the floor.
"I bet Calgary wishes they had a backup goalie as their GM" - Pauly C
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Jul 1, 2011 3:32 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It depends though: CapGeek has more bodies there than there are roster spots
For example, if they are carrying three goalies, then you can’t have 8 D and 13 forwards. So take Poulin off, etc.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Bottom of the Barrel
You guys are well aware that Garth is once again going to be left at the trough after the BIG GUNS feed on this thin UFA class. Kinda like the young male lion being forced to wait until the Alpha male lions feed on a carcass.
Not Garth’s fault. It is what it is until this club has areena certainty … and has shown that the youth core is ready to pounce on the rest of the league. We as fans got a taste of the possibilities late last season … but the players base their perception on the final standings and recent history.
They still need to hit the cap floor however, and it’s possible for them to make a mid July signing with a small overpayment to a “B” or even “C” class free agent.
Bonuses may help put the Isles over the cap floor if recent history is an indication.
by 19 Isle in NJ 22 on Jul 1, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
Did I miss the memo
about the Islanders not being allowed to play on July 1? You’d think they’d have done something….
With all the ridiculous overpayment in years and money for mediocre players
It blows my mind that the urge to conform and fit in can override common sense.
The Isles are far better off NOT partaking in this insanity. If you dont see it now, you will in time.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jul 2, 2011 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Picture
Hey, I see myself in that photo! I didn’t realize you were there.
by Yes! Islanders on Jul 3, 2011 7:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wasn't :(
This is just an image from our Getty feed. Although Keith was roaming around there, while I was in St. Paul.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
