First time in a long time
by mdesarmo on Jun 5, 2011 4:30 PM EDT
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Frustration breeds patience into optimism
I think maybe for the first time since the offseason of 2001-2002 there is a high level of excitement and optimism in Islander country. There have sadly been many more downs than ups in the last ten yrs. After an amazing regulaer season run...postseason injuries to Peca and Jonnson put us out of the post season that yr in a 7 game war with the leafs. One of the best seasons in franchise history. Sadly, that was really all that came about with a team that could have been so much more. Peca was never the same after that hit...Jonnson continued to play hard but had post concussion syndrome...players like Hamrlik, Parrish, Bates, and Blake slowly departed. We traded our future away for half for rentals like Ryan Smyth and Janne Ninnamaa. Sadly the Yashin trade set us back 10 yrs as him and Miro came to be a bust.
The two moves that hindered us for so long was the Bertuzzzi and Luongo deals. Not to say Mark Parrish didnt give us anything. But Kvasha was a bust and well...we saw what Luongo's replacement did, As well as that night mare of a contract.
That and the mid season firing of Peter Laviolette never made sense...the only thing he ever did was go to the cup finals twice...winning one with carolina.
Garth Snow and his scouting team has done a fantasitc job. Streit will be back for a full season, Okey, Frans, and Grabner will be playing a whole season together...JT in his third season will prove to be boom or bust. Hopefuly living up to his expectations. Moulson and paranteau will help him in having his break out year.
The one thing that scares me is we need a blue liner to go along with Streit. We need another number one. Hopefuly we draft Larrson whom is just so perfect for us. The third line is a big question mark. What can Bailey give us? Can he step up? Is nino going to make the team? Is trevor gillies just another worthless goon like Cairns?
What are we going to do with Nabokov? Will DP and Montoya be 1 and 2? or will Snow finaly get the hint DP will never be the same all star form as he once was?
optimism and high hopes are abound this season...theres still alot of work to do, holes to fill...but lets see what we can do. Perhaps time will tell.
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On the Defense
Dont be surprised if Snow sticks with A-Mac/Hamonic as his top pairing. They showed lots of chemistry and potential last year. Streit will probably be paired on the 2nd line w/ Jurcina, at least until he gets his game up to speed. Eaton/Mottau would be our 3rd pairing. That is a capable defense with good puck movement and decent size.
Eaton/Mottau
I’d keep one, not both. Wishart is going to be a tricky situation considering he will be exposed to waivers if he’s demoted to the Bridge, so I see only one of them on the team come September. Considering both are coming off of season-ending surgeries, it might take a while for both of them to get up to speed anyway. Martinek and Hillen might be done on the team, though I’d love if they brought Hillen back for cheap.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
I would keep Eaton
He used his body more than Mottau to block shots and was more active. Having said that though, I fear that Mottau’s frequent public appearances shows as a sign of his stay.
All Who Oppose Grabner Shall Perish.
Definitely Eaton. Eaton can actually play defense like a regular nhler, even if it is a docile form of defense, he is fairly solid at it.
by OzzyFan on Jun 6, 2011 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
*laughs* - "docile form of defense"
Good phrase.
“Eaton is a docile breed. Hard worker, doesn’t require but the minimal food and water; very friendly, but does not pester you for attention.”
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A doughnut with no hole is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jun 7, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Agree & Disagree
Agree Peca ws never the same adter Tucker leg sweep, Neither was Johnson after intentional bording/charging/predetory hit by Roberts…
also agree on the bad trades, but i think we could add several more, as well as drafting DP over Heatley, or even Gaborik.
Disagree on on Smyth trade…in the end, Snow picked the right prospects to give up, essentially nothing. Smyth got us to playoffs. Maybe if we missed playoffs and/or prospects and picks panned out for Edmonton, might have an argument, but fact is we made playoffs, prospects to Edmonton were busts.
Disagree on Cairns. He developed into a useable 6th defenseman, a huge, tough as nails one too.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jun 5, 2011 6:55 PM EDT reply actions
I also disagree on the Smyth trade
I figure Snow had one shot to go for a big fish with prospects he wasn’t high on, and he took it. Not missing any of those assets today. Couldn’t get Smyth signed, but lesson learned.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A doughnut with no hole is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jun 5, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Smyth trade was a good one, no doubt.
Didn’t pan out in the long run, but it was worthwhile at the time, made the team better and cost relatively nothing.
by Les Beaver on Jun 12, 2011 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My big disagreement
… Is that Cairns is much less worthless than Gillies. His last year or two Cairns was too slow, but it seems to me Gillies is truly worthless in NHL terms…. I agree that AMac and Hamonic may be used as 1st pair, giving Streit better matchups with Jurcina. After that I’d like to see some combo of Eaton/Wishart/Martinek, or perhaps Mottau against a physical team…. And I’d be very surprised if JT turns out to be a bust. If his skating improves half as much as last offseason, we should see 10-20 more points 2011-12.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Jun 5, 2011 8:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Cairns wasnt worthless at all. He is awesome. ♥♥♥♥
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 5, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Last enforcer we had
That could also play hockey….and unfortunately, he deteriorated all at once. Loved #33.
When the Isles make us drink, we curse Milbury through a monocle and with our pinkies out. Lighthouse Hockey & Chivas-All Class.
Website:Lighthouse Hockey Twitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Jun 6, 2011 7:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
But he was SUCH an Islander, afro... he still is! :)
It was great how they waived him and we picked him up so he could beat them up for years!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 7, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
It's true
you’re right. He was just someone like Daneyko-I hated him when I first saw him.
But I did love when he absolutely destroyed Shayne Corson in that playoff game. That was awesome.
by afrosupreme on Jun 7, 2011 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That was my favorite hockey fight ever, EVER.
I have probably watched it thousands of times. When he points up to all of us cheering for him up in the stands, I lose it… even now, a decade later. Cairns knew how every one of us felt… because he felt it, too. Thats why he came back to the Island- because he IS an Islander- . Cairns is no Potvin, of course- but we are looking at heart here. IMO Cairns is a heart and soul Islander just as much as some of the greatest and most talented players in the history of this team.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 8, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
To this day I remember that fight…possibly the last lively crowd at the colliseum until the Islanders/Pens game this yr…both the big fight game and the last game of the yr where the isles showed heart and came back and tied with less than .30 to go in the game…which subsequently may have cost us a draft seed higher.
Streit to get the "C"?
I think JT got robbed of an all star nod. Duchene Made it on a worse team and JT had a bigger role with better stats. Though Duchene is the player i wished the isles had drafted instead.
Okposo or Tavares is the captain waiting in wings after Streit’s contract expires…thats if hes named captain. Streit is the logical choice…and who knows…maybe marky will get resigned. Hes a classy vet. just about the only vet we have. Im not sold on motteau. Im not a fan.
We still need another number 1 d-man. If larrson is available in the draft…sure as heck Garth picks him and he makes the big club…thats all what ifs though.
duchene over tavares???
are you serious? why would you rather have duchene over tavares. tavares led the team in points two years in a row, and because of that how could you even assume that tavares could ever be a bust, he has proven himself in the nhl
SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK!!!
wow
Though Duchene is the player i wished the isles had drafted instead.
And you still feel this way?
Fascinating.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 5, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Duchene plays end to end. JT still needs to develop his game on a 2 way level. He could come out of the gate and score 40 to 50 goals. I hope thats true.
On the other hand…id rather have 6 25+ goal scorers than one 50 goal scorer and a bunch of guys that cant put the puck in the net. We proved this past yr that we can score. With the amouont of guys that had over 20 on the yr. When one guy slumps there was PA or Matty Mo or Grabner to pick up the slack. Not too mention i think Frans should have gotten some look as a selke nominee…easliy one of if not the best 2 way player in the atlantic
Even comeau had a great yr. We have an awesome top 9 but I hope Bailey does more.
How about one guy who can score 40-50 goals
…and 5 guys who can score 20+? That’s what I think we’re going to develop into. Now if we can just get our defense and goal to stabilize, we’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jun 6, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
you what could have solved that issue? not trading luongo 10 yrs ago.
I think Montoya is going to be a stable fix. Keep in mind…he never had a chance with bryzgalov owning for the coyotes and when he started on in the rangers system when he was drafted in the first round…The king was coming up so he never got a chacne to develop and show what he has. Similar to that of Grabner. Another first rounder stuck with having no room on Vancouver an brain dead scouts in florida.
I think its time we seriously consider what to do wit DP if Montoya shows hes capable as a #1. DP will never be the same. And hes too pricey as a backup. We also have Poulin and koskinen in the farm.
As for Defense…draft Larrsson.Hes a solid stud…nhl ready…and perfect to ass to our core.
We may actualy have 2 or 3 guys with 30-45+ and a few more 20+ goal scorers…just sayig.
This should be a good year, as long as injuries don't come knocking hard.
But what’s really interesting is going to be Garth’s offseason moves. It likely “will” be making or breaking us for making the playoffs this year. Right now, I see a hole in our top 4 d-core, a little depth(not big for now) issue at forward(depending on if Nino makes the team), and a goalie situation of sorts. Can’t wait to see what Garth does here.
No need to rehash the past.
I try not to think about anything that happened before 2008. The dynasty teams seem like a totally different franchise and anything that happened before Snow became the GM is a waste of time.
I’m looking ahead and forward toward year four of the rebuild. I’m looking forward toward the draft to see if the Islanders add another forward like Zibanejad or Couturier to our young core of forwards or they take a Defenseman like Hamilton to help out on the blue line. Eventhough it appears unlikely the team’s top pick will make next year’s team.
The Islanders should be fun to watch next year and more competitive on a nightly basis. I don’t see Snow making any big UFA acquisitions. I would love to see them sign Kevin Bieksa but that’s not happening.
Next years team is shaping up to be much like the team that played so well in Feb and March. We now know what we have with Grabner; Hamonic; MacDonald and PAP. It will help that Capuano will have a full training camp with the team.
The big issue for the Isles this year; as in the previous two will be health because the Islanders still lack depth. But this is getting better. We need Streit and Okposo and everyone else to stay healthy. I’m interested in seeing how de Haan will fit in and if he makes the team out of camp or comes up after 20-25 games in Bridgeport or plays a full season down in the AHL. I am also looking forward to seeing Nino and if he is ready for the NHL.
My expectations for next year are low. I don’t think they’re a playoff team yet. But, one more year of a good draft (Zibanejad or Hamilton) and another year of development of de Haan, Donovan, Petrov, Kabanov and Cizikas and training camp in 2012 could be lots of fun.
I’m looking forward to the Islanders in 2011-12 and beyond. In my opinion the rebuild is more than half done and is headed in the right direction.
by John from ATL on Jun 8, 2011 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
It should be an interesting year, that's for sure
Agree on the likely playoff(less) expectations. I will naturally hope for more, but I’ll see it as a great step if they get close enough to the playoffs to be absolutely crushed by missing out.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A doughnut with no hole is Frans Nielsen.
I agree
that our problems start at D and Goal. A great draft is something to look forward to, but it will not make us a play-off team or even a contender. Snow is going to earn his money getting us help in those two areas via trade or FA. The 8 play-off teams look to be improved including the NYR who sneaked in last season. The NJD and Tor will be better. It leaves us with little room for an early losing streak. There needs to be new material in those positions at the beginning of the season. A call for help in November will be too late.
however
you look at that bad streak…
Okposo was hurt along with streit before the season even started. Grabner had to get acclimated with the pace of the nhl…and DP was useless. Rolie kept us in most games.
Can you blame us losing all those games? had we have a number one defensemen…and a top fwd…you are talking winning 8 or 9 more games and pushing us to 8 or 9th.
Old Problems and New Challenges
I agree with you the injuries weigh down the team but also allowed us to uncover a number of gems that has given us hope for the future. The team had a terrible streak then righted itself with a new coach at the helm to play competitive, if not exciting hockey.
We absolutely need to shore up our defense, add another top flight winger and resolve our goalie situation.
We also have to be mindful of our competition and what they will be doing. It is clear the Flyers and Rangers plan to improve dramatically next year with their latest acquisitions. The Devils lost their best overall weapon last year and he may or may not be back but if he is they will rise in the rankings. The Pens would also be expected to improve with the return of at least Malkin.
The questions we need to ask ourselves are do we want to be a playoff team next year? If so what do we need to ensure that we get their?
Until we plug our holes we are improving but our outside looking in.
by TheMagus on Jun 10, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agree
Toronto are the NY Yankees of hockey. They closed strong and have the cap space and money to improve their offense. They are strong and big at D, but like us G is unsettled. If they get Richards they along with the Devils are better set up than us to make the playoffs. The Devils have a question mark in G as well as the great MB gets older and probably can not play as many games as he used to.
like us G is unsettled.
They think they are a lot more settled than you do!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 10, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
The competition
The Leafs scored fewer goals compared to the Isles. They absolutely need forward help. I am not sure how much cap space they actually have with only 15 players signed and a number of their youngins are RFA’s.
I agree with you on the Devils. They also have to resolve the Parise issue which is huge.
Rags will be going after Richards.
Flyers need to dump salary which means Carter. I hope the Islanders do not make a play because his contract goes on forever.
Flyers fans think and hope Carter is a last in line dump option, but I've heard rumors of Carter to Columbus for the 8th overall pick and a forward, so who knows.
Leafs have some major contract problems right now. Komisarek’s disaster and Phaneuf’s awful contract for a 1-dimensional player. Here’s the salary info for them: http://www.capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=4 .
Philly does have problems
But they want to finish near the top and won’t. But our problem is making the play-oofs and therefore we have a bigger hill to climb.
Cap Issues
All of our teams in our division have cap issues. We need to manage our cap situation as not to become another Chicago. But we need to use this to our advantage. It also speaks to the fact we cannot sign dumb contracts like DP and Jeff Carters. Contracts are important for today as well as down the road as we have learned from Yashin and DP.
I appreciate Snow’s value shopping along the UFA/RFA market. I think he needs to continue along that path until the team solidifies a bit more. If I would suggest two players to add to the team it would be Montador and Arnott for short contracts. Montador to be our 5th defenseman and Arnott to be our 3rd line center and teach NN how to play the game.
If we can draft Larrson in the first round…that gives us a top flight defensemen. not only similar to what Hedmen gave TB but its a brilliant piece to our core and gives us 3 solid pieces to our blue line for the next few yrs.
Rangers will be buying out Drury…and he wouldnt want to move his family…We could get him on the cheap. Id make a run for him. Hed be excellent on the 3rd or 4th line. We could afford to lose either Comeau or JB. And it gives us veteran leadership. We could also put him on the 4th line with matt martin and Michael Haley and he could play a big role in he;ping these kids produce since the likely hood of Knopka returning isnt too promising. Granted Haley is a natural Center.
I think Drury would be a great fit for this team. Arnott wouldnt be so bad either. We also need another defensemen. But if we do draft Larrson, package JB or Comeau along with Nabokov to colorado for their number 11 along with our spare 2nd round pick…draft Olekniak or siemens. That opens a spot to get drury.
Also another tidbit. I see Nino making the team and being a third liner to start with swapping PA and nino 1st and third line. Just a hunch but that could be an explosive line. Nino has the size for a winger JT needs.
The problem with even going after Drury is that Bailey gets pushed to wing again.
We need to find out if Bailey can play a 3rd line center role this year. It needs to be make or break for him. 2ndly, right now that would mean Nino being pushed back to juniors for another year or somebody else in the top 9 being traded. Right now, I want a young big physical goalscoring Nino rather then a Drury in the twilight of his career, whom is mostly a defensive specialist right now.
Seriously?
You would rather give up on Comeau, a player who managed to score 24 goals last year and may not have even reached his ceiling, or Bailey, who may be a bit of a headcase but is still only 21, to free up a roster spot for Chris Drury? That is fundamentally ridiculous and a total Milbury move if I’ve ever seen one. Granted, I think your idea of packaging a young player, Nabokov, and/or a pick for a #11 – 20 in the draft is intriguing, but no way do I want to give any space to Drury, who is 35 and coming off an injury-plagued season.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Jun 12, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Arnott versus Drury
I like Arnott because he comes with less package and word our of Washington is he was a great influence on Semin.
Arnott is 36 years old and had an okay season last year.
Drury is 34 years old and didn’t play much last year.
Packaging JB and/or BC for potential diminishes our right side which is already weak and our middle. As much as JB drives me crazy I rather have him start on the 4th line between Martin and Hunter and let him learn. Those bodies will protect him and allow him to relax. Arnott between NN and BC could be interesting but so would Couturier.
Problem is we don’t need anymore forwards. We need defensemen. I think hunter is on his way out…jb is a stiff. Comeau would allow us to get something like a pick in return. I like the guy. He’s solid.
Drury has been a tremendous veteran leader anywhere he’s been. I’ve followed him since colorado. He’s getting old yes. But he’d be cheap. And he’d be great to mentor these kids. Nobody bitched when weight and guerin were brought in…along with rolie. Who all had injury issues. Him centering a line of either comeau and nino/jb/pa or haley/martin/hunter could be intense.
Garth needs to do all he can to assure drafting larrson. Kid’s a stud. Maybe he’ll wear # 29. Like another great swedish defensemen that played his heart out for this team for 8 yrs
by mdesarmo on Jun 12, 2011 8:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Problem is we don’t need anymore forwards. We need defensemen.
Sorry but all teams need everything.
You draft for the future, not the present.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 12, 2011 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Forward Help
Our first two lines are okay thought I think we need a big tough right wing finisher to protect JT.
Our third line remains murky. We need to help JB develop or move him elsewhere by acquiring the appropriate talent. The thought that NN will be getting on the job training from JB makes my stomach bounce.
I would leave BC on the third line and hope that adding NN would bring out more of a consistent game.
Martin, Haley, Hunter, and a center to be named later will hit a ton but most do more in other areas.
While we have a decent lineup. This Stanley Cup series has only reminded us we need 4 functioning lines to be successful. We have two.
Larrson
Yes he would help the team immediately where they need help the most. On the other hand Hamilton will need a year in the minors The forwards as good as they are, continue the rebuild and leaves us yet another season without a post season. We need help at D and also at G. If it arrives in November it will be too late.
by altosax on Jun 12, 2011 9:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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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.
