Islanders Grades: P.A. Parenteau, journeyman revival story
by Dominik on Jul 21, 2011 2:48 PM EDT
in New York Islanders Report Cards
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PrintP.A. Parenteau went three years and four minor-league teams in between NHL games. He finally got another "shot" of sorts with the Rangers, but it was all of 22 games and it didn't take. (Thank goodness for their penchant for always buying the brand name: They signed Alex Frolov, which worked out great.)
All Parenteau did in that long minor-league interim was put up over a point per game in the AHL for Portland, Norfolk and Hartford. That he was able to translate that into a 53-point season in the NHL at age 27 shouldn't be a surprise, but I confess being taken off guard by the achievement. I wasn't even certain he'd make the 2010-11 team, much less eventually carve a permanent place on the top line after Jack Capuano took over. The performance saved him from trying his hand in Europe and earned him a one-year extension (including a raise, to $1.25 million) in February.
He also, it must be said, gave us juvenile adults a much-needed laugh at the end of a frustrating night against the Hurricanes.
The Data
Brought in to be a right-handed half-boards fixture on the powerplay, he did that. Granted, the powerplay ebbed and flowed as most do, but in the end he served his purpose as a distributor there and even potted nine PPG himself. In the end he had 20 PP points -- but 33 even-strength points, too. He was no PP-dependent slouch, with 1.62 EV points per 60 minutes.
A bonus I didn't expect, and which I think some fans still don't recognize: Parenteau was a solid all-around player, too. While he spent most of the season with John Tavares and Matt Moulson, his Relative Corsi was tops of those three and trailed only the members of the FnGO line. In English: Relative to his teammates, the puck moved in the right direction when he was on the ice. (Granted, his line had the highest offensive zone shift starts on the team.) Not dominant, but not part of the problem.
His number of penalties committed (23 minors) was a little higher than you'd like, but as that night against the Canes (and the night before) showed, sometimes the fists were not aligned in his favor. Further, Parenteau was the best Islanders forward at drawing penalties by the opponent.
The Poem/Lyric
Steve Miller volunteered a diddy for this report card:
Well I've been lookin' real hard
And I'm tryin' to find a job
But it just keeps gettin' tougher every day
But I got to do my part cause I know in my heart
I got to play this sweet hockey game, eh
Well, I ain't superstitious
And I don't get suspicious
But the Rangers still have Colie's line
And I know that it's true that all the things that I do
Will come back to me in Campbell's time
So keep on fist'n me, referray
Keep on fist'n me, referray
Keep on fist'n me, referray
Keep on fist'n me, referray
I went from Q's Chicoutimi
All the way to Cincinnati
Portland, Norfolk, August-a
Hartford, Conn., where the Whalers are gone
So I could land me a pro gig, yeah
Keep on fist'n me, referray
Keep on fist'n me, referray
Keep on fist'n me, referray
Keep on fist'n me, referray
Don't get suspicious
Now don't be suspicious
But these refs they are no friends of mine
I've worked too hard for this job
To just get jobbed by these knobs
I'll shout it out when they cross the line
Now I had 53 points and 81 games
And I know respect's a two-way street
But now that I'm 28 and no Johnny-come-late
These refs best treat us like a team to beat
Please stop fist'n me, referray
Please stop fist'n me, referray
Please stop fist'n me, referray, referr-referr-referr-ray...
Note: As mentioned, Parenteau's penalties drawn/taken was actually a net positive, and he was hardly a whiner out there. But may reality never step in the way of poor art and even poorer comedy.
The Grade
Okay, the earlier report card on Matt Moulson may have suffered from our polling bug, but we'll carry on anyway. Evaluate Parenteau's season based on what your preseason expectations were. (For me, they were admittedly low.)
Discussion
Parenteau's in an interesting spot. There are young (presumably) scoring wingers coming through the pipeline, and one day some will compete for a spot on the top line. Even if they prove better than Parenteau, his all-around game is not one I'd discard. If he duplicates last season's point total, do you extend him again? And if he doesn't, do you consider him for quality depth on any top-three line anyway?
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No need to adjust the volume on this PA
We heard him loud and clear.
Founder, President and sole member of the Bruno Gervais fan club
by ilopan on Jul 21, 2011 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I voted 7
But #8 was intruiging: seems like JPinVA is wearing off on Dom!
8 – Are you fistin’ me? That was still better than I expected.
We are all Islanders, even if we are in Jersey!
I still laugh hysterically when I watch that clip
It just was heard so fist-****ingly clearly!
Anyway, I gave him an 8 because he exceeded my expectations by far. I thought that he was a fourth-liner at best when he signed, and was even a little confused when Garth signed him last summer. (Maybe not confused, probably more like “who’s this guy and how do you pronounce his last name… and what does P.A. stand for?!”) However, he put up over 50 points and established himself as a solid first-liner and a player who boded well with JT and Moulson.
… and what does P.A. stand for?!
Pretty Awesome.
Founder, President and sole member of the Bruno Gervais fan club
by ilopan on Jul 21, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Your name must not be P.A.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Jul 21, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Voted 7. I thought PA would put up around 16 and 25 playing on the second/third line.
He put up better numbers than I thought, playing with better linemates than I thought he would.
I avoided 8, because the comment was too tempting and I like to be a contrarian.
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
This, and laziness, is why I no longer put a comment next to each number
Have to leave open slots for people to still vote in good conscience.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
9
PA Parenteau: 53 Points
Kovy: 60 Points
"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 21, 2011 6:07 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Parenteau vs. Dubinsky
Parenteau, RW: 20-33-53, $1.25 M
Dubinsky, LW/C: 24-30-54, $4.2 M
Now I know that Dubinsky is a bit more physical, but he also takes more dumb penalties. Value-wise, I’d have to say PAP looks pretty good.
You can always count on the Rangers buying $20 shoes for $100.
by rmblifn on Jul 22, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you
You are so correct and as long as Cablevision and Sather are managing the team that will remain their culture.
Meanwhile, our GM is the value shopper and discovers the $100 shoes for $20. Until we can find a big bruising RW we will continue to use him as our RW on the top line.
by TheMagus on Jul 22, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
i tend to agree with you Magnus
a big bruising right wing is one of three key players I think system is lacking…second line centre (but there are lots of prospect who may fill this) and a bona fide number one D to me are the missing links, and I think the first and third are not in our system at all, although we have plenty of depth otherwise in system on D and forward.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jul 22, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I wanted to vote 9, but there was no fisting comment attached to 9, so I settled for an 8.
Parenteau spent a ton of time in the AHL (probably much more than necessary) and didn’t get a shot at the NHL. Great move by Garth giving him a shot. These depth charts are starting to get pretty crowded.
You said a MOUTHFUL, Web!
Dom, the SMB cop was just…..BRILLIANCE…..I gave him a 7; definitely exceeded expectations but I also like to maintain a certain amount of perspective. That said, I suspect he’s got at least one, and possibly two…..YOU know – seasons (want to avoid p***j**t**g and all) in him still, given this supporting cast. He’s a much better all-around player than he gets credit for, but P.A. is one more cog that we’ll be thanking Bossy for come a few years from now when it comes his time to re-up…..
I voted 10.
I had few expectations and he wowed. He also gave us the most amazing quote in Isles history. I love how Butchie and Howie totally ignore his yell.
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
10
I really wasn’t to excited when I heard about this signing. My impression of him based on the few games I saw him in a Rags jersey was that he was a smallish one-way player who would always score well in the AHL but never be able to translate that to the NHL Helping out at Bridgeport and stepping in here and there for injuries was all I was expecting. It wasn’t until I saw him live playing with Moulson and Tavares at a pre-season game did I think he might actually have an impact on the Island. At the time my most optimistic prediction was maybe 15g 25a. I tend to be pretty optimistic when it comes to projections and in no way expected he would score 50+ points.
Sometimes I encounter critism of PAP and I think its important to keep it all in persepctive. Sure, he benefitted from TOI and PP time and offensive zone starts and played with JT and Moulson but what he did was impressive nonetheless and it allows us to be patient with key prospects.
PA is a funny thing
What happens if Strome makes the team?
That means he either plays with JT/Moulson on the first line…or centers the third line.
this could be a potential situation for next season if he has a quality camp
Moulson-JT-Nino/PA/Strome
Okie/Frans/Grabner
Hunter/Comeau-Stome/Bailey-PA/Bailey
Martin/Hunter-Reasoner-Gillies/Haley/Wallace
Im not complaining…but I think if Dehaan, Nino, And Strome all outshine in camp…we finaly have pieces to trade. Frans is too good to give up…but he may be deemed expendable with all the kids. His defense is too much of a risk to give away though. Hes the best all around player on this team.
Not to mention Brock Nelson, Ullstrom, Kabonov all waiting in wings. This organization is finaly deep. now lets focus on building our blue line
I'm with Web & Magnus on this one
i didn’t expect anything out of P.A., maybe about the same as I am now expecting out of Tim Wallace…but as I have posted before with the P.A. bashers, Isles need P.A. more than he needs the Isles…a right handed shooting forward on a team that really lacks right handed forwards…scored 20, added 30 plus assists…if he gets to 20 and 50, only a superstar could be expected to do better…P.A. would surely get a contract with someone after this year, and if we didn’t have P.A., either Kabanov or Strome would have to be rushed…and I don’t want to see Strome anywhere near the NHL next year…one more year in juniors to develop and add weight and muscle…I saw Tim Connelly play in Montreal as an Isles rookie…was very impressed with his skill, noticed how he got knocked on his ass too much…while Strome is a better and more skilled player @ 18 than Connelly, I still wonder given Connelly’s talent today, if he would have been a star without health issues, and, had Connelly not been rushed into an unforgiving men’s game while he was still in a boy’s body, would Connelly not have developed so many health problems? We’ll never know.
by CanadianIsleslifer on Jul 21, 2011 8:32 PM EDT reply actions
6
Certainly came out of nowhere and was productive but he doesn’t seem to have a high ceiling. Overall good, low risk signing by Garth who was able to hang with the 1st line minutes he was given, but ultimately will probably end up a 3rd liner.
Maybe I’m grading him hard because we’ve been spoiled with good pickups by Garth. I’d probably put other low key pickups like MM in his first year at a 8-9, Grabs 8-9, Montoya 7 (granted limited time). Just can’t see PaP as getting a higher grade than any of them.
Pr*j*ct**ns lead to long term injuries, just ask the asian guy from Inception
I gave PA an 8
I didn’t expect much from PA at the beginning of last season, and he exceeded expectations.
Went with a 7
He was as advertised on the power play, and put up solid numbers there. But I’d like to see a little more at even strength, especially from a guy out there with JT.
Still, exceeded expectations overall.
7 and a heightened expectation
I thought that PA would be a good middle six fit for this team, and if Kyle doesn’t get hurt in the pre-season that’s most likely where he fits in. But when asked to play top line minutes with Moulson and Tavares (neither one of them “seasoned vets” themseleves) he performed adequately.
That was more than I expected, but I didn’t see a consistent top six forward. I saw a guy who got to play with the teams leading scorers, helped them perform at that level, but never made the kind of difference you want to see from a 20 minute forward.
This year I’ll have higher expectations for him in a lesser role. Meaning I don’t expect him to reach the same numbers, but eventually he’ll find himself on one of the secondary lines helping make that line increase productivity. The RW spot with Comeau and Bailey wasn’t consistent all year, maybe he changes that.
If he has a similar first half I could definitley see him on the block in February. Most likely so that Rhett gets an opporunity this year.
Nice job on the song, but if I was going with Steve Miller I’d have gone with:
Zeke’s leavin home, he’s out on the road,
He’s been down before,
He left Hops outta his cage,
And rabbit eggs, are all over the floor,
The red light seems so far away,
But I’m still on line number one,
Somebody’s goin to take my place,
Because I’ve been havin too much fun.
I’m gonna miss Kirill and Strome,
And all of the mates that I trusted,
I’m headed to the SEL, my new home,
I stuffed my sh*t in Hoppy so I don’t get…uuuum busted!
But my heart keeps callin me backwards,
As I wait on the 5:43,
Those fist f***in bastards,
Gave my roster spot Rakhshani.
oh oh big ol JT Air liner,
dontcha shoot from so far away,
oh oh big ol JT Air liner,
cause you won’t hit the net that way
Touchin down in Sweden now,
Feel the pressure goin’ down,
I’ve got to keep on keepin on.
Maybe Jesse’s here just lunkin around.
I shoulda shot with no hesitation,
You know it’s still botherin’ me,
That I missed the whole six by four,
That fist f***in night in the city.
oh oh big ol JT Air liner,
dontcha shoot from so far away,
oh oh big ol JT Air liner,
cause you won’t hit the net that way
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Don't forget to vote "YES" on Aug 1st!!!
by JPinVA on Jul 22, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Really bummed I overlooked the Hoppy connection
That poor, poor child of divorce.
I have a dream: To one day have a thread that receives nothing but comments in lyrical form.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
It's summertime...
and the living is easy!
Maybe when you write a post you can give us an artist to play with. I think we can come up with 5-10 good threads given an artist with a deep catalog and generationally correct:
Bily Joel, Paul Simon, Bruce, Beatles, Stones, Who, Van Morrison, Jimmy Buffet, Zep, Queen, Rush, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden(fastball), Sabbath/ozzie(fastball), Neil Diamond(curve), Michael jackson(change-up),,, Steve miller was good… john cougar mellencamp is another guy.
I’d be really impresed if (along the lines of yesterday’s conversation) you said NWA or Snoop and we represent… yo!
..or even throw a song out there like the theme to Gilligan’s Island and let us feast on it like a chinese all you can eat buffet.
“JP. you here four hour… we out of chicken now… you go home!”
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Don't forget to vote "YES" on Aug 1st!!!
I'ma bookmark this to remember those musicians
That should help with the generational-span issue.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
PS: Hoppy Trails
I beleive it was determined that Hoppy went with Z-daddy… so his upgrade to organic lettuce was short lived. Let’s hope he gets a good roomy who isn’t from one of those eastern European countries that like their Hoppy well seasoned.
I do hope when the Sens come to the Island Hoppy can travel with the team . Now that Bruno is gone he should feel safe in the Islander locker room.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Don't forget to vote "YES" on Aug 1st!!!
Classic, classic, classic
I love that Loony Tunes sketch.
Also: I half-expected to open a clip of Glenn Close in the kitchen.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Hoppy is best braised with white wine or roasted with rosemary.
Gues he won’t t want an Italian roommate either.
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
9
I had almost no expectations and PA was my illogical whipping boy during the early part of the season. But objectivity set in over the course of the season and I was more than pleasantly surprised by his play. Nice work, Garth. Party on.
It's Steve Miller all over
Well I ain’t complainin’ but I sure love to find me a true first liner
Some right winger who can pot a few hatties, a true first liner
‘Cause the time is right to turn on that red light
Wanna find someone to pass that puck around
So come on, sign some hot shot, I wanna see the playoffs this year… oh yeah
Come on Garth, work more magic, we’re gonna be contenders this year
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 22, 2011 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
nice...
My grandpa, he’s ninety-five,
He keeps on talking bout the drive for five,
My grandma, she’s ninety-one,
She just thinks the fights are fun…
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Don't forget to vote "YES" on Aug 1st!!!
by JPinVA on Jul 22, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
back at ya
Love that song. Pick on!
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
7
Snow found another gem in PAP an AHL star having issues transitioning his skills to the NHL. PAP was the 22 ranked scorer for RW this past season. Not bad for a Ranger castoff.
I gave him a 7 because his defensive play for much of the first half of the season was poor. By season end his play improved. Also, he really is a PP specialist who has grown into being an okay overall player.
PAP is 6’ and slightly less than 200 lbs. but he looks so much smaller on the ice. If he were a little bigger, more physical and could drop the gloves to protect JT then he would have gotten a 10. Too often on scrums he comes as a freaking yapper….I am just glad no one popped him one.
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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.
