Pick 'em: Who's on the Islanders Opening Night Blueline?
by Dominik on Aug 30, 2011 2:01 PM EDT
in New York Islanders Previews
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This is a discussion that has come up throughout the summer (it's August, after all), and many have thrust their line combos forward (did I mention it's August?).
But until something happens it will remain a topic of intrigue: Which six New York Islanders will be in the lineup opening night?
Answer the "last man in" poll below, but obviously this is a topic built for complexity, nuance and song lyrics which only the comment field can provide, which a radio button poll can only envy.
Let's look at the candidates:
In, No Questions Asked, Barring Catastrophe
First we'll give four automatics -- and I say "automatic" in the least hockey gods-tempting, pr*j*ct*n-free manner:
- Mark Streit, returning from a season on the shelf, shall be ready. Barring a mishap in training camp (and when has that been known to happen?), he'll be the most welcome site on Oct 8 vs. Dale Tallon's Well-Paid Felines.
- Andrew MacDonald, also returning from surgery late last season, should be ready to go and resume his role as the Frans Nielsen Bargain of the blueline.
- Travis Hamonic, a young pup all of 21, will be back and taking names, now wearing the "I'm here for the long haul" uni number of 3.
Probably Pretty In, But You Never Know
You'd expect these guys to be ready, barring injury:
- The Islanders like Milan Jurcina (and The Jurcina Anomaly) and re-signed him before the season was over, but he does have some NHL history as an extra defenseman, does have some injury history, and -- stop me if you've heard this before -- was shut down at the tail end of last season with a hip issue.
- Mark Eaton, also coming off season-ending hip surgery, is nonetheless a fixture in the Isles' D approach. If healthy, it's hard to see him being an opening night scratch.
Wild Cards
If healthy, these two might compete for the last spot:
- Mike Mottau had the roughest of seasons last year, with some ineffective play (and partners) hampered by a lingering hip injury and a scary eye injury. He has said he will be ready, and he's been a community rep all summer long, but he will be overcoming a lot to be in the opening night lineup.
- Ty Wishart had up and down moments last season, but the up moments became more and more frequent and I believe he's an underrated candidate in this mix. Funny things can happen over summer, but if Wishart picks up where he left off, it won't matter that people see his size and think he should be Phaneufing more out there.
Wild and Enticing Cards
Although the following candidates have a good shot of seeing NHL time this season, for them to make the opening night roster would probably require an injury or two. They probably don't completely outplay two of the above right from the get-go.
- Mark Katic is the incumbent callup, and might be the "flex" guy who gets called up here and there for emergency situations.
- Likewise Dylan Reese, who should be a key piece for Bridgeport and might yet get some NHL time for good behavior.
- Still, Calvin de Haan is the one who gets the most attention, being a 12th overall pick.
- But Matt Donovan is the one with pro experience, having logged time in Bridgeport at the end of his final NCAA season.
- Aaron Ness also saw post-NCAA Bridgeport time last season, but his much smaller frame will have him learning the pro game for a while.
The Rumor-Feeding Cards
Garth Snow makes one comment about seeking a top 4 addition last spring and we end up spending the summer acting like it's an absolute. The truth is there aren't really any top 4's out there -- that's why the few UFA's drew such crazy Wisniewski money -- so at this point you're left with a surprise trade (and it takes two to tango) or a surprise training camp invite who surprisingly makes the team. (Remember that names like Manny Legace and Anders Eriksson were briefly in camp last season to handle the split-squad post-China Syndrome.)
Hey, maybe we'll get a surprise who pans out. But that's not where my money is.
So, considering talent, team trust in the above, and your own optimism or pessimism that we'll get through training camp with or without a major health report, who do you expect in the opening night six?
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Mottau
Because God hates me.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 30, 2011 2:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I should start
associating you with Mottau like I do WebBard with Reese.
Which reminds me, I need a whipping boy. Comrie, Campoli, gone. (Okay, maybe I don’t need one.)
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
You don't NEED one,
But they’re nice to have! I’m gonna use DP this season (again) because I’ve been really busy an haven’t had time to do the legwork.
It’ll be a work in progress for finding a skater-whipping boy.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 30, 2011 3:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
We've still got DP
Hell, we’ll always have DP.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Aug 30, 2011 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
i was thinking the same thing
Scott Lachance was a good whipping boy back in the day, Sean Bates was another, Jon Sim was the last one i had, with this line up it might have to be DP lol
Whipping Boy
I’m gonna say that by mid-season it will be Blake Comeau and/or Josh Bailey for failing to live up to expectations
That's All-Star Scott LaChance
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Aug 31, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
He may hate you, but I agree the MM will be there opening night.
I think the Islanders are going to let the kids simmer in BPT, even if they get called up mid October and Mottau finds the press box before midseason. To me, the Isles will go with the vets (unless totally outshined by Wishart or Donovan in camp), and then keep taking the pulse of the team regularly.
I would like to see Wishart up to start, but I believe it will be Mottau that gets opening night.
Yeah, not that he lasts long
But unless somebody has a lights out camp, I expect the vets to get the nod early. There’s no sense in benching a guy you may look to trade (short of him being horribly awful…or awfully horrible…either or). In the end, I see most of the top 4 d prospects (wishart, dehaan, Donovan and Katic) having more eventual upside than Jurcina and Mottau though. On the other hand, any one of those four probably helps the cap situation more (I think they all make more NHL $ than MM)
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 30, 2011 2:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
We have too many players with the initials 'MM'
Martin
Mottau
Moulson
"..."
by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Aug 31, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The top 3 ...
are obviously solid. I also like Jurcina’s all-around steady game. After that, Eaton is relatively competent at best and Mottau is erratic. I thought Katic looked pretty good by the end of last year and I’m not sold on Wishart AT ALL. Once again, whether or not the top 4 guys can stay on the ice means everything, because after them it all becomes scambled eggs.
If you’re like me and you want a defense corps that’s not just adequate but is an actual weapon and asset, then this is clearly not good enough.
I think Streit/A-Mac/Hamonic can be weapons
IF they aren’t tied up doing the heavy lifting. If Eaton can be a shutdown guy (that is why they signed him) with the right partner, they should have some capacity for damage on the blueline. At minimum it should look better than last year.
I have much higher hopes for Wishart than Katic. This will be interesting to see how it all plays out. These contrasting impressions are always fun for me.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I agree about those 3,
but I’m you gotta have some concern about the Matzo-man’s health.
Antone have good insight about De Haan’s readiness? He could be an ace-in-the-hole.
sorry about the spazzing out ...
on the typing.
i guess i need ease up on the liquid benzedrine.
Definite concerns
It’s not an ideal situation they’re walking in with, which is why I assume Snow would’ve loved a upper-half upgrade. But maaaaaybe it’s enough.
Assume the proof with de Haan will be in camp. They still haven’t seen him in pro situations except in these training camps.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Also, it is still possible ...
the GM makes a move.
I hope he does, I’m tired of always worrying about thinness on D. It inhibits the forwards’ ability to really wind up. There’s enough talent up front now that it would really suck if they can’t really get going because of a weak and undermanned backline again.
i think its going to be de haan
garth has to have high expectations for him since he traded up to pick him12th overall after jt…he has been the last cut from the previous 2 training camps i believe, and i think he would be a great person to partner with streit…
i could possibly see the lines like
streit-de haan
a-mac-hamonic
jurcina-eaton
then again who knows what it could be like
wake me up when the isles start to play
Wishart
would have to clear waivers, which he likely won’t/
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Streit-Jurcina
AMac-Hamonic
Wishart-Donovan
Mottau- Press Box Baby!
Eaton bought out
Probably not going to shake out that way but I’ve drank the Donovan Kool-Aid so why not.
No Sleep 'til....
A moment for pedantry
I know you’re not serious, but I can’t help mentioning or everyone that I don’t think anyone can be bought out anymore. There’s a period from June 15 (or 48 hours after the final) to July 1, as well as a brief one immediately after arbitration hearings. Plus, it’s been a while since we’ve seen:
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Aug 30, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Knowing is half the battle
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
Waivers....whatever
Whatever it takes to have Donovan climb out on the ice Oklahoma style:
No Sleep 'til....
by Anarcurt on Aug 30, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
2 minutes for roping.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
by garik16 on Aug 30, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Mighty Ducks movies
were highly unrealistic.
"..."
by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Aug 31, 2011 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for busting my dream of Matt Donovan throwing a lasso over Cooke.
No Sleep 'til....
by Anarcurt on Aug 31, 2011 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Confused
Why buy out Eaton over Mottau? Eaton was a -2 in 34 games, Mottau was a -12 in 20
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
It's not a matter of thinking Mottau is better
I just don’t think Eaton would settle for press box duty. That and I’m not really being serious here anyway.
No Sleep 'til....
Two things...
Why would a team with only two players with 60 or more games played last year returning for 2011-12 buy out anybody. If anything they should be trying to accumlate potential NHL played games, not buy them out.
And has anybody even heard that Mottau will be skating in camp? Has his status been made available. I was thinking he was borderline retirement due to injury material… otherwise know as FRANS KARMA.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
I think it's between DeHaan and Wishart to lose the position
De Haan came close to the team last year, and unless he’s regressed some I could see him sticking. I think they’re also high on Wishart, given his acquisition for Roli, and internally expect those two to battle it out for a spot in the Top 6
If there’s a question here with the other 5, it might be Eaton’s spot, especially with the injury, but that’s conjecture at best
The loser of the battle though, goes to Bridgeport, and gets regular playing time, which leaves Mottau as the 7th defenseman and healthy scratch or guy to play in games where they want more size/experience (especially compared to De Haan)
Opening 6?
Streit-Jurcina
AMac-Hamonic
Wishart-Eaton.
I suspect the ending version will be different than this, with De Haan and Donovan making the team.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
Hey... we agree on something.
I don’t want to start a dead pool, but if we had one… my money would be on Eaton not showing up for the beginning of the season…and Mottau would need a necromancer to revive his career.
If that does turn out to be the situation, I’d have Wishart logging hte bigger minutes with Streit initially and Juce playing more of a safety net role for deHaan or Donovan in a third pairing capacity.
And like Anarcurt I am pretty high on the Oklahoma Kid… I’m hoping he continues his tear in BPT and they HAVE TO bring him up so he doesn’t break some kind of AHL record for rookie defensemen.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
You and I disagree about how good some of our D men are....
but we don’t really disagree as to who are the best for the Islanders to play. It is fairly clear cut really.
And if “Oklahoma Kid” means Donovan, then we don’t disagree there either.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
What about this....
As far as NHL defensemen are concerned… 10 being Potvin and 0 being not ready for an NHL job this is how I see our defensemen….
7. Mark Streit. He’s as close as we have to a #1 puck moving defender, but he lacks the physical ability to move, or even detour larger NHL forwards.
5. Yeah… big drop off. MacDonald and Hamonic. Mac has upside to 7, Hamonic to 8. Mac is a good NHL defender who proved last year that he can control flow, but he hasn’t built the confidence to be an offensive weapon while maintaing defensive responsibilities. Hamonic, I think has that in him, but it will take a few more seasons to develop that confidence at such a high level.
4. Wishart, Jurcina. Jurcina may have peaked here, but the Islanders seemed to have gotten a little more “physicality” out of his frame than he was noted to have at other stops. He has a good shot, but can’t really be considered an offensive weapon because he doesn’t have the wheels. Wishart seems to have above average wheels, but still doesn’t use his frame as much as he should. With more confidence in his tools, and more use of his frame he has upside to a 7.
3. Katic has good offensive upside, and he has proven he is a solid replacement. But I don’t think he’s shown that he can play 20+ responsible minutes int he NHL, so he has upside to a 5.
2. This is where I’d put the two biggest new professionals deHaan and Donovan. they both have 7/8 upsides, but haven’t done anything at the NHL level where the game is bigger, faster, stronger. My money is on Donovan reaching his upside faster than deHaan. He, at least, has done some damage against adults.
1. Klementyev, Ness, Mayfield and Pedan. I think all of those kids will eventually get NHL time somewhere… but I really don’t have a clue as to what each of them can bring so they have varying upsides.
Until we average 6 on this scale we will not be able to be successful against better competition in a playoff scenario. The top four should all be 7’s and above… there is a chance to have that this year, but Hamonic, Wishart and one of the kids would have to take incredible steps to get there.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
I'd give Streit a 7 if he performs as he did 2 seasons ago, but that's a big question.
I’d also say that Mac and Hamonic are already at 7, with the potential to grow more.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
You're a tough grader.
If 5 is average (3rd/4th D-man), I see AMac and Hamonic each around 7 considering how well they played last season.
But as far as where they are in relation to one another, I agree.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 30, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
My logic...
Streit is 22+ min PLUS defenseman on two horrible teams. But he doesn’t have a lot of physical to his game. He was an 8 the last two years he played, but injury and age has him top ending around a 7 on my scale.
AMAC took a leadership role last year and for half the season really performed as high as a 7… but it should take a larger sample to get that grade. Again, Andrew is missing the physical aspect of where he would have to have to be above an 8 given his top end skating, passing and positional play.
Hamonic is 20, and played way above his pay grade… but he handled it very well. His skating, offensive talent and physicality gives him the higher upside.. but that will take some time. 5 may be a little low, but I wasn’t prepared to go much higher than 5.5 given the sample size and the opportunity he has to grow. I expect 5-7 performances from him this year.
Wishart seems to have Hamonic size and skating ability, but not his instinct. Or maybe he just doesn’t have that much skating to him. He’s had way more opportunities to perform at that level, but has not yet. But a 5/6(My grade) defender in the 5/6 slot isn’t too bad…. but for it’s the bottom of expectations for a CUP CONTENDER. I’d like to see Wishart as the weakest link on the defense. Then we’ll really have something.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
Streit was a 10 in his first season with the Isles.
Seriously, you underestimate how amazing Streit was that year: he was one of the top 3 D-Men in the league.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
JPV
these JPV scores (JPinVA shorthand) numbers are quite off
Streit is a 7, maybe an 8, if he is back to form, which it sounds like he is
we have every reason to expect Hamonic to be a 7
MacDonald as well
Jurcina is a solid enough 4th defenseman barring a better option at this point
Katic’s also much better than people think
I’d like see some stats on how Katic-Reese did at NHL level from a CORSI standpoint when played together – they are a reasonably effective pair and argues for
Streit-Jurcina
Hamonic – MacDonald
Katic-Reese
Eaton, Mottau in the press box (and 1 of these may replace any of the 6 above who aren’t fit on opening day – stranger things have happened as we know…)
Wishart to BPT untli he gets a bit more Chara toughness in him
de Haan & Donovan chomping at the bit as well
if de Haan makes the big club, that does change everything
So I guess Chara was an...
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
No...
Chara is in the NHL…and he is a dominant force both offensively and defensively for a championship team. He is a 10. Streit was the Islanders best player in 2008-09 and arguably carried that honor in 2009-10, but IMHO he is not at a 10 level. To prove this call up the Bruins and offer Mark Streit plus a first rounder for Chara and see what you get.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
Opening night has playoff implications
Islanders need the all the points they can take from the new Cats if they are going to make the playoffs. Every point is going to make a difference so they’ll need to go with their most game ready lineup from day one. That makes me think Wishart over Mottau to start. I think Mottau will have a lot of rust even after camp and he comes back only after an off night by Wishart or a gainst a team that is terminally slow.
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
that is an interesting take
I agree that the Isles need all the points they can get, and that they’ll take their most game ready lineup from day one, I just am on the flipside of the Wishart/Mottau coin. I see them taking Mottau over Wishart, much to my chagrin, but I hadn’t considered the rust that will need to be shaken off by MM to start the season. Now I’m reconsidering my vote.
Mottau plays agains the Wild on Monday is my bet and Wishart back in for the Lightning.
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
Mottau
I also think your top 5 are in and that it’s between Wishart and Mottau. I think as a veteran on a young team Mottau will get the nod (barring an awful camp), with Wishart slowly pushing his way in from the press box as the season progresses.
I’m hoping that Jurcina and Mottau are both displaced by season’s end.
Mostly I’m hoping we actually get to find this out because it means everyone has made it through camp healthy.
I think Wishart
I think Wishart and Mottau are the final two. Wishart is better. Mottau might as well be on the Rangers he’s so useless. Anyway, it’s probably academic – Donovan and deHaan should be the pairing but they need some more experience….but they will both be good ones. (And I think Donovan is the better of the two.)
Mottau
But…. I see it like this.
Mottau vs. Wishart: 60/40 chance that Mike will garner the last spot on the blueline, simply because I see him as the more established blueliner among both.
Wishart definitly has more (future) upside since he’s a former 1st-round pick (hopefully that’s not to much of a pr*j*ct*n).
If there’s an injury, and only god-knows-what-might-happen, I think Wishart will be the first one being called up.
Streit – AMac
Hamonic – Jurcina
Mottau – Eaton
(in no particular left-/righthandshot order)
Waiver status
Wishart is no longer “waiver exempt” right? How does it work now? If the team wanted him to start in BPT, does he need to pass through waivers or is that only for call-ups/send downs?
That complicates things a bit. I’d rather not have Wishart as a scratch. That may push Mottau to 7th man.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 30, 2011 3:07 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
That's what happened to Grabner
They didn’t want to loose him they just wanted to give him some AHL time.
No Sleep 'til....
The two way thing
Just means that he gets different salary at each level. It isn’t connected to waivers. The waiver thing is in the cba…which I’m too lazy to open.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Aug 30, 2011 10:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I wish CapGeek would say right there on their page what a two-way deal actually means
It is beyond common that people are misled by that term.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 30, 2011 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Those "Wild and Enticing" defensemen
…are a pretty good group for Bridgeport. Aside from Reese, every one of them can skate really well. (And I imagine Reese isn’t a poor skater for an AHL D-man.) I’ll have to go to a couple games in October.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 30, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions
I should've edited that to "Wild and/or Enticing"
That’s what I meant, I swear.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
In case of who WILL be
It will probably be mottau but I voted for Wishart anyway. We need a physical D-man
Forgot to add
The only downside about Wishart is that he takes too many shots that he doesn’t need to take.
didn’t some dude wearing double 9s say something like “a shot not taken, a tape job not scuffed” or something like that?
You're just biased
Because your number is like just one away from that guy.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
His shots rarely make it and they’re usually slap shots from the point which causes a turnover so yea, they do matter
yeah, that does make a difference, but then again, it’s a lot better than watching a PP set up for 80 seconds and never get one shot off. I’d rather have a shot go wide to keep a goalie on his toes and always guarding for it than not. They can always work on that – have him take more wristers instead of slappers.
he has a decent shot from the point
but really could use a bit more BPT time
toughen him up via bus trips he won’t want to make
Yes he did
He said you miss every shot you don’t take. Then he looked back towards his net and asked who the goalie was because it was obviously he’d never been in his own end long enough for a formal introduction.
by martylnd on Aug 31, 2011 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
pool time!
we should start a FIG-ish pool (not to be confused with figgy pudding, whatever that is) for the starting 6 (or 7, for the tiebreaker maybe?). I would say go by pairings for credit.
here’s mine:
Streit-Eaton
AMac-Hamonic
Wishart-Jurcina
Mottau
I agree with your top seven and even the pairings.
Wishart-Jurcina will get the least icetime, there will be more AMAC/Hamonic double shifting to break up this pairing until Streit is 100% thne he fills in more often, Jurcina seeing ice time when down 5-3 and Eaton resting on the PP, but making up on SH situations.
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
If deHaan makes opening night something went wrong
He belongs in AHL to develop properly. He may very well be ready to play but he should develop more in AHL. Preferably for what is essentially the whol season.
I’m with Dom, I think Wishart showed some nice glimpses last year and I liked the fact that he was not afraid to shoot the puck. He does not have a BIG shot but he does seem to have control of it.
Eaton is a key also because he can take on top defensive assigments and free time to develop offenside side of A-Mac and Hamonic.
My Lineup:
Streit-Jurcina
AMac-Hamonic
Eaton-Wishart
_____________________________________________________
Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano
Wishart...
He did the deal already. He’s closest to where he is supposed to be as far as development and he has proven that he can skate in the NHL. Let’s try walking before we run for a change.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
Youre all wrong
Our Defense will look like this:
MacDonald/Hamonic
Streit/Jurcina
DiPietro/Nabokov (In full pads)
Gives you an injury prone puck mover on each pairing complimented with a more defensive minded player.
by backstop87 on Aug 30, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Rec'd
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
2 weeks to the rookie game at the Coli
I can smell the ice already. Hockey is coming!
No Sleep 'til....
I just finished the last book
and can I just say that I can’t wait until the next one. GRRM better get his ass to writing.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
Wait until the third one
It’s an absolute beast. Sooooo much happens.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
I've not seen
the show. How is it? As good as the books?
by afrosupreme on Aug 31, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Cappy takes Wishart
bc he had a lot more experience with him than Mottau. But then Mike ties up Wishart and stuffs him in the Janitors closet and knowing he is supposed to be in the press box, Mottau slips on a #91 jersey and hits the ice. No one realizes there are two John Tavareses on the bench until 2 mins into the game when Wishart’s first shift is up and Mottau’s plan to play on opening day works like a charm.
I went to an Islanders Power Play and all I got was this broken stick
JT will be the first NHL player to...
…record a goal and assist on the same play.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 30, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Call me crazy, but I think de Haan gets the 6th spot.
Keep in mind: he’s been the last defenseman cut each of the past two training camps, and looked fantastic at rookie camp. If he looks as promising as he has at each previous training camp, it’s hard to think they’d demote him for Mike Mottau.
Because there's Wishart too.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
I wouldn't mind Wishart either. I think de Haan's ceiling, even this year, is higher than Wishart's. But either of those would be much more preferable than Mottau for me.
I would rather them keep both and use Jurcina or Eaton as another depth d-man. De Haan has come incredibly close to making the team each of the past two seasons; I just feel like it’s his time.
You said to call you crazy.
I agree that Mottau is probably 9th or 10th on the depth chart by the end of the season.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 30, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
If all are healthy and Snow doesn't make another move it would be Mottau.
I would think going into camp if healthy, Mottau’s experience would give him the edge. Dylan Reese may be the healthy scratch on opening night. This way Wishart, deHaan, and Donovan can all get lots of ice time in the AHL.
So the Bridgeport open night D would be.
Wishart – deHaan
Katic – Donovan
Ness – Klementyev
Don’t worry Wishart, deHaan, Katic and Donovan will all see time in the NHL during the season. Do you think the top six will all play 82 games. Very unlikely.
The problem going into the season is they still need another top 4 Dman. I don’t mind who’s on the third pair. I would actually think a third pair of Jurcina with either Eaton, Mottau or Wishart wouldn’t be that bad. But, I don’t think any should see top 4 minutes.
Here’s hoping Garth has another one (Moulson, Grabner, Wisniewski, Montoya) up his sleeve.
The non-trade
Garth Snow makes one comment about seeking a top 4 addition last spring and we end up spending the summer acting like it’s an absolute.
Well, it’s not just the comment. It’s the fact that he made a number of moves that seem to point to a trade of a forward (maybe Comeau) for a top 4 D. He let Martinek and Hillen — two serviceable defensemen — go and signed an extra top 9 winger on a team with no obvious holes in the top 9. Maybe Snow thought he had a couple of sure things cooking that didn’t pan out perhaps due in part to the 8/1 result. Who knows. But I still sort of expect something to happen. What I don’t want to see is a trade of anything of value for a Martinek-esque defenseman. That would be dumb.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Aug 30, 2011 6:20 PM EDT reply actions
That is true
Add in the fact that he went after Ehrhoff earlier. The only point I may disagree on: perhaps acquiring Rolston was the only way to get rid of Hunter. (And I LOVED Hunter while he was healthy. But “get rid” is really the fairest way to put it.)…. But I do agree that Snow probably thought he could deal for a D-man and it fell through…. But I don’t think he would have burned the bridge with Hillen unless he was okay with Isles current group of defensemen heading into the season.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Aug 30, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Hunter
Forgot about him. Fair point.
At this point I’m cool with rolling with the current group.
by DP'sknee(andhipandflubugandotherknee) on Aug 30, 2011 8:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
why Wishart as #6
a few days ago Snow made the comment that he doesn’t want older players taking away roster spots from the kids, so i see the #6 role as Wishart’s to lose. Throw him in there and see if he handles the pressure/minutes (not 25min a game, but 10-15), and if he falters, Mottau or someone else steps in to light the fire under his ass again.
I think he meant it in a different context though
I think he meant in terms of “looking for a vet” through FA or trade, not in terms of a young guy getting a spot over an older guy we already have…I think that will work itself out during camp via play (hopefully).
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
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by Keith Quinn on Aug 30, 2011 8:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Did we find out if Wishart has to pass waivers if ahled at the start of the season?
If so, he definitely has to be in the starting lineup or at minimum the 7th man.
I’m thinking the starting lineup is gonna be either:
-Streit/A-mac/Hamonic/Eaton/Jurcina/Wishart
or
-Streit/A-mac/Hamonic/Eaton/Jurcina/Mottau
DeHaan and Donovan should get some ahl seasoning one way or another to have time to get brought up to speed because we have that luxury.
Amen Ozzy
That is exactly how I feel. They have serious depth concerns on D in mo opinion.
A move for a top 4 guy plus a depth signing would work I think.
McCabe is gonna be in uniform for the Islanders I think.
Hes the right kind of veteran for this mix. He addresses a Hockey need (a Right-Handed Shooting, Offensive Defenseman). He has good veteran experience and good vibes for the Islanders and Islander fans.
_____________________________________________________
Twitter: @mikeryaninc
"Past performance Is Not A Guarantee For Future Results"
"Listening is a Skill" -Jack Capuano
There was a report that a vet previously with the Isleshad turned down an Islanders training camp invite
I think it was Botta who took an “educated guess” it was McCabe
IF Botta is right (and he might be) it was a turn-down "for now"
Cant blame any guy for waiting to see if he can just be given a contract instead of having to go into training camp without the security of having one.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Aug 31, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope Garth is still going for a top 4 guy. McCabe would be the worst case scenario, but could help.
I think Garth has 1 more move up his sleeve, whether it be for a d-man or otherwise. We’ll see.
McCabe and time...
I wouldn’t have a problem with a training camp invitation and/or a one year deal for McCabe. This would give Wishart, de Haan and Donovan the time to develop properly.
Plus once training camp starts anything is possible. Who thought Hamonic would come in last year and play so well so soon.
Mottau, Eaton and Jurcina could all be part of the defence at the start of training camp but, I wouldn’t be surprised if deHaan, Wishart and/or Donovan were playing major minutes by the end of the year.
Last season we started with 8 Dmen
but we had only 2 goalies. This is one of the reasons that Nabby needs to be traded before the start of the season (Unless someone goes down hurt).
Wishart needs to clear waivers. DeHaan doesn’t. Snow isn’t going to buy out or dump either Mottau or Eaton anyway. None of the kids other then DeHaan have a real shot at making the NHL team.
Realistically I think they start with Streit/Jurcina, Mac/Hamonic and Eaton/Mottau as your top 6. They are going to give Mottau a real shot to prove that last season he was hurting. Then you have Wishart and DeHaan as 7/8 with DeHaan possibly getting AHL time depending on how many goalies we have. I would suspect that no matter what the Islanders don’t have faith in Jurcina staying healthy. MacDonald also hasn’t played a full season without an injury. Eaton, although he has 500 NHL games, has never really been a full time NHL player until late in his Pittsburgh stint.
"Maybe (Frans) should concentrate more on FO rather than the thugging aspect of his game." - AP77
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
by Mark D on Aug 31, 2011 1:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
i pretty much see it the same way...
i’m not ruling out the possibility of garth getting that D-man he was talking about. and i’d be ok with taking mccabe back too. at least he’s a solid body and you know what you’re getting from him.
in a nutshell, i’m prepared to see a lot of changes on the blue line throughout the course of the season. its frustrating because you dont want to see injuries or too much shuffling, but guys will get hurt and scratched. its currently what you have to expect from this season.
"son of a bitch i'm sick of these dolphins"
- Steve Zissou
On McCabe...
I feel McCabe will be retiring. Just a hunch
"Hating the Rangers since before I was born."
On Reese...
…will be on the roster opening night.
What makes you say this?
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
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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.
