Islanders Bits: Picking up the pieces after KHL tragedy
by Dominik on Sep 8, 2011 6:30 AM EDT
in Bits o' Islanders News
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The KHL tragedy has me still in a funk I'll need a few days, a few drinks and a lot of songs to break out of, but I don't intend for that to dominate the site mood here. Just thought yesterday should be left to thinking about all those lost in the Lokomotiv plane crash and the families they left behind.
My wife hadn't heard the news yesterday when we met after work. As I tried to explain fighting back obvious emotion, she asked, "Are you this upset just because it's hockey?" Then I spit out some of the names involved and why it struck home.
I watched Pavol Demitra grow up as a player and a man -- and I'll never forget his mix of exaltation and relief when he scored a goal. I saw Josef Vasicek win a Cup, then come to the Isles and win some of us over, then leave too soon. I remember Igor Korolev's awkward, rushed introduction to North American hockey, and how he never gave up. I watched Brad McCrimmon play a quietly key part on multiple successful teams across two decades. I didn't know any of them but ... well you know how sport is. How it brings people together. Puts a different lens on the human experience.
(I watched the 2010 Olympics in a dive bar where my buddies forced them to turn on Slovakia vs. Canada, and Demitra nearly single-handedly toppled the Canadians. I played pick-up with those same guys last night -- did I mention hockey brings us together?)
We'll have more non-somber content later today. The following links get on with a bit of Islanders training camp talk, as well as some tributes to some of the people the hockey family lost yesterday.
Islanders Training Camp
- The Isles had some content posted related to the upcoming training camp: Preseason on the horizon and a bit from the John Tavares-Matt Moulson-P.A. Parenteau line on their chemistry.
- At preseason skates, Evgeni Nabakov and ex-Islander Alexei Yashin discussed the tragedy. Said Nabakov: "I knew 80 percent of that team."
- Did I not promise we'd be reading up on Art Bidlevskii, the Regina Pats invitee to Islanders rookie camp?
- NEW: The Islanders have announced their 40th Anniversary celebration details, with special "Decades" nights throughout the year. Welcome back Kenny, Ed, Flatley. Hi again Ken.
Josef Vasicek on Al Arbour Night
Video posted yesterday, from Al Arbour Night, when Josef Vasicek had one of his bigger games as an Islander. I'll never forget that smile.
Lokomitiv Season Promo Video
This one is hard to watch, given the fate of the players it features.
Tributes and Coverage
- JoVas, JoVas...can't believe he's gone: Canes Now - Remembering Josef Vasicek, 1980-2011 | newsobserver.com blogs
- The ironman: Karlis Skrastins: Devoted Father & Husband, One Incredible Teammate - Defending Big D
- The quiet and happy-go-lucky "Pavol Millions": Demitra remembered as 'great friend, teammate' - NHL.com - News
- Mike Babcock and Nicklas Lidstrom discuss former assistant coach and D partner McCrimmon.
- Some more personal tributes for Vasicek and Skrastins at CBS Sports.
- Winging it in Motown's J.J. with one of those great perspective takes on how we react to these, and how they ignite guilt.
- NHLers react on Twitter.
- Puck Daddy profiles on several of the deceased.
- nhl.com overview of the tragedy.
- From the New York Times: Plane Crash Wipes Out Elite Russian Hockey Team - NYTimes.com
- Newsday coverage: Newsday: Plane crash
- A bit more about Demitra from his agent: Agent Matt Keator confirms Pavol Demitra one of 44 dead in Russian plane crash
- Isles stat man Eric Hornick with some perspective on the deadliest day in Islanders history.
Kelly Chase was a Blues enforcer who was a teammate of both Demitra and Korolev. His thoughts on Twitter were typical of the day:
@chasenpucks39: All I can think about is my 3 former teammates wives and kids..what a aweful tough day
@chasenpucks39: My buddy Pav always took care of his tough guys and always had time for kids..im sick for Mia and his children
So many lives lost. So many kids without fathers, wives without spouses. We know this -- death -- happens every day. But it's something else when it happens on this scale, when it touches people across countries and time zones around the globe. I like to think it also brings us together, makes us appreciate each day, helps connect a strange species on a strange planet.
But I know at heart it's simply tragic, full stop.
* * *
(I turn to music in times like this. Therapeutic...never hurts.)
We come into this life in blood and tears
We leave this life in blood and tears
Paranoia deepest darkest fears
How beautiful the life -- yes
The highs and lows of every day
Laughter and tears won't go away
But the total experience of it all
Blows me away
Mother, lover, child or wife
Taken from us in this life
My grief is yours and yours is mine
But oh the gift of life is oh so fine -- yes
The highs and lows of every day
Laughter and tears won't go away
But the total experience of it all
Blows me away
~"Implosion," Killing Joke
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Just unbelievable.
Without words for last two days. Just prayers. Nice job as always, Dom, that Al Arbour video was good watching; though, I had to shut it off upon seeing Vasicek’s smile on that 3rd goal.
Proud to root for the Jets, Mets, and Islanders!!!
Twitter: cmauceri524
Yesterday I had tears in my eyes reading about the crash
and news about the lone surviving player are not good.
From Dmitry Chesnokov’s twitter:
Doctors are saying Galimov not only has 3rd degree burns to over 80% of his body, but also has burns to his upper respiratory system.
For some weird reason
I can’t see this post on the home page. A twitter link brought me here. Is it only me?
Sometimes scheduled posts do that. Weird hiccup
SBN gremlins gonna getcha.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I hate it when this happens
MT @pghpenguins: Penguins have signed forward Richard Park to 1-year contract. Park has played parts of 13 NHL seasons bit.ly/nxG3jl
TweetDeck • 9/8/11 9:48 AM
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 9:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
CRAP.
Why is Parkie a Penguin? Blah.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 8, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
That’s just not right. Talbot out and Park in.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Sep 8, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Didn't Park start his career in Pittsburgh?
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
From James Mirtle
Penguins sign Richard Park to a one-year deal. It’s a two-way contract worth $550,000 at the NHL level.
TweetDeck • 9/8/11 10:16 AM
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 10:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Any further insight on why they might have parted?
That still puzzles me. Unless Park’s family missed North America, that just sounded like a nice post-NHL gig.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
No new insight that I know of
The Genève-Servette organization is about as transparent as a bank safe, so it’s very hard to know what happens inside the team.
Right after last season ended, there were reports that Park would be released. It became official only after both parties could agree on the amount of the compensation.
The official announcement by the team gives no explanation. It says that the team warmly thanks Richard for the season spent in Geneva.
As mentioned before, most media outlets said the reason was that Park wasn’t good enough or that he didn’t convinced coach and GM Chris McSorley. I have a hard time believing that. Not only Richard had a very good season, but besides his PK duties, he never left the first line and the first PP unit. And McSorley mentioned his injury as a major factor in the team’s quarterfinals loss last season.
Genève-Servette has a tight budget and Park more than probably was the highest paid player in the team. (Salary figures aren’t made public in Switzerland.) And it appears that his contract was backloaded. So the reason that makes more sense to me is that they preferred to give him some money now and be off the hook for the next two seasons, bringing cheaper replacements.
But that’s only a guess.
I live in another linguistic region, so Genève-Servette ist not covered by the local press.
Like Kaonashi already mentioned the reason may be financial. Servette does not have a rich owner who can eat up losses. Chris McSorley already coach at the time, bought the team in 2005 and is now owner, GM and coach. He is a remarkable man, known for his iron fist and that might have been a problem for Park. I found a Klaus Zaugg article on 20minuten (in german) where he mentions Park and McSorley were in conflict more than once. Klaus Zaug is a moron, but he is usually well informed.
Thanks for all this insight!
Really interesting stuff.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
This is intriguing, with respect to Bidlevskii
After the Pats missed the playoffs, Bidlevskii finished the campaign with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, recording one assist, 30 penalty minutes and a plus-five rating in 10 games for the Islanders’ affiliate. That showing earned Bidlevskii a freeagent invitation to his first NHL training camp this fall.
Sounds like he might be a solid addition to the depth chart.
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Sep 8, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions
30 PIM in 10 Games...
Anybody see the last 10 BPT games? Is this a John Erskine type D-man? He’s under 200lbs according to hockeydb.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
Look for him on Hockeyfights.com
Two literal KOs. And I guess pretty decent stay at home type.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 11:52 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Can't get it through the firewall...
But that is the recipe for a 5-8 AHL d-man. I can’t get too excited about a 200lb defender who can knock people out. I want a 215lb defender WHO CAN SKATE!
The procrastination on Bailey and Bogosian is really making me curious. Bailey should have been a 1 year, 10% raise no-brainer… unless there is a high probabilty for movement…
It just makes so much sense for both teams… both will have budget constraints, both are solid in their giving positions, and both are needy on the recieving side.
Bogosian isn’t an NHL ready stud… but he should work well under the CAP[uano]. Bailey had #2 Center written all over him after 4 games last year… and he can play LW.
I’d hate to see Bailey go, and I’d hate to see a deal made just for the sake of a deal… but this really does make sense for both teams… maybe WIN throws in a 3rd rd pick because of the (-27)… but not absolutely necessary.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Thanks for voting "YES" on Aug 1st... just not enough of you!!!
And that story about Karlis Skrastins' family on Yahoo is crushing
http://achicksperspective.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/reality-check/
STOP effin' messin' with my FnGO!!
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Sep 8, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wow, that's something
Impressed she held it together. Glad they family sent someone out to her before the widow and kids got in.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
From NHL media day
Brian Compton
Tavares on willingness to be #Isles captain: “I’d love to be a leader of this team. I feel I’ll be a big leader no matter what.”
web • 9/8/11 11:46 AM
Strang, not from media day:
Re: Nabokov, who arrived yesterday and is skating for 1st time with the guys today: He seems genuinely excited to be here. Having fun on ice
web • 9/8/11 11:45 AM
Awesome from newsday!
Ed Westfall (70’s), Ken Morrow (80’s), Patrick Flatley (’90’s) and Kenny Jonsson (2000’s) will all each honored during their respective “Decade Nights” throughout the year.
Daniel Friedman with a poor comparison
Kenny Jonsson to the #Isles Hall of Fame…Who’s next, Eric Fichaud?
web • 9/8/11 11:39 AM
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 11:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
WTF would someone put Jonsson and Fichaud in the same sentence?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
by Dominik on Sep 8, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He's apparently upset
That there are more worthy candidates…which there are, except they are looking for one per decade…which apparently escapes him. He is going on about Palffy and Tonelli
“@xchfs Tonnelli, Jason Blake (though I guess not him because he’s still playing), Peca’s up there too.”
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 12:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That there are more worthy candidates…which there are, except they are looking for one per decade…which apparently escapes him. He is going on about Palffy and Tonelli
Palffy could have edged out Flatley… other than that nothing would change. Excellent choices, IMO.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 8, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
From what I can see
All of those guys were also captains at some point. (Except Morrow, but the 80’s captain is already enshrined). I agree on Palffy, but Flatley was pretty damn good in the early years. I’m fine with the list.
Also, it should be known that they AREN’T retiring their numbers, they are honoring them somehow. There will not be individual banners like Potvin, Bossy et. al.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 12:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bobby Ny is a special case
Sometimes a guy can be more valuable to his individual franchise, and have a greater impact on them than on the sport as a whole. The Hall of Fame isn’t necessarily an automatic ticket to the rafters for your uniform; neither should it be a requirement.
He was an original Islander, he led the team in goals scored in 1974-75, he scored the biggest goal in franchise history, and he never played anywhere else. I’m cool with taking #23 out of circulation for that. And it’s not really all that important to me that others wore it after him but before it was officially retired. People associate that number with him, and associate him with the Islanders and their dynasty.
It’s a feelings thing. If it hadn’t ever been taken out of circulation, and Ryan Strome had shown up at camp in a #23 sweater, I admit I’d have been completely cool with that too. But I think undoing it would be kind of bad form, unless we acquired a famous #23 and Nystrom volunteered to let him wear the number. So if Milan Hejduk becomes Garth’s latest Veteran Leader, it’s time to talk…
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
Half joking
Would definitely be bad form to take it down now. But I do feel it never should have gone up in the first place. I think it was little more than a favor and a PR move, but as you point out, there are good arguments for it being retired.
I just think when he’s retired then where’s Tonelli, Bourne, etc.?
that's a good point too
And that’s what makes it so dicey. Those were legitimately great teams, so they have a lot of candidates, and taking one of the supporting players makes the rest of them appear left-out. You could get really ridiculous like the Yankees and Canadiens, who will probably need fractions in a few years (and then we get to see Avogadro’s Number on a plaque somewhere); but they were not only legitimately great, they had multiple dynasties, so it’s kind of understandable that their next captain would skate around with π on his sweater.
Or, you could “honor” the numbers and players without actual retirement like the Maple Leafs; or have a team Hallway of Near-Greatness (just next to the Conference Room of Not Half-Bad and the Watercooler of Competence).
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
Makes you wonder if it were another name on May 24, 1980
Not that I begrudge him, but I just wonder if that + an original Islander solidified his legend.
And I can’t re-iterate how much I don’t begrudge him. Love #23.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Definitely
don’t begrudge him. Only fault I would lay would be with the team.
You’re right, he has a special place in our lore. Still, when I look up at those numbers, it never looks quite right to see him there.
Of course, then I see Billy Joel and the whole thing inches right next to meaningless.
Seriously
I don’t confess this much, but I cringe every time I see a wide shot with Joel’s banner up there with the others.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
What pisses ME off is what ISNT there
Our missing Patrick Division banner.
Its ours, we won it, but its forgotten.
I cannot BELIEVE that they gave it away, and its never been replaced.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 8, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Hear hear
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
I don't often praise the Maple Leafs, but they honor numbers and don't retire them
So they can hang a banner with the players name and number and another player can still wear that same number. I think bringing the number back after a few respectful years brings the legend back into the public spotlight as people compare the new player wearing the number against the old. I think it is a better alternative than kids only seeing the number turning grey in the rafters and for those of us linked to certian numbers never seeing it take to the ice again.
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
The 1993 Playoff Patrick Division Champion banner does not hang in Nassau Coliseum… and nobody even talks about it. Its the last thing the Islanders team ever won (individual Islanders have won the Calder, Selke, and Masterton trophies). The banner was part of a RIDICULOUSLY STUPID giveaway, and now it is god knows where. Im certain there is a FB page calling attention to this, but I cannot look at anything FB because I am at work.
I think it is bad luck for it to be gone. It NEEDS to be returned, bought back from whoever has it, or, if all else fails, replaced.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 9, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I read an article on the banner more than a year ago
I tried, but I couldn’t find it. If I remember correctly, the Islanders didn’t win the Patrick Division in the regular season. They beat the Penguins in the playoffs. The league gave a one year special approval for a “Patrick Division PLAYOFF Champions” banner. So technically, it wasn’t a real banner, only an Islanders invention.
Yup, it was a division playoff champions banner.
I remember it being there. And it belongs up there way more than one in tribute to Billy Joel! I dont see anyone talking about it, ever.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 9, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I know
The part that upsets me the most is that practically nobody cares that its gone!
The Isles GAVE AWAY the last thing they won- and they have not won anything since. Youd THINK that it would be replaced just out of superstition.
Heres that FB page by the way- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49578723072&v=info
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 9, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem is the Islanders invented the banner
so saying they won it is a bit of a stretch. I understand the sentimental value, they should have kept it, but it doesn’t belong on the rafters
Yea
I don’t think that’s a real thing. I’m pretty sure the Patrick Division championship banners are for the regular season. You don’t get anything for winning the first round of the playoffs.
Sorry,
I was a bit to harsch. The banner, commemorates the great and unexpected playoff victory against the Penguins and rightfully so has great sentimental value to you. I didn’t witness it, but you did and seeing the banner at the Coliseum would remind you of the victory and put a smile on your face. It’s sad they took that from you. I still think it shouldn’t be up there, but it definitively deserves a spot at the Coliseum.
It absolutely belongs at the coliseum.
Teams just dont have giveaways like that, its crazy.
The only banner that I am OK with them taking down was 739… and that is because it was no longer the case.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 10, 2011 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I think
what she’s saying is it was never a legit banner endorsed by the league. You only get banners for winning the conference or Cup w/ regards to the playoffs.
by afrosupreme on Sep 10, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
What I am saying is you dont put a banner like that up, and then just give it away. You just- DONT. It should still be at Nassau Coliseum.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 10, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the thing is, you just don’t put up a banner like that. They probably shouldn’t have given it away. They should have just taken it down. They weren’t the Patrick Division champions in any way.
No, they just kicked their asses in and knocked them out of the playoffs. Right, Mario? Remember that? Think about it as you admire your stupid statue.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 10, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet Mario cried every time he looked up at it.
:(
MAKE THEM TAKE IT DOWN OR I’M GOING TO STOP PLAYING IN THE NHL!!! STUPID ISLANDERS!!!! I HATE THEM!!!
:(
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someday Im gonna have a statue showing me beating you guys! Youll see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 10, 2011 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions
They all finally give Bourne company in that hallway now, right?
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Exactly what I have been pushing for ever since Bourne was relegated to the rubber room.
Seems like he was an outcast in a Hall of Fame that noone even knew existed. I think they are spot on with the selections as well. An argument could be made for any number of players, but Westfal is a fastball down the middle.
Nassau Coliseum lost a veteran and an original Islander fan. ACC 1918-2011
Jonsson was the best Islander of the past 15 years.
Palffy was close, perhaps. But I think Jonsson was more valuable to the Islanders defensively than Palffy was scoring goals. (And Jonsson was quite a bit better offensively than Palffy was defensively.)
Anyone else come close from ‘96-’11? Aucoin was great for a year or two. As was Blake. No goalies were close. Can’t think of any other high-scoring forwards after Turgeon.
by North Dakota Red Eagle on Sep 8, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Turgeon was gone by 1996
Ohhhh…. you just gave me an idea…..
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
This
NHL.com: Islanders Launch 40-Year Anniversary bit.ly/nISaKj
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 11:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Via Puck Daddy
“Our priority right now is also to keep hockey in Yaroslavl. We can tell you that more than 30 current active players who have played for Lokomotiv in their careers have announced that they want to come to Yaroslavl to play,” he said, “and the league is setting up an option where those players selected by the new head coach of Lokomotiv and will come to play there, their salary will be paid by their current KHL clubs, those where they are under a contract right now. At least for this season.”
You read that right: The KHL’s other franchises will fund the roster for Lokomotiv under the current option for the league.
Looks like the team will be populated by players from the other teams, and those other teams will take on new contracts.
by afrosupreme on Sep 8, 2011 6:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That’s huge of the KHL clubs. I wonder if NHL clubs would take such a measure? A real awesome tribute to those who died would be if the replacement players won the championship and both sets of teams were enshrined on it. Or however the KHL does business.
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
by Turgeon1992 on Sep 8, 2011 7:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
That’s huge of the KHL clubs. I wonder if NHL clubs would take such a measure? A real awesome tribute to those who died would be if the replacement players won the championship and both sets of teams were enshrined on it. Or however the KHL does business.
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
by Turgeon1992 on Sep 8, 2011 7:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Anyone see Nabokov's isles mask?
@Sean_Leahy Nabokov Not Shying Away From Islanders With New Goalie Mask – ow.ly/1eBJAM
web • 9/8/11 7:31 PM
Retweeted by Sean_Leahy
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 8, 2011 8:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
WOW
I am pretty surprised by this.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Sep 8, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
Even if he doesn’t want to be an Islander, the only way he gets out of here is to play his way out.
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1979-80
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
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
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
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.
