The link below to Hockey's Future website, has a December update on the top draft picks from this past draft, along with an update on how they are doing....
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10739/islanders200809_junior_prospects_update/
For all the fanfare that the "quantity"over "quality" approach to this past year's draft, the waters are still as muddy as ever.
...and the dream goes on...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The boys are back in town...
FINALLY!!!....The New York Islanders are in town. I know, they may be lagging slightly behind in the standings but it will be the first time that I get to see them live this season, so I will be there with bells on. Tonight’s game will be an interesting one for sure. From the Islanders perspective, the Isles seem to be ready to start Bailey at center with Okposo and Hilbert. I will be looking forward to seeing these two youngsters together to see how they mesh. I am also primed to see Bergenheim create some havoc on the ice.
From the Senators perspective, it will be an intense one as they are on a two game losing streak and also lagging in the standings. There were quite a few blow outs at yesterday’s Senators practice...with players supposedly not putting any effort. Alfredsson busted a glass along the board and a few others got into shoving matches. After such a practice, tonight’s game will go one of two ways....a 5-0 blowout by the Sens or a 3-2 squeaker by the Isles... time will tell.
One thing is for sure, I will be there with my Isles jersey cheering them on....Let’s go Isles!!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
What to do about rumours…
Hockey rumours seem to be the “soup du jour” on the net through various websites…. Innuendo simply appears to be part of the professional sports landscape in North America and I tend to not place much stock in them.
Having said all that…
Driving into work this morning while half listening to my local sports radio station (in my usual matinee fog), there was a discussion in regards to the Islanders involving the show hosts and Pierre Maguire. One of the hosts is apparently very good friends with Mike Comrie’s dad, and the host was stating that there is dissention in the room due in part to the fact that Weight and Guerin are “very” good friends with coach Gordon and that it’s causing a rift within the room...
i.e.- Comrie’s disinterested play for the most part this season…
Pierre Maguire all but confirmed this while explaining the history between Gordon, Weight and Guerin. Maguire even stated afterwards that the radio host had a very good source and should listen to it.
Needless to say, my ears tingled and my jaw simply dropped…. Could this be true??? I took the initiative to Email Chris Botta to see if he got such an impression from his extensive access to the team. His response confirmed my usual thought process towards rumours, as he stated he did not get that impression but it did not mean it was not true… Made me think that maybe he will be doing some digging on his own….Time will tell…
As most rumours, this is probably much ado about nothing, but a possible rift within the dressing room could explain why Comrie and a few others are playing like they would rather be in a Siberian prison then on the ice with an Islanders jersey this season.
Monday, October 27, 2008
...and the beat(ing) goes on...
... Injuries to the right of me, injuries to the left of me,... Just another day in the lives of our New York Islanders. As a fan, I am forced to ask myself if the team is just unlucky when it comes to the old injury bug, especially to its defensive corps, or is there something more to this. How can this team’s defence continually get decimated time and time again by injuries? With tonight’s match-up versus the dreaded Rangers looming, the team is faced with the possibility of playing without Witt, Martinek, Sutton and now Meyer.
As much as I am a huge fan of Witt, I must admit that on a top team, he is not a 1/2 guy but a 3/4 guy, when it comes to minutes played. Martinek talent wise on a contending team is at best a 4/5 guy and would not be getting top 2 minutes. Players such as Gervais, Meyer would be a 7 defenseman on a good team at best, if not relegated to the rafters on a nightly basis…etc…
My point through all this is as follows: Are the Islanders overextending these guys and is this resulting in a ridiculous amount of injuries to their top 7 defensemen. If a guy should be playing 10-15 minutes per game and is playing 20 minutes +, he is tired, overextended and often will lead to him being put into situations that he cannot compensate for. A player playing in a role over and above his abilities will be continuously put in situations where there is an increased likelihood of injuries, caused by a lack of ability to adjust due to a diminished skill set.
Am I wrong in my supposition, maybe, but these questions needed to be asked, and explored?
As much as I am a huge fan of Witt, I must admit that on a top team, he is not a 1/2 guy but a 3/4 guy, when it comes to minutes played. Martinek talent wise on a contending team is at best a 4/5 guy and would not be getting top 2 minutes. Players such as Gervais, Meyer would be a 7 defenseman on a good team at best, if not relegated to the rafters on a nightly basis…etc…
My point through all this is as follows: Are the Islanders overextending these guys and is this resulting in a ridiculous amount of injuries to their top 7 defensemen. If a guy should be playing 10-15 minutes per game and is playing 20 minutes +, he is tired, overextended and often will lead to him being put into situations that he cannot compensate for. A player playing in a role over and above his abilities will be continuously put in situations where there is an increased likelihood of injuries, caused by a lack of ability to adjust due to a diminished skill set.
Am I wrong in my supposition, maybe, but these questions needed to be asked, and explored?
As we are now in 15th place after 7 games, the season will only get more and more stressful as it plays out, I can only hope, the team learns to overcome the injury bug, once and for all...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
As I read various blogs and articles across the vastness of this great web, I am astounded at what seems to have become the norm...analysing hockey teams and its players after a mere 5 games. The New York Islanders are not exempt from hockey crazy fans pondering on what has gone wrong and what needs to be done to right the wrongs of the failing ship that is the 2008-2009 season.
Are you all (collectively) kidding me???
Five games does not a season make and we all need to take a step back and breath... I feel odd saying this, as I have stated on numerous occasions that the Islanders will finish at best 14th in the conference but trying to analyse individual performances after 5 games seems downright silly to me. With the rookies on this team, the organization will only be able to make a proper evaluation of their potential and development with maybe 15 to 20 games left in the season and so should we. In regards to the vets (31 and up club), did any hockey fan truly believe that they would be anything else but what they are and will in all likelihood show for the remainder of the season?? Come, come now...
Anyhow, I am looking forward to Thursday’s game versus the road weary Stars, to see what Bergenheim can do with two grizzled old vets such as Weight and Guerin. No doubt that the increased ice time will help him in his development and give me reason to watch what might be a fun game...indeed!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Follies of Fall
The training camps are but a distant memory, the regular season is in full bloom and the Islanders are once again causing quite a stir within its small fan base. The season is but 3 games old and the blogosphere has been ripe with write ups ranging from rage to disgust to what’s all the fuss about.
The team’s misguided refusal to disclose let alone discuss injuries to their players has been reviewed and lamented on repeatedly by fans and media alike. How can the New York Islanders treat us fans in such a manner, is beyond most fanatics comprehension.
Now the on ice product is much as yours truly predicted prior to the season, a roller coaster ride from game to game. The so-called rebuilding process full of has-beens and never will-be’s is not going to be pretty or easy to watch...who on this youth movement team is under the age of 24 again???
Three games into the season and still no Rick Dipietro appearance, the team wants us to believe all is well and they were just ridding the hot handed Joey Macdonald....hmmm...a 7-1 spanking and letting poor Macdonald hang out to dry is doing wonders in convincing us, the fan base, into believing the poop Snow and his minions of dwarfs are peddling...
Through this season of coming turmoil and disappointing losses, all we as fans look for is some kind of professionalism, respect and credible leadership. Three games in, and the New York Islanders are doing wonders in these departments... Oh the follies...
The team’s misguided refusal to disclose let alone discuss injuries to their players has been reviewed and lamented on repeatedly by fans and media alike. How can the New York Islanders treat us fans in such a manner, is beyond most fanatics comprehension.
Now the on ice product is much as yours truly predicted prior to the season, a roller coaster ride from game to game. The so-called rebuilding process full of has-beens and never will-be’s is not going to be pretty or easy to watch...who on this youth movement team is under the age of 24 again???
Three games into the season and still no Rick Dipietro appearance, the team wants us to believe all is well and they were just ridding the hot handed Joey Macdonald....hmmm...a 7-1 spanking and letting poor Macdonald hang out to dry is doing wonders in convincing us, the fan base, into believing the poop Snow and his minions of dwarfs are peddling...
Through this season of coming turmoil and disappointing losses, all we as fans look for is some kind of professionalism, respect and credible leadership. Three games in, and the New York Islanders are doing wonders in these departments... Oh the follies...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
...The bug is back...
The New York Islanders are six days into training camp with one exhibition game in the books and the team has their first casualty. The oft injured Campoli left last night’s tilt looking shaken up from a hit by Boston’s Michael Ryder. The team has yet to reveal the details of the injury this morning, only indicating that Campoli is undergoing further evaluation back in New York and that has Islander fans everywhere a little nervous to say the least.
I had high hopes for Campoli this season, fingers are crossed in hope that the injury bug leaves him alone from here on out. However, the possible seriousness of his injury makes one ponder on what moves the Islanders may make; will Hillen get a legitimate shot at starting the season with the big team if Campoli is truly down and out for an extended period of time or will Snow focus on trying to get Schneider from the Ducks??....hmmm... that could be interesting.
Here’s hoping the team continues to focus on their youth movement and that they give someone like Hillen, (if he proves that he belongs) a chance to crack the line up. As much as Schneider is still a good defenseman, the team needs to bring along the younger guys in this fanatic’s humble opinion...
On a more positive note, the team seems to be reacting well to coach Gordon’s approach and to the style of play he expects from his players. I am curious to see how the opposing teams will react to it once the regular season begins... Can “overspeed” keep the team in contention for a playoff spot, or will the new concepts be all for not...
I had high hopes for Campoli this season, fingers are crossed in hope that the injury bug leaves him alone from here on out. However, the possible seriousness of his injury makes one ponder on what moves the Islanders may make; will Hillen get a legitimate shot at starting the season with the big team if Campoli is truly down and out for an extended period of time or will Snow focus on trying to get Schneider from the Ducks??....hmmm... that could be interesting.
Here’s hoping the team continues to focus on their youth movement and that they give someone like Hillen, (if he proves that he belongs) a chance to crack the line up. As much as Schneider is still a good defenseman, the team needs to bring along the younger guys in this fanatic’s humble opinion...
On a more positive note, the team seems to be reacting well to coach Gordon’s approach and to the style of play he expects from his players. I am curious to see how the opposing teams will react to it once the regular season begins... Can “overspeed” keep the team in contention for a playoff spot, or will the new concepts be all for not...
Friday, September 19, 2008
...fall is in the air ...
As the Islanders travel to my old stomping grounds in Moncton (oh the memories!!!) and training camp is on the verge of blessing us with an appearance; I cannot help but reflect on the similarities between Islanders fans and the ever changing shades that September inevitably brings to trees everywhere, as leaves slowly twist and turn into vibrant works of art.
As my Friday afternoon moves along ever so slowly, I see this beautiful red leaf and it reminds me of the ever passionate Islanders fan that is always full of hope, watching the puck drop on opening night. The falling yellow one that is whisked away by the breeze brings thoughts of the ever negative fanatic. They just seem to always to be blown away by the prospects of doom and gloom that media forecasts for our beloved Isles. The sun beaming on two orange coloured leaves just makes me think of how resilient the team is going to have to be to weather this coming storm called the regular season.
As hockey season fall’s upon us many questions have yet to be answered. We need to remember that hope spring’s eternal and that one season does not a franchise make. We have plenty to look forward to over the dreary winter blues as the kids will progress, the veterans will lead, and the team will continue its youth movement over the summer months.
One thing that is for certain, this season of change will be fun to arm chair analyse. How will the team progress over camp and over the coming season? Will they regress in order to move forward long term?? Potential story lines abound and I cannot wait to see Coach Gordon’s new system in action. How will the veterans react to continuous fast paced practices, can they adapt?. Can the likes of Tambellini, Comeau and Bergenheim step it up and become contributors to the future success of this franchise and how will Okposo react to a grinding 82 game schedule....I feel lightheaded already. Where is the start of the new NHL season... Are we there yet??
Oh how sweet it is... fall is in the air...
As my Friday afternoon moves along ever so slowly, I see this beautiful red leaf and it reminds me of the ever passionate Islanders fan that is always full of hope, watching the puck drop on opening night. The falling yellow one that is whisked away by the breeze brings thoughts of the ever negative fanatic. They just seem to always to be blown away by the prospects of doom and gloom that media forecasts for our beloved Isles. The sun beaming on two orange coloured leaves just makes me think of how resilient the team is going to have to be to weather this coming storm called the regular season.
As hockey season fall’s upon us many questions have yet to be answered. We need to remember that hope spring’s eternal and that one season does not a franchise make. We have plenty to look forward to over the dreary winter blues as the kids will progress, the veterans will lead, and the team will continue its youth movement over the summer months.
One thing that is for certain, this season of change will be fun to arm chair analyse. How will the team progress over camp and over the coming season? Will they regress in order to move forward long term?? Potential story lines abound and I cannot wait to see Coach Gordon’s new system in action. How will the veterans react to continuous fast paced practices, can they adapt?. Can the likes of Tambellini, Comeau and Bergenheim step it up and become contributors to the future success of this franchise and how will Okposo react to a grinding 82 game schedule....I feel lightheaded already. Where is the start of the new NHL season... Are we there yet??
Oh how sweet it is... fall is in the air...
Monday, September 15, 2008
...and here we go...
...with the beginning of rookie camp in Syosset, the Islanders 2008-2009 campaign is finally upon us and we can look forward to a time of year full of promise and hope. All teams are on equal footing in September and all the players coming into camp talk the positive walk. As the thoughts of sugar plums and various rookie prospects full of potential and bright futures dance in my head, I cannot help but reflect on a few pestering points that seem to reverberate through my hockey rotting brain.
Is the team truly in a rebuilding mode or is it a thinly veiled disguise of half truths and broken pieces? The Islanders have stated they are on a youth movement, and want to give their young players more ice time in order to develop. On the surface, I looked at that repeated statement with excitement, anticipation and glee, yet when I delved deeper into it I came across glaring pieces of information that contradict the new Islanders mantra. The Islanders have 9 players over the age of 31 signed to a contract for this coming season...making the average age of the team the 3rd oldest in the NHL for 2008-2009. That fact scared me at first, how can a team that is supposedly so bent on rebuilding through youth be the 3rd oldest team in the league???
The "kids need leadership and guidance" chant reverberated through the internet like a zombie mumbling the word “”brains”” all summer long from fans everywhere. Having to agree with that statement to a certain extent does not mean that I agree with Snow’s position on signing players well past their prime (ala, Doug Weight). Making such moves goes against the philosophy of a youth movement and delays the development of a team as a whole. You want current team veterans to bring them along not a player grasping at his last chance to play in the NHL. This move was done 5 years too late.
Retro reunion- To the fans that are looking forward to the Weight/Guerin reunion, I feel that you are in for one heck of a disappointment this coming season.
Rightly or wrongly, the not too distant future of this team depends heavily on players such as Tambellini, Bergenheim, Comeau, Campoli, Gervais and Okposo, not to mention Bailey and the rest of the 2008 draft class. These players need to not only show they belong, but that they can contribute, excel and flourish at the NHL level for the team’s youth movement to progress and continue. If they fail, it will spell the end of the Snow regime on the Island and will bring about more uncertainty for this struggling franchise.
I am but a simple Islanders fan, all I ask is.....do it right this time!!!
... and here we go!!
Is the team truly in a rebuilding mode or is it a thinly veiled disguise of half truths and broken pieces? The Islanders have stated they are on a youth movement, and want to give their young players more ice time in order to develop. On the surface, I looked at that repeated statement with excitement, anticipation and glee, yet when I delved deeper into it I came across glaring pieces of information that contradict the new Islanders mantra. The Islanders have 9 players over the age of 31 signed to a contract for this coming season...making the average age of the team the 3rd oldest in the NHL for 2008-2009. That fact scared me at first, how can a team that is supposedly so bent on rebuilding through youth be the 3rd oldest team in the league???
The "kids need leadership and guidance" chant reverberated through the internet like a zombie mumbling the word “”brains”” all summer long from fans everywhere. Having to agree with that statement to a certain extent does not mean that I agree with Snow’s position on signing players well past their prime (ala, Doug Weight). Making such moves goes against the philosophy of a youth movement and delays the development of a team as a whole. You want current team veterans to bring them along not a player grasping at his last chance to play in the NHL. This move was done 5 years too late.
Retro reunion- To the fans that are looking forward to the Weight/Guerin reunion, I feel that you are in for one heck of a disappointment this coming season.
Rightly or wrongly, the not too distant future of this team depends heavily on players such as Tambellini, Bergenheim, Comeau, Campoli, Gervais and Okposo, not to mention Bailey and the rest of the 2008 draft class. These players need to not only show they belong, but that they can contribute, excel and flourish at the NHL level for the team’s youth movement to progress and continue. If they fail, it will spell the end of the Snow regime on the Island and will bring about more uncertainty for this struggling franchise.
I am but a simple Islanders fan, all I ask is.....do it right this time!!!
... and here we go!!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The dawn of a new day...
Early morning hits, I wake up, slowly stretching like a fat old cat lying comfortably in the sun. I sense something is different today but I am too confused and tired to realize why. The smells of coffee and burnt toast fill the air of my place, and as I do every day, I walk over to the kitchen window and stare aimlessly outside at what is the end of another fun filled summer. Then it hit me like a bolt of lightning, I was giddy, smiling like the Grinch as he realized how he could stop Christmas.
Hockey is finally upon us!!!
We have the rookie camps on the verge of kicking off everywhere and the main training camps merely days away. Islander fans will be in for what will be an intriguing if not interesting season. Now yours truly will not debate the fact that the Islanders will probably struggle in the standings this coming season but we have reason to be optimistic, watch and cheer.
Bailey, Okposo, Comeau and Tambellini, are but a few of the young storylines that will dominate our landscape over the 82 game grind that awaits our blue and orange crusaders. Is the team on the right rebuilding path? Is Gordon’s “overspeed” concept really a good idea with so many unproven players on a roster and will Dipietro remain healthy for an entire season? The day is flying by and I cannot remove these ponderings from my ever wandering imagination.
I will be keeping a close eye on how the team will handle Josh Bailey, will they keep him or return him to juniors?...I wonder... Will Tambellini finally have a breakthrough season?...I can only hope... will Streit help right the lost ship that was last season’s dreadful powerplay? Let's cross our fingers ....WOW...The mere thought of the upcoming season and need for some serious Islanders hockey is making me feel like a hungry lion glaring at a herd of wild gazelles on the endless plains....
A new day?...Indeed...
Hockey is finally upon us!!!
We have the rookie camps on the verge of kicking off everywhere and the main training camps merely days away. Islander fans will be in for what will be an intriguing if not interesting season. Now yours truly will not debate the fact that the Islanders will probably struggle in the standings this coming season but we have reason to be optimistic, watch and cheer.
Bailey, Okposo, Comeau and Tambellini, are but a few of the young storylines that will dominate our landscape over the 82 game grind that awaits our blue and orange crusaders. Is the team on the right rebuilding path? Is Gordon’s “overspeed” concept really a good idea with so many unproven players on a roster and will Dipietro remain healthy for an entire season? The day is flying by and I cannot remove these ponderings from my ever wandering imagination.
I will be keeping a close eye on how the team will handle Josh Bailey, will they keep him or return him to juniors?...I wonder... Will Tambellini finally have a breakthrough season?...I can only hope... will Streit help right the lost ship that was last season’s dreadful powerplay? Let's cross our fingers ....WOW...The mere thought of the upcoming season and need for some serious Islanders hockey is making me feel like a hungry lion glaring at a herd of wild gazelles on the endless plains....
A new day?...Indeed...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
