2010 - 2011 Preview & Prediction

Perhaps I'm jumping the gun with this preview, but I'm tired of waiting for hockey season to start.

Its been a quiet off season for the Isles. Recent news has been about how clean the food and concessions are at the coliseum, mall appearances by players, golf tournaments and a few minor free agent signings. Its apparent that Garth Snow is sticking with his guns and we are rebuilding. And you know what, when did bringing in stars help us make the playoffs in the last 20 years? OK 2007, but the Sabres handed our asses to us in the first round. We have a team, a young team, but a focused young group of guys determined to bring hockey back to Long Island, so lets get excited and make some predictions about the season and each player.

I think the Islanders will improve from last season, will win around 42 games in regulation (vs 34 from last season), but will not make the playoffs. They'll finish in 9th or 10th place in the conference, but Islanders fans will be excited by what they see.

Lets start with the Islanders forwards.

Josh Bailey: In his first year as an Islander, Josh spent a lot of the time on the ice (literally on the ice), with size, maturity and experience, expect Josh to score up to 20 goals this season and have a bigger presence on the ice.

Blake Comeau: We all know Blake's got the mind and hands to be a great goal scorer in the league. Will he pick up where he left off last season?

Trevor Gillies: With few players to fight with now that the Islanders put together a team of goons, look for Gillies to shine in division games against the Rangers, Devils, Philly etc...

Trent Hunter: The Islanders need to get the puck to Trent more and give him space to shoot. He's got a rocket of a shot, but often ends up shooting from ridiculous angles.

Zenon Konopka: I'm not sure what to expect, just go after Gaborik and I'm happy. Zenon will help keep the younger guys secure on the ice. Great pickup.

Matt Moulson: After signing a 1 year $2.45 million deal with the Isles, the pressure is on Matt to show that last season wasn't a fluke. He is a work horse and I expect another great season. JT will overtake him this year in goals scored.

Frans Nielsen: Frans is an all around guy, he does it all and he does it well. Did anyone notice that he scored on the same exact shootout move all season? Wrist shot over the top right shoulder. Happy to have Frans on the team.

Kyle Okposo: Expect a breakout season from Okposo. He doesn't rest during the summer and should be in top shape for the 2010 season. I predict 23 goals.

Parenteau: In my mind, this was a great steal from the Rangers. Parentau is a great addition, a quiet one, but he will shine with the Isles.

Rob Schremp: Did you see the goal!? Robbie Schremp carries and shoots the puck extremely well, last season he showed that he deserves to play regularly.

John Tavares: 31 goals, 34 assists and a new clothing line JT91.

Islanders Defensemen:

Mark Eaton: A sound defenseman that protects the puck and will help the offense transition out of the zone better. Looking forward to his experience and defensive help.

Bruno Gervais: I'd like to see him shoot more.

Jack Hillen: One of the hardest working guys on the team, I love Hillen and love watching him play. He's all over the ice.

Milan Jurcina: Size does matter. Milan adds great size to the defensive squad and comes from a team with playoff experience.

Andrew MacDonald: His injury late last season after signing a new contract with the Isles was unfortunate. A fresh start this season is going to be great and Andrew will be a top defenseman in the league some day.

Radek Martinek: What can I say, recover and don't get hurt again.

Mark Streit: Probably the best player on the team, Mark has been great on defense and on the power play. I'm curious to see who Gordon pairs him up with this season.

Islanders Goalies
Rick DiPietro: ? Always a question mark here. DP is not a reliable goalie in my eyes anymore.
Dwayne Roloson: Our savior and hero last year, Dwayne was incredible, but I fear that his age will catch up soon.


New Comers & Prospects:
Nino Niddereiter (AKA El Nino): I'd love to see Nino start this season with the Islanders just like JT did.
Brock Nelson: Bridgeport, here I come.
Kirill Kabanov: Bridgeport, here I come. Keep an eye on this guy.
Matt Martin: Should be a full time Islander by mid-season. Love his grit and intensity on the ice.
Kiril Petrov: Bridgeport

Isles Ink Moulson

Several hours before the arbitration hearing in Toronto, the Islanders and Matty M. agreed to terms on a one year $2.45 million deal. Nowadays, that seems decent, but g-d knows we have seen some ridiculously high deals in the last decade. To put Matt's one year deal into perspective, its $6,712.32 a day for the next 365 days. Being a professional athlete ain't too shabby.

Moulson will be an Unrestricted Free Agent next season. My feeling is that if he scores another 30 goals, he will receive a fat long term deal. For now, the Isles made the right decision, 1 year deal and let him prove himself.

At Least We Can Say - Dont F*ck with the Islanders

Islanders signed enforcer Jeremy Yablanski today.

Interestingly enough, Gillies and Yabo have fought each other before (see picture) and somehow Yabo was Gillies best man. These guys are nuts and I love it.

If I were a player from any other team in the league, I'd fear the Islanders for one reason and one reason only, my safety.

Trevor Gillies, Jeremy Yablonski & Zenon Konopka are a threesome you rather miss out on. All have been known to drop the gloves in a big way and will never back down from a good fight. This really excites me for when we play the Rangers.

With the additions of defense, Jurcina and Eaton and the toughness of the three stooges mentioned above, other teams will fear carrying the puck over the blue line. Keep your head up baby!

Why so quiet on the Island? First post for the 2010 Season

After standing on a train for 3 brutal hours, stuck next to the young bimbo with the straw hat, listening to the Black Eyed Peas and sporting a yapping yorky in her Louis Vitton (I hope I spelled that wrong) bag and the already drunk banker squeezing to and from the restroom every ten minutes with a beer in hand and two in his pockets, I finally arrive in Sag Harbour. I say to myself, the traffic was worth it. Now I'm here at the beautiful beach, sparking up the grill, popping open a cold one and kicking it with my friends and family. So standing on the Long Island Railroad for a few hours is fine. I can deal with it.

More often than not, I arrive at the coliseum after sitting in 2 hours of traffic, and my attitude isn't quite the same,rather, I ask myself, is this worth it? After all, I have a large HD TV to watch the game on, a couch, dinner, beers,email etc...If the Isles are losing, I'll simply swap channels and watch the Rangers lose to make myself feel better.

Like many Islanders fans, in their mid 20's like myself, we missed the boat. We are the unlucky bunch that got on the wrong train, heading in the wrong direction. To me, its like leading a strictly religious life and then right before you die, your told that its all bullshit and you could have done whatever the hell you wanted.

But for how long? Is 2010 going to be another year where we finish at the 12th seed. Is Rick Dipietro going to play 4 games and hurt his knee again? Should I really spend all this money on tickets, tolls, beer and bad food at the coliseum? How come the guy with the gold hair is at every game, isn't he sick of losing and spending money on season tickets? Can we just watch the Ice Girls dance in a bar instead of going to the game? How long does it take to rebuild a hockey team? Does any good UFA want to join us? Are we even trying to bring any stars in?

Well, I can go on for quite a bit. This is what happens after years of losing, but for some reason, we continue keeping the faith and hoping for the boat to turn around and head in the right direction.

Guess What? I actually believe, the good days are near.

Although many Eastern Conference teams have improved (Devils, Pens, Tampa etc...), I'm confident with our youth and have bought into Garth Snow's annoying yet, semi successful (TBD)system. "SLOW AND STEADY REBUILD". Although I hate those words, its guys like K. Okposo, JT, Robbie Schremp, Josh Bailey that help me keep the faith.

Granted all Isles fans are frustrated by the off season thus far. Snow has made offers to several good UFA's but was turned down, because guess what, the Isles have sucked for too long, and good players don't want to be involved in it. The only option is to improve with what we have and eventually lure in some bigger pieces to the puzzle when the time is right.

The Islanders picked up three new players this year, Jurcina, Eaton and some tough guy from Tampa. These small additions may prove to be helpful, but guys like Freddy Meyer and Sutton have been lost in the process. In terms of defense, I worry, as we have lost some of the physical players, but added some size overall.

In terms of offense, can we rely on Matty Moulson scoring 30+ goals again? Will JT put on some much needed weight and muscle, protect the puck and have an even better season? How about Okposo, Baily, El Nino, Hamonic...Will they eventaully become the Pittsburg Penguins?? I dont have the answer, but I'm optimistic and excited for the future (god I hate the word future).

Simply put, our young team is going up against some serious talent this season and I personally think that the playoffs are already out of the equation. However, I think we will improve from last season, and in a few years with the addition of some super star along the way, the Isles will be back and will win a playoff series. I'll keep the word Stanley cup out of all posts until I feel its warranted.

Go Isles!

10 Reasons for Islanders Fans to Smile

Despite losing their 6th straght game last night in Tampa, Islanders fans still have some reasons to smile about this season.

1. The Isles are just 5 points out of the 8th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

2. Last year the Isles played 82 games and won 26, this season the Isles have played 57 games and won 23 (will that 26th win ever come?).

3. In 2008 the Isles goals against was 279 in 82 games, this season its 177 in 57 games.
4. Robbie Schremp is an Islander.

5. In 2008 the Isles finished with 61 total points, this season they have 54 points in 57 games.

6. Islanders fans understand that a trade to make the playoffs isn't what we want anymore. We have a great bunch of talented kids that will one day bring the cup back to Long Island.

7. Its Friday.

8. No Islanders except Mark Streit will be in the Olympics, so a good vacation and lots of rest may help the team for the playoff race March.

9. Justin Kohn got physical against Tampa last night.

10. MSG + showed Al Arbour on TV last night to remind Isles fans that the 80's weren't that long ago.

Isles play Carolina at home Saturday night at 7PM.

Isles Drop 6th Straight Game

That is all I have to say today.

Isles Face Tampa

For Islanders Country, 2PM today will be more important than whatever their doing at work, home or on the road. I don't mean to sound too dramatic, but its time to get out of the dog house.

The Isles take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in a game that will surely be difficult to win. Josh Bailey is out for the next 6 games with an upper body injury, Hillen is spoon feeding, Brendan Witt is on waivers and we have lost 5 straight games. Like I mentioned in a previous blog, all hope is not lost, today is a great day to turn things around.

The isles have 6 games left before the Olympic break. How sweet would a 6 game win streak be? Nah, I'm crazy to even have that thought cross my mind. On Saturday we face Carolina (winnable), on Tuesday Nashville (fat chance), and on Wednesday Sid the Kid and the Penguins. The last two games will be against Tampa and Ottawa. That said, the Isles best get something brewing, and try and position ourselves for a good race in March and then April.

Today's Wake Up Call goes out to John Tavares and Sean Bergenheim. Neither have been productive as of late, but at least Bergy constantly has his feet moving. Tavares is often on the floor swatting at legs and the puck. Wake up!

Go Isles!