Well, yet another squandered lead with the Islanders going into the final minutes of the third period thinking they had it in the bag.
Unfortunately, this is the exact calling card of a young team and we've been seeing it all season. Play just hard enough to earn some kudos, make it a game, make the other team say, "wow, not a bad job," but then lose control when the other more talented team turns it up a notch when the time on the clock starts to make them feel desperate. It stinks, but its nothing new in hockey.
Here's one positive. Lines 2 and 3, the Nielsen and Bailey line, were responsible for the two goals tonight, while the Tavares line, which had been carrying the team on its back on the scoresheet up until they were split up, were held pointless. Its good to see some sign of life from lines 2 and 3, I think Nielsen definitely helps the cause. And I don't expect the Tavares line to be held quiet for too long.
I also think goalies Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron need to step it up a notch. No one is expecting them to be superheroes, but when a team has a decent lead well into the final period, a good goalie will always make some enormous saves to help preserve the win. Roloson and Biron are good goalies. They need to play like it. They need to make those one or two highway robbery saves that makes everyone say "Wow, he saved the game right there!"
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Moulson "Goal"-son! The best there is!
Matt Moulson has seemingly come out of nowhere and is leading the Islanders in scoring right now, with 5 goals and 3 assists in eight games. I proclaimed the other day that anyone that considers themself a scorer in the National Hockey League that knocks in five goals in the first games should be a definite lock for 20. Right? I mean, even if his pace slows down, which it inevitably will over the course of a long season, he should be able to pot at least 15 more goals in the next 75 games. After all, barring a major drop in his play, he should continue to play with John Tavares and/or Kyle Okposo, and get some power play minutes.
So lets assume Moulson gets 20 this year. I recognize that this is the Islanders I'm talking about and nothing is ever a sure thing, but hypothetically, let's say he does. A fellow Islander fan the other day asked if anyone has ever come in with basically zero fanfare, like Moulson did, and scored 20 or more goals for the team. I thought about that for a while, and was drawing blanks. But early this morning, I think I came up with a pretty good comparison.
The guy I'm thinking of was a big time college scorer earlier in his career, much like Moulson, but bounced around mostly in the minors in his early twenties. The Islanders scooped him up for "future considerations" during a terrible season, and most Islander fans probably barely blinked when they heard news of the acquisition. However, this player went on to have multiple 20 goal seasons in an Islanders uniform, and even one season where he scored a heck of a lot more than 20. If you haven't figured out who I'm talking about by now, this should definitely give it away: this player played for the same team that Moulson did before both of them came to the Islanders.
That's right folks. I'm talking about #55, the speedy little workaholic, Jason Blake. Now the situation isn't exactly the same. Blake established himself as a reliable fourth line checker before he started scoring up a storm, while Moulson came in scoring right off the bat when throwing on an Islander jerseys. But both players are excellent examples of perserverance paying off. Neither was a hot-shot first or second round draft pick that had high expectations right away. And while most players would find themselves signing contracts in Europe or some other low level league if they hadn't established themselves as NHL players by the time they were 25, these guys kept at it and it worked out.
Now I know it is probably very premature to compare Moulson to Blake, and I might be getting a little ahead of myself. If Moulson has a career anywhere close to Blake's, that would be an excellent accomplishment. Hopefully, he starts by netting 20 this year.
So lets assume Moulson gets 20 this year. I recognize that this is the Islanders I'm talking about and nothing is ever a sure thing, but hypothetically, let's say he does. A fellow Islander fan the other day asked if anyone has ever come in with basically zero fanfare, like Moulson did, and scored 20 or more goals for the team. I thought about that for a while, and was drawing blanks. But early this morning, I think I came up with a pretty good comparison.
The guy I'm thinking of was a big time college scorer earlier in his career, much like Moulson, but bounced around mostly in the minors in his early twenties. The Islanders scooped him up for "future considerations" during a terrible season, and most Islander fans probably barely blinked when they heard news of the acquisition. However, this player went on to have multiple 20 goal seasons in an Islanders uniform, and even one season where he scored a heck of a lot more than 20. If you haven't figured out who I'm talking about by now, this should definitely give it away: this player played for the same team that Moulson did before both of them came to the Islanders.
That's right folks. I'm talking about #55, the speedy little workaholic, Jason Blake. Now the situation isn't exactly the same. Blake established himself as a reliable fourth line checker before he started scoring up a storm, while Moulson came in scoring right off the bat when throwing on an Islander jerseys. But both players are excellent examples of perserverance paying off. Neither was a hot-shot first or second round draft pick that had high expectations right away. And while most players would find themselves signing contracts in Europe or some other low level league if they hadn't established themselves as NHL players by the time they were 25, these guys kept at it and it worked out.
Now I know it is probably very premature to compare Moulson to Blake, and I might be getting a little ahead of myself. If Moulson has a career anywhere close to Blake's, that would be an excellent accomplishment. Hopefully, he starts by netting 20 this year.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Shootout Can Really Spotlight Hockey's Greats
Many people debate the purpose of the shootout and some feel that it is outright gimmicky and shouldn't be a deciding factor in a hard-fought tied game. One thing is for sure though. The shootout is just another avenue for the true elite talents in the NHL to show their world class skill. And I'm not talking about behind-the-legs, scoop-up-the-puck type "wow" moves. I'm talking about the subtle manner in which the true greats can pick their spot and score. A few examples:
*In a late 1990's All Star Game Skills competition, the Eastern and Western Conferences were tied in points so the competition went to a shootout. Up came Mario Lemieux with a chance to win it for the East. Lemieux came down and lifted the puck right past the goalie's glove hand to score with ease. The goalie even lunged for it with his glove, but Lemieux put in the exact spot where the goalie would not be able to reach it. Had he shot the puck a fraction of an inch in any other direction, the puck would have been saved, would have hit the post or gone high. Lucky shot? I don't think so. Mario knew what he was doing.
*In the Islanders home opener this year, the Islanders and Penguins came down to a shootout. I was in the stands for this game, watching from the 200's section on the side of the Islander goalie. Sidney Crosby took his turn and shot the puck so leisurely, I could have sworn the guy was depositing the puck into an open net on an empty rink. He was simply able to pick a spot on Dwayne Roloson in a way that very few players that have ever played the game could, and throw it right past him with ease. "Dishes are done, Dwayne!"
*Last night, the Islanders were playing the Carolina Hurricanes, and when it came John Tavares' turn to take his shot, Tavares came down and put the puck past goalie Cam Ward's blocker side from what seemed an impossible angle and mind-bogglingly small amount of space. Ward actually stayed with Tavares' shot and moved to his right, and with any other player, he probably would have stopped the shot. But Tavares picked the sliver between goalie and post that few others can pick out, offering a glimpse into the talent in his hands.
When you think of fancy shootout moves, its usually the Steve Stamkos dangle that comes to mind, or Alexei Kovalev flipping the puck onto the back of his neck, or any one of Alexander Ovechkin's antics in the last few All-Star Games. But it's when these superstar players that simply have an eagle eye for open spots, that to me is the real treat to watch.
*In a late 1990's All Star Game Skills competition, the Eastern and Western Conferences were tied in points so the competition went to a shootout. Up came Mario Lemieux with a chance to win it for the East. Lemieux came down and lifted the puck right past the goalie's glove hand to score with ease. The goalie even lunged for it with his glove, but Lemieux put in the exact spot where the goalie would not be able to reach it. Had he shot the puck a fraction of an inch in any other direction, the puck would have been saved, would have hit the post or gone high. Lucky shot? I don't think so. Mario knew what he was doing.
*In the Islanders home opener this year, the Islanders and Penguins came down to a shootout. I was in the stands for this game, watching from the 200's section on the side of the Islander goalie. Sidney Crosby took his turn and shot the puck so leisurely, I could have sworn the guy was depositing the puck into an open net on an empty rink. He was simply able to pick a spot on Dwayne Roloson in a way that very few players that have ever played the game could, and throw it right past him with ease. "Dishes are done, Dwayne!"
*Last night, the Islanders were playing the Carolina Hurricanes, and when it came John Tavares' turn to take his shot, Tavares came down and put the puck past goalie Cam Ward's blocker side from what seemed an impossible angle and mind-bogglingly small amount of space. Ward actually stayed with Tavares' shot and moved to his right, and with any other player, he probably would have stopped the shot. But Tavares picked the sliver between goalie and post that few others can pick out, offering a glimpse into the talent in his hands.
When you think of fancy shootout moves, its usually the Steve Stamkos dangle that comes to mind, or Alexei Kovalev flipping the puck onto the back of his neck, or any one of Alexander Ovechkin's antics in the last few All-Star Games. But it's when these superstar players that simply have an eagle eye for open spots, that to me is the real treat to watch.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Isles-Canes, McAmmond going to AHL
Quick, name me as many Carolina Hurricane forwards as you can in the next five seconds!
Eric Staal....uh...Eric Cole....Eric Cartman?
That's how the Carolina Hurricanes like to operate. They are a team of relative unknowns, but those unknowns can knock in 20 goals a season and usually skate past you like a torpedo while doing it. The Canes have been one of the more intriguing teams over the last four or so years. They miss the Stanley Cup, they miss the playoffs, they miss the playoffs, they go to the Final Four, they fire a coach/rehire a coach. It's a team of seemingly infinite second chances.
"Hey Paul Maurice, you want to coach again? Yeah, come on down. We fired you cause we thought you stink, but that's ok, we're the Hurricanes!! Aaron Ward, Matt Cullen, you guys want to come back? Sure come on down. We think you guys still stink, but come on back! Hey Ron Francis, you want to play again? No, ok, maybe next year. Hey, whaddya say we all throw on some Hartford Whalers jerseys for old time's sake!"
But you have to give Hurricanes' management credit for sticking to their guns. They could have very easily hit the panic button after missing the playoffs two years in a row and tore the team down. But they held together with their core, remained patient, and reaped the benefit of it with a visit to the Eastern Conference Finals. It will be interesting to see which Carolina team shows up this year: the wicked fast, playoff round guzzling machine or the "just out-of-the-playoff" stinkeroos.
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Dean McAmmond has signed an AHL contract with the New Jersey Devil's minor league affiliate, the Lowell Loch Monsters. If the Devils' organization is trying to have the Lowell team mimic Jaques Lemaire's big club, then McAmmond should expect to never have to step over the center red line. Guess he should work on those long-range slapshots if he wants to put up points.
Eric Staal....uh...Eric Cole....Eric Cartman?
That's how the Carolina Hurricanes like to operate. They are a team of relative unknowns, but those unknowns can knock in 20 goals a season and usually skate past you like a torpedo while doing it. The Canes have been one of the more intriguing teams over the last four or so years. They miss the Stanley Cup, they miss the playoffs, they miss the playoffs, they go to the Final Four, they fire a coach/rehire a coach. It's a team of seemingly infinite second chances.
"Hey Paul Maurice, you want to coach again? Yeah, come on down. We fired you cause we thought you stink, but that's ok, we're the Hurricanes!! Aaron Ward, Matt Cullen, you guys want to come back? Sure come on down. We think you guys still stink, but come on back! Hey Ron Francis, you want to play again? No, ok, maybe next year. Hey, whaddya say we all throw on some Hartford Whalers jerseys for old time's sake!"
But you have to give Hurricanes' management credit for sticking to their guns. They could have very easily hit the panic button after missing the playoffs two years in a row and tore the team down. But they held together with their core, remained patient, and reaped the benefit of it with a visit to the Eastern Conference Finals. It will be interesting to see which Carolina team shows up this year: the wicked fast, playoff round guzzling machine or the "just out-of-the-playoff" stinkeroos.
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Dean McAmmond has signed an AHL contract with the New Jersey Devil's minor league affiliate, the Lowell Loch Monsters. If the Devils' organization is trying to have the Lowell team mimic Jaques Lemaire's big club, then McAmmond should expect to never have to step over the center red line. Guess he should work on those long-range slapshots if he wants to put up points.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Legein is now truly going to be a Phantom!
Stefan Legein has been one of the more bizarre stories in the NHL the last few years. And the guy has never even played a game in the NHL.
Basically, the Columbus Blue Jackets second round pick from 2007 retired from hockey and has made a comeback all before his 21st birthday. It is a mysterious tale, given that Legein is known for bringing heaps of passion and grit to the ice, along with pocket-fulls of teammate pranks and Roenick-esque personality (Ok, no one can match JR in the personality department, but you get the point). In fact, check out this Internet gem where Legein's alter ego "Gino Reda" interviews current Islander darling John Tavares.
Legein interview with Tavares
So now Legein is off to Philadelphia, bringing the "Crunch" he brought to Columbus AHL affiliate Syracuse in his brief time there to the AHL's Phantoms, where he will most likely start and spend some development time, both personally and professionally. So good luck in your second (or third?) chance, Stefan.
Basically, the Columbus Blue Jackets second round pick from 2007 retired from hockey and has made a comeback all before his 21st birthday. It is a mysterious tale, given that Legein is known for bringing heaps of passion and grit to the ice, along with pocket-fulls of teammate pranks and Roenick-esque personality (Ok, no one can match JR in the personality department, but you get the point). In fact, check out this Internet gem where Legein's alter ego "Gino Reda" interviews current Islander darling John Tavares.
Legein interview with Tavares
So now Legein is off to Philadelphia, bringing the "Crunch" he brought to Columbus AHL affiliate Syracuse in his brief time there to the AHL's Phantoms, where he will most likely start and spend some development time, both personally and professionally. So good luck in your second (or third?) chance, Stefan.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Did you see that 9-year-old with the crazy shootout move? He did the "Schremp!"
Recently, the Internet video world was graced with a 9-year-old scooping up a puck on his stick blade, spinning around, and backhanding it into the goal during an intermission shootout contest at a Boston Bruins game. NHL.com even featured the shot (seen below and shown over and over by the guys behind Bruins TV) and had a story interviewing the kid's father.
Youngster at Bruins game
This exact shot was made famous by none other than Mr. Shootout Master himself, Rob Schremp, now property of the Islanders. Schremp didn't invent the move, but he "took it to a whole new level" as the corny broadcaster says (shot comes in at 0:15).
Schremp-tastic
If this afternoon's practice was any indication, Schremp might find himself a healthy scratch for the next game or five. So maybe he'll have time to show the little bantam player with the sick hands a thing or two.
Also, later on in the video, you'll notice that Schremp does the "stick behind both legs" move that was made famous by 2008 1st overall pick Steven Stamkos. I don't remember where I saw it, possibly in an interview with TSN, but I distinctly recall Stamkos saying that he saw Schremp do the move and that was where he got it from. It is pretty funny that little Robbie Schremp created a move that became synonymous with Stamkos and led to a marketing field day for the Tampa Bay Lightning and their "Seen Stamkos" campaign.
*Tomorrow, I plan on talking a bit about having a strong Top 4 defense.
Youngster at Bruins game
This exact shot was made famous by none other than Mr. Shootout Master himself, Rob Schremp, now property of the Islanders. Schremp didn't invent the move, but he "took it to a whole new level" as the corny broadcaster says (shot comes in at 0:15).
Schremp-tastic
If this afternoon's practice was any indication, Schremp might find himself a healthy scratch for the next game or five. So maybe he'll have time to show the little bantam player with the sick hands a thing or two.
Also, later on in the video, you'll notice that Schremp does the "stick behind both legs" move that was made famous by 2008 1st overall pick Steven Stamkos. I don't remember where I saw it, possibly in an interview with TSN, but I distinctly recall Stamkos saying that he saw Schremp do the move and that was where he got it from. It is pretty funny that little Robbie Schremp created a move that became synonymous with Stamkos and led to a marketing field day for the Tampa Bay Lightning and their "Seen Stamkos" campaign.
*Tomorrow, I plan on talking a bit about having a strong Top 4 defense.
JT, Okposo split up...hopefully not for long
As the Hermannator is reporting for Newsday, Scott Gordon has decided to try splitting up Kyle Okposo and John Tavares. I can understand that the team is in dire need of some secondary, balanced scoring and a shot in the arm after still being winless, but in my opinion, one of the biggest objectives to this season is developing chemistry between current and future stars Kyle and Johnny. They are the first line talent, now and for the future. They are our Toews-Kane, Lecavalier-St. Louis, and dare I say, Bossy-Trottier.
The secondary scoring will figure itself out over the next year or two if the Islanders develop their players right and establish a system of competition where those that produce are rewarded, regardless of contract situation, age, and other factors. So over the long run, the Islanders should not disrupt Kyle and John for too long.
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In other news, multiple-time 20-goal scorer Chuck Kobasew was traded from the Boston Bruins today to the Minnesota Wild for a minor leaguer, a second round pick, and a fourth round prospect. Basically not quite a blockbuster package. I wonder. This was a 27-year-old goal scorer, only a year or two older than the likes of Bergenheim and Tambellini, that is only making a little over 2 million per. Did Garth inquire? Would have certainly been an upgrade over someone like Jon Sim on the top 3 lines.
The secondary scoring will figure itself out over the next year or two if the Islanders develop their players right and establish a system of competition where those that produce are rewarded, regardless of contract situation, age, and other factors. So over the long run, the Islanders should not disrupt Kyle and John for too long.
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In other news, multiple-time 20-goal scorer Chuck Kobasew was traded from the Boston Bruins today to the Minnesota Wild for a minor leaguer, a second round pick, and a fourth round prospect. Basically not quite a blockbuster package. I wonder. This was a 27-year-old goal scorer, only a year or two older than the likes of Bergenheim and Tambellini, that is only making a little over 2 million per. Did Garth inquire? Would have certainly been an upgrade over someone like Jon Sim on the top 3 lines.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Year 2 of the Rebuild (It might be Year 25, but whose counting?)
The Islanders are going about rebuilding their team in the absolutely correct fashion, going through some tough years to pick up some supremely high draft picks and developing young talent. Of course, not every team has to stink it up for three to five years and serve an NHL basement prison sentence to get good again. Some teams, like the Detroit Red Wings, can simply rely on ridiculously strong scouting and management to consistently field a contender. But a team like the Islanders, after not having any true elite scoring talent since Ziggy Palffy, and proving that they can only lure in second and third tier free agents at this point, were in dire need of a dose of someone like John Tavares. After only five or so games, Tavares is already giving this team the first line talent they've lacked for so long. He is forming great chemistry with fellow future star Kyle Okposo and even helping long-time minor leaguer Matt Molson make his mark in the NHL. For a team that didn't have a 20-goal scorer last year and saw a defenseman lead them in scoring last year, preceded by a year in which Mike Comrie led the team with a pathetic 49 points, it is truly a breath of fresh air.
After the Tavares line, as far as I'm concerned, it is completely an open playing field. What the Islanders need to do over the next one or two years is establish a healthy competition for spots on lines 2 and 3. More important than immediate results is determining who sticks and who is junk. Out of some of the current players on those two lines, it looks like Sean Bergenheim has the biggest shot to stick around, but that's mainly because his 15 goals last year were significantly more than any of his "competition." Bergenheim's greatest attribute is that he is gritty enough to play on the third and fourth line if his scoring numbers don't add up.
Frans Nielsen also showed last year that he has some great playmaking skills and can put up some decent points, as he was about a .5-a-point-per-game player last year despite having a bad knee injury and taking some time to find his game at the beginning of the season. He is defensively responsible and is a good third line (potentially second line) center option if he is complemented by wingers with some size.
Rob Schremp, unlike someone like Bergenheim, must rely on his offensive numbers to stick around the club, and must prove capable of being put in a scorer's role. He must show the Islanders that he is more than a package of nifty shootout moves. He is not big and his game is not based on grit, so his offense must do the talking. I'm guessing he will have the season to show what he can do, and based on the fact that he will receive significant minutes and has some excellent overall skills, I think he can end up with some good numbers.
Blake Comeau is one of the Islanders that is probably the most difficult to get a thorough gauge on. Comeau came up in the 2007-08 season showing veteran-like poise and excellent puck control, which impressed most Islander fans. But the rookie novelty has worn off, and he must soon begin putting up numbers to back up that poise and puckhandling skill, otherwise he will just be the little-puckhandler-that-couldn't. On the plus side, Comeau does have some size, something the Isles lack especially given they play in the 6'3"-and-up filled Eastern Conference, and can occasionally play with grit.
And finally, I come to Josh Bailey. Bailey so far this season has been one of the biggest sources of Islander fan chatter, as some have argued he looks out of place and is way too easily pushed off the puck. Basically, they believe he isn't ready for the NHL. While some time down in Bridgeport to put up some big time numbers and to gain the confidence back might be great for Bailey, the truth is Bailey is at the stage where many other young Islanders have been before him. Showing glimpses of his overall skill, but not yet putting up the points to appease the masses. I attended the home opener versus Pittsburgh on Oct. 3, and in between screaming my lungs out in praise of John Tavares getting his first NHL goal, I also watched on a few shifts where Bailey found linemates Trent Hunter and Jon Sim with remarkable passes. He threaded passes through Pittsburgh forwards and defensemen alike effortlessly, and it is that level of talent that I look forward to hopefully watching bud over the next few years.
I'll do plenty more breakdown of the "Battles for Lines 2 and 3" throughout the season and will also look at the next wave of potential scorers to back up the boys on Line 1.
After the Tavares line, as far as I'm concerned, it is completely an open playing field. What the Islanders need to do over the next one or two years is establish a healthy competition for spots on lines 2 and 3. More important than immediate results is determining who sticks and who is junk. Out of some of the current players on those two lines, it looks like Sean Bergenheim has the biggest shot to stick around, but that's mainly because his 15 goals last year were significantly more than any of his "competition." Bergenheim's greatest attribute is that he is gritty enough to play on the third and fourth line if his scoring numbers don't add up.
Frans Nielsen also showed last year that he has some great playmaking skills and can put up some decent points, as he was about a .5-a-point-per-game player last year despite having a bad knee injury and taking some time to find his game at the beginning of the season. He is defensively responsible and is a good third line (potentially second line) center option if he is complemented by wingers with some size.
Rob Schremp, unlike someone like Bergenheim, must rely on his offensive numbers to stick around the club, and must prove capable of being put in a scorer's role. He must show the Islanders that he is more than a package of nifty shootout moves. He is not big and his game is not based on grit, so his offense must do the talking. I'm guessing he will have the season to show what he can do, and based on the fact that he will receive significant minutes and has some excellent overall skills, I think he can end up with some good numbers.
Blake Comeau is one of the Islanders that is probably the most difficult to get a thorough gauge on. Comeau came up in the 2007-08 season showing veteran-like poise and excellent puck control, which impressed most Islander fans. But the rookie novelty has worn off, and he must soon begin putting up numbers to back up that poise and puckhandling skill, otherwise he will just be the little-puckhandler-that-couldn't. On the plus side, Comeau does have some size, something the Isles lack especially given they play in the 6'3"-and-up filled Eastern Conference, and can occasionally play with grit.
And finally, I come to Josh Bailey. Bailey so far this season has been one of the biggest sources of Islander fan chatter, as some have argued he looks out of place and is way too easily pushed off the puck. Basically, they believe he isn't ready for the NHL. While some time down in Bridgeport to put up some big time numbers and to gain the confidence back might be great for Bailey, the truth is Bailey is at the stage where many other young Islanders have been before him. Showing glimpses of his overall skill, but not yet putting up the points to appease the masses. I attended the home opener versus Pittsburgh on Oct. 3, and in between screaming my lungs out in praise of John Tavares getting his first NHL goal, I also watched on a few shifts where Bailey found linemates Trent Hunter and Jon Sim with remarkable passes. He threaded passes through Pittsburgh forwards and defensemen alike effortlessly, and it is that level of talent that I look forward to hopefully watching bud over the next few years.
I'll do plenty more breakdown of the "Battles for Lines 2 and 3" throughout the season and will also look at the next wave of potential scorers to back up the boys on Line 1.
Well folks, here it is, my inaugural totallypucked blog entry. This blog will give balanced, no-holds-barred views of the New York Islanders as well as other happenings around the National Hockey League, the best league and best game in the world. Here's a little bit about me. I am a rabid Islanders fan, having been sucked into the tractor beam of Nassau Coliseum from an early age, and living through all the financial/Charles Wang-driven/Mike Milbury-driven nonsense that this franchise has been through. Nonetheless, I love this team like coffee, and want nothing more than to see them flourish. While much of my content will be Islander-focused, I will also very much enjoy taking a bite out of the rest of the NHL!
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