Shortly after Ryan Smyth’s decision to sign with Colorado became official around 11 p.m. Sunday night, my phone rang. It was a player who had been an Islander for six years, not six minutes. It was Jason Blake.
How was he feeling after signing a five-year deal worth $20 million with Toronto? Silly question.
“Awesome,” Blake said with a little laugh.
Whatever criticism Blake might have received for his long shifts and tendency to dominate the puck at times, no one can say he didn’t work his butt off to make himself a better player, going from an eight-goal penalty killer in 2001-02 to a 40-goal scorer at the age of 33 last season. As Tom Poti, another departing Islander, said earlier yesterday about Blake, “He hustled every minute he was on the ice.”
Until yesterday, Blake was the senior Islander in terms of service since his debut on Jan. 4, 2001 after being traded from Los Angeles. He expressed a desire to finish his career with the Isles back in January before the All-Star break when he worried about being traded because of the lack of progress in contract negotiations with general manager Garth Snow. Blake was seeking a five-year deal for $18 million, but the Islanders were offering $9 million over three years, a number they improved only marginally before the NHL free-agent market opened Sunday.
Asked if he felt vindicated to get such a good contract even though he will be 34 when training camp opens, Blake said he “wasn’t trying to prove anyone wrong.” It simply was a matter of believing in his ability to maintain the level of play that has seen him produce 115 goals over the past four seasons.
“Our goal from Day 1 was to get a five-year deal,” Blake said. “As the year went on, they weren’t ready to do a long-term deal. Each organization has their own direction they’re going into. If that’s not what they want to do, that’s fine, but we wanted a five-year deal…I had a great time in New York for the time I was there, and it’s a great organization and I wish them the best.”
Blake expressed his gratitude to Islanders owner Charles Wang and former general manager Mike Milbury for taking a chance on an undrafted player and providing him the opportunity to grow as a player. “Without Charles and Mike, I don’t know where I’d be today,” Blake said. “I owe a lot to them, and I want to thank them. I want to thank the whole organization and all the fans, the [media], the trainers and the equipment staff for everything they did for me. I appreciate it.”
When the Islanders qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, the team they bumped from the Eastern Conference field was the Maple Leafs. Adding Blake’s speed and determination to a team that has huge forwards who will create more space for Blake might put Toronto solidly into the playoffs. After years of struggling to help revive the Islanders, Blake heads to a place where there’s no question the franchise has the resources and the environment to produce a winning team.
“It’s exciting to go to Toronto,” Blake said. “They fill the building every night, and it’s all about hockey there. They want to win, and that made the decision easier to go to Toronto. They’ve had good teams in the past, and they’re still a good hockey team. They were plagued by injuries last year and didn’t make [the playoffs]. Hopefully, we’re going to turn that around this season.”
As for the future of an Islanders franchise decimated by its free-agent losses, that’s no longer Blake’s concern. He’s ready to turn the page. “[Winning] means a lot when you’re there for a long time,” Blake said. “The Islanders will do fine. They’ll bring some guys in, I’m sure. This is a new chapter in my life, and we’re excited. It’s going to be fun.”
Comments (446)
My God: What a sad day. I went to bed last night and thought about how bad things are. I wonder what can be done? My advise is to build around our current strengths: Defense and kids. I don't buy that we don't have any talent. Bergie, Tambellini, Nokie, Comeau, and Okposo. I say sign defensemen and come playoff time sell them off to bring in more talent.
Good Luck Blake!!
Thanks for the 6 years of Hustle.
Good luck to Blake. Isles focused on what they did...a longshot with Smyth, but they always knew that they could not meet what Blake wanted.
As for the Isles fans panic....its day two of FA, with less than half signed. Relax.
Most felt, especially yours truly, that Isles had NO shot with any Tier 1 Free Agent. Obviously this was the case.
Onward and upward.
$10 tickets for kids? You'll need to give them anyway now.
Maybe its time to make trades to rebuild again!!
Let it Snow let it Snow Let it Snow.
Let’s face it, since Garth got here he has done nothing to help this team.
Last summer moves (poti, hill, simon, nolan, sillenger etc.. ) were completed while he was trying to remain a back up goalie.
Every one knows that you do not pull the Smyth trade without him agreeing to sign an extension. Those picks could have been used to obtain players who will play more than 30+ games and one playoff round.
Blake should have been traded before the deadline because they knew they were not bringing him back.
I am not sure but was 15 years for DP Garth's idea also?
No wonder Milbury left, he knew selling season tickets for this team will be almost impossible.
His track is record poor but I HOPE GARTH proves me wrong and builds this team this summer for NOW.
Mr. Logan please press Mr. Snow on these issues
.
How is it that the Rangers are so able to manuever their NY connection to get top talent like Drury and Gomez, and the Isles repeatedly can't score permanent big name talent (or keep it?). While Uniondale is a hole in the ground(no offense), the perks of playing in NY were never so bad that so many players would simply leave.
I liked Blake, but Snow was right in that paying a 33 year old a five year deal when only a very select number of 33+ players succeed wasn't wise.
I think someone of Smyth's playing caliber is still needed, but someone of his character (why is it that players weep when they go to the Islanders -- no one weeps when they go to Nashville or Columbus), shouldn't be on the team anyway. Reminds me of Kirk Muller, that other Canadian loser that wouldn't play for the Islanders; because so many other NHL teams have storied history like the Islanders. I mean, c'mon, why play for Phoenix or Minnesota when they have never won jack in their team history?
I just don't get it though. So many players don't want to be the cornerstone of the Islanders franchise, which, to their credit, has shown a commitment to win in the past. However, had they kept Peca and not Yashin, Chris Osgood and not rushed DiPietro, and Blake over Smyth, they'd be in position to add the key positions they need.
I would love nothing more than watch Blake peter out and Smyth get nowhere near a title in Colorado. Let's believe in karma and the fact that a lot of slary space will help bring someone important (Forsberg? Selanne? Kariya?) or more to the Island.
Otherwise, we'd be happy here in Oregon to have the Islanders.
Preissing to LA. 4 years 11 million. Things looking better and better for next year huh?
Ok Garth it is now 1:30 on 2 jul do you know where your team is? Anyone who has read my posts know that I think we will put a good team on the ice but cmon where are the signings of the other FA that are still out there? We lost smythe so lets get a team together here. What are we waiting for put some deals together and lets get going for crying out loud!!! I dont want to here about losing kozlov, poti and blake. Everyone moaned when we signed kozlov last year and he didnt have apoint in 5 games against buffalo. Poti got a huge pay raise and the leafs overpaid for Blake. I am glad we didnt open the coffers like that for these gusys but we have to start moving a little faster to start icing a team. SOURAY, GUERIN, ALLISON, WEISS AND RYDER ARE RFA THAT CAN BE HAD. LETS GO!!!
Kings to sign Preissing...
4 years at 11 Mill.
I menat that Weiss and Ryder are RFA not the others. I made my point yesterday about these two. OUt of all the RFA these two would be a great pickup. Weiss is 24 and had 20+goals and 58 pts. Ryder we know has scored 30+ goals the last 4 seasons and is only 27. Both players in their prime and I would give up draft picks for proven players that are in their prime and can be signed to long term extensions.
Big signing for the islanders. ANDY HILBERT! wow great job Garth
Where is the Hilbert thing reported?
Wow, is this how starved I am for a signing?
WOW...All I can say!!
I'm glad those that jumped jumped. Smyth has zero integrity; Blake played the Isles like a fiddle. Adios, scumbags.
The salaries these free agents are getting are absurd considering the virtual irrelevance of the NHL.
Teams stocked with tons of free agent talent are paper tigers until it's proven they can play together (see the NY Yankees).
You build winning teams via the draft, with a strong philosophy of what style of team you are and what type of character you want in your players. And you never trade the future for an unstable present.
Most Isles fans who know how Torrey operated will settle for a 2-3 year rebuilding plan via prospects forming a coherent and hungry young team.
In 1972
http://www.islesinfo.com/free-agents.html#smyth middle of the page
Let's unveil next year's unis already. We might as well get ALL the ugliness over with in 24 hours' time.
I'm going to propose that the Islanders add to their "Blog Box" idea with a "Blog Line" for next season. Steady can centre Merrick and JP on the fourth line. But seriously, the Islanders have twelve players and we'll have to dress at least nine or we forfeit, or DP can come and play D, the other team can shoot at a half-moon.
Some decent players still out there too. Don't necessarily confuse inaction with laziness or incompetence. As I said in the previous thread, more money doesn't mean more Cups.
-Mike Comrie
-Danny Markov
-Scott Hartnell
-Mike Ricci
-Denis Arkhipov
-Martin Gelinas
-Brent Sopel
Matt: "I'm going to propose that the Islanders add to their "Blog Box" idea with a "Blog Line" for next season. Steady can centre Merrick and JP on the fourth line."
Do we know for sure if Steady, Merrick and JP are "Nolan-type players" :)
Im a little tired of management telling the fans to be patient and this and that...the fans dont need to be patient....we need hope...everyone is stocking up around us and were being patient so we can sign johnny 4th liner
Mike Ricci? Crap I better check my finals schedule if it's 1994 again.
And Brent Sopel? I guess you missed his first disgraceful stint on the Island? No thanks.
Comrie would be a nice add. Considering we have no centers I'd take veteran playmakers like Peca and Smolinski to keep it respectful. Oh wait, they know what a joke this organization is already. Never mind.
Bring back bench clearing brawls
Hartnell has been gone for 5 days...none of the players listed above would really help (lmfao Sopel)...with Priessing off the market Snolan must make a pitch to get Hamrlik back...I know he's older now, but this team needs some credibility...another defenseman is needed as well, maybe Andy Sutton or a similar type player...we could still bring back Bryan Berard for fun!!!!...
Forward Forwards, we will never score goals with out players who actually can score...don't count on Bergenheim/Nielson to be some dynamic duo ala Datsyuk/Zetterberg....
Guerin, Bertuzzi are pretty much only real forwards left, prob need them both...
Priessing did not sign a big contract at all...where was Snow there?
someone please tell this guy that good players are going to make $...maybe he is so used to making jack crap during his career that he forgot that real NHL players look for good contracts...
I would go out and sign all these guys if I could...but the exchange from gumdrops to U.S. $ is not good this month...
jisles,
Good take. I agree that Poti and Blake probably are getting overpaid. I don't know how Blake can really help Sundin. I thought Sundin would pack it in this year. And the Caps! Poti's not bad, but not for that money. But really Ovechkin is still going to be the only offense that they have! Neither the Leafs or Capitals will contend in the east.
And Steady, Candyman, et al., some websites are saying that next year's crop of free agents are possibly better than this years. Obviously, teams like the Rangers and Flyers will not be able to join the action due to the big money they're spending this year, and years to come. The Rangers young guns may have to wait a few years and when they start getting good, they'll be looking for the $$. So like someone mentioned before, if the Rangers aren't in the Cup Finals within the next few years, we could be in trouble. But as of today, what we have as a roster, we can't complain.
I've been reading all the doom and gloom posts and I've been trying to keep my mouth shut (my fingers still???). But I can't stand it anymore. With all due respect to Steady and some other regulars, and anyone else who's upset, for that matter - I think we've got to get some perspective on this situation.
1-Last year at this time the Islanders had even fewer player under contract and were still saddled with Yashin's ball and chain. FA acquisitions occurred all throughout the summer. If I recall, it worked out pretty well.
2- With the exception of maybe Poti, can anyone really be all that upset that we didn't give Blake 5 years for 4 per? Or Kozlov 2.5 million for each of the next 2 years? Or Zednik whatever the heck he's getting for two years' worth of his family soap opera? I say... don't let the door hit you on the way out.
3- The Rangers. Gomez worth 7.2 million over 7 years? LOL. Drury worth 7+ over 5? Just wait till the revenue growth rate built into the cap turns out to be way inflated - and the cap starts to come DOWN... and the Rangers are shackled with big, frin-loaded contracts. Remember the rule... when you try to buy yourself a Stanley Cup, more often than not the devil asks for payback with loan-shark rates of interest.
4- I applaud Snow and Wang for not getting into a Ryan Smyth pissing contest and ending up with an 8 year deal for 7.5 per. That might not even have been enough, and it it was, the signing celebration would be hollow. Colorado missed the playoffs last year and most likely won't do much better this year. He wants to play somewhere else for less? Screw him. It's not like he's some hockey messiah, and if he's that reluctant, I don't want him anyway. If he is really the "class guy" that people unrealistically were saying he is, he would've clued Snow in on his real intentions before the draft. He was treated like gold, and he didn't even leave a tip. Sure, he wasn't obligated to leave one - but neither is anyone in a resturant. But if you leave nothing after the best service, you're still a jerk. He knew how much Snow gambled on him. I personally hope his season ends the first weekend in April.
5-Preissing just signed with LA for 4 years and 11 million. Poti got 14 million over 4. I fault Snow on this one. Couldn't he offer 12 or 13?
6-We've got to be much more patient, though. Plenty of time to sign reasonably priced talent that can get you just as far as tier 1 talent.
Sorry Upstate, while the Bobblehead Line sounds nice, I'm a blue-liner. Also I'm not supposed to disclose my deal with Garth until it is completed.
I concur with JIsles about building a team and I was willing to suspend belief about signing Smyth--but the verdict is now in. The deal should not have been made and the most damning aspect about it is that it shows Garth's potential to drink the Kool-Aid. Remember, the deal was made one or two days after he said he would not mortgage the future at the trading deadline.
Again, if we can build a team that competes every night, I'll be happy. I never expected to compete for a Cup next year, and it's ludicrous to think the Isles should try with their current base of personnel and experience. Next year, we may find that we have five or six kids who can play and we can sign them longer-term for four years at above entry-level rates, but belwo what they might earn in the future--similar to what the Cleveland Indians did in building a winner in the 1990s.
There's a long way to go before September. Be patient and realistic folks.
Nice Cincy. Agreed, for the most part. If we'd have spent big money yesterday, the same ppl complaining now would be screaming their heads off two years from now about cap space, etc.
I don't think we were only two players away from the cup last year, so spending 15 mil on two players would have just made us a bloated team that would not win the cup. Hopefully Snow doesn't do something stupid to satisfy the "instant gratification" crowd, like signing a broken down Forsberg to a 6.5 mil deal, or something.
See Blake's quote about Toronto, "They fill the building every night". Very telling, a little shot at the Isles fans there.
some good points cincy...but dont forget we havent made it past the 1st round of the playoffs in god knows how long...many fans are getting tired of signing "reasonably" good talent and then getting nowhere..
I don't blame Snow for letting Smyth and Blake go.
But losing Poti and Kozlov hurts. It appears to me that Snow vastly undervalued ALL of the free agents out there.
It is unbelievable to me that he didn't get Hannan or Preissing or Schneider.
What the hell is he waiting for?
Hopefully, this will be a wake up call for out junior GM and next year he will not have his lunch stolen from him.
Merrick, Cincy:
Yes. Like Axl Rose said, "Just a little patience, yeaaaaaahhhhaaahh."
I'd rather have a rebuilding season and see what the kids can do than go out and overpay for FAs and not win the Cup. Cups aren't won in one off-season.
I just got in off the ledge.
BLAKE:Good luck Jason, you're gonna need it. Isle fans never turned on you because we all respected your hustle and dedication. You're going to become Toronto Media fodder as a puck hog and an over paid penalty killer. hopefully we can get you back ala Czserkawski (sp?).
Smyth: I loved to watch him play, but take your tears to denver big fella... You'll be a big NOTHING to us (me, anyway). Not quite Kirk Muller(I just threw up a little), but it's crap like this (turning down more money to play with a better(now) team) that KILLS THE WHOLE IDEA OF A COMPETETIVE LEAGUE.
Garth: The Smyth deal was a loser for sure, but at least he tried. there are some IFs that might have made last year worth the gamble. It didn't work out. Let's move on.
Rags: I really have to give them credit. they must have one of Vito Genovese's bookkeepers at MSG. They have a BILLION dollar team in a Salary Cap ERA. I would have loved to have seen Gomez in an Islander Uni... but not at that price... We'll survive.
FUTURE: the future of this team resides right were it was Friday. TED NOLAN. They had "CRAP" going into the 2006-07 season and in two months they were contending for the division. They are back to that level again with time remaining in the F/A period. They need guys like Hunter
tambellini
Nielsen
Bergenhiem
Nokie
Campoli and
Gervais to just improve. they don't have to field an all star team, they just need to compete, and they will improve.
No doubt they are thinner than last year, but who ever thought Blake would be a 40 goal guy, or kozlov would have a career year... I didn't think Sillinger (Captain???)would be that important...
They are a top tier D (Souray?) and two centers away from being legit... If the returnees improve a little they will be able in the playoff hunt again.
PS: I'm a blueliner as well... so I think that leaves Steady on a line by himself.
Blake: Please come back!
All that crap from Nolan about being a hard-working team and they let the guy who worked the hardest (Blake) get away!!
Continuing on a similar thread, if this team actually STICKS to a rebuilding plan, actually makes that commitment to build through the draft, things will look much more promising in two or three years. It is something the Isles haven't seen through in the past fifteen years and hopefully Snow learns via. the Smyth trade and yesterday's events that you have to grow players young, players who will have a familiarity with playing on Long Island. Start with your blue chip Okposo and try to add similar chips in the next 2-3 years. We have nine picks in a seven round draft next year. Moving Satan if out of contention for at least a second round pick, if not a first, is a good place to start.
When free agents recognize that we are finally solidifying a solid core of young talent with a potential to be dangerous 3-5 years from now, they will start to come. That's the case with teams like LA, San Jose, Anaheim, Ottawa, etc. and Snow and Nolan need to model their philosophy after those teams. Sydor and Sykora signed with Pittsburgh because they are excited about the compilation of talent there and potential to win. Yesterday's massacre really is the signifying point that this course of action is necessary. I'll still watch every game now, its just that I won't be getting obsessed and worked up as long as they gradually head in that direction.
Its all about forging an identity for this team with OUR OWN YOUNG TALENT in the future, not with 30 year-old fixes and eighth place or worse for another twenty years.
I do want to add this about the Bettman Era. Why was there a lockout... so that a team could pay a 33 year old guy who has scored 30+ goals ONCE in his career $25M for 5 years, when all he wanted was $18.
IDIOTS!!!!
What is the cap this year, and how many teams can even afford it?
$45M? If you average 14K per for 41 games that is $80 per seat.
Who the hell wants to pay $80 to see the Columbus Blue Condoms play the Nashville Premies?
I guess that VS money is going a long way.
Jason Blake is making $5M per... How long before DP wants to renegotiate?
Cincy,
I agree with you 100% about how you analyzed the Smyth situation. Dead on!
We would have overpaid for him if he stayed and we don't want you if you don't want us. Good riddance.
Just like Cincy said, we were in a worse place last year at this time and right now we have a lot more cap room then we did last year...
WE NEED TO SIGN ASHAM!!!!!!
The Isles will be okay. So long Smyth, you didn't want to be here anyway so good riddance. Blake: We'll miss you but that contract you got is ridiculous and I'm glad the Isles didn't fall for it.
Now the boys need to get creative and figure something out. Soon. Please.
Josh,
Blake worked hard... but more than anything he worked hard FOR HIMSELF. Read a Toronto paper in November and you'll see what I'm saying.
This team needed a guy like Smyth, but one who is a PROFESSIONAL. (SEE SILLINGER/WITT). We can hope that Hunter turns out to be that guy. This will be a year to prove that for him.
I'd even take a guy like Hill who killed himself out there to win for the TEAM THAT WAS PAYING HIM. that is a GLADIATOR.
Blake wanted to end his career as an Isle because he figured they were the only team to give a runt like him the ice time to score 40 goals. He's on the second or third line and killing penalties in Toronto in November... at $5M per. That's why Toronto hasn't won a cup in your lifetime. (I assume you are under 40)
I have to say I am really impressed with the fortitude, resilience and loyalty of the fans on this blog. You guys are true blue Isles fans. I have found the last 24 hours to be very painful... almost felt the Ryan Smyth departure as a personal diss. I have been feeling bitter, humiliated. I know it's irrational, but I guess I had become pretty emotionally invested in the Isles snagging some big free agents (or at least one). So, you've gotten me back from the ledge.
BUT I do still think they needed Smyth or the equivalent to be the face of the franchise and more importantly, to teach the young guys how to approach the game and how to win. I know Nolan can do that, but it also helps a lot to have leaders in the dressing room. And I find myself wondering if it's going to remain this difficult for the Isles to attract big free agents until the arena renovation is complete.
Cincy, I agree with most of the points and the fear of overspending, but Wang's goal should be to get a team that can fill the seats, to help fill the new arena. This team won't do that at all; we need *some* big names, which amounts to one or two overpaid players. The droppings left now (Guerin? Souray? Selanne?) don't fit. I do like Zubrus, though; I hope he can come on board.
And I don't agree that the revenue adjustments will lower the cap. While that is theoretically possible, I can't see that actually happening. They'll find a way to keep the cap constant, or with small growth.
I don't want to hear about 'reasonably good talent', though. Can anyone tell me a draft choice that we picked since 2000 that has made an ounce of difference on our NHL squad? No! Only Gervais, who was drafted in '03, and he's barely cracking our roster. Why give up to draft rebuilding, when we can't even develop players within 3-4-5 years?
Cincy ~
As always I lke your post. The money being thrown around is ridiculous. BUT, why are all teams EXCEPT us doing it? I'm sorry, but I cannot give Snow that much credit for thinking the Cap will come down.
Again, I have ZERO problem with not paying the huge dollars to tier 1 players. BUT, I have a HUGE problem with completely OVERPAYING tier 3 players just to fill out a lineup card.
We are not going the youth movement route. We are not going the top dollar route. So what are we doing?
I realize many of us blew our stack with the non moves yesterday, coupled with the division getting fat! I realize there is a whole summer to sign guys. MY frustration, as you know, started long before this with WANG and the BOBBLEHEADS. It hit the boiling point when we traded for Smyth last year b/c the writing was on the wall! Many of us saw yesterday coming! How did our owner and GM not???? That is what scares me!
This is the worst news I've heard since the Rangers won the cup. Garth Snow dropped the ball big time. The Ranger acquire 2 great players and the Isles lose their best 2. Our season is over before it's begun.
I nominate Garth Snow for the worst GM ever. Wayne and Garth from the movie "Wayne's World" knew more about hockey than our Wang and Garth.
I hope someone "thanks" Smyth for stabbing our team in the back for the death blow to this franchise.
THE ISLANDER TEAM IS A JOKE.. THEY SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND MOVE OUT OF TOWN. BUT THEN AGAIN, HAVING THIS JOKE OF A TEAM AROUND ADDS A LOT OF FUN TO SEEING THEM CRASH AND
BURN EVERY YEAR... SORT OF LIKE HAVING FUN WITH TWO TEAMS, MY TEAM, THE ONLY NY TEAM, THE RANGERS OF COURSE, AND ROOTING AGAINST YOU!!
IF I WERE YOU, I'D HOPE THAT YOUR TEAM MOVES TO CANADA TO END YOUR PAIN AND SUFFERING!
The more it sinks in, the more I realize how devastating yesterday was for the franchise, not just for the loss of NHL talent but the fact that the team is no longer taken seriously by the players... and how incredibly far a fall that is from when this team was great.
I've been trying to figure out what the biggest factor in that perception is. Is it the owner, known for being very involved, often in unconventional ways, despite a self-declared lack of hockey knowledge? It is the weak roster, already desperately short on "new NHL" talent before yesterday, now completely decimated? Is it the rookie gm, that they know is just a puppet of the owners (iron) will, and an inexperienced one, at that? Is it the ancient concrete building, that, while charming for the local die hards, really doesn't compete with most other arenas in the league today, despite how loud it can be during the rare home playoff game? Is it Ted? There sure was a lot of heat on him for a few years. Who knows how deep that stuff can go?
Whatever it is, and its probably a good chunk of all three, its really sad for the franchise and its fans that the Island is no longer a place anyone with a choice wants to play.
That bothers me a lot more than not having Ryan Smyth.
How can anyone possibly blame Smyth? HE was not asked to be traded to the Isles. He never said he would sign here. He just saw them let go their heart n soul in Blake, their best defenseman in Poti, and some others.
Why would a guy that normally plays in front of a packed house want to stay on a team with no talent? For once a guy did not take more money! HE went to a team that he feels is going somwhere and has performed in the recent past.
IT IS THE BOBBLEHEADS FAULT FOR BRINGING HIM HERE. If not for the Smyth trade, we could of all been talking about a youth movement today instead of doom and gloom.
As for Nolan teaching the young players....STOP....If by any miracle he does really well, what loyalty will he show when his contract is up? You are talking about a very good coach, but one that sleeps with his goalies wife and was banned for 10 years! No Loyalty my friends!
It starts at the top and I will constantly believe that. The Pats have shown it, the Red Wings have shown it, the Red Sox finally wised up to it, the MEts got the drift, etc. etc.
We need a HOCKEY GUY running the show. Wang should sit in his luxury box and enjoy his team. Once we get a solid hockey mind it will have a complete trickle down effect. Until then we are all in for long long years!
I remember many of you at the end of last year saying: "Who cares, we had a great year, we never expected such a run, blah blah blah!" You know what you had a point. You also said "we now have a foundation to build on, the guys will have a year of playing together under their belt, etc. etc." Well yesterdays moves just shot that to hell. We have no foundation. We have NOTHING to build on from last year. We took a huge step backwards yet again.
With all that said...LETS GO ISLES! lol
THE WANGER MUST GO!
Thank God for some moderate voices.
I'm a little surprised that there's been no public announcements from the Islanders since the little farewell news tidbit about Smyth and Blake. It's still early, but if Garth came out and spoke (in vague terms) about his priorities at this point and what they're doing, perhaps people would be less likely to lynch the front office.
On the other hand, seeing what the people around here are capable of, I doubt it would help.
I agree that signing Asham just gained a lot of importance. And while I like both Sillinger and Witt, I'm not sure putting the C on their shoulders makes sense. It might be better to pick someone younger and more in link with the fans--Hunter strikes me as the best bet.
Meanwhile, we need to shop around Blake and possibly Miro. Build up the blueline with what you can get for those two. I don't agree with the people around here saying that pure goal scorers are the way to build a team. Start in the back and build forward. Let Meyer play long enough for someone else in the league to get a taste, then offload the guy.
Even if I'm completely off-base, I can't imagine the team'll stand pat for the next three months. Is there any other talent worth off-loading now?
I said shop around Blake. I meant shop around Bates.
Well said, my sentiments exactly...
Add the circus of a presenation the organization puts on during the games to that list as well.
YONKERSPHIL....Why r u bringing up past years and how we crash and burn? We owned you last year. 5-1-2. LETS GO ISLES chants ringing throughout your beloved Garden.
I can see about bragging about your signings, but the past?
Are you sure you are not bubbleboyPHIL ??? Because if not for Hollwig getting a KOHO tatoo and DP being injured, we would of been 7-1 against you guys. We both lost to the same team in the playoffs, so do not let me hear your song and dance about beating an ATL team with no heart and no defense!
Sit the next round out and clear your head. Like a bad penny I'm sure you will turn up again soon.
why would anyone want to play in Uniondale? it is one of the most disgusting cities on the face of the earth.
steady, are you deaf or what? there are so many lets go Rangers chants at the mausoleum when the Rangers are playing there you would think they were the home team.
Who the heck wants Bates? Miro maybe, but Bates.
I will give you a can of corn and a tube of toothpaste. The guy is over 30 and an injury waiting to happen.
steady, if you think islanders fans drown out rangers fans at the garden, you must either be on drugs or very delusional or both.
I hear you Steady. As I mentioned earlier I'm still pretty pissed they let Poti sign with Washington. As you said... "We are not going the youth movement route. We are not going the top dollar route. So what are we doing?"
Poti got 3.5 per for 4 years. Priessing got less than 3.0 for 4 years. Why not at least sign Priessing?
Bottom line... Garth and Ted put too much faith in Smyth. There best move would've been to do some wheeling and dealing in ADVANCE of Smyth's decision if they really wanted to convince him to stay. BUT - and this is where you and I probably disagree - I'm almost relieved to see Wang NOT open to wallet with a rediculous offer. The guy is losing 20 million a year on this team. Maybe it's time for him to tell the Town of Hempstead that his patience has limits, and this is his way of doing that. He won't overpay in a highly inflated sellers market.
Garth has probably made some mistakes in the past month (nor getting draft picks for Smyth and Blake's rights). But let's give the guy some time to assemble the team. Maybe this one will make you feel better...
Sim... 17 goals... 1.0 million
Gomez... 13 goals... 7.2 million
Rangers overpaying $500,000 per goal... priceless.
(Anything to make us feel better).
Look at this: 30 hours after free agent signings begin, and the team page has Swedes in 2007 Prospect Camp on the front page.
How truly demoralizing.
the islanders can't even fill up their own sad building let alone be heard on the road.
Cincy, Gomez is a playmaker, not a goal scorer.
Hamerlik signs with MTL.
Nylander signs with Caps.
My God the Caps are better then us and have a young superstar.
I agree Cincy!
Gary~ you must not go to games. Isles fans owned the Garden this year. Ask your butt boy Sam Rosen! HE said it right on the air!
THIS JUST IN!!!
Wang selling Isles to Dolan for $168 million!!
No, not really. But would it really be any worse than this?
Who cares about who gets more fans and all that bs anyway.
Anyone that know sports in NY, knows that NY is a NATIONAL LEAGUE CITY. Since the dawn of time. Yet since the mid 90's the Yanks took over. In the 80's the MEts owned NY.
Celtics owned Boston in the 80's. Now the Pats are even bigger then the Red Sox.
Things go in cycles. If you win and put out a good product the fans will always come back.
The die hards like us losers are the ones that get mauled in the meantime.
Judging by Garys lack of hockey prowess, I am guessing he became a fan in 94!
Thank you Cincy, jpinVA and merrick for adding insight and keeping perspective. The guys who are complaining we didnt sign anyone would be complaining in 2 years when those contracts are anchors. Cant win.
Steady. why are you so insisntent upon losing nielson and omara for smythe? Nielson showed me nothing and omara will be nothing more than a 3rd or 4th line grinder. I dont get it. At the time Snow was hailed not only by islander fans and throughout the nhl. We knew very well nothing was guaranteed. So we missed out. LIke cincy wrote we are in the same position as last year and we did pretty good.
NVM Hamrlik will give the team credibilty!!?? He hated it when he was here the last time and left why would you want him? Nice dman he is 4 years older than the last go around with us. So calm down on hammer signing with the habs. Thats good news cause it mean souray is still available.
Lets go Islanders
U think the absolute ridiculous-ness of the fan's antics during the playoffs had anything to do with this? no one wants to be here.
what was really telling from Snow's comments on Smyth's departure was about how he would do the whole thing over again. I mean talk about stubborn ...it's one thing to have this happen once ...it's another thing to know how it turns out and be willing to do it again
Jisles~
I respectfully diagree. We are WAY worse off then last year.
It is not the players we gave up for Smyth. You are completely missing the point. THREE NUMBER ONE picks (which is what they were and what we gave up) could of gotten you a signed player. OR it could of gotten you the respect of the fans to keep them and play the "YOUTH MOVEMENT" card which we would of all gobbled up!
As for Blake, well if he was so unliked, why not trade him last year for a number one at the deadline.
Then we would of had FOUR NUMBER one picks in camp this year. We have NONE (of the 4)and nothing to show for it!
On top of all that add the HORRIBLE publicity this franchise is receiving across the country and in Canada. Go to any website and you can see the PAIN!
How does this help us with future FA's? With future trades?
Just my humble opinion.
Hell just froze over. I agree 100% with AZS. I read that also!
SCARY!
Lang to the Hawks ...2 years
Lol, what's this world coming to! ;-)