Ever since Islanders general manager Garth Snow invoked the shopworn condition of Nassau Coliseum as the “common theme” for why he missed out on signing Ryan Smyth and several other big-name free agents, I have received a raft of e-mails from unhappy fans threatening to cancel their season tickets and demanding that I rip the organization for its failure to spend enough money to put a contending team on ice.
I responded at length to one particularly heartfelt condemnation of the “Coliseum excuse” and Snow’s failure to “blow free agents out of the water” with much higher offers than the competition. I’m going to expand on that answer here as my general response to everyone who has written to me on this subject, and I hope you’ll understand if I don’t reply personally because of the volume of e-mail on the same topic.
As I explained to the angry fan who thought it was lame to blame the Coliseum, I have a different take. I’m certainly not saying the arena situation is completely to blame for the Islanders’ failure to attract top free agents. But the poor conditions combined with low attendance (which is a factor of past personnel misjudgments by the organization) has created an environment that often is as depressing for the players as it is for the fans.
There were some great moments at the Coliseum last season, such as the Monday afternoon game against Pittsburgh when Mike Sillinger scored in the final minute for a 6-5 win in front of 15,472 thoroughly entertained fans and, of course, all of the Rangers games. But after having been away from hockey for 13 of the previous 14 years, I was stunned to see how much the fan base had deteriorated and to see how different the Coliseum felt compared to the 1993 playoffs I covered when support still was strong.
On the night Smyth made his Islanders debut, only 12,263 fans were in the seats. If you’ve ever been to a game in Edmonton or Calgary, you know it’s packed and alive. It struck me last season that one reason the Islanders performed so well at Madison Square Garden is because they were looking forward to the electric atmosphere. The contrast for the Isles when they return home from the Garden or from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Buffalo often is disheartening.
Smyth went to Colorado, which has a recent winning history, a modern arena and a solid fan base. As one prominent agent said to me, Smyth wasn’t the kind of person who figured to be comfortable in the New York area. Denver’s a whole lot more like Edmonton than Long Island is.
Looking back at the first day of free agency, it almost seemed as if the destinations of the top three players were pre-ordained. Everyone knew Daniel Briere would wind up in Philadelphia or Montreal. Scott Gomez and Chris Drury had their hearts set on the Rangers. Team president Glen Sather said he never felt the Rangers were in a bidding war even though many other teams wanted the same players. The Islanders were among the teams that made substantial offers to two of those players at 12:01 p.m. on July 1. But that was the last they heard from those agents.
They made an offer for Paul Kariya, but they apparently didn’t agree he was worth the $18 million St. Louis will be paying over the next three seasons at this stage of Kariya's career. Could Snow have thrown silly money at a few players to get them on board? Sure. And when they didn’t win and the Islanders were stuck with them for three or four more years, fans would go nuts the way they did about Alexei Yashin’s 10-year contract.
Should the Islanders have locked up Jason Blake and Tom Poti earlier? They might have undervalued those two, and they certainly could have kept Poti, who worked hard on his end to find a way to stay. Blake might have taken less than the $20 million he received from Toronto, but his insistence on five years starting at the age of 34 always was going to be a stumbling block.
Would it have made sense to bump the Islanders’ five-year offer worth $32.5 million to Smyth to $35 million? If he was the leader coach Ted Nolan absolutely had to have, then, I say yes. It would have given Smyth a little more to think about compared to the five-year, $31.25 million deal he signed with the Avalanche.
Should the Islanders have focused earlier on some top second-tier players? Probably. But there are 29 other teams bidding, and when I see a defenseman like Scott Hannan choosing Colorado for about the same money or defenseman Mathieu Schneider getting a whopping $11.25 million over two years from Stanley Cup champion Anaheim, I understand their decisions.
I’m sure the Islanders considered bringing back defenseman Roman Hamrlik, but was he worth the $5.5 million per year he’s getting from Montreal for the next four years? Absolutely not. Is former Rangers center Michael Nylander worth the $5 million per year he’ll get from Washington at the age of 35? I doubt it. Maybe he can achieve the same chemistry with Alexander Ovechkin or Alexander Semin that he had with Jaromir Jagr, which would make it a sensible deal for the Capitals. But he would have been a bad fit for the Isles, who didn’t pursue him.
If Snow made some mistakes this time around, maybe it will be a learning experience for him in his first full year on the job. As I told the angry fan in my earlier reply, Islanders fans are entitled to their feelings of frustration after so many years of poor personnel decisions and mismanagement. But the fact that Snow didn’t panic and compound whatever mistakes he made by throwing money at the wrong players to appease the fans was smart. He didn’t try to paper over his losses.
Snow’s aim is to get players he and Nolan believe are capable of competing for the Stanley Cup. He doesn’t want to make a mistake now that will haunt him for years to come. So, you see him sign Ruslan Fedotenko to a $2.9 million contract today that seems a little high. But it’s a one-year deal. If Fedotenko, who has won a Cup, works out, maybe they extend him before the trade deadline. If not, they’ll have salary-cap space again next year.
As I wrote for Thursday’s editions of Newsday, the Islanders’ attempt to trade for Phoenix defenseman Ed Jovanoski, who has a no-trade clause, is an indication of their determination to get the right kind of player for Nolan’s system. It’s a longshot because Jovanoski would have to convince his family to move after building a new home. But if it happened, he would be under contract for another four seasons and would provide leadership and toughness.
The Islanders did not ignore free-agent defenseman Sheldon Souray. But they have to ask themselves if it’s worth it to tie up more than $5 million per season over the next four or five years in a player, who would be a slightly better version on the power play of Marc-Andre Bergeron, whose booming slapshot costs less than $1 million per year. And Souray’s lack of speed would be a greater liability on defense.
If there’s a free agent with obvious appeal to the Islanders on the market right now, it’s center Mike Comrie. He’s 27 and twice has reached 60 points and might do more with increased ice time. If they could land him, it might help them bring in more complementary offensive talent.
If not, Snow might use more than $20 million in cap space to pick up a player who figures to win a salary in arbitration that is too steep for his team. At the very least, if Snow doesn’t lock himself into long-term mistakes this summer, he should be in position to make dramatic improvements at the trade deadline or in next year’s free-agent market.
Of course, the aging Coliseum and low attendance still will be a factor working against Snow’s pursuit of top free agents. But having been through this experience once, he’ll have a better grasp of the market and how much money it takes to overcome the negative perception many players have of the Islanders and the place they play.
Comments (267)
greg-any word on asham or simon? we cant be soft AND unable to score1
great blog---happy 4th
Great update, Greg. I hate to say it, guys, but we Islander fans are in a Catch-22. The only people who really have the control to change the atmosphere around this organization are THE FANS. By cancelling our season tickets or refusing to show up at games, we're doing 2 things. We're voting with our wallets and showing our disapproval of the way things have been going. However, we also reinforce the image of the Islanders as a joke franchise with fair-weather fans. We can't wait on the franchise to change; we have to do whatever we can to actively change the culture around here and make this a place where players want to play. Believe me, I'm having the same conflicting feelings as every actual Islander fan on this board, but we have to take control of our own destiny. We can't just be fair-weather fans who turn on the team whenever something goes wrong. I think we're not in such severe trouble as we think, and maybe it's time for a little blind faith.
Now again, I'm not advocating rooting blindly for the team, I'm saying we need to have some faith that we're going in the right direction. I realize we haven't been a desirable destination since the trade for He Who Shall Not Be Mentioned (Kirk Muller for the uninitiated). However, for all those who want the glory restored, I think we need to go to the Coliseum and work with management to make our voices heard.
Let's take our building and our team back.
Hey Greg!!!
What took so long. I'm out here in Tucson, AZ. There isn't any hockey out here, even for the coyotes. For four days I've been out here dangling, wonderin' what the Hell was going on back home!!!
Watchin one guy walk after another....
To make matters worse, my girlfriend left for school. I'm not sure which situation made me more miserable.
Any way, It's about time some one came foward with something real, and concrete about the situation. Great post, just a day or so too late. Thanks. Much better than reading about the prospect camp on nyislanders.com for the last few days.
But $20 million... we couldn't find that? Even if it was a bust, didn't we just buy out Yashin for something close to that? Ouch, some big learning mistakes. When are we gonna start hanging on to some of our prospects?
Peace
Well, I understand that past fiascos are a factor. Yet, I can't understand why people just don't go for the simple enjoyment of being at a game.
Is it really that bad?
I've never relinquished my Islanders fandom despite living in Boston Bruins country. Even so, living a half mile from BankNorth garden has me attending games whenever I can. I don't even like the Bruins and find myself rooting for the visiting team most nights.
It seems that changing the culture at the Colliseum is going to have to come from the fans as well. Just get off your asses and go. I can find plenty of reasons to go this season and if I could go to the colliseum more often I would.
I'd make the 250 mile drive to hit 6 games a year. I may do so this year. Fans that stay away becuase they think the team sucks are heartless not to mention gutless fans. They lose.
Big deal.
Enjoy the freaking game for what it is. Go for love of the sport. Who knows?
It might infect the team with a little more enthusiasm.
One season with a playoff win in 19 years. 13 years since that one successful campaign. Four playoff appearances in the last 12 seasons. Chances of making the playoffs this season - minimal. Most tickets $50 and up. Why exactly are we supposed to pay for this? I'd love to be a hockey fan again, but this is simply unbearable. I'd actually vote for a bond issue to raise money for an arena, but I'm not going to pay to watch this team - even if it was free it wouldn't be worth the time investment.
Well said Mr. Logan...and good points Nick...
But let's be realistic here...everyone is not going to just show up because they've had some overwhelming sense of conscious...the reality is that the franchise was not very good to the fans for a long period of time...once Mr. Wang came along he saved the team from moving and provided economic stability that the team had lacked before...he loses millions every year and was even willing to throw money so that he might remove himself from the mistake of alexei yashin's contract....
And this was the problem...the fact that that contract was signed in the first place...Wang is probably a great business man, but he treated this hockey team like a new toy that he just wanted to play with...he instructed Mike Milbury to acquire a big name free-agent (Yashin) and then signed him to a rediculous deal...maybe he wanted to bring stability to the Isles...aside from the fact that this attempt failed, it's pretty obvious to see that the fact that this contract was offered shows that Wang has no clue about sports...the 15 year contract to DP further shows this...athletes get hurt, some lose their consistency, others just plainly start to suck as they get older...Wang treated the Isles like a big joke...now the joke is on us...
Mr. Logan, you under-estimate the intelligence of the fans and the value of their money...hockey tickets are quite expensive and it's unreasonable to expect fans to give Snow an entire year to become accustomed to the life of a GM...if he really did under-value the market and was unprepared for what was to come, then Mr. Wang made a huge mistake in hiring him...he is the GM of a profesional franchise and he should not have been given the job if he was not as prepared as he should have been...i mean you wouldn't pay to see the rehearsals of a broadway show while they messed it up for a year till they worked out all the kinks...we pay for a final product...that doesn't mean we expect a Stanley Cup every year, but we at least expect qualified indivduals to give us the best shot at having a winning team...
Hey Gregg,
Just to put things in a different light:
4 playoff appperances in the last 5 seasons, A first year coach that brought us a 40-30 record and the playoffs, An owner that isn't afraid to spend his money on long contracts and refurbish the Coliseum if only the town of Hempstead would let him, and tickets available for $25 and $30 up high where the real fans are and many premium seats available on Ebay or Craigslist at bargain prices if only you would bother to look.
It sounds to me Gregg that you are a typical Islanders fan that just want to sit at home and bitch about things instead of going to a few games and maybe possibly enjoying yourself.
Keep living in the past, and the rest of us will be at the Old Barn supporting OUR team on opening night.
You probably didn't go to any games last year either (even if they were free)....too bad, you missed a great season.
I have faith that Garth,Ted and Mr.Wang are not done building a competitive team for October.
When I used to live on Long Island I used to beg people for transportation to a game. Sometimes a bunch of us would scrounge money to get the driver an extra ticket.
Even when I was home from college on break.
That was during the dark era when the teams had not shot. Our only attraction back then was I think Tom Chorsky and Wendel Clark. If I recall I think ALexander Semak played on some of those teams.
If people think the Colliseum is so rund down and they dont want to attend I suggest you visit some of the newer arenas. There is no intamacy or character to them. They even fence off the players parking lot so you can't interact with the players after the game.
Do you people really want that?
THe Colliseum is the best building I've been to for a Hockey game.
Good update...very interesting article...hopefully we can get Comrie on board
As someooe who has had season tickets since the beginning, let me tell you why I finally gave them up.
The prices of tickets has just risen more than the product on the ice was worth. For several years I split the ticket with a couple of friends. This way we each went to one third of the games.
It also made it more economical for all 3 of us.
Three year ago one of the guys dropped out because his son went away to school. So me and my buddy carried on splitting the season in half. After the lockout my friend gave up so that left me with the entire season to pay for by myself.
With kids in college, I just couldnt swing it so I attempted to grab a ten or twelve game plan. I was shocked at the price per ticket for a ten game plan.
Now, I grew up in and love the Coliseum. The sightlines are the best in hockey for the fans to watch a game. but spending over 100 bucks to watch the Panthers or Capitals just does not make sense to me, By the time you park, grab a hot dog and soda you are out another 50 bucks.
To spend that kind of money to watch a team full of castoffs and career 4 th line players is just not worth it to those of us who have some fiscal responibility.
You just have to look back to the Isles-Leafs series a few years ago to see what the Coliseum can become.
Sorry Logan, The old barn is fine, it the product on the ice that needs refurbishing. Win them and they will come
The parking is only $6.75, go park on Hempstead Ave in Uniondale and see what happens to your ride! Go to any other arena or stadium at tell me what you would pay to park? Some places charge close to $15. I agree the food and soda(beers) is always steep.
Derek Morris and Ed Jovonavski are rumoured to be on the block. The Islanders attempted to get Jovo yesterday and TSN is reporting that Jovo refused to waive his NTC. I would still look to Jovo to get moved and one source tells me that Florida is quite possible. Jovo likes to play in warm weather I suppose. Derek Morris could end up an Islander or could end up in Buffalo or Montreal.
The NY Islanders are also, along with Montreal and Edmonton, looking into acquiring the enigmatic Zherdev out of Columbus.
Source: Hockeybuzz.com
Some great points here (and some really smart reader comments which is rare for a blog).
Another bit that relates to what youre saying about overpaying for talent and then regretting it later (ex: Yashin) was something that Billy Beane said: it's alot easier to recover from the bad contract that you DON'T sign than it is to recover from the bad contract that you DO sign.
Comrie would be great at the right price though.
Resign Alexei Yashin to a more reasonable deal. Bring back mcCabe, Berard, and Bertuzzi, add Comrie and Jovs
Comrie would easily fill the void left by Blake, and the guy is 7yrs! younger.
I saw him play once in college Mich at ND. The kid had moves on top of moves. Also this year he used Quint on a one on one.
If he signs, we'd finally be on to something.
I really don't think it's the fans or the colliseum that's "driving players away". I probably should have mentioned that.
The UFA's aren't coming here because of a loophole in the cap system. I doubt Wang has money leftover to front end a contract for Smyth or anyone else. Many of these teams are handing out 10 mill lump sums in the first year of the deals. The first three or four years is where all the money is loaded.
So when it comes to UFA's it's much easier to enice them. You take less of a hit for stretching out the length. Why not just over 60 mill ten years and hand out 40 mill in the first four years?
It's ridiculous and in the end most teams can't compete with that. As usual, the big market teams pulled on over on the smaller market teams.
So that leaves us having to build smart and of course that gobbles up fewer headlines in July. This may sound funny but don't be surprised if the Isles finish ahead of Philly and the Rags this year.
Generally these UFA sigings are to entice the season ticket holders. Yet the "new NHL" doesn't necasarily favor older and slower players. It benefits younger and faster teams.
The team we had last year was really slow. Blake was the only speed we had. Bergenheim and Tambellini have some gas. That alone is one department this team is improved in.
We were beaten with speed last year on a lot of nights. This team this season will be better than last years team.
I don't think anyone was excited about Park, Kozlov, Hilbert and Poti coming over here. So what's changed this offseason vs last year.
Garth Snow proved that he'll do anything to put a winning product on the ice?
That's what's gotten so many people upset?
Look, I highly doubt if the Smyth trade was not made many folks would be jumping out of their seats to buy season tickets knowing Nilson and Omarra would be in the lineup this year. Just as folks aren't too positive about Bergenheim and Tambellini.
Yet, for years we've complained this team was too slow.
I know its not the prevailing sentiment, but I'm still excited for the season. If I actually lived in NY and not on the other side of the continent, I'd be going to at least 15-20 games. My emotional investment is still in this team, especially to support the players that ARE our players, from the prospects and DP to a player like Fedotenko, who CHOSE to come to Long Island. I will give them all the support I can, even if the organization's philosophy on building is uncertain to us. I'll admit it will be much tougher to maintain the fervor if they trade Okposo or package two or three of our top-ten prospects for a thirty-something scorer again. But I'm still willing to give it a shot now. I'm excited to see what Tamby can do over a full season and how Bergenheim developed this past year, as well as what steps youngsters like Gervais and Nielsen take. If you leave the team and then we eventually win, what pride can you take in that accomplishment as a supporter?
Caesar is right about the character of the Coliseum. I live in Vancouver and went to some Canucks games when I was a kid in a similar building, Pacific Coliseum, roughly the same size as NVMC. Then you go to GM Place and there's no comparison - I'd rather the Canucks have renovated the Coliseum and put in some luxury boxes. My lone experience of going to NVMC twice near the end of 2005-2006 reminded me of the old arena and all its intimacy in Vancouver.
Nice read greg, but something is up.... Lets look at Washington... Their arena SUCKS even though its practically brand new. I remember a game that the glass kept falling off the boards. Howie Rose even quipped" You too can build a better arena than this with a box of Lincoln Logs". NOBODY goes to there games AND they have Ovenchkin and Semin. DC just doesnt care about hockey but yet they had no problem signing UFA's...If there is a plan which I do believe there is, then fine, let the tier 1 free agents walk but don't blame the arena , that's just lame.
The Isles can still salvage the summer, start with Comrie ( even if you slightly overpay lets say 3.50 - 4 mill a year for 3 years) and a solid D-man...I know its cliche but "if you build it they will come"...
Whats the word with the new building. Last I heard Nassau approved the plan and nows its on to the red tape (zoning, eviromental...this-that-and the other) That was a year ago...
Hey greg, pass this on to Wang... There should be a couple of buses that run from the Mineola stop on the LIRR to the coliseum 2 hrs before game time and 2hours after, every 20 mins or so. Charge 4 or 5, hell even 6, bucks each way... Discounts for students and seniors... That would help get people like me to the coliseum who dont drive...( Hey I live in NYC, really dont need a car)... With the right promotion it could get a couple of more buns in the seats...
On target as usual Greg. But let's explore the eroding fan base for just a moment. Have you been witness to the past four years of marketing material the Islanders have generated? I have kept copies of everything. The STH letters promising Breakfast with Ricky, Lunch with Blake an Dinner with Yashin.... The beautiful print job of a multipage 4/color brochure that offered all sorts of wonderful items, Zamboni rides, High fives from players, trips to the broadcast booth... All for a HEALTHY FEE. They had to pull that promotion 4 days after it hit the homes. Poor management is one thing. But the marketing strategy is never fully developed from all angles. The staff is never given all the answers to patron questions before given the task of taking phone calls. The verbage on print ads is generally vague. Prior to his untimley departure, a VP of sales that had been hired from Columbus was telling me all about some wonderful ideas he was throwing around for STHs and pricing and payments. He left... and nothing in the sales department was any better. A good salesman can sell ice to eskimos in winter. The Islanders sales people couldn't sell Captain Canada. What does that tell you?
PS: Have always thought the idea of the Islanders BUS from the train station was a PERFECT idea. Now if someone at the club or in Nassau govt would... Maybe they'd GET ONE!!!
jmars:
Transportation from the LIRR is an excellent idea which I thought should have been in place years ago. Either from Westbury or Carle Place might work, but I guess with the Oyster Bay Branch, Mineola would be even better. This way the Isles NYC fans can get to the games. As far as Caeser and Sean saying that having a new arena may lose the character and intimacy that the old one has, that's probably true. I've never been to the old Boston Garden but people who I know that live in the area say that the new arena, TD Banknorth Arena, is nothing like the old Boston Garden. But even the Nets and Yankees are changing their old digs. Unless I'm mistaken, Yankees who average 50,000 +/- fans a game will be building their new Stadium with less seats! Tell that to Garth Snow! Steinbrenner lays out his cash for top talent (although that talent hasn't showed much this year) and even is paying for most of the new Stadium costs. Tell that to Wang!
"Resign Alexei Yashin to a more reasonable deal. Bring back mcCabe, Berard, and Bertuzzi, add Comrie and Jovs"
The Islanders cannot re-sign Yashin.
A team that buys out a player cannot re-sign them.
Bertuzzi already signed with the Ducks.
Hey Greg,
As I recall last year, Neil Smith had no problem convinving guys to play on LI and call the coliseum home.
The issue here is, players remember an owner firing a credible GM for his back up goalie. No player with the choice to almost write his own ticket to wherever he chooses is choosing the Island.
Great job Greg ...very interesting stuff ...I'd like to respond first by talking about the NVMC ...like many of you I could watch the Isles play any team and be the only person there and still have a great time ...but it's a lot more fun for everyone - fans and players - when the building is packed. Last season the Isles did improve and did work hard everynight and did give fans a reason to show up ...yet no one did ...I remember saying to some friends as we were driving to watch Smyth's first game that it was going to be great because the NVMC would be rocking ...but it wasn't even close to a sell-out ...I think too many Isles fans are too bitter about things that happened many years ago. We have to let it go ...the players MM dealt away are gone ...stop b!tching about them ...MM has left stop b!tching about him ...Wang is willing to spend money, is willing to build a new arena with his money ...he saved the Isles from moving ...now, I'm not going to start saying that we should feel bad for a billionare, but he saves the team from moving, yet that place is empty every night?
This is where Isles fans are confusing ...we complain when they don't put a competitive product on the ice...last year they did and still no one came...what are you guys waiting for? The partial ticket plans aren't that expensive. Lord knows I'm not rolling in $ but I make it to everygame - I know you guys could make it to more ...if you're tired of going then fine, just don't come back when they start winning ;-)
**On a final note - all the angry fans emailing Logan ...why not take that same anger and direct it towards the Town of Hempstead and start emailing them to ask when they're going to give Wang zoning approval to start redoing the Colliseum? I love the NVMC ...I've been going there my entire life but the Isles do need a more modern place to play and that whole area needs to be redone ...
Logan was right though ...you can't complain when Wang throws a lot of money at Yashin but then be upset he's not willing to overpay for other players ...it's like people are complaing for complainings sake
Lets Go Islanders!
Thanks for that Greg. I've revised my take on what's gone on (or not...) the last few days. Ya, it ain't pretty, but the Isles will fill the gaps leading up to Sept/Oct. The last three or four years have yielded little success, playoffs is one measure, sure, but we're expected to lose in the first round each time by the media, fans, etc. Maybe it is time for a new direction, hence, what's taking place now. Build a juggernaut. Team Ted.
Yes, the arena does affect players coming here--If the NC was filled every night, it would bring on a new sense of pride as no hockey arena is louder(see rags games) The problem is people dont want to pay top prices fro an inferior product--Going to an new arena, plenty of bathrooms, food courts,bigger concources would make me want to take my daughter hours before the game to eat, enjoy the experience--Taking a family of 4 to a NYI hockey game is too costly for what you are getting at the arena--and i wont even talk about putting a winning product on the ice as thats the main draw in NY
Face it fans, our team (what little there is of it now) is a shambles. We've taken the title of laughingstock that the Edmonton Oilers held last year.
Sim & Fedotenko? Give me a break. Snow must be kidding
Wow I finally sort of agree with Gary. Good point. It breaks down like this. $50-$100 for a ticket for a 2.5 hr show. That's it. That's how long a hockey game last. If they had a more enjoyable experience you would want to be there hours earlier. If it wasn't like the "running of the bulls" on the way out, you might stick around for the entire game. Something's got to give with this arena sooner or later.
Although, I concur, the arena is NOT what is preventing free-agents from signing here, it does however prevent fans from showing up, which in turn might prevent players from signing here...
Gary,
Just for coversation ...why not sit up higher? There are $16 seats ...I realize they're not the roomiest in the whole place, but if it's only a money thing that's keeping you away then maybe you should check those out. Plus, there are probably empty seats that you could move down to for a little better view. But even the $16 seats aren't awful. I do agree, as I stated earlier, that the Isles really do need a new Colliseum
2 for 2 AZS....Agreed
Contrary to previous beliefs :) I attend around 12 home games a year. I live in the Boston area so that is all I can make it to. I do not understand how the fans did not come back last year? Shame on them. When the NVMC is packed, it is one of the LOUDEST places to attend a game. I love it!
The Bruins have stunk for many many years, and they get double the fans to their games. Like MSG they are in the city and get the corporate crowd, but they get many more die hards as well. With the product they put on the ice, there is no way they should out draw us.
I am very scared of the attendance for this coming year. Many die hards are cashing in their chips! This has been a publicity nightmare.
A blockbuster trade or a key signing could change all that. I realize there is not much to trade and not much to sign left, but the bobbleheads need to pull a miracle. Get it done!
p.s Over paying TRIPLE fold for 3rd and 4th line guys is not the way. Especially when one is a one year deal.
My question is why just a one year deal for Fedotenko? Was that his idea our ours? Is he using us to be a "puck hog" and put up big numbers for a more lucrative deal the following year? That would be a scary trend!
PS - When the Isles made it to the playoffs over the last couple of season we often heard from the players how loud it was in the NVMC and how they could hear us from their lockerrooms ...that's the kind of atmosohere players want to play in ...not playing infront of 8,000 each night ...it's the chicken or the egg theory ...which comes first - the fans or the players?
We did'nt make the playoffs the season before last. But I agree about the not playing in front of 8,000 each night. Somethings gotta change starting with getting a team together that fans actually want to come out to see.
Greg, Thanks for putting things in perspective. We are fortunate Snow did not panic and make desparate moves, repeating mistakles made by the past GM. With Snow making smart moves and Ted Nolan coaching, the team will be in good shape.
Will we ever see a new building? What happened to the plans for a new arena?
There better be many $10 games next year b/c this Roster is Terrible!! This team will currently draw 2,000 per Game, if they are lucky.
If I was a season ticket holder I would NOT Renew them?? This team will not even Sniff the Playoffs...this team will be in the bottom 5 of the NHL this year,No matter how anyone in the Islander Organization tries to spin this.
Mr. Logan let Snow know that Jovonavski is an overpaid waste, he is very injury prone and misses a minimum of 30 games a year.
Zherdev is another lazy Russian...We already had Oleg Kvasha, enough said.
Derek Morris & Steve Reinprect would be OK, but what would you have to give up??
People cant be blaming the prices........with all the promotions last year it was cheaper to see an isles game than going to the movies...........for example havoc seats, student discounts, etc.
The fans SHOULD come first. But the fans have been coming for 15 years with horrible results. That being said, once the fans DO come, your chicken-egg theory automatically supposes that the players come. That has not been the case.
If we thought there was some definite positive direction that this team was headed in, then you know the seats would be filled. We need to see more from the management first. The reality is we still can only fill an AHL caliber roster. Hopefully more signings and trades to follow.
That's a good question on Fedotenko. And I agree (this is going to be mass hysteria!) with Steady ...it would be a disturbing trend for players to use the Island as a pit-stop.
I've come to a conclusion on how I want the team to do things. At first I, like many of us, were anger by the lack on headlines. After a few days to let it all sink in I'm going to go into the season with a positive attitude. I would rather them not over pay and lock up inferior talent for numerous years. I would rather them play some youth and build from the draft. And if they feel the need to trade youth, make it for a person who's going to make a difference here for years to come, not a person with "grit" who may bolt at seasons end.
I think one of the things that's really hurt the Isles fan base is watching former Isles prospects/players come into our building and kill us ...the Isles need to start holding on to their youth and have some faith in the scouting/drafting team or find people they do trust, because clearly we can't count on players wanting to sign here just yet ...but if the Isles build a team with youth and they get better then players will look at the Islanders as a team that can win in the near future ...not just as a team rebuilding (or sinking)
Steady,
Good idea by Snolan to only give Fedotenko a one-year deal. It provides cap flexibility in case we want to move him. Even though we overpaid for a 3rd line winger, at least we will not be burdened with this contract for years to come.
The fact that you are worried about Feds being a puckhog and playing for his stats and then bolting, makes it sound like your finally on board with all of us who felt burned by Jason Blake.
Candyman,
I hear what you're saying and I don't totally disagree but like I wrote earlier last season the Isles did leave it all on the ice and were a fun team to watch and they even made a big move and still the place wouldn't sell out until playoff time ...now, I'm obviously not trying to suggest that if the Isles sell out a couple of games that all of a sudden players are going to beg their agents to get them traded here, I'm merely suggesting that if more fans went to games it would change the culture around the team. You don't think players from other teams look up in the stands and notice that the seats are always empty? ;-)
Plus, my fellow Isles fans drive me crazy at games. The isles could be on a PP ...Poti could the have the puck at the point on his backhand with a player on his back ...and all of the fans will be yelling at him to shoot ...then if he were to shoot and have it blocked and taken on a breakaway those very same fans would be killing for Poti for shooting ;-) ...some people just need to learn to go to games and support your team - I'm NOT saying to blindly support them or to ignore things you don't like but don't go to boo or to be all upset ...go cheer and root for them ...remember how bad it felt without hockey during the lockout ...or think about how bad it would be if the Isles ever left ...
There better be many $10 games next year b/c this Roster is Terrible!! This team will currently draw 2,000 per Game, if they are lucky.
If I was a season ticket holder I would NOT Renew them?? This team will not even Sniff the Playoffs...this team will be in the bottom 5 of the NHL this year,No matter how anyone in the Islander Organization tries to spin this.
Mr. Logan let Snow know that Jovonavski is an overpaid waste, he is very injury prone and misses a minimum of 30 games a year.
Zherdev is another lazy Russian...We already had Oleg Kvasha, enough said.
Derek Morris & Steve Reinprect would be OK, but what would you have to give up??
Fedotenko is Garbage, what a waste of 3 mil, I would rather go with a young player than him...he won't score goals b/c he won't be playing with Richards, Lecalvier, & St. Louis anymore. This Guy & Sim are some real top notch pick ups !!
Here are the remaining free agents the Isles should TRY to sign:
D - Vishnevski
D - Markov
D -David Tanabe
RW - Arron Asham
RW - Bill Guerin
C - Peca (if he doesn't resign with Toronto)
C - Comrie
C - Josef Vasicek
LW -Brad Larsen
RW - Adam Hall
D - Nolan Pratt
AZS
I agree with you totally. However, the question is as follows....Are we at the point of too little too late?......I dont know, but I fear that this lack of some movement by the Isles may affect attendence in a worse way than ever.
I also fear that the team may move at years end.
I'm beating a dead horse, but fan expectations are so unrealistic. If you kept the same personnel from last year's team, I really think the team could be worse, not better. While some youngsters would improve, other older vets would not. This team was never a player or two away from being anything more than the middle of the NHL pack.
If the Islanders are going to be successful in the future, the growth is going to have to start coming from within the organization.
Whether it's scouting, Milbury, Wang's bizarre moves , or trading away our future, we have so little to show at the NHL level from our top picks over the last several years.
We now have a truly clean slate to rebuild--if the franchise can have the patience to survive financially to do so.
As for free agents and the the NVMC, my first reaction is that for a player to sign in the U.S.--this is the most expensive place to live in the country, not to mention the tax hit. Putting aside family issues, Smyth signing with Denver for less money than the Isles offered is probably a wash after taxes and cost-of-living are taken into account. While the Rangers may face the same expense issue--they play in glamorous Manhattan, have more endorsement options, and also have the choice to live in quieter Westchester where the team practices. Also, even if seats are empty, for a player, it's still the Garden.
Most players from other teams come to the NVMC and play in front of empty seats. And once again, don't dismiss the ugly bottle throwing incidents versus the Sabres. I'm sure the reaction of many players around the league was "those fans when they do show up are a bunch of f***ing morons." A team down so long and playing in an old barn cannot afford to have that kind of nonsense go on--especially when the blame is totally on the fans and and can't be placed on Milbury.
The Isles may have problems, but let's take a look around the league with "experienced hockey people." Atlanta has made the playoffs once with Kovulchuk, Washington and Florida have been down far many more years than up, Columbus has done zip, Nashville--with all it's talent, could never escape the first round, Phoenix stinks, even with Gretzky, Toronto has not won a Cup in 40 years and has barely made the finals in that time, the Black Hawks have ben putrid for years and chased away their fans--even with a new building. The Rnagers were out of the playoffs for seven years! How about the Kings--they've have talent in the past and went nowhere.
All I hope is that the team is not in Kansas City when it finally gets it together.
Is there a really a chance of the Islanders moving?????
Well this wont affect me personally. I will continue to be at mostly every game. Maybe b/c I'm an idiot and I continue to blindly support the team.
Regarding the knowledge of fans, the Isles did resist to shoot on the PP at times, although most fans just yell shoot for no reason. Once MAB showed, the D began to shoot more and more goals ensued.
I think the idea of McCabe coming back is a good idea, even if he is overpaid.
Well this wont affect me personally. I will continue to be at mostly every game. Maybe b/c I'm an idiot and I continue to blindly support the team.
Regarding the knowledge of fans, the Isles did resist to shoot on the PP at times, although most fans just yell shoot for no reason. Once MAB showed, the D began to shoot more and more goals ensued.
I think the idea of McCabe coming back is a good idea, even if he is overpaid.
My bad AZS...meant to type your name as a header not in the name box...
It's all good ...
As far as the team moving ...the Isles have a lease with the county until 2015 ...so they're not leaving just yet. But if they aren't allowed to move forward on the new arena I don't think it takes a brain surgeon to figure out that Wang will either sell or more likely move the team ...it could be to Suffolk County or somewhere else ...but he'll move in 2015 if the new Colliseum isn't allowed to happen ...and I wouldn't blame him. Nassau County and the Town of Hempstean Zoning is really putting the slow down on the whole process ...this guy is willing to build the whole thing - including connections to the LIRR and the Town and County have a problem why?
I agree about MAB and his shot and I've been a long believer in the "D" ability to contribute to a PP and the offense in general and his booming shot is yet another reminder ...I was more pointing out how fans will yell for shots regardless of the angle the player has to shoot from ...I swear to god this is a true story ...Tambellini had the puck behind the net and this moron behind behind me who had been yelling at people on the ice all night started yelling for Tambellini to shoot the puck and calling him a moron and yelling how he should be back at the Bridge ...the guy was behind the net! I just had to laugh and shake my head ...
I've started to notice what I believe to be a trend here on the blog. Just out of curiosity, please post where you actually live. It seems that there are an awful lot of bloggers here that don't live close to L.I. anymore. It's tough to go to Islanders games and support the team if the concerned people don't live there. Personally, I'm one of those mis-placed concerned fans. I live in Raleigh, NC. Where are you from?
Grew up in Merrick ...now on the north shore of LI
ST. JAMES
I think Caesar makes an excellent point. These new arenas are real fancy, and to be honest there is probably too much to do. Try watching a hockey game in the bank atlantic center. It's decent, but it just lacks character, not to mention that many of these new arenas are freaking mazes to navigate (you must go two floors up on escalator A, can't take escalator B down one floor to the one you need to go to because it's season ticket holders only, so you must walk around to find escalator C, these situations are not uncommon). That said, Nassau Coliseum can definitely use some touching up.
I would rather have McCabe than Jovonavski!!!
**I'm from Hicksville
Hckeybuzz is reporting with strong confidence that Comrie is coming to the Islanders. Keep your fingers crossed.
As a Smithtown native and Manhattan resident I feel strongly that Suffolk county is NO PLACE for a professional sports organization of any scale beyond the LI Ducks.
I've said it once I'll say it a million times - if they can't get this done in Nassau, the only hope for keeping this team local is either Brooklyn or Wanger pulling 180 and trying to put in a bid to develop the Willet's Point area opposite Shea/Citifield and put a hockey arena there. the city is desperate to develop the area with a convention center...why not a full fledged arena?
Hey greg, pass this on to Wang... There should be a couple of buses that run from the Mineola stop on the LIRR to the coliseum 2 hrs before game time and 2hours after, every 20 mins or so. Charge 4 or 5, hell even 6, bucks each way... Discounts for students and seniors... That would help get people like me to the coliseum who dont drive...( Hey I live in NYC, really dont need a car)... With the right promotion it could get a couple of more buns in the seats...
Posted by: jmars | July 5, 2007 4:59 AM
THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. I LIVE IN BROOKLYN, NO CAR. I WOULD TAKE THE LIRR TO THE BUS. AND SO WOULD A BUNCH OF OTHERS. GREAT IDEA!!!
jmars, you should send this directly to the suits in the offices. try kerry cornils.
Agree with you Brian
East Northport in Suffolk
North Pole
Me and Nanook.
Everyone picked us to be dead last this past season. Look what happened. Then the experts at the hockey news printed their playoff preview without a mention of the Islanders. Look what happen. It was the most exciting post season run in a long time. It gave me hope. No one thought Snow could bring us to the playoffs in his first year and he did. Im happy to renew my season tix this summer and support my team, even though the experts are telling me that we bombed in siging all the high-priced big name talent. The experts have been wrong for a while now, and its up to us fans to make that coliseum alive every night. Alot of tix prices went down this year...the organization is listening, at least a little. Lets give the players who WANT to put on that jersey all the support we can. And lets turn our backs on the Smyth's and Blake's that dont feel the pride of the islander logo anymore. I certainly dont want anyone on my team that doesnt want to be here. LET'S GO ISLANDERS!!!
**On a final note - all the angry fans emailing Logan ...why not take that same anger and direct it towards the Town of Hempstead and start emailing them to ask when they're going to give Wang zoning approval to start redoing the Coll