JT in some CCM pics

John Tavares at BP

Islanders 10 Greatest Games

Get the new Islanders DVD box set that includes the 10 greatest games.

1. Game 6 Stanley Cup Final - 5/24/80
2. Game 5 Stanley Cup Final - 5/21/81
3. Game 5 Comeback vs. Penguins - 4/13/82
4. Game 4 Stanley Cup Final - 5/16/82
5. Game 4 Stanley Cup Final - 5/17/83
6. Ken Morrow Playoff OT Winner vs. Rangers
7. Easter Epic
8. David Volek OT Winner vs. Penguins
9. Shawn Bates Penalty Shot vs. Leafs
10. Al Arbour's 1500th Game.

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Double Standard

How is it possible that a clothesline to the head isn't really making contact?? It seems that Colin Campbell has one set of rules for the players of 29 NHL teams and a totally different, harsher set of rules for the Isles. Thomas Pock and Mike Mottau, Chris Simon and Chris Pronger, etc. It's hard to think that there isn' t something behind his decisions.

Before Mottau made like Tito Santana, Nielsen was having one of his best games as an Islander. Confident and energetic, Frans was flying around the ice like a 10 year vet. He was in position and comfortable with the puck. One play in particular made me think that Frans had finally arrived. Midway through the game, Frans picked up the puck in his defensive zone and started up the ice. Jeff Tambellini was skating full speed behind Frans and Nielsen stayed ahead of the high flying Tamby controlling the puck without losing stride. While the play had not materialized into anything, the control that Frans showed had proven the maturity he had grown into. It's unfortunate that Nielsen had gotten hurt at this time in his career, right when he had turned the corner.

It's been a while.

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. Sorry to those of you that have emailed me, I'm sure my responses clarified. For those wondering, let me just say that the Election and financial Crisis have taken up a bit of my time.

Let's get on to the more important stuff at hand, the ISLES.

So we're 18 games in and the Isles have compiled a rather decent 7-9-2 stats. Decent because the majority of Islander fans have expected this team to sink like the Titanic. That's obviously not the case and Coach Gordo's got the team to believe in the system. OVERSPEED. What I've noticed is that this system is built for a team like the Isles. Fairly young, speedy guys with a knack for forechecking. Alot of fans around the boards are saying that if the Isles had better players, the system would work better. The only way I believe this to be true is if they had some more finishers, otherwise the system gives the team chances off turnovers, clearly evident during the Vancouver game, and eventually they're going to bury some. It's safe to say that Gordo put in a decent system that, once the team is fully comfortable with, will show signs of interest from other teams.

The injury front had hit as well. DP, Witt, Marty, Sutts, Campy, the IVth all have been sidelined this short season. With a depleted D, the team gave up some leads and have 9 losses. This team could easily by above .500 had the D remained healthy. Unfortunately, those are the breaks and it looks like the full D will be back together shortly.

Weight and Guerin have proven that they can still play and, if it were up to me, given another year on the contracts. Now, let's not go rushing into anything, alot can change over the next couple of days, weeks, months, but I'm sure Snowy hasn't closed the door on that option yet.

And the brightest spot of this young season is not so young Joey Mac. With the Rick on the shelf, Joey (clap clap) has provided solid goaltending. Schooled by guys like Ozzie and the Dominator, Joey Mac has come into his own and has been as good as anyone could've hoped for. Wade who??

What about Comrie & Tamby, Nielson & Bergy, Bailey & KO? That's coming up a bit later.

Addiction

September has begun and we are only a few short weeks away from training camp. While most fans will be looking to see if the players trained well in the off-season or what Gordo's line combinations will be, I will be looking elsewhere. All my attention will be on the players, it will be focused, not on their skating, passing, and shooting, but on their gear. The Nike Bauer skates, Warrior sticks, Easton gloves and Reebok helmets the players adorn are my main concern. My first impression of any player is based on the tools he is using. They say "You can tell alot about a person just by looking at their shoes." Same can be said about a player and their gear.

If you need an example, look no further than our own Brendan Witt.

Ever notice the gloves and stick he uses. He's been known as a Warrior for quite a while. No coincidence, that's his brand of choice.


So when training camp begins and pictures start trickling in, I'll be back with an update on the gear and my impressions of what to expect from the players.

As a little gift to all the gearheads out there. There've been pictures floating around the net of some new Warrior sticks. Don't be surprised to see several players on the Isles using these sticks.

Warrior Dolomite Spyne












Click here to get your new Warrior.


WARRIOR JOHNSON - (One Piece)

2008-2009 Goals by Player

I mentioned in an earlier post that the Isles will, in no way, score fewer goals then last season. To back up that claim, I have pulled out my Crystal Ball and looked to see where they are coming from. Below is my prediction.

FORWARDS (in alphabetical order)

Sean Bergenheim - 12
Blake Comeau - 16
Mike Comrie - 17
Bill Guerin - 21
Andy Hilbert - 9
Trent Hunter - 7
Kyle Okposo - 21
Richard Park - 12
Mike Sillinger - 11
Jon Sim - 8
Jeff Tambellini - 23
Doug Weight - 15

DEFENSE

Chris Campoli - 12
Bruno Gervais - 3
Radek Martinek - 7
Freddy Meyer IV - 4
Mark Streit - 15
Andy Sutton - 3
Brendan Witt - 1

EXTRAS

Nielsen - 6
Colliton - 0
Walter - 2
Bailey - 3
Jackman - 0
Dipietro - 1

So there you have it. The scoring is accounted for and the Isles will score 229 goals next year. 40 goals more then last year. Our leading scorer will be Tambellini with 23, followed by a tie for second with 21 from Guerin and KO, then in fourth is Comrie 17 and rounding out the top 5 will be Comeau with 16. The Defence will pitch in a ton. Streit will make a solid debut with 15, Campoli will score 12, and Marti's gonna rip it up with 7. In addition, Ricky's gonna score 1 this year, and Josh Bailey will start his career right with 3, scoring in his first NHL game.

Now bookmark this site and return on Sun Apr 12, 2009, after the season finale against the Bruins, and compare stats.