After my failed attempt at humor in my last column we will turn back the business at hand and that is who will coach the Islanders. Snow has interviewed or will interview at least 6 possible candidates "competing" for the "privilege" of coaching the New York Islanders. The list has some big names on it -
Bob Hartley - He lost his players last season and that is never a good sign. You could make the argument that eventually a coach ALWAYS wears out his welcome over time with players but Atlanta was a team on the rise that took a nose dive.
John Tortorella - Has a hard edge to him that could be a problem with dealing with young players. He would have to realize that the same demeanor he had in Tampa could damage young players.
Joel Quenneville - He would be a good choice, but when was the last time the team did the over obvious right thing?
Mike Sullivan - Also a very good candidate that would seem to fit the kind of guy Snow would want. Has 2 years of NHL coaching experience and my money is on him.
Scott Gordon - This guy is not exciting anyone. Sorry Scott is your among the MILLIONS of readers of The Voice.
Gerard Gallant - He knows the players but he worked with Nolan and when the head is cut off the body usually goes with it.
Paul Maurice - I would love to see this guy behind the bench. I would also like to have seen Filatov on the podium on draft day. The team never does anything that falls along the lines of normal.
Mike Sullivan, Joel Quenneville or Paul Maurice are in my mind the best choices for the job.
Let me know who you think is the best choice for the job but keep in mind the following -
This next coach is going to have a dramatic effect on a great many things. One of them are the many number of prospects the Islanders have. Sooner or later this coach is going to decide when and how much these kids will join the Islanders and once they are here will shape them as players. That added to the very young players that are already here and this next coach will have massive input into how these players develop. He will have the responsibility of dealing with Rick DiPietro, a strong minded sometimes reckless All Star goaltender who would throw himself in front of a train to stop a puck. Make no mistake about it this may be the most important hiring this franchise has seen in the last 30 years.
Dealing with the players themselves is like the care of a fledgling apple tree. You provide the right nurturing to that tree and it will develop into a strong fruit bearing tree for years. You provide the wrong care for it and it will stunt growth, the fruit will sour and die off and one day you will wake up and wonder what happened to that apple tree you planted. Lets all hope we do not see Garth Snow and Charles Wang standing over the spot when their apple tree used to be wondering what they could have done differently.
This coaching hire could be the difference between a strong fruit bearing tree or a spot of dry soil and the same sour fruit we have been eating for years.
FCT
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Islanders Tapping new resource for possible players?
It was a banner weekend for me this past weekend getting to go to the Billy Joel concert on Friday and the Great American Bash WWE Event on Sunday. I was not alone at the WWE Event as many of you may know Rick Dipietro was at the event schmoozing with a lot of the WWE Stars. This next story is a work. Whats not known is that GM Garth Snow was looking for new faces for the Islanders organization. The results of his meeting will astound you.
Pictured at right is the newest member of the New York Islanders, Former World Heavyweight Champion John Cena!! From West Newbury, Massachusetts, Cena brings an arrogance and aggressiveness as well as that "do anything to win" mentality that is so lacking up and down the Islanders lineup. It was not immediately know what position Cena will play but in a interview he said this " I am coming to the NHL to do what it is that I do, and that's dominate like only John Cena can." While this may be the first time in a long time an athlete in the NHL referred to himself in the third person, the shot of attitude may be just what the Islanders need headed into this coming season. When approached by GM Garth Snow about his contract demands Cena responded the only way he knows how and that is with a finely tuned chair shot right to the GM's head. When Chris Dey explained to Cena that that type of behaviour is not acceptable in the NHL Cena responded with one of his trademark "FU" wrestling maneuvers driving the unfortunate soul into the concrete back first. When told of the actions of his new superstar player, owner Charles Wang simply smirked and said "The guy's got spirit, and hes a true friend."
Hey at least it would not be boring.
FCT
Pictured at right is the newest member of the New York Islanders, Former World Heavyweight Champion John Cena!! From West Newbury, Massachusetts, Cena brings an arrogance and aggressiveness as well as that "do anything to win" mentality that is so lacking up and down the Islanders lineup. It was not immediately know what position Cena will play but in a interview he said this " I am coming to the NHL to do what it is that I do, and that's dominate like only John Cena can." While this may be the first time in a long time an athlete in the NHL referred to himself in the third person, the shot of attitude may be just what the Islanders need headed into this coming season. When approached by GM Garth Snow about his contract demands Cena responded the only way he knows how and that is with a finely tuned chair shot right to the GM's head. When Chris Dey explained to Cena that that type of behaviour is not acceptable in the NHL Cena responded with one of his trademark "FU" wrestling maneuvers driving the unfortunate soul into the concrete back first. When told of the actions of his new superstar player, owner Charles Wang simply smirked and said "The guy's got spirit, and hes a true friend."
Hey at least it would not be boring.
FCT
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Good and the Bad - Ted Nolan is Out
Garth Snow and Ted Nolan got together and managed to agree on one thing this off season. The problem is that the one thing they agree on is that Nolan should not coach the Islanders any more. It seems amicable and this blogger wishes the coach the best and I hope to see him do the same thing so many former Islander players and coaches have done after leaving the team. Win. Here are 3 points for and against Nolan leaving the Islanders.
THE BAD -
1 - Nolan brought the respectability, and he was the only one - Make no mistake Ted Nolan brought an air of respectability to the New York Islanders franchise. A team that has an owner who a lot of people think is in this for the real estate, a GM who almost no one takes seriously, an arena that most college franchises would laugh at, a player roster that impresses no one, a legacy for the last 25 years of bad moves, embarrassing fiascoes and failure after failure on the ice. People will argue that Charles Wang is a rock as the Islanders owner but he is not in this for hockey, he is in it for the Lighthouse Project.
2 - More on Snow's head - As if the draft wasn't enough to let us know who is running the Islanders. Garth Snow all but pushed Nolan out the door at the very least saving Nolan the indignity of being fired after a season who's result was the fault of one thing. That one thing is injuries. Now from top to bottom the teams fate will fall in the lap of its 2nd year GM. I hope he can handle the pressure of not only this year's draft but all but showing the popular coach the door. One more question to consider is who in his right mind would want to coach this team? I hope Snow doesn't hear laughter on the phone if he is smart enough to call John Tortorella.
3 - Bad, Meet Worse - Nolan was commended for getting the Islanders to the playoffs in his first year on the team, then Smyth runs to Colorado and the roster is remade. Amazingly enough the Islander are still competitive. Not only competitive but a mere 3 points behind the Devils for FIRST PLACE in their division. This was roughly 50 games into the season. Ask anyone and they will tell you the Ted Nolan was the reason for the success doing what he does best and that is squeezing every bit of talent out of the players he was given. Eventually the bottom fell out as the team lost over 400 man games to injury last season. It would seem the coach is not at fault but he is left paying the price.
THE GOOD -
1 - Unhappy coach? No Thank You.- Ted Nolan was not happy and did not want to do 2 things. One was enter the final year of his contract without an extension, and he wanted a steady veteran presence on his team. Unfortunately both of those were going to happen no matter what. Instead of staying and trying to earn more time with the team Nolan chose to push the issue and the result is him leaving the team. The players on this team do not need an unhappy coach, they need a coach who is on board 100% with the plan.
2 - Coach the Kids, Not Bury Them. - Its also no secret that some of the Islanders most promising prospects did not flourish under Nolan, always favoring the veteran over the kid. Jeff Tambelini in one that springs to mind. Everyone wanted the kid to get top 6 minutes. That is everyone except Ted Nolan. You will come to realize that Nolan had every intention of playing the veteran over the kid possibly at the expense of letting said kid get the time he needs to flourish in this league. The new coach will certainly be on board on this policy and hopefully the kids will get the chance they never got under Nolan unless injuries required it.
3 - Everyone on the same page. Make no mistake people. The Islanders are in a rebuild mode. Ted Nolan is a great coach and no one can deny this. That being said he just wasn't right for this team. The Islanders need a coach who will grow with the team and the young players it is committed to for the long haul. 2 years ago Nolan was the perfect guy for the job but our outlook has changed over the last 2 years. Instead of piece mealing a team together the Islanders are trying to grow one and Nolan clearly did not want to be a part of it.
Let me know what you think on this subject as I am sure it will generate a lot of discussion.
FCT
THE BAD -
1 - Nolan brought the respectability, and he was the only one - Make no mistake Ted Nolan brought an air of respectability to the New York Islanders franchise. A team that has an owner who a lot of people think is in this for the real estate, a GM who almost no one takes seriously, an arena that most college franchises would laugh at, a player roster that impresses no one, a legacy for the last 25 years of bad moves, embarrassing fiascoes and failure after failure on the ice. People will argue that Charles Wang is a rock as the Islanders owner but he is not in this for hockey, he is in it for the Lighthouse Project.
2 - More on Snow's head - As if the draft wasn't enough to let us know who is running the Islanders. Garth Snow all but pushed Nolan out the door at the very least saving Nolan the indignity of being fired after a season who's result was the fault of one thing. That one thing is injuries. Now from top to bottom the teams fate will fall in the lap of its 2nd year GM. I hope he can handle the pressure of not only this year's draft but all but showing the popular coach the door. One more question to consider is who in his right mind would want to coach this team? I hope Snow doesn't hear laughter on the phone if he is smart enough to call John Tortorella.
3 - Bad, Meet Worse - Nolan was commended for getting the Islanders to the playoffs in his first year on the team, then Smyth runs to Colorado and the roster is remade. Amazingly enough the Islander are still competitive. Not only competitive but a mere 3 points behind the Devils for FIRST PLACE in their division. This was roughly 50 games into the season. Ask anyone and they will tell you the Ted Nolan was the reason for the success doing what he does best and that is squeezing every bit of talent out of the players he was given. Eventually the bottom fell out as the team lost over 400 man games to injury last season. It would seem the coach is not at fault but he is left paying the price.
THE GOOD -
1 - Unhappy coach? No Thank You.- Ted Nolan was not happy and did not want to do 2 things. One was enter the final year of his contract without an extension, and he wanted a steady veteran presence on his team. Unfortunately both of those were going to happen no matter what. Instead of staying and trying to earn more time with the team Nolan chose to push the issue and the result is him leaving the team. The players on this team do not need an unhappy coach, they need a coach who is on board 100% with the plan.
2 - Coach the Kids, Not Bury Them. - Its also no secret that some of the Islanders most promising prospects did not flourish under Nolan, always favoring the veteran over the kid. Jeff Tambelini in one that springs to mind. Everyone wanted the kid to get top 6 minutes. That is everyone except Ted Nolan. You will come to realize that Nolan had every intention of playing the veteran over the kid possibly at the expense of letting said kid get the time he needs to flourish in this league. The new coach will certainly be on board on this policy and hopefully the kids will get the chance they never got under Nolan unless injuries required it.
3 - Everyone on the same page. Make no mistake people. The Islanders are in a rebuild mode. Ted Nolan is a great coach and no one can deny this. That being said he just wasn't right for this team. The Islanders need a coach who will grow with the team and the young players it is committed to for the long haul. 2 years ago Nolan was the perfect guy for the job but our outlook has changed over the last 2 years. Instead of piece mealing a team together the Islanders are trying to grow one and Nolan clearly did not want to be a part of it.
Let me know what you think on this subject as I am sure it will generate a lot of discussion.
FCT
Saturday, July 5, 2008
More Random thoughts regarding free agency.
1 - Islanders are done. - Don't look for any more free agents to be signed by the Islanders. They locked up Streit to a 5 year deal and veteran Doug Weight to a 1 year deal. I applaud both moves as they make total sense if you really think about it. The team is going no where and they are years away from even thinking about competing for a cup. This season will be a transition year or a rebuilding year and if you are going to rebuild then you cannot hand out the absolutely silly contracts that have been flying around. If Doug Weight can regain just a small portion of himself after all he is 37, not 47 then we may have a decent 1-2 center position for the 1st time in a long time. The experts will still pick this team to finish dead last in the conference and they would be justified in doing so but they are going the only route they can to establish themselves in this league and that is with a total rebuild.
2 - Silliness is abound. - Let's be honest. Some of the contracts that have been thrown around are just plain silly. I wont go into which ones because we all know what they are. I am glad the Islanders aren't a part of it. In the words of Forest Gump, "Dats all I got to say about thaait".
3 - Jagr goes to Russia - Jagr has signed a letter of intent to go play in Russia and all I have heard from Ranger fans is a remarkable amount of indifference. Come again? If you think "Soft as Carvel" Markus Naslund or Nikolai Zherdev have a ghost of a chance of replacing Jaromir Jagr then I have got some news for you. Its not gonna happen. Jagr does not get replaced that easily. He led the team in scoring last season. Heck he led the Rangers in scoring every year he was on the team. Jagr is a dynamic player and this is one Islander fan that is thrilled he is off the Rangers, but I am upset a talent like Jagr is going to finish his career outside the NHL.
4 - Avery brings show to Dallas - Wow, a lot of Ranger talk on the Voice today. The Rangers have also let their new lord and saviour walk to the big D. You can admit it Islander fans, your glad hes gone, I'm glad he is gone, Martin Broduer is glad he is gone and the entire Eastern Conference is glad he is gone to go play his 8 year old antics in front of Roberto Luongo and Chris Osgood.
More later -
FCT
2 - Silliness is abound. - Let's be honest. Some of the contracts that have been thrown around are just plain silly. I wont go into which ones because we all know what they are. I am glad the Islanders aren't a part of it. In the words of Forest Gump, "Dats all I got to say about thaait".
3 - Jagr goes to Russia - Jagr has signed a letter of intent to go play in Russia and all I have heard from Ranger fans is a remarkable amount of indifference. Come again? If you think "Soft as Carvel" Markus Naslund or Nikolai Zherdev have a ghost of a chance of replacing Jaromir Jagr then I have got some news for you. Its not gonna happen. Jagr does not get replaced that easily. He led the team in scoring last season. Heck he led the Rangers in scoring every year he was on the team. Jagr is a dynamic player and this is one Islander fan that is thrilled he is off the Rangers, but I am upset a talent like Jagr is going to finish his career outside the NHL.
4 - Avery brings show to Dallas - Wow, a lot of Ranger talk on the Voice today. The Rangers have also let their new lord and saviour walk to the big D. You can admit it Islander fans, your glad hes gone, I'm glad he is gone, Martin Broduer is glad he is gone and the entire Eastern Conference is glad he is gone to go play his 8 year old antics in front of Roberto Luongo and Chris Osgood.
More later -
FCT
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Quick Thoughts on Free Agency so far...
Just some quick thoughts -
1 - Streit to set the power play straight? Who would have predicted this... the Islanders net themselves arguable the second best defenseman on the free agent market. He can be a liability defensively, but if that is the case we have plenty of defensive defenseman to cover for him.
2 - Avery seeing Stars - So much for the Rangers new messiah. I'm glad hes gone, and all of those Avery jerseys, t shirts are all going to become shoe polish rags now.
3 - Jagr gone? Who are they going to get? I am sure you know who I mean by THEY.. The Rangers are probably scrambling over Hossa shockingly signing with the Red Wings (and for only ONE season?) After paying the highly vanilla and over rated Wade Redden 6.5 million for 6 years if theywant to retain JJ he is going to make them pay, and pay hard too!! I love it when the Rangers spend their money on Canada's over bloated "superstars" - If Redden played his career in the US, he would be considered in the "middle of the road" defense class.
4 - Islanders gaining Weight? Word has it that Guerin is trying to give a big off season assist to the Islanders signing his pal Doug Weight. I think it would be a great move to bridge the gap to when Bailey and Trivino are ready to take over. Weight can dish, we really need someone who can do just that.
More Later -
FCT
1 - Streit to set the power play straight? Who would have predicted this... the Islanders net themselves arguable the second best defenseman on the free agent market. He can be a liability defensively, but if that is the case we have plenty of defensive defenseman to cover for him.
2 - Avery seeing Stars - So much for the Rangers new messiah. I'm glad hes gone, and all of those Avery jerseys, t shirts are all going to become shoe polish rags now.
3 - Jagr gone? Who are they going to get? I am sure you know who I mean by THEY.. The Rangers are probably scrambling over Hossa shockingly signing with the Red Wings (and for only ONE season?) After paying the highly vanilla and over rated Wade Redden 6.5 million for 6 years if theywant to retain JJ he is going to make them pay, and pay hard too!! I love it when the Rangers spend their money on Canada's over bloated "superstars" - If Redden played his career in the US, he would be considered in the "middle of the road" defense class.
4 - Islanders gaining Weight? Word has it that Guerin is trying to give a big off season assist to the Islanders signing his pal Doug Weight. I think it would be a great move to bridge the gap to when Bailey and Trivino are ready to take over. Weight can dish, we really need someone who can do just that.
More Later -
FCT
Monday, June 30, 2008
Free Agency Predictions for the Islanders.
Everyone loves a prediction. Right or wrong or indifferent predictions are all over the place right now. Everyone who thought they knew what the Islanders were planning on Draft Day got a smack in the face. We are in a full fledged rebuild people. Everything that happens from now on out is for the sole purpose of building this once proud franchise from the ground up. The only thing that will be recognizable in the next 3 years on the Island will be our goaltender, Rick Dipietro. Signed for the next 13 seasons and like him or not, he is our goaltender. Everything else is up for grabs people.
For the long term looking beyond this coming season the Islanders have merely and handful of players signed to long term deals that are definitely going to be a part of the team's long term vision. In other words they are signed to this season plus at least one more season. They are in no particular order (with the seasons left under contract in parentheses) Rick Dipetro(13) , Trent Hunter(5), Radek Martinek (3), Kyle Okposo (3), Jon Sim (2), Richard Park (2), Chris Campoli (2), Robin Figren (3), Jesse Joensuu (3), and Freddy Meyer (2). Thats 10 players. The team has 10 UFA's this season NONE of them will be re-signed and thats not including Shawn Bates who has already been let go. After this coming season, Bill Guerin, Brendan Witt, Mike Sillnger, Mike Comrie, Andy Hilbert and Tim Jackman will all probably be gone via Free Agency. The only two players that I believe has a realistic chance of resigning beyond next year are Comrie and Witt, but I would list that as unlikely. By this time in 2011, the team will be almost entirely composed of 2-4 year NHL players hopefully blossoming into an NHL power and the new arena should be nearing completion. THAT is the time to sprinkle in a high priced UFA, not tomorrow.
That being said, the team does have to meet the ridiculous new salary floor of 40.7 million dollars. Here come the predictions. This free agent season the Islanders will let go all of their 10 UFA's without so much as an offer. They will sign the following players -
Georges Laraque - (W) They need toughness to stop other teams from taking liberties with the kids. Snow specifically stated they would look for toughness. They do not get any tougher.
Ron Hainsey- (D) He is one of DP's best friends and a decent puck mover. Hey we have got to take it where we can get it and I'll take it. Now all we need is for DP to go and befriend Sydney Crosby and Joe Thornton.
Jan Hlavac - (W) Useless Filler, perfect for a rebuilding team.
Todd Fedoruk (W) Grind Grind Grind.
That is it. The rest of the roster will fill out with kids. We are in a full rebuild mode people, its time to accept the inevitable and hope that Snow's moves in the 2008 draft are remembered as the day the team turned around for good and not a day of missed opportunities. Hopefully if the team is going to stink, they stink bad enough to get us a shot at a 17 year old named John Tavares. If somehow it happens then happy days will be here again.
"What are your predictions for this fight"
"Prediction??"
"Yes.. Prediction."
"PAAAINN!!"
FCT
For the long term looking beyond this coming season the Islanders have merely and handful of players signed to long term deals that are definitely going to be a part of the team's long term vision. In other words they are signed to this season plus at least one more season. They are in no particular order (with the seasons left under contract in parentheses) Rick Dipetro(13) , Trent Hunter(5), Radek Martinek (3), Kyle Okposo (3), Jon Sim (2), Richard Park (2), Chris Campoli (2), Robin Figren (3), Jesse Joensuu (3), and Freddy Meyer (2). Thats 10 players. The team has 10 UFA's this season NONE of them will be re-signed and thats not including Shawn Bates who has already been let go. After this coming season, Bill Guerin, Brendan Witt, Mike Sillnger, Mike Comrie, Andy Hilbert and Tim Jackman will all probably be gone via Free Agency. The only two players that I believe has a realistic chance of resigning beyond next year are Comrie and Witt, but I would list that as unlikely. By this time in 2011, the team will be almost entirely composed of 2-4 year NHL players hopefully blossoming into an NHL power and the new arena should be nearing completion. THAT is the time to sprinkle in a high priced UFA, not tomorrow.
That being said, the team does have to meet the ridiculous new salary floor of 40.7 million dollars. Here come the predictions. This free agent season the Islanders will let go all of their 10 UFA's without so much as an offer. They will sign the following players -
Georges Laraque - (W) They need toughness to stop other teams from taking liberties with the kids. Snow specifically stated they would look for toughness. They do not get any tougher.
Ron Hainsey- (D) He is one of DP's best friends and a decent puck mover. Hey we have got to take it where we can get it and I'll take it. Now all we need is for DP to go and befriend Sydney Crosby and Joe Thornton.
Jan Hlavac - (W) Useless Filler, perfect for a rebuilding team.
Todd Fedoruk (W) Grind Grind Grind.
That is it. The rest of the roster will fill out with kids. We are in a full rebuild mode people, its time to accept the inevitable and hope that Snow's moves in the 2008 draft are remembered as the day the team turned around for good and not a day of missed opportunities. Hopefully if the team is going to stink, they stink bad enough to get us a shot at a 17 year old named John Tavares. If somehow it happens then happy days will be here again.
"What are your predictions for this fight"
"Prediction??"
"Yes.. Prediction."
"PAAAINN!!"
FCT
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Free Agency is Coming Part 2 - Pipe Dreams, Defenseman and the troubles of attracting players.
We talked about possible forwards that will be available for the team to sign on July 1, and now we will see who might be available on the defenseman side of the free agent pool. Not nearly as as deep as the forward pool defenseman will be tougher for the team to attain this year. Lets dive right in and see what we come up with.
John Micheal Liles - Only 26 Years old Liles has yet to really come into his own in the NHL as of yet. He has a load of potential and there will be teams lining up for his services so this one is a borderline pipe dream, but hes not quite up to that level yet. He took a step back this season only netting 6 goals after scoring 14 in back to back seasons with the Avalanche. He should be at the top of Snow's priorities if possible. What would it take to get him? 5 years 25 million.
*** EDIT - Liles has signed a contract extension with the Avalanche***
Dick Tarnstrom - Now 30, Tarnstrom is another player who blossomed into a decent NHL puck mover and power play point man the second he left the Islanders netting 16 goals and 52 points for the Penguins in 2004. Injuries have derailed the last 2 seasons for Tarnstrom which may remove him from the radar of the top spenders this year leaving him to return to the team he played his rookie season for. What would it take to get him? 2 years 7 million.
Mark Streit - Another borderline pipe dream, Streit is 29 years old and is one of the reasons the Canadiens didn't miss a beat losing Sheldon Souray's 26 goals and booming shot from the point last season. Streit netted 13 goals and 62 points last season and will command a huge raise over his 600K salary last season. What would it take to get him? 5 years 20 million.
Branislav Mezei - Remember him? Still only 26 Mezei was one of the Islanders first round picks back in 1999 and has turned into a bruising defenseman, although some say his slow feet cost the Panthers some goals. Who couldn't use a 6'4" 240 pound bruiser on the back line to take some pressure of of Witt? What would it take to get him? 3 years 9 million.
Jason Smith - I am surprised the Flyers are letting him go to free agency considering the improvement the Flyers made last season. A natural leader in the Brendan Witt mold. What would it take to get him? 3 years 15 million.
HEY, YOU NEVER KNOW? FREE AGENT PIPE DREAMS -
Lets be realistic Islander fans. No matter how you feel about the teams job on draft day that has most NHL experts praising Snow, this team is still one arena and 2-3 years away from attracting anyone of significance to sign here as a free agent. I am still smiling over Islanders 2nd round pick Corey Trivino calling the Island a "great city to play in". All players know is the Marriott Hotel and a broken down second rate arena. All of the major free agents have submitted "wish lists" of the top ten teams they want to play for to their agents. Guess how many of them listed the Islanders as destinations at all? --Dean Wermer voice-- ZERO... POINT... ZERO... That's what potential free agents think of this organization, the arena and Long Island. None of these players, unless they have lived here know what life is like on Long Island because all they see is that dinosaur of an arena, a parking lot that looks like a bobm hit it and a hotel. All this being said, money talks. Here are the free agent pipe dreams the Islanders have before them this year and what it would take to lure them to come and play in that "arena" we call the Coliseum.
Marian Hossa (W) - He is the class of the free agent pool this year. Perennial all star and 90-100 point man and at the age of 29 will be looking for his huge payday right now. He also erased the thought that he cant play in the playoffs with his outstanding performance in the playoffs this year. He will draw interest from every big money team out there and I think ultimately and unfortunately the Rangers will be the team that gets him. What would it take to get him? 8 years 70 million.
Wade Redden (D) - Remember him too? At 31 he is a very good 2 way defenseman Redden is going to command a huge salary and a raise over his 6.5 million dollar salary last season. I personally believe Redden is over rated and over blown as the Canadian media likes to do with their home town heroes. I do not believe Redden is worth that kind of a commitment. Hes good, but not that good. What would it take to get him? 6 years 48 million.
Peter Forsberg (C) - If there was a category beyond pipe dream, this would be it. Forsberg may be one of the top 5 players in the world. Problem is he is made out of the same material that China Dolls are made out of. He wants to compete for a cup and the Islanders aren't even close. Hes 33 years old, but his body is 55. His stats are as impressive as he is fragile. What it would take to get him? 2 years 15 million.
Sean Avery (W) - I list this as a pipe dream because of what it would mean to all of the Ranger fans who have adopted him as their own son and new messiah of the team. Avery is 27 years old and we all know the type of player and person he is and what he has meant to the Rangers the last 2 seasons. Talk to any Ranger fan, and he is the reason not Jagr, Gomez, Drury or Lundqvist that the Rangers are so competitive. Is that true? Put him in Islander colors and lets find out. What it would take to get him? 5 years 20 million.
Its fun to dream isn't it? That is something that we have gotten used to in Islander country. Here is something to consider for next season. There is another phenom, another "next one" that is coming to the NHL next season. His name is John Tavares. All you have to do is Google that name and you will see that he is breaking some of Wayne Gretzky's OHL records. He is already projected to go first overall in next years draft. If there is any way the team can even get a shot at him then you know what I will take my lumps this year. Let hope that if the Islanders are going to stink, lets hope they stink enough to net us a shot at John Tavares.
"Hope.. is a dangerous thing inside these walls.. Hope can drive a man insane..."
-Red, The Shawshank Redemption
Dont we all know.
FCT
John Micheal Liles - Only 26 Years old Liles has yet to really come into his own in the NHL as of yet. He has a load of potential and there will be teams lining up for his services so this one is a borderline pipe dream, but hes not quite up to that level yet. He took a step back this season only netting 6 goals after scoring 14 in back to back seasons with the Avalanche. He should be at the top of Snow's priorities if possible. What would it take to get him? 5 years 25 million.
*** EDIT - Liles has signed a contract extension with the Avalanche***
Dick Tarnstrom - Now 30, Tarnstrom is another player who blossomed into a decent NHL puck mover and power play point man the second he left the Islanders netting 16 goals and 52 points for the Penguins in 2004. Injuries have derailed the last 2 seasons for Tarnstrom which may remove him from the radar of the top spenders this year leaving him to return to the team he played his rookie season for. What would it take to get him? 2 years 7 million.
Mark Streit - Another borderline pipe dream, Streit is 29 years old and is one of the reasons the Canadiens didn't miss a beat losing Sheldon Souray's 26 goals and booming shot from the point last season. Streit netted 13 goals and 62 points last season and will command a huge raise over his 600K salary last season. What would it take to get him? 5 years 20 million.
Branislav Mezei - Remember him? Still only 26 Mezei was one of the Islanders first round picks back in 1999 and has turned into a bruising defenseman, although some say his slow feet cost the Panthers some goals. Who couldn't use a 6'4" 240 pound bruiser on the back line to take some pressure of of Witt? What would it take to get him? 3 years 9 million.
Jason Smith - I am surprised the Flyers are letting him go to free agency considering the improvement the Flyers made last season. A natural leader in the Brendan Witt mold. What would it take to get him? 3 years 15 million.
HEY, YOU NEVER KNOW? FREE AGENT PIPE DREAMS -
Lets be realistic Islander fans. No matter how you feel about the teams job on draft day that has most NHL experts praising Snow, this team is still one arena and 2-3 years away from attracting anyone of significance to sign here as a free agent. I am still smiling over Islanders 2nd round pick Corey Trivino calling the Island a "great city to play in". All players know is the Marriott Hotel and a broken down second rate arena. All of the major free agents have submitted "wish lists" of the top ten teams they want to play for to their agents. Guess how many of them listed the Islanders as destinations at all? --Dean Wermer voice-- ZERO... POINT... ZERO... That's what potential free agents think of this organization, the arena and Long Island. None of these players, unless they have lived here know what life is like on Long Island because all they see is that dinosaur of an arena, a parking lot that looks like a bobm hit it and a hotel. All this being said, money talks. Here are the free agent pipe dreams the Islanders have before them this year and what it would take to lure them to come and play in that "arena" we call the Coliseum.
Marian Hossa (W) - He is the class of the free agent pool this year. Perennial all star and 90-100 point man and at the age of 29 will be looking for his huge payday right now. He also erased the thought that he cant play in the playoffs with his outstanding performance in the playoffs this year. He will draw interest from every big money team out there and I think ultimately and unfortunately the Rangers will be the team that gets him. What would it take to get him? 8 years 70 million.
Wade Redden (D) - Remember him too? At 31 he is a very good 2 way defenseman Redden is going to command a huge salary and a raise over his 6.5 million dollar salary last season. I personally believe Redden is over rated and over blown as the Canadian media likes to do with their home town heroes. I do not believe Redden is worth that kind of a commitment. Hes good, but not that good. What would it take to get him? 6 years 48 million.
Peter Forsberg (C) - If there was a category beyond pipe dream, this would be it. Forsberg may be one of the top 5 players in the world. Problem is he is made out of the same material that China Dolls are made out of. He wants to compete for a cup and the Islanders aren't even close. Hes 33 years old, but his body is 55. His stats are as impressive as he is fragile. What it would take to get him? 2 years 15 million.
Sean Avery (W) - I list this as a pipe dream because of what it would mean to all of the Ranger fans who have adopted him as their own son and new messiah of the team. Avery is 27 years old and we all know the type of player and person he is and what he has meant to the Rangers the last 2 seasons. Talk to any Ranger fan, and he is the reason not Jagr, Gomez, Drury or Lundqvist that the Rangers are so competitive. Is that true? Put him in Islander colors and lets find out. What it would take to get him? 5 years 20 million.
Its fun to dream isn't it? That is something that we have gotten used to in Islander country. Here is something to consider for next season. There is another phenom, another "next one" that is coming to the NHL next season. His name is John Tavares. All you have to do is Google that name and you will see that he is breaking some of Wayne Gretzky's OHL records. He is already projected to go first overall in next years draft. If there is any way the team can even get a shot at him then you know what I will take my lumps this year. Let hope that if the Islanders are going to stink, lets hope they stink enough to net us a shot at John Tavares.
"Hope.. is a dangerous thing inside these walls.. Hope can drive a man insane..."
-Red, The Shawshank Redemption
Dont we all know.
FCT
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