Gaining momentum
Young team starting to click. The Islanders are starting to play better. They started the Season 1-4-5 in their first ten games. The last 10 games they are 6-2-2. They have played 10 overtimes in 20 games. I feel like I am the only one saying this is a playoff caliber team. Everyone who points to the last 2 years as indicative of this teams talent is a fool. If this team stays realively healthy (or at least doesn't lead the league in man games of injury for 3rd year in a row) they will be a good team. Their defense is better then everyone wants to believe and they have 4 solid lines. They are extremely talented and extremely young. They will continue to get better every game. As the season progresses and they get DP back in the mix they will be a very tough team to play.
The reason for the 1 win in the first 10 games was mainly the inability to put teams away. They are still strugling to hold on to leads but getting better. They will continue to get better as the season progresses. The bigger and better sign is these young kids are starting to score.. a lot.
Okposo is no longer a secret. I think the league is now realizing this kid is legit. Tavares has been exactly what everyone thought (except Ranger fans). Jt has the same amount of goals as Crosby after 20 games.. fyi. Neilson is starting to play some solid hockey (would love to see him for a full season). Bergenhiem, Tambellini, Comeau, and Bailey are starting to play better... they just need to be a little more consistent. Trent Hunter needs to stay healthy. He is a big guy who can put the puck in the net. He is fantastic in the corners and on defense. I was expecting him to be the Captain this year and I am still a little upset they gave it to Weight (is he ever not hurt?). The bottom line is we need Weight to get healthy for a month so we can trade him.
Martinek out for the season (again). The defense can not afford any more injuries. This kid Hillen has been Phenominal. I think it is funny no one in hockey is talking about him. He has been far better then most young defensemen in this area and has not gotten any press. I am excited about him. Gervais has been the opposite. He has taken a HUGE step back this year. I want to see him back to they way he was playing last year. Sutton, Witt, and Striet have been very solid. They take the body and clear in front of the net. That is what defensemen are supposed to do... add a few joining the rushes and you can't ask for a lot more then that... Witt 2 goals in one game? Freddy Meyer has gotten some ice b/c of Martinek going down and is playing a MUCH more physical game. He could always fly and handle the puck. If he continues to play the same physical game, Bruno Gervais better be careful. He might be the odd man out when the Isles make a trade .. (Weight and Biron will be traded) or bring a guy like McDonald or De Haan up to the big club.
The Forwards are playing better every game. I love that the coach benched Bailey for a game and Tambellini for 2 games. Jeff thought b/c he finally scored a few goals he could go back to not skating in the defensive zone. Guess what Jeff.. this team is Stacked with guys in the AHL and being scratched that WILL give 110% every shift. I am guessing next time Tambellini gets in the line up He will be flying around the ice. 6 goals does not mean you don't back check. I am sure Trevor Smith or Jesse Joensuu would be happy to get another shot at the NHL.
Bottom line is the future is very bright on Long Island and everyone is starting to see that.... They WILL make the playoffs this year and the next couple of years will contend for the cup. They have tons of cap room and a few guys that will make the team next year. Aaron Ness, Calvin De Haan, Kirili Petrov, etc... get on the band wagon now!!
Petrov- Isles took a shot by drafting him in the 3rd round in 2006. He was in contract in Russia so no one thought he could play in NHL so did not draft him. Isles had a ton of picks so used one on him .. just in case. He would have been a top 2 pick if not for the contract. This year his contract is up.. He is very big and very talented. (comparisions to Malkin).. never know.
Tired of hearing how great Marc Staal is.. Just b/c his last name is Staal does not mean he is a great young player. He is the "Fredo" of the Staal family. When you don't score or hit ... then you stink. Gilroy and Delzotto have been FAR better then the rest of the rangers Awful Defense.. girardi, Staal, Rosival and Redden have not hit anyone in 10 games.
The reason for the 1 win in the first 10 games was mainly the inability to put teams away. They are still strugling to hold on to leads but getting better. They will continue to get better as the season progresses. The bigger and better sign is these young kids are starting to score.. a lot.
Okposo is no longer a secret. I think the league is now realizing this kid is legit. Tavares has been exactly what everyone thought (except Ranger fans). Jt has the same amount of goals as Crosby after 20 games.. fyi. Neilson is starting to play some solid hockey (would love to see him for a full season). Bergenhiem, Tambellini, Comeau, and Bailey are starting to play better... they just need to be a little more consistent. Trent Hunter needs to stay healthy. He is a big guy who can put the puck in the net. He is fantastic in the corners and on defense. I was expecting him to be the Captain this year and I am still a little upset they gave it to Weight (is he ever not hurt?). The bottom line is we need Weight to get healthy for a month so we can trade him.
Martinek out for the season (again). The defense can not afford any more injuries. This kid Hillen has been Phenominal. I think it is funny no one in hockey is talking about him. He has been far better then most young defensemen in this area and has not gotten any press. I am excited about him. Gervais has been the opposite. He has taken a HUGE step back this year. I want to see him back to they way he was playing last year. Sutton, Witt, and Striet have been very solid. They take the body and clear in front of the net. That is what defensemen are supposed to do... add a few joining the rushes and you can't ask for a lot more then that... Witt 2 goals in one game? Freddy Meyer has gotten some ice b/c of Martinek going down and is playing a MUCH more physical game. He could always fly and handle the puck. If he continues to play the same physical game, Bruno Gervais better be careful. He might be the odd man out when the Isles make a trade .. (Weight and Biron will be traded) or bring a guy like McDonald or De Haan up to the big club.
The Forwards are playing better every game. I love that the coach benched Bailey for a game and Tambellini for 2 games. Jeff thought b/c he finally scored a few goals he could go back to not skating in the defensive zone. Guess what Jeff.. this team is Stacked with guys in the AHL and being scratched that WILL give 110% every shift. I am guessing next time Tambellini gets in the line up He will be flying around the ice. 6 goals does not mean you don't back check. I am sure Trevor Smith or Jesse Joensuu would be happy to get another shot at the NHL.
Bottom line is the future is very bright on Long Island and everyone is starting to see that.... They WILL make the playoffs this year and the next couple of years will contend for the cup. They have tons of cap room and a few guys that will make the team next year. Aaron Ness, Calvin De Haan, Kirili Petrov, etc... get on the band wagon now!!
Petrov- Isles took a shot by drafting him in the 3rd round in 2006. He was in contract in Russia so no one thought he could play in NHL so did not draft him. Isles had a ton of picks so used one on him .. just in case. He would have been a top 2 pick if not for the contract. This year his contract is up.. He is very big and very talented. (comparisions to Malkin).. never know.
Tired of hearing how great Marc Staal is.. Just b/c his last name is Staal does not mean he is a great young player. He is the "Fredo" of the Staal family. When you don't score or hit ... then you stink. Gilroy and Delzotto have been FAR better then the rest of the rangers Awful Defense.. girardi, Staal, Rosival and Redden have not hit anyone in 10 games.
posted by New York Islander chatter at 7:23 AM
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