Yardbarker: Trent Hunter

The Best (And Worst) Islanders Jerseys To Wear

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:09:00 -0500

As Zach explained on Sunday, there are certain jerseys you can wear to the game. At the same time, there are others you wouldn't be caught dead wearing at the Coliseum. Here's a (hopefully) comprehensive list of what's in and out when it comes to Islanders jerseys.
GoodDenis Potvin#5, Clark Gillies #9, Bryan Trottier #19, Mike Bossy #22, Bob Nystrom #23, Billy Smith #31 (if your number is retired, it can be worn by fans forever)Pat LaFontaine #16 (that this number is not hanging from the rafters is a travesty)Pierre Turgeon #77 (they really should retire this; it's not as though any future player will wear it anyway)Josh Bailey #12, Kyle Okposo #21, John Tavares #91 (nice future-proof jersey)Darius Kasparaitis #11, Ray Ferraro #20, David Volek #25, Glenn Healy #35 (for many of us, the '93 team is the only time we've seen the Islanders win)Gary Howatt #8, Rich Pilon #2/#47, Mick Vukota #12, Steve Webb #20, Eric Cairns #33 (nothing like wearing the jersey of a goon)Trent Hunter #7, Claude Lapointe #13, Dave Scatchard #38, Butch Goring #91 (wearing the jersey of a grinder shows you appreciate the nuances of hockey and accentuates your fandom)
IffyRick DiPietro #39 (not because he's hurt, but because everyone has one and it makes you look like you're not as big of a fan as you probably are)Derek King #27 (fine player, but most of us would prefer to forget the early 1990s)Michael Peca #27 (he had a great run, but he hasn't been an Islander in five years)Miroslav Satan #81 (he didn't leave the team all that long ago, but it's not as though he was a legendary Islander)Roberto Luongo #1, Zdeno Chara #3, Bryan McCabe #4, Zigmund Palffy #16/#68, Bryan Berard #34, Todd Bertuzzi #44 (it never hurts to remind people how good this team would have been if not for the Mike Milbury era)
BadAlexei Yashin #79 (Zach argues that this is okay, because Yashin left the NHL as an Islander, but it's probably time to buy a new jersey if you're still wearing Yashin)Eric Fichaud #1, Dean Chynoweth #3, Dave Chyzowski #9, Oleg Kvasha #12, Scott Scissions #14, Robert Nilsson #21, Brett Lindros #75 (busts of epic proportions)Garth Snow #30 (as a fan, you are required to hate your team's management)Kirk Muller #9, Trevor Linden #32, Ron Hextall #72 (these guys were great elsewhere, but didn't exactly work out well on the Island)Anything from the Gorton's Fisherman era (obviously)

New York Islanders Modern Day Mickey Mouse Operation

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:45:06 -0500

After a 13-4 drubbing of the New Jersey Devils in 1984 a game in which the Edmonton Oilers scored at will, Wayne Gretzkly famously labeled the Devils a "Mickey Mouse operation on ice." But judging from a recent visit to Nassau Coliseum, the Great One could apply the tag to the modern day New York Islanders. Here are 10 reason why the Islanders could be considered Mickey Mouse. 10.) Ice Girls cleaning up ice during breaks in the action. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wro...

Crap

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:34:27 -0500

Tonight might have been one of the best games the Islanders played all season.

It wasn't good enough.
This is what life as an Islanders fan is like. This game represented the final two points that meant anything for the rest of the season. And thanks to Dean McAmmond colliding with Andy Hilbert and Radek Martinek deflecting a puck into his own net, the Islanders lose while their hated rivals take over the Coliseum. Again.
I know this is supposed to be a "rebuilding year" and that we're supposed to be taking our lumps and all that. Well, guess what? These losses hurt. It hurts even more to know that there might not even be a payoff; as Charles Wang stated in the pre-game, if the Lighthouse doesn't get approved by the start of next season, the Islanders will look into moving elsewhere. AWESOME.
The Islanders played a great game tonight. Botta points out that only four - FOUR - players on the roster tonight have never worn the blue and orange of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. But that didn't stop the Islanders against the deep-pocketed Rangers. Not only did the Islanders make a game of it, but they almost came out with a point. Unfortunately, "almost" is they key word.
Every time the Islanders play the Rangers, the Islanders always play extremely well, just well enough to make you think they're going to win. But it's never to be. Instead, the Rangers actually do the things they're supposed to do - the things that, if they did every game, they wouldn't be clinging to the 7th seed. The Rangers' super star players actually earn their paychecks, and the Rangers win going away. Chris Drury has 10 of his 43 points against the Islanders. Scott Gomez has 7 of his 47 points against the Islanders. Is it the inferior competition, or is it a sign that these are the players who raise their game in the most intense of games? Rangers fans hope for the latter, for sure.
Rangers fans can also look forward to seeing more of Sean Avery. His impact was felt immediately. You get the impression that Avery belongs?on the Rangers. Despite his "sensitivity training", he played his old role to a T, and it's a role these Rangers need. The Rangers' big-ticket players need someone to draw the ire of opponents, get them off their game, and give the stars the room they need to create offense. Avery provides this in spades. He was tested in this game a number of times, but passed each one. If he wasn't going to go after Trent Hunter after having his face smashed in the boards in a hostile environment, it's hard to see him losing his cool against anybody. This could be the turning point of the season the Rangers have been waiting for - but then again, that's what we all said the last time these two teams played.
As an Islanders fan, I know these are the losses that will someday make the team better. These are the losses that open wounds that future wins will repair. All you had to do was watch even one period of tonight's game to see that these Islanders are starting to get it. This is going to be a good team in the not-so-distant future. But losses like this one are the toughest of all. You get to see your team play a great game, but still see them lose. In a way, it's a microcosm of being an Islanders fan. You get the joy of seeing your team play and be competitive, but you never seem to see them get over the hump. In a reference I never thought I'd make in a hockey blog, it's not unlike Sisyphys perpetually pushing the rock up the mountain, only to have the rock fall each time. But as Albert Camus said, "The struggle itself... is enough to fill a man's heart." As much as it sucks to see the Islanders lose to the Rangers, it's hard not to be proud of the way they played. Their road only gets worse with the Devils and a six-game road trip coming up. It's not easy right now - it never is for us Islanders faithful - but the fight is worth watching. These guys deserve the payoff, and I hope they get it sooner rather than later.

A Case For Mark Streit

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:57:55 -0500

We're not going to get into the whole debate over the balloting process for the All-Star Game; we've already covered this a million times. But the truth is, everyone loves debating the All-Star Game. Who deserves to go? Who got snubbed? I still remember gleefully texting Zach last year when Rick DiPietro was selected to the All-Star Game and Henrik Lundqvist wasn't; his reply was not a very kind one. But that's okay.

Anyway, the Islanders only really have three legit nominees for this year's All-Star game: Trent Hunter, Mark Streit, and Doug Weight. Hunter is hurt, so you can scratch him off right away. Weight has good numbers, just hit his 1000th point, and could get the sentimental vote, so he's an option. Streit is tied for the league lead in scoring among defensemen, a list which is heavily populated by defensemen.
Could we see two Islanders go to Montreal this year? Probably not. Sorry to say it, but the Islanders don't have a high enough profile to warrant two All-Stars, nor does their record justify the Isles sending two players. But if only one player has to go, I'd give the nod to Streit. Now, if you've read this blog from Day One, you might recall that we've been very high on Streit for a very long time. I thought he was the one player the Islander should throw their checkbook at, and he's proven well worth the anger, not to mention the anger Zach displayed when the Islanders landed Streit and not his Rangers.
Let's look at what Mark Streit has done for the Islanders this year. Eight goals, 24 assists, 32 points. 25:15 of ice time per game, good for 13th in the league. Seven goals and 20 points on the power play, and that eighth goal came while shorthanded. So you see that Streit plays all the time, not just on the power play like he did in Montreal. He's a minus-five, which doesn't look good ordinarily, but he's playing for a team with a minus-42 goal differential, easily the worst in the league. And don't forget about the risk Streit took in coming to the Island. He's playing eight minutes more per game than his previous career high, taking a lot more defensive responsibility, and yet still chipping in at a career pace offensively; also, you'd be hard-pressed to recall even one instance where he hasn't held up his end of the bargain defensively. A lot of other players would have cracked under such pressure. Streit has excelled. And this is a guy some predicted would be among the biggest busts of the 2008 free agency class.
In other words, Mark Streit shouldn't just be a lock for an All-Star berth. He should also be getting some consideration for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman.
Crazy talk? Not really. Take this to the bank - the eventual winner of the Norris Trophy (it won't be Streit) will have extremely?comparable numbers to whatever Streit finishes with. In fact, Streit might even have better offensive totals. And since the Norris Trophy has pretty much become the "best offensive defenseman" trophy outside of Nicklas Lidstrom's stranglehold on the trophy, Streit's as good a nominee as anyone.
Now, let's pretend Streit was still playing in Montreal, but was serving in the same expanded role as he currently is on Long Island. Not only would he have been elected to the All-Star Game and received more votes than Barack Obama, the world would be abuzz about what a great two-way player Mark Streit is. Such is life when you play in a hockey hotbed on a team that's among the better teams in the league. On the Island, Streit is having the best season of his career. It's a shame he's not getting his due recognition. Hopefully a return trip to Montreal for the All-Star Game will shed some light on what a great addition Mark Streit has been to the Islanders.
My prediction is that Streit goes for the Islanders and that Lundqvist and Nikolai Zherdev go for the Rangers. In a different year, you might see another Ranger player such as Scott Gomez or Chris Drury go, but since the fans screwed up the starting players' vote so badly, there probably won't be any room.

Live Blog: Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:46:16 -0500

What better way to ring in the holiday weekend - and our first weekend in the Blog Box - than to do a live blog of tonight's game? Here we go!
A - I'm not sure what I'd rather have happen: The Islanders moving to Las Vegas or hearing this stupid "Meet Me At The Lighthouse" song one more time.
A - They're doing the whole giant-American-flag-at-center-ice thing yet again. This was a cool thing when they did it the first time. Now? Sort of old hat. They kind of ruined it when they started doing it every game.
A - The Islanders take a penalty and Pens goalie Danny Sabourin stays in the net. Good idea.
A - Right off the bat, Joey MacDonald makes a nice save on a Malkin blast from the point. The crowd is chanting "Princess Crosby" at Gary Bettman's favorite player. Interesting, but effective.
A - I have to say, I'm not used to being this close to the action. Every shot looks like twice as hard as it does from the 300s. That said, MacDonald looks sharp early on. He has to be, as the Pens are firing at will.
A - The scoreboard educates us about Turdecken, the favorite Thanksgiving food of the immortal John Madden. Unfortunately for Mr. Madden, it doesn't come with a side of Brett Favre.
A - Two icings in a row for Pittsburgh. I bet Howie and Billy are complaining that they can't take at TV timeout.
A - Power play for the Isles. They should start declining penalties at this point.
A - Streit puts on a weak shot from the point. Nobody's in front of the net to deflect it. Of course.
A - One of the Penguins runs over MacDonald with 32 seconds left in the Islanders' power play. By the time Richard Park figures out what to do, eleven seconds elapse. Now the Isles only get a 21-second two-man advantage instead of a 32-second one. Big difference.
A - The Isles get a little pass-happy on the five-on-three and miss one opportunity, but end up getting the goal anyway as Doug Weight taps in a rebound. We thought they were going to give the goal to Josh Bailey, but they didn't. Damn. Anyway, 1-0 Isles.
A - Trent Hunter comes in on a broken play and backhands one past Sabourin to give the Isles a 2-0 lead! Sabourin could be getting rattled by a pretty impressive crowd tonight.

Great Win Tonight

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:11:12 -0500

So tonight was interesting. Two New York teams playing at home against Canadian opponents, two 2-1 shootout wins for the locals. Zach will be by to tell you more about the Rangers game. As for the Islanders...

A - Zach talked me into buying back into online gambling. So I did. I considered betting the under for this game, which was five goals. I ultimately decided against it and bet the under in tonight's Bills-Browns game, which was said to be played in snowy conditions. The under in that game is 41. It's already 13-7 Cleveland with not a drop of snow on the ground. Uh-oh.
A - Caught the pre-game show tonight... it wasn't bad. Filler-laden, sure, but enjoyable. Two segments stood out to me. The first, obviously, was the Stan Fischler-C.J. Papa segment in which the two spent maybe five seconds talking about the Islanders. They'd go on to repeat this during the intermissions. The other was a segment called "Billy's Breakdown" where Billy Jaffe broke down some film for the viewing audience. What I liked was that he didn't pick the scoring plays. Instead, he picked the plays people don't really notice, but can be disastrous if done incorrectly. Tonight's theme was breakouts from the defensive zone, which is harder than it seems. Jaffe also scores points with me for doing NHL Live during the afternoon and still doing the game at night. That's hardcore.
A - The Isles came out jittery, but started to get it together by the end of the first. The second and third periods showed how good defensive hockey can be. Like Zach said the other night, defensive battles are great, and hockey has better defensive-minded games than any other sport. Joey MacDonald is the obvious first star of this game, but Andy Sutton played an excellent game as well. It's no coincidence the Islanders have gotten their act together since Sutton's return. Here's a stat you might not be aware of - since Sutton came back on October 30, the Islanders have only played two games (out of nine) in which they haven't either won or held a third-period lead.
A - The stat I just mentioned doesn't just reflect well on Sutton, but on the whole team. Everyone loves to dump on the Islanders - more on this later - but the truth is the Isles have been extremely competitive so far in November. This team is starting to figure out what it is. It's certainly not the best team, but it plays hard. It gets ahead early, often loses its way, but is starting to learn how to come back and play a good third period. Three wins in a row is a big deal for a team most people picked for last in the entire league.
A - As well as the Islanders are playing, I still have to question some of Scott Gordon's decisions. Namely, how on earth Jeff Tambellini gets a regular shift in overtime. You really want to throw out a minus-six player out there in overtime? I don't get that one. Nor do I see the logic in giving Josh Bailey a try in the shootout. Had he scored his first NHL goal already, that'd be one thing. But to take an 18-year-old who's trying to figure out the NHL game, trying to get his firsts out of the way, and throw him in there against a top-three goaltender? That's asking a lot. I guess Gordon is still trying to figure out who his go-to shootout guys are. The only player to participate in both Islanders shootouts this year is Trent Hunter - and he missed both of his attempts.
A - Throughout the game, the announcers mentioned the boasts of the Vancouver media that this would be an easy two points for the Canucks. As the game progressed, the announcers became more and more fed up with these remarks. Finally, Howie Rose sardonically remarked after Joey MacDonald's final save, "The all-knowing Vancouver media has some explaining to do!" Look, homerism is a turn-off for a lot of people. For Islanders fans? I think we kind of need that. It's not as though there are a ton of people proudly boasting Islanders merchandise. I wore an Islanders shirt to Saturday overtime last week, and a Rangers fan asked me, "You wear that (bleep) in public?" So yeah. I'll take a broadcast crew that gets behind my team as opposed to one that calls it right down the middle, at least as far as the Islanders are concerned.
As for the articles in question, here's one I found, entitled "Islanders Look Like Team in Oldtimers League". A But I did find this blog, which did your typical "Hockey's in trouble on Long Island" post earlier today and ended tonight's coverage with this nugget: "Canucks lose after scoring in the first minute of regulation, beaten by a career minor-league goalie named Joey MacDonald. Not very good..."
If you've ever wondered why Islanders fans have such a complex about their team, it's because we have to read crap like this pretty much all the time. It kind of gets old after a while. When the Rangers were awful, people made fun of them for spending a lot of money. Nobody said New York City didn't deserve a hockey franchise. Even if it's hard to dispute the facts about the state of the Islanders, it hurts to hear about it so often. Especially from the uninformed Canadian media, who are neverA wrong about anything. Just ask them.
One last thing about the Canucks, who have been to the playoffs just as many times as the Islanders since the lockout: They stole the Islanders' promotional slogan from last season.
I was happy the Islanders got their two points tonight. But I think I'm even happier that the Isles got to stick it to the media. Something tells me they're going to be in this sort of position a lot this year. But if the first two weeks of November are any indication, the Islanders won't be nearly as bad as many of us feared. I can think of a lot of teams who wouldn't mind taking 11 out of 18 points in November.
Next game is Friday in New Jersey. I'll be making the trip out to The Rock for the game. It probably won't be a very sober one. In any event, it'll be a fun trip to the most wonderful arena that nobody goes to.

Islanders Week In Review

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:12:21 -0500

I'll be updating this column weekly, tracking the season of the New York Islanders. The big story thus far has been the inactivity of franchise goalie Rick Dipietro. He finally received his first start of the year against Florida on Saturday night and let in a goal early on. However, he settled down afterwards and played reasonably well, keeping the Islanders in the game.

Atlanta Will Now Look to Trade Hossa

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:36:18 -0500

One of the biggest names on the trade market is Atlanta forward Marian Hossa. In a recent TSN article, Atlanta's GM/Coach Dan Wandell is looking to trade Hossa after failing to resign him...

Penguins Fall 4-2 in Weak Outing

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 06:22:45 -0500

The Pittsburgh Penguin lost to the New York Islanders on Saturday night at Mellon Arena by a score of 4-2 after giving up 2-goals midway through the 3rd period in a sloppy game. In a bit of irony, the tie-breaking goal was scored by rookie Blake Comeau who was called up when Islanders' forward Chris Simon was suspended 30-games for stomping on the leg of Penguins' forward Jarrko Ruutu with his skate blade last Saturday. Comeau, playing in just his 2nd game this season and the 5th of his career, beat Dany Sabourin inside the far post to give the Islanders the lead at 3-2............click link for full article

NHL Preview: Eastern Conference Atlantic Division

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 03:06:13 -0500

Getting things underway, FIO staff writer Tim Hays previews this year's Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Included in this article are: team reviews with outlooks and transactions, fantasy studs, fantasy duds, and fantasy sleepers for each team. Start getting that hockey mind working with this preview!