Rough House Hockey

[silentbob]

I haven't watched much hockey in the last 3 years but I'm interested in this year's team. It was good to see Tavares score a goal and get an assist in the home opener but this team will be fighting for last place again. As long as they play hard, last place doesn't bother me.

I like the youth movement of Tavares, Okposo, Bailey and Tambellini. I just wish Tambellini would finally break out; this has to be his year to show something at the NHL level. The goalie situation is, i.e. Dipietro, is bad but hopefully Snow learned a valuable lesson: don't sign average to good players to 15 year deals.

Edit: in all honesty this team should not finish in last if they play hard but they are just too young to compete with the teams like Boston, Pitt, Washington and Philly.

[silentbob]

All the talk about the team moving is kind of distracting but there is an important fact that everyone seems to miss: the lease with SMG. Here is a blog from Feb 2009 which kind of drives the point home that the Isles probably can't leave until 2015.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/118228-ny-islanders-might-not-be-moving-anywhere-due-to-coliseum-lease-till-2015

[442nd]

There's no way the Isles move. The NHL should just force wang face to give up the Lighthouse dream. Build a new arena and end it there. There's no need for a mega mall, hotel and all other kinds of attractions.

Is it supposed to be a place to come watch an Islanders game. Or a place to go shop and vacation, and oh.....maybe catch an Islanders game.

[silentbob]

Yeah, the Lighthouse plan is nice and all but in the end I thought the idea was a new arena. That said the Town of Hempstead is being just as stubborn. In the end, ToH called Wang's bluff and Wang really has no bargaining power (based on that lease). Maybe some of our legal experts can weigh in on that lease, but apparently the no buyout clause held up in the Nassau County Supreme Court.

[silentbob]

Well I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised with the Islanders. Eight place and 9-1-2 in their last 12. They may still finish last in the east but with shutting out the Red Wings and the Devils today, color me happy. This team is very soft but they play hard and are fun to watch.

[silentbob]

So Sutton gets a two suspension for checking Pascal Dupuis into the boards head first, drew blood 5 minute major called on the play. Fast forward 3 games later and Colin White checks Sean Bergenhein head first into the boards, draws blood, 5 minute major--No suspension.

I don't think either hit deserved a suspension but Campbell is such an inconsistent boob that he really needs to get the boot. He always bones the Islanders as well.

[silentbob]

So actually get to see an Islander game last night, well the 1st period at least, and it looks like Wally Harris is calling the game. No penalties on checks, good flow--dare i say, a watchable game. Only to read this morning how the Flyers win on 2 pp goals in the third. One penalty was a boarding call on Mark Streit. Mark Streit for boarding? God, the NHL sucks.