Isles’ Postseason Hardware
April 4th, 2008 by Tom
Since the season ends today, we figured why wait on handing out the hardware. So, without further ado, some of my thoughts on who did right by us Isles fans this season, with a top choice and a runner-up. I also refrained from picking any one player for two different awards. I love making up rules for myself. Murph, let us know what you think, too:
MVP - 1) Rick DiPietro 2) Brendan Witt
Ricky was the obvious choice here. On a team with very little firepower and a no-name defense, DiPietro stood on his head a ton of times to keep the Isles in the thick of things before going down with the injury. His play and Ted Nolan’s coaching were the primary reason the Isles had a shot at the playoffs for most of the season. For that reason, I almost picked Nolan as the runner-up but then I thought it was lame to pick a coach. Brendan Witt personified the team’s toughness and did a very good job manning the backline until, he too, went down with an injury (I sense a pattern here). Honorable mention goes to Mike Sillinger, Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, and Trent Hunter.
Hardest Worker, aka the Jason Blake Memorial Trophy - 1) Trent Hunter 2) Bill Guerin
Both of these guys leave everything on the ice every night. I know a lot of Islander fans are disappointed in Hunter’s lack of points (just 12 goals this year and 40 points), but the guy is one of the few Isles playing physical from end to end, each and every game. He’s also the type of player who would be lighting the lamp much more regularly if the Isles were fortunate to have a true sniper on the team. Guerin is exactly what we thought he’d be. The guy works hard. He’s a little older now and maybe a little slower but it’s hard to gauge when there is just so little offensive talent around him.
The Wow He’s Actually Pretty Good Award - 1) Richard Park 2) Dubie
Richard Park! I can’t tell you how many times I caught myself getting excited at something Park had accomplished and then saying to myself, “Hey, that Richard Park is pretty o.k.” Maybe not the most ringing endorsement in the world but in all honestly it can take some time to win me over and Park is slowly doing that. The guy made a host of big plays this season and was fairly consistent. He currently ranks seventh on the team in points and leads the Isles with three shorthanded goals. Maybe that’s what won me over right there. Love those shorthanded goals. Back-up goalie Wade Dubielewicz was more than solid spot-starting for DiPietro for much of the season before DP went down with the injury. Since then he’s gotten even more time between the pipes and he continues to keep the Isles in games. He’s shown that last season’s heroics wasn’t a fluke and proven he can play at this level.
The Dumbest Play of The Season Award - 1) Chris Simon
The Jarkko Ruutu play. Totally unacceptable. Simon played hard but every once in a while the guy just went off the deep end. The Ruutu play got him a 30-game ban and a ticket off of the Island. Simon won the same award last year when he hit Ryan Hollweg with his stick and was suspended for 25 games.
The Invisible Man Award - 1) Shawn Bates
Another winner without a runner-up. Bates, you know we fell in love with you in 2002 but, man, where’ve you been? For the second straight season, Bates was pretty-much a no-show. He played in just two games this season. Makes last year’s 48 seem Ironman-esque.
The Why I Can’t Wait For Next Season Award - 1) Kyle Okposo 2)Blake Comeau
The Young Guns have shown some signs of things to come in their limited action this season and should give all Islander fans some hope for the future. The Isles need to get some help from the outside if they want to take the next step, but it’s nice knowing the cupboard isn’t empty.
As always, we look to our readers to let us know where we screwed up.
murph Says
Shout out to Sean Bergenheim as my nominee for “Hey he’s pretty good” and “Why I can’t wait for next season” awards. Had a really great second half with extended playtime.
Also, I’ve been saying this since last year - Doobie is solid but needs regular action to stay on top of his game. Just another reason for DP to sit a few more games next season.
Apr 4th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Blackie Says
how about biggest bust award for tambelini? he’s a young guy and all but 1 goal? we heard so much about this guy and he scores 1 goal.
as for mvp dipietro is the man but even he needs to play better if the isles want tohoist the cup one day.
Apr 4th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
MaC Says
I give the Jason Blake Memorial Award to Richard Park for he plays almost a mirror image of Jason Blake. He playes 110% every shift, every game. He has great discipline in not taking any retalitory penalties when he’s had plenty of opportunties to do so as he’s been hit pretty hard this year. 3 shorties is always a huge plus. He’s showed quiet leadership, a.k.a. leadership by example.
If it was allowed, I’d throw Coach Ted into MVP consideration for this season for having this team ready to play every game, even through all the injuries and the season lost.
Team needs for next year?: ON OFFENSE: Guys like Park, Bergenheim, Hunter, Comeu, Okposo, and occassionally Comrie surrounded by leadership of Guerin and Sillinger is a great nucleus to just add 1 or 2 big time offensive free agents. Bye bye Satan!!! ON DEFENSE: Pretty much keep as is. Witt, Martinek, Sutton, Campoli are a solid 4 and I like Gervais as well. I’d say give that kid Aaron Johnson a try at full duty. Berard has to go. Too many mistakes this year. ON GOALTENDING: Obviously, keep as is. Rest DP more, Doobie is the man! With that being said, if you don’t add to defense or goaltending, then you should be able to afford 2 BIG TIME OFFENSIVE threats that the Island has sorely been missing since, since, since….”Christ, I can’t find it, the hell with it!” And PS: The same could be said for the goon position. Goons and fighting are back big time in the NHL and the Isles haven’t had a solid enforcer since the days of Mick Vukota and Steve Webb. I don’t count Simon. He didn’t do s**t for this team. They should have kept Godard. Regardless, get a goon on this team already. 2 forwards and a goon please, thanks!
Apr 4th, 2008 at 8:03 pm