…so consider the following SI.com photo gallery link 27,000 words about how the Islanders became synonymous with “suck”, “circus”, and “farce”. Thanks to an old co-worker/Toronto fan for the link. No really, you shouldn’t have. Great to hear from you too…how’s that Jason Blake signing working out?
Watch the Isles go from this proud moment – Stanley Cup Champions, top of the world…
To this confused mess, throwing money into a seemingly bottomless pit…
All your favorite Islander low-lites are accounted for…Ron Hextall, Fishsticks, John Spano, Alexei Yashin, Dale Hunter, Dave Chyzowski, Brett Lindros, Don Maloney, Kirk Muller, Mad Mike Milbury, Neil Smith, Cryin’ Ryan Smyth, and the aging Nassau Coliseum. Normally I’m not big on Vanilla Ice quotes, but “Will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know!” is just too fitting for this franchise.
Cue the circus music. Charles Wang’s Three Ring (rink?) Circus is back in town. Citing “philosophical differences” Ted Nolan has left the Islanders.
Added Nolan: “While I am disappointed I will not be coaching the Islanders next season, there have been philosophical differences and we’ve agreed it’s a good time for me to move on. I want to thank the Islanders organization for giving me a chance to coach in the NHL again. I have tremendous respect for what the team is trying to do and I wish them well.”
You’ve got to be kidding me? Let’s recap…Isles hire coach Ted Nolan, former Coach of the Year, the move is generally applauded. Isles hire GM Garth Snow, former backup goalie, the move is ridiculed across the league and especially the hockey blogosphere. Just another punchline to the league’s biggest joke – Spano, Fishsticks, ice girls, sumo goalies, and backup goalies running the team. So when there are philosophical differences, who would YOU keep?
Dear Coach Nolan, Thanks for trying. You gave it your best with the players you had and overachieved in 2006/07. Last year, the team started down that same path until injuries took their toll. It certainly wasn’t your fault. I have the utmost respect for you and have a feeling it won’t be as long as last time before some NHL team starts calling you.
Oh those tricky Isles. Just when the hockey world figures they know what they are going to do next, Charles Wang reminds everyone who’s in charge here. The Isles traded down from the 5th overall pick not once, but twice to end up at 9th overall. Along the way they picked up two 2008 second round draft picks and a 2009 third round pick. Then they went and picked Josh Bailey, who was pretty below the radar – ranked 14th overall by NHL Central Scouting. Here are some Bailey highlights.
Another day in the NHL and another multi-year, multi-million dollar contract being signed. The Washington Capitals locked up super-stud Alexander Ovechkin to a 13-year $124 million dollar contract yesterday.
Crazy. Insane. Asinine. All these words were thrown around last year when Islanders owner Charles Wang signed Rick DiPietro to a 15-year deal. Here’s another word for you…trend! Philadelphia signed Mike Richards to a 12-year deal just a couple of weeks ago, now Ovie, who’s next? Sid the Kid is already locked up for another 4 seasons, but surely we haven’t seen the last mega-deal of this new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Ovie gets $9 million a year for the first 6, and $10 million a year for the last 4. That buys a lot of Crocs, or even some real ^$@%! shoes.
In addition the awesome graphic above that I borrowed, our friends at FauxRumors had a nice write about Wang and Ovie’s deal. FAUXRUMORS: Wang: Visionary or Nut? Great title.
1) When it was announced late yesterday that the Washington Capitals have extended the contract for their super star left wing Alex Ovechkin to an unprecedented 13 years we couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Wang was quietly chuckling to himself. After all, until this year such contracts were unheard of in non-Islander quarters.
2) You may recall that earlier this season the Flyers extended the contract for forward Mike Richards for 12 additional seasons. Is there a trend developing here? Did the NY Islanders/Wang know something that others didn’t last year when they signed Rick DiPietro to a 15 year deal? As we wrote after the Richards deal, many fewer folks derided the Flyers for that contract like the hockey media did when the Isles gave Ricky his. Now, only 16 months later Charles Wang is looking more like a visionary and less like a Kook (at least on this issue)
They have 4 more points to make…check out the whole article.
Just posted on NewYorkIslanders.com. More on Simon later tonight when I get home.
This afternoon, the New York Islanders released the following pair of statements from owner Charles Wang and veteran forward Chris Simon. As the statements indicate, Simon has been granted some time away from the team.
From Charles Wang:
“The actions of Chris Simon on Saturday do not reflect what the New York Islanders stand for. They were reckless, potentially dangerous and against our team concept of grit, character and heart.
“We know Chris as a respected teammate and as a gracious man away from the playing surface and believe strongly that he has earned our continued support. The Islanders are going to provide some time for Chris away from the team and give him the counseling he needs and the compassion he deserves. When Chris is completely ready, he will be a member of our team again.”
From Chris Simon:
“I want to start off by making clear that there is no excuse for my actions on Saturday night and I apologize to everyone involved.
“The Islanders and I agree that the right thing to do is for me to take some time away from the team. I have enjoyed a long career achieving my dream of being a player in the National Hockey League and I’m proud of my accomplishments. But I acknowledge that time and assistance is needed before I return to the game.
“I want to thank the Islanders for providing the environment for me to become a better player and person, and our fans for their support along the way.”
