Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Countdown to Armageddon?

July 21, 2008, 10:30 AM ET [ Comments]

RSSArchive









So here I am, actually at my 20th year high school reunion. That's right, I graduated in 1988.

I know what you are thinking...

1. God, BD, you're old!

2. Why, BD, why?

Well, can't tell you why. I swore off high school, my favorite memory was getting out of town for college. I wanted out. Out of that place that was no Wonder Years. More like Blunder Years. Every misstep and awkward moment imprinted in that gray matter of mush I call a brain.

I won't bother you with details. Those who hearken back to that yesteryear where it produces some odd twitch, shudder or cringe will know exactly of what I speak. Those who glow from those heady halcyon days? Well, you can kiss my keister.

I never felt quite apart of anything back then. The cliques and cool crowds passed me by. And I am sitting here writing this as these myriad of feelings twist through me making me feel as aloof and out of sorts as I was at 18. Like a sonic boom of teenage angst shotput into my insecure carcass.

Funny thing is, I am happily married. Have a good career. An interesting role in blogging and sports. Good family and friends. I have lived out what I felt I missed from high school in college. Then surpassed that in my mid-20s and lower 30s. So I am hard put to pin why I have suddenly found myself time-warped.

Experience is a funny thing. Sometimes old feelings come unbidden like an uninvited spirit that haunts and moans from the ether. It creeps in like a thief, and making off with courage, good sense and, oh yeah, a bunch of cash. You didn't think these things were free, did you?

So why am I telling you all this? Well, they told me over the phone it starts at 7pm. However seems it really starts at 8pm. So I'm sitting here in a hotel lobby bored to tears. That plus, two Wild Turkey and Cokes at almost $10 each has me noting that Sheraton hotel bars are a rip-off. I didn't even pay that in a 5-star resort in Bora Bora. But Suffolk County? Meh.

So let us share a few thoughts as I sit waiting for that axe of the past to fall. As I await my countdown to armageddon, facing my past in the present, we'll go through my own little countdown.



1. There has been a rumor that the Isles will be off regular radio. The rumor making the rounds is that it will be internet radio feeds instead.

FALSE

Despite that Neulion merged with JumpTV, which opens up a lot of web-based TV and feed options, the Isles are saying that the rumor has no legs.



2. Coaches: Isles got permission to speak to Tampa's former coach John Torterella and also his former assistant Mike Sullivan.

Personally, I think Torts is a bad fit. I keep hearing the mantra spoken by many: "he won a cup". This, for the Isles at this juncture is meaningless.

I want to hear: "He developed players!" This is what it is all about. Torts confrontational and passionate style is something good for the Isles about 3 years from now, pressing kids to get to the next level.

Right now, the Isles need someone who is less pitched and more even keeled with a track record of bringing up kids. It is why Quennville and Maurice are far better picks. And Snow's pal Hartley, well doesn't impress me at all. The pal quotient is good for a GM-coach connection, but Snow's own future is tied to maximizing these kids potential the next few years. So it will be more than friends that should come into decision-making.

Snow needs results.



3. I see complaining from those who read Logan's article and got Snow, Isles and some player's side of the story. You shouldn't. They are encapsulating exactly what I, and obviously when Logan himself was hearing for weeks. Nolan, I'm sure, will tell a tale of a different tune perhaps down the line. But, the article only cites why it wasn't a good fit between the two anymore. Hardly a trashing.

You can be sure that many pin part of it on Islanders too. At least I do. It takes two to create dysfunction. Snow? Well, I think he did his job and cemented his own position and powerbase. Nothing more, nothing less. This is what anyone would do in that same role. I surely wouldn't have signed those lightweights last summer and thought that we had a playoff team. But, hey. I'm not a GM, nor play one on TV.

That's my only bone of contention with Garth Snow, really. How anyone thinks that Guerin and Satan equals playoffs didn't watch either at their last stops over the years. Add to this players like Tank, Vasicek and Comrie, and you have a whole bevy of inconsistent floaters, sleepers and a giant offensive question mark.



4. Want to blame anyone over the Isles misfires over the last few years which have harpooned our hearts and hopes, I'll give you your man.

Charles Wang

Every time he meddles, another Isles season crashes and burns. Don't get me wrong, he's helped and he's definitely trying. But, the results speak a different tale.

Let's count the ways . . .


Wang: pushed to sign Yashin for 10 years. Milbury just wanted the guy. And those who recall, it was between Allison and Yashin when they were looking to grab a key guy at that time. At least Yashin still plays, albeit out of country. Allison's crash and burn would actually have been worse. But it was Charles who wanted to make the BOFFO 10 year commitment that shot us in the foot.

Wang: pushed DP's 15 year contract. Completely unnecessary longterm deal that the player wasn't even asking for.

Wang: handpicked Nolan with probably promised of having more say than normal coaches should (committee)

Wang: the dumb Committee idea in the first place

Wang: allowed Milbury to kill the team for years and years because he trusted him

Wang: hired an old schooler like Neil Smith despite the fact he didn't quite trust the new GM or others in general after MM's reign

Wang: fired Smith in 45 days.

Wang: Whether Snow can do the job or not, hired a backup goaltender when so much was on the line with the Lighthouse Project and losing cash.


If Wang had not meddled, we'd be in far better shape. So if the seats are emptier this year, don't be so quick to feel bad for Charles losing cash. He's prolonged that seepage himself. Sure, he's done some good things, like buying this franchise and wanting to stay on LI. But you have to measure him also in the bad. The more delegating to the right people, the better.


5. Now, despite all this hoopla and blame to go around...we should also keep eyes on track to the horizon.

What is good around the corner.

Snow: Really. By Wang trusting him means he stays less out of fiddling with things. Snow has shown he's going to stick to a plan that mostly all now are onboard with internally. This means the GM manages, and a selected coach will coach. The Isles now have the proper structure to operate that vision.

Bailey: might play junior this year, as was pretty much planned. He looked good in Prospect Camp, however.

Okposo: a good prospect who's job is clear. Score. Finish. Make things happen.

Bergie: signed for two years.

Marc Gandler, super-agent is left in the dust. For a guy who is the likely suspect that lit up the Isles after-the-fact in the Nolan fall-out, he has one big client could not get his price in the NHL, and another fired him.

Frans Nielsen: signed to a very economical 4 year deal.

With Witt, Sillinger, Guerin and Weight the Isles have some good wise vets to help steer the kids. All 4 are also familiar of how to keep an even keel when on a young and losing team. This is actually quite important. Kids need to learn how to lose, to really learn how to win.

Trent Hunter, who was turned into a good grinder under Nolan, might be better under another coach who can get him back to a 25 goal scoring level.

Jon Sim: an underrated player who got injured before we could see what he brings to the table will be a welcome addition.

Tambellini: Gets his shot with a two year deal that locks him in place. Look no further than to NYC for a latebloomer in Nigel Dawes. The jury is still out on Tambs, but now there will be no excuses or sitting with only 4 minutes. He will have a coach now to work with him rather than be judgmental and limit his time so he learns and gains nothing.

Lots of interesting guys in the system: from Katic, Ness to Jonesuu and Figren. There is some intriguing young kids who might make the plunge. Alas, some might not make the cut. This coming season and probably the one after will be the proving grounds for many to see if they have the goods. Better to know the truth than hype the hopes.


Ok, time to get this show on the road. I can hear the late-80's music wafting down the halls. Time to plunge onward, down that rabbit-hole.

Much like the Isles 2008-2009 season, you can take the blue or red pill. You can spin it all positive or negative. It won't change that there are lots of questions, some answers, and probably some light at the end of the tunnel if you pay attention.



To those who wonder how the reunion went, I will tell you I was pleasantly surprised.

But before the door closes to 1988 . . .


Isles in 1988

Pat LaFontaine
Bryan Trottier
Mikko Makela
Brent Sutter
Denis Potvin
Tomas Jonsson
Greg Gilbert
Randy Wood
Derek King
Patrick Flatley
Bob Bassen
Gerald Diduck
Steve Konroyd
Gord Dineen
Richard Kromm
Brad Dalgarno
Ken Morrow
Kelly Hrudey
Mick Vukota
Brian Curran
Billy Smith

If anyone can recall, NJ took us out 4-2 in the playoffs, signaling our fall from grace. Bryan Trottier was held without a point.
Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment
More from
» Dubie GONE! MacDonald Out 2-4 Weeks, DP Done For Season
» CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST: Isles Lose, DP To Be Shutdown? Wade On Call?
» SIBLING RIVALRY: Live Blog 7pm Isles vs Rangers
» SIBLING RIVALRY: Rangers vs Islanders - Jan 13th, 2009 Edition
» INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW: What's the deal with Brendan Witt?