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Cronin on the "Humble" Isles |
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Greg Cronin is on his second tour with the NY Islanders. But this is an entirely different group than the last time he was here. Cronin was on SiriusXMNHL Radio with Jimmy Murphy last week and had some interesting things to say about this group of NY Islanders. The quotes I have here may not be 100% accurate as the Massachusetts native wasn’t the easiest person to follow without a tape recorder.
“When I was here in the 90’s we weren’t very good.” No, they weren’t and that made the Islander vs. Ranger rivalry quite bitter for fans. Cronin marveled at the way NY fans handle the rivalry. “Theirs is something about New York people when there is a conflict of interest, the gun powder goes off.”
Such was the case on Tuesday at the Garden when the Islanders beat the Rangers on their home ice. There are videos of Islander fans taking over Penn Station chanting “Let’s Go Islanders.” But as heartwarming as that was for Islander fans, the payers weren’t being seduced by their early wins. It’s a long season. “There is a groundedness to these guys. They’re confident and it’s punctuated by the belief they have. They feel good. They’re humble and know it’s a long season.”
But this group of New York Islanders is emerging as a legitimate playoff team, and it’s not just because of the great job Garth Snow did in the off season acquiring free agents.
“When you take a job, you do an inventory of personnel. From Garth snow to Jack Capuano to Doug Weight, they spoke about Brock Nelson in glowing terms. I didn’t have the same feeling at first, but I can see the potential. He’s just not a flashy player. He’s a cerebral guy. When you watch him from the bench, if he could get another gear of speed and a few more pounds to his strength…”
I remember when Nelson was drafted. He was a skinny high-schooler. Look at him now. Amazing what a few years will do for a young player.
Speaking of those free agents, Cronin said that Boychuk has elevated his game. He called him a warrior and a battler. “he has an attitude that generates positive energy.” Boychuk was in Zedeno Char’s shadow in Boston and he would never get the minutes he is getting now on the Isles Boychuk’s stats are rising to his ability. “He’s a competitive guy.” But he is also a terrific leader in the locker room. “There’s a tremendous impact a guy like that can have on a room of kids. We heard nothing but great things about him as a persona and a play.”
Boychuk is certainly missed in Boston, along with some others as the Bruins struggle out of the gate.
Tonight the 4-0 Islanders take on the 2-1-0 Penguins in Pittsburgh. Colin McDonald will make his season debut in place of injured Mikhail Grabovski.. Halak will be in net again looking to extend his winning streak. According to Newsday’s Art Staple Capuano’s second, third and fourth lines look like: Kulemin-Nelson-Strome Bailey-Nielsen-Clutterbuck, Martin-Cizikas-McDonald.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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