I think there's a rational explanation for why he sounds drunk.
- dcb1

It's probably from all the drinking.

It's probably from all the drinking.
- eichiefs9

Im putting my money on this one


XxNYIxX

Bailey's problem, as I see it, and as I've said before, is that the aspect of his game that doesn't improve is his decision making in the offensive zone, especially when he has the puck. He hesitates for that extra half second, and it renders him useless. My thought is it's his hockey IQ that is lacking, more than anything else, and I just don't have any confidence in that ever improving (see "Rick DiPietro" in your hockey encyclopedia). The best bet would be to have the coach scream, "shoot the godd*mn puck" in his face every time he comes back to the bench, until he just does it, and stops trying to think. That said, if he doesn't do a 180 in short order this season, he's not going to have a spot on this roster for very long. You can't continue to leave bad players in the lineup when you have better ones.
- dcb1

He sucked all of last year and his spot was perfectly safe on the second line and got consistent power play time. I don't see why Cappy would demote him when he sucks again this year.

He sucked all of last year and his spot was perfectly safe on the second line and got consistent power play time. I don't see why Cappy would demote him when he sucks again this year.
- JimmyP

I personally think that Tavares is the problem.. demote his ass to the second line, so Bailey can be the #1 center!

XxNYIxX

He sucked all of last year and his spot was perfectly safe on the second line and got consistent power play time. I don't see why Cappy would demote him when he sucks again this year.
- JimmyP

Who was on the team to challenge his spot? Regin? PMB? Grabner who the coach can't stand because he's useful? The kids who didn't have enough team meetings to get to play 2nd line?
The coach hasn't changed so the situation may not change but there are a lot of players fighting for spots. Something this team has not had in a long time.

I personally think that Tavares is the problem.. demote his ass to the second line, so Bailey can be the #1 center!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

You may be on to something X. Clearly Bailey hasn't been given sufficient ice time and opportunities to flourish. It's obvious the Islanders are holding him back. That's why the second he moves to another team he will become an offensive powerhouse! We will all rue the day we let him walk.

Who was on the team to challenge his spot? Regin? PMB? Grabner who the coach can't stand because he's useful? The kids who didn't have enough team meetings to get to play 2nd line?
The coach hasn't changed so the situation may not change but there are a lot of players fighting for spots. Something this team has not had in a long time.
- brodydog29

At the end of January he had 5g 14a 19p with a -9. He was bad on defense. He never throws a hit. He was totally facking invisible! They could have put almost anyone on that line to make it better. He certainly didn't deserve power play time.

The amazing thing is Nielsen still managed to put up good numbers with Bailey handicapping the line.

Who is chirping him and who hates him? I just asked a question and Trots the coach has nothing to do with trots the player. Perfect example hate Goring as an announcer, loved Goring the player. I have no problem separating the two.
- Vukota

He's no Michael Kay.

Imagine tho Bob Eucker filling in for Howie one night.
The Butch & Bob show.

Collecting Dust.

ummmmmmm I dont know.. I could be wrong but I was sure he was still there.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Bob is not officially a part of the organization - he has a fulltime job but is "involved" in all the charity golf outings and still attends a bunch of games. "Unofficial Ambassador" would be a proper title.

Bob is not officially a part of the organization - he has a fulltime job but is "involved" in all the charity golf outings and still attends a bunch of games. "Unofficial Ambassador" would be a proper title.
- jmo16

Thank you for the update.

Bobby was my first fav hockey player!

XxNYIxX

Thank you for the update.

Bobby was my first fav hockey player!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Nice.... Mine was Bossy of course

Nice.... Mine was Bossy of course
- Ur Not Me

Mine was Dale Henry

Love Trotts and the guy has had some tough times after retirement, but he was an awful head coach for the Rangers. Almost as bad as poor John MacLean for the Devs in 2010. Or, to put it on even stronger terms, worse than Cappy.

Btw, the Dan Petriw comments section is in the goldilocks zone for Isles commentary.
It is filling a much-needed niche in between the pitchforkers of IBP and the carebears of LHH.
- Snowblind

Mine was Dale Henry
- Vukota

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Henry


seems like he was a great player....

Mine was Dale Henry
- Vukota

XxNYIxX

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Henry


seems like he was a great player....




- Ur Not Me

Wikipedia gives Henry to much credibility !

Thank you for the update.

Bobby was my first fav hockey player!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Ditto! My 1st Favorite Islander player also.



The Banana Line? Anyone remember that one?

I don't hate Goring as an announcer. So what if he says wrong names and sounds drunk.....it's entertaining.
- kindlyrick

Maybe we should hire Esa Tikkanen to work with him for u.

Catching up again...
Bailey: comparing Bailey and Okposo rookie years is not really fair as Bailey was 18 on a horrific team and Okposo went to college.. more mature.. etc.
He clearly could use a better off season work out regiment (Like Ok did last year) to take his game to the next level. I FIRMLY beleve that your work ethic is just as important to success as your talent level.. possibly more... The reason we have better prospects lately is we have paid a lot of attention to this very important detail in our interview process. Guys like Strome were drafted b/c they kept improving and got better each year..etc.

Chara is a perfect example. Isles drafted him in the 3rd and he could barely skate. They sited his work ethic... and guess what it is still legendary and he is still dominant.

I am still hopeful that Bailey will have his "Dude, Wake up!!" moment.. but would not be upset at all to see him traded at this point.

Catching up again...
Bailey: comparing Bailey and Okposo rookie years is not really fair as Bailey was 18 on a horrific team and Okposo went to college.. more mature.. etc.
He clearly could use a better off season work out regiment (Like Ok did last year) to take his game to the next level. I FIRMLY beleve that your work ethic is just as important to success as your talent level.. possibly more... The reason we have better prospects lately is we have paid a lot of attention to this very important detail in our interview process. Guys like Strome were drafted b/c they kept improving and got better each year..etc.

Chara is a perfect example. Isles drafted him in the 3rd and he could barely skate. They sited his work ethic... and guess what it is still legendary and he is still dominant.

I am still hopeful that Bailey will have his "Dude, Wake up!!" moment.. but would not be upset at all to see him traded at this point.
- niteislander

its possible that chara was just super talented...for every "zdeno chara" there are a 50 "aaron ness"...come on, we cant just say that if players hit the gym they will become THAT much better...

its possible that chara was just super talented...for every "zdeno chara" there are a 50 "aaron ness"...come on, we cant just say that if players hit the gym they will become THAT much better...
- LetsGoIsles

naaa thats not it

XxNYIxX

naaa thats not it

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

ya...i guess you got a point

ya...i guess you got a point
- LetsGoIsles

Knew you would see it my way.

XxNYIxX

its possible that chara was just super talented...for every "zdeno chara" there are a 50 "aaron ness"...come on, we cant just say that if players hit the gym they will become THAT much better...
- LetsGoIsles

I'm still a big believer that the NHL allowing him to use a longer stick helped his game in a huge way. Playing with a stick that's too short isn't really useful and that's what he had to do due to NHL regulations prior to the change.

- LetsGoIsles

show us on the bear where the Islander fan touched you