Dee Karl: Will There be Any Love for the Isles on Valentine's Day? Isles vs. Rangers at MSG on a Day of Love. Not.

There may be no job security in hockey, but there sure is plenty of job security on the Islanders. And that's because there is no accountability in this organization. Winning is not a priority for Charles Wang, so its not a priority for anyone else. There were guys (Nielsen) laughing on the bench in the third during a meltdown against the Canes resulting in another loss. That tells you all you need to know about the level of urgency and anger, as you put it, on this team. Its non-existent.

In other franchises, six years of bottom five finishes gets you fired. On the Islanders, it acceptable, provided the payroll is comfortably below the salary floor while the team is still "compliant" with the CBA through circumvention. On other teams, failing to produce costs you your spot on the roster. On the Islanders, it gets you a promotion.

Until you get the owner to start getting angry about losing and start holding people accountable for a lack of results, don't expect to see any urgency coming from the on-ice product. Its sad, but its the culture that CW has created. Only he can change it. Do you think George Steinbrenner would have ever accepted results like the Isles have had the past few years without making changes? Absolutely not.

There may be no job security in hockey, but there sure is plenty of job security on the Islanders. And that's because there is no accountability in this organization. Winning is not a priority for Charles Wang, so its not a priority for anyone else. There were guys (Nielsen) laughing on the bench in the third during a meltdown against the Canes resulting in another loss. That tells you all you need to know about the level of urgency and anger, as you put it, on this team. Its non-existent.

In other franchises, six years of bottom five finishes gets you fired. On the Islanders, it acceptable, provided the payroll is comfortably below the salary floor while the team is still "compliant" with the CBA through circumvention. On other teams, failing to produce costs you your spot on the roster. On the Islanders, it gets you a promotion.

Until you get the owner to start getting angry about losing and start holding people accountable for a lack of results, don't expect to see any urgency coming from the on-ice product. Its sad, but its the culture that CW has created. Only he can change it. Do you think George Steinbrenner would have ever accepted results like the Isles have had the past few years without making changes? Absolutely not.
- Jethro09

Avalanche close to dealing O'Reilly
Doug McIntyre | ESPN.com Ryan O'Reilly might not be a member of the Colorado Avalanche much longer, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

The restricted free agent forward, who has not been able to reach an agreement with the club on a new contract, is getting "strong interest" from teams in the Eastern Conference," Dreger wrote on his Twitter feed Wednesday afternoon.

"But if the Avs don't get the right deal," he added, "plan is hold firm and O'Reilly sits."

Earlier Wednesday, Dreger reported on TSN.ca that Colorado is asking for an established NHL player and a top prospect in return for O'Reilly, who scored 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) for the Avs last season.

I saw this on BD's site. I got a kick out of it (sort of):

Avalanche close to dealing O'Reilly
Doug McIntyre | ESPN.com Ryan O'Reilly might not be a member of the Colorado Avalanche much longer, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

The restricted free agent forward, who has not been able to reach an agreement with the club on a new contract, is getting "strong interest" from teams in the Eastern Conference," Dreger wrote on his Twitter feed Wednesday afternoon.

"But if the Avs don't get the right deal," he added, "plan is hold firm and O'Reilly sits."

Earlier Wednesday, Dreger reported on TSN.ca that Colorado is asking for an established NHL player and a top prospect in return for O'Reilly, who scored 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) for the Avs last season.
- brodydog29

I'd offer Nielsen and a guy like Ness and a second rounder or something like that. I wouldn't offer much more. Its hard to trade for and sign a guy to a big contract based on one season. But I do like O'Reilly's game a lot.

There may be no job security in hockey, but there sure is plenty of job security on the Islanders. And that's because there is no accountability in this organization. Winning is not a priority for Charles Wang, so its not a priority for anyone else. There were guys (Nielsen) laughing on the bench in the third during a meltdown against the Canes resulting in another loss. That tells you all you need to know about the level of urgency and anger, as you put it, on this team. Its non-existent.

In other franchises, six years of bottom five finishes gets you fired. On the Islanders, it acceptable, provided the payroll is comfortably below the salary floor while the team is still "compliant" with the CBA through circumvention. On other teams, failing to produce costs you your spot on the roster. On the Islanders, it gets you a promotion.

Until you get the owner to start getting angry about losing and start holding people accountable for a lack of results, don't expect to see any urgency coming from the on-ice product. Its sad, but its the culture that CW has created. Only he can change it. Do you think George Steinbrenner would have ever accepted results like the Isles have had the past few years without making changes? Absolutely not.
- Jethro09

Well said this franchise is a facking joke!!

I'd offer Nielsen and a guy like Ness and a second rounder or something like that. I wouldn't offer much more. Its hard to trade for and sign a guy to a big contract based on one season. But I do like O'Reilly's game a lot.
- Jethro09

Let's face it...if the Isles had any intention of adding a player looking for $5m/yr, they never would have done the Tim Thomas nonsense. I'm just hoping the players on the ice can turn it around, because if they don't, any trade will probably just be players shipped out for picks, creating more holes on the current roster that'll require more players having to step into roles they're not ready for. I really don't feel like watching Donovan forced to play 20 minutes a night right off the bat and hear Butch oversell the kid talking about him making a "tremendous play" every time he manages to clear the puck out of the zone. They're actually closer now to competing than they will be after the fire sale, so let's just hope they get back on track starting tonight and start climbing the standings.

I expect a huge game out of Tavares tonight, whether the rest of the team joins him or not.

Snow getting fired, are you kidding me?? Wang loves this guy for some deranged reason. Probably because Garth ahs no balls and does whatever he tells him to do. I understand taht is his boss but Wang wont hire anyone unless they are his puppet. As soon as someone tells him you have no idea what youa re doing they are gone. Wang should be out of hockey hands down. Until that happens Garth will be here and we will be stuck with teh same team year after year

Let's face it...if the Isles had any intention of adding a player looking for $5m/yr, they never would have done the Tim Thomas nonsense. I'm just hoping the players on the ice can turn it around, because if they don't, any trade will probably just be players shipped out for picks, creating more holes on the current roster that'll require more players having to step into roles they're not ready for. I really don't feel like watching Donovan forced to play 20 minutes a night right off the bat and hear Butch oversell the kid talking about him making a "tremendous play" every time he manages to clear the puck out of the zone. They're actually closer now to competing than they will be after the fire sale, so let's just hope they get back on track starting tonight and start climbing the standings.

I expect a huge game out of Tavares tonight, whether the rest of the team joins him or not.
- UIF

Rangers will win 4 - 1 I dont see the Islanders even being close tonight. They have no heart and no fight that is obvious

There may be no job security in hockey, but there sure is plenty of job security on the Islanders. And that's because there is no accountability in this organization. Winning is not a priority for Charles Wang, so its not a priority for anyone else. There were guys (Nielsen) laughing on the bench in the third during a meltdown against the Canes resulting in another loss. That tells you all you need to know about the level of urgency and anger, as you put it, on this team. Its non-existent.

In other franchises, six years of bottom five finishes gets you fired. On the Islanders, it acceptable, provided the payroll is comfortably below the salary floor while the team is still "compliant" with the CBA through circumvention. On other teams, failing to produce costs you your spot on the roster. On the Islanders, it gets you a promotion.

Until you get the owner to start getting angry about losing and start holding people accountable for a lack of results, don't expect to see any urgency coming from the on-ice product. Its sad, but its the culture that CW has created. Only he can change it. Do you think George Steinbrenner would have ever accepted results like the Isles have had the past few years without making changes? Absolutely not.
- Jethro09

Beat me to it.

Rangers will win 4 - 1 I dont see the Islanders even being close tonight. They have no heart and no fight that is obvious
- kasperrko

Eh, I actually think there are more players leaving it all on the ice than in years past. Problem is some of the key players aren't...but last year and before, there would be shift after shift where you would see five players gliding around at any given time on the ice. Don't really see that as often anymore. Definitely still a few repeat offenders, but I feel like we're seeing the effort out there from at least one or two players on each line each shift. Heck, with a fourth line that includes Martin and Cizikas rather than Reasoner and Pandolfo, at least it serves its purpose as an "energy line" rather than a veteran country club line. Other than the last Ranger game, I think talent has been the issue (particularly on D) rather than effort, personally.

Dee Karl: Will There be Any Love for the Isles on Valentine's Day?
Isles vs. Rangers at MSG on a Day of Love. Not.
- Dee Karl

Dee, there is plenty of job security as gm of the isles. Look at Marbury and look no further than the current clown we have as gm.

somebody please take the old horse behind the barn, and put it to sleep......

Cappy will be gone....and

Losing is a disease....

Dee, there is plenty of job security as gm of the isles. Look at Marbury and look no further than the current clown we have as gm.
- Cptmjl

Can you imagine if we got these kind of results at our jobs. I would have been gone a long time ago. I mean come on this once proud franchise is a facking joke now.

Eh, I actually think there are more players leaving it all on the ice than in years past. Problem is some of the key players aren't...but last year and before, there would be shift after shift where you would see five players gliding around at any given time on the ice. Don't really see that as often anymore. Definitely still a few repeat offenders, but I feel like we're seeing the effort out there from at least one or two players on each line each shift. Heck, with a fourth line that includes Martin and Cizikas rather than Reasoner and Pandolfo, at least it serves its purpose as an "energy line" rather than a veteran country club line. Other than the last Ranger game, I think talent has been the issue (particularly on D) rather than effort, personally.
- UIF

100% agree. We may not totally agree on which players aren't leaving it all on the ice, though I haven't heard you mention anyone specifically. I don't see consistent efforts from Okposo, Streit, Frans (sorry folks), Reasoner and even Boyes on occasion. What's concerning about that is we're talking three of our top six forwards and our #1 dman.
That said, I've only seen the Isles actually quit in one game (vs Rangers). Of course the addage of working smart not hard seems to sail over the Isles heads on most occasions, that can be more attributed to an on ice scheme that has clearly failed since Gordon first took the helm.
If the Isles are to change there culture and attitude, the best place to start is with their system. It dosn't seem to promote a two way game which leads to a lot of coasting and pond mentality. While I never liked Nolan and truly hated his style of play, it did at least demand a work ethic.

We have no use for Wang anymore... he did his job of finding a new home for the team.

Now he can move on... Thanks Wanger...

Can you imagine if we got these kind of results at our jobs. I would have been gone a long time ago. I mean come on this once proud franchise is a facking joke now.


- Isles72

Based on the amount time some spend on here (myself included lately), we may be getting similar results....

100% agree. We may not totally agree on which players aren't leaving it all on the ice, though I haven't heard you mention anyone specifically. I don't see consistent efforts from Okposo, Streit, Frans (sorry folks), Reasoner and even Boyes on occasion. What's concerning about that is we're talking three of our top six forwards and our #1 dman.
That said, I've only seen the Isles actually quit in one game (vs Rangers). Of course the addage of working smart not hard seems to sail over the Isles heads on most occasions, that can be more attributed to an on ice scheme that has clearly failed since Gordon first took the helm.
If the Isles are to change there culture and attitude, the best place to start is with their system. It dosn't seem to promote a two way game which leads to a lot of coasting and pond mentality. While I never liked Nolan and truly hated his style of play, it did at least demand a work ethic.
- keaner17

I'd expand this list to include Aucoin and MacDonald and Nabby needs to step it up in a big way. These softies right after we take a lead have got to stop. I'd include DP in that but we all know he's done and should have been gone a while ago. His quote pissed me off "I'm just happy to be back playing". You just let in 5 goals and lost Rick, there's nothing good about this.

Based on the amount time some spend on here (myself included lately), we may be getting similar results....
- keaner17

I hear ya! But I think you know what I mean. This constant losing is brutal and some of the circus like decisions makes its worse. I am just so sick of it.

Based on the amount time some spend on here (myself included lately), we may be getting similar results....
- keaner17

Cptmjl would probably get fired for too much negativity in the work place...



Boss... Did you finish that report yet?

Cptmjl... Why should I... it a piece of shat and will never work. You're an idiot. Finish it yourself... I quit!!!

I'm going home to cut up LetgoIsles on HockeyBuzz!!!

I'd expand this list to include Aucoin and MacDonald and Nabby needs to step it up in a big way. These softies right after we take a lead have got to stop. I'd include DP in that but we all know he's done and should have been gone a while ago. His quote pissed me off "I'm just happy to be back playing". You just let in 5 goals and lost Rick, there's nothing good about this.
- Isles_since_6

I definitely don't like what I see from DiPietro from a skill perspective at this point but that last game had 3 absolutely flukey goals. While he can't be directly faulted for them, he continues to play very small in his net. For a few years he could overcome that based on his atheletic ability but that's obviously eroded at that point he becomes further exposed in his technical shortcomings. While I'm inclined to agree with everyone who says DP is done, I think he really needs to go down to the Bridge and get extensive playing time. I'd favor promoting Poulin and giving him a 50/50 split with Nabby. For a goaltender who has missed as many games as Ricky has over the last 5 years, playing 2 games out of 12 gives him no chance to improve his play at all and he doesn't need to be trying to 'regain form' on the big club.

I say send him to the Bridge, give him about 5-6 consecutive starts and see how he physically stands up to the task. If he shows improvement, bring him back. If not, let him rot on the bench at the Bridge until his Amnesty buyout comes.

NY media acting as if Nash is the greatest player in the NHL. He cant hold a candle to Tavares but because our team is utter crap he gets no respect.

We have no use for Wang anymore... he did his job of finding a new home for the team.

Now he can move on... Thanks Wanger...
- jimmc7722

I doubt Wang sells when he has a chance to make a profit at Brooklyn. He will keep the same payroll but more people will show up due to it being in Brooklyn. Same team more money for WANG.

NY media acting as if Nash is the greatest player in the NHL. He cant hold a candle to Tavares but because our team is utter crap he gets no respect.
- mighty13duck