Ah the sad existence that is being a fan of the New York Islanders.
It’s really tough when the only thing (and I mean ONLY thing) to get excited about regarding the upcoming season is the signing of 2 players who can fight (Zenon Konopka and Jeremy Yablonsky) in addition to fighter Trevor Gilles (who can be seen in that previous clip fighting Yablonsky). This turn of physical events is exciting to me because I’m tired of seeing players smaller than I am constantly getting tossed around on the ice like a bunch of wimpy Canadian rag dolls lol – I’d love to see a 4th line of Konopka between Yablonsky and Gilles, and apparently so does Konopka. This will make Islander Rangers games what they are supposed to be – tough – physical – and once again entertaining.
At least as Islander fans we can’t say it’s ever boring around here in “Islander Country” – a place where every fan lives in constant fear of what next will break our “franchise” goalie, Rick DiPietro.
And now, a positive story about the state of New Jersey. And to be honest with you, I’m actually happy this story has nothing to do with the New York Islanders for once. For once, a landmark – epic deal (17 years!? I’m going to have a teenager before Kovalchuck and the Devils are done with this contract!!) does not involve Charles Wang and the Islanders (see: Alexei Yashin; Rick DiPietro) – for Gods-sake Yashin’s deal seems very tame now (except the fact that he is not of the same caliber of hockey player as Kovalchuck, but why would that minor detail have mattered to Mike Milbury and the Islanders of the early 2000′s??).
Actually, I don’t hate him THAT much (hate is a strong word, and I’m rather weak), I just wanted to use that really lame “use a PH instead of F when referring to anything Philly sports related” word-play-thingie that in all honesty, I do too often.
Let’s put it this way, cause I’m such a nice guy: I thoroughly dislike Chris Pronger, of the Philadelphia Flyers, with a distinct sense of passion and fire (even though this old post says I simply hate him). I don’t know him as a person (although one can deduce . . . .), but as a player – the guy is a cheap, dirty, mother-phucker (damn it I did it again!). He seems like the kinda guy that gets mad at you for making a right turn . . . you know what I’m talking about? When you’re in the right lane and need to slow down in order to make that right turn that you have every right to make, but the guy driving behind you (in prison, this term means other things . . . gross things) feels no need to slow his car down, and proceeds to curse and honk simply because you’re going too slow . . . YOU HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, ASSHOLE! But I digress (as usual). . . Chris Pronger seems like he’d be the type of guy to do such a dickish thing, simply because he’s proven time and time again what a big phat (hmmm??) dick he is on the ice . . . .
My birthday was months ago, but yesterday sure as hell felt like it (without the cake, unfortunately!), with both the New York Rangers and New York Islanders losing, I was on cloud nine. Why would I, an Islander fan, be happy they lost!? Because it gives us a better position in the draft – and yes, it puts us in the 5th and final spot of the lottery, but that’s huge – sure, the chances of winning the lottery and moving to slot #1 are slim at best, being that the chance is 8.1% !! But even if they don’t win the lottery (saying it’s a long-shot would be an understatement) they are going to get a solid prospect to help them along with their “rebuild” (which I hope gets some sort of Free Agent Injection come July).
I watched the Devils score 3 late goals last night to welcome in Ilya Kovalchuk and stun the hapless Toronto Maple Leafs (keep trading away Toronto, it will never make a difference!) and I ended up speaking to a native New Jerseyan this morning (Nicholas) about all things Devils. We reminisced about Scott Stevens, and it instantly made me think of something. The Devils played the Leafs last night . . . Stevens was brought up this morning . . . ahh . . . my memory took me back to the 2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Tie Domi was a member of one of the dirtiest NHL teams – in fact – Domi should’ve been captain of that team just to symbolize how dirty they actually were. Here’s the clip:
How a 23 win team that is in the midst of a 5 game losing streak can still be in great playoff positioning on February 3rd is beyond my realm of belief. So it goes in the “New NHL.” I’ve always been against “loser points” that award a team that loses in overtime a point in the standings, as well as losing in a shoot-out (skills-competition). I’m sorry, this isn’t kindergarten . . . you shouldn’t get anything for losing in a professional sport (except an earful from the coaching staff). However, as an Islander fan, it is the loser point that has actually given this team some hope early on in their rebuild process (for those that think Tavares was anything close to the final piece, get real – the rebuilding is far from done). Besides the loser point, however, and maybe more importantly, is that the teams directly around the Islanders in the Eastern Conference standings simply aren’t that good (that’s right, I’m talking about YOU New York Rangers! YOU SUCK!).
I thoroughly enjoy the reaction to Mark McGwire’s admission to using steroids (and cheesy apology) that Ex-Cardinal Jack Clark expressed recently. This is the way I feel players like McGwire should be treated, and spoken of – and the one thing I can be happy about is that he won’t be remembered for breaking the single season home-run record, but instead he’ll be remembered as the guy who cheated in order to break the home-run record.
Clearly, I’m biased because I am an Islander fan. But bias aside, the fact that I’m an Islander fan means that I get to see Kyle Okposo play night in and night out. Apparently, Brian Burke hasn’t seen Kyle Okposo play, because Burke decided to leave Okposo off the 2010 Team U.S.A Olympic roster. I mean, what other explanation is there!? Instead, for example, Burke found it better to choose Ryan Callahan, of the New York Rangers. Now, once again, you’re going to say, “but Tom, you’re an Islander fan, of course you’re going to be mad a Ranger got on the team over an Islander.” It’s not that simple. I actually like Callahan’s game, but compare his stats for the season against Okposo’s and I defy you not to scratch your head in wonder. Burke stated that Callahan’s high number of hits was a big determining factor, but is that really important in international play? At least what I’m trying to say is, is it more important than Okposo’s 21 assists? More important than Okposo’s defensive play, in particular his great puck control which comes in pretty handy for both special teams? I highly doubt it. Perhaps Burke is still sour about the Islanders not “bowing down to all mighty Toronto” and making a terrible trade to help Burke obtain his “golden boy” John Tavares, the Islanders’ number one pick from last summer’s draft who Burke publicly obsessed over. Nothing surprises me in matters like this.
The NHL has decided to simply fine Colorodo Avalanche goon David Koci for a hit from behind, and Ottawa Senators waste of skates Jarkko Ruutu for headhunting, rather than suspend them. Well, there goes my theory that the stars of the game are treated differently by the NHL big-wigs – or is my theory still intact? I mean, Colin Campbell and Gary Bettman are probably so tired of hearing how they favor the star players of the league by allowing them to do “illegal” things during the games and get away with it, that maybe they let David Koci and Jarkko Ruutu (two “nobody’s”, really – Koci averages 3 minutes a game – it’s a 60 minute game people! And Ruutu is well KNOWN for being a dirty player, and nothing more) off with a slap on the wrist just to prove a point. Maybe they wanted to prove themselves lenient on “the little guys” too. Now, that might be a ridiculous notion, but I wouldn’t put anything past the idiots that run and discipline the great sport of hockey.
NHL Hockey, New York Islanders | admin | July 25, 2010 | 
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Alexander Frolov, Andy Sutton, Charles Wang, Fredy Meyer, Garth Snow, Islanders, Jeremy Yablonski, L.A. Kings, Mark Eaton, Mike Milbury, Milan Jurcina, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers, Trevor Gilles, Zenon Konopka
