Well - vacation time is over; even for bloggers.

Time to get back to business.  I am sure that the ‘vet’ guys have some recharged batteries out there, as the Isles head back to action, taking on the Thrashers in Atlanta tonight, before a big matchup against the Sabres at home tomorrow.

These games, along with the Detroit game, will prove to be extremely critical coming out od the starting block for the stretch drive for the Isles.  Get a couple of wins in the next few days, and it could be a sign that the team means business.  With a number of teams clawing around the 50 point level right now, every game becomes critical.  And with only two non-conference games remaining (Detroit on Tuesday, and St. Louis on March 1st), every lost points become large.

Quickly, I am going to grade the guys on the first half of the season.  Please make your comments on these, as I am interested to hear what YOU have to say as well.

I will go in number order.

Mike Dunham - yeoman’s work in Backup role.  However, last game was one he wishes he could forget.  B-

 

 

Tom Poti - Joe McDonald (the Ranger host of the NY Hockey Report) secretly loves the man, but he can not admit it.  He has been solid and consistent for most of the season.  He is not Brian Leetch, but does admirably.  B

 

Sean Hill - He can be slow footed, sloppy, and make mistakes at some critical times, but his leadership and effort compensate for his miscues.  But there are times, that he is absolutely brilliant!  Forget the fact the he looks like Gunnery Seargent Highway from the movie Heartbreak Ridge (Clint Eastwood), but for the price, he has been a nice find.  B

 

Trent Hunter - Although he is among the league leaders in hits again this season, it is the second consecutive season that his offensive numbers have been dipping.  Needs more than a .3 points per game average. This team needs him to step his game back to the 2003-04 level, and return to the 25 goal scorer we so desperately need.  C+

 

Bruno Gervais - Making typical rookie mistakes, but Nolan has confidence in him.  There have been games that he has proven to have to potential to be a top 2 defensemen.  But there are times that he looks like he stepped out of pee-wee.  Need some more consistency.  C

 

Richard Park - A Garth Snow special find.  He has done remarkably well, and been the one help on the PK.  We need four of him on the PK.  B+

 

 

Andy Hilbert - 23 games without a point, then he got some in bunches 14 in the next 23.  Been a little too streaky for my taste.  However, he plays hard, and seems to constantly have the effort on.  C

 

 

Chris Simon - very disappointed.  I know that he is playing a more mature game, and his being with Ted Nolan again is probably a cause of it.  However, we need his physicality and his nastiness to come out from time to time, giving the other team a little message that opponents can not just slap our guys around and get away with it.  C-

 

Chris Campoli - Disappointing.  Just thought a job was his, and it wasn’t.  According to Smith Barney, he had to “EARRRRRRN IT!”.  Although his play of late is slightly better, he still has a way to go.  We need a guy at his full potential playing at 100%.  Let’s just hope it is his maturity level, and it will go back up soon.  C-

 

Shawn Bates - Another disappointment.  He just seems to be lacking something this year.  I don’t think his skills are gone, I just don’t think he is stepping it up.  Need more of his PK work to be better.  D+

  

 

Mike Sillinger - My vote for MVP this season.  Top 3 in the league in faceoffs.  Plays every aspect of the game exceptionally.  On pace for 25+ goals again, proving last season for him was no fluke.  Where would this team be, if he was not with us?  A

 

Radek Martinek - Best defenseman on the team until his injury sidelined him.  Although he is slowly getting back to the fold, he is important to the success of this team.  Needs to shoot more, it can be deadly.  B+

 

 

Viktor Kozlov - Kvasha like enigma, but has learned to get out of the bubble, and make his mark (re - 4 goal game against NYR).  Can be even better, if he gives himself more confidence, and shoots the puck more. B-

 

 

Randy Robitaille - At we like him a little more than Mike York.  Needs to step up big time.  Get involved more in the offense.  D

 

 

Brendan Witt - I have been wanting to see him in an Islander uniform for the last five years.  Now he is, and he hasn’t disappointed.  Physical, and an annoying presence, which has gotten a great deal of PP’s for the Isles.  Keep it up buddy! A-

 

Rick DiPietro - Well - we have about 5,465 days left on his contract.  Or 131,160 hours.  You get the drift.  There have been games that he carried everyone.  But for a 4.5 million dollar player, irregardless of the length of his contract, he has laid some outrageous eggs as well.  Consistency, my good man.  However, he is doing better than the Ranger fans anointed God, Henrik Lundqvist.  B

 

Freddy Meyer - Incomplete - not enough time to evaluate and grade.  However, early returns are not that impressive.  He freed cap room, and I think that has been his best move as an Islander.

 

 

Arron Asham - Have you ever noticed that pugilists and hard nosed players have great shots.  Asham is among that list.  Just wished he used it more, instead of applying the Fulton Reed 1 in 5 method from the Mighty Ducks movies.  C

 

Jason Blake - All Star - game steps up even more this year.  If we can only stop that “HERE I COME TO HOG THE PUCK” mentality, we would be fine.  He and Yash had a great stretch for a bunch of games, we need that back.  A-

 

 

Alexei Yashin - damn, what would we have, if he did not get hurt?  He was playing so well, and shutting up those freaking critics.  His game slipped and his confidence waned.  Hopefully, the break bring back the old 79 back.  I still have faith in you sir, keep it going!  B

 

Miroslav Satan - up and down all year.  Played well at the end, before the break.  Needs to step it up even more.  Goals are needed, and we have to get him fired up.  25 goals in the last 35 games would be a nice request.  C+

 

 

Ted Nolan - what a job.  He said that if you told him in September, that we would be one game over 500 at this time, he would GLADLY take it.  Now - time to bring these boys to a new level.  He has the attitude and the confidence to do it.  Was an early Adams award favorite, but has slipped a bit.  A six game winning streak has a habit of bringing a coach back into the award pool.  B+

 

Garth Snow - has shown all that he is no ‘dumb jock’.  Got $5 million back in our favor for cap purposes.  Do we get a ‘rent a player’, give a good portion for Blakey to stay, or invest it long term.  The next few weeks, especially where we sit in the standings, will lay that course for the GM.  He has not embarassed himself, and has done a nice job.  B+

Looking forward to getting back to the games tomorrow night.  I miss the old barn.

Also - will be on the “TRI STATE HOCKEY REPORT” on Brooklyn College Radio http://www.brooklyncollegeradio.org/.  Show is on at 1:30 - 3:00.  I should be on around 2:00 or so, talking about Islanders and NHL Hockey.  Should be fun.  Check it out, won’t you?

Stay warm…

 

G