Thu 24 May 2007
OK - the interesting ones are the ones with the highest numbers….
Arron Asham
An interesting decision for Garth to make, on whether he stays or goes. This one is an enigma.
There are times that he is the best player on the ice; causing havoc, great slap shot, forechecking - just an overall pain in the arse. Then - it is the return of Mr. Invisible. Just a swig of Gatorade turns him to the lost man on the ice. I love what he brought to the team in the last 20 games of the season.
If that player comes back - then we should take him. Grade: C
Jason Blake
Here I come to save the daaaaaaaay! Or - Here I come to Hog the Puckkkkkkkk!
Which one?
I do not question his work ethic, or his tenacity. That is never in doubt. Too may people have said that he can be what I call a ’snooty twig’! Well - everyone has to have some sort of negative.
But 40 goal scorers are hard to come by. It is the third big decision that Snow needs to make. Jason has mentioned that he wants to remain here - and I hope that is genuine. Grade: A-
Alexei Yashin
What can I say…. I was one that supported him through thick and thin. I kept complaining that he needed someone on his line that really complemented him. Over the first 25 games, Blakey was just THAT. He was in the top 20 in scoring, and playing ALEXEI’s Game. Then that controversian knee-on-knee hit that knocked him out for a while. Unfortunatlely, when he returned, he left the first part of the season on the bench.
The last 10 games of the season, as the other 13K-16K fans were booing, I saw a revitalization of AY. He got 10 points in those games, win faceoffs, played hard, and showed that he wanted to belong. Once the playoffs hit, someone from Hogwart’s took the magic out of him, and the Yashin from the dull days of February returned. No points!
Snow has said that he will not buy out the last few years, and he remains. Certain players said that they would NOT return if #79 is here. That all remains to be seen. But the player that I really expected to come here and shine, lost a lot of luster. And I do not think that all of the polish in the world will correct that. For a CAPTAIN - he should be under a mutiny. Grade: D- (I will not fail anyone.)
Miroslav Satan
Ever had an instance where you were lost, asked someone for directions, then went about a block or two, and asked again? That was Miro.
Too many guys could not cash in on chances, and he definitely fits the mold. He needed to get 40, and be the presence that we know he can fit. Alas, short on expectations. Will next season be a big one? Only God, and Satan’s brain knows… Grade: B-
Ryan Smyth
Captain Canada came along and showed why any team would be drooling to have him on their squad. Dedication, hustle, hard work, perseverence. Too bad he wasn’t here long enough, or he would have won the Nystrom Award. (If he returns - you heard it from me - he would be the major frontrunner).
Playing in pain at the end, he did not quit. He personifies what a revered hockey player SHOULD be. I would want 20 Smyth’s on my team every time.
Garth - do whatever you have to do - but make DAMN SURE - you get 94 to sign on the dotted line before 1 July. Grade: A
Wow - it is done…. Thanks for the patience.
I know there are some that are missing (Nielsen for one - he should get a serious look next season and showed signs of good play in Bridgeport.
Congrats on getting the Grizzlies back in the fold. We won two minor league titles with the Grizz, so maybe some fate might help.
Have a great Memorial Day Holiday - share it with family and friends.
Gary
May 24th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Once again, I agree with your assessments on the season.
Like you, I don’t know what to do about Asham. I like him and I think he has potential to bring several aspects to a game; toughness, hard work, a great shot and inspiration. However, his consistency is what troubles me. Our biggest problem, in my opinion, was lack of consistency from too many guys. If the market presents promising alternatives, it would be difficult to justify keeping Asham.
Blake needs to Stay! Puck hog or not, you just can’t find too many 40 goal scorers who also have that kind of speed and intensity. I can deal with his attitude. Snow HAS to make sure Blake is with us for the future.
Yashin … I’m sorry, but I disagree with Snow here. I also have pulled for this guy time after time and have defended him among my Islander fan friends. Enough is enough. How much longer can we wait for the Yashin of pre-Islander years to return? I simply have to conclude that he just doesn’t have the work ethic to be the Man. Yes, I’d be the first to argue that, if we exclude the injury, his numbers might have been impressive enough, but I’ve read that too many guys don’t consider him a “leader” and won’t return if he is still around. Buy him out and use the money to keep Smyth and Blake and get us talent.
Satan is a guy I still believe in. Yes, he suffered seriously from the inconsistency bug, but I still feel that if we put him on a good line, he can get us 40 goals as well. Even having a “bad” season, he still put up some reasonable stats.
Smyth is simply a keeper. Snow Must find a way to keep that Islander jersey on him. His value goes beyond mere numbers. He typifies the kind of player the Islanders need to have and should strive to be. If we could clone him, it would still be worth the money to sign each one.
June 4th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I’m trying not to get attached to the idea that Smyth is going to sign. It hurts too much to think they’ll lose him, so I need to stay away from the idea that he’ll sign.
I’m instead focusing on why the heck they aren’t sending Blake a fruit basket and a 4-year deal. Blake is the kind of energy-pest player that is so rare–one that can score! And he wants to be an Islander. And we want him to be an Islander. Let the man be an Islander.