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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 20, 2008
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It seems like the eternal question around here, but since I have finally moved up far enough in the ranks here to start a thread, I feel compelled to ask my fellow Islander fans how far they think the team is away from truly competing for a Stanley Cup?
If you are an optomist, you think what you saw early in the season was a great building block. Great goaltending (at times), timely scoring, and a better than average defense. If you are a pesimist you believe that the last two months were the real Isalnders, and that even without the injuries the league was going to catch up to the team, and the wins would stop and the losses would pile up.
I have my opinions, but lets get into some solid offseason debate. Do your best and make your case!
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 20, 2008
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Welll i believe the Islanders are not to far away, maybe 2 seasons. the beginning of this past season means nothing. almost none of those players will be here. the end of the season gives me hope. we have a lot of good young talent on this team that should peak within 2 seasons ( okposo, comeau, campoli, bergenheim ). plus we have a top 5 pick this yer along with 2 2nd rounders and 2 3rd rounders. 2 seasons we should be ready. building through the draft is they way, with a few key free agents. this is the first time since i have been an islander fan that they have took this approach. Milbury's way was the complete opposite. Trades and over priced free agents. So to me the opposite of milbury is probably the best way to go...
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 16, 2006
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It's hard to say exactly where the team is Rich. I would like to think the team is a couple seasons away, but I feel like I've been saying that for a long time. But I do feel like the team is heading in the right direction...small things show that, like Nolan mentioning at FanFest that Ricky will need more time off next season. I love what Rick brings to goal, but clearly with the injuries the Isles need to protect their investment in him. I think that the team does have some serious building blocks in Rick, Okposo and a couple other forwards, with Bergenheim and Comeau immediately coming to mind, though I'm not convinced either of those two are much more than second or third liners.
I think we'll have a clearer picture of where the Islanders are headed after the draft and once we start to see what's going on in free agency. I recognize what happened last summer was largely out of Snow's control...there didn't sound like there was a lot he could do to convince Smyth to stay. But given those mistakes, the Isles need to open the wallet and come up with a better presentation that makes an excellent player (preferably a top line center) want to come here. This is a place that if you show the fans respect, they will love you. Take a look at DP.
I do believe that the team needs a massive upgrade. I'm not sure if that puts me in your optimist or pessimist group, but I think we all know Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin aren't going to get this done by themselves. I think the team is going to experience some more growing pains before it gets better. It takes time to develop some of the young talent the Isles have, and we need to be patient.
I do think the front office knows what it's doing, I think Wang knows what he is doing, and I think Nolan is a great coach. Who knows...maybe the team will be a contender by the time the Lighthouse gets built. I hope it's sooner than that.
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:88
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 9, 2008
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Honestly I don't believe we are that far away. Even with the rash of injuries we sustained last year, we were competitive(obviously playing 10 kids from Bridgeport towards the end doesn't count).
We got a solid D, and if Ricky's healthy the goalie situation should be fine. I really think we missed John Sim last year. He's not a superstar, but he's a 2nd / 3rd line grinder who would have helped chip in some rebounds last year.
If the young guys continue to develop this year, and we sign 1-2 guys who can somewhat consistently put the puck in the net, I think we'll challenge for a playoff spot. Realistically I think we are at least 2-3 years away from being a serious contender though.
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Mar 20, 2008
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Sad part is, as I watch the Penguins, I feel like your 2-3 Yr. time frame needs to be extended just a bit. Any chance we can get Jessica Simpson to start attending Penguin games?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:88
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 9, 2008
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I'm not saying that we will be the pens, but they have weaknesses, one HUGE one in goal. Championship teams are built on excellent goaltending and defense, and we are 2/3 of the way there.
I guess Hillary Duff on the isle isn't enough for you ?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 29, 2007
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Just beat the Rangers!
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 23, 2006
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With Ted Nolan as coach, the Islanders could surprise at any moment. Hopefully Ted will thrive with the youth movement on Long Island in 2008-09.
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How far away are the Islanders?
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How far away are the Islanders?
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Reputation:84
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 20, 2007
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I truly believe that the Isles are only a few years away from really competing, 35-38 wasn't that bad for last season. They have the farm system, newly restocked by Garth Snows brilliant wheeling and dealing on draft day. Any one who says this Isles draft was a joke - needs to get their heads examined. 13 picks? 5 of the top 30 ISS rankings?
The problem: No one wants to come play here. They hate the out-of-date Coliseum and the Isles play second fiddle to the Rangers in New York. This team will not be a "contender" until Wang complete's his Lighthouse Project on Long Island. This will build up the surrounding area and have a state of the art sports complex. This may have player reconsidering where they want to go. The New York Islander have tons of tradition and ton of money, but the players shy away. Ie. Ryan Smyth, Jason Blake, etc.
Over the years I have been an Islander fan we have had our share of Owners: Milstein and Spano to name a few. They drove away players like Palffy, McCabe, Bertuzzi, Redden, Salo to name a few. We finally have a guy that cares - sure he might think out of the box and seem crazy - Front office by committee, Sumo wrestler as goalies, BUT he cares and he has the RESOURCES.
The Islanders are only a few years away from being a great team. They have a bunch of young kids, most of them will probably make the team this year, and a core veteran group to lead them. Thi | |
