Gordon's changes don't work out as Islanders fall

The Knicks are officially more watchable than the Isles.

I believe it's time for Charles Wang to give up this "idea" that all report to him. Hire a GM that has the experience and let Mr. Wang attend to the business side, like the Lighthouse Project...

Oh, I forget they had one and fired him...

better effort...but same result.

Sim-way to stop skating-you deserve to get face planted into the boards. As we know that play turns the game around for the Flyers.

Where you at DP?

Gordon's system may be good (or not) but the Isles just don't have enough talent. They are too injury prone.
Until there is a new arena the Isles are just NOT going to attract really talented play makers.

I am also disgusted with the fact that they keep calling up Fritz and putting him in the lineup. He makes no contribution to winning. He is a no talent goon.

The Islander organization USED to be a good organization. Now it is in total disarray and it's time to be sold (and moved off of the Island).

If Fritz isn't in the lineup, Cote is taking runs at Bergenheim, Bailey, etc. The Fritz fight was the most exciting part of that game. Shut up and go watch the NBA.

discouraged fan this is true....in time something has to happen its only a matter of time....this team has really become a problem.....so sad....

Battfist got it right with his comment about Sim, he got lazy on that play. Also, is anyone else noticing that B Witt is not playing the type of game we're used to seeing from him? I mean, he's physically going after guys but he's always 1 step behind (perhaps due to his injury) and he's not clearing the puck well. A weak clearing attempt and a defensive zone penalty by Witt caused 2 goals last night. He's not the same...

Mike - totally agree. I said the same thing last night when I was watching the game. Witt looks like he is frustrated and maybe made a mistake staying here. He is sacrificing his body game in and game out and for what??? A shot at last place or maybe 2nd or 3rd worst in the league. What is the sense of risking your health for nothing. I think the desolate forecast for this team is hitting him....at least they had some shot at making the playoffs last year....this year......ZERO!

How many times has this team given up a substantial lead to only lose the game.
Is anybody in the organization watching the game films?
How do you jump out to nice leads only to choke at the end?

The Isles could have won each of the 3 meetings vs. the Flyers this year.

They are in desperate need of a centerpiece player** to build around that can score (Parise would have been great....but there he goes to Lou) and are very weak lines 2-4. AHL level talent on an NHL roster. It's an organizational problem that will continue with Garth in "charge". How many years have the Isles had high draft picks and done NOTHING with them? And when they do, out the door they go. It's a mess.**maybe this Okposo kid will pan out but only time will tell.

Simple.....we do not play a trap with a lead....as a result we leave ourselves open for mistakes and letdowns as the game wears on and we tire out. This is not a young team with all the injuries....the youth movement has stalled with Okposo and Neilsen out....two huge pieces. I would love to see Bailey, Okposo, Neilsen and Comeau all together with Hunter, Bergs, Thompson and Hilbert (cant believe I said Hilbert).

Tim wrote:

If Fritz isn't in the lineup, Cote is taking runs at Bergenheim, Bailey, etc. The Fritz fight was the most exciting part of that game. Shut up and go watch the NBA.

Perhaps you should SHUT UP and go to the NBA - thugs just like you. Or even better - send Fritz to the NBA, he's got the height for it; certainly doesn't have true hockey talent.

Cote could have easily been handled by Jackman.

Discouraged Fan wrote:

<quoted text>
Perhaps you should SHUT UP and go to the NBA - thugs just like you. Or even better - send Fritz to the NBA, he's got the height for it; certainly doesn't have true hockey talent. Cote could have easily been handled by Jackman.

Ok, perhaps you need get a clue and follow the team more closely. Jackman although labeled an "enforcer" has clearly stated, on a number of occasion, that he does not want to be labeled an enforcer. He has made a strong effort to work on his playmaking and scoring ability. He will drop the gloves when needed but wants to be known more than just an enforcer. Hence, enter Mitch Fritz. He gets few minutes but when he's out there his mission is to make his physical presence felt and to ensure the kids are not being roughed up. He did just that last night.

If the team's poor play bothers you so much and you can't bear to watch Fritz play then it's simple what you have to do...don't watch them. Stop with your whining...and go cheer for some other team. We're not going to be relevant for the next couple of years.

Hate to look at it this way but it's probably best for the Isles to lose and finish in the bottom two in the overall standing so they can draft either Victor Hedman or John Tavares. Hedman is a 6' 7" 230 lb. defenseman that is fast and hits like a ton of bricks - just what they need. Tavares is a franchise center - another need. They need a centerpiece of the organization since the current player occupying that spot is always in the trainers room (aka Ricky D). The Isles have been down for far too long.

Discouraged Fan wrote:

<quoted text>
Perhaps you should SHUT UP and go to the NBA - thugs just like you. Or even better - send Fritz to the NBA, he's got the height for it; certainly doesn't have true hockey talent.
Cote could have easily been handled by Jackman.

Do you watch hockey?
Cote is one tough SOB...Fritz gave it to him...that was the best fight I seen all year. True Fritz has little talent on the ice...but he has one job. Granted-he shouldnt be taking other penalty's when he is on the ice other then fighting majors.

Isles Fan In Alabama wrote:

Hate to look at it this way but it's probably best for the Isles to lose and finish in the bottom two in the overall standing so they can draft either Victor Hedman or John Tavares. Hedman is a 6' 7" 230 lb. defenseman that is fast and hits like a ton of bricks - just what they need. Tavares is a franchise center - another need. They need a centerpiece of the organization since the current player occupying that spot is always in the trainers room (aka Ricky D). The Isles have been down for far too long.

Finishing dead last doesn't guarantee the top pick as there is a weighted lottery system in place.

this is one of the oldest looking rebuild jobs that I have ever seen. 9 guys are over 30. 10 are between 27 and 30 and a 10 are 25 and younger. Maybe after the trading deadline this team will look younger. Most of their young guys are career minor leaque material at most. Example Tambellini. This franchise has a good # of years before even being somewhat respectable

Too many late third period blow saves! Tha Islander's need to sign a goalie closer to come in the last 5 minutes of the game to seal the deal!

Sometimes, I wonder if a 55-gallon barrel would work out best!

Slumps are one thing teams go through them it's part of the game,but with group they seem to wallow in them live in them.The season is pretty much done with this group I say group not team because a team comes together jell.At least Comeau is showing he might be the real thing,he's got speed in what I call "Jason Blake quick".But he can't do it alone.Gordon did more juggling with the lineup than a circus clown does with clubs,but with a clown you can count on being amused.Your looking for wins not amusement and this group is done as far as I'm concerned R.I.P.Isles 2008.

Battfist wrote:

<quoted text>
Do you watch hockey?
Cote is one tough SOB...Fritz gave it to him...that was the best fight I seen all year. True Fritz has little talent on the ice...but he has one job. Granted-he shouldnt be taking other penalty's when he is on the ice other then fighting majors.

Dear Battfist,

Yes, I do watch hockey. I have been a NY Islanders fan since the early 70s. Which is why I am so discouraged over how this organization has dropped so far.

Fritz is a waste of a roster spot; he is clueless on the ice unless he's dropped his gloves.(FYI, best fight I've seen was Pascal Morency against Mitch Fritz in last year's preseason -Fritz [Hartford Wolfpack at the time] didn't win against the little guy).

The Islanders don't have enough talent on the rest of the team to have Fritz taking up a spot. The guy has been floundering in the AHL (or lower) since 2000 - and this is the first time he's made it to the NHL. Says alot about his lack of talent.

Tim Jackman is a decent two way hockey player who can fight. I am happy that the Isles have brought him up. I have watched Jackman up in Bridgeport since last year and he deserves the shot he has been given. He at least brings something more to the team than his fists.