In the hockey world, July 1st often is a time of hope, especially for teams that feel they are on the cusp of greatness. Free agents all around the league get to pick the team which they feel will have a chance to achieve the single, most difficult task in all of major sports...lifting Lord Stanley's Cup. This season was no different, with many big names going to big markets. The New York Islanders, however, are finally committed to a rebuild. Sure we have all heard GM's of the past mutter the word "rebuild", but few have seemed to actually put the plan in motion.
It started earlier this off season, with GM Garth Snow and his scouting department at the draft. By trading the number 5 pick, the Islanders we able to stock up the farm system with some promising young talent...kids with...potential. Ah yes, that lovely four-letter word...potential. OK, so its 9, but after years of being fed the word, Islanders fans have unfortunately become all too accustomed to it not panning out, so it may as well be four letters.
It started earlier this off season, with GM Garth Snow and his scouting department at the draft. By trading the number 5 pick, the Islanders we able to stock up the farm system with some promising young talent...kids with...potential. Ah yes, that lovely four-letter word...potential. OK, so its 9, but after years of being fed the word, Islanders fans have unfortunately become all too accustomed to it not panning out, so it may as well be four letters.
Back to the "Free Agency Frenzy", as its so cleverly been labeled
In 2007-08, the Isles were absolutely painful to watch on the man-advantage. Finishing the year with a 14.6% success rate ranked them in a tie for 28th with Colorado...out of 30 teams. If we're being technical, they were 29th because of the fact they had fewer goals. That being said, GM Snow made his first move of the free agency period at around 8:00 pm July 1st, signing power play specialist defenseman, Mark Streit to a 5 year, 20.5 million dollar contract, which carries an annual cap hit of a $4.1 million.
Mark was an integral part of the leagues best powerplay last season. On the year he had 13 goals and 49 assists for a total of 62 points. On the powerplay alone, Mark used his cannon of a shot to register 34 points, including 7 goals.
Mark was an integral part of the leagues best powerplay last season. On the year he had 13 goals and 49 assists for a total of 62 points. On the powerplay alone, Mark used his cannon of a shot to register 34 points, including 7 goals.
This coming season, the Islanders are planning on going with a team filled with fresh, young faces. Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau, and Sean Bergenheim are just a few of the bunch, but with that mix the Islanders felt they needed some veteran presence. Sure, the team has Suitcase Sillinger and Bill Guerin, but the team just felt the crop of youthful centers could use some leadership and could learn quite a bit from a slick play maker. At about 6:30pm on July 2nd, Doug Weight signed on with the Islanders for one year. The deal has a base salary of 1.75 million dollars, but through bonuses, the total can reach $4.3 million. Due to the current CBA, the cap hit is for the total $4.3 million. In years past, a teams bonuses would not be put against the cap until the following year.
Doug Weight is the ultimate professional. Anywhere he has been and anybody he has interacted with will tell you so. But on top of that, the 4 time NHL All-Star and former Cup champion will be there to help mentor young centers such as this years 7th overall pick, Josh Bailey. Throughout his 16 year career, Doug has totalled 265 goals and 704 assists. There is a lot he can pass on in the locker room for sure.
The Islanders also continue to stock the farm club with other signings throughout the past few days. Yann Danis, a goaltender who played in the Canadiens organization, was signed to a one year, two-way contract. Also signed were centers Mike Iggulden and Kurtis Mclean, forward Mitch Fritz, defensemen Brett Skinner and Chris Lee, and goaltender Peter Mannino. Both Iggulden and Skinner were AHL All-Stars in 2007-08.
On the trade front, it looks quite possible the Islanders may move a defenseman and/or forward, having 24 one-way contracts, which is one over the limit. There is also a tiny rumor that Garth Snow may be interested in Dan Boyle of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In order for that to happen, I would assume one or more of our current defensemen would be on the move. Boyle is a solid 2-way player, coming off an injury-plagued season in which he still managed 25 points playing in just 37 games.
more on things as they come out
Doug Weight is the ultimate professional. Anywhere he has been and anybody he has interacted with will tell you so. But on top of that, the 4 time NHL All-Star and former Cup champion will be there to help mentor young centers such as this years 7th overall pick, Josh Bailey. Throughout his 16 year career, Doug has totalled 265 goals and 704 assists. There is a lot he can pass on in the locker room for sure.
The Islanders also continue to stock the farm club with other signings throughout the past few days. Yann Danis, a goaltender who played in the Canadiens organization, was signed to a one year, two-way contract. Also signed were centers Mike Iggulden and Kurtis Mclean, forward Mitch Fritz, defensemen Brett Skinner and Chris Lee, and goaltender Peter Mannino. Both Iggulden and Skinner were AHL All-Stars in 2007-08.
On the trade front, it looks quite possible the Islanders may move a defenseman and/or forward, having 24 one-way contracts, which is one over the limit. There is also a tiny rumor that Garth Snow may be interested in Dan Boyle of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In order for that to happen, I would assume one or more of our current defensemen would be on the move. Boyle is a solid 2-way player, coming off an injury-plagued season in which he still managed 25 points playing in just 37 games.
more on things as they come out
1 comments:
Be prepared for another long season. The Islanders are going to suck yet again.
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