Tomorrow the holiday roster freeze comes into affect and teams cannot make any sort of deal until after the New Year. Could that be the reason why Marc-Andre Bergeron has still been getting ice-time, despite his big mouth and lackluster play on defense?
Coughing up the puck again the other night against the Penguins, Bergeron cost the Islanders a goal in another big game. How many times is this going to happen this season until this team makes a move? Hockeybuzz reported a few days ago that the Isles were interested in Derek Morris. I don’t know how familiar you guys are with him, but I don’t think it would be that much of an upgrade. Sure, he’s better defensively and plays with more of physical edge, but he coughs the puck up a lot on defense as well and can’t put up the points like Bergeron can.
Aside from a few solid seasons with the Avalanche and Flames, Morris has been a bit of a disappointment as an offensive player. Nevertheless, he’s still under 30 and like other former first round picks who took their sweet time developing into good offensive players [Mike Sillinger immediately comes to mind], he could need a change of scenery or a huge vote of confidence from an organization. However, with someone like Bryan Berard sitting on bench, the Isles could deal Bergeron and pick up a third-liner who could contribute a dozen or so goals and provide some energy. With Chris Simon off from an undetermined amount of time and no one knowing how long Tim Jackman or Blake Comeau are going to stay up with the team, the Islanders need to get some more stability on the fourth line.
For long stretches last season, the Islanders were able to roll four lines and because of that, got solid offensive seasons from more players that wouldn’t have been possible before. Trading Bergeron would help fill the void left by Jon Sim’s injury as well and give the Islanders some more options on offense. Because the way things look now, despite the defensive lapses, the more important thing here is finding offense. Otherwise, the youngsters from Bridgeport are going to have to step up.
However, if the Islanders don’t have confidence in Berard, the Islanders could be stuck in a Quagmire on defense that could last all season and possibly cost the team a playoff spot.
Posted under Isles Thoughts 2007
This post was written by Patrick Hickey, Jr. on December 18, 2007
What value at all does bergeron have. except to a team that has defensive defenseman up the wazu and can cover any gaffes MAB makes. I for one like MAB and think he should stay. But seriously if he were shopped who would be taking him. Anyone will see game footage or scout him before agreeing to a trade.