Even though the Islanders will have some money to technically spend this offseason, trying to get to the salary cap limit, don’t expect another Bill Guerin or Mike Comrie signing.
As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t go making bets on a Sean Avery signing either.
If the Islanders have their way, Guerin and Comrie, along with guys like Andy Sutton, Richard Park, Mike Sillinger and Brendan Witt will be the only established veterans on this team. With the added money the Isles will need to spend, I totally expect them to lock up guys like Sean Bergenheim, Bruno Gervais, Frans Nielsen, Jeremy Colliton, Ben Walter and Jeff Tambellini for a few years. However, that still means they’ll have some dough to throw around.
However, by no means necessary do I see this team willing to fork over the type of cash Tampa Bay, in their infinite, or shall I say, finite, wisdom, did to pay for a 20 goal scorer by the name of Ryan Malone. Eight Million for the first three years? Never going to happen on Long Island again. That is unless they get a new home and start winning with unproven players. And we all know what the chances of that are right now. Nonetheless, the Isles will be able to treat their youngsters accordingly and will be in a situation to reward them for hard work. That will put them in a better place to rebuild this team.
And that my friends is what this team really needs.
Over the next few years, I think you’re going to see this team start to take a “Money Ball†approach to hockey. Considering that most of the players they drafted fit the type of mold they are trying to promote in the organization, in the next few years, fans of this team will start to see a philosophy change that can result in a renewed vigor in the fan base and a reputation change in the league.
It worked for teams like Pittsburgh, Chicago and Philadelphia and it can work for the Islanders, even though they have a much steeper slope to fight against than any of the aforementioned teams did. With players like Kyle Okposo, Trent Hunter, Richard Park and Witt in the lineup every night for this team next year, a lover of the sport like myself will watch them and enjoy every second. Nonetheless, the competitive side of me wants to see them competitive and successful.
We’ll have to wait and see though when I can have my cake and eat it too.
Posted under Offseason 2008
This post was written by Patrick Hickey, Jr. on June 30, 2008
I wouldn’t put Pittsburgh on that list. They didn’t choose to go with youth. They just got lucky more than once with top draft numbers. But the Isles are right to focus on the youth, since it seems to be impossible for them to collect the right type of vets. Now they just have to be patient with the youngsters. Really patient.
at least all that Yashin talk seems to have calmed down…