Leafs Won! No, For Real!

The Toronto Maple Leafs exploded with three unanswered goals to stomp the Islanders 3-1. Davidson's beauty of a goal would have been the game winner, but the Leafs just had to spoil it.

Pavel Kubina got the game winner, his 3rd in 4 games.

All in all, not too shabby for a team without their top two scorers, Sundin and Antropov.

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Dear Islanders,

The fans acknowledge that we're a last place team. There will be no miracle run at the last playoff spot this year. We're fine with that because getting smacked around by the 1st seed season after season has worn on us. Please feel free to unload anyone on this team at the deadline that can be moved. Please do not trade the 1st rounder OR go off the board. Thanks!

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Yes, I Named My Puppy After Sidney Crosby

Type your summary here
It's troubling being an Islanders fan these days. Well, it's troubling most days, but it's worse now because the Isles are falling faster than Tyra Banks' wig on a hot day in Arkansas. The very sight of the Islanders crest makes me want to throw up more than Tyra Banks' personal assistant on a hot day in Arkansas. I want, so very badly, with two weeks off, no new television, and no football to deal with, to jump into a warm jacuzzi of hockey and splash myself with Isles love. But I can't. Because the Islanders suck so bad right now that I'd rather watch the Tyra Banks Show than watch the Islanders lose in spectacular fashion. Again.

Type rest of the post here
Right now, the only hockey connection I can stand is through my new French Bulldog puppy. She shits the bed as often as the Islanders do, but she's cute. And even though I am an Islanders fan, I have named my tyke Cindy Crosby. This was an agonizing decision, of course, naming the little creep after a division rival, but I felt it was the right thing to do. I danced with naming her DiPietro and calling her Dippy. But I worried that she'd be prone to concussions and devouring banana cream pie. I also considered named her Blake, in honor of Blakes St. Jason and Comeau. But Amy Winehouse's crackhead hubby is also named Blake. So I soured on it. I thought of going classic and naming her Bossy. But then there was the danger that she'd be, you know, bossy. Or that she may have a history of back problems. And so, I named her for Cindy Crosby. I mean, there are so many similarities. Here they are:

• She's black and gold, like a Penguins uniform.
• Big butt.
• Sweet, but can still get on people's nerves.
• Bred specifically to entertain and amaze others.
• Incredibly determined and focused, not on scoring goals, but on chewing up my socks. But still.
• Was kept in a cage most of her life.

I can only hope that Cindy Crosby the dog ends up with the many qualities of Cindy Crosby the human. And that the Islanders can get their shit together faster than Tyra Banks can wolf down a a bucket of Extra, Tasty, Crispy KFC.

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The "Ups and Downs" of Being a Coyote

Well it would seem that TGO has no clue who he really wants on the roster this year so he's perfectly content shipping off our players after a game or two and bringing up fresh meat... erm, another baby from the A, I mean. It's not even halfway into the season yet and already we've seen Auldy get traded to Boston (and play outrageously better there than he did for us, might I add) and Abby get loaned to Switzerland. Billy T and Brendan Bell both get recalls only to get shipped back down to San Antonio after a few games apiece and now Joel Perrault and Keith Yandle have been called up to play with the big dogs (no pun intended).

Funny story about Yandle - I believe it was Maloney who stated in an interview over the summer (and I'll try to find the link) that Keith Yandle is a fantastic player. 'His only problem is his defense... *short pause* and that's a big problem considering he's a defenseman." Ya think??

Anyway, we played the Islanders last night and it wasn't pretty. As far as I'm concerned they outplayed us and they shouldn't have; We made stupid mistakes and deserved the loss. What we didn't deserve, however, was DiPietro being a douchebox to Doan & the Joves. Don't get me wrong, I have always had a bit of a softspot where Ricky was concerned but as a fan, I tend to get a little miffed when people hit my captain... call me crazy but there you have it.

We're moving right on along the East to take on Pookie & Schnookie. Apparently they're ready for us... Bethany's been calling Brodeur every night with tips on how to beat her twins team (which I don't appreciate thankyouverymuch) and so we're going to have to come up with some crazy stunts if we want to get past him. No worries, though, he's not the only one getting tips whispered in his ear. I've been watching you Brodeur and I've got you all figured out!! Game on!

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This Just In: Punching Sean Avery a Team Effort

I've kept the gloating for the Isles-Rangers rivalry to a minimum, largely because the games have been so great. They've played thrice this year and every single one has been a nail-baiter. The Rangers are hardly sucking against my Isles, they just can't seem to win, even with Henrik Lundqvist working his dark magicks in goal. And that's as generous as I'm going to get. Because the sotry of the game last night was how many times someone tried to punch Sean Avery. Let's look at the match-ups:

Avery vs. Brendan Witt
They began pre-skate by yapping at each other, and continued to make fiery eyes of death at one another throughout the first two periods. Witt has been reluctant to fight this year, for one of two reasons. Either he knows he's of great value to his team only when out of the box, or bitch crazy and could go Private Pruitt on Avery if given the chance. Well, good on ya, Witter. Way to not get baited by that turd.
Winner: Witt (points given for moral victory)

Avery vs. Ruslan Fedotenko
I'm loving Fedotenko, because he always plays like he's on his period. Very emotional, confrontational, and angry. While rying to break up a goalline scrum, Fedotenko found himself horse-collared and his face mauled from behind by none other than Avery. My dad teasingly used to go up behind my sister and grab her by the nostrils so she couldn't reach back and swat him away. Same concept. And it's a low blow, because I'm sure Fedotenko was paralyzed with fear wondering where that hand has been. I think I heard Tenk say, as he skated to the Box, "Yuck, smells like Lundqvist."
Winner: Avery (not a fair fight, Rusty never had a chance with the nostril grab)

Avery vs. Andy Sutton
After a confusing bit of "did-he-elbow-me-or-did-I-high-stick-him", Avery somehow managed to mount, like clamped between the knees and primed for a Cleveland Steamer, Sutton, prone on the ice. Beside the cry of jealous anguish from Henrik Lundqvist, it was a fantastic scene. Since Andy Sutton is maybe 8'3" and Sean Avery could fit in the kangaroo pocket of my hoodie, it kind of looked like the scene in Spaceballs when the baby alien bursts out of John Hurt's stomach. Unfortunately, Avery did not burst into a vaudeville routine.
Winner: Avery

Avery vs. Sean Bergenheim
Bergy has a lot of Sean Avery-type qualities. He plays with an edge, has big wheels, and enjoys an agitating role. However, Bergenheim is tall enough to ride Snow White's Adventure in Disney World and has top notch crazy eyes, explaining why Avery chose to turn heel when Bergenheim started with the lip flap. Avery knows that when you mess with the Bergen, you get the Heim.
Winner: Bergenheim

Avery vs. Rick DiPietro
The marquee match-up. Following a nice little shove from behind courtesy of Fedotenko, Avery barrelled into Pretty Ricky with his stick too high. Remember, the Islanders season ostensibly ended last year when Avery's knee introduced itself to DiPietro's temple. So, who can blame Pretty Ricky for executing a delightful donkey punch to the toppled Avery in his crease. The only thing that could have made the moment even more exhilarating, is for Pretty Ricky to stand over very and taunt, "this is how we do it in the N.C., bitch!"
Winner: DiPietro

x-posted to SportSquee

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Margee's Keys to Islander Good Luck

Being an Isles fan, I don't believe in luck. Unless its bad. Which is why I use the Ryan Smyth player tee-shirt I purchased last year was employed in the cleaning of my toilet this afternoon. But here is how I fantasize my hand in helping the Islanders to the Magical Valley of Good Luck.

Beverage: Amstel Light
I am of the belief that no liquid should be consumed if it does not contain alcohol or caffeine. My alcoholic beverage of choice is always, whenever possible, Amstel Light. I'd brush my teeth with it if the bubbles didn't bother my fillings so much. Since I'm always drinking Amstel Light, the Isles tend to win when I have one in hand.

Meal: Napkin from Cosi
Don't judge me. I'm not one of those people who eats drywall and styrofoam cups to cut carbs or whatever. I love carbs! I eat them all the time. This started a the end of last season. I was working on a poker show at an edit house, where life was only interrupted for hockey games and take-out. And if I planned it just right, I could get the two to coincide. One night while enjoying a rather bland salad from Cosi, I shoved my napkin in my mouth to stifle the scream about to burst forth following a Trent Hunter goal. I spent most of the game chewing absently on the napkin to muffle my excitement, lest anyone remember my presence, wander into my area, and bother me to work. Knowing the power I held between my teeth, I kept a supply of Cosi napkins handy for the rest of the season. Including spending Easter ignoring my tofu lasagna to munch on recycled paper while I watched the Isles face the Devils in a shootout. And what happened at the end of the Islanders season, huh?

Clothing: J. Crew Vintage Thermal
This is a new development. My Youth Small Miroslav Satan player-tee has been washed too many times and is officially too small. You know how 99% of Britney Spears's clothes fit? That's how it fits me. But I gave it a good shot on opening night for the Isles this year, including trudging through the Upper East Side and braving the 6 wearing it. I didn't get jumped. But nerves got the better of me and I sweat an eddy through the damn thing. When I got to work, I had to change or risk alienating fellow employees with my rancid form. Knowing I was due at the game that night, I ran into the J. Crew in my building and grabbed the first navy blue top I saw, the vintage thermal. The Isles won that night, as they have every night I've worn that top since.

Hair: Ponytail
My hair is extremely distracting. It's big and curly and many different colors. I don't the Islanders for getting distracted by it even when I watch the game from home. That's how big my hair is. You can see it Uniondale, even when I'm looking out on the East River. The ponytail must be high, never low. Because the Isles still need to be able to see some of my calico mane, just so they know I'm there.

Good Luck Charm: Pack of UNO cards
Disregarding Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit, and Flip Cup, UNO is, quite obviously, the greatest game on Planet Earth. I try never to be without UNO cards in any given situation, because you never know when you are going to need them. And make no mistake, you will need them. So I always have a pack of UNO cards with me. Are they lucky? Do they really contribute to an Isles win? I don't know. And I don't care to find out.

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I'll be the one to post Duff news this time

Multi-platinum recording artist and actress Hilary Duff was on hand to watch the preseason tilt between the Islanders and Rangers on Monday night.



Ms. Duff, a friend of Islanders center Mike Comrie, sat in the middle of the Coliseum crowd to catch all of the action close-up and she wasn't disappointed. Along with a slew of fights and hard hits, Comrie also scored on the power play for a thrilling evening of hockey.

link

Well he had 2 goals (including the OT goal) and 2 assists tonight.

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My good news!

(cross posted to my blog)

Now that I posted it to the general forum I'm going to scream it out to the roof tops.

In one week my beloved Isles forum which I took over as the owner years ago will be known as THE official Isles forum, linked off their website and everything.

Although I've known for a month and hinted at it for a while I didn't want to say anything earlier because I'm superstitious. I'm the type of person who won't tell anyone outside my family that I'm pregnant until the 1st trimester is over too.

Anyway, I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. Wish me luck! :)

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Take Michael Peca-- Please!

I've never made a secret of my dislike of Michael Peca. At first he seems okay, right? That whizz-bang style on the ice. The media-friendly soundbites. That swan-like neck that suggests he'd make a fine Jane Austen heroine. And then you look a little bit closer. Is he injured again? Really? Why do his eyes look like that? Is he taking whippets or something? Does he keep anything out of the media? Who the hell is he, Denise Richards or something? Is he going to ask Charlie Sheen for a spunk sample soon?

Well, for my many ridiculous reasons for disliking Michael Peca, I finally feel vindicated by his behavior this summer. In free agency, he has ostensibly been acting like the pretty girl in school letting it be known in study hall, with whom she would deign to attend the prom. When the Leafs didn't exactly scramble to re-sign him, Peca declared how cute he thinks Buffalo is. But Buffalo doesn't like sloppy seconds. So Peca made sex-eyes at the Islanders. But they'd been there, had that, got an itchy crotch from it. So Peca passed a note to the Rangers, bought a corsage, and waited. But not before keeping his options open by winking at the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Earth to Peca: You're not all that. Pack up your Keira Knightley neck and shut it.

So even though I am vindicated, I invite all of you to post or comment on the object of your irrational loathing. No cheating and saying Sean Avery.

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First the Staal brothers....

Hmmmm.....I guess this makes sense. Hillary Duff has fake teeth, so does Mike Comrie. Hillary Duff is majorly rich, so is Mike Comrie. And they are both so skilled at looking anguished and tormented by the press following them around.

Hilary and fresh boy toy Mike Comrie were spotted having a romantic dinner last night at Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica. Try the veal cutlet! Comrie is the center for the New York Islanders hockey team, but his "net worth" doesn't stop there; the Canadian pucker comes with quite a wad of cash -- as heir to the Brick Warehouse fortune. Score!

Sources tell us that the twosome have been hot and heavy since a wet weekend of jet skiing in Idaho.

UPDATE: I have confirmation of a nickname: Milary. Now I am going to go join KMS2 in vomiting.

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** I can't get a title to show up on this post. Will try adding one later.**

I always enjoy the creative challenges most here at HLOG. It feeds into what most of you recognize as my almost disassociative penchant for the fantastic. It was a while ago that Jordi challenged us to fix our favorite NHL players with a celebrity girlfriends. I've already done so, countless times in my head, so I am only pleased to bring you into that terrifying place. Following in the tradition of former captain Alexei Yashin, who wooed a raw food-loving Mrs Robinson of his own, my adored Islanders shall all be fixed up with Carol Alt's washed-up model bretheren.

Brendan Witt & Naomi Campbell- Could there ever be a more attractively violent pair? Imagine fights with these two! Rabbit punches and cell phone beatings over programming the TiVo. Daily trips to the tattoo parlor. And a weekly weave exchange. Ah, it would be beautiful.

Mike Sillinger & Karolina Kurkova- Karolina Kurkova is 23 and looks 54. If Sillie matches up with the rode-hard-put-up-wet Kurkova, he will seem daisy-fresh and smooth.

Wade Dubielewicz & Emme- I don't know. I just picture Dubie as a chubby-chaser. I think he appreciates a little more to love.

Marc-Andre Bergeron & Janice Dickinson- Both play fast and loose. Both score a lot after taking a whole lot of hard shots. Both are have no defense when it comes to hulking players. MAB and the World's First Supermodel would make a tremendous pair.

Radek Martinek & Elle MacPherson- I like Martinek and I want to see him get some play. His body is always failing him, so wouldn't it be nice to have The Body nursing him back to health?

Miroslav Satan & Linda Evangelista- Ms Evangelista once remarked that she wouldn't get out of bed for less than $10,000. I feel like my friend Miro buys into that philosophy. They aslo have matching disturbingly shaped eyebrows.

Mike Comrie & Kathy Ireland- Both are annoying for unknown reasons. I mean Kathy Ireland is pretty, was on Melrose Place, and is a smart businesswoman. I should like her, right? Mike Comrie is fast, can score a lot, and has made a decent career for such a small dude. I should like him, right? But I don't really like either. So maybe if they join forces, they can cancel each other out.

Chris Simon & Tyra Banks- Despite gifting the world with the greatest television show currently on the air, Tyra Banks may just be one of the most annoying people who has ever lived. I'm only pairing her with Chris Simon because he is violent. And if Tyra were to pantomime copping a squat (as she did on a recent talk show appearance) I feel that Chris Simon would probably put a stop to it with a well-time thunderous check or a swift blow to the weave.

Rick DiPietro & Christie Brinkley- Ricky D already has a handsome model girlfriend. But just picture him with the stubbornly ageless Isles fan Christie Brinkley. Together, they'd fry your eyeballs with their collective beauty. Both are devoted to Long Island and both slept with Billy Joel. It's a perfect match.

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Too hot to blog, but...

it's only 108*F (42*C) outside... *rolls eyes* ick. Good news is, it's supposed to cool down tomorrow - back down to 100*...

I was hoping the extreme heat had made me go into some sort of heat-induced halucination. Not so much. Turns out Bill Guerin is (for reals) an Islander after signing a 2-year deal.

Ok, Sharkies... When are you going to, oh, i dunno... sign someone other than Thornton? (who, btw, wasn't even a UFA!) How about some D? Maybe a Patty Marleau (or two)?

I can't get any more worked up. I feel like I'm coming down with the vapors... (either that or I'm turning Japanese....)

EDIT: And NOW... The Islanders announce the signing of Mike Comrie. Watch out, Ladies, Ted, Garth and Chuck mean Biz-nass and they're out to steal your players!

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The Free Agents Who Loved Me

Not even gazing into the eyes of Rick DiPietro guarantees that St. Ryan Smyth will sign with the Islanders.

I don't think St. Ryan Smyth is going to re-sign with the Islanders. I never have. Do I think he could do well on the Island? Do I think they would go so far as to re-create the team in his image? Do I think he could be comfortable here, grow to love us, and recognize that certain areas of Long Island can double for the rural parts of Canada where Smyth is from? Yes. Yes. A thousands times yes. Per capita, Long Island probably has more mullets there are at most skating rinks on the prairie. Also, Long Island has about 4 country clubs to every 8 people, and I hear Smyth likes golf. But, I don't think St. Smyth is going to re-sign, so I'll let it go. An alarming number of Islanders are up for new contracts. I'll just introduce the ones that are weighing on my mind the most.

Jason Blake #55 W- St. Jason Blake is all things to all Islanders fans. Pest, sniper, Speedy Gonzales. It’s like Martin St. Louis, Sean Avery, and an Albino had a baby, and that baby was traded to the Islanders. Blake loves being an Islander, and Islanders fans love St. Jason Blake. When St. Blake scores, all hell breaks loose in the Mausoleum. The Islanders can’t afford to lose both Saints Smyth and Blake. And at least one of them has been vocal about how much he wants to be there. Supposedly, St. Blake wants 5 years at $18 Million. If this is even remotely true, the Islanders need to offer this along with some coupons to Chrebet’s and a sleeve of Win for Life scratch-offs. Blake is a beloved player who can play. Those two qualities rarely meet these days in the organization.

Trent Hunter #7 RW- I assume that most people who don’t closely follow the Islanders have little to no idea who this Hunter character is, but most Isles faithful would gladly hand over their children, wives, and kidneys if the Trent asked. The Trent can score. He’s a 20-goal man. That’s nice and all, but there are two things that make us hold the Trent to our collective bosoms. First is his hustle. I haven’t seen that much hustle since I watched Behind the Music: Studio 54. As I’ve said before, Trent Hunter has a second home in Cindy Crosby’s ass. I’m talking fully decorated and furnished with the expensive cable plan. If you can keep up with Cindy Crosby, then boffo socko for you. If you can stop him, you’re awesome. Second, is what appears to be Hunter’s fascination with trying to find out if it’s physically possible to hit someone hard enough to un-dam a river of snot in his opponent. If you are somewhere on the ice and show signs of life, the Trent will hit you. Hard. And the Trent is great on the PK and relentless on the PP. The Isles need to re-sign him, so I can go back to scribbling “I heart Trent Hunter” on my Trapper Keeper.

Viktor Kozlov #25 C/W- I’m divided here. Kozlov is streakier than a home highlighting kit. But he’s big and versatile, and was surprisingly effective when moved to Center. And one of the delights of watching Kozlov is how he can diffuse a corner scrum by working his crazy long reach into the mix like, “Why thank you, I’ll be taking that puck…” Kozlov is never going to be Mike Bossy. Hell, he’s never going to be Alexei Yashin. But for around $2 million, I can dig it. Anything more and I’m cool with walking away.

Arron Asham #44 W- Again, I’m divided. Asham can be great for energy, a booming shot, and a physical edge. And then on the next shift, he play a convincing Goofus to the ever-hustling Andy Hilbert’s Gallant. Asham needs to be used in the right way to be effective. They need to keep him with Jason Blake, so he can use that frightening shot in congress with Blake’s quick rebounding skillz, and Asham can use his size to make room for the diminutive speedster. Asham should be a bargain. I say give him a one-year deal.

Tom Poti #3 D- Tom Poti is a deceptive player. When you think of Tom Poti, you don’t really think of him as very physical, very strong, or very fast. I’m not sure anyone even thinks he’s very good. But he’s all of those things and a big-ass point shot. Poti is happy to put a bitch into the boards. He logs a ton of ice time. And he’s so big that his legs gobble up the ice like my roommates with a fresh jar of hummus. Poti is awesome. A rare blueliner who is an asset both on offense and defense. Nail him down for at least three years.

Sean Hill #6 D- If he’s cheap, keep him. Otherwise, it may cost the Isles more in urine tests than is really worth it.

Chris Campoli #14 D- Campoli makes a lot of mistakes. I suggest we change his name to the Human White-Out, because he always covers his own mistakes. He’s super-fast and has a deft (deft, I say!) touch with the puck. During the playoffs, Campoli and (m.c.) Bruno Gervais played like ten-year vets. And in the ill-fated Game Five, they were the two best Isles on the ice. Campoli is full-to-bursting with potential. The Isles will lock him down for a while and hopefully resist the urge to rush him into top minutes.

**And there is one rumor I have to address, because it seems to be picking up heat since Yashin was exiled. Michael Peca coming back to the Islanders. To say that I dislike Michael Peca is like saying that I dislike my severe, anaphalactic allergic reactions to milk. A lot of Isles fans think he's the pope of Islestown. I do not have truck with that at all. Let's just say I think his surname is an appropriate moniker.

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Merry Christmas!

Ted Nolan is arguably the greatest human ever to wear a lilac tie. Proof? As thousands cheer, the New York Islanders have bought out the remaining four years on lackluster captain Alexei Yashin. This clears cap room and karma for the organization to pretend that they're going to sign Ryan Smyth and Jason Blake. It gives way for Nolan to build a gritty, lilac tie-wearing team in his image. It reminds fans that a six-year chorus of boos for an icon of the destruction of a once-great franchise did not go unheard. Turtlenecks around the world bow their unflattering collars in respect to their greatest champion today. Islanders fans, however, have their heads up in the clouds.

also on SportSquee, where analysis will be ongoing throughout the day

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Affiliation news

For the second time, the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL announce an affiliation with the New York Islanders

The Grizz and the Islanders teamed up way back in 1994-1998... The Grizz were pretty successful back then.

I can't say this doesn't come as a surprise to me. The Grizz sucked this year. Granted, I only saw two games, but their passing was sloppy, their D was non-existant and because they were plagued with injuries, G Rob McVicar had played something crazy like 17 games straight - with no one to relieve him unless he was injured. The weekend we went to Idaho to watch them play the Steelheads, they got beat, collectively, a nutterhausen 15-3. It was painful to watch, it really was (but we did get 2 free Sonic burgers out of the deal).

Hopefully the Islanders fill the team with some top prospects. (read my blog for why that's italicized...) The Grizz had all the talent, drive and ambition there to be a competitor, but with the injuries and frustration, lacked in the 'getting-it-done' department.

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The Simonizing of Ryan Hollweg

This is what popped up when I google-imaged Chris Simon

I've had a few days to cool off from the Isles-Rangers game in which Chris Simon played Casey at Bat with the head of Ryan Hollweg. Fortunately, Simon connected only slightly better than the hero of the classic poem, not enough to do serious, greivous damage to his victim. I am still horrified that the incident even took place. It is inexcusable. But upon further review, I fear I may have been a little too harsh on Simon. As one of the most celebrated Islanders fans/apologists in the metropolitan area, I have been asked by the thousands of SportSquee and hlog fans to weigh in on the tomahawk chop and here is the breakdown as I can make sense of the whole thing.

Why did Chris Simon do it?
At first glance, it looked like a gut-reaction to getting hit. Like Simon just got over-emotional in the heat of getting checked into the boards, a talent upon which Simon himself built his career. As I noted previously, it seemed like he was being a brat, or a Havlat, if you will. But upon ad nauseum reviews of the play, Simon clearly looks out of it. On the igniting play, Hollweg's arm is buried deep in Simon's numbers, making for a dangerous boarding. Simon went face/neck first into the glass, hard. I don't point this out to excuse Simon in the least, but I think it should be noted that he now has a serious concussion as a result of the play. Now, if I, a pacifist and vegan, have a concussion, and kick you in the face, I'm still an asshole for kicking you in the face. But at least you have an explanation for why I was out of it enough to do something like that. Even in the post-game locker room interview, Simon's eyes are dilated and roving hither and yon as he tries to back pedal for the press. Beyond sounding emotionally rocked, he looked sick. And if you've ever gotten overly randy at a Neil Diamond concert and bailed down the mezzanine stairs at MSG, you'll recognize that dazed, slow look.

Did Ryan Hollweg deserve it?
No. Ryan Hollweg is a douche. Let's get that out of the way. I say this not as a noted Ranger-hater, but as a person who read about the time he pissed all over some girl's flip-flopped feet at a Memorial Day barbecue, and was horrified. The pest is one of the trickiest roles in hockey. It's easy to love a pest when he's on your team, and it's easier to loathe him when he's on the other team. I like pests and the energy they bring to the game. But a lot of them are dirty. And none, besides Sean Avery, are as dirty as Hollweg. To his (sort of) credit, Hollweg, unlike a lot of pests who don't entertain the idea of backing up their chippiness because of their comparatively small size, will drop it like it's hot if someone seeks retaliation. But like most pests, he gets away with murder, and calls it drawing penalties. All that said, no one, outside of the American political system, deserves to take the business end of a composite to the chin. Not even someone who has no compunction about relieving himself on the feet of an unsuspecting partygoer.

Was the punishment fair?
Absolutely. Simon's career is finished, whether the NHL banned him or not. Ted Nolan was likely the only person willing to give Simon a chance at this stage of his career. And likely the only person who could elicit solid production from Simon. Their personal relationship is well-known. Nolan helped him through teenage alcoholism while in junior, according to legend. And his affection for Simon was evident to anyone who saw his brief tenure as a linemate of Alexei Yashin and St. Jason Blake earlier this season. Because, what else could explain the logic of having a slow-as-molasses-in-January winger with little offensive upside on a line with a strong but unmotivated playmaker and a vision-blurring angel on skates? Especially when you have speedy hard-hitters on the team like Trent Hunter. After this, however, I don't think that having Nolan in his corner is going to be enough to salvage Simon's career. Although the Islanders have become an Island of Misfit Toys recently, I doubt that even Charles Wang will opt to re-sign him. It's fitting for the crime that he's going to be deprived of playing the rest of what could've been a Cinderella season and possibly the playoffs. But the real punishment is that his name, along with Marty McSorley and maybe Todd Bertuzzi, is going to be shorthand for unfortunate incidents of hockey violence. He'll be the new "everything that's wrong with the game" for the NHL.

How does the loss of Simon affect the Islanders?
Losing the play of Simon doesn't affect the Islanders terribly. They are anemic in the scoring department with or without him. And even in Simon's past role as an enforcer they won't miss him. As I have complained about on many occasions, Simon has been disturbingly quiet on that end, deferring the fighting duties to the already-spread-thin Brendan Witt, the diminutive and tooth-sacrificing Richard Park, and Arron Asham, who has morphed into a clutch scorer and probably shouldn't do any damage to the hands that produce the Isles' best slap shot. Not to sound like a mouth-breather, but you don't bring in Chris Simon unless you bring him into fight, and he wasn't serving in that capacity. He was producing in streaks though. But goals are just jimmies on the sundae with a player like Simon. He's meant for security. Security he didn't really provide this season. On a mental level though, this is going to have a serious effect on the Isles season. The bad blood generated by the incident is going to cast a long shadow over the little team that could. Watching that scene on TV (or YouTube) was hard enough. Imagine having a front row seat. Even if the Isles have a stronger constitution for violence than I do (which is likely, since they play hockey and don't cry when they walk past the butcher section of the corner Gristedes), than the loss of the veteran presence and rah-rah team guy could have detrimental consequences. The majority of the Islanders defensive corps has only recently begun to shave. So any steadying guidance is welcome. And Simon's history of interesting hair choice will also take some of the heat off of Brendan Witt and his perm.

Cross-posted at SportSquee

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Ryan Smyth

Ok...I posted this on my blog but I want to post it here to see what you guys thought.

I have gone back and fourth on this stupid Ryan Smyth trade. He is my friends favorite player so I do have a certain amount of knowledge about him…and what he was to the Oilers and what he meant to that team. You saw last night the Oilers were lost without him…getting shut out at home to one of the worst teams in the NHL. So, here's what I now think about it.

Could it be that "Captain Canada" really is just another money hungry hockey player…like Zdeno Chara or Jaromir Jagr? I think it's quite possible. You look at a guy like Smyth and you think oh the face of the Edmonton Oilers right? Every team has the face of the franchise…for Columbus it's Rick Nash…for Washington it's Alexander Ovechkin…and for the Devils…it's Martin Brodeur. The first two are so new to the hockey world that I can't really talk about how they compare to Ryan Smyth because quite frankly we don't know that they will be franchise players. Martin Brodeur however will never play for another team. He made sure of it. Brodeur in fact on the last contract he himself negotiated took LESS money in the beginning so that his team could have more money to build a stronger team. Now, granted towards the end of his contract he says he will be making more money than what he is worth. (In my opinion you couldn't give this guy enough money but that's just me) But, Smyth wanted too much money. He is in his prime right now…and 5 years from now he'd be far into a down hill spiral. I am not trying to take away from Smyth at all. He is an amazing player and a great player who plays all heart every night. If Smyth really cared about this franchise don't you think he'd be willing to sacrifice some money so that the Oilers would be able to sign other skilled guys? I do. I really don't think that Smyth will go back to the Oilers. It's a nice thought but highly unlikely. He will go to whoever offers him the most money. So now I wonder…is this the end of all the heart and soul players? Are there any more left other than Marty? I don't think so…and that's a sad thought. I do wish Smyth the best of luck on the Island…and for the Oilers fans…I'm really sorry you lost him.

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Ryan Smyth

I know I'm not the Oilers girl...however, I love Ryan Smyth...he plays with heart always. Anyway, I'm just curious for everyone's reaction...I personally was floored. Let me know...I will post my opinion tonight when I get home.

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