At the same time they did get hurt playing elsewhere and you could make the case as to why should I pay them if they got hurt playing in a different league. I'm just curious to see if they would have suspended JT if that happened?? My guess is no way
- Vukota

TBD, he did get bitten...

they still had valid contracts, regardless of being locked out. As far as the players themselves, they decided to play overseas to both stay in shape and earn extra income to cover what they were missing by being locked out. Now they're injured and unable to play so the Isles have suspended both for injuries that were not suffered as Islanders. Makes sense to me. Not overly popular, but well within their rights.

If someone screwed himself up using a snowblower (lol sakic) in the offseason, would be be entitled to the team paying his salary while recovering? The team could do it if they wanted to, but they wouldn't be obligated to.

these players chose to go work at another employer during the lockout, and came back unable to play. Their choice, and they risked it and got hurt
- Isles_since_6

Has any other organization suspended their players for being injured while playing overseas?

There's a fine line between begging Visnovsky to come over and simply enforcing your legal rights to toll his contract and exhaust your legal options. I don't think the Isles have "begged" Visnovsky to come over eithier literally or through their actions. They traded for a player. It cost a second round pick. the player f**ked them and decided he didn't need to honor his contract. The Isles bought him a plane ticket, called him to ask him to come over. He has since refused.

The Isles haven't done anything else to "beg" Visnovsky to come over. No repeated plane tickets purchased. No sending over a group of team reps to coerce him to come back with them. All the Isles have done is answer the media's questions about the situation.

Again, I personally think the Isles have handled the situation perfectly, a rare feat for this managment team. I don't think its desperate to toll a guy's deal if he refuses to report when you gave up a second round pick for him. The Isles simply can't walk away from this and let Visnovsky win. They'll look worse in the long run by doing that than by simply tolling his deal and waiting for Visnovsky to come to his senses.
- Jethro09

I hear you Jethro but I believe Viz said he was being pressured with multiple phone calls by the Islanders Organization and just wanted to be left alone at that point. Maybe begging is to harsh of a word. Pestering may be better

What I found interesting about the reports from the show was how they perceived the Islanders and their short coming.

It gave me some incite as to how & why the Players and the NHL view the Islanders as they do.

The Isles do have a lot to offer. IMO with a few good moves (trades, UFA, RFA) they could be on the cusp of something very positive.

But going after guys that have made it very clear that they want no part of the Isles in any way shape or form. Sends a negative message to the Team IMO.

I understand what you're saying, but then let me ask you this. How many years does Garth get before this team starts competing for a cup? I would think that should be something ownership should have put into their business model. Clearly the leafs thought 4 years of no playoffs was enough to excuse Burke of his duties. So if this season is over, and they cannot improve much next season.......now you're talkin about starting in brooklyn in year 7 of a rebuild. Does it really take 7 years to compete for a playoff birth?
- kindlyrick

Garth's Job isn't to build a team to compete for the cup. Garth has 1 job. And that is to compete for top 5 draft pick yearly..

The problem here is they were locked out. They were not under contract. Im really confused by all of this..
- kindlyrick

I think we need to see the small wording of the contract...this has Wang's name all over it...cheap bastard...

I understand what you're saying, but then let me ask you this. How many years does Garth get before this team starts competing for a cup? I would think that should be something ownership should have put into their business model. Clearly the leafs thought 4 years of no playoffs was enough to excuse Burke of his duties. So if this season is over, and they cannot improve much next season.......now you're talkin about starting in brooklyn in year 7 of a rebuild. Does it really take 7 years to compete for a playoff birth?
- kindlyrick

while I have more patience for Snow and looking at what he currently has on the roster I don't see many options for trades, I do agree that this has taken longer to show results than anticipated. That being said, there are not many franchises in as bad a shape as this one was when Snow took over. Blame Milbury, blame Wang, but this franchise was in a godawful mess that was barely holding onto an 8th seed in the playoffs when Snow took over and was on the way down in a hurry.

No prospects, no young players to build around, just aging vets and cast offs who were on their last NHL legs.

Snow has done an adequate job of replenishing the farm system and the foundation of the team, but it's missing at least two big pieces (top line winger, #1 defenseman) and if those don't come from within he's going to have to do something at some point.

Did you take notes or do you have a great memory?...very good summary...you pretty much nailed on what Milrose, McKenzie and Weekes said...I really like Kathryn Tappen...what a cutie... She is married to Jay Leach...ex-hockey player....
- kear20

I flipped back thru the pages in my mind.

Prayed I remembered correctly. You know how it is on HB if you slip up on a fact or two!!!!

Garth's Job isn't to build a team to compete for the cup. Garth has 1 job. And that is to compete for top 5 draft pick yearly..
- Albanian

Like I said a few month's ago, the NHL draft is Wang's playoffs...then he can have his fat son (soon to be the next Islanders owner)stand on stage and pose for pictures with the pick in an Islanders jersey.

someone can mark this one down....i think this is a HUGE year for some of the current isles; bailey, ko, grabner, mcdonald....this is a put up or shutup season for them. after this season, i expect garth to be aggressive both on the trade market and the free agent market.

the isles will have A LOT of things working in their favor during this off season. theyll have the arena issue locked up, theyll be a year closer to bk, theyll have some of their prospects ready go, theyll have other teams players being bought out and teams fighting to stay below the salary cap therefore flooding the FA market, after this coming season, if garth doesnt do something to get a big name, THATS when ill start getting on his/wangs case.
- LetsGoIsles

Agree with all of this. Put up or shut up this season and this coming offseason...not just for the players, but for ownership and management. The excuses for all of them are dwindling by the day now. A lot of the "young" players are entering what should be their prime now...no more showing "flashes," they have to bring it consistently. The arena issue is solved, the system is re-stocked, and we're into what should be the final year of the rebuild, so no more excuses for not building a team ready to not just make the playoffs, but make a run.

The only difference between where we're coming from is that Snow is starting in negative territory for me. I've seen enough to not be impressed, and it has to do with more than just not having the money to spend. But I'm willing to not close the book entirely until he has a fair shot after the arena deal was announced. Since that was always held up as the biggest obstacle to everything, I'll bite and see how he handles things now that it's settled.

TBD, he did get bitten...
- LetsGoIsles

But the good news is, Zombie JT will never have to come to the bench for a breather.

Like I said a few month's ago, the NHL draft is Wang's playoffs...then he can have his fat son (soon to be the next Islanders owner)stand on stage and pose for pictures with the pick in an Islanders jersey.
- kear20

Don't forget the huge bag of DORITOS

I flipped back thru the pages in my mind.

Prayed I remembered correctly. You know how it is on HB if you slip up on a fact or two!!!!
- SCLI

you did a great job...

I was checking out Hickey's AHL stats and they look great. This waver pick up by Garth might be a good one. kid has some awesome AHL stats.. he never got a real shot at crackin the Kings line up. but with a weak isles D-core he might be a top 4 pairing..

Garth's Job isn't to build a team to compete for the cup. Garth has 1 job. And that is to compete for top 5 draft pick yearly..
- Albanian

An astute observation. And may I add, quite brilliant!!

I understand what you're saying, but then let me ask you this. How many years does Garth get before this team starts competing for a cup? I would think that should be something ownership should have put into their business model. Clearly the leafs thought 4 years of no playoffs was enough to excuse Burke of his duties. So if this season is over, and they cannot improve much next season.......now you're talkin about starting in brooklyn in year 7 of a rebuild. Does it really take 7 years to compete for a playoff birth?
- kindlyrick

It shouldn't. Not even close. Not making the playoffs for a five year period is absurd. the Isles aren't the only team that has suffered that indignity. Truth is, if Wang isn't putting pressure on Snow to make the playoffs, Snow is going to continue to build the team this way. I don't know if Snow is incapable of adding decent veterans or if he just isn't able to because of the financial and arena restraints he's had all along. But you can't build a team into a playoff team in five years just by drafting kids and signing waiver wire crap that nobody else wants. Every team compliments its roster with veteran additions from outside. Until the Isles start complimenting their roster with capable vets instead of Joe Finley, Marty Reasoner and Thomas Hickey, they won't make the playoffs.

you did a great job...
- kear20

Thanks

Like I said a few month's ago, the NHL draft is Wang's playoffs...then he can have his fat son (soon to be the next Islanders owner)stand on stage and pose for pictures with the pick in an Islanders jersey.
- kear20

I love the fact that he has his chubby son on stage with the photo. To make matters worse, he used to rock the Richard Park sweater. Cmonnnnnn guysss.

Has any other organization suspended their players for being injured while playing overseas?
- kindlyrick

Bush League...they could have said to Bailey and Joenesu (sp) we're not paying you until you pass your physicals and not announce it. Tomorrow, the NHLPA is going to get involved and we will look like a-holes...again...

I hear you Jethro but I believe Viz said he was being pressured with multiple phone calls by the Islanders Organization and just wanted to be left alone at that point. Maybe begging is to harsh of a word. Pestering may be better

What I found interesting about the reports from the show was how they perceived the Islanders and their short coming.

It gave me some incite as to how & why the Players and the NHL view the Islanders as they do.

The Isles do have a lot to offer. IMO with a few good moves (trades, UFA, RFA) they could be on the cusp of something very positive.

But going after guys that have made it very clear that they want no part of the Isles in any way shape or form. Sends a negative message to the Team IMO.
- SCLI

a) since when is everyone so worried about the image of the team? like the image is SO GREAT right now???

b) if the isles let the players walk all over them, that gives the team a better image?

It shouldn't. Not even close. Not making the playoffs for a five year period is absurd. the Isles aren't the only team that has suffered that indignity. Truth is, if Wang isn't putting pressure on Snow to make the playoffs, Snow is going to continue to build the team this way. I don't know if Snow is incapable of adding decent veterans or if he just isn't able to because of the financial and arena restraints he's had all along. But you can't build a team into a playoff team in five years just by drafting kids and signing waiver wire crap that nobody else wants. Every team compliments its roster with veteran additions from outside. Until the Isles start complimenting their roster with capable vets instead of Joe Finley, Marty Reasoner and Thomas Hickey, they won't make the playoffs.
- Jethro09

I dont disagree............but according to some, there arent many available players out there via trade. I think you touched on a good point. Wang isnt putting pressure on Snow to make the playoffs. They will continue to stand pat until the brooklyn move, because only then will they be able to show a profit.

I was checking out Hickey's AHL stats and they look great. This waver pick up by Garth might be a good one. kid has some awesome AHL stats.. he never got a real shot at crackin the Kings line up. but with a weak isles D-core he might be a top 4 pairing..
- Albanian

I like your avatar...Islanders, Mets, Giants and what is the fourth team? I didn't recognize it...

But LV isnt coming because of personal reasons......it has nothing to do with the islanders. RIGHTTTTTTTTT, and OJ was innocent.
- kindlyrick

The gloves did not fit!!

XxNYIxX

Bush League...they could have said to Bailey and Joenesu (sp) we're not paying you until you pass your physicals and not announce it. Tomorrow, the NHLPA is going to get involved and we will look like a-holes...again...
- kear20

I really wanna know if other teams have done this, or are the isles the only team to pull this nonsense. OK so its within their right, but like any other business if you want your employees to do right by you, you have to treat them right.

I like your avatar...Islanders, Mets, Giants and what is the fourth team? I didn't recognize it...
- kear20

Thanx..

4th one is my heritage country soccer logo''Albania''

The gloves did not fit!!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Oj is innocent his son did everyone knows that