Blake praises Islanders, look at former players

New York Islander Fan Central | 11/08/2007 08:37:00 AM | | | |
Toronto Sun: Steve Simmons had some very interesting comments from Jason Blake about the Islanders in comparision to the Toronto Maple Leafs and how he needs the puck combined with his style vs Mats Sundin in an article where he held back.

When asked how it was the Islanders had so much success, Blake showed how much trouble he is having adjusting to life as a Leaf.

"No. 1, they have an unbelievable coach," Blake said. "Ted Nolan's the best. No. 2, we played like the Senators, that way. We weren't as talented, we weren't as big, we weren't as strong but we moved the puck. We tried to hit the open guy. No. 3, we had Brendan Witt, one of the most underrated defenceman in the league."

And No. 4?

"The best goalie. The best upcoming goaltender in the league. (Rick) DiPietro will win the Vezina in the next three years."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Very interesting comments from Blake given the Islanders struggles vs Ottawa in his time here. High praise from a former player for Nolan, Witt and DiPietro. Clearly Blake needs the puck on his stick and to get his shots and his game was better suited for this team. Where he cannot go with the Toronto media is to say that Alexei Yashin set him up far better last season than Mats Sundin because he would be lynched for it, regardless of whether it's true.

Let's recap even though it's early:
Caps struggling with Poti, Kozlov on a team with injuries.
Zednik's has six goals but overall a marginal impact in Florida on a 7-9 team.
Blake getting asists but not scoring, defense and goaltending again struggling.
Hill on suspension but will join a winning team soon.
Asham's Devils struggling while he goes from top lines to fourth line.

One player Islanders wanted to keep doing ok in Ryan Smyth in terms of team success as they are tied for first but on same scoring pace he was on as an Islanders with far more first and second line talent.