The Hockey News: Ryan Dixon released a feature article this afternoon on Islander defenseman Mark Streit with comments from the NHL leading point
producer on the powerplay and head coach Scott Gordon about his role with the club.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good article.
Through Tuesday night, Streit was seventh in league scoring among defensemen, one spot ahead of Chicago’s Brian Campbell and also ahead of Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Pronger.
In addition Streit on defense is giving them twenty five minutes most nights and some outstanding defense on the leagues worst team at even strength. He proved any talk about his defensive game was a complete myth from day one.
Too bad the players around him are not productive at even strength which he did do better at on a much deeper Canadians club (where he saw time as a forward) but this was an outstanding signing by Garth Snow in every area.
Newsday: Mr Logan in the Islander Newsday blog did his best to keep up with the line combinations as they changed frequently in Philadephia. He had some interesting comments from head coach Scott Gordon who credited assistant coach John Chabot for suggesting some line changes when he was going to try something else.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Bergenheim/Comeau kept getting moved to what could be considered the Isles best center in Weight.
There is no fourth line here with Fritz, just a mix and match of players at times with someone taking a double shift and Jackman seeing less minutes.
For me just too much Hilbert or Park when they need a goal most but there is no combination that can be expected to produce as a first or even a second line most games.
Still the offense has improved, when you go from 30th to 20th with all these changes and injuries something has worked, just not enough.
I hope Blake Comeau is winning over Scott Gordon with his play, I see the same player from a year ago. It will be interesting to see the reaction if Nate Thompson returns and Comeau goes back to Bridgeport.
My lines? (with the current roster)
Comeau-Weight-Guerin
Bergenheim-Sillinger-Hunter
Hilbert-Bailey-Park
Sim-Thompson-Jackman
Fritz
My changes?
Comrie returns or Trevor Smith, Jesse Joensuu and Mike Iggulden get a call with Jackman, Fritz going down with Nate Thompson when he is healthy.
Tambellini replaces one of the three called (above) when his conditioning assignment ends regardless.
Sim, Hilbert and Park take a number as rotating healthy scratches.
Time to find out who can make a skilled scoring play among some of these forwards in Bridgeport.