Comments on: Future Watch: “New York Islanders Captaincy”

By: Mrs. Seeking For Women

Mrs. Seeking For Women — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:07:44 +0000

Haha,I adore The Heat! They are the most talented team in bball! We will never ever see another 3 headed monsterteam like this again! Go James!

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Fri, 21 May 2010 02:42:00 +0000

I would love to know if he regretted not doing anything on the Bailey hit but no one had the balls to ask him. I still say no one on this current roster deserves a “C” right now let someone earn it unless they pick up someone during the summer that might make a good captain but I doubt it.

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Fri, 21 May 2010 02:37:03 +0000

“I think next season he might consider himself a pro instead of a rookie” it looks like you did need clarification Rob, duh. Maybe you meant to use the word veteran? Nobody is asking him to be an “enforcer” all some of us want to see is him not stand around when one of his teammates takes a cheap shot, for him to stand up for HIMSELF like he should have the last game they played against the Leafs and see him go into the dirty areas instead of dancing around on the perimeter that’s all Rob. Have you watched the playoffs you think the style Okposo plays would be successful during the playoffs because I don’t. I just don’t get all the captain talk what has he done to earn a “C”? If you read all the blog’s you know Tavares and Park have gotten bashed this year while Okposo has pretty much gotten a free ride but as the season went on I see more and more people coming around to my way of thinking that his game needs a lot of work and he doesn’t deserve the “C” RIGHT NOW as was written by that hockey genus CB.

By: LetsGoIslanders

LetsGoIslanders — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:56:56 +0000

When the season started I believed KO was going to be the next captain. After watching most of the games this year…not anymore. Im a big KO fan-I feel the Isles are very lucky to have a guy like him on the team-especially during the arena nonsense. But he lacks “it”. If KO is going to be captain-he needs to show more “spirit” on the ice. Isles27 is right about the Bailey hit-and Im sure KO regrets not doing anything-but thats ok-lesson learned. With that said-Im still a big KO fan.

Personally-put the “C” on Tavares. He is the face of the franchise. He will be the best offensive player on the team for many years (I cnt wait to see how much better Tavares plays once he has talent around him and he grows into his body). And by putting the C on him now-maybe Tavares will committ his playing career to the Isles.

I wouldnt complain if Streit wore the “C”.

Just to throw a different name out there-
Andrew MacDonald?

By: RobJC

RobJC — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:03:36 +0000

I agree 100% and I believe hes maturing and will, in time, grow a bigger set of balls

By: RobJC

RobJC — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:02:05 +0000

You’re kidding right???Thanks for clarifying that, doh…The point is he was essentially a novice and next season will be his 3rd full season. You are very critical of this kid and I can appreciate and agree with you but I also see his potential. KO is a big man and looks like a guy who could take care of business so hopefully he will take the next step and start using his size and possibly start sticking up for his teammates. I agree with you about that 100% but the difference is I see allot more positives than negatives with this kid. I also wouldn’t sell him out if he doesn’t become an enforcer type, look at players like Pierre Turgeon, he won the lady bing.

Im just baffled because you dont give th guy any credit at all. Im not one who bashes Taveras or Park like you talk about all the time and I dont bash KO either. I don’t know why you keep using these examples about how people bash everyone and they all praise KO because Im not one of them…

By: Vlad

Vlad — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:56:22 +0000

Bruno??? :)

By: Adam Malmut

Adam Malmut — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:55:31 +0000

I agree, excellent comments! Speaking of which, I didn’t even think about the Isles going with 3 assistant captains. The more I think about it, the more I actually like the idea. But, when I float back down to reality, the Isles have a history of giving SOMEBODY the “C”.

By: 19 Isle in NJ 22

19 Isle in NJ 22 — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:22:54 +0000

I think KO is a great player … needs some finishing work, and some defensive zone work. I have a feeling that he doesn’t have much of a mean streak … You can’t fake that … you gotta get P.O’d sometimes. I’m not saying he needs to be a d@%k like Avery … He’s gotta have that bull in the china shop mentality… because I’m sure he can really lay some hurt on someone, and they’ll be less likely to want to take some liberties on the ice knowing he’s going to put the hammer down on them for screwing with anyone.

Isles27 … I haven’t seen Steady on any boards since early in the 2008/09 season on the Newsday blog.

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:16:37 +0000

What was your take on the Bailey incident BD? Do you think Okposo’s reaction was appropriate.

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:15:17 +0000

“Budding star” take it easy there. You’re not comparing Okposo to Crosby now are you???? Crosby’s 2 fights are 2 more than Okposo plus Crosby has a TON more points than Okposo. Ovechkin even mixes it up way more than Okposo. You have no idea what the concept of “TEAM TOUGHNESS” is Rob.

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:08:38 +0000

Rob the guy on the Pens who laid out Bailey was not a goon, so no excuses there. BTW where are all the people who kept bringing up Park’s +/- during the season and knocking him for it yet when all was said and done Park was a -9 and Okposo a MINUS 22 and not a peep from these people. Why +/- not that important when Okposo has the worst on the team?

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:04:03 +0000

Rob the definition of a pro is someone who gets paid to play which Okposo does.

By: BDGallof

BDGallof — Fri, 14 May 2010 18:40:34 +0000

Great discussions in this thread. Great blog Adam, and great commenters and opinions.

By: BDGallof

BDGallof — Fri, 14 May 2010 18:39:52 +0000

Bailey was always chosen due to his leadership, but after this season, you can see he has many thins to work on…and the captaincy just isn’t something that should be added to it.

By: RobJC

RobJC — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:04:08 +0000

Just like Bertuzzi, KO will develop and gain more and more confidence and eventually he will not be afraid to really man up…Hes only 22. Its not hard to see the potential in this young man…Its not hard to understand that it should take some time before a player has the balls to drop em against the leagues top veterans who have been doing this for years. Hes paying his dues and I guarantee he will be one of our best players.

I’m done with this anyway because we will just go back & forth to no end. You feel hes a pussy and I feel hes just young and learning to take on more and more responsibility…When he does learn then hes ready…I hope m right and if you’re an Isles fan you should hope I’m right as well.

By: RobJC

RobJC — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:56:18 +0000

I also feel KO should stand up for his teammates as should anyone else who considers themselves a good teammate. I think next season he might consider himself a pro instead of a rookie and hopefully he takes that next step as a leader. I believe he will.

By: RobJC

RobJC — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:47:49 +0000

Hes still a budding star, hes played in 2 seasons and Im encouraged that he will become a great player, both ways. How many fight has Crosby had in his career???I think he might have had 2 so I stand by that statement that enforcers are there to fight, not your stars but I would like to see KO drop the gloves once in a blue moon when its appropriate. I think you’re a rarity when it comes to Kyle because most of us realize he was only a rookie 2 years ago.

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:29:58 +0000

I do remember Bertuzzi with the Isles I also remember a game against the Rangers where he got a cheap shot and he did nothing then after he got traded he started to drop the gloves although he was very selective with who he dropped them with. But you understand my point in the Bailey incident a player (no matter how old or in what league) can’t nor shouldn’t have to be taught what the right thing to do in that situation is and what Okposo did is unacceptable for a professional hockey player. If he doesn’t have it “in him” to defend one of his teammates in that situation then in my opinion he doesn’t deserve a “C”. Hey 19 Isle get Steady on here.

By: 19 Isle in NJ 22

19 Isle in NJ 22 — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:13:56 +0000

Team Captain… It doesn’t mean the same thing to all teams.

Look at the ‘Nucks … They gave it to their franchise goaltender… so in effect it’s a cerimonial for that club because a goaltender by NHL rules cannot function as a captain on the ice. Does that hurt the Canucks? Who the hell knows? The fact that Luongo is captain isn’t the reason the Canucks aren’t going to the Semis.

Sid & Ovie captain arguably the most talented teams depth wise in the league. So the arguement that a skilled player must captain a team also doesn’t equate to producing a playoff powerhouse. Both the Caps and Pens however did have outstanding regular seasons. However in those cases was it because who was captain of those teams? I don’t believe so.

I think if anything … a good captain is a player who can bare the weight and actually flurishes with the responsibility. A player can score 100 pts a season, and tear it up in the playoffs … That doesn’t make him a good captain. The captain boosts the players on his team, and lifts them by example … The hardest worker on the team, the last one off the ice after practice, experience helps, the guy who can speak with the press in good times and bad, (Kinda sounds like a marriage eh?) and is a good role model and teacher for the younger players. Chatty players on the bench doesn’t equate to good captain.

Personally … and I’m not saying it’s a requirement … but I prefer defensemen as captains … only for two reasons.

1- They get more ice time on average then forwards.
2- They get a better perspective and view of the entire ice then a forward does. That aspect allows them to offer other players a glimpse of some opposition’s habits.

Other than that … I have no problem with forwards being captains. I think there actually have been plenty of outstanding captains that were forwards.

OK … to the beef of the matter. All that being said … Who has the goods to be a good Islander Captain. I don’t think the Isles have anybody that is what I consider a prototypical captain. Could Streit, Okposo or Tavares have what it takes? Well … technically … The Isles didn’t have a Captain much last season … Nobody filled that role from what I saw. That includes Streit and Okposo too.

I agree with Isles27 … I was very very disappointed to see Okposo do nothing on the Bailey hit … At the very least he should have given a very aggressive facial. KO is a bull … he should have no problem taking care of business. That being said … Remember Todd Bertuzzi? Remember Clark Gillies was asked to mentor Todd and help him get mean?

Of the roster guys I’m going to say that Streit, who may only have 3 years left (or less if he’s traded) as an Islander, has the best resume to be a captain. He just might not be the right man for this job.

Kyle has the potential … he’s just not there yet. Tavares also may have the potential … he just seems low key.
Bailey? He’s not there yet … and I’m not going to even consider a non roster prospect … We have no idea how they’ll handle NHL life yet to even consider it. Heck … they may not even develop into an NHL regular … So Streit wins by default. I think after 3 years … Kyle and the other young guns can fight it out for the “C”.

BTW … I think a team’s coach should put forth candidates he feels can handle the job … and then have the team vote. I believe Gordon did that this past season.

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:28:38 +0000

Captains are not fighters, you’re kidding right?? Do you realize you don’t have to be an enforcer in order to drop the gloves ONCE IN A WHILE. Do you realize you don’t have to be an enforcer to drop the gloves when while YOU ARE ON THE ICE your teammate takes a cheap shot. Go watch a replay of the Bailey play Okposo did NOTHING. He has NEVER dropped the gloves in his NHL career and if he doesn’t drop them on that obvious cheap shot I don’t know if he ever will. Pittsburgh played Okposo hockey against Montreal that’s why they are going home, instead of paying a price out there and getting their hands dirty they tried to be too fancy while Montreal was getting dirty by blocking shots and keeping it simple. Being too fancy and not wanting to pay a price defensively gets you a team worst MINUS 22 for the season.

By: RobJC

RobJC — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:23:45 +0000

Captains are not fighters, thats a job for enforcers but standing up for you teammates is what captains do and I saw KO do that when Nielson got smashed last year.

By: Nickd

Nickd — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:31:04 +0000

Dark horse in this race is Josh Bailey. The last man out of the hallway each period after a fist pump to every teammate, and last man off the ice in warmups. He’s also a favorite by the team and Gordon and Snow.

By: Isle27

Isle27 — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:53:03 +0000

Montreal who had NO Captain this season and whose team was basically built through last summer’s free agency has moved on to the Eastern finals, very interesting.

By: Adam Malmut

Adam Malmut — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:14:01 +0000

I’d be interested to hear if anyone has any other suggestions, or name players that haven’t been mentioned yet.

Is there anyone else on the current roster that’s worthy of consideration?