Mike Halmo Will Make Michael Haley An Afterthought In Islanders Country
ChrisTriants | Jul 13, 2012 | Comments 6
I wanted to comment on something. The Islanders let go of Michael Haley. He went to the Rangers on July 1st. I know that it’s annoying that the Rangers were his choice. I know that he’s going to be in the line-up against the Islanders this year, and he will most definitely give the Islanders everything he has. It’s also not a big deal.
I really don’t understand why there’s such uproar in Islanders Country. People are talking about Michael Haley as if he was the superstar the Islanders needed, or like he has this “huge offensive upside” where he could go out and score 20 goals for the team.
Look, he’s a great fighter, but to say this guy was going to make a huge impact on the team? I’ve heard a lot of talk about how he’s a grinder with strong offensive capabilities. We do realize that he played 41 total games for the Islanders, right? We also realize he only scored 2 goals in those contests? That’s a pace of 4 goals in one full NHL season, which equals elite offensive talent if I did my math right.
He brought a lot of excitement to this team, and he will always be part of two of my favorite Islanders moments: the Penguins beat-down, and bloodying Sean Avery. I can also tell you that he is very replaceable. Although there may not be as good of a pound-for-pound fighter in the entire league, his type of player is common. The Islanders haven’t had one in a while, so I understand why Islanders fans may feel like they have lost this type of player forever.
It’s a good thing the Islanders already have a player in their system that will help Islanders fans forget about Haley. Mike Halmo will be with the Sound Tigers this season, and I’m sure he will make a few appearances for an Islanders team that will need some toughness (and skill) on the front-line.
In the OHL, Halmo was considered to be one of the most feared hitters in the league. Although some of his hits have been considered dirty (the check that took out Nail Yakupov comes to mind), Halmo has his fair share of hard, clean hits while driving the opposing teams (and their fans) crazy, which means he’s also the type of player that will become an instant fan-favorite.
Halmo is an energy player. He finishes checks and plays very hard along the boards. If you watched the Islanders Blue vs. Orange Scrimmage, he was on your radar that entire night. The 20-year old had a sense of maturity to him at the prospects game, which made it seem as if he were a man among boys.
Halmo’s ready for the professional game. He played very well alongside some players with NHL experience including Nino Niederreiter and Casey Cizikas. He plays the energy game that Islanders fans wanted to see from Michael Haley, but there’s a plus: Halmo can score.
After going undrafted, Halmo played his 4th season for the Owen Sound Attack. He led his team in goals, assists, and points, going 40-45-85 in 66 games. He made the jump to Bridgeport at the end of the year, playing 5 games while scoring 1 goal. During the Islanders scrimmage, Halmo potted 2 more goals.
Personally, I like Halmo a lot. I think he’s one of the prospects that I am most excited to watch develop. I think his game is going to bring a lot to the team, and remind Islanders fans what is truly needed from a bottom-six forward.
Before Islanders fans go defending Michael Haley while ripping apart Garth Snow, just remember your beloved 5th-line player earned himself a two-way contract with the New York Rangers. I don’t think the feeling was mutual, seeing he was able to head off to the Islanders cross-town rivals.
The first Islanders-Rangers game could be fun if Haley and Halmo get their respective call-ups. How many Islanders fans will be cheering for Haley? Trust me. He will be forgotten.
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Filed Under: New York Islanders
Fans including myself just like to see grit and hard work rewarded with a bit of loyalty from upstairs. He’s not the savior for the isles but he’s a solid fourth liner, c’mon why wasn’t he given a chance to play every day our fourth line last year was a complete joke with no size or toughness to back up the first line. I still can’t figure out why Garth never resigned Konopka, us as fans love that grit, protection and determination that goes beyond just hockey skill. Everyone loves to see a grinder earn their lay check. Lol and for heavens sake who doesn’t want the guy who absolutely DESTROYED Avery on their team. You’re prob right and sentimentality is getting in the way of running a hockey club well but I can’t help but feel our grinders always seem to get thrown to the curb after a season or two.
I loved Michael Haley. The fact that he came to play every single game was admirable. There was not really an excuse for him to not be on that 4th-line more often last season because last season, the Islanders 4th-line was, in my opinion, their weakest part of the team. Although I will miss Haley, his slot is the kind of slot that is like a revolving door in the NHL.
Your point is accurate that our grinders seem to get thrown to the curb, although these are the same players that are usually let go of on every NHL team (some more than others). Even Steve Webb was traded, although he found his way back.
What I heard (I’m not sure how accurate) was that Zeke had a run-in with DiPietro, and that was it for him. My favorite thing about Konopka was that he stuck up for the team to the media over and over again during, what was, a very tough season. Granted, Konopka probably wouldn’t have been missed all that much if Reasoner was the upgrade he was supposed to be…instead we got FATHEAD cutout of the guy, and stuck him on the ice for 10 minutes a game.
Lol @ reasoner comment. Man, I sure would love to know what that run in was about ….. maybe he was yelling at him for gaining 30 pounds of muscle that one season and was like way to go numb nuts you’re a goalie not a tight end for the giants. On the liter side going to go with your optimism and hope this is year Ricky plays well and stays well. Thanks for the articles and responses!!
Of course. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Hopefully, the Islanders can pull something off this year. Because it’s the off-season, why think otherwise. Hey, if Ricky somehow came back, played well, and stayed healthy, he would be the first guy I want on this team because he absolutely 100% bleeds blue and orange. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out that way, but we all have no way of knowing until October, so let’s just sit back and take it easy until then.
Haley avg of 4 goals in a season would be better for our 4th line than Reasoner. I wonder why the Isles didnt value Haley enough to give him a fair shot as a 4th liner. What do the isles have against tough guys that can also play a little?
I absolutely agree that Haley should have been up last season, especially after watching the floundering Reasoner, Pandolfo, and Nino line (with a mix of Wallace) combine for 3 goals. I don’t think the Islanders have much against tough guys that can play, but I do think, especially after the Fight Night with Pitsburgh, that specific players (Haley and Gillies) had a target placed for refs by the NHL. It’s unfortunate how a lot of things went down, but the Islanders tough guys were all labeled as convicts after that night. Hopefully, our 4th-line picks it up a little bit this year. Boulton, Martin, Carkner, and the possibility of Halmo should bolster some toughness on the Island.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!