Islanders having a rather impressive season. 7th in the East as of this writing.

[inthebrain]

I kinda figured the Isles would hang around the playoff bubble for awhile and slag off around Feb. I didn't think that by the end of January this team would be 7th in the East. Not in my wildest dreams. I figured this is where things would Peter out.

It's not just the standings that are impressive but also the players that are beginning to standout as well. Josh Bailey thus far is starting to show that he was worth dropping back in the 08 draft. This kid is something special and will probably be one of the better all around players in the game.

Kyle Okposo!!! What more needs to be said. This season he really is justifying the Jerome Iginla comparisons. This kid is really lookin like one of those players that can completely dominate a game. As he and Tavares continue to grow this team is gonna have one helluva scary good top line.

Now all we need are some freakin Defensemen!!!!

[Upton]

1. Impressive?

Well, I don't know....I guess if you consider teetering on the precipice of not making the playoffs again impressive, then okay. I mean, the Islanders are only 4 points out of 13th.

Admittedly, the Islanders have some good young players. Tavares, in particular, looks very special...when the Sharks were back there kicking butt in Oct., even Randy and Drew (SJ announcers) couldn't stop talking about him.

Btw, are the Islanders going to move or what? I notice that despite the improvement in the standings, they're still 29th in attendance.

Edit: Did you happen to notice who's leading the league in goals? Hint: he's someone you criticized and suggested the Sharks should trade...

[inthebrain]

2. The attendance issue appears to be due to the marketing department

They were charging 120$ a head for the Islanders/Rangers games. In this economy that's not going to cut it and those used to be guarenteed sell outs. They have an issue there. The fan interest has been really good otherwise. 600 people showed up at a local mall to get Tavares autograph. He was only going to sign the first 150 and stayed to do them all.

The practices which they've opened up now have also been fully packed full of fans. Wang and the marketing department just need to get their shit together and realize they are not going to get those tickets solkd at 120 apiece for a big game.

Given that the Isles have already surpassed their win total from last season it's been really impressive. Nobody is expecting a playoff year and judging a team on Ws and Ls in year two of a rebuild is a little premature. Their farm system was completely gutted only two seasons ago and now that pipeling is starting to look good.

They are having a good season considering that their offense is relying on just a group of kids.

[Forkboy]

8. Everyone in the East is teetering on the precipice.

Including the Bruins. x(

The Islanders have played some good hockey so far. I don't know how often you get a chance to catch their games, but check them out if you do.

During the Bruins/Sharks game last week they said something that blew my mind. Since the trade for Thornton he hasn't missed a single game for the Sharks. I had the feed with your announcers and they were talking about it being the best trade in the Sharks history. Sadly, it's one of the worst in the Bruins history. Shows what a consistent player Thornton is. To be that durable is pretty impressive, and while he's no major tough guy he's no baby either. He'll stick his nose in if he has to and he takes his share of hits.

I tell you, any combination of the Sharks, Chicago and Vancouver will be awesome playoff hockey. And as much as I like the B's, seeing a team like Washington match up against any of those would teams be a great Cup final. Chicago might want some revenge against Pittsburgh though.

[Onceuponalife]

3. 7th in the Least impresses you?

:rofl:

Sorry, that's just the funniest thing I've heard all day.

[inthebrain]

4. Yeah, the conference that's won 4 of the last 6 Stanley Cups

Yeah, we know, that doesn't count for anything.

[Onceuponalife]

5. So you're 4-2 in the last 6 years?

Could very easily be reversed the next 6 years. No, it doesn't mean anything. Just a statistical snapshot. The Sharks have dominated Leastern team the last 3 or 4 years. Wait til they get to the finals. Probably win in 4 or 5 games. Maybe 6 games if it's NJ with Brodeur in the nets. My bet is the Islanders (stupid name) won't make the playoffs.

[inthebrain]

6. So much for your claim that the East sucks

I think we should call you Douche nuemero 3.

I suppose it's East Coast bias as to why the Sharks choke every year.

[Onceuponalife]

9. Not at all; look at the stats>>>

So far this season, the East is 78-80-20 against the West, while the West is 100-59-19 against the East. Complete domination. Obviously, many of the Wests victories over the East came in OT when the pressure was more intense.

Last season the East was 129-113-28 against the West and the West was 141-103-26 against the East. Not quite as dominate but still better. Two season ago when there were far fewer interleague games played it was 67-67-16 against 83-53-14 in favor of the West. So yeah, the West has been superior to the East as I said.

Yes, the Sharks have choked in the playoffs for various reasons, none of which is because they suck. Ask any sportscaster or sportswriter including the ones in New York if the sharks suck and you will get an incredulous stare and they will wonder if you are right in your mind.

btw, the Sharks record the last three seasons is a combined 136-51-29 vs. 84-105-26 for the Islanders. :rofl:

[Forkboy]

10. "btw, the Sharks record the last three seasons is a combined 136-51-29 vs. 84-105-26..."

How many playoff series won? You guys need to win to deserve your bragging.

[Onceuponalife]

11. My point was which was the better conference

which I demonstrate is clearly the West. I've already stated the Sharks have choked in the playoffs. But the OP was not about the playoffs. No bragging, just letting the stats speak for themselves.

[Forkboy]

12. The Sharks are clearly the better team.

That doesn't diminish what the Islanders have done this year so far. Many had them at or near the bottom of the East and so far they've played pretty solid hockey and are still in the hunt. Look at teams like Boston, Carolina and Philly...all have played below expectations. The Islanders have played above them. The second half of the year may be different, but they have every right to be excited on the Island. They have a brighter future than a lot of teams do.

[inthebrain]

14. Most teams are prepared for the Bs

I felt last year they had the element of surprise and were able to do a lot with it.

This year folks are more aware of what that team can do. Fucked up thing is that with Toronto's first overall pick that team is going to get a hell of a lot better. They are going to be frightening good especially when you consider that the 2011 draft is going to suck. Might be one of the worst draft classes ever. The folks at the bottom who can't land quality UFAs are gonna be worse for the wear as they are gonna finish at the bottom two years straight.

Which makes all this years first rounders all that more valuable.

[Forkboy]

15. A lot of things are going against the B's this year.

First and foremost, their own sub-par play. They have a handful of players that just haven't produced as expected, no excuses. There was going to be a drop off with Kessel gone, that was a given, but players like Bitz and Wheeler are just now stepping up their game, and Krejci and others haven't done much at all. Recchi and Bergeron have played great, but that's it. Lots of injuries, but that's hockey. Deal and overcome or not. If it wasn't for Tuuka Rask the team would be sucking wind. Rask has been outstanding so far in the backup role. When he was in the minors there was a few scouts who said he was the best goalie not in the NHL, and from what I'm seeing they may be right. He looks very good.

Supposedly this years draft is deeper than normal, though no outstanding players like a Tavares. The top 6 or 7 seven players could be impact players though....we'll see. I'm skeptical. But if the Leafs finish in the bottom 5 the B's have a top pick, and they get a 2nd round pick next year as well, but until then they can't score. Their lack of offense is killing them. Their D and their goaltending is good, but having to win every game 2-1 is a tall order.

[inthebrain]

13. And still the East walks off with their fourth cup in six years

I'm not really arguing that the Islanders are better than the Sharks. The Islanders are in rebuild mode and I really don't think they are gonna make the post season. Given that they finished dead last last season and at this time were already assured a lottery pick the Islanders performance has been encouraging. And they are at the cap floor right now.

Arguing that the West is better than the East, while the East in the last six years has won most of the Cups, is freakin beyond retarded. It's like Upton and Cboy arguing that the San Fran Giants are a championship franchise while never winning a damn thing in San Fran. It's an embarassing argument.

[Onceuponalife]

16. "freaking beyond retarded"

OK, I can't compete with that kind of eloquent argument.

:sarcasm:

I forgot for a second you were twelve years old.

[inthebrain]

17. Doesn't make the statement any less true or applicable.

[Forkboy]

7. They're playing pretty damn good hockey.

I've watched a bunch of games and the improvement is far past what I expected for them at this point. Things will be tougher after the All Star game but I see no reason they can compete until the end from what I've seen. If they don't make it to the playoffs I doubt it'll be for a lack of effort.

I said before that they would need to finish stronger and that's an area they still have to work on. I believe they're being outscored in the third period of games. Like you say, they need some defense, and that will help in those late game situations, but for what they have to work with this year the team has been very impressive, and they've smoked some good teams right out of the building lately.

Another plus is the environment for Tavares. There's hasn't really been a lot of pressure put on him to immediately make an impact so he's able to take his time a bit and learn the NHL without feeling that he has to win every game by himself . You can see him getting more and more comfortable as the year goes on, and he's going to grow into their leader pretty quickly.