An Apology to the New York Islanders
Posted 8:40 AM ET | Comments 17
Dear New York Islanders Players, Organization and Fans-
First, I want to congratulate you on your victory against the Detroit Red Wings last night. A 5-1 score is very respectable against any team in today’s NHL. Also, it’s a great feeling to garner a solid victory at home after a disappointing road trip. Your goaltender seems to have shaken the cobwebs away. You had a great night and it showed in the result.
However, while the victory is sweet and you should toast your successes, I’d like to apologize on behalf of the Detroit Red Wings for not offering you to respect and challenge that you deserve. Last night’s Red Wings team was NOT the team you have seen in the highlight reels and in the top three of the Western Conference.
Though you have enjoyed a lengthy winning streak over the Winged Wheel, your recent position near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings has caused the loss of your recognition as a competitive hockey club by the Red Wings. The Red Wings see this as a “throw-away game.” We tend to give you our back-up goalie. We tend to favor the less experienced forwards and defense to give them ice time. We call a hangnail or dry elbow skin an “upper body injury” which allows us to rest a few of our key players.
At the end of the second period, when you were ahead 3-0, did the Red Wings make a goaltender change to try to spark the rest of the team? No they didn’t. They left Ty Conklin in net, so they could rest Jimmy Howard a bit more. Wouldn’t want to scuff up his freshly-buffed goalie pads, now would we?
When the offensive strategies we were using were turning up fruitless time and time again, did we revisit our approach? No we didn’t. Wouldn’t want to change anything now, because we’ll need those ideas the next time we play a “real” team.
When you scored first, and then second, did our defense step up their efforts to keep it from getting worse? No, we didn’t. We don’t want to hit you too hard. You’re just kids and you have your whole careers ahead of you. We wouldn’t want to jeopardize that.
Understandably, a game against the Islanders may not carry as much weight as a game against a Divisional opponent, so I can agree that this is the time to scrape the rust off your less-used players. However, this shouldn’t happen year after year. At some point, you should see the Varsity Team that Chicago or San Jose would see.
Detroit is used to hearing that they are the measuring stick by which other teams compare themselves. I only hope one day, you’ll get that chance as well. You have a young, vibrant team with a LOT of talent and I enjoy watching you play. Your speed and skill are unlike that of any team in the NHL, and I’m sorry that the Red Wings are the only team who refuse to give you the challenge you deserve. But take heart, Islanders! You are building a new team brick by brick, and while it will probably take a while, you’ll get out of the cellar someday and up in the playoffs where you belong!
And as long as the Detroit Red Wings refuse to honor you by giving you Team B to play against, I hope you win ‘em all!
Sincerely,
WingNut722
First, I want to congratulate you on your victory against the Detroit Red Wings last night. A 5-1 score is very respectable against any team in today’s NHL. Also, it’s a great feeling to garner a solid victory at home after a disappointing road trip. Your goaltender seems to have shaken the cobwebs away. You had a great night and it showed in the result.
However, while the victory is sweet and you should toast your successes, I’d like to apologize on behalf of the Detroit Red Wings for not offering you to respect and challenge that you deserve. Last night’s Red Wings team was NOT the team you have seen in the highlight reels and in the top three of the Western Conference.
Though you have enjoyed a lengthy winning streak over the Winged Wheel, your recent position near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings has caused the loss of your recognition as a competitive hockey club by the Red Wings. The Red Wings see this as a “throw-away game.” We tend to give you our back-up goalie. We tend to favor the less experienced forwards and defense to give them ice time. We call a hangnail or dry elbow skin an “upper body injury” which allows us to rest a few of our key players.
At the end of the second period, when you were ahead 3-0, did the Red Wings make a goaltender change to try to spark the rest of the team? No they didn’t. They left Ty Conklin in net, so they could rest Jimmy Howard a bit more. Wouldn’t want to scuff up his freshly-buffed goalie pads, now would we?
When the offensive strategies we were using were turning up fruitless time and time again, did we revisit our approach? No we didn’t. Wouldn’t want to change anything now, because we’ll need those ideas the next time we play a “real” team.
When you scored first, and then second, did our defense step up their efforts to keep it from getting worse? No, we didn’t. We don’t want to hit you too hard. You’re just kids and you have your whole careers ahead of you. We wouldn’t want to jeopardize that.
Understandably, a game against the Islanders may not carry as much weight as a game against a Divisional opponent, so I can agree that this is the time to scrape the rust off your less-used players. However, this shouldn’t happen year after year. At some point, you should see the Varsity Team that Chicago or San Jose would see.
Detroit is used to hearing that they are the measuring stick by which other teams compare themselves. I only hope one day, you’ll get that chance as well. You have a young, vibrant team with a LOT of talent and I enjoy watching you play. Your speed and skill are unlike that of any team in the NHL, and I’m sorry that the Red Wings are the only team who refuse to give you the challenge you deserve. But take heart, Islanders! You are building a new team brick by brick, and while it will probably take a while, you’ll get out of the cellar someday and up in the playoffs where you belong!
And as long as the Detroit Red Wings refuse to honor you by giving you Team B to play against, I hope you win ‘em all!
Sincerely,
WingNut722
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22 Frustration and Redemption
23 Thoughts on the Red Wings' Off-Season
25 Late Entry
29 Now THAT'S a Hockey Game!
31 Last Night's Game Against the Blues
23 Thoughts on the Red Wings' Off-Season
25 Late Entry
29 Now THAT'S a Hockey Game!
31 Last Night's Game Against the Blues
02 Loss of Composure
05 The Frustration Continues...
08 At Long last...A Win!
09 Now, It's A Series!
11 Red Wings Mount Historic Comeback!
12 Random Thoughts on Tonight's Game 7
13 The Mountain Was Just Too High
20 Scenarios for Making Room for Winnipeg
26 A Red Wings Fan's Guide to Brian Rafalski and the Sharks
05 The Frustration Continues...
08 At Long last...A Win!
09 Now, It's A Series!
11 Red Wings Mount Historic Comeback!
12 Random Thoughts on Tonight's Game 7
13 The Mountain Was Just Too High
20 Scenarios for Making Room for Winnipeg
26 A Red Wings Fan's Guide to Brian Rafalski and the Sharks
06 Red Wings Preseason Review
06 A Look at the Western Conference
11 A Look at the Eastern Conference
26 …and the League’s Humanitarian Award goes to…
06 A Look at the Western Conference
11 A Look at the Eastern Conference
26 …and the League’s Humanitarian Award goes to…
Thank you but we have been clobbering you for years. I dont care who you throw out there they are still a NHL team, but I do want to apologize in regards to ur coach callign a time out with 20 seconds left. I wish Babcock would have knocked him out
Detroit is a good team, and no, they didn't show up last night, but you aren't a representative of the franchise, and are coming across like a whiny asshole. You're a disgrace to many Detroit fans I know that know how to act with class.
This article is sheer rubbish
The funny thing is that most of this is true to a degree. Some of it might be exaggerated...but not much.
do the detroit redwings really need excuses after a loss like that? Did you see any islanders fans bragging about the victory? We know where the team is in the standings, we enjoyed the game but we're still nowhere near the playoff race.Move on to the next game and keep your whining to yourself.
Not whining at all for the team. I'm disappointed in how they conducted themselves. I hate seeing the way Detroit plays against the Islanders, year after year. There never is any drive to compete with them, whatever the reasons and it seems that NYI is the only team they do this to.
If you read that again, you'll find that I am paying the Islanders a number of compliments, and feel they are a better team that what is shown in the standings.
The wings were flat as hell, on their heels all night, third road game in four nights, 14 out of last 19 on the road. Good to be heading home. It is a miracle they are only two points out of the division lead, the best part is it will pay dividends down the stretch, with 19 of our final 29 at the Joe, and most games in our own time zone. Congrats Isles, you have some good fun young players, we will get you next time!!
I'm sure the intent was sincere, electric81, but the subtext is, "If we had shown up we would have beaten you. But don't worry, maybe one day you'll be as good as we are!" Even if that's not what you meant, it's how you come off, and it sounds pretty arrogant and patronizing. Probably ought to just leave it at, "Solid win. Sorry we didn't bother to match your intensity. Can't do that against any team in the NHL, no matter where they are in the standings. Except maybe Columbus."
You're probably right, Sven, and that is NOT how I wanted it to sound. Unfortunately, the spirit and tone that I was thinking when I wrote it didn't translate to those who read it. Thanks for picking up on it.
Good post - f anyone that doesnt appreciate you taking a fresh angle.
LOL. Thanks Jokster!
SOUNDS LIKE A WHINY DISGRUNTLED FAN TO ME
where exactly did you compliment the Islanders?
AWWWWWW BOO HOO if it was such a throw a way game maybe you should have played like the Red Wings you claim to actually be considering a win last night would have put you atop the division with the Blues and Blackhawks, but since you're all a bunch of cocky bastards you're stuck in the 5th seed. I guess finishing top 3 isn't all that important. Oh and we're 5-0-1 since the lockout against you so maybe you should try next time to not get your ass beat in.
This is why "bloggers" should not be considered "journalists". Even the author of this trash fails to see his own backhanded insults masked as compliments. You are not a journalists, you are fodder for the marginal hockey fans. The majority of die hard Wings, Isles and NHL fans can read through this rubbish and dismiss it for what it is. No trash talk is needed here amongst us fans. Anyone can blog. This one flat out stinks and it has nothing to do with the Red Wings. They are all class.