Garth Gave Efforts on Day One

The official start to the 2010-11 National Hockey League season kicked off today as it was Canada Day north of the border but here in the states, just the opening day for the NHL Free Agent period.

Wait, JUST opening day for NHL free agency? I must be exhausted.

It was a day that saw not only signings but trades as well.  A day where many new names will be playing in fresh places at the start of the ’10-’11 season.

However, there was one market, although actively working the phone lines, could not strike a deal with anyone who was indeed signed on day 1.

Garth Snow and the New York Islanders attempted to bring in a top tier caliber free agent, or possibly even two during this opening day of the free agent period yet, his options ran out.

Rumors all around stated that the Islanders were in contact with this players agent and that players agent yet, even with offering an “overpayment” (in comparison to market value) of sorts, nothing could get done.

What is wrong with wanting to play for an organization that has built a foundation from the ground up via the draft over the course of the past three seasons? Let alone playing for a storied franchise with a “dynasty’s history” within the NHL?

If you ask me, there is nothing wrong with it but maybe you should ask Dan Hamhuis of the, now, Vancouver Canucks.  I guess the “hometown” discount, no not because he played there last season but because he is actually a BC native, was more than enough to get a deal done.

The Islanders were in the hunt for a big time, top pairing d-man and with names being signed all over the place today, the one target known to the public of much interest was Hamhuis.  However, “hammer” chose to go home.

Sure, the roster does not have the make up of a set of twinkies…err, the Sedin twins, Alex Burrows and Roberto Luongo (I won’t even go there Isles fans), but it does have a group being brought together that with a couple of years of seasoning, will be as good as a perfectly marinaded rack of lamb.

Kyle Okposo, John Tavares, Matt Moulson, Robbie Schremp, Jack Hillen, Dustin Kohn, Andrew MacDonald, and Josh Bailey are some skaters who will be regulars in the line up come opening day 2010.  Then there are others in the mix who will attempt to make names for themselves starting on July 10th like Nino Neiderreiter, Kirill Kabanov, Calvin de Haan, Mikko Koskinen, Kevin Poulin and Travis Hamonic to simply name a few.

Of course, there are question marks.  Rick DiPietro and his health issues, Dwayne Roloson and the fact that he is 41 years old and only signed through the end of this season which means that the team may need to rush the development of some of their up and coming netminders.  I personally do not feel Nathan Lawson will be a pure number one goalie in the NHL, but if my logic does not stand to be corrected, he will be the backup to “Roli” as the season starts.

Sure, there is still plenty of summer, and plenty of things that can change for that matter.  With names like Jose Theodore, Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco still out there on the open market, who knows what Garth has up his sleeve.

There are some needs, some desperate needs for this club.  A pure 35-plus goal scorer, an absolute shut down defenseman, and a bottom six role player or two.

Some names that would have been nice to sign on the dotted line today for New York would have been Colby Armstrong, Zbynek Michalek, Matt Cullen, Adam Burish, Kurtis Foster, again, simply to name a few.

Are there options remaining?  Yes.  However, does Garth have the “selling” power to get them to ink with the Isles?

A few names that I would target now that day one is all but in the books for most of the clubs around the NHL would be:

Carlo Coliaccovo: What can be said for a guy who scored 32 points in 67 games played. How about “sign here, initial here, and welcome to Long Island?”  Someone I’m sure many the masses would not mind bringing to the Island to help compete for a playoff spot.  However, who knows if that will hold any value come September. Only time will tell.

Chris Higgins: He’s had his production fall off quite a bit due to some major injuries and the similar inconsistencies we here about all too often about second tier players around the NHL. However, the Long Island native might welcome a shot with his “hometown” team.  Less pressure could be a major blessing in helping Higgins find his game from his early days in Montreal.

Steve Begin: Wherever you put Begin in a role, he fits it. Need him on the PP, he’ll score a goal.  Desperate for a face-off win, he’ll provide it.  The perfect player who knows his role and would come very inexpensive via the FA route. I wouldn’t count out the Isles attempting to acquire his services. Think of it as a much, much more talented Richard Park.

Aaron Asham: A return to the Island might not be a bad thing for the Stanley Cup runner up from this season passed. Asham plays each shift with the same importance, adds grit and a heavy shot to the bottom six on the Island.  He’ll also drop the gloves when he has to and has some decent hockey IQ.

Yann Danis: A cheap, affordable back-up option to Roloson if the Islanders do not have any confidence in Lawson playing in the bright lights of the NHL. Not taking anything away from Lawson, simply suggesting it’s a good stop gap if the DiPi issues are not resolved and the team does not feel Lawson is the right fit.  Nothing more.  In addition, Danis would come VERY cheap.

Yes there are other, quite a few at that, names out there who remain unsigned.  Sometimes, like dominoes, all it takes is one to fall before the entire set-up goes down. Maybe the same can be said for the “other” team from New York?

However, as Katie Strang of the New York Post pointed out via her twitter feed, and I quote:

“ Have to wonder how much #Isles‘ antiquated facility and lingering questions about future locale limits Snow’s ability to land premier FA’s.”

Well of course Ilya Kovalchuk and Anton Volchenkov are not going to sign with the Islanders (in some opinion it’s their loss), but what can be said about all the “other” attempts that were made by Snow today?

You have to respect a players wishes to have the “I want to win now attitude” and of course, sign with a club that they feel is superior to the Isles however, not everyone can be as luxurious.

Sometimes efforts simply aren’t enough.

What, no one likes lamb?