Snow plays down need for fighter

by James Mirtle on Sep 23, 2008 12:43 PM CDT Comment 4 comments

"You have to find a player of that nature who can play within the rules of the new NHL. They’ve got to be able to skate. If you can’t skate, you can’t cut the mustard. It’s tough because you have a 23-man roster you have to respect. If you could carry 25 or 30 bodies, it would be different. The hard part isn’t finding a tough player. It’s finding the tough player that can really play."
— Garth Snow

Doesn't sound good for Brandon Sugden's chances of making the team. Colour Ken Campbell disappointed.

0 recs | Comment 4 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Hasn't that always been the eternal problem- finding a "fighter" who can actually play the game?

How many are there? Name more then 5 in the league right now?

by E Colquhoun on Sep 23, 2008 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ken Campbell is afraid an NHL team might hire a no-talent to patrol the ice and soil the league's reputation?

Tony Twist:
1 goal in 2 seasons in the WHL.
6 goals in parts of 3 seasons in the IHL.
10 goals in 445 games in the NHL. But 1,121 PM.
Those 445 games played qualify him for an NHL pension, by the way.

The Rangers were one of the teams trying to block Sugden?

Darren Langdon:
16 career goals and 1,251 career penalty minutes in 521 games played.

I anxiously await his Hall of Fame induction.

Unless Sugden's stick-throwing carved that fan's eye out and then he skated over the eyeball on the ice and split it in half (and even then) he should be given the chance to make the Islanders.

If the Isles decide he's not worth a roster spot, fine.

It's a little late to be banning guys for lack of talent.

by Anonymous on Sep 23, 2008 1:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Surprising considering Snow used to drop catching glove and blocker every now and then. But he is right... finding a tough guy isn't hard... finding a responsible tough guy is more difficult. Unfortunately, if you want a legit heavy that can eat minutes you have to pay for them these days. Guys like Laraque and Brashear now command $1 million plus contracts. That said, there are only a handful of legit heavies left. A lot of teams are stocking up with middleweights that can handle themselves. That is good for the fans and league and will utlimately result in more fights ala last year with guys like Carcillo and Boll.

by Sig on Sep 23, 2008 2:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The real problem here is that should Snow give Sugden a chance, he faces criticism for taking an open spot for a potential youth player.

Obviously a "grand master plan" needs some deviation to make things competitive and all, but do you really need to take away in order to provide a spot to someone who may not be as two-dimensional as say, Jon Sim?

If Sugden gets a chance to play this year, I can see him being offered a shot down in Bridgeport - the Islanders' affiliate and being called up on an as need basis.

by islesblogger on Sep 23, 2008 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs