Felix Potvin makes his first start for the Islanders tonight against Washington, and, WHADDYA KNOW! They lost!!
The highlight of the evening was when Mike suddenly became a little stick-happy. Feeling a need to "shake things up" (as he is wont to do), he stopped the game to have Sergei Gonchar's stick measured. Well, ol' Eagle Eyes Milbury's claim was proven valid, and this seemed to give him some sort of weird confidence, and about 2 seconds later, he called to have Joe Reekie's stick measured. Apparently, he was a little too over-anxious, for Reekie's stick was completely legal. Nice try anyway, Mike. ;-)
After the initial Berard/Potvin trade occurred two days ago, Mike called Tommy Salo two hours before the game in Montreal in which Salo was going to start and told him to stay away from the rink and the team. What, is Tommy carrying the Ebola virus or something? Actually, sources say that Mike was just trying to protect Salo from the media, but few people are buying that alibi, least of all Tommy.
Yes, now the fledgling Swedish goaltender is all peeved at Mike. He feels that with the acquisition of Potvin and the signing of goalie Roberto Luongo, there's not going to be any room for him on Long Island. Salo doesn't wish to lie dormant in the Islanders organization and wants Mike to move him toute de suite - that is, if Mike ever talks to him again!
Tommy claims that Mike hasn't spoken to him ever since he told him about the trade Saturday night. So, the dirty anarchist goalie showed up at the game, DANGEROUSLY close to the team! *GASP!*
On Mike's end, the boy is Supa Stressed! His shopping of Berard and interest in Potvin has been no secret to other GMs, the least of them Toronto associate GM Mike Smith, AKA Big Mouth. Smith blew the lid off the whole thing and named names. When news of this reached Mike via telephone care of the press, he was steamed! After the initial interview ended, Mike called back the reporter just to say, "I'm sick of this crap. I never talked to Mike Smith. I'm tired of other general managers using us for their own agendas." Something tells me he used a much more colorful word than "crap."
Apparently, some crackheads are doubting Mike's motives. Yesterday, Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the new Hitler of this Nazi-esque organization against Mike, printed a heinous article entitled: "Mike Failing? Isle Say!" Yeah, well, "Isle say" that this Brooks guy is a couple goals short of a shutout. The whole so-called article rants and raves about how Mike was too impatient with Berard and, by trading him, has admitted his "failure as a coach." Whoa there, buckaroo! No one, including Mike, is doubting Berard's potential, but that type of potential doesn't fit into the Islanders's system as of now. Sure, it may once have, but once that system didn't seem to be working out, Mike decided a different route had to be taken, and if trading Berard is a step toward that, then so be it! Berard may be better some day, but the Islanders need help now! Mike has forced himself out of being a foward-thinker and to live more for the present. I say more power to him! Winning only three games in about month will do that to ya. I think he knows what he's doing, Mr. Brooks. GO TO BED, OLD MAN!
