To Buy Or Not To Buy

Okay, amateur GMs out there, here's a question for you: If you were running the Islanders, what do you do with the trading deadline fast approaching?

Okposo Net has gone on record more than once as saying it was time to blow this grand experiment up. The team's recent seven game slide only intensified those feelings. However, the squad has hit a little bit of a positive stride now with a three game winning streak. Hey, we're as fickle as the next guy, though. With 61 points after Saturday's 4-1 win over Atlanta (more on that in a moment), the team still sits on the outside of the playoff window looking in, yet only 4 points out of a 6 seed (ignoring differences in games played). So, hockey fans, let's hear from you. Would you make a push for a low playoff berth by adding players and payroll or would you buy a roll of stamps and mail this season in? You can leave your thoughts at the bottom of this post.

Now, about that Atlanta game. Two notable events took place in the 4-1 Islander victory. The Islanders set a franchise record by allowing only 10 shots on goal, with Rick DiPietro saving 9 of them. It was, as coach Ted Nolan said, a total team effort and one of their finest games of the year.

Secondly, young forward Blake Comeau was speared, choked, and punched by Thrashers defenseman Garnet Exelby in the 3rd period. Comeau never dropped his gloves, mind you, yet Exelby saw fit to give Comeau's "undercarriage a bit of a how's your father" with his stick, as Austin Powers might say. Exelby then placed his hands around Comeau's throat and squeezed, then followed that with a punch. While Exelby was given a game misconduct, we believe a suspension must follow in the coming days. In the wake of the Chris Simon suspensions and other events, this was a case of 'intent to injure' if there ever was one. We'll see if the league handles this similarly.

Also, since this is Okposo Net, we should probably mention that Kyle is rolling merrily along, now with 6 goals and 11 assists for Bridgeport in 16 games. He still appears reluctant to shoot, but you can't argue with his chance-creating ability.

The Sound Tigers throw down against their rivals Hartford on Sunday afternoon. It's always entertaining when those two teams get together. We'll see if Kyle is physically tested in that one. Until then, keep those comments coming.