One Less Client for Mark Gandler 7-11-08

Sometimes you go onto your message board to just chat with your friends because there's nothing really going on and nothing to discuss relating to Islander Hockey. For years now, I've never been alone or lonely with my world-wide friends contained in that blue box on Invisionfree.

Some days, however, someone posts something they find and it just makes your day. That's what happened a little while ago when a member of NYIC posted the link to Greg Logan's newest blog entry announcing the parting of ways for Sean Bergenheim and Mark Gandler and his partner. "7th must be a happy woman." is how it started.

HE HAS NO IDEA!!

For years now I have felt that Gandler has not had Bergie's best interests at heart. Damn... I felt that way about how he dealt about Yashin too. But Yashin is an older player who already has a full bank account (and a LI mansion up for sale if anyone has a few MILLION to throw around.) and an established career.

Sean is young and needs to establish himself in the good graces of not only his home club, (you know, the one that drafted him to begin with!) but with the league and the fans. Gandler is not the type of agent that is going to offer any of his clients what can be deemed as "positive press."

What he talked Sean into two season's ago was an injustice to his client, the fans and to the Islanders. Sean was a fan favorite in Bridgeport. Everyone LOVED him there. He was growing, learning and developing.

Did he feel he was called up to the big club enough? No.

Did he feel he came to camp fit and ready to be on the Islanders roster? Yes.

Was he actually ready for it? Maybe not.

But that's what's called "paying your dues." And those who pay them without incident (or whining) are the ones that reap the greatest rewards from them.

As I've said in numerous entries both on here and on my Bravejournal site, Sean is an excellent hockey player with great energy and wonderful potential. I saw that in him his first game in an Islander uniform when he stared down Mario Lemieux. I've never doubted his talent or drive one day since then. But every conversation I had with his coaches ended up the same way.

"He can't play fourth line minutes, and there's just no place for him right now." It broke my heart, and it dissapointed Bergie.

The games I saw him play in Bridgeport were astounding. It seemed as if he was never off the ice. His speed and tenacity made for entertaining hockey. He was being noticed.

I watched him grow from a skinny little kid into a brick wall with an attitude. It was an amazing transformation. The last time I saw him in the locker room this season, I took a good look at his face and realized the little boy with the bright smile was now a confident man with an agenda. His agenda is to play in the NHL and to prove himself and his worth.

His agent robbed him of one full year toward that goal when he tried to play hard ball with the Islanders before the '06 season. From the looks of it, he would have attempted that same game this season. The outcome would have probably been worse.

I'm glad Sean has made this decision. I hope his next agent is one that will really be looking out for HIM, as a client and as a person. Someone that can truly guide him not just toward a big payday, but the right career path. Someone who is a forward thinker and not just looking for an immediate gain.

Hockey players make excellent money. Agents make a nice chunk of change too. But a good agent knows that the money isn't everything and will look at the big picture and the best interest of his client. That is what he's there for. Reading about the way Mr. Gandler has handled the careers of some of his clients, I'm not sure he's grasped that concept.

Here's looking forward to settling without arbitration, and coming to an amicable term for both Sean and the Islanders. If Snow can do that, then everyone wins; including the fans... and especially... ME.

PS: Looks like I'm not going to get those roses after all... fiddle faddle

R.O.C.K. IN THE USA 7-10-09

Sitting in the truck in the lot at Jones Beach, enjoying shrimp cocktail and wine with Big Angry Man last night, I asked him "So, how exactly would you classify John Mellencamp's music?"

He thought for a moment. "Rock. Just basic.... Rock."

I'd call it Americana Rock. The sound is certainly unique to HIM. Name me another band that travels with a Fiddle and an Accordion and isn't playing Polka music.

The band was amazingly tight and the sound system was even better than listening to his CDs with BOSE headphones. Even when he just stood on stage alone with his acoustic guitar, it was perfect! BRAVE and perfect.

"It's hard to rock an accordion." But they did it, effortlessly as they played most of my old favorites: Paper in Fire, Scarecrow, Human Wheel and many others. At first, we didn't think he was going to have any personality on stage as he went through four opening songs without addressing the audience. That all changed as he took the stage alone.

At 55, Johnny boy can certainly still rock and get people on their feet. His voice hasn't changed one bit, but his lyrics have. That's fine for me. I can relate. So could everyone else that was there.

If you missed it, you missed an amazing show. But his 23rd album, Life, Death, Love and Freedom is out now. I'd recommend it.

There were only two drawbacks to the show last night. For some reason the big screens on the Nikon towers were dark. I was exceptionally lucky to be center stage Section 7L, but I missed the close ups on the screens.

They also placed entry cards to win $3000 in merchandise at Best Buy at each seat. You were supposed to bring them to ANY Merchandise stand at the arena. When I tried, I received a very COLD "They didn't make any deal with us. I have no idea about it." and a hand gesture to 'move along.'

Needless to say, I wasn't happy.

Nor was B.A.M. who stood on line for 15 minutes trying to get a coffee as the 15-year-olds behind the counters were clueless. Java Junkie that I am, I continued to wait and shared my Starbucks with him back at the seats.

So that was my night.. How was yours???

Attention Canadian Readers...

I can see you. And I'm very interested in knowing where you're from and how you are interested in Islanders hockey. Drop me a comment line and let me know. Nothing is visible until I see it, so your info is safe. And whomever it is in Moncton... I may have an assignment for you come training camp. - 7th

Mind Chips - 7/9/08

Okay. Just bear with me. I'm exceptionally bored, there's nothing on except "I Love the 80s" and my thoughts are scattered. I could work on yet (god help me) another softball adventure, but after spending 8 hours on the last one, I need a break.

So far this has been Big Angry Man's Summer of Concerts as we've already been to see Clapton and R.E.M. at the beach and we just attended a Billy Joel concert at Mohegan Sun. Tomorrow it's Mellencamp at the beach and my tickets for Indigenous at BB Kings the first week of September just arrived. We had to balance out the softball with something, and with no hockey in sight... the concerts won. (and they're cheaper.) But here are just some thoughts for the night.

1) If you can see a show at Mohegan Sun; GO! It's a fantastic venue and it would be great if the renovated Coliseum could have a concourse as beautiful as this one. Well appointed, clean, wide. Beautiful. And much to my surprise, kiosks for JUST wine. You heard me. WINE ONLY stands with a CHOICE!!! I almost cried.

2) Is there really a new Russian SUPER LEAGUE or just someplace for NHL guys who can't get the money they want to go? Russia's non-compliance with a transfer agreement with the IIHF has been going on for awhile now. They want big bucks to take their boys. So to fight the NHL they are PAYING big bucks to lure some players to their borders. I'm not worried about them draining our talent pool, or even driving up prices of NHL players. I'm worried about the players themselves. Check with Elias about the present he come home with from his work stoppage season. Ask Lecavelier how he liked the food. It's not going to be easy. But now that there is a nice little number of NHLers tagged for the new league, at least they'll have each other to talk to. Bye Bye Big Joe and Wade.

3) Tampa is making a splash with their new management. Hopefully it won't turn into a THUNK.

4) Hopefully the rains held off tonight in Nassau county for the STH cook out. I guess we'll get report on our message boards about how that turned out. Wonder how 4Cupz and the Queen fared.

5) Considering the schedule they have up for Okposo and Comeau, those two boys are going to be very tired in a few days.

6) So far Chris Botta has kept his promise and his NYI Point Blank has gone quiet as of the 7th. In this day and age of internet communication, I'm wondering if you can use Blog Comments as Reference Letters for your resume. I've never seen so many accolades for a corporate suit before. That can only mean one thing.... He really was too good at what he did. I'm sure he'll resurface when he's ready. If he doesn't, well... then we're just lucky to have been able to know him. Thanks to CB, I came away this season with some good advice, a great experience and very fond memories. On the other hand, there were a few evenings I came away from the barn angry and cursing. Just ask Tiger Track Tom and Islesblogger.com Mike. But I can count those nights on one hand.... okay.... maybe two.

7) I'm only going to be able to attend next week's prospect camp at Iceworks for a short time on one day. I can't take that much time off work to attend more, and of course, softball commands my weekends. What ever time I do spend there, I'll just be happy to hear the blades on the ice and feel the cold air on my face.

8) Hookless?: I'm told the locker rooms at iceworks are exactly that. With all that money spent on renovation, it seems there isn't a clothes hook to be seen. "Ranger Fan John" as I like to call him, plays there occassionally on a men's league. He said he actually brings his own suction hook with him in his gear bag. I have to check this out. Seems like a silly thing to forget during renovation.

9) Dragonless?: Uh oh. So the Dragons are up for sale? Does this mean anything to US? 'Cause that's the most important thing, isn't it? US. Who cares about Arena Football? Not enough people obviously, or Mr. Wang wouldn't be losing money on this venture too and looking to dump it. Think Jon Bon Jovi wants TWO leagues?

10) Ticketless?: Yes. That will be me this season. I see the back and forth on the board about renewing or not renewing. For me, there is no argument. Citibank doesn't care about my addiction. So until the financial situation changes, I'm on a game-by-game game plan.

I'm sure I've bored you sufficiently. My work here is done. Time for bed.
Night Night Islander Country.

No Russia for YOU!

It seems Sean Bergenheim and his agents may be listening to reason according to a blog post by Greg Logan. Very interesting to see that Todd Diamond (Gandler's partner) is the one making the remarks about Sean's desire to continue on in the NHL. But I also see Gandler's remarks:

"I don't see arbitration as anything but a tool that is available to both the club and the player," Gandler said. "What matters to me and the player is the way the team acts during arbitration. If the team hires a counsel and that counsel is rude, obnoxious, terrible, disgusting and just the worst you possibly can imagine, it does not bother me whatsoever."What does bother me is if the GM takes the stand and bashes the player. That is irreparable. The GM does not need to take the stand or do anything. You signed the guy; you put him on the ice; you gave him a qualifying offer. That's your testimony."

Sounding like a swipe at Garth and his no-nonsense approach to contract negotiations.

Note to Sean: Smart move.

Note to Gandler: Don't play hard ball with Snow. You already lost once.

Note to Garth: Um...You can STILL send those roses.

I opted to work on my other non-paying blog tonight instead of putting my thoughts out to the world about the departure of NYI Point Blank. Probably better off. I'm two weeks behind on my softball entries, and there really isn't too much that hasn't already been said about Botta. He's got an entire fan base begging him to continue. Tough call. I know for a fact that no matter how much you beg... you can't get a man to do anything he doesn't want to. It's just that simple.

Jon Sim: Ready and willing?

http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367873

I made it back from another weekend of 14U softball. Sadly, they didn't come home with any hardware this time, and I wasn't very happy about coming home early. Who'da thought? I'm getting to the point where if I'm sweating my butt off on a ball field for 10 hours a day the entire weekend, I want to come home with something for my efforts. Not this weekend. Oh well. That's why it's a game.

So I found this article on our Islanders website, written by someone I don't know. Let's start the re-promo for Jon Sim articles. You remember Sim. Last year's signing, played for about 12 minutes. Well, he's ready to make a come back.

I'm glad to hear this because I was really tired of seeing him mope around the coliseum while his team mates were on the ice. I've never seen a man more noticeably unhappy about not being able to 'work.' He'd stand in the tunnel, in his dark suit and grit his teeth with his arms folded.

If you passed him in the hall, he wouldn't smile at you. The only thing that was going to make him happy was getting on the ice. Now, he'll have that chance. I can only hope that this season will prove more productive and less physically limiting than his previous seasons. Check the article link. His first full season was with Atlanta, and before then, the most games he played was how many? 48? Is that because he claims his style is aggressive agitator? Or is he just unlucky?

Buy a rabbit's foot Mr. Sim, and we'll see you on the ice.