Off-season Question #1:

Ryan Smyth? Jason Blake? Or, both? (WAIT--is that THREE questions?)

If anyone reading this has access to the flux capacitor, can you let me know? I'd like to go into the future to about August and find out how this all shakes down because waiting for it to happen is going to give me piles.

Both guys are unrestricted free agents for the first time in their careers. That means that for the first time, Jason Blake and Ryan Smyth have leverage. Think about that for a minute. It's got to be an honor to play in the NHL--there is no doubt about that. But for the first time maybe in their lives each man gets a chance to decide for himself where he wants to play his hockey. It has to be a staggering revelation for all hockey players. Most of these players have been drafted into situations out of their hands since they were teenagers. Now, they have a choice. And exploring that choice has to be daunting.

Jason Blake has been an Islander for six years. He was stolen from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth-round pick. His career has done nothing but blossom on Long Island as his playing time increased. He's a competitive son of a gun who gutted through the playoffs with a bad arm after that from-behind hit by Teppo Numminen.

Ryan Smyth is Captain Canada. He played all of 24 games for the Islanders--and many of those with an injured knee! He has been the de-facto Captain of the team since he arrived. Some fans and some in the league think that the Islanders gave up a lot for him. I argue that Robert Nilsson; Ryan O'Marra; and a first-rounder were not enough for the guy if he gets resigned by the team. Neither of those players has what Smyth brings to the table. He's a leader through and through. He plays a gritty, tough game and gets his nose dirty. He sticks up for his boys and scores quite a bit. But he also offers those intangibles that separate him from other players with a similar skill set. He's heart-and-soul. The fact that his good buddy Mike Sillinger is on the team is a strong selling point. But, on the other hand, being a free agent like he is now is a rare opportunity to actually pick the city and situation that suits him and his family. The Islanders are a family-friendly organization. Smyth has said that he has been treated well. What's not to like?

The fact that Smyth played on an injured knee when he was entering free agency says so freaking much about how much he cares. How can you let a guy like him walk? The onus is on Ted Nolan and Garth Snow to make it known to Smyth and his family just how important he can be to the revitalization of the Islanders. And Smyth comes across as one of those guys who gets it. I expect Ryan sees the bigger picture in these kinds of situations. Because of that, for some reason, I think he understands that the team is desperate to field a winner. The contract of Rick DiPietro shows that the organization is committed to win. Now the Islanders brass just has to convince Ryan Smyth that he can be a big part of that.

When Michael Peca was traded to the Isles, he said that he wanted to be part of turning the franchise around. We now know that Peca was really all talk. What we have seen from Ryan Smyth is that he can walk the walk as well. Call me crazy, but I really, really he think that the Islanders are going to be able to keep him. At least, I am hoping so--very much hoping so.

Jason Blake has been characterized as a me-first player at times in his career. He's also shown an ability to piss off the players on his own team at times--let's remember that Roman Hamrlik once went headhunting on Blake during warm-ups a few years ago. Ted Nolan recently said that Jason has learned to be more of a leader and a better teammate. Blake also said in Newsday that you see guys who leave good situations for more money, "but are they really happy?"

Reading between the lines, Blakie wants to stay. I don't know if the Isles will be able to finagle it or not, but if you assign priority to players this off-season, Smyth is the first choice. I'd say that
signing Trent Hunter to something a little more long-term may be Job #2; since he is restricted. Perhaps Blake slides down to being #3. For a fifth-round draft pick who couldn't play on terrible Kings teams, being #3 ain't bad at all.

I would just hate hate hate to see a player like Jason Blake go for the money and get into a situation like Mark Parrish has been in since going home to Minnesota. Granted, Parrish isn't exactly the skater Blake is but Parrish has had to deal with a bit of the Golden Boy Goes Home-kind of thing where expectations are higher than reality may be.