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Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – James Wisniewski (with guest Ryan aka @RattMartin)

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They were making a Megazord of a defenseman, except it it spat out a guy who wasn’t that great.

Joined by friend and Skates at the Stakes co-host Ryan, we discuss defenseman James Wisniewski, who is more remembered for one regrettable incident than his quality play.

Wisniewski was already well-traveled before he was acquired by the Islanders to augment their blueline offense. But when Mark Streit went down with an injury in the preseason, Wisniewski became a key contributor and point producer… until one game against the Rangers and a decision that got him suspended. Over the course of another month and a half, he endured a long losing streak, a coach firing and getting accosted by a Long Island nurse just before Christmas. Then he was traded to Montreal before the end of the calendar year, leaving just as quickly as he arrived.

There was a reason he played for so many teams – James Wisniewski was pretty good! He found ways to produce no matter where he played. Unfortunately, he also found new ways to get suspended, which also probably explains why he was moved so often.

For Ryan, this season was his first as an Islanders fan and that fateful date with the Rangers was his first ever live game experience. We talk about Wisniewski’s crazy career, his early hockey blogging, how his game should be soundtracked by Linkin Park and other on-the-fly fun facts.

We also throw in a bonus Weird Islander! Johan Sundstrom was drafted with the pick the Islanders got from the Canadiens for Wisniewski and was expected to be the next Frans Nielsen but ended up having a short North American career with a few odd footnotes.

Thanks again to Ryan for coming on. Be sure to subscribe to Skates at the Stakes. And yes, we held this back so it would be Episode 69.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL!

  • The Ducks’ tough negotiations with pending UFA Wisniewski was the Islanders’ gain, as GM Garth Snow acquired the defenseman for just a third round pick in 2010. His point totals were good but his suspension and injury history was not.
  • Wisniewski was quickly a valuable member of the Islanders upon his arrival. He could score and he could hit, which was in pretty short supply among their defense corps in 2010.
  • Wisniewski was a great fit for the Islanders. But in a Columbus Day game against the Rangers, he made an unfortunate decision.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JYeKEA5AoY?rel=0]
  • His suspension for two games was a big news story at the time, as were a lot of things involving Sean Avery.
  • My favorite all time James Wisniewski story: December 10, 2010, he, Doug Weight and Andew MacDonald are visiting sick kids at Nassau University Medical Center, where they got an earful from a nurse who happened to be an Islanders season ticket holder. “…it’s to the point where we kind of had to walk away.”
  • Shortly after that, Wisniewski was traded to Montreal for a second round pick. He was the Islanders’ third leading scorer at the time.
  • He brought the same quality play to the Habs when he was traded there.
  • Wisniewski joined the Blue Jackets on the same day Jeff Carter did in 2011. Unlike Carter, he stayed in Columbus and was a contributing player for a number of years. He also got a Classic Brendan Shanahan suspension video for his troubles.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic-hXxTkjo8?rel=0]

What makes a “Weird Islander?”

We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

  • Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
  • Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.

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