MONTREAL – Hailing from Poland, Mariusz Czerkawski knows something about solidarity. He understands about sticking together, and the importance of forming strong lasting unions.
That’s what makes his inconsistent line situation so frustrating for him. Just when Czerkawski starts bonding with a center, the union is broken and a new line is formed.
With the Islanders heading into last night’s meeting with the Canadiens, Czerkawski, the first-line right wing, has played with three centers through the first five games.
So perhaps it’s no coincidence that after tallying two goals and two assists in the first two games alongside center Mats Lindgren, Czerkawski’s output has ceased as coach Butch Goring continues to look for the right combination.
Maybe Czerkawski should have Lech Walesa give Goring a ring.
“I don’t think it affects you that much,” Czerkawski, 27, said after yesterday’s morning skate at the luxurious downtown Molson Centre. “But it would be nice to have the same guys and be clicking together. It’s up to the coach, and he does whatever he feels is right.”
Though Czerkawski and Lindgren (former Edmonton teammates) played well together during the latter part of last season, Goring wasn’t satisfied with Lindgren’s play at center after the first three games this year. As a result, he replaced him with 18-year old rookie Tim Connolly. But that experiment lasted just one outing, an embarrassing 2-0 home loss to the expansion Thrashers.
So Goring’s next first-line center was Jorgen Jonsson, who moved into the spot against the Devils last Saturday. Jonsson, though, didn’t provide the spark Goring was hoping for. In their 4-1 loss, the Isles’ only score was by fourth-line center Chris Ferraro.
Still, Jonsson was expected to remain on the first unit last night, along with Czerkawski and Brad Isbister, who has one goal and two assists.
Goring, meanwhile, said Czerkawski should not be adversely affected by having to play with different centers.
“Al Arbour used to tell us, ‘You can play with anybody,'” Goring, a former Islander star, said about his former coach. “He’s had chances to score. Goal scorers find ways to score and he’s a goal scorer.”
To his credit, Czerkawski has become accustomed to playing with different centers. Last year, four Islanders (Trevor Linden, Robert Reichel, Bryan Smolinski and Lindgren) took turns centering his line. And Czerkawski responded, finishing second to Ziggy Palffy on the club with 21 goals (in 78 games), while adding 17 assists. His best NHL season came in ’96-97 with the Oilers when he tallied 26 goals and 21 assists in 76 games.
Having taken just 15 shots heading into last night, the left-handed shooter said his lack of production lately has been troubling.
“I’m getting frustrated,” he said. “I have to shoot a little more.”
Or else he’s sure to have a new center or two quite soon.
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Though the Canadiens no longer play in the tradition-filled Forum, Goring said it will still be special for his young players to experience playing in this hockey-mad city.
“It’s intimidating for them,” said Goring, who grew up in western Canada. “It’ll be a unique moment and they’ll have to battle the first couple shifts.
“When you get into this type of building, you know it’ll be loud and it’ll be an emotional game.”