TRAINING CAMP OPENS!

New York Islander Fan Central | 9/13/2007 07:56:00 PM | | | | |
NYI.com provides their first update on day one where team gathered for physicals before boarding a plane for Moncton.

"It's great to see everyone," said Bergenheim. "It doesn't even feel like I've been away for a year. The atmosphere is great here this year. I like the guys they've brought in this year, they're good additions."

"I'm looking forward to this new challenge," said Comrie. "Everyone here has been very welcoming. I can't wait to get things started up in Moncton."

"We already had a solid group of defensemen from last year," noted Tambellini. "But now we've added Sutton and Johnson, who played almost an entire season with Columbus last year. Add the potential of signing (Bryan) Berard and we have eight or nine NHL defensemen. It's going to be a battle."

"We're all anxious to get going," said Guerin. "There are a lot of new guys and we're looking forward to the team bonding up in Moncton.".


Islanders TV had Steve Mears do a four minute interview with Garth Snow, while Miroslav Satan and Justin Bourne did blog video's.

CBS Sportsline's Wes Goldstein does an Atlantic Preview article where he feels New York will face a tough challenge keeping up with some of the other conference bubble teams that improved over the summer.

Brendan Witt in an interesting photo apparently was kidding around with photographer Bruce Bennett for Getty Images.

Back at homeNewsday did an update on the Coliseum and the committee Charles Wang and Scott Rechler have selected for redevelopment of the Coliseum site.

Long Island Business News quotes a statement from Mr Wang.

9/13: Updated 8:30pm: Newsday's Greg Logan provides his first updates Islanders looking at veteran imports to be leaders
Islanders Q & A with Greg Logan several subjects are addressed in both articles.

"If Charles Wang didn't give me a second opportunity to coach, I certainly wouldn't be here," Nolan said with a laugh. "People can do certain things, but they need an opportunity. Vasicek is coming into a great situation and Sutton can be one of our top defense.men and one of our leaders. Comrie is going to be a go-to guy and Guerin has the opportunity to be our captain. We feel they are opportunities that were earned and warranted. It's more than possible they'll reach the expectations we assumed they would."


"Did anyone expect Jason Blake to score 40 goals?" Snow said of the team's top scorer. "Viktor Kozlov was in a few different organizations and ended up having a career year under Ted. We feel we got players who will compete on a nightly basis."


"In order for us to win, we're going to rely on the team," Nolan said. "We can't say Player A will lead us and score four goals that night and set up three others. We haven't got a Lecavalier or a Crosby. So we're going to have to play a team game."


Logan's Q & A addresses the following:

*What is Rick DiPietro's condition?

*Did the Islanders lose too much on the free-agent market?

*Is Miroslav Satan on the hot seat?

*Is there room for any kids in the lineup?

*Can the Isles repeat last season's playoff berth?