Islander News Articles 10/31

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/31/2007 02:37:00 AM | | | | | | | | | | | |

Newsday:Mark Herrmann reported on the Islanders visiting a local school before practice.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann had two blog updates on Mike Sillinger's 1000th game coming up on Thussday and a second blog here on Ted Nolan using owner Charles Wang's seats to attend a basketball game at Msg.

NYI.com Chris Botta had a great article on the teams website with Scotty Bowman giving his thoughts on Al Arbour who will be behind the bench Saturday to coach his Fifteenth Hundred game.

"As a coach, of course, Al Arbour put his stamp on the NHL forever. What he'll probably always be remembered for is how he molded a true TEAM. He had some brillinat players that had Hall of Fame careers like Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Trottier, Bossy, Gillies. But it was Al who got them to be part of the team fabric. If the all-stars do not buy in to Al's concept, the Islanders do not become a dynasty.

"Al also worked wonders with the role players. Because he emphasized a team game and preached that the team always came first, the other players saw the commitment of the stars and the result was a team that worked as hard as any team in the league during that time. Al had a role for everyone on that team and was successful in getting each player to accept his role.

"Al had so much success as a coach because of his no-nonsense personality. I'm told that if there was ever a problem on the ice or behind the scenes, Al was a master communicator. He never let problems fester.

"And, of course, he was as good as anyone as a bench manager. They used to say the Islanders could beat you any style you wanted to play them. Al always pulled the right strings.

"He's always been a good friend and I'm so proud of everything he has accomplished. Saturday night is going to be an amazing time for Al and Claire and their family. I wish them nothing but the best."


Detroit News: David Goricki rates the top college current NHL goaltenders and has DiPietro second to Marty Turco.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Dave Molinari who has the best mailbag among newspapers in the Eastern Conference in my opinion answered a question on Eric Cairns and why he was not picked up by another team with a quick blurb on his current role with the Islanders.

Hockey News/several articles: Report
the Boston Bruins traded defenceman Brad Stuart and forward Wayne Primeau to the Flames on Saturday for defenceman Andrew Ference and forward Chuck Kobasew.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has an updated on the club's inability to finish off teams with comments from team captain Mark Wotton.