1983 New York vs Edmonton: Odds/Ends

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/31/2007 01:14:00 PM | | | | |
Good day to go back into a little history as we all escape cabin fever from so few Islander hockey games.

Just a quick note-Islanders will wear white Saturday and raise a banner for Al Arbour. If anyone recalls he wanted no fanfare for the game, just to coach so we shall see. Please let them wear the 1970-80's white jersey's for one game. I saw a picture of Butch Goring at the NHL team store in the current jersey and it did not look right.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann updated the Islanders blog and reported
at 3 p.m. the new NHL Network (channels 401 or 429 on Cablevision will show the Islanders-Oilers game from May 17, 1983.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good news, bad news. The good news is it's on today for those who would like to watch it and are able to.

The bad news is once the free preview ended after a few days it's not worth the money to see them barely cover the Islanders. Only you know if your provider has this station.

Better news is the ITV service has a lot of great classic games and features. I still own Pride of the Islanders VHS from the 80's and was shocked to see it on ITV also because it was made in Terry Simpson's first year and that's twenty years old.

Oh yes, in those days they had had the basic version of Pride of the Island and the collectors edition with special clips from Al Arbour's vault. No, I got the basic one for those asking.

If you can access ITV for a lot of great old features I suggest you do.

Best News (not Neil Best) today's game was on FSN before the season opener in Buffalo and I was able to put it on DVD along with Vancouver, Minnesota cup winning games. Hope you did too because Msg has never shown them all in one day. I would not bet on it happening often.

Islander books I still have:
25Th anniversary book
Boss-The Mike Bossy story
The Dynamic Islanders-From Cellar to Stanley Cup

Do not have the Incredible Islanders or Denis Potvin's book. I have no interest in either Alan Hahn-Peter Botte book because of the poor editing and what many claimed was misinformation.

I recall some older fans were correcting Hahn's recollections in the 1980 book which he did not do with Mr Botte. I saw it last year for twenty four dollars at a Barnes and Nobel and reading it you could sense it was written by someone who was too young at that time. Also it was just not a very long book in terms of pages.

All this 1980 stuff had me thinking back to the channel nine days when we would see the road games.

Anyone old enough around here to remember the days of Tim Ryan calling Islander games? I cannot remember who did the color commentary but I can give you Tim Ryan calling a heck of a fight as an Islander announcer.



That series with the Kings in 1980 which was only a best of five. Anyone remember before Morrow scored in ot Bill Smith let up an early goal from center ice or the next game when Alex McKendry took Mike Bossy's spot and scored in the 6-0 series clincher.

Anyone want to take a guess who called that game on WOR-9.
It was not Jiggs McDonald.
It was not Tim Ryan.
It was not Stan Fischler.
It was not Jean Potvin, he did the radio side with Barry Landers for those who remember in the 80's. If I recall they did the Chemical Bank Feature album the Chemistry was just right on the 1980 Islanders.

Hints?
Family history in New York broadcasting, later called Mets games.
Family member was announcer of Islanders 1981 sweep of Rangers on radio from Ranger side.







Answer: Steve Albert

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.

Mikka Kiprusoff signs

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/30/2007 11:33:00 AM | | | | | | |
Cam West News and countless articles: George Johnson reported Flames goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff signed a six year contract extension for thirty five million dollars (US) Monday in what many consider a bargain at 5.8m a year.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Writer does a great job here with the following points:

*Nikolai Khabibulin of the Hawks is raking in $6.75 million this season.
*Jose Theodore of the Avalanche, will make $6 million.
*Sutter ups the length of term and lands him for $5.8 million.

* All credit here must go to Sutter for signing him at below what appeared to be market value.

* It seemed certain that a goaltender of Kiprusoff's could command $7 million a season.

It should be noted Kiprusoff got this contract in his thirties after he left another team while a first overall pick like DiPietro signed his contract at 4.5m a season for fifteen years where he said he felt he left money on the table at the time at a much younger age. Many may recall Brent Krahn was the next goaltender taken by the Flames that year at ninth overall.

As a fan you have to love when a player decides to stay with the club he established himself with, Only downside is we only see teams like the Flames very infrequnetly as if they are in another league. That could change next season and the Islanders do visit Calgary for the first time since before the lockout.

This could be a new trend among goaltenders. The Emery, Lundqvist and Miller future contracts could be effected by this.

For a little laugh check the NHLPA website. Things may be different now in season but back in the summer it always seemed when a player got a huge contract at what many felt was above his market value he was profiled on that site.

Islander News Articles 10/30:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/30/2007 02:36:00 AM | | | | | | | | | | | |
Newsday: Mark Herrmann has an article about Brendan Witt's shootout abilities after an upbeat practice Monday with more comments on the long layoff between games with the upside and downsides that come with. Four on four play was concentrated on as well.

"I think it's your mental edge," Witt said. "We had the energy." He said that when a team plays game after game, things flow naturally, adding, "It makes it easier to make plays if you don't think a lot."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Isles TV: Is is the next best thing to attending in person for those looking for a little more beyond the Newspaper coverage. Mike Comrie, Brendan Witt and Ted Nolan interviews are part of the six minute recap. Practice was at Iceworks for those wondering after the lights went out last week and the club moved a practice to the Coliseum.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had the following from team Sound Tigers President Howard Saffin on Trevor Smith's demotion to Utah.

"We see a kid with that much promise, we don't want to see him sitting on the bench," "It's no different than why (Jeff) Tambellini is with us rather than the Islanders."


Updated 9:30am
Calgary Sun: Steve MacFarlane had a very intersting article on former Islander Eric Godard's improved play with comments from teammate Adrian Aucoin.

Monday Updates:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/29/2007 03:57:00 PM | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Newsday: Mark Herrmann updated the Islanders blog today and reported Ted Nolan kept his lines together and the club has moved on from Saturday's loss.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Interesting Nolan quickly went back to Fetotenko-Comrie-Guerin Saturday but today the practice report had Guerin back with Mike Sillinger and Andy Hilbert which he did not give much time to Saturday. Simon's gotten some shift's in Andy Hilbert's spot also during games.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported in his blog today Trevor Smith has been sent to Utah so he can get more playing time and because the Sound Tigers have had a surplus of forward at different times.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It's also been interesting watching the Islander-Bridgeport-Utah connection with all teams have a forward surplus at times. Oilver Labelle was sent to the Utah, now Trevor Smith. Bootland cleared waivers and played in Norfolk Saturday.

I added a feeder to what I think is their primary newspaper in Salt Lake to their section on the page yesterday.

USHL.com: Has a link up for anyone wishing to ask Islander prospect Blake Kessel a question.

Tsn.ca: Reports Colin Campbell suspended Randy Jones of the Philadelphia Flyers two games and had the following comments:

"While it is my determination that Jones did not intend to injure his opponent, he did deliver a hard check to a player who was in a vulnerable position,"

"There have been suggestions by some that this hit was comparable to incidents earlier this season where players received significant game suspensions for blows to the head. These comparisons and suggestions are wrong,"


Espn.com: Scott Burnside of course provides the counterpoint that put the pressure on Campbell to issue a suspension and mentions the " Culture of recklessness in Philadelphia " mentioning the old Broad Street Bullies.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Last I checked there is nothing in the NHL rulebook about players being allowed to deliver hard checks who put themselves in a vulnerable position. This seems like an unfair suspension because a star player got injured or Campbell felt pressure to give Jones some kind of suspension despite his comments the comparisions to other recent incidents are wrong.

I'm glad Bergeron did not suffer a serious injury and will return at some point and Jones was very classy in his comments. Bergeron is an outstanding talent who is good for the league. I did not see any merited suspension here.

I think Scott Burnside (as usual) does not get it right and I don't think Randy Jones was watching old Dave Schultz highlights before he went out and checked Bergeron to get pumped up to play.

Tsn.ca Also reported former Capital Peter Bondra retired from professional hockey today to become the general manager Slovakia's national team.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Almost seems unfair a player with his career stats exits the NHL this quietly and hopefully the Caps pick a night to honor him. NHL's loss is Slovakia's gain.

Updated 7pm:
Newsday:
Elizabeth Moore in the business section and Noel Rubinton in the busness blog section had updates on the Lighthouse project timetable and reaction to a donation by Charles Wang and Scott Rechler blog for the community surrounding the Coliseum.

NHL.com Released some beautiful pictures of Devils opening night in the Prudential Center that I thought everyone would enjoy. Very happy for the Devils fans.

Islander News Artilcles 10/29

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/28/2007 11:48:00 PM | | | | | | |
Newsday: John Jeansonne has an early Monday update on the how the club will have to pick itself up from the loss Saturday with comments from Mike Sillinger, Rick DiPietro, Ted Nolan and Bill Guerin.

Bill Guerin:
"Everyone's got to pick themselves up," "It was a rough night for us. But we're going to play the rest of our games."

Mike Sillinger:
"You could say it was the layoff, but I think they were the better team, the hungrier team. You could say we were rusty, but one thing we had was energy. And we still have a lot of .energy left. I guess it's just back to the drawing board. Go to work and get out of a little funk here."

Rick DiPietro:
"Just figure out what I did wrong and what can be worked on." "And forget about it."


Media Blog: Chris Botta's blog explains how the post game interview process works between player and media and what league rules are in an interesting read for those who did not know.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I would love to see this staff have the media pressure of a Stanley Cup final at Nassau Coliseum as a reward for all they do. I remember when Howard Milstein purchased the team and had his press conference and brought in the Stanley Cup Chris Botta did not like the idea and his initial instincts were correct.

A few words: Randy Jones & Patrice Bergeron

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/28/2007 11:16:00 PM | | | | |
Tsn.ca: Bob McKenzie had his take on Randy Jones hitting Bergeron today and I wanted to write something about it but have not had a chance today until now.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I saw the hit and some of the reaction to Jones hitting Bergeron and even though some are blaming the Flyers for all three incidents as an organization they must all be treated as seperate occurances. My first reaction was concern for Bergeron but I also watched the play and saw a player shove a player in the back with both hands who was turning and in a spot where he was vulnerable. Similar to a hit Michael Peca put on a Montral Canadian several years ago as an Islander.

This was not Gary Roberts taking a full charge from center ice where he picks up speed and then takes his hands and slams Kenny Jonsson's head in the boards. This was one where Jones shoved Bergeron who was off balance at a point where he was just far enough away from the boards where he could hit his head on the dasher and did.

I think McKenzie got it right here in this article and agree he likely will get a suspension because of policitcal pressure on the league but I did not see anything that merited a suspension but there was no intent and far different than the two other instances involving the Flyers.

Any suspension here seems like just caving to political pressure. That said of course it's a loss for the league to lose a player of Bergeron's ability and it's great it was reported he will be ok.

Were talking Colin Campbell here folks, only thing consistent about Campbell is his inconsistency in decision making.

10/28: NYI Fan Central Q & A

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/28/2007 08:09:00 PM |

I thought today would be a good time for a little Q & A to answer some questions that I have been getting in my e-mail recently about the blog and I will continue to do it from time to time.



Q: How come the weekly prospect updates are not included here?

A: I like the Islander weekly prospect updates, but we have someone named Mr Prospects on the message board doing it on a game by game basis for us already and his work is ahead of the Islander updates and the quality is outstanding. The blog itself has a link to the prospect profiles on the Islander website and the link to the Islanders website here gives that weekly update anyway because of the feeder.

Q: Will you be doing player interviews?

A: No, as I explained I think that's for the younger fans who would like a career in reporting and is not a skill that goes to my strengths.

Q: Have I sold out to the Islanders website?

A: I'm not really sure what this means but as I wrote this week nothing is going to change in terms of the content here. There will be times I am very critical of the organization and times when they are praised for things they try to do. Not providing an outlet for the fans to send Jason Blake their best wishes was something I was very critical of recently because this was done for other players in the past.

All I can promise is I will be fair and most of my commentary on the club will come down to how much they win or lose and how they play.

Q: You miss some writers and publications in your tags.

A: Unfortunately there is a two hundred character limit for tags so in a longer update there is no space but I always credit the publication on the page somewhere. My rule to this point has been to make sure the writer gets credit first, then the publication they write for in the tags.

Q: Do I want personal publicity for myself?

A: Absolutely not. I specifically asked my blog quietly be added to the box with no announcement. I offered my blog because only because I thought it could help the organization. I would never accept any personal recognition because the New York Islanders are the story here and what we as fans can quietly do for them. Anyone who does otherwise to self promote themselves is not in it for the Islanders and we could do without those kind of fans.

I'm going to wind this up by giving my brother's question a plug here because he's always reading my old board at Hockey's Future and played a little joke on me.

Yes, this is payback for sending me this junk bro, everyone gets to read my answer to you.

Q: What's going on, I looked at HF board and saw Nyisles as moderator on the Islander board again? Why would you agree to do that?

A: I have no idea what you are talking about. Someone named Nyisles was named moderator on the old board? Is that moderator number four or five now that has been there in the year I have been gone because it sure is not me but that's a heck of a coincidence.

Oh well, hopefully Killer Carlson's jokes let up long enough so anyone can get in a hockey comment once in a while. Good luck to the next Nyisles at Hockey Future, I'm expecting my royalty check from the sequel.

Updated 10/30 7:50 am:
I was told in the comment section my harmless joke was offensive to the person it was written about. I'm very sorry if this was taken the wrong way because it was not my intention. Please visit the comment section (below) for what I have to say about this and HF in detail. Thank You.

Islander News Articles 10/28:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/28/2007 01:06:00 AM | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Newsday: John Jeansonne had reaction from Ted Nolan, DiPietro, Sillinger and Bill Guerin.

"We were rusty at the start, but I don't think that's an excuse to lose 8-2," forward Mike Sillinger said.

"I don't want to sit and make excuses," DiPietro said. "We did have an extensive layoff, but whatever it was, hopefully it's out of our system."


Newsday: Mark Herrmann wrote an article on the Devils Prudential Center and asked why the Islanders cannot get the arena renovation they need with an updated timetable of what's going to happen next in the approval process.

Note-Steve Zipay's Ranger centric article mentions the Islander signings are outscoring the Ranger signings and gives the numbers vs salary, but little else.

Daily News: Brian Bohl does a game update.

Newsobserver: Lorenzo Perez Herald Sun: Provide the Carolina centric coverage.

NY Post: Mike Puma is the latest now to cover an Islander game for the Post in his limited space.

NY Post: Jay Greenberg & NY Post: Former Devils employee Larry Brooks of course do all they can to rain on the Devils parade for opening a new building by basically insulting the Devil fans, the City of Newark and the overall team for reasons that only show why hockey in New York is desperate for quality writers who want to make our sport more popular, not ruin it with articles that reek of envy in a sad display.

NY Post: Rumble section on sports celebrities led with Al Arbour coming back to coach next Saturday and a funny story on how he benched actor and Ranger fan Tim Robbins in a charity game a few years ago.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has reaction from the players and coach on Saturday's loss at Norfolk. Jeremy Colliton's shorthanded goal accounted for all of Bridgeport's scoring. Darryl Bootland cleared waivers and skated on the right side with Frans Nielsen and Tambellini.

"I question our team's conditioning, first off," forward Jeff Tambellini said. "Three in a row, that's a joke. It's unacceptable to be blowing games when you have leads. Winning teams don't throw away third-period leads."

"We were doing everything we were supposed to do," coach Jack Capuano said. "We came out in the third period, and some guys thought it was going to be easy."


Norfolk Virginian Pilot: Has the Admirals coverage.

Carolina 8, New York 3

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/27/2007 09:58:00 PM | | | | | | |

Islanders Website: Has the recap of the Islanders 8-3 loss at home to Carolina Saturday.

"We're certainly not happy with our performance," said a disappointed Ted Nolan. "It's just one of those nights when everything that can go wrong, went wrong. We just have to re-group tomorrow and get back to work."

"Everybody has to pick themselves up," said captain Bill Guerin. "We have to realize what we did wrong and hopefully learn from this one. It was a rough night for us, but we're not going to quit now. It's time to get ready for Thursday."


Sound Tigers Website: Has a game summary on Saturday night's 2-1 loss in Norfolk.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updated his blog on the Sound Tigers loss Saturday night. Bridgeport lost it's lead leading third game entering the final period. Jeff Tambellini was described as agitated with the club's inability to finish.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Carolina is a very good team and can score eight goals against anyone, but all due respect this was simply a self-inflicted loss top to bottom.

I'm not even sure this had anything to do with time off or just a very sloppy Islander team.

John Grahame was Carolina's best player and always seems to have a big effort against the Islanders, who had a lot of high quality chances and pressure on him but he either made a great save or his defense blocked shots with seemingly open nets, one early goal could have changed everything.

On the Islanders end Fedotenko took an early offensive zone penalty, pk seemed to have no problem shorthanded until one set play with Brindamour at the end of the kill where the foward up high fell asleep and he made a perfect shot for the 1-0 goal.

Then DiPietro lost the puck behind the net and did not stop the centering pass for a very bad 2-0 goal. After that another penalty on Campoli throwing the puck in the stands, again they kill off the penalty and before Campoli could get back in the play DiPietro did not control his rebound and Brendan Witt did not have his man for the 3-0 goal.

Gervais made a beautiful rush to the net and crashed the goal before Fedotenko finally scored on play where it seemed like Grahame or their defense blocked about four shots that easily could have gone in before it went in off his chest but then came the crusher that ended the competitive part of the game. Sutton changed a shot's direction while screening DiPietro and finally a set Canes play on a dump in led to DiPietro overcomitting early and Campoli losing his man when the puck went to the far side to make it 5-1.

Between that Bergeron looked lost a few times and somehow the Canes did not finish some great chances where he just did not stay in position. Gervais also looked lost a few times in his own end.

I guessed I missed a goal here but DiPietro did not control his rebounds nor did the defense and that really was the story and the end of DiPietro's night.

Bergeron took a shot going wide by five feet that hit a Cane defender which was the only time all night Carolina looked like the Islanders for the second goal.

Park's penalty shot would have made it interesting, but Simon decided to hit someone in the head and a Martinek penalty combined with Park breaking his stick led to a very easy 7-2 goal and then an 8-2 goal.

Sillinger's goal in the final seconds maybe helps his confidence because it was his first but a very forgettable night against a team that should have been tired and instead won handily.

Dubie was solid and controlled his rebounds well, you could see the difference from the shots hiting DiPietro and the rebounds.

Self-inflicted all the way.

10/27: New York vs Carolina 7pm FSN-2

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/27/2007 02:06:00 AM | | | |
Islanders Website via Associated Press: Has the early game preview which includes Carolina Friday's 7-4 loss at home vs Montreal snapped their seven games unbeaten streak. Cam Ward surrendered five first period goals before John Grahame came in but still out shot its opponent for the eighth straight game.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Islanders better show up and outwork a team that is playing it's fourth game in six day tonight or they are not going to win and Carolina is an excellent skating team. Montreal played very well from all reports Friday. Islanders pp has to have the same success the Canadians did. I would expect Grahame to start if he played well in relief yesterday but we'll see.

A player the Islanders let get away a few years ago in Jeff Hamilton also returns to the Coliseum tonight where he barely got a look here. Hamilton had eighteen goals last season for Chicago and four in eleven this year for Chicago after being a dominating scorer for Bridgeport on a low scoring club.

Bates took Bootland's spot in practice who was put on waivers so it's Bates or Johnson on the fourth line.
Bergeron returns to the lineup with Sutton.
Peter Laviolette comes back to the Coliseum.

Associated Press via SI: Reports Carolina Saturday sent Ryan Bayda back to the AHL.

Islander News Articles 10/27

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/26/2007 11:43:00 PM | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Newsday: John Jeansonne's Saturday article reports on the reaction to Michael Farber's SI article on Chris Simon, Darryl Bootland being sent to Bridgeport (provided he clears waivers) and Bates taking his spot in practice on the fourth line. Ted Nolan talks about getting back to NHL games starting Saturday against Carolina who lost 7-4 at home to Montreal Friday night and will be playing their fourth game in six days.

"We addressed the team about that," coach Ted Nolan said. "We need a strong mental approach to get back into the swing of things. Whoever you play you've always got to be on your toes."


Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reports on the Sound Tigers traveling to Norfolk for a game Saturday with Steve Stirling's Admirals. Darryl Bootland will likely play if he clears waivers at noon but the Sound Tigers will be carrying thirteen forwards.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Norfolk Admirals
WHEN — Tonight, 7:15
WHERE — Scope, Norfolk, Va.
ON THE AIR — WAVZ-AM 1300; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Chris Botta was quoted in Newsday as saying Michael Farber's article did not include factual errors, however it did not include anywhere he could not fly to his hearing in Toronto because of his concussion so it had to be held in New York. Why would the league office stand for that if he did not have a concussion and was not injured?

Mr Farber's comments give the impression Simon knew exactly what he was doing. Only Chris Simon knows what his intent was and Farber could be right about this. That written the SI writer is not a doctor and to give the impression Simon was was not hurt is unfair also because he does not know.

In the end Mr Farber did get a lot of quotes from the NHL fraternity all defending Chris Simon even though in this case his actions cannot be defended regardless of what uniform he currently wears.

John Jeansonne did not go easy on Simon either Friday and should not have if he is quoted as not reading the article but told team officials he did.

Michael Farber is a long time New York Hockey fan who used to go to the old Msg, last I know he worked out of Montreal. He now has a blog at SI and invites fans to engage him a throw down at a website called Fan Nation here.

I'm going to send Mr Farber my comments here and see if he can answer my questions, if he responds I will post it here in the future.

St Cloud Times: Kevin Allenspach has an update on Islander prospect Jase Weslosky, who made a career-best 39 saves and helped to end the Huskies three-game winless streak. His save percentage shot up to .947 and his goals-against average shrunk to 1.50.

Huskies coach Bob Motzko:
"The win starts with Jase," "Our transition game isn't real good. We're turning the puck over. The best way to put it is we're a pretty easy team to play against right now."

Darryl Bootland to waivers, Core of Four weekend

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/26/2007 05:00:00 PM | | | | | | | | |
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio reported in his blog this afternoon Daryl Bootland was placed on waivers by the Islanders while Oliver Labelle was sent to Utah because they were carrying thirteen forwards.

Newsday: John Jeansonne's blog today is on the Islander schdedule and the announcement of a
"Core of Four" celebration, where all the members of the team's four-consecutive Stanley Cup winners in 1980-84 will be honored in March.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Looks like management made a decision on making room for a possible Bates return or Johnson is going to play wing for a while. Oliver Labelle going to Utah is a part of that with the Sound Tigers having a forward surplus.

I read about a possible event for the players who won all four cups sometime this season. What I'm surprised at is that Islander Hall of Fame Banner for Bob Bourne hangs from the rafters and no player has been announced to this point for this year while Bourne's night was announced well in advance last season.

I'm still lobbying for Jiggs McDonald because he continues to stand by this team and going to Moncton just to prepare to maybe work a game says how much he loved doing this and being part of the Islander family.

Danny Markov saga finally ends

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/26/2007 01:13:00 PM | | | |
Tsn.ca: Reports the Dany Markov saga for at least this season has finally come to an end with his signing a two year contract with Moscow Dynamo, his agent Jay Grossman confirmed Friday, he can opt out of the contract this summer.

NYI Fan Central:
Too bad Islanders could not get something done with Markov in the summer. I admit I was critical of the club considering what they paid Andy Sutton but in the end according to this article he only got two million for two years so apparently they knew what the market was for his services and would not overpay, in the end no club did.

Even better news he did not sign with the Devils or a team who would have faced the Islanders eight times a year. I still perfer his game to Andy Sutton who to me is a bad signing by the club but we'll see.

Islander News Articles 10/26:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/25/2007 09:20:00 PM | | | | | | | |
Newsday: John Jeansonne's update for Friday is on Shawn Bates' being out for two hundred sixty nine days with quotes from the player and coach Ted Nolan as he was given medical clearance for full practices two weeks ago. Also reported is the light schedule also combined with Berard being out for a possible minimum of two weeks, would cause him to only miss four or five games.

"He hasn't played in eight months, nine months," Nolan said. "We want to look for the best way to get him back without jeopardizing his confidence" -- and without forcing other personnel changes.


* Bates is secure in the knowledge that he remains a full-fledged member of the team. Except ...

"The toughest part is not playing in the games," he said. "I'm around all the guys again. I get to practice with them. I get to travel with them. But not going to battle with them; the most important part of this is not playing with the guys, because that's what a team is all about. Skating's fun, but it's hard work. Playing the games is fun."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Nolan's comment about forcing other personnel changes when he's ready to play is the interesting comment here. To this point Bootland and Johnson will likely be in the lineup on the fourth line right wing spot until there is an injury.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's update is on new Sound Tiger Joe Rullier who's 25-game tryout runs until Dec. 28 with comments, from Rullier, head coach Jack Capuano and some of his new teammates.

"It's a good chance for me to fit in, to give something to the team here, and get something back, maybe a chance at the NHL. My focus is on getting a contract here."

"There's no sense rushing him in," coach Jack Capuano said. "We have to put him in a situation where he's going to succeed."


Newsobserver: Canes beat writer Luke DeCock reports Hurricanes are doing what the Islanders did with the players fathers traveling with the club for a few games last season which will include Saturday, Carolina plays at home against Montreal Friday night.

Ct Post/Newsday blog updates and Comrie

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/25/2007 03:11:00 PM | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ct Post Michael Fornabaio updated his Sound Tigers blog this afternoon and reported Joe Rullier is with the club on a tryout contract. Jeremy Colliton was given a day off after blocking an Ian Moran shot in the second period last night but he's likely to be ready to skate in the morning. Thomas Pock cleared waivers and was assigned to Hartford.

Newsday: John Jeansonne's blog update is on blocking shots and the potential remifications. Brendan Witt and Islanders head athletic trainer Garrett Timms are quoted and provides him witnessing March 22, 1989 game between the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues when St. Louis' Steve Tuttle and Buffalo's Uwe Krupp collided in the goal mouth in front of Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk was seriously injured by a skate to his neck.

Espn.com: Victoria Matiash and John Pereira debate whether Mike Comrie's hot start is for real.

Fox Sports: Mike Chen crunches the numbers and asks who is giving the most value for the money by the numbers and mentions Mike Comrie but also questions his consistency.

Bloggers vs Print Media in Newspapers

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/25/2007 01:34:00 PM | |
I have discovered an interesting dilemma recently that I'm finding to be more of an issue when posting articles or information about hockey that I thought I would share with everyone because I just do not know and cannot tell you if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

Let me start by giving you some background:

In my hockey cyberspace travels over the years it's something that has changed a lot from the days of faceoff.com where you knew a writer like Peter Botte of the Daily News was doing a weekly team report for them or Alan Hahn of Newsday was doing his weekly update report for the Sporting News.

For those who remember this also know both sites stop doing updates from the print media and cut out team reports from local hockey writers.

I posted a link to the New York Sun yesterday in the daily articles because it has occasional updates on the Islanders in their NHL section and the work has a quality that impresses me. I was also very happy to see it in a New York City publication because the News, Times and Post have been a disaster in terms of hockey coverage.

I find the occasional work by Kevin Greenstein in the Sun to be very good in general and he was one of the few writers with the insight to see last year's Islanders were not going to be as bad as many predicted and he knew his subject.

What I found out this morning by reading the entire page is that Mr Greenstein who wrote the article and another good NHL update today on the NHLPA changes also posted the same information on a site called InsideHockey.com where it says he is Editor in Chief.

Recently after crediting a writer here named Brian Bohl for an Islander article in the Daily News, I was told Mr Bohl writes for NY Sports Day (updated 10-27/thanks Adam) who's website does a good job letting it's readers know on the main page they are an independent sports website that is not affiliated with any other news organization.

Last summer or the one before one of the two Boston publications (Globe or Herald) in their summer rumors section took a fan Internet rumor off of a message forum and posted it in their Sunday blurbs about Alexei Yashin and a number one pick being traded to another team. This made the rounds to several mainstream media sources before someone figured out the Globe or Herald professional writer did not get his/her rumor from a hockey source but a fan posting off of a message forum.

Earlier this year a fellow by the name of Tom Liodice who was at HF during my time there and does an excellent job covering the Bridgeport Sound Tigers was surprised to discover his article on the Sound Tigers appeared in a visiting teams newspaper publication. When I congratulated him he asked me to find the link and sent it to him because he did not know.

What I am getting at here is are the newspaper editors taking posters and bloggers off their own websites who cover games and printing their work to supplement hockey coverage or are these members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association of America?

Are we at a point where it's fair to ask is there a difference as long as the work is of good quality?

Can we even tell the difference in some cases anymore given the quality work of some of these folks who do supplement coverage vs the established hockey writer receiving less and less space. A few newspapers feature blogs of folks who are not team beat writers.

All this brings me back to the Professional Hockey Writers Association of America because I always get a chuckle when someone writes about the Long Island Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association of American nominating a player for an award because all I saw was one beatwriter for Newsday whether it was John Valenti or Alan Hahn and now Greg Logan or someone sitting in an office who had never written a hockey article.

During the 2002 Carolina-Detroit finals then President Larry Brooks of the New York Post reportedly lobbied to keep amateur writers out of covering the final and failed.

How do I know this? Red Fisher of the Montreal Gazette told us in his column later that year where Mr Brooks never mentioned it in his Sunday NY Post Column.

I used to have a very conservative opinion on this and now I just do not know anymore so I would like to hear from others.

All I can tell you is New York Islander Fan Central will not be appearing in the New York Times Islander blog section unless I know about it.

Mike Bossy Canadian Hall of Fame Inductee

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/25/2007 10:15:00 AM | |


Canadian Sports Hall of Fame: Has a press release on Mike Bossy being inducted tonight into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame along with seven other atheletes. The gala induction dinner will take place in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York hotel.

During his ten years in the league, Bossy scored at least 50 goals every year except the last which was cut short by a back injury which ended his career. In 1980-81, Bossy became the first player since Maurice Richard in 1944-45 to score 50 goals in the first 50 games of the season. He also led the New York Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup victories (1980-83). By the time he retired, he had scored 573 goals in just 752 regular-season games. Bossy was also an advocate of clean hockey and was one of the most gentlemanly players in the game.


From Reuters

Updated 10/26:
Vancouver Province: Staff Reports Toronto Star: Athal Kelly
Toronto Sun: Bill Lankhof Vancouver Sun: Has two articles from Dan Stinson and Dan McGowan here.
Brandon Sun: Used Canadian Press updates on the induction ceremonies and had the following from Boss:

* Mike Bossy who was honored along with seven other atheletes, didn't realize there was no physical structure housing Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

"I guess it is a national tragedy, probably," said Bossy. "The amount of money it would take to put something up would probably be significant, but in the large scheme of things insignificant.

"It's kind of sad that we haven't had a sponsor in Canada to step up and put forth that project."


Updated 10/26 pm:
NYI.com Gm Garth Snow praised Mike Bossy's Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame Induction.

What Islanders-Sound Tigers meant to me

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/25/2007 09:17:00 AM | |


http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Islanders-SoundTigers/

I did a brief message today on the old Islanders-Sound Tigers mailing list about the blog being added to the Islanders website and invited everyone who was part of the list to join the blog and message board here and looked back at the messages and found the final message which I wanted to re post here which was from May 2006.

I was always concerned I did not thank everyone enough for seven great years on my mailing list and was not sure how to contact a list yahoo claims still has 174 members to this day about the new blog and board so I thought I would go back to my final message to them and re post it here.



Anyway here is the unedited message from May 2006:

All good things must come to an end, which brings me to my farewell to all of
you.

I have been putting together this final message for a while now like
kind of the thoughts I would post here after a game, except this one
would be the toughest one of all for me.

How do you recap seven years on a mailing list where you really do not know the
folks who are reading this but hope your doing your best for them? How do I say
thank you to everyone for taking the time to join or read the messages or post
here?

I guess I can start by telling everyone that you kept me going when I needed it
most. I would be less than honest if I did not admit many times I was tired or
busy at work, that after long days/nights I was exhausted/busy and the last
thing I wanted to do was talk about a hockey game or research newspaper articles
for the next day, but someone would write something about the game or tell me
how much they liked this place, and to me it just felt like this is where I was
supposed to be. I counted on you and the folks here never let me down, as Mike
put so wonderfully the other day this list was like a friend you could count on,
so how could I let you down?

We have had so many quality members here over the seven years, I think you know
who you are and all I can say is how much I appreciated your kind words, your
hockey insight and your words of praise for my efforts here, I will miss you all
very much and I cannot Thank You enough.

I can also tell you that your contribution made this list
special. Some only reached out to me privately, others posted and shared their
thoughts. Whether we agreed or not, everyone who posted made the list better for
their efforts and I became a better hockey fan thanks to you.

We saw a lot here and a lot changed in my life over seven years as a person and
as a hockey fan, my family and I grew up around this list and when I think of
them as they get older I will think of this place and the people who it special.

This list began in September 1999, I had seven wonderful years, we saw some
tough times on the ice but we also saw some fantastic times that I will always
remember.

I saw the Islanders finally give me a season to remember in 2002 when the club
returned to the post-season and showed why we have the greatest fans in sports
who do live and die with this team like no other fans, the sounds of the
Coliseum rocking again will stay with me forever.

What can I say about the Bridgeport Sound Tigers? This team was part of our list
since it's inception and it's been nothing less than an honor covering them on
this mailing list for me. From the announcement of a franchise to construction
of Harbor Yard to Raffi Torres ot goal against Hamilton, to the final game
against Wilkes-Barre, it's been a great ride here with the Sound Tigers, the only thing better than the hockey were the people kind enough to come here and let's us get to talk some hockey with them.

Finally I can tell you when the New York Islanders do win their next Stanley Cup
on that day I will think of this place and the people here. The same will also
go for the Sound Tigers who gave me a great first season and a franchise that is
only just beginning, you will have a Calder Cup to celebrate in Bridgeport
someday, for me it will be like a Stanley Cup on that day.

Thank You so much for everything.

Islander News Articles 10/25:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/24/2007 08:47:00 PM | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Newsday: John Jeansonne kicks off the early Thursday articles with an update on Marc Andre Bergeron who is once again paired with Andy Sutton. The Lights went out at Ice Works and Ted Nolan kept the club skating.


"There's a reason I was pulled out. It's early and I was trying to do too much. You just have to [forget about the damaging errors when he last played four games ago]. If I let that get into my head, it's a problem."


Windsor Star: Reports Mike Bossy Thursday Night will be inducted into the the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Toronto.

Long Island Exchange:Joe Pietaro had an early season update on the Islanders start compared to the Rangers and Devils with comments from Ted Nolan and Chris Campoli.

Canadian Press: Reports former Islander Joel Bouchard signed a twenty five game tryout contract with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL.

Going back to Wednesday Morning NY Sun: Kevin Greenstein did one of his infrequent updates on the New York Islanders. Unfortunately his Islander updates do not link to a feeder I can carry on the blog page but the updates are always an excellent read when you get past some peripheral mis information as he had today with the so-called exodus of Poti and Jason Blake.

The surprising Islanders have posted a 5–3 record thus far, proving to be far better on the ice than they appeared on paper. While it's easy to give deserved credit to the goal-scorers and star goaltender Rick DiPietro, the truth of the matter is that these Islanders are succeeding because they're playing in the mold of their head coach. Nolan's work ethic has rubbed off on his team. As long as the Isles keep playing this hard, they are going to be a very dangerous — if improbable — playoff contender.


AHL.com
Reported Sound Tigers lost 4-3 at Lowell Wednesday and lost a 2-1 lead entering the third as they again found themselves down two men as Lowell scored the 4-2 goal on an expiring power play before captain Mark Wotton scored the final goal of the game.

Joey MacDonald returned to the net with twenty nine saves, Jeff Tambellini had two assist as did Ben Walter. Steve Regier and Jamie Fraser had the other Bridgeport goals.

Ct Post: Also had the game recap article with comments from Jack Capuano on his club.

"I thought we had it under control," coach Jack Capuano said. "They're a good team. You know what? They got momentum. They had a couple of breaks, and the momentum changed."

"The guys battled to the end, but some guys have got to battle a little harder,"


Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updated his blog on the Sound Tigers loss at Lowell.

Lowell Sun: Provides the Lowell Devils AHL team coverage.

Columbus Dispatch: Tom Reed has an outstanding article on former Islander teammates Michael Peca and Jason Blake.

"Jason was like the head of the snake (on the Islanders)," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "If you didn't get to him, you didn't get to them. He would just run amok."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
What lull in the schedule again? Seems like a ton of things Islander-related happening to me the last few days.

Tomas Pock on waivers, Meyer sent to AHL

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/24/2007 04:03:00 PM | | | | | | | | | |
Newsday: Steve Zipay reported in his blog the Rangers placed defense man
Tomas Pock on waivers today.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Considering the Islanders held on to Meyer as long as they did before putting him on waivers and now Berard is out for two weeks to a month this may be something Garth Snow and Ted Nolan consider to get back the depth they lost. Of course, if they do this there is no spot in the lineup for Pock with Johnson as the depth defender on the roster and the Islanders may have to put him on waivers.

My guess is Coyotes gm Don Maloney claims Pock if anyone does.

Updated Wednesday 8pm:
Arizona Republic: Jim Gintonio reports Freddy Meyer went sent to San Antonio because Zbynek Michalek is ready to return for the Coyotes.

Newsday: John Jeansonne updated the Islanders blog and reported Richard Park will take the oath of U.S. citizenship Friday, Aaron Johnson is back on the fourth line right wing spot and that Bates is still working his way back from surgery.

Chris Simon article out in Sports Illustrated

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/24/2007 02:14:00 PM | | | | | |
SI.com Michael Farber from SI today released his four part article on Chris Simon that Chris Botta here in his point blank blog was critical of earlier today. It has quotes from a lot of former teammates, associates, former Islanders and Ted Nolan.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
As I wrote earlier in the Hunter vs Boulerice blog members of the coaching and general managers who were critical of Boulerice are some of the same people who today praise Dale Hunter and what his career stood for which includes what he did to Pierre Turgeon as he teaches and influences a new generation of hockey players.

I felt Michael Farber went out of his way trying to make a point telling us his source claimed owner Charles Wang wanted to mention Simon's possible concussion as a way of "getting out in front" of the story. He received the longest suspension in league history so what would that have solved?

In his article Mr Farber did not include an important part of the story that Simon because of his concussion could not even go to Toronto for his hearing because he could not fly according to Newsday reports. He had his hearing in New York. How come Mr Farber did not have quotes and discussion from league officials about his inability to attend a meeting because he could not travel if he seems to be making the point he was not hurt when he hit Hollwig?

As for the rest it's an interesting read but does seem to go out of it's way to rip Simon. I don't know what Simon may have said that was not quoted. His career suspensions speak for themselves over more than a decade and the comments from the hockey community were very interesting. As I wrote last week this was the same person who was beating up former Islander Dave Scatchard wearing a shoulder brace a few years ago will the reaction be different if he and Scatchard were to fight later this season if he is recalled from Hartford?

And of course like so many writers who stick around long enough Michael Farber had a very different opinion of Dale Hunter when he chatted with Sports Illustrated's CNN/SI anchor Johnny Phelps back at the trade deadline in 1999 when Hunter was sent from the Caps to the Colorado Avalanche here.

Farber: Starting with Dale Hunter, it's kind of "That 80's Show." You have to remember that the Avalanche are the old Quebec Nordiques and back in the 80's Dale Hunter, along with the Stasny brothers, were the heart and soul of the Nordiques, and it's nice to see him end his career with the team that he meant so much to earlier on.


And of course a month or two later Michael Farber was not critical of Dale Hunter
here in an update where he wrote Bob Hartley has to get his team under control and only mentioned Hunter's penalties as well as being put on the ice.

NYI Fan Central added to blog box

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/24/2007 12:20:00 PM | | | | |



New York Islander Fan Central today was linked to the Islanders list of official blogs on it's page for those interested.

I always prefer to let the quality of the hockey content speak for itself and could not have it any other way. For someone like myself who always has a lot of hockey to discuss when it comes time to talk about myself I can barely write out a paragraph for a brief bio.

Hopefully I do a better job here today.

Where do I start other by thanking the New York Islanders organization Mr Botta/Mr Witt responding to my-email (Mr Botta's kind words about the blog) and extending this honor to a thirty year plus Islander fan who has owned, written or moderated two successful Islander communities over a seven year period thanks to the members at both sites and our regular visitors at this blog barely three months old for their support.

My special thanks and appreciation also goes out to Mr Prospects who goes onto the message board here almost daily and even on a new board generating very little posting beyond my own topics has taken his time and efforts to do daily updates for us on how Islander prospects are doing on a game by game basis.

The last thing I wanted to see was my blog given any special announcement. I do what I do here, at Islanders-Sound Tigers and Hockey's Future over the years simply because I enjoy it. I have no interest in any spotlight or special attention and felt this was my way of giving something back to the Islanders for all their efforts and for all the great hockey memories they have given me for over thirty years. This blog is not about myself, it's about the New York Islanders. It's going to be positive and critical depending on how the club does but it will also be honest and provide a good digest of daily information and game analysis.

Everyone has their own skills. I'm not interested in going to the blog box or interviewing players and feel there are a lot of younger folks who have a career opportunity in front of them and I do not think that is where my best abilities
are. If you came here looking for someone who will provide breaking news or first hand insider information that's not what I do either. When it comes to rumors I prefer to be dead last and a hundred percent correct when I post information here because I am not a member of the media and will not pretend to be an expert on anything because that's not fair to you.

I blog about the Islanders and give personal perspectives on things I read from media or things I'm interested in discussing regarding Islander hockey.

I feel what I do with this blog is where I can best serve the Islander fan community by providing a quality blog I think our fans will want to visit, contribute to themselves and enjoy.

Finally for those curious what's going to change here at NYI Fan Central now that it is linked to the Islanders blog box?

Absolutely nothing. What you have seen with this site is what you get and I hope to continue to do this to the best of my ability as I always have and let the quality speak for itself.

Thanks again to all the folks who have come here and supported this blog or who have e-mailed me with their kind words and support.

And with that let's get back to the hockey.

Blake Kessel online chat with USHL.com

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/24/2007 11:44:00 AM | | |

USHL.com: Announced for the first time the league will be holding online player chats, allowing the fans to submit questions to players in the league. The chats will not be live at this time.

Islander prospect from the Waterloo Blackhawks, Blake Kessel will be the league's first player chat. He is committed to the University of New Hampshire for next season.

To send a question for the chat, simply go to USHL.com/qa to submit your question.

Questions and answers will appear on the USHL.com website next week.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I will also post a link to the Q & A here for those interested. I did not know Kessel was committed to New Hampshire for next season.

Islander News Articles 10/24

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/23/2007 09:32:00 PM | | | | | | | | | | |

Newsday: Erik Boland covered the Islanders beat for Wednesday's article and reports on Berard's injury. Ted Nolan will put Marc-Andre Bergeron back in the lineup for Saturday's game against Carolina.

"He had a couple of off games, so we gave him a rest and with everyone playing so well, we couldn't get him back in the lineup," Nolan said. "The guys ahead of him were just playing that much better. You have to give him credit because he's been very positive. Right now, he has a chance to get back in there and do his thing."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
The picture is exactly where I thought Berard got hurt watching the game.

Hopefully the time off settled down Bergeron. My early impression of him right or wrong is he had no pressure coming here from Edmonton and got a chance to settle in but now that he's on the club from day one with expectations as well as a new defensive partner who was also new in Andy Sutton it's more of a struggle for him.

I don't know, we'll have to see how he does starting against Carolina.

Updated Wednesday am
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's update going into tonight's game against Lowell is about how the Sound Tigers lead the league in being shorthanded five against three.

"You've got to be ready to compete every shift," coach Jack Capuano said. "If you're not, you're going to take penalties. "If it continues," he added, "some guys are going to sit."


Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Lowell Devils
WHEN — Tonight, 7:05
WHERE — Tsongas Arena, Lowell, Mass.
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at www.soundtigers.com

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio also updated his blog with a chart to illustrate the disparity of the amount of times the club has played two men short.

Recordnet: Scott Linesburgh had more on former Islander prospect Ryan O'Marra being sent to Stockton Thunder and will make his ECHL debut tonight when he joins the club. O'Marra joins goaltender Devan Dubnyk as first-round picks who have been sent to the Thunder.

"He wasn't getting the ice time they want a young guy to get, which is why he was sent to me," Cichocki said. "He'll play here, and he's guy with a lot of skill and grit, which is exciting to see."


Edmonton Sun: Edmonton Journal : Have plenty of coverage of Colorado's win in Ryan Smyth's emotional return to Edmonton.

Updated on PK/Sound Tigers update

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/23/2007 08:24:00 PM | | | | | | | | | |
Islanders Website: Jason Lockhart
today had an update on the penalty killing success to this point with quotes from assistant coach John Chabot who credits the players on the back line and up front.

"As a coach you talk to the players all you want, but the players actually do the work to get things done," said Chabot. "The credit really should go to them for doing anything and everything to get the job done. There are not a lot of different things that can be done, but our guys have paid the price to be successful."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good update that brings up a stat many fans do not see in blocked shots and well deserved praise for Richard Park's ability to force defenders when shorthanded to the out side angles for a lower percentage shot. What Tampa and Carolina's Stanley Cup Championships said to me was it's not names on defense but chemistry among a unit.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's blog this afternoon had a few interesting updates on some prospects among Mike Mole being sent to Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. Eurohockey.net (a very good site for confirmed information on players in Europe) reports Masi Marjamaki playing back in his hometown Ässät Pori. Sergei Ogorodnikov going to Novokuznetsk, while former Islander prospect Ryan O'Marra was sent to the ECHL.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
For those who recall an earlier blog update here Ogorodnikov did not want to come to camp and the Islanders may have had to consider a buyout. It should be noted this site confirms he has been loaned from CSKA Moskva to Metallurg Novokuznetsk.

In the very former Islander department:
Former Islander Aleksandr Karpovtsev transferred from Sibir Novosibirsk to Avangard Omsk and Dimitri Nabakov is a confirmed transaction from Sibir Novosibirsk to unknown.

Funny thing prior to the new cba Islanders would have had Nabakov's prospect rights forever. I used to see some European players drafted by the club back in the Bill Torrey era still listed on protected lists as late as 2003 who never played an NHL game but who's NHL rights were listed as Islanders.

Islanders early trends by the numbers

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/23/2007 02:31:00 PM | | |
Yahoo.com : Among countless websites that complies the NHL stats for teams and players I thought today would be a good day to take a look at the early trends for the Islanders by the numbers.

For anyone who has been following this blog I have pointed out several times the Islanders pp to penality last season was a ridiclous minus ninety and this is what I have found:

* So far to this point the Islanders again are among the teams with the highest pp to penalty disparity at minus eight 36-44.

* Toronto, Atlanta and Calgary right now are the only clubs with a worse disaprity and except for Atlanta all have played more games than the Islanders. For many teams the trends are more penalities taken, more powerplays drawn (Anaheim) less penalties taken, less powerplays drawn (Tampa) but games played this early in the season also have to be considered.

* Of all the clubs who have taken more than 44 penalties only Atlanta at 35 powerplay's have drawn less than the Islanders.

* Islanders are one of only thirteen clubs below fifty percent on faceoff percentage.

* Best trend to this point is the powerplay and penalty kill percentage with the Islanders at the top of the league in both departments at 27.8 on the powerplay and 90.9 on the pk.

* Worst trend to this point is the plus minus on a club that was one of the best at even strength a year ago and had to be with it's powerplay to penalty disparity, most of the roster is in negative numbers and it goes beyond the 8-1 loss at Toronto.

* Also for a club that did not lose a game they led going into the third peirod they have lost one game they did lead going into the third (Washington) and have blown one and two goals leads in the third peirod but recovered to win.

In terms of individual numbers:
* Bergenheim is the only regular forward who does not have a negative rating and is even on the season. Andy Hilbert is the lowest rated forward at minus four.

* Guerin is leading the club in shots by a wide margin with thirty, Hunter has twenty two while Comrie has only sixteen shots on goal and scored on five.

* Unlike last season the club is getting it's scoring from it's defense where last year until the Bergeron trade the club had around fourteen total goals at the trade deadline.

Qualifying Offers 101 Rules Per CBA

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/23/2007 12:23:00 PM |
Here are the rules per CBA:
Teams are required to extend a one-year “qualifying offer” to any current restricted free agent by June 28 in order to receive the right of the first refusal or draft choice compensation should that respective player sign an offer sheet with another NHL club. The qualifying offers will expire at 4 p.m. (Central Time) on Thursday, July 15.

Qualifying offers fall into three categories:

1. A player whose prior year salary was equal or less than $660,000 must receive a qualifying offer of 110% of their prior year’s salary.

2. A player whose prior year salary was more than $660,000 and up to $1 million must receive a qualifying offer of 105% of their prior year’s salary (but in no event shall such qualifying offer exceed $1 million).

3. A player whose prior year salary was more than $1 million must receive a qualifying offer at 100% of their prior year’s salary.

If a team does not give a qualifying offer to a restricted free agent, he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and can sign with any team with no compensation required to the player’s former club.

NYIFC Comments:
To clarify, if a player is given a qualifying offer by 6/28 and accepts by 7/15 he is signed per above increases. If not, the player/team can elect arbitration, to which a contract will be awarded. Or he can elect to do nothing, and keep negotiating.

Islander News Articles 10/23:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/23/2007 12:10:00 PM | | | |
Newsday: Mark Herrmann's article has to do with Bill Guerin settling to the community.

"I think everybody on the team has a good relationship with our fans because they're into it, they love the Islanders and things are going well right now," he said. "When the Islanders let a bunch of guys go, they were a little skeptical, but I think they know the type of guys we've got."


On Head Coach Ted Nolan:

"He's not a hard guy to get along with. He doesn't ask for a lot, just that you work hard and show up to play every night," Guerin said. "Really, that's not a lot to ask for, being it's our job."


Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has an update on Sound Tigers practice Monday after a 6-1 loss.

"We refreshed the guys on some systems," coach Jack Capuano said. "Obviously we didn't play very well in the first half of the game. We had a good meeting this morning to go over some things."


On the Ryan Smyth return to Edmonton Front there was very little Islander-related beyond his trade but here is a link to most of the articles.

A few words from Deb Kaufman

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/22/2007 07:05:00 PM | | | |
Msg.com: Too bad Deb Kaufman writes so infrequently on the Islanders but in this update she says it better than anyone else has so far about the 2007-08 Islanders.

Last year the Islanders went into the season with a top line of Alexei Yashin, Jason Blake and fill in the blank. This year it's Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie and Ruslan Fedotenko. If they didn't like their chances with one group over another, they're not paying attention, or they've been reading too many national previews.

The way Rick DiPietro played last year, did they think he was going to be touched by a magic wand this summer and come back less talented? Did they think Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais were going to be the first young defensemen in the history of the National Hockey League to get valuable playoff experience, get a year older, wiser, and stronger and come back to be worse players than they were the season before?

Did they think Brendan Witt would lose his will to win and stop blocking shots once he got paired with a healthy Radek Martinek, who was now going to be back?


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Unlike her appearance for the final preseason game in Boston where she was guessing about some things because she was not in Moncton this time she hits a home run with her comments and I agree with almost everything.

That's exactly how I looked at it this summer too regarding the first line and DiPietro. Anyone who watched Gervais and Campoli not only score but have show some impressive signs in the Sabres series and during last season when healthy could see there was a good chance they would come back and do even better with more experience combined with being a year older.

Islanders could still be a bad team in the end and a lot of things can go wrong but on paper going into this season it was clear they did not take major steps backwards.

Islanders Powerplay among the best.

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/22/2007 06:32:00 PM | | |
Islanders website: Has a little feature on the power play today. Ted Nolan had some praise for assistant coach Gerard Gallant who credited the players on both units.

"We told the guys right from the start it's about getting pucks to the net and putting traffic in front," said Gallant. "You need to get screens in front of the goalies and crash the net. Our guys have been paying the price in front of the net and that's led to our success. Just look at the two power play goals against New Jersey. Comrie scored the first one, but we had three guys around the net. It was the same for the overtime goal. They're not trying to be cute."

"Guerin has been in this league a long time, so he knows when to move in and out from in front of the net," said Gallant. "Comrie is our set up guy, who is very skilled working the corners. But he also goes hard to the net to score on those jam plays. Fedotenko has been the guy in front screening the goalie and making it difficult for the defense."

"You can't forget about the second unit," said Gallant. "They've been just as strong working the puck down low and getting it to the net."

"Our defensemen have done a good job of moving their feet and getting involved," said Gallant. "They've been effective at getting pucks through and not having them blocked. Even if their shots don't go in, they're creating big rebounds for our forwards."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Do not want to downplay success but this power play has been more about throwing the puck at the goal and having it go in. Kind of like Bill Guerin's first goal against Washington where with a five on three he took an outside shot because the club could generate nothing down low and it got past Kolzig. It counts and they add up over eighty two games but what you want are cross ice passes down low scored which are the kind of plays the goaltender cannot stop. So far we have seen very little of this from the Islander power play and only a lot of peripheral movement and lower percentage shots.

The good news is we have seen a power play that is generating a lot of goals from the defenders unlike last season and that's the one obvious change under Gallant.

Bad news is to stay a top power play in the long run the Islanders are going to have to create some skilled chances down low. As nice as Vasicek's goal was on the pp he was alone because Satan's shot was blocked and it went to him, it was not off a pass.

Islander odds and ends for Monday.

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/22/2007 03:27:00 PM | | | | | | | | | |
Cory Witt's media blog: Had some interesting updates today. (below)

USA Today: Kevin Allen ranks Garth Snow as having done the best job of diagnosing their problems and fixing them:

USA Today: A.J Perez did a Q/A with Bryan Berard prior to his injury that was released today.

On other fronts:

Espn: In the no news is great news department Scott Burnside ignores the Islanders in this article that deals with coaches who could be on the hotseat among other things.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updated his blog this afternoon. Apparently coach Jack Capuano had a few meetings and is making some changes. Joey MacDonald returned to the club but for the moment the Sound Tigers are carrying three goaltenders.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I find it interesting that a 5-3 record merits the same snap-judgements of praise from some in the media as the ones who were killing Snow last summer. It's a long season and we'll see what kind of club the Islanders are as we move forward. So far I see some good and very bad trends which did have me asking was the season at the crossroads in terms of it's scoring from it's forwards which is a question that will linger.

This is like those articles that claim the Islanders wanted to keep everyone but omit the part about how they were not even given offers near market value to stay to claim it was still an exodus by the players.

The article on Berard he talks about his groin problems, he did play the second peirod for a few shifts. It looked like he got hurt late in the first tumbling over a teammate in his own end for those who taped the game.

NYI/NHL notables:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/22/2007 12:13:00 PM | | | | | | | |
Bill Guerin did not win whatever version of NHL player of the week it's called these days by the NHL. He somehow did not even finish in the top three.

NHL.com Reports Flyers goaltender Martin Biron, Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla and Chicago Blackhawks forward Jason Williams have been named the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ for the week ending October 21.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sure liked it better when there was one award. I did not even know they changed from offensive and defensive player of the week to give you an idea of how this has become a non-event.

Hopefully the league dumped the Messier cold-x award too as another terrible idea.
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Denver Post: Teri Frei questions the firing of Bob Hartley by the Atlanta Thrashers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Granted the gm should have taken the fall with Hartley at the very least or Hartley should have stayed and Waddell dismissed but what Frei does not point out here is the Thrashers did have an urgency to make the playoffs for the first time last season. It's a lot of people like Frei that remind us all the time about hockey's lack of impact in the Southern markets and you cannot blame Waddell for understanding it was important for his club to qualify just as Garth Snow understood it was important for his club to qualify with the Smyth trade or the Sharks with the Guerin trade.

I don't know if Hartley was too tough for the players but when he was dismissed in Colorado many wrote/said the same thing about him. Fair or not sometimes it's easier to fire the coach then fire the players, especially on a team with a franchise player like Kovalchuk who can make or break not only a coach but a franchise.

I don't know what Kovalchuk thought of Hartley but as an outsider you have to think Waddell had an idea it's a move the star player would not be devastated by.
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What's the deal with Brent Sutter, was he poisoned that badly by the media out west about the Islanders or was it something with Justin Mapletoft?

Newark Star Ledger:Rich Chere has this comment from Brent Sutter on the Islanders:

"From that aspect, absolutely I'd like to see them (come back). I think they're taking strides that way. They're bringing people back that were part of their success."


NYI Fan Central Comments:
I'm just curious where Brent Sutter thinks the Islanders are coming back from after making the playoffs four times in the last five years? Things have not been perfect, but there are a lot of NHL organizations that have been far worse during that time.

Chris Botta : In his media blog asks a very fair question here wondering if Sutter remembers the thousands of people who supported his career if he remembers them?
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Denver Post: Teri Frei also reports Ryan Smyth is having a news conference in Edmonton prior to his Tuesday game against the Oilers.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Hopefully we will get no tears this time. Would have been interesting if Edmonton for all the money they were throwing at restricted free agents decided to make Smyth an offer last summer but it's fair to say Kevin Lowe was correct not overpaying for a limited player. Islanders will visit Colorado this season.
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Sports Business Journal: Tripp Micklel and Eric Fisher report the league's response to the Rangers lawsuit with Bill Daly providing his written comments with the owners siding with the league by a count of 25-3 with Edmonton absent and Detroit in abstention.

The NHL filed more than four hundred pages of statements and exhibits from seven league officials and team executives Oct. 12 countering MSG’s claims that the league’s new media policy eliminates competition between the Rangers and other teams.

“The Rangers’ complaint amounts to an attack on the fundamental manner in which the league and every other professional sports league is organized and operates. … Granting MSG its requested relief would strip the league of its essential and fundamental structure.”


* Daly added that the Rangers popularity stems from playing other NHL teams and that it has benefited by hiring popular players who other NHL teams develop, such as Wayne Gretzky, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
This is a pay subscription site that we joined on a trial basis for use on Islander Fan Central for hockey/business information.

Good job by Daly reminding us other clubs developed the Rangers current stars and this is a partnership with the league. Clearly the other owners want no part of associating with James Dolan. I'm wondering if the Devils, Islanders and Sabres were forced by the man who owns their broadcast rights to support him?

Considering the Rangers lost the most money of any club going into the lockout and have lost money in an outdated building for decades to where they need free rent, tax exemptions and even low cost elecrricity at Msg and that Cablevision is willing to overspend out of it's own pocket to increase Ranger financial losses and even front loaded contracts to Drury and Gomez to circumvent the new CBA, why should any owner who wants to run a responsible hockey business long-term want any part of supporting Dolan and his hockey business practice?

Dolan's way over his head taking on the NHL unless his supporter speaker Sheldon Sliver controls this court like he did the PCB which killed the West Side Stadium with Silver's son a paid lobbyist for Msg.

Dolan does not have his fellow owners support, his team has no impact on national ratings and are invisible in baseball's largest market. Why is it a big deal to Dolan that his site is linked to the league website?

Logan blog update: Snow's comments

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/22/2007 11:05:00 AM | | |
Newsday: Greg Logan updated his blog with comments from Garth Snow on how the free agents have done so far in as well as Bergenheim, DiPietro and the rest of the club.

“To me, it’s not a surprise that Mike Comrie is one of the leaders in goals and points and that Bill Guerin and Fedotenko and Vasicek are playing the way they are,” “We knew what we were getting. Maybe it’s an eye-opener to our fans and the hockey community, but we’re not surprised at the way our players are producing.”

“There was one point in the second period against the Devils when they looked like the Central Red Army team,” Snow said. “They were really dominating. Sean’s an energy-type player who can do the work along the walls, much like Fedotenko can. And like Fedotenko, he’s got the ability to put the puck in the net when he gets the chance. There’s a reason why we like him so much and made a spot for him on our team.”


On Rick DiPietro:

“He’s been our best player on a night-to-night basis for sure,” Snow said. “This league is about goaltending. It’s like pitching in baseball or quarterback in football. Goaltending is everything, and when you don’t get it, you realize how much you miss it. He’s taken it to the next level where he’s making difficult saves look easy. That’s what’s fun for me to watch. He’s done it for a couple years now. To me, he’s one of the top goalies in the league.

“The things he does, we take for granted. It’s not easy to handle the puck the way he does or to move laterally to make second and third saves. There’s only a few goalies in the league that can do what he does. Last year was more of a breakout year in terms of people recognizing him outside this market. Ricky should start getting the credit he deserves as a top goalie in the league.”


On the Atlantic Division:

“It’s one of the best divisions, if not the best and most competitive in the league, especially when you get three teams from the New York metropolitan area,” Snow said. “They’re like playoff games with the higher intensity.” At the same time, Snow emphasized his belief that the Islanders have improved enough to contend for the playoffs again, saying, “We’re faster, and we have more energy. We’re a better, more well-rounded team.”


NYI Fan Central Comments:
Of course this could not appear in the newspaper where it belongs when the gm speaks, even though no other paper is covering the Islanders.

Islander News Articles 10/21:

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/20/2007 11:53:00 PM | | | | | |
Newsday: Greg Logan has comments from Nolan, Guerin and Rick DiPietro on the win Saturday.

"That line had another strong game," Nolan said. "Joe is coming into his own, and it was great to see Miro get his first goal, especially the way he skated to the net. Sean Bergenheim played well on that line also."

"They came out hard in the third and got a couple of weird bounces," DiPietro said of the Devils' pressure. "Coming back was big. You don't like to give away a two-goal lead, but the way we kept our composure was a positive."


Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updated his blog on the Sound Tigers 6-1 loss Saturday and had his game article for the newspaper here.

"We just never got out of the blocks," Bridgeport coach Jack Capuano said. "Guys weren't ready to skate, weren't ready to compete. We've got to learn from it."

"It's up to us as leaders to get the guys going in here, to get a better start," captain Mark Wotton said.


Updated Sunday:
Daily News: Brian Bohl was allowed space in the paper eqivalent to a postage stamp to cover the game between two local teams that read worse than an AP summary.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Not Mr Bohl's fault that Leon Carver does not hire a full time beatwriter or blogger for the club at the Post or give him the proper space to do a game report.

NY Post: Devils writer Mark Everson was the only post reported dispactched to cover an Islander home game at Nassau Coliseum.

NY Times: Dave Caldwell made a very rare appearance at the Coliseum and did an article on the game.

Newark Star Ledger: Bergen Record: Has the Devils centric coverage and reaction.

Wilkes Barr Times Leader: Citzens Voice: Has the WBS Penguins centric coverage of their win against Bridgport Saturday.

Newsday: Greg Logan had a second article about the special teams and reaction about the goal waved off against Washington from Ted Nolan.

New York 4, New Jersey 3 ot

New York Islander Fan Central | 10/20/2007 11:14:00 PM | | |

NYI.com: Has the recap of the Islanders 4-3 overtime victory at home against New Jersey. Islanders did not win a single game at home last year against the Devils.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Like Bill Guerin said, two points is two points.

How they got them is another story because at best Islanders skated for one period and were not the better team in this game. Shot totals were very misleading.

When they did skate in that second period New Jersey looked completely lost and Kevin Weekes had no chance and the Islanders could have put them away for the night with the plays they were making because they worked the Devils into the ice. Aside from that the Islanders looked terrible and could have given up three or more in the first and third. DiPietro did not get any breaks from Sutton who fair or not bad things happen around him historically and did again tonight when he blocked shot found the net.

DiPietro saved them early and late and finally in overtime on that four on three.

Gervais had a turnover that led to a goal but made a few other plays that were fantastic, Campoli looked dominating at times.

Bergenheim's penalty should have finished the Islanders but somehow New Jersey did not finish them. Of course in the second period Bergenheim was dominating and set up Satan for his first goal on a beautiful power move to the net. Satan's assist was a shot that deflected to Vasicek who made a nice move on a goalie not mobile to tie the game.

So far, so good with Vasieck, already halfway to the six goals he scored a year ago.

Comrie had Weekes beat early in the third and missed one he looked like he should have finished, when he did not and the Islanders wasted a four minute pp in the third they looked like New Jersey was on the power play and scored the tying goal as it expired.

From there it seemed like when, not if the Devils would score the winning goal, Islanders generated very little and all credit to Madden, Gionta and Parise who is going to haunt the Islanders his entire career because he's a star with world class speed and offensive skills. His shot for the 1-0 goal was fantastic and he was the most dangerous forward on the ice.

Johnson did a nice job and had to go back on defense after Berard hurt his groin which is never good for any player much less one with his injury history. Guerin scored the winner but for the most part did not create much and again looked lost with Sillinger and Hilbert. Simon had one nice hit and Park/Bergenheim were very good killing penalties.

Fedotenko does things during a game that go beyond numbers and did the dirty work on the overtime winner.

After the Islanders killed off the overtime penalty, I was surprised the Islanders opened it up and played the Devils game, you got DiPietro vs Weekes in a shootout which should be a clear advantage for the Islanders. They drew a powerfully, they scored and won it so no complaints, but sometimes you have to play the percentage.

Asham looked good and used on their top lines. I was kind of shocked on his third period move to the net and thought he was going to score but DiPietro forced him wide.

5-3 with a week off, three third period leads lost. Could be better, but could have been worse too. The loss of Sim should not be discounted either in this because his energy was being counted on.

Sound Tigers Website: Reports Bridgeport lost 6-1 at home to WBS Penguins Saturday, Ben Walter had the Sound Tigers goal.