Islander News Articles 7/2

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/01/2008 10:49:00 PM | | | | | |



Newsday: Greg Logan reports Garth Snow signed the 30-year-old power-play specialist in Mark Streit who tied for third among the league's defensemen last season with 62 points, including 13 goals (seven on the power play) and 49 assists.

Garth Snow is quoted that Streit solves his power play and was a player targeted early on, that he will be a solid contributor on the blue line and obviously play a significant role on the power play but his play will determine whether he is top four spot or not. The general manager also thinks Streit is getting better as a great puck mover with speed who is good at making that tape-to-tape pass coming out of the defensive zone with gifted ability on the power play that will add a different element to the team and that he's excited to be an Islander.

With regard to Doug Weight speculation and other free agents again Garth Snow said if we bring in too many players, it will take away ice time from our younger players, and I he does not want to do that but if something makes sense, we'll do it.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
A lot like Martinek moving the puck quickly but not in the same league as Martinek on defense. No doubt he will help the powerplay.

Not only did a big name player sign here but they got the player below market value, unlike the team with the older arena in the area.

I guess it's time for the media folks writing no one will sign here need a new act because that one has been put to bed for good tonight.

When I did my breakdown of defenders I wanted Streit, of course I'm thrilled.

Point Blank: Mr Botta seems to think Garth Snow is not done for the night if he did not do the ITV interview.

Updated:
Mr Botta had a final blog last night about some of the moves with some Islander speculation looking ahead here.

NY Post: Dan Martin had a few short paragraphs and part of Garth Snow's statement on the Streit signing.

Daily News went AP only on the signing.

NY Times with three people covering hockey yesterday put the Islanders signing of Mark Streit into one sentence on a Dave Caldwell Devils/NHL centric article that did not include quotes from the club.

Montreal Gazette: Pat Hickey writes he was glad to
Mark Streit cash in with his five-year, $20.5-million deal from New York but felt they overpaid for the power-play specialist, but he did not think they'll be as disappointed as the Oilers paying Sheldon Souray $5.4 million a season.

Edmonton Journal: Jim Matheson in an article on overpaying players notes Mark Streit who had 62 points last year, got a staggering $5 million a year, even though he's basically a power-play specialist in today's NHL and that Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau would play him on the fourth line in large part, rather than have him take a regular shift on the blue-line.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Fair enough but that's not what he signed for each year.

Calgary Herald/CP: Has Mark Streit's comments from the Isles website along with Garth Snow.

Globe & Mail: Eric Duhatschek reports on all the crazy money thrown around yesterday with Chicago gm Dale Tallon's comments who signed Brian Campbell.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Article lists all the deals and trades made yesterday with the dollars.

Swiss info.ch: Report Mark Streit had to choose between ten different contract offers and his signing makes him the second highest earning Swiss sportsman after world tennis champion Roger Federer.

Sportsnet.com: Pierre LeBrun in an article praising agents for getting the clients big money yesterday notes Pat Brisson patiently waited all day long before getting the biggest contract of Mark Streit's life -- $20.5 million over five years from the New York Islanders and asks has anyone see him play in his own zone last year?

Star-Tribune: Michael Russo reports the Minnesota Wild are interested in Kristian Huselius with agent Don Meehan's comments that they will speak again on Wednesday.

Ottawa Sun: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators were looking at Mark Streit as well as Daily News Ranger salesman John Dellapina here.

Globe & Mail: Grant Robertson has an article with comments from Charles Wang about Jump TV as he is about to take over as he spoke about owning the Islanders and how he saw only attended two games before purchasing the club as well as a quick Mike Milbury story.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
It should be noted a week ago the owner of myspace tried to buy into this merger and was rejected. Some very interesting hockey stories never reported in Newsday about Mr Wang's Islander tenure that almost qualifies as a must read for Islander fans about the owner and how he does things.

Updated 3:00pm
Espn.com What's a July day without Scott Burnside telling Islander fans the club cannot attract top free agents to the Nassau Coliseum even though they just signed the 10th rated one in this summers class below market value. Mr Burnside gave his grades on the first day signings and gave the club he feels has no business being anywhere but at the bottom of the conference a B for signing Streit.