Islander News Articles 7/8

New York Islander Fan Central | 7/08/2008 09:00:00 AM | | | | | |
Globe & Mail: Tim Wharnsby reports NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly flew to Zurich to take another shot at working out a player transfer agreement, confirmed reports the NHL will indeed announce this week that the New Year's Day outdoor game between the Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings will be held at Wrigley Field, and reportedly said the NHL should look at putting one or two of its troubled franchises in Southwestern Ontario and Winnipeg.

Daily News: John Dellapina has his Ranger spin on the story as to why a game did not take place in New York claiming the mayor's office was on board but with no quotes from anyone but speculates his team could be part of a New Yankee Stadium outdoor game in 2010.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Wake me next summer. I have a hard time envisioning the Yankees agreeing to tear up their new ballfield for this at any price. No way will the Bloomberg administration do anything for Cablevision if they have any say in it at all given the countless millions they have cost the city. Only accurate part of this to me is Dick Ebersol will keep the New York Islanders off his network at all cost because of the Garden's business relationship with NBC that included Knick infomercials during NFL games on Sunday last fall and even a game shifted to the network.

Two years in a row are enough outdoor games. I think after this one the league should not make this an annual event or it will go stale quickly. I have no doubt Mr Dellapina, Mr Ebersol and Mr Dolan are desperate to elevate the Rangers minimal local and national profile just as the Islanders and Devils would like but to shut out one team vs another just is not right nor will any combination of teams at Yankee Stadium produce much of a higher national rating than the other given the poor national ratings with Mr Ebersol's network showing the Garden's team.

New York is a big market, however it's a very small hockey market because it cannot compete with the major sport stories in town, lack of backpages do not lie.

Columbus Dispatch: Aaron Portzline reports in the Blue Jackets blog that former Islander Michael Peca has come to terms on a contract extension that could be announced as early as Tuesday.

Sound Tigers.com: Reports Joe Callahan's contract is a one year/two way agreement.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has an article on the signing of Joe Callahan with comments from team President, Howard Saffan.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in his Ct Post blog has a few words on Joe Callahan, Peter MacArthur and reports Bridgeport's rookie camp will be in Shelton and that Jack Capuano is in St. Cloud, Minn., this week with USA Hockey's Select 17 development camp before he heads to Islanders development camp next week.

Ct Post: Mr Fornabaio in the Sound Tigers blog notes Steve Regier's profile is now listed with the St Louis Blues.